Speak the Language of Your Heart

Each day we wake is such a gift;

No moment's guaranteed.

Tomorrow isn't promised,

But to fate we must concede.

We cannot know our futures,

How long or short our lives.

We simply do the best we can

Until the end arrives.

And in life, what's most important,

In the scheme of every day,

Are the people who stand by our sides

As we venture on our way.

Those cherished, loyal, patient souls,

Who take us as we are,

Who look beyond our foolishness,

Our frailties and our scars.

How often do we take the time

To lay our hearts down bare

And tell them how we truly feel

And just how much we care?

Do we freely give a compliment

And acknowledge efforts made?

Or do our own quite fragile egos

Make us feel far too afraid?

Have we tried to overcome our pride

And forgive another's wrongs?

Or do we cling to hurt and anger

And carry grudges far too long?

Do we share our blessings willingly

With those who are in need?

Or do we hoard our own good fortune

Out of selfishness and greed?

It's the people all around us

Who make us who we are.

It is they who save our erring souls

And fill our lonely hearts.

So it's time we show some gratitude

And not wait another day.

For before we even know it,

Our chance may slip away.

It's past time to say I love you

And forgive another's sins.

We must let ourselves be vulnerable

By letting others in.

For one day, tomorrow will not come;

We may not meet again.

For inevitably, for each of us,

It all comes to an end.

So go ahead and say the words;

Make today a start.

Don't regret your silence;

Share the language of your heart.

~ Patricia A. Fleming ~

(Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/collection/a-life-well-lived/)

Baba's Storytime - Ravana as Rama

 

Râvana tried all methods to persuade Sîtâ to yield, enter his zenana and become his consort. He threatened her with instant death; he enticed her with gifts and promise of more. He tried soft words and cruel torture. At last, he hit upon a brilliant idea. He assumed the form of Râma and thought that she would be misled by that impersonation. But, as soon as he assumed that form, all evil thoughts fled from him and only ideals of righteousness held sway. So, he had to give up that trick as useless. 

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

Precious Closeness to Bhagawan - Pt. 3

Continuing the transcription of the talk delivered by Sri B Arvind in the divine presence of Bhagawan Baba on the 29th of July 2005.

As You Think, So It Is

I used to wonder how should I establish my rapport with my Master, my Guru, my Friend, my Everything? And then what I did was this: (I am being very honest and frank in laying before everybody what I did and how wonderfully it worked.)

Though I could not see my Bhagavan with me always, I imagined that my Bhagavan is with me whether I eat my food, whether I sleep, whether I talk, whether I am in the classroom. I imagined that Bhagavan is with me and I would talk to Him. Anything I found uninteresting I would tell him, "Swami, this is not interesting for me." Anything I found interesting, I would also tell Him.

In fact, it became so much so that when walking on the road I would say, "Bhagavan, You walk on this side because vehicles are coming on that side." At the same time I would say, "Swami, now so many people are coming; please don't go and start talking with them. Be only with me." (I meant only in my imagination.) This was because in the beginning I used to pray, "Bhagavan, please don't leave my hand, always hold on to me."

One night He came in my dream. He called me and said, "You are praying in the wrong manner. Remember, I will never leave your hand. You don't leave My hand, okay?"

And so, this is how it went on. I imagined that my Bhagavan is always walking with me. Because this is what the Truth is: though we cannot see Him, though we cannot hear Him, He is always there. And so this went on everyday and I was happy.

(To be continued)

(Source: "Experiences by Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

 

Be Prepared to Serve

 

If one who understands the spirit of service becomes a leader, that leader will always retain and enjoy his leadership through service. - BABA

"Of all the animals that are born in this world, to be born as a human being is the most difficult and fortunate thing. Having been born as human and having acquired that special gift of intellect, you must sanctify your human birth and human existence. You must be prepared to put into practice one out of the ten things that you preach in preference to just saying ten good things. You must be prepared to serve as servants for all your lives. Never think of being a leader. Without becoming a servant you cannot become a leader. You must first learn to follow before becoming a leader. 

We find the world in an unfortunate state because, today, people become leaders without knowing how to become good followers. In that context, you must be prepared to spend all your lives in the service of humanity. In the first instance, you must serve your own home, then you must serve your village, then your state, and then the country. Without acquiring the ability to serve in your own home and produce results in your home, how can you serve your country and hope to produce results?

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 20.5.1976)

Sai Blossoms

"Egoism is the most dangerous illusion that has to be exploded and destroyed. Bheema had it, but when he could not lift and lay aside the tail of an old decrepit monkey, who was really Anjaneya Himself, that bubble was exploded. 

Arjuna had it; one day, after the battle, when Krishna brought the chariot back to camp, he wanted that like all charioteers, Krishna should get down first; the master must get down later, after the charioteer opens the door for him, is it not? Krishna refused, and insisted that Arjuna should alight, before He Himself should. At last Krishna won. Arjuna got down and then, as soon as Krishna left His seat and touched the ground, the chariot went up in flames! If only Krishna had got down first! 

The fact was that the various fiery arrows that had the power of burning the chariot had hit the target, but due to the Presence of Krishna, their igniferous powers could not manifest themselves. Knowing this Arjuna was humiliated; his egoism had a rude shock. He knew that every action of Krishna was full of significance."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

(Divine Discourse - 14.1.1964)

Quotable Quotes

 “The present moment is the substance with which the future is made. Therefore, the best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment. What else can you do?”

 ~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Precious Closeness of Bhagawan - Pt. 2

Continuing the transcription of the talk delivered by Sri B Arvind in the divine presence of Bhagawan Baba on the 29th of July 2005.

"We are unhappy because of what people term Maya – ignorance; and we have the Jagad Guru, the Lord of Lords amongst us to help us overcome this. Talking about ignorance, or Maya, I am reminded of an interesting anecdote.

Once upon a time there was a fisherman who used to go to the beach and throw out his fishing net. He would catch his fish and return. In the ocean there were so many fish but there was one particular fish that was never caught in the net. All of its friends and relatives used to get caught but not this fish.  So one day, all the other fish went to this fish and asked, "How is it that you never get caught in the net?" The fish explained, "When the fisherman comes, he throws his net. At that time I swim close to his feet so I don't get caught in the net." To escape from this net of Maya the only way is to take refuge at the feet of the fisherman – our Lord! That is what Jesus meant when he went to the fishermen and said: "I am a fisher among men." That is what Bhagavan also said in His very first discourse as a tiny lad: "Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam, Dushtara Bhava Saagara Taranam." At the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Swami is our Mother, our Father, our Guru, our Friend, our Everything: Tvameva Mata Cha Pita Tvameva, Tvameva Bandhus Cha Sakha Tvameva; Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva, Tvameva Saravam Mama Deva Deva. Mama Sai Deva."

(To be continued)

(Source: "Experiences by Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Serving God

 

God showers His grace on those who make their parents happy. - BABA

"The satwik (the pure and good), love all as embodiments of God and engage themselves in humble service. Pundalika was one such. He was massaging the feet of his old mother when God appeared before him! He did not interrupt the service, for he was serving the same God, in his mother! Tukaram declared to Pundalika that it was God who manifested before him, but Pundalika did not waver. He asked God to wait for a while until he had finished the service of the God he had started serving.

The prompting inside man to love his mother is an expression of the Divine Nature in him. If there was no spark of the Divine in man, he would not have loved at all. A person who loves is a theist, whether he goes to a temple or church, or not. Pundalika was not guilty of sacrilege, for he was actually worshipping God in His most accessible Form - his mother. You have to proceed from the known to the unknown!"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 24.5.1967)

Precious Closeness of Bhagawan - Pt.1

This is the transcription of the talk delivered by Sri B Arvind in the divine presence of Bhagawan Baba on the 29th of July 2005.

Offering my Humble Pranaams at Bhagavan's Lotus Feet. Beloved Bhagavan, esteemed elders, dear brothers and sisters.

The Message of the Messiah

Once upon a time there was a Messiah who had come to Earth. After spending a long period on Earth, he decided that he would quit. So he went on top of the mountain and told everyone present, "Listen, today I am going to quit. I am no longer a Messiah." 

Hearing this, the people were shocked. They said, "You can't quit! If you leave us, how will we communicate with God? How can we keep in touch with Him? So you can't do this!" 

He said, "Listen, you're a fisherman; when you get tired, you don't go fishing. You are a manager; when you get tired, you don't go to work. I am a Messiah, and I don't want to do it anymore so I am quitting."

The people could not convince him. And so, they said, "Before you quit, please give us one message from God. A message following which our lives will be fulfilled – the greatest and the most wonderful lesson that God has to give us.

The world always looks for compactness, shortcuts. They asked this from the Messiah. They said, "Before leaving, do this much for us." He said, "So you want to know what God wants you to do?" They all chorused, "Yes!"

"Okay, I will tell you. But are you ready to follow it?"

They said, "Yes! We are ready to follow it, even if it means giving up our lives, even if it means giving up our wives, our children, our husbands, our relations, everyone. We are ready!"

He said: "Think again. Are you ready?" They said, "Yes, even if it means going through the fires of hell. Even if it means getting crucified upside down. We are ready to undergo any torture, any amount of sadness for God."

The Messiah smiled and said, "Listen…God wants you all to be happy!"

And there was a stunned silence.

Brothers and sisters, we are all ready to suffer for God. We are all ready to undergo pain for God. But are we ready to be cheerful for God? To be happy for God every moment of our lives? What is it that we want in our lives? We want to be happy every moment. And what is it that God wants from us? He wants us to be happy every moment. Then where is the problem? Why are we not happy every moment of our lives?

This has been answered in various ways, in various scriptures, by various religions. And I feel that being in the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, this is the greatest gift we receive: the gift of this higher learning; learning how to be always happy.

(To be continued)

(Source: "Experiences by Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Sai Madhuryam

 

Verily the light that illumines all the hearts is Divine, 

The love that emanates from each call is Divine. 

Break not the Divine command in your intellectual conceit, 

For pride surely goeth before a fall. 

All education that is devoid of spiritual purity 

Is replete with hatred and envy, 

Like a dark dwelling infested with bats, 

Know this to be the truth.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

"You may say that progress is possible only through My Grace, but though My heart is as soft as butter, it melts only when there is some warmth in your prayer.  Unless you make some disciplined effort, some sadhana, Grace cannot descend on you.  The yearning, the agony of unfulfilled aim melts My heart. That is Aavedhana (anguish) that wins Grace."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(SSS Vol. XI)

Baba's Storytime - The Faith of the Disciple

 

In South India, in the Tamil country, there was a certain Adigal or Dasa in a village, Thangalur by name. He had heard of the spiritual grandeur of Saint Appar and developed great admiration for him. So he built rest-houses in his name; named his children after him so that they might grow up in the halo of his glory; he donated lands and houses, all in the name of the saint he had not seen. See how faith preceded experience here. There are others who require experience before they fix their faith. The first path is more thrilling and lasting.

Well, one day by chance Appar himself walked into Thangalur for he had missed his way and had to deviate. He noticed everywhere in the town Appar rest-houses and Appar charities, and wondered how his name had preceded him. Then Adigal ran forward to his guru and took him home and prepared a grand feast for him. When his eldest son went to his garden to cut a few plantain leaves for a dinner, a snake bit him and he died on the spot. 

Adigal however, was not affected in the least; he covered up the corpse, heaping dry leaves upon it and proceeded with the formalities of hospitality for the long-sought guru. The guru, however, insisted on all the children of Adigal sitting around him during the meal, and he ordered the father, "Go, call every one here." Adigal did as he was commanded. He called and the dead son rose. He too came and sat for dinner with the rest. 

When he knew what had happened, Appar said, "Your bhakti (devotional service) is greater than my shakti (strength, power, might)."

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

My Prayer

 

Father, I thank you for the days and nights,

And thank you for this warm morning light.

For food and shelter, for your loving care,

And for all in this world that is good and fair.

Help us to be gentle, honest and true,

To show more kindness in all that we do.

To smile and be pleasant in all that we say,

To grow more loving each and every day.

To lend a helping hand, help others in need,

And to love one another as you have loved me.

Thank You, Father

~ Jac Judy A. Campbell ~

(Family Friend Poems, June 22, 2018. https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/my-prayer-8)

Overindulgence

Our overindulgence with the body hampers our recognition of our true destination. - BABA

"Most men spend their lifetime allotted or earned by them partaking rich, harmful food and drink, and indulge in glamorous, more harmful pastimes. What a pathetic waste of precious life! Though belonging to animal genus, man has much more than his fellow beings in physical, mental and moral equipment. He has memory, language, conscience, reverence, awe, wonder and an inexplicable sense of discontent which is a precursor of detachment. He has the glorious chance of visualising his identity with the Mystery that’s manifested as Universe; but he’s so sunk in ignorance that he behaves like an animal and wallows in grief and vice. It’s as if fire has forgotten its capacity to burn, or water its nature to wet; man has forgotten his nature to reach out into his Godhood, his capacity to seek and secure the Truth of the Universe of which he is a part, his capacity to train himself by virtue, justice, love and empathy to escape from the particular to the Universal."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 17.2.1966)

Food for Thought - Your Guru

 "Once you have secured a Guru, leave everything to Him, even the desire to achieve liberation.  He knows you more than you yourself ever can.  He will direct you as much as is good for you.  Your duty is only to obey and to smother the tendency to drift away from Him.  You may ask, how are we to earn our food, if we attach ourselves to a Guru like this?  Be convinced that the Lord will not let you starve.  He will give you not merely money but even Amrita, not only food, but the nectar of immortality."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Food for Thought No. 1720)

Quotable Quotes

 

"When life is painful, it hurts less when you see the funny side and manage a laugh."

~ Ajahn Brahm ~

Brotherhood of Man

Follow the maxim: Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God. - BABA

"Treat everyone as your brother and sister. There may be differences of opinion at times but that should not lead to hatred and enmity. The Pandavas are an outstanding example of this. When the Pandavas were in exile, Krishna visited them. On finding only Dharmaraja, Krishna enquired about the whereabouts of the other brothers. Dharmaraja replied that four of them had gone to fetch food and the remaining hundred were in Hastinapur. 

Krishna chided Dharmaraja for considering the Kauravas also as his brothers. To this, Dharmaraja replied, “Krishna, don’t you know this? When there is an internal conflict among ourselves, we are five and they are a hundred in number. But when there is an external threat, we all unite and are 105 in number.” 

Differences should not divide us. Members of the Sai Organisation should foster such unity. Let there not be any conflicts. Live like children of the same family. Get a good name, so that there is no other organisation comparable to the Sai Organisation in the world. Develop love and work unitedly."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 20.11.1998)

Sai Blossoms

 

"Don't blame God if difficulties confront you. Regard even those difficulties as gifts from God intended for your good. Life is a succession of good and bad. If you take in your stride these ups and downs of life with firm faith in God, the Divine will take good care of you. Always remember the Lord's name."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba 

(Divine Discourse at the Summer Course in Brindavan on 2-6-1990)

Roots of Wisdom - Aimless Existence

 

"One should not fear having faults and shortcomings.  What is worse is to know of one's faults and yet not do anything about them."

(From the book "Roots of Wisdom" written by Hong Yingming)

Develop Steadfast Devotion to God

"A Gopika once asked Radha how she felt when she saw Krishna, how her heart responded, what transformation occurred in her and what joy she experienced. Radha replied: "The moment I hear the melodious flute of Krishna, my heart becomes still, and I forget myself when I learn that Krishna is coming. I am lost in the music of His flute and I am aware of nothing else. How can I describe to you my feelings when I am intoxicated by the magic of His melody?" 

The God-intoxicated devotee cannot describe his blissful experience in words. One who attempts to express it, has no real experience of it all. Those who regard themselves as devotees should recognise the vast difference between their narrow-minded attitude and the ineffable character of true devotion. They should resolve to shed petty attachments and develop steadfast devotion to God as the main object of their life. For this purpose, the company of the good is essential. Good thoughts are promoted only through association with the good. This means avoiding contact with the evil-minded and the unrighteous. Association with bad persons makes even a good person bad."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse at Abbotsbury, Chennai - 19.1.1986)

Three Types of Devotion

 

Unless man marches on in the spiritual path, he cannot be at peace with himself and his fellowmen. - BABA

"Three types of devotion: 

(1) The bird method where, like a bird swooping down the ripe fruit on the tree, the devotee is too impatient and, by that very impatience, loses the fruit, which falls off from his hold!

(2) The monkey method where, like a monkey that pulls towards it one fruit after another and by sheer unsteadiness is unable to decide which fruit it wants, devotee hesitates and changes his aim too often and loses all chances of success. 

(3) The ant method, where like the ant that slowly and steadily proceeds toward sweetness, the devotee moves direct, with undivided attention, towards the Lord and wins His Grace! 

Devotion and faith are the two oars that take you in the boat across the sea of worldly life. A child told its mother when it went to bed at night, “Mother! Wake me up when I’m hungry.” The mother answered, “There is no need, your hunger will itself wake you!” So too, when hunger for God comes, it will itself activate you and make you seek the food you need!"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - Shivarathri 1955)

Food for Thought - Love Principle

 

"Where there is confidence,

there is love;

Where there is love,

there is peace;

Where there is peace,

there is bliss;

Where there is bliss,

there is God."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Food for Thought No. 1688)

Sai Madhuryam

 Without giving up sloth, how can Truth be known? 

Without giving up passion, can devotion take root? 

Be serene and calm, in stress and storm, 

That is the Saathwik Road to win the Lord, the Truth.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

True Worship

 

How can we make our worship true and complete?

"Worship the Lord and offer Him these flowers (nonviolence, sense control, compassion, fortitude, peace, austerity, meditation and truth). Now, when other flowers are used, devotion does not last after one comes out of the altar room! When one crosses that door-step, anger, hatred and anxiety possess him and degrade him. Without developing the qualities indicated by the eight flowers, how can any one win the grace of God? Engaged in ‘Asatya Narayana Vrata’ (False Satyanarayana vow) on all 364 days, what is the good you hope to get doing true Satya Narayana Vrata on the 365th day of the year? When you claim to be Sai devotees, justify the claim by cultivating these flowers of virtue and offering them to God."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 6.10.1981)

Baba's Storytime - Sacrifice

 

Once three persons reached the gates of Swarga (heaven). One of them declared that he was the master of all scriptures and therefore the gates should be opened to let him in. The guardians of the gate said: “You are familiar only with the texts. You have no practical experience. You may leave.”

The second man said: “I have performed many Yagas and Yagnyas” (sacrificial rites and rituals). The guardians told him: “You have performed the sacrifices for selfish aims. You have no place here.”

The third person, a farmer, neared the gates and said: “I am a poor farmer, owning a hut on two acres of land. I have been offering food and drink to passers-by and giving them shelter when necessary. I have shared with them whatever little I had. This is all the sadhana I have been able to practice.” 

The guardians said: “You may enter.”

The story illustrates the truth that only those who are prepared to sacrifice what little they have for relieving others in need, are entitled to enter heaven.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

(SSS Vol. 21)

New Year has Begun

"Today, New Year has begun. With sacred feelings and divine thoughts, cultivate the spirit of love in you. God is not found separately in temples or in Ashrams. Truth is God. Love is God. Dharma is God. When you worship God by following these principles, He will manifest Himself then and there. There is no doubt about this. Love God wholeheartedly. Pray to God and make friends with Him. You can achieve anything if you have God as your friend. 

Learn today to fill your heart with love and adorn your hand with the ornament of sacrifice. Sacrifice is the jewel for the hands. Truth is the necklace one should wear. You must develop the habit of adorning these jewels in the New Year. 

In this New Year, develop divine love and foster peace in the country. Pray with broad feelings: Loka samastha sukhino bhavantu (May the whole world be happy)! Start the New Year with this prayer. Then, you will lead a blissful and peaceful life full of enthusiasm."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 13.3.1999)