Rememberence - A way to identify with self with the higher self

What is the function of remembrance? To me it has been initially something of a mental phenomenon, subsequently something of a state which promotes emulation of the guru, his life, his activity, and finally culminates in a possible identification of the self with the higher Self. Remembrance is purposeless if it does not achieve this final culmination, goal, of unification of the lesser self with the higher Self. So when we remember, we must live by that remembrance.
Taken from the book "HeartSpeak 2003 (1st edn., 2009)", Chapter "Love and Discipline", pg. 24, by Revered Chariji

 

How true? Isn't it. I read in Sai Satcharit something really profound the other day - "Your mind is really something that can be controlled. For e.g. give your mind a sense object to think about, the mind accepts and continues on the path. Now on the same lines, if you give it good thoughts - remembering your Guru and his advice, mind gets accustomed to having good thoughts all the time".

 

I personally experienced it - and I am sad to say that I have let my mind wander -  A LOT.

 

Bringing the mind back in control, in touch with the larger self, submission to Sainath - my Guru - will need much more effort from me!! 

 

Let me sign off by saying that I want to make my remembrance purposeful - to achieve its goal of unification of the lesser self with the higher self.  

 

Om Sai Ram! 

Listen to your spiritual condition

"After every meditation, sit silently for some minutes; brood over your condition", he [Babuji] said. That means, put your mind into your condition and see what it says to you. Most of you have heard Babuji saying, "The condition speaks to me." When I have a headache, it speaks to me; I don't look for it. Isn't it? When I have indigestion, it speaks to me. Why on earth will my spiritual condition not speak to me?

Taken from the book "HeartSpeak 2009 (1st edn., 2010)", Chapter "Go Deep Into Yourself", pg. 212, by Revered Chariji

How very true. If only we tried listening to our inner self more often. Personally, I am guilty of not doing that. And I know the reason why - because I am scared. Scared to look at the truth. Scared to accept the areas where I need to improve. Scared to look at my own ugly self. 

But if this is a conversation, obviously, the inner self should also talk to me about things that I am doing good. Things that I have progressed on. Blame it on human nature, I have not been able to just loosen the strings and let things go. 

Some day. Some time.. I will. 

Patience...

Om Sai Ram.

Shradha , Saburi - two pillars which Sai baba based his teachings on.

Shradha refers to undying devotion and Saburi refers to patience.
 
This blog item is specifically on the patience pillar.

Patience is a divine virtue.

Unfortunately, not only are we badly wanting in this divine virtue, but also we neglect it most foolishly.

What is patience?

It is an inner assurance of Baba's unreserved love and unconditional guidance. Patience is Baba's power hidden in us to weather the teeming storms of life.

Our fondest dreams will be transformed into fruitful realities if we just know the secret of growing the patience-tree in our heart. Patience is our sincere surrender to Baba's Will. This surrender is by no means the effacement of the finite self, which we now are, but the total transformation of your finite existence into the infinite Self.

Patience can never be imposed on us from outside. It is our own inner wealth, wisdom, peace and victory. Patience will never tell us that something is a hopeless task. Patience will only tell us either that we are not ready or that the time is not ripe. We may have the feeling that we are ready, but we have to know that our integral being, our whole being is not ready.

We have to feel that patience is not something passive. On the contrary, it is something dynamic. In patience, we develop our inner strength, our inner will power. It is true that if we have will power we can easily acquire patience.

But it is equally true that when we have patience, our inner will power develops itself in a special way.

(Source: Guruji Shri C. B. Satpathy ji, vide-“ May I Answer”)

Meditation: Tips

It is we who give our power to the desire, and then the desire acts with our own power on us. It is the same as dealing with unwanted thoughts during meditation. Do not attend to them, and they drop off. The same thing that is in meditation, this is in the rest of the waking life. Do not attend to desire, and it drops off.

Do not be wasteful..

Below is a note writtten by an Anonymous visitor to Germany. I thought the message in the end is very meaningful that we can inculcate in our lives - Yathiraj.

Germany is a highly industrialised country. It produces top brands like Benz, BMW, Siemens etc. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country. In such a country, many will think its people lead a luxurious life. At least that was my impression before my study trip.

When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues who work in Hamburg arranged a welcome party for me in a restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a lot of tables were empty. There was a table where a young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such simple meal could be romantic, and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy.

There were a few old ladies on another table. When a dish is served, the waiter would distribute the food for them, and they would finish every bit of the food on their plates.

We did not pay much attention to them, as we were looking forward to the dishes we ordered. As we were hungry, our local colleague ordered more food for us.

As the restaurant was quiet, the food came quite fast. Since there were other activities arranged for us, we did not spend much time dining. When we left, there was still about one third of unconsumed food on the table.

When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us. We noticed the old ladies in the restaurant were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too busybody. "We paid for our food, it is none of your business how much food we left behind," my colleague Gui told the old ladies.

The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately took her hand phone out and made a call to someone. After a while, a man in uniform claimed to be an officer from the Social Security organisation arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute was, he issued us a 50 Mark fine.We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50 Mark note and repeatedly apologized to the officer.

The officer told us in a stern voice, "ORDER WHAT YOU CAN CONSUME, MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE FACING SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO WASTE RESOURCES. "

Our face turned red. We all agreed with him in our hearts. The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We are from country which is not very rich in resources. To save face, we order large quantity and also waste food when we give others a treat. THIS LESSON TAUGHT US A LESSON TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS.

Pesonal Foot Note: Be mindful of the less fortunate when you are splurging.
Based on an email forward

Is Happiness Around The Corner?

Is Happiness Around The Corner?

For lots of people, happiness is just around the corner. They just need to get their degree, a particular job, a promotion, or a raise. Maybe they're waiting to get married or have a child. Perhaps they will be happy when they retire.

Alfred D' Souza said, "For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." John Lennon put it another way, "Life is what happens while you are making other plans."

The point is our lives are happening now. If we are to get the satisfaction and fulfillment we want, we have to learn to draw pleasure and joy from everything that happens to us and around us because these experiences are the very essence of our life. The more conscious we are that life consists of the journey, not the destination, the more likely we are to get the most out of it.

So, if there are things you want to do, begin to fit them in now or accept the fact that you can be happy whether or not you do them.

Happiness isn't just around the corner. It's now or it's never.

The good news is you have everything you need to be happy. Philosophers, poets, and scientists all agree it can't be attained through money, prestige, or power. Happiness is not a fact, it's a mindset. All you need is optimism and gratitude.

- Based on email from another Rajeev

Shiva Bhajan - Lingashtakam

Lingashtakam
Brahma Muraari Surarchita Lingam
Nirmala Bhaashita Sobhitha Lingam
Janmaja Dhukha Vinaasaha Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingam
Kaama Dahana Karunaakara Lingam
Ravana Darpa Vinaasaha Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam
Buddhi Vivaardhana Kaarana Lingam
Siddha Suraasura Vandhitha Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Kanaga Mahaamani Bhooshitha Lingam
Panipati Veshthitha Sobitha Lingam
Daksha Suyajna Vinaasana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Kunkuma Chandhana Lehpitha Lingam
Pankaja Haara Susobhitha Lingam
Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Deva Ganaarchita Sevitha Lingam
Bhavair Bhakhi Bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara Koti Prabhaakara Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Ahshta Dalopari Veshthitha Lingam
Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam
Ahshta Daridra Vinaasana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Suraguru Suravara Poojitha Lingam
Suravana Pushpa Sadarchitha Lingam
Paraath Param Paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Lingashtaka Midam Punyam
Yah Pathet Sivasannidhau
Sivaloka Mahaapnoti
Sivehna Saha Modatheh