Thought for the day

1.The One who has visualized the Atma principle that animates all can never condemn the religion of anyone. Such a person will never enter into any religious squabble or conflict, or talk in a light or demeaning manner about another’s faith, or disturb or despise the faith held by someone else. Only the ignorant with no spiritual experience, only those who do not know the depths of Truth, will embark upon the condemnation of the faith of others. It is very unbecoming of man to indulge in or encourage religious conflicts, to ridicule the rites and ceremonies through which others adore God, and to label the religious practices of other people as ‘superstitions’. For, each one has accepted the practice and holds on to it, since it confers ananda (joy) to them!

2.Be unaffected by illusion (maya). The intellect (buddhi) in us is the witness of everything that happens in this objective world. These worldly occurrences limit and colour the intellect; they affect it and mould it into consciousness (chaithanya). Illusion is nothing but the intellect as affected by everything, as warped and twisted by our worldly impressions. Therefore, the spiritual consciousness that is unaffected by illusion — i.e. upon which the world has failed to produce any impression - is the Lord (Iswara). Therefore, the person who is striving to reach the stage of the Lord must be unaffected by illusion, least enamoured by the world! How can one remain unaffected? Through analysis, rationalization, fearless inquiry, and pure reason. To acquire this analytical reason (viveka), it is esse ntial to contribute in the task of promoting the welfare of every being in Nature.

3.The fleeting show of the world (jagath) is based on illusions (maya). That is why it is branded as false. But do not conclude that mere recognition of the falsity of the world or awareness that one has certain shortcomings will lead one on the higher path and take one to the highest truth. Without a good character full of sterling qualities, one can never achieve progress in the spiritual field. Progress depends on the worth and quality of the individual, just as the harvest depends on the fertility of the field. Upon such a worthy piece of land, sow the seeds of sterling qualities and irrigate with the waters of reason and analysis; the plentiful harvest will be ready in due time! On lands where the seedlings of good qualities are not planted and tended, useless weeds multiply; and where orderly gardens could have been cultivated, thorny bushes create a jungle of impenetrable confusions.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

1.Anyone who is intent on following the spiritual path or meditation must take every care that these ten enemies do not even approach them (the tenfold sins: 3 physical, 4 verbal, and 3 mental. The physical sins are: injury to life, adulterous desire, and theft. The verbal sins are: false alarms, cruel speech, jealous talk, and lies. The mental sins are: greed, envy, and denial of God). These sins have to be eschewed completely. Instead, you need tendencies that will help you progress and not drag you back. You must speak and act only good (shubha), for good alone is auspicious (mangala) and the auspicious alone is Shiva. This is what the scriptures (shastras) teach. The good is the auspicious. The auspicious is the spiritually helpful. Thus being good is the true instrument that aids in merging with Lord Shiva.

2.So many nights have passed by since we were born, but not all those nights can be termed as Shivarathri. Since this night is spent in meditation and singing the Glory of the Divine Name of Lord Shiva, it is called Shivarathri. Not only this night, in fact, whenever you spend an entire night meditating upon the Divine Name, that night is also called Shivarathri. Always attach yourself to the Divine Name. Not merely contemplation, always meditate on the Divine Name with intense love for Him. Your love for God should be continuous through day and night, and never undergo a change.

3.Light bulbs have different wattages and last for a limited period of time. Avatars (incarnations of the Divine) are like these electric bulbs. Throughout history, God has incarnated as several Avatars. You must be attached, NOT to the physical form of a particular Avatar, but to DIVINITY as the Supreme Parabrahma beyond form and attributes, which has manifested several times, in many ages. Though you were born as a baby, grow up as a child, turn into a youth, and later become an elderly person; you are the same individual in all these various stages. Therefore, you must constantly meditate upon the Divine, who is True and Eternal.

4.All religious fanaticism and conflicts will vanish as soon as we grasp the Reality. Faith in God is based on genuine experience. Once we accept this, introspection begins and we are able to measure how far we have journeyed towards the goal, or away from it. We will then realize that we are groping in the dark and dragging others into darkness as well. Only then will we give up factional hatred in the name of religious conflict with those professing other faiths. Those who revel in religious confrontation should be asked, “Have you seen God? Have you become aware of the Divine Atma? If not, what authority do you have to decry or deny a particular name of God? You are lost in darkness and trying to drag me into that same darkness. Can a blind man lead another blind man along the road? That is an impossible task. Therefore, first understand your Truth before
you defame, or deny mine.”

5.Welfare is the fruit of knowledge; malevolence is the fruit of ignorance. Through welfare alone can peace, joy, and progress be attained. One’s very basic duty is to strive for the good of all beings. Promoting it and contributing to it is the right task. Living out one’s span of life in discharging this task is the ordained path.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

1.The person who undertakes meditation considers the realization of Atmic bliss as important, but the promotion of the welfare of the world is also an equally important aim. For carrying out that aim, we must bring certain physical, verbal, and mental proclivities under control. These are known as the tenfold sins: three physical, four verbal, and another three mental. The physical tendencies are: injury to life, adulterous desire, and theft. The verbal sins are: false alarms, cruel speech, jealous talk, and lies. The negative mental attitudes are: greed, envy, and the denial of God.

2.At the end of our life, we should bring to mind the great ideals we have attained, and the lofty thoughts and feelings we have entertained. This was the directive of the sages of Bharat (India). They did not demand that we should remember the faults and errors we may have committed; these are inevitable and universal. But the sages declared that we should always be aware of our Reality and be ever engaged in contemplating its grandeur and glory. That, they said, is the greatest step to progress.

3.Religion means ‘experience’ and nothing less. It is indeed pitiable that we often forget this important fact. This secret must be imprinted in everyone’s heart; only then can there be harmony in society. One must also understand that all things cannot be attained merely by self-effort; Divine Will is the basis of everything. Religious principles have to be practiced and their validity experienced. Listening to their exposition is of no use; learning a set of arguments and conclusions and repeating them parrot-like is not enough. If they appeal to your intellect and are approved by it as correct, that will not help you at all; it must transform you.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba