Conversations with Sai - Thoughts

H: These thoughts that stream through the mind, are they material?

Sai: Yes, they are matter.  All matter is impermanent.

H: Where do thoughts come from?

Sai: They come from food and environment.  If you have sathwic food and have only desire for good, only good thoughts will come.

H: Where do thoughts go?

Sai: They go no place.  Because thoughts do not flow through the mind.  The mind goes out and grasps and gets engaged in thoughts.  If desire is for God, the mind does not go out.  But the best way is not to have the problem of getting rid of thoughts.  The best way is to see all thoughts as God.  Then only God-thoughts will come.

H: Swami says that it is the Atma that is unlimited power, yet in one's daily life, the mind gives the experience of being a sort of relentless power.

Sai: The mind is passive, yet it seems to be active.  It is active only because the Atma (Self) reflects into it.  It sometimes seems to be stronger than Atma.  Iron, in its nature, is not too hot; it is cool and passive.  The iron is heated in fire.  Is it the iron that burns, thus creating the heat?  No, it is the heat that is put into the iron by the burning coals.  The heat is added to the iron.  Yet, when hot the iron seems even hotter than the burning coals.

H: The mind has the tendency to plan ahead.  No doubt this is a wrong activity?

Sai: In ordinary life, one makes plans and carries them out.  This has to continue, with purity and without harm to others.  At length, a spontaneous divine thought will arise without planning.  Such divine impulses will continue.

 A Visitor: How can I tell what is right thought?

Sai: Here, in the Ashram, you can ask Swami.  In America, pray for the answer, then make inquiry in an impersonal way, and in half an hour you will have the answer.  If you know what is right, don't ask.  Do it.  That is confidence, God power.  Put aside all relationships.  Is the work right, regardless of who is involved?

H: Swami says to keep a distance from the mind.  What does that mean?

Sai: That means do not be led by the mind.

H: What are the acceptable mental functions?

Sai: First, find out what is right and what is wrong.  If right, do that which satisfies you.  If unsure, do nothing until sure.

(Source: SSSMC)