Sai Baba Gita Reading for Today - Self-Knowledge is God-Knowledge

09-30-2003, 04:22 AM

Sai Baba Gita Reading for Today

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Self-Knowledge is God-Knowledge

Self-knowledge is not different from God-knowledge. The sacred
knowledge of God and the sacred knowledge of the immortal self are
one and the same. They are the one divine wisdom. When you realize
the one self everywhere, you become established in unity
consciousness. Then you see only the oneness in all the diversity
that is around you. From that moment on, you transcend worldly
existence and gain the immortality you have been seeking.

What is the basis for this supreme knowledge? Its basis is purity of
the mind. To purify your mind you must suffuse your whole life with
spirituality. Engage yourself in noble activities. Associate with
spiritually-minded people. Observe exemplary conduct in your daily
life. Strive to do your duty to perfection. Live your life so that
it is one of selfless service and virtuous deeds. And study the
wisdom teachings of the ages; put them into daily practice; let
these teachings serve as your guideposts. Then your mind will become
purified. And with a pure mind you will be able to discriminate
between the permanent and the temporary, between that which is
beneficial and that which is detrimental to your spiritual progress.
Then all your ordinary daily activities will become sacred and God's
grace will be showered upon you.

Now, you may be highly learned in secular knowledge, you may be a
great scholar or you may be a world-renowned expert in a number of
fields. But all your titles and achievements cannot confer on you
real wisdom. To be truly wise and remove the grief from your heart,
you must know who you really are. You must realize your immortal
self. You cannot transcend grief by any other path. Only the
knowledge of your true self will allow you to overcome all suffering
and misery. This is the only knowledge that can bestow on you all
happiness. When you master a worldly field of knowledge you earn the
respect of your peers. You may become famous and fulfill your
worldly aspirations, but it is only when you acquire self-knowledge
that you deserve and earn the grace of God. When you have that, you
become ever blissful. You enjoy the ultimate happiness.

Who are those who deserve to learn this sacred knowledge? Is it, as
some would contend, exclusively reserved for old people, or does a
child deserve to learn it? Is it to be given only to religious
initiates or should it be made available also to those who have no
previous religious background? Should it be kept for men alone or
are women equally eligible? Truly, to gain this wisdom, race, color,
age, gender, nationality or social status are of no consequence. The
sage Valmiki in his earlier life had been a highway robber, the sage
Narada was born of a lowly maidservant; yet, they both became great
spiritual lights. Everyone is equally entitled to acquire this
supreme wisdom.

The Lord comes to those who have devotion for him; he looks at the
heart and not at the outer status. Develop your devotion. Devotion
is very important to human life. The Lord said in the Gita, "You
become very dear to me when you serve me with a loving heart."

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source:
http://www.atmapress.com/saibabagita/saigita002.html

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Sai Baba Gita
Compiled and edited by Al Drucker - Published by Atma Press
ISBN: 0963844903
Online Edition: http://www.atmapress.com/saibabagita/index.html