Swami kindly enlightens-What are the different stages in the journey to experience the transcendental Divine?

What are the different stages in the journey to experience the transcendental Divine?
Swami kindly enlightens us today.
Sai Inspires - 17th September 2009
Whatever form you attribute to Divinity, contemplate on that form. When you worship that form, your mind may waver quite a bit in the beginning. One-pointed focusing of the mind on a particular form is called concentration. When you practice concentration, the wavering of the mind may somewhat reduce. That is the state of contemplation. In contemplation also, there is some wavering of the mind. When the mind becomes totally steady, only then can you call it meditation. Gradually, you forget yourself. That is the super conscious state (samadhi) in which you transcend all forms. Then you will experience the attributeless Divine. -Divine Discourse, 6 July 2009.
Service done to a suffering being reaches the Lord. - Baba

Swami compassionately teaches-What are the key actions we must take to realize Divinity?

What are the key actions we must take to realize Divinity?
Swami compassionately teaches us today so that we may live in harmony with everyone. Did you learn the bhajan "Sarva Mangala Sai Janani" from the Bhajan Tutor in the Sep issue of H2H?
Sai Inspires - 19th September 2009
The entire universe is the creation of God and every being is the embodiment of Divinity, including small insects. Do not observe any differences, as God is present in every being. Do not hate or deride anybody. Do not quarrel with anybody. When you lead your life in such a manner, you will be able to realize your Self. So long as you have ego, you will not be able to understand your reality. When you cut the 'I' from the middle, it becomes a Cross. Cross symbolizes cutting of ego. When you cut your ego, you rise to the level of Divinity. If you have the feeling of "I, Mine and Thine", it will develop duality in you. Duality is not correct. The body has been given to you to lead your life in this world and to discharge your duty. Perform your duty well. Duty is God. Do not observe any differences and consider all as one. -Divine Discourse, July 6, 2009.
Everyone is God's Property. Consider All as One. - Baba

How to Exercise While Sitting at Your Computer?

How to Exercise While Sitting at Your Computer ?
Sitting at the computer all day is not exactly good for the body. If you have to be at a desk all day long, doing some simple things can improve your posture and health.
Steps
1. Sit properly in a good chair designed for desk work. Your back should be straight, shoulders back, and the top of your monitor should be level with your eyes. If you have to look down or up, you need to adjust the height of your screen. If you keep leaning forward, first get your eyesight checked. After a while you will improve your posture and no longer need this restraint.
2. Maintain an ergonomic body posture while typing. Be sure your wrists are slightly lower than your elbows. This will help prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Keep your legs bent at the knees so that the knees are only slightly higher than your hips. Feet should be flat on the floor or on a step stool of some sort.
3. Stand up every half hour to stretch or walk around a bit.
4. Stretch your calves, and give your eyes a break from focusing on your computer screen. This will also help prevent blood clots from developing in your legs. Blood clots are very common among middle-aged computer users.
5. Learn to stretch. To stretch your neck, flex your head forward/backward, side to side and look right and left. Never roll your head around your neck. This could cause damage to the joints of the neck.
6. Roll your wrists regularly (this will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome if you spend a lot of time typing).
7. Notice if you tend to hunch in front of the keyboard. To counter that, perform the following exercise: open your arms wide as if you are going to hug someone, rotate your wrists externally (thumbs going up and back) and pull your shoulders back. This stretch is moving your body the opposite way to being hunched and you should feel a good stretch across your upper chest.
8. Contract your abdominal and gluteal muscles, hold them there for a few seconds, then release. Repeat this for every few minutes all day long while you are working at your desk.
9. Stretch your arms, legs, neck and torso while sitting. This will help prevent you from feeling stiff.
10. Take advantage of the downtime created by rebooting or large file downloads to get up and try something more ambitious such as doing a few push-ups, sit-ups, and/or jumping jacks. Beware of your snickering co-workers though.
11. Acquire a hand gripper. They are cheap, small and light. When you have to read something either on the screen or on paper, you probably won't be using your hands very often so squeeze your gripper. It is an excellent forearm workout.
12. Acquire an elastic band (also cheap, small and light) and use it to do the actions mentioned in step 9 (i.e., when stretching your arms, do it by pulling apart the elastic band). You will not only stretch but it will also work the muscles slightly.
13. Take a few deep breaths. If possible, get some fresh air in your lungs.
14. Invest in a large size stability ball or stability ball style desk chair, and sit on it with back straight and abs firm. The actual stability ball is more effective, however the chair is a more viable option for use in an office environment. Sit , bounce or do basic toning exercises while watching TV or talking on the phone as well. Use the actual ball form in moderation when typing, as this is probably not the most supportive seating to prevent carpal tunnel and tendonitis.
15. While sitting, lift up your legs on the balls of your feet and set them down. Repeat these until your legs are comfortably tired. Then repeat it again about 10 minutes later. Do this whole routine for about an hour or so. This will exercise your calves.
16. Have a bottle of water by your side and make a habit of drinking some every half hour. If you do this consistently you will begin to feel more alert and in the long run you will get thinner.
Tips
• Set your chair back rest at an angle wider than 90°.
• Don't neglect the health of your eyes! It is detrimental to your eyesight to focus at one thing for long periods of time (i.e. your monitor) so take breaks to look out the window and focus at something at a further distance away to maintain good ocular health. Also consider purchasing an LCD screen which is easier on the eyes. If you are at your computer screen for long periods of time, optometrists recommend following the "20-20-20" rule--For every 20 minutes spent focusing on your computer screen, spend 20 seconds focusing on something else 20 feet away.
• As long as something is moving, you will be helping to keep yourself in better shape. Constant movement will burn calories and contribute to cardiovascular health. While exercising at your computer is helpful, it is not a substitute for going to the gym or conducting a regular exercise program.
• Don't sit still. Fidgeting is a good way to keep moving. Even something like tapping your foot. But don't make too much noise--however you fidget, the repetitive noises may bother other people.
• Always have water nearby to drink.
• If you're all alone, try shutting off the computer for a bit and exercise. If you're on a cell phone call, get up and do stretches, or leg lifts, anything to keep moving during down time away from the desk.
• Try exercises that combine opposing muscle groups (flexors and extensors, e.g., biceps and triceps) to get a good workout. Clasp your hands together with palms facing each other. Pull up with one hand while pushing down with the other.
• If you are a runner or jogger, you can sit on the floor and stretch as you use the computer. It will save you time too if you have to do both anyway.
• Play music while working to provoke body movement and relieve stress. A smaller instrument will be more convenient.
• Sit on a balance ball while you are working at your desk. You burn calories stabilizing your core and body on the ball. If this doesn't seem possible for work, replace the desk chair at your computer at home.

"There are many things in your life which will catch your eye but only few will catch your heart pursue those...

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Swami lovingly explains-What is the importance of time?

What is the importance of time? How should we best utilise it? Swami lovingly explains it and shows the big traps one should avoid through practice. Did you browse the section "Photo Gallery - Glimpses of Gokulam”?
Sai Inspires - 21st September 2009

Do not waste time. At present, you are wasting a lot of time in vain pursuits. In fact, Time is our life. Time is everything. "Kaalaya Namaha, Kaala Kaalaya Namaha" (Worship time, Worship the Lord of Time). If you spend such a valuable time, indulging in vain and unsacred things, how can you get it back? It is only to sanctify this life, God has given you your span of time. If you channelize your thoughts in the right path, your actions will be timely. The time, the action, the cause and the duty should be harmonized. Do not ever leave the sacred path. The path will help you lead a sacred life. You can definitely achieve this. -Divine Discourse, 12 Oct, 2002.
Spiritual practices should lead you to offer your soul to God. - Baba

Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba - 40 Tips For Better Life

40 Tips for Better Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to……...

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.' I wake up every morning clapping my hands, saying, “I am fine, I am good, I will overcome all obstacles and make it and God is my witness”.

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer everyday. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives. Baba said, “it’s better to pray then being a prey to the society”.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake and have dreamless sleep.

10. Eat more food that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. Try to be a vegetarian if possible.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires (blood suckers), issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card or a begger.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. Enjoy it.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. Fall in love with yourselves first and become a magnet that constantly attracts others to you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your good friends will…….Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. Love your family and forget all the petty arguments instantly.

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful to God for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please Forward this to all your friends.

May your troubles be less,

May your blessings be more,

May nothing but happiness come through your door! Jai Sai Ram.

Just for today

Just for today, be kind, cheerful, agreeable,
responsive, caring, and understanding.
be your best, dress your best, talk softly, look
for the bright side of things.
Praise people for
what they do and don't criticize them for what they cannot do.
If someone does something stupid, forgive and forget.
After all, it's just for one day.
Who knows, it might turn out to be a
good day!
Happy working!

SATHYA SAI BABA-SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT–45

In the South Indian tradition, there are 2 words that are very commonly used during functions & rituals one performs in adoration of God. These words are: Prasaadam, and Naivedyam. The former word as we all have heard is often distributed during functions; the word essentially means a blessing from God. But an everyday affair in many houses & temples.

The other word Naivedyam means an offering to God. During the Pooja ritual, food and other items are offered to God by way of consecrating them but in our context, any loving offering we make becomes a Naivedyam.

In other words we get Prasaadam from God & we offer Naivedyam to God! Similarly what we are is a gift from the Universe and what we become is our gift to the Universe!

Each one of us has received some gifts from God. These gifts are the Prasaadam of God. Life must be so lived that one makes use of these Prasaadam and gives it back to God as Naivedyam. When we use our gifts for the benefit of Society in a reverential manner, we are actually offering Naivedyam to God.

For example, we offer flowers to God. We pluck the flowers and make a garland before offering. In worldly parlance, “some value addition” is made before offering to God! Just like that, we must utilize the talents / the skills / the knowledge / the material wealth that we have in a suitable manner, do what we’re supposed to, i.e.; make some value addition and offer them back to God.

Just like our nail is a part of our finger, the finger is a part of our hand, the hand is a part of our arm and the arm is a part of our whole body, man is a limb of Society, Society is a limb of Nature and Nature is a limb of God!!!

Speaking during a concluding function in Dec. ‘96, the famous West Indian cricketer Clive Lloyd said, “Talent is a gift of God and it must be offered back to God.”

Similarly, a Pakistani singer of Ghazals when asked why she was not adopting modern methods of singing replied, “I can’t do that. Ghazals are a gift of Allah and I must offer it back to Allah in a pure form and not with modern distortions!!!”

The concept is the same irrespective of religion!

The great Isaac Newton once exclaimed, “The thumb alone is enough to prove that there is a superior power & that is God!”

This is the easiest way of going back to God – from God we have come and to God we must return. This cycle guarantees a safe return journey.

This is the P / N PRINCIPLE that we’re all supposed to follow.

The human birth is the final birth and, dependent on the virtue of the life, it ends in the Divine, or is reborn again. - SATHYA SAI BABA

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Sai Inspiration-Selfless Service

Dear Reader, Loving Sairam from the Heart2Heart team. How can selfless service help those who are doing the seva? Swami explains to us today. Did you read our new articles and a Special Message on this first day of June, 2009? Click here to read now.

Sai Inspires - 1st June 2009

Through selfless service you realise that all beings are waves of the Ocean of Divinity. No other sadhana (spiritual practice) can bring you into the incessant contemplation of the Oneness of all living beings. You feel another's pain as your own; you share another's success as your own. To see every one else as yourself and yourself in every one, that is the core of the sadhana of seva. Again, seva makes the ego languish for want of food. It makes you humble before the suffering of others, and when you rush to render help, you do not calculate how high or low his social or economic status is. The hardest heart is slowly softened into the softness of butter by the opportunities that the seva offers. -Divine Discourse, November 14, 1975.

Hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray. Baba

With Love and Regards, "Heart2Heart" Team.

SATHYA SAI BABA-SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT–43

WHERE & WHO IS GOD!!!

· Situated on the banks of the Ganges near holy Rishikesh in the Himalayas, there was once an ashram that had attracted a fair number of seekers.

The HEAD MONK once noticed that the Ashramites were often quarrelling and he could hear rude words that left him pained. 'Why are they angry with one another?' the guru asked himself. But he could not bring himself to throw anyone out - such was his compassion.

One day he saw two inmates fighting over food in the ashram canteen. The incident left him shocked and he returned to his hut in a despondent mood. 'What can be wrong with them?' he asked himself. He was racked with the problem of remedying the situation and elevating their souls.

So, he increased his discourses to them and gave more personal advice. The inmates' reverence for their guru increased, but unfortunately this did not translate in better behavior towards each other.

The GURU prayed to LORD SHIVA to help him find a solution. The LORD appeared in his dream & said, "I will come & stay in your ashram but not in this form. I shall be there in the guise of one of the inmates.”

The guru's joy knew no bounds & he went & shared this information with all of the inmates. They were excited but at the same time confused.

"Is this inmate sitting near me SHIVA in disguise?" one disciple thought. "Who could be that person?" Nobody knew and everybody was left guessing and as a result careful too.

For, each one thought, "How can I fight against him if he is LORD SHIVA? And thus, a subtle change slowly came over in each one of them. They began to see God in everyone and took every opportunity to help the other and be kind and courteous. The whole atmosphere in the ashram was now totally transformed – only love and harmony prevailed.

· There was a religious man who had invited all the members of his family, a few friends & relatives for food on 3 consecutive days on account of a function. That night LORD VISHNU came in his dream & said, "I shall come to your house tomorrow to take PRASADAM."

The man was elated & the next day, while all others were enjoying their meal, he waited for the LORD. An old beggar happened to come that time to his house & wanted to eat as well. But since everyone was busy, the beggar was overlooked & ignored!! The security then sent him away.

The man was very disappointed that GOD didn't keep up his word. That night the LORD came into his dream once again & said, "I came today to your house as the old beggar but you didn't even bother to serve me food."

The man was truly shocked, & exclaimed, "Oh! I had absolutely no idea.” The LORD said in all compassion, "OK, I'll come again tomorrow."

The next day, the man ensured that all 'old men' including 'beggars' were served food while he looked at everyone 'minutely' wondering which one of them was the LORD.

Suddenly one DOG came into the dining hall barking & wagging its' tail. The man saw the DOG inside the hall & screamed at the security to get the dog out as it was a disturbance & a nuisance. The security drove the dog out!

For the 3^rd night in a row, LORD VISHNU appeared in the man's dream & said, "I came in the form of that dog & you shouted at me & drove me away! What is the use of all your religious practices if you can’t even recognize that GOD is in everyone?”

PS: Thank you for all the responses that have been coming in during the last 1 month. We're re-starting the SQ series...

We've also sent vibhuti to SRILANKA, MAURITIUS, MUMBAI, VIJAYAWADA...as per recent requests.

Moderator

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CONVERSATIONS WITH SAI

Satyopanishad - part 16:
Direct Directions from the Divine

Dear Reader,

In response to your positive feedback to this section where we have a conversation with the Divine, we continue with Prof. Anil Kumar’s ‘Satyopanishad’ following Dr. John Hislop’s series ‘Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’ that ended in January 2008.

This series is also in the question-answer format that many devotees prefer, and has answers from Bhagavan on topics as wide ranging as the origin of evil, the goals of human lif, and aspects of God – embodied and formless, to price hikes, women’s liberation, vegetarianism, and the generation gap among people of the present times.

Published in two parts by the author, these volumes have 270 questions in all, which are neatly grouped under separate chapters. In this issue, we begin the fifth chapter: 'Concepts'

Chapter 5: Concepts

(Continued from the previous issue)

Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! We have many qualities tamasika (like laziness, dullness, etc.), rajasika (like aggressiveness, ego, etc.) and sattvika (being pious). Do they change at any time? How are we to ennoble ourselves? Sometimes these attributes may be responsible for conflicts with our colleagues in the office. What is to be done under these circumstances? Kindly give us a solution to this problem that we encounter everyday?

Bhagavan: The whole world revolves round these three attributes tamasika, rajasika and sattvika. Every individual has these three attributes working like the three blades of a fan. But in a person, the quality which dominates the other two, decides their nature and total personality, nay, their very destiny as a whole.

He is a pious man whose sattvika quality dominates his rajasika and tamasika qualities. He is an emotional, passionate, active man if his rajasika quality dominates his sattvika and tamasika qualities. He is a dull, inactive and passive man if he is dominated by the tamasika nature. Thus, everyone has these three attributes.

For instance, in an eyeball don't you see all the three colours - white, red, and black? They symbolise these three traits. Watch the Sunrise. You will notice three colours - red, white and black again indicating three attributes. However, you should note one important point. These attributes or gunas have no independent existence. Divinity makes them functional. But the gunas are not to be found in the divine, as God is gunatita, the One beyond attributes.

Gunas are transformable. For instance, you can get over tamasika quality by karma, action. Karma transforms tamasika quality into rajasika activity. Rajasika nature is dual. It may give you success or failure, profit or loss, praise or blame, etc. Man has to perform karma. In fact, there is no one who does not take any action. You may lie on a bed sleeping, yet your heart beats, blood circulates and the nervous system and pulmonary system work. Don't they? Does it not amount to action?

By doing selfless actions, offering all the fruits of action to God, serving God in everyone and by realising the indwelling divinity, one can develop anubhavajnana, practical wisdom or experience-based wisdom. At that stage, a rajasika person becomes a sattvika person. Therefore, karma is important. It is said karmanubandhini manus yaloke, which means, human society is bound by action. Your very life is gifted to do karma. Thus, janma, birth and karma, actions are interrelated.

Therefore, a tamasika nature can be converted into rajasika by volitional action, which can be further transformed into sattvika by bhakti and jnana, that is, devotion and awareness. This is sadhana or spiritual practice.

In fact, one should salute respectfully the action he does. Tasmai namah karmane, “my salutations to the action given or assigned to me”. Therefore, a tamasika nature can be converted into rajasika by volitional action, which can be further transformed into sattvika by bhakti and jnana, that is, devotion and awareness. This is sadhana or spiritual practice.

By atmavicara, self-enquiry, you can improve and change your nature. When any lower or animal qualities like wavering of the mind, excessive sleep, gluttony, etc. crop up, immediately say to yourself at least ten times. "I am a man, I am not an animal." Then, you will be able to get over them. Do your duty sincerely. Don't be pompous. Don't show off or do any stunt. Always be sure that God notices everything that you do, though others may not. Do your duty with love.

Duty with love is Desirable.
Duty without love is Deplorable,
Love without duty is Divine.

If you offer all your work and the fruits thereof to God, your work will be transformed into worship.

To See The Whole Conversation Go To the Page Below :

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_07/01JUN09/01-conversations.htm

SATHYA SAI BABA-SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT–46

THE GARBAGE TRUCK!!!

How often do we let other people's emotions affect our mood? Do we let a terrible driver, or a rude comment ruin our day?

The mark of a spiritual aspirant is how quickly we can ‘regain our focus’ on what is important. One man learnt this experience while in the back of a New York City cab. Here's what happened.

He was traveling in a taxi, on his way to Grand Central Station. All of a sudden, without warning, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of them. The taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car's back end by inches.

Then, the driver in the other car, who nearly caused a huge accident, whipped his head around and started abusing the taxi driver. So did the companion sitting next to him! One would have thought that it should have been the other way round!!!

But the taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. The startled passenger sitting in the taxi said, "Why did you take it so easy? The guys almost caused your car to crash and send us to hospital!"

The taxi driver laughed and then related what he called, "The Law of The Garbage Truck."

"Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of rubbish, filled with frustration, bursting with anger, and packed with disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump it all on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be glad you did. I assure you.”

The passenger started thinking how regularly he let garbage trucks run right over him? And how frequently he took his own garbage and spread it onto other people, at work, at home, or on the streets? It was that day he promised to himself, "I'm not going to do it anymore. Enough is enough!"

Over time he learnt how to distinguish when a "Garbage Truck" was coming to dump all over him. He noticed the junk they were carrying and prepared himself to avoid it all being unloaded onto him. Like the taxi driver, he did not make it a personal thing; he just smiled or waved or wished them or did all of these and moved on!!!

(A very popular story in all ‘Emotional Intelligence’ sessions & was also published in ‘radio sai journals’))

PS: “Can you not be saturated with Love? Why use harsh words against anyone, for words wound more fatally than even arrows? Can you not speak softly and sweetly? You don’t have to oblige but you can always speak obligingly!!!” – SATHYA SAI BABA

SOME RESPONSES…

1. Dear Sir,

I never cease to be awed by the way SQ manages to drive home the point with the help of your spiritual quotes, examples and short stories.

We youngsters always have these misconceived notions that spirituality is something which is to be pursued only in old age after we have enjoyed our life in our youth, but SQ has been an eye opener for us.

The messages are wonderful that we need to be thankful for mental peace and material comfort bestowed by God on us, than to hanker after things which can just give us momentary feeling of happiness.

This write up of SQ is much more intense and thought provoking. I think the effort taken for compiling these articles for SQ is really commendable and hope that you continue to nourish us daily with your spiritual anecdotes.

Regards

REVATHI

2. Dear Sir,

In fact, your SQ has become quite a repository of spiritual knowledge that besides your quotients, the debates and the exchange of ideas and thoughts have also become equally popular. I have become quite an avid reader of all these.

Thank you once again for this wonderful opportunity to 'learn' and to 'debate'.

May your column grow from strength to strength?

Regards

JAWAHAR.N.R

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SATHYA SAI BABA-SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT–47

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room was filled with light, and the Lord told the man that he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might every day!

The man did so, day after day. For several days he toiled from dawn to dusk, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain as the rock simply didn’t budge even an inch!!! But he persisted.

Since the man was showing slight discouragement, the ‘Satan’ decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into his weary tired mind. “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t moved. You’ve been fooled by God! The task is impossible and you’re a failure.”

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan continued, “Why kill yourself over this? Just give minimum effort, and that will be good enough. Then come & enjoy life with me.”

That’s what the man planned to do as the ‘monkey mind’ played mischief & he was completely influenced by the Satan, but decided to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing? Why have you asked me to do this?"

The Lord responded compassionately, “My dear fellow, I told you that your task was just to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it! Your task was just to push. That’s all & that you’ve done successfully!!!”

“And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown; your legs have become massive and hard. Your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Your task was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my child, will move the rock.” Announced God triumphantly!!!

The Man simply bowed in reverence & humility!

PS: What actually God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. We should not waver - having devotion today, tomorrow seeking sensual gratification, and then the day after, back to devotion again. When something goes wrong, we are filled with despair. When discipline is enforced, we start holding back, and when love is showered, we are first again. This dual attitude must be given up. SATHYA SAI BABA

Pray Until Something Happens!

(Compiled from ‘Radio Sai Journals…might be a repeat but worth it…)

A FEW RESPONSES…

1. Thanks for SQ- it is a great pleasure to read it and to remember it - these stories I can use in my classes - a good way to make my pupils think and remember - hopefully to change their consciousness

Angelika Holler

2. Dear Sai Brother, hope there is no auther's rights on your prayer, because I'm using it, may God pay you in full for this beautiful prayer you have shared with us. Om sai ram

Frances

3. Dear Sir,
This is very useful story. Quite often we see that people try to
hurt each other, whether it is in public transport or in office. One
person speaks very badly to other, because of which his Ego gets hurt tremendously & he retaliates, by speaking badly of the former.

The former returns the garbage & this continues to happen. Those people who happen to hear this are disgusted.
Reading this story, we understand that we should ignore the
garbage, & not try to retaliate but forget it.

Om Sai Ram.
Sai Bhakta.

VAIBHAV

For More email at : sbanerjee68@yahoo.com

A Story Narrated by Bhagavan Baba

THE MILK MAID

There was a pundit who led a disciplined life, and always stuck to a prearranged timetable. He woke up from sleep in the early hours of the morning, recited Pranava (Om) and later, after ablutions, drank a cup of milk exactly at 7 a.m. every day. This meant, a lot also depended on how punctual his milk maid was.

But sometimes the milkmaid would arrive late, for she lived on the other side of a river. The river flowed between where she lived and the pundit’s hut. She had to catch a ferry to cross over the river with the milk. The ferryboat would sometimes either start a little early or a little late. So, on those days by the time she reached the Pundit's house it used to be very late.

One day, the Pundit admonished her. He said, "You are disrupting my disciplined life. Don't you know that I must have my cup of milk at 7 a.m. everyday? Why do you depend on that boat to take you across? Just repeat the name of Rama. The river will part and you will be able to walk across. Rama will see that you do not get drowned."

The maid being very simple and unsophisticated had faith in the words of the Pundit. Next day, the maid repeated the name of Rama and just walked across the river!

The Pundit questioned her: "So, how did you manage to come on time today?" The milkmaid replied, "Sir, I repeated the name of Rama as you had instructed yesterday, and I could just walk across."

The Pundit was now flabbergasted; he did not believe her account. He just drank the milk and said, "Let's now go to the bank of the river. Let me see you walk across the river."

The maid stepped into the river repeating the name of Rama, and she could just walk across! The maid requested the Pundit to follow her. But the Pundit knew that he would not be able to do it, because he did not have faith in what he himself had said. In spite of his scholarship, he did not have faith in the power of the Name.

PS: Dear readers, this is a story narrated by Bhagavan Baba in a divine discourse delivered on April 25th 1998. Swami has always emphasized that the Lord of the Universe always responds to those with faith in Him. One need not have any worldly education and degrees to qualify in His school; it is enough if we have complete Faith in Him. For faith, as we know, can do much more than just move mountains; with faith in God we can develop tremendous confidence and witness the blossoming of talents placed within us by the Lord Himself!

RESPONSES…

1. Sairam,
Your mails are excellent and words cannot describe the service you do. It is really a great service that you awaken the hearts everyday.

Your SQ answers all queries.

Even then, wish to have an answer for the below.

The mind always runs after success. We always want to be successful in career and satisfy our desires.

Even with swami or spiritual activities, if we aim to see swami , the mind gets satisfied only after seeing swami.
A kind of anxiety is developed always before our aim or desire gets fulfilled.

How to overcome this anxiety? How to control mind? Even when we do namasmarana,one part of the mind
runs after the desire or aim.

Regards,
With best wishes,

Bharathi.R

2. Dear Sir,

Sai Ram.

First we thank you for the wonderful service you are doing by sending these lovely ,so much meaningful,eye opening................ SQs..really cant find words to express our appriciation.

we wish to print these SQs and make a booklet and give out to friends and children.but we are only fortunate to get these SQs from 22nd only.23rd and 29th too we have got.

If its not too much trouble for you ,we would like to have them. 1to 23rd and 29th.

The pearl necklace 40th one made me cry uncontrollably.How we are attached to so many cheep things .

Thank you for the woderful.messages.May our beloved Swami bless you with all the best in life to continue His work.

Love and Sai ram

Nadarajah.KSA

For More email at : sbanerjee68@yahoo.com

Bharat Swabhiman Importance Of Vote

Bharat Swabhiman Andolan

Bharat Swabhiman Vote To Save India - By Baba RamDev

I need My India, I love My India.

Rejuvenation Through Yog

Yog helps in the rejuvenation of the body. Resistance, observances, posture and pranayam have a major role in rejuvenation. Practice of Yog maintains the functioning of all physical and mental organs in their natural condition. It is needless to say that functioning of organs in their natural state is the key to good health.The health obtained through artificial means cannot be said to be stable. Excessive use of medicines makes the organs not only sensitive but it also completely ends the chances of their functioning in natural condition. A medicine that is taken to control one particular disease gives birth to an other disease. These physical ailments produce mental disorders.Different yogic actions in Yog – Asana, pranayam, austerity, mudra, bandh, shatkarma etc. are used to purify blood, nervous system and vital life. All faecal matter is thrown out of the body, which is the main cause of diseases and disorders. The chariot of life moving on the basis of good food, sleep and celibacy never deviates from the path of good health. Yog philosophers had fixed the form of the first two steps of Ashtang Yog, namely resistance towards passion and observances, were actually the basis of healthy people and healthy society. Resistance towards passion includes not harming other creatures, truth, not stealing others things, celibacy, not collecting unwanted things which will contribute in building progressive society on one hand and on the other hand, observances like cleanliness, satisfaction, austerity, study of religious books and deep devotion towards god represent the personal development.It should not be understood that non-violence and other observances are not with the purpose of personal development. Finally, the acceptance of people maintains the discipline of the society. Non-violence and observances except celibacy are relevant to the society.Whereas, cleanliness etc. are relevant to an individual. Saint Patanjali is claiming the observances as most important vows on this very basis. Patanjali’s views are clear that the practitioner of Yog should not follow nonviolence in the pretext of nation, time and circumstances. Although, nation, time and circumstances could be suitable with respect to cleanliness, austerity, self-study of religious books etc. the word ‘austerity’ used with reference to observances has a broad scope in Indian literature. Saint Patanjali has given a very brief concept in theform of kriya Yog, self study of religious books and deep devotion towards god along with austerity which is an important part of it. It is clear that austerity is the final outcome of physical and mental energy and consciousness not exploitation of physical organs. Saint Patanjali considers tolerating dilemmas as austerity. He says that a person has the capacity to bear two kinds of dilemma, namely logic at mental level and energy at physical level.Indian sages have recognized the dilemmas coming up at physical and mental levels as thirst –hunger, coldhot, happiness-unhappiness, loss-gain, fame-defame, victory-defeat etc. The capacity to bear these confusions is tolerance, which is known as the basic quality of personal, family, social, political, religious and spiritual life.Austerity has been explained further in some religious texts. The factors of resistance towards passion and observances have been included in physical, verbal and mental types. Actually pretentious luxurious life style destroys the moral strength of a person at a very fast pace. A person who gets used to comfortable life style cannot imagine living without these comforts. A person leading a luxurious life feels handicapped in the absence of comforts and luxuries. The body becomes a bundle of diseases due to this tendency. At this point the nature appears to be an enemy. Austerity is the invitation to sacrifice luxurious life style that is away from the nature. Asana or posture is the most popular branch of Yog to maintain a balanced physical structure. Saint Patanjali has given a very simple and easy definition of posture.He says that sitting in a comfortable position is posture. Different writers have different views with respect to number of asana. One of the interesting views has been expressed in Dhyanbindupanishtkar. According to him, the number of postures is uncountable. It is necessary to strengthen the nerves and muscles in order to lead a healthy life for longer time. The nutritional elements taken in the form of food reach different parts of the body through pranayam. In the absence of this, the body does not develop properly. Posture and light exercises strengthen our respiratory system. The yogasanas are successful treatment for various diseases. An easy and effective treatment for different types of diseases occurring in stomach, back, neck and knees is possible through asana.

For More Details Visit http://www.yogsandesh.org/