Swami teaches... The Basis of the Divine Spirit

[Guest guest]

Light and Love

 

Swami teaches... (20 December 2004)

 

The Basis of the Divine Spirit

On the vast ocean, countless waves are continually forming and

disappearing. Each wave hasits own form and shines in many colours. But none of

them is separate from the ocean. Likewise, all the myriad beings in the world

have their different names and forms but are all tiny droplets from the

infinite ocean of Sat-Chit-Ananda (The Cosmic Being-Awareness-Bliss).The Spirit

is One in all beings. Our sense organs are not the Atma (Spirit). Only the

divine Spirit possesses all the potencies of the senses. The Atma is

infinite. It has been described as "Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram" Truth, Goodness

and Beauty. From a worldly point of view, these three qualities appear to be

different from eachother. But there can be no Sivam (Goodness) without Sathyam

(Truth). Without Sathyam (Truth)there is no Sundaram (Beauty). Beauty imparts

effulgence to an object. The unity of these three aspects reveals the Divinity

of the Atma. Like cloth and thread, which have their basis in cotton, the Atma

is the basis for all three.

 

There are four words: Prema (Love), Soundarya (Beauty), Maadhurya

(Sweetness) and Sobha(Brilliance). They are descriptive terms. When the heart

melts, love flows from it. When lovematures, it turns into beauty. When the

taste of Beauty ripens, it is sweetness. In that experienceof sweetness

everything appears brilliant and shining.

It is this Divine sweetness that illumines the world. This Beauty, Sweetness

and Bliss are allwithin you. When you turn your mind to God, the whole universe

will wear a new aspect.Without this internal change, all changes in the

external physical world are of no avail. Onlywhen the individual changes, the

world will change.

 

Scholars have expressed different views regarding the sthoola, sukshma and

kaarana sareeras (gross, the subtle and the causal bodies). In my view the

gross and subtle bodies are like twins, resembling sound and its echo, an

object and its image. The whole universe is an echo of God. It is like a mirror

which reflects the image of God.

Today great advances have been made in science and technology. But human

character andmorality have not made corresponding progress. Knowledge without

discrimination isdangerous. Knowledge should promote people's well-being and

not cause harm to them.Through knowledge, you acquire humility. Through

humility you become worthy ofresponsibility. Through responsible positions you

get wealth. Through wealth you must practicerighteousness. Righteousness

ensures your well-being in this world and the one beyond it.

(Extracts-compilation: "Sathya Sai Speaks." Volume 22, Chapter 22,"Power of

the Spirit," pp.76- 78).

 

Namaste - Reet