Start Practising

Why is it important to start ‘practising’ thinking of God lovingly every day? 

Once, there was a man whose devotion was great. He had four sons. In order that their names may help him to remember the Lord, he had named them Govinda, Narayana, Krishna and Rama. He thought that he could, on some pretext or other, have the Lord's name on his tongue. 

To facilitate his plan, he started a factory and kept all of them busily employed there, so that they could respond to his calling them by name. The day when he had to yield to death came, he called Govinda; the son came near saying, "Father! I am here." He called Narayana; "I am here father," he too stood by his bed. He called Rama; Rama came to him and asked him what he desired to confide in him. Finally, he called Krishna. He bent too low and wished to know what message the father had for him, and told him, "Don't hesitate, tell me what you want to say." 

Seeing around him all the four sons, the dying man's mind was seized with anxiety. He blurted out, "All of you are here! Who is in the factory?" 

Those were his last words. That was his last thought. When one is involved in the world, only worldly thoughts will emerge at the end.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 6.5.1983)

Constant contemplation on the form of the Lord and frequent repetition of the Lord's name are the means by which the heart is filled with the love of God. - BABA