Aum Sairam
In religious terms, forgiveness is not always simple. Jesus seems to say that forgiveness is, to some degree, dependent on an accompanying change in behavior. Similarly, The Book of Common Prayer says that true repentance must precede forgiveness, along with amendment of life. Forgiveness is not automatic. We don't dispense it smiling and unthinkingly; we don't chant the familiar litany: Oh, that's okay. No problem. I'll get over it. People who abuse and mistreat children, alcoholics who refuse to confront the havoc their behavior wreaks in their families, those who engage in sexual misconduct that destroys trust and love are not helped by too easy forgiveness with no accountability for their actions, especially when these destructive actions are repeated and intentional. Forgiving others is not sentimental niceness; it is serious business.
Of course, forgiveness is most difficult when an individual's actions are reprehensible by any existing moral code. How do we even begin to think in any clear way about people who seem beyond redemption and who have the capacity and the will to hurt us. How do we get by our fear and our wounds and see the child of God that lurks beneath.
Allah Malik
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
God – Definition
Aum Sairam
To define God, first we have to define our self.
What I am ?
Am I the photograph taken during my childhood, my youth stage, my old age or the child in the mother’s womb
I am there during my stay in mother’s womb and I am there during my old age.
What is it that existing all the time when I am alive and not existing when I am dead.
It is me. What am I?
What is the difference between Rahul Gandhi and me, What is the difference between me and my brother if we both are twins with same bodily appearance.
The qualities, the personality. A person is identified by his character, personality not by his body features.
What is my personality, what is a person’s nature – character.
They are the habits or impressions or knowledge of worldly things imprinted in mind.
What am I ? a bundle of thoughts, habits, knowledge accompanied by Intellect
What am I? Mind, Intellect and thought impressions / habits.
From when, Mind and Intellect is active with thoughts? They have been active during my stay in mother’s womb.
A person can use his mind and intellect even when his body is paralyzed below his neck, when only his brain is active.
What am I ? Not physical but spiritual, like a small computer memory chip stored inside the brain, which is called as soul, a point of light, with natural 7 qualities like Knowledge, Purity, Peace, Love, Happiness, Bliss and Powers to Judge, accommodate, detach, tolerate, pack up, face, withdraw and cooperate
I can live a peaceful and happy life if I am in my natural qualities [soul consciousness] not coming into body conscious.
But now since we have come into body consciousness we have forgotten our original true nature and because of that we have made once heaven into hell [Life on Earth].
Students follow Teacher, Travelers follow Guide, Children follow their Father, likewise human being should follow God to regain their original nature. By nature Student is same as teacher and in future student can also become equal to Teacher but Teacher and Student are different, they cannot become One but can become equal. Similarly Guide as traveler and children as Father.
To make this hell, again into heaven , we have to regain our lost, forgotten nature, by following the Teacher, Guide and Father of human beings who is called as God.
Who is God?
Human being’s father is also a human being, Cat’s father is also a Cat, Ant’s father is also an Ant, the source of something will be same as that of the source. Similarly, human being - soul’s father should also be same as that of a human soul with all the original qualities and He is called as Supreme soul.
What are the difference between Human soul and Supreme Soul ?
Human soul come into the cycle of birth and death and lose or forget their original nature.
Supreme soul never comes into the cycle of birth and Death, so He remains ever pure retaining His natural qualities always.
When the human souls lose or forget their original nature making the once Heaven [Earth] into Hell [Earth again], God’s role is to guide them to their original nature and create the Heaven, once again, on this same Earth.
Allah Malik
To define God, first we have to define our self.
What I am ?
Am I the photograph taken during my childhood, my youth stage, my old age or the child in the mother’s womb
I am there during my stay in mother’s womb and I am there during my old age.
What is it that existing all the time when I am alive and not existing when I am dead.
It is me. What am I?
What is the difference between Rahul Gandhi and me, What is the difference between me and my brother if we both are twins with same bodily appearance.
The qualities, the personality. A person is identified by his character, personality not by his body features.
What is my personality, what is a person’s nature – character.
They are the habits or impressions or knowledge of worldly things imprinted in mind.
What am I ? a bundle of thoughts, habits, knowledge accompanied by Intellect
What am I? Mind, Intellect and thought impressions / habits.
From when, Mind and Intellect is active with thoughts? They have been active during my stay in mother’s womb.
A person can use his mind and intellect even when his body is paralyzed below his neck, when only his brain is active.
What am I ? Not physical but spiritual, like a small computer memory chip stored inside the brain, which is called as soul, a point of light, with natural 7 qualities like Knowledge, Purity, Peace, Love, Happiness, Bliss and Powers to Judge, accommodate, detach, tolerate, pack up, face, withdraw and cooperate
I can live a peaceful and happy life if I am in my natural qualities [soul consciousness] not coming into body conscious.
But now since we have come into body consciousness we have forgotten our original true nature and because of that we have made once heaven into hell [Life on Earth].
Students follow Teacher, Travelers follow Guide, Children follow their Father, likewise human being should follow God to regain their original nature. By nature Student is same as teacher and in future student can also become equal to Teacher but Teacher and Student are different, they cannot become One but can become equal. Similarly Guide as traveler and children as Father.
To make this hell, again into heaven , we have to regain our lost, forgotten nature, by following the Teacher, Guide and Father of human beings who is called as God.
Who is God?
Human being’s father is also a human being, Cat’s father is also a Cat, Ant’s father is also an Ant, the source of something will be same as that of the source. Similarly, human being - soul’s father should also be same as that of a human soul with all the original qualities and He is called as Supreme soul.
What are the difference between Human soul and Supreme Soul ?
Human soul come into the cycle of birth and death and lose or forget their original nature.
Supreme soul never comes into the cycle of birth and Death, so He remains ever pure retaining His natural qualities always.
When the human souls lose or forget their original nature making the once Heaven [Earth] into Hell [Earth again], God’s role is to guide them to their original nature and create the Heaven, once again, on this same Earth.
Allah Malik
Why do we chant AUM?
Aum Sairam
Aum is one of the most chanted sound symbols in Hinduism. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and Vedic prayers start with Aum. All auspicious actions begin with Aum. It is even used as a greeting - Aum, Hari Aum etc. it is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.
Aum is the universal name of the Lord. The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as 'A' with the coming together of the lips, 'U' is formed and when the lips are closed, all sound ends with 'M'. The three letters symbolize the three states [waking, dream and deep sleep] the three Lords [Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva], the three Vedas [Rig, Yajur and Sama] the three worlds [Bhuh, Bhuvah and Suvah] etc. The Lord is all these and beyond. The formless, attribute-less Lord is represented by the silence between two Aum chants. Aum is also called pranav that means "that [symbol or sound] by which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Aum.
It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Aum. Hence it’s sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake.
The Aum chant should have the resounding sound of a bell. It fills the mind with peace, makes it focused and replete with subtle sound. People mediate on its meaning and attain realization. Aum is written in different ways in different places.
Thus Aum symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the sacred, all forms and the formless.
Allah Malik
Aum is one of the most chanted sound symbols in Hinduism. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and Vedic prayers start with Aum. All auspicious actions begin with Aum. It is even used as a greeting - Aum, Hari Aum etc. it is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.
Aum is the universal name of the Lord. The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as 'A' with the coming together of the lips, 'U' is formed and when the lips are closed, all sound ends with 'M'. The three letters symbolize the three states [waking, dream and deep sleep] the three Lords [Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva], the three Vedas [Rig, Yajur and Sama] the three worlds [Bhuh, Bhuvah and Suvah] etc. The Lord is all these and beyond. The formless, attribute-less Lord is represented by the silence between two Aum chants. Aum is also called pranav that means "that [symbol or sound] by which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Aum.
It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Aum. Hence it’s sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake.
The Aum chant should have the resounding sound of a bell. It fills the mind with peace, makes it focused and replete with subtle sound. People mediate on its meaning and attain realization. Aum is written in different ways in different places.
Thus Aum symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the sacred, all forms and the formless.
Allah Malik
Words Of Sri Sai
Aum Sairam
A woman of good birth had fallen on evil ways, but as she had inherited some good from her previous incarnation, she drew the notice of a holy man and after listening to His teachings, realized her own mistakes and sins. Filled with remorse, she once came to Sri Sai at Shirdi in Dwarkamai at the holy man's advice. She stood at the doorway of the prayer room full of diffidence about entering. Weeping all the while, she confessed all her sins before Sri Sai and cried "What will become of me, Sri Sai? I am not worthy of entering this holy Dwarkamai to be near you!"
Then Sri Sai came forward and placed His own pure arms around the woman's shoulders, lovingly said, "Come, my child, come into My Darbar, My Dwarkamai. You have realized what sin is, you have repented. Come in, I shall give you initiation. Lay everything at My feet what have you to fear?
Allah Malik
A woman of good birth had fallen on evil ways, but as she had inherited some good from her previous incarnation, she drew the notice of a holy man and after listening to His teachings, realized her own mistakes and sins. Filled with remorse, she once came to Sri Sai at Shirdi in Dwarkamai at the holy man's advice. She stood at the doorway of the prayer room full of diffidence about entering. Weeping all the while, she confessed all her sins before Sri Sai and cried "What will become of me, Sri Sai? I am not worthy of entering this holy Dwarkamai to be near you!"
Then Sri Sai came forward and placed His own pure arms around the woman's shoulders, lovingly said, "Come, my child, come into My Darbar, My Dwarkamai. You have realized what sin is, you have repented. Come in, I shall give you initiation. Lay everything at My feet what have you to fear?
Allah Malik
God's Love
A man and his girlfriend got married. They loved each other deeply. Some months later the wife said: "I just read in a magazine about how to strengthen our marriage. Let us list the things that we find a bit annoying about each other. Then we can talk about how we can fix them together."
The husband agreed.
They thought about these points for the rest of the day.
Next morning the wife offered to start. Her list was three pages long!
As she read, she noticed that her husband's eyes began to fill with tears.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," the husband replied, "keep reading."
The wife read all three pages. She placed her list on the table. "Now you read yours and then we'll talk," she said cheerfully.
The husband quietly said: "I don't have anything on my list. I think you are perfect the way you are. I don't want you to change anything for me."
The wife, touched by his honesty, the depth of his love and his acceptance of her, turned her head and wept!
The husband-wife bond is potentially the most long-lasting one. Parents will pass away, children will leave the nest. Who remains together, if life permits?
THE COUPLE!
An uncritical and affectionate mutual love can make this relationship a truly Divine gift. If there is anything in life that appeals to the human soul, it is love and beauty. The lover alone has the power to create and that which is created is for the purpose of giving and receiving love.
In a deeper sense, God is Love. When we practice this divine principle in our closest relationships, we achieve God's Love!
Friendship is not measured when both take care of each other, it is measured when one ignores and the other still continues.
The husband agreed.
They thought about these points for the rest of the day.
Next morning the wife offered to start. Her list was three pages long!
As she read, she noticed that her husband's eyes began to fill with tears.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," the husband replied, "keep reading."
The wife read all three pages. She placed her list on the table. "Now you read yours and then we'll talk," she said cheerfully.
The husband quietly said: "I don't have anything on my list. I think you are perfect the way you are. I don't want you to change anything for me."
The wife, touched by his honesty, the depth of his love and his acceptance of her, turned her head and wept!
The husband-wife bond is potentially the most long-lasting one. Parents will pass away, children will leave the nest. Who remains together, if life permits?
THE COUPLE!
An uncritical and affectionate mutual love can make this relationship a truly Divine gift. If there is anything in life that appeals to the human soul, it is love and beauty. The lover alone has the power to create and that which is created is for the purpose of giving and receiving love.
In a deeper sense, God is Love. When we practice this divine principle in our closest relationships, we achieve God's Love!
Friendship is not measured when both take care of each other, it is measured when one ignores and the other still continues.
The Best Way To Live
Aum Sairam
Remember that as a child of God you are endowed with greater strength than you will ever need to overcome all the trials that god may send you.
Often we continue to suffer without making an effort to change, which is why we don't find lasting peace and contentment. If we would persevere, we would certainly be able to conquer all difficulties. We must make the effort that we may go from misery to happiness from despondency to courage. It is necessary first to feel the importance of changing our condition. This attitude stimulates our will to action. Let us resolve that we will always make an effort to improve our Self knowledge and thus continuously better our existence.
India's spiritual scientists explored the kingdom of the soul. They have given to mankind for its benefit certain universal laws of meditation by which real seekers those who wish to find a good life by changing themselves may scientifically control their minds and attain Self realization.
When you develop your divine nature you become completely detached about the body; you no longer feel identified with it. You look after it, as you would attend to a little child. As you realize your true Self more and more, by meditation, devotion to the Sadguru, "sarvasva sharanagati"; you become freed from mental and physical pains. You cast off your lifelong limitations.
Allah Malik
Remember that as a child of God you are endowed with greater strength than you will ever need to overcome all the trials that god may send you.
Often we continue to suffer without making an effort to change, which is why we don't find lasting peace and contentment. If we would persevere, we would certainly be able to conquer all difficulties. We must make the effort that we may go from misery to happiness from despondency to courage. It is necessary first to feel the importance of changing our condition. This attitude stimulates our will to action. Let us resolve that we will always make an effort to improve our Self knowledge and thus continuously better our existence.
India's spiritual scientists explored the kingdom of the soul. They have given to mankind for its benefit certain universal laws of meditation by which real seekers those who wish to find a good life by changing themselves may scientifically control their minds and attain Self realization.
When you develop your divine nature you become completely detached about the body; you no longer feel identified with it. You look after it, as you would attend to a little child. As you realize your true Self more and more, by meditation, devotion to the Sadguru, "sarvasva sharanagati"; you become freed from mental and physical pains. You cast off your lifelong limitations.
Allah Malik
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Weakness Or Strength?
A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master.
The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the Sensei replied.
Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.
Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the Sensei intervened. "No," the Sensei insisted, "Let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and the Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.
"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the Sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the Sensei replied.
Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.
Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the Sensei intervened. "No," the Sensei insisted, "Let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and the Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.
"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the Sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The Beauty Of A Woman
A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.
"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and
said, "And you never will."
Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"
God said -
When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.
And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."
"You see my servant," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.
"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and
said, "And you never will."
Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"
God said -
When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.
And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."
"You see my servant," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
You Can
Aum Sairam
You can See, Feel and Be with God all the time and make Him your best friend
If you want to Feel Sri Sai, if you want to be with Him and if you want to talk to Him, CALL HIM and He will make you His presence felt. You can definitely see Him and feel Him all the time. Do you want to know How? just read out this:
If you want to be with Sri Sai and talk to Him about your life's happiness or sorrows Just call Him and He will come to you. He will make His presence felt. You can see Him in the form of light. Whenever you see any flickering light or the stars, you should understand that He is around and wants to talk to you. Try to feel Him around. He is sitting besides you and in your heart now and all the time. Ask Him a question and you will get an instant answer even before you finish asking your question. You will not even come to know when you started discussing your problems with Him and how they got solved. But you should have the patience to feel Him. You can be with Him and live with Him all your life. He is your life long friend and guide. You will start becoming a better person and a better human being once you befriend Him. You will feel that Sri Sai is talking to you. While you are traveling you can see Him all the time in the form of AUM. Look around and you will definitely see a picture of Aum around maybe behind a taxi or a truck. He will definitely come and make His presence felt . Take just one step friend just one effort and you will definitely grow spiritually.
Allah Malik
You can See, Feel and Be with God all the time and make Him your best friend
If you want to Feel Sri Sai, if you want to be with Him and if you want to talk to Him, CALL HIM and He will make you His presence felt. You can definitely see Him and feel Him all the time. Do you want to know How? just read out this:
If you want to be with Sri Sai and talk to Him about your life's happiness or sorrows Just call Him and He will come to you. He will make His presence felt. You can see Him in the form of light. Whenever you see any flickering light or the stars, you should understand that He is around and wants to talk to you. Try to feel Him around. He is sitting besides you and in your heart now and all the time. Ask Him a question and you will get an instant answer even before you finish asking your question. You will not even come to know when you started discussing your problems with Him and how they got solved. But you should have the patience to feel Him. You can be with Him and live with Him all your life. He is your life long friend and guide. You will start becoming a better person and a better human being once you befriend Him. You will feel that Sri Sai is talking to you. While you are traveling you can see Him all the time in the form of AUM. Look around and you will definitely see a picture of Aum around maybe behind a taxi or a truck. He will definitely come and make His presence felt . Take just one step friend just one effort and you will definitely grow spiritually.
Allah Malik
When You Feel Guilty
Aum Sairam
Whenever you feel guilty about doing a certain thing, remember, you are always free to choose . Your choices are always in alignment with the will of Sadguru Sri Sai. If, for any reason your choices do not result in joy, peace harmony and balance, you are always free to choose again. If your choices do not bring forth the best in yourself and others, you are free to choose again. A defective choice is not a reflection of the truth about you. The truth, is as you see the manifestations of the choices you make, you are always free to choose again and again and again.
REMEMBER: you are free to choose always. You can forgive yourself and ask for forgiveness.
You can confess what you have done and renegotiate your agreement. Your DIVINE FATHER SADGURU SRI SAI LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO OR DO NOT DO.
Allah Malik
Whenever you feel guilty about doing a certain thing, remember, you are always free to choose . Your choices are always in alignment with the will of Sadguru Sri Sai. If, for any reason your choices do not result in joy, peace harmony and balance, you are always free to choose again. If your choices do not bring forth the best in yourself and others, you are free to choose again. A defective choice is not a reflection of the truth about you. The truth, is as you see the manifestations of the choices you make, you are always free to choose again and again and again.
REMEMBER: you are free to choose always. You can forgive yourself and ask for forgiveness.
You can confess what you have done and renegotiate your agreement. Your DIVINE FATHER SADGURU SRI SAI LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO OR DO NOT DO.
Allah Malik
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Root Of All Evil
Aum Sairam
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A certain policeman had no children. Therefore, he adopted his brother's son as his own son. It so happened that after this incident, his wife conceived and gave birth to a son. As the days passed by, the adopted boy thought that if the real heir lives then his adopted parents would give all the money to him. They would not consider him as their child.
With this wicked thought in mind, one day he strangled the little boy and blood came gushing out. When his parents returned and saw this horrifying scene they lamented saying, "Could you not tell us that you wanted money? Why did you do this? We would have willingly given it to you" to the adopted son. Even at a very small age the lure for money had entered and corrupted the mind of that boy.
In the same way, instead of having pleasure for money you can delight in doing the will of Sri Sai. We did not ask Sri Sai for the material blessings of this earth but pleaded for receiving the gifts of Faith and Devotion. However, Sri Sai has blessed us double fold. He has not only blessed us with His precious gifts of Faith and Devotion but has also granted the material blessings to us. Until this present time, Sri Sai is providing all the desires of our hearts.
Today ask Sri Sai for the gifts of Faith and Devotion which are freely given for our goodness. Only when Faith and Devotion descends and dwells within you, would you know the will and plan of Sri Sai for you.
Prayer
Loving Sri Sai as You have told, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" help me also to sincerely seek the gifts of Faith and Devotion. In Your mercy and grace, let not my mind be set upon the love for money which is the root of all kinds of evil. May I discern to use the wealth that You have given me to glorify Your name and spread Your good news to those whom I come in contact with. May Your thought become my thought so that I execute only Your will in this world.
All glory and honor belongs to You alone.
Allah Malik
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A certain policeman had no children. Therefore, he adopted his brother's son as his own son. It so happened that after this incident, his wife conceived and gave birth to a son. As the days passed by, the adopted boy thought that if the real heir lives then his adopted parents would give all the money to him. They would not consider him as their child.
With this wicked thought in mind, one day he strangled the little boy and blood came gushing out. When his parents returned and saw this horrifying scene they lamented saying, "Could you not tell us that you wanted money? Why did you do this? We would have willingly given it to you" to the adopted son. Even at a very small age the lure for money had entered and corrupted the mind of that boy.
In the same way, instead of having pleasure for money you can delight in doing the will of Sri Sai. We did not ask Sri Sai for the material blessings of this earth but pleaded for receiving the gifts of Faith and Devotion. However, Sri Sai has blessed us double fold. He has not only blessed us with His precious gifts of Faith and Devotion but has also granted the material blessings to us. Until this present time, Sri Sai is providing all the desires of our hearts.
Today ask Sri Sai for the gifts of Faith and Devotion which are freely given for our goodness. Only when Faith and Devotion descends and dwells within you, would you know the will and plan of Sri Sai for you.
Prayer
Loving Sri Sai as You have told, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" help me also to sincerely seek the gifts of Faith and Devotion. In Your mercy and grace, let not my mind be set upon the love for money which is the root of all kinds of evil. May I discern to use the wealth that You have given me to glorify Your name and spread Your good news to those whom I come in contact with. May Your thought become my thought so that I execute only Your will in this world.
All glory and honor belongs to You alone.
Allah Malik
An Afternoon In The Park
Aum Sairam
There once was a little boy, called Tommy, who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a few orange juice cartons and started on his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. Tommy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his orange juice when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie.
She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a juice. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, Tommy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When Tommy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" Tommy replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the elderly woman, who too was radiant with joy, left the park with a song on her lips. When she returned home, her son was struck by the look of peace on her face, and asked, "Mother, you’re looking great – how come you’re so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son could respond, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I had expected."
Sri Sai says, “Every person is essentially divine. Therefore, the more one manifests the divine attributes of love, justice, truth and peace, the more happiness one can enjoy and also impart to others.”
All we have to do is to see God’s glorious reflection everywhere and in every person, and not limit Him to the idols and statues in the temples and churches, or to a name or form. So, if we can sincerely look upon every body we work with, live or play with as embodiments of the Divine, then truly our life will be one of perennial joy and love. It’s a simple change of perception, and as easy as we make it.
Allah Malik
There once was a little boy, called Tommy, who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a few orange juice cartons and started on his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. Tommy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his orange juice when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie.
She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a juice. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, Tommy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When Tommy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" Tommy replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the elderly woman, who too was radiant with joy, left the park with a song on her lips. When she returned home, her son was struck by the look of peace on her face, and asked, "Mother, you’re looking great – how come you’re so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son could respond, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I had expected."
Sri Sai says, “Every person is essentially divine. Therefore, the more one manifests the divine attributes of love, justice, truth and peace, the more happiness one can enjoy and also impart to others.”
All we have to do is to see God’s glorious reflection everywhere and in every person, and not limit Him to the idols and statues in the temples and churches, or to a name or form. So, if we can sincerely look upon every body we work with, live or play with as embodiments of the Divine, then truly our life will be one of perennial joy and love. It’s a simple change of perception, and as easy as we make it.
Allah Malik
Friday, January 23, 2009
Perfect Master
Aum Sairam
In order to derive full benefit from Science of Spirituality, it is absolutely necessary to have the guidance of a living Master, or an adept both in the science and art of spirituality.
He must be a perfect Saint who can lead aspirants to perfection. If the blind leads the blind, both fall into a ditch is a common aphorism too well known to need any comment.
There are various grades and stages on the spiritual path. A Saint of the highest order alone can safely take the jivas to the pinnacle of spirituality. One who is a novice or has climbed half way cannot take a jiva to the top. In an educational institution we see that there are different types of teachers for different classes. In this science also there a number of grades and degrees, as for instance, Guru, Sadguru, Param Sadguru.
A Perfect Master has no hallmark on his person. It is by personal contacts that one gradually begins to know something of His greatness, just as a student when he advances in studies gets to know little by little something of the ability of His teacher.
Again, the Master cannot disclose all His greatness at once, but only in proportion as an aspirant shows His keenness and makes progress on the path. The Master starts just like an ordinary teacher and imparts instructions as any friend or well wisher would do. In course of time, He demonstrates the authority of a Master on the path, and finally is seen embedded in Truth as Sadguru or the Master of Truth until there comes a stage when He and God appear merged in each other with no line of demarcation between them.
Allah Malik
In order to derive full benefit from Science of Spirituality, it is absolutely necessary to have the guidance of a living Master, or an adept both in the science and art of spirituality.
He must be a perfect Saint who can lead aspirants to perfection. If the blind leads the blind, both fall into a ditch is a common aphorism too well known to need any comment.
There are various grades and stages on the spiritual path. A Saint of the highest order alone can safely take the jivas to the pinnacle of spirituality. One who is a novice or has climbed half way cannot take a jiva to the top. In an educational institution we see that there are different types of teachers for different classes. In this science also there a number of grades and degrees, as for instance, Guru, Sadguru, Param Sadguru.
A Perfect Master has no hallmark on his person. It is by personal contacts that one gradually begins to know something of His greatness, just as a student when he advances in studies gets to know little by little something of the ability of His teacher.
Again, the Master cannot disclose all His greatness at once, but only in proportion as an aspirant shows His keenness and makes progress on the path. The Master starts just like an ordinary teacher and imparts instructions as any friend or well wisher would do. In course of time, He demonstrates the authority of a Master on the path, and finally is seen embedded in Truth as Sadguru or the Master of Truth until there comes a stage when He and God appear merged in each other with no line of demarcation between them.
Allah Malik
The Window
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning, while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hang the wash outside.
That laundry is not very clean, she said, she doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
Look! She has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this.
The husband said: I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows!
And so it is with life:
What we see when watching others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Before we give any criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge.
The next morning, while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hang the wash outside.
That laundry is not very clean, she said, she doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
Look! She has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this.
The husband said: I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows!
And so it is with life:
What we see when watching others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Before we give any criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Trust Yourself
Aum Sairam
"I never know what the next lesson is going to be, because we're not supposed to know; we're supposed to trust ourselves to discover it."
How deeply do you trust your own guidance?
Always trust that you know what's best for you. To move forward in your life, gather information from the 'experts,' consider how their advice relates to your situation and then act only on what feels right for you. What does your whole being [mind, body and soul] say `Yes!' to?
You are the only expert for your own life.
"I trust so much in the power of the heart and the soul; I know that the answer to what we need to do next is in our own hearts. All we have to do is listen, then take that one step further and trust what we hear. We will be taught what we need to learn."
"Ultimately, we must learn to trust ourselves. When we do this intimately and intelligently, the world opens full of meaning before us. We find that we ourselves are the doorway to a fathomless understanding of the source of life itself. We need only to learn to walk through it."
Allah Malik
"I never know what the next lesson is going to be, because we're not supposed to know; we're supposed to trust ourselves to discover it."
How deeply do you trust your own guidance?
Always trust that you know what's best for you. To move forward in your life, gather information from the 'experts,' consider how their advice relates to your situation and then act only on what feels right for you. What does your whole being [mind, body and soul] say `Yes!' to?
You are the only expert for your own life.
"I trust so much in the power of the heart and the soul; I know that the answer to what we need to do next is in our own hearts. All we have to do is listen, then take that one step further and trust what we hear. We will be taught what we need to learn."
"Ultimately, we must learn to trust ourselves. When we do this intimately and intelligently, the world opens full of meaning before us. We find that we ourselves are the doorway to a fathomless understanding of the source of life itself. We need only to learn to walk through it."
Allah Malik
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Internet Challenges
Aum Sairam
The central event of the twentieth century is the overthrow of matter. The powers of the mind are everywhere ascendant over the brute force of things.
Those of us who use the Internet are challenged with spam, viruses and worms. What meaning can we find in these culprits?
It helps to remember that the cause of everything lies in the spiritual realm. And so we might reflect:
- On spam: What unsolicited junk do we allow to enter our minds and distract us from what’s important?
- On viruses: What malicious thoughts and behaviors sabotage our dreams and sap our vitality?
- On worms: How do we allow fear to worm its way into our lives and subvert our highest intentions?
Mass consciousness is a reflection of all of our individual consciousnesses. The inner world creates the outer world. When we clean up our own systems, the external systems will follow suit.
"If each of us sweeps in front of our own steps, the whole world would be clean."
Allah Malik
The central event of the twentieth century is the overthrow of matter. The powers of the mind are everywhere ascendant over the brute force of things.
Those of us who use the Internet are challenged with spam, viruses and worms. What meaning can we find in these culprits?
It helps to remember that the cause of everything lies in the spiritual realm. And so we might reflect:
- On spam: What unsolicited junk do we allow to enter our minds and distract us from what’s important?
- On viruses: What malicious thoughts and behaviors sabotage our dreams and sap our vitality?
- On worms: How do we allow fear to worm its way into our lives and subvert our highest intentions?
Mass consciousness is a reflection of all of our individual consciousnesses. The inner world creates the outer world. When we clean up our own systems, the external systems will follow suit.
"If each of us sweeps in front of our own steps, the whole world would be clean."
Allah Malik
4 Steps To Enjoy Every Moment
Aum Sairam
All too often people take life, and all of the great things that it offers, for granted. People realize how much something means to them only after it is taken away. There is a reason for this; it is difficult to appreciate things in life because it is difficult to picture yourself without them.
An example will help to explain this point more clearly. Imagine sitting at a table nearly 100 feet long. On this table are hundreds of different foods. Main courses, deserts, drinks, and more cover every inch of the table. You are all alone, and all that the table offers is for you.
Now try and not take this food for granted. Try to appreciate it like it will be gone tomorrow. It isn't easy. It is hard to not take this food for granted when there is so much in front of you.
This example can be transferred to many things in life. One may see that same point in life itself. People say live life to the fullest, and to appreciate every day you have. This is difficult for the majority of people because, just the like the food, there are so many days left. When you know you'll be around for 40 more years, it is hard to think about today being your last day.
Don't lose hope, there is an answer. It's called the Step Back. This quick system will help you to appreciate your life, and all that is offers. Moments filled with happiness and excitement will no longer be unappreciated and taken for granted.
1. REALIZE YOU'RE IN THE MOMENT
The first step is to realize that you are in the middle of something good. It could be a beautiful day on your family vacation, or a perfect afternoon with your children. You are the judge of what moments you'd like to appreciate.
2. TAKE A STEP BACK
This is the main part of the system. Once you realize you are experiencing a moment you'd like to have last forever, stop yourself for a moment and take a Step Back.
Take yourself away from the situation. Take a short walk, a quick break, or simply close your eyes.
Once you are removed from the situation, think about it as if it happened in the past.
Picture how happy you were, the details of the scene, and the others around you. Feel the emotions you felt, see and hear the faces and sounds. Remember how much you enjoyed the time, and how much you'd like to enjoy it again.
3. MAKE YOUR RE-ENTRY
Once you feel the happiness of the moment, think about this; it's no longer in the past, it's right now! You just thought about how great you felt in that past moment, and now you can live it in the present.
You just appreciated the current moment by looking back on the situation. Once you are in the middle of the moment again, remember...
4. ENJOY YOURSELF
This will be a moment that, like all others, will eventually pass. With this in mind, really let it sink in. Take a look around, and realize you are in the middle of something great.
Taking a Step Back every now and then will help you appreciate life. No longer will you be one who takes life for granted. You will make happy moments happier, and you will also help to make them last forever.
Allah Malik
All too often people take life, and all of the great things that it offers, for granted. People realize how much something means to them only after it is taken away. There is a reason for this; it is difficult to appreciate things in life because it is difficult to picture yourself without them.
An example will help to explain this point more clearly. Imagine sitting at a table nearly 100 feet long. On this table are hundreds of different foods. Main courses, deserts, drinks, and more cover every inch of the table. You are all alone, and all that the table offers is for you.
Now try and not take this food for granted. Try to appreciate it like it will be gone tomorrow. It isn't easy. It is hard to not take this food for granted when there is so much in front of you.
This example can be transferred to many things in life. One may see that same point in life itself. People say live life to the fullest, and to appreciate every day you have. This is difficult for the majority of people because, just the like the food, there are so many days left. When you know you'll be around for 40 more years, it is hard to think about today being your last day.
Don't lose hope, there is an answer. It's called the Step Back. This quick system will help you to appreciate your life, and all that is offers. Moments filled with happiness and excitement will no longer be unappreciated and taken for granted.
1. REALIZE YOU'RE IN THE MOMENT
The first step is to realize that you are in the middle of something good. It could be a beautiful day on your family vacation, or a perfect afternoon with your children. You are the judge of what moments you'd like to appreciate.
2. TAKE A STEP BACK
This is the main part of the system. Once you realize you are experiencing a moment you'd like to have last forever, stop yourself for a moment and take a Step Back.
Take yourself away from the situation. Take a short walk, a quick break, or simply close your eyes.
Once you are removed from the situation, think about it as if it happened in the past.
Picture how happy you were, the details of the scene, and the others around you. Feel the emotions you felt, see and hear the faces and sounds. Remember how much you enjoyed the time, and how much you'd like to enjoy it again.
3. MAKE YOUR RE-ENTRY
Once you feel the happiness of the moment, think about this; it's no longer in the past, it's right now! You just thought about how great you felt in that past moment, and now you can live it in the present.
You just appreciated the current moment by looking back on the situation. Once you are in the middle of the moment again, remember...
4. ENJOY YOURSELF
This will be a moment that, like all others, will eventually pass. With this in mind, really let it sink in. Take a look around, and realize you are in the middle of something great.
Taking a Step Back every now and then will help you appreciate life. No longer will you be one who takes life for granted. You will make happy moments happier, and you will also help to make them last forever.
Allah Malik
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Most And The Greatest
Aum Sairam
The most destructive habit - Worry
The greatest joy - Giving
The greatest loss - Self respect
The most satisfying work - Helping Others
The ugliest personality trait - Selfishness
The most endangered species - Dedicated Leaders
The greatest "shot in the arm" – Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome - Fear
The most effective sleeping pill - Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease - Excuses
The most powerful force in life - Love
The most dangerous outcast - A Gossip
The worlds most incredible computer - The Brain
The worst thing to be without - Hope
The deadliest weapon - The Tongue
The two most power-filled words" - I can"
The greatest asset - Faith
The most worthless emotion - Self-pity
The most beautiful attire - A Smile
The most prized possession - Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication - Prayer
The most contagious spirit - Enthusiasm
Our greatest teacher – Experience
Our greatest natural resource - Our Youth And Our Elderly
Allah Malik
The most destructive habit - Worry
The greatest joy - Giving
The greatest loss - Self respect
The most satisfying work - Helping Others
The ugliest personality trait - Selfishness
The most endangered species - Dedicated Leaders
The greatest "shot in the arm" – Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome - Fear
The most effective sleeping pill - Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease - Excuses
The most powerful force in life - Love
The most dangerous outcast - A Gossip
The worlds most incredible computer - The Brain
The worst thing to be without - Hope
The deadliest weapon - The Tongue
The two most power-filled words" - I can"
The greatest asset - Faith
The most worthless emotion - Self-pity
The most beautiful attire - A Smile
The most prized possession - Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication - Prayer
The most contagious spirit - Enthusiasm
Our greatest teacher – Experience
Our greatest natural resource - Our Youth And Our Elderly
Allah Malik
Megha
Aum Sairam
Megha died at Shirdi at 4 am on 19th January 1912. Sri Sai lamented loudly and followed the funeral procession for some distance and showered flowers on Megha's body.
Megha of Viramgaon was a simple and illiterate Brahmin cook of Rao Bahadur H V. Sathe. He was a devotee of Shiva and always chanted the five syllable mantra 'Namah Shivaya'. He did not know the Sandhya nor its chief mantra, the Gayatri. Rao Bahadur Sathe was interested in him, got him taught the Sandhya and the Gayatri. Sathe told him that Sri Sai of Shirdi was the embodied form of the God Shiva and made him start for Shirdi. At the Broach Railway station he learnt that Sri Sai was a Muslim and his simple and orthodox mind was much perturbed at the prospect of bowing to a Muslim, and he prayed to his master not to send him there. His master, however, insisted on his going there and gave him a letter of introduction to his [Sathe's] father-in-law, Ganesh Domodar, alias Dada Kelkar at Shirdi, to introduce him to Sri Sai. When he reached Shirdi and went to the Masjid, Sri Sai was very indignant and would not allow him to enter. "Kick out the rascal" roared Sri Sai, and then said to Megha - "You are a high caste Brahmin and I am a low Muslim; you will lose your caste by coming here. So get away."
Hearing these words Megha began to tremble. He was wondering as to how Sri Sai had come to know about what was passing in his mind. He stayed there for some days, serving Sri Sai in his own way, but was not convinced. Then he went home. After that he went to Trimbak [Nasik District] and stayed there for a year and a half. Then again he returned to Shirdi. This time, at the intercession of Dada Kelkar, he was allowed to enter the Masjid and stay in Shirdi. Sri Sai's help to Megha was not through any oral instruction. He worked upon Megha internally [mentally] with the result that he was considerably changed and benefited. Then Megha began to look upon Sri Sai as an incarnation of Shiva.
In order to worship Shiva, bela leaves are required and Megha used to go miles and miles every day to bring them and worship his Shiva [Sri Sai]. His practice was to worship all the Gods in the village and then come to the Masjid and after saluting Sri Sai's gadi [asan] he worshipped Sri Sai and after doing some service [shampooing His Legs] drank the washings [Tirth] of Sri Sai's Feet. Once it so happened that he came to the Masjid without worshipping God Khandoba, as the door of the temple was closed. Sri Sai did not accept his worship and sent him again, saying that the door was open then. Megha went, found the door open, worshipped the Deity, and then returned to Sri Sai as usual.
On one Makar-Sankranti day, Megha wanted to besmear the body of Sri Sai with sandal-paste and bathe Him with Ganges water. Baba was first unwilling to undergo this operation, but at his repeated requests, He consented. Megha had to traverse a distance of eight koss [going and returning] to bring the sacred water from the Gomti river. He brought the water, made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Sri Sai to get ready for the same. Then Sri Sai again asked him to be freed from his bath saying that, as a Fakir He had nothing to do [or gain] with Ganges water; but Megha did not listen. He knew that Shiva is pleased with a bath of Ganges water and that he must give his Shiva [Sri Sai] that bath on that auspicious day. Sri Sai then consented, came down and sat on a pat [wooden board] and protruding his head said - "Oh Megha, do at least this favor; head is the most important organ of the body, so pour the water over that only-it is equivalent to the full or whole bath. "Alright" said Megha and lifting the water pot up, began to pour it on the head but in doing this he was so much overwhelmed with love that he cried out 'Har Har Gange' and emptied the pot on the whole body.
He kept the pot aside and began to look at Sri Sai, but to his surprise and amazement he found that Sri Sai's head was only drenched but the body quite dry. Megha worshipped Sri Sai in two places; in the Masjid he worshipped Sri Sai in person and in the Wada, Sri Sai's big picture, given by Nanasaheb Chandorkar. This he did for 12 months. Then in order to appreciate his devotion and confirm his faith, Sri Sai gave him a vision. Early one morning when Megha was still lying down on his bed with eyes closed but internally awake, he saw clearly Sri Sai's Form. Sri Sai knowing him to be awake threw Akshata [rice-grains marked red with kumkum] and said, "Megha, draw a Trident" and disappeared. Hearing Sri Sai's words, he eagerly opened his eyes but did not see Sri Sai, but saw only rice grains spread here and there. He then went to Sri Sai, told Him about the vision and asked permission to draw Trident. Sri Sai said - "Did you not hear My words asking you to draw Trident? It was no vision but direct order and My words are always pregnant with meaning and never hollow." Megha said - "I thought you woke me up, but all the doors were closed, so I thought it was a vision". Sri Sai rejoined - "I require no door to enter. I have no form nor any extension; I always live everywhere. I carry on, as a wirepuller, all the actions of the man who trusts Me and merges in Me."
Megha returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near Sri Sai's picture. Next day a Ramadasi Bhakt came from Poona, saluted Sri Sai and offered Him Pindi [an image of Shiva]. At this time Megha also turned up there. Sri Sai said to him - "See, Shankar has come, protect [i.e., worship] Him now." Megha was surprised to see Pindi following Trident immediately. Then also in the Wada, Kakasaheb Dixit was standing with a towel on his head after having taken his bath, and was remembering Sai, when he saw a Pindi before his mental vision. While he was wondering about this, Megha came and showed him the Pindi presented to him by Sri Sai.
Dixit was happy to know that the Pindi exactly tallied with the One he saw a few minutes before in his vision. In a few days after the drawing of the Trident was complete, Sri Sai installed the Pindi near the big picture which Megha was worshipping. The worship of Shiva was dear to Megha and by arranging the drawing of the Trident and the installation of the Pindi, Sri Sai confirmed his faith therein.
After continuous service of Sri Sai for many years, doing regular worship and Aarati every noon and evening, Megha passed away in 1912. Then Sri Sai passed His hands over his corpse and said - "This was a true devotee of Mine." Sri Sai also ordered that at His own expense the usual funeral dinner should be given to the Brahmins, and this order was carried out by Kakasaheb Dixit.
Allah Malik
Megha died at Shirdi at 4 am on 19th January 1912. Sri Sai lamented loudly and followed the funeral procession for some distance and showered flowers on Megha's body.
Megha of Viramgaon was a simple and illiterate Brahmin cook of Rao Bahadur H V. Sathe. He was a devotee of Shiva and always chanted the five syllable mantra 'Namah Shivaya'. He did not know the Sandhya nor its chief mantra, the Gayatri. Rao Bahadur Sathe was interested in him, got him taught the Sandhya and the Gayatri. Sathe told him that Sri Sai of Shirdi was the embodied form of the God Shiva and made him start for Shirdi. At the Broach Railway station he learnt that Sri Sai was a Muslim and his simple and orthodox mind was much perturbed at the prospect of bowing to a Muslim, and he prayed to his master not to send him there. His master, however, insisted on his going there and gave him a letter of introduction to his [Sathe's] father-in-law, Ganesh Domodar, alias Dada Kelkar at Shirdi, to introduce him to Sri Sai. When he reached Shirdi and went to the Masjid, Sri Sai was very indignant and would not allow him to enter. "Kick out the rascal" roared Sri Sai, and then said to Megha - "You are a high caste Brahmin and I am a low Muslim; you will lose your caste by coming here. So get away."
Hearing these words Megha began to tremble. He was wondering as to how Sri Sai had come to know about what was passing in his mind. He stayed there for some days, serving Sri Sai in his own way, but was not convinced. Then he went home. After that he went to Trimbak [Nasik District] and stayed there for a year and a half. Then again he returned to Shirdi. This time, at the intercession of Dada Kelkar, he was allowed to enter the Masjid and stay in Shirdi. Sri Sai's help to Megha was not through any oral instruction. He worked upon Megha internally [mentally] with the result that he was considerably changed and benefited. Then Megha began to look upon Sri Sai as an incarnation of Shiva.
In order to worship Shiva, bela leaves are required and Megha used to go miles and miles every day to bring them and worship his Shiva [Sri Sai]. His practice was to worship all the Gods in the village and then come to the Masjid and after saluting Sri Sai's gadi [asan] he worshipped Sri Sai and after doing some service [shampooing His Legs] drank the washings [Tirth] of Sri Sai's Feet. Once it so happened that he came to the Masjid without worshipping God Khandoba, as the door of the temple was closed. Sri Sai did not accept his worship and sent him again, saying that the door was open then. Megha went, found the door open, worshipped the Deity, and then returned to Sri Sai as usual.
On one Makar-Sankranti day, Megha wanted to besmear the body of Sri Sai with sandal-paste and bathe Him with Ganges water. Baba was first unwilling to undergo this operation, but at his repeated requests, He consented. Megha had to traverse a distance of eight koss [going and returning] to bring the sacred water from the Gomti river. He brought the water, made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Sri Sai to get ready for the same. Then Sri Sai again asked him to be freed from his bath saying that, as a Fakir He had nothing to do [or gain] with Ganges water; but Megha did not listen. He knew that Shiva is pleased with a bath of Ganges water and that he must give his Shiva [Sri Sai] that bath on that auspicious day. Sri Sai then consented, came down and sat on a pat [wooden board] and protruding his head said - "Oh Megha, do at least this favor; head is the most important organ of the body, so pour the water over that only-it is equivalent to the full or whole bath. "Alright" said Megha and lifting the water pot up, began to pour it on the head but in doing this he was so much overwhelmed with love that he cried out 'Har Har Gange' and emptied the pot on the whole body.
He kept the pot aside and began to look at Sri Sai, but to his surprise and amazement he found that Sri Sai's head was only drenched but the body quite dry. Megha worshipped Sri Sai in two places; in the Masjid he worshipped Sri Sai in person and in the Wada, Sri Sai's big picture, given by Nanasaheb Chandorkar. This he did for 12 months. Then in order to appreciate his devotion and confirm his faith, Sri Sai gave him a vision. Early one morning when Megha was still lying down on his bed with eyes closed but internally awake, he saw clearly Sri Sai's Form. Sri Sai knowing him to be awake threw Akshata [rice-grains marked red with kumkum] and said, "Megha, draw a Trident" and disappeared. Hearing Sri Sai's words, he eagerly opened his eyes but did not see Sri Sai, but saw only rice grains spread here and there. He then went to Sri Sai, told Him about the vision and asked permission to draw Trident. Sri Sai said - "Did you not hear My words asking you to draw Trident? It was no vision but direct order and My words are always pregnant with meaning and never hollow." Megha said - "I thought you woke me up, but all the doors were closed, so I thought it was a vision". Sri Sai rejoined - "I require no door to enter. I have no form nor any extension; I always live everywhere. I carry on, as a wirepuller, all the actions of the man who trusts Me and merges in Me."
Megha returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near Sri Sai's picture. Next day a Ramadasi Bhakt came from Poona, saluted Sri Sai and offered Him Pindi [an image of Shiva]. At this time Megha also turned up there. Sri Sai said to him - "See, Shankar has come, protect [i.e., worship] Him now." Megha was surprised to see Pindi following Trident immediately. Then also in the Wada, Kakasaheb Dixit was standing with a towel on his head after having taken his bath, and was remembering Sai, when he saw a Pindi before his mental vision. While he was wondering about this, Megha came and showed him the Pindi presented to him by Sri Sai.
Dixit was happy to know that the Pindi exactly tallied with the One he saw a few minutes before in his vision. In a few days after the drawing of the Trident was complete, Sri Sai installed the Pindi near the big picture which Megha was worshipping. The worship of Shiva was dear to Megha and by arranging the drawing of the Trident and the installation of the Pindi, Sri Sai confirmed his faith therein.
After continuous service of Sri Sai for many years, doing regular worship and Aarati every noon and evening, Megha passed away in 1912. Then Sri Sai passed His hands over his corpse and said - "This was a true devotee of Mine." Sri Sai also ordered that at His own expense the usual funeral dinner should be given to the Brahmins, and this order was carried out by Kakasaheb Dixit.
Allah Malik
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Enlightenment
Aum Sairam
When we are in the world of the thinking mind, we are somewhere in the remembered past or the imagined future. We are in a world of thought, memory, concept, idea, opinion and belief. We are not here now. What we are experiencing is not the truth and reality of the present moment.
In a very real sense, the past is intruding into our experience of the present moment, coloring and distorting it. All those limiting beliefs and painful experiences of the past adversely affect our experience of life.
To awaken simply means to awaken out of the world of the thinking mind into the world of the present moment. This does not mean that your memory of the past or your sense of the future disappears. You still participate within the world of time, but you are no longer identified with or defined by those memories from the past or imaginings into the future. You come to know yourself as the One who exists in this moment. You know that only the present moment can fulfill you and so you choose to live more and more fully in the present moment. The present moment becomes the very foundation of your life.
As you awaken, your experience of yourself and the world will dramatically change. Fear, anxiety and conflict disappear as you enter into a world of love, peace and abundance. You come to know yourself as LOVE. You encounter the living Presence of God within you and within everything around you. Separation dissolves as you enter into Oneness.. This is what is meant by enlightenment. It is what Buddha spoke of. It is what Jesus spoke of. It is what Lao-Tzu and Krishna spoke of. It is what God promised to Abraham.
Allah Malik
When we are in the world of the thinking mind, we are somewhere in the remembered past or the imagined future. We are in a world of thought, memory, concept, idea, opinion and belief. We are not here now. What we are experiencing is not the truth and reality of the present moment.
In a very real sense, the past is intruding into our experience of the present moment, coloring and distorting it. All those limiting beliefs and painful experiences of the past adversely affect our experience of life.
To awaken simply means to awaken out of the world of the thinking mind into the world of the present moment. This does not mean that your memory of the past or your sense of the future disappears. You still participate within the world of time, but you are no longer identified with or defined by those memories from the past or imaginings into the future. You come to know yourself as the One who exists in this moment. You know that only the present moment can fulfill you and so you choose to live more and more fully in the present moment. The present moment becomes the very foundation of your life.
As you awaken, your experience of yourself and the world will dramatically change. Fear, anxiety and conflict disappear as you enter into a world of love, peace and abundance. You come to know yourself as LOVE. You encounter the living Presence of God within you and within everything around you. Separation dissolves as you enter into Oneness.. This is what is meant by enlightenment. It is what Buddha spoke of. It is what Jesus spoke of. It is what Lao-Tzu and Krishna spoke of. It is what God promised to Abraham.
Allah Malik
How To Love God
Aum Sairam
To love God in the most practical way is to love our fellow beings. If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones, we love God.
If, instead of seeing faults in others, we look within ourselves, we are loving God.
If, instead of robbing others to help ourselves, we rob ourselves to help others, we are loving God.
If we suffer in the sufferings of others and feel happy in the happiness of others, we are loving God.
If, instead of worrying over our own misfortunes, we think ourselves more fortunate than many others, we are loving God.
If we endure our lot with patience and contentment, accepting it as His Will, we are loving God.
If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of His beings, we are loving God.
To love God as He ought to be loved, we must live for God and die for God, knowing that the goal of life is to Love God, and find Him as our own self.
Allah Malik
To love God in the most practical way is to love our fellow beings. If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones, we love God.
If, instead of seeing faults in others, we look within ourselves, we are loving God.
If, instead of robbing others to help ourselves, we rob ourselves to help others, we are loving God.
If we suffer in the sufferings of others and feel happy in the happiness of others, we are loving God.
If, instead of worrying over our own misfortunes, we think ourselves more fortunate than many others, we are loving God.
If we endure our lot with patience and contentment, accepting it as His Will, we are loving God.
If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of His beings, we are loving God.
To love God as He ought to be loved, we must live for God and die for God, knowing that the goal of life is to Love God, and find Him as our own self.
Allah Malik
Friday, January 16, 2009
Your Best Friend
Aum Sairam
Sri Sai is happy with your utter honesty. How often in His messages we find He stresses: "Be honest with God," hence with yourself. Sri Sai has also said, "I am whatever you take Me to be. Love Me, and do not try to understand Me. I cannot be grasped by the intellect. I am only reached by love." So He says that He is happy with your relation to Him — not of a disciple but of a friend, a dear child. He says, "If you truly take Me as a friend then take Me as your best Friend; if you truly take Me as a Father then take Me as your parents — both Father and Mother." If you really do that then there is no need to say, "Yes, yes," and mean , "No, no." Your devotion as a friend and child will automatically and naturally mean, "yes" in heart and outwardly as well.
Allah Malik
Sri Sai is happy with your utter honesty. How often in His messages we find He stresses: "Be honest with God," hence with yourself. Sri Sai has also said, "I am whatever you take Me to be. Love Me, and do not try to understand Me. I cannot be grasped by the intellect. I am only reached by love." So He says that He is happy with your relation to Him — not of a disciple but of a friend, a dear child. He says, "If you truly take Me as a friend then take Me as your best Friend; if you truly take Me as a Father then take Me as your parents — both Father and Mother." If you really do that then there is no need to say, "Yes, yes," and mean , "No, no." Your devotion as a friend and child will automatically and naturally mean, "yes" in heart and outwardly as well.
Allah Malik
Always Do Anything With Persistence
Aum Sairam
We should all try to have this in mind when doing anything or trying to achieve something that persistence should be our "motto”. Nothing in this world can be achieved easily, so we sometimes loose patience or loose faith, what we should do is that keep on trying till we get it, always bear in mind that all things needs space and time, nothing can we get immediately, something’s can be achieved in a short spell, while others may take longer time to get, but in the process of achieving we should keep on trying and have this hope that one day I will succeed, and it does happens that we finally see the result.
This goes same for human relation too, if we want to gain someone's attention or want to do something good for human being or try to be a good Samaritan, then much difficulty and problem may occur in our way, but we should never give up hope, instead keep on doing till we reach our goal, once we may not succeed, try twice, if no success, then thrice, give enough time to the full capacity then wait for the result. As we all know that God Helps those who are constantly trying to achieve something.
Allah Malik
We should all try to have this in mind when doing anything or trying to achieve something that persistence should be our "motto”. Nothing in this world can be achieved easily, so we sometimes loose patience or loose faith, what we should do is that keep on trying till we get it, always bear in mind that all things needs space and time, nothing can we get immediately, something’s can be achieved in a short spell, while others may take longer time to get, but in the process of achieving we should keep on trying and have this hope that one day I will succeed, and it does happens that we finally see the result.
This goes same for human relation too, if we want to gain someone's attention or want to do something good for human being or try to be a good Samaritan, then much difficulty and problem may occur in our way, but we should never give up hope, instead keep on doing till we reach our goal, once we may not succeed, try twice, if no success, then thrice, give enough time to the full capacity then wait for the result. As we all know that God Helps those who are constantly trying to achieve something.
Allah Malik
The Beautiful Heart
Arushi was only seven years old. Her cousin Rajat who was twenty years old, was studying medicine. Arushi thought he was already a doctor, so she called him Doctor Bhayia [brother].
One day she went to his room and found him studying a big book. She climbed onto his lap and asked, "Doctor Bhayia, what is this?" He said, "This is a picture of the human heart. There is one like that in all of us.” She looked at it curiously, as if trying to understand everything! He caught her little hand to place over his heart and said, "Can you feel how its beating? It works hard all day to pump blood. I am writing an article on the heart for my presentation."
"May I help you?" asked Arushi, her eyes shining.
There was pin-drop silence. Then the Professor rose up from his seat and started clapping.
One by one, everyone stood up to give a standing ovation. Little Arushi had seen beyond what doctors see. She had seen beyond the mechanics, the flesh and the blood. Truly she had understood the real functioning of the heart!
Rajat looked at her, hiding his smile and said, "Sure, you write something for me and I'll put it into my work. Off you go now."
Arushi sat down to work seriously. She wrote her article and gave it to Doctor Bhayia. On the day of the presentation, he read out his article that was a very good piece on the functioning of the heart. Then he said,” Sir, I seek your permission, to speak for another minute, to share with you, what my seven year old sister has to say on this topic."
The Professor in-charge was baffled, but all the same he nodded his head in as sent. This is what Rajat read out:
1 All of us have biiiig hearts. My heart does dhak-dhak all the time. My heart is red.
2 It is in circulatory system and pumps all the blood.
3 My heart loves all parts of my body. If my heart did not give love I would die.
4 My heart is cracked and breaked when people say a bad things to it.
5 When Raju break my dolly, a part of my heart cried and died.
6 When I get new toys my heart jumps.
7 My heart is soooo big, that I can put so many people into it.
8 Only God knows how to make new hearts so we should try not to break them.
9 Mama says God lives in all hearts. Then why do people fight?
One day she went to his room and found him studying a big book. She climbed onto his lap and asked, "Doctor Bhayia, what is this?" He said, "This is a picture of the human heart. There is one like that in all of us.” She looked at it curiously, as if trying to understand everything! He caught her little hand to place over his heart and said, "Can you feel how its beating? It works hard all day to pump blood. I am writing an article on the heart for my presentation."
"May I help you?" asked Arushi, her eyes shining.
There was pin-drop silence. Then the Professor rose up from his seat and started clapping.
One by one, everyone stood up to give a standing ovation. Little Arushi had seen beyond what doctors see. She had seen beyond the mechanics, the flesh and the blood. Truly she had understood the real functioning of the heart!
Rajat looked at her, hiding his smile and said, "Sure, you write something for me and I'll put it into my work. Off you go now."
Arushi sat down to work seriously. She wrote her article and gave it to Doctor Bhayia. On the day of the presentation, he read out his article that was a very good piece on the functioning of the heart. Then he said,” Sir, I seek your permission, to speak for another minute, to share with you, what my seven year old sister has to say on this topic."
The Professor in-charge was baffled, but all the same he nodded his head in as sent. This is what Rajat read out:
1 All of us have biiiig hearts. My heart does dhak-dhak all the time. My heart is red.
2 It is in circulatory system and pumps all the blood.
3 My heart loves all parts of my body. If my heart did not give love I would die.
4 My heart is cracked and breaked when people say a bad things to it.
5 When Raju break my dolly, a part of my heart cried and died.
6 When I get new toys my heart jumps.
7 My heart is soooo big, that I can put so many people into it.
8 Only God knows how to make new hearts so we should try not to break them.
9 Mama says God lives in all hearts. Then why do people fight?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Love and Tolerance
Aum Sairam
May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Happiness, Success And Joy
Perils of Maya, the myth, is well known, well expounded, yet least comprehensible for a spiritual seeker. The human nature is such; it falls to its own trap time and again. Desires multiply even after knowing how transient the human life is. Desires and more desires, as the mercy of Sadguru confers the wishes, the desires manifold. Souls trapped at the crossroads not knowing where to draw the line.
There was never a mother who did not think her child was a born genius, the most extra ordinary child that was ever born, she dotes upon her child. Her whole soul is in the child. The child grows up, perhaps becomes a drunkard, a brute, ill treats the mother, and the more he ill treats her, the more her love increases. The world lauds its unselfish love of the mother, little dreaming that the mother is a born slave, she cannot help that. She would a thousand times rather throw off the burden, but she cannot. So she covers herself with a mass of flowers, which she calls love. And this is Maya.
True it is that we are all slaves of Maya, born in Maya and live in Maya. Is there no way out, no hope? That we are all miserable, that this world is really a prison, that even our so called trailing beauty are but a prison houses, have been known for ages upon ages. There has never been a man, never been a human soul who has not felt this sometime or other, however he may talk. And the old people feel it most, because in them the accumulated experience of a whole life, because they cannot be easily cheated by the lies of the nature.
Is there no way out? We find that with all this, with this terrible fact before us, in the midst of the sorrow and suffering even in this world where life and death are synonymous, ever here there is a still small voice ringing through all ages, through every country and in every heart. This Maya is divine, made up of qualities, and very difficult to cross. Yet those that come unto Me, cross the river of life.
This voice comes to us when everything seems to be lost and hope has fled, when dependence on our own strength crushed down, and everything seems to melt away between our fingers, and life is a helpless ruin. Then we hears it. This is called religion.
Religion in this context may well be substituted for the doctrine of faith, to be taken for all its worth. As the true child of Sri Sainath Maharaj, let us spend a few moments on this Thursday [Baba's Day] contemplating the loving invitation Sri Sainath Maharaj has extended to His religion, the one of faith and patience, of love and tolerance, of one supreme that is for all,
Allah Malik
May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Happiness, Success And Joy
Perils of Maya, the myth, is well known, well expounded, yet least comprehensible for a spiritual seeker. The human nature is such; it falls to its own trap time and again. Desires multiply even after knowing how transient the human life is. Desires and more desires, as the mercy of Sadguru confers the wishes, the desires manifold. Souls trapped at the crossroads not knowing where to draw the line.
There was never a mother who did not think her child was a born genius, the most extra ordinary child that was ever born, she dotes upon her child. Her whole soul is in the child. The child grows up, perhaps becomes a drunkard, a brute, ill treats the mother, and the more he ill treats her, the more her love increases. The world lauds its unselfish love of the mother, little dreaming that the mother is a born slave, she cannot help that. She would a thousand times rather throw off the burden, but she cannot. So she covers herself with a mass of flowers, which she calls love. And this is Maya.
True it is that we are all slaves of Maya, born in Maya and live in Maya. Is there no way out, no hope? That we are all miserable, that this world is really a prison, that even our so called trailing beauty are but a prison houses, have been known for ages upon ages. There has never been a man, never been a human soul who has not felt this sometime or other, however he may talk. And the old people feel it most, because in them the accumulated experience of a whole life, because they cannot be easily cheated by the lies of the nature.
Is there no way out? We find that with all this, with this terrible fact before us, in the midst of the sorrow and suffering even in this world where life and death are synonymous, ever here there is a still small voice ringing through all ages, through every country and in every heart. This Maya is divine, made up of qualities, and very difficult to cross. Yet those that come unto Me, cross the river of life.
This voice comes to us when everything seems to be lost and hope has fled, when dependence on our own strength crushed down, and everything seems to melt away between our fingers, and life is a helpless ruin. Then we hears it. This is called religion.
Religion in this context may well be substituted for the doctrine of faith, to be taken for all its worth. As the true child of Sri Sainath Maharaj, let us spend a few moments on this Thursday [Baba's Day] contemplating the loving invitation Sri Sainath Maharaj has extended to His religion, the one of faith and patience, of love and tolerance, of one supreme that is for all,
Allah Malik
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Happy Pongal
Aum Sairam,
On this auspicious day let us pray to Sri Sai to burn our vices, weaknesses and prejudices in the fire and fill our life with contentment, love, empathy and tolerance towards others. Let us pray in unison for the welfare of the mankind that includes us. Let us seek guidance from Sri Sai to protect us and our families and always keep us in the path towards His love and service.
Wish you all a very happy and prosperous pongal. May Sri Sai bless each one of you and your family with health, wealth and happiness forever.
This pongal let us harvest the crop of good values, deeds and sanskars which we have sown into our daily lives through mutual learning and information we have passed on to each other. Let us burn our avidhya and agnyan in the fire of Gods love and plead him to fill us with love and humbleness. It is okay to say that 'I do not know' one doing service of God does not have to feel haughty and feel 'they know it all'. It is a fact that one does not know everything in life. God Alone Knows. So we are after all minute creatures of His mighty creation, just because we involve in His service one does not have to assume that we know everything and it does not belittle us if we say we do not know everything about Sri Sai. After all that is what this relationship is among us to learn and share and know about Sri Sai. Let us march together with His name on our lips and be humble and hold on to his lotus feet with faith. Remember Sri Sai Does Not Need Us To Carry His Name Or Do His Prachar. We need Him. So let us be humble and pray.
Allah Malik
On this auspicious day let us pray to Sri Sai to burn our vices, weaknesses and prejudices in the fire and fill our life with contentment, love, empathy and tolerance towards others. Let us pray in unison for the welfare of the mankind that includes us. Let us seek guidance from Sri Sai to protect us and our families and always keep us in the path towards His love and service.
Wish you all a very happy and prosperous pongal. May Sri Sai bless each one of you and your family with health, wealth and happiness forever.
This pongal let us harvest the crop of good values, deeds and sanskars which we have sown into our daily lives through mutual learning and information we have passed on to each other. Let us burn our avidhya and agnyan in the fire of Gods love and plead him to fill us with love and humbleness. It is okay to say that 'I do not know' one doing service of God does not have to feel haughty and feel 'they know it all'. It is a fact that one does not know everything in life. God Alone Knows. So we are after all minute creatures of His mighty creation, just because we involve in His service one does not have to assume that we know everything and it does not belittle us if we say we do not know everything about Sri Sai. After all that is what this relationship is among us to learn and share and know about Sri Sai. Let us march together with His name on our lips and be humble and hold on to his lotus feet with faith. Remember Sri Sai Does Not Need Us To Carry His Name Or Do His Prachar. We need Him. So let us be humble and pray.
Allah Malik
Ganges-Bath
Aum Sairam
Happy Makar Sankranti
On one Makar-Sankranti day, Megha wanted to besmear the body of Sri Sai with sandal paste and bathe Him with Ganges water. Sri Sai was first unwilling to undergo this operation, but at his repeated requests, He consented. Megha had to traverse a distance of eight koss [going and returning] to bring the sacred water from the Gomati river. He brought the water, made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Sri Sai to get ready for the same. Then Sri Sai again asked him to be freed from his bath saying that, as a Fakir He had nothing to do [or gain] with Ganges water; but Megha did not listen. He knew that Shiva is pleased with a bath of Ganges water and that he must give his Shiva [Sri Sai] that bath on that auspicious day. Sri Sai then consented, came down and sat on a pat [wooden board] and protruding his head said - "Oh Megha, do at least this favor; head is the most important organ of the body, so pour the water over that only-it is equivalent to the full or whole bath." "Alright" said Megha and lifting the water pot up, began to pour it on the head but in doing this he was so much overwhelmed with love that he cried out 'Har Har Gange' and emptied the pot on the whole body. He kept the pot aside and began to look at Baba, but to his surprise and amazement he found that Sri Sai's head was only drenched but the body quite dry.
Allah Malik
Happy Makar Sankranti
On one Makar-Sankranti day, Megha wanted to besmear the body of Sri Sai with sandal paste and bathe Him with Ganges water. Sri Sai was first unwilling to undergo this operation, but at his repeated requests, He consented. Megha had to traverse a distance of eight koss [going and returning] to bring the sacred water from the Gomati river. He brought the water, made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Sri Sai to get ready for the same. Then Sri Sai again asked him to be freed from his bath saying that, as a Fakir He had nothing to do [or gain] with Ganges water; but Megha did not listen. He knew that Shiva is pleased with a bath of Ganges water and that he must give his Shiva [Sri Sai] that bath on that auspicious day. Sri Sai then consented, came down and sat on a pat [wooden board] and protruding his head said - "Oh Megha, do at least this favor; head is the most important organ of the body, so pour the water over that only-it is equivalent to the full or whole bath." "Alright" said Megha and lifting the water pot up, began to pour it on the head but in doing this he was so much overwhelmed with love that he cried out 'Har Har Gange' and emptied the pot on the whole body. He kept the pot aside and began to look at Baba, but to his surprise and amazement he found that Sri Sai's head was only drenched but the body quite dry.
Allah Malik
Saturday, January 10, 2009
What is Soul
Aum Sairam
I had doubt since long what "SOUL" really is? Does something like that exists? Is the body, the Soul: Or is it something else. in which part of the body is the Soul: Is Sensation, the Soul? Will the Soul live even after the body dies: What do I mean by "I": I do not mean my body as "ME" or "I", that is my Soul. I decided that "I" means my Soul and stopped my research about the Soul. I was proud, that I found about the Soul, which the real researches did not find. Then I stopped my research about the Soul. I almost forgot my research. One day an astonishing incident happened to me. It changed my decision about the Soul. I thought my Soul was in me, but it was walking in front of me. I thought that I was dreaming, but it was true. It was really the Soul It was my Soul. I was scared because when the Soul is out of the body, then the body is dead. Am I dead? Horrified, I pleaded my Soul to come back in my body. But the Soul smiled at me and walked away. Crying, I ran behind the Soul. Only when the Soul comes into my body, I can live. My "LIFE" and "DEATH" is in the hands of the Soul. Anyway, I got a real answer for my long research about the Soul: My Soul is not "I" but its YOU.
Allah Malik
I had doubt since long what "SOUL" really is? Does something like that exists? Is the body, the Soul: Or is it something else. in which part of the body is the Soul: Is Sensation, the Soul? Will the Soul live even after the body dies: What do I mean by "I": I do not mean my body as "ME" or "I", that is my Soul. I decided that "I" means my Soul and stopped my research about the Soul. I was proud, that I found about the Soul, which the real researches did not find. Then I stopped my research about the Soul. I almost forgot my research. One day an astonishing incident happened to me. It changed my decision about the Soul. I thought my Soul was in me, but it was walking in front of me. I thought that I was dreaming, but it was true. It was really the Soul It was my Soul. I was scared because when the Soul is out of the body, then the body is dead. Am I dead? Horrified, I pleaded my Soul to come back in my body. But the Soul smiled at me and walked away. Crying, I ran behind the Soul. Only when the Soul comes into my body, I can live. My "LIFE" and "DEATH" is in the hands of the Soul. Anyway, I got a real answer for my long research about the Soul: My Soul is not "I" but its YOU.
Allah Malik
Sri Sai
Aum Sairam
Sri Sai, as we are constantly reminded in Shri Sai Satcharitra, is both Nirgun and Sagun. Depending upon the devotee's level of development and as per the situation, He was showing the particular aspect. Once we accept that He represents that aspect of Parabrahman with attributes, i.e. Sagun aspect also, we have to accept both the positive and negative qualities or what is also referred to as Duality. As long as the devotee thinks of himself different from his surroundings, duality is the ruling aspect.
This is true also for the devotee looks upon Sri Sai as God or Guru, i.e. different from himself. With duality comes another aspect of duality, viz., opposites. Where positive qualities exist, automatically negative qualities exist. So affection [love] and anger are opposite sides of the same coin. One more reason for Sri Sai's occasional spells of anger was that He wanted to give a practical training and demonstration of the lesson which He always used to din into the ears of His devotees, viz., to accept praise or criticism with equanimity and to accept whatever God gives as Prasad. So, those devotees, who took Sri Sai's scolding as blessings prospered materially as well as spiritually.
Allah Malik
Sri Sai, as we are constantly reminded in Shri Sai Satcharitra, is both Nirgun and Sagun. Depending upon the devotee's level of development and as per the situation, He was showing the particular aspect. Once we accept that He represents that aspect of Parabrahman with attributes, i.e. Sagun aspect also, we have to accept both the positive and negative qualities or what is also referred to as Duality. As long as the devotee thinks of himself different from his surroundings, duality is the ruling aspect.
This is true also for the devotee looks upon Sri Sai as God or Guru, i.e. different from himself. With duality comes another aspect of duality, viz., opposites. Where positive qualities exist, automatically negative qualities exist. So affection [love] and anger are opposite sides of the same coin. One more reason for Sri Sai's occasional spells of anger was that He wanted to give a practical training and demonstration of the lesson which He always used to din into the ears of His devotees, viz., to accept praise or criticism with equanimity and to accept whatever God gives as Prasad. So, those devotees, who took Sri Sai's scolding as blessings prospered materially as well as spiritually.
Allah Malik
Friday, January 9, 2009
Truth
Aum Sairam
The soul is eternal and the body is perishable, true. But we have to know the supreme importance of three things: first, the embodiment of Truth, second, the revelation of Truth, third, the manifestation of Truth. It is on earth and through the physical body that the soul can manifest its own divinity which is the infinite peace, infinite Light, infinite bliss. This earth is the field of manifestation and at the same time, this earth is the field of realization. God realization can be achieved only here on earth and not in other spheres, not on other planets, not in other worlds. So those who care for God realization have to come into the world. The soul has to accept the body because the body is absolutely necessary here on earth for the manifestation of the soul's divinity.
On the one hand, when the soul leaves the body, the body cannot function, the body dies. On the other hand, when the soul wants to manifest, it has to be done in the body, with the body. So we have to know what we actually want.
If we want to negate the body, destroy the body, what can the soul do? It has to leave the body. But if we want to achieve something here on earth and if we feel the necessity of establishing the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth then it has to be done with the
conscious help of the body. The body is the instrument of the soul. In the Katha Upanishads it says: "The soul is the Master, the body is the chariot, the reason or intellect is the charioteer and the mind, the reins." The body needs the soul, the soul needs the body.
For the realization of the highest and deepest Truth, the body needs the soul, for the manifestation of the highest and deepest Truth, the soul needs the body.
Allah Malik
The soul is eternal and the body is perishable, true. But we have to know the supreme importance of three things: first, the embodiment of Truth, second, the revelation of Truth, third, the manifestation of Truth. It is on earth and through the physical body that the soul can manifest its own divinity which is the infinite peace, infinite Light, infinite bliss. This earth is the field of manifestation and at the same time, this earth is the field of realization. God realization can be achieved only here on earth and not in other spheres, not on other planets, not in other worlds. So those who care for God realization have to come into the world. The soul has to accept the body because the body is absolutely necessary here on earth for the manifestation of the soul's divinity.
On the one hand, when the soul leaves the body, the body cannot function, the body dies. On the other hand, when the soul wants to manifest, it has to be done in the body, with the body. So we have to know what we actually want.
If we want to negate the body, destroy the body, what can the soul do? It has to leave the body. But if we want to achieve something here on earth and if we feel the necessity of establishing the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth then it has to be done with the
conscious help of the body. The body is the instrument of the soul. In the Katha Upanishads it says: "The soul is the Master, the body is the chariot, the reason or intellect is the charioteer and the mind, the reins." The body needs the soul, the soul needs the body.
For the realization of the highest and deepest Truth, the body needs the soul, for the manifestation of the highest and deepest Truth, the soul needs the body.
Allah Malik
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Be Content
Aum Sairam
Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have.
Contentment is a decision to be happy with what you already have. But I am convinced most people are not truly content. Unbelievers certainly aren't content, whether they realize it or not, but it is very sad how many believers have not learned to be truly happy with their circumstances. I wonder how many people can truly say,” I’m happy with my life. I love my spouse and my family. I like my job. I'm satisfied with my house and my car. There are many things I want Sri Sai to do for me, but I am content to wait until He does them in His timing. I do not covet anything that belongs to my neighbor. I am not jealous of anyone else or envious of what others have. If Sri Sai, grace it to them, then I want them to enjoy it.
I believe Sri Sai actually tests us in that way. Until we can pass His "I-am-happy-for-you-because-you-are-blessed" test we are never going to have any more than we have right now. Yes, Sri Sai wants us to prosper in every way. He wants people to His goodness and how well He takes care of us. But we must desire Sri Sai more than we desire His blessings. So He tests us to make sure this is the case before He releases greater material blessings into our lives.
Allah Malik
Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have.
Contentment is a decision to be happy with what you already have. But I am convinced most people are not truly content. Unbelievers certainly aren't content, whether they realize it or not, but it is very sad how many believers have not learned to be truly happy with their circumstances. I wonder how many people can truly say,” I’m happy with my life. I love my spouse and my family. I like my job. I'm satisfied with my house and my car. There are many things I want Sri Sai to do for me, but I am content to wait until He does them in His timing. I do not covet anything that belongs to my neighbor. I am not jealous of anyone else or envious of what others have. If Sri Sai, grace it to them, then I want them to enjoy it.
I believe Sri Sai actually tests us in that way. Until we can pass His "I-am-happy-for-you-because-you-are-blessed" test we are never going to have any more than we have right now. Yes, Sri Sai wants us to prosper in every way. He wants people to His goodness and how well He takes care of us. But we must desire Sri Sai more than we desire His blessings. So He tests us to make sure this is the case before He releases greater material blessings into our lives.
Allah Malik
Memo From God
Aum Sairam
I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it.
Kindly put it in the SFGTD [something for God to do] box. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work;
Think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad;
Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend;
Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance;
Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror;
Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities;
Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Should you decide to send this to a friend;
Thank you, you may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Allah Malik
I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it.
Kindly put it in the SFGTD [something for God to do] box. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work;
Think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad;
Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend;
Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance;
Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror;
Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities;
Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Should you decide to send this to a friend;
Thank you, you may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Allah Malik
Monday, January 5, 2009
Change For The Better
Aum Sairam
In our life we do find things changing. There are people who like change and some who do not like change. But the main thing is, change is always for the best. Obviously, when we find our environment and our surroundings to be monotonous or dull and drab, then we try to go for a change. A change takes us out of the rut of whatever we had been doing, it puts us on our toes, it gives jolts and gives us more opportunity to learn new things and experience new ventures. It gives us extra energy to explore new fields. We get interested in doing something new and expecting results out of it.
Whatever seems to be the arguments, change is an essential part of the universe. We hear so many new discoveries in the galaxy or a lot of new things emerging when evolution takes place. Change is everywhere, in fashion, in styles, in our fortunes, in our way of living and attitudes. But sometimes we notice that change can be painful for those who does not appreciate the positive aspect of it, those who are used to living life in a same routine manner, and are usually afraid to differ from their set rules, for them any change will be an extra burden on their lives. So to achieve the best around us and to change our environment, we should change for the better. Instead of groaning away about life's unfairness, or getting depress upon every small defeat in life, we have to take the first step towards achieving something really good. Change does not happen all of a sudden, we have to work for it. We should try to be strong enough to emerge as an upright individual. For this we need to be honest in our dealings with others which surely will do the trick.
Allah Malik
In our life we do find things changing. There are people who like change and some who do not like change. But the main thing is, change is always for the best. Obviously, when we find our environment and our surroundings to be monotonous or dull and drab, then we try to go for a change. A change takes us out of the rut of whatever we had been doing, it puts us on our toes, it gives jolts and gives us more opportunity to learn new things and experience new ventures. It gives us extra energy to explore new fields. We get interested in doing something new and expecting results out of it.
Whatever seems to be the arguments, change is an essential part of the universe. We hear so many new discoveries in the galaxy or a lot of new things emerging when evolution takes place. Change is everywhere, in fashion, in styles, in our fortunes, in our way of living and attitudes. But sometimes we notice that change can be painful for those who does not appreciate the positive aspect of it, those who are used to living life in a same routine manner, and are usually afraid to differ from their set rules, for them any change will be an extra burden on their lives. So to achieve the best around us and to change our environment, we should change for the better. Instead of groaning away about life's unfairness, or getting depress upon every small defeat in life, we have to take the first step towards achieving something really good. Change does not happen all of a sudden, we have to work for it. We should try to be strong enough to emerge as an upright individual. For this we need to be honest in our dealings with others which surely will do the trick.
Allah Malik
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Compassion
Aum Sairam
Seeing a person in distress and verbally expressing sympathy is not compassion.
Compassion must express itself in action to relieve the suffering. Nor should you adopt an attitude of aloofness or indifference under the plea that each one is suffering for his own folly. Though the suffering may indeed be due to one's mistakes - mistakes to which everyone is prone - we should seek to remedy such suffering, just as we try and find a way to relieve our own suffering.
Some people try to show off their sympathy by setting up charitable institutions and the like. True compassion should emanate from the heart, and should not find expression in outward manifestations that only reveal one's vanity.
Allah Malik
Seeing a person in distress and verbally expressing sympathy is not compassion.
Compassion must express itself in action to relieve the suffering. Nor should you adopt an attitude of aloofness or indifference under the plea that each one is suffering for his own folly. Though the suffering may indeed be due to one's mistakes - mistakes to which everyone is prone - we should seek to remedy such suffering, just as we try and find a way to relieve our own suffering.
Some people try to show off their sympathy by setting up charitable institutions and the like. True compassion should emanate from the heart, and should not find expression in outward manifestations that only reveal one's vanity.
Allah Malik
Living Values
Aum Sairam
Love And Respect : Love is the principle which creates and sustains human relations with dignity and depth. Spiritual love takes one into silence, and that silence has the power to unite, guide, and free people. Love is the bedrock for the belief in equality of spirit and personhood. When love is combined with faith, that creates a strong foundation for initiative and action. Love is the catalyst for change, development, and achievement
To know one's own worth and to honor the worth of others is the true way to earn respect.
Respect is an acknowledgement of the inherent worth and innate rights of the individual and the collective. These must be recognized as the central focus to draw from people a commitment to a higher purpose in life.
Freedom And Responsibility : Full freedom functions only when rights are balanced with responsibilities and choice is balanced with conscience. The most potent power to put an end to internal and external wars is the human conscience.
A responsible person fulfills the assigned duty by staying true to the aim. Duties are carried out with integrity and a sense of purpose.
Cooperation And Simplicity : One who cooperates receives cooperation. The method to give cooperation is to use the energy of the mind to create vibrations of good wishes and pure feelings for others and for the task. By remaining detached, objective and influenced by innermost values and not external circumstances, subtle cooperation in the form of wisdom emerges.
Simplicity calls on instinct, intuition, and insight to create essenceful thoughts and empathetic feelings. Simplicity is the conscience which calls upon people to rethink their values.
Happiness And Unity : Through the power of truth there is wealth, and through the power of peace there is health. Together they give happiness. Happiness is earned by those whose actions, attitude, and attributes are pure and selfless.
Unity is harmony within and among individuals in the group. Unity is sustained by concentration, energy and focusing thought, by accepting and appreciating the value of the rich array of participants and the unique contribution each can make, and by remaining loyal not only to one another but also to the task.
Honesty And Peace : Honesty means there are no contradictions or discrepancies in thoughts, words, or actions. To be honest to one’s real self and to the purpose of a task earns trust and inspires faith in others. Honesty is never to misuse that which is given in trust.
In its purest form, peace is inner silence filled with the power of truth. Peace is the prominent characteristic of what we call ‘a civilized society,’ and the character of a society can be seen through the collective consciousness of its members.
Humility And Tolerance : A person who embodies humility will make the effort to listen to and accept others. The greater the acceptance of others, the more that person will be held in high esteem, and the more that person will be listened to. One word spoken in humility has the significance of a thousand words.
Through understanding and open-mindedness, a tolerant person attracts someone different, and by genuinely accepting and accommodating that person, demonstrates tolerance in practical form.
Allah Malik
Love And Respect : Love is the principle which creates and sustains human relations with dignity and depth. Spiritual love takes one into silence, and that silence has the power to unite, guide, and free people. Love is the bedrock for the belief in equality of spirit and personhood. When love is combined with faith, that creates a strong foundation for initiative and action. Love is the catalyst for change, development, and achievement
To know one's own worth and to honor the worth of others is the true way to earn respect.
Respect is an acknowledgement of the inherent worth and innate rights of the individual and the collective. These must be recognized as the central focus to draw from people a commitment to a higher purpose in life.
Freedom And Responsibility : Full freedom functions only when rights are balanced with responsibilities and choice is balanced with conscience. The most potent power to put an end to internal and external wars is the human conscience.
A responsible person fulfills the assigned duty by staying true to the aim. Duties are carried out with integrity and a sense of purpose.
Cooperation And Simplicity : One who cooperates receives cooperation. The method to give cooperation is to use the energy of the mind to create vibrations of good wishes and pure feelings for others and for the task. By remaining detached, objective and influenced by innermost values and not external circumstances, subtle cooperation in the form of wisdom emerges.
Simplicity calls on instinct, intuition, and insight to create essenceful thoughts and empathetic feelings. Simplicity is the conscience which calls upon people to rethink their values.
Happiness And Unity : Through the power of truth there is wealth, and through the power of peace there is health. Together they give happiness. Happiness is earned by those whose actions, attitude, and attributes are pure and selfless.
Unity is harmony within and among individuals in the group. Unity is sustained by concentration, energy and focusing thought, by accepting and appreciating the value of the rich array of participants and the unique contribution each can make, and by remaining loyal not only to one another but also to the task.
Honesty And Peace : Honesty means there are no contradictions or discrepancies in thoughts, words, or actions. To be honest to one’s real self and to the purpose of a task earns trust and inspires faith in others. Honesty is never to misuse that which is given in trust.
In its purest form, peace is inner silence filled with the power of truth. Peace is the prominent characteristic of what we call ‘a civilized society,’ and the character of a society can be seen through the collective consciousness of its members.
Humility And Tolerance : A person who embodies humility will make the effort to listen to and accept others. The greater the acceptance of others, the more that person will be held in high esteem, and the more that person will be listened to. One word spoken in humility has the significance of a thousand words.
Through understanding and open-mindedness, a tolerant person attracts someone different, and by genuinely accepting and accommodating that person, demonstrates tolerance in practical form.
Allah Malik
Peas Biryani
Steaming hot Peas Biryani! Mouth-watering! Delicious! Mother usually made Peas Biryani on Wednesday afternoons in winter. It was her favorite dish to prepare, for it was easy to make, yet a hot favorite amongst the kids. Moreover fresh peas were in season and tasted heavenly!
She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed rice and poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame.
Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation. The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am Satya, this is the Truth.'
The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own color. I am Dharma. This is my duty.'
The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are shanti. We are peace. We are peas [peace] and our color too is green that is the color of peace!'
The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am prema. I love each one of you equally.'
The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavor. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are ahimsa. We tolerate all other flavors, yet retain our own!
The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here. But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly, you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am discipline and I am indispensable.'
The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said, 'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavor, wherever we go. We are devotion.'
The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain of rice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am discrimination!'
The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you. Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am determination and I am the most important of all!'
Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of its own importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook. But alas, who remembers the power of God?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again.
Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything. Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even Peas Biryani!
She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed rice and poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame.
Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation. The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am Satya, this is the Truth.'
The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own color. I am Dharma. This is my duty.'
The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are shanti. We are peace. We are peas [peace] and our color too is green that is the color of peace!'
The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am prema. I love each one of you equally.'
The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavor. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are ahimsa. We tolerate all other flavors, yet retain our own!
The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here. But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly, you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am discipline and I am indispensable.'
The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said, 'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavor, wherever we go. We are devotion.'
The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain of rice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am discrimination!'
The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you. Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am determination and I am the most important of all!'
Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of its own importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook. But alas, who remembers the power of God?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again.
Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything. Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even Peas Biryani!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Three Words for 2009
Aum Sairam
Three-Word Phrases, can be tools to help develop every relationship.
There are many things that you can do to strengthen your relationships. Often the most effective thing you can do involves saying just three words.
When spoken sincerely, these statements often have the power to develop new friendships, deepen old ones and even bring healing to relationships that have soured.
The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.
Let Me Help:
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.
I Understand You:
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know - in so many little ways - that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.
I Respect You:
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.
I Miss You:
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."
Maybe You're Right:
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting, "maybe I'm wrong". Let's face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.
Please Forgive Me:
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.
I Thank You:
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many ex-pressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.
Count On Me:
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating "you can count on me."
I'll Be There:
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.
Go For It:
We are all unique individuals. Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only. Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to "go for it."
I Love You:
Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: "I love you." Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone.
Allah Malik
Three-Word Phrases, can be tools to help develop every relationship.
There are many things that you can do to strengthen your relationships. Often the most effective thing you can do involves saying just three words.
When spoken sincerely, these statements often have the power to develop new friendships, deepen old ones and even bring healing to relationships that have soured.
The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.
Let Me Help:
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.
I Understand You:
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know - in so many little ways - that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.
I Respect You:
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.
I Miss You:
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."
Maybe You're Right:
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting, "maybe I'm wrong". Let's face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.
Please Forgive Me:
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.
I Thank You:
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many ex-pressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.
Count On Me:
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating "you can count on me."
I'll Be There:
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.
Go For It:
We are all unique individuals. Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only. Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to "go for it."
I Love You:
Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: "I love you." Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone.
Allah Malik
A Miser's Death
Aum Sairam
A miser had accumulated five hundred thousand dinars and looked forward to a year of pleasant living before he made up his mind how best to invest his money, when suddenly the Angel of Death appeared before him to take his life away.
The man begged and pleaded and used a thousand arguments to be allowed to live a little longer, but the angel was obdurate. "Give me three days of life and I shall give you half my fortune," the man pleaded. The angel wouldn't hear of it and began to tug at him.
"Give me just one day, I beg of you, and you can have everything I accumulated through so much sweat and toil."
The angel was adamant still.
He was able to wring just one little concession from the angel-a few moments in which to write down this note:
"Oh you, whoever you are that happen to find this note, if you have enough to live on, don't waste your life accumulating fortunes. Live !!
My five hundred thousand dinars could not buy me a single hour of life!"
Reflection Questions
1. If you only had one hour of life left, what would it be worth to you?
2. What if you only had one year left instead?
3. If you were the miser, what would you have written in the note?
Allah Malik
A miser had accumulated five hundred thousand dinars and looked forward to a year of pleasant living before he made up his mind how best to invest his money, when suddenly the Angel of Death appeared before him to take his life away.
The man begged and pleaded and used a thousand arguments to be allowed to live a little longer, but the angel was obdurate. "Give me three days of life and I shall give you half my fortune," the man pleaded. The angel wouldn't hear of it and began to tug at him.
"Give me just one day, I beg of you, and you can have everything I accumulated through so much sweat and toil."
The angel was adamant still.
He was able to wring just one little concession from the angel-a few moments in which to write down this note:
"Oh you, whoever you are that happen to find this note, if you have enough to live on, don't waste your life accumulating fortunes. Live !!
My five hundred thousand dinars could not buy me a single hour of life!"
Reflection Questions
1. If you only had one hour of life left, what would it be worth to you?
2. What if you only had one year left instead?
3. If you were the miser, what would you have written in the note?
Allah Malik
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Begin Your New Year 2009 With Four Steps
Aum Sairam
May this Thursday [Baba's Day] and New Year 2009 Bring you Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
Awakening is simple. Healing is available in a way that defies reason. But there are certain steps which each of us must take.
The first and most essential step is to know, through your own experience, the awakened state of Being. It is a state of profound inner silence, peace and stillness.
The second step is to come into right relationship with certain aspects of yourself including your ego, your thoughts and your feelings. You must bring the energy of love and acceptance to every aspect of yourself. All judgment of yourself and others must end if you are to awaken into the truth of life.
The third step is right understanding. We are souls on an extraordinary journey. Once you know the true nature of your journey, you will begin to awaken. Everything that has ever happened in your life will suddenly make sense. You will come to regard the problems and difficulties in your life as nothing more than opportunities to learn your lessons and awaken into Oneness.
The fourth step is to come into alignment with the universal laws of life. If you are to awaken fully, it is necessary to live in integrity in every aspect of your life.
Allah Malik
May this Thursday [Baba's Day] and New Year 2009 Bring you Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
Awakening is simple. Healing is available in a way that defies reason. But there are certain steps which each of us must take.
The first and most essential step is to know, through your own experience, the awakened state of Being. It is a state of profound inner silence, peace and stillness.
The second step is to come into right relationship with certain aspects of yourself including your ego, your thoughts and your feelings. You must bring the energy of love and acceptance to every aspect of yourself. All judgment of yourself and others must end if you are to awaken into the truth of life.
The third step is right understanding. We are souls on an extraordinary journey. Once you know the true nature of your journey, you will begin to awaken. Everything that has ever happened in your life will suddenly make sense. You will come to regard the problems and difficulties in your life as nothing more than opportunities to learn your lessons and awaken into Oneness.
The fourth step is to come into alignment with the universal laws of life. If you are to awaken fully, it is necessary to live in integrity in every aspect of your life.
Allah Malik
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
