Grace - Part1- Part 03

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---------Spiritual grace is a benefit bestowed by God. It is a

transformation of attitude or events that helps us to

draw closer to realizing our divine nature. Grace

grants us opportunities to avoid wasted time and

trouble while on the spiritual path. It may manifest

as wisdom or inspiration or material aid. The result

can appear in any form

 

" Grace will set everything right. Its main consequence

is " Self realization " , but there are other incidental

benefits, too, like a happy, contented life here below

and a cool, courageous temper, established in

unruffled equanimity - This is the nature of Grace. It

fulfills a variety of wants "

 

Baba is every where just feel him and keep on saying `Om Sai Ram' to

whom so ever you meet.

 

OM SAI SRI SAI JAI JAI SAI!!! Let us pray at the lotus feet of

Bhagwan Baba who is the incarnation of all gods and protector of

all, to show mercy on us, and increase our devotion towards him

 

Let us pray Shri Sai to give us the intellect and wisdom to make

tomorrow's world a happier place to stay always with unity by

following his principle of " Shraddha " and " Saburi "

 

Let us pray to Sri Sai to grant us steady faith and love on him.

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued....How Do We Get Grace?

 

Grace - How Sweet It is - How Do We Get Grace? Part 02

 

In remote areas of New England, travelers to rustic lanes are

sometime bewildered by local attitudes. On asking directions to

their destination, they have sometimes received the reply " You can't

get there from here " . Fortunately, there is always a way we search

in the correct direction. The journey to spiritual grace is also

possible if we ask the right questions and enlist the right guide.

 

Some divine benefits are available to all who are receptive. It is

our birth right to receive God's love and aid. When we walk the

razor's edge, we become particularly aware of the light and love

which protect us.

 

" God's grace is as the shower of rain, as the sunlight. You have to

do some sadhana (spiritual practice) to acquire it; the sadhana of

keeping a pot upright to receive the rain, the sadhana of opening

the door of your heart so that the sun may illumine it " Baba

 

The use we make of our gifts determines the benefit we receive. We

are free to act according to our own will. We can use our gifts for

the benefits of others or toward their downfall. The quality of our

motivation colors the results we achieve.

 

Water in lakes, pits, wells and rivers is rain water, though the

taste, color, name, and form are different, based on where the rain

has fallen and how pure the container is. Divine grace is like rain,

pure, pellucid, falling on all. How it is received and used depends

on the heart of man

 

When we live a good life, grace follows us automatically. No special

request is required. The divine energy flows naturally to those who

love and serve others. As water naturally fills lakes and streams,

grace flows spontaneously to one living in accordance with spiritual

principles.

 

If a person has a pure heart and is living as per Bhagavan Baba's

teachings, then Baba's grace is automatic. No karma can prevent that

 

There are two types of grace; that which is earned and that which is

unearned. Grace from God may be bestowed at a particular time in our

lives as a result of past meritorious actions. Or it may be unearned

gift from the Lord based on our spiritual progress and devotion.

Ofcourse, we do not know which type of grace we have received,if we

realize we have received grace at all.

 

You can draw checks on a bank only when you have deposited therein,

or you can mortgage your property and take a loan, or the bank may

grant you an overdraft. The property on which you can take a loan is

the " accumulated merit consequent on the good deeds of previous

lives " . The overdraft on which you can draw in times of emergency is

grace, which God showers when you are sincere and steady enough to

deserve it. You must give some surety or someone as security to get

a loan; the surety is divine grace; the surety is the fixity of our

faith, the solidarity of your surrender

 

The principal means to earn grace is by dedicated and unruffled

spiritual practice. Dedicated practice is achieved by reforming our

character along the lines of right conduct and developing love for

all. We we purify our character, we become increasingly fit to

receive grace

 

Above all, try to win grace by reforming your habits, reducing your

desires, and refining your higher nature. One step makes the next

one easier; that is the excellence of the spiritual journey. At each

step, your strength and confidence increase and you get bigger and

bigger installments of God's grace.

 

To master the art of self transformation, we must start early. The

journey is easier and more enjoyable when we plan sufficient time

for the road. To win grace, we should begin, if possible, while

still young. If we waste youth in pursuit of sensuous desires, who

will listen to our cries when we reach old age? The fear of death

and sickness causes many to think of God, but who thinks of God when

life is pleasant and new? The difficulty of the path makes an early

start highly desirable

 

If at an advanced age you try to control your desires and senses,

you may or may not win the Lord's grace. On the other hand, if at

this young age you control your sense organs, there is no doubt

 

whatsoever that you will gain God's grace.

 

But before we call for the grace of the Lord, we must first use all

of our own abilities to help ourselves. If we call on the Lord

before we have used the means already at our disposal, we are being

lazy. We must first make our best effort to solve our own problems.

 

" When you have done your best and that is found not enough, then

call on me. I am ever ready to reinforce your exertions with my

grace " Baba

 

When we act in accordance with the call of the divine inner voice,

the journey becomes very easier. Spiritual development makes each

step more certain and the goal appears closer. Less effort is

required as beneficial habits are reinforced. As we waste the

sweetness of the tonic, our practice of discipline becomes more

pleasurable. We become confident of our own abilities and grace

flows to us automatically.

 

" Individual effort and divine grace are both interdependent. Without

effort, there will be no conferment of grace. Without grace, there

can be no gain from the effort. To win that grace you need have only

faith and virtue " Baba

 

By practicing selfless love, we identify directly with God.

Practicing love for man and God is the most potent means to earn

grace. God is love and is drawn by love. Love purifies us so that we

may recognize and receive grace.

 

" The grace of God cannot be won through the gymnastics of reason,

the contortions of yoga, or the denials of asceticism. Love alone

can win it, love that needs no requital, love that knows no

bargaining, love that is paid gladly as tribute to the All-Loving,

love that is unwavering. Love alone can overcome obstacles, however

many and mighty " Baba

 

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Sometimes grace does not appear in a form that we may recognize. It

may arrive unseen, like the sweet dew at dawn. Grace may burst upon

us likes waves in a torrent of joy, or it may knock at our door

wearing a disguise - a blessing hidden in the clothes of misfortune.

 

Grace manifests in many ways. Protection from accidents or disasters

is one of the most startling ways in which it may appear. But we may

not be always aware when we have been saved from calamity. We do not

know what losses or injuries we might have suffered but for divine

intervention.

 

Through steady spiritual practice we may have earned unknown

respite from at least some of the results of our past actions. Many

instances are recorded of devotees who have been saved from obvious

and imminent disaster by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Such is the

power of the Lord's grace and the importance of following his

precepts. Baba protects and guides his devotees safely along the

surest path.

 

The most desirable form of wealth is the grace of God. He will guard

you, even as the lids guard the eye. Do not doubt this.

 

Many obstacles to our spiritual progress are better overcome than

avoided. Only when an obstacles is surmounted may we pass to the

next test. The course of events is best left to the Lord. He knows

the safest course for each aspirant. If we rely on the Lord, we will

come to no harm.

 

Rely on the grace of God; earn it and keep it. Then whatever the

strength of the storm, you can survive it without harm.

 

Divine grace does not always appear when or as we might wish. When

we strive to advance spirituality, we must confront the obstacles

which block our way. The best course may be to experience the pain

or suffering, which cleanses us. The process may be painful, but

sometimes pain benefits us the most.

 

" It is grace. Those who suffer have my grace. Only through suffering

will they be persuaded to turn inward and make the inquiry. And

without turning inward and making inquiry, they can never escape

misery " Baba

 

When grace affords us an opportunity to atone for past actions, we

may experience pain and loss. However, the grace of God lessens the

pain and reduces the loss. The suffering may be essential for our

growth and so we must experience it. The Lord's grace reduces our

burden.

 

When a severe pain torments you, the doctor gives you a morphine

injection and you do not feel the pain, though it is there in the

body. Grace is like the morphine; the pain is not felt, though you

go through it! Grace takes away the malignity of the karma which you

have to undergo.

 

Although the burden of past actions may have to be endured, the

grace of God minimizes the pain, or may even eliminate it. Karma is

not an insurmountable obstacle. When we exert our best efforts, the

Lord reduces the obstacle to a size that we can bear.

 

" You may say that the burden of past acts and their inevitable

consequences have to be borne, but the grace of the Lord can burn

that burden in a flash " Baba

 

Grace may manifest in the devotee as noble or virtuous character.

Such character is the most important grace to obtain. Without it all

good fortune would yield little benefit. The greatest grace is that

which makes us virtuous - and selflessly loving.

 

" No more can any faculty of yours hinder your progress.He will

orient of your faculties towards the highest goal; the senses, the

mind, the subconscious, the unconscious, the intelligence - all.

Grace will confer all you need " Baba

 

Continued...