Life 48 (Feb 25 - Dec 26)

[winston]

What is the true ornament of humans, which complements one’s true value?

Lotuses are the ornaments of lakes. Houses and buildings are the ornaments of villages and towns. The waves of the ocean are its ornaments. The moon beautifies the sky.

Character is the true ornament of man. The loss of this ornament, is the source of all his suffering and misery.

Man does not realise the purpose for which he has been created by Him. His creation is endowed with several truths, mysteries and ideals. But man has forgotten these ideals.

He is unable to appreciate the significance of his legacy. Of all the powers in the world, human power is the greatest.

In fact, it is man who assesses the value of all the materials of the world. Who gives value to a diamond or for that matter, to gold? Who attaches value to land? Is it not man?

Man assigns value to everything in this world but he is unable to recognise his own value. Then how can he ever understand the value of divinity?

First of all, man has to realise the value of human life. Only then will he be in a position to understand divinity.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 01, 2000

It is virtues alone that lend value to human life and it is qualities like compassion, forbearance and sacrifice, that make human life precious.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why are we unable to recognise the divinity that pervades the entire world?

Not being able to recognise your innate divinity, is ignorance.

You have to enquire into the reason for this ignorance. This is mainly because you follow the pravritti marga (outward path) all your life under the influence of the sense organs, which are projected outward.

You are not making any effort to follow the nivritti marga (inward journey). All that you see, hear or think about, are outward acts. In fact, everything that you do is outward. Thus, you are fully engrossed in the outward activities and are completely neglecting the inward path.

You need to make an effort to understand the value of man. In fact, there is no divinity other than that present in man.

Thus, first, it is necessary to understand man before you can even attempt to understand divinity.

In fact, there is no difference between man and divinity. Man is Divinity; Divinity is man.

There is only a difference of perception. You see the world with a worldly view and do not recognise the divinity that pervades it.

You have to make an effort to change your vision from outward to inward to perceive this divinity.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 01, 2000

You will attain true and everlasting bliss only when you turn your vision inward and experience the Atma.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we lead our lives, following the footsteps of great devotees?

They were devotees with equal-mindedness. They had sacred hearts. They had no attachment at all. They had no ego in them. They were practising dharma in daily life and their lives were ideal for others.

Today, we are trying to live like them. Such things can only be experienced but not described.

Our life is full of desires. On the day when the desires disappear, we will have a sacred heart.

Jealousy and ego, occupy a very important position. So long as we are filled with jealousy and ego, we cannot understand the sacred aspects.

Today, you must develop such single-minded devotion that you think of Him as the only one reality.

We should not make an attempt to get His grace for purely selfish reasons. We must make an attempt to recognise divinity in all and Hiss omnipresence.

Our life must be dedicated to recognising divinity in everyone and to earning the His grace.

- Ch 13, Summer Showers 1978

You should rise from the level of worldly attachments to the level of selfless love for Him.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we persist on the path of spiritual practices even when we feel that we sometimes falter?

Realisation of oneness, is true knowledge. However, It is not easy to attain Self-realisation. Yet, you should make efforts to experience it.

You will reach the goal when you proceed on the prescribed path.

You can become a good singer with continuous practice. Even the neem fruit tastes sweet when you keep chewing it.

Sandalwood makes a groove on the sandstone when you rub it unceasingly. The more you cut a diamond, the more its value.

Anything can be achieved by constant practice.

Walking, reading, talking, eating, writing - all require practice. How much you need to practice if you want to ride a motorcycle? You may fall any number of times but do you give up practising?

Unfortunately, you give up your resolve at your first failure on the path of spirituality.

In all other endeavours, despite all obstacles, you do not stop your effort. In fact, you should show the same resolve and more on the path of spirituality.

Why? Because spirituality leads you to the goal of your life. That is the purpose of human birth!

- Divine Discourse, Sep 01, 1996

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the most important tool at our disposal?

Man fails to appreciate the power and capacities of the mind.

The mind is the root cause of all joys and sorrows. The divine power latent in the mind is beyond description.

The nature of the mind is beyond words. It can go anywhere in an instant or stop in an instant.

The world is based on the mind. We know that the food we eat, becomes nourishment for the body.

No, no. It is not the food which gives nourishment but the mind alone!

If the mind is not enthusiastic and joyous during meals, food can even prove poisonous!

The mind alone lends Divinity to human nature. Whatever we see, speak, think or do, we must make it sacred.

Without the mind’s prompting, we cannot even put a foot forward.

Man foolishly gloats over physical prowess, intelligence, riches and power. But he does not enquire into the demon of ego, which misleads him.

- Summer Showers, Jun 01, 1991

Just as the wind causes the leaves to move, the company one keeps influences a man’s mind.

Source: radiosaui.org

[winston]

What is the real practice of sadhana (spiritual practice)?

Sadhana is not only japa, rituals, bhajans, etc.

The essence of all sadhana is to obey His command. In His treasury, there are many gems and valuables.

What is His nature? It is to give more than you can understand but if you ask, your prayer may not be fulfilled.

“Do not ask, oh mind, do not ask. The more you ask, the more you will be neglected. He will certainly grant you what you deserve without your asking".

He gives more than you could ever ask when you follow His command, worship Him wholeheartedly and with full surrender. That is true sadhana.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 08, 1996

Only he who obeys His commands is redeemed. There is no point in undertaking spiritual practices without obeying His commands.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should our love expand?

You must expand your love to as wide a circle as possible. That is how affection for the community, the religion and the country, becomes desirable and commendable.

If, instead of love, these create hatred of other communities, other religions and other countries, then they become poisonous.

Love your religion, so that you may practise it with greater faith; and when each one practises their religion with faith, there can be no hatred in the world, for all religions are built on universal love.

Love your country, so that it may become strong, happy and prosperous, an arena for the exercise of all the higher faculties of man.

Feel that Delhi or Calcutta, is as much a part of yourself as your own town or village; any pain in the toe is as much a matter of concern for you as a pain on the top of the head.

Strive to make your country strong and happy, so that it may not be a drag on other countries, or even a temptation.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 02, 1965

The Seers prayed for the peace and happiness of all mankind, of all animate and inanimate things. Cultivate that universal vision.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the attitude we must equip ourselves with to win the battle of life?

In the world, the good takes birth from the bad. Without the bad, the good cannot exist.

For example, when you nurture a desire, there is an accompanying dissatisfaction which prods you to seek the desire.

Man’s life is a series of desires and disappointments, resolves and doubts, union and separation.

When our sages were asked about the nature of the world, they described it as a vast ocean of union and separation.

While swimming in this ocean, we encounter the gems of troubles and sorrows. Only when we face obstacles, can we attain a Divine state.

If you are frightened at every step, if you do not proceed forward, life is wasted.

Life is full of hurdles. Sorrow and troubles alone lend value to life. Worthwhile results are obtained only through difficulties.

In this world, everything can be attained with sadhana. Sadhana means transforming bad into good, sorrow into joy.

Mind is important in this pursuit.

- Divine Discourse, Jun 01, 1991

Man's life is like a garland, with birth at one end and death at the other. Between the two ends are strung together flowers of all kinds—troubles, worries, joys, sorrows and dreams.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the true purpose of sadhana (spiritual practice) and the meritorious deeds we perform?

The essence of the Vedas in just two sentences: Helping others is meritorious. Hurting others is sin.

The word Paropakara consists of three syllables – Para, Upa and Kara. Para means the Supreme or the Highest Abode; Upa means nearness, and Kara means to do or to go. Paropakara, therefore, means that one should do good and help others in order to go near the Divine.

This is the proper spiritual path, the essence of the Scriptures!

The significance of the word Upanishad is that a disciple must sit down at the Feet of the Divine (Guru), who is on a higher level.

All the spiritual texts teach how to go near Him. Just as one goes near an air conditioner to get coolness and comfort when it is hot, similarly, when one goes near Him, one develops Divine qualities.

This is Sadhana. What is papam (sin)? Harming others is sin; classifying and diversifying and forgetting unity is a sin.

Names and forms may vary but the Spirit is only one. The Divine and Nature are in union where the Divine is the cause and Nature is the effect. There cannot be an effect without a cause. To consider unity as diversity is a sin.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 08, 1996

Just as the river, when it reaches the sea, will not turn back, similarly, one who has experienced nearness to Him will not turn back.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we deal with the unacceptable thoughts and intentions, that arise in the mind?

Recognise the workings of your mind. Man is called manishi. One with a manas (mind) is manishi.

Man creates the world of his experiences with his mind.

What is the mind? Only a bundle of thoughts.

What are thoughts? They are actions of day-to-day life.

Therefore, the progress or decline of the world is dependent on the intentions and actions of individuals.

The world is not inherently evil. In fact, evil does not exist in the world!

The world does not have any sorrow! All sorrow and evil are created by us alone.

We invite misery by entertaining bad desires. Maintain a pure mind all the time. As soon as you find amoral intentions surfacing, contemplate on the Divine, to nullify their effect.

Do not recollect degraded feelings repeatedly and strengthen them, like you grow plants with water and fertiliser!

- Divine Discourse, Jun 01, 1991

Because our minds are not what they ought to be, the world is not as it ought to be.

Source: radiosai.org