Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

You should develop the spirit of oneness. “I am present as the Spirit (Atma) in all beings,” says the Lord. The same Atma is present in you, Me, and everyone. The Atma has no differences of caste and religion. It is not bound by time, space, and circumstances.

Emperor Bali demonstrated through his sacrificing nature that if one sacrifices everything, one will attain liberation (moksha). The real sacrifice involves two things: First, to realize the cause of our bondage in this life, and second, to sever this bondage. People mistakenly think that things like wealth and family are their bondages, and that by severing connections with them they will be able to sacrifice everything and become eligible to attain liberation. But these are not the real bondage of human beings. Their real bondage is their ignorance in identifying themselves with their bodies. They who cut off their bondage as Bali did, will attain liberation.

For cutting off the bondage of body identification, purification of the heart is essential. Purification of the body with soap and water and by applying perfume does not result in the purification of the mind. In this era (Kali Yuga), constant remembrance of God (namasmarana) is the easiest way to purify one's mind and surrendering to God with a pure mind is the surest way to attain liberation.

I present Myself to one who prays for Me with all their heart and with harmony in thought, word, and deed.

The Bhagavad Gita declares that the Lord is present as the essence (rasa) in all things. God is the sugar in the syrup. There can be no syrup without sugar. Likewise, God is immanent in all objects. He is like butter in milk, fragrance in a flower, the good element in every object. This is the significance of the scriptural dictum: "He is the essence of everything (rasovai saha).”

From today give up selfishness (swartha), turn your mind toward the supreme (Parartha), lead a life of truth (yadartha), and sanctify your lives. Place your faith in God and do your duty to the best of your ability. Saturate yourself with love and share it with all. If you earn the love of God even to the slightest extent, you will experience infinite joy.

God is the embodiment of truth. Truth is the foundation of the universe. This truth transcends the mind and speech and is beyond the categories of time and space. Vedanta has described it as transcendental truth (ritam).

True humanness consists in the unity of good conduct, good thoughts, and good speech. Never depart from the truth. Let love flow freely from your heart.

People should understand the distinction between worldly love and spiritual love. Worldly love is based on the desire to receive. Divine love yearns to give. God's love goes on giving. This is the true mark of divinity. It is a sign of purity.

A human has many sacred qualities, like love and sacrifice, but one does not put them into practice wholeheartedly. There is divinity in everyone. Without recognizing this divinity, one is wasting life on mundane pleasures. A human is the most valuable creation in the world. All things, however precious, derive their value from humans.

The lover of God sees God everywhere. Hence man's heart must be filled with the love of God. Love will not enter the heart of one who is filled with selfishness and self-conceit. Therefore, one should forget the petty self and concentrate one’s thoughts on God.

Love is God; the cosmos is permeated with love. Assuming the love form, to save His beloved ones, showering the nectarine stream of love, Lord Krishna came as the embodiment of love for those yearning for Him.

Love is associated with immortality. It is nectar itself. There is nothing in the world comparable to it. It is to teach human beings the truth about this divine love that love itself incarnates on earth in human form.

People pray to Swami to rid them of all difficulties and losses. This is a totally wrong kind of prayer. Difficulties must be welcomed and must be overcome. By overcoming trouble, the divine must be experienced. You cannot get the juice of sugarcane without crushing it. You cannot enhance the brilliance of a diamond without cutting it and making many facets. The body is like a sugarcane stalk. It is only when it goes through various difficulties that you can experience the sweet bliss of Self-realization. That sweetness is divinity itself.