Life 23 (Jul 14 - Jan 15)

[winston]

What is the easiest way to free ourselves from difficulties ?

The Himalayas or ‘Himachala’ forms the Northern boundary of India.

‘Hima’ means ice. It is white in colour and melts easily. Whiteness symbolizes purity. ‘Achala’ means that which is steady. Your heart should also be like the Himachala - pure, steady and which melts with compassion.

The Divine resides in each and every heart that is pure, steady and full of compassion. But today, many hearts have lost these noble qualities due to limitless desires.

Life is a long journey and your desire is the luggage. The journey of your life will become enjoyable only when you reduce the luggage of desires. Less luggage, more comfort makes travel a pleasure!

The Scriptures teaches that you should offer everything to the Divine. You must perform every single action with the only goal to please the Divine. This is the easiest and most effective way to be free from all difficulties and hardships.

- My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 19, Feb 10, 2000.

Do all your tasks as offering to the Divine; do not classify some as ‘my work’ and some as ‘His’ work.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

― Charles Darwin

[winston]

What is our reality?

The body is made up of five elements and is not real at any time.

Body is like a water bubble. The bubble is born in water, sustained in water and ultimately merges in the water. Similarly the Self is born from Divine Consciousness and merges ultimately in the Divine.

Birth and death are scenes in this drama of life; do not consider them to be true. In your sleep you may have seen many mansions, but when you are awake, you don't see any of them!

The buildings you see during your day are not visible to you when you are asleep. Hence both are untrue – day-dreams and night-dreams at best! The only fact in it is that 'you' are present in both times.

Similarly though you have a human form, in reality you are Divine. Therefore sanctify this birth by leading a pure and sacred life. Don't accumulate the dirt of worldly life.

- My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 17, 'Sri Adi Shankaracharya: His Message.'

Virtue is the salt of life; Love is the highest virtue. Develop love by sharing it.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the attitude with which we must lead our lives and perform actions?

A man was performing a marriage in a village. Due to the insufficiency of cooking vessels, the person went to a rich man to borrow them for the occasion.

The rich man generously loaned them and the vessels were used to cook a feast to serve the guests attending the wedding. After the function, can the dirty vessels be returned to the owner? No!

The vessels must be cleaned inside and outside thoroughly and then be returned. This is true also for the vessel present within you, loaned by the Divine - your heart!

All of you are pilgrims in the journey of life. Just as you cannot misuse the borrowed vessel or return it unclean, your heart too must be maintained and returned pure and clean.

Do not use the Divine-gifted heart and limbs to undertake unholy actions and get involved in unnecessary relationships, growing more in bondage. Lead a pure life.

- My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 17, 'Sri Adi Shankaracharya: His Message'.

When your heart is filled with good thoughts and feelings, all that comes out of the senses - your speech, your vision and your action - will all be pure.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the most definitive way to receive Divine Grace and Energy in plenty?

Today the world is facing a lot of problems because people are not doing enough Namasamarana.

Let each and every street reverberate with the singing of the divine glory. May each and every cell of your body be filled with the Divine Name.

Nothing else can give you the bliss, courage and strength that you derive from Namasamarana. Even if others make fun of you, ignore it, let it go!

Everyone young or old, rich or poor, must do Namasamarana. Do it with all your mind and total dedication. Sing to the Lord without any inhibitions; only then can you experience divine bliss.

You do not need any musical instruments - it is enough if you call Him from the core of your heart. Take care that you do not have evil thoughts as they will produce discordant notes. Then you will receive divine grace and energy.

- Divine Discourse, 14 April 2002.

Contemplate on the Divine with all your heart. Chant His name and surrender to Him to redeem your lives.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the relationship between the Divine, Nature and us?

Always attend to your duties with a pleasant and smiling face. There is no use putting a ‘castor oil face’. Happiness is union with the Divine. That is real Divinity.

When you are confronted with difficult situations, do not get upset and constantly worry thinking, “Oh My! How do I cross this situation?”. Such worry will only worsen the situation. Repose your faith in the Divine.

Think that difficulties are opportunities for your advancement. If you develop this attitude, your life will be sanctified.

Whoever does Namasmarana, whatever name they take and wherever they are, their life will be sanctified. They will be free from sin.

Do not be too much concerned or bogged down with tune and rhythm. There is only one Tune, that is the tune of your own heart. That is 'I am I'. Tune your life Unto Him. Then, whatever activity you undertake, it becomes a success.

- Divine Discourse, 13 Nov 2007.

The Divine Self, inherent in you, can be seen like embers only when ego, anger, desire and body attachment are blown away by chanting the name of Lord.


Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the most definitive way to receive Divine Grace and Energy in plenty?

The Scripture says, “You are all part of My Divinity. Hence you should follow Me. My love is divine and sacred. So is yours!”. If you truly follow this principle, you will automatically achieve purity. Where there is purity, there is Divinity.

Since time immemorial, each and every one of you are part of Me; you are My very own. Never forget this truth. If you develop faith in this truth, it will amount to reading all the scriptures.

Every human being follows Dharma (Righteousness). Where did this Dharma come from? It has come from feeling, which in turn emanated from faith.

Where faith is, there Dharma is! That faith is Truth. Dharma is verily the embodiment of Divinity.

Truth is Divine; Faith is Divine; Love is Divine; Live in Love. Only when you cultivate Truth, Faith and Love, you can achieve anything.

- Divine Discourse, 13 Nov 2007.

There is no nobler quality in the world than love. It is wisdom. It is righteousness. It is wealth. It is Truth.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Is the path to the Divine, difficult and complicated?

Human life is highly sacred, noble and divine. It should not be wasted in unworthy pursuits.

Take to the sacred path and sanctify your time by chanting the divine name. There is no need to allocate a specific time or place for Namasmarana. You can do it wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

One needs to pay tax for water, electricity, etc., but there is no tax for Namasmarana. Nobody can stop you from doing it. It is very simple, yet most effective.

Many people do not realise its immense value as it is so easy to practise. They think incorrectly that the Divine can be attained only through severe austerities.

Chant the divine name without troubling yourself or causing trouble to others. Cultivate love for the Divine.

Do not criticise or ridicule anybody. Give happiness to all by sharing your love selflessly. This is true spiritual practice. Follow this simple path, experience ananda and sanctify your lives.

- Divine Discourse, 24 Feb, 2002.

Prayer alone makes life happy, harmonious and worth living in this Universe.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the attitude with which we must go about doing our daily works?

While performing your duties in your house or outside, constantly remind yourself, “Whatever I do, think or speak, everything belongs to the Divine.”

Take for example, the process of cooking. You add different ingredients to the dish being cooked in definite proportions and try to make them tasty. But the real taste comes only when the job of cooking is done as an offering to the Divine. The food becomes divine when it is offered to Him.

On the other hand, if the various items are cooked with the attitude, ‘I am doing this job as a routine; I am cooking these items for my family members to partake’, it does not reach the Divine.

Hence undertake every act in your life as an offering to the Divine, chanting His Name. Whatever you think, speak or do, consider it as His command, His work.

- Divine Discourse, 13 Nov 2007.

Do all acts as offerings to the Divine; do not classify some as ‘my work’ and some as ‘His’ work

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we face trials and tribulations?

You may encounter any number of losses and difficulties in life. You may undergo a lot of suffering. But, you should never give up truth, faith and love.

Loss, suffering and difficulties are like the waves in the ocean of life. They just come and go. But the water of the ocean is permanent. Hence develop the faith of ‘water’, i.e., Divinity.

The power of the divine name is unparalleled. Do not take it lightly.

The Divine's name is the real diamond. Keep it safe and secure. Do not ever be bothered by pain and suffering, losses and difficulties.

Your thoughts are like the passing clouds. Once you seek refuge in the lotus feet of the Lord, never give it up. Wherever you go, the divine feet will protect you.

If you install the divine name firmly in your heart, your life will become sanctified. That is devotion (bhakti). That is your power (sakthi). That is liberation (mukti).

- Divine Discourse, 13 Nov 2007.

The grace of the Divine is like insurance. It will help you in your time of need without any limit.

Source: radiosai.org