Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - Sept. 2, 2005

[Guest guest]

Some people entertain some newfangled ideas about Yoga (spiritual

union), Jnana (spiritual wisdom) and Sanyasa (renunciation). What is

true Yoga? Yoga is control of the vagaries of the mind. It is control

of the senses. One should treat alike both praise and censure,

pleasure and pain. This kind of self-restraint is Yoga. What is Jnana?

Advaita Darshanam Jnaanam (The Vision of the One without a second is

the supreme knowledge). To recognise the Ekatma-bhaava (the feeling

that the same Atma dwells in all beings) is Jnana. True Sanyasa is in

the transformation of one's qualities and not in the change of garb.

The mind must change, not the apparel. A true Sanyaasi (renunciant) is

one who has attained mastery over all his senses and has given up all

desires. He is a Sanyaasi who seeks the feet of the Lord, giving up

all attachments to the body, which is subject to disease and decay. He

must treat life and death, pleasure and pain alike.

 

-SAI BABA