Life 47 (May 24 - Jan 25)

[winston]

Why should we fine-tune the mind and what will be the outcome of such an effort?

In whichever direction a camera is turned while its film is exposed, the resultant picture will be of the things in that direction. It depends on the turn of the lens.

Similarly, the mind reflects the nature of things we are attracted to. When someone blames us, we get furious and behave madly. When someone praises us, we leap with joy and think well of the person who praises us.

In either case, the reason is our emotional perturbation! We must understand the secrets of the mind and the ways in which it plays with us. We must learn to be unruffled and steady, whether we are praised or blamed.

Another example: When the mind is turned towards the Divine or goodness, it becomes human. If it is turned towards evil thoughts and wicked egoism, it becomes demonic.

When we turn the key to the right, it opens the lock; when we turn it to the left, it locks it. The same key does two opposite operations, based on the direction of turning.

If the mind is turned towards good thoughts, it establishes detachment. Turned towards thoughts of 'I' and 'mine', causes attachment. Attachment means bondage; detachment leads to liberation!

- Divine Discourse, Jul 25, 1978.

The tightest bondage is the ignorance of one's own reality.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is it unwise to seek permanent happiness in this world?

A nice rose flower makes us feel very happy; but by the evening, the rose fades away; and by the next morning the petals fall and then it does not generate as much happiness.

In the same way, every object of beauty can only generate temporary happiness in us.

We must understand carefully where we can find permanent and lasting happiness. This can only be found in the aspect of Atma (Inner-Self) and in thoughts of the Divine.

We can get permanent happiness only from things that are permanent. Out of things that are transient, we can never get happiness which is permanent.

Only after experiencing permanent happiness, will we get true bliss. We cannot go on searching for bliss at all places. If we do this, it will be like going to a fish market in search of diamonds.
We can find only fish in a fish market and not diamonds!

Since this world is temporary and all life in it is uncertain, we cannot find permanent happiness in this world!

- Summer Showers 1978, Ch 12.

Sorrow is the temporary absence of joy; joy is the temporary disappearance of sorrow.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the role of divine company and spiritual effort or Sadhana?

Charcoal is dark and signifies ignorance in the form of darkness. Fire throws light or brightness and signifies knowledge. So long as fire and charcoal are separated from each other, charcoal can only look at the fire but cannot get any of its brightness.

However, when charcoal is put into the fire and brought into contact, it will also become bright and will become a part of fire.

Therefore, when one comes in contact with the Divine, ignorance in the body will be removed.

If we also do a little fanning, the charcoal will become fire faster. Such fanning truly is Sadhana.

By sadhana, even an ignorant person can become a wise person.

All the events that we read in the Scrotures, must be regarded as actions performed with a pure and sacred heart.

We must regard ourselves as part of the Divine and experience unity in all creation.

We should not take these actions in a superficial manner. Their desires were completely burnt out in the thought of the divine.

- Summer Showers 1978, Ch 12.

Whatever the texts studied and sadhanas undertaken by man, everything goes to waste if man does not cultivate the feeling of love in his heart.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we never detest or shy away from unpleasant experiences?

If a person is always in an air-conditioned room, he can never know what coolness means.

He must go, at least once, into the hot sun to realise the value of air-conditioning.

No lamp can glow brightly in daylight. Night alone can reveal its value. 

Many people go to the Avatar wailing, "We are in great grief; we are suffering from deep anxiety." When he hear these words he knows what is happening to them. He has never had the experience of grief or anxiety. He knows that these are but dream experiences. They are not real.

Some people may praise you, others may blame you; both are unreal.

When a well is sunk, soil that is dug out becomes a mound by its side. Some pay attention to the pit, others to the mound. Consider both with indifference.

The soil that was the well has now become soil that’s the mound. This is the eternal see-saw.

The sun sets in the West and the Moon rises in the East. These dualities are part of Nature. So long as you are here, try to practise equanimity!

- Divine Discourse, Jul 25, 1978.

You can truly enjoy your life as a human being only when you consider both sorrow and happiness, profit and loss with equanimity.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the secret to practicing self-control and why is it necessary to develop such discipline?

Dama means control of external organs. Sama means control of inner organs. We can understand the word Sama as signifying control of sensory organs.

For one who can control his inner senses, external organs do not give any trouble and external organs easily come under control. For one who is not able to control the inner senses, external organs also cause a lot of trouble.

If one gets the strong feeling that he should not see anything external to him, he will not see anything even if his eyes are open.

If one is determined not to eat anything, he will not eat the food however attractive it may be.

It is the inner senses that provoke the external organs. Thus controlling the inner senses is a difficult matter; but if we are able to do this, we can easily control the external aspects.

For one who is born as a human being, whether he works in the worldly sphere or spiritual sphere, the control of the organs is very essential. This discipline will give all of us a lot of happiness!

- Summer Showers 1978, Ch 11.

If the individual is able to treat good and bad, the pleasant and the unpleasant, with equanimity, he will remain unaffected by the impressions received by the senses.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should our relationship with the Divine be and why?

There are two ways of accosting the Divine.

One is in the manner of the beginner, of the devotee who is still in the elementary stage. He praises, "Lord! You are the embodiment of mercy, you are the embodiment of divine bliss, you are All-powerful," and hopes thereby to win His Grace. But the dearer the devotee holds Him, the more this distance disappears.

It is just as when an acquaintance visits you, you welcome him with a handshake and smiles which are largely artificial. But when an old friend drops in, you receive him with an informal hello and show him a seat with a twinkle in your eye and warmth in your heart.

In the flood of formal praise, love is mostly absent. As it happens, in dealing with the personal Divine, love is the preeminent requisite. Therefore, have faith, have patience and do acts of love and service. Love will be rewarded with Love a thousand-fold.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 30, 1978.

It is only when He is regarded as friend and a companion that He is pleased most.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

It is said that the true Guru is verily the divine. What is the inner meaning of this statement?

The entire world of manifestation is the play of the Divine. He creates, sustains and dissolves or merges.

A plant cannot grow of its own accord. It has to be looked after, watered and fenced. Only then it will become a big tree.

In the same manner, it is not enough for the guru to merely suggest to you to recite the name of the Divine and carry on with your meditation. He has to also look after your practice and progress by giving you the necessary support and strength.

He has to make things merge with infinity. Dissolution means merging the soul with the Divine.
He dissolves the individual into the Universal. Thus, the entire process consists of creation, sustenance and merger.

The trinity does not represent the three gurus but relates to the same being functioning in three different directions at three different times.

- Summer Showers, Jun 20, 1973.

Once you have secured a Guru, leave everything to him, even the desire to achieve liberation.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is the Avatar's role as the Guru very critical in our lives?

Atma (Inner-Self) is omnipresent. Atma is infinite. Atma is the One without a second. But it appears as many because of the diversity of forms. Spirituality is that which recognises the One that subsumes all diversities as the Atma.

Unfortunately, today there are many intellectuals who divide the One into the many. But there are very few who see the One in the many.

Here is an example. We have built a mansion. In this mansion, we have one room for bath, one for cooking, another for dining and yet another for living. What is responsible for this division? There are walls in between. If you remove the walls, the mansion becomes one again. Because of the walls in between, there are different rooms with different names and forms.

Similarly, the mansion of Atma is only one. Since we have created in this mansion of Atma, different rooms of the body, senses, mind, intellect, will and ego, the diversity appears.

Since this divisive tendency is on the increase among mankind today there is a great need for the Guru.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 14, 1992.

Only the one who realises his oneness with the Atma can experience infinite bliss, the bliss that is eternal.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What should we do to experience divinity and stay connected with Him always?

The reality is cognisable everywhere; why, it is evident most in oneself when you earnestly seek it.

You can experience it, even while performing selflessly your duty to yourself and others.

There are four directives for sanctifying your lives and purifying your mind, so that you can contact Him within you!
1. Give up the company of the wicked
2. Welcome the chance to be among the good
3. Do good deeds both day and night
4. Discriminate and remember that which is lasting!

When one does not attempt to transform oneself thus, he is apt to blame Him for his sorrows, instead of blaming his unsteady faith!

He blames the Divine because he announces himself as a devotee too soon, and expects plentiful grace.

Grace cannot be claimed by such people; He must accept the devotee as his own. One has to use his talent of discrimination to sift the trash and discard it in preference to the valuable.

Doing good deeds means doing selfless service to others. One has to flee from bad persons to search for and win the friendship of the good, who can cleanse us and heal us.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 02, 1985.

Let the Divine be your Guru, your path, your Lord.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is that all-encompassing virtue we must strive to cultivate?

The quality of Kshama (forbearance) is the most essential for one and all.

Forbearance is truth, forbearance is righteousness, forbearance is non-violence, forbearance is the teaching of the Scriptures, forbearance confers happiness and heavenly bliss.

Forgive those who have harmed you and criticised you. Have faith that whatever happens is for your own good.

If someone hurls abuses on you, do not retaliate. Enquire within yourself whether he has criticised the body or the atma (Inner-Self).

If he has criticised the body, indirectly he has done you a favour because the body is nothing but a heap of flesh, blood, bones and faecal matter.

On the other hand, if he has criticised the Atma, it amounts to criticising his own self because the same atma exists in both of you.

One should cultivate this kind of forgiveness and broad-mindedness.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 16, 2000.

Love grows by giving and forgiving. Selfishness grows by getting and forgetting.

Source: radiosai.org