1961: The inner temple

Teachings to treasure, teachings that transform. In this auspicious year 2015 commemorating the 90th birthday of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we offer a compilation of key messages from the over 140 discourses in the month of July, including Guru Poornima Days between the years 1958 and 2009.

1961: The inner temple

Everyone is a moving temple with the Lord installed in the shrine of the heart. That shrine has to shine bright and clear. Now, it is plunged in the darkness of falsehood, injustice, cruelty, and pride; it is infested by poisonous nocturnal birds of prey. The illumination of heart results in the destruction of darkness of egoism and ignorance, so that the Lord might be revealed in all His Glory.

Even though there is progress everywhere in the material field there is no peace in the hearts of people or society, as there is no increase in the moral conduct. Problem is, knowledge is growing but wisdom is lagging.

Man means, he who has control over the mind (manas). Control of the mind can be achieved through spiritual discipline and training.

The individual soul is pure, but it has been soiled. It has to be soaked in good conduct and pure character, soaped with meditation on the Godhead, warmed in discriminatory wisdom helped by reason, and beaten on the slab of renunciation. Use the temple and the worship of the Lord as per traditional rites for this end.

Devotion and faith are the result of culture and not mere physical contiguity. A life lived in love and humility will gain the respect of all and will also be full of peace. Do not ask of life only joy and happiness, but take cheerfully all that comes to you

Remember that death is inescapable, that life is but an interlude, that the world is but a caravansarai, and you will get the strength to pass through the pilgrimage of this birth.

Points to ponder

·       Why does the material progress in every field around not conferring us  the peace

·       How do we rid ourselves of the dirt in spiritual field

·       How do we beget peace