Swami teaches....Part 29
Link to Swami Teaches....Part 28
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Swami teaches.... (1 June 2005) (Meanwhile was a pause 21 - 1 June. The next pause will be 9 - 20 June. Pauses are caused by my job needing frequent traveling in our country and abroad). A Broad insight of human's life destination Thoughts as preface By Swami the destiny of a nation or community is dependent on the moral fibre of the people. Jesus emphasised the importance of faith and the damage and the danger of hypocrisy. Joining both palms together and offering namsakar is an act of dedication of one's thought and speech. There is great need, in a world broken into racial and religious units, to cultivate a broad outlook and large hearted attitudes. It seems that the nature itself specifies to people a way to the Swami's Teaching. Analyzing the data NASA for the last years it is possible to come to the conclusion that the Sun has never been in such excited condition as now. Constant solar storms cause geomagnetic storms on the Earth. That in turn influences all alive organisms and plants as the mutagen and reducing adaptation factor. The planet's environmental conditions have became changeable. In the North of the Baltic sea pines and a juniper begin to dry up. Here the ozone index sometimes comes nearer to eight that much above normal and dangerous for people health. (The ozone holes are caused not so much by cosmic factors, but by humans actions not correleted by the laws of Nature and naturally by Swami's Teaching). In our 'quiet Nordic corner' of the Earth now became the normal phenomenon snow at the end of May, flooding in January, frequent strong thunder storms, etc. However, not only on the Sun and on/in the Earth it is not quiet but also in Milky Way itself there is no quiet, no constant existence. Glaxies too as reflects distress and turmoil of a society (or vice versa?). By wide field images and analyses of Nasa our Milky Way (home galaxy) is actually in the process of devouring one of its closer neighbor galaxy - Sagittarius Dwarf. It seems that dwarf's filament of stars, gas, and possibly dark matter entangles the Milky Way. There is a speculation that Sagittarius Dwarf was once pulled through the Milky Way very close to our Sun's current location. (Painter's picture and properer explanation - http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap050529.html). Inside the Earth's earthquake activity too has increased tens of times in comparison with activity 50 years ago. See the activity in May, 2005 - http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/qed/ Only by the mentioned examples from unanimated Nature is clear that nothing is constant in the world of Maya. In this situation Swami's Teaching - where His Divine, ancient and modern wisdom is illuminated -remains as a unique support and hope for those who aspires to eternal light from the world that is illusory and changeable. Why is Swami's Teaching is the unique? True, that It carries the direct Divine vibrations of Avatar connected with Vedic and His Own wisdom. But there was jet one other reason too. Namely, His discourses and books contain many pictorial explanations. What is the significance of such explanations for human brain? Metaphors, colorful pictorial sayings helps more properly to understand the meaning what cannot be taken literally but through additional abstract thinking. A study of people who are unable to make sense of figures of speech as their responsible for that brain area was damaged, has helped scientists (V. S. Ramachandran of the University of California at San Diego and his colleagues) identify a brain region (the angular gyrus) they believe plays a key role in grasping metaphors. The angular gyrus is more developed in humans than in other primates and is located in the brain at the junction of areas specialized for processing touch, hearing and vision. Ramachandran suggests that the evolution of the dominant angular gyrus contributed enormously to the evolution of many quintessentially human abilities, including metaphorical and other abstract thinking. It seems that this brain's area enables humans to be aware of their real Self and the Divine nature. Possible, that Swami uses many pictorial explanations with the aim to develop (or even cure) this brain area through pictorial speech. (Probably, persons with damaged or not developed area of angular gyrus have difficulties to understand the spiritual essence of human's life). This
thoughts were inspired by the last Scientific
American.com; Science News from 26 May 2005. The present section "Swami Teaches..." is partly about Buddha's teaching through Swami's lips, interpretation and His Divine breath. Recently the Buddha Purnima (Jayanthi) was celebrated. Buddha's teaching about non-violence, compassion, humility, generosity, and kindness towards all living beings is eternal. Today it is even more relevant than 2500 years ago. Many high-souled spiritual leaders like Buddha have shown mankind the path they should follow for reaching the highest goal of life. Bharat has been the unique birthplace of many such saints and sages. In ancient times, many spiritual aspirants went out in search of knowledge of the Self and studied scriptures and visited holy places to acquire experience of the Divine. But they could not get the wisdom they sought. Even though they recognized the distinction between the animate and the inanimate they could not get spiritual illumination. True enlightenment is attained by the awareness of the identity of the One and many (Vyakthi and Samashthi). Knowledge of the Self cannot be got by the study of scriptures or from preceptors or by the grace of great men. Brahman cannot be seen in the external world. It should be experienced only in one's heart. It is a mark of ignorance to seek the Self in the outside world. There are many in the world who preach spirituality but none of them has any experience. What is the use of studying books without personal experience or practice. Each one should make his conscience his preceptor. The main cause of human misery - greed, envy, hatred, attachment today has remained unchanged. Human life today is racked by anxiety, misery, unrest and troubles of various kinds. The root cause of all this is that human is witnessing what is repulsive, wicked and demeaning. Dharma and righteousness are the ways to control human's negative tendencies and get rid from them. Swami in His various discourses stresses to the significance and actuality of Buddha's messages to humanity. His Divine expressions and vibrations help to realize it more deeply today, to ours generation. Human today is acquiring various types of knowledge. Among these human being is learning how to live and act like lions and other animals. People today have the external vision what is characteristic of animals. However, animals do not have the capacity to transcend the vagaries and volitions of the mind and the memories stored therein. They are promoted by instinct and impulse. Human alone can exercise this faculty and decide on a course of action which can lead to Ananda, the deepest delight, the innermost urge in human. But, human seldom uses this faculty or benefits by it and gets lost in a maze of multiplying desires and earns, frustration and despair. Caught in the turbulence of the worldly stream, human ignores and forgets own inherent hunger and the need to acquire the awareness of the Divinity within. You must sanctify your vision by turning it inwards. Then you can get rid of animal qualities and divinise your life. Divine feelings arise in one only as a consequence of good deeds done in many lives. Only a sacred heart can experience the Divine. The pursuit of any object other than the Divine is a futile exercise Worldly possessions come and go. But divinity comes and grows. When God occupies the mind, the objective world or nature which is only the product of the mind loses its validity and human, the wave on the ocean, lapses in the source. The individual Self and the Omniself merge in Unity. Every religion seeks to present this basic truth about God, Nature and Human. They all are beacons of light guiding pilgrims along the many paths to the Universal Absolute. 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. God, is in search of the genuine devotee. The devotee who is conscious of the omnipresence of God will find Him everywhere. There is no place without 'God and there is no form without the Divine. That is the real mark of devotion. Meditation and prayer have value as means of purifying oneself. But they do not lead to God-realisation. Unwavering faith in God grants inexpressible Bliss. People should realize the infinite divine potencies within, the real Self. The Divine is present as conscience, which is a spark of the Cosmic Conscience what transcends the five senses. When the senses are sanctified, the conscience manifests its divinity. It can then experience its oneness with the Universal (Cosmic) Consciousness. For 26 years Buddha sought the realization of the Self by studying scriptures, meeting sages and saints and listening to their teachings. He found that by these means he could not experience reality. He realized that the knowledge of the Self has to be gained through an inward search. He began with control of the senses. He realized that spiritual understanding could only come from mastery of the senses and a pure, unsullied consciousness confers the highest knowledge.True knowledge is derived from a pure inner consciousness (Antahkarana). The first requisite is purity in the use of the five senses of perception given to man. Buddha declared that humans should cultivate at the outset "Samyag-Drishti" (the right vision, point of view). The second quality that is needed is Samyag-Sankalpa (pure thoughts). The third requirement for everyone along with purity in vision and thought, is Samyag-Karma (pure deeds). By his/her capacity for developing good vision, entertaining good thoughts and performing good deeds, a person has the power to transform humanness into Divinity. A fourth requirement is Samyag-Shruthi (listening to sacred words). The fifth quality is Samyag-Jeevanam (living a pure life). It means making one's life meaningful by ideal actions. Buddha declared that everyone should aim at Samyag-Saadhana (achievement of the highest good). Study of sacred texts, meditation and penance do not constitute the whole of saadhana (spiritual exercise). To remove all the impurities in the mind is real and true Saadhana. Through his enlightenment, he discovered the importance of Dharma and wanted to make it the basis of society. Buddha emphasized the importance of developing good vision (Samyag Drishti) what leads to good thoughts, good speech and good action. Next he laid stress on association with good people. The four rules to be observed are - cultivate good company, avoid association with evil persons, do meritorious deeds always, and remember what is transient and what is eternal. Good company does not mean
merely association with good people. 'Sath' refers
to the Divine. What is required is to seek the
company of God who is the source of all bliss.
This leads to the purity of the inner sense
organs. Purity in thought, word and deed is the
requisite for experiencing the Divine. This triple
purity is considered as the essence of humanness. Through pure senses and pure heart comes what Buddha called Samyag-Samaadhi or Nirvaana (Pure Realisation or Liberation). To look upon light and darkness, pleasure and pain, profit and loss, fame and censure with an equal mind is Samaadhi. Purity of the heart is more important than all rituals and penances. Dedicate all actions to God. Thyaga (sacrifice) is real yoga (oneness with the Divine). To enjoy things (bhoga) without sharing with others is a disease (roga). Buddha did not attach any importance to yajnas and yaagas and other religious rituals. The reason is he felt that it was more important to ensure that the five sense organs were pure to begin with. Buddha sought to find out why the mind gets disturbed. He could not bear to see that anyone suffering. He was deeply grieved at the sight of persons afflicted with old age. He was intrigued at the sight of a dead body. None of these natural happenings gave him peace of mind. He resolved to find out something which transcends all worldly relationships and pleasures. Happiness is not to be found in any of the things of the world. Nirvaana is the only truth. It is the sense of oneness with all life. When the time of Nirvana was approaching, Buddha noticed that his step-brother Ananda was shedding tears. He told him "Even till today, the world is not recognizing the reality. There are thousands who experience sorrow at the sight of dying persons. But they make no effort to find out what experience is in store for the dead. To shed tears at this prospect is not justified. It seems to me that you are grieving over the exalted state that is impending for me. No human being should shed tears over the moment of death of any person. Tears are associated with the Divine and should be shed only far the sake of the Divine and not for trivial matters. You should shed tears of joy. Happiness is union with God. It is essential to notice that Buddha realised the Supreme duty is refraining from causing harm to anyone. He has learnt this truth from his own experience. He declared: "Ahimsa Paramodharmah" (Non-hurting is the Supreme Dharma). According to him true Dharma (Righteousness) consists in refraining from causing harm to anyone in thought, word or deed. Buddha declared: "Sangham sharanam gachchaami","Hands in the society, head in the forest." He renounced everything to think about promoting the well-are of society. He declared that Dharma means causing no harm to anyone. Buddha's emphasis was entitely on purity in every aspect of daily life. Purity in vision, purity in thought, purity in speech and purity in action. He considered the spirit of sacrifice as true yajna. Sacrifice is the means for attaining Nirvaana (freedom from the bondage of mundane existence). The Buddhist prayer must be properly understood. When the Buddhists say: "Buddham sharanam gachchaami, Dharmam sharanam gachchaami, Sangham sharanam gachchaami," the real meaning of the prayer is: You must divert your Buddhi (intellect) towards Dharma (right conduct). And the right conduct should aim at serving society. When people experience spiritual bliss (Atma-Ananda) all other forms of happiness will automatically come. However, people immersed in mundane pursuits and have no time for spiritual matters. The Gita exhorts mankind to turn away from the ephemeral attractions of the misery-laden world and to seek the Divine. What is it that people need today? These are three things: a pure heart, soft speech and a face that is loving and kind. These are lacking in the world today. To carry on daily life in the world people pursue many vocations. But does all this constitute real living? Can a life led without remembering God be called life at all? What kind of life is it where there is no purity, no morality and no spirituality? People must strive to base their lives on Neethi and Nijaayathi (morality and integrity). They should become, as Jesus said, messengers of God. Realize your inherent divinity. Regard the whole world as your field of action. You have come as a pilgrim to this world of action. Ensure that this pilgrimage proceeds on right lines. It is a mark of ignorance to expect that some other person will give you happiness. Buddha felt sad that people should be subject to such ignorance. He decided to go to Gaya and experience bliss by his own ways. He found the source of bliss within himself. He realized it could not be got from outside. Every human's heart is the dwelling place of God. There are three things required to be done in life. You should try to do good to those that have done harm to you. You must forget the harm done by others and also the good you have done to others. You have to remember the good that others have done to you. You must remember the good that has been done to you as something sacred. You must express your gratitude to them. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 19.
"Truth and Faith," Chapter 28; Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "The Path of Nirvana." 14 Apr 1998, Kodaikanal; Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "The Essence of Buddha's Teachings."11 May 1998, Brindavan). Swami teaches.... (2 -3
June 2005) Today human being carried away by delusions. If Brahma will manifest in front of person, then the salutations with reverence and devotion will follow. But if the same Brahma appears in the form of an ant and bites person, he/she will immediately kill it. You say God is present even in an ant, then why do you kill it? It is your bad and rush thoughts that activate this action. When a small pebble is thrown into a lake, the ripples spread all over the lake. Likewise, the 'ripples' that arise in the lake of mind when a pebble of thought is thrown into it; spread to all the senses and so human behavior, whether good or bad is based on the thoughts. Human is born out of Amrita (immortality) but is merging in Anrita (falsehood). What is the use of leading such a life? Today human is highly intelligent and acquires all types of education. He should set an ideal to the society. Human should understand that education is at first for sharing and serving and having a compassion to all creatures and far not so much for earning money. Education is meant for Dharmaacharana (practice of righteousness) and not for Dhanaarjana (acquiring wealth). Do not be proud of wealth, relations or youth. All these may be taken away in a single moment by the Lord of Time (Kala). Today the devotees read many sacred books and listen to discourses, but there is no transformation in the mind. All these sacred texts and teachings are like jewels which do not give you bliss. The bliss is within, you should experience it. When God is ready to give you the limitless non-dual bliss, why do you crave for limited happiness? Do not ask for mean things. Offer yourself to God, then God will grant you everything. A foolish one does not know himself in spite of all his education. One has to study to be immortal. Vedas declared, "Srunvanth Viswe Amruthasya Puthraha". You are the son of immortality. Understand and experience this. Everyone acknowledge that constant churning of curds yields butter. Similarly on constant enquiry one at last finds the spiritual Truth. When the diamond is cut repeatedly it shines with added brilliance and its value also increases. Similarly, in order to experience divinity within, one has to face many obstacles. However, the devotion should never diminish, but vice versa. Human aspires for God and contemplates on Him constantly, but it is not enough to experience God. One has to totally offer himself to experience Him that you and He become one. You are human only in form, but your nature is divine. Whatever that is thought, said or done is only due to the presence of Atma. God is the object and you are the reflection. The purpose of the spiritual pursuits lies in the unification of the object and the reflection. Different methods of worshipping and rituals correspond to the outward path (Pravritthi Maarga) which should lead you take to inward path (Nivritthi Maarga). The worship and other rituals are only physical and worldly activities. You have to enter Nivritthi (inward path) from this Pravritthi (outward path). All these rituals as outward paths are essential till you realize that God is one. Once Narada went to Lord Narayana and said, "Narayana, I come for your darshan whenever I have any problem. But I do not know where exactly you reside? Where can I find you? In Kailasa, Vaikunta or Swarga? Then Narayana said, "Narada, I will give you My permanent address. "Wherever My devotees sing My glory, I install Myself there." Kailasa, Vaikunta and Swarga are My branch offices. God is not present in foreign land, He is present in our Heart. Heart does not mean physical heart. It means spiritual Heart. You should not have the feeling that God is the master and you are His servant. The individual (Nara) and the Divine (Narayana) are one. Divinity is changeless, eternal and is present in you. Pictorially the combination of water and milk can be termed Sathsanga. When the milk is boiled, the water gets evaporated. The milk unable to bear the separation from water tries to jump into the fire. The moment you sprinkle some water on the boiling milk, it gets pacified. The milk is happy on being united with its friend. The same relationship exists between Nara and Narayana. God is happy when the individual joins His company. But God feels sad when the individual diverts his attention from Him, being immersed in worldly pleasures. Once the individual surrenders completely to God, He is happy again. However, due to the effects of Kali age, the individual separates himself from God. The individual may not feel sad, but God feels sad because His friend, the individual, is parting ways with Him. God is the only permanent friend in this world. You should take to spiritual path in order to understand this principle of unity and should make every effort to experience oneness. This is for your own sake. God does not ask for anything. When you want to be close to God, you do not need to go through sacred texts or undertake great spiritual exercises when you have a skill to obtain the close inner contact with God. Rituals and reading of holy texts are worldly actions. They are meant to give external satisfaction, but every human being has to make own efforts to experience inner satisfaction. It is sacred Gayatri that leads the devotee towards the greatest and the noblest path of devotion, from outward path to inward path. Who is Gayathri? It is Pancha Mukhi (deity with five faces). The first face is the Primal Sound 'Aum'. Bhur Bhuvah Suvah' is the second face. 'Tat Savitur Varenyam' is the third face. 'Bhaargo Devasya Dheemahi' is the fourth face. 'Dhi Yo Yonah Prachodayat' is the fifth face. Gayathri is the mother of the Vedas. Gayathri has three names - Gayathri, Saavitri and Saraswathi. Gayathri redeems the chanter of the manthra and is the master of the senses. Saavitri is the master of Praana (Life Force). Saraswathi is the presiding Deity of Speech. You have to unify your senses, life principle and your speech and offer to God. 'Bhur Bhuvah Suvaha' refer to the three worlds - Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka and Suvarloka. All these three worlds are present in you and in every living creature. Bhur refers to the body, made up of five elements (materialization). The same five elements constitute the entire world. Bhuvah refers to the Praana Shakthi (vibration), which makes the body move. However it is the presence of Prajnaanam i.e., Suvaha (radiation) that enables the Praana Shakthi to animate the body. The Vedas have declared it is "Prajnaanam Brahma" (Constant Integrated Awareness is Brahman). This Constant Integrated, Awareness is present in human. The primordial basis for these five elements is the primordial sound Omkara. These five elements form the life-basis for the entire universe. That is why earth is referred to as Bhoodevi, water as Gangadevi, fire as Agnideva and air as Vaayudeva. There is no need to search for God elsewhere. He dwells in your heart and called Hridayavaasi (indweller of the heart). It is this Hridaya that is your dwelling place. God neither comes nor goes. He is present all over, all the time. But in order to confer grace on a devotee He may manifest Himself. It is the devotion that makes God manifest Himself on whatever corner of the planet. Gayathri Manthra consists of three parts. One is praise, second is prayer and third is meditation. The first nine words of Gayathri Manthra (Om, Bhur, Bhuvaha, Suvaha, Tat, Savitur, Varenyam, Bhargo, Devasya) correspond to the description (praise) of Gayathri. Dheemahi pertains to meditation. "Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat" is the prayer to God to confer the steady and pure intellect. The Divine is first praised and meditated upon and then an appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen the intellect (Buddhi). So, first and foremost you should extol God with a feeling of intimacy. The son will never shower lavish praises on his father when he asks for a new dress. Instead he demands rightfully. A devotee too has a similar right to demand from God. Hridaya (spiritual Heart) is the son of Atma. From Hridaya mind is born. So mind is the grandson of Atma. Hridaya, mind and speech belong to the divine family and have got a share in the divine property being in constant communion with God. From a physical point of view you may consider yourself different from God. In the mental realm you should feel that you are the spark of the Divine. But from the Atmic point of view, you should realize that you are not different from God. Once you understand this principle of unity, wherever you are, you are one with God. To reach this state of Liberation, offer yourself completely. It means just as the essence of food becomes one with your body, likewise let your Love be unified with Swami's Love. Then you will become one with Swami. Light the lamp of Love in you. Even the worldly activities will become spiritual if you have Love. You can do your office work or business, you can take care of your family; but whatever you do, do it as an offering to God. It is the devotion that protects one from problems and accusations. Today there is no steadiness of mind. Once Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was giving a discourse in a temple. Rani Rasamani, the owner of the temple was sitting in the front row. All were listening to Ramakrishna's discourse with rapt attention. All of a sudden Ramakrishna got up, went to Rani Rasamani and slapped on her cheek. Ramakrishna told the public, "O people, you may think it is a great mistake on my part to have slapped her. What for have you come? You are here to listen to my teachings. Whether you practice or not, at least you should listen to what is being said. This Rani Rasamani is thinking of her legal disputes. Why should she come all the way to think of the court affairs?" In the modern age many people attend spiritual discourses and get impressed by them. But they do not put them into practice. The effect of modern education is such that the student studies mathematics, but does not know the measurements of his own house. He practices drill everyday but does not know how to sit in Padmasana posture. In society there are agitation and disturbances. Today human does bad deeds, but is not prepared to face the consequences. Do good, be happy and share your happiness with others, this is your duty. With such sacred feelings, contemplate on the Lotus Feet of the Lord. It is the feet that help us to move. But some people think that face is more sacred than the feet. But it is said, "Paada Darshanam Paapa Naashanam", (Vision of the Lord's Feet destroys all sins). The feet carry the body, which is the temple of God. No doubt the external worship of feet is important. As you continue to worship the Lotus Feet, they will naturally get installed as the internal state in your Heart. There is a story how Krishna taught to follow His footprints Gopikas who had intense love for Him. But everyday Krishna would go to their houses along with His playmates to steal butter. The Gopikas did not know how to catch Krishna. One day they went to Yashoda and complained, "O Mother, your Krishna is creating havoc in our houses. Our mothers-in-law think that we steal the butter and put the blame on Krishna. The acts of your son are causing a lot of inconvenience to us". Mother Yashoda also noticed this. Krishna had always eluded the gopikas after playing His mischief. One day they all lay in wait to catch Krishna. Krishna out of compassion for them wanted to provide a clue by which they could trace Him. Krishna went into a house stealthily and broke a pot of milk and dipped His feet in it. When gopikas came to catch Him, He vanished in a trice. Then the gopikas followed His footprints, which revealed to them his hide out. Krishna revealed to them the spiritual truth that if they clung to the feet of the Lord, they could win His grace. In order to please God, follow His footprints. Those that take refuge at the feet of the Lord, they will neither sin nor be miserable. With sincere devotion when you take refuge at the feet of the Lord and contemplate on them, you will not have desires. The fulfillment of worship of the Lotus Feet lies in the unification of the individual with the Divine. You should not worship Paadukas for worldly gains. You should worship them for gains in the inward path. Once upon a time Jaya and Vijaya (doorkeepers of Vaikunta) approached Lord Vishnu and asked Him, "Swami, why have you created the Meru (gold) mountain?" Then Vishnu replied, "One who is desireless will be unmindful of its (golden mountain) existence. But the one full of desires will never be satisfied even if hundred such golden mountains are given to him. I have created this Meru mountain in order to make you desireless." Aim at the Meru mountain itself, that is the Lotus Feet of the Lord. (Reet's compilation from, Bhagavan Sathya sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "Devotion, Duty and Discipline." 12 Oct 1998, Prashanti Nilayam; Bhagavan Sathya sai Baba. The Divine Discourse " Install Sai Padukas in Your Heart." 11 Oct 1998, Prashanti Nilayam). Swami
teaches.... (4 - 5 June 2005)
Spiritual guides are for them who are free from conceit and pride, hate and greed; guides who have travelled the whole length of the journey. Swami's aim is to plant transformation in the hearts of all, whatever social position they have. What has to be said and sought in order to achieve better living and firmer joy is to be found in the sphere of the spirit. That alone can silently and steadily reform, from within, the evils that encompass the individual and society. Past is past, the future is uncertain, only the present is in our hands. It is the foremost duty of human to live in the present and share joy with the fellow beings. Compared to the entire cosmos, human is tinier as an elementary particle. But human being is able to comprehend the magnitude and vastness of creation. He attains immortality by understanding the unity between the microcosm and macrocosm. The whole universe is permeated by the Divine Reality. God is everywhere and in everything, including your body. He cannot be seen by dissecting the body. But when the mind is directed towards God, He can be experienced. The men who landed on the moon declared that they did not find God them. God cannot be found through yantras (machines). He can be experienced through mantras. In olden days, people regarded everything as given by God. They placed God first, the world next, and themselves last. Today is vice versa.
Thoughts and feelings are as the fragrance emanating from this lotus. Maya is the lotus leaf. Life is the water bubble on this leaf of Maya. Having been born, human lives for a few years and ultimately gives up his body. The five elements are responsible for human's birth, growth, and death. The five elements are nothing but divine manifestations are all-pervasive and all-powerful the Divine Atma. The whole world is pervaded by the five elements, bound by the five elements, and functions because of the five elements. The five elements are the cause for human's pleasure and pain, good and bad. The five elements confer on happiness or misery, depending on how one makes use of them.
All that you see is nothing but the Divine Cosmic Form (Viswa Virat Swarupa). With thousands of heads, thousands of feet and thousands of eyes, Divinity pervades everything. God is here, God is there, and God is everywhere. You are developing differences out of delusion, but Divinity is One and only One. It is the duty of a guru to propagate such principle of oneness. However, modern gurus whisper a manthra into the ear and stretch their hand for money. Such people are not fit to be called gurus. A guru is necessary to make you understand the formless and attributeless divinity. Since it is difficult to get such gurus, consider God as your guru. Guru is Brahma, guru is Vishnu, guru is Maheswara... for all us the true guru is our Swami. The Guru asks you to repeat a manthra; but the Manthra cannot grant you the final beatitude. It will discipline the mind, control its vagaries, and strengthen faith. But, unless you see God in all, unless your mind is made a mirror reflecting the image of God that every one and every thing is, you are not entitled to the release you claim.
The Atmic principle is the basis for everything in creation - its origin, growth and dissolution.
Ignorance of one's true nature is the root
cause of all sorrow. Human is compounded of
two basic constituents: one which is permanent
and the other which is transient. They are:
the Atma and the Anatma; the body and the
indwelling spirit; the Kshetra (field) and the
Kshetrajna (Knower of the Field). This is the
theme of the Gita in the cantos devoted to "Kshetra
- Kshetrajna Vibhaaga Yogam" and "Gunathraya
Vibhaaga Yogam." The Gita lays stress on
enquiry into the eternal and the evanescent as
a primary
Pay attention to the word used in Samskrith for society. We call it Samaaja; the syllable 'Sama' means 'same, equal, undifferentiated' - that is the key to its meaning. People imbued with a sense of sameness, a sense of oneness, a feeling that each is but an image, a reflection of the same divine principle, they alone are entitled to be called a Samaaja, not others. It is the realisation of the one, which thought it blossoms into the many, does not lose its uniqueness, because the many are but appearances, unreal impositions of name and form on the real - this is the Adwaitha experience. People retire into solitude and attempt to contact God; but, solitude is best used for discovering and curing defects of character and conduct. To contact God, one has to open his eyes and serve brother human. The greatest joy springs from the utmost sacrifice.
Maybe, on the beginning of the spiritual journey you ask, "Where and Who is God?" Nature as the vesture of God provides the answers. It is well known that the Earth spins around itself at the rate of 1000 miles an hour. It is ceaselessly doing its duty without rest. Because of this rotation you have night and day. Moreover, the Earth is going round the Sun at the speed of 66,000 miles an hour. As a result, we have changes in seasons conducive to cultivation of crops. The Earth, the Sun and the Moon are providing a lesson to human regarding the fulfillment of one's duties. They are also demonstrating the importance of activity for mankind. All of them - the Earth and the Sun and other cosmic objects, also trees, rivers, cows - are acting unselfishly. Human is enjoying the benefits provided by Nature, but is showing no gratitude at all in return. Despite all the progress in scientific knowledge, human being has not developed the sense of gratitude and sense of generous. One without these qualities worse than a wild beast.
When the crows see the nightingale, they pursue it and try to wound it with their envious beaks. Good people are often the targets for the malignity of the small. Have your own errors and evils hidden so that you can tackle with them in solitude; do not inflict them on others. Wrestle with them, and overwhelm them in the silence of Sadhana. Deal with others only beneficially and in joyful co-operation. Doing good in return for good done is nothing to boast about. Real goodness consists in doing good even to one who has done you harm. History is full of examples of misconceived generosity and forgiveness. Mahomed Ghori invaded India several times and was defeated by Prithviraj, who let him go back as a sign of his spirit of magnanimity. Ultimately, Mahomed of Ghori conspired with Jaichand to take Prithviraj as a prisoner. Instead of showing gratitude to Prithviraj for his magnanimity, Ghori Mahomed gouged the eyes of Prithviraj. History teaches that no quarter should be given to wicked persons who are treacherous and ungrateful. In rendering service to needy people, aspirants would remember these lessons from life and use their discrimination and intelligence. Human with feelings of a demon, fuming with hate, engaged in fighting, holds peace conferences. And, prides himself on his plans for peace. Transform the heart into a tabernacle of peace; then, conferences to deceive oneself and others become unnecessary.
On the path of transformation there are three things what are important. Anyone would install these in their conscience. One: You should not talk about matters of which you have no knowledge. It is a mark of foolishness. Two: It is dangerous to pretend that you know something when you are really ignorant. Three: You must strive to acquire knowledge and impart it to others only after you have mastered the subject. Today many pretend to be all-knowing. This is a sign of Ahamkara (egoistic conceit). It is like a pest that destroys the very root of a tree. It has two accomplices: attachment and hatred. The combination of these is enough to ruin the life of any person. The primary need is to get rid of egoism. Education can become meaningful only when you have developed humility and right behaviour. Education is essential, not the acquisition of information or skills, but the sublimation of impulses, emotions and passions, the mastery of the wayward mind, the grounding of the individual in the eternal Atma. You must be encouraged to investigate into your own reality and discover your limitless core. It will make you one with the Lord of the Universe. You draw all the love, power and wisdom therefrom. Unless you become divine, you cannot know the supreme ecstasy of God. To obtain the state of equanimity (with it there is no experience of the Divine) look upon all and everything as images of the one, namely, God. Every one, everything is His image. In Thamas, it is reflected as matter. In Rajas, it is reflected as life. In Sathwa it is reflected as divine. Feel thus; think thus; act thus. Then there is no greed, no lust, no hate, no malice. Doff this cloak of humanness and shine in the splendour of the Divine which is your reality. See every one as divine, not as the human roles they are playing. Ancients have said that bliss lies in visualizing your true form. Proper utilization of the senses will lead to knowledge of the Atma. Sage Patanjali said the control of senses is true yoga. You may be under the impression that it is not possible for a human being to control the senses. Here, control does not mean total cessation. Discharge your duties. But whatever you do, do it with a feeling that it is to please God. Once you develop this feeling, all your senses will naturally be controlled. You feel that total surrender (arpitham) to God is rather difficult. It may be easy to make a garland out of flowers, but total surrender to God is much easier and simpler than this. You find it difficult because you do not have steady and firm faith in God. If you have total faith, you will never have difficulties. You are bound to be successful in all your endeavors if you have faith in God. Any task, however difficult it may be, can be accomplished with God's grace.
What can the possession of canvas and paint do, if an artist with vision is not moved to paint? What can the chisel and a lump of marble do with no image formed in the heart of a devoted sculptor? That vision and that image are the sparks of the divine. You are all 'the divine' packed in human skin and bone, the Atma encased in the evanescent flesh. Know this and you become fearless, happy without limit. This is the higher wisdom, the knowledge of the spirit; the lower one is that which adheres to the mind, which cleanses the mind and calms its agitations, which is earned by Japa, Dhyaana, Naamasankeerthan (repetition of holy names or sacred formula, meditation and singing of God's names) and such other meritorious activities.
The body is the ball filled with the air of divinity; it is kicked in play, by six players on one side (the six foes; lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and hate) and six on the other (the six friends, truth, right, peace, love compassion and fortitude). The goal-posts are on each side, and the ball is hit so that it passes through them, the Dharma Vidhya (moral attainment) and Brahma Vidhya (spiritual attainment). Those who hit it so, can claim victory. All humanity sails together. Therefore have constructive thoughts, consoling words, compassionate acts. Be on the lookout for eyes filled with tears, hearts heaving in sigh. Swami's words will give you the strength of elephants when you need it to carry through experiences and tasks of service. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 21. "True Sacrifice," Chapter 16; Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "I and You are One." 05 July 2001, Prashanthi Nilayam; Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "The Principle of Hiranyagarbha." 15 February 1999, Prashanthi Nilayam; Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "Radiate Rays of Love." 08 July 1971, Ananthapur).
Namaste - Reet |