We the Children of Sai

Aum Sairam

May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
"Sai Raham Nazar Karanaa,Bachchon ka Paalan Karanaa"

Which means- 'Sri Sai, please caste your merciful glances at your children and take care of them'.

It is the duty of all of us, the children of Lord Sri Sai Baba, to keep up the noble values Sri Sai Baba stood for. They are mutual co-existence, amity with all religion and love and compassion for all living and non-living beings so as to realize Sai-Chit-Anand- The Absolute Bliss. The essence of humanity or a human being, which is the latest development in the process of evolution of nature, lies in its contribution towards the growth of nature in the fellow beings and also all other living creations.

Sri Sai Baba saw no difference between a person and another person and between living and non-living. Today there stand two tombs at Shirdi one for a horse and other for a tiger as a monumental evidence of this Universal love of Sri Sai Baba. This being the theme of Sri Sai Baba movement let us resolves to do our little bit in helping others to grow. Sri Sai Baba was love. Let love prevail in a world of contradiction and antagonism.

The best pledge we can take on this beautiful Thursday [Baba's Day] is to decide to flow along with the Sri Sai Baba Spirit that a confused and battered world of today needs.

Sin

Aum Sairam

Sin is a kind of imperfection or ignorance. It is not necessarily something very bad, ugly or untouchable. In the process of evolution we are aiming at perfection, but right now most of us are still wallowing in the pleasures of ignorance and self-indulgence. As long as we remain in ignorance, we will do things wrong, we will commit sins. But we must not feel that we are completely lost or covered in darkness. We are just, progressing from less Light to more Light, and ultimately to liberation from ignorance-imperfection-sin.

One can liberate oneself from sin only by invoking Sri Sai Baba's constant grace. Sri Sai Baba's grace always descends abundantly and powerfully, but most human beings do not try to receive it. If the individual wants to free himself or herself from ignorance, and cries to receive Sri Sai Baba's compassion-rain, then definitely he will be liberated from the snares of imperfection-sin. But this liberation comes gradually as the seeker becomes more illumined. We must not expect sudden and miraculous overnight transformations, although these do occasionally occur.

Allah Malik

Why We Suffer?

Aum Sairam

God or His Name is the sole strength in living against all odds and uncertainties. If one is not at cross purposes with Him, one finds His manifestation in every happening. But, one has to bear with patience the onrush of the forces one has let loose. Yoke yourself unto Him and He will bear the brunt.

Take refuge in none but Him. Dependence on Him makes one fearless. Human beings will enjoy three fourths of life and one fourth they will suffer. But, we lose our patience and do not accept even that one fourth of sorrows given by Him.

Don't be obsessed with any wish. Shake off sadness. Unhappiness is part of the ego. Beyond it, no such thing exists. That you have forgotten Truth (that God is within), is the root cause of your misery.

A painful blow becomes bearable to a great extent by His remembrance. As He inflicts blows on you, so also He gives you the capacity for bearing the suffering. As one tolerates unbearable situations with patience, a time comes when He resolves all problems. Whenever you have tumults in mind, try to remember this very often. You can do this. The key is with Him. Truth wins. He is your shield. Destiny still comes but He eases the suffering.

When you have the shelter of Satyanarayan [God within], He will test you in various ways. Your duty is not to get agitated when these sorts of events hurt you. There is a saying of Sri Sai Baba, "You look to Me, and I look to you. Even then, if they do not leave Me and still seek Me, I then become their humble servant."

The smiles and frowns of life are His tokens of love. Bear them with loving patience, you have to forsake nothing. Neither indulges, nor restrain.

If you have devotion, you need fear nothing. Devotion is never devoid of strength. So many varied problems and hindrances must come; otherwise people won't understand and realize how and why He is the best of all friends and companions. He is the Dearest One, who keeps us protected in all calamities and adversities, which are unpredictable. People falter in life and suffer by discarding Him. But, they can't do anything without Him. Have faith in Him, unflinching faith. Love Him. Hazards take care of themselves. Remembering and depending on Him make one fearless in life, whatever may happen.

He gives us jolts so that we can be ready to taste real happiness with Him, to make us free of Maya, or mind and attachments. We do not know His Will, so we grieve over all He does, but He always does everything for the best. Do not worry. Never try to understand. Only accept as a gift whatever He gives, take it as His blessing. When one feels, "I am helpless, my strength fails" He comes to hold the rudder. Being always in the midst of people with their selfishness, jealousy and hatred, the mind is afflicted with pain. These afflictions are shaken off like dust through devotion and remembrance of God's Name within.

He, the Almighty, by His wish and touch takes away the worldly attractions gradually to bring one to a blissful, peaceful state. A person cannot realize this state on his or her own due to the intensity of illusory worldly desire. You do everything, see everything, listen to everything, but do not get so deeply involved as to invite sufferings through them. Of course, He will ensure this; you don't have to make any effort for it. Just keep Him in your remembrance.

Allah Malik

Blossom The Divinity

Aum Sairam

Dedicate or utilize your talents for the service of humanity. It is indeed self-alone that will blossom the Divinity within and will lead as service to Sri Sai Baba. Sri Sai Baba resides in every living being-animal, bird, stone and stump. Offer all your actions at the alter of Sri Sai Baba as flower offered at the Lotus feet of Sri Sai Baba without any envy or anger or lust or greed or ego. Fortune acquired by unfair means or deceit or trickery will never bring true happiness in your life. Only honest dealings with positive attitude in life will bring self-satisfaction, peace, happiness and joy.

There is nothing higher than Sri Sai Baba. The real seeker should sincerely worship Sri Sai Baba with a pure mind and words soaked in truth. Most of us find it well high impossible to give up the duties ordained in life.

Remember Sri Sai Baba all the time. Think of Him in the midst of work never for a moment forget Him. Meditate upon His form. The mind is prone to go stray, but never give up. Have implicit faith and perseverance in Sri Sai Baba and chant His name or mantra by loving Him, you will find a fountain of love and affection will burst open and will produce an immense joy and happiness around.

Raise your mind above the pain and pleasure, friend and foe, honor and dishonor and perform your duties, not for the sake of sensuous pleasures, but out of devotion to Sri Sai Baba. Always live in the present without worrying about the past or the future.

Indifference to worldly pleasures is the chief requisite for spiritual advancement. Never give up the self-study. Worship Sri Sai Baba. Meditate regularly. Perform your daily prayers. Never give up for a day, whether you are traveling or sick or busy in work. This alone can bring sweetness into your day-to-day life and this is path of spirituality, which will merge you with Him forever and ever at the appointed time.

Allah Malik

The Purpose Of Life

Aum Sairam

There were thousands of ants living on a hill of salt. A new ant came to them and said that there is a mountain of sugar nearby. Some ants went to have their fill from it. Many of them walked on and on but they could find nothing except salt because they had salt particles in their mouths, which they were reluctant to leave aside. Similarly, an ordinary person of the world cannot find bliss [sugar] even if they are informed that the mountain of Bliss lies with them. This is because they are reluctant to leave aside the attachments and selfish ends to which they are fast bound. Blessed is he who merges himself into Bliss and thereby becoming Bliss itself. This is the result of the supreme renunciation of all desires and attachments.

The Atman can shine only when you detach yourself from the senses. The mind must be withdrawn from its present comrades [senses] and be loyal to this royal master [Intellect]. Keep a lamp in a room with all its five windows open; the wind will blow it out. All the windows have to be closed to keep the flame burning straight. Similarly, the senses [windows] are to be controlled for mind-concentration [Flame] on the purpose of God-realization.

Be moderate in everything and keep the senses strictly under control. The cravings of hunger and sex drag you into perdition. A spiritual aspirant must be very careful about jeeva [tongue] and the guhya [organ of generation]. Get convinced that life is as unreal as a dream. Do not get attached to it beyond reasonable limits. The outward-bound senses are like the frogs that hop about on the petals of the lotus being unaware of the nectar in that flower. Only the honeybee [Intellect] can reveal that sweetness.

The Moon is unaffected even though its reflection in the lake is broken into bits. It is only due to weakness of the medium. Similarly, your reality is unaffected due to any disturbances but only your reflection [body] withers, elated or disheartened due to the weakness of the medium [Mind]. The mind assumes the form of the objects with which it is attached. It becomes small when it gets fixed on small things; it becomes grand when fixed on grand things. So, discriminate before you develop attachment. You will fail if you have attachment towards wife and children, land and buildings, bank accounts and balances. You will grow in love and splendor if you develop attachment towards the Universal. So, always dwell always on high thoughts and develop attachment on Universal. The action of Rama dhyana will remold your mind.

A ladder has to be as tall as the height you want to reach; similarly, your sadhana has to be as long as the time taken to reach the goal. When the walls are completed, the scaffolding is removed; similarly, when the Vision of the Reality is attained, japa, vratha, puja, archana, sravana, keertana---forms of spiritual discipline can be dispensed with. Always, keep Watching for every chance to dwell on noble thoughts, to do elevating tasks. Always do karma that will win Grace of the Lord. Your progress is reflected back as Grace.

Always have the meaning and purpose of life in view. Understand that –

You and the Universal are One;You and the Absolute are One;You and the Eternal are One.

You are not the Individual, the Particular, and the Temporary. Feel this, know this. Act in conformity with this.

Allah Malik

One Day I Decided to Quit

One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my Spirituality… I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. God, I said. Can you give me one good reason not to quit His answer surprised me…

Look around, He said. Do you see the fern and the bamboo?

Yes, I replied.

When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit. He said.

Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. He said to me.

Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots

I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

Don’t compare yourself to others. He said. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

Your time will come, God said to me. You will rise high

How high should I rise I asked.

How high will the bamboo rise He asked in return.

As high as it can I questioned

Yes. He said; Give me glory by rising as high as you can.

I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you!

Little things!

Aum Sairam

Too often we don't realize what we have until it is gone.Too often we wait too late to say "I'm sorry - I was wrong."Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones we hold dearest to our hearts, and we allow foolish things to tear our lives apart.

Far too many times we let unimportant things into our minds, and then it's usually too late to see what made us blind.

So be sure that you let people know how much they mean to you.Take that time to say the words before your time is through.

Be sure that you appreciate everything you've got and be thankful for the little things in life that mean a lot.

Allah Malik