In everything you do, use all the strength and talent with which you are endowed, speaking and acting truthfully. At first, you might fail in this and you might encounter difficulties and suffering. But ultimately, you are bound to succeed and achieve victory and bliss. Each one of you should pay constant attention to your habits and to the traits of your character. Always remember the maxim, Sathyameva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs). Through your behaviour, through your way of life, you can realize the Truth and Paramatma (Eternal Self).

-SAI BABA

 

The blemishes of the heart have to be washed by the moral life and the discharge of one's duty. A time may come when you become tired or weak, then you should pray thus: "Oh Lord, things have gone beyond my capacity. I feel further effort is too great a strain. Please give me strength." At first, God stands at a distance, watching your efforts like the teacher who stands apart when the student writes the answer to his questions. Then, when you shed your attachment to enjoyment and take to good deeds and service, God comes encouragingly near. For, He is like the Sun God, who stands waiting outside a closed door. God does not announce His presence or bang the door; He simply waits! When you open the door just a little, the sunlight rushes in and promptly drives out the darkness from within. So too, when God's help is sought, He is present by your side, with His hands extended to render assistance. All that is needed is the wisdom to remember Him and the discrimination to pray and ask Him.

-SAI BABA

 

For attaining growth in spirituality, an ethical life is the foundation. This ethical life is based upon discrimination between truth and falsehood. Just as the pearl is retained, while the shell is discarded, you must accept the truth and reject the non-essentials. To achieve this, individual exertion and Divine Grace, both should be existent. You must constantly practice the great lesson that the body and the soul are separate. This is a highly beneficial exercise. This will serve you to realize the Truth - the Truth that Divinity resides in all.

-SAI BABA

 

Unknowingly, you may create and develop in yourself an abounding variety of selfish habits and attitudes that cause great discontent for you. The impulse for this comes from the power complex; the greed for power and riches. You may feel elated that you are very wealthy, talented and knowledgeable. From where did you acquire these? You may even claim that you earned all this through your own efforts, but surely, you received it from someone. The source from which all power originates is Sarweshwara (Lord of All). Omnipotence belongs only to the Lord of all beings. Ignoring the Omnipotence and deluding oneself that the little power that one has acquired is one's own is indeed Ahamkara (conceit). Ahamkara causes grief and must be uprooted from within. It will not subsist in an individual filled with genuine devotion, recognized by the characteristics of kindness, love, patience, forbearance and gratefulness. Seek therefore, to develop these virtues in you.

-SAI BABA

 

In this creation, wisdom is enveloped in ignorance. So long as the lamp is burning, there will be a shadow beneath it. That is just inevitable. So too, when the flame of illusion is burning, the shadow of ignorance persists, right underneath! However, the Knowledge of Self destroys the ignorance and makes wisdom shine, just as sunrise illumines the whole world and confers peace and wellbeing. To attain this result of peace, effort is super critical. The mind is conditioned to good or bad, by the environment. The reformers of today do not strive to transform the qualities of people. They are trying to bring about equality in economic matters, in outer life. Improving economic status alone will not bring about lasting peace. Lasting peace can only be obtained, when character is moulded and developed. There is an urgent need to reform the character through the Knowledge of the Self. This reform alone will bear fruit, the fruit of peace and eternal bliss.

-SAI BABA

 

Culture must be directed towards reforming one’s character. Along with that reform and to the extent it is gained, outward standard of economic life too can be adjusted. Everyone must be trained in the techniques of enjoying peace and happiness. These do not depend on the outer, the external, the visible objective world. So there is no profit in worrying about or debating about these matters. You must take shelter in the contemplation of the Divine all the time. Remind yourself that the body is subject to change, it is temporary, and liable to decline. It is only when each and every aspirant is aware of this fundamental truth, equanimity, equality and exhilaration can be established on earth.

-SAI BABA

 

He who sees a pot can know clearly that it is a pot all by himself, is it not? Such being the case, how is it that one identifies oneself with the body, just because attachment makes one feel that it is one's own? This attachment is called the Ajnana, or the “My-ness”. The Atman is formless and free from all mutations. It has no desires, impulses or intentions. It is free from the attachment. Hence, the afflictions of the world (Thaapathraya) do not affect it. It always realizes that it is not the doer, and remains as a witness, just as the lotus thrives on the water, unaffected and unattached.

-SAI BABA

 

The Divine Self can be realized, only when one possesses the discrimination to free oneself from bondage. You must transform your intellect to become pure and sharp. Ignorant people, to whom the understanding of the Divine Self is beyond reach, delude themselves by the belief that they can derive joy from the objective world which their senses can experience. If only they reflect even a little while, it will become crystal clear that even that joy they experienced is a gift of God. The Divine Nectar is present in all places at all times. As a mature aspirant, skill yourself to give up the glittering falsehood of the objective world and relish the joy of Divine and attain peace. Will a honey bee ever drink the bitter juice?

-SAI BABA

 

By mere force of intention, one can imagine in an instant, a scene in America. However, can it also be experienced in actual, at that very instant? No, one cannot! There is no use imagining and framing in the fancy. It must be experienced in mind, word and body. Similarly genuine peace cannot be obtained by merely knowing and learning about Divine Self. You may even firmly believe that joy is present in these, but that is of no avail. You must dedicate your life to win that joy and experience it and enter upon the discipline needed to acquire it. Only then do you deserve the Grace of the Lord and from that, you receive eternal love and peace.

-SAI BABA

 

Always enjoy the peace that is the result of the cessation of all mental agitations. Do not allow the mind to run after this and that. Train it to keep quiet. Keep away and afar, the mental reactions caused by the contact with the external world. Then you can become mere Existence, Sath. That is the state beyond the realm of senses. This is the real Sakshaathkaara, the Goal of Life.

-SAI BABA

 

It is often said "Daivam Manusha Rupena". It means that God incarnates in the form of human beings. Divinity is not a separate entity. It is immanent in humanity. God incarnates as a human to remind this and redeem mankind. That is why human birth is considered to be highly sacred. The human form is a conglomeration of five elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and ether. The Divine Power which makes the five elements function is called Atma, the Supreme Self. Atma does not have any form. It transcends all names and forms. Hence, do not be under the mistaken notion that God is confined to a specific form. Always remember, God is Love and Love is God!

-SAI BABA

 

You must understand the distinction between Education and Educare. Education is information-oriented. Educare is transformation-oriented. Education is limited to physical and mental levels. Education has its roots in Educare. Educare is related to our inner feelings and purity of heart. Our speech, song and way of life (Maata, Paata and Baata) should originate from the heart. That is the essence of Educare. Only those endowed with the practical knowledge and wisdom will be able to understand and appreciate the concept of Educare. Even after acquiring a number of degrees, if you lack purity in your heart, you cannot be called truly educated.

-SAI BABA

 

Divinity is One. The names and forms may vary, but the inherent Divine Principle is One and the Same. For example, a hall may be decorated with a number of bulbs. But the electric current that flows through them is the same. Similarly, sweets may be many, but the essential ingredient in them, which is sugar, which imparts the sweetness is the same. Often times, we merely go by the names and forms, forgetting the reality.

-SAI BABA

 

Every human being should essentially have three qualities - Nischalathwa, Nirmalathwa and Nirmohathwa (steadiness, purity and detachment). One who has these three qualities is verily God Himself. You need not enquire from others, whether you are good or otherwise. Your conscience is your own judge. You should always think of God. People worship God and sing His glory, thinking that He is present in some distant place. There have been many Divine Incarnations in the past, but the inherent Divine Principle in all of them is one and the same. Your heart is the real temple of God. Hence, fill your heart with Love.

-SAI BABA

 

First of all, you have to realize that Divinity is present everywhere. Let all your actions be pleasing to God. You have come from God and are living in God. All your actions should therefore be dedicated to God. When you follow such a sacred path, you will ultimately merge in God. God is Bhaavapriya (lover of inner feelings), not Baahyapriya (lover of external appearances). He sees the feeling behind your actions. The world is interested in Baahyam (outward show) but God is interested in your Bhaavam (feeling). Hence, purify your feelings in the first instance.

-SAI BABA

 

There is love in one and all. There is none bereft of love in this world. Sometimes, people may speak words with wrong intentions against you. You should not be perturbed by such criticism. If some one criticizes you loudly, it will vanish in to thin air. If they criticize you inwardly, then they will suffer. Either way, you will not be affected by it. In this manner, you should practice developing equanimity. Then, you will neither be elated by praise nor be depressed by criticism. If you want to attain God, you must have harmony in your thoughts, words and deeds. Harmony in thoughts, words and deeds is the sign of a noble person; those who lack this harmony are wicked.

-SAI BABA

 

God is present everywhere; there is no place where He is not present. There is no form that does not belong to Him. However, you search for God, thinking that He is at some distant place. But God is in front of you, behind you, beside you. Every single person around you is an embodiment of God. However, you do not consider the people around you as embodiments of Divinity. You look at their form and consider them as mere human beings. Forget the form. Be firmly established in the feeling that wherever you see it is God only. It is only He who provides everything for our sustenance. You see duality in the world since you go by names and forms. If you see beyond names and forms, you will find unity everywhere.

-SAI BABA

 

Some people are constantly immersed in worldly thoughts. Some people consider themselves very intelligent and accumulate bookish knowledge. In fact this type of scholarship is like an allergy. Once the allergy starts spreading, their energy is sapped. Unfortunately, today, we are developing allergy, not energy. Do not keep deliberating whether something is good for you or not. Everything is good. Whatever happens, consider it to be good for you. When you develop such an attitude, everything will turn out to be good for you. Be loving and cheerful always. It is only love that protects and sustains you!

-SAI BABA

 

Every aspirant must strive to keep himself away from the turmoil, falsehood and cruelties of the world, and practice truth, righteousness, love and peace at all times. This is truly the path of devotion. Those who seek union with God must discard as worthless both praise and blame, appreciation and derision, prosperity and adversity. No great soul or even Avatar (Divine Incarnation) can ever escape criticism and blame. In such instances, they do not bend but hold on to the truth. With this realization, immerse yourself in holy books and in the company of the devotees of the Lord. Desist from discussing your belief or conviction with ignorant persons. When you are rich with the experience of realization and devotion, then you can mix freely and even endeavour to direct others to the truth you have seen and experienced.

-SAI BABA

 

Do not barter away the means of achieving permanent and complete happiness, deluded by attachment and attractions of temporal joy. You must carry on your spiritual duties with full devotion. The Divine cannot be known without faith and steadfastness (Shraddha). Only through Love (Prema) comes faith and dedication. Through faith and dedication comes wisdom (Jnana). Through wisdom, you get transcendental devotion to God. Only through such loving devotion, you will achieve union with God.

-SAI BABA

 

Kinship with the Lord can be realized by every single person, who acquires these three chief instruments: (1) A mind unsullied by attachment and hatred (2) Speech unsullied by falsehood and (3) a body unsullied by violence. Discriminate at every stage, keep your instruments pure. Accept what is true and discard the rest. You cannot escape sorrow if you have worldly desires. Joy and peace do not reside in external objects. They are within you. Endeavour to experience the Love that is Divinity itself.

-SAI BABA

 

You must live in the world with "Udaseenabhava", the stage of disinterestedness, which describes the condition of one who has grasped the Truth. In this stage, you will taste the sweetness of the Divine and will never entertain distractions or doubts, and live without any afflictions. The great sages - Shuka, Sanaka and Sananda lived in this bliss and conviction of Oneness with the Divine. They used their intellect as the prime instrument, which shined in its pristine effulgence, cleansed from the rust of the sensory attractions. You can attain this through your own disciplined life and ceaseless effort.

-SAI BABA

 

If there is anything sweeter than all things, more auspicious than all auspicious things, holier than the holiest, truly, it is the Name of the Lord, or the Lord Himself. Give up the company of the worldly-minded and seek always the company of the wise and the good. Take refuge in the Lord, He is the embodiment of Peace. He will reside constantly in the place where devotees honor His Name sincerely, with devotion and dedication. Practice intense devotion to the Lord for that is the key to attaining real and permanent happiness.

-SAI BABA

 

Worship the Lord who lives in your heart, nearer to you than your thickest friend, your father, mother or preceptor. He is all of these and more to you. The physical body and the pleasures and comforts you crave for are all subject to damage and decay. One day or the other, it becomes food for dogs and jackals. The Lord, on the other hand, grants you bliss and joy forever. He cannot be won by scholarship, pompous vows or colorful rituals. Surrender your heart to Him. He desires nothing else from you.

-SAI BABA

 

The worldly-minded individual’s love is tainted since it is directed towards material objects. Whereas, the same love, when it is directed towards the Lord, leads him to God Himself. Truly, devotion to God is the real technique for attaining liberation and it is a Sadhana (spiritual exercise) par excellence. Devotion will contribute to the growth of wisdom. Devotion and hatred cannot co-exist. When a person is filled with devotion, ignorance will vanish, step-by-step. Love directed towards God is most beneficial and will produce the highest good for all. Cultivate devotion.   

-SAI BABA

 

Until devotion is fully developed, you must practice listening to scriptures and singing God’s glory, without any interruption. Sometimes, devotees deal with God in a bargaining spirit or in the spirit of a businessman. This attitude should be given up. Whoever you may be, you should not ask from your beloved Lord anything other than devotion or love for Him. Uninterrupted flow of love towards the feet of the Lord is real surrender. Such surrender guarantees genuine and everlasting peace.

-SAI BABA

 

The Grace of the Lord is not easily attainable when the feeling of "I" or Ahamkara resides within. Every one, learned or illiterate, should feel an overwhelming urge to know God. God has equal affection towards all his children, for to illumine is the nature of the light. Using light, one can read good books or commit wicked deeds. You must not use the Light (Grace of the Lord) for wrong ends. You must chant God's Name to progress on the Godward path.

-SAI BABA

 

One can claim to be a devotee of the Lord only if the passions and emotions are pure and the character virtuous. The tongue may utter the Name of the Lord, the ear may hear the glory of the Lord, the hand may scatter flowers on the image of God; but the tongue may not know or relish the taste, the ear may not yearn, the hand may not hanker for God. These can happen only when the heart is aware of the Supreme, when the mind is thrilled recollecting the glory of God. Otherwise one is like the spoon which dips into sour and sweet with equal alacrity and insensitivity. It does not refuse or relish any of the tastes.

-SAI BABA

 

Whatever is done from sunrise to sunset must be consecrated, as if it is for the worship of the Lord. Just as care is taken to pluck only fresh and fragrant flowers, one should strive to perform only good and meritorious deeds. If you keep this vision before the mind's eye and live your life accordingly, then your life is transformed into one long, unbroken service of the Lord. The feeling of “I” and “you” will disappear and all traces of ego will be destroyed. You will attain the stage where God is the Master and you are the servant and the world is your offering to the Lord. Leading a life suffused with this joy is indeed bliss.

-SAI BABA

 

There is no distinction between Bhakti (Devotion) and Jnana (Wisdom). Just as the worship of the Saguna (God with Form) gets transformed in to worship of Nirguna (Formless Divinity), Bhakti too matures in to Jnana. A block of sweet, when cut into three equal pieces has the same sweetness, weight and shape. The three attributes cannot be separated as we do not find sweetness in one part, weight in another and shape in the third part. When the sweet is placed on the tongue and it starts to melt, the taste is recognized, weight is lessened and shape modified simultaneously. So too, the Jiva (individual soul) and the Paramatma (divine soul) are not separate. They are one and the same. Therefore, each act you undertake must be in the spirit of service, love and wisdom. This is verily the roadmap to reach God.

-SAI BABA