1.The pupil must be eager to translate the teachings into daily activity and actual practices. They must fill their hearts with devotion and dedicate all their skills for the actualisation of the Guru’s counsel. Such a person alone deserves to be called a shishya (disciple). The seed may have life in it; but the soil must be ploughed and made fit to activate it. When both these conditions are satisfied, the harvest of spiritual success is assured for the true pupil.
2.A wild horse is trained by many methods. Similarly, it is to tame our unruly mind that we have prayer, bhajans (devotional singing), and remembrance of the Name. In the initial stages, the horse runs in many directions, but the trainer does not worry; he holds fast to the reins. The mind too naturally runs in different directions when you begin remembrance and repetition of the Name; you must not yield to despair, anxiety, or indecision. Hold fast to the reins of Nama (Divine Name)! Within a short time, your speech and thoughts will come under your grip. Do not allow anything to come near you that might make you forget the Name of the Lord. In due course, you will realise the benefit of remembering His Name.
3.Those who have the inner urge to achieve the higher wisdom that confers liberation have to reflect upon and investigate the phenomenon of death. Death should arouse no fear. It should not be regarded as inauspicious. Neither should you run away from the problem imagining that death happens only to others, and that it will not happen to you, nor should you postpone reflections on death judging that they are inappropriate now and profitless. For inquiry into death is really inquiry into one’s own Reality. This truth has to be recognised.
4.Do not crave for the fruit the moment the sapling is planted! Do not pluck and chew the leaves and the twigs in the hope of inferring the taste of the fruit. If you do so, you cannot enjoy the sweetness of the fruit; besides, the plant itself will not survive. Similarly, your task is simply to cultivate the sapling called Nama (Name of God). While doing so, do not doubt and examine whether it has the glory ascribed to it. Without fail, that sapling will grow into a tree and give you the fruit you hope to eat. You can achieve it! Steadfastly believe that the Name is capable of yielding that fruit.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
2.A wild horse is trained by many methods. Similarly, it is to tame our unruly mind that we have prayer, bhajans (devotional singing), and remembrance of the Name. In the initial stages, the horse runs in many directions, but the trainer does not worry; he holds fast to the reins. The mind too naturally runs in different directions when you begin remembrance and repetition of the Name; you must not yield to despair, anxiety, or indecision. Hold fast to the reins of Nama (Divine Name)! Within a short time, your speech and thoughts will come under your grip. Do not allow anything to come near you that might make you forget the Name of the Lord. In due course, you will realise the benefit of remembering His Name.
3.Those who have the inner urge to achieve the higher wisdom that confers liberation have to reflect upon and investigate the phenomenon of death. Death should arouse no fear. It should not be regarded as inauspicious. Neither should you run away from the problem imagining that death happens only to others, and that it will not happen to you, nor should you postpone reflections on death judging that they are inappropriate now and profitless. For inquiry into death is really inquiry into one’s own Reality. This truth has to be recognised.
4.Do not crave for the fruit the moment the sapling is planted! Do not pluck and chew the leaves and the twigs in the hope of inferring the taste of the fruit. If you do so, you cannot enjoy the sweetness of the fruit; besides, the plant itself will not survive. Similarly, your task is simply to cultivate the sapling called Nama (Name of God). While doing so, do not doubt and examine whether it has the glory ascribed to it. Without fail, that sapling will grow into a tree and give you the fruit you hope to eat. You can achieve it! Steadfastly believe that the Name is capable of yielding that fruit.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
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