Life 23 (Jul 14 - Jan 15)

[winston]

What is the purpose of life? From where can we learn to experience it?

To discriminate between good and bad, one must resort to scriptures.

The Vedas emerged from the Divine Himself and were ‘heard’ by sages attuned to the voice of the Divine, who in turn, taught them to their disciples. This process of imparting the Vedas and the wisdom enshrined in them has continued through many generations of Gurus and disciples until now.

The Upanishads, the Brahma Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita contain the very essence of the Vedas. Hence these are designated as ‘three fundamental texts (Prasthana traya)’ of the science of spirituality.

Acquisition of higher knowledge alone can fulfil the main purpose of human life; it makes one aware that one is not the inert non-sentient body but an embodiment of being-awareness-bliss.

When this truth dawns and is experienced, you are freed from the fog of ignorance and are liberated, in this very life.

- Sutra Vahini, 'Stream of Aphorisms of Brahman

Destroy your ego; you have no need to seek liberation; you will be liberation itself.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why did our ancients promote the practice of worshipful sacrifices?

Ritualistic sacrificial prayers is prescribed by the Scriptures. It is for sanctifying time and fulfilling the goal of human birth.

The practice of renunciation and dedication through the rite, promotes worldly happiness as well as spiritual progress. It fosters charity and social cohesion.

Activity that is divorced from spiritual goals, and devoid of reverence and humility, leads to conceit and authoritarianism. It makes one arrogant and cruel; but the sages of India laid down that all activity has to be done as offerings for the glory of the Divine, in an atmosphere of thankfulness and awe, of humility and holiness.

The goal of all activity was idealised as the happiness and peace of all living beings.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 3, 1970.

All work is the Divine’s; He inspires, He helps, He executes, He enjoys, He is pleased.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

A good amount of our time and energy is spent in acquiring a lot of things, abilities and relationships. But how much do they contribute in achieving the goal of life?

The Scriptures declares: “Not by means of works, not by means of human power, not by means of wealth, but by renunciation alone can immortality be attained.”

The ‘works’ referred to are rituals like sacrifices, vows, charities, donations, pilgrimages, etc. Through such activities, one cannot achieve liberation; that is to say, one cannot get rid of the veil of ignorance.

‘Human power’ means acquisition of positions of authority, of skill and intelligence which can manipulate people and things, of fame and supremacy, of personal charm, of health and happiness, or of a large family with many children - these cannot confer liberation.

The works mentioned above and the acquisition referred to can succeed only when one has ‘wealth’. But the scripture announces that spiritual wisdom is not related to riches. So liberation cannot be earned by means of wealth. Renunciation alone can confer immortality.

- Sutra Vahini, 'Stream of Aphorisms of Brahman'.

All work is the Divine’s; He inspires, He helps, He executes, He enjoys, He is pleased.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the surest way to ensure you attain the Divine at the end of this birth?

Keep the Name of the Lord always radiant on your tongue and mind. That will keep the antics of the mind under control.

When the lamp is burning, darkness will not spread its fumes around you.

When the word for Supreme Universal Reality, Om, is spelt with the last breath by the one dying, they attain the Divine. To make that final utterance of Om, just as the flower blossoms on the creeper of life, you need to dwell upon Om all through the years of your current life.

The Scriptures advocates the process of continuous meditation in a neat little formula: "Keep Me in your memory and fight!"

The cue here for you is to fight the battle of life, have the Divine in your consciousness as your Charioteer at all times. This is the prescription for all humanity.

- Divine Discourse, June 9, 1970.

That which eyes cannot see, but which enables the eyes to see – ‘That’ is the Divine.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

When is the best time and circumstance to connect with the Divine ?

In your daily life, consider all acts as offering to the Divine.

The food you partake is given by Him and digested by Him, so that it yields strength to do His work.

Each moment is worthwhile, for He gives it, He uses it, He fills it, He fashions it, and He fulfils it.

When He is fully suffused in your every breath, you can achieve the sovereign task of merging in Him.

You have that might within you; The Divine cannot be gained by the weak.

The remembrance can become permanently established only when you are free from the shackles of spite and envy.

Be without the trace of pride or envy, malice or hate, egoism or conceit. The Lord permanently resides in the heart kept assiduously clean.

- Divine Discourse, Jun 9, 1970.

Consider all your acts as worship. Duty is Divine, Work is Worship. Whatever happens accept it gladly as His handiwork, a sign of His compassion.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

The Truth About Pursuing Happiness By Robert Safian

Jennifer Aaker at Stanford University challenges the very notion that a pursuit of happiness is what drives us most.

Her work suggests that people's satisfaction with life is higher, and of greater duration, when meaning—rather than happiness—is their primary motivation.

For other professors, such as Wharton's Adam Grant, this is the difference between a life focused on "giving" rather than "taking," a difference that they believe increases productivity as well as satisfaction.

Source: ETR

[winston]

How should we deal with suffering and difficulties? Why should we always be cheerful?

Sorrow affects you because you feel you deserved joy and did not acquire it; but there is one impartial distributor of joy and sorrow, who gives you what you need, rather than what you desire.

You may need the tonic of tragedy to set you on the road to recovery.

The Compassionate One, the eternal all-knowing Divine, He knows best.

Welcome the tragedy and fight your way through, with the armour of the remembrance of the Divine.

As all rivers hurry towards the sea, let all your imaginings wend their way to the Divine.

The play is His; the role is His gift; the lines are written by Him; He decides the dress and decoration, the gesture and the tone, the entrance and the exit.

You have to act well your part and when the curtain falls receive His approbation. By your efficiency and enthusiasm earn the right to play higher and higher roles - that is the meaning and purpose of life.

- Divine Discourse, Jun 9, 1970.

When suffering comes in waves, one behind the other, do not be like cowards throwing the blame on some outside power or develop dislike for the Lord. Be glad the shore is near and bear them bravely.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why do we oscillate between happiness and pain? What can we do to remain happy always?

People have forgotten their real nature and believe that they are the body, the senses, etc. When these (instruments) crave for objective pleasures, people ignorantly convince themselves that this pleasure is wanted by them!

Under this mistaken notion, they seek to fulfill the cravings. They delude themselves that they can secure bliss by catering to the body and senses. However they are rewarded with disillusionment, defeat and disaster, and reap pleasure and pain.

Though the objective world appears real, one must be aware that it is deluding us. As a result, one has to give up the yearning for deriving pleasure from the objects that appear and attract, both here and hereafter.

The false knowledge can be destroyed only when one knows the Divine Self principle. When the false knowledge disappears, the sorrow produced by one’s involvement in the ups and downs of the world of change, also gets destroyed.

- Sutra Vahini, 'Stream of Aphorisms of Brahman'.

Joy and grief are caused when objects and senses meet.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we stay cool and calm in spite of the troubles and sufferings that we may encounter in our daily life?

Do not get too much attached to the world, and too involved in its tangles. Keep your emotions always within check.

The waves agitate only the upper layers of the sea; down below it is calm. So too, when you sink into your depths, you must be free from the agitation of the waves.

Know that most things are of no lasting value and can therefore be brushed aside; hold fast to the solid substance alone. Use your discrimination to discover and distinguish lumber from treasure.

The Pranava japa (recitation of Om and contemplation of its significance) will help to calm the roaring waves. The scriptures affirm that when the word ‘Om’ (Supreme Universal Reality) is spelt by the dying with their last breath, they attain the Divine.

To be able to spell it then, dwell upon its sweetness and significance throughout your life, from today. Then the final Om that emerges from your lips will be an offering that merges in Him!

- Divine Discourse, Jun 9, 1970.

Love is the fruit that grows on the tree of the Divine Nectar

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Self-realisation

You dread that it is very difficult, nay, impossible, to realise the Divine. It is very simple; its very simplicity makes you feel that there must be some hidden trap.

You do not appreciate simple things and habits. For example, there is nothing so simple as speaking the truth; yet how many stick to Truth! If you venture into untruth, you have to invent new stories all along the line and keep in memory all the stories and all the persons to whom you have related them.

Each student has a watch on his wrist. And, you look at the watch at least a hundred times a day. Well, learn from the watch a great lesson. When you watch the watch, remember the five letters of the word, WATCH;

Each is giving you a fine lesson for life:
W tells you ‘Watch your Words’;
A warns you ‘Watch your Action’;
T indicates 'Watch your Thoughts’;
C advises 'Watch your Character’; and
H declares 'Watch your Heart.'

When you are consulting your watch, imbibe this lesson that the watch is imparting.

- Divine Discourse, May 13, 1970

Just as wholesome food gives health and strength to the body, prayer purifies the mind and strengthens the spirit.

Source: radiosai.org