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Date31:5/2008 The Universe is the field where God sports. Be aware of this fact
in every moment of consciousness and there is nothing more you need for a happy
existence. For, you will then contact God in everything, through every thought,
at every place and at very moment. His glory is evident in the smallest flower
and the most distant star. The joy that you can derive from the contemplation of
these proofs of providence is indescribable. Lord Krishna has said in the
Bhagavad Geetha that He is ever by the side of the joyous being. Be joyful
yourself and share it with others. Limited happiness arising out of
self-centeredness should be given up.
- BABA |
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Date30:5/2008 Bhakti (devotion) is defined as a means of discovering the Divine
reality within each being. Four steps are laid down in the scriptures to help
man succeed in this effort - discrimination between the permanent and the
ephemeral; withdrawal from the process of catering to the senses; positive
control of the feelings, thoughts and pursuits, and incessant yearning for
liberation from all bonds. Bhakti is the urge which manifests as all these four
endeavours. It directs man to have God ever in mind and to cultivate love for
God within him.
- BABA |
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Date29:5/2008 Know that the real 'You' is deathless; make death a sublime act of
liberation. Such knowledge can come only through a life devoted to Dharmanishta
(steady pursuit of the moral code) and Karmanishta (steady devotion to the
duties of one's stage of life). These two must end in the evolution of
Brahmanishta - the steady contemplation of the One Basis of all this seeming
multiplicity, namely, Brahman. The Nishta (discipline) becomes steady by
practice and your separate individual existence is merged in the great deluge of
wisdom, which merges you in Him.
- BABA |
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Date28:5/2008 Two things are essential for happy life. Dhaanya and Dhyaana.
Dhaanya (food grains) for the sustenance of the body and Dhyaana (meditation)
for entering the temple of the Lord within you and merging in His Glory. The
sages of yore retired into the silence of the forest and by means of hard mental
toil won for mankind the great treasure of spiritual experience and inspiration.
The reason for their taking refuge in lonely places was to keep the senses away
from things that delight and distract, to escape the infection that will damage
the springs of joy. Their sole purpose was to learn the secret of liberation for
the benefit of humanity.
- BABA |
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Date27:5/2008 Anger and hatred are useful sometimes like the hiss of the cobra
to keep the intruders away. They can be used to ward off the evil that stalks
the Sadhaka (spiritual aspirant). Be angry at things that hinder your spiritual
growth; hate the bad habits that torment you. Cultivate Jnana (Supreme
Knowledge) and visualise the Lord in all the things and activities. That makes
the human birth worthwhile. Do not seek faults in others; for 'others' are but
manifestations of the Lord you are seeking to realise. It is your own fault that
you see reflected in others.
- BABA |
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Date26:5/2008 The flames of anger, pride, hatred, envy are more devastating than
other fires; they arise in the mind stealthily and in spurts; they are ever
demanding more and more to feed upon. Fire is called 'Anala' in the Bhagavad
Geetha, for 'Anala' means, 'not enough'. You dread fire when it leaps at a
distance; what then is to be said when it is inside your very self? How to put
out these awful flames? Well, Sanathana Dharma (the ancient spiritual code) has
certain extinguishers tested by experience and guaranteed by sages. They are
Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace) and Prema (Love).
Saturate your heart with these and you are rendered 'fireproof'.
- BABA |
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Date25:5/2008 Man has in him the capacity to grow into a pure Divine
personality. But, due to ignorance and waywardness, he has become stunted. He
has chained himself to low ideals and so, he has fallen into fear and grief. The
Upanishads exhort man to awaken and become master of himself - "Utthishtta,
jaagratha, praapya vaaraan nibodhatha!" (Arise, Awake and stop not until the
goal is reached!). Man is overcome by the sleep of ignorance and has forgotten
the true values of life. He is obsessed only with material progress. Unless he
is awakened to the spiritual values of life, there cannot be any peace and
prosperity in the world.
- BABA |
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Date24:5/2008 Dwell always on noble thoughts. When air fills a balloon, it takes
the form of the balloon. The mind assumes the form of the objects with which it
is attached. If it gets fixed on petty things, it becomes petty; if on grand
things, it becomes grand. The camera takes a picture of whatever it is pointed
at; so take care before you click. Discriminate before you develop attachment.
When you develop attachment towards family, wealth, properties, etc., you will
come to grief when these decline. But if you develop attachment towards God, you
will grow in love and splendour.
- BABA |
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Date23:5/2008 The chief goal of man is to practice and propagate the principle
of truth. One has to practise truth before preaching it. Come what may, one
should have the courage and conviction to tread the path of truth. Even at the
cost of food, raiment and shelter, even at the cost of one’s own life, one
should be prepared to practise truth and righteousness.
- BABA |
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Date22:5/2008 Do not seek to discover or discuss the evil in others, for the
attempt will tarnish your own mind. When you are engaged in searching for the
faults and failings of others, you are paving the way for developing those
faults and failings in yourself. Dwell on the good in others and, in time it
will prove to be an asset to you. The goodness latent in you will then be
encouraged to sprout and blossom. Every thought leaves an impression on the
mind. Ideas that are opposed to spiritual tendencies, that narrow the limits of
love, that provoke anger or greed, or that cause disgust – these have to be shut
out. This is a very essential discipline.
- BABA |
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Date21:5/2008 One’s Sadhana (spiritual exercise) should be pleasant and
moderate. Take the middle course; that will yield maximum benefits. The craving
for sense objects cannot be given up fully; so transform it into an instrument
for worship. Dedicate all efforts to the Lord. Accept all achievements and
failures as proofs of the Lord’s grace.
- BABA |
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Date20:5/2008 We should try and seek fulfilment in our everyday life by moulding
our mundane activities on spiritual values. You must have your hands in society
and your heads in the forest. That is to say, whatever the activities with which
you are occupied, you must be steadfast in holding on to spiritual ideals. This
alone is the true spiritual exercise, which will bestow lasting peace on you.
Remember that you are the Atma (spirit). All your spiritual exercises should be
directed towards establishing yourself in this firm conviction and unwavering
faith, culminating in your life’s fulfilment. All your senses should be
sanctified by offering the actions performed through them to God.
- BABA |
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Date19:5/2008 Buddha undertook various spiritual practices in order to realize
his true Self. But none of these practices could show him the path to Nirvana
(liberation). Ultimately, he realized that Nirvana lies in making use of the
five senses in a sacred manner. He understood that Japa (repetition of God’s
name), Dhyana (meditation), Yajna (ritual of sacrifice), Yoga, etc. were mere
physical activities. These spiritual practices are needed only for those who are
attached to the body. One who abides in the Self need not undertake any of these
practices. Buddha taught that Nirvana can be attained only by cultivating Samyak
Drishti (sacred vision), Samyak Vaak (sacred speech), Samyak Shravanam (sacred
listening), Samyak Bhavam (sacred feeling) and Samyak Kriya (sacred action).
- BABA |
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Date18:5/2008 Forbearance is one of the most important qualities that you should posses, and
it is absolutely essential on the spiritual path. It is by putting yourself
under test in difficult circumstances that you can cultivate this quality of
forbearance. There is nothing extraordinary about returning good for good, but
doing good in return for bad, that is something great, and the practice of such
a virtue requires a great deal of skill. However much other people may criticise
you, however much they may comment and condemn, you should never lose your
forbearance. You should remain unperturbed and continue to enjoy inner peace.
- BABA |
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Date17:5/2008 You are awake when you feel that you have full knowledge; but,
when awake, you are aware only of the many, not of the One. It is only when you
are in deep sleep that all the multiplicity vanishes; then you are not aware of
the world and of your deluded picture of it. Examine even while awake the stages
of dream and deep sleep and realise that wakefulness deludes the seeker of
Truth; the senses are deceptive; they are inefficient instruments. Mind does not
have any powers. The only power is Atma Shakti, the power of Atma. Mind has no
form. Mind can be said to be woven of desires. The Atma shines on the heart,
whether the heart be pure or impure. However, it would be best if the heart is
purified and if the strongest desire is for God.
- BABA |
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Date16:5/2008 In the spiritual sphere, the responsibility for success or failure
is entirely one's own. You have no right to shift it on to others. The fire will
rage only as long as it is fed with fuel. Hence, do not add fuel to the fire of
the senses. Detach the mind from the evanescent and attach it to the eternal.
Plant the seedling of Bhakti (devotion) by the practice of Namasmarana
(remembering the Lord's name). That seed will grow into a mighty tree with the
branches of virtue, service, sacrifice, love, equanimity, fortitude, and
courage.
- BABA |
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Date15:5/2008 Education does not consist in the accumulation of information and
facts from a multitude of books. Reading of books can only enrich you in the
information that you may gather but can never give or promote good qualities.
Good education is a process by which character is improved and by which one will
be able to use one's intelligence and sharpen one's mind so as to distinguish
right from wrong. It is only when the contents of education are closely linked
with ideals of sacrifice, forbearance, truth, and love that the youth will get
the benefit of education. Students will never get any benefit out of education
if it is devoid of these noble principles.
- BABA |
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Date14:5/2008 You should not let any weakness in you dissuade you from the right
path. If in a big tank there is a small hole, all the water will flow out. In
the same manner, even if you have a small sensory desire in you, then all that
you have learnt will be of no avail. Attraction for the world distracts you from
the reality. You should guard yourselves by desisting error and resisting evil.
Good work and selfless love will help you to tread the path of wisdom.
- BABA |
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Date13:5/2008 God is the Antharyaami (Indweller), and so, when He is sought in
the outer world He cannot be caught. Love Him with no other thought; feel that
without Him nothing is worth anything; feel that He is all. Then you become His
and He becomes yours. There is no nearer kinship than that. You have come from
God; you are a spark of His Glory; you are a wave of that Ocean of bliss; you
will get peace only when you again merge in Him. Like a child who has lost his
way, you can have joy only when you rejoin your mother.
- BABA |
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Date12:5/2008 The first stage is karma-jijnaasa---the execution of karma
(action) on proper lines, with proper mental attitude; then comes
dharma-jijnaasa--the observance of moral codes for the upkeep of society and the
discharge of one's duties and obligations; last comes Brahma-jijnaasa -
resulting in the appreciation of Naamasmarana (repetition of the Lord's Name) as
the primary sadhana.
- BABA |
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Date11:5/2008 A green gourd sinks in water; but a dry one floats. Become dry,
rid yourselves of attachments, desires, avoid anxieties, worries. Then you can
float unaffected on the waters of change and chance. Even water, when it becomes
steam, can rise into the sky. Become light, lose weight, bale out so that you
may rise higher and higher. Yoga is defined as chiththa vriththi nirodha--the
prevention of impulses that agitate the inner consciousness of man. These
impulses add to the ballast. Be free from desires that drag you down; have only
the yearning to come face to face with the Truth. That Truth is shining inside
you, waiting to be discovered.
- BABA |
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Date10:5/2008 The Vedas are for all mankind; they have prayers for peace,
subjugating the anger of the elements and of human communities; they invoke the
forces of nature to be calm and beneficent; so, the paaraayanam (recitation) of
the Vedas promotes world peace and human welfare.
- BABA |
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Date9:5/2008 The lotus in the heart of man pines for the Sun, the splendour of
the Lord. But to attain it is hard. Withdrawal of all affection towards the
world alone can win it. God is the nearest and dearest entity, but ignorance
hides Him from the eye. The love that God bears man is unequalled; yet, He
appears to man as a distant, formidable, unapproachable phenomenon. The stars
appear as dots of light, for they are at a great distance from us. So too God
appears insignificant or ineffective to many, because they are keeping
themselves too far from Him. If some people say there is no God, it only means
they are at too great a distance to be aware of Him.
- BABA |
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Date8:5/2008 The Deha (body) is a vehicle that even gods aspire to possess. You
know that gods seek to come into human form so that they could utilise the
intelligence, discrimination, detachment, etc., that the human body alone is
capable of exercising, to realise the Ultimate Reality, which when known makes
everything else known. If only he intensifies his thirst for God, he can live in
perpetual content, instead of grovelling in perpetual discontent, pining for
trivial satisfactions. The Deha has to be nourished so that man can reach the
Dehi, the real indweller.
- BABA |
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Date7:5/2008 You feel the presence of God when silence reigns. In the
excitement and confusion of the marketplace, you cannot hear His Footfall. He is
Shabdabrahma, resounding when all is filled with silence. That is why I insist
on silence, the practice of low speech and minimum sound. Talk low, talk little,
talk in whispers, sweet and true.
- BABA |
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Date6:5/2008 Be one a great scholar or an officer having high authority, one is
but a child to one’s mother. Those who forget their duty toward their mother are
sure to lose themselves in wilderness. You are but a reflection of your mother.
Therefore, first of all you should carry out your duty toward your mother and
make her happy.
- BABA |
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Date5:5/2008 Human existence is enveloped in infatuation (Moha). When one frees
oneself from this infatuation, one will be able to experience true happiness.
This infatuation breeds egoism and possessiveness, which bring about the loss of
one’s name and fame. One who is filled with ego will be unable to experience
love from others. It is therefore essential to overcome this infatuation. By
conquering infatuation, one becomes endearing to others.
- BABA |
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Date4:5/2008 Compassion towards all creatures is the greatest virtue; wilful
injury to any creature is the worst vice. Know this to be true; spread love and
joy through compassion, and be full of joy and peace yourself. You do not have
joy and peace now, mainly because your vision is warped and blurry. It is
directed towards the faults and failings of others, instead of towards one’s
own. Really speaking, inquiry and investigation should begin with oneself. For
what we see in others is the reflection of our own selves, our own prejudices
and preferences.
- BABA |
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Date3:5/2008 Life becomes sweeter with a little dose of denial; if you satisfy
all your desires, life begins to turn insipid. Deny yourselves many of the
things your mind runs after and you will find that you become tough enough to
bear both good fortune and bad.
- BABA |
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Date2:5/2008 When an iron filing comes in contact with a magnet, the iron filing also gets the properties of a magnet. Likewise, the knower of Brahman (the Universal Absolute) becomes Brahman. You are all children of immortality, you are eternal. The relationship between you and God is eternal. The body changes through many births, but the mind and deeds continue from birth to birth. Just as an accountant totals the accounts of the day and carries the balance over onto the next day, our mind follows to the next life. You should be able to control the mind by controlling the senses, then you can merge in truth and experience oneness with God. - BABA |
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Date1:5/2008 When an iron filing comes in contact with a magnet, the iron
filing also gets the properties of a magnet. Likewise, the knower of Brahman
(the Universal Absolute) becomes Brahman. You are all children of immortality,
you are eternal. The relationship between you and God is eternal. The body
changes through many births, but the mind and deeds continue from birth to
birth. Just as an accountant totals the accounts of the day and carries the
balance over onto the next day, our mind follows to the next life. You should be
able to control the mind by controlling the senses, then you can merge in truth
and experience oneness with God.
- BABA |
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