2009: Know Thyself! Then you will know everything

Summaries of the discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on New year and Yudagi  1987 to 2009.

 

You are truly born, on the day you begin your journey to realize your true identity—Divinity.

 

2009: Know Thyself! Then you will know everything

 

The mind, intellect, and the chittha (subconscious mind) are the reflections of the Atma. The mind has no stability. It is the repository of thoughts and desires. It is said, “Manayeva manushyanam Karanam bandha mokshyah” - the mind is the root cause of either bondage or liberation. Therefore, one has to keep the mind under proper control by putting some ceiling on desires. Both the body and the mind undergo change constantly. However, there is one entity inside whicht is changeless, that that is the Atma. It has no form but it has a name:- Atma.

 

Self and Atma both mean the same. Atma is also called Aham. One should not confuse oneself in this context that this Aham is ahamkara (ego), which is identified with the body. God has no name and form, and He is always referred to as the Brahman. If God were to reveal His true nature, He would say “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am Brahman). The same Brahma Tathwa – the principle of the Brahma - permeates all beings as Atma Tathwa – the Atma principle. Dhyana - meditation, japa -constant repetition of God’s name, or yoga are of no help when it comes to realization of the Atma Tathwa.

 

“The body is like a water bubble. The mind is like a mad monkey.” If you follow this mad monkey, you will get into trouble. On the other hand, if you believe in the body, you do not know when this body, which is like a water bubble, will burst. Nothing is permanent. Only the Atma (SELF) is eternal and immortal. That is God. In order to attain Atma Jnana (Atmic wisdom), your resolve has to be pure. You have to constantly contemplate upon the Divine Atma. Your thoughts and actions may change; the methods of your japa, tapa, and yoga may change, but Divinity will not undergo any change. That is why Divinity has been described as nirgunam, niranjanam, sanathana niketanam, nitya, shuddha buddha, mukta, nirmala swarupinam (attributeless, pure, final abode, eternal, unsullied, enlightened, free, and embodiment of sacredness).

 

God is described as “Sahasra seersha Purushah sahasraksha sahasra paad.” (The Cosmic Being has thousands of heads, eyes and feet). You have only one head, whereas God has thousands of heads. What does it mean? All the ‘heads’ in the entire creation are His!  Outwardly, we may display several qualities, but the inner thoughts or values are only five: sathya (truth), dharma (righteouness), santhi (peace), prema (love), and ahimsa (nonviolence). These are innate qualities, not superimposed from outside. Nor can they be purchased from any shop. They are ingrained in the core of our personalities. Our duty is to make apparent these qualities and mirror them in our daily lives. That is “Educare”. On the other education refers to acquiring knowledge relating to the physical and secular world.

 

There is no use asking, “Where is God?” First try to know about yourself. Then you will know everything. Unfortunately people today are anxious to know about everything in the outside world, without first knowing about themselves. This exercise will not serve any purpose. “Know thyself! Then you will know everything.” Remind yourself, “I am the Embodiment of Divine Atma; the Atma is immanent in me.”

 

Spirituality is like an X-ray as it will reveal your true nature. Install the form of God in your Heart and contemplate on Him incessantly. Never change that form for any reason. You are sure to realise God. You need not search for Him elsewhere. If you wish to see Swami, install the form of Swami in the altar of your heart. You can surely visualise Swami there. If you develop a feeling of oneness with Him, everything will turn out to be good for you.

 

Points to Ponder

 

What is the land of Bharath famous for?

How to attain Atmic wisdom?