Life 46 (Aug 23 - May 24)

[winston]

What must we do to ensure that we live a life of fulfilment?

Man does not become fully human, merely by making himself a prosperous moral person.
Spiritual progress has also to be achieved.

Body, mind and spirit - these three together make up the man. The animal is concerned primarily with the body. Man has risen since he has been equipped with a mind.

Cultivation of the spirit will elevate him to Divinity. The three are intertwined and interdependent. Each promotes the other.

Without the mind, the body cannot decide on any step. Mind and body have to subserve the spirit and become aware of the Divine Atma.

Health is very important for a fully disciplined life. Health means wholeness, fullness.

The senses and the mind have to be controlled and regulated, so that man can win the battle of life.

Self-control is sense control, mind control. This is, otherwise called samskruti (culture).

Culture must be evident in every aspect of life - studying, eating, sleeping, playing games, etc. Culture expresses itself as discipline.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 23, 1984.

Just as a pot becomes strong when it is processed in fire, man becomes Divinity when he undergoes refinement in the fire of wisdom.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What can ensure the duties we offer, are wholesome and worthy?

You must ensure that living is a purposeful process.

Without such a faith, life is rendered wild and wasteful. With it, you can attain Divinity.

Faith will induce a regulated and disciplined life.

A farmer was once charged before a court in Greece for adulterating the milk he was selling. The judge found that the milk was indeed not pure and was about to deliver the sentence when the farmer's earnest plea of innocence induced him to probe further into his habits.

He found that the farmer milked his cows on some days at 4 a.m, some days at 6 a.m. and on some other days, when he could not sleep long, even at 3 a.m.

The quality of the milk was affected by this irregularity and waywardness in milking. The farmer was admonished and advised to adhere to a regular time. Duty is best discharged through discipline.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 23, 1984.

Discipline has to be a natural component of one's daily life in the discharge of one's duties.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the special gift of being born human?

Man suffers because he has developed hunger as vast as the sky, with a throat as narrow as a needle. His throat must become as vast as the earth; his heart must blossom wide through shanti and sahana; that is, through equanimity, and fortitude. Then, the desire of man for full lasting undiluted ananda (bliss) can be attained.

Once a being has evolved into man, there is no relapse for him into lower forms of life; for man alone is capable of discrimination and wisdom;

When he suffers, he worries why suffering has become his lot; he concludes that the cause must be sought, not in the vagaries of the Divine or the whims of others, but in himself; if not in the present life, then in previous lives.

Man alone can analyse his mental reactions and feelings and draw conclusions therefrom.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 25, 1966.

It is due to the influence of the mind that man is undergoing difficulties, sorrow, trials, and tribulations.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is it important to establish the right relationship with the Divine?

You have no need to run about in search of the Divine, for you are yourself Divine. He resides in your heart. All this is enveloped by Him. All this is Divinity.

All beings are Divine. He is the All-pervasive motive force. Have firm faith in this fact.

Like fire in the matchstick, Divinity is latent in man. The fire in the stick becomes manifest when it is struck against the side of the box.

So too, when the Jivi (individual) contacts Deva (Divine), the flame of Jnana (wisdom) sheds the Light of Wisdom.

How can one taste the experience of Wisdom? In what form does it emanate?

The wise person does not hate anyone: he does not belittle or blame or hurt anyone.

What is it that prompts you to love another? The urge to love and be loved is inherent in everyone.

So, when you deny love or when you hate, you are hurting not only the person but the Universal Principle, the Divine Nature itself.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1984.

Live ever in bliss. Happiness is union with God.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why and how must the heart be prepared?

Just as no seed can sprout without rain and without seeds, no rain can produce a crop, the devotee must sow the seeds of Namasmarana (chanting the Divine's name) and develop devotion with the help of a shower of grace from the Divine.

Everyone should try to convert their body into a flute for the Divine, to make His music flow through it. , is

The body should be made a fit instrument for such music. Then it becomes a means of service to others.

The best way to love the Divine to love all, serve all.

You must learn even to love your enemy. A kind word even to an enemy, may eliminate his hatred. It is through love that man should refine his nature.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 23, 1997.

Be an instrument; submerge your will in the "Will of the Divine". That will save you from worry and pain.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the subtle truth we must strive to understand and what stops us from grasping it?

The innumerable waves on the vast ocean, contain the same water as the ocean regardless of their forms.

Likewise, although human beings have myriads of names and forms, each is a wave on the ocean of Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss).

Every human being is invested with immortality. He is the embodiment of love. Unfortunately, he fails to share this love with others in society.

The root cause of this condition is the fact that man is consumed by selfishness and self-interest. All his words, thoughts and actions are inspired by self-interest. He has become a puppet in the hands of self-interest.

Only when this self-interest is eradicated, man will be able to manifest his inner Divinity.

Every individual is an incarnation of the Divine. But few attempt to understand this.

Developing attachment to the body and forgetting his Divine essence, man leads a meaningless existence.

To get rid of selfishness, man has to engage himself in selfless service and chanting the name of the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 14, 1997.

Only the man who gives up his self-interest and regards the happiness of others as his own and devotes himself to their well-being is a truly selfless person.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What does every sunset and sunrise remind us of? What does every passing minute tell us?

In the beginningless and endless stream of time, night and day, summer and winter, roll on endlessly.

The term of living beings diminishes every day. While being carried forward in this flood, man is surprisingly unaware of his fate;

He never spends a thought on his fast-declining life-term; he is blind in his ignorance.

Riches and wealth are short-lived; office and authority are temprary; and the life breath is a flickering flame in the wind.

Youth is a three-day fair. Pleasures and fortunes are bundles of sorrow. Knowing this, if man devotes this limited term of life to the service of the Divine, then he is indeed blessed.

Seek refuge at the feet of the Divine even before the life-breath flies out of the cage of the body.

It is an open cage! Any moment, the bird may fly into the outer regions. That is the fact.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 06, Ch 38.

Time will not submit itself to you. You have to surrender to it. Time is its own master. Hence, you must strive to make proper use of Time.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

In this world where every possession is fleeting, how can we find permanent joy?

The very physical frame which is so carefully nourished since birth, rots and falls aside.

What then shall we say of those who feel that these other things are "mine"? Theirs is but the delusion of an insane mind.

Everything is untrue, everything is impermanent; they are castles in the air, constructions in dreams.

Contemplate on this Truth; approach the Divine and glorify Him; that alone can confer on you permanent joy.

Inside the room called Body, in the strong box called the Heart, the precious gem of jnana (wisdom) exists.

Four wily thieves - lust, anger, greed and envy - are lying in wait to rob it.

Awaken to the danger before it is too late; reinforce yourself with the support of the Universal Guardian, the Divine and keep the gem intact. That will make you rich in prema (love), rich in shanti (peace).

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 06, Ch 38.

Discriminate between what is permanent and what is temporary and pursue the path leading to permanent bliss.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we undertake the chanting of the Divine Name?

In expressing your gratitude to the Divine by chanting His name, you should do the chanting from the depth of your heart and not as a musical performance.

It must be noted that reciting the Divine's name with one's whole heart, is true Smarana (contemplation).

The chanting of the name should not be done to earn the approbation of others or for show.

It is enough if one is able to please the Lord. In the process, one becomes united with the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 14, 1997.

When you chant the divine Name with love at least once, you will experience inexplicable and overwhelming bliss in your heart.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we align our lives with our spiritual aspirations?

Thieves who rob man of valuable treasures, like peace and contentment, equipoise and courage, are being honoured as masters!

Real masters who ensure peace and happiness, are treated with irreverence and disgust!

Thieves - lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and hate - are honoured as welcome guests and the real well-wishers like tranquillity and humility, are shown the door!

You desire to drink a sweet drink but instead of sugar, you drop salt into the cup, imagining salt to be sugar.

Isn’t this the state of man today?

He craves for peace but does not know how to attain it! The means he adopts, will not lead him to the anticipated end!

A large percentage of people who asked for moksha (liberation) from the bondage of grief and joy, birth and death. But, when offered with the consummation of their wish, they do not come forward; they would rather have it, ten years or five years later.

So, all the thirst and craving are just a pose; it is a fashionable slogan and nothing more.

Man must be sincere; his word must be in conformity with his feelings and his action must be in conformity with his word. Resolve on this practice, at least from today.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 15, 1969.

Any mighty task can be accomplished through prayer. However, your prayers should be sincere. There should be unity of thought, word and deed.

Source: radiosai.org