Aum Sairam
This is further to my previous posting in response to the featured article "Spiritual Paradox". There is an interesting instance in Shri Sai Satcharitra, which I have been studying for nearly one and half years now.
Somebody brought a plank with an idea of making a cot for Sri Sai Baba. Of course, one narrow plank was not enough for making the cot. But before more planks could be collected, Sri Sai Baba hoisted the plank near to the ceiling and tied it with thin and withered rags.
Question had been asked in my pratham an examination of panchshila to explain Sri Sai Baba's couch on the narrow plank hoisted high with rags.
Another interesting aspect of that couch on the narrow plank hoisted high with rags was that nobody could ever see how he went up the plank and how he came down. Venerable Shri Dhabholkar alias Hemadpant has made a very poetic guess on this, saying, "May not one bestowed with 'Siddhi's become a fly and go up there or come down from there?"It occurred to me when writing my answer that Sri Sai Baba making a couch up there, away from all world was sannyasa [renunciation], going up there as a fly was siddhi attainment and being unconcerned whether the narrow plank was comfortable enough or not was Samadhi equanimity - all the three approaches rolled in one single instance, same as their having been quoted together in the verse 3-6!
In the context of this instance, one can also wonder whether Sri Sai Baba ever slept. Would God ever sleep? In this context it is interesting to relate this question with verse 2-69 in Shree Bhagwad-Gita, "Yaa nishaa sarva-bhootaanaam, tasyaam jagarti sanyamee, yasyaam jaagrati bhootaani saa nishaa pashyato muneyh" When the people retire to sleep, sanyamee, one with unpurturbing mind yet stays alert, [caring for the world?] and when the world is up and kicking, the Muni is oblivious to it all, even when seeing it all. Baba exemplified all this.
People tell that the philosophy of Shri Bhagwad Geeta is not just for reading and understanding but also for imbibing into ones life. But one needs examples to show how this is done. Shri Sai Satcharitra is full of such exemplary directions for one to improve ones life! This then becomes also an answer to the question of the week, "How to read Shri Sai Satcharitra?"
Allah Malik
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Thought of the Day!
Aum Sairam
Though faith is an important aspect of our lives, its full meaning and its profound implications are rarely understood and appreciated. Generally people take it to be a negative quality, implying lack of intellectual maturity. "Faith is to believe what you do not see, the reward of which is you see what you believed." Faith brings us closer to the secret which makes the whole world move in a wonderful clockwise precision. Have faith in Faith - for it is the real wealth of man.
Allah Malik
Though faith is an important aspect of our lives, its full meaning and its profound implications are rarely understood and appreciated. Generally people take it to be a negative quality, implying lack of intellectual maturity. "Faith is to believe what you do not see, the reward of which is you see what you believed." Faith brings us closer to the secret which makes the whole world move in a wonderful clockwise precision. Have faith in Faith - for it is the real wealth of man.
Allah Malik
Holding Hands!
Aum Sairam
Sitting on a beach one summer day, watching two children, a boy and a girl, playing in the sand. They were hard at work building an elaborate sandcastle by the water's edge, with gates and towers and moats and internal passages.
Just when they had nearly finished their project, a big wave came along and knocked it down, reducing it to a heap of wet sand. I expected the children to burst into tears, devastated by what had happened to all their hard work. But they surprised me. Instead, they ran up the shore away from the water, laughing and holding hands, and sat down to build another castle. I realized that they had taught me an important lesson.
All the things in our lives, all the complicated structures we spent so much time and energy creating, are built on sand. Only our relationships to other people endure.
Sooner or later, the wave will come along and knock down what we have worked so hard to build up. When that happens, only the person who has somebody's hand to hold will be able to laugh.
Allah Malik
Sitting on a beach one summer day, watching two children, a boy and a girl, playing in the sand. They were hard at work building an elaborate sandcastle by the water's edge, with gates and towers and moats and internal passages.
Just when they had nearly finished their project, a big wave came along and knocked it down, reducing it to a heap of wet sand. I expected the children to burst into tears, devastated by what had happened to all their hard work. But they surprised me. Instead, they ran up the shore away from the water, laughing and holding hands, and sat down to build another castle. I realized that they had taught me an important lesson.
All the things in our lives, all the complicated structures we spent so much time and energy creating, are built on sand. Only our relationships to other people endure.
Sooner or later, the wave will come along and knock down what we have worked so hard to build up. When that happens, only the person who has somebody's hand to hold will be able to laugh.
Allah Malik
Friday, July 6, 2007
Devotion
Aum Sairam
Devotion means unflinching faith and love in God or Guru. Until, unless the faith is mixed with love, it is difficult to sustain it all the time. Some times, in difficult situations, the faith is put to severe trials. This can be seen in the lives of the great saints and sages. Because of their unshakable love in God, they survived through the trials without losing the balance. The love for Guru can be for the physical form or for the change less essence present behind the physical frame. Sri Sai Baba mentions about both in his teachings. Sri Sai Baba advises his devotees about seeing his form in the living beings [Bhakti], meditating on the essence behind the form [Jnanam]. It is very important to have faith in Guru and his teachings. If some thing goes in a different way, other than expected, it does not deny the Grace of the Guru. Acceptance of results for the actions after doing ones personal best is the basis of faith. For the heart breaking and difficult problems of life, there may not be ready made answers. But, it is vital in those times to hold on to the torch of Faith, other wise there is every chance to fall into the deep abyss of doubting mind. The doubting mind never allows anyone to establish in any thing. A great saint in one of his compositions ironically laments, "What can I do with my tricky mind? If some thing goes rightly, I feel that it is mainly because of my effort and partly because of God's grace; if some thing goes wrong, I feel that mainly it is due to your lack of Grace and partly due to my lack of proper effort. Kindly show Grace on me and make my mind steady on your Lotus feet in both pleasure and pain". Let us pray to Sri Sai Baba to grant us steady faith and love on him.
Allah Malik
Devotion means unflinching faith and love in God or Guru. Until, unless the faith is mixed with love, it is difficult to sustain it all the time. Some times, in difficult situations, the faith is put to severe trials. This can be seen in the lives of the great saints and sages. Because of their unshakable love in God, they survived through the trials without losing the balance. The love for Guru can be for the physical form or for the change less essence present behind the physical frame. Sri Sai Baba mentions about both in his teachings. Sri Sai Baba advises his devotees about seeing his form in the living beings [Bhakti], meditating on the essence behind the form [Jnanam]. It is very important to have faith in Guru and his teachings. If some thing goes in a different way, other than expected, it does not deny the Grace of the Guru. Acceptance of results for the actions after doing ones personal best is the basis of faith. For the heart breaking and difficult problems of life, there may not be ready made answers. But, it is vital in those times to hold on to the torch of Faith, other wise there is every chance to fall into the deep abyss of doubting mind. The doubting mind never allows anyone to establish in any thing. A great saint in one of his compositions ironically laments, "What can I do with my tricky mind? If some thing goes rightly, I feel that it is mainly because of my effort and partly because of God's grace; if some thing goes wrong, I feel that mainly it is due to your lack of Grace and partly due to my lack of proper effort. Kindly show Grace on me and make my mind steady on your Lotus feet in both pleasure and pain". Let us pray to Sri Sai Baba to grant us steady faith and love on him.
Allah Malik
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Jagad Guru Sri Sai Baba [Baba's Day] Thursday Message
Aum Sairam
May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
God takes birth now and then on our planet Earth in human form. Sambavame Yuge Yuge... Mainly to restore dharma, righteous living by mankind, when there is deviation from the correct path of living. As Sri Sai Baba told, God created this planet by the Five Elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky, and these five elements are available for every living being and enough for all we need. We often forget that without air which we breathe, we die in a few minutes. Water and earth which gives us food for our sustenance. Though earth is a small planet in the universe and gets light from sun, which is only one star in millions of such stars among millions of galaxies.
Two third of our earth planet is covered by oceans. There is abundant wealth under sea waters [Diamonds. Minerals, Crude Oil etc.] But even 1/3rd of earthen surface has got abundant resources. We will be awe struck if we really contemplate on sky. Not only what we can see with naked eye, but what we know with our limited knowledge about the universe. Man in his ignorance and greed, exploits nature and wants to grab for him whatever is possible. That, he is doing to his best of capacity in case of earth and its resources. Thank God, he is does NOT have a grip over sky and air.
Jagad Guru Sri Sai Baba has [present sense is used since Sri Sai Baba is eternal] complete knowledge and control on FIVE ELEMENTS. He has perfect mastery over these five elements and their nature and powers. We came to know about 200 years or so back, how to generate electric energy from water. It was there earlier also. Jagad Gurus like Baba, as He himself said are lakhs of years old. They know everything; there is nothing they do not know.
So, with above few things in mind, let us pray on this Thursday Baba's Day to Jagad Guru Sri Sai Baba to give us real knowledge, the absolute truth. Sri Sai Baba is very kind and, He will answer our Prayer
Allah Malik
May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
God takes birth now and then on our planet Earth in human form. Sambavame Yuge Yuge... Mainly to restore dharma, righteous living by mankind, when there is deviation from the correct path of living. As Sri Sai Baba told, God created this planet by the Five Elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky, and these five elements are available for every living being and enough for all we need. We often forget that without air which we breathe, we die in a few minutes. Water and earth which gives us food for our sustenance. Though earth is a small planet in the universe and gets light from sun, which is only one star in millions of such stars among millions of galaxies.
Two third of our earth planet is covered by oceans. There is abundant wealth under sea waters [Diamonds. Minerals, Crude Oil etc.] But even 1/3rd of earthen surface has got abundant resources. We will be awe struck if we really contemplate on sky. Not only what we can see with naked eye, but what we know with our limited knowledge about the universe. Man in his ignorance and greed, exploits nature and wants to grab for him whatever is possible. That, he is doing to his best of capacity in case of earth and its resources. Thank God, he is does NOT have a grip over sky and air.
Jagad Guru Sri Sai Baba has [present sense is used since Sri Sai Baba is eternal] complete knowledge and control on FIVE ELEMENTS. He has perfect mastery over these five elements and their nature and powers. We came to know about 200 years or so back, how to generate electric energy from water. It was there earlier also. Jagad Gurus like Baba, as He himself said are lakhs of years old. They know everything; there is nothing they do not know.
So, with above few things in mind, let us pray on this Thursday Baba's Day to Jagad Guru Sri Sai Baba to give us real knowledge, the absolute truth. Sri Sai Baba is very kind and, He will answer our Prayer
Allah Malik
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Ultimate Liberation
Aum Sairam
In the world today, one sees anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, misguided ambition and power seeking. What is the reason for the prevalence of these negative emotions?
It is one thing only: man is lost and is wandering in a jungle where real values have no meaning. Real values can have meaning to man only when he steps on to the spiritual path, a path where negative emotions have no use. The spiritual path is based on the true human values: truth, right conduct, peace, love and non violence. When man plots a course through life based on these values, which provide a solid foundation, then all the negative emotions fall away. Even if he should stumble on the path, he can easily see the reason for the fall and quickly steady himself and continue the spiritual journey.
Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process. And when the cleansing is finally complete, the evolved soul ceases to react to anything. All emotions are perfectly balanced. He lives in a state of permanent happiness, regardless of prevailing circumstances.
So long as you continue to react to whatever you experience, you must also continue to look at yourself progressively more closely. Only through self examination will you be able to see through the negative emotions. You must see them for what they really are: aspects of the lower self attempting to maintain the grip which it has exerted over you for so long.
As you progress along the spiritual path, you should walk hand in hand with Sri Sai Baba. In whatever form you see Him. Sri Sai Baba the Ultimate is your guide and helper and He will carry you forward on the spiritual path if only you establish real contact with Him. It is like walking along a path with your closest friend. You can walk in complete silence and your friend, too, will remain silent. Or, you can talk to your friend all the time and learn from him as you go along.
Sri Sai Baba is that friend and it is up to you to break the silence and bring Him into your life at every moment of the day. Sri Sai Baba is love, and that is the easiest way to find Him, through love. If you keep your heart open and let love flow, Sri Sai Baba's love will fill you with divine energy and help you along the path, guiding you to overcome all obstacles. It is a long journey, but it becomes shorter and easier once you share it with the Lord. He knows the path, and will guide you all the way to the very end, to ultimate liberation.
Allah Malik
In the world today, one sees anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, misguided ambition and power seeking. What is the reason for the prevalence of these negative emotions?
It is one thing only: man is lost and is wandering in a jungle where real values have no meaning. Real values can have meaning to man only when he steps on to the spiritual path, a path where negative emotions have no use. The spiritual path is based on the true human values: truth, right conduct, peace, love and non violence. When man plots a course through life based on these values, which provide a solid foundation, then all the negative emotions fall away. Even if he should stumble on the path, he can easily see the reason for the fall and quickly steady himself and continue the spiritual journey.
Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process. And when the cleansing is finally complete, the evolved soul ceases to react to anything. All emotions are perfectly balanced. He lives in a state of permanent happiness, regardless of prevailing circumstances.
So long as you continue to react to whatever you experience, you must also continue to look at yourself progressively more closely. Only through self examination will you be able to see through the negative emotions. You must see them for what they really are: aspects of the lower self attempting to maintain the grip which it has exerted over you for so long.
As you progress along the spiritual path, you should walk hand in hand with Sri Sai Baba. In whatever form you see Him. Sri Sai Baba the Ultimate is your guide and helper and He will carry you forward on the spiritual path if only you establish real contact with Him. It is like walking along a path with your closest friend. You can walk in complete silence and your friend, too, will remain silent. Or, you can talk to your friend all the time and learn from him as you go along.
Sri Sai Baba is that friend and it is up to you to break the silence and bring Him into your life at every moment of the day. Sri Sai Baba is love, and that is the easiest way to find Him, through love. If you keep your heart open and let love flow, Sri Sai Baba's love will fill you with divine energy and help you along the path, guiding you to overcome all obstacles. It is a long journey, but it becomes shorter and easier once you share it with the Lord. He knows the path, and will guide you all the way to the very end, to ultimate liberation.
Allah Malik
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Role of Praise in Spirituality.
Aum Sairam
Often when we do things related to God we feel a sense of self importance. Hold on!! Let us reflect what is our aim in coming close to Sri Sai Baba? Is it to attain name and fame doing Sri Sai Baba's work? Do we follow His teachings or merely use His teachings to glorify us? While doing Sri Sai Baba's work are we conscious of Him or conscious of our contribution to His work? These things I have been thinking and today due to HIS glory I got the answer today and I am sharing it with you as inspired by Him.
Let us first remember that God does not need us to spread His Glory. He is beyond the facts of recognition. He is merely providing us an opportunity to do His work so that we can think of Him constantly work out our sins and reach to His abode. When we write let us always be conscious that it is Him alone who is guiding us always and He gets His work done. If not us, it would be somebody else. It is necessary that we always be humble in our approach. Our work is to sing His glory and learn from Shri Sai Satcharitra.
When we are praised for our work, immediately assign the glory to Sri Sai Baba and emphasize that "He provided way and means and we acted on it". It is true isn't it? Shri Hemadpant wanted to write leela's of Sri Sai Baba and Sri Sai Baba said "you are mere instrument and I shall sing my own glory". So this shows what we are and where our place is. When we acknowledge others with the quality of their work let us be simple, let us not glorify them to the height that we nurture their pride and ego. The flatterer is equally at fault as that of the ego nurturer. It is sinful to give false praises to a person, not only we give them an inflated vision of their ability but we create in them a feeling of self importance, as such they loose sight of God and then end up being "God". When we get into the habit of praising others, and do not for some reason praise them, then they get angry and relationship becomes sour.
It is like Darwin's theory of conditioning where in we wait/expect praises for every word and sentence we put in. When we read Shri Sai Satcharitra we have to follow it with heart, mind and soul only then god helps us. We are all guilty of having fanned ego in each other to some extent, it is time we cleansed ourselves and direct all the glory to HIM who is the actual doer.
Allah Malik
Often when we do things related to God we feel a sense of self importance. Hold on!! Let us reflect what is our aim in coming close to Sri Sai Baba? Is it to attain name and fame doing Sri Sai Baba's work? Do we follow His teachings or merely use His teachings to glorify us? While doing Sri Sai Baba's work are we conscious of Him or conscious of our contribution to His work? These things I have been thinking and today due to HIS glory I got the answer today and I am sharing it with you as inspired by Him.
Let us first remember that God does not need us to spread His Glory. He is beyond the facts of recognition. He is merely providing us an opportunity to do His work so that we can think of Him constantly work out our sins and reach to His abode. When we write let us always be conscious that it is Him alone who is guiding us always and He gets His work done. If not us, it would be somebody else. It is necessary that we always be humble in our approach. Our work is to sing His glory and learn from Shri Sai Satcharitra.
When we are praised for our work, immediately assign the glory to Sri Sai Baba and emphasize that "He provided way and means and we acted on it". It is true isn't it? Shri Hemadpant wanted to write leela's of Sri Sai Baba and Sri Sai Baba said "you are mere instrument and I shall sing my own glory". So this shows what we are and where our place is. When we acknowledge others with the quality of their work let us be simple, let us not glorify them to the height that we nurture their pride and ego. The flatterer is equally at fault as that of the ego nurturer. It is sinful to give false praises to a person, not only we give them an inflated vision of their ability but we create in them a feeling of self importance, as such they loose sight of God and then end up being "God". When we get into the habit of praising others, and do not for some reason praise them, then they get angry and relationship becomes sour.
It is like Darwin's theory of conditioning where in we wait/expect praises for every word and sentence we put in. When we read Shri Sai Satcharitra we have to follow it with heart, mind and soul only then god helps us. We are all guilty of having fanned ego in each other to some extent, it is time we cleansed ourselves and direct all the glory to HIM who is the actual doer.
Allah Malik
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