Life 41 (Oct 21 - Jan 22)

[winston]

What is the foundational principle we must be aware of and concentrate on every day?

First, one must be trained in the technique of peace and happiness. These do not depend on the outer, the external or the visible objective world.

So there is no profit in worrying about or debating these matters.

You must take refuge in the Atma (Inner-Self) and the contemplation of the nature of the Atma, that is to say, in the real ‘I’. All this objective world shines only through the glory of the Atma.

The body does not deserve to be identified with the immortal; it is inert matter, and nothing better.

You are not the thing connoted by the word “I”. You are the One, without a second.

The body is subject to change, it is evanescent, and liable to decline. How can it be the Atma?

No, Atma is One and Only. It cannot coexist with another entity. It is only when every spiritual aspirant, and in fact everyone is aware of this, that equality, equanimity, and exhilaration can be established on earth.

Therefore, contemplate on the reality. Leaving aside the seen, concentrate on the seer. That will illumine the truth.

- Prasanthi Vahini, Ch 22.

The Atma is in the body but not of it. The Atma Principle, though active in the body,
does not belong to the body.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Experiencing Interconnection

Only with an open heart, can we begin to experience our interconnection with other sentient beings, with our living planet, and with our ultimate existence within, around, and through the spaciousness of our collective enlightened mind.

— Suzanne Harvey, “Is Your ‘Tea Boy’ Primordially Buddha?”

[winston]

What is real meditation?

The seventh flower is the flower of meditation.

Meditation doesn’t mean sitting in padmasana (cross-legged) with eyes closed in contemplation of the Divine.

This is physical, worldly activity. No doubt, this is needed, but true meditation lies in unifying the mind with the Divine.

Just as milk and water cannot be separated, likewise, when the mind merges with the Divine, it cannot be separated.

An iron ball cast in fire will become one with it. Likewise, your love should become one with divine love.

This truth is contained in the dictum, "the knower of Divinity becomes Divinity Himself".

Some people contemplate on the Divine for a limited period in the morning and evening. This cannot be called meditation.

Contemplate on the Divine at all times, at all places and under all circumstances. Perform all tasks with your mind firmly fixed on the Divine. This is true meditation.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 22, 2000.

Whenever and wherever you put yourself in touch with Him, it is meditation.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Seek Silence

When violence erupts, when despair knocks on the door of the heart, seek silence and stillness within because the right direction emerges in the sanctity of that which cannot be moved.

— Felicia Washington Sy, “Finding Your Way”

[winston]

What are the do’s and don’ts we must carefully practice in our daily living?

Human birth is the rarest among all living beings. You cannot buy or borrow it.

Human life is the Divine’s gift. Make proper use of it by rendering service to society.

Do not indulge in slander. Slander is the worst of sins; we find some people indulging in it always. It is nothing but the result of their innumerable sins acquired over past lives.

Charity is the true ornament of hands, truth is the true ornament of the neck and listening to the sacred texts is the true ornament of the ears.

Hands have been given to undertake sacred actions, not to fight with others.

Why has the Divine given you ears? You listen to vain gossip with rapt attention but when it comes to listening to the glories of the Divine, your ears get clogged! Recognise the truth that ears are meant to listen to the glories of the Divine!

- Divine Discourse, Apr 05, 2000.

Do not slander or abuse others or your own selves, as weak, sinful, wicked or low; when you do so, you are slandering or abusing the Divine, who resides in them and in you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Return to the Breath

You can discover your state of mind by the quality of your breath—is it ragged or tight, shallow or rapid? . . .

Whenever things get fraught or scattered, you can always return to the breath for as long as you need to ground yourself again.

— Joan Halifax, “The Lucky Dark”

[winston]

What should we do to earn the Divine’s Grace always? What are the real flowers we must use to worship Him?

The eighth flower to be offered is Truth (Satya). This is very important.

The entire world has originated from Truth, is sustained by Truth and ultimately merges into Truth.

There is no place without the principle of Truth. Truth is changeless in all three periods of time - past, present and future.

Everything may disappear but Truth remains forever. So, Truth is Divine, live in Truth.

The Divine will be pleased only when you worship Him with these eight types of flowers (non-violence, sense-control, compassion, forbearance, peace, penance, meditation and Truth).

Priests in temples worship the Divine with various types of flowers. But He doesn’t want these flowers.

He says, “O Priest, is this what you learnt all these years? You are worshipping Me with loads of roses and jasmines, which fade away in a short time. These aren’t the flowers that I expect from you. Worship Me with these eight flowers which will never fade.”

- Divine Discourse, Aug 22, 2000.

The Divine expects you to fill your heart with love and lead a sacred life.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Turn Your Suffering Into Compassion

Healing is possible only if we allow ourselves to feel and intimately know our own fears, anger, despair, disappointment or depression at the deepest level.

If this step is possible, something wonderful can happen.

Our suffering begins to change into compassion and deep understanding. And then suffering disappears.

— Interview with Werner Vogd by Susanne Billig, “Becoming Whole”

[winston]

What is the significance of singing the "Glory of The Divine"?

In your heart, which can be compared to an anthill, there are many snakes of wicked qualities.

When you do namasmarana (remembering the Divine Name), all the 'snakes' will come out.

Namasmarana is like a musical instrument which attracts snakes and brings them out of anthills. This musical instrument is your life and breath. One has to repeat His Name in order to get rid of evil qualities.

Today, many do not attach any importance to namasmarana. It is a great mistake.

Singing the glory of the Divine is highly sacred.

Today, the country is facing a lot of problems because people are not doing namasmarana.

Let each and every street reverberate with His Divine glory. Let each and every cell of your body be filled with His Divine Name.

Nothing else can give you the bliss, courage, and strength that you derive from namasmarana.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 14, 2002.

Singing the Divine’s name should become an exercise in mutual sharing of joy and holiness.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

You Are in Your Body

You’re not trying to be disembodied when you’re sitting [in meditation].

You are in your body, in your breath.

— Interview with Sarah Ruhl by Ronn Smith, “Facing the Four Noble Truths”