Sai Prerna: 2009

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Sai Inspires - 16th July 2009

Why should we persist in undertaking the journey to the Divine? Swami lovingly explains our role in this journey of life.

Strive - that is your duty. Yearn, that is your task. Struggle, that is your assignment. If only you do these, sincerely and steadily, God cannot keep back for long the reward of realization. The river strives, yearns and struggles to merge with the sea from which it came. It has that consummation ever alert in its consciousness. It attempts to make itself pure and pellucid so that it may be welcomed by its source. It overcomes every obstacle of terrain in order to journey successfully towards it goal. Similarly, you too must utilize all the physical, mental, intellectual, moral and material endowments that God has granted you so that you may journey to the goal of Realization.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 16 1977

Love can never entertain the idea of revenge. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 15th July 2009

When can our service activity be really fruitful? Swami teaches us today.

Take an ordinary postal envelope. Upon it, in golden ink, write the address of a person in artistic calligraphy. Insert a beautiful worded letter full of amazing sentiments, and drop it into a postbox. What happens to it? It will not move even a yard away! Now take a simple post card, scribble unimpressive things with no special care, affix a stamp, an address and drop it into the box. What happens? The artistically ornamental envelope is inert, while the inartistic cheap document travels a thousand miles towards the person indicated. Therefore, whatever may be the uniqueness or importance, the furore or attractiveness, the service that you do can yield no fruit if it is done without a pure chiththa (thought or intention).

-Divine Discourse, Mar 6, 1977.

Love without duty is divine. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 14th July 2009

Swami explains to us today the correlation between our daily tasks and attaining joy.

By saturating work with love, it can be transformed into worship. When such work is offered to God, it gets sanctified into puja (sacramental worship). This makes it free from ego. It is also freed from the earthly desire for success and the earthly fear of failure. When you can feel that when you have done the work as best as you can, your puja is complete. It is then for Him who has accepted the puja to confer on you what He considers best. This attitude will make the work unattached. Regular practice of this discipline will render the consciousness clear and pure. Without this practice, however prospective your career might be, however much you may accumulate the wherewithal of a comfortable life, to whatever heights of authority you may have climbed through the exercise of intelligence, your gains shall be nothing, unless your every activity is suffused with the Divine purity, that is inherent in consciousness.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 6, 1977.

Living becomes a glorious experience only when it is sweetened by tolerance and Love. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 13th July 2009

What is the connection between practicing virtue and being able to see the Divine all around us? Swami explains to us today.

Seeing one's own reality is the opening of the doors of liberation. For this, the mirror of the heart has to be prepared by coating the back of the heart with Truth and Righteous Action. Otherwise the image will not appear. In every act of yours, if you observe truth and justice, then you can see your own reality revealed. You may say that the burden of past acts and their inevitable consequences have to be borne; but the Grace of the Lord can burn that burden in a flash; the revelation of reality, will, in a flash, save you from that burden.

-Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1976.

See God everywhere. Serve Him in every living being. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 13th July 2009

What is the true purpose of the Divine incarnation at all times? Swami kindly explains today.

The Lord is devoid of attachment and hatred. He comes on a Mission and is bent only on that task. His nature is to support the right and admonish the wrong. His task is to restore vision to man, to turn his footsteps along the path of morality and self-control, so that he may achieve self-knowledge.

- Divine Discourse, 25 Dec, 1976 .

Develop Love for all beings. Realize that God resides in all. - Baba

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Sai Inspires - 11th July 2009

What is the vow we can undertake today and everyday to attain Union with God? Swami guides us today.

Let me call upon you to give up two evils from your mind on this Holy Day: Self-praise and talking scandal. Adopt one habit: The habit of loving service to the distressed. If you spend all your time and energy in worldly comfort and sensual delight, you are disgracing the human existence. Consider this body as a temple of God where He resides. Keep it clean, fresh and fragrant through developing Compassion and Love. Use the Temple of God, only for holy thoughts, words and deeds. Do not demean it by using it for low, trivial and unholy tasks. Wherever you are, whatever you do, have this resolution steady and strong.

- Divine Discourse, 25 Dec, 1976 .

Practise moderation in food, drink, sleep and exercise. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 10th July 2009

What is the true hallmark of an educated person? Swami lovingly explains it to us today.

You must realize that the divine current that flows and functions in every living being is the One Universal Entity. When you desire to enter the Mansion of God, you are confronted by two closed doors: The desire to praise yourself and the desire to defame others. The doors are bolted by envy and there is also the huge lock of egoism preventing entry. So if you are earnest, you have to resort to the key of love and open the lock. Then remove the bolt and the doors are wide open. The education you receive must train you to be successful in this difficult operation.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1976.

Desire is an insubstantial shadow; turn desire inward towards
spiritual treasure and it will yield substantial results. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 9th July 2009

When can peace dawn on earth? What is our role? Swami guides us today.

From the narrow vision of the individual need, one must voyage out into the broad vision of the Universal. When a drop of water falls into the ocean, it loses its narrow individualities, its name and form and assumes the form, name and taste of the ocean itself. If it seeks to live separately as a drop, it will soon evaporate and be reduced to non-existence. Each one must become aware that he/she is part of the One Truth that encompasses everything in the Universe. Make the heart big and the mind pure, only then can peace and prosperity be established on earth.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1976.

Virtue alone will bring the Grace of God- Baba

Sai Inspires - 8th July 2009

What can confer us peace and contentment? Swami guides us today.

'Dharma' or Right Action promotes peace and happiness, contentment and joy. Today, we are in need of persons who have attained purity in all levels of consciousness. One can reach perfect bliss only when his/her heart becomes free from envy, egoism, greed and other evil traits. We need persons who can recognize and relish the kinship and the identity that exists between man and man, as well as between one society and another. Dharma, Righteous Action alone provides peace, contentment and joy.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25 1976.

Turn inwards to acquire awareness of the Divine. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 7th July 2009

Why should we make chanting the Name of the Lord a part of our daily routine? Swami guides us today.

Those who sing bhajans get what can be called "Double Promotion", for they derive joy and distribute joy. Life today is filled with sorrow, it is beset with fear and despair. The only time you can forget these thoughts and strengthen yourself to meet the hard times is when you contact the Source of all strength, God. You cannot get that peace and joy while you bend under the burden of daily life. You are carrying a huge load of worry all day. Keep that aside for an hour every evening and spend that time with God, who can make your shoulders strong and your burden light. You eat twice a day for the upkeep of the body, should you not do bhajan at least once for the upkeep of the mind?

- Divine Discourse, , Dec 12, 1976.

Prayer is more desirable than pining for food. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 6th July 2009

What should we not even intend to hurt others? Swami guides us today.

When you intend to harm another, the evil recoils on you. The grief which you suffer is only an echo of the grief you inflict in another's heart. So when you have injured another, pray for pardon. Repent and resolve never to do it again. Through genuine prayer, mountains of evil can be pulverized and destroyed. From now on, decide that your words shall be soft and sweet, your acts beneficial to others and your thoughts always about how to serve others who are weaker and less prosperous.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 12, 1976.

Make all efforts to remove evil from your heart - Baba

When you intend to harm another, the evil recoils on you. The grief which you suffer is only an echo of the grief you inflict in another's heart. So when you have injured another, pray for pardon. Repent and resolve never to do it again. Through genuine prayer, mountains of evil can be pulverized and destroyed. From now on, decide that your words shall be soft and sweet, your acts beneficial to others and your thoughts always about how to serve others who are weaker and less prosperous.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 12, 1976.

Make all efforts to remove evil from your heart - Baba

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Sai Inspires - 5th July 2009

Swami shares with us today a supreme secret which can really make our lives sublime.

The supreme secret is that man must live in the world where he is born like the lotus leaf, which though born in water floats upon it without being affected or wetted by it. Of course, it is good to love and adore God with a view to gain some valuable fruit either here or hereafter. But since there is no fruit or object more valuable than God or more worthwhile than God, the Vedas advise us to love God, with no touch of desire in our minds. Love, since you must love for love's sake; Love God, since whatever He can give is less than He Himself. Love Him alone, with no other wish or demand..

- Sathya Sai Vahini.

Through genuine prayer, evil can be destroyed. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 4th July 2009

How can we shine out in our lives and reach our true goal? Swami explains to us today.

Life has the nobler goal of self-illumination, of lighting the lamp of love inside oneself and sharing that lamp with all around us. Kama (desire) and Krodha (anger) are the enemies that will not allow that flame to be burning bright. Kama (Desire) is the lust for physical pleasure, for power, fame, wealth and scholarship. Krodha (Anger) is the result of foiled lust. If you long for peace of mind, you must take the spiritual practice that will confer peace on you. If you choose the wrong path, you cannot complain that you are lost. Salt and camphor look alike, but you have to exercise your intelligence to discriminate between them. Brass makes more noise than gold, but you should not be deceived by that and choose brass instead of gold.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1976.

Through genuine prayer, evil can be destroyed. - Baba

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Sai Inspires - 3rd July 2009

What happens when one is drawn to the Divine? Swami explains to us today.

Once the person is drawn to the Divine, the process of culturing or "Samskara" begins. Without this, the individual is fallow and feeble. He has no dignity or personality. A worthless steel lump is transformed by skilful manipulation and reconstruction into a watch that is worth several units of money. This is the result of the Samskara, which turned a steel lump into an useful tool for indicating time. In a similar manner, one can be transformed into a noble, efficient, happy and disciplined member of the society by implanting in him/her good thoughts, good feelings, good deeds and good emotions. Such transformed persons will spontaneously engage themselves in the task of promoting human welfare. They will be promoters of the ideals of the brotherhood of the man and the fatherhood of God.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1976.

Take One step towards Me. I will take a hundred towards you. - Baba

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Sai Inspires - 2nd July 2009

Sai Inspires - 2nd July 2009

How can we expand our love? Swami guides us today.

Let us consider the act of "Chamatkara," the acts that attract and cause you to wonder. You see a flower. You long to hold it in your hand only when its colour or fragrance is attractive. You enter the market and see heaps of fruits. If the fruits are not attractive, you have no urge to eat them and benefit by them. Attraction is the nature of the Divine. When one renounces one's selfish desires, his/her love expands unto the farthest regions of the Universe until that person becomes aware of the Cosmic Love that feeds all.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1976.

Virtue is the sign of an educated person. - Baba

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Sai Inspires - 1st July 2009

Why should we restrain from criticism and fault-finding, no matter how hurtful we feel about it? Swami lovingly teaches us today.

Do not seek to discover or discuss the evil in others, for the attempt will tarnish your own mind. When you are engaged in searching for the faults and the failings of others, you are paving the way for developing those faults and failings in yourself. Dwell on the good in others, and in time, it will prove to be an asset to you. The goodness latent in you shall then be urged to sprout and blossom.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Do not seek to Discover the evil in others. - Baba

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Sai Inspires - 30th June 2009

Swami today enlightens us about the nature of divine incarnation.

The Lord incarnates as human being to help humans comprehend that which apparently cannot be understood and to enable them to attain that which is seemingly unattainable. By this action, the Lord, who is infinite, immutable and immanent, does not suffer any diminution. Neither is He, though embodied in a human frame, influenced by the taints and blemishes that normally affect a human being. To grasp the significance of the Divine Incarnation, it is imperative that one should rise above the rajasic (passionate) and thamasic (dull) gunas (atrributes). Pious (sathwic) habits alone can lead him through the path of true devotion to the Lotus Feet of the Divine. For this, a favorable environment and company of good people are essential.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

See Good, Be Good and Do Good - This is the way to God. Baba

Monday, June 29, 2009

Sai Inspires - 29th June 2009

Why should we invest time in spiritual practices? What value does it have in our journey to God? The Divine Master explains to us today so that we may never forget the value of spiritual practices.

There is a burning coal. At some distance, there is a cold piece of coal. When they contact each other, the heat spreads to the cold piece of coal and the part that is in contact with the burning coal is rendered hot and red. If you vigorously sway a fan over the contact area, soon the entire coal becomes a burning ember. "Near" alone is not enough for realization. One has to make it "Dear" by using the fan of spiritual practice. The power of spiritual practices is such that it can make human transform into Divine. Spiritual Practice is the cultivation of Divine Love. Be full of Divine love, taste the exhilaration that love can confer on you.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Love in Action is Non-Violence. - Baba

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sai Inspires - 28th June 2009

What is the importance of the company we keep, in relation to our journey to the Divine? The Divine Master explains to us through absolutely wonderful examples today.

Iron turns into rust if it seeks the company of soil. It glows, softens and takes on useful shapes, if it enjoys the company of fire. Dust can fly if it chooses the wind as its friend. It has to end as slime in a pit, if it prefers water. It has neither wing nor foot, yet it can either fly or walk, rise or fall, according to the friend it selects. Knowing this truth, a great saint, Kabir once said. "Here are my prostrations to the good, Here are my prostrations to the bad." When asked why he offered prostrations to the bad, he said, "My prostrations to the bad, so that they may leave me alone. I do the same before good, so that they might remain near me always." You are shaped by the company you keep.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 27th June 2009

Why should we be self-reliant and persist on our spiritual practices? Swami nourishes us on our march to Him with wonderful examples to carry on in our journey of life.

No one eats to appease another's hunger nor takes drugs to alleviate another's illness. You eat to appease your own hunger, you drink to quench your own thirst. So do not seek approval, appreciation or admiration from others or refrain from your spiritual practices. Be self-reliant and self-confident. See through your own eyes. Hear through your own ears. Most people today believe their ears and deny their eyes. Or they use the eyes, ears and the brains of others and that leads to fear or misjudgment. The Lord is moved and showers Grace on every genuine appeal emanating from the heart. Let His Name dance on your tongue forever, conferring on you the sweetness of His Majesty.

- Divine Discourse, 14 Nov 1976 .

U are shaped by the company you keep. Make God your Best Friend- Baba

Sai Inspires - 26th June 2009

Will God really come to our aid, when we call Him? To receive such loving grace as soon as possible, how should our prayer be? Swami sweetly explains to us today.

When God is invoked by prayer that emanates from the heart, let it be even once, He responds immediately. It must not emanate only from the lips; it does not have the ring of sincerity and faith. From the lips, it must roll back on the tongue; from the tongue, it must reach down into the heart. Continuous purification alone can grant success in this effort. Just as the mother who is attending to her chores on the first floor of the house, will quickly rush to the infant lying on the ground floor when the infant wails, God will rush to your aid. The mother will not stay away because the wail was not musical or melodious. Similarly, God always responds to prayer that emanates from your heart.

- Divine Discourse, 28 Apr 1975 .

The Unseen is the basis of all that is Seen. Practise to see the Hand of God, everyday - Baba

Sai Inspires - 25th June 2009

What are the key attitudes we must possess and be vigilantly alert, to march forward and attain oneness with the Lord? Swami lovingly teaches it to us today.

Every thought leaves an impression on the mind, so be ever alert that contact with evil is avoided. Ideas which are opposed to spiritual tendencies, that narrow the limits of love, that provoke anger or greed, or that cause disgust, have to be shut out. For the aspirant, this is the most essential discipline. One must sublimate such thoughts before they cause an impact on the mind, and should concentrate on the very source of the thinking process. This can be achieved by the practice of equanimity, unaffectedness or balance. The path of devotion and dedication is the easiest for most. It is attainable by love, for love leads you quickly to the Goal.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Virtue alone will bring the Grace of God- Baba

Sai Inspires - 24th June 2009

Why does the Divine Attract? What is the purpose of the Divine Call? The Divine Master exemplifies the benefits to an individual and purpose of "His Call" today.

The Divine Call is not to deceive or mislead. It is to transform, reconstruct, and reform. It is to make the person useful and serviceable for the society; to affirm in the individual the unity of all beings in God. The person who has undergone this samskara (refinement) becomes a humble servant of those in need of help. This is the stage of Paropakara (selfless service). Service done with this kind of reverence and selflessness prepares man to realize the One that pervades the Many.

- Divine Discourse, 23 Nov 1976

Love in action is Right-Conduct. Baba

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Sai Inspires - 23rd June 2009

Can the devotional songs we sing in our homes make a difference to the world? Swami lovingly shows us the results they bring in the universe and in our own daily lives.

The devotional songs you sing, saturates the atmosphere with thoughts of God, and of the peace and joy that He showers. The songs affects not only the particular area you are and the environment, but the entire atmosphere. Continue the attitude of devotion and humility, of service and tolerance, and the atmosphere will not be polluted by hatred. Do not contaminate the air by voices of acrimony, scandal, insult or slander. Keep silent when you feel like expressing such ideas, that itself is a service to yourself and to others.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Make God your Best Friend - Baba

Monday, June 22, 2009

Sai Inspires - 22nd June 2009

Why should we practice tolerance, love, humility and reverence to all, even if the situation is difficult? Swami lovingly teaches us the connection to practicing the values and the environment.

When we fill the atmosphere with hatred we too have to perforce breathe the same air, and are hated in turn. When we saturate the air with sounds full of reverence, humility, love, courage, self-confidence and tolerance, we benefit from those qualities ourselves. The heart is the film and the mind is the lens; turn the lens towards the world and worldly pictures fall on the heart. Turn it towards God and it will transmit the pictures of the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Laziness is rust and dust. Realization is best and rest. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 21st June 2009

What is the quality bar that Swami sets while singing the Glory of God in a congregation? Swami shares the secret to experience supreme joy.

Samkirtan is singing the Glory of God. It is the process of singing that originates in the heart... not from the lips or the tongue. It is the expression of the joyous thrill that wells up from the heart when the Glory of God is remembered. It is the spontaneous manifestation of the inner ecstasy. No attention is paid to the blame or praise that others may give. It does not seek the admiration or the appreciation of the listeners. It is sung for one's own joy, one's own satisfaction, for one's own delight. That type of singing alone is supreme.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1976.

Life is a song, Sing it. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 20th June 2009

When we pray to God and do not receive something we desire, should we feel disappointed? Swami teaches us a valuable lesson today on fear in our minds and faith in God.

Cast away the vice of egoism, the evil of greed and the poison of envy. When you seek joy from something outside you, remember that a joy far greater lies in wait within your own inner consciousness. When you are afraid of someone or something outside you, remind youself that the fear is born, fed and fertilized in your mind, and that you can overcome it by denying it. Faith in the Almighty God is the impregnable armour that the aspirant can wear, and people of all lands are aspirants, whether they know it or not. Be steady, do not waver, keep straight on, hold fast to the ideal without despair. Pray until God relents; do not turn away sadly if God does not shower Grace when you expect it.

- Divine Discourse, 1 Oct 1976 .

When you take one step to reach Him, He takes ten towards you to make the journey quicker. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 19th June 2009

What is the correct purpose of this life that we should be focussed on? How can we bring ourselves back on track? Swami teaches us key tenets and a valuable lesson today for us to reach Him.

When kama (desire) and krodha (anger) are rising in hot flames from the heart, how can the cool rays of Shanthi (peace), Sathya (truth), Ahimsa (non-violence) and Prema (love) emanate therefrom? This human birth is a rare chance. Use it for spreading joy, not grief. Of course it is natural for man to resent, to grow angry. You should not allow anger free and furious scope. The raging floods have to be restrained by bunds and dams so that the water may reach the sea without scouring the fields on either bank. You must set limits to your own anger and hatred, and honour those limits.

- Divine Discourse, 28 Aug 1976 .

Love must express itself as Service. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 18th June 2009

What should you do to avoid defeat, distress or disappointment in life? Swami teaches us the sweetest way that will make our days ever joyful.

Sai Inspires - 18th June 2009

To remove the evil of egoism, service is the most efficient instrument. Service will also impress on the person doing the service the Unity of all mankind. One who dedicates his/her time, skill and strength to service can never meet defeat, distress or disappointment, for service is its own reward. His words will be ever sweet and soft, his gestures ever revered and humble. He will have no foe, fatigue, or fear.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 28, 1976.

Service to man is service to God. - Baba

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Sai Inspires - 17th June 2009

How should we prioritize our requirements for health? And why? Swami teaches us sweet little steps that will make our days joyful.

Give the body the attention it deserves, but not more. Some people advise that you should cultivate disgust towards it; but that is not beneficial. Tend it as an instrument, use it as a boat, a raft. Disgust is not a desirable attitude towards anything in God's creation. Everything is God's handiwork, an example of His Glory, His Majesty.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1, 1975.

Conquer anger through fortitude. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 16th June 2009

What should we do to win His Love in full measure? Swami kindly gives us the answers today.

Carry on your highest duty to yourselves, following the four 'F's - Follow the Master, Face the Devil, Fight to the End and Finish the game....Love can make you gather the affection of mankind. Love will not tolerate any selfish aim or approach. Love is God, Live in Love. Then all is right; all can be well. Do not narrow it down into an instrument of restricted love. Expand your heart, so that it encompasses all.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1, 1976.

Your Master is in your heart, where God resides. Baba

Monday, June 15, 2009

Sai Inspires - 15th June 2009

What exactly has to be renounced? Swami lovingly shows the important decisions we should make today in our journey to Him.

Desire is the worst enemy and it has to be canalized and reduced with determination until it ceases to bother you. Besides desire, anger and greed also have to be discarded, for they are present wherever there is desire. When you say "bowman", it is implied that there are arrows too with the bow. Thus desire is ever associated with anger and greed. Desire is bad even if it is for fame and authority. It is the avarice for power and pelf that ruins many a human life... Life is a long journey. Keep your hearts ever pure, steady and inclusive. Do not tarnish others hearts to make them narrow and vengeful. You must encourage opportunities to enlarge them and soften them through intensive social service.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 8, 1976.

Make God your Best Friend - Baba

Sai Inspires - 14th June 2009

What is more pleasing to Him than the prayers we recite? Swami lovingly explains this and shows us the path to uproot the vices within and lead us to Him.

Recognize this truth. God is in all. When you hate another, you are hating the Lord. When you hate the Lord, you are hating yourself. When you inflict pain on another name, remember that the other is yourself, in another form with another name....Envy causes pain on those who are envied. When another's fortune is green, why should your eyes be red? Why get wild when another eats his fill?... Give up this vice of envy. Be happy when another is happy. That is more pleasing to the Lord than all the prayers you recite, all the flowers you heap on His picture or image, or even the hours you spend in silent meditation.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 24, 1980.

Love all Serve all; Help ever Hate never. - Baba

Recognize this truth. God is in all. When you hate another, you are hating the Lord. When you hate the Lord, you are hating yourself. When you inflict pain on another name, remember that the other is yourself, in another form with another name....Envy causes pain on those who are envied. When another's fortune is green, why should your eyes be red? Why get wild when another eats his fill?... Give up this vice of envy. Be happy when another is happy. That is more pleasing to the Lord than all the prayers you recite, all the flowers you heap on His picture or image, or even the hours you spend in silent meditation.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 24, 1980.

Love all Serve all; Help ever Hate never. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 13th June 2009

What is the connection between the physical strength we have and control of mind? The Divine Master explains to us the secret of surrendering at the Lord's feet in complete clarity today.

The bumble bee can bore a hole in the hardest of the wood. But, when dusk intervenes while it is sipping the nectar from the lotus flower and as a result when the open petals close in on the bee, it finds itself imprisoned with no hope of escape. It does not know how to deal with softness. So too, the mind can play its tricks and jump about on any arena. When placed on the Lotus Feet of the Lord, it becomes inactive and harmless. To offer the mind entirely to the Lord, deep detachment from worldly desires is needed. Superficial devotion or shallow steadfastness cannot succeed.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 24, 1980.

Sai Inspires - 12th June 2009

What simple prayer must we remember every day? Swami sweetly explains the secret for us to reach Him.

Do not pray to God for wealth, fame, positions of power or even for the fruits of your actions. The genuine seeker will pray for nothing else than God. This longing will fill all the acts he does in a day. Every wave of emotion, every tune of song and every beat of pulse will respond only to that wish. God is the basis on which this creation rests. The deepest yearning should be to experience that One, the basis, the Being, that has become. Be aware of the One, which manifests as many.

- Divine Discourse, 24 Apr 1980 .

Develop Love for all beings. Realize that God resides in all. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 11th June 2009

What should our focus always be in our journey towards God? Swami explains to us sweetly the key aspects with a beautiful example today.

You must be ever engaged in the process of purifying the mind and clarifying the intellect. You have to free yourself from all prejudices and misunderstandings. You must speak softly and sweetly and give everyone the respect and attention due to them sincerely. Humility and tolerance must characterize your behaviour as a devotee. When the wind agitates the serene waters of a lake, wavelets dance all over its face and a thousand Suns sparkle. When calm descends and the waters are still, the shadow of the Sun within the lake is one full image.

- Divine Discourse, 29 March 1976 .

The Unseen is the basis of all that is Seen. Practise to see the Hand of God, everyday- Baba

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Sai Inspires - 10th June 2009

What is the correlation between the fragrance of a flower and divinity? Swami lovingly explains it to us and inspires us on the journey to Him today.

Patience, Tolerance, fortitude, equanimity, fraternity...these will prove invaluable equipments in the pilgrimage to God. Do not distinguish between one fellow pilgrim and another on the basis of caste, creed or color. Do not divide them into friends and foes. Recognize the common traits, uniting efforts, and the basic divinity amongst all. Rich and poor, scholar and illiterate - these distinctions do not hold good for long, they are just outer frills. A flower radiates fragrance and charm, whether held in the right hand or the left. It does not limit that gift to some and deny it to others. Everyone who comes near, receives the fragrance.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1975.

A Pure Heart is all Sadhana- Baba

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Sai Inspires - 9th June 2009

What is the first and foremost task before us? Swami lovingly teaches it to us today.

The task before each of one of us is to plant the seeds of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love in each heart. Foster these saplings and watch over them with love and care until they grow into trees yielding a rich harvest of sweet fruits. Sages who had succeeded in this beneficial culture have laid down the means and methods, the steps and slips, the helps and hindrances, that one has to consider. The swimmer has to push the water behind him so that he might proceed forward. So too, while attempting to march forward, one has to push back from him the evil thoughts, habits, deeds and impulses that crowd in. Believe in this conviction, instill faith in your heart and you will be assured of success.

-Divine Discourse, Vol 13 Ch 19, Nov 23, 1975.

Virtue alone will bring the Grace of God-

Monday, June 8, 2009

Sai Inspires - 8th June 2009

What is the simple step we must practice from today in our daily lives? Swami teaches us today how even a small step we take can bring joy to the World.

Today you must resolve to practice My advice, to follow My directives, to translate My message into acts of service and to engage in Sadhana. Adore your fellow being, the adoration reaches Me. Neglect him/her, you neglect Me. Of what avail is it to worship the Lord and to suppress your fellow-being? Love for God must be manifested as Love for fellow-beings and Love must express itself as Service. Through Love alone, Love that is acquired through spiritual practices, and shared with all can peace be attained by the individual as well as the nation.

-Divine Discourse, Vol 13 Ch 19, Nov 23, 1975.

Love is God. Live in Love. - Baba

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sai Inspires - 7th June 2009

What is the attitude we should take towards joy and sorrow in our day to day lives? Swami teaches us today to focus on the eternal truth.

What you judge as joy or sorrow is only like a passing cloud, which cannot affect the splendor of the Sun or Moon. Know that such emotions follow one another when the wheel of life turns round from moment to moment. The sea has water that cannot quench thirst, but it has also pearl and coral. You have to get toughened by the hammer strokes of joy and sorrow until you are unaffected by the vicissitudes of fortune. The Atman (Self) alone is eternal and unchanging.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1975.

Love must express itself as service. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 6th June 2009

Who is God? What do we need to do to experience oneness with Him? Swami teaches us a valuable lesson to us today and inspires us to lead a Divine Life, daily.

God is sweet Love. You too must reveal the same sweet love, and thereby announce the Reality of God as Love. Do not exhibit equanimity momentarily. You must not start getting angry at all and sundry, after a while. Some are Yogis (spiritual) in the morning, Bhogis (epicureans) at noon and Rogis (Sick) at night. You must not act three roles in one day. Your deepest yearning must be to experience the One, the Being that is present in You. Be aware of the One that manifests as many. That is the Divine Life.

-Divine Discourse, Vol 13, 23 Nov 1975.

Develop the awareness of God, see Him and serve Him in every living being. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 5th June 2009

What is meant by Dharma? What is the essence of Dharma? Can we lead a happy life and survive if we stick to Dharma? Swami kindly explains today.

The mansion called life must be built on a strong foundation. The pursuit of Artha and Kama, of wealth and welfare, of all desirable objects must be regulated by the standard of Dharma. Dharma (righteousness) fosters those who foster it. The strongest foundation is ever-present faith in the Almighty.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.VIII., P.74 .

Love in Action is Right Conduct. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 4th June 2009

What is meant by Dharma? What is the essence of Dharma? Can we lead a happy life and survive if we stick to Dharma? Swami kindly explains today.

Dharma is not the giving of alms, feeding and providing lodging to pilgrims or the adherence to one's traditional profession or craft. In all worldly activities, you should be careful not to offend propriety, or the canons of good nature. You should not play false to the promptings of the Inner Voice. You should be prepared at all times to respect the appropriate dictates of conscience; you should watch your steps to see whether you are in someone else's way; you must be ever vigilant to discover the Truth behind all this scintillating variety. This is the entire duty, it is your Dharma.

- Dharma Vahini .

Love in Action is Right Conduct. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 3rd June 2009

What are the key aspects of being at peace with oneself? Swami kindly clarifies what Prasanthi is and advocates one little value that will make our days joyful forever with His blessing.

Peace is a shoreless ocean. It is the Light that illumines the world. It confers knowledge of this world and that. Pure love can emanate only from a heart immersed in peace, for it is an atmosphere that pervades and purifies. Peace is not a conviction arrived at by means of logic. It is the discipline of all disciplined lives. Iron has to be beaten flat by iron alone. So too, the inferior, lower mind, has to be shaped better by the superior mind itself. One has to make his mind superior and stronger for the task of personal upliftment. Drink deep the waters of discipline. Immerse yourself in it and become cleansed. May its coolness refresh your sorrows and pains, and quench the fires of sin.

- Prasanthi Vahini.

Virtue is the sign of an educated person. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 2nd June 2009

Can we be silent and free from anger to attain peace? Swami kindly clarifies today the true nature of Prasanthi, for our peaceful living.

Absence of mere anger cannot be taken as peace. The winning of a desired object and the satisfaction derived then should not be confused with peace. The peace that has pervaded the heart must not be shaken subsequently for any reason. Peace must be everlasting and have no ups and downs; it cannot be partial in adversity and complete in prosperity. It cannot be one thing today and another tomorrow. Only that kind of permanent peace alone deserves to be called Prasanthi. Maintaining the same even flow of peace, bliss, and joy is Prasanthi.

- Prasanthi Vahini.

God is the embodiment of Right Conduct (Dharma). His Grace is easily won by practising Dharma. Baba

Sai Inspires - 1st June 2009

How can selfless service help those who are doing the seva? Swami explains to us today.

Through selfless service you realise that all beings are waves of the Ocean of Divinity. No other sadhana (spiritual practice) can bring you into the incessant contemplation of the Oneness of all living beings. You feel another's pain as your own; you share another's success as your own. To see every one else as yourself and yourself in every one, that is the core of the sadhana of seva. Again, seva makes the ego languish for want of food. It makes you humble before the suffering of others, and when you rush to render help, you do not calculate how high or low his social or economic status is. The hardest heart is slowly softened into the softness of butter by the opportunities that the seva offers.

-Divine Discourse, November 14, 1975.

Hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray. Baba

Sai Inspires - 31st May 2009

What is the distance between Devotee and God? The Divine Master beautifully explains this today.

A devotee is like a needle which is always drawn towards the magnet. But the needle has to be near enough and must be clean. If you stay far away and complain that Grace has not come, what can be done? You must scrape off the mud and rust by the process of repentance. Sometimes, you come near for some time and stray way. I do not mean the physical distance. I do not measure distance in miles or meters. Realize that I am always with you, in you, beside you, ever. Only you have to be aware of Me and make use of My presence.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975.

The Lord is the saviour for all who seek His refuge - Baba

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sai Inspires - 30th May 2009

Why is it important to do service? What should be our objectives in doing so? Swami lovingly shows the path by enumerating the end results that should arise out of our actions.

You must make service a part and parcel of your life. Youth is an important stage when self-control, self-examination and self-effort are most needed. Channelize the courage, optimism and strength in constructive channels. You must act what you speak and speak what you think. That will give you inner joy and contentment. You have to dedicate yourself to service, that is saturated in selfless love. The service you render must give satisfaction and relief of those you serve. The joy of the recipient must be your sole objective.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975.

Service is the best school for training in Leadership - Baba

Friday, May 29, 2009

Sai Inspires - 29th May 2009

What is the clear guidance from the Divine on how we should perform our actions? The Divine Master explains to us in absolutely clear terms with wonderful examples today.

When the rain drop falls into the sea, it gets the name, form and nature of sea. So too, when the individual merges with the vast concourse of humanity and feels one with all, it is endowed with the name, form and nature of the Divine. Whatever you do as service, to whomsoever you offer the act, believe that it reaches the God in that person. This is the meaning of Ishwara sarva bhutaanaam (God is present in everyone). Dedicate all your actions to God. Do your actions as Ishwararpanam (Offering to God).

- Divine Discourse, July 27, 1980.

Make the world a happy home of love. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 28th May 2009

What is the adventure we should undertake in our lives? Swami explains to us sweetly and drives home a powerful lesson today.

You must demonstrate that Love, Peace, Righteousness, Truth and acts of Loving Service, rendered in a spirit of humility and reverence, is what makes people happy. We need not concentrate on production of more food or building of more houses or manufacturing more cloth. What is most needed today is a total effort to make human beings manifest more tolerance, more humility, more brotherliness, more compassion and deeper awareness of the springs of joy and peace that lie within the heart of each one. Be in the forefront of this spiritual adventure.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975 .

The Unseen is the basis of all that is Seen. Practise to see the Hand of God, everyday- Baba

Sai Inspires - 27th May 2009

In performing service, does the kind of service we do or the role/place that is assigned to us matter? Swami lovingly teaches us today what is important while performing service.

Service is prescribed as one of the nine steps to realize God. You must therefore be earnest and welcome all chances to serve the sick, disabled, diseased and the distressed. Holding a fruit in the hand is just a preliminary step. Without eating and digesting, you cannot he healthy and happy. Similarly, unless you serve, you will not attain joy and bliss. Your acts of service will be judged based on your mental attitude that is accompanying them. So, whatever work is allocated to you, do it with fervor, understanding of its importance and developing reverence towards it. In service, there can be no high or low, for God is in all.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975.

Love must express itself as service- Baba

Sai Inspires - 26th May 2009

What is the direct correlation between the spirit of service and the quality of our service? Swami kindly gives us the answers today.

Through service you realize that all beings are waves of the Ocean of Divinity. No other spiritual practice can bring you into the incessant contemplation of the Oneness of all living beings. You feel another's pain as your own; you share another's success as your own. To see everyone else as yourself and yourself in every one is the core of spiritual practice. This spirit makes you humble before the suffering of others. When you rush to render help, you do not calculate how high or low one's social or economic status is. Thus, the hardest heart is slowly softened into sweetness by the opportunities of service.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975.

Love is the solvent for the hardest of the hearts. Baba

Sai Inspires - 25th May 2009

What kind of service programs should we undertake? What are the signposts to good service programs? Swami elucidates very clearly to us today.

Doing something because it is being done elsewhere is a sign of ignorance. The service programs must satisfy a need, solve a local difficulty and must be adapted to local conditions. Do not think of the satisfaction of doing something concrete or about the name, fame or praise you will win. Do not crave for publicity...crave for the joy that shines in the face of the people whom you help. Selfless service brings you nearer to Me. The flower that is your heart gets the fragrance by means of your selfless service and becomes more acceptable to me.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 14, 1975.

Be eager and alert always to render service. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 24th May 2009

What are the tips to lead life like a lotus blooming in the water? Swami teaches us a valuable lesson today.

Attachment, affection, interest... these will create prejudice, partiality, and illusion. They hide the truth and dull the intelligence. Attachment is a disease, as far as the path of enquiry is concerned. One has to be free from favorites, fancies and fondness. Once you attach yourself to a person or habit or mannerism, it will be difficult for you to shake them off.

- Divine Discourse, 10 July, 1980 .

Selfless service brings you nearer to me. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 23rd May 2009

What is the purpose of education? How can we make our home the first school? Swami lovingly teaches us the little secrets that we must ever remember.

Expansion is the key note of education. The first step for this expansion is the home, where you must revere and please your parents who gave you this chance to live and learn. If you ill-treat them or inflict grief on their minds, how can you ever gladden others by service and understanding? You know that when a balloon is blown, it bursts and the air inside it merges with the vast limitless expanse outside. So too your love must fill your home and your society, and finally burst even those bonds and become worldwide. A drop of water held in the palm evaporates soon; it is very alone. But drop it into the sea - it survives! It assumes the name, the majesty and the might of a sea! Cultivate the seeds of love in all hearts!

- Divine Discourse, July 25, 1975.

Sai Inspires - 22nd May 2009

What is the key to leading a peaceful and joyful life? What can derail the journey of life? Swami lovingly warns us of the vices one can step into and guides us to grow steadily.

When you are true and brave, kind and compassionate, virtuous and pious, the world can have an era of peace and joy. Beware of the two evil sirens that entice you into futility and frivolity: Cinema and Novel. They contaminate young and innocent minds, and corrupts them; they destroy basic humanness and degrade a good individual. Do not get tempted into the wilderness of vice. Youth must grow into strong and straight spiritual aspirants who scale the heights of spiritual life.

- Divine Discourse, July 25, 1975

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Sai Inspires - 20th May 2009

What is the blessing that the Lord showers on us today and everyday? Read today's message to find out.

Treat mercifully those who struggle to survive. Help them as much as you can. Realize your responsibilities. Move reverentially with others. Win the blessings of God and earn good fame amongst your fellow brothers and sisters. Examine your daily activities on the touchstone of righteousness. May you become individuals shining in virtue.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 21, 1980.

Life is holy and sacred. Go through it with joy and happiness. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 19th May 2009

Who can give us peace? How can we experience it every day? Swami teaches us very important lessons in sweet terms today.

To presume that peace comes either from wealth, or from kith or kin is a great error. Peace comes only from God. In fact, there is no strength superior to Love. Where Love is, there everything is. You must Love God and live in love. Everything shall be alright. You must make others also live in love .

- Divine Discourse, Sep 21, 1980.

Fill your heart with Love and Light. - Baba

Monday, May 18, 2009

Sai Inspires - 18th May 2009

What is the meaning of "Liberation"? How do we experience it daily? Swami lovingly teaches us in simple terms today.

Liberation is giving up of the unreal. Let us suppose you want a cup of fruit juice. Unless you throw away the water already in the cup, you cannot pour the juice in the cup. Similarly, unless you give up materialism, Atma bhava (spiritual attitude) cannot come to you. Moksha (Liberation) is not a distinct and different spiritual discipline. It is only giving up unnecessary desires. Ignorance is the cause of jealousy, and jealousy is the cause of disharmony. And disharmony is the cause of anger. Through anger, wisdom is lost. The real spiritual wisdom is seeing "One in All" at all times. If there is duality or differences, wisdom declines.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 21, 1980.

Real Happiness is Union with God- Baba

Sunday, May 17, 2009

ARE WE THE CHOSEN ONES?

ARE WE THE CHOSEN ONES?

Once Swami was sitting with the students around Him. Suddenly He asked a strange question. "I am going to give Sai Gita(Swami's pet elephant) to you. Tell me who wants her? Who will take her?"

The boys were taken aback. Everyone wanted to say 'Yes' when Swami asked them something, but this... They thought,"How will I take her home?", "How do I feed an elephant?", and so on. Suddenly one of them said, "Swami, I am ready to take Sai Gita".
Swami, in His immense Love, waved His hand and materialised a small silver elephant and gave it to the boy. I am sure you can imagine the plight of the other students. Would not each of them have regretted not accepting Swami's offer? Regretted that they let their heads think and find obstacles instead of letting their hearts decide?

This beautiful leela was enacted by Swami, for each one of us. It echoes to the entire Sai fold, "Grab every chance Swami gives you! Else, you might regret it later." But what exactly is this chance? It is every opportunity to get closer to our Lord, every opportunity to make Him happy. Everyday, every moment, we are surrounded by opportunities to help others, to put a smile on a sad face, to do some noble deed. But we hardly realize that they are unique chances for Sai Seva, to make our dear Lord happy, to get one step ahead in our journey towards Him(which is in fact the journey to our true self).

Be ready to realize and accept every opportunity for Seva, to participate in a service activity of the nearby Sai centre, take time out of your busy schedule to stop and help out a collegue at the workplace, spare a few moments so that someone in misery can speak their heart out and confide in you. It is said that man was born with two ears and one mouth so that he talks less and listens more!

If at all we do realize this fact, and decide to do a noble deed, what follows immediately is a train of thoughts, each one finding a new reason as to why it should not be done. The brain is at work then, and not the heart. We are all full of limitations, full of incapacities. Put the heart to work and we realize "After all, who am I doing it for? Doesn't the Loving mother know my limitations?" Yes. Swami knows what we are capable of doing. He knew very well that none of the students are able to take Sai Gita home and feed her. But when we are ready, He will create a Sai Gita that fits into our hands.

So, the next time you come across an opportunity for Sai Seva, dont think twice. Grab it and leave the rest to the all compassionate Lord of the Universe! Remember, we are THE CHOSEN ONES, The direct messengers of the Avatar! If we dont make a difference in the world, who will???

Sai Inspires - 17th May 2009

What is the minimum qualification needed to earn Divine Grace? Swami lovingly explains it to us in crystal clear terms today.

Just as you prescribe minimum qualifications for every profession, the minimum qualification for Grace is surrender of egoism, control over senses, and regulated food and recreation. The body is the boat on which we voyage across the ocean of our worldly lives. It has to be kept trim and sea-worthy. The atmosphere we breathe in, the water we take in, the ground we live in, the animals and plants that surround us - all have to be maintained clean. Exercise, bathing, washing and cleaning activities are prescribed for this purpose. So also, the voyager too, must be strong, confident and courageous.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 1980.

A Pure heart is all Sadhana. - Baba

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sai Inspires - 16th May 2009

How is virtue to be cultivated? And how can it express itself in daily practice? Swami teaches us kindly today.

Virtue can be cultivated through voluntary, selfless service to the living beings. A virtuous person can be both healthy and happy. Virtue must flow through the triple channels of love, mercy and detachment, if it has to feed the roots of Service. Human beings are endowed with the instinct of gregariousness, in order to tread the path of mutual sympathy, continuous compassion and concrete service. Virtue is the panacea to lead a healthy and happy life.

- Divine Discourse, Sep, 1980.

All help you render to others is service to the Self alone. - Baba

Friday, May 15, 2009

Sai Inspires - 15th May 2009

Why is it important to make a wise choice in the company we keep? Swami lovingly shows the path by enumerating the results that will arise out of the choices we make.

A person is made or marred by the company he/she keeps. A bad man who falls into good company is able to shed his evil habits quickly and shine forth in virtue. A good person falling into evil company is overcome by the subtle influence and slides down into doing evil. The lesser is overpowered by the greater, hence be watchful at all times.

- Divine Discourse, July 27, 1980.

Make God your Best Friend - Baba

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Sai Inspires - 14th May 2009

What should we do to earn the treasure, the vision of God? The Divine Master explains to us in absolute clear terms today.

To have the vision of God, one should become the master, for the Master alone can have access to the treasure-chest. You have to master the senses and all other faculties. One should not be the servant of the senses, and of the whims and fancies of the emotions and passions. The servant has access only to the cheap and perishable junk of the house-hold. The treasure-chest of life, therefore, cannot be viewed by eyes blinded or befogged by egoism, greed and envy. Therefore, engage yourselves in sadhana (spiritual practice), without any delay. Cultivate virtues, free yourself from evil habits, thoughts, words and deeds. Grow in love and greet Nature with Love. This is the way to Joy, Ananda.

- Divine Discourse, July 27, 1980.

Love is God. Live in Love. - Baba

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sai Inspires - 13th May 2009

Where should we turn our vision, if we are to proceed towards God? Swami explains to us sweetly with wonderful examples today.

Divinity is deep in the core of the consciousness of everyone. We do not keep gold, jewels and valuables in the verandahs and the quadrangles of our homes; we keep only pots and baskets there. We place our jewels in an iron safe or secure enclosure, in an inner room, away from public gaze. The body is liable to fall, rot and get burnt. When one ages, we say that one is nearing their end faster and faster. In the box called 'body' is the treasure 'Atma'. The sea keeps its valuable pearls deep down, close to the bed. It scatters cheap shells on the shore, where people can pick them. So, to get the treasure from the body, that is, to perceive the Atma, your inquiry must turn inward.

- Divine Discourse, 28 April 1975 .

The Unseen is the basis of all that is Seen. Practise to see the Hand of God, everyday- Baba

Sai Inspires - 12th May 2009

What is the correlation between virtue, health and happiness? Swami lovingly teaches us today.

A sense of elation and exultation keeps the body free from ill-health. Evil habits that one indulges in is the chief cause of the mental and physical diseases. Greed affects the mind, disappointment makes one depressed. Each one can justify their existence only by cultivation of the virtues. Once you have virtues, you become a worthy candidate for Godhood. It is progress in virtue that announces the progress of a person towards Divinity. Virtue also confers skill, freshness and long years of youthfulness. Start cultivating and growing virtues that are divine in you, today.

- Divine Discourse, July 13, 1980.

Virtue alone will bring the Grace of God- Baba

Monday, May 11, 2009

Sai Inspires - 11th May 2009

Swami teaches us today the secret mysteries of joyful living.

Sorrow is caused by the human body, which is the home of countless microbes and other parasitic beings. No one can be free from this disease inducing causes. But, one can easily overcome this sorrow by developing feelings of compassion towards all beings, and developing thoughts which thrive on Love and spread Love. Illness, both physical and mental, is a reaction caused by the poison in the mind. Vice breeds diseases. Bad thoughts and habits, bad company and bad food, are fertile grounds where disease thrives. Arogya, good health and Ananda, bliss go hand in hand.

- Divine Discourse, July 13, 1980.

Love is God. Live in Love. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 10th May 2009

How can we reduce our attachment yet live in the world joyfully? Swami teaches us a valuable lesson to us today from the life of Edison, the Scientist.

You must endeavor to become Divine, from where you have come. Lessen the attachment to the world, not by cutting yourself off, but by being in it as an instrument in God's Hands. Subdue all tendencies towards egoism that raise their heads in you through single-minded attention to the dictates of God called Dharma (Righteousness). Edison, the scientist concentrated so much on the solution of the problems that worried him, such that he left untouched, for days together, the food and drink that was pushed in through the doors of his laboratory. You must have the same concentration and shraddha (steady dedication) while engaged in sadhana (spiritual discipline).

- Divine Discourse, 10 July 1980 .

He who is content is the richest. - Baba

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Sai Inspires - 9th May 2009

What can we learn from the game of football to lead our lives blissfully? Swami teaches us sweet little tricks that will make our days joyful.

Life is a game of football. You are the ball and you are bound to be thrown and kicked about. How long have you to bear this treatment? Until the air is full in the ball. Deflate it, and no one will kick it again! The air that inflates is the ego. When the ego is out, Bliss comes in. Remove the ego in you and make yourself useful to your parents and society. Do not belittle others or your parents as illiterate or ignorant. They are far more knowledgeable than you are. Never cause tears to fill the eyes of your parents. Love them, revere them and serve them. Be humble and loving, and in the company of good and Godly. Remember the Name of God indicating His Glory, His Mercy, His Love... All egoistic feelings will flee away from you.

- Divine Discourse, July 10, 1980.

Conquer anger through fortitude. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 8th May 2009

What should we do to make our days on earth a path of flowers? Swami kindly gives us the answers today.

We have to treat others suffering as our own. We have to treat others difficulties as our own. We have to be amicable with one and all. We must develop faith in the maxim that we are Ekatmaswarupas (Embodiments of One Divine Self). We must develop a sense of discrimination between good and bad, and take only the good present in all human beings. The same principle has to be followed in society too. We have to do good even to those who harm us.

-Divine Discourse, July 10, 1980.

See Good, Be Good and Do Good - This is the way to God. Baba

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sai Inspires - 7th May 2009

What is the relationship between the game of cricket and Dharma? How will it help in our spiritual journey? Swami lovingly gives us a tip to take one step forward towards Him today.

The game of life is worth playing and becomes an interesting tonic, only when there are bounds for field, and rules and restrictions for the players. Imagine a game of football or cricket where there are no rules or boundaries or umpires. The game will be chaotic, it will soon degenerate into a riot, a free fight. Dharma (Right conduct) is what makes the game of life interesting, decent and desirable.

- Divine Discourse, July 23, 1975

Life is a Game, Play It. Baba

Sai Inspires - 6th May 2009

What is the importance of revering Mothers in our daily lives? Swami teaches us very important lessons in crystal clear terms today.

The "Vedas" (ancient scriptures) say "Matru Devo Bhava," Revere your Mother as God. You must revere your mother, who has brought you up with love, care and sacrifice. However famous one may be, if he/she does not revere their mother, they do not deserve respect. A person whose heart is so hard that it does not melt at the pleadings of their mother deserves nothing but ridicule. This principle of adoration applies to the country which gave birth to you too. You must revere the country and follow its culture.

- Divine Discourse, March 25, 1980.

Fill your heart with Love and Light. - Baba

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sai Inspires - 5th May 2009

What can we do to have the vision of God? Swami clearly explains the strategy to achieve oneness and shows the wise choices before us today.

Cultivate the attitude of detachment, of indifference, of bypassing of the urges (of desire) through prayer and systematic practice. This will lead you to Truth and Righteous behavior. Thus, you can lead a life prescribed by scriptures. Running away from home and company of people, and escaping into solitude will not help you. Home is certain to haunt you, wherever you may take refuge. Recognize this and dedicate all your thoughts, words and deeds to the Divine. Then, you will achieve the Divine Vision, wherever you are.

- Divine Discourse, July 23, 1975.

Contemplate on God - He is the Master of all Lives. Be aware of Him all through your life. - Baba

Monday, May 4, 2009

Sai Inspires - 4th May 2009

What should you do if you are faced with troubles or difficulties today? The Divine Master makes it crystal clear for us.

It is always preferable to approach God for the fulfillment of wants, rather than cringe before men, who themselves are but tools in the hands of God. In His own silent way, God will transform the mind and turn it towards sadhana (spiritual practice) and successful spiritual pilgrimage. He cannot and will not allow His children to lose their way and suffer in the jungle. When you approach God and seek His help and guidance, you have taken the first step to save yourself. You are then led to accept His Will as your own. Thus, you achieve shanthi (absolute peace) .

- Divine Discourse, April 4, 1975.

Do your work with devotion as an act of Service. - Baba

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Sai Inspires - 3rd May 2009

How can the principle of service bring joy to you? Swami makes it crystal clear to us through many examples today.

Service is best built on the strong foundation of Tath-Thwam-Asi. (That and This are the same) - there is no other. There is only One. Kites fly high, but all are lifted and kept high by the same air, the same wind. The kites have no separate will. The pots of water in which the Sun is reflected may be many, but the Sun is One. When another is poor, you cannot be rich. When another is in distress, you cannot have joy. The same current runs through and activates all. All help you give is therefore help given to yourself, all service is to the Self alone.

- Divine Discourse, March 7, 1980.

Love all, Serve All. Help Ever, Hurt Never- Baba

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Sai Inspires - 2nd May 2009

Sai Inspires - 2nd May 2009

Is the World and God, both Divine? How can Full Minus Full be Full? Swami lovingly explains through an example the mystery behind this math today.

"The Divine is Full. The Creation is Full, as it came from the Divine. When Full is taken away from the Full, Full remains." How is this quote from the scripture true? You go to the market to buy one unit of Jaggery (Sugar). The shopkeeper brings from his store a big lump and slices off a portion, weighs it, and gives to you a piece, in return for a price. You go home and make a sweet drink using the jaggery. The drink is sweet, the jaggery at home and the mother lump in the store, are all equally sweet. Fullness is the quality of divine. It is found in all parts - whole or in the divided units. Quantity is not the criterion - Quality is! Do not consider the world as anything less than God. Divinity/Fullness is the nature of the Supreme, and cannot be diminished in the process of creation.

- Divine Discourse, July 23, 1975.

Let your love enfold all living things and beings. - Baba

Friday, May 1, 2009

Sai Inspires - 1st May 2009

Sai Inspires - 1st May 2009

Is God there all over the Universe? How can we get nearer and dearer to Him, who is Omnipresent, and secure His Grace? Swami teaches us kindly today.

God is in the World, In and Through everything. No item can be discarded as not worthy of God. There are four stages in securing the Grace of God: (1) Attach your mind to the God, (2) Love the Form of God to which the mind has been attached, (3) Install the Form in your heart, (4) Dedicate all that one has and does to the Form Installed. God is fragrance, brilliance, sweetness, taste, intelligence, valor, austerity, fame, contentment. You can acquire unalloyed bliss by knowing this universal and all-inclusive Glory of the Lord.

- Divine Discourse, July 23, 1975.

Choose God as your Leader and Guide. - Baba

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Remember....

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is like calling home everyday.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of Shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be
still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. "It's me".

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day -- it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.

14. A grudge is too heavy a burden to carry.

15. He who dies with the most money and toys is still "just as dead".

16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast ... enjoy
your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise, it's just
hearsay.

18. It's alright to sit on your 'pity potty' every now and again. Just
be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The
goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn
from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
Your character is what you really are; your reputation is merely what
others think you are.

20. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow
waiting.

21. Leave gentle fingerprints on the souls of others' for the angels to
read.

22. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just
the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

23. Nothing will ever happen in your life that God and you can not
handle.

24. The "WILL OF GOD" will never take you where the "GRACE OF GOD" will
not protect you.

25. No matter what, always remember "GOD LOVES YOU"!!!!!!

Sai Inspires - 30th April 2009

What is the relationship between Nature and Spirituality? The Divine Master beautifully explains the unity between the two.

The scriptures (Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita) declare, "All Nature is God" and "The Lord is in all beings". When learning about the sublime secrets of the trees, appreciate the Creator and strive to understand the principles behind creation. Life is a tree. The mutual relationship we cultivate and cherish are symbolized by the branches, twigs and leaves; the thoughts arising in the mind are the flowers; Ananda (Joy) is in the fruit, Dharma is the sweet juice it contains. The tree is held firm by the very roots which fed it...roots that symbolize faith and self-confidence. Nurture the roots well.

- Divine Discourse, February 18, 1980.

The Basis for all Service is Love - Baba

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Sai Inspires - 29th April 2009

What is the difference between co-operation and operation? What qualities should we develop within ourselves? The Divine Master makes it abundantly clear to us today.

Riches beyond reasonable limits will result only in disaster. Unity of minds, mutual love and co-operation - these are the qualities we must develop continuously. One must not learn to live like a drop of oil on a pond, spreading all over the surface and refusing to merge with the water. One must join others in common tasks and contribute one's strength and skill to the common pool. A single thin string cannot stop even an ant, but hundreds of them twisted into a rope can hold back an elephant. This is the effect of united effort. It is a very desirable trait to work for a common cause with others in co-operation; do not believe in mere operation tasks.

-Divine Discourse, Vol 14 Ch 20, Feb 18, 1980.

Make the World a happy home of love - Baba

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Sai Inspires - 28th April 2009

How can we make our living a glorious experience? Swami lovingly explains the concept and its benefits very clearly to us today.

Living becomes a glorious experience only when it is sweetened by tolerance and love. Willingness to compromise with others' ways of living, and co-operation in common tasks - these make living happy and fruitful. Develop the Atmic awareness, the consciousness of the Divine and the acquisition of Divine attributes. Expand love and understanding. When one consciously and steadily strives to develop these distinct human qualities, one gains valuable experience and feels equipped to transform the society. When this happens, the nation and the entire human race benefits.

- Divine Discourse, February 17, 1980.

Life is a market. Giving and taking, bargaining and speculating
are part of the game. Play the game of Life. Enjoy it! . - Baba

Sai Inspires - 27th April 2009

Sai Inspires - 27th April 2009

What is the one key discipline that we must possess for our own spiritual advancement? Swami lovingly explains to us today.

The key discipline you must cultivate is Ahimsa (Absence of Violence). It does not merely mean not injuring a living being. You should not cause hurt even by a word, a look or a gesture. Tolerance, fortitude, equanimity - these help you to be steady in Ahimsa. They will remove all chance of your causing pain to others. This is called Sahana (Forbearance) or Kshama (Forgiveness). Assess the worth of whatever others do to you or say about you, and cultivate fortitude and the understanding to appreciate their behavior and pardon their faults. This capacity is as invaluable as truth, righteousness, renunciation and compassion. This is all that one need to possess for spiritual advancement.

-Divine Discourse, February 17, 1980.

A Pure Heart is all Sadhana - Baba

Sai Inspires - 26th April 2009

What are the primary needs to lead a happy life? Swami explains very clearly to us today.

Without an ever-present faith in an all-knowing God, life is dry and drab, shadowed by despair and doom. Love for God and fear of sin are the two primary needs for a happy life. Without these two, one becomes a monster. You must be ever ready to sacrifice your selfish needs for the sake of a larger community. Be honest and be proficient in detachment, and with God installed in your hearts, march forward to offer your skills and duties steadfastly.

-Divine Discourse, March 29 , 1979

"Promote devotion through duty and discipline." - Baba

Sai Inspires - 25th April 2009

What is the difficulty we face by amassing wealth? What is the real purpose for which it should be used? Swami clears all the doubts in very simple terms today.

Today, our lives are tainted by a desire for wealth. Wealth makes a man intoxicated. Money is necessary, but it must have a limit. Excessive money can be harmful to the mind. It is more difficult to spend money than to earn it. It is even more difficult to take care of money earned. This difficulty has an advantage. Put the money to good use by spending it for the rural folks, and for the people in distress. Money is not the basis of this mundane world (It is not Dhana moolam idham Jagath), but it is (Dharma moolam idham jagath). Righteousness is the foundation of this world. If money grows, unrest also grows, and money brings sorrows with it. Give your money in charity and make it purposeful.

- Divine Discourse, March 28, 1979 .

Compassion can achieve ends, which money cannot. - Baba

Friday, April 24, 2009

Sai Inspires - 24th April 2009

How can we tame the tongue to help us develop the goodness within us? Swami teaches us the fundamentals of speech today.

Talkative persons easily slip into scandal mongering. Too much talk and a tongue addicted to scandal are twins; for they work together in unison. A poet addressed his tongue thus, "Oh tongue, knower of taste, relisher of sweetness, always prefer the Truth and God." Even when speaking the truth, one should not inflame passion, diminish enthusiasm, or inflict injury. Follow this tenet in your life: Speak the truth, and say it pleasantly (Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath). If it is unpleasant, do not speak the truth. (Na bruyath, sathyam apriyam). Even if it is pleasant, do not speak falsehood. (Priyam cha na anritham bruyath).

-Divine Discourse, Feb 17, 1980.

All are One. Be alike to everyone - Baba

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Bhagwan has left for Kodaikanal

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Bhagawan left for Kodaikanal this morning. Accepting Arati from the car at the Mandir at 7.45 am, Swami drove to the airport where His flight - a small business jet - took off at 8.20 am. The students and others who are to join Bhagawan at Madurai for the Kodai trip had left yesterday. From Madurai, the entire party will go to proceed up the Kodai hills once Bhagawan reaches Madurai this morning.

Sai Inspires - 23rd April 2009

Why should we be intolerant of falsehood? What are its evil effects? Swami explains to us very clearly today.

Whenever any person is ill-treated or harmed, it is God who is the target of that sacrilege. Resorting to falsehood is a demon that possesses and overpowers the weak. Indulging in unnecessary talk, talk for its own sake, is a morbid habit. It is also a waste of energy. It disperses company, for no one likes to listen to a bore. If a talkative person is tolerated for a minute, he will stick to you for days. There are also others, who spread rumors and gossip, and spoil your peace of mind and poison the spring of love. You must stay away from these habits, weed the bad in you, and be engaged in developing the good in you, heightening your purity and holiness.

- Divine Discourse, February 17 , 1980.

Practice speech that does not offend. - Baba

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sai Inspires - 22nd April 2009

Sai Inspires - 22nd April 2009

What is the difference between inner purity and outer cleanliness? Which of these is more important? Swami explains clearly the difference between two and shows us the right goal.

The body is cleansed by soap and water, but true cleanliness can be achieved only from within. The cleansing of the body may keep physical illness away, but the disease of the mind requires inner cleanliness. A perfume applied to the body might please the company around, but good thoughts and sweet conversation will please them more for a long time. As the soap is for the body, truth is for the speech, both have a high cleansing effort. The mind has to be cleansed by proper education in the crucible of renunciation. Education is the process of gaining illumination - it is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance and doubt. It confers humility and discipline.

- Divine Discourse, February 17, 1980.

The highest discipline is to bring about unity in one's thought, word and deed. - Baba

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Sai Inspires - 21st April 2009

What should be the motivating factors for us to work hard? What are the key wins everyone should attain in life? Swami explains very clearly to us today.

Cultivate not riches, or comfort, or luxuries, but Divine virtues. Speak sweetly, shed comfort with every glance of yours. Do not be slaves to your sensual desires. You should conquer lust and vanquish anger. Exile from your mind greed, hate and jealousy. Dedicate your hand to the service of the fellow human beings. To resurrect infinite love and compassion, you must kill jealousy and selfishness, and purify your hearts. Earn the true mercy of the Divine. Follow the path shown by the Lord and reach the position He holds for you.

- Divine Discourse, December 25, 1979.

Cultivate virtues and become eligible to receive God's Grace. - Baba

Monday, April 20, 2009

Sai Inspires - 20th April 2009

How can we experience Oneness with the Divine? Swami lovingly explains the path to experience the Divine in this vast universe.

God incarnates to inspire human beings to follow higher ideals in the Universe. Human beings may have different languages and life styles, but God is One and He is present everywhere. All religions speak of Him as Love and as attainable through love. Forms of worshipping God differ, for they are shaped by time and place, but love is the basic content of all the forms. The language of love is understood and spoken by all hearts. There is only one race, the race of mankind. One must not consider petty distinctions of nationality, race, religion and language, and withhold love. Love must flow to everyone from the heart. Nurture this love in your hearts and experience the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, December 25, 1979.

Follow the Master. Face the Devil. Fight to the end and Finish the game. You are verily God.- Baba

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sai Inspires - 19th April 2009

What is the path to realizing Divine within oneself? The Divine Master shows us the way today.

Develop knowledge about the higher levels of consciousness and the higher planes of existence. Knowledge leads to skill. From skill in using such knowledge, one acquires balance. You must recognize that this life is a stage in the long pilgrimage, and that we are now at a hotel, a temporary resting place. There is a watchman to the hotel, which is your mind. Do not feel permanently attached to the mind or the body. This "negative" body has the "positive" Divinity within it. When you become all embracing infinite Love, the Divine will manifest in and through you. Try to be like the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, December 25, 1979.

Death is the dress of Life. During the brief span of life, glorify God and do God's work - Baba

Sai Inspires - 18th April 2009

What is the fundamental truth that we should believe in, in our journey to the Lord? Swami teaches us kindly with a wonderful example today.

Every living being is on a pilgrimage - whether he/she or it is aware or not. The Sun causes clouds in the sky by raising water from the sea as vapour; the waters of the sea fall as rain, the rain water accumulates and flows as streams and rivers, until it merges with the source, the sea. It is faithful to its destiny; it confronts bravely all the hurdles and obstacles on the pilgrim path. Every human being has come into this world as a Messenger of God.

-Divine Discourse, December 25, 1979.

Virtue alone will bring the Grace of God. - Baba

BALANCE SHEET OF YOUR LIFE.

What Comes is Your CREDIT,What Goes is Your DEBIT.
The Birth is your OPENING STOCK,
Your Ideas are your ASSETS,
Your Views are your LIABILITIES.

Your Happiness is the PROFIT,
Your Sorrow is the LOSS,
The Soul is Your GOODWILL,
The Heart is Your FIXED ASSET.

Your Duties are your OUTSTANDING LIABILITIES,
Your Friendship is your HIDDEN ADJUSTMENTS.

Your Character is your CAPITAL,
Your Knowledge is your INVESTMENT,
Your Patience is your INTEREST.

Bad Qualities to DEPRECIATE.

Your Mind is your BANK-BALANCE,
Your Thinking is your CURRENT ACCOUNT,
Your behavior is your JOURNAL ENTRY.

Be Good or Be Taxed....

BALANCE SHEET OF YOUR LIFE.

What Comes is Your CREDIT,What Goes is Your DEBIT.
The Birth is your OPENING STOCK,
Your Ideas are your ASSETS,
Your Views are your LIABILITIES.

Your Happiness is the PROFIT,
Your Sorrow is the LOSS,
The Soul is Your GOODWILL,
The Heart is Your FIXED ASSET.

Your Duties are your OUTSTANDING LIABILITIES,
Your Friendship is your HIDDEN ADJUSTMENTS.

Your Character is your CAPITAL,
Your Knowledge is your INVESTMENT,
Your Patience is your INTEREST.

Bad Qualities to DEPRECIATE.

Your Mind is your BANK-BALANCE,
Your Thinking is your CURRENT ACCOUNT,
Your behavior is your JOURNAL ENTRY.

Be Good or Be Taxed....

Friday, April 17, 2009

Swami inspires one foreigner ... read on ...

My Inspirations Include Spiritual Leaders

Published by dougkueffler at 5:05 pm under Culture, Spirituality Edit This

Autobiography of a Yogi is one of the most influential books to come out of the eastern spiritualism of India. The author, known as Paramahansa Yogananda, founded the Self Realization Fellowship organization in the United States and spent many years in the USA inspiring thousands of seekers to look within for guidance.

Another religious leader that has influenced my life is Sri Sathya Sai Baba, of Puttaparthi, India. This modern day “avatar” has established hospitals and schools, and is looked upon by his devotees as an incarnation of a fully enlightened being. Sai Baba has inspired millions and has devoted followers in ashrams around the globe. Thousands of pilgrims travel to Puttaparthi each day to simply be in his presence.

The current Tibetan Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has authored books on peace and the compassionate heart. I re-read his work frequently and greatly admire his efforts to peacefully reach an accord with China so that Tibetans can be free to live in their own country without fear of persecution or reprisal.

Mother Teresa showed the entire World that material possessions provided no satisfaction in the spiritual realm and her work amongst the poor, the diseased and the downtrodden people of Calcutta inspired the Roman Pontiff to recognize her saintliness.

To find our own path, each of us may explore history and belief systems, readings, great books, the lives of the saints, world religions, and however else we realize our true selves, which eventually we find within our own hearts and minds.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Sai Inspires - 16th April 2009

How quickly can you progress towards your goals? How do you derive strength to march towards your destination? Swami explains very clearly to us today.

Protect your mother tongue and Motherland with all your energy. Make yourselves fit for this, by making the best use of the opportunities. Progress as much as you can, without any hesitation. Develop character as well as intelligence and health. The most reliable source of strength is in you, not in money, or kinsmen or physical acumen, but in the Divinity within you. Know it, delve into it, and draw sustenance from it. See it in all, serve it in all.

-Divine Discourse, December 8, 1979.

"All are One; Be alike to every one." - Baba

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Sai Inspires - 15th April 2009

What is the difference between what we think and how we act? How can we steady our conduct and improve ourselves? Swami explains to us in very clear terms today.

Have high ideals. Strive to elevate yourselves. Work to attain the highest goal, God Himself. Whatever the obstacle or the opposition, do not be disheartened. Give up the animal in you, stabilize yourselves in human virtues, and proceed boldly towards the achievement of Divinity. Do not waver - having devotion today, tomorrow seeking sensual gratification, and then the day after, back to devotion again. When something goes wrong, you are filled with despair. When discipline is enforced, you start holding back, and when love is showered, you are first again. This dual attitude must be given up.

-Divine Discourse, March 7, 1978 .

A man with dual mind is half blind. - Baba

Sai Inspires - 14th April 2009

How can we be happy at all times? And what is the relationship between the thoughts we entertain and our happiness? Swami shows us the direct relationship between these today.

We become what we contemplate. By constant thought an ideal gets imprinted on our hearts. When we fix our thoughts all the time of the evil that others do, our mind gets polluted by evil. On the contrary, if we fix our mind on the virtues or well-being of the others, our mind is cleansed of wrong and entertains only good thoughts. No evil thought can penetrate the mind of a person wholly given to love and compassion.

-Divine Discourse, March 7, 1978.

I have a definition of a devotee that I expect.

Those devoted to Me have to treat joy and grief, gain and loss with equal fortitude. - Baba

Monday, April 13, 2009

Sai Inspires - 13th April 2009

What is the real reason for chanting the Names of the Lord? What benefits will accrue to us when we chant the Names of the Lord? Swami teaches us kindly today.

You must realize that bhajan, namasmaran and puja (chanting the Name and worshipping God) are not for pleasing or making God happy, but for our own spiritual progress. Frequently, people flatter the rich and the powerful - especially when they are in their employment or are beholden to them for some precious help - in order to induce them to shower gifts on them. But God does not shower Grace on people because they sing His praises. Nor does He come down upon them because they do not worship Him. Recitation of the Divine attributes only enable us to dwell on elevating ideals and approximate ourselves more and more to the Divinity that is our true nature.

-Divine Discourse, March 7, 1978.

The thoughts we indulge in, shape our Nature. - Baba

So Says Sai...Chant Namasmarana continuously at all times

So Says Sai....

Parthi means effulgence. So Puttaparthi is the place of effulgence. It is the beacon of light. Earlier it was called Puttavardhini. Putta means anthill. There used to be anthills and snakes everywhere. The Ramayana has close relationship with the anthills in the sense that anthills grew over its composer, Sage Valmiki. He was completely covered by anthills and snakes were moving in and out of them. There are many snakes of wicked qualities in the anthill of your heart. When you do namasmarana (remembering the Divine name), all the snakes of the bad qualities will come out. Namasmarana is like Nadaswaram, which attracts snakes and bring them out of anthills. The nadaswaram is your jeevanaswaram and pranaswaram (breath of life). One has to repeat God's name in order to get rid of evil qualities.

Source: Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. XXXV. P. 105.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Sai Prerna (10th April, 2009, 9.15pm, Saiprem)

The session commenced with three omkars and a small video clipping on Bhagwan by the name 'Yadein'

In the last session we discussed on the importance of namasmarana and we decided that we would consciously try to do namasmarana 24*7.

We shared our experiences on the activity and this is the summary of the same-

1) We realized that doing namasmarana is not an easy activity as perceived to be, coz, our minds are caught in so many routine and mundane activities that we have to put conscious efforts to chant the lords name.

2) Some of our brothers could start the activity but could not sustain it coz the mad monkey mind again played its evil tricks of getting caught in the worldly activities.

3) Many of us did find some change in terms of calming our mind and regaining peace through increased frequency of chanting the lord's name.

As we were finding out the reasons as to why we found it difficult to consciously do namasmarana we found out that our mind has become a major hurdle between us and the lord.

To train our mind on the importance of chanting the lord's name, let's analyze a simple situation….

We try to give time to Swami's activity as each one of us has a busy schedule. In life we would face with tough situations during which we would intensely crave for the divine intervention. Let's presume if you happen to fall at Bhagwans feet during the stressful time of your life and ask for his grace and Bhagwan replies I do not have the time now to help you.

Isn't this thought fearful? If your mind is filled with this fear, then namasmarana would become a part of you during the journey of life.

One of the brothers posted a question? How do I chant the name of the lord when I am working at the office?

Namasmarana should become a part of our sub conscious mind. So even if we are doing any activity or faced with sudden danger, what appears on our lips is the name of the lord. All of us utter the name of mother or amma on every occasion, in the same way the name of the lord should be on our lips always. To get on to this level we should first practice to chant the name of the lord consciously 24*7.

Post this the discussion went to the newly created blog for Sai Prerna…

In our blog http://sathyasaiprerna.blogspot.com/ we have put an important statement which is 'DARE TO BE DIVINE'. Swami is asking each one of us this question; do you have the guts to become divine? When we ponder as to the answer for this question we realize, Do I really have the strength to become divine coz if we do have then we would follow the twin basic divine principles stated by Bhagwan which is-

"Satyam Vada, Dharmam Chara" (Speak the truth and follow the path of righteousness)

Our mind invites thoughts and ideas wherein we can see material benefit and all these thoughts have only one outcome which is fulfillment of 'TEMPORARY' desires.

Can we train our mind towards the path of spirituality and have the mental strength and conviction to become divine? If we can, then lets be assured of a permanent solution which is winning the grace of the lord and there-by attaining the 'PERMANENT' goal of Moksha or Liberation.

To be Divine requires the first step of following the principles of truth.

Bhagwans name starts with the word SATHYA which means truth.
In the year 1996, Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality was conducted at Brindavan and one evening Swami was rendering the divine discourse which was on the universal principles of Satya, Dharma, Shanti and Ahimsa. One of the elder devotees got a thought as to why Swami mentions the same points in every discourse which he renders. This thought just vanished in seconds and the program continued. After the discourse, Bhagwan came to the hostel for the dinning session and this elderly gentlemen happened to be seated along with the other VIPs.
Swami stopped by his side and spoke to the person sitting next to this VIP and he said....

Swami-How was my discourse?
Devotee-Very beautiful Swami
Swami-I have to keep telling the same points again and again as truth is permanent and never-changing and whatever I utter is TRUTH.

He looked at the VIP who had got this thought earlier during the discourse and he smiled.

So, the message is clear Truth is permanent. Truth has no fear. Bhagwan work is going on on such a huge magnitude all over the globe. Have we ever seen him worried or stressed? He is ever smiling and he is verily the embodiment of Truth & Ananda.

One of the brothers emphasized on the point that the mind becomes so stressed during uncertain situations that the name and form of the lord just disappears coz fear overtakes hope…

Swami has repeatedly assured "Why Fear When I Am Here"….do we have the conviction on this assurance and if yes the word fear and worry should be out of the dictionary of our life.

Towards the end of the session, we decided that we would continue to consciously do the activity of namasmarana for the next two months and again discuss the benefits of the same.

In the next session we would view and discuss on the discourse given by Bhagwan to the western devotees in 1991 at Kodaikanal.

All are requested to share all that we discussed in the Sai Prerna session and continue our divine journey towards SAI.

The next Sai Prerna session would be held on the second Saturday i.e 9th May 2009.

Sai Bless Us All