Swami teaches... Regard God as the great inspiring spirit within

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

Swami teaches...

Regard God as the Great Inspiring Spirit Within

The sacred Bharatheya Culture has survived the ravages of time and the

vicissitudes of history. Sanathana Dharma (Eternal Universal Religion) is the

core of this culture. It is based on ethics and character. Spirituality is its

life-breath. Truth and Love were the ideals cherished by the great seers of

Bharath.

Today all over the world you hear about plans to build a new society. The

socialist doctrine is an important concept. But it is no less essential to

recognise the reality of God as the primal source of all things in the world.

As children of the Earth, people should learn the lesson of selfless

activity from Mother Earth. Without sacrifice it is difficult to sustain life

itself. Some say knowledge is valuable. But, character is more valuable than

knowledge.

You have to do good deeds if you want to experience good results. Nature is

like a mirror, which reflects the object or action. Vision determines your view

of Creation. When you see the world through coloured glasses, you will see

everything in the colour of the glasses you are wearing.

You consider it hard to see unity in the diversity in the world because you

do not have the proper vision. You are the "seen" Everything that you see is

the seen. When the vision is concentrated on the Atma within, both are one.

Then the distinction between the Divine and the mundane disappears. The

difference between the object and the subject will also go. Everything then

becomes 'the whole'. This is the easiest royal path to comprehend the Reality.

Dharma and Jnana (right conduct and spiritual wisdom) are two eyes given to

human to discover own uniqueness and Divinity. Dharma indicates the right path

which every individual, group or society should follow. Dharma destroys the one

who violates it. Dharma also protects the one who protects it. The scriptures

have declared, "Where there is Dharma there is victory". There is no Dharma

greater than Truth. Justice is an essential attribute of Dharma. A society or

nation or an individual shines with glory only when they adhere to justice,

lust as one acquires wealth by the pursuit ofagriculture, business or

profession, one must acquire merit and Divine Grace by adhering to neti

(morality) and Dharma. However, Dharma alone is not enough. While Dharma leads

to right action, it is necessary also to acquire Jnana. True knowledge consists

in understanding the unity that underlies the Universe.

 

In the world the progeny of Dharma and Adharma (unrighteousness) are

continually growing. Adharmamarried Mithya (delusion). Mithya is neither truth

nor untruth. This couple had two children, a son called Ahamkara (egoism) and a

daughter called Moha (infatuation). As both are the children of Ignorance, with

no capacity to judge what is right and wrong, the unholy alliance between them

resulted in the birth of Lobha (avarice) andVanchana (deceit) as son and

daughter. From the wrongful union of these two, Eershya (jealousy) and Krodha

(hatred) were born. Out of their union, Bhethi (fear) and Mruthyu (death) were

born, This lineage is known as Adharma Santhathi (the progeny of

unrighteousness). In this lineage, every union was improper.

Now for the progeny of Dharma (righteousness). Dharma married a great

soul called Sathya (Truth). Out of the union of Sathya and Dharma, eight

children were born. These are Shraddha (Earnestness), Dhaya (Compassion),

Santhi (Peace), Pushti (Prosperity), Santhushti (Contentment), Vriddhi

(Progress), Lajja (Modesty), Gouravam (Honour) and Mukthi (Liberation). It is

now for each one to determine to which lineage one belongs. It would seem that

ninety percent of the people in the world belong to the line of Mithya and

Adharma.

 

The most noteworthy characteristic of Sanathana Dharma is its concern for

the wellbeing of humanity as a whole. This concern stems from the consciousness

that all are children of one mother. There may be differences among people in

mental and physical prowess. There may be differences in the doctrines they

profess and in the knowledge and skills they have. Even in qualities there may

be variations. But in respect of one thing there is no distinction. This

relates to the process of creation which is common to all. It is this which

must make us accept theequality of all beings. It is on the basis of this idea

that the new society should be established.

Relying on differences in physical and intellectual abilities may be

illustrated by incidents in the Mahabharatha. Overthrowing arrogant and

oppressive rulers, Krishna installed on the throne Yudhishtira, who was wedded

to Dharma and Sathya. Although he had won the Kingdom, Krishna did not rule

over it himself. Some qualifications are required for ruling a kingdom. Krishna

installed as rulers only those who had those qualifications.

Consequently whoever wishes to reform society, science, technology,

government, etc. should examine own competence and fitness for the task.

Compentence, confidence and other noble qualities are would be connected

with pleasant manner. Below is an ancient legend as an example.

Once a king summoned an astrologer, who had acquired some reputation. The

astrologer felt proud that he had been invited by the king himself. The

astrologer examined the king's horoscope. Because of his conceit, he did not

realise how he should speak on specific occasions. He told the king after

examining the horoscope that all his sons would die early. The king was very

angry. He ordered the servants to take the astrologer to prison. The

prediction was correct, but it should have been conveyed to the king in an

appropriate manner that would nor cause consternation. The king summoned

another astrologer to verify whether the earlier astrologer's prediction was

correct. This astrologer was a man of humility. He examined the king's

horoscope and said: "Maharaja! You have a very long life. Your sons may nor

live so long." This manner of conveying the prediction was more satisfying to

the king. This legend teaches that even in conveying truth one should see

that it is not conveyed in a harsh orunpleasant manner. Even an unpleasant

truth should be conveyed in soft words. For this, you should have love in your

heart.

Where there is love, there is peace; where there is peace, there is bliss;

where there is bliss, there is God. Many pray to God all over the world.

They pray for the realisation of worldly desires of one kind or another. This

is nor the right kind of prayer. You should pray to God for the grace of His

love. God is the embodiment of bliss. Pray to God to confer that bliss on you.

Worldly benefits come and go. But inspite of that, look at the world with the

vision of peace, love and compassion.

There may be many paths for the same goal towards the Real Self. You get

confused because many preachers say many different things. You must choose one

path, one road. You should cultivate harmony in thought, word and deed,

patience, perseverance, etc. Patience means being in a state of santhi (peace).

Another feature of patience is not being elated by praise or depressed by

calumny. Perseverance is most essential for the accomplishment of objective.

(People lacking this quality cannot achieve anything. Their efforts are like

trying to retain water in a pot with several holes).

Love is the only weapon by which you can attain Godliness and make your life

purposeful. God is like gold, the possession of which will enable you to make

any jewel you want.

There are three teachers for everyone. The first are the parents. The second

teacher is the preceptor who guides the student in exercising discrimination and

taking the right path towards realising the Divinity within. The third teacher

is own conscience. (When anyone tries to commit a sinful act or speak an

untruth, the conscience revolts and warns).

 

It is hard to have a progress in life without setting before oneself certain

resolutions. Even Avatars also set certain limits to their roles. Krishna

incarnated with three resolves: 1. Incarnation from age to age to establish

Dharma. 2. Promotion the progress well-being of devotees. 3. Liberation those

who take refuge in Krishna. Rama also had three resolves: One word, one arrow,

one wife. Rama declared that whoever sought asylum from Rama, would be totally

protected. Similarly all divine personalities make their advent for some

definite purposes.

The three resolves which Swami is determined to fulfil. 1. When Swami have

given a word to anyone, even if they turn against Him, I will not bear any

ill-will towards them. Swami will stand up to His pledge fight up to the end.

Some day they will return to the right path. 2. Owing to the compulsion of

circumstances some changes may take place Swami will not change His course

because of such happenings. 3. When Swami undertakes anything because He feels

it is for the welfare of all and that it is good for society as a whole, Swami

will not give it up, come what may. Even if the whole world is against Swami,

He will not turn back, He will go forward.

"I am the Atma and Brahman" is the essence of Vedhic teaching. You should

consider the Divine as One only which is manifest in many forms. All the forms

are creations of the mind.

You are going on adding to your objects of attachment from the moment you

are born in the world. First, you have mother and father, then brothers,

sisters, relatives and friends. After marriage, another set of relatives and

friends are added through your spouse. Thus attachment goes on multiplying.

Attachment relates to external objects and caused by desires and also causes

desires. On the other hand, if you go on detaching yourself from various

relationships one after other, your attachments get reduced. You must reduce

desires to a minimum, as it may not be possible to give up desire totally. (If

you analyse the difference between God and human you will find that life plus

desire is human and life minus desire is God). Confine your desires to primary

necessities for sustaining life and social relations.

 

Today, thanks to the influence of the Kali Age, two kinds of desires have

grown. One is the insatiable thirst for wealth. People turn into demons in the

pursuit of wealth. The second malady is the thirst for power and position.

The desire for wealth and power is not wrong as such. But wealth and power

should be used for right ends. Whatever position you occupy, see that it is

used worthy. A cobbler stitching shoes is pursuing as worthily an occupation as

a Prime Minister governing the country. Everyone has to do the duty properly.

When everyonedoes his/her duty in this spirit the well-being of the whole world

will be ensured.

Even when you are engaged in your daily chores, you can convert them into

worship of God. Do your duty with a feeling of dedication, leaving the results

in the hands of the Divine. While you are sweeping the floor, you can deem it

as clearing your heart of all impurities. All work should be done with a pure

heart filled with devotion, just as cooking must be done in a clean vessel.

Whatever good you may do without a genuine feeling of love is of no use. It is

love in a pure heart that transforms work into worship. The easiest Sadhana is

to reflect on God with love that is expanding and embracing one and all.

 

Since ancient times among many sacred rituals people of Bharath have been

observing the sacred custom of lighting a lamp at the commencement of any

auspicious ceremony. They have been worshipping the jyothi as it dispels

darkness and is a symbol of the effulgence of wisdom.

In order to light the jyothi you need four things - a container, oil, wick

and a match-stick (fire) to light it. For dispelling the darkness outside, you

need these four. Similarly for dispelling the darkness within you, you need the

Jyothi of Wisdom. Only by the light of the Divine lamp inside can you blossom as

a worthwhile person. Inner purityis the greatest wealth that one can acquire.

The inner purity is the wick in the container of the heart. Devotion is the oil

and Divine Grace is the fire with which the lamp of wisdom can be lit.

To earn the grace of the Divine, the other easy way is surrendering at the

Feet of the Lord. The feet form the basis for not only the physical frame of

the body; but also for spiritual and ethical purposes. The significance of each

limb of the body is explained in Vedanta. In the Purusha Shuktha the body of the

Divine is described in detail. It is the feet that support the entire body. The

Vedas proclaim the unity of all classes of people by describing them as limb of

one body.

All forms of worship and penance are only for control of mind. The external

objects serve as symbols for beginners, just as a child learns words with the

help of pictures. After that you have to concentrate on Divinity without

external aids. It is logical, as human is born with the Divine qualities and is

an embodiment of Sath-Chith-Ananda which are the attributes of the Divine.

The trinity in human: purity in thought, word and deed. Human is

intrinsically a combination of morality, righteousness and spiriruality.

Unfortunately, forgetting these basic qualities, human today is bereft of

morality, righteousness and spirituality. Everyone seeks to know what good he

can derive from other individuals or from society. No one asks himself what

good or benefit society derives from him. Start with rendering benefit to

society.

Your own good deeds will protect you. Peace, truth and virtue have to be

acquired only through your actions. Thus achieve proximity to God. (Reet's

compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 17. "Know your Lineage," Chapter 2

and "The triple promise," Chapter 14; Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 27. "Foster love:

eschew hatred," Chapter 10 and "See the One in the many," Chapter 14; Sathya Sai

Speaks. Vol. 28. "Significance of worship at the Lord’s Feet," Chapter 17;

Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 30. "Right use of Time," Chapter 8).

Namaste - Reet