Never allow yourself to think that you are the body. You are neither the body nor the mind. The body is transient, like a bubble, while the mind is insane, like a mad monkey. Therefore, never place your faith in the mind and body; place your faith in the conscience within you. The human body, though adorned with the finest ornaments and elegantly dressed, has no value once the breath of life has ceased. For a human being, faith is the breath of life. Vishwasa (faith) is his swasa (breath). All the achievements attained by the body are of no value if a person has no faith. The key is the life of the lock; likewise, I am the key to our life! It is the Atmic Consciousness that enables the functions of the body. Atmic Consciousness manifests in a person as “Soham.” “Soham” means “I am God”; “So” is “That” (God), and “Ham” means “I.” “Soham” is known as “Hamsa Gayatri.” “Hamsa” means the power of discrimination that enables a person to establish themselves in the faith that they are distinct from the body. The word “Gayatri” means mastery over the “senses”
- BABA
Summer Showers, May 20, 1993
Life has been given to you so that you may ceaselessly seek God. Eyes and sight have been given to you to help you see the Supreme and Almighty Godhead. Legs have been given to lead you to God’s temple. Hands have been given to perform puja (worship) and offer flowers to God. You have been endowed with intellect so that you may understand that everything you see around you is uncertain and impermanent. You have been given a mouth to sing the glory of the Lord. You have been given ears to hear the song of His glory. You have a body so that you may do good to others. You should put into practice the principles and rules of proper conduct, dedicating your personal “self” to the lotus feet of the Lord who dwells in your heart.
BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
CHINNA KATHA - PARABLES AND STORIES, Volume 1
I ask only this of you:
that you turn to Me
when the mind draws you
into the abyss of sorrow, pride, or envy.
Bring Me everything that lies
in the deepest recesses of your mind,
no matter what absurd, cruel,
and destructive doubts
and disappointments nest there.
I know how to deal with them.
I will not reject you.
I am your mother.
Through His actions, God has always demonstrated that there is no power greater than the power of devotion. What is bhakti, devotion? Bhagavad anurakti (attachment to God) is bhakti. Bhakti contains bhukti (food), rakti (desires), yukti (mind), anurakti (attachment, love), virakti (detachment), and mukti (liberation). Where did the word bhakti come from? A person's primary need is food, bhukti. Sharira madhyam khalu dharma sadhanam—the body is the means for observing dharma, and it needs food. Next, a person needs rakti, desire. Third is yukti, worldly intelligence. It is necessary to know how to live in this world. Then comes anurakti—we must love everyone without distinction. These are followed by virakti and mukti. All these words have the common syllable “kti.” “Bha” comes from Bhagavan (God), and “kti” from these words combine to form bhakti. Therefore, the One who grants you bhakti, rakti, yukti, anurakti, virakti, and mukti is God. Bhakti is not limited to performing worship. We must offer ourselves to God! We must hold on to love in every situation. This is bhakti.
— BABA
Summer Showers, May 23, 1995
Even today's scientific achievements are nothing compared with the exploits of Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha in the Krita Yuga. Hiranyakashipu took control of the five elements and explored the realms of earth, sky, and water. He gloated over his superiority over the physical world. This pride blinded him to such an extent that he tortured his own son! What was the result of all his research? Only an ego that made him forget himself and overshadowed even ordinary human feelings. Such a person is ready to destroy anyone who stands in the way of his ambitions, even his own family! In the end, only his son was able to teach him the truth. Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu, was dear to Lord Hari. Hiranyakashipu hated Hari. They could not coexist. Similarly, it seems that science and spirituality cannot coexist today! But sooner or later, spirituality will surely open science's eyes.
— BABA
Summer Showers, June 2, 1991
-- Which school would you most like to attend? Joseph blushed.
-- I think, Waldzell.
The Magister nodded.
-- That's what I thought. You probably know the ancient saying: gignit autem artificiosam...
-- Gignit autem artificiosam lusorum gentem Cella Silvestris, -- Knecht completed, still blushing, the words well known to every student. In translation, they mean: "Waldzell gives birth to the skillful tribe of players." The old man looked at him warmly.
-- Most likely, that is your path, Joseph. You should know that not everyone accepts the Game. It is said to be a surrogate for art, and that the masters of the Game are belletrists; they cannot be regarded as servants of the spirit in the true sense of the word, but must be seen precisely as artists, dilettantes, and fantasists. You will have to find out whether this is fair. Perhaps you have already thought about the Game yourself and expect more from it than it can give, or perhaps the opposite. One thing is certain: this Game conceals more than one danger. But that is precisely why we love it; only the weak are sent along a safe path. Never forget what I have so often told you: our duty is to recognize contradictions correctly, first as contradictions and second as the poles of some unity. That is how it is with our Game as well. Artistic natures are in love with it because it gives free rein to the imagination; strict academic specialists, and some musicians too, despise it—they find it lacking precisely in the degree of rigor they are capable of attaining in individual branches of science. Thus, you will come to know these contradictions yourself, and in time it will be revealed to you that they lie not in the object but in the subject, for the artist who gives himself over to the flight of fantasy does not avoid pure mathematics or logic because he has understood something in them and could express it, but because he instinctively inclines in another direction. Through such impulsive sympathies and antipathies you will unfailingly recognize the less exalted soul. In reality—that is, in great souls and lofty minds—such passions do not exist. Each of you is only a human being, only an attempt, only a transition. One must pass on to where perfection dwells; one must strive toward the center, not the periphery. Remember: one may be a rigorous logician or grammarian and yet be filled with fantasy and music. One may be a musician or a master of the Game and yet devote oneself wholly to the service of law and order. A human being, as we understand and aspire to him, as we want him to become, must be ready on any day to exchange his science or art for any other science or art; he must reveal the purest logic in the Game and the flight of fantasy in grammar. We must become such that at any hour we can be transferred without resistance or confusion to another post. -- I think I understand you, -- Knecht said. -- But surely the person who so passionately hates or prefers one thing to another is simply a more passionate person by nature, while the other is calmer and gentler?
-- It seems to us that this is so, and yet it is not so, -- the Magister exclaimed, laughing. -- If you want always to remain at the highest level, to meet the highest demands in everything, what you need, of course, is not a lack of spiritual strength, breadth, and warmth, but an excess of them. What you call passion is not spiritual energy but friction between the soul and the external world. Where passion reigns, do not look for strength of will and aspiration; everything there is directed toward the attainment of a private and false goal, hence the tension and oppressive atmosphere. The person who directs all his strength toward the center, toward true being and perfection, may perhaps seem calmer to us than a passionate nature, because his inner fire is not always visible, because, say, in a debate he does not wave his arms or shout. But I tell you: he must burn, he must blaze!
-- Ah, if only I could become wise! -- Knecht exclaimed. -- If only there were some doctrine, something one could believe in! All around us there are only contradictions; everything scatters in different directions, and nowhere is there anything definite. Everything can be interpreted one way, or the opposite way. One may interpret world history as development and progress, or see in it only decline and absurdity. Can it be that there is no truth? Can it be that there is no true and immutable doctrine?
The Magister had never heard such fervent words from Joseph. He walked silently back and forth, then said: "Truth exists, my dear boy! But the 'doctrine' you long for—absolute, perfect, unique, and wise—does not exist. Nor should you dream of a perfect doctrine, my friend; strive to perfect yourself. The divine is within you, not in concepts and books. Truth must be experienced, not taught. Prepare yourself for battles, Joseph Knecht; I see that they have already begun!"
In those days Joseph saw his beloved Magister for the first time in everyday life and at work, and was astonished, although he saw only a small part of his daily labors. But the Magister won him over most of all by being so attentive to him, by inviting him to his home, by the fact that this man, who sometimes looked so tired despite the burden of his duties, carved out hours of his precious time for him—and not merely hours! And if his introduction to meditation made such a deep and lasting impression on Knecht, then, as he later understood, it was not thanks to any particularly subtle or unusual technique, but solely to the Magister's personality and example. The teachers Knecht encountered afterward, who taught him meditation throughout the following years, placed greater emphasis on instructions, explained endlessly, supervised much more strictly, asked more of him, and corrected him more often. The Magister of Music, confident of his authority over the young man, hardly spoke at all and did not lecture; in fact, he merely set themes and provided an example himself. Knecht saw the Magister arrive bent and exhausted, sit down, and, with his eyes closed, withdraw into himself; then suddenly his gaze became calm, joyful, welcoming, radiating strength. Nothing could have so deeply convinced him of the rightness of the path back to the sources, the path from turmoil to peace, as that gaze. And what the Magister wanted to convey to him in words, he conveyed almost in passing, during brief walks or over a meal.
It has also come down to us that Knecht received from the Magister his first instructions and guidance for the Glass Bead Game at that time, though no records have survived. Joseph was also impressed by the host's evident desire to welcome his young companion as well, so that the latter would not feel he was merely an appendage. Clearly, this man forgot nothing!
The brief stay in Monteport, the three meditation lessons, attendance at the course for kapellmeisters, and several conversations with the Magister—all this gave Joseph much. The Master chose the moment for his brief yet effective intervention with great skill. The main purpose of his invitation was to encourage the young man to take up meditation, but the invitation was no less important in itself—as a distinction, a sign of special attention and faith in him. It was the second stage of his calling. Knecht was, as it were, allowed a glimpse into the inner spheres; when one of the twelve Magisters admitted a student of this level so close to himself, it signified more than personal favor. What a Magister does always has more than merely personal significance.
00* 243, Socrates' "Know thyself," expressed by Plato. Moreover, "Know thyself" not from the standpoint of science—which Aristotle later began to develop. Hesse expressed and summarized this beautifully (Socrates was the Grand Master in this context, and Plato was close by as well).
Sai Baba was always happy to see Russians. Once, I told him that Russia had unfortunately been under communist rule for a very long time, and that there had been no faith in God there. So how could a group of Russians be so close to You? Do you know what Swami answered me?
They are more religious than all of you. They respect spiritual values; they apply these values in their lives. Religion realized in life—that is Russia. You may call it “Rama”; they call it “truth.” You may call it “Krishna,” but they use what constitutes Krishna’s value and apply it in their everyday lives as love. Thus, you and I worship personalities, people; Russians, however, follow the values that stand behind these people. In this sense, Swami is very happy to see Russian groups. Values are more important than idols. Values are more important than people, than personalities. Values are eternal in a constantly changing society. That is what Russia represents…
From the memoirs of Anil Kumar, translator for Sathya Sai Baba
11313, Yes, that is how it was. In the history we know, the USSR was the most humane project, if viewed objectively. It is a pity that they were unable to create the theory—the worldview—about which Stalin said directly, “Without theory, we are doomed.” After his death, the party bureaucrats took power away from the soviets, and then the security services (starting with Andropov), and merchants and profiteers from among them later bowed to the West and destroyed the USSR in order to monetize their credentials. The soviets reflected and carried out the will of the entire people, while people were fed the nonsense of the term “democracy,” whose essence, in the free citizen of the Greek polis, was that he owned two slaves—and it should have been three—while it began to be presented as though the people chose. How easy it is to turn people into fools. If there is an educational foundation, it can be methodically taken apart, step by step, in a month, if approached as a process.
If we look at the “model of democracy,” the United States of America, and begin with the document that gave rise to this confederation, “The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America,” then the 56 signatures beneath it clearly show who these people were: merchants, slave owners, bourgeois, and half of the 28 lawyers (the drafters and interpreters of laws, written in a convoluted and cunning way so they could always get a large share). Yes, it was progressive for its time and proclaimed, in words, that everyone was equal and had equal rights; in practice, it was forced to follow this only to a limited extent. But what about the rest of the population who?
DEMOCRACY IS A DREAM OF FOOLS. BELIEVE ME, DEMOCRACY IS THE SAME LIE, THE SAME INTOXICANT, AS RELIGION, and serves only to keep workers—this pack animal—from rebelling. When they groaned under the burden of want and unbearable labor, they were persuaded to endure both want and labor and were fed fairy tales about the kingdom of heaven, where the poor would be happy and well-fed, while the rich and clever would burn in eternal fire. Oh, how the clever laughed! And when this lie ran out of steam and people began dreaming of democracy, the clever made sure that it remained a dream—nothing but a dream. The strong and clever rule the world.
Jack London, “The Valley of the Moon”
MAN IS THE ONLY SLAVE.
AND THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT ENSLAVES ITS OWN KIND. He has always been a slave in one form or another, and has always ruled over other slaves in one form or another. Nowadays, he is enslaved to other people for money and works for them; and this slave has slaves of his own, who work for him for less pay. Only the higher animals do their own work and feed themselves. Higher animals sometimes start fights among themselves, but they never fight in organized masses. Man is the only animal capable of the most outrageous and disgusting act called war.
Mark Twain
And if we continue Twain’s thought about the only animal, people’s reaction is astonishing when they try to determine which of the animals that started the war is “better and more in the right.”
It was not for nothing that, after the creation of the USSR, people were taught to write, “We are not slaves—slaves are not us.” And this was achieved overall: people became workers, which is natural for the human condition. Then traitors took the “model of democracy” and got what is written above.
And why, all of a sudden, did they start making war? It is as obvious as Newton’s binomial. Who started it? Whom were they forced, and whom were they ordered?
Democracy, speaking in “scientific terms,” is a set of methods and institutions used by the ruling power to preserve and advance itself. The authorities determine who will lead and populate them. And changing the authorities “by democratic means” is schizophrenia that is hammered into people’s heads.
Although the mind is difficult to control, it can be directed in the right direction.
If the mind, immersed in worldly matters, is directed toward the Divine, it will gain Moral Strength.
A mind immersed in worldly life makes you a prisoner of this world, while a mind directed toward God will grant you Liberation.
Your Heart is the lock, and the mind is the key.
When the key is turned to the left, the lock closes, but if the key is turned to the right, the lock opens. Everything depends on the direction in which the key is turned.
In the same way, the mind is the cause of both bondage and Liberation.
11313, Your interpretation of SAI BABA’s statements about Russians (who lived in the USSR) and the Mind in your last two posts is perceived as follows: values are in the heart, the Mind divides and rules—you turn left (and deliver us from the Evil One Choice (usually omitted)), you turn right and act according to truth (Rama). Nowadays, the rulers have somehow veered completely to the left.
People suffer because they have all kinds of unreasonable desires; they yearn for their fulfillment but fail. They attach too much importance to the material world. You experience suffering and sorrow only when attachment grows stronger. If you look at nature and all created objects with the insight of inner vision, attachment will disappear; you will also see everything much more clearly in the light filled with Divinity and splendor. Close your physical eyes and open your inner ones, and what a magnificent picture of essential unity you will receive! Attachment to the world has limits, but attachment to the Lord, which you develop when inner vision opens, has no limits. Enjoy this reality, not the false picture. The Lord is the power inherent in everything; those who refuse to believe that the reflection in the mirror is their own image—how can they believe in the Lord when He is reflected in every object around them? The moon is reflected in a pot if there is water in it; likewise, the Lord can be clearly seen in your heart if there is the water of prema (love) in it. When the Lord is not reflected in your heart, you cannot say that the Lord does not exist; it only means that there is no love in you!
- BABA
Divine Discourse, February 2, 1958
When dark clouds of vices obscure the sky of our hearts, it is necessary to use the lightning of Divine contemplation to restore its radiance. Our heart is the sky. Our senses are the clouds. The Mind is the moon. Spiritual intelligence is the Sun. Thick, dark clouds cover this sky, especially during adolescence. The Mind and intellect are concealed. These clouds are “passing clouds.” Be patient; your enthusiasm and virtues will grow and shine. Then you will be able to see your true nature. Therefore, cultivate calmness within yourself. Students become agitated in an instant. Passion is the cause of agitation. This is typical of your age. But do not accept it as natural. Youth is the time to develop your divine abilities and control your senses. Is it possible to control your senses if you wait until old age? Some say: “Why meditate now? I will focus on my work and family. After retirement, I will sit on my bed and repeat ‘Rama, Rama’ in my spare time.” In fact, there is nothing that can be called retirement! After retiring, they take another job in order to “become tired again”! They do not give up their thirst for money until their last breath. When will they find time for spirituality?
- BABA
Summer Showers, June 2, 1991
The world is a sacred text. Time is a great preacher. There is no wiser teacher than your heart. God is the best friend.
Live with firm faith in these four statements. Divine love is the natural property of every human being. It is the fruit of the tree of life. There are certain obstacles to tasting this fruit. First, you need to remove the peel concealing the flesh and the seed. The fruit of love is covered with the thick peel of selfishness. You must remove the peel of the notions of “mine” and “yours.” Only then will you be able to taste the sweet juice. That is why the Spiritual Scriptures describe God as the quintessence of the greatest sweetness. Therefore, develop pure love, and with its help become one with Divinity.
The path of love is the shortest and most direct path to the realization of Divinity.
When you feel anger building up within you, you can leave the place to give your emotions time to cool down. Or you can drink a glass of cold water and sit quietly somewhere. Or take a short walk of a mile to deal with your anger. Or stand in front of a mirror and look at your face. With any of these methods, your anger will gradually subside. However, do not remain near the person who provoked your anger, because there is no limit to what your rage may lead to. Because of anger and agitation, the blood becomes heated. It takes three months for the blood to cool down. During this time, the nerves weaken and even blood cells are destroyed. Weakness increases and memory deteriorates. Old age sets in prematurely. All the disorders we observe among people today arise from anger. Our entire daily life is filled with anger!
- BABA
Divine Discourse, April 22, 1985
Love is the motivating Force in the Universe.
Everything else is like dust.
It has no lasting value or consequences,
no matter how attractive or tempting it may seem.
Understand that your capacity to Love is the God you are seeking.
You have five advisers in life. They are the questions: “Who?”, “When?”, “Where?”, “What?” and “How?”
Before undertaking any activity, you must obtain answers to these questions. When you receive the right answers, actions based on them will be Righteous Conduct. Unfortunately, today most people act without any concern for these important factors—the questions and the answers to them.
You must analyze the situation and make decisions using your powers of observation and discrimination, as well as all the other God-given instruments in the form of the sense organs and organs of action. Divine Power is present in every part of your body. Therefore, there is no need to seek God outside yourself. You are Divine. All your powers are a Manifestation of God within you.
At a meeting with devotees, Bhagawan said that His sankalpa (will) has the power to manifest instantly. He creates materializations to bring joy to His devotees, just as a father gives sweets to little children, and not at all to demonstrate His generosity or parental status. He gives them out to relieve them of worries and anxieties, ensure peace of mind, and help with spiritual concentration. In many cases, He does so to support contact with the life path of the person who received this gift, rather than to attract anyone. Nor are they the product of mantras or tantras, magic spells, or rituals. They are created in the same way as all things, only much faster—more precisely, instantly. And they last just as long as all material objects.
But My best gift is Prema. And My followers should strive to attain it, as well as viveka and vairagya, true discernment and detachment—gifts that only the Guru can give.
