Q505

What is the greatest formula that can liberate?  What is meant by Atma-Rama ?



The greatest formula that can liberate, cleanse and elevate the mind is Ramanaama (the Name of Rama).  Rama is not identified with the hero of the Ramayana, the Divine offspring of Emperor Dasaratha, Vasishtha, the preceptor, said that he had chosen that Name since it meant, "He who pleases".  While everyone else pleases the self, nothing pleases the caged individualised self (soul) more than the free universal Self (God).  The Self is, therefore, referred to as Atma-Rama, the Self that confers unending joy... The Vedic declaration, Tat-Twam-Asi (That-thou-art) is enshrined in the word Rama, which consists of three sounds : 'Ra', 'aa', and 'ma'.  Of these, Ra is the symbol of Tat (That, Brahman, God), Ma is the symbol of Twam (Thou, jivi, individual) and aa that connects the two is the symbol of the identity of the two.

(SSS Vol 8, pg 84-85)

Refreshing Break

Our soul longs for God.  All of our desires represent the deep longing of our soul for oneness with God.

- Rebecca Clark

If I allow myself to become caught up in the activities of the day, I may find I am so busy that I forget to take time to pray.  Yet when I do take a moment to retreat from the outer world for a heart-and-soul connection with God, I immediately feel refreshed.  I am comforted and strengthened.

In prayer, I quiet my thoughts.  I let my body relax and allow God's loving presence to support me.

Prayer is my comfort, for it satisfies my yearning for God.  I understand that my prayers do not cause God to act; instead, they help me realise that God's will is actively at work, bringing about blessings for me at all times.

Prayer is the refreshing break that brings me comfort and peace of mind.

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

Desires

Proper Role

It is necessary that everyone should recognize the proper role of the sense organs and use them properly.

In this context, it may be noted that different animals are victims to different kinds of sensory experiences.  Deer are a prey to sound - the roar of a lion or other wild animal.  The elephant is afraid of the touch of the mahout's goad.  Insects are attracted by light or flame and lose their lives.  Fish are lured by the taste of the worm attached to the angler's hook.  It is a pity that man who possesses all the five senses of perception (sound, touch, sight, taste and smell) is a bond-slave to all of them.  Thereby, he forfeits his freedom.

How then, can man experience real happiness?  Only by turning his senses towards God.  Man has five senses of perception and five senses of action.  The master for all these are like ten wives pulling the mind in different directions.  It is difficult for the mind to control the senses.

Man should realize that all pleasures derived from submission to the senses are momentary and leave a trail of suffering behind.  He should realize that the senses are to be utilized for sacred purposes and the practice of human values.  Only then he will understand the true purpose of human existence.  The senses are gifted by God for humans to lead ideal lives.  See good, think good thoughts, speak sweet words and listen to what is good.  Be good and do good.

(Sanathana Sarathi, November 1997, pg 291)

ANYBODY CAN SERVE

Everybody can be great...

because anybody can serve.
You don't have to have
a college degree to serve.
You don't have to make your subject
and verb agree to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace.
A soul generated by love.

(By : Martin Luther King Jr)

Divine Thought - 28

GEM 755

Man can be truly human only when he understands himself and others, realize the bond that binds him with society and works with others for the good of all.

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

Love Is Life

Reap

First Tear