Life 45 (Jan 23 - Aug 23)

[winston]

How can we become worthy of winning the Divine’s Love and unshakeable peace?

One has to achieve many objects during life. The highest and the most valuable of these is winning the mercy of the Divine, love of Him.

The Love of the Divine, will give the great wisdom one needs to attain unshakeable inner peace.
Everyone should endeavour to have an understanding of the true nature of the Divine.

Of course, one cannot, at the very beginning, grasp the unmanifest absolute phenomenon.

At first, one must impose a form and some attributes to bring it within reach. Then, step by step, one must try to enshrine it in oneself, as the descent of divine energy.

The mere pursuit of success in this effort alone does not make the individual seeker entitled. One must also cultivate the spirit of service and be engaged in good deeds that earn people’s gratitude.

Only thus can one accomplish the task of cleansing the levels of consciousness (chitta) and become a fit candidate for spiritual victory.

- Vidya Vahini, Ch 11.

The highest and most valuable victory in life is winning the Divine’s Love and Grace.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is the control of the tongue and the other senses, critical for a spiritual aspirant?

Without the control of the senses, sadhana is ineffective; when the senses are given full sway, it is like keeping water in a leaky pot.

When the tongue craves some delicacy, assert that you will not cater to its whims. If you persist in giving yourself simple food that is not savoury or hot but amply sustaining, the tongue may squirm for a few days, but it will soon welcome it. T

hat is the way to subdue it and overcome the evil consequences of its being your master.

Since the tongue is equally insistent on scandal and lascivious talk, you have to curb that tendency also. Talk little, talk sweetly, talk only when there is a pressing need, talk only to those to whom you must and do not shout or raise the voice, in anger or excitement.

Such control will improve health and mental peace. It will lead to better public relations and less involvement in contacts and conflicts with others.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968.

Control over senses is the first stage in Self-realisation. It is the foundation for a holy life.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the characteristics of those who are dear to the Divine? Who is a true devotee?

All the objects in this visible universe are extremely beautiful, attractive and pleasing.

The Divine is immanent in the entire cosmos. The cosmos is filled with love. The Supreme Self is the embodiment of love. Hence, if love encounters love, they merge.

Thus, if you develop your love, you become eligible to achieve oneness with the Divine.
Love exists for love and nothing else. It is spontaneous and imparts delight. Everything is permeated by love.

Love sees with the heart and not through the eyes. It listens not through the ears but by the tranquility of the heart. It speaks not with the tongue but out of compassion.

Compassion, kindness and love, are separate words, which mean the same thing.

Love has many synonyms. Love can emanate only from the heart and not from any other source.
Love is immortal, nectarous, blissful and infinite.

A heart filled with love is boundless. Just as rivers with different names and forms, merge in the ocean and become one with it, love in many forms enters the ocean of the heart and gets identified with it.

Love can conquer anything. Selfless, pure, and unalloyed love leads man to the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1995.

That alone is true love, which can fill man with enduring bliss.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should our adoration of the Divine be like? What can and should we offer to Him?

The Divine manifests such Grace, that each one of you has Him all for yourself; you need not be sad that you won't have Him when others get Him, nor need you be proud that you have Him and none else can have him at the same time!

He's installed in the altar of your heart. Offer your entire self, your entire life, to Him; then your adoration will transform and transmute you so fast and completely, that you and He can be merged into One.

He thinks, feels and acts as you do; you think, feel and act as He does. You will be transformed as a rock is transformed by the sculptor, into an idol, deserving the worship of generations of sincere men.

In the process you will have to bear many a hammer stroke, many a chisel-wound, for He is the sculptor. He is but releasing you from petrification! Offer your heart to Him, filled with pure love for Him!

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968.

Be pure and humble as pilgrims ought to be.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we not ridicule idol worship?

Each person worships a particular form according to their likes. Some people worship a certain form because they are attracted by His Name and Form.

It is the finger that points to a flower. Likewise, idols, point to Divinity. So, idol worship cannot be considered foolish.

Never disregard idols because they are inert. Even in inert objects, there is Chaitanya (consciousness).

Brahman is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the vastest. This Consciousness is present in the smallest to the biggest.

From your point of view, an object may appear to be inert but from the Vedic point of view, everything is Chaitanya.

It is foolish to overlook the existence of Chaitanya. One may question: if Chaitanya is all-pervasive, why is it not visible to the naked eye?

You are all well aware of the fact that there is butter in every drop of milk. Can you deny its existence merely because it is not visible to the naked eye? The process of obtaining butter involves curdling the milk and then churning it.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 12, 2002.

Names and forms are many but the Divine is one.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the essence of all spiritual practices or sadhana?

Wherever you sit, whether in the prayer hall or elsewhere, if your thoughts are fixed on the Divine, then you are a true devotee and you will attain His grace.

If you feel sleepy, you can sleep. There’s no objection. However, in sleep, may your thoughts be fixed on Divinity.

Is it not because of your love and devotion towards Him that you go all the way to a holy place to participate in their activities?

A true devotee doesn’t need conveniences. He doesn’t wish for any comfort. Wherever you go, keep your mind under your control and direct all your thoughts toward the Divine. That’s real devotion.

Don’t divert your attention to physical comforts. Always chant your mantra. If you merely chant with lips, it will merge into worldly sounds.

On the other hand, if you chant the divine name sincerely with full concentration of your mind, it will spread all over the world. Chanting of the divine name with full concentration by the mind is real sadhana.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 2004.

Devote yourselves to the contemplation of the glories of the Divine and sanctify your lives by turning your thoughts away from mundane concerns.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we try and rein in our anger and the tendency to criticise others or act hastily?

Man is falling prey to anger.

Who is affected by this anger? It is not others but he himself.

It is said, “Anger is one's own enemy, peace is the protective shield, compassion is the true relation, happiness is verily the heaven and misery is the hell.”

Therefore, make efforts to control your anger. Do not consider yourself to be superior to others.

Where is the Divine? He is present in every human being and in every living creature. That is why it is said, "The Divine is the Indweller of all beings".

He takes the form of man. When you consider all as Divine, you will never indulge in criticism.

The Divine judges a person by their feelings not by their actions. He is fond of feelings not one who is fond of outer show.

So, make efforts to turn your vision inward. A true human being is one who looks inward.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 12, 2002.

The devotees are those who are full of love; they always stand by righteousness; they speak the truth; their hearts melt with compassion.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What must we do to acquire peace and bliss and uproot the ills of society?

Man deserves to enjoy peace and bliss but does not make the necessary effort to get them.

If he cultivates love and faith, he will acquire peace and bliss. Without these two, his effort is as fruitless as a letter that has neither a stamp nor the proper address.

With love and faith in the Divine, you can accomplish any task you undertake. Observe three maxims: “Love of the Divine, Fear of Sin and Morality in Society”.

To develop love of the Divine, you must evaluate whether every act of yours pleases Him or not. When you please Him, you will have fear of sin.

When these two are present, morality in society will follow naturally.

All the ills of the world today, are due to the absence of fear of sin and decline in love for the Divine. The decline in respect for human values has undermined world peace.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 25, 1998.

Religions were instituted to foster the well-being of society through the promotion of love.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As spiritual aspirants, what is the highest wealth we must acquire assiduously?

People are unable to perceive Divinity everywhere because of two defects:
(1) They overlook their innumerable mistakes,
(2) They magnify the minutest mistake of others.

One can attain Divinity only when one stops hiding their mistakes and highlighting the faults of others.

It is a great sin to search for others' faults. Instead, look for your own.

Consider your smallest defect as a great blunder and try to rectify the same. Ignore the faults in others however big they may be.

Do not criticise others; instead, criticise and question yourself - Having been born as a human being, is this the way I should behave?

The true spiritual practice lies in finding out one's own mistakes and correcting them. It involves giving up evil tendencies and developing noble traits. That is 'sa-dhana’ (spiritual practice). 'Sa ' symbolises Divinity, which is the embodiment of all forms of wealth (dhana).

- Divine Discourse, Mar 12, 2002.

You must develop the habit of examining yourself and correcting yourself. Self-correction
and self-punishment are as important as Self-realisation.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

One may ask, ‘even though I have chanted the Divine’s Name a million times, why have I not succeeded in realising the Divine’?

Examine your own effort and achievement and judge your own spiritual practices.

For example, have you yearned, have you pined, have you wept for the Divine?

Have you shed tears of contrition and exultation while repeating His name, or visualising His form so full of sweetness, loveliness and beauty?

You might have wept but who knows for what? Were they tears shed out of fear or greed or pride - or because He was not near?

A little child sits with the Scriptures on its lap and turns over the pages, intent on the printed lines and watching the curious types, deliberately, slowly and with great care.

A monk does the same. Can you equate the two and say they are both engaged in the same act?

The child is unaware of the treasure it holds in its hand; the monk gets into immediate contact with the spiritual power the lines convey.

Find out for yourself whether your spiritual practices have also been purposeful and sincere, wakeful and worthwhile.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 04, 1962.

Whoever has enthusiasm, steadfastness and determination to reach the goal will certainly succeed.

Source: radiosai.org