How to control the mind

What is Mano-Nigraham (control of the mind)? Nigraham (control) really means being indifferent to the vagaries of the mind. It is difficult to control the mind, just as it is difficult to confine air in one's grasp. How can anyone control the mind which is all-pervading in the vastness of its range and comprehension? When it is realised that the mind is made up of thoughts and doubts, the elimination of the thoughts is the means of restraining the mind. Thoughts are associated with desires. As long as desires remain, one cannot have Vairagya (detachment). It is necessary to limit desires. When there is no restraint, excessive desire becomes an evil. It leads to misery. When we strive to control desire, in due course, it develops into Vairagya (non-attachment or renunciation).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

The right attitude of the devotee should be one of total surrender. As one devotee declared, “I am offering to you the heart which you gave me. I have nothing I can call my very own. All are yours. I offer to you what is already yours.” As long as this spirit of total surrender is not developed, man will have to be born again and again. One should offer one's heart to the Divine and not be content with making offerings like flowers and fruits.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

God will grant you what you need and deserve

Detachment, faith and love – these are the pillars upon which peace rests. Of these, faith is crucial, for without it all spiritual discipline is empty. Detachment alone can make spiritual discipline effective, and love is what leads one quickly to God. Faith feeds the agony of separation from God; detachment canalises it along the path of God, and love lights the way. God will grant you what you need and deserve; there is no need to ask, no reason to grumble. Be content. Nothing can happen against His will.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Desires are a prision

What is the meaning of ‘Ceiling on Desires’? People become deluded by unlimited desires, and live in a dream world. It is most important to keep one's desires under control, to put a ceiling on them. People are spending too much money. Instead of spending inordinately for their own pleasure, one should be spending for the relief of the poor and the needy. This is the meaning of the ‘Ceiling on Desires’ programme. Do not make the mistake of thinking that giving away money is all that is needed, giving away to others while allowing your own desires to continue to multiply. Curtail your desires, for materialistic desires lead to a restless and disastrous life. Desires are a prison. One can be freed only by limiting one’s wants.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

cleanse your heart with Love and remove ego through service.

Visions are only reflections of divine vibrations in the mind, aroused by Sadhana (spiritual practice). They are milestones, signposts; they happen on the road to the goal. They do not, they cannot accompany you right to the end. You will have to travel alone and overcome obstacles. Grace from your own self is the most important and essential help for spiritual progress. I might grant you grace without limit, but of what use can that be if your heart is not clean and if your head is full of ego? Cleanse your heart with Prema (love) and remove ego through service.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Nothing belongs to anyone

Be aware that all things belong to God. So no one can claim anything as one’s own. But people claim everything, declaring, "it is mine". Indeed, nothing belongs to anyone. People are immersed in the false and foolish concept of ownership; possessiveness is rampant in every thought and action, and that leads to the inflation of the ego. Egoism has to be utterly eradicated. Possessiveness should be banished. You came with empty hands, and you go back with empty hands.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathtya Sai Baba

Treat Whatever happens as good for you

Man forgets his true nature because of attachment and egoism. Man should develop unwavering faith in God. Faith should be like your life-breath, which goes on at all times without respite. Breathing goes on irrespective of whatever work you may be doing and whatever be the state of your mind. Likewise, in all situations and at all times, your faith in God should never leave you. It should not change according to whether your desires are fulfilled or not. Like your life breath, your faith should remain steady, through joy and sorrow, loss and gain, pain and pleasure. Treat whatever happens as good for you. Develop that sense of fortitude.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

God will respond to your prayers for succour only when you respond sympathetically to the needs of others. Life should not be wasted in selfish activities, blind to others' distress and deaf to others' groans. Treat joy and grief equally - this according to Lord Krishna is Samathwam (equanimity). Practise this equanimity - this is the way to win His Grace. You may not be rewarded materially for your compassionate acts but there is no greater reward than the joy that you derive by alleviating other's sorrow.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

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 to the All-Loving; and love that is unwavering. Love alone can overcome obstacles however many and mighty. There is no strength more effective than purity; no bliss more satisfying than Love; no joy more restoring than Bhakti (devotion to God) and no triumph more praiseworthy than surrender.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

WISH YOU A HAPPY ONAM