Divine Wisdom

"I shall be ever with you, wherever you are, guarding you and guiding you.

March on, have no fear."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Sathya Sai College, Brindavan - 6.7.75)

Ganga Comes Down to Earth

A legend from the Ramayana speaks of King Bhagirath who once meditated before Lord Brahma for a thousand years for the salvation of the souls of his ancestors.

Pleased with his devotion Brahma granted him a wish. He requested the Lord to send the river Ganges down to earth from heaven so that she could flow over his ancestors' ashes and wash their curse away and allow them to go to heaven. Brahma granted his wish but asked him to pray to Shiva, for he alone could support the weight of her descent.

Accordingly he prayed to Shiva and he allowed the Ganges to descend on his head, and after meandering through his thick matted locks, the holy river reached the earth. This story is re-enacted by bathing the 'linga'. 

(From" Stories of Shiva" by Subhamoy Das)

Maha Sivarathri - 28th February 2014

"Maha Sivarathri is dedicated to the disintegration of the aberrations of the Mind, and so, of the Mind itself, by dedicating oneself to Siva, God.  The Moon as well as the Mind whose Deity it is, have each 16 phases.  On the Sivarathri, fifteen of these have disappeared; and there is just a streak of the Moon in the sky.  The New Moon that follows will have not even that streak visible.

The Mind too must be mastered every day until, on the fifteenth day, fifteen phases have disintegrated and only a streak remains to be removed by a final flourish of effort.  That is the Sadhana that you did throughout the night, Bhajan, vigil, fast.  When the mind goes, there is no more Moha (deluding Desire and Attachment) and the Kshaya (Decline) of Moha is Moksha (Liberation).

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(S.S.S. Vol.IX)


Today we are celebrating Shivarathri. ‘Shivarathri’ means "Auspicious night". At least on this day, one should chant Shiva's name all through the night. At least on one day in a year, chant the Lord's name. This night, devotees are expected to stay awake by chanting the sacred name of Shiva. Keeping awake in any other way is purposeless. Spending the night reciting the Lord's name sanctifies one's life”.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

 (Divine Discourse: 25.2.98)

The Tiger and the Leaves

Once a hunter, while chasing a deer, wandered into a dense forest and found himself on the banks of river Kolidum when he heard the growl of a tiger. To protect himself from the beast he climbed up a tree nearby. 

The tiger pitched itself on the ground below the tree fostering no intention to leave. The hunter stayed up in the tree all night and to keep himself from falling asleep, he gently plucked one leaf after another from the tree and threw it down.  Under the tree was a Shiva Linga and the tree blessedly turned out to be a bilva tree. Unknowingly the man had pleased the deity with bilva leaves.

At sunrise, the hunter looked down to find the tiger gone, and in its place stood Lord Shiva. He prostrated before the Lord and attained salvation from the cycle of birth and death. 

(From: "Stories of Shiva" by Subhamoy Das)

Flower of Peace

 

Dearest flower,

How sweet and tender you are,

 With your soothing fragrance,

Filling the air I breathe

With your gentle loving

That sets my soul, completely free.

And in your world so delicate,

Your soft and silky petals

Stroke me in a magical way,

Just like baby kissing a father.

How you touch me, with the deepest love.

You are truly an angel,

A blessing from the Heavens above.

Dearest flower,

Your beauty and essence

Take away my sadness

And illumine my joy,

Releasing my mind from troubles and torment,

No longer a slave to Anxiety's dictate,

For you have given me, true content,

And that to me,

is the beauty,

of what I call,

PEACE.

~ Sutha ~

Quotable Quotes

"Be patient with everyone but above all with yourself.

Do not be disheartened with your imperfections but

always rise up with fresh courage.

There is no better means of attainment to

the spiritual life than by continually

beginning again and never thinking that

you have done enough."

~ St. Francis de Sales ~

Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba

 

"If you are not able to perform benevolent deeds

To please people, speak at least pleasingly to them.

Join good company and work for the betterment of the society

And develop love for work.

Abandon animal qualities and become Divinity.

Become a good human and work for human upliftment.

The heart with compassion is the abode of God.

The heart without compassion becomes the den of the demon."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ 

Divine Wisdom

"When God is all-pervasive, where is the need to go in search of Him?  You should make efforts to experience your innate divinity by observing total silence and turning your vision inward.  You can experience divine bliss only in absolute silence.  That is why it is said, "Silence is golden".

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Benedictory Address, 23rd Convocation of SSSHL - 22.11.04)

Becoming God, not Dog

Once, a dog came to Lord Rama bleeding from blows. Lakshmana (Rama’s brother) was sent to inquire why it had to receive such blows. The dog said: "I was beaten by a Brahmin (the priestly class in a Hindu society) with a stick." 

The Brahmin was questioned. He said that the dog was always annoying him by coming across his path.

 Rama asked the dog: "Well, how do you want to punish the Brahmin?" 

The dog said: "Make him a manager of a temple." 

Rama replied with wonder: "That would be a reward, not a punishment." 

The dog said: "No, I was a manager of a temple in my previous birth. It was impossible not to mishandle or misuse or misappropriate some fraction of God's money. When he is that manager, he too will get, like me, this canine birth and perhaps get beaten too in his subsequent birth." 

In fact, not only the dog or the Brahmin, but every one of us are lining off the property of God, for does not all this belong to Him? What do we do in return for all benefits we derive from the property of the Lord? We should not simply eat and sit quiet. We have to render service to the poor and the helpless in a manner suitable to us. 

(Chinna Katha from the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Know Thyself

 

 

"What man needs today is to take the resolve to realise the Atma.  This is tantamount to realising one's true Self.  It is Atma-jnana (Knowledge of the Self).  The first aim of human existence should be to experience Atma-Ananda (Atmic Bliss).  Everyone should keep in mind the Atmic Principle.  This Atma is called Eruka (Awareness).  This Awareness produces in every being the sense of "I-ness".  It is expressed in the term, Aham ("I").  When this "I" identifies itself with the body, it takes the form of Ahamkara (I-am-the-Doer, the Ego).  This is what is called Mithya (delusion).  It is not the real "I".

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Summer Discourse in Brindavan - 29.5.90)

Your Mind

Your mind will give you back exactly what you put into it.  If, over a long period of time, you put defeat into your mind, your mind will give you back defeat. But if, over a long period, you put great faith into your mind, your mind will give faith results back.

(Author Unknown)

Wise Birds and Foolish Birds

Once upon a time, there was a giant tree in the forest. Many, many birds lived in this tree. And the wisest of them was their leader.

One day the leader bird saw two branches rubbing against each other. They were making wood powder come falling down. Then he noticed a tiny wisp of smoke rising from the rubbing branches. He thought, "There is no doubt a fire is starting that may burn down the whole forest."

So the wise old leader called a meeting of all the birds living in the great tree. He told them, "My dear friends, the tree we are living in is beginning to make a fire. This fire may destroy the whole forest. Therefore it is dangerous to stay here. Let us leave this forest at once!"

The wise birds agreed to follow his advice. So they flew away to another forest in a different land. But the birds who were not so wise said, "That old leader panics so easily. He imagines crocodiles in a drop of water! Why should we leave our comfortable homes that have always been safe? Let the scared ones go. We will be brave and trust in our trees!"

Lo and behold, in a little while the wise leader's warning came true. The rubbing branches made sparks that fell in the dry leaves under the tree. Those sparks became flames that grew and grew. Soon the giant tree itself caught fire. The foolish birds who still lived there were blinded and choked by the smoke. Many, who could not escape, were trapped and burned to death.

Moral: Those who ignore the advice of the wise, do so at their own risk.

(From: "Buddhist Tales for Young and Old") 

Quotable Quotes

"All craving is about the future.

All ill will is about the past.

Take them away and there is no other

place to be except now."

~ Ajahn Brahm ~

Divine Wisdom

"No activity should be taken up with individual aggrandizement in view; intellect and emotion must be directed to the revelation of the Resident in the Heart, Atma; every act should be done sincerely, with love, with no yearning for acquiring personal profit, fame or benefit.  Above all, listen to the voice of God within."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(S.S.S. Vol.IX)

My Joy Story

The Lord has been giving me so many opportunities for Seva in day-to-day life. Picking one is difficult because I try to forget these activities afterwards. Whenever I am on my way to somewhere, I am always very attentive, keenly waiting for any opportunity that might come on my way: An old man who looks lost - looking for something, an old lady who is about to lift lots of luggage, or gets down from a bus in hesitating steps, etc. Whether it is rushing to request the bus driver to wait for an old man, holding a bag for an old lady and helping her to cross the road while holding her other hand, etc. It doesn't matter if in the process of doing this seva my bus has come, or my luggage is left behind.

My focus is on the spontaneous immediate response with all the heart and soul, and He takes care of the rest. Some of the sweetest opportunities I have been receiving recently have been walking down the street with constant loving smile on the face, or greeting with a gesture an old lady that sits on a wheelchair with her caretaker by her side. In addition, there are many opportunities for serving my tiny brothers and sisters - insects, snails, hedgehog, birds, etc. which also bring so much joy into the heart.

One more thing: I have been motivated for a small mission, of passing on lots of love and blessings to Muslim sisters, whenever I come across them, in order to spread love and peace. Such sisters and brothers come to my town from at least three villages, so it is a great opportunity. Also when brothers come to bring grocery delivery or do work in the garden so wholeheartedly - these are great opportunities to pay respect to them and share with them some fruits from the garden (after offering them to Him) as His blessing (prasadam).

~ Hodaya ~

(Israel)

(Story from Radio Sai)

 

Reduce Wants

"Reduce wants, live simply, that is the way to happiness.  Attachment brings sorrow in its wake; at last, when death demands that everything be left behind and everybody be deserted, you are overpowered with grief.  Be like the lotus on water; on it, not in it."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Voice of the Avatar, Pt.1)

Divine Wisdom

Problems

"Don't you know the world is full of problems?" 

asked the negative thinker.

"But the world is also full of the overcoming of problems,"

replied the positive thinker.

(Author Unknown)

Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba

"Mother's love is more fragrant than the Jasmine flower;

It is more tender than the Champak creeper;

Softer than the creamy layer of cheese and butter;

More beautiful than the peacock's eye

And more soothing than full moonlight."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ 

The Greatest Disease

"The greatest disease (or absence of ease) is the absence of Santhi;

when the mind gets peace, the body also will have health.

So everyone who craves for good health must pay attention to the

emotions, feelings and motives that animate the individual."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ 

(Voice of the Avatar, Pt.1)

Sincere Yearning and Sure Grace

There was once a Sultan, ruling over the region of Mathura, Brindavan and other places, situated on the banks of River Yamuna. During his reign, the emperor of Vijayanagara (a kingdom in the South of India), came on pilgrimage and stayed at Brindavan for a few days to pay homage to Lord Krishna in the temple there. The Sultan understood that the Emperor had come only to pay respects to that One in the shrine at Brindavan, and he decided to himself, come what may, he would too have that spiritual experience.  

So late one night he went and called out before the closed doors of the temple, “Who is inside?” He heard a voice, which gave the reply. “Govind Maharaj and Radha Rani (The Lord Krishna, the King, and Radha, the Queen)!” The Sultan was now sure that there were two persons living inside, a Super-Emperor and His Super-Empress. He was filled with an agonizing yearning to see the distinguished occupants of the temple. He waited outside the door, without food or drink for three full days. He was overcome with hunger and thirst; but he did not stir, for he was afraid the Imperial Couple may emerge any moment and he might miss the Darshan.

That night, when the town was asleep, just before midnight Govind Maharaj and Radha Rani emerged from the shrine. They signed to him to follow him. They were magnificently dressed and had elaborately bejeweled headgear, necklaces, wristlets and ornaments for the hands and feet. They moved on until they reached the banks of the Yamuna, where thousands of Gopas and Gopis (cowherd devotees) were gathered to welcome them. There was music and dance in the bright moonlight, heavenly joy shone on every face. At 4 a.m. they returned to the temple and before they passed through the closed door, they gave into the hands of the Sultan the kankanas they wore on their wrists, for safekeeping. Before he could say anything, they had gone. 

A party of priests came along at that time, in the morning hour, and seeing the Sultan there, asked him as to why he was standing there and what he had in his hands. They had come to open the locks of the inner doors and inaugurate the ceremonials of the day, with Suprabhatham and Nagarasamkirtan (morning prayers and chantings). 

 

The Sultan said, “Govind Maharaj and Radha Rani have just gone in; I was with them at the Yamuna Bank from midnight till a few minutes ago. They gave me these kankanas for safekeeping. I don’t know why.”

They surmised he was a thief who, caught in the act, was spinning a yarn and so bound him to punish him. But they found the locks unbroken, everything intact. Only the idol of Lord Krishna had no gold kankanas! 

Now they were convinced that the man outside was a great Bhakta (devotee), who had the unique vision of the Lord. They honored him and craved pardon for the wrong perpetrated in ignorance. Such is the reward for sincere yearning; unlimited ananda (bliss) can be earned through implicit faith in God.

(Chinna Katha from the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Outlook

 

Forget each kindness that you do
As soon as you have done it.
Forget the praise that falls to you
The moment you have won it.
Forget the slander that you hear
Before you can repeat it.
Forget each slight, each spite, each sheer
Wherever you may meet it.

Remember every kindness done
To you, whate'er its measure.
Remember praise by others won
And pass it on with pleasure.
Remember every promise made
And keep it to the letter.
Remember those who lend you aid
And be a grateful debtor.

Remember all the happiness
That comes your way in living.
Forget each worry and distress;
Be hopeful and forgiving.
Remember good, remember truth,
Remember Heaven's above you,
And you will find, through age and youth,
True joys and hearts to love you. 

~ Priscilla Leonard ~ 

God Will be Ever Near

"Scatter the dark clouds of ignorance and egoism that cover the face of the sun shining in the sky of your heart.  Your parents might disown you, your kinsmen might desert you, your friends might give you up; your treasured possessions might be lost.

But God will be ever near, ever dear, ever ready with counsel and courage.  People will gather around you so long as you have pelf and power; you will be left severely alone, when you lose these.  They are like swarms of frogs that infest a full lake, croaking flattering but disappearing when the lake is dry."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(S.S.S. Vol.IX)

Love is in the Air!

May Swami, our dearest Valentine, bless us with His

never ending love always!

Divine Wisdom

"In everything that you do, use all the strength and talent with which you are endowed, speaking and acting truthfully.  At first, you might fail in this and you might encounter difficulties and sufferings.  But, ultimately, you are bound to succeed and achieve victory and bliss."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Prema Vahini)

Faith and Positive Thinking

Many people suffer poor health not because of what they eat but from what is eating them.  Emotional ills turn inward, sapping energy, reducing efficiency, causing deterioration in health.  And, of course, they siphon off happiness.  This situation can be improved by a big daily dose of faith and positive thinking.

(Author Unknown)

Do I Really Pray?

I often say my prayers,

But do I really pray?

And do the wishes of my heart

Go with the words I say?

I may as well kneel down

And worship gods of stone,

As offer to the living God

A prayer of words alone.

For words without the heart

The Lord will never hear;

Nor will He to those lips attend

Whose prayer is not sincere!

Lord, show me what I need

And teach me how to pray,

And help me when I seek Thy grace

To mean the words I say.

 ~ John Burton ~

All are He

 

"All are He.  You too are He, above and beyond the past, present and future.  You are not the body which is tied up with time and which is caught in the coils of was, is and will be.  Be ever fixed in the attitude that you are of the nature of Para brahma, dwell constantly in this thought.  Thus you grow into a Jnani."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Jnana Vahini)

The Goat Who Saved the Priest

Once upon a time, there was a very famous priest in a very old religion. He decided it was the right day to perform the ritual sacrificing of a goat. In his ignorance, he thought this was an offering demanded by his god.

He obtained an appropriate goat for the sacrifice. He ordered his servants to take the goat to the holy river and wash him and decorate him with flower garlands. Then they were to wash themselves, as part of the purification practice.

Down at the riverbank, the goat suddenly understood that today he would definitely be killed. He also became aware of his past births and deaths and rebirths. He realized that the results of his past unwholesome deeds were about to finally be completed. So he laughed an uproarious goat-laugh, like the clanging of cymbals.

In the midst of his laughter, he realized another truth - that the priest, by sacrificing him, would suffer the same terrible results, due to his ignorance. So he began to cry as loudly as he had just been laughing!

The servants, who were bathing in the holy river, heard first the laughing and then the crying. They were amazed. So they asked the goat, "Why did you loudly laugh and then just as loudly cry? What is the reason for this?" He replied, "I will tell you the reason. But it must be in the presence of your master, the priest."

Since they were very curious, they immediately took the sacrificial goat to the priest. They explained all that had happened. The priest, too, became very curious. He respectfully asked the goat, "Sir, why did you laugh so loudly, and then just as loudly cry?"

The goat, remembering his past lives, said, "A long time ago, I too was a priest who, like you, was well educated in the sacred religious rites. I thought that to sacrifice a goat was a necessary offering to my god, which would benefit others, as well as myself in future rebirths. However, the true result of my actions was that in my next 499 lives I myself have been beheaded!

While being prepared for the sacrifice, I realized that today I will definitely lose my head for the 500th time. Then I will finally be free of all the results of my unwholesome deeds of so long ago. The joy of this made me laugh uncontrollably.

Then I suddenly realized that you, the priest, were about to repeat the same unwholesome action, and would be doomed to the same result of having your head chopped off in your next 500 lives! So, out of compassion and sympathy, my laughter turned to tears."

The priest was afraid this goat might be right, so he said, "Well, sir goat, I will not kill you." The goat replied, "Reverend priest, even if you do not kill me, I know that today I will lose my head and finally be released from the results of my past unwholesome action."

The priest said, "Don't be afraid, my fine goat. I will provide the very best protection and personally guarantee that no harm will come to you." But the goat said, "Oh priest, your protection is very weak, compared to the power of my unwholesome deed to cause its necessary results."

So the priest cancelled the sacrifice, and began to have doubts about killing innocent animals. He released the goat and, along with his servants, followed him in order to protect him from any danger.

The goat wandered into a rocky place. He saw some tender leaves on a branch and stretched out his neck to reach them. All of a sudden a thunderstorm appeared out of nowhere. A lightning bolt struck an over-hanging rock, and cut off a sharp slab, which fell and chopped off the goat's head! He died instantly, and the thunderstorm disappeared.

Hearing of this very strange event, hundreds of local people came to the place. No one could understand how it had happened.

There was also a fairy who lived in a nearby tree. He had seen all that had occurred. He appeared, gently fluttering in the air overhead. He began to teach the curious people, saying, "Look at what happened to this poor goat. This was the result of killing animals! All beings are born, and suffer through sickness, old age and death. But all wish to live, and not to die. Not seeing that all have this in common, some kill other living beings. This causes suffering also to those who kill, both now and in countless future rebirths.

Being ignorant that all deeds must cause results to the doer, some continue to kill and heap up more suffering on themselves in the future. Each time they kill, a part of themselves must also die in this present life. And the suffering continues even by rebirth in hell worlds!"

Those who heard the fairy speak felt that they were very lucky indeed. They gave up their ignorant killing, and were far better off, both in this life, and in pleasant rebirths.

 Moral: Even religion can be a source of ignorance.

(From: Buddhist Tales for Young and Old)

Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba

"True education is that which teaches you

How to secure universal peace.

It destroys all narrow-minded feelings

And instils in you unity, fellowship and harmony."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

My "Joy" Story

 

Sometimes we think to serve we must reach out far and beyond, yet we forget that our community, our very own foundations need closer attention and service. The Eastwest Centre of Narborough Road, Leicester holds Bhajans every Thursdays and forms a hub of countless programmes for Bhagawan's work. Just before the New Year dawned, a group of local Sai devotees set about to serve their very own spiritual home. They painted and cleaned the Centre, not just for themselves, but for whoever would use the venue for occasions.

A person should strive to use every talent and skill they have, not only for their own benefit, but for the benefit of the whole world. Understand that society is the source of whatever pleasure one derives and whatever wealth one achieves in life. We owe everything to society and should be grateful to society for all that we receive from it. We have to repay this debt by helping at least as many people as we can. With a genuine keenness or readiness to serve others, one can attain happiness in any group or community. So service helps our worldly self but at another level, we are serving the one God that is within us all, the Supreme, absolute Self, and this will help us become aware of the unity of humanity.

I shall end this article with two questions mentioned in the film 'The Bucket List' which I will never forget . . .

At the gate of heavens, God asks two questions . . .

1. Have you found joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?

~ Bhavin Jivraj ~

(UK)

(Story from Radio Sai)

Let Me Be a Giver

 

God, let me be a giver, and not one
Who only takes and takes unceasingly;
God, let me give, so that not just my own,
But others’ lives as well, may richer be.

Let me give out whatever I may hold
Of what material things life may be heaping, 

Let me give raiment, shelter, food, or gold
If these are, through Thy bounty, in my keeping.

But greater than such fleeting treasures, may
I give my faith and hope and cheerfulness,
Belief and dreams and joy and laughter – pray
Some lonely soul to bless.

~ Mary Carolyn Davies ~

Divine Wisdom

"Life is like a train journey.  You, young children, have a long way to go, but the elders have to alight from the train pretty soon.  You must learn to make your journey comfortable and happy.  Do not carry heavy unwanted luggage with you.  That will make the journey miserable.  Do not indulge in fault-finding and to picking quarrels with others.  Don't desire to have the best things for yourselves only.  Share with others around you the good things you are given.  Anger, hatred, envy, jealousy, these are the heavy luggage I ask you to avoid taking with you in the journey."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ 

(S.S.S. Vol.IX)

The Art of Being Kind

So many gods, so many creeds,

So many paths that wind and wind,

While just the art of being kind,

Is all this sad world needs."

~ Ella Wilcox ~

Tapas

 

"In this world, there is no tapas greater than fortitude,

no happiness greater than contentment,

no punya holier than mercy,

no weapon more effective than patience."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Prema Vahini)

A Test of Love

 

 

I was introduced to marijuana at the age of twelve. While this may seem quite young it is very common in America.

I came to know about Sri Sathya Sai Baba four years later at the age of sixteen. I loved Him with all my heart and before long my heart began to make it clear that this love and my drug habit could not mix.

I tried again and again to give up smoking. Again and again, I failed. In this way I went through much guilt and pain. Still I was determined. I prayed constantly to Baba for help and never gave up the fight.

Shortly after my nineteenth birthday I was sitting up in my sister's apartment. She had gone to bed and I was wide-awake. Having just drunk two cups of coffee I knew I would be up for several hours.

I had been smoking less and less and was determined to give it up altogether. I had made the vow and now came the test.

On the table in front of me was a pipe and a large bag of marijuana. My mind began tempting. "Go ahead, you haven't smoked for a long time," it said. But I said, "No!" and prayed to Baba for strength. "Baba," I said, "I do this for You."

I went through over three hours of torture as my mind tempted and I resisted. I tried to escape in sleep but the coffee kept me awake. There was nothing I could do but endure the suffering of this mental battle.

Finally, exhausted, I drifted off to sleep and in sleep I learned that through pain I had proven my devotion to God. As I lay slumbering I was rewarded with a most wonderful dream.

All pain and exhaustion vanished as Baba came to me and said, "Thank you for loving Me."

(Written by: Doughs from N.Y. - S.S. July 1981)

Divine Wisdom

 "Every man should so lead his life that no pain is caused by him to any living thing.  That is his supreme duty.  Also, it is the prime duty of every one who has had the chance of this human birth, to spare a part of his energies occasionally for prayer, repetition of the Lord's Name, meditation, etc. and must equate Living with Truth, Rightfulness, Peacefulness and to good works which are of service to others.

One must be as afraid of doing acts that are harmful to others or deeds that are sinful, as one is afraid to touch fire or disturb a cobra.  One must have as much attachment and as much steadfastness in carrying out good works, in making others happy, and in worshipping the Lord as he now has in accumulating gold and riches.

This is the Dharma of Man.  It is to strengthen this type of goodness that the Lord incarnates Himself in human form."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Prema Vahini)

Are There Angels?

 

 
Are there angels here beside us as we journey life's winding road,
Sent from heaven here to guide us along
future paths unknown?

I saw an angel in my dream with an
iridescent smile,
raven hair, delicate wings and a
warm angelic style.
She bore a sweet resemblance to
someone I used to know,
but the era had lapsed, long since passed, for the winds of time do blow.
 

She told me of a heavenly land, a
paradise she claimed,
that awaits the souls of everyone who
worships God's name.
She showed me living waters baring
life of endless flow,
unconditional love for our master above
a place where streets are paved in gold. 

And when my dream came to an end she
kissed me tenderly,
whispered we'll soon meet again when
God feels it's meant to be.
 

In the morning I awakened to the
dawning of the day,
with my spirit a glow for I'd been
kissed by a rose,
in this dream I'll cherish till my
dying day.

Yes angels walk beside us however
unbelievable it seems,
sent from heaven here to guide us
even in our dreams.

~ Kathy J. Parenteau ~ 

(From: Family Friend Poems)

Attachment

"Fear, anger and affection are the closest comrades of attachment - the comrades dearest to the heart!  They are four inseparable companions, moving always together.  Attachment runs after happiness.  And what is it that grants happiness?   The fulfillment of desire, is it not?  Desire leads to hatred of those who thwart it, fondness for those who feed it and the inevitable wheel of opposites of likes and dislikes.  There is no escape from this for the ignorant."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Jnana Vahini)

Change Critical Attitudes

Practise changing critical attitudes toward your fellowmen.  Get in the habit of looking for something to praise, something good to say.  Once you start picking at people critically, you will find yourself criticizing everything they do.  Reverse this mental attitude by finding something, however small, to praise in everyone.  It will greatly add to your own happiness."

(Author Unknown)

Divine Wisdom

"Among the qualities that make up a flawless character -

LOVE, PATIENCE, FORBEARANCE, STEADFASTNESS, CHARITY -

these are the highest, these have to be revered."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Prema Vahini)

Baba's Banquet

"I always begin My discourse with a sloka or a poem and conclude it with a bhajan.  Do you know what they are?  The first poem or sloka is like a plate, the discourse can be compared to the various delicious items that are served on the plate, and the bhajan in the end is like a plate covering the delicious items.  Do not treat this as a Mandhu (medicine), thereby taking a little.  Treat this as a Vindhu (banquet) and partake of the delicious items that I serve to the maximum extent.  Experience and enjoy this banquet."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(From the Dasara Discourses - Sept. 1998)

The Birth of a Banyan Tree

 Once upon a time, there was a big banyan tree in the forest beneath the mighty Himalayas. Living near this banyan tree were three very good friends. They were a quail, a monkey and an elephant. Each of them was quite smart.

Occasionally the three friends got into a disagreement. When this happened, they did not consider the opinion of any one of them to be more valuable. No matter how much experience each one had, his opinion was treated the same as the others. So it took them a long time to reach an agreement. Every time this happened, they had to start from the beginning to reach a solution.

After a while they realized that it would save time, and help their friendship, if they could shorten their disagreements. They decided that it would certainly help if they considered the most valuable opinion first. Then, if they could agree on that one, they would not have to waste time, and possibly even become less friendly, by arguing about the other two.

Fortunately, they all thought the most valuable opinion was the one based on the most experience. Therefore, they could live together even more peacefully if they gave higher respect to the oldest among them. Only if his opinion were clearly wrong, would they need to consider others.

Unfortunately, the elephant and the monkey and the quail had no idea which one was the oldest. Since this was a time before old age was respected, they had no reason to remember their birthdays or their ages.

Then one day, while they were relaxing in the shade of the big banyan tree, the quail and the monkey asked the elephant, "As far back as you can remember, what was the size of this banyan tree?"

The elephant replied, "I remember this tree for a very long time. When I was just a little baby, I used to scratch my belly by rubbing it over the tender shoots on top of this banyan tree."

Then the monkey said, "When I was a curious baby monkey, I used to sit and examine the little seedling banyan tree. Sometimes I used to bend over and nibble its top tender leaves."

The monkey and the elephant asked the quail, "As far back as you can remember, what was the size of this banyan tree?"

The quail said, "When I was young, I was looking for food in a nearby forest. In that forest, there was a big old banyan tree, which was full of ripe berries. I ate some of those berries, and the next day I was standing right here. This was where I let my droppings fall, and the seeds they contained grew up to be this very tree!"

The monkey and the elephant said, "Aha! Sir quail, you must be the oldest. You deserve our respect and honor. From now on we will pay close attention to your words. Based on your wisdom and experience, advise us when we make mistakes. When there are disagreements, we will give the highest place to your opinion. We ask only that you be honest and just."

The quail replied, "I thank you for your respect, and I promise to always do my best to deserve it." It just so happened that this wise little quail was the Bodhisatta the Enlightenment Being.

Moral: Respect for the wisdom of elders leads to harmony.

(From: Buddhist Tales for Young and Old)