Swami teaches... A broad insight of human's human's life destination

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

 

Swami teaches.... (1 June 2005)

(Meanwhile was a pause 21 - 1 June. The next pause will be 9 - 20 June.

Pauses are caused by my job needing frequent traveling in our country and

abroad).

 

A Broad insight of human's life destination

 

Thoughts as preface

By Swami the destiny of a nation or community is dependent on the moral

fibre of the people. Jesus emphasised the importance of faith and the damage

and the danger of hypocrisy. Joining both palms together and offering namsakar

is an act of dedication of one's thought and speech. There is great need, in a

world broken into racial and religious units, to cultivate a broad outlook and

large hearted attitudes.

 

It seems that the nature itself specifies to people a way to the Swami's

Teaching. Analyzing the data NASA for the last years it is possible to come to

the conclusion that the Sun has never been in such excited condition as now.

Constant solar storms cause geomagnetic storms on the Earth. That in turn

influences all alive organisms and plants as the mutagen and reducing

adaptation factor. The planet's environmental conditions have became

changeable. In the North of the Baltic sea pines and a juniper begin to dry up.

Here the ozone index sometimes comes nearer to eight that much above normal and

dangerous for people health. (The ozone holes are caused not so much by cosmic

factors, but by humans actions not correleted by the laws of Nature and

naturally by Swami's Teaching). In our 'quiet Nordic corner' of the Earth now

became the normal phenomenon snow at the end of May, flooding in January,

frequent strong thunder storms, etc.

However, not only on the Sun and on/in the Earth it is not quiet but also

in Milky Way itself there is no quiet, no constant existence. Glaxies too as

reflects distress and turmoil of a society (or vice versa?).

By wide field images and analyses of Nasa our Milky Way (home galaxy) is

actually in the process of devouring one of its closer neighbor galaxy -

Sagittarius Dwarf. It seems that dwarf's filament of stars, gas, and possibly

dark matter entangles the Milky Way. There is a speculation that Sagittarius

Dwarf was once pulled through the Milky Way very close to our Sun's current

location. (Painter's picture and properer explanation -

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap050529.html).

Inside the Earth's earthquake activity too has increased tens of times in

comparison with activity 50 years ago. See the activity in May, 2005 -

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/qed/

Only by the mentioned examples from unanimated Nature is clear that

nothing is constant in the world of Maya. In this situation Swami's Teaching -

where His Divine, ancient and modern wisdom is illuminated -remains as a unique

support and hope for those who aspires to eternal light from the world that is

illusory and changeable.

 

Why is Swami's Teaching is the unique? True, that It carries the direct

Divine vibrations of Avatar connected with Vedic and His Own wisdom. But there

was jet one other reason too. Namely, His discourses and books contain many

pictorial explanations. What is the significance of such explanations for human

brain? Metaphors, colorful pictorial sayings helps more properly to

understand the meaning what cannot be taken literally but through additional

abstract thinking.

A study of people who are unable to make sense of figures of speech as their

responsible for that brain area was damaged, has helped scientists (V. S.

Ramachandran of the University of California at San Diego and his colleagues)

identify a brain region (the angular gyrus) they believe plays a key role in

grasping metaphors. The angular gyrus is more developed in humans than in other

primates and is located in the brain at the junction of areas specialized for

processing touch, hearing and vision. Ramachandran suggests that the evolution

of the dominant angular gyrus contributed enormously to the evolution of many

quintessentially human abilities, including metaphorical and other abstract

thinking.

It seems that this brain's area enables humans to be aware of their real

Self and the Divine nature. Possible, that Swami uses many pictorial

explanations with the aim to develop (or even cure) this brain area through

pictorial speech. (Probably, persons with damaged or not developed area of

angular gyrus have difficulties to understand the spiritual essence of human's

life).

This thoughts were inspired by the last Scientific American.com; Science News

from 26 May 2005.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=000BE01D-E7E3-1294-A7E383414B7F0000

 

 

The present section "Swami Teaches..." is partly about Buddha's teaching

through Swami's lips, interpretation and His Divine breath.

Recently the Buddha Purnima (Jayanthi) was celebrated. Buddha's teaching

about non-violence, compassion, humility, generosity, and kindness towards all

living beings is eternal. Today it is even more relevant than 2500 years ago.

Many high-souled spiritual leaders like Buddha have shown mankind the path they

should follow for reaching the highest goal of life. Bharat has been the unique

birthplace of many such saints and sages. In ancient times, many spiritual

aspirants went out in search of knowledge of the Self and studied scriptures

and visited holy places to acquire experience of the Divine. But they could not

get the wisdom they sought. Even though they recognized the distinction between

the animate and the inanimate they could not get spiritual illumination. True

enlightenment is attained by the awareness of the identity of the One and many

(Vyakthi and Samashthi).

Knowledge of the Self cannot be got by the study of scriptures or from

preceptors or by the grace of great men. Brahman cannot be seen in the external

world. It should be experienced only in one's heart. It is a mark of ignorance

to seek the Self in the outside world.

There are many in the world who preach spirituality but none of them has any

experience. What is the use of studying books without personal experience or

practice. Each one should make his conscience his preceptor.

The main cause of human misery - greed, envy, hatred, attachment today has

remained unchanged. Human life today is racked by anxiety, misery, unrest and

troubles of various kinds.

The root cause of all this is that human is witnessing what is repulsive,

wicked and demeaning. Dharma and righteousness are the ways to control human's

negative tendencies and get rid from them. Swami in His various discourses

stresses to the significance and actuality of Buddha's messages to humanity.

His Divine expressions and vibrations help to realize it more deeply today, to

ours generation.

Human today is acquiring various types of knowledge. Among these human being

is learning how to live and act like lions and other animals. People today have

the external vision what is characteristic of animals.

However, animals do not have the capacity to transcend the vagaries and

volitions of the mind and the memories stored therein. They are promoted by

instinct and impulse. Human alone can exercise this faculty and decide on a

course of action which can lead to Ananda, the deepest delight, the innermost

urge in human. But, human seldom uses this faculty or benefits by it and gets

lost in a maze of multiplying desires and earns, frustration and despair.

Caught in the turbulence of the worldly stream, human ignores and forgets own

inherent hunger and the need to acquire the awareness of the Divinity within.

You must sanctify your vision by turning it inwards. Then you can get rid of

animal qualities and divinise your life. Divine feelings arise in one only as a

consequence of good deeds done in many lives. Only a sacred heart can

experience the Divine. The pursuit of any object other than the Divine is a

futile exercise Worldly possessions come and go. But divinity comes and grows.

 

When God occupies the mind, the objective world or nature which is only the

product of the mind loses its validity and human, the wave on the ocean, lapses

in the source. The individual Self and the Omniself merge in Unity. Every

religion seeks to present this basic truth about God, Nature and Human. They

all are beacons of light guiding pilgrims along the many paths to the Universal

Absolute. Many persons who engage themselves in prayers and pilgrimages for

years wonder why they have not been able to realise God. It is unnecessary to

go round the world searching for God. God, is in search of the genuine devotee.

The devotee who is conscious of the omnipresence of God will find Him

everywhere. There is no place without 'God and there is no form without the

Divine. That is the real mark of devotion. Meditation and prayer have value as

means of purifying oneself. But they do not lead to God-realisation. Unwavering

faith in God grants inexpressible Bliss.

People should realize the infinite divine potencies within, the real Self.

The Divine is present as conscience, which is a spark of the Cosmic Conscience

what transcends the five senses. When the senses are sanctified, the conscience

manifests its divinity. It can then experience its oneness with the Universal

(Cosmic) Consciousness.

For 26 years Buddha sought the realization of the Self by studying

scriptures, meeting sages and saints and listening to their teachings. He found

that by these means he could not experience reality. He realized that the

knowledge of the Self has to be gained through an inward search.

He began with control of the senses. He realized that spiritual

understanding could only come from mastery of the senses and a pure, unsullied

consciousness confers the highest knowledge.True knowledge is derived from a

pure inner consciousness (Antahkarana).

The first requisite is purity in the use of the five senses of perception

given to man. Buddha declared that humans should cultivate at the outset

"Samyag-Drishti" (the right vision, point of view).

The second quality that is needed is Samyag-Sankalpa (pure thoughts).

The third requirement for everyone along with purity in vision and thought,

is Samyag-Karma(pure deeds).

By his/her capacity for developing good vision, entertaining good thoughts

and performing good deeds, a person has the power to transform humanness into

Divinity. A fourth requirement is Samyag-Shruthi (listening to sacred

words).

The fifth quality is Samyag-Jeevanam (living a pure life). It means making

one's life meaningful by ideal actions. Buddha declared that everyone should

aim at Samyag-Saadhana (achievement of the highest good). Study of sacred

texts, meditation and penance do not constitute the whole of saadhana

(spiritual exercise). To remove all the impurities in the mind is real and true

Saadhana.

Through his enlightenment, he discovered the importance of Dharma and wanted

to make it the basis of society. Buddha emphasized the importance of

developing good vision (Samyag Drishti) what leads to good thoughts, good

speech and good action.

Next he laid stress on association with good people. The four rules to be

observed are - cultivate good company, avoid association with evil persons, do

meritorious deeds always, and remember what is transient and what is eternal.

Good company does not mean merely association with good people. 'Sath' refers

to the Divine. What is required is to seek the company of God who is the source

of all bliss. This leads to the purity of the inner sense organs. Purity in

thought, word and deed is the requisite for experiencing the Divine. This

triple purity is considered as the essence of humanness. Purity in

thoughts and purity in speech must lead to purity in deeds. This is the triple

purity hailed by the sages. When this purity is manifest, human life gets

redeemed. The principle of "Help ever, hurt never" becomes the governing

principle of daily life. So Buddha prescribed five duties: good vision; good

thoughts; listening to good things; good speech; good actions. These five-fold

duties constitute true Sadhana (spiritual practice).

Through pure senses and pure heart comes what Buddha called Samyag-Samaadhi

or Nirvaana (Pure Realisation or Liberation). To look upon light and darkness,

pleasure and pain, profit and loss, fame and censure with an equal mind is

Samaadhi.

Purity of the heart is more important than all rituals and penances.

Dedicate all actions to God. Thyaga (sacrifice) is real yoga (oneness with the

Divine). To enjoy things (bhoga) without sharing with others is a disease

(roga).

Buddha did not attach any importance to yajnas and yaagas and other religious

rituals. The reason is he felt that it was more important to ensure that the

five sense organs were pure to begin with. Buddha sought to find out why the

mind gets disturbed. He could not bear to see that anyone suffering. He was

deeply grieved at the sight of persons afflicted with old age. He was intrigued

at the sight of a dead body. None of these natural happenings gave him peace of

mind. He resolved to find out something which transcends all worldly

relationships and pleasures. Happiness is not to be found in any of the things

of the world. Nirvaana is the only truth. It is the sense of oneness with all

life.

When the time of Nirvana was approaching, Buddha noticed that his

step-brother Ananda was shedding tears. He told him "Even till today, the world

is not recognizing the reality. There are thousands who experience sorrow at the

sight of dying persons. But they make no effort to find out what experience is

in store for the dead. To shed tears at this prospect is not justified. It

seems to me that you are grieving over the exalted state that is impending for

me. No human being should shed tears over the moment of death of any person.

Tears are associated with the Divine and should be shed only far the sake of

the Divine and not for trivial matters. You should shed tears of joy. Happiness

is union with God.

 

It is essential to notice that Buddha realised the Supreme duty is

refraining from causing harm to anyone. He has learnt this truth from his own

experience. He declared: "Ahimsa Paramodharmah" (Non-hurting is the Supreme

Dharma). According to him true Dharma (Righteousness) consists in refraining

from causing harm to anyone in thought, word or deed. Buddha declared:

"Sangham sharanam gachchaami","Hands in the society, head in the forest." He

renounced everything to think about promoting the well-are of society.

He declared that Dharma means causing no harm to anyone. Buddha's emphasis

was entitely on purity in every aspect of daily life. Purity in vision, purity

in thought, purity in speech and purity in action. He considered the spirit of

sacrifice as true yajna. Sacrifice is the means for attaining Nirvaana (freedom

from the bondage of mundane existence).

The Buddhist prayer must be properly understood. When the Buddhists say:

"Buddham sharanam gachchaami, Dharmam sharanam gachchaami, Sangham sharanam

gachchaami," the real meaning of the prayer is: You must divert your Buddhi

(intellect) towards Dharma (right conduct). And the right conduct should aim at

serving society.

When people experience spiritual bliss (Atma-Ananda) all other forms of

happiness will automatically come. However, people immersed in mundane pursuits

and have no time for spiritual matters. The Gita exhorts mankind to turn away

from the ephemeral attractions of the misery-laden world and to seek the

Divine.

What is it that people need today? These are three things: a pure heart,

soft speech and a face that is loving and kind. These are lacking in the world

today.

To carry on daily life in the world people pursue many vocations. But does

all this constitute real living? Can a life led without remembering God be

called life at all? What kind of life is it where there is no purity, no

morality and no spirituality? People must strive to base their lives on Neethi

and Nijaayathi (morality and integrity). They should become, as Jesus said,

messengers of God. Realize your inherent divinity. Regard the whole world as

your field of action. You have come as a pilgrim to this world of action. Ensure

that this pilgrimage proceeds on right lines.

It is a mark of ignorance to expect that some other person will give you

happiness. Buddha felt sad that people should be subject to such ignorance. He

decided to go to Gaya and experience bliss by his own ways. He found the source

of bliss within himself. He realized it could not be got from outside. Every

human's heart is the dwelling place of God.

There are three things required to be done in life. You should try to do good

to those that have done harm to you. You must forget the harm done by others and

also the good you have done to others. You have to remember the good that others

have done to you. You must remember the good that has been done to you as

something sacred. You must express your gratitude to them.

(Reet's compilation from,

Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 19. "Truth and Faith," Chapter 28;Sathya Sai Speaks.

Vol. 30. "Purity--the path to Liberation," Chapter 13;

Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "The Path of Nirvana." 14 Apr 1998, Kodaikanal;

Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba. The Divine Discourse "The Essence of Buddha's

Teachings."11 May 1998, Brindavan).

 

Namaste - Reet