Sai Baba Gita - All Joy comes only from the Self

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All Joy comes only from the Self

In a similar way, the ignorant think that they are getting joy out of the

sense-objects. But, this limited joy that they experience does not come from

outside of themselves. Ever present within their own hearts is true joy. It is

this unchanging inner joy that gets superimposed on an object, making that

object appear as if it is the source of joy. In this way, they believe they are

deriving joy from the things of the world, but their joy is merely a small

reflection of the unlimited joy that is hidden within them. Once they delude

themselves into thinking that the joys and pleasures which they have in the

outer world are true experiences, and the joy which they might get from the

inner world is only an illusion, they lose all interest in practicing

detachment. Then they give up pursuing the transcendental joy and continue to

pursue only the worldly enjoyments which they believe can be obtained from

sense objects.

If an object truly gave joy then everyone would experience that joy to the same

extent. If the joy were really inherent in the object itself, then the joy

derived from that object should be the same for all people. Yet we know that

this is not the case. If a particular object gives joy and pleasure to some

people, the same object may be repulsive to other people, giving displeasure to

them. For instance, some people may greatly enjoy cucumbers, whereas others may

not like them at all. If joy were an integral part of cucumbers then there

would be the one experience for all. Cucumbers would not give a feeling of joy

to some and a feeling of dislike to others. Why is there this difference in

reaction between different people? Why are there things which you may like that

are disliked by others? It must mean that the joy you experienced was not

directly associated with the object but that this joy came from within. The

feeling that you experienced was but a reflection of your own

inexhaustible inner source of joy.

http://www.atmapress.com/saibabagita/saigita185.html

Sai Baba Gita, Compiled and edited by Al Drucker - Published by Atma Press -

http://www.atmapress.com - ISBN: 0963844903Online Edition:

http://www.atmapress.com/saibabagita/index.html

 

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