|
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi
Nilayam |
|
<<< Archive 2006
ARCHIVE 2006
May
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 1st, 2006
The essence of all religions, the message of all scriptures and the destiny of
all mankind is the same. But because of selfishness, narrow-mindedness and
self-interest, religion is used as a pretext for promoting differences and
conflicts. Morality, integrity, righteousness, charity, truth, forbearance and
non-violence are basic tenets of all religions. But over the years, men have
forgotten these truths and have fostered divisive tendencies in the place of
unity. As a result, respect for human values has vanished. It is essential to
recognise the Divine unity that suffuses all the apparent diversity in human
existence.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 2nd, 2006
Peace cannot be found in the external world but within oneself. One should
realize that the whole universe is pervaded by the Divine. Today the world is
filled with strife. It is not possible to make a distinction between a human
being and a demon. Man, who evolved from the animal, instead of proceeding
towards Divinity, is regressing to animality. Man's primary duty is to uphold
the human values of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love. However, man today is
enveloped in attachment and hatred. The moment he casts them off, he will
realize his divinity.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 3rd, 2006
All that one sees in the entire universe is a manifestation of Brahman
(Godhead). Some people ask: "How can we petty human beings be equal to the all
encompassing Brahman?" This is not correct. You are that omnipotent,
all-pervading Brahman. Due to your worldly attitude, you are not recognising the
Reality. You are separating yourself from the Divine. All that you see is
Brahman. To search for God as something different from you is a mistake. But
this truth is not easily recognised by man. When you look at the ocean, its
endless series of waves and the frothing foam on the waves, they all appear
separate from each other. But the truth is they are all one. The water in the
waves and in the foam comes from the same ocean and has the same qualities as
the ocean.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 4th, 2006
Spiritual love has to be distinguished from love or attachment related to the
body, the mind or the intellect. The latter are related to the world and are a
source of sorrow. True love is pure, selfless, free from ego and is full of
bliss. Worldly attachments are not real love at all. They are transient, whereas
the everlasting, pure love arises from the heart. How is it that man is unable
to recognise this all-pervading love? It is because man's heart has become
barren and polluted. The heart is filled with all kinds of desires and there is
no room in it for pure, unsullied love to enter. It is only when worldly
attachments are expelled from the heart that there will be room for true love to
abide in it and to grow.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 5th, 2006
Love is of four kinds. The first one, Svaartha-Prema, is like a lamp kept in a
room; it illumines only the room. This kind of selfish love is confined to a
limited group and does not extend to others. Samanjasa-Prema may be compared to
the light from the moon. Though moonlight is visible everywhere, it is dim. This
kind of love extends to a wider group, but is not very intense. The third is
Paraartha-Prema. It is like sunlight - very brilliant and spreads everywhere.
But like the sun that disappears at night only to rise again at dawn, this kind
of love may appear to be absent at times, but it will appear again. The fourth
one is Yathaartha-Prema or Atma-Prema. This love is present in all places, at
all times and under all circumstances. This is Divine Love. It is eternal,
imperishable and immanent in everyone. When this love is manifested by a person,
he achieves the peace that passeth all understanding.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 6th, 2006
The Mother principle is highly sacred. The mother fosters the child in the womb
and goes through all travails to protect the child. There is no greater love in
the world than maternal love. For every person the first preceptor is the
mother. It is from the mother that a child learns to speak its first few words,
take its first few steps and learn the first lessons in good conduct. That is
why the ancients accorded the highest place of honour to the mother and
declared: "Mathru devo bhava" (Esteem the mother as Divine).
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 7th, 2006
By constant contemplation on God the mind should be turned away from mundane
desires. That is the way to transcend the dualities of pain and pleasure. Man
has to wake up from the sleep of ignorance and realize his divine essence. When
worldly desires are reduced, bliss will be experienced. Along with the control
of desires, men should also get rid of Ahamkara (ego). Men today are filled with
fear because they have no confidence in themselves. A bird can brave a storm
because it has faith in its wings. But man succumbs to the slightest reverses of
fortune because he does not rely on the power of the Spirit. People must rely
primarily on the power of the Divine. With confidence in the Self, they should
devote themselves to good deeds. This is the purpose of life. Every step you
take must bring you nearer to God.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 8th, 2006
Good qualities can be acquired only by practice. Though it may seem difficult,
like moving an object uphill, yet the effort has to be made. Sadhana (spiritual
practice) must be done with full faith and without any room for doubt. Cultivate
love for God. There is nothing greater than that. As your love grows stronger,
the Spirit in you will shine brighter. Spiritual growth calls for restraint on
desires. In addition, you also have to get rid of attachments and aversions. The
three great enemies of man are Kama (desire), Krodha (anger) and Lobha (greed).
Desire destroys devotion, anger annihilates wisdom, and greed poisons every
action. These three vices are deleterious to Sath-Karma (good deeds), Upasana
(devotion) and Jnana (spiritual wisdom). The only way to get rid of them is to
burn them in Prema-Agni (the fire of Divine Love).
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 9th, 2006
If you wish to lead an ideal life, you have to follow the example of the Avatars
(Divine incarnations). Avatars may appear in human form, but you should not
equate them with ordinary mortals. In physical form, both may appear alike. But
there is a fundamental difference. You should not mistake the cotton fruit for
the mango. When man strays away from the path of righteousness, God comes in
human form to reform him. Birds, beasts and insects lead lives according to
their specific nature. It is only man who has given up all righteousness,
forgotten his divine essence and degraded his humanness. The Avatar has to
protect the good, reform the erring and punish the wicked.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 10th, 2006
Self-realization should be the goal of human existence. It has to be reached
through three stages: Self-confidence, self-satisfaction and self-sacrifice. Man
should regard himself as the master of the body, the senses and the mind. He has
to use the intellect to experience his oneness with the divine, the cosmic
all-pervading consciousness. The flame of Prajnaana (constant integrated
awareness) which is in everyone is covered by the ash of worldly desires. When
the ash is blown off, the fire of Brahman (Absolute Divinity) reveals itself in
all its glory.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 11th, 2006
Giving up narrow ideas and feelings, people should show compassion towards their
fellow-beings. Compassion is the hallmark of Bhakthi (devotion). No one can hope
to please God without showing Daya (compassion) towards his fellow-men. A loving
heart is the temple of God. God cannot dwell in a heart without compassion.
There is nothing greater in the world than Prema-drishti (feeling of universal
love). They alone are good who see the unity in the apparent diversity. Men have
to realize that they are sparks of the Divine. They have to develop sacred
thoughts and lead ideal lives. They must seek to promote the welfare of society.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 12th, 2006
Developing attachment to persons and possessions is the cause of all sorrow. By
reducing attachments and developing love for God, one can reduce misery and
experience more happiness. The more one loves God, the more the bliss one
experiences. Men are plunged in misery because they hanker after the physical
instead of yearning for God. If men transform their desire for material objects
into the desire for the Supreme they will enjoy immense happiness. All that is
necessary is to see the Divine in everything. This is true devotion. Work will
then turn into worship and every act rendered holy.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 13th, 2006
Man should realize that the five basic elements which constitute the fundamental
stuff of the universe are common to all mankind. He should see the divine in
every human being. This is the purport of the prayer: Buddham Sharanam
Gachchaami, Sangham Sharanam Gachchaami, Dharmam Sharanam Gachchaami. The
meaning of the prayer is that for the sake of upholding Dharma (Righteousness),
one should use one's Buddhi (the enlightened intellect) and engage in service of
Sangha (society). Man has been endowed with a body essentially to pursue Dharma.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 14th, 2006
One should realize that just as the body can be healthy only so long as the
blood is pure, real bliss can be experienced only when the mind is filled with
thoughts of God. Divinity cannot be discovered by experiment. To realize this
inherent divinity in man the royal path is the path of spirituality. The nine
forms of devotion mentioned in the scriptures may not directly reveal God, but
they do show the path to God-realization. Of these, chanting the name of the
Lord is the simplest. Whatever form of worship, penance or meditation one may
adopt, the foundation is the Lord's name. Chanting the Lord's name is essential
for crossing the turbulent ocean of life. It is a boat that can carry you across
the deepest ocean. While chanting the Lord's name, one should be tranquil and
pure at heart. Ostentation and egoism should be eschewed.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 15th, 2006
The true goal of human life is to have the vision of Brahman (Divinity) and
merge in it. The ancients declared that there are three stages in the path
towards the goal: Karma jignyasa, Dharma jignyasa and Brahma jignyasa (seeking
spiritual knowledge through meritorious acts, right conduct and divinity).
Through Karma (action), one follows Dharma (righteousness and morality) and then
seeks to find the basis of morality that is Brahman (God). One discovers that
morality and righteousness add to one's Ananda (Bliss) and that all Ananda
everywhere flows from Brahman itself. One then realizes that any activity devoid
of this awareness is barren and causes bondage.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 16th, 2006
Transcend anekathwa bhava (the feeling of multiplicity) and cultivate ekathwa
bhava (the feeling of oneness) - that will end strife, grief, pain and pride.
See all beings as manifestations of the same Divinity. Feel that the reason you
are able to talk and walk, think and act is due to the God within. Differences
that strike you where you cast your eyes are illusory; you have not yet
developed the vision that makes you comprehend the unity which underlies the
apparent diversity. The fault lies with you, not with the world. The world is
one; but each takes it to mean what pleases him most. Each sees it in his own
way and hence, it appears as if it has multiple facets.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 17th, 2006
To realize God, it is not necessary to have wealth, gold, luxuries and comforts;
nor is scholarship a requisite. All that is needed is pure devotion. Without
purity of thought, word and deed, it is impossible to experience the Divine. God
cannot be realized through ostentation and self-conceit. The basic requisite is
the shedding of selfishness and possessiveness so that one can engage oneself in
actions in a disinterested spirit. Any person is entitled to embark on this
quest irrespective of age, caste or gender.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 18th, 2006
When the obstacles in the path of truth are laid low, deliverance is achieved.
That is why moksha (liberation) is something that can be won, here and now; one
need not wait for the dissolution of the physical body for that. Action must not
be felt as a burden, for that feeling is a sure sign that the particular action
is ill-advised. No deed that helps your progress will weigh heavily on you. It
is only when you go counter to your innermost nature that you feel it a burden.
A time comes when you look back on your achievement and sigh at the futility of
it all. Entrust your mind to the Lord, before it is too late, and let Him shape
it as He thinks best.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 19th, 2006
Assign to your mind the task of serving the Lord and it will grow tame. You hand
over only ornaments that need repair or reshaping to the goldsmith. So too, give
the Lord your mind that certainly needs repair, if not complete reconstruction.
The blemish that affects the mind is illusion. It is like a fierce dog that will
not allow any one to approach the master. Illusion is the Lord's pet and so, it
will not harm you if He orders it not to. Hence, the way to avoid the dog is by
calling out to the master loudly, so that he comes to welcome you himself, that
is to say by praying to the Lord to shower His grace upon you.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 20th, 2006
Everyone must seek and discover the answer to the question, "Who am I?" The
senses are powerless to give the answer; indeed they are limited in their own
functioning - there are sounds the ear cannot hear, colours the eye cannot
perceive, and tastes beyond the ken of the tongue. They are imperfect
instruments for the study of the external world. How then can they serve us in
our enquiry into the intangible, inner world of the Self? Contemplate on the
truth that the body and the Atma (Self) are separate. This practice is
indispensable for realizing the truth of one's Divinity.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 21st, 2006
You should cultivate an attitude of inseparable attachment to the Lord, who is
your very self. If He is a flower, you should feel that you are the bee that
sucks nectar from it; if He be a tree, feel that you are creeper that clings to
it; if He be a cliff, then feel that you are a cascade running over it; if He be
the sky, be a tiny star that twinkles in it; above all, be conscious of the
truth that you and He are bound by Supreme Love. If you feel this intensely, the
journey will be quick and the goal can be won easily.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 22nd, 2006
The best way to get rid of weakness is to strike at its very roots - the
mistaken notion that you are the body, with a name and form, the five senses,
intelligence and the mind. In fact, these are like baggage. Don't you say, "my
nose, my mind, my hand, my reason", just as you say, "my book, my umbrella?" Who
is the 'I' that calls all these 'mine'? That is the real 'you'. It was there
when you were born, and also when you were sleeping, forgetful of everything,
even your body. That 'I' cannot be harmed; it does not change, it knows neither
birth nor death. Learn the discipline that makes you aware of this Truth and you
will be ever free and bold. That is real vidya, the Atmavidya (Knowledge of the
Self), which the sages have gathered for you after intense penance and
contemplation.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 23rd, 2006
Liberation is just the awareness of Truth, the falling off of the scales of
delusion from the eye; it is not the preserve of a few expert spiritual
aspirants. Like the river losing its form, its name and its taste in the sea,
liberation dissolves the name and form, aptitudes and attitudes. You are no more
a separate individual. The rain drop has merged in the sea, from where the drop
arose. Of course there was no bondage, at any time, and no prison; there was
only a fixation in the mind that one was bound, that one was in prison, that one
was limited and finite!
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 24th, 2006
The tongue is the armour of the heart; it guards one's life. Loud and
irresponsible speech, full of anger and hate, affects the health of man. It
breeds anger and hate in others. Silence is said to be golden. The silent man
has no enemies, though he may not have many friends either. He has the
opportunity to dive within himself and examine his own faults and failings. He
has no more inclination to seek them in others. If your foot slips, you suffer a
fracture; if your tongue slips, you fracture some one's faith or joy. That
fracture can never be set right; that wound will fester for ever. Therefore, use
the tongue with great care. The softer your speech, the lesser you talk, the
sweeter you talk, the better the world will be.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 25th, 2006
There is no meaning in worshipping God as Sathyaswaroopa (the embodiment of
Truth), and not adhering to truth in daily life. Dharma (righteousness) is based
on truth. This righteousness emanates from the heart. Righteousness promotes
self-satisfaction. It is an expression of self-consciousness. Have faith in the
promptings of this divine consciousness. No one should act against the dictates
of his conscience. Acting in violation of the conscience is evil; action based
on the conscience is righteous. True worship consists therefore in doing what is
right as dictated by your conscience.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 26th, 2006
The pain that another suffers from, which you seek to assuage, is really your
own pain. When you alleviate another's suffering, it is your suffering that
ends. Service can be effective only when the feelings of 'I' and 'Mine' give
place to 'Him' and 'His'. It is when your attention is monopolised by the body
and its needs that egoism grows in strength. When you direct your attention to
the Antaratma (Inner Self) which is God, then, you find the same of God in all
and a flood of reverence fills you and sanctifies every act of yours.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 27th, 2006
Man's actions are related to desires and aversions. They are the cause of his
joys and sorrows. All the world's ills arise from the evil thoughts and deeds of
men. It is only when man is transformed that society can transform and the world
be reformed. Man does not use his sense organs in the right way. He has eyes,
but does not see what is good. He has ears, but does not listen to what is good.
There is only one way to correct him. He has to be shown the spiritual path and
guided to cultivate the virtues of Truth, Love and self-sacrifice. He must be
weaned away from selfish pursuits and from arrogance and pride. His mind, which
is the real culprit, has to be cleansed of all evil. One can acquire real peace
and joy only when one turns one's thoughts towards God and away from the world.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 28th, 2006
At the core of this universe is the Paramatma (Supreme Self), which lies beyond
the comprehension of the mind. Both the cognisable and non-cognisable have
emanated from the same One Indivisible Consciousness. Each is full and complete
in itself. The individual consciousness is the manifestation of the Cosmic
Consciousness. When the material sheath falls off, it merges in its source. The
Vedas declare, "That is full; this is full. From the full, emerges the full.
When the full is taken from the full, the full remains full." So, the Cosmos,
the world, the individual - all are embodiments of the Full. All this is indeed
Brahman. The awareness of the immanence of the Universal can come to man only
when the 'I' consciousness is transcended.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 29th, 2006
It is indeed pathetic to see people falling prey to the vagaries of the mind and
courting disaster instead of using the intellect to discriminate between the
transient and the permanent. The mind should be checked by the intellect. Or
else, evil resolutions translated into action will result in sorrow. Resolve on
good actions and reap joy. Of course, if one can desist from desires and the
tendency to pursue them, one can enjoy unbroken peace. If the mind is let loose
and yielded mastery, man is driven from one desire to another. He loses his
self-respect. He sets at naught law and justice, rules of conduct and
regulations of social behaviour. His life becomes a frantic rush from place to
place and object to object. Detachment alone can give happiness. Thyaga
(renunciation) is the real yoga.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 30th, 2006
You wear coloured glasses and see everything through those glasses. Correct your
vision; the world will get corrected. Reform yourselves; the world will get
reformed. You create the world of your choice. You see many, because you seek
the many, not the One. Try to subsume the many in the One - yourselves and
others, the family, the neighbourhood, the community, the state, the nation, the
world. This is the Sadhana of Love, for Love is expansion. The individual has to
be Universalised and expanded into the Vishwaswaroopa (the Cosmic Self).
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – May 31st, 2006
The Prakrithi (world) we see around us cannot give us happiness. The experiences
Prakrithi gives us in the waking state get obliterated in the dream state, and
those of the dream stage cease when we wake up from the dream. The dream
experiences are our own creation. And so are the waking state experiences! The
experience of the world is but a projection of our mind and the reflection of
our own inner thoughts. As the thought, so the vision. The colour of glasses you
wear determines the colour in which things appear to you. If you wear red
glasses, everything will appear red. If you wear green glasses, everything will
appear green. Pure thoughts make the world appear as pure. If you view things
with Prema, with a loving heart, the whole world, the whole creation will appear
to you as a reflection of Prema.
-SAI BABA
