Life 23 (Jul 14 - Jan 15)

[winston]

At times, it appears that the Divine's Directions are contradictory. How do we resolve what is appropriate for us?

There may be a few statements in the scriptures that might appear to contradict each other.

For instance, at one place, the Scripture may stress the need for action, at another the adherence to Dharma, and in another place commends renunciation of all Dharma and urges complete surrender to the Divine.

These apparent contradictions are not contradictions. The teaching varies according to the state of spiritual development of the person concerned and the situation in which one is placed.

The lesson here is one must pay due care and attention to understanding completely the inner significance of the teachings before any criticism is attempted.

- Divine Discourse at Trayee Brindavan, July 1988.

To resurrect love and compassion, you must purify your hearts by destroying jealousy and selfishness

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What should we do to have a continuous stream of bliss in our lives?

You may undertake any number of spiritual practices, but never forget the Divine’s name even for a moment.

Never do anything that will take you away from the Divine.

You can achieve anything through prayer. You need not pray loudly; it is enough if you pray mentally.

The Divine resides in your heart and listens to all your prayers. If you aspire to attain His grace, contemplate on Him incessantly.

Worldly difficulties come and go. Do not attach much importance to them. Through prayer one can overcome any difficulty.

Only the Divine’s grace is true and everlasting, strive to attain it.

Chant the name of Divine day in and day out. That alone will protect you at all times.

Just as air is all pervasive, The Divine is present in you, with you, around you, below you, above you.

Hence be in constant communion with Him. When you develop faith in Divinity, you will naturally have unity. Consequently, there will be no scope for enmity.

- Divine Discourse, 21 July 2005.

Through prayer and contemplation on the Divine, you must try to control the evil qualities in you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

LIFE — Destiny or Chance?

Are the universe and its physical laws so fine-tuned that the rise of life is inevitable? Or is life a fluke, a lucky roll of cosmic dice?

We look for the answer in the rise of two important components of life, dust and water.

It turns out that the universe is laden with water, a byproduct of dust kicked out and spread around by supernovas and black holes.

http://www.mindbendingvideos.com/life-d ... or-chance/

[winston]

Where is the Divine? Where is He to be sought and how?

The Divine is inscrutable. He cannot be realised in the outer objective world;

He is in the very heart of every being. You extol the Divine as omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, but ignore His presence in you!

Who can affirm that He is this or that? Who can confirm that He is not of this form or with this attribute?

Each one can acquire from the vast expanse of the ocean only as much as can be contained in the vessel one carries to its shore. From that quantity, they can grasp but little of that immensity.

Gemstones have to be sought deep underground; they do not float in mid-air. Seek the Divine in the depths of yourself, not in the tantalising, kaleidoscopic Nature.

The body is granted to you for this high purpose; but you are now misusing it, like the person who used the gem studded gold vase that came into his hands as an heirloom for cooking his daily food.

- Divine Discourse, 19 June 1974.

The realisation of the Divine is the goal and destiny of human life.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the resolve we must take, to bring illumination to ourselves and to those around?

Do not be elated by riches, status, authority, intelligence, etc., which you may have. Consider that they have been given to you on trust, so that you may benefit others.

They are all signs of His Grace, opportunities of service, and symbols of responsibility. Never seek to exult over others' faults; deal sympathetically with the errors and mistakes of others.

Seek the good in others; hear only good tidings about them; do not give ear to scandal.

On the occasion of Deepavali, resolve to light the lamp of Namasmarana and place it at your doorstep, the lips.

Feed it with the oil of devotion; let steadiness be the wick. Let the lamp illumine every minute of your life.

The splendour of the Name will drive away darkness from outside you as well as inside. You will spread joy and peace among all who come near you.

- Divine Discourse, 19 June 1974.

Only by the light of the Divine lamp inside can you blossom as a worthwhile person.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we lead a life of self-respect, fearlessness and confidence?

With the Lord’s name as the very breath of your life, engage in all life's activities, with no fear of fall.

When the mind weds worldly activity, the progeny is bondage; when it weds spiritual renunciation, the progeny is freedom.

Spiritual Renunciation confers fearlessness, and grants strength and courage, for it is desire that weakens man and makes one cringe.

Detachment endows you with self-respect, and the capacity to stand up to slander and calumny.

There are some who weep at the slightest sign of defeat or disappointment. This is despicable behaviour.

When the Lord is installed in the altar of your heart, why should you have fear or sorrow?

Do you not know He is there, guarding you and guiding you? He is in all beings, always.

Remember this fact wherever you are and whatever you may do. If only you do not give up the recitation of His Name you will succeed.

- Divine Discourse, 19 June 1974.

Keep the name of the Lord always radiant on your tongue and mind, which will keep the antics of the mind under control.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the sign of a ripe mind?

Every being passes through the stages of birth, youth, old age and death. Childhood is spent in playing, youth in family life and old age in discharging responsibilities. One way or the other, there is mental suffering associated with each of these stages.

Our attitude to life is akin to that of a tamarind. The tamarind is made up of three parts – the seed, the skin and the fruit.

Similarly a human being has the gross body, the subtle body and the causal body. Suppose a raw, young tamarind is hit with a stone, the outer layer as well as the inner layer will be hurt. On the other hand, when a ripe tamarind is hit with a stone, only the outer skin breaks and the juice is available for consumption.

The one with worldly associations is similar to a raw tamarind. Gradually, give up all desires, as the nature of desires is to multiply.

- My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 16, 'Sri Adi Shankaracharya: His Life'

When the fruit is ripe, it will fall off the branch of its own accord. Similarly, when renunciation saturates your heart, you lose contact with the world and slip into the lap of the Lord

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the easiest way to attain the Divine ?

Let us not relate to the Divine as a hidden, invisible entity. He doesn’t live in a place foreign to your dwelling. He is installed in you. He is with you, in you, above you, around you and below you.

We have forgotten the easy way to reach the Divine. All sufferings will vanish in no time if we sincerely call out to the Lord and sing His glory.

The Lord’s Name is the only refuge to cross all the difficulties. There is nothing greater or mightier than His Name.

The moment one chants His glory and sings His name, one attains bliss.

Meditation and many rituals were followed in many ages, but in the Kali age now, chanting God’s Name (Namasmarana) is the only way to attain the Supreme.

- My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 18, 'Bharat: The teacher of the Entire World'.

Through prayer and contemplation on the Divine, you must try to control the evil qualities in you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Do we really need to pray hard for what we want?

Control your desires. Cultivate love for the Divine. That love will confer on you everything you need.

There is no need for you to ask anything from the Divine.

The Divine confers His Grace according to each one’s deservedness and it cannot be secured by force or power.

- My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 17, 'Sri Adi Shankaracharya: His Life'

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the best way to sanctify this precious gift of the human body?

Human life is the combination of body, mind and soul. Body is the basis to attain wisdom. Therefore it should not be misused.

You must purify your body and mind by undertaking sacred actions. Do not underestimate the potentialities of the human body. In fact the human body is the basis for attaining the goal of life.

Work for the redemption of your life by chanting the Divine Name and undertaking sacred activities. You need not make any special effort to acquire the human values – they are latent within you, right from your birth.

You have forgotten them, as you failed to practice them. Instead of giving tons of speeches, practice at least an ounce of what you have learnt.

Humanity is on the decline only because people are not practicing human values. You are developing desires, forgetting ideals.

- My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 19, 'Chant the Gayathri Manthra'.

The realisation of te Divine is the goal and destiny of human life.

Source: radiosai.org