Learning Through Reading

1313 · Jul 10, 2022

As for Divine Love, allow me to point out that 99 percent of devotees have no idea what this Love means. Prema is interpreted from a worldly perspective, and this misleads people. The attachment between husband and wife, mother and child, feelings of friendship and kinship—all this, without giving it any thought, people consider Prema, Love. But all these attachments are the result of temporary relationships; they are impermanent by their very nature. Prema is trikala-abadhyam (that which flows through all three aspects of time—past, present, and future). Such Love can exist between God and a devotee, and has nothing to do with any other kind of relationship.
It is not easy for you to realize the true nature of Divine Love. You know only worldly attachments, which flare up and then die down. Anything subject to such changes cannot be called Love. True Love is inexhaustible. It is Divine. Love is God. Live in Love.

Enter this path of Love. You tend to rejoice at the slightest success and become dejected over the most trivial loss. Divine Love is constant and unchanging. Try to understand this Love. How can you achieve this? Try to understand that whatever happens to you, good or bad, is all for your benefit. When you firmly believe this, the value of Divine Love will be revealed to you.

Sathya Sai Baba
SSG, Vol. 28, Ch. 2

1313 · Jul 11, 2022

Human birth is a precious gift. Sanctify it through a righteous life. Do not waste it. Whether or not you engage in spiritual practices, try to love everyone. Offer your Love to everyone as an offering to God. Only by developing Love can we help establish peace and unity throughout the world. It is precisely due to the absence of Love that all kinds of contradictions arise. Love is God. Live in Love! Make this the main principle of your life. Be attentive to everyone.
Embodiments of Divine Love! Always remember that God pervades absolutely everything. Everything you feel and experience is Divine. Everything you see is Divine. The food you eat is Divine. The air you breathe is also Divine. You cannot see the air, nor can you grasp it with your hand. In the same way, you can neither see nor touch God. The eyes are incapable of seeing God. But you can feel Him in your heart. God is beyond the mind.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, March 24, 1989

1313 · Jul 12, 2022

I have come to kindle the lamp of love in your hearts and to ensure that it shines ever more brightly with each passing day. I have not come to preach on behalf of any particular dharma, such as the Indian one. I have not come to promote any sect, religion, or mission, or to recruit followers of one doctrine or another. I have no intention of drawing disciples or devotees into My fold or to anyone else’s side. I have come to proclaim to you this universal, unified faith of humanity, the Atmic principle, the path of love, the dharma of love and the duty of love—the obligation to love! All religions teach one fundamental discipline: how to cleanse the mind of the impurity of selfishness and how to wean it from chasing petty pleasures. Every religion teaches people to fill their being with the greatness of God and eliminate petty arrogance. It teaches them methods of renunciation and discrimination so that they may set the highest goal and attain liberation. Believe that all hearts are moved by the same One God.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, July 4, 1968

1313 · Jul 13, 2022

The universe is a great teacher, a constant mentor and source of inspiration. That is why human beings are surrounded and supported by the world. Every bird, every animal, every tree, mountain, star, and every insignificant worm is a lesson for human beings, if only they have the will and thirst to learn. This makes the world a true university for humanity, where one is a student from birth to death.
People constantly learn lessons from their surroundings, whether they realize it or not. That is why those concerned about their happy future urge them to seek holy company and avoid slander, intrigues, pride, and violence.
The first teacher is one’s mother. Her example, advice, and warnings have the deepest and most lasting influence. The second teacher is one’s father, honored by the child for his strength and knowledge, yet feared because of the possibility of punishment. The next teacher is the one who guides and leads a person through the labyrinth of worldly knowledge.
But only a spiritual teacher can open the inner vision and purify the mind.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, July 26, 1972

1313 · Jul 14, 2022

Avatar—the Guru of all gurus. He is the fullest embodiment of God as a human being. A person can recognize God only in human form. The Bharathi Spiritual Stream proclaims again and again that serving God in human form is the highest duty of a human being. Although God incarnates as a human being, a person should not expect to see God or hear His Voice. Of course, a person may portray God in various ways, but will never come close to God's true form. However hard a person may try, they cannot portray God in any form other than human. People may reason and argue eloquently about God, and about the nature and composition of everything that exists in the Universe. They may content themselves with the notion that all accounts of God descending in human form are a meaningless myth. Miserable is the eye that sees only this. Such a strange conclusion is not based on Jnana. Jnana is absent from such reasoning and statements. All we can find here is foam drifting on the waves of egoism.

Sathya Sai Vahini

1313 · Jul 15, 2022

The mind weaves a cocoon for the individual soul, in which it will be confined as in a prison. Karma, that is, activity generated by ignorance (maya), grips and confines a person. It is the husk that makes rice seeds grow and produce more plants and more grains. Remove the husk, and the seeds will not germinate! The husk (karma) makes the individual soul sprout and experience pleasure and pain caused by impressions unconsciously left in the mind by past good or bad actions (vasanas), and perform purifying rites and sacred ceremonies. Thus, you reward and punish yourself as a result of your own actions! You were born now because you wanted to come here; you are drawn to the level to which your deeds lower or raise you! You create your own future through your thoughts, desires, and actions.

Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, July 17, 1962

1313 · Jul 16, 2022

“Having been born as a human being, one must not renounce the unique human nature. One must not forget genuine human qualities even for a moment. One must never degenerate to the level of animals, or to an even lower and more contemptible level—the level of demonic beings (asuras). A person must firmly resolve not to allow themselves to fall so low. Only the spiritual path can awaken and sustain this resolve; only it can awaken and strengthen such an aspiration.”

Sri Sathya Sai Baba — “LILA KAIVALYA VAHINI,” The Cosmic Play of God

1313 · Jul 17, 2022

“Bhakti Yoga teaches people the path of Love. It says: love without expecting anything in return, love everyone, love everyone as you love yourself. Then evil will not enter you. Then only joy and happiness will spread. God is present in all beings as love. Thus, Love is not governed or accepted by a person, but by God who dwells within. One who seeks God and follows the path of devotional service will realize this.

Some love God as Mother, some as Father, and some consider Him their ‘Dearest and Closest Friend.’ There are also those who revere God as the Beloved, the only desired Goal. They strive to dissolve their Love in the Ocean of Love that is God. Whatever form Love may take, understand that it is the Love of God. God loves all humanity; therefore, when a person decides to serve the one they love, God reveals His Glory in its fullness. When the human heart melts at the sight of others’ suffering and fills with deep sympathy for them, know that God is present there. This is testimony to the intrinsic value of the path of devotional service, Bhakti Yoga.”

— Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

“SATHYA SAI VAHINI”

1313 · Jul 18, 2022

Human life is granted to a living being as a reward crowning the merits of many previous incarnations. But the course of this life is very unstable. Death follows the living like an eternal shadow, and no one knows when it will carry a person away.

That is why you should not postpone deciding the question of the purpose of your life and how best to achieve it. You should turn away from the alluring external world toward the inner horizons of consciousness. This journey will be richly rewarded, for at its end the treasures of the heights of the spirit await you.

The sea brings only shells and sea foam onto the coastal sand, but if you dare to dive into the depths of the sea, corals and pearls will be your reward. This is precisely the true purpose of human existence. If a person misses this opportunity, they are born and die like an animal, unaware of the source of happiness within themselves.

Whoever discovers this inner source will become Atma Rama—filled with happiness and contentment, peace and love.

Sathya Sai Baba
SSG, Volume XIV, Chapter 17

1313 · Jul 19, 2022

If a bird flies into a mirrored room, it sees many reflections of its own form. It imagines that there are many birds, and that they are its rivals. Therefore, it rushes at the mirrors, and the glass shatters into pieces. Now it sees as many birds as there are mirror fragments. When the mirrors break into tiny pieces, the reflections are no longer visible, and the bird flies away. This is the state of ignorance. Conversely, when a wise person enters the room, they understand that all these reflections are their own, and they feel happy. In the same way, the one who sees themselves in others and looks upon them as their own reflection is a true human being. The manifested principle visible in the external world is the same as that which exists within a person. Names, forms, and abilities are perceived as separate, but they are merely reflections. What you try to see in a mosque or a temple is within you. All sadhana is undertaken in order to know this inner reality.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, November 23, 2000

1313 · Jul 20, 2022

Most people do not understand what true spirituality is or what human freedom consists of. Spirituality does not mean living in seclusion, far from society. On the contrary, true spirituality consists in living among people, sowing the seeds of love in their hearts, and thereby contributing to the flourishing of love and peace throughout humanity. If you reflect deeply on the nature of Divinity and on what the spiritual principle is, you will understand that spirituality is inseparable from freedom; they are one and the same, with no difference between them. Freedom can be spoken of only when unity has been achieved. Without the spirit of unity, all talk of freedom is merely freedom of speech, not human freedom. True human freedom is possible only when a person begins to follow the voice of the heart in life.

Sathya Sai Baba
Summer Showers in Brindavan (lecture course, 1990), Lesson XIII

1313 · Jul 21, 2022

SURRENDER YOURSELF TO GOD, WHO IS PRESENT EVERYWHERE

That which neither appears nor disappears is “atma-tattva” (the atmic principle). That which is present everywhere—where could it go? Where is the place to which it could go? You install a door to separate one place from the rest of the space outside it. If there is no outside, there is no need for a door. There is no place where God is absent. How, then, can He appear or depart?

Such questions are the product of confused book knowledge. The state of mind of a person in confusion is described in the song of the gopis. A doubtful mind demands that the door of the mind be closed (to the truth). A person possessed of faith asks for the door to be opened. Seeing the gopi’s predicament as she wavered between doubt and faith, Radha laughed. She remarked:

When the entire Universe is the Lord’s palace,
Is there any need for streets or doors?
If the Lord of the cosmos shines within,
Are doors needed?

When someone surrenders their entire life to the Lord and sheds tears of bliss, that is all that is necessary. Until there is such complete devotion, there will be a need for doors and similar contrivances. Why are doors installed? To regulate the entry and exit of people. But ironically, in the present Kali Yuga, the doors are kept open for all kinds of undesirable creatures to enter. The human mind is open to bad thoughts. The door must be locked against impulses of egoism and possessiveness. The door of the mind must be kept sacred.

Consider the entire cosmos the great palace of the Almighty. It has no streets or doors. Complete devotion is the path to this palace.

SATHYA SAI SPEAKS (Volume 25)

1313 · Jul 22, 2022

God creates forces hostile to us in order to demonstrate to us the power of faith in the Divine and to establish peace and prosperity among devotees. Just as a mother provides a child with toys and sweets, although they are completely useless to her, they bring joy to the little one. The Lord creates certain situations for a devotee to reveal the depth of their devotion. Even in ordinary matters, we see that their true nature is revealed only through experiencing elements opposite to them. For example, if you want to develop physical strength, you must train your body intensively. Even a diamond requires cutting and polishing to increase its value and brilliance.

Sathya Sai Baba
Thought for the Day, February 2, 2006

1313 · Jul 23, 2022

Love is within you. It need not be acquired from outside. Worldly love is based on worldly relationships. Whomever you love, you love your own reflection. It is a mistake to think that you love someone else. You point to someone and say, “He is my friend.” But in reality, only God is your true friend. He will never betray you. Sometimes you may doubt a friend's loyalty, but He will never doubt you or forsake you.

Your feelings may change depending on time and circumstances, but God is unchanging. He always has a sense of unity. When you consider God your faithful friend, everyone will treat you amicably. In truth, you have no enemies. In this world there is no one but you. When there is no other, how can an enemy exist? Everyone is like passing clouds. But you think they are permanent and believe in them. Therefore, you are unable to have faith in God, who is pure and selfless. You forget divine love and become intoxicated by the “dark wine” of worldly love.

Sathya Sai Baba
Dasara, Prashanti Nilayam, October 17, 2004

1313 · Jul 24, 2022

Responsibility for success or failure in the spiritual sphere, which is responsible for mental equilibrium and inner joy, rests entirely with the individual. You have no right to shift it onto others. The fire will go out when the fuel runs out, so stop feeding it fuel in order to extinguish it. Do not pour oil on the fire of the senses. Give up the mind’s attachment to the transient and awaken attachment to the Eternal. Negative and positive forces together will produce Light. Plant in the mind the seedling of devotion, which is the primary practice of remembering the Lord’s name. In turn, it will grow into a tree with branches of virtue, service, self-sacrifice, love, equanimity, strength of spirit and courage. You swallow food without being aware of how it turns into energy, intelligence, emotions and health. In the same way, “swallow” this spiritual food—the remembrance of the Divine Name—observing how, unbeknownst to you, it is transformed into virtue!

BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Divine Discourse, 27 February 1961

1313 · Jul 25, 2022

The purpose of life is the realisation of the Atma (Atma-sakshatkara). To achieve this, a person must be completely free from tendencies (vasanas). Liberation (moksha), in the true sense of the word, is freedom from dependence on these tendencies. There are two types: beneficial and harmful. Beneficial tendencies are imbued with holiness. Harmful ones nourish the mind and make it increasingly unruly and unstable; they spread and intensify the craving for worldly pleasures. If beneficial tendencies (shubha vasanas) are encouraged and cultivated, they will not multiply endlessly and bind the mind; they will become like roasted seeds that do not germinate. If you adhere to beneficial tendencies, you can easily attain knowledge of Brahman. These tendencies manifest in such forms as: associating with great souls (mahatmas), revering the great, conversing with them, following their advice, charity, steadfastness, love, patience, truth, courage, restraint, and so on. These tendencies are pure.

BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Dhyana Vahini, Chapter 11.

1313 · Jul 26, 2022

Sathya Sai Baba on Meditation

Cast from your mind the prejudice that meditation and chanting the Holy Name can wait until your life is nearing its end. The most appropriate time for every person to begin is right now. There is no moment that would be too early.
Regularity is a very important factor in meditation and other yogic practices.

At first, devote a few minutes to meditation each day; later, having felt the vibrations of peace, you will surely wish to lengthen this period.
Let it be the time before dawn. It is preferable because the body has been strengthened by sleep, while the bustle of the day has not yet seized your senses or begun to drain your physical and mental energy.
Place before you a lamp with a small, bright flame—steady and upright. It may also be a candle. One lamp’s flame can light many others without its radiance diminishing in the slightest. For this reason, the flame is such an appropriate symbol of the eternal Absolute.
Sit before the flame in the lotus posture (padmasana), though any other comfortable posture (asana) is also possible. First, gaze steadily at the flame; then close your eyes and try to feel it within you, at the point between your eyebrows. Let it descend from there into the lotus of your heart, illuminating the path it has traveled. When it enters the heart, at the center of the chest, imagine the lotus bud beginning to unfold, one petal after another. The light of the petals bathes every thought, every feeling, emotion, and impulse, dispelling the darkness.

Nowhere is left for darkness to hide; it is forced to flee from the fire. Imagine that the light is becoming stronger and brighter. It envelops all the organs and limbs of the body; they can no longer be involved in any dark, vicious, or ignoble activity. They become instruments of Light—or, one might say, instruments of Love—and you become aware of this. The light touches your tongue. Lies, slander, boasting, and malice leave it. The light reaches your eyes and ears. All the dark desires that infected and filled them are destroyed by the light of wisdom and virtue. Your hearing is no longer deceived or poisoned. Let your head fill with light; all evil and vicious thoughts disappear, for they can dwell only in darkness. Imagine that the light within you is becoming ever more intense, and so it will. Let it illuminate everything around you, placing you in the radiance of Love; let the fire emanate from you in expanding waves that encompass your relatives, loved ones, friends, colleagues, even strangers, even detractors, rivals, and enemies—everyone in the whole world, all creation.
Practice this every day, without fail, and for as long as you wish, remaining deeply focused and consistent. Surely, the time will come when you will no longer be drawn to any dark or evil thoughts, will no longer seek to carry out dark and sinful plans, will lose your taste for food and drinks containing toxins, will no longer grasp at ugly and base things, suffer from humiliation or offense, or harbor evil thoughts. This means that you will find yourself in the abode of the Divine, in that World and Peace which lie beyond words.

Try to remain at the peak of these experiences, witnessing the Light and yourself being Light for everyone and everywhere. If you worship God in any of His forms, imagine that Form dwelling in that Light. For Light is God, and God is Light. When Light unites with Light, everything is only Light. There are no boundaries between your light and His Light; they merge into one.

Sathya Sai. Sadhana (The Inner Path), Chapter 5

1313 · Jul 27, 2022

Love has many aspects—love for offspring, parents, comfort and security, food and drink, amusements and games. Each of these kinds of love or attachment has its own name, according to the objects toward which it is directed. Love is called parental tenderness when it is directed toward offspring; it is called compassion when directed toward other, less fortunate people; companionship when directed toward equals; attachment when it concerns property or a particular place; in some cases it becomes infatuation, and in others, friendship. When directed toward elders, teachers, and parents, it becomes reverence, humility, and so on.
But bhakti is a word used only for love directed toward the Lord. When this love is divided into many streams flowing in many directions and toward many places, it leads only to sorrow, because it is focused on impermanent things.
Instead, allow love to flow exclusively toward the Ocean of the Lord’s Grace; such sadhana is called “bhakti.” Why waste your life in the swamp of samsara? Strive to reach the boundless Ocean of Grace. There you will realize your true Self; you will attain Sat-Chit-Anandam, Eternity-Knowledge-Bliss. How sacred this attainment is; how full of bliss!

BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
VIDYA VAHINI
THE STREAM OF ILLUMINATING SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE

1313 · Jul 28, 2022

A human being has the ability to separate oneself from one’s body, feelings, mind, and intellect. Experiencing this, one says: "My eyes, my ears, my legs, my hands, my mind, my intellect, etc." Deep within one’s consciousness, one realizes that one is separate from all this and is its master, possessor, and user. No animal feels itself to be different from its body; for animals, they are their bodies. They do not know that they are inhabitants of a physical form. Through the simple practice of quiet reflection, a person can discover that the physical оболочка is unreal and temporary. By freeing oneself from excessive attachment to the body and its elements, one also frees oneself from the bonds of joy and sorrow, good and evil, pleasure and suffering, and so on. It is then that a person realizes that the whole world is like one family in God, that everything is Joy, Love, and Bliss. One understands that one is this entire visible world, and that all its multifaceted manifestation is the design of the Divine Will, which is one’s own reality. Expanding one’s individuality to the limits of the Universe is the greatest achievement of a human being.

BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Divine Discourse, December 18, 1966

1313 · Jul 29, 2022

The Lord is like a divine wish-fulfilling tree that grants everything for which one asks. But you must approach the tree and express what you want. An atheist (nonbeliever) is a person who keeps away from the tree, while a theist (believer) is one who has come close; that is the difference. The tree makes no distinctions and grants its blessings to everyone. The Lord will neither punish nor take revenge because you do not realize or worship Him. He has no particular form of worship that alone could please Him. If you have ears to hear, you can hear the sound "Om" in every sound, proclaiming the presence of the Lord. All five primordial elements produce this sound "Om." The bell in the temple is meant to proclaim that the sound "Om" is a symbol of the omnipresent God. When the bell rings "Om," the Divinity within you awakens, and you become aware of His Presence. This is the purpose of the bell that is rung before the inner altar in the temple. Earn the right to approach the Lord without fear and the right to ask for your inheritance. You must become so free that, when you approach God, no praise issues from you. Praise is a sign of distance and fear.

Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse, March 25, 1958.