Tuesday, May 31, 2016

God is in Everyone



"God is in every one, so the Love that surges in your heart  towards God must flow towards all, for all are embodiments of the self-same Divine."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
("Sathya Sai Baba Speaks")

Divine Wisdom



Saturday, May 28, 2016

Bittersweet

If there is one thing I have learned over the years it is that life in this world is bittersweet. It always has been and it always will be. I realized this early on and everyday I see further evidence of it. It is something that we all just have to accept.

When I was a boy I cherished my books and toys, but then I lost them all when our house burned down in the middle of the night. Growing up I loved the isolated woodlands and meadows that were my playground, yet more often than not I found myself playing alone. In school I found learning fun and easy, but I never was as popular as I wanted to be. When I played on the sports teams I loved the fun and friendship we had, but I spent most of my time sitting on the bench. In college I enjoyed the excitement of being out on my own, yet my heart still ached for the love and comforts of home.

As I grew into adulthood I fell in love and had my heart broken. I graduated college, but I never gained the success I thought I would get. I had three beautiful children that taught me so much about love, yet I watched my two sons struggle daily with Autism. I cherished the love that my Mom, Nana, and Dad gave me then I watched them all die before I was 50.


Yes, life is bittersweet. It is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, triumphs and tragedies. Whether life makes us bitter or sweet, however, is up to us. God loves us and He put us here to love each other. This is easy when life is sweet, but it can be a struggle when life is bitter. Still, it is during the tough times that we grow the strongest. It is during the bitter times when our sweetness and love are most needed. It is during the dark days that we learn the most about our own goodness and light. Don't let life make you bitter then. Stay strong. Love much. Live well. Share your goodness and light everyday and make this world a sweeter place for us all.

                                            ~ Joseph J. Mazzella 

Friday, May 27, 2016

Walk




Walk and touch every moment of peace.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Bring the Earth your love and happiness.
The Earth will be safe
When we feel safe in ourselves.

Loving Swami vs. Liking Swami



"I am reminded of one very beautiful experience that happened in the Trayee Brindavan Trayee during the sessions there .... 


Bhagawan was sitting on the jhoola (swing) and in His inimitable style said, "So boys, do you love Me? "
In response, there was a thunderous chorus, "Yes Swami, we love you!"
Bhagawan's reaction, however, was very different. Nodding in disapproval, He said, "No, my boys do not love Me, My boys only like Me."
Everybody wanted to now know the difference between 'loving' and 'Liking' Bhagawan.
And then Swami went on to explain this in a very beautiful manner, He said, "You have a dog at home and all along you pet the animal and caress it, you give it a bath and want to play with it, feed it, etc. But do you really follow the dog through every moment of its life? Wherever the dog runs, do you run behind it? No, you do not. Then, how can you say whether you like or love the dog? "
And then, Swami said something that probably hurt a lot of us. He said, "My boys like me too in the same manner. They want to be with me and around me, they want to feed me and see me happy but do not want to follow what I say. "
And then He said: "To love is to follow Swami."

(Source: Radio Sai)

Transformation



"Transformation must begin with the individual.  When the individual changes, the world will change.  This transformation has to take place in the minds of men.  Right thoughts will lead to right actions.  That is why the scriptures have declared that the mind is the cause of man's bondage or liberation.  Through soft and sweet speech, we can transform even the most demonic persons into decent individuals. Mere moral practices or instructions cannot help you to attain Divine Consciousness.  It can be done by spiritual sadhana, which is the basis for transformation."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D. J. Gadhia)

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Sai Blossoms



Baba's Storytime - Lord Krishna's Flute



You must all have noticed that on the majority of the images we see of Lord Krishna, he is depicted as holding a flute in His hand.

Once the devotees of Krishna asked the flute, "Even though we l devoted to Krishna, why  is it He keeps you close to Himself all the time and not us?"

The flute is answered, "It is because I am hollow.  I do not, in any way, hinder the mellifluous music that flows from His divine breath.  There is no obstructing ego in me to impede the voice of God.  So, give up ego and you will also enjoy the proximity to God and will become the instruments through which His voice be heard, unimpeded."

Only when the ego is erased can one realise the nearness of the indwelling Lord.  Nothing can be nearer to one than one's own Self.

(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Quotable Quotes

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Do not resist them, that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. "
~ Lao Tzu ~

Human Birth



"Human birth is a God-given gift which should be used with due care.  We should be filled with righteous acts.  Unfortunately today men misuse all these God-given talents for unholy purposes.  The mind should be filled with good thoughts, the heart with compassion and the hands should be engaged in selfless service."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 15.2.1998)

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Mantra from Swami




DO WE REALLY NEED A MANTRA FROM SWAMI?

Once, Professor Kasturi (Biographer of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) was consumed by the desire to receive a mantra from Bhagavan.
Having mentioned this to Baba, he bathed himself in the Ganges and fasted all morning to receive it. Morning came hours passed and noon. But no Mantra.
Lunchtime, he was seatednext to Bhagavan. Bhagavan asked, "Kasturi, why are not you eating?" "The mantra ..." began a miserable Kasturi. "What is the purpose of getting a Mantra?" asked Bhagavan. "To get closer to God," was the reply.

  Baba looked at Kasturi's arm and then at His own. They were almost touching. "Well," He smiled in His Divinely way down to earth, "How much closer do you want to get?"

Bhagavan is indeed a unique multifaceted diamond, precious and priceless!

(Source: Radio Sai)

Sai Madhuryam



Do not brag about your learning, 
Nor proclaim your affluence; 
Don't lose your head over your wealth, 
Nor boast about your progeny; 
Do not proclaim you are a donor, 
Nor feel elated because you are Swami's sevak; 
Do not exult over your valour, 
Or over your accomplishments; 
When you win the approbation of a few, 
The Lotus-eyed Lord will bless you. 
His feet are everywhere; 
His eyes and Heads are everywhere; 
With His ears in all directions, 
Encompassing everything, stands the Lord.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy



Thursday, May 19, 2016

Buddha Poornima 2016



May all sentient beings be happy and free from suffering!
Happy and Peaceful Buddha Poornima!

Nirvana



"What is Nirvana? Today man aspires to attain Mukthi (liberation). What is Mukthi? It is not the attainment of a heavenly abode. Mukthi means freedom from suffering. You need to have Mukthi at three levels – body, mind and soul. For example, you are hungry. When you eat food, your hunger is satiated. This is a kind of Mukthi. Say, you are suffering from a disease. You take medicine and get cured. This is also Mukthi. All this is related to the body. At the mental level, Mukthi means controlling the vagaries of the mind. But true liberation lies in understanding the principle of the Atma which neither comes nor goes. This is termed as Nirvana."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 7.5.2001)

Quotable Quotes




“We should always be grateful for the faults in our partner because if they didn't have those faults from the start, they would have been able to marry someone much better than us.” 

~ Ajahn Brahm ~

I Am Awake



When the Buddha started to wander around India shortly after his enlightenment, 
he encountered several men who recognized him to be a very extraordinary being.

They asked him, "Are you a god?"
"No," he replied.

"Are you a reincarnation of god?"
"No," he replied.

"Are you a wizard, then?"
"No."

"Well, are you a man?"
"No."

"So what are you?" they asked, being very perplexed.
"I am awake."

(Buddha means "The Awakened One". How to awaken is all he taught.)


(From: "Once Upon a Time" - A Collection of Buddhist stories)

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Quotable Quotes



"Let your diet be spare, your wants moderate, your needs few.  
So living modestly, with no distracting desires, you will find contentment."

~ Buddha ~

Offer Yourself to God



"God is all pervasive.  It is a great mistake to forget the all-pervasive God and get immersed in the mundane, ephemeral pleasures.  You may not get this human birth again.  So work for the redemption of your life by chanting the Divine Name.  Offer yourself to God.  That is the goal of your life."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D. J. Gadhia)

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Sai Blossoms



Baba's Storytime - Three Problems



After Buddha gave up worldly ways, he travelled far and wide. People were wonder-struck at his brilliant, handsome form. Enamoured by his effulgence, a woman named Ambashali approached him and said, "O great one, you look like a prince in ochre robes. May I know why you don ochre robes at this young age?" Buddha replied that he took to the path of renunciation in order to seek solutions to three problems. "This body which is young and handsome is bound to become old with time - will be made sick and perish ultimately. I want to know the cause for old age, sickness and death."

Impressed by his quest of truth she invited him for lunch. In no time the entire village came to know of this. The villagers started coming to Buddha one by one, and requested him not to accept her invitation as she was a woman of bad character. Buddha listened to all their complaints patiently. Buddha smiled and asked the village head, "Do you also affirm that she is a woman of bad character?" The village head replied, "Not once, but thousand times I will vouch for the evil character of Ambashali. Please do not visit her house."

Holding the village head's right hand, Buddha asked him to clap. The village head said that he could not do so as one of his hands was in Buddha's hold and it was not possible for anyone to clap with a single hand. Buddha replied, "Likewise, Ambashali cannot be bad by herself unless there are men of bad character in this village. If all the men in this village were good, this woman would not have turned bad. Therefore, men and their money are responsible for the bad character of Ambashali."

Saying so he wanted to know if there was any individual in that gathering without any trace of bad in him so that he could visit his house for lunch. No one came forward. Then Buddha said, "When there are so many bad men in the village, it is not proper to point a finger at one woman. She turned bad due to bad company." That is why it is said, 'Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are.' 

Realising their folly, the people fell at Buddha's feet and sought forgiveness. Since then they started treating Ambashali as one amongst them. Inspired by the teachings of Buddha, Ambashali also took to the path of renunciation and led a pious life. 

No one else is responsible for the good and bad in an individual. Each one is responsible for his own good and bad. Who is good, who is bad? First eliminate the bad in you.

(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Saturday, May 14, 2016

My Genuine Devotee



"Whoever possesses discrimination and practises renunciation, whoever is aware of the knowledge of reality and is always immersed in the contemplation of the cosmic drama of life, whoever dwells on God's name at all times and under all conditions, and who sheds tear of love whenever God's name is mentioned by any person - is my genuine devotee.  Devotees should not feel satisfied with what they deem as their devotion.  They should find out whether the Lord has appreciated their devotion.  God should acknowledge your devotion."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D. J. Gadhia)

Sai Madhuryam



Forbearance is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat. 
Of all the vows, adherence to truth is the greatest vow. 
The nectarine feeling in this country is the feeling of motherhood. 
Self-respect is valued far more than the very life itself. 
People have forgotten the basic principles of this great culture and, 
in the name of freedom, are imitating Western culture today. 
Alas! What can I speak of the governance of this country? 
The Bharatiyas (Indians) are not aware of the greatness of their cultural heritage 
just as a mighty elephant is not aware of its own strength.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Divine Wisdom



The Will of God



"Everything is the Will of God.  For every small act, God's command is the cause.  The Lord is the unseen foundation on which your life is built.  He is the source, sustenance and strength.  Without His Will, no leaf can turn, no blade of grass can quiver.  Once you know that the Lord, the Omnipotent Power, is the mainspring of your life, there will be no fear any more.

All actions are His (God's), the fruits come from Him and they go back to Him.  You are only instruments in His hand and you are witnesses.

I am the authority that wields Maya (i.e.the deluding force).  This jagath (universe), which is the product of Maya, moves and behaves according to my Will.  So Maya cannot harm whoever is attached to Me and acts according to My Will.  Maya dares not approach anyone who has taken refuge in Me!"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D. J. Gadhia)

Monday, May 9, 2016

I Am Truth



"What I will must take place; what I plan must succeed. 
 I am Truth and Truth has no need to hesitate or fear or bend."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
("Sathya Sai Baba Speaks" by N.Kasturi)


Sunday, May 8, 2016

My Life




My life began with duty’s pride,
My life shall live with beauty’s light.
My life shall sport with reality’s soul,
My life shall end with Divinity’s height.

~ Sri Chinmoy ~

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy



Saturday, May 7, 2016

Sai Blossoms



Quotable Quotes


"When life is good, do not take it for granted as it will pass.  Be mindful, be compassionate and nurture the circumstances that find you in this good time so it will last longer.  When life falls apart, always remember that this too will pass.  Life will have its unexpected turns."


~ Ajahn Brahm ~

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Eswaramma - God's Mother



Happy Eswaramma Day!

"There is nothing in the world sweeter than the love of a mother for the child.  For the well-being of the child, the mother is ready to sacrifice her all, including her life.  Such nectarine sweetness is manifest only in the mother who is the embodiment of the Divine."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D. J. Ghadia)

A Mother's Love



A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . . 
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Sai Madhuryam




Is it possible to build a temple for the One who pervades the entire Brahmanda (cosmos)? 
Can anyone give a name to the One who is present in all beings? 
Is it possible to give a bath to the One who is present in all rivers? 
Can anyone offer food to the One who has the entire Brahmanda in His stomach? 
Man out of his ignorance is unable to know this truth. 
He is under the delusion that he is Naswara (impermanent). 
In fact, he is not Naswara, but Easwara Himself for the entire world. 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Love and Devotion for God



"There are no permanent relationships in this world. As long as the body lasts, relationships exist. When the body is lost, relationships are also lost. One thing is permanent in this universe and that is what you have to aspire for. Human life is given to man to know himself and to realise God. People worship God and pray to Him. When their desires are fulfilled, they are very happy. If their desires are not fulfilled, they change even the photo of the deity in their altar. If we worship God only to fulfill our desires, then it is not true worship. Our love and devotion for God should be changeless. It should not change under any circumstances."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 14.4.2006)

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Baba's Storytime - Which Water Bag is Cleaner?



Because your eyes are directed outward, you will be able to find the faults in others only, but you will not be able to find the fault in your own nature.  Here is a small story.

During the summer season, in places round about Nagpur, water will be very scarce.  Things might have improved now but in the old days, things were very bad.  An orthodox old Brahmin lady set out on a pilgrimage.  She was so orthodox that she did not touch anything or any one and she did not permit anyone to touch her.  She started on a pilgrimage with such an orthodox mentality.

By the time she reached Nagpur, she felt that the weather was very hot.  She turned on the water taps but not a drop of water came out of them.  Her thirst increased.  The Government made some arrangement in that station for supply of water.  The skin of an animal was used to make a bag.  They filled water in such bags and supplied that water to the thirsty people.  When several people were drinking the water that was served from that bag of leather, the lady, though she was thirsty, was hesitating in her mind whether the man who was serving the water may belong to a low caste, the bag may not be pure and may not have been cleaned well and so on.  She was hesitating to take the water.

After much hesitation, the lady who could not suppress her thirst, went forward.  She questioned the man who was serving the water.  "My dear sir, is this bag pure?  Is it clear?"  The man who was serving the water was clever.  He said, "The bag of leather from which water is being served is cleaner than the bag into which that water will be poured after service, namely, your body.  This bag is cleaner than your interior."

Today we are cultivating this undesirable tendency of looking at the impurity of the bag but not caring to remove the impurity from within our own body.

(From the Divine Discourses of  Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)