Life 41 (Oct 21 - Jan 22)

[winston]

How should we train our intellects to recognise Divinity?

Through wisdom, man can see the indwelling Divine in every being that exists within the bounds of space.

The receptacle may be different but the Divine content is the same.

The taste of seawater will be saline whether you test a truckload, a bowlful, a potful, a sip or a drop on the tongue!

The taste of the Divine can be experienced in the atom or in the cosmos, in the friend as well as in the foe, in the virus and the Universe. This is the realisation, the liberation, the illumination, the revelation!

The world is Divine-filled. This sphere of change is surcharged with the Omnipresent Divine.

The Sage sang, "Out of your infinite compassion, you shine in the ant and in the Trinity!"

The Divine is in the bower and in the battlefield, blowing the conch or playing on the bewitching flute, wielding whip and wheel, the Unseen Force behind every thought, word and deed of man everywhere, at all times.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 03, 1969.

The Divine cannot be seen outside. You must direct your vision inside. Then you will realise that the entire world is a reflection of the Atma (Inner-Self) within you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

The Light Is Always There

There may be moments when you feel emotionally cold and dark, when it seems that all the light has gone from your life.

But your experience and inner truth are not in sync—the light is always there.

— Tenzin Wangyal, “The Light Is Always There”

[winston]

What is the ultimate goal of all sadhana (spiritual practice)?

Jnana (Wisdom) is the treasure that man has to accumulate, so that he can realise himself as Divine and merge in the ocean of Divine Bliss.

Cows may be of different breeds, or colours or sizes; but the milk they yield is the same, the world over.

So too, all religions, whatever their origin or extent of influence, are all means to teach man this process.

Now, the law of human behaviour has become "each for himself”; this is because the fact that all are ‘one-in-Divine’ is not known and realised.

This is the product of Sadhana; this conviction grows slowly but it has to be acquired.

Durvasa, the great sage who is famous in the epics for his asceticism, is also known for his anger when he is slighted or thwarted by others.

He was so sensitive, so egoistic, and so uppish, that he forgot the unity of all-in-Divine. He was ready with a frightful curse when anyone showed disregard to his inflated ego. Of what avail are all the years of austerity?

- Divine Discourse, May 24, 1967.

Ego is the root cause for hatred. Give up ego and you can have the vision of the Atma (Inner-Self).

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Compassionate Transmutation

Buddhism is a path of supreme optimism, for one of its basic tenets is that no human life or experience is to be wasted or forgotten but all should be transformed into a source of wisdom and compassionate living.

— Taitetsu Unno, “Number One Fool”

[winston]

Return to Nirvana

If the deer like to be in the countryside and the birds like to be in the sky, then the practitioner likes to be in nirvana.

We are in nirvana. The only problem is that we are not able to return to it.

— Thich Nhat Hanh, “A Wave in the Water”

[winston]

What is the true barometer for a human being?

Man hoards wealth, authority, fame and learning, to acquire happiness. But he finds that they are fraught with fear, anxiety and pain.

The millionaire is beset by tax officials, cheats, donation hunters, house-breakers and his sons and kinsmen who clamour for their share.

Happiness of material origin is short-lived and has misery as its obverse.

Therefore, struggle to realise Atma (Inner-Self), to visualise the Divine; even failure in this struggle is nobler than success in otherworldly attempts.

To live in the body, with the body, for the body is the life of a worm!

To live in the body, with the Divine and for the Divine, is the life of man.

The dull, activity-hating Tamasik (materialistic) persons cling to ego and kith and kin; their love is limited to these.

The Rajasik (active, passionate) persons seek to earn power and prestige and love only those who contribute to these.

But the Satwik (pure, good, equanimity-filled), love all as embodiments of the Divine and engage themselves in humble service.

- Divine Discourse, May 24, 1967.

A true human being is one who has the noble qualities of adherence to truth, duty, devotion and discipline.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Let Truth Awaken

Truth is seeking to awaken to itself through you, to see itself everywhere through your eyes and taste itself everywhere through your lips.

— Stephan Bodian, “Encountering the Gateless Gate”

[winston]

What should we sincerely pray for?

Pray to the Divine, to strengthen the conviction and faith that He is the Charioteer in all;

He will open your eyes to the Truth and reveal to you that He is the Eternal Charioteer` in all.

That revelation will confer on you incomparable bliss and grant you kinship with Creation's manifoldness.

Know Him as your strength, your breath, your intelligence, your joy - He becomes all that and more.

No more can any faculty of yours hinder your progress. He will direct all of them towards the highest Goal; the senses, the mind, the subconscious, the unconscious, the intelligence - all. Grace will confer all you need!

- Divine Discourse, Jul 31, 1967.

Spiritual transformation calls for changing the mind from a prisoner of the
three gunas (qualities) ie. tamas (stability), rajas (activity) and sattva (consciousness), to one that is bound to the Divine.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Taking Charge of Happiness

Do not try to find happiness or comfort outside yourself; instead, you should try to become the commander of your own mind and utilize it at will.

—Kim Iryop, “Mind Control”

[winston]

How should we grow deep in our love and devotion to the Divine?

You must proceed from the known to the unknown. Then love expands in ever-widening circles until it covers all nature until even plucking a leaf from a tree affects you so painfully that you dare not injure it.

The green vitality of the tree is a sign of the Divine Will, which sends its roots deep into the soil.

The roots keep the tree safe from storms, holding it fast against the violent tug of the wind.

So too, if the roots of love in man go down into the spring of the Divine in him, no storm of suffering can shake him and crash him into disbelief.

As a lump of sugar sweetens every drop of water in the cup, the eye of love makes every person in the world friendly and attractive.

- Divine Discourse, May 24, 1967.

Begin loving service to the Divine , from this day, from this very moment. Each act will urge you to the next, the joy from each pure act is infectious.

Source: radiosai.org