Wherefrom can one draw strength on the Godward path while living in the midst of the Prakriti?
The tiny sparrow sits on the storm-tossed bough, because it knows that its wings are strong. It does not depend upon the tossing bough to sustain it. So too, rely on the Grace of God, earn it and keep it. Then, whatever the strength of the storm, you can survive it without harm.
(SSS Vol 5, pg 151- 152)
What makes an individual eligible to receive God's grace without asking?
Give up all desires and cleanse your heart. Then, I will grant you all that you require without your asking for it.
(SSS Vol 32, Part 2, pg 146)
Why can't we understand the mystery about the actions of God and His grace?
There is no constraint of time, place, distance or complexity to the actions of God. There is no creature that can impose limitations or constraints on God. God is utterly selfless. All His actions are sacred whether they seem pleasant or unpleasant to you. You are sometimes confused. You feel if Swami is God, will He do this or that? How can you decide what God should do? No one has the authority to question the powers of God. He alone decides whether to reward, punish, protect or destroy anything.
(SSS Vol 32, Part 2, pg 193)
How is one to quicken one's redemption?
Remember, you have to come to Me, if not in this birth, at least within ten more births! Strive to acquire Grace; Grace is the reward for spiritual practice; the highest spiritual discipline is to follow the instructions of the Master.
Years of rigorous training make the soldier, who can then stand all the rigours of warfare. The heroic fighter is not made in a day. So, too, the practicing spiritual aspirant (sadhaka) who can win victories, is not made in a day. Restrictions and regulations, drill and techniques have been laid down for him also. Follow them sincerely and steadily and victory is yours.
(SSS Vol 4, pg 29)
Why does not everyone get God's Grace?
When you have no faith in God, you cannot gauge the efficacy of Grace. If you discard Rama and Krishna, they cannot stand by you in your hour of need. You do not attach yourself to Sai Baba and so you do not receive His Grace. If you start with cynicism and doubt and try to criticize and discover faults, the result is deeper ignorance and confusion. Unholy thoughts fog the mind with foul fumes. How can clarity come to the vision then?
(SSS Vol 8, pg 71)
What kind of sadhana is needed to acquire God's Grace?
God's Grace si as the shower of rain, as the sunlight. You have to do some sadhana (spiritual practice) to acquire it, the sadhana of keeping a pot upright to receive the rain, the sadhana of opening the door of your heart, so that the Sun may illumine it. Like the music that is broadcast over the radio, it is all around you; but you must switch on your receiver and tune the identical wavelength so that you can hear it and enjoy it. Pray for Grace; but do at least this little sadhana.
(SSS Vol 8, pg 70)
Can spiritual sadhana succeed without grace of God?
Holding the fan by the hand will not help; you must move it to and fro vigorously, in order to feel the cool breeze that blows on your face. There is no breeze in the fan; it is all around you, everywhere, as air. Direct it towards yourself by sadhana. So too, direct the Grace of God that is everywhere, towards you and make yourself happy by sadhana.
(SSS Vol 8, pg 66-67)
What is Shaktipata?
Shaktipata means that the guru hands over in one shower all the capacities to the disciple with his grace. This Shaktipata is given only when there is deservedness. In all individuals, this Shakti is present in a hidden manner and is in a latent form. What the guru does is simply to remove the veil of ignorance, which is hiding this power.
(Summer Showers 1974, pg 44)
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)
Which of the two paths - Jnana and Bhakti, brings Grace of the Lord more easily?
Through devotion to God (Bhakti) alone can that knowledge (jnana) be attained. Bhakti purifies the heart and universalises the vision. It also brings down the Grace of God; for, the clouds have to come over the fields and pour rain; the plants cannot rise up to drink the life-giving fluid. The mother has to bend to the cradle to fondle the child. Bhakti has that power, to bring the Lord down.
(SSS Vol 4, pg 69)
Should one pray to God for grace or will it come as a consequence of performing good deeds?
Grace is showered on those who seek. Knock, and the door will be opened; ask, and food will be served; search, and the treasure will be yours.
(SSS Vol 9, pg 123)
What qualities in a devotee ensure the advent of God's Grace?
Earn the qualifications - holiness, purity, faith, universal love; then, He will approach you on foot to console, comfort and save! Purity of heart and control over your desires and senses, if you have these two credentials, Grace is your right.
(SSS Vol 14, pg 100)
Are inner consciousness and God's Grace the same?
An aspirant might win God's Grace, and the Guru's Grace and the Grace of the devotees of the Lord. But all this grace would be of no avail if he does not secure also another grace, the grace of his own inner consciousness, his Antahkarana. Without this grace, he falls in the perdition, for all the rest are of no account whatsoever.
(Prema Vahini, pg 33)
Does Grace of God confer all one needs?
The most desirable Aishwaryam (prosperity) is Easwara anugraha (the Lord's Grace); that is to say, the most desirable form of wealth is the Grace of God. He will guard you, even as the eyelids guard the eye. Do not doubt this.
(SSS Vol 4, pg 264)
Which is more powerful, Grace or Karma?
If you win the Grace of God, even the decrees of the adverse effect of karmas can be overcome.
(SSS Vol 2, pg 65)
How are God's Grace and individual effort related?
Individual effort and Divine Grace are both interdependent. Without effort, there will be no conferment of Grace; without Grace, there can be no taste in the effort. To win that Grace, you need have only faith and virtue.
(SSS Vol 6, pg 61)
What is the secret of getting the Grace of the Lord?
Try to win the Grace by reforming your habits, reducing your desires, and refining your higher nature. One step makes the next one easier, that is the unique quality of the spiritual journey. At each step, your strength and confidence increase and you get bigger and bigger instalments of Grace.
(SSS Vol 5, pg 197)
What is the main benefit of God's Grace?
Grace will set everything right. Its main consequence is Atmasakshathkara (Self-realization); but there are other incidental benefits too, like a happy contented life here below and a cool courageous temper, established in unruffled santhi (peace). The main benefit from a jewel is personal joy; but when one has come to the last coin in the purse, one can sell it and start life again... this is the nature of Grace. It fulfils a variety of wants.
(SSS Vol 8, pg 70-71)
What is Grace?
Prasadam means Grace that flows from God when He is propitiated. My Grace is ever with you; it is not something that is given or taken. It is given always and accepted by the Consciousness that is aware of its significance. Win the grace of your own sub-conscious; so that it may accept the Grace of God which is ever available. God does not deny any one; it is only you who deny God. When a gift is proffered, you have to do only one little act, so that you may earn it - you have to extend your hand to receive it. That is the Grace... The Grace itself will confer on you the faith and the strength, the wisdom and the joy.
(SSS Vol 11, pg 92, 93)
How to start Atmavichara?
The first step in Atmavichara (enquiry into the nature of the Atma) is the practice of the truth that whatever gives you pain gives pain to others and whatever gives you joy gives joy to others. So, do unto others, as you would like them to do unto you.
(Sanathana Sarathi, Oct 2002, pg 297)
O LORD, TAKE MY LOVE
O Lord, take my love, and let it flow in fullness of devotion to Thee;
O Lord, take my hands, and let them work incessantly for Thee;
O Lord, take my soul, and let it be merged in One with Thee;
O Lord, take my mind and thoughts, and let them be in tune with Thee;
O Lord, take my everything, and let me be an instrument to work for Thee.
About Me
After almost 20 years of active seva (service) - creating and sharing graphic art inspired by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - I now find myself in a quieter space of inward reflection. The urge to constantly 'do' has gently dissolved into simply 'being'.
This Sai Divine Inspirations page in Blogspot will continue to share Swami's love and messages through scheduled posts as long as the platform exists, but my role has shifted from outward expression to silent presence. I remain deeply devoted, but will be less visible in the spiritual community.
May these offerings of love from my heart continue to inspire, uplift, and serve all... as they were always meant to.
All is His will. All is His work. All is His Love.
Om Sai Ram and May Swami bless everyone...
With Much Gratitude,
adeline108
Wherefrom can one draw strength on the Godward path while living in the midst of the Prakriti?
The tiny sparrow sits on the storm-tossed bough, because it knows that its wings are strong. It does not depend upon the tossing bough to sustain it. So too, rely on the Grace of God, earn it and keep it. Then, whatever the strength of the storm, you can survive it without harm.
