1.In order to persuade a child to stop crying and calm down, we often relate a story suitable for its level of comprehension. In the same manner, the Jivi (individual), fascinated by the constant attraction of maya and bound by tendencies cultivated during many lives in the past, becomes lost in illusion and cries out ‘Why do I keep on suffering?’ The solution was provided when the sage-preceptor, Vasishta, instructed Lord Ramachandra. “Rama!” he said, “Rather than entangling Yourself in the inquiry regarding how ignorance entered man, put all Your effort into its removal.” This lesson is directed not only to Rama but to all humanity. It instructs everyone who does not realise the transcendental Truth behind the objective world. Simply be convinced that you have this basic ignorance, and give up struggli ng with all your suffering. You must learn how to overcome your ignorance by treading the path that will lead you to wisdom or Jnana. Wisdom is light. Ignorance is darkness. And darkness can persist only until light dawn.
2.All are born out of the womb of one Lord. Just as many varieties of fish and water loving animals swim around a large lake, multitudes of human beings move about in ‘the ocean’ of the Lord. This is an awe-inspiring sight. Some are undeveloped, some are growing; they swim around, greedy and selfish. In the midst of this crowd of ignorant beings are a few highly evolved souls, the wise (jnanis) and yogis. Since they are mixed up with the ignorant, it becomes difficult to distinguish the ones with wisdom from the others. A microscope is necessary to identify the red corpuscles in the blood; similarly, a special mechanism is needed to find the wise. That mechanism is none other than constant contemplation of the Lord (dhyana).
3.When the rope is seen in darkness, by mistake or ignorance, it appears as a serpent, hiding what it really is. When the truth is known the onlooker feels, “this is no serpent; it is a rope!”; the serpent instantly disappears, for it was mere imagination. Therefore our feeling or thinking creates the serpent and also destroys it! Remember this: “Assertion creates, negation destroys!” Both are mental processes which can be classified as thoughts. “We become what our thoughts are.” These thoughts, on the validity of the objective world and the value of the joys derivable from it, though emanating from ajnana (ignorance), shape us from within. To overcome illusion or ignorance, the following are extremely valuable and helpful: (1) attention towards adhyatmic gain (spiritual progress); (2) steady faith; (3) devotion and (4) the grace of God. Even if one of these four is absent, one cannot experience the highest Bliss of the Absolute.
3.When the rope is seen in darkness, by mistake or ignorance, it appears as a serpent, hiding what it really is. When the truth is known the onlooker feels, “this is no serpent; it is a rope!”; the serpent instantly disappears, for it was mere imagination. Therefore our feeling or thinking creates the serpent and also destroys it! Remember this: “Assertion creates, negation destroys!” Both are mental processes which can be classified as thoughts. “We become what our thoughts are.” These thoughts, on the validity of the objective world and the value of the joys derivable from it, though emanating from ajnana (ignorance), shape us from within. To overcome illusion or ignorance, the following are extremely valuable and helpful: (1) attention towards adhyatmic gain (spiritual progress); (2) steady faith; (3) devotion and (4) the grace of God. Even if one of these four is absent, one cannot experience the highest Bliss of the Absolute.
4.You must cultivate the quality of always being joyful, with a smile on your face; this will give you a special virtue. People will also warm to you naturally and the Lord too will be joyful on seeing you. Therefore carry out your spiritual practices with innocence, purity, and humility. Once you do this you will be able to attain your heart’s desire without fail. Do not lose your temper or courage in any situation. Respect everyone, whatever be their status. You will then develop the quality of universal love (prema) and as a result, your spiritual practices will progress unhindered.
BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
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