Divine Thought - 35

Love Shines

My Presence

GEM 862

Just as the end of culture is progress, the end of knowledge is love, so the end of wisdom is freedom.

(From : Garland of 1008 Gems, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba's Sayings)

Who Am I?

Man has immense capabilities latent in him, waiting to be tapped and used.  He has many talents which he has to bring to light.  He feels the urge to love all beings, to share his joys and griefs with his kind, to know more and satisfy the curiosity of his intellect, to peep behind the awe and wonder that Nature arouses in him.  He is able to gather information about all kinds of things from all the corners of the world, but he is unaware of what happens in the corners of his own mind.  He knows who is who among all the rest, but he does not know the answer to the simple question, "Who am I?"

The fact is, he has to ask it himself and seek out the clue to the enigma himself.  He has not felt that it is essential to know the answer; he is content to move about blindly in the world, groping his way in the dark.  Without knowing who he is, he is rashly judging, labeling and even libeling other men.  This is the fundamental reason for the hollowness of human life today, for the hate and fear that stalk the world.

(Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol IV, pg 43)

Mukti

MIRACLE

"Praise God! I am ready for a miracle! I expect a miracle!"

What is a miracle? Is it some good that is so out of the ordinary, so unexplainable that I feel it is surely an act of God? Of course, miracles are from God, but they are a provision of divine law that is in effect at all times and for all people.

Knowing this is true, I am ready for a miracle. I acknowledge that according to the divine plan, miracles are happening - for me and for my loved ones. I expect and accept that the healing, prosperity, understanding, or peace that I so desire for myself and others is happening.

I maintain my faith in God and expect a blessing. Ready for a miracle, I do not limit myself or what I receive. No matter what the need may be, I expect a miracle and I accept a miracle!

"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find;

knock, and the door will be opened for you."

- Matthew 7:7

(From : 'Daily Word' magazine by Silent Unity, a world wide prayer ministry)

GEM 861

Just as it is natural for a seed to become a fragrant flower, so it is natural for man to experience the bliss of the Divine Sath-Chith-Ananda.

(From : Garland of 1008 Gems, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba's Sayings)

Your Faith

Time Of Death

At the time of death, one has to leave behind all that one owns.  Wealth and status too do not accompany you.  Your friends and relations may come to the burial ground to bury or cremate the body, and thereafter all will return home.  Only the good and bad acts that you have performed in your life will accompany you.  Your next birth will be carved out according to your deeds in this life.  In order to remain good, you  must cultivate respect for truth which is permanent, whereas everything else including your body is subject to change, decay and death.  So it is desirable to undertake various practices to win the grace of the Lord at this young age when you have the energy and ability to learn and concentrate.

It is quite probable that some of your friends may point out to you this is the age to make success of yourself in worldly affairs.  They will advise you to earn money and enjoy life.  According to their way of thinking, the pursuit of God can be kept in abeyance till the age of retirement from active life.  But, in actual fact, the young age being impressionable and formative is the right age to develop sacred ideas and practice spiritual sadhanas (disciplines).  It is common knowledge that if throughout one's life one pursues maya, then at the time of death, it will not be possible for you to lay the foundation for a good future.

(Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1973, pg 197)