Learning Through Reading

1313 · May 8, 2022

To understand your true nature, do three things: bring the body under control, calm the senses, and still the mind. The first step is to “bring the body under control.” This means that you must not allow the ego to take root within you. Cultivate humility and sincerely perform your duties. “Calming the senses” is a call to examine how your senses behave, whether they tend to stray from the path, and to correct and restrain them when necessary. “Still the mind” means calming the mind’s antics and whims. How can this be done? By turning the mind in another direction. Let us consider a lock and a key as an example. When the key is turned one way, the lock closes; when it is turned the other way, it opens. Thus, the key performs both functions: it locks and unlocks. In a person, the heart is the lock, and the mind is the key. When the mind is turned toward God, detachment, non-attachment, and equanimity develop in the heart. When the mind turns toward the world, attachments develop in the heart. Thus, both detachment and attachment are consequences of where the mind is turned or directed!

—Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, May 6, 1988

1313 · May 9, 2022

The world is a combination of good and bad, right and wrong, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. In such a world, filled with opposites, you constantly have to choose between what is good and right and what is bad and undesirable. You must not allow the mind to lead you. You must follow the guidance of reason. As long as you follow the mind, you cannot attain Divinity. Young people often follow the mind’s impulses, neglecting reason, and are therefore subject to agitation and disappointment. Discrimination is a great help in avoiding such situations. Ask yourself: “I am a human being; how should I behave in this situation so as to earn the respect and approval of those around me?”—and act accordingly. You will undoubtedly find the right answers to the questions of what should be done and in which direction you should move. Humility and discrimination are signs of an educated person.

Sathya Sai Baba
(My Dear Students, Volume 2, Chapter 10, June 16, 1988)

1313 · May 10, 2022

Here is an example from our daily life. If a person, walking through a marketplace, sees someone crying, he asks him: “What happened? Why are you crying?” Other passersby also ask him questions. If, in the same marketplace, another person walks around in a good mood, no one approaches him to find out the reason for his happiness. Happiness is considered a person’s natural state. He is constantly seeking it. Sorrow is contrary to human nature. Yet at the same time, people are prone to indulging in grief and despondency. One who falls victim to sorrow continually sinks into sadness throughout many lifetimes. But for one who firmly believes in God, there will be no reason for grief. Those who give in to sorrow cannot understand the Divine Principle. Everything connected with the body is temporary and transitory. What people should strive for is everlasting bliss. Happiness is union with God.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, May 11, 1998

1313 · May 11, 2022

HOW CAN ONE ATTAIN TRANSCENDENCE BEYOND FORM?

Orienting yourselves toward inner peace is precisely what I wish to bestow upon you. Inner peace and tranquility are that formless God toward whom everyone aspires. I dwell within you. What you see outwardly is an illusion, one you cherish, but you must go beyond it. What is to happen must happen step by step, slowly, and this does not mean helplessness or despondency. Not at all. It will mean that a part of you will master the consciousness that will be My raiment.

You possess a body, which is a garment, while what is within you is Me, in the form of Light. I Myself am within you. YOU ARE I.

The body is the source of your confusion and allows you to believe in the existence of what you see outwardly, but you are I, who dwells within each of you.

You should not think that attaining this level is impossible or that it will require you to distance yourselves from My physical form. What I would like you to understand is that, as you develop, important changes take place within you. Mastering the awareness that you must look within yourself is one of them.

When you look at Me and think that you see BABA, that is not so. SAI BABA is the Name and the present Form that constitutes part of maya, the illusion, but through the Love that Baba carries, you attain My essence.

I dwell within you, and the Form I have assumed is not eternal, but it inspires you to feel the God within you. Your transformation will take place gradually, until God—the Cosmic Memory, which is the World, Joy, and Knowledge of Me—reveals Himself to you as a gift.

(Bhagavan’s conversations with an Italian devotee)

1313 · May 12, 2022

THE UNITY OF THE WHOLE WORLD IS APPROACHING

God loves every person. He hates no one. In fact, God does not know what anger, hatred, or envy are. Unfortunately, many people criticize such a loving God. The Lord transforms people's hearts. If you pray sincerely, you too will experience transformation. Remember one important thing: within a short period of time, the entire human community will unite and live in peace and unity (loud, prolonged applause). I assure you that world unity will come very soon. Conflicts, disagreements, and hatred will remain in the past. In the future, there will be none of the differences you witness today. All people will follow the principle of unity preserved in the Vedic prayer:

Let us live together and grow together.
May we live in unity and together
Improve our understanding.
Let us live in friendship and harmony with one another.
(Telugu poem)

Divine discourse by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
January 2006

1313 · May 13, 2022

God’s Grace

The law of karma is not a rigid law. Through purification, which brings blessings, its influence can be weakened and its severity softened.
“Ah, this is my destiny; my past is punishing me. I must suffer my way through this; I cannot escape it.” This is how people become despondent. If it cannot be avoided, what is the use of prayer, repeating God’s Name, meditation, or rituals of worship?

Win God’s Grace, and all the burden you have accumulated will turn to ashes in a single moment! Why blame God for what “He wrote on your forehead”? You write on your own forehead, and you must erase that inscription yourself. The evil you do is recorded; the good you do erases the record! Let your mind dwell on the Lord, and then the fog of past births will melt away even before the rays of the rising sun. If you do not mentally project those rays, the fog will condense and turn into darkness.
God’s Grace removes the harmful consequences of karma that you are forced to suffer.

You may ask Me about My secret. It is not easy to understand. Whenever you have the opportunity, gather all the joy you can. It is useless to lock the door after thieves have robbed you and disappeared. Take advantage of the opportunity so that you will not later regret having missed it. Remember, you must come to Me, if not in this birth, then within the next ten births! Strive to attain Grace. Grace is the reward for spiritual practice. The highest spiritual discipline is to follow the Teacher’s instructions.

Years of rigorous training make a soldier capable of withstanding the hardships of war. Heroes are not made in a single day. Likewise, a spiritual seeker who achieves victory does not appear in a single day. Prohibitions and rules, training and technical methods exist for him as well. Practice them thoroughly and steadfastly—and victory will be yours.

A person does not realize that the end of the cycle of birth and death is in his own hands. A tree grows from a seed, and a seed arises from a tree, and so on—from the beginning of time. Yes, you may not know what came first—the tree or the seed—but you can easily put an end to this cycle by roasting the seed. Then it will no longer sprout.

Sathya Sai Baba, from the book “Life, Death and Liberation,” Chapter 11: “Everyone Is Sentenced to Life Imprisonment”

1313 · May 14, 2022

FOLLOWER: Swamiji, how can one rise to such a high level? How can one become perfect?

SWAMI: Through love, only through love. Develop divine love, develop prema. Divine love is selfless. Human love, for the most part, is selfish. All the time, it thinks only of this little “I.” The little “I” is the ego. Selfishness is a very bad quality. The ego perceives everything as separate. It sees duality in everything. You must eliminate this “ego” and see only unity.

Where there is duality, there can never be divinity. Think only of that which lies at the foundation of everything. But right now, one thing is most important to you—desires, desires, desires: I want this! I want that! All these desires are like clouds drifting across the sky. They come and go. At one moment they bring pleasure, but the next moment—pain. They cannot give you lasting joy. They constitute the mind: the mind is nothing but a bundle of desires. Every thought in the mind arises from a desire.

“Do not follow the mind. Do not follow these transient clouds. Desires come and go. But morality comes and multiplies. Morality is very important. Follow morality. Live a moral life.

Spiritual teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba

1313 · May 15, 2022

When you attain the Love of God, His compassion will also be revealed to you. Love gives and forgives. The ego takes and forgets. If your son steals money from the house, you will not call the police; but if your servant steals a spoon, you will not feel sorry for him, because you have no love for your servant. Live without hatred toward others, do not judge them or look for their faults. The great sage Vyasa, who wrote the Puranas, the eighteen sacred texts, conveyed the essence of all the Puranas in one line of a short couplet: “Doing good to others is the only worthy action; doing evil is the vilest sin.” When you feel that you cannot do good, at least refrain from doing evil. This in itself is worthy service! Do not try to seek differences; seek unity. Understand that the purpose of life is to know God, who is the Embodiment of Love, through love, and to demonstrate through your own Love that you have come to know Him.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, April 4, 1975

1313 · May 16, 2022

Direct your efforts toward realizing your inner divinity

“Тhe first prerequisite is the motivation to understand the Atmic principle. Only when such motivation arises in a person does their noble purpose acquire meaning. Despite being born human and possessing inner divinity, people cannot realize their divine nature. A person studies everything around them but makes no effort to understand themselves.
What is the true meaning of the word jnana? To know the truth about one’s Self through purification. What is spirituality? What does purifying one’s nature mean? It is the discovery of one’s true Self.

When a person looks for something in a room, they see everything except themselves. Similarly, in the vast cosmic house, a person is constantly searching for and perceiving something. But they do not know themselves or feel who they are. They lament: “Where is God? Where is God?” This is like a person asking those around them: “Where am I? Who am I?” What is the point of asking others these questions? They themselves know where they are. How can others explain to them where they are?”

--— Sathya Sai Baba

1313 · May 17, 2022

Buddha realized that it is impossible to attain Self-realization through repentance, prayer, or austerities. Buddha emphasized the importance of sacred vision (samyak drishti). Such vision leads to good thoughts, pleasant speech, and righteous actions. Buddha said that one should associate with good people. The company of good people leads to good deeds. It is necessary to follow four principles: seek virtuous company, avoid association with unrighteous people, always perform worthy actions, and remember what is transient and what is eternal. Good company is not simply associating with good people. Sat refers to the Divine. One should seek the company of God, who is the source of all bliss. When a person's thoughts are focused on God, their feelings, speech, and actions become sacred—samyak bhavam, samyak sravanam, and samyak kriya. This leads to the purification of the sense organs. Purity in thought, word, and deed is a necessary condition for experiencing the Divine.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, May 11, 1998

1313 · May 19, 2022

The world is an ongoing spectacle in which people with different views of life take part. There are people who always appear calm, and people who are always full of sorrow. There are people who display both joy and sorrow, but there are also those who, having surrendered themselves to divine love, constantly remain in bliss. What is the reason for such different states of human beings? The reason lies in the mind.
In a human being there are a demon, an animal, a human being, and Divinity—and this is the reason, but the main source of these states is the mind.
Only in a human being are "Human-Divinity," "Human-human," "Human-demon," and "Human-animal" united.
All these states are deeply rooted in the human mind.
It is said: brahmanishtha paro devah (one who abides in Brahman is the Supreme Divinity).
Once established in divine consciousness, performing actions and fulfilling duties that bring joy to God, a divine person sees divinity everywhere. For such a person, all forms and beings appear as reflections of the divine principle, and he spends his life in joy, enchanted by God.
-—
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
SUMMER SHOWERS IN BRINDAVAN
1993

1313 · May 20, 2022

A human being is one who believes. We could not live for a single minute without faith. If you are not sure that you will return home with vegetables, you will not go to the market to buy them. Every most ordinary action is guided by faith. Yet a person does not maintain faith in the existence of God. Lack of faith is the worst of our weaknesses. We do not trouble ourselves to believe in the presence of God, which permeates all creation. There is no one in this universe but you, for you are the true “I” of the universe. Your virtues make you God, while your vices turn you into demons. You have a choice: whether to become a divine or a demonic being. Your good qualities affirm your divinity, whereas bad qualities nourish your demonic nature. At any time and in any place, contemplate God, for God is the source of everything. Love God—love all.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1993

1313 · May 21, 2022

Do not distance yourselves from Me

Someone advises you to watch every movement of the mind, noting all its antics and evil intentions. This is a vicious practice. Do not attach importance to its wicked actions; strive for what is desirable, not for what you would like to avoid! One who counts mistakes will always repeat them. Decide to walk the straight path, and you will not have to slip or fall…

Wherever you may be, create Prashanti Nilayam around you! Do not distance yourselves from Me; become participants in My Story!
Closeness to Me is the result of the accumulated merit of many births.
If you suddenly break this connection and move away, then someday you will have to weep outside the locked gates, begging to be let in here once more! Free yourselves from foolish illusions and your doubts; be free from all idle desires—and I will let you come to Me!

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Sathya Sai Speaks. Volume II, St. Petersburg, 2000, p. 165

1313 · May 22, 2022

LIFE — A JOURNEY DEPENDING ON SAMSKARAS

People are immersed in many kinds of activity and engage in various pursuits. This is a well-known fact. The actions performed by a person are so numerous that it sometimes seems that twenty-four hours are not enough to complete the day’s entire program. A person drinks, eats, reads, walks, sits, and also dreams, hates, boasts, praises, cries, laughs, wipes away tears, and dances—and so on without end. These actions fill his life. All these actions are directly connected with the mind. This turns life into a collection of samskaras and leaves an imprint on character and personality.

All the actions performed by a person can be divided into two types: good and bad. The impact of each of these types of activity on a person’s life must be taken into account. The actions of a person that took place during the early period of life fade from memory, just as text written by a boy on a slate is erased. If childhood events are forgotten, can the events of a past life remain in memory? It would be wrong to disregard this point and conclude that only those events preserved in memory actually took place and left an imprint on the formation of character. The consequences of actions and deeds that occurred and were erased by the flow of subsequent events leave their mark on the mind. The remnants of those actions remain there. If you try, before setting outbefore going to sleep, try to recall the events of the day you have lived through, from the smallest details to the important events, and you will certainly miss something. Only what has sunk deeply into your memory will come to mind.

If this is how things stand with the incidents of a single day, if we forget everything that is not connected with joy or pain, what can be said about the events of the past week, month, or year? Only the main events are remembered clearly. Everything else is erased, reduced, and disappears. Those few events are the samskaras themselves.

Performing countless actions, accumulating experience and knowledge, and drawing various lessons from different kinds of activities, a person retains as their capital only four or five lessons—strong, deeply rooted, and vitally necessary.

PREMA VAHINI

1313 · May 23, 2022

We think that the people of our country will be happy if they are provided with food, clothing, and shelter. It seems to us that they suffer because they do not have enough of these things. But this is an illusion, because contentment and happiness depend on the quality of the mind. The mind must be trained in order to attain peace and experience joy. Without such a mind, a person is helpless even under the most favorable circumstances. A person may be strong and charming, but when they lose their sight, they lose their joy. There are many countries that have reached the very peak of material civilization and take great pride in their achievements. But have they attained peace of mind? Have they rid themselves of fear, hatred, greed, or pride? Of course, a person should have a certain degree of physical and mental comfort. But acquiring things that provide comfort should not be the purpose of life.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, November 6, 1967

1313 · May 24, 2022

The human heart is very soft when it is young. It responds to the grief and pain of others. What turns people’s hearts to stone is the example of adults, the lessons they receive from their parents, the company they keep, and the upbringing they receive at school and in society. Keep your hearts soft. Share in the sorrows and joys of others. Do not envy those who are happier or receive greater recognition and rewards. Follow their example of hard work, pray for an increase in intelligence or an improvement in memory, but never give envy and malice a place in your heart. Envy is a deadly poison; it can poison your character, destroy your heart, and steal your health. Like a pest that destroys seedlings, envy stealthily enters you and quickly spreads, exerting a destructive influence. Therefore, even in insignificant matters, be vigilant so as not to become a victim of envy. Be impervious to envy (anasuya), and you will be able to bring joy to God.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, April 18, 1966

1313 · May 26, 2022

Misfortunes affect a person only because they think they deserve a Happier fate but do not have one. However, the Impartial Giver of joy and sorrow sends a person what they need, not what they want. Perhaps, in order to set out on the Path of Spiritual Transformation, you need such a tonic as misfortune. The Compassionate, Eternal, Omnipresent and Omniscient Lord knows this better than you do.

Therefore, joyfully welcome all difficulties and trials and, donning the Armor of Constant Remembrance of God, overcome every obstacle as you walk the spiritual path. Just as all rivers strive to merge with the ocean, so too should all a person’s thoughts and aspirations be directed toward God. The Lord wrote this Play. The role assigned to you is His gift.

He also decides who is to wear which costume, chooses the scenery, prompts the actors’ gestures and intonation, and determines when they enter and leave the stage. You must play your role well and, when the curtain falls, receive His approval. Use all your skill and enthusiasm and earn the right to play more Exalted roles. This is the Meaning and Purpose of human life.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, June 9, 1970

1313 · May 27, 2022

God dwells in each of us. Do not criticize anyone. If you criticize someone, you will accumulate bad karma. There is no need to hate anyone. Never criticize anyone’s actions, nor criticize anyone on the basis of caste, race, gender, religion, or community. There is only one caste—the caste of humanity. There is only one religion—the religion of love. There is only one language—the language of the heart. Develop faith in the “Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God.”

Sathya Sai Baba
(Divine Discourse: “My Dear Students,” Volume 2, Chapter 1)

1313 · May 28, 2022

CONTENTMENT

Even after acquiring great wealth, a high position in society, comfortable living conditions, a name and fame, a person cannot experience happiness...
Such a person cannot be happy in this life or the next.
Wrong desires are the cause of discontent. Because of it, you cannot enjoy the sweet fruits available to you.
People yearn to have more and more, without seeing what is already available to them. Thinking about the future, people live in a nightmare. Why worry about an uncertain future? Nor should you be burdened by the past, because the past remains in the past! It will never return. A person should strive to make good use of the present. The results of the past and the harbingers of misfortune are found in the present. Therefore, the present is omnipresent.
The seeds of the past and the sweet fruits of the future are contained in the sprouts of the present. In the future, you will harvest the seeds you plant in the present. You belch up the foods you have eaten.
Therefore, develop the virtue of contentment. Only through it can you attain peace of mind...

Your understanding depends on your vision.
In this world, good and evil coexist. A person must correctly distinguish good from evil, right from wrong. Duality is inevitable in this world.
A rose has thorns. Pleasure is the interval between one pain (suffering) and another. A person should develop contentment through discrimination.

/Discourse by Bhagavan at Sai Shruti
in Kodaikanal on April 24, 1992. /

1313 · May 29, 2022

True bliss can be attained only by transforming the impulses that agitate the mind. You will not find it in wealth. You think that the rich are happy, but if you ask Me, I will reveal to you that these people are full of sorrow, for they come to Me in large numbers seeking help. They are completely devoid of peace. A healthy, strong body does not bring peace in itself, nor do learning, austerity, or the performance of rituals. Only constant abiding in the Lord’s Name grants unwavering peace, unaffected by life’s ups and downs. This makes a person a hero! Sai Baba was the Name without Form for you, but now this Name has come to you in Form, and you can contemplate this Form in your mind. Rama’s Name also has a Form, and you should draw it in your mind while repeating the Name. Then the Name acquires definite contours, and it becomes easier for you to repeat it. Strive to live constantly with the Name filled with Form. Then life will become one continuous worship of the Lord!

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, September 2, 1958