sai_pranam

Entertaining positive thoughts, erasing and eschewing negative impulses are to be strictly adhered to. Qualities like kindness, sympathy towards all, truth must be developed in ourselves...

The living God Sri Sathya Sai Baba exhorts all of us to understand that God is Love. He wants us to love God and carry on with our daily activities, keeping Him always in our hearts. If we lead our lives in this way, He declares we will be happy. It is therefore in our interest to put His advice into practice to ensure a happy life. What do we understand by God and the worship of God?

God, the supreme has created this world of infinite variety, beauty, mightiness and harmony. The innocent blissful smiles of a baby, the powerful human brain, the blue ocean, with it's turbulent waves, the myriad of living organisms, the twinkling stars, the galaxy, the perfect functioning of the five elements, besides countless wonders are parts of His creation (Srishti). Many of our ancient seers and saints repeatedly pronounced that this splendid power has chosen to come and reside in us. In fact, this power is running our lives. This act of God is termed compassion (Apaara Karuna) and is identified as 'Prema-Rasa-Krupa'.

The methods for obtaining His Grace (Kataksham) are:

1. Constant vigil over our thoughts to purify the mind,
2. Refined cultural reading habits and choice of habits and companions and associates,
3.Looking at good food habits to ensure proper growth,
4.Value of time and it's proper use.

First and foremost is the regulation of our thoughts. We constitute the sum total of our thoughts. Thoughts inside us manifest as actions in the outside world. Entertaining positive thoughts, erasing eschewing negative impulses are to be strictly adhered to Qualities like kindness, sympathy towards all, truth must be developed in ourselves. This is strenuous. Constant efforts required to weed off evil thoughts and purify the mind considerably.

Next about our reading habits. Do we read get-rich-quick materials, books and pictures that titillate wrong doings, or books that promote fellow feelings of love and goodness and books hat inspire a spirit of service. A right selection here moulds our personality and goes towards building our character.

The adage "Show me our friends, and I will tell you" still holds. Undesirable associations and companions, their thoughts and gossip get into our subconscious and the mind becomes a storage bin for shoddy impressions. Foul thoughts impede healthy growth and pollute the mind. Hence the need for the right choice of friends.

We are what we eat. Food has to be satwic and need not be spicy to be tasty. Tamasic items like onion, garlic, etc are to be avoided as they retard intuitive abilities in us. Oil, salt and chilies are to be consumed moderately.

Another vital factor is the sensible use of time. Time wasted cannot be regained. Sri Sai Baba's advice to talk less must be borne in mind for all times. Time must be set apart for reading scriptures, attending satsangs and bhajans. All our daily activities have to be carried out keeping God in our hearts. Chanting of His names wherever and whenever possible, should be engrained into us as a loving habit. Time management demands constant monitoring.

If all these are collectively applied and incorporated in our lives as a regimen then physical, mental and spiritual development will certainly blossom. We will notice the improvements and refinements taking place in us. This is a sure sign that God has already taken steps towards us and bless us. If only, we sustain the efforts of thinking Him, there will be happiness around all of us. We will be blessed with health and the necessary wealth. May Lord Sri Sai Baba bless us so. Let us send our prayers to Him and to His ('Pada Pankajam') Lotus Feet. May all of us deserve His benign glances.

Quote :

"In all religions there are universal human values . . . the importance of prayer, the need for worship, the principle of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God, and the cultivation of love for all beings. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jews each have their own mode of prayer, but what all are seeking is the Grace of God." — Sathya Sai Baba

Volume 8 - Oct 02

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