Spirit Of Sacrifice

The hands of the clock keep on moving and we hear their ticking noise.  This sound of the clock goes on continuously.  Between one tick and another, there is an interval.  Man's life is also like this interval.  Through man's heart and through his blood vessels, his life stream is beating; this beat will come to an end at some time.  Truly, birth is followed by death and death again by birth and so on.

We should try and understand the secret of this life.  Like a man who is swimming and moving forward in a river, we should also forget the experiences through which we have gone in the past and swim forward.  Only if the swimmer throws back the water which is ahead of him will he move forward.  If he does not throw back the water that is ahead of him, he will stay where he is.  As in this analogy, only if man attempts to throw back the experience which he has gone through, will he be able to move forward.  If one follows such a path, one will find that in man's life, there is no place for anger, no place for jealousy and his life will move on pleasantly.

Because man wants to go through the same experience which he has already experienced in the past, he enters the region of hatred, because he accumulates around him many attachments.  If man really makes an attempt to understand his own nature and the comparison between the clock and his heart, it will be possible for him to experience truth.  Even after experiencing so many things, if man does not understand his true nature, he will feel very unhappy.  He wants always to be happy, but not ask the question whether one can get happiness in this world?

Man has great faith in collecting, acquiring and amassing wealth, but he has not got the same faith in giving and sacrificing.  When man can develop faith and recognizes the joy of giving away and of sharing things, he will enjoy his life.  If man really wants peace and happiness, he must be prepared to sacrifice.  The Vedas have told us that what cannot be acquired through hard work, through learning, through any other means can only be acquired through sacrifice.  We should also understand the inner meaning of sacrifice.

If the food we eat is not excreted out and is not sacrificed, our health will be spoiled.  If we do not exhale the air that we take in and send it out, our lungs will get spoiled.  If the blood does not keep moving but stays at one place, then there will be a boil at that place.

It is necessary for us to recognize the happiness that is contained in the spirit of sacrifice.  But man always wants to have the same experience again and again every day before he learns a lesson and because of such bad desires, man has become so unfortunate that he cannot even have a peaceful death not to talk of a peaceful life.  If man wants to lead a peaceful life, he must realize the importance of sacrifice.  The truth that is contained in the statement, that immortality can be obtained through sacrifice alone should be understood well.

(Summer Showers in Brindivan, 1977, pg 176)

MESSAGES 21

Our greatest responsibility in life is to keep our own minds in continuous check. If that is done then all your responsibilities will be conducted with selflessness. Then a selfless task that is conducted in the absence of fear is no more a responsibility but a “simple joy”.

We are all so fearful of doing our own duty in the right way…at the right time…to the right person…with the right attitude…with the right effort…with the right gains. Mixed in all these fears we may conduct the task physically…but not with the right love!

Transformation is not too far away, if you are willing to see and accept your self as truth.

If you have chosen the path of truth do not look back as to how much you have already walked…do not look ahead and see how much of the way is left. Look at each present step you take…be stable in it. Each step of truth is complete. It is not measured like distance. Truth is in reality only one step. You feel you have taken many steps only because each time you landed on truth you broke more of the “I” and the same step appeared to you different each time. The step O child was the same…it was only the I that had differed, and hence the illusion of taking many steps of truth. In reality there was only one truth…one step…no time…no past…no present…no future except the I that marched on the step of truth with its many faces!Part of the book: 'Inspiring Thoughts'
By Seema M. Dewan
Copyright reserved by author
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PRAY FOR OTHERS

"In prayer, I affirm that my loved ones are being blessed."

Loved ones can seem to have such serious needs that I may wonder if their needs can be resolved. How then do I pray? I pray with them and for them, affirming that they are being blessed:

"God, I pray for my loved ones and affirm that they are being blessed. I do not know what is best for them, but I know that You do. You are everywhere present. Therefore, Your healing, guiding, prospering presence is with my loved ones."

"You are with and within my loved ones right now. Your life sets into motion healing of mind, body, and emotions. You guide and prosper them in ways far and above the very best I can imagine. I give thanks that You are healing and guiding my loved ones right now."

"If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask,

it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."

- Matthew 18:19

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

GEM 827

Detachment is sacrifice.

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

Q533

How is one to win the grace of God?



The Grace of God cannot be won through the gymnastics of reason, the contortions of Yoga or the denials of asceticism.  Love alone can win it, Love that needs no requital, Love that knows no bargaining, Love that is paid gladly, as tribute to the All-loving, Love that is unwavering.  Love alone can overcome obstacles, however many and mighty.  There is no strength more effective than purity, no bliss more satisfying than love, no joy more restoring than bhakti (devotion), no triumph more praiseworthy than surrender.

(SSS Vol 11, pg 75)

Supreme Strength

Sacred Opportunities

There are many unfortunate people who are not able to utilize the sacred opportunities that come their way.  For one who cannot enjoy happiness and bliss, what does it matter what opportunity he gets?  For a dog which can only lap out water, what is the use of a river with a large quantity of flowing water?  We really get many sacred opportunities on occasions in our life.  Without using those opportunities and discussing their values, we waste our time and our life.

(Summer Showers in Brindivan, 1977, pg 242)

GEM 826

Destroy your ego, you have no need to seek liberation; you will be liberation itself.

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

The Gift

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"

"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?" 

~ Author Unknown ~

I Have Learned

Swami, from You... I have learned...

To see beauty in all Your creations

and treasure the uniqueness in diversity.

To hear gentle music that pervades the air

and cherish the bliss in pure silence.

To taste both sweet and bitter experiences

and find peace in equanimity.

To feel through my heart, not the mind

and cultivate love for all existence.

I have learned that Divinity dwells in All

and will ultimately return to the only ONE...

~ adeline108 ~