Life 46 (Aug 23 - May 24)

[winston]

How can we bring forth the sacred and the divine aspects from within us?

The Divine incarnates to foster sadhus (holy person), it’s said. By sadhus, they do not mean the dwellers in Himalayan retreats; they mean the virtuous person who forms the inner reality of every one of you, the outer appearance being but a mask which is worn to delude yourself into esteem!

Every one of you is a Sadhu, for you are embodiment of bliss, peace and immortality. But, by allowing the crust of ego to grow thick and fast, the real nature is tarnished.

By the action of Satsang (the company of holy persons), by systematic attention to self-control and self-improvement, man can overcome the delusion that makes him identify himself with the body and its needs and cravings!

When you feed the cow with fermented gruel so that it may yield more milk, the milk emits an unpleasant smell. When man engrosses himself too much with the trifles of the world, his conduct and character become unpleasant.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 07, 1966.

Keep the mirror of the heart untainted by desire and anger; then, the Divine within clearly shines therein.

Source: radiosai.org

[behappyalways]

From victim to perpetrator! Korean documentary ponders parent-child violent discipline

從受害者變加害者! 韓紀錄片思辨親子暴力管教｜方念華｜FOCUS全球新聞 20240125@tvbsfocus

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C7evreoM3yQ

[winston]

What should we do to escape the shackles of the ego?

Man is fundamentally Divine, and so naturally, the more he manifests the Divine attributes of Love, Justice, Truth and Peace, the more joy he is able to enjoy and impart.

The less he manifests them, the more ashamed he ought to be that he is living counter to his heritage.

The Tree of Life must be watered at the roots, but now, those who plan to raise the standard of living, water the branches, the leaves and the blossoms.

The roots are the virtues; they must be fostered so that the flowers of actions, words and thoughts, may bloom in fragrance and yield the fruit of seva (service), full of the sweet juice of ananda (bliss).

Planning for food, clothing and shelter, is only promoting the well-being of the cart; plan also for the horse, the mind of man which must use the food, the clothing, the shelter and other material instruments for the high purpose of 'escaping from the ego into the universal'.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 03, 1966.

If you are a master of your feelings and impulses, you can be anywhere, engaged in any profession. You will have peace.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the three debts every individual owes and how should they repay them? What is the benefit received if they are repaid?

The first debt every individual owes is to the Divine. The second is to the sages. The third is to one's parents.

A debt is an obligation arising out of what one has received from others.

We can easily identify these debts in the human body from the different divine forces that are present nourishing and protecting it. This divine energy permeates the entire body; it is called the Rasa (Divine Essence).

We owe a debt of gratitude to the Divine who has not only endowed us with this precious human body but also sustains it. We shall be able to enjoy these gifts of the Divine only if we discharge this debt to the Divine.

How is this to be done? It is by rendering service to other bodies saturated with the same Divine, by doing righteous deeds and consecrating all actions in the service of society.

The debt to the Divine has to be discharged in full in this life itself or during many future lives. The earlier we repay this debt, the sooner we shall realise Divinity.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 10, 1983.

Every devotee has to have as one’s aides firm faith in the Divine on one side and purity of character on the other.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why and how should every one of us serve?

Render your hearts cool with delight; share the delight with others; adore the Divine in this delectable form.

When you go into the qualifications needed for seva (service), you will know that a pure heart - uncontaminated by conceit, greed, envy, hatred or competition, is essential; Also, what is required is faith in the Divine, as the spring of vitality, virtue, and justice.

Seva is the worship you offer to the Divine in the heart of everyone. Do not ask another which country or state you belong to, or which caste or creed you profess.

See your favourite form of Him in that other person; as a matter of fact, that person is not 'other' at all. It is His image, as much as you are.

You are not helping some 'one individual'; you are adoring Him in that person.

Duty is Divine; Work is worship. Even the tiniest work is a flower placed at the Feet of God.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 04, 1970.

Whatever you do as service, to whomsoever you offer the act, believe that it reaches the Divine in that person.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As devotees, what is our role in society today?

The world today is torn into factions and groups that hate and hack each other. No method is considered too cruel if the aim is to destroy one's enemy.

No one is aware of the innate Unity, the ever-present current of Divinity that animates every single living being on earth.

You have the role now of demonstrating that all is not lost, that there are still people who believe in Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love, that acts of loving service rendered in a spirit of humility and reverence are still making people happy and that the day when the brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of the Divine will shine bright and beautiful is drawing and dawning near.

All efforts are now being concentrated on the production of more food, the building of more houses and the manufacture of more cloth.

But what is most needed today, is a total effort to make man manifest more tolerance, more humility, more brotherliness, more compassion and deeper awareness of the springs of joy and peace that lie within the heart of each one.

Love is the solvent for the hardest of hearts.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975.

Serve everyone whom the Divine sends your way with pure love, intelligence, humility and efficiency.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are some definitive solutions to cleanse the mind of lust and greed, envy and hate?

Each of you must take up some spiritual effort, to cleanse your mind of lust and greed, of envy and hate.

Come out of the well of ego, into the sea of the Universal Spirit, of which you are a part.

Force your mind to breathe the grander atmosphere of the Eternal, by reminding it of the Divine and His Glory, every second, with every breath when you repeat any one of His Names.

Or engage in some work which, will take you out of your narrow self into the vaster magnificence; some task where you dedicate the fruit of karma to the Divine, where you devote your time and energy to share your joy or skill or knowledge with fellowmen.

Or, keep yourself surrounded always by persons devoted to the higher life; persons who will encourage you to move forward along the road towards the goal.

By these means, you can achieve "cleansing of the mind", so that the Truth can be clearly reflected therein!

- Divine Discourse, Mar 27, 1966.

Cleansing the mind of dirt, grow in it pure and holy thoughts: Then you can view the world with Wisdom Vision, as Right and Light.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How must we sanctify our life and keep our minds pure?

Man today is dominated by selfishness. Insatiable desire fills his whole being.

The number of such persons is growing without limit. How can they achieve anything great in life?

Their daily round of activities consists of reading newspapers, watching video programmes and listening to the radio. Every moment their attachment to castes, creed and parochial interests, is growing.

Men today must learn to lead lives inspired by morality and sacrifice. Human relationships today, are governed by friendship or enmity. The cause for either feeling is the mind.

Hatred is bred by each one's thoughts. There is no need to worry about the enmity of others towards you. You develop a friendly attitude towards all.

Ignore the abuses of others because they serve only to diminish your sins and transfer them to the reviler.

When a man praises another, the merits of the latter accrue to the former. Deem the critic as your friend, not the one who flatters you.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 12, 1995.

You should travel from unity to purity and from purity to divinity, before enmity overpowers you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the right way to seek the Divine and win His grace?

Do not forget the Divine. What you should forget is the mundane world.

He is omnipresent in all forms, everywhere as declared in the Scriptures. It is foolish to search for Him, who is within you and outside you.

When a Sage was asked whether he had seen the Divine and could show Him to them, he replied - "I have seen Him. But how can you see the Divine if you don't pine for him in the same manner in which you pine for your wife and children and wealth?".

"Pray to Him, yearn for Him and be prepared to sacrifice everything for Him. Then you will experience the vision of Him."

He cannot be perceived by the spiritually blind, just as a blind man cannot understand what is meant by the whiteness of milk.

He is infinite bliss. He is formless but He can assume any form He wills. How can anyone attempt to describe the nature of the Divine?

Contemplate on Him with a pure heart. There is no greater spiritual exercise.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 12, 1995.

See the good in others and the faults in yourselves. Revere others as having the Divine installed in them; revere yourself also as the seat of the Divine.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the right question to ask ourselves, ponder, reflect and act on, to live in bliss?

The question must be asked, of everyone who is caring for the body - "For what purpose are you caring for this body? What is it that you hope to achieve?".

The body is the sheath, the scabbard for the sword, the Jivi (soul), the I that is within it, but not of it.

The purpose of this scabbard is to discover the unity of the Universe. When you say this is the auditorium shed, you see this shed as one, though it is really the coming together of many pillars, trusses, sheets, bricks, mortar, nuts, bolts and paint!

You feel you are one though you are an organisation of many limbs and instruments of knowledge, hands, feet, head, muscle, nerve, eye, tongue, teeth, etc.

So also, the Universe is but one, though you may be able to distinguish stars and planets, rock, tree and bird and birch, ant and antler in it.

Whatever there is, all is Brahman (ultimate reality). It is all Sat Chit Ananda (blissful experience of pure consciousness, unity and ultimate reality), no more, no less. The realisation of this great Truth is the only purpose of man.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 09, 1970.

The feeling of oneness is essential for enjoying bliss based on the realisation of divinity in everyone.

Source: radiosai.org