Swami teaches....Part 20
Link to Swami Teaches....Part 19
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Swami teaches.... ( 25 March 2005) Divine Rules, Powers and Sufferings of Jesus The world (and not the God who is expressed through it and beyond it) is the centre of attention at the present time. The reaction to the world depends on the feelings which prompt the dealings with it; the feelings depend upon the experience gained already; the experience is coloured by the desire which urged the contact and drew the reaction. Desire is based on ignorance of the real nature of the world. The world is Maya, a mixture of fact and fiction, but it is valued as Truth! It is a fiction built on the basis of fact. The fact is Divinity; the fiction is variety. This deluding agent is the God, for, the fact is hidden and the fiction is imposed by the leela (play) of the God. And, the God is but the appearance in Form of the Formless, Intangible, Immanent, Absolute, the Niraakaara Paramaathma, the aakaasha (space) within the hridhaya (heart) of human and all living beings as well as of all the other Bhuuthaas or Principles, unbound, without beginning or end. The God is Omnipresent; He is in the past, the present, the future. The future comes up and becomes the present and moves down into the past, but, the present is always present. The God is always present, watching the future rolling on into the past. (Atma is another term for the God. Brahma is Its synonym. It is present in every human in the form of chaitanya. One who understands this principle of chaitanya alone is a true human being). The God is reflected in the medium of Nature, in everything His image is to be cognised. If the medium is Saathwik (pure), then, the God is as divine in the image as in His own Divine state; if it is reflected in the Raajasik (the active passionate) medium, the image becomes the individual Jeevi; when the Thaamasik (the dull) medium reflects it, then, the image is 'matter.' Respect everyone, since the same Atma is in all. This is also the highest spiritual discipline; it impresses on you the unity of the human community and the glory of the God's immanence. Swami's powers do not abide in Him a while and then, fade away! All this is apparent manipulation by the Divine Will. Swami's Body, like all other bodies, is a temporary habitation; but His power is eternal, allpervasive, everlasting. This body has been assumed, to serve a purpose: the establishment of Dharma and the teaching of Dharma. When that purpose is over, the Body will disappear, like the bubble on the waters. Illness cannot affect Swami. If it comes it belongs to some one. When it comes, Body 'appears' to be ill. But, Swami has no contact with it, no affliction. When His Body is 'suffering,' it is the nature, the duty of devotees to suffer in unison. Swami has to follow His duty to take the sufferings of those who have surrendered to Him. Truth is that neither Swami nor devotees have no reason to suffer. The entire thing is the play of Love. You suffer on account of Love. It is Love, fight through; there is no reason for sorrow or pain or suffering. The body is the temple of the God and it has to be maintained, unsuffered by disease and distress. Jesus sanctified His body by sacrificing it for saving others. He was conscious of that supreme purpose and duty. With faith in the Oneness of humanity, Jesus stood against opponents and critics and confronted their onslaughts. Jesus demonstrated and preached the power of faith and, ultimately, invited on himself the supreme sacrifice of life itself. When he was being nailed on the cross, people around were weeping. At that moment an ethereal voice declared: All are one, my dear son! Be alike to everyone." Jesus declared: "Death is the dress of life." Just as we change our clothes, we also change our bodies. Christ was the victim of envious persons who were opposed to His teachings and who levelled accusations against Him. Devotees should not mind the criticisms of envious persons. All good people have to face such troubles. They should treat everything as meant for their good. Christ propagated the truth that service is God, that sacrifice is God. (Even if you falter in the adoration of the God, do not falter in the service of the living God, who has assumed human shape and is moving all around you). Jesus emphasised in His teachings the importance of Faith and the damage and the danger of hypocrisy. Christ proclaimed that the God is all powerful and Omnipresent, the One without a second. His teachings have to be interpreted, understood and followed from the universal point of view. There is great need, in a world broken into racial and religious units, to cultivate a broad outlook and large hearted attitudes. Narrow loyalties cause friction and conflict. This is the primary message of Jesus. It grew in Him by stages. He looked upon himself, at first, only as a Messenger of the God. Later, sensing closer relationship with the God, he announced himself as the Son of the God. As the awareness of Self developed, through contacts and meditation, He realised the identity with the God, and could assert, "I and my Father are One." Jesus Christ gave protection to many poor and destitute people with a loving heart. In fact, several such people sought refuge in him. In the process, he had to face the wrath of several enemies. It is significant to note that when Jesus Christ, son of the God, was crucified, the God did not come to His rescue. Christ even cried out in anguish: "Oh Father, Why are you not coming to save me?" But the God acts having regard to the time, place and the circumstances. He accords to each person the honour and esteem that is due to him. Christ became a glorious figure in the moment of his crucifixion. In the great drama of Cosmic existence, the Cosmic Director, the God (the Creator), is also an actor. The Cosmic play is governed by certain rules and regulations. The God's actions have to be in accordance with His role in the Cosmic play. There are certain rules as to how one should act according to the time, the place and the circumstances. The Creator has to conform to the rules laid down by Him for Creation. The Cosmos is the form of the God (Vishnu). The God always adheres to His laws, the rules and regulations laid down by Him. Therefore, no one can determine what limits and laws govern the His actions. The Vedhas declare that the Brihath (Supreme Cosmic Principle) has no limits. It is infinite. The Vedhas teach the concept of one and alone human family. Faith, Daring, Courage and Intelligence, Energy and Valour - are six essential human's qualities, six virtues what are secured only by Aathma-vishvaasam (Self-confidence) and not by teachers, books, piligrims, etc. The first among the six qualities is Vishvaasam (faith). Today as in the past times firm faith is essential in every field. The ancient sages accomplished many great things by their faith. Their achievements are cherished by people after thousands of years. When God occupies the mind, the individual Self and the Omniself merge in Unity. Many paths lead to this Universal Absolute. (The three major paths are known as Karma, Bhakti and Jnana). Many persons who engage themselves in prayers and pilgrimages for years wonder why they have not been able to realise God. It is unnecessary to go round the world searching for God. He Himself is in search of the genuine devotee with unselfish Divine Love in his/her heart. However, look at the human condition today. Most of human beings love themselves first, others next and Jesus last! (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 10. "Bring me the pain," Chapter 39; Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 19. "Truth and Faith," Chapter 28; Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.26. "The Divine and destiny," Chapter 26; Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 30. "Dedicate your lives to the Divine," Chapter 33; Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 35. "Love And Morality - The Need Of The Hour," Chapter 23). Swami teaches.... ( 26 - 27 March 2005) Every Person is Potentially a Messenger of God
Certain personalities are born and live out their days for this very purpose. They can be called kaaranajanmas (born for a purpose), for they take on the janma (birth) for a kaarana (cause, purpose). Such guides, exemplars and leaders, appear among all peoples and in all lands. They inspire faith in higher ideals, and teach in the Voice of God, counselling from the heart. Of course there are
many aspirants who by their devotion, dedication and disciplined
lives, attain the vision of the Omnipresent, Omnipotent and
Omniscient One. They are content with the Bliss they have won
for themselves. There are others who go out to share this bliss
with those beyond the pale; they guide and lead and are blessed
thereby. They teach that multiplicity is a delusion and that
Unity is the Reality. Jesus was honoured by the populace as Christ. But Jesus' original name was Isa. Isa and Sai, both mean Ishwara (God), the Eternal Absolute, the Sath-Chith-Aanandha (Being-Awareness-Bliss). In the Tibetan manuscript, at the monastery where Isa spent some years, his name is written as Isha, which means the Lord of all living beings. When Jesus proclaimed that he was the Messenger of God, he wanted to emphasise that every one is a messenger of God and has to speak, act and think like one. This is the true Karma-Kaanda (branch dealing with action and its reaction) of the Vedhas: saadhana (discipline) of karma (work), japa (prayer), seva (service) and dhyaana (meditation). When progress is furthered, Jesus asserted, each one can recognise all as Sons of God, Children of God, brothers and sisters of oneself, and so, deserving of worship. The Upaasana Kaanda (branch of Vedhas dealing with contemplation) is the scripture in Sanaathana Dharma (Eternal Universal Religion) for this stage. Finally, knowledge ripens into wisdom and' the goal of Jnaana Kaanda (branch of Vedhas dealing with spiritual wisdom) is reached, when each one realises, "I and my Father are One." Every human being is potentially a messenger of God. But, today, many people have become messengers of the Lord of Death. They are traitors to their true human state. Humanness demands that everyone should manifest the Divinity within. Everyone should be a real messenger of God and strive to promote peace and security in the world. There is no other path to be followed. By Vedas the Divine functions in the Cosmos have five names. The first is Para-naamam. Second, Vyuha-naamam. Third, Vibhavanaamam. Fourth, Antharaathma-naamam and fifth, Archana-naamam. 1. There the Supreme Lord dwells under the name Para-naamam what refers to the abode of the Supreme, Vaikunttha. (Vaikunttha means that which is unchanging). No one can enter that abode of the Lord. He oversees everything. But He is not visible to anyone and no one can see His form. 2. The second is: Vyuha-naamam. This name refers to the Lord who reclines on a serpent on the ocean of milk. The Lord in this form can be seen only by Dhevas (the various deities). Ordinary beings cannot see Him. By ancient myth Hiranyakashipu was harassing the Dhevas in various ways. They went to the Lord's couch on the ocean of milk and prayed to Him. In answer to their prayers the Lord agreed to incarnate on the Earth. 3. Third is: Vibhava-naamam. This refers to the various human forms in which the Lord incarnates on earth as Avathaars of Raama and Krishna. Avathaars of the Lord in these different forms have been manifesting themselves for aeons and aeons. The incarnations that are adored as the ten Avathaars belong to this category of Vibhava-naamam. In this form, the Lord manifests the relationship between God and the devotees. 4. The fourth is: Antharaathma-naamam. In this form, the Lord pervades every part of a human being as an indwelling spirit. This indwelling spirit is Divine. 5. The fifth is: Archana-naamam. This refers to the form in which the Divine can be worshipped, praised and adored for securing His grace. The Vibhava avathaars (like Raama and Krishna) are Puurna-avathaars (total manifestations of the Divine). The Archana-avathaars are Amsa-avathaars (partial manifestations). Such avathaars incarnate from time to time, not only in India but in all countries. Messenger of God are of two kinds: Yamadhuutha and Avadhuutha. Yamadhuuthas are messengers who inflict harm on people. Avadhuuthas are messengers who protect. In the Geetha the Lord announces, "I am human among living beings, the cow among animals, the lion among beasts, the cobra among snakes, the eagle among birds, Prahlaadha among Raakshasas. No item is discarded as not worthy of God. There is no body that He does not activate, no Form that He does not reside in. This message of the Avathaar must be born, must become alive, must grow in you, your heart. When Full is taken from the Full, Full remains - this is the Upanishathic axiom! The Divine is Full; Creation is Full. Fullness is the attribute, the nature of the Supreme. It cannot' be diminished by the process of creation of the Cosmos. Fullness is the quality of the Divine; it is found in part or portion or in half or whole. Quantity is not the criterion; quality is found equally full. In Vedhaanthic vocabulary, Chith and A-chith are two terms set against each other, comprehending between themselves, the Created Universe. Chith means 'Intelligent' and A-chith means 'non-Intelligent.' There are no two opposites like this. There are grades, slowly passing from one to the other, from the less intelligent to the fully intelligent. The Universe is the Field where God sports. Be aware of this fact, every moment of consciousness, and there is nothing more you need for a happy existence. For, you will then contact God in every thing through every thought at every place and at every moment. His Leela is evident in the smallest flower and the most distant star. The joy that you can derive from the contemplation of these proofs of providence is indescribable. Be joyful yourself and make others too share in that joy. When Leela entices God, it takes eight forms: Shuddha Brahmamayi (the absolutely Pure), Charaa-charamayi (the moving and the non-Moving), Jyothirmayi (the Luminous), Vaangmayi (the Vocal), Nithyaanandamayi (the ever-blissfull, Parathpa-ramayi (transcending this world and the next) maayaamayi (enrapturing by its delusive charm) and Shrimayi (resplendent with wealth). The attributeless God assumes the Mind, the Intelligence and the Ego, and the magnificent Leela is inaugurated. Believing that the body is All, and that there is no entity embodied in it - this is Mistake No 1. Ignoring or forgetting that there can be no wave without the ocean, no body without the Atma (Divine Self), is Mistake No 2. A characteristic of the individual is that one cannot be alone, separate from the rest. Life is a march from I to We. But, it usually strays from "I" to "They" and does not reach the God, We.
Intellect alone can direct human in the path of
discrimination, between the true path and false, the Ignore the mind; respect the intelligence. Make the senses the servants of the intelligence, not the overlords of the mind. Tell them that the mind is dethroned, it is non-existent. Sensuousness is a disease. It denies you ease and peace. God is the inner motivator even for the scientist who 'denies' Him. To search for God with the instruments of the laboratory is like trying to cure pain in the stomach by pouring drops into the eye. All people are caskets, containing Divine Glory. But you love some of them as friendly, hate some others as unfriendly, and divide them into camps and companies. When a human is good to you, attribute that goodness to the godliness in him; when a human is bad to you, be happy that you have given some satisfaction, by becoming the target for his/her attention. Be a witness, a disinterested witness of all the gyrations of fortune. Vichaara (inquiry), will reveal to you that they are fleeting fantasies of your mind, and not real. By means of Japa and Dhyaana, you can attain that identity with the Reality, which will convince you of the unreality of all except Brahmam (the Universal Absolute). (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 9."The five hoods," Chapter 11; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 11. "Play the game," Chapter 50; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 13."Full minus full," Chapter 16; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 14."Isa," Chapter 16; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 28. "Realise God through Pure Love," Chapter 38 and Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 29. "Ways of the Divine : Advent of Shankara," Chapter 42). Swami teaches.... ( 28 March 2005) The Omnipresent Divine Shining Where there is faith
there is Love The Divine manifests Himself in many forms. God is worshipped in many forms for the joy to be derived from it. In ancient Rome, many Gods were worshipped, as in Bharath. At that time there was no belief in one God. Then came Christianity. The concept of unity in diversity came to be accepted. In ancient Greece, Plato, the disciple of Socrates, was the first to point out theimmanence of the Divine in everything in the Universe. The great axioms of Bhaaratheeya culture found in the Vedhas All this area of creation and living beings in it is enveloped in God, All this is the Divine. This is the inner mystery of Incarnation. All are One; The One is All. God belongs to all. He is Universal. All of you have to give up differences of every kind and give no room for narrow parochial and national loyalties. Consider yourselves as the children of one God. Strike down the walls that separate human from human. Develop firm faith in the oneness of humanity. Only then will the nation be united, prosperous and happy. The Great Teachers belong to mankind. Christ, Raama, Krishna - they are for all humanity everywhere. All beings are images of the Universal Aathma, in the names and forms they have apparently assumed. This is the truth, enclosed, elaborated 'and demonstrated in the spiritual texts of India, which form the basis of Bhaaratheeya culture. The essence of all religions and faiths is the merging in this Unity. The various limbs and organs together form a body; various nations and communities together form the world. The sustenance given by Divine Grace circulates in every part of the body, helping it to function in unison. The stream of Love, endowed by Divine Grace, has to circulate in every State and community to make the world live in Peace and Joy. Division, difference and distinction cuts one off from the life-giving Grace, that feeds every cell of the body and every individual in the World. The World is sustained by the self-same Grace. A tree requires for its growth, soil, sunlight and atmosphere. But, more than these three, it requires the seed. Human's life is conditioned by feelings and deeds, and the consequences of 'these feelings and deeds. But, the existence, I-ness, depends on the Will of God, as the seed. Every living being is on a pilgrimage - whether one is aware of it or not. The Bhaagavatha Puraana (Story of Glory of Divinity), says that the destiny of all beings is to return to their origin. Once you enter sincerely into the path of spiritual practice, the urge to find faults in others or publish one's own excellences will disappear. If one has the yearning to reach the goal, one has to follow the path that leads to it. When you learn to reach God, you have to observe the guidelines He has marked out. You need not dwell on
His name, or His lineaments all the time. That may not take you far.
But, walk along the Path; every step will bring you near. When you
need to reach a village, you have to rise and move towards it; it
will not rise and move towards you. When you need to reach God, Jesus taught simple practical lessons in spiritual advancement for the good of mankind; He manifested Divine Powers to instil faith in the validity of His teachings. He exhorted people by precept and example to cultivate the virtues of charity, compassion, forbearance, love and faith. These are not separate and distinct qualities, they are only the many facets of the Divine in Human, which one has to recognise and develop. The Divine love shines equally in every human being. Different persons, proceeding from their own likes and dislikes, attribute to the Divine the differences existing in their own minds. God has no feelings of difference such as the good and the bad, the likable and the unwanted, the wicked and the virtuous. Narrow-minded persons cannot easily grasp the Divine's equal-mindedness. Everyone apprehends God's powers and attributes according to his own limited conceptions and experiences. (Note also that different characteristics are to be found among people. One characteristic, which is rather common, is for one to delude himself that he/she is a good person, with many virtues, intelligence and talents. The other quality which is rare, is recognition of the good quality in others, their merits, abilities and good deeds and appreciate their ideals). By "giving and forgiving" human being develops love within. In relation to God, this implies that you should always have the attitude of offering your heart to God. (Today, far from having this sacred attitude. What we witness is the habit of "getting and forgetting"). People claim to make offerings to God, but they do not know where Brahman dwells. The Lord is residing within you in the form of Vaisvanara and consuming all the offerings you are making for the benefit of yourself. By exploring the external, you can never purify the internal. It is essential to transform the consciousness. You have to rectify your conduct and actions, because everything depends on your actions. Adhering to the righteous path, with a pure heart, you have to divinise your life. All spiritual disciplines have been designed only for this purpose. All the prayers, japas and pujas that are offered are intended only to purify the heart. This is the reason for saadhakas (spiritual aspirants) retiring into lonely mountain caves, or into solitary temples in inaccessible regions of the Himalaayas, or in the depths of jungles. But, you need not imitate them; you can create enough privacy in your own home, screening off a portion of some room. There you can sink into yourself and discover the Inner Reality as the Reality of the Universe Itself. The Geetha says, Shreyohi jnaanam abhyaasaath. Abhyaasa (practice) is the crux of the problem. Through that, victory can be won. Concentration can be mastered in dhyaana (meditation) and this will lead to disinterestedness in the results of one's actions, for the actions are not one's own, but God's. The results too are not one's; they are God's. When you become detached from the fruits of your actions, though intent on action (offering to the Lord your skill and energy), then, you attain peace of mind, Prashaanthi. By dhyaana you develop jnaana (spiritual wisdom) and by japam (recitation of God's Name) you develop bhakthi (devotion) and by both, you cleanse your heart of the canker of ego. You can link yourselves with God, by a chain of love, through the recitation of the name, in silence and with full awareness of the meaning and its nuances. Each Sai Raam, Hare Krishna, Hare Raam, or Vitthal is a link; the more the links the longer the chain, the firmer the bond. One false link, that is to say, the Name once uttered in sloth or slight, indifference or anger, resentment or rancour, will constitute a weak link and the bond will not bind. There are four types of persons - those who see only right everywhere, those who are less spiritual in their vision and so see right as right and wrong as wrong, those who shut their eyes to right and see only wrong and lastly, the worst of all, those who judge even the right to be wrong. No one brings wealth when he is born or takes it with him when he dies. Whatever riches one has accumulated have to be freely shared with others. However, human pursues own sense-cravings, and his urge for fame and authority over others. Contentment is the most precious wealth; it alone can lead to the goal of life viz., the attainment of Divinity. Develop knowledge about the higher levels of consciousness and the higher planes of existence. Knowledge leads to skill. From skill in using such knowledge, one acquires balance. No matter how others treat you or what they think of you, do not worry. Love for your own evolution and not for what others say. Do not imitate others. Cultivate your own life. You have your own heart, your own opinion, your ideas, your own will. Why then imitate? Imitation is human, they say; but creation is Divine. Follow your chosen path. Let your own experience of God be your guide and master. Be careful that you do not cavil at another's faith. There is a road from each heart to the Source of all joy, namely, God. Each one will come in his own good time, at his own pace, through his own inner urge, along the path God will reveal to him as his own. Have love towards all. Do not allow the weeds of pride and envy to hamper the harvest of peace. If you think 'I am only human,' you will be led astray. Do not allow your body and the sense to dictate your moves. Spiritual practice is the only means of acquiring mental peace. Cultivate not riches, not comfort and luxuries, but Divine virtues. Then you become fit to receive God's Grace. The day you see yourself as God, you become God. It is noteworthy that without any knowledge of Vedanta, being is blessed with God's love, person can surmount all problems of life. If a tiny sugar crystal is mixed in a heap of sand, even the most intelligent person will not be able to separate the sugar from the sand and recover it. But without any extraordinary intelligence, an ant is able to make its way to the particle of sugar in the sand heap and relish its sweetness. The ant is aware of the sweetness of sugar and is able to get at the sugar even in a heap of sand. Human is endowed with the capacity to discriminate between the permanent and the evanescent, but unfortunately instead of using this capacity he is caught up in the delusions of the phenomenal world and is wasting his life. Throughout history, it has been the experience of Raama, Krishna, Jesus and Muhammad that disciples however close are seldom fully dedicated. Most are only part-time devotees. Jesus had 12 disciples, most of whom had faith in him and lived his teachings. But, Judas yielded to greed. He betrayed his Master for a mere 30 coins. He could not find joy in life after this treachery. Betrayal by people who pretend to adore is happening since ages. Corrupt, greedy and selfish people spread falsehoods about their own Masters. We hear of a Judas, 2000 years ago. But in the Kali Age, people are obsessed with money and Judases have multiplied. They seek to amass paltry riches whereas good character, good conduct and knowledge of God are the three real treasures to be gathered. Those three treasures will stay on, sustain and streng then you until you attain union with the Infinite. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol.
11. "Link by link, Chapter 3 and "He whom Christ announced," Chapter
54; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 14. "The way of Jesus," Chapter 45;
Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 21."Love - The Key To Human Unity," Chapter
34; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 22. "Where to find God," Chapter 38). Namaste Reet |