Life 47 (May 24 - Jan 25)

[winston]

How can we lead a meaningful life?

The head has its value while there is life. Hence, the head should be used while you are alive to acquire merit by placing it at the feet of holy ones. This is the value of prostrating before noble souls.

While one is alive, one should engage in good deeds and lead a sacred and meaningful life. All relationships are confined to the living.

The Divine alone is the only unfailing kinsman throughout life and beyond it. He is the only constant companion wherever you may be.

Realise that life is impermanent. Only your good deeds will protect you.

Peace, truth and virtue, have to be acquired only through your actions. Achieve proximity to Him and then become one with Him.

Today, you call yourself human. If you develop your devotion to Him, you can divinise yourself.

Divinity is your real nature. This has been proclaimed by the Scriptures: I am Brahman), This Atma is Brahman and That thou art. Develop this conviction, with confidence and courage.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 07, 1997.

When man respects his human character and realises his obligation to discover his divine nature, the divine in him will manifest itself.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we curb our mental agitations and cultivate the right attitude to perform our duties?

He gave him a note, which he was to read to himself, whenever he was affected by joy or grief. The note read: “This will not last”.

That is one method by which mental agitations can be calmed. Take life in the world as a compulsory duty imposed on you.

You are now in jail under sentence for crimes committed in a previous birth. The superintendent assigns various duties — cooking, drawing water, cutting wood, etc. You must do the work assigned to the best of your ability, without any expectation of reward.

If you behave well, cause no trouble, and do assigned duties without demur, then you may be released sooner, with a certificate that you are reliable and good.

This attitude will give you practice in selfless action without expecting a reward, which is very valuable for curbing the senses.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 26, 1963.

To discharge faithfully one's duties and responsibilities is an imperative act of worship.

Source: radiosaiorg

[winston]

What is the role of good company in our life?

Who are our friends and who are our enemies? Our own good thoughts are our friends. Our evil thoughts accompany us like shadows.

When our thoughts are purified, our lives will be transformed into ideal ones.

The mind is a bundle of thoughts. Actions ensue from thoughts. From actions flow the fruits thereof. Hence, thoughts are the seeds which ultimately yield fruits in the form of good fortune and misfortune.

Man is thus the architect of his own life. As thoughts determine actions, it is essential to cultivate good thoughts.

Even bad men have been transformed by the influence of good and godly men. When the mind is turned towards the Divine, the entire life becomes purified.

What is needed is control over the senses through devotion and steadfastness.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 13, 1991.

Sanctify the time given to you by good thoughts and good actions. For this, you need to cultivate the company of the good, which will in due course lead you to liberation.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we correct ourselves, especially when we feel low, when we feel anger and when our mind wavers?

All that you see outside is a reflection of the inner being. Good and bad do not exist outside; they are mere reflections of what is within you.

No one has the right to judge others. Give up all that is bad in you and you will find goodness all around.

As the colour of glasses you put on, so is the colour of the world you visualise. The defect lies in your vision, not in the creation.

Heart is the dwelling place of the Divine. So, only noble feelings should emerge out of it.

If there are any evil qualities like lust, greed and anger in it, then it ceases to be a human heart. It is verily the heart of an animal.

If your conduct is devoid of humanness, then you are not a human being. Act in a manner that befits your human birth.

When you are angry, remind yourself, “I am not a dog, I am man.” When your mind wavers, tell yourself repeatedly, “I am not a monkey, I am man.”

Patiently think about your real nature. Never act in haste. Haste makes waste. Waste makes worry. So, do not be in a hurry. Take time and think calmly.

All these evil qualities can be eliminated by developing good thoughts and feelings. The remedy for all your mental ailments lies within you!

- Divine Discourse, Nov 18, 1999.

When divine feelings do not surge in the heart, Man becomes infected with two flaws. He conceals his countless blunders, and He criticises even minor mistakes of others.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why and how should we work on all-around development?

Although there may be differences among nations in their food and recreational habits, the spirit of harmony and unity displayed in sports, is a gratifying example to all.

It is a distinctive quality of sports, that differences are forgotten and persons engage themselves in games in a divine spirit of friendliness and camaraderie.

Sports help the players not only to improve their health but also to experience joy.

Students, however, should not be content with realising these benefits.

Man has another body besides the physical. It is the subtle body, otherwise known as the mind. It is equally essential to promote purity of the mind and develop large-heartedness.

True humanness blossoms only when the body, the mind and the spirit, are developed harmoniously. The enthusiasm and effort which you display in sports, should also be manifested in the spheres of morality and spirituality.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1990.

The aim of sports and games is not to produce a decisive result but to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship in the participants.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the root cause for all the unrest in the world?

Only love has been constantly with you right from birth. It is love that remains with you all the time, not your relatives or friends. This love is the Divine.

Enjoy the bliss of love and share it with others. The absence of love is the root cause of all the unrest in the world.

Develop love and uphold truth. Truth does not mean describing what you have seen, heard or done, as it is.

Truth is that which is changeless in all three periods of time. The Scriptures call this permanent truth Rutam.

Just as you change your dress, you have to change your body one day or the other. That is why it is said, “Death is the dress of life.” Therefore, you should have no fear of death.

Life is not permanent. It is like a passing cloud. As long as there is life in the body, use it for the service of others. Engage yourself in service till your last breath. Service to man is service to Him.

Have control over your senses because loss of sense, control engenders demonic qualities in man. Service without sense control is an exercise in futility.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 18, 1999.

Love more and more people, love them more and more intensely; transform love into service, transform service into worship - that is the highest sadhana (spiritual practice).

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As we observe the festival of Sankranti, what should this period remind us of?

From today, the Sun starts on its northward journey.

What does North signify? It is considered the direction leading to moksha (liberation).

The sun is said to move towards ‘Himachala’. Himachala is made up of two words: Hima + Achala. 'Hima' means white as snow. 'Achala' means firm and unshakable.

Where is the place this description applies? It is the region of the heart. In a heart that is pure and steady, the sun of buddhi (intellect) enters.

There is no need to undertake the journey in the external world. Uttarayana (Northward Journey) means turning the intellect inward towards the heart.

The bliss experienced within alone is true bliss for man. All other external and sensory pleasures are ephemeral.

Only the Atmic principle is pure, permanent and infinite. This is the abode of moksha (liberation).

The journey to moksha is called the quest for liberation. Sankramana is the time when the inward journey towards the pure and unsullied heart is made.

Just as the Sun embarks on his northward journey, Sankranti is the day on which the intellect should be turned towards the Atma for Self-realisation.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 15, 1996.

In the spiritual field, there is no royal highway. The path is narrow because the goal is infinitely precious. -

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the kind of happiness and freedom we must strive for?

People have to change their vision, their thoughts, words and conduct. This is the meaning of Sankramana (transition).

Unless you purify yourself, what can any number of Sankrantis (festivals) mean to you?

You taste sweet prasadam. After some time, its taste is gone. It is not sweet food that is important. You must fill your life with holy thoughts. That is the purpose of sacred festivals.

Young people ask why they should not enjoy freedom as fish, birds and animals do! They should understand that each of these creatures is enjoying freedom in accordance with their own sphere of life.

Similarly, man should enjoy freedom related to his human condition. You cannot call yourself a human being and lead an animal’s life. Enjoy the freedom of a human being. To be free like an animal is to become an animal yourself!

What is the freedom one can enjoy? Man is governed by certain restraints. He must adhere to truth, follow righteousness, cultivate love and live in peace. He must observe non-violence.

Sticking to these five values, man can exercise his freedom! To exercise freedom in its true sense, man must respect five basic values. It is in that freedom he will find true bliss!

- Divine Discourse, Jan 15, 1996.

If you wish to lead a sacred life and have sacred experiences, you must engage yourself in sacred actions.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is it important to start ‘practicing’ thinking of the Divine lovingly every day?

Once, there was a man whose devotion was great. He had four sons. In order that their names may help him to remember Him, he had named them Govinda, Narayana, Krishna and Rama.

He thought that he could, on some pretext or other, have the Divine's name on his tongue.

To facilitate his plan, he started a factory and kept all of them busily employed there, so that they could respond to his calling them by name.

The day when he had to yield to death came, he called Govinda; the son came near saying, "Father! I am here." He called Narayana; "I am here father," he too stood by his bed. He called Rama; Rama came to him and asked him what he desired to confide in him. Finally, he called Krishna. He bent too low and wished to know what message the father had for him, and told him, "Don't hesitate, tell me what you want to say."

Seeing around him all the four sons, the dying man's mind was seized with anxiety. He blurted out, "All of you are here! Who is in the factory?" Those were his last words. That was his last thought. When one is involved in the world only worldly thoughts will emerge at the end.

- Divine Discourse, May 06, 1983

Constant contemplation on the form of the Divine and frequent repetition of His name are the means by which the heart is filled with the love of the Divine.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we develop our forbearance by handling the criticism that comes our way?

People today have lost the quality of forbearance. The sages in the past allowed even anthills to grow over them while they were immersed in penance.

Today, people cannot tolerate the slightest disturbance by a fly or a mosquito.

Young people should cultivate forbearance and tolerance. Without peace of mind, there can be no happiness.

Peace can be obtained only through sacred thoughts. Youth today, have lost confidence in themselves. They are affected by criticism levelled against them. They should see that if the criticism is justified, they should correct themselves. If it is not justified, they should ignore it.

If you are criticised for a fault that is not in you, you can ignore it even if the whole world joins in the criticism.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 15, 1996.

If you lack forbearance, whatever yogic practices you undertake will be mere physical exercises and will not confer peace of mind on you.

Source: radiosai.org