Life 23 (Jul 14 - Jan 15)

[winston]

How should we view problems in life and why is it necessary to transcend them?

Your life may be compared to a stalk of sugar cane. Like the cane, which is hard and has many knots, life is full of difficulties. But these difficulties must be overcome to enjoy the bliss of the Divine, just as the sugarcane has to be crushed and its juice converted into cane-sugar (jaggery) to enjoy the permanent sweetness. Enduring bliss can be got only by overcoming trials and tribulations.

Gold cannot be made into an attractive jewel without it being subjected to the process of melting in a crucible and being beaten into the required shape.

You must go through the vicissitudes of life with forbearance and become attractive jewels. You should not allow yourselves to be overwhelmed by difficulties. Develop self-confidence and have firm faith in the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 15, 1992.

The right angle to approach a difficult problem is the 'try-angle'.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we practise faith in the Divine and surrender to Him at all times?

We see the outer circumstances, the processes that result in the final event, and in our ignorance we judge that this set of causes produced these effects.

We guess the nature of emotions and feelings from what we gauge from events. But circumstances, events, emotions, and feelings are all simply ‘instruments’ in His hands, serving His will and His purpose.

When the moment comes, He uses them for His plan and brings about the outcome He has willed. He is the embodiment of time (Kala); He comes as the Master of Time.

The force of Atmic faith is the bridge that spans the chasm, and for those who have developed that force and faith, floods are of no concern. With strong faith as their safe support, they can reach the other bank, braving all dangers.

All this, is but a grand puppet show by the Creator, the Master Director!

- Bhagavatha Vahini, Ch 9.

The current animates and activates all bulbs; the Divine animates and activates all.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is true love?

Pure and unselfish love towards all living beings considering them as embodiments of the Divine, with no expectation of reward, is alone true love.

Love must be free from dislikes, friendly, and compassionate towards all beings! Whatever be the vicissitudes one may face, whatever be the personal sorrows and privations one may undergo, true love should remain unaffected.

Today, when any difficulty arises or when some trouble crops up, love turns into hatred. True love is the sweet fruit that grows out of the fragrant flower of good deeds.

Love rules without recourse to the sword. It binds without laws. Like the lotus which blooms when the Sun rises, the heart of man blossoms when love enters it.

Like the glow of the flame in a fire, like the rays of the Sun, Divine Love is the natural quality present in every human being.

- Divine Discourse, 6 May 1985.

A true human being is one, who is filled with pure, unselfish love!

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the significance of cultivating true love?

All your actions must be aimed at purifying your minds and hearts to experience the Divine. When the heart is pure, the light of wisdom shines. The illumined heart becomes the receptacle of pure love.

A person without love is a living corpse. Love is not the relationship between man and woman, or between man and other objects. It is the inherent life-force in every being.

"I am the Spirit immanent in all beings”. The Divine Self is present in all beings and has no form. It is experienced as Love.

Love is our lifebreath, our soul! Young and old alike, must cultivate steady, unchanging, and unwavering love.

All of you must be filled with a sense of selfless dedication, arising from service to others in which there is no egoistic pride. Revel in giving rather than receiving.

- Divine Discourse, 6 May 1985.

A true human being is one, who is filled with pure, unselfish love!

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the best way to see the Divine in every soul?

Do not look at the world with a worldly eye. Look upon it with the eye of the Soul (Atma), as the projection of the Supreme Self (Paramatma). Then you can cross the horizon of dualities into the region of the Oneness.

The One is experienced as many because of the forms and names people have imposed on it. That is the result of the mind playing its game.

Withdrawal from sensory objects promotes inner exploration (nivritti), not outer inquiry and activity (pravritti). Along inner exploration lies the path of intellectual inquiry (jnana).

The sacred activities like rituals and sacrifices laid down in the Scriptures help only to cleanse the consciousness. The freedom that makes one aware of the truth, is gained only by listening to the Guru, ruminating over what has been listened to, and meditating on its validity and significance.

Only those who have detached their minds from desire can benefit from the Guru.

- Sutra Vahini, Ch 1.

When the heart is pure, the light of wisdom shines

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is it foolish to be proud of our accomplishments and talents?

"Every drop of blood coursing through the veins is but a drop from the shower of His grace. Can this material body composed of the five elements move or act without His prompting?

Every muscle is but a lump of His love. Every bone and cartilage is but a piece of His mercy. Unable to understand this secret, we strut about boasting, 'I achieved this; I accomplished this'.

Most people forget that the all-ruling, all-knowing Lord is the puppeteer, the holder of strings that move the puppets and make them act their roles.

Character cannot deviate even a dot from His directions; His Will guides and determines every single movement and gesture.

It is indeed unfortunate that most actors claim they are the actual doers and enjoyers, plunged in ignorance of the basic truth. When will people ever realise that they are but bags of skin, executing His will?", rued Arjuna.

- Ch 10, Bhagavatha Vahini

Bhakti is dedication with nothing held back; not even a wisp of ego should remain. His command alone counts; His will prevails.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we conduct ourselves when we are most hurt, and are in suffering?

You may be subjected to calumny, insult and dishonour; you may be plunged into poverty or pain; but the person who has surrendered to the Will of The Divine will welcome each of these gladly and bear it with equanimity.

The Lord will never give up His children. Those devoted to Him have to be patient and calm, under the most poignant provocation. The fact is, the pious and the Divine-fearing are those who are visited by travails and troubles: in order to teach mankind these great truths,

There is nothing more in this than that purpose of the Lord.

- Ch 19, Bhagavatha Vahini

Unwavering faith is the sign of spiritual success.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the true sign of a human being?

There is no point in talking sweetly if there is no sweetness in your heart. Sweetness in speech and bitterness in heart is not the quality of a human being.
There should be sweetness in your thought, word and deed. This is the true sign of a human being.

Human beings are considered most sacred because they have the unique quality of love in them. The Divine incarnates in human form only to spread the message of love. Once you have love in your heart, you can conquer the whole world.

There is love in you, but you are not able to express it in the proper way. Develop the spirit of brotherhood. Even when you come across your bitter rival, address him as brother and talk to him with love.

When you address him as brother, his heart will melt and hatred will disappear at once. Hence fill your life with love. Nothing is superior to love in this world.

- Divine Discourse, 17 Oct 2003.

Kindness and compassion are the hallmark of a true human being.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is true culture?

The greatness of an individual depends on the cultural perfection attained.

‘Culture’ does not connote mere diligence. It means the removal of evil thoughts and propensities, and the promotion of good thoughts and qualities.

It is important that young students live a life characterised by peace and self-control so that they will have a peaceful and contented life later as a citizen.

Human life is comparable to a tree and the kinsmen of the individual to its branches. On these branches the flowers of thoughts and feelings blossom. These flowers gradually develop into fruits of good qualities and virtues. The nectarine juice present in these fruits is character.

Without roots and fruits, a tree is mere firewood. Self-confidence is the root of the tree of life and character, its fruit.

- Summer Showers, Jan 1979, Ch 1.

A true human being is one, who is filled with pure, unselfish love!


Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is ‘Ceiling on Desires’?

There are four components in the term ‘Ceiling on Desires.’ They are :-
1. curb on excessive talk
2. curb on excessive desires and expenditure
3. control of consumption of food
4. check on waste of energy.

You need some essential commodities for your sustenance. You should not aspire for more.

Learn a lesson in this respect from Nature. Only if air is available in sufficient quantity will it be comfortable and good. If it is excessive and there is a gale you will feel uncomfortable.

When you are thirsty, you can consume only a limited quantity of water. You can't consume the entire river!

Doctors know that the body temperature is normally 98.4. If this goes up to 99 they say fever has set in due to some disorder in the body.

So you find that if you cross the limits even to a little extent it is dangerous or harmful.

- Divine Discourse, 19 Jan 1983.

Curbing desire is the surest means to achieve mental peace.

Source: radiosai.org