Life 48 (Feb 25 - Dec 26)

[winston]

What should we do to shine with the brilliance of our divine nature?

The sun shines brilliantly when there is no obstruction but when we build a house and fit it with doors and windows and close all of them, there is only darkness but no light inside that house.

When we want the Sun’s light to penetrate into the house, either of two things must be done by us.

We must remove the top, that is, we must get rid of deha bhranti (the illusion that one is the body).

We demolish the top, which is made of ahamkara or ego and mamakara or attachment.

Alternatively, we can fit a mirror and see that the Sun is reflected into the house. It is then possible to spread light in the dark interior of the house by moving the mirror.

But, does light come from the Sun or the mirror? The mirror is inert and not luminous by nature.

The moon is also like a mirror, it has no brightness of its own. The light of the sun is reflected on the surface of the moon, and therefore, the light of the moon is also cool and pleasant.

Our Scriptures teach that the moon is like the mind, which reflects the glory of the soul!

If the light of Atma is reflected in the mirror of intelligence, then the entire dark mind may shine with light!

- The Path of Devotion, Summer Showers 1972

Acting under the dictates of the mind brings disaster; acting under the instructions of the illumined buddhi (intellect) is desirable.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Along with worshipping the Divine in temples, what should we also try to do sincerely?

All people in this world love someone or the other. However, there are differences in such love.

The students love their fellow students. The bodies love other bodies.

The Divine is present in this body as well as the other body. Both are embodiments of divinity.

The one Divine is present in all bodies. We must love every human being. Love all, Serve all, since He is present in all human beings.

There is no place in this universe where He is not present. He is present in the sky, in the water, in the sound and in the light. Thus, everything in this universe is the embodiment of divinity.

We forsake such omnipresent divinity and worship Him in the form of some idol in a temple. No doubt, you can worship those idols.

Nothing wrong in that. But you must realise the truth that the same Divine in that idol is present in every human being, nay, in every living being.

I don’t say it is wrong to worship those idols. But you are yourself Divine. Consider yourself as Divine first and then begin to see the same Divine in every living being.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 28, 2007.

If you can penetrate behind the stone (idol) and see the divine basis, how much easier it is to see the Divine who resides in the heart of every living being?

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the secret to leading a happy and healthy life?

As soon as we wake up in the morning, we should cleanse our mouth. The inner and outer sides of the teeth should be brushed well. The surface of the tongue should be cleaned thoroughly. For the mouth is the entrance for all diseases.

While talking to each other, we should be cautious of unpleasant odours. Health should thus be protected through hygiene.

Not only this, each working part of the body should be fit and robust.

We should always be aware of the truth that Divinity is inherent in each limb and organ of the body. That is why the Scriptures extol Divineas the essence in the limbs.

Each part of the body has its intrinsic characteristic goodness. You should learn from the Scriptures about the strength of the people who protected their health in this manner.

By preserving health, the men and women of those times were able to be exemplars of many ideals to the nation. They ate and slept on time. Ate lightly; never partook of anything out of schedule.

- Divine Discourse, May 27, 2002

Wealth does not consist of only money; it consists of good health, good qualities, purity and cleanliness also.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

In a world filled with strife, how can we ensure peace?

The Divine is present in all human beings. All heads of all human beings in this world are His own heads, verily.

Hence, He is described as embodiment of cosmic Divinity. His is the cosmic form. Each one in that cosmic form has a different form.

However, He is immanent in every form. The Scriptures declared that the eternal Atma in all beings, is a part of His Being.

He alone am present in each one of you. You are not different from Him. Do not entertain any doubts or differences of opinion in this regard.

Strengthen your love, that is the proper Sadhana (spiritual practice). If only the fruit of love in your heart is ripened, the juice of that fruit can be shared with one and all.

Hence, let that fruit of love ripen in your heart first. If only you fill your heart with pure love, that love can be shared with all.

All people then will become embodiments of love. Then, there will be no scope at all for hatred and violence in the world.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 28, 2007.

People admire the beauty of Nature but are not aware of the beauty in their hearts.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

In the path of surrender to the Divine, what is it that we must surrender?

Dedication means total surrender.

There is a formidable force that stands between man and Him, like a limiting wall. This power that is separating the devotee from Him is the ‘ego’. Only when we succeed in destroying the ego, can we merge into Divinity.

First, we must be able to surrender this ego to Him. Prapatti means surrendering of body, mind, intellect, awareness and senses, they being dependent on the ego.

Money, might, caste, education, beauty, kingdom, penance and arrogance, are all related to ego. Together or individually, they are comprised of ego.

Among them, pride in wealth and education, are much worse. There are medicines for all kinds of diseases. But the disease of ego, cannot be cured by any kind of medicine. '

There is only one medicine that is capable of subduing this disease of ego; that is Divinity. No other medicine except Divinity, is capable of curing this formidable disease.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 21, 1988.

The vision of the inner Atma will not be revealed to the spiritual aspirant, as long as one’s ego continues to exist.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the true nature of bliss and why is it important to understand where it comes from?

Every human being is an embodiment, repository and vehicle of ananda (bliss).

The awareness of this ananda is the goal of man, the consummation of human life. But, man seeks pleasure and happiness from objects through the senses and attains the low material ananda, not the supreme ananda he ought to win.

It must be said that the ananda attained through the objective world or through subjective means, is only a fractional expression of the ananda which the mergence in Brahman (Supreme Reality) grants.

We speak of hot water, though heat is not a quality of water; fire has given it the heat.

So too, objective ananda or subjective ananda is rendered so, through the grace of Brahmanandam (Supreme Divine Bliss).

Man prides himself that he has earned ananda himself by his effort. It is sugar that makes the bland globules of flour into sweet laddus.

The stars are proud that they shed light on a darkened world but the bright moonlight renders starlight too faint to be noticed. The moon’s pride too, is humbled when the sun illumines the sky.

Brahmananda is the Sun. This does not mean that one should ignore starlight and moonlight or Vishaya ananda and Vidya ananda — the bliss derived from nature and from spiritual experiential knowledge.

They are steps, stages, samples. While valuing them as such, the goal of Brahmananda has to be relentlessly pursued.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 25, 1983.

Ananda is the innate nature of Man. But, the pity is, he is searching for it everywhere except where it is available.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we use and approach the body and mind, and what is it that we must do with them?

What do you think of the purpose for which this body is gifted to you by Him?

It is only to make you realise your own Self. But you forget this purpose and concentrate your mind on the physical body.

After all, what is there in the physical body? The body is like a water bubble.
The mind is like a mad monkey. Don’t follow the body. Don’t follow the mind.

Follow the conscience. If only you learn this simple principle, your life will be sanctified.

You need not pay heed to whatever people may say. The purity of consciousness (Chitta) is the fruition of knowledge.

It is only when your consciousness is pure that you will attain wisdom. The purity of the mind is of utmost importance.

Keep your mind pure, free from all kinds of pollution. Whenever evil thoughts enter your mind, remind yourself, “This is not good; this is not mine; not mine,” and drive away those evil thoughts.

Tell yourself, “These are all not my property; my property is good thoughts and good ideas only.”

Constantly remember the truth that love is Divine. Live in love. If you can cultivate such positive and noble thoughts, everything will turn out to be good for you.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 28, 2007.

When you undertake activities that purify your mind, peace will become your property.

Source: radiosai,org

[winston]

Where can we find the genuine guide whom we can accept as our Guru?

Do not go in search of gurus. Strengthen your faith in the Atma.

Seek to enjoy Atmic bliss. Strive to develop the conviction: “I am Atma”. That is the true message.

When you have grasped this Truth, all other things will be unnecessary. For experiencing this Guru, there are no restrictions on time, place or circumstances.

Only for the man steeped in the mind, changes in time exist and he is bound by them. But to the man who transcended the limitations of time, everything remains immutable.

This spiritual state can be reached only through confidence in the Atma.

Guru Poornima is observed as a day for honouring the Guru. Some types of gurus welcome this day as the day which brings them income. They are an inferior breed.

The real Guru is only one. He is the One, who is hailed as father, mother, teacher, knowledge, wealth and all else.

He is the Supreme whom you must seek through your sadhana. He alone can transform your spiritual efforts into a transcendental experience.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 7, 1990

There is only one Guru, that is the Divine and there is no other Guru. Contemplate on that Guru.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the kind of knowledge that we must aspire for? And what are the means to it?

There are two kinds of knowledge which man can seek in his quest for happiness.

One is Lokajnana (worldly knowledge). This relates to knowledge of music and the fine arts, of the physical Universe, botany, chemistry, mathematics and the like.

All this knowledge is of use only for earning a living. All of it relates to matters which are ever changing and perishable.

The other kind of knowledge is Brahmajnana (knowledge of the Supreme). This knowledge reveals that the origin, growth and dissolution of the Cosmos, are due to Brahman (Supreme Reality).

The Upanishads (Vedic metaphysical treatises) have described it as Akshaya (imperishable) Brahman.

Man today needs this supreme knowledge. There are three steps leading to this knowledge. One is “Bhavam” (heartfelt feeling). The second is “Sadhana” (spiritual effort). The third is “Upasana” (contemplation).

- Divine Discourse, Jul 24, 1983

You need a diamond to cut another diamond. To experience the Atma (Self), you require only Self-knowledge, Atma-jnanam.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

If the goal is to transform the world, where must we begin?

To eliminate the mind and remove the delusions from it, desires have to be controlled. But the sadhaks (aspirants) of today have not reduced their desires.

It must be realised that selfishness and self-centeredness have to be got rid of.
Selfishness is the root cause of all the afflictions plaguing man.

If the world is to be transformed, we must begin with the individual. His evil traits have to be removed. He must fill himself with sacred thoughts.

To start with, the individual must reform himself. Without the individual realising his true nature, all other accomplishments are of no avail.

Man is exploring the most distant regions in space but is not moving even an inch towards understanding his heart.

Is this the journey man should undertake? He must turn the mind inwards.

Turning the mind towards the external world, can only breed sorrow.

Enduring bliss can be got only by directing the mind towards the Divine. That is the real sadhana.

Without mental transformation, all other changes are meaningless. Without changing your qualities, you remain in the same state as before.

Develop good qualities and sanctify yourself.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 7, 1990

The water vapour produced by the sun becomes a cloud and hides the sun itself. Likewise, the thoughts arising in the mind conceal the Atma.

Source: radiosai.org