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This website is devoted to Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality and Science. We bring in articles on teachings by Great Saints like Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Adi Shankara, Swami Sivananda, Swami Krishnananda, Aurobindo, Mother of Auroville and others.
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The Nature of the World
Spiritual Message for the Day – The Nature of the World by Sri Swami Chidananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 4 January 2015 14.51 EST | New York Edition** |
The Nature of the World
Divine Life Society Publication: Lectures on Raja Yoga by Sri Swami Chidananda
Om ! Om! Om!
Yoga, by itself, is a term that implies the bringing to an end man’s involvement in sorrow and suffering. The life of man here in this universe is characterised by experiences which he does not like, experiences which are painful, experiences which he seeks to avoid but discovers by the time he approaches the end of his life that they are unavoidable. These are part and parcel of what we call earthly life here. Pain, sorrows and sufferings of various kinds seem inevitable and yet man all over the world tries to avoid suffering and sorrow, pain and misery, and tries to obtain, somehow or the other, a state of joy, of happiness. In this, man fails. He has failed in this ever since the dawn of creation. Not so much because this state of absolute transcending of sorrow and experience of absolute bliss does not exist, but merely because he searches for it in the wrong direction. He looks for it in the outer world, in objects. And no wonder he fails to find the perfect and absolute experience of joy there, because finite things, changeful things, perishable things, imperfect in their very nature, have a beginning and an end; they are conditioned in time and space. These things naturally cannot give perfect experience, because these things are fragmentary. Everything is relative. Everything is one of a pair of opposites. And our relationship, our contact, with all things is also short-lived. All coming together ends in going apart, and over and above this, that very instrument through which man has to relate himself to all things here is characterised by much imperfection.
What is that instrument through which man relates himself to this external world? The body with the five senses is that instrument. And that primary instrument through which the dweller within has to contact and perceive this phenomenal world is itself defective. It has a birth and ultimately goes to extermination in death; all the five senses through which it perceives the universe gradually fail when disease comes and gradually destroys them. If disease does not destroy them, the natural process in old age makes them weaker. Eye-sight weakens, hearing fails, limbs become feeble, and all the senses gradually grow cold. Thus the body suffers its natural characteristics of birth, growth, change, disease, old age, decay and death. Numerous other factors also torment this body—factors beyond the control of man—you have natural calamities like earthquakes, epidemic and famine.
Then there are those other afflictions which are man-made and also coming from various kinds of creatures and as though these miseries are not enough, from within one’s own nature there arise factors that torment and destroy the peace of the human individual. Anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, frustration, disappointment, failure to achieve one’s objective, fierce passion in the form of lust and greed—these fires in the human being inflame his mind, torment his heart and disturb his peace.
So, elements beyond one’s control, other forms of life outside oneself and factors within oneself—all these afflict man in addition to the inevitable fate of the body. Thus, real happiness or joy seems to be an ever-receding horizon and its contrary seems to be an all-too-immediate ever-present reality; and thus, man’s quest for escaping, avoiding or overcoming pain and suffering and entering into a state of joy seems to be a wild-goose chase, seems to be a futile pursuit doomed to failure. And hopeless seems the quest of man for happiness. It is precisely in this area of man’s aspiration, in this area of life’s quest that the science of Yoga becomes relevant to all of us. It becomes very significant and meaningful and very important, for it emphatically declares that despite the deplorable fact that sorrow is the nature of this temporary earthly existence, the destiny of man is supreme joy. That is the thesis of Yoga. That is the emphatic declaration of Yoga. Man is made for the attainment of supreme joy and this supreme joy or perfect state of bliss is not to be a post-mortem attainment, is not to be an after-death state of being, but it is something that is capable of being attained here and now. And if man would claim his birth-right, it is within the reach of every human individual to attain to this perfect experience right here, even while dwelling in this body, in this very life.
Excerpts from: The Nature of the World - Lectures on Raja Yoga by Sri Swami Chidananda
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Take Time by the Forelock
Spiritual Message for the Day – Take Time by the Forelock by Sri Swami Chidananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 3 January 2015 12.23 EST | New York Edition** |
Take Time by the Forelock
Divine Life Society Publication: The Message of The New Year by Sri Swami Chidananda
Om! Om! Om!
In the West, the imaginary conception of Time as personified is this. It is an old man with a huge flowing beard. Time is ancient. No one can stand before time. This old man has in his hand a sharp long scythe by which he cuts short everything. He is the disposer. In his hand, he has an hourglass where the sand is constantly dripping from the upper chamber to the lower one. The most peculiar feature of all in this funny old man is that he is absolutely bald in his head, but for a big tuft of hair in front. The whole significance of this conception lies in the forelock given to time. If you wish to catch hold of time, do not let it pass away; you have to catch time by the forelock. Then you may arrest him and make use of him. But, once time has passed, there is nothing by which you can catch him, because he is bald in the back.
This conception brings us to the third important factor that you have to remember. Never lose opportunities. Make the best use of every opportunity that God gives to you in all His love and mercy. An opportunity once lost is lost forever. When God has given us this great opportunity of opportunities—this human birth—of achieving the greatest thing that can be achieved, viz., the imperishable treasure of everlasting, eternal, infinite bliss and peace, it should not be lost. At the same time, life is fickle. Just as a drop of water put upon a white-hot piece of iron disappears even without leaving a trace behind, even so this life is just an appearance for a fleeting moment in Eternity and it at once disappears without any trace at all. This opportunity will not come again. Knowing this is an opportunity and that it is rushing towards its end, the sages cry out from house-tops: Awake, arise, stop not till the goal is reached: do not be ever immersed in this Samsara of pain, disappointment, grief, disease and death.
Therefore, these great ones with their heart throbbing with love for human beings, wish to share that experience with us. This is an opportunity for attaining Immortality, they say; and, therefore, “Be up and doing in Yogic Sadhana. You will attain Immortality, Kaivalya Moksha.” We should listen to this message of the New Year and make the best use of this rare human birth.
These thoughts do not arise in the ordinary mind which is outgoing. Only in that blessed mind, where the light of Lord’s Grace has reached and penetrated the darkness of grossness, that these thoughts arise. “Why have I taken birth here? What is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of life? And how to achieve that purpose? For I must achieve it.” As the great Sankara has said:
Dinamapi rajani saayam praatah: sisiravasantau punaraayaatah:
Kaalah: kridanti gacchatyayustadapi
Na muncatyaasaavaayuh
Such is the great ignorance of the ordinary man of the world. Days and nights pass away; years pass away. Man’s life is passing away. Yet there is the clinging to life due to ignorance, due to our not knowing that this is transient. He laments, suffers yet he clings to it. Therefore this state of awakened Viveka itself is a mark of Grace. Let us not prove unworthy of this gift of Grace which the Lord has given to us in the form of Viveka. Let us harken to the message of the Lord in the form of fleeting time.
Excerpts from: Take Time by the Forelock - The Message of The New Year by Sri Swami Chidananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
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The Greatest Wonder
Spiritual Message for the Day – The Greatest Wonder by Sri Swami Chidananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 2 January 2015 13.42 EST | New York Edition** |
The Greatest Wonder
Divine Life Society Publication: The Message of The New Year by Sri Swami Chidananda
Om! Om! Om!
We offer our adorations for the Great Message Time has given us today and every day; with the sunrise it gives the message of the day that is born and with the sunset it gives the message of the day that is past. We should not be asleep; we should be alert and heed the message. The reason why people forget this is due to the power of Maya. How universal this power is we shall know from the pages of the Mahabharata.
When the Pandavas were living in the forest, the younger brothers were sent by Dharmaputra to fetch water. Seeing that they did not return, Arjuna was sent. He also failed to return. Draupadi was suffering from intense thirst. With great anxiety Dharmaputra sends Bhima. He, too, does not return.
They have come across a lake. As they were about to get into the water and slake their own thirst and also take some water for Dharmaputra, a Voice warns them: “Stop. You cannot drink the water. This lake belongs to me. There is a condition upon which alone all people can partake of these waters. I shall ask you some questions. They have to be answered by you. If you answer them successfully, only then can you drink the water.” The brothers were in a hurry; they did not listen to the Voice; but they got into the water and promptly fell into a death-swoon. Bhima finds all of them stretched on the banks of the lake. His anger is at once roused. When he is about to touch the water, the same Yaksha speaks the same warning. Bhima, too disobeys and falls dead.
This brings Dharmaputra himself to the spot. Herein comes the difference between the men of wisdom and others. When he hears the Voice, Dharmaputra thinks: “What is the use of my unnecessarily disregarding the Voice?” and says: “You are at liberty to ask your questions. I shall be pleased to satisfy you and with your permission I shall take the water.” The Yaksha is highly pleased. Then follows in the Mahabharata a wonderful chapter with marvellous wisdom.
Among the various questions, the Yaksha puts this one: “What is the most wonderful thing in this world?” The answer that Dharmaputra gives is wonderful. “This I think is most wonderful: that the man of the world, even though he is seeing before his eyes constantly creatures dying and passing away, never for a moment the idea enters him ‘I, too, have to fall; I am also a creature destined to be destroyed.’ Even if it is told to him, it never enters his mind. Only the surface-mind understands the language; but the actual sense never goes into his head.” Yaksha says: “Yes you have answered rightly.”
Because there is this mysterious power of the Lord that man runs after the material pleasures of life. And because of the Law of the Crowbar—the Law that inspires us to dig, dig, and dig ceaselessly, that Swamiji keeps hammering into our consciousness the truth about our life and its goal, so that whether we would have it or not, it enters into our mind and begins slowly to transform our life. Let this great blessing not go in vain. Let us, upon this solemn occasion remind ourselves of all these factors and of our great duty and necessity for vigilance and quick action, and attain the Supreme Bliss of Satchidananda.
Excerpts from: The Greatest Wonder - The Message of The New Year by Sri Swami Chidananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
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A Divine Life Mission
Spiritual Message for the Day – A Divine Life Mission by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 1 January 2015 13.16 EST | New York Edition** |
A Divine Life Mission
Divine Life Society Publication: New Year’s Message by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda
Om! Om! Om!
Children of God!
A New Year of new life has come. Let every day of this New Year of Divine Life be filled with the thoughts of God who is in all and everywhere. A life sacrificed on the altar of Divine Mission, a life dedicated to God is a life of success, peace and joy. On this New Year day surrender yourselves to the Lord who is all around us here, and lead a carefree life of harmony and bliss.
Every day of this New Year should be spent in egoless service, all-embracing love and devotion to God. Stay your minds in Him by offering fervent and sincere prayers daily. Now is the time for you to start a spiritual life, not tomorrow. Japa, Kirtan and meditation are great healers of ills of life. Repeat the Name of the Lord. This indeed, is the way to God’s Kingdom.
One who does not yield to the wrong suggestions of the mind, who is untouched by the commotions of the world, who is pure in mind and heart, who aspires only for the divine good and peace, that is everywhere, enjoys all blessedness here and now. One who forgets himself in the good of others has the Divine Support. If you lead such a selfless life meditating on the Essence of God in all, you will attain Knowledge and Illumination.
Again and again, I exhort you to illumine your deportment with the glow of Love. Love is the mother of all virtues. He that has a heart abounding in Love has known the Lord and scaled the heights of wisdom. Love and God are not different. The Way of Love is the Way of God. It is the way of unity, power and prosperity.
Having become heroes by intense spiritual Sadhana, work with exhilarating charm and ceaseless vigour for the Divine Life Mission in order to show the Light of God to all those who are in darkness and thus end their miseries once for all. To spread the divine knowledge is the only way to cure the diseases of today’s world. With faith in God, live a divine life and awaken people to the spiritual values so that they may enter into a haven of blessedness on this very earth.
May the blessings of sages and saints be upon you all! May God bless you all!
Excerpts from: A Divine Life Mission - New Year’s Message by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
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The Best New Year Resolution
Spiritual Message for the Day – The Best New Year Resolution by Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 31 December 2014 13.16 EST | New York Edition** |
The Best New Year Resolution
Divine Life Society Publication: Early Morning Meditation Talk by Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda
December 31 The second reason that December 31 This puts into focus the significance of the theme of our Christmas Retreat, Spirituality Means Change. And the essence of what is required was brought out yesterday in one of the talks. The essence is the willingness to change. That is what New Year resolutions signify: “I want to change this particular thing. I am willing and anxious to change.”
But here is where we must be very careful to distinguish between what we could call a secular willingness to change and a spiritual willingness to change. A secular willingness to change is the ego deciding that it doesn’t like something about itself which it wants to change, and, in some cases, is determined to change. Very often this is a worthy objective, but the fact is that at least 999 out of a 1000 News Year resolutions amount to nothing. Indeed by January 31 On the other hand, there is a spiritual willingness to change that is in a totally different dimension. Perhaps we could even call it a vertical dimension. It is the willingness to change that is based on surrender to God, on not knowing what changes are in our highest interest, and, therefore, waiting for God’s guidance. It is a whole attitude to life rather than a determination to change something about life. In fact, properly interpreted, willingness to change is the key to successful daily living as well as the spiritual life. It is an attitude of the heart. It stems from humility. It is an openness. It is a childlike attitude towards life.
If this can be nurtured in our heart, then our spiritual life has to be progressive, because this humble willingness to change leaves the ego aside; it is not ego-based. It has a spiritual base because it is in harmony with the universe. The universe means change. Being willing to change means that we want to be in harmony with the changing universe. It means lack of resistance.
In that there is no place for the arrogant ego that wants what it wants and causes all our problems. Being humbly willing to change will lead to the solution to any problem and will also bless us in the years to come with a progressive spiritual life.
Excerpts from: The Best New Year Resolution - Early Morning Meditation Talk by Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
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Invoke The Power of Vidya Maya
Spiritual Message for the Day – Invoke The Power of Vidya Maya by Sri Swami Chidananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 30 December 2014 13.37 EST | New York Edition** |
Invoke The Power of Vidya Maya
Divine Life Society Publication: A New Beginning by Sri Swami Chidananda
Everything that exists, everything that is, everything that is perceived by the five senses, everything that has ever been conceived of, we consider as the play of the supreme inscrutable power of Para Brahman, Maya. This great Divine Mother contains within Herself both light and darkness, auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, the positive and the negative, progression and regression, evolution and involution, upward ascent and downward descent, emancipation and liberation, and bondage and perdition. And it is this play of Hers composed of these dualities, these Dvandvas, that we see in this paradoxical universe of ours. It is a play now full of joy, now full of sorrow. It is a play full of birth and death, day and night, darkness and light, love and hate, like and dislike, attraction and repulsion. There is therefore the great need of invoking this supreme Cosmic Power of Para Brahman in Her benign, auspicious aspect, in Her creative, constructive, positive aspect, in Her progressive aspect, that She may Herself manifest in each
seeking soul, in each sincere aspiring soul, in the form of all that is positive, all that is good, all that is auspicious and blessed, all that is progressive. Thus manifesting, She Herself will enact Her divine play of overcoming all that is of darkness, of overcoming the opposing side of the downward pull. She is the downward pull and She is the force overcoming the downward pull.
She Herself is both. Invoked as Vidya Maya, she liberates. Therefore, we have this great need, this indispensable necessity to invoke the positive, the auspicious, the blessed, the liberating, the illuminating aspect of the Mother’s power in us¾not the enchanting, the binding, deluding or chaining aspect.
And this mid-point of this concluding month of the year would be indeed a very appropriate point in time to look back and try to study in retrospect what one’s life has been over these past eleven months, what one’s situation has led up to over these past eleven months, how far the living of one’s life over these months has helped to move towards the lofty, noble, sublime ideals one has set up before oneself for attainment.
Radiant souls! Devotees of the Lord! Lovers of righteousness! Beloved seekers engaged in a determined effort at self-unfoldment, in a resolute effort to uplift yourselves by your own selves! For, that is the injunction, that is the great Adesh of the world-teacher Bhagavan Sri Krishna: “Uplift thyself by thy own self. Uddharet Atmanatmanam”. Draw inspiration, draw guidance, draw light from all the directions if you wish, but the effort should be yours. Nothing can substitute for that. Guidance can come, light can come, encouragement can come, inspiration can come. But the effort has to be supplied by one’s own self. That effort is Purushartha. It is self-effort. All things in this universe from the most ancient times were achieved by earnestness and earnest effort, sincerity and dedication, persistence and perseverance. This self-effort constitutes a small price for the glorious attainment that is the outcome. This glorious attainment, this great attainment means life. And without this attainment, life is no life; it is living death. It is as good as not existing.
If we exist only to pass through time, we do not exist, we do not live. Mountains and rocks, and minerals in the bowels of the earth, pass through millions of years, pass through aeons; but what they were a million years ago, what they were ten million years ago, they are that even now. That is a state of never rising beyond or above one’s condition. The sole exception is when one comes into the level of animate life. And it is the privilege of man to be even more than animate life, to be conscious, intelligent and purposeful in the living of life. That is the supreme prerogative, the privilege of humankind of whom you are one, to which species you belong. The very hallmark of the human status is a clear perception, an intelligent comprehension of the goal of life, of the purpose for which you are being here; and also a
purposeful effort, a sustained effort towards the attainment of that great, grand and glorious goal. That is life. And the human individual is capable of this wonderful effort, this wonderful Purushartha, this purposeful and intelligent effort, precisely because he is divine.
It is the divinity of your being that will not rest content by your continuing to be active only upon the human level. It will not rest content. It will manifest itself. It is that which urges you to recapture once again and realize once again your true pristine splendour. It is that divinity within you, it is the fact of your divinity that urges you towards the restoration of the lost glorious kingdom, towards the awareness of your total perfection. This inner urge of the God in man towards God-consciousness is the only thing that is worthy of being called life. It is the only thing that deserves to be called life. This is the inner upward urge towards once again fully experiencing, fully realizing, that state of divinity that is our eternal, natural state, over which we have a birthright, a claim.
Time should not be allowed to pass by without doing something substantial in this upward ascent of the spirit towards cosmic consciousness, towards divine perfection, peace and joy. And, therefore, let us take stock of where we stand after having been given a whole year, of which eleven months have passed by and the last month is moving towards its close. Let us take stock and decide firmly, in the light of what we learn about ourselves, how we can utilize the next twelve months that are about to be proffered to us, about to be given to us, gifted to us, by God. Let us decide firmly in what manner the next year could be lived.
Excerpts from: Invoke The Power of Vidya Maya - A New Beginning by Sri Swami Chidananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
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Take Time
Spiritual Message for the Day – Take Time by Sri Swami Chidananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 29 December 2014 21.31 EST | New York Edition** |
Take Time
Divine Life Society Publication: Message of Swami Chidananda to Mankind by Sri Swami Chidananda
Take Time to THINK…
It is the source of power.
Take Time to PLAY…
It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take Time to READ…
It is the fountain of wisdom
Take Time to PRAY…
It is the greatest power on earth.
Take Time to LOVE and BE LOVED…
It is a God-given privilege.
Take Time to BE FRIENDLY…
It is the road to happiness.
Take Time to LAUGH…
It is the music of the soul.
Take Time to GIVE…
It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take Time to WORK…
It is the price of success.
Take Time to DO CHARITY…
It is the key to heaven.
Excerpts from: Take Time - Message of Swami Chidananda to Mankind by Sri Swami Chidananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
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Difficulties Strengthen You
Spiritual Message for the Day – Difficulties Strengthen You by Sri Swami Sivananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 28 December 2014 14.53 EST | New York Edition** |
Difficulties Strengthen You
Divine Life Society Publication: Obstacles by Sri Swami Sivananda
Difficulties come to test you and thereby to help you by strengthening your will, patience and power of endurance. Be bold. Be cheerful. Be calm, cool and collected at all times, even in the face of difficulties. There is no spiritual sadhana (practice) completely free from obstacles and difficulties. God sends consolation, encouragement at every step to the sincere aspirant. Defeat and failure have their purpose. Criticism too has its uses.
Be free from depression and irritation. Remain unmoved by criticism or praise. Be steadfast. Stand firm like a rock - unshakable by emotional storms, frustrations and defeats. A spiritual aspirant is backed up by the whole spiritual world. All saints lend their invisible help and support to such a struggler. You are never really left alone. You will get help from saints and yogis internally. Their spiritual vibrations will elevate and inspire you.
Without great patience and perseverance, the spiritual quest becomes an uphill task. No half-measures will do on the spiritual path. Give your whole heart to truth and to sadhana. Have faith. Be firm. Unfold. Attain. All defeats are transitory. All set-backs are needed experiences. Muster up your courage. March forward. Success and victory are yours. Have patience first, second and last! This should be the motto for those seeking the inner light.
Great things have small beginnings. All growth is gradual. To be perfectly unperturbed, by anything, in all circumstances, looking upon all things as passing phenomena, ever feeling a distinct, silent witness to all the experiences of life - these are the marks of a spiritual aspirant.
These qualities have to be carefully and consciously cultivated. They do not come in a day. But they do come gradually by faithful practice. An unseen power guides and guards you. Feel his power and presence. He who is endowed with dispassion, compassion, serenity, self-control, and who has given up the desire for this world and the next, and who has control over his mind and senses, is fit to tread the spiritual path.
Excerpts from: Difficulties Strengthen You - Obstacles by Sri Swami Sivananda
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Brave All Trials
Spiritual Message for the Day – Brave All Trials by Sri Swami Sivananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 27 December 2014 16.32 EST | New York Edition** |
Brave All Trials
Divine Life Society Publication: Inspiration by Sri Swami Sivananda
Trials, difficulties, troubles and sufferings are necessary for your purification and to strengthen your will and power of endurance. Face them bravely and come out triumphantly. Press on. Strive on with all your will; only then is the grace of God bestowed. God helps those who help themselves. If bad thoughts enter your mind, simply ignore them. Offer a prayer to the Lord and substitute divine thoughts by studying the sacred books. The spiritual fire should be generated day after day. Hold fast to the ideal. Keep the flame of aspiration ever bright. Scorn mundane delights and strife. Dedicate your life to God. Meditate. Scale the spirit’s steepest height and reach the peak of eternal wisdom and bliss divine. Nothing is able to daunt the firm and resolute aspirant or turn him from a course which he considers to be right, or which he holds to be his duty. Be brave and courageous. You must pass with one breath over the mountain of difficulties. The atman cannot be attained by a life of weakness and error.
You have infinite strength within you. Be strong. Look within. Meditate. Tap the source. Have an indomitable will, backed by an abiding faith. You are bound to succeed in everything. God is the light of lights. He is knowledge. He is the knower. God is the same from age to age. God never changes; he is ageless. God has no opposite. God is truth, beauty, goodness. God has no religion; He is the source of all religion. God is one. God is peace. God is universal harmony. God is love and law. As a lamp cannot burn without oil, so man cannot live without God. Creation reveals that God is dharma (righteousness). God is the bestower of grace which is boundless and inexhaustible.
Excerpts from: Brave All Trials – Inspiration by Sri Swami Sivananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
SEND FEED BACK ON THIS ARTICLE \\ Email to BT Digest Editor( dlsusa.org@gmail.com)
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
SEND FEED BACK ON THIS ARTICLE \** **Email to BT Digest Editor** **( dlsusa.org@gmail.com)
The Glimpse and The Goal
Spiritual Message for the Day – The Glimpse and The Goal by Sri Swami Sivananda
| **Baba Times Digest© | 26 December 2014 16.50 EST | New York Edition** |
The Glimpse and The Goal
Divine Life Society Publication: Inspiration by Sri Swami Sivananda
When you get a flash of illumination, do not be frightened. It will be a new experience of immense joy. Do not turn back. Do not give up meditation. Do not stop there. You will have to advance still further. This is only a glimpse of truth. This is not the whole experience. This is not the highest realisation. This is only a new platform. Try to ascend further. Reach the bhuma (the infinite). Now alone you are proof against all temptation. You will drink deep the nectar of immortality. This is the acme or final state. You can take eternal rest now. You need not meditate any further. This is the final goal.
You have within yourself tremendous powers and latent faculties of which you have really never had any conception. You must awaken these dormant powers and faculties by the practice of meditation and yoga. You must develop your will and control your senses and mind. You must purify yourself and practise regular meditation, only then, can you become a superman or God man.
Every human being has within himself various potentialities and capacities. He is a magazine of power and knowledge. As he evolves he unfolds new powers, new faculties, new qualities. Now he can change his environment and influence others. He can subdue others’ minds. He can conquer internal and external nature. He can enter into superconscious state.
The wise cut asunder the knot of egoism by the sharp sword of constant meditation. Then dawns the supreme knowledge of the self or full illumination or self-realisation. The liberated sage has neither doubt nor delusion. All bonds of karma (action) are rent asunder. This is the master-key to open the realms of eternal bliss. It may be tiring in the beginning, because the mind will be running away from the point (laksya) every now and then. But after some time it will be focused in the centre. You will be immersed in divine bliss.
Excerpts from: The Glimpse and The Goal – Inspiration by Sri Swami Sivananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
SEND FEED BACK ON THIS ARTICLE \\ Email to BT Digest Editor( dlsusa.org@gmail.com)
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit: The Divine Life Society E-Bookstore
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
SEND FEED BACK ON THIS ARTICLE \** **Email to BT Digest Editor** **( dlsusa.org@gmail.com)