Swami teaches... From spirit to nature and science

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

 

Swami teaches.... (18 - 19 March 2005)

 

From Spirit to Nature and Science

 

The Vedhic science of spiritual self-discovery is the life-saver for

humanity sliding down to destruction because it has lost its hold on truth,

morality, peace and love. The world and its ephemeral attractions have become

the goal of human endeavour. God who is the Source, Sustenance and Supreme

Goal, is ignored both in the external world and in the inner world of impulse

and intellect. Bhaarathavarsha (India) is the birth place of spiritual

science. Here, every man, woman and child is a student of that science. In this

spiritual science, some one method or other has beenemphasised during the

various periods of history. It was manthra (mystic formula) once, yaaga

(ceremonial sacrifice) another time, yoga (Divine communion) a little later and

after the rise ofBuddhism and its spread to all parts of India and even her

neighbours, it has been Thanthra (magical and mystical formularies). Shankara

gave great encouragement to Thanthra andPoet Kaalidhaasa also considered it

important. It flourished due to the encouragement which Shivaaji gave to the

thaanthric scholars and it dominated the spiritual life of the country for many

centuries. Thanthra, a spiritual science based on Shakthi Thanthra means only

"that which saves well" and so there is no reason to feel apologetic about it.

It is just a means to achieve the aim of the merging of the Jeeva with Brahman

(individual soul with Supreme Soul). Sir John Woodroffe has shown in his books

that Thanthra is a systematic discipline which employs symbolism andsublimation

to purify the instincts and control the mind. He removed to a great extent the

prejudice which had kept people away from Thanthra. It is spiritual science

based on the Shakthi (Feminine aspect of Energy) that plays a central part in

the spiritual progress of human. The Geetha is available in all languages.

The Bhaagavatha and the Raamayaana and all other books are sold at the rate of

thousands of copies per day; but there is nothing to indicate that they have

been read and assimilated. Such is reality. Do not treat Swami's words too

lightly; do not say, "We saw Sai Baba and heard His talk and it was all very

fine." Decide at least to carry out some one piece of advice for your spiritual

advance. Your study must develop your powers of discrimination, not your egoism.

 

 

Anyone cannot understand Swami and His Secret without first understanding

themselves. To grasp His meaning, you have to tear into tatters the doubts and

theories you now have and cultivate Prema (Love), for the embodiment of Prema

can be understood only through Prema. The "miracles and wonders" which cannot

be explained by the categories of science, are natural to Swami, it is His

life style. The Lord had announced that He would come down for the restoration

of Dharma (righteousness) and that He would assume human Form so that all might

gather round Him and feel the thrill of His companionship and conversation.

Usually, when you are asked where God is, you point to the sky or some such

distant place and say He is there, as if He is just a Person and has a definite

place of Residence. But nara (human being) is Naaraayana (God), each one of

them; Maadhava is maanava, each one of the species. So the number of Gods is

thirty three crores, as given in the Shaasthras or, as can be calculated today,

much, much more.

The world itself is subject to constant agitation; how can your plan to lead

a quiet contented peaceful life upon it succeed? It is like trying to float

without any heaving or falling while being tossed about on the waves of the

sea. Under such conditions, the best thing is to recognise the fact and not to

worry about the unavoidable. If you have shraddha (faith), more than half the

battle is won.

Doctors speak of vitamin deficiency; Swami calls it the deficiency of

Vitamin G, and recommends the repetition of the Name of God, with accompanying

contemplation of the glory and grace of God. That is the Vitamin G. That is the

medicine; regulated life and habits are two-thirds of the treatment, while the

medicine is just one-third only.

 

Above the spiritual aspect of human's life has explained. Swami reveals His

role among humanity by simple and imaginable explanation. His explanations have

many angles. Above is one angle of the many.

 

Let's examine the similar outlook towards spiritual based science through

modern and ancient science, education and eternal laws what are independent of

human being's believes and discoveries.

All human beings are made up of the same chemical elements. Although human

beings differ in form and characteristics in various respects, they belong to

the human species. In terms of the human body, every human being has one thing

in common regardless of other differences. Differences of race, religion,

caste, language or community do not affect oneness of humanity. What is the

reason for these innumerable differences? What is the force that is behind

these genetic differences? When scientists are able to understand the reason

for these infinite differences, they will achieve fullness in their knowledge.

However, no one can determine the magnitude or range of the powers of the

Divine.

Scientists are imbued only with a sense of enquiry into matter.

Consequently, today there is a complete divorce between science and

spirituality. They hold the view that matter is convertible into energy and

vice versa. But they are inseparably interlinked and interdependent.

Matter and energy have existed from the time of creation. Both are

comprehended bythe mind only. When the mind functions in relation to the Divine

it acquires the form of energy.When the mind is turned towards Prakruthi

(Nature), the latter assumes the form of matter. Mindis the cause of

experiencing joy or sorrow and for comprehending matter and energy.Recognising

this quality of the mind, the sages declared: "The mind is the cause of

liberation orbondage for humanity."

Spirituality is engaged in exploring the inner workings of the Divine. The

scientist is one who has an external vision. The one who has an internal vision

is a saint. Detachment and attachment result from the way the mind functions.

When the mind is directed towards Prakruthi (Nature or the phenomenal world),

bondage ensues. When you turn your mind towards Divinity, you experience Ananda

(bliss). "End the mind" means turning the mind Godward. All you have to do is to

dedicate every action of yours to the Divine. Theneverything becomes easy and a

source of bliss. (For this purity of mind is needed. What is pavithram

(purity)? This has been characterised as Shakthi (energy, power). Purity has

been described as the state of desirelessness. The mind is the cause of both

desires and purity). If we desire peace for the individual, for the society

and for the nation, it can only be achievedthrough spiritual means. No doubt

physical comforts are necessary up to a point. But they should be limited to

meeting the basic demands of nature.

It is true that science has helped to improve the conditions of living. But

the harm it isdoing outweighs the benefits. Human has lost peace of mind and

the sense of security. The result is that daily life is becoming more

precarious. Morality and justice have declined. This must be ascribed mainly to

the craze for acquiring modern scientific gadgets what serves the consumer

society needs. Such is the result that science is divorced from spirituality.

Without education there is no science. Without true education there is no

development towards universal science interconnected with spirituality for

humanity.

Education is an ornament for humans. It confers wealth, prosperity and

fame. It is the teacher of teachers. Education is the basis for leading a

purposeful life in the physical world, in the realm of the mind and in society.

It equips one with the mental strength and steadiness to face the challenges in

life. It enables one to understand the myriad manifestations in nature. It is

only when one understands the powers of his mind that he can recognise the

relationship between the world and the society. Education is also closely

connected with culture what refines the human spirit and makes one a complete

human being. Culture seeks to integrate the various aspects of daily life and

develop a unified outlook.

Even in pursuing the spiritual path, the process should not be from Nature

to Spirit but from Spirit to Nature. By seeking to master the forces of Nature

through education, people tend to become subjects of nature. However, people are

not subjects but reflectors the eternal Atma. It is the transcendental Truth

which is the eternal verity that is true for all time - past, present and

future. Be aware of the divinity that is inherent in every being. Thereby you

will grow in your own self-esteem. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks.

Vol.1. "Manushya and manas," Chapter 25; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 7. "The

obliterating flood," Chapter 17; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 21. "The Scientist

and The Saint," Chapter 13 and "Make Others Happy," Chapter 32).

 

Namaste - Reet