Keep Giving

 

Criticism

What should be our attitude towards the criticism that comes our way?

"Salute even those who criticise you because Divinity is present in all. Do not spoil your mind by harbouring the feelings of anger, etc. Pray to God with love. All noble souls and incarnations in the past had also to put up with criticism. You may ask, why should such criticism arise at all? Criticism, in fact, adds to their glory. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. Shadow follows light. One should not be afraid of the shadow. There is light even in the shadow. Light and shadow cannot exist separately. There is a principle of unity between them. So, do not react to any criticism levelled against Swami or any other elder for that matter. Just brush it aside, saying, you have nothing to do with it. If someone points out mistakes in you, you can certainly rectify them. But if someone levels false charges against you, you don’t need to be worried over it. Be happy. If the criticism is made in a loud voice, it goes into the thin air. If it is made within oneself, it goes to oneself only. Such being the case, why should you be perturbed? Let anyone say anything; remain calm. Consider whatever happens as good for you. With such equal-mindedness, carry on your good work."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 25.12.2000)

One becomes a devotee in the true sense only when one cultivates patience and conquers the evils of anger, hatred and jealousy with love. - BABA

His Presence

 

A friend of mine once asked me

Just how could I believe

In someone I never saw,

Nor spoken words received.

I thought, perhaps, I should explain

Just why I have no doubt

That it was God's creativeness

That brought this world about.

I only have to look around

To know that He is there.

I see and feel and hear Him.

That's why I'm so aware.

I see Him in the raindrops

That nourish trees and flowers.

I see Him in the rainbows

That sometimes follow showers.

I see Him in a mother's love

When looking at her child.

So thankful that this miracle

Is pure and undefiled.

I see Him in the wrinkled face

That's seen so many years,

Knowing it was faith in Him

That overcame all fears.

I hear Him when a meadowlark

Trills out its joyful song.

I hear Him when the thunder

Comes forth so loud and strong.

I see the beauty of Him

In the butterflies on wing.

The feathers of the peacock

Are the colors He can bring.

I feel Him when a playful breeze

Blows gently through my hair.

When the sun shines warmly on my face,

I know that He is there.

His strength shows in the mountains

And the ever pounding seas.

A kitten's purred affection

Shows how gentle love can be.

It's true I have no pictures

To hang upon my wall.

I do not need a portrait,

His presence to recall.

For those who wish to listen,

It is played throughout the land.

The symphony of life itself,

Directed by His hand.

~ Alora M. Knight ~

 ( https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/his-presence)

Share Your Love

 

What is the one panacea for all the ills in society and the world? 

"All of you are sparks of My Divinity. So, share your love with your fellow beings, just as I share My love with you all. Then you too will become divine. When everyone follows the sacred path, the world will undoubtedly attain peace and prosperity. Embodiments of Love! Give up ignorance, light the lamp of wisdom within you and ultimately merge with the divine. This is Swami’s message for you today. Develop love. Through love alone you can annihilate the mind and through love alone can you get cured of any disease. Only love can eradicate evil qualities in you. So, love all. Love hridaya, the heart, not the physical body. Love the divinity installed in your heart. Body, mind, intellect and senses are merely instruments, you are the master. So, master the mind and be a mastermind. Never become a slave of your mind. Contemplate on the divine day in and day out. You may chant any name and contemplate on any form; but understand the truth that God is one and only one."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

 (Divine Discourse - 16.7.2000) 

The one principle that you have to uphold and develop is that of love. When love dominates, there is no room for hatred. - BABA

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

 

"I have often declared that God does not come down as Avatar to relieve individuals of their troubles and sorrow and to confer joy and happiness on them. Difficulties, troubles and worries come in the natural course as a consequence of past actions. The Gita says: “Karmanubandini manushya loke (Human beings are bound by Karma in the world). As human birth is the result of Karma, there can be no escape from the consequences of Karma. As is your action, so is the reaction to it. When you stand before a mirror and offer salutation before the mirror, the salutation is reflected by the image. If you address harsh words to the mirror, the harshness is reflected by the image in the same manner. It will be evident from this example that the fruits of our actions are determined by the nature of those actions."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(SSS Vol. 21)

Do Good

Why should we be wary of every action that we perform? 

"Hurting others amounts to hurting God Himself. Our hatred will certainly rebound on us. Today people derive demonic pleasure in causing harm to others without understanding the truth that one day or the other they will have to reap the consequences of their actions. Make others happy and you will certainly be happy. Today violence and murders have become the order of the day. Greatness does not lie in killing others; even an insect is capable of doing that. Greatness lies in saving lives. 

Embodiments of Love! No one can escape reaction, resound and reflection. You may think that you have escaped the reaction today, but it is bound to come tomorrow or the day after. You are bound to face the consequences of your actions. So, do good and you will certainly reap good results. Don’t get disheartened if there’s no immediate reward. Wait for a while, you will certainly be rewarded. No man can escape the consequences of one’s actions. However, while you suffer the bad consequences, prayer alone can alleviate your suffering to some extent. Do this prayer by expressing and showing your gratitude to God."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 16.7.2000)

Those who are full of love will see love everywhere. Those who are full of hatred will see enemies all around. - BABA

Sai Blossoms

 "I did not come uninvited to this world; sadhus, saints, sages, good men of all creeds and climes called out and entreated, so I have come.  You may be seeing Me for the first time but you are all old acquaintances for Me; I know you through and through."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Sathyam, Shivam, Sundaram, Pt.1)

Gems of Wisdom

 

Qualities of humility, forgiveness, tolerance is like a fertile soil which allows the seeds to get deep roots and to grow and to provide the fruits of prayer or ecstatic love for the pleasure of all beings.

Society becomes strong only when everyone knows what their responsibilities are and all the members of society care for each other. Caring for each other means the desire to show sincere attention to each person and to take care of each person personally. Our society needs more of this. 

Laughter comes from the centre of our Being, from the core of our heart. Our belly is so full of laughter that the laughter permeates every cell in our body.

True laughter is true prayer. When things go all right, everybody can laugh, but when everything falls apart, and yet you laugh, that is evolution and growth. 

Nothing in life is more worthy than your laughter. Never lose it. Events come and go. Some are pleasant, and others, unpleasant. 

There is an area deep in you that is left untouched. Hold on to what is untouched. Then you will be able to keep laughing.

Samastha Lokha Sukhino Bhavanthu

Sai Madhuryam

 

Cleansing the mind of dirt, 

Grow in it pure and holy thoughts: 

Then you can view the world 

With Wisdom Vision, as Right and Light. 

No fruit can grow on tree sans flower;

It cannot ripen into sweetness 

Without emerging Grace. 

Disciplined work alone can grow 

Into devotion; and that alone 

can transform into Wisdom deep.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Forgivenesss

 

How should we respond when we are criticised and why? 

"Forgive those who have harmed you and criticised you. Have faith that whatever happens is for your own good. If someone hurls abuses at you, do not retaliate. Enquire within yourself whether he has criticised the body or the atma. If he has criticised the body, indirectly he has done a favour to you because the body is nothing but a heap of flesh, blood, bones and faecal matter. On the other hand, if he has criticised the atma, it amounts to criticising his own self because the same atma exists in both of you. One should cultivate this kind of forgiveness and broad-mindedness.

 Embodiments of Love! The Guru dispels the darkness of ignorance arising out of body attachment. The body is but an instrument. God has given you the body to take to the path of action. It is God’s gift. Deho Devalaya Prokto Jeevo Deva Sanatana (body is the temple and the indweller is God). Consider all bodies as temples of God and offer your salutations. Sarva Jeeva Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachchhati and likewise Sarva Jeeva Tiraskaram Kesavam Pratigachchhati (whomsoever you salute, it reaches God and whomsoever you censure, it also reaches God)."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 16.7.2000)

Attachment to the body is the main cause for man’s unhappiness, anxiety, misery and lack of peace. - BABA