InvestIdeas

‘Grandpa’ in China finds solace in figure skating after losing his family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9o0lPViwy4

Growing Compassion

Compassion is the natural outgrowth of embracing one’s own suffering.

—Dean Rolston, “Memento Mori”

How should we make the best of the opportunity of having the Divine in our lives?

When you are groping in a dark room, you must seize the chance when someone brings a lamp into the room.

Hurriedly collect your belongings scattered there, or discover where they are located, or do whatever else you need.

Similarly, make the best of this chance when the Divine has come in human form, to your very door and get ready to save yourself from disaster.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 26, 1961.

Once you have taken refuge in the Divine, never lose faith, come what may. Do not become
disheartened by trials and tribulations that come your way.

Source: radiosai.org

Our Intrinsic Nature

We are, by nature, endowed with qualities of absolute goodness—purest love, compassion, wisdom, and tranquility.

Those radiant qualities are intrinsic to our being.

— John Makransky, “Love Is All Around”

We all have faced this problem of constant mental chatter that steals our inner calm. How do we deal with that?

The Scriptures announce certain remedial spiritual practices (sadhanas) to get rid of constant inner dialogue, which is an obstacle to inner peace.

The first is the regulation of breath. This is no gymnastics, nor a formidable exercise. The mind has to concentrate on the period of retention, on the process of inhaling and exhaling.

When attention is fixed thus, the inner talk on other irrelevant matters will end and mental strength is acquired.

The second sadhana is: immersal in beneficial activity — that is to say, service to people that will help diminish the ego sense. One has to engage in acts that are good and holy.

When one’s thoughts are engaged in such activities, the mind turns away from the talk it indulges in.

Again, the sadhanas of listening to spiritual advice, reflection on them and discovering ways and means of confirming faith in the Spirit, also of recital of the names of the Divine and withdrawing the mind from sensual pursuits, have been prescribed more for the silencing of this mental chatter.

- Vidya Vahini, Ch 18.

A mind turned inward toward an inner vision of the Divine and speech turned toward outer
vision of Him — both will promote spiritual strength and success.

Source: radiosai.org

Beginning Meditation

If we wait until we are saints, if we put off meditation until our [ethics are] perfect, then we will never meditate!

Whatever our moral situation, we must begin.

—Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, “The Seal of Sila”

How can we uphold the essence of our culture?

Desire and pray for the welfare of the entire universe. Develop the sense of unity and banish the feeling of differences. This is true service to the country.

You should live in unity and be charged with the feeling that all are your sisters and brothers.

Your sense of togetherness ought to exceed even that which is found amongst the members of a family.

You all know that when Vivekananda delivered his address in Chicago at the Parliament of Religions on the subject of the wisdom of our ancients, he began with the words, “Brothers and Sisters of America.” The audience was so thrilled to hear this that they gave him a standing ovation. They were so happy to be referred to as brothers and sisters.

Today, however, we are ashamed to regard others as brothers and sisters. We have to spread such a spirit amongst one and all.

Humanness is something that came along with us at birth and not later. The human being and the quality of humanness came into existence at the same time.

How is it that we have forgotten such a divine feeling?

- Divine Discourse, May 27, 2000.

If you have unity, there is nothing that you cannot achieve in this world.

Source: radiosai.org

Becoming Free from Fear

Freedom from fear.

To be in a Buddhist practice means to sit every day in faith that such freedom is possible.

—Neil Gordon, “Children and Dharma: An Introduction”

What should we do to lead life free of fear and anxiety?

Imagine you are visiting a friend in a city and planning to stay with him for ten days.

You have some money with you, and you are afraid to carry it about with you.

Now, if you have handed over the purse to your friend for safe-keeping, you can happily go round, to all the places in the city and suburbs you long to visit. You can roam through the busiest market, with no trace of fear.

The purse you have is Love; give it all to the Divine. He will liberate you from worry, anxiety and fear.

Through japa, dhyana and seva sadhana (contemplation, meditation and service), you have to cultivate Love towards the Divine.

Take Dhruva, for example. He prayed and practised austerities in order to induce the Divine to grant him the rulership of the Kingdom.

But when the Divine apppeared before him, he said, "Lord! I do not desire the Kingdom. I want You and You only."

Similarly in the preliminary stages, one prays for worldly boons and material gain, but as thoughts get clarified and purified, one desires just one boon from the Divine - He Himself!

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1981.

A heart filled with love of the Divine will enjoy peace and be totally free from fear.

Source: radiosai.org

Receiving What Is Here

The gate of liberation is always open … if only you could actually recognize and receive what is here in front of you, rather than what you wish were here instead.

—Koshin Paley Ellison, “Being Content with What We Have”