THE HIDDEN TRUTHS...H-H

[Guest guest]

The Hidden Truths Questions to contemplate upon: Q: If God is everywhere why is it that we cannot see Him everywhere? Or in the story of Panchanandapur village and the devastation, where is God? A: Swami says: The ocean water reflects the sun above. When the water is disturbed, the reflection of the sun is also disturbed. Similarly, God is in every man. But he is not able to see Him because of his disturbed mind. A disturbed and vacillating mind can never reflect God....There is no use of meditation, chanting His name, etc. if the mind is not steady. Once you have the five senses under control, you can experience God. He is not far away from you. He is in you, below you, above you and all around you. God, in fact, is the indweller of man. - Divine Discourse, May 26, 2002. R: Reflection to consider:

As human beings we pride ourselves in being ‘doers’, and our lives are often wasted everyday in a continuous pyramid of senseless projects. When do we get a chance to control our mind, the source of all the noise that prevents us to see God everywhere? Swami has been telling us to first let go, to free our minds from continuous concentration on things at the outer edge of our life; where there is little hope for true realization and liberation. Q: The Farakka Barrage is not directly impacting us, it is too far away. What can we do from such distance? What is the inner meaning of this man-made disaster? What is our role? A: Swami says: Just as the hands, ears, eyes and legs are all angas (limbs or organs) of individual human body, the bodies of all human beings are the limbs of society. Again, society itself is a limb of mankind. And humanity is a limb of Prakrithi (Nature) and Nature is a limb of Divinity. One should understand this Anga-Angee-Bhaava (intimate limb) relationship between Divinity and human beings, in the proper perspective. - Divine Discourse, May 20, 1993 R: Reflection to consider: Ganga is part of our nature, and for many of us, it is Divinity, the Godhead. If we are a ‘limb’ of our society’ and society is the limb of mankind, and mankind, nature, and divinity are One, we may be able to come up with the answers easily to such questions and inquiry. Swami has also said, "All the limbs [of the body]... are carrying out their respective duties without any concern for their reward. Look at the way the heart functions; the impure blood comes through one channel, it is purified and pumped to all parts of the body through another channel. This is the process by which the body is kept hale and healthy. This is how the Divine

works." (p. 69, Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 27). Armed with this teaching from our beloved Bhagawan, along with the recognition that we have constructed internal barrages/conflicts, we can conclude that, we must vigilantly take care of our character. When we do, we are directly strengthening our spiritual muscle. No wonder, Swami spends so much time with the young students, and our individual spiritual growth. Only when we have developed this muscle, can we take care of our family and society. This will help us serve mankind selflessly, which ultimately is advancing the human consciousness and the harmony between Man, Nature, and God. Q: Why is it that we cannot feel compassion for those impacted by the disaster? Why is it that we cannot feel Love for the homeless in this situation? A: Swami says: As long as one is governed by the mind, one continues to be human. Once one goes beyond the mind, one can enjoy the vastness of the limitless expanse of Cosmic Consciousness. Here is an example: Suppose you construct a spacious house with a number

of bed rooms, living rooms, dining room and bath room. The house appears divided into a number of small rooms. This is because of the walls put up for partitioning into rooms. If the walls are pulled down, the house will be one vast mansion. Similarly, the body is the Upaadhi (wall) which limits one's perception to the narrow confines of the body. Once you get rid of this body consciousness, you will experience the vast expanse of the Universal Cosmic Consciousness which is all-pervasive. - Divine Discourse, May 20, 1993. Love and Compassion are inherent in every person. Each one has to share their love with others. Failure to share one's love is gross ingratitude to society, to which one owes everything. One should give one's love freely to others and receive love in return. This is the deep significance of human life. - Divine Discourse, June 5, 1994. R: Reflection to consider: Is it possible that we don’t feel the unity consciousness because we have created these narrow ‘body walls’? It might be easier, first to simply break down these walls in our own home with our own family members first. When we have achieved mastery in home, we might have the courage and confidence to view the world with Love and Compassion outside into society. Q: Why were some towns impacted while others were saved? How did Mother Ganga decide to specifically swallow certain villages and not others? Was it an accident or was it part of a Divine Plan? A: Swami says: Suffering entitles you more to the Grace of the Lord. When suffering comes in waves, one behind the other, be glad that the shore is near: bear them bravely; do not like cowards throw the blame on some outside Power or develop dislike for the Lord... Welcome the test because thereafter you are

awarded the certificate. It is to measure your progress that tests are imposed. So do not flinch in the face of grief. The Lord bestows a favor when He decides to test you, for He is impressed by your achievement and wants to put upon it the seal of His approval. Rise up to the demands of the test, that is the way to please the Lord. - Divine Discourse, March 6, 1962. R: Reflection to consider: Is it possible that the suffering dawned upon these villagers was actually Grace from Swami? Was it their time to be cradled in the Divine Arms? Was it a favor from the Lord? Conclusion In conclusion, I

offer that there are beautiful wisdom teachings all around us everyday – from every corner of our life – near and far. It is only seen when we have developed (through commitment) a ‘spiritual eye’, that such wisdom is visible. Swami has given us an entire ‘playbook’, on how to live every moment of our life. He has given us all that we need to live our life with perfect joy and happiness. It is strictly up to us to utilize them fully, partially, or simply ignore them. We must shift our thinking and become very aware that we have the choice - the final choice to see the ‘real’ or stay in the ‘unreal’. As Swami beautifully says: A key performs both the functions of locking and unlocking the lock. When it is turned left, the lock gets locked; when it is turned right, the lock is opened. In man, the heart is the lock; mind is the key. When the mind is turned

Godward, the heart develops detachment. When the mind is turned towards the world, the heart develops attachment. Thus both 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). - Divine Discourse, May 6, 1988. So, that is the key. All the problems in this world are created by the Mind, but the solution lies, not in the mind and its intellectual capabilities and skills, but in the heart. A heart filled with compassion and love alone can bring heaven on Earth, just like Sage Bhagiratha did aeons ago. Ram ChuganiKobe, Japanrgcjp