[Prev][Next][Index]
Preparation For The Presence
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^ ^^
^^ ^^
^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^
^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^
^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^^
^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
The knower of the Atman wears no outward mark
and is unattached to external things, resting
on this body without identification, and
experiences all sorts of sense-objects as they
come through other's wish, like a child.
-Shankara, Vivekacudamani 539
Richard Bayer says:
On Good Friday, 28 March 1975, Sathya Sai Baba gave a ninety minute
talk to 60 foreigners at His residence in Whitefield. It is Swami's
wish that the full text of His discourse, translated by Dr.
Bhagavantam, be printed and distributed to the Westerners here, as
well as to all Sai Baba centers in the Western countries.
This was not an ordinary group `interview' or general discourse. Swami
called in the foreigners in order to give them firsthand information
on what is expected of them when they come to stay at Prashanthi
Nilayam or Brindavan. Although, in a general way, the type of conduct
and behaviour prescribed for visitors here has always been known, in
the past three years ['72-'75] there has developed a situation in
which some foreigners took up a life style and certain habits which
Swami considers completely unacceptable for devotees. Because the
foreigners as a group were not acting in a way that is appropriate in
India, Swami has kept them at a greater distance than previously, when
the foreigners had taken an active and positive role in the life of
the ashram.
Swami has expressed His wish on several occasions that the foreigners
once again take advantage of His close guidance and the full
facilities of the ashram, provided they are willing to act in complete
accordance with the prescribed code of behaviour. With the printing of
this text, the conduct expected of foreigners here has been spelled
out in clear terms for all to see. Rather than relying only on rumours
and on information passed on from other devotees (which may be
personal opinion rather than Swami's instruction), all visitors are
hereby advised to act fully and only in accordance with the Guidelines
published by the ashram itself. A more general explanation of these
guidelines is contained in the text of Swami's discourse.
It is hoped that all visitors will, by their sincere and conscientious
practice of Swami's instructions, help bring about the type of
situation which He describes. One should remember that discipline in
conduct and behaviour is the basis for the strong foundation of
character, self-control and will that is essential for the proper,
harmonious growth of our spiritual aspect. It is to enable us to reach
our spiritual goal, and to develop a community to help serve that end,
that these basis `lessons' are being emphasized here.
======================================================
Sri Sathya Sai Baba speaks:
"Foreigners who have come here to take the spiritual path, there is no
need to make any special effort to explain what I wish to say today,
but you all should try to understand the meaning of human nature. In
foreign countries, while you are able to have a comfortable life,
while you are able to command the material comforts, you feel that you
are lacking peace of mind. And, with great hopes that you will be able
to get that peace of mind, you spend a lot of money, and at great
personal expense and inconvenience you come all the way to this place.
Putting up with so many difficulties, spending so much money, and
bearing with so much inconvenience, coming all the way to this
country, each one should ask yourself: "What is it that you are taking
back with you? What is it that you are acquiring and getting in return
for all the inconvenience you are putting up with? In what condition
have we come here? What is it we want to acquire here? Why is it that
we have come here? Have we been able to get what we thought we would
get by coming here?" This kind of questioning and enquiry, each one
should make for oneself every day.
"If while you are here, you continue to ask for the same kinds of
pleasure and comfort which you are used to, and in which you live in
your own country, then what is it that you have come here for? What is
it that you want to get? What is the change you are seeking? This is
something which you should ask yourselves.
"Pleasures and comforts which relate to the body are not true
pleasures and comforts. Like men, the pleasures and comforts which we
enjoy that relate to the body- sleeping, taking rest, having comfort
and pleasure- even the animals and birds are having exactly the same
kinds of feelings, pleasures and comforts. Many animals which are at a
much lower stage of evolution than man, even they- examples being deer
and elephant- have a very peaceful life and they are able to enjoy a
certain amount of comfort and peace. It is these animals- deer and
elephant- such animals eat food which does not come after killing,
food which is prepared without causing harm to any other animal. Such
animals are close to and they have an affinity for human beings in
this country. There is also the tradition by which the humans worship
such animals which do not eat food obtained by killing. In the same
group of animals, there are tigers and cheetahs, animals which kill
and which live and get their food by killing. Such animals are kept at
a distance from human beings, and they do not go near them. If man,
who has to look at all other living creatures with an amount of
compassion, if he becomes poorer in qualities than an animal, then
where is the human nature left in a human being? So if we talk of
human nature, we should understand human nature as being able to show
compassion and kindness to every other living thing.
"In this whole context, the most important thing- the first thing which
is of importance to man and to human nature- is his own behaviour.
After that comes discipline; after that comes duty; lastly and finally
comes devotion. Discipline, duty, devotion and behaviour, these four
things together constitute human nature. This human nature is like a
mansion which rests on these four pillars.
"It is true we are doing our duty these days, but what kind of duty,
and how are we doing this duty? We are doing it in a machine-like
manner, like a robot. If there is a clock, it also performs its duty
by having its hands go round and round; when we wind the clock, the
hands go round and round. It is doing its duty, but it is doing it
like a machine. But the duty we are talking of should be such that
alongside there is also devotion and discipline. Duty is in the center,
discipline should be on one side, and devotion should be on the other
side: these two should act like bodyguards for the duty which we
perform. If the duty which we perform is devoid of discipline and
devoid of devotion, that duty is lifeless; it is like that performed by
a machine.
"Man is not a machine: He has the aspect of Jiva in him; he has the
aspect of Atma in him; he has a Divine aspect, and intelligence. All of
this makes him quite different from a machine. Having so many
distinguishing qualities in us, if we still conduct ourselves like
animals, then what is the use of having these distinguishing
qualities ?
"The proper study of mankind is man. The true interpretation of
human nature is to be able to correlate the thought that comes from
your mind, the word that comes from your mouth, and the action that
comes from your hands. The thought, word and action, these three
should be correlated with each other; this is the basic quality of
human nature. For example, that is a fan. The fan has three blades.
If those three blades are just pointing to three different sides, we
don't get a breeze from the fan. But when these three blades revolve,
we get a breeze. If we want to get a breeze from the fan, then there
should be coordination between the blades; they should revolve as one
unit. Our spiritual heart is like a room. The three qualities, the
sattva, rajas and tamoguna, are the three blades of the fan. Our
intelligence is the switch. The current is our will power. When we
put on the switch of our intelligence, and when we can coordinate
these three qualities within us (these three blades representing the
gunas), then we will get peace, satisfaction and bliss.
"We are not undertaking such coordinated progress. While
we are in America we think we want to go all the way to India,
and we want to attain spiritual progress- so we come here. But
we do not coordinate our own thinking and our own actions so
as to acquire what we want here. To lead a life which is aimless,
this can be done wherever you are. Should we come all this
distance to acquire this (spiritual progress) and yet not be able
to acquire it because we do not coordinate our own thoughts and
words ?
"Not only that. People who belong to a certain country, having been born
in that country, either for the culture or traditions or honor of that
country, such people, who are citizens of that country should make an
attempt to get respect and dignity for iat country. If people say
they have come from America or from India and people ask them, "does
America mean this ? does India mean this ?" all the dignity and the
name and reputation of that country depends upon, it goes up or down on
the basis of the conduct and behavior of its people. The history of a
nation, or its traditions, these depend upon the behavior and conduct
of its citizens.
"It is not possible for any one to carry on his life like a drop of
oil put upon the surface of water, in an isolated manner, as if he has
nothing to do with his surroundings. Alongside us, there is society.
The well-being of society and the regulations that belong to society
are something which we have to accept and which we have to experience.
We are born in society, we live in society, and ail kinds of comforts
and requirements are met and drawn from society; it is not possible for
an individual to live isolated and separated from society. While we
remain as part of society and yet go contrary to its dictates. it
simply means that we are promoting the animal nature in us. If you
want to live as an individual, and as an isolated person, yes, go to a
forest, isolate yourself from all society and live as an isolated
individual. But if you want to live in society and are a part of it,
then you cannot go contrary to its dictates.
"There are two things here which one should take note of. One is the
individual freedom, and the other is the fundamental right. We have to
lead our lives as a compromise between the individual freedom and the
fundamental right. But now we are giving importance to individual
freedom and we are forgetting the importance of fundamental right.
"When we go into the company of elders, when we go into a
congregation of people who are learned, when we go to look at those who
are scholars and whose darshan we would like to have, we should ask
ourselves in what manner we should conduct ourselves when we are part
of a group of that kind ? In the presence of elders, it is very
necessary to have a certain amount of humility. All things you do,
like sitting, talking, the clothes you wear, all these things
contribute to your behavior and conduct in the presence of elders. By
this kind of behaviour we get respect for ourselves. On the contrary,
if our behavior and habits are not appropriate to the society in which
we live, then the society does give any respect; they will push you out
of society. When you act in such a way that society itself pushes you
out, then how does the leader of a spiritual path, how do the spiritual
principles keep you, and how do they attract you ?
"Not only this, we should also make an attempt to gradually diminish the
kind of attachment which we have. This kind of attachment, if it is
allowed to grow, simply causes you to be bound, it creates a bondage to
you. You have left your country, have cut away your attachment with
your country, you have left and cut away your attachment to your
parents, friends and relations, and so on; you have come so far,
cutting away all attachments. Why come here and promote new
attachments and connections after cutting away all your old ones ?
There must be a limit to all the attachments which you cultivate here.
If one says hello, you simply say hello. If one says good-bye, you
also say good-bye. Conversation must be limited and it should not be
promoted in place of the attachments you have left behind. If someone
is ill and is deserving of help, yes, you can give him help to the
extent to which it is required; but there is an end of it. You cannot
promote attachment by way of helping him. If you promote attachment by
serving another person and helping a deserving person, that is not
going to help promote your spiritual aspect.
"Not only that. Women come here. When women come here, it is a
different matter if they come with their husbands. When women come here
and they begin to develop attachments with people to whom they are not
married, then that kind of attachment begins to grow and to cause
difficulties. This causes imbalance of a physiological nature and it is
not going to help you to promote your spiritual aspect. I have been
mentioning this several times for the past two or three years. People
who come here as single persons, as single women or as single men,
they begin to talk to each other and they develop such attachments
by which they become mare and more distant from the purpose for
which they have come to India. They begin to cultivate aspects which
are quite far from the aims and objects which brought them to India.
"Not only this, some young people, who are still in their youth, have
some fantastic ideas which they confuse with devotion. They think that
is devotion, but true symptoms of devotion are not to be seen in these
young people. They think it is devotion, they call it devotion, but
it is a deep ocean into which they are sinking. They have a japamala.
or they sit in meditation, and they appear to concentrate; but in a
moment their concentration is disturbed and they get into some kind of
worldly attachment. This kind of instability quickly and in a few
moments leads them into a path which is not correct, and they are led
astray from the spiritual path. Bad looks, bad thoughts, bad talk,
bad hearing, bad action, all these five sensory organs should be
stopped completely. In the first instance. if you can correct what you
see, and if you can correct what you listen to, and if you can also
control what you say, then automatically the thoughts will be
controlled.
"In the quest for spiritual liberation, when same young people come to
Sai Baba, they accept Sai Baba's teachings and they follow Sai Baba's
path. When they go to someone else, they accept his teachings and
they follow his path. So they go on, quickly jumping from one place
to another, they go on changing their own attitudes and beliefs.
Thereby, they are never steady and they get into terrible confusion,
and in the end they wind up in confusion and not in attaining any
spiritual liberation. Slow and steady wins the race. Even in the
beginning, mind is like a mad monkey. To the mind, which originally
has the qualities of a mad monkey, if you add to that this kind of
jumping and bumping from one place to another, how are you going to get
steadiness and peace of mind?
"Those who come from the Western countries, you are very anxious to get
a quick result and a good result. But you are not making any attempt
to make a quick correction in your path and in your behavior. When
you quickly correct your path and defects, then quick results will
follow. But without bringing about changes and transformations within
us, how do we expect to get quick results ? The kind of seed which you
put in the ground will determine the type of tree you will get. When
your thoughts are good, then your acts will also be good. If thoughts
are good, why is it that the action is bad ?
"Yes, for the past two years, I have not been granting interviews to
people who come from Western countries as single individuals (not in
groups). Maybe you are not aware of the reason for this. Maybe you
are misinterpreting this, thinking, "we have come such a long distance
and we have been waiting here for such a long time, why is it that Sai
Baba is not granting us interviews ?" Such questions are arising in
the minds of some of you. When I grant an interview to young girls or
boys when they come to Me in their youth, their conduct and their
behavior is not satisfactory. The reason for this is they have the
affliction of an amount of mental weakness in them. I am mentioning
this to you because you are a small group, and in a limited way I am
telling you this. In India, the custom, tradition and in fact the code
of behavior is such that when men and women are together, they stay
separate and they do not mix. In a Western country from the very
beginning, they are used to mixing and moving together, and therefore
mixing is not going to cause any surprise. But in India. the situation
and the accepted custom are quite contrary to that.
"The ensuing conference is a World conference and people will come
from all countries. Unless we find a way and unless you are able to
correct the questionable behavior of these young boys we are not going
to admit them to the World Conference at Prashanthi Nilayam. Such boys
and girls are not true devotees; they are completely lazy. They don't
work and they don't do their duty. They are so lazy that they simply
collect money from various people and sit idle, and carry on their
lives in a lazy manner. Laziness is just rust and dust. For such
people, there is no place in Prashanti Nilayam. There is room in
Prashanti Nilayam only for those who accept discipline of Prashanti
Nilayam and who accept the code of conduct prescribed in Prashanti
Nilayam. If people do not want to subscribe to that, there is no room
for them in Prashanthi Nilayam. They can go anywhere they like,
wherever they like.
"Many people come from Western countries who are very good. They come
with great devotion, they come with feelings from the depths of their
hearts, and they want to improve themselves. So many good people
cme from Western countries, but in this whole group, just because
there are four or five who are bad and whose behavior is not acceptable
at Prashanthi Nilayam, they are simply ruining the opportunities which
the whole group can have, and wishes to have.
"Not only that. Some people say. "Swami is coming to me as an inner
voice and He is telling me this and He is telling me that." All these
are simply symptoms of hysteria; Swami will NEVER do such a thing.
This is also the result of a kind of mental weakness. It is only when,
as a very first step, they are able to get rid of such weakness of the
mind and put themselves along the right path, that such people will
be given a place in the ensuing World Conference.
"Spiritual aspects, and spiritual capacity, and the capacity to
meditate, are something which you cannot get through drugs. These
are things which have to come from within one's own self, from
one's own heart; they cannot be put in from outside by some
artificial method. Mary foreign youngsters in Prashanti Nilayam
have been using various kinds of drugs, including LSD and similar
drugs. By using ANY drugs, the little physical strength we have
in us disappears, and the mental strength we have also disappears and
the mind becomes weak. In the end we simply become weak, drug-addicted
persons; our minds become weak, and we become sick.
"Not only that, having come to India, men make friendships with Indian
girls, and girls start friendships with Indian men. That kind of thing
is not permitted in India and is utterly contrary to the spiritual
path as it is understood in India. If such people stay in the ashram,
they will give a bad name to the whole ashram.
"Spirituality is nut to be achieved through love which is associated
with lust; it must come from PURE love which has no tinge of lust in
it. The kind of love that leads to a spiritual path is selfless love -
expansion love. Love that is tinged with lust is a contracting love.
The kind of contracting love which comes from associating with lust
will not help your spiritual progress. The reason for this is that
selfishness is a very bad quality. We should develop broad aspects, we
should have a broad mind, and that can be done only by developing
selfless love. Duty without love is deplorable; duty with love is
desirable; love without duty is Divine. We should be able to give pure
love. We should not change this pure love into something which is
connected with worldly matters and worldly aspects.
"There is one other matter. If somebody says Sai Baba's powers have
been given to him, then we run to him. Sai Baba's powers are such that
they are not given to anybody else. Nobody has the ability to take
powers from Sai Baba, nor the ability to give them to someone else.
Sai Baba's powers are not given like that, and you should not be led
away by such statements. Each one's power is within him ; it is not
possible to give such power to another person. In this manner, by
allowing a weak mind to get control over us, if we begin running from
place to place, when are we going to get strength of mind, and control
our own mind ? We must be able to follow one thought, one path. One
does not have to search for spiritual power, going around the world and
spending a lot of money. Be in your own house, develop it in
yourself; such spiritual power is in YOU! You don't have to run for it
here and there. God is not external; God is not outside you; God is
inside you. You are not a man, you are God yourself. You are not one
person, but three : the one you think you are (physical) ; the one
others think you are (mental); and the one you really are is God.
Don't be under the delusion that God is somewhere and you have to
search for Him. God is in you, and when you are able to realize that,
and when you are able to develop the spiritual power from within you,
then you will see God. You are going in the path of worldly
consciousness; you are not taking the path of superconsciousness. When
you take the path of superconsciousness, you will get realization, and
you will be able to see the Truth.
"The first thing you have to do is develop self-confidence. It is
such people who have no confidence in their own self who begin to
wander about and to waver, and take to various different paths. When
you take your body to different places and when you go about moving
aimlessly, the mind also goes to different places. The first thing is
to steady your physical body. If the body is moving all the time, then
the mind is also moving. If you have a container filled with water, if
the container is continually moving, then the contents will continually
be moving. So in this context, we should not keep moving our bodies and
our limbs in an aimless manner: this is a very essential part of our
practice of meditation. We should sit quiet and the body should be
steady. Why do we ask people to sit straight and to sit quiet in
meditation ? Because when the body is straight and quiet the mind
inside is also straight and quiet. If you cannot control your body,
how can you control your mind? The FIRST thing is to control your
body by having all the limbs and body organs in a steady manner. The
basis for the mind wandering is that your physical body is also
continually wandering. So the first thing you have to do is it to
give up this continual wandering of the physical body.
"Many people think that concentration is the same thing as
meditation, but there is no such connection between concentration and
meditation. Concentration is something which is below your senses,
whereas meditation is something which is above your senses. But many
are under the false impression that concentration is identical with
meditation, and they take to a wrong path. Concentration is something
which we use involuntarily in our daily, normal, routine life. Just
look at this, I am now reading the newspaper. My eyes are looking
at the letters, my hand is holding the paper. My intelligence is
thinking now. Mind is also thinking. Thus when the eyes are doing
their work, when the hand is doing its work, when the intelligence is
doing its work, and the mind is also doing its work, and there is the
coordinated action of the mind, intelligence, hand and eyes. I am able
to get the contents of the newspaper. It means. if I want to get at
the matter that is contained in the newspaper, all these enumerated
senses are concentrated and they are all coordinated and are working on
the newspaper.
"Not only this, if one wants to drive a car, unless one has
concentration, one cannot drive a car on the road. All the normal
routines, like walking, talking, reading, writing, eating, these things
we do only as a result of concentration. if concentration like this is
part and parcel of your daily life, then what is it that we practise to
get concentration ? What we have to practise is something which is
beyond these normal senses. We must rise from being below the senses
(that is the state of concentration) to the senses (that is, the middle
position, called contemplation); and from there we must rise above the
senses, to what is called meditation. Between concentration and
meditation there is a border area which covers both and that is the
area of contemplation. To be in that area of contemplation is to free
yourself of worldly attachments. If you break away all worldly
attachments - all the routine attachments in the world - then you will
enter the region of contemplation. When you have completely broken
away ALL your attachments, you break through this area of contemplation
and you get into the area of meditation.
"These steps can also be described as starting from self-confidence, and
then getting self-satisfaction, and then self-sacrifice, and the last
step is self-realization. The ultimate step of self-realization depends
upon the base of self-confidence. You must therefore develop as a
first step confidence in your own self. Without having and developing
confidence in your own self, all the time you are talking of some power
being with someone and some other power being with someone else, if in
this way you travel all the time and depend upon power which is with
someone else, when are YOU going to acquire any power and confidence
in your OWN self. Peace and bliss are within you, they are not
something which is external to you. You may think of going to the
Himalayas for getting peace. Yes, your body may go to the Himalayas for
getting peace, but your mind may be left behind in the city. How are
you going to get peace ? You have brought your body to India; but
still, if you have the same habits which you are used to in America,
what is the use of bringing the body to India ? Body is not the
essential thing. The transformation should come in your mind, the
change should come in your mind. Many people collect a lot of
information, they take a lot of information, but they do not use it to
bring about transformation of their own self. Information is useless,
but the transformation in you is important. You can go on mentioning
the names of many eatables. Are you going to relieve your hunger in
this way ? But even if you actually eat one thing only in practice,
you are going to relieve your hunger. Therefore, instead of saying so
many things in your talk or in your speech (all that is simply book
knowledge), if you are abbe to put into practice one of the things you
say, that is going to be useful.
"Having come to India, you must realize that if you are able to
clean your body. to keep a clean body, then also your mind will become
clean. If one keeps his body dirty, then the minn is also going to be
dirty. There is a close connection between the body and the mind. We
go to an exhibition and we look at something. When the eyes look at
something, the mind develops the desire to acquire that thing because
the eyes have already seen it. It is the tradition of this country,
and what has been taught by Vedanta, is cleanliness of the body and
cleanliness of the mind. The cleanliness of both is implied in what
they do: they have bath, they sit for meditation - one is for cleaning
the body, the other is for cleaning the mind. If we want to use a
vessel for drinking something, we clean the vessel inside as well as
outside. In the same manner as in the analogy, body is like the
vessel. in the vessel of this body, we are putting the juice of the
Divine power; we want to drink the juice of the Divine power. Regard
the body as a temple. Regard the body as a vessel which you want to
use, and keep it clean inside and outside. If you keep it clean
outside, then you will be able to keep it clean inside also. The right
kind of help that you should have far self-realization is to have
inner cleanliness and outer cleanliness as well.
"When we enter the spiritual path, then one should be able to
recognize a clear difference between man and woman. One should not
have too much relationship with women. When you are in family life,
you must do your duty; there is nothing wrong with the householder
fulfilling his duty. But you should not have too many relationships
with people who are not connected with your family. In Western
countries people do not accept this code of behavior. If you want to
stay at Prashanti Nilayam, you have to accept the code of conduct
prescribed by Prashanthi Nilayam; you have to accept the norms that are
prescribed at Prashanti Nilayam. You should respect elders, you should
show humility; you should not run here and there like race horses. You
should conduct themselves like women, and they should not run about like
racehorses. It is only when they are able to accept these norms that
they will be respected.
"In daily life, we see so many men going and talking to women, and
women going and talking to men in public. This is something which we
will not accept in Prashanthi Nilayam. It may be that there is nothing
wrong with what is being spoken between a man and a woman, but how is
the onlooker to take it? An onlooker gives his own interpretation, and
his own mind gets disturbed because of how he interprets what he sees.
Here WE have the responsibility for the bad thoughts of the third
person: the responsibility falls on us. We should develop such conduct
for ourselves that is not going to be a source of bad thoughts in a
third person. If there is a need to talk and carry on such a
conversation, do so, but in the privacy of your own room.
"These are very important injunctions on the spiritual path. If you
think that just by sitting in a bhajan, or saying "Sai Ram ! Sai Ram,
Sai Ram !" or by turning a japamala you are acquiring spiritual
progress, that is not right. You may give up your bhajan, you may give
up saying "Sai Ram ! Sai Ram ! Sai Ram !", you may give up your
meditation; but cleanse your mind and cleanse your heart, and develop
PURE love; these things are very basic for spiritual progress.
"You have come from long distances, you have given up several
comforts, you are putting up with various difficulties. You have
come with great hopes and ambitions, and if you realize that, and if
you realize the code of conduct that is prescribed in Prashanthi
Nilayam- Swami is ready to give you all opportunities for spiritual
practice, and all opportunities for your own sadhana and practice.
Swami will take you very close, and will create a situation in which
you will feel happiness and bliss in your own hearts. From today,
push away such conduct which has been described as unacceptable; from
today, develop good behavior and good conduct. Have a feeling in your
heart that Swami is your father, Swami is your mother; have such a
feeling, develop such a feeling. If you can entertain such sacred
ideas, ideas of fatherhood and ideas of motherly nature, then you will
also be happy, and Swami will be happy. On the other hand. if you have
foolish ideas, and if you promote and develop these foolish ideas, then
not only will you become useless, and be thrown down into confusion,
but you will also spoil the name of Swami and the ashram. The basic
principles are Brotherhood of Man, and Fatherhood of God; this is what
you should remember. In this manner, conduct yourselves in
Prashanthi Nilayam, according to the statements which I have just now
made. Swami will give you an enormous amount of opportunities in
Prashanthi Nilayam, and all facilities for your sadhana.
"Have no connection with people who are outside the ashram.
Wherever there is good, there is bad; where there is light, alongside
it there is also darkness. It is possible that some people will tell
you that Swami has given them such and such a power. Swami has given
them messages, you come with us, you come here and go there, and so on.
But have single unwavering faith and conduct your life with this single
unshakable faith. Be clean, live well, wear good dress, and live in
Prashanti Nilayam; I will create all comforts you need in order to live
happily there. When you are living in Prashanti Nilayam, you should be
ideal examples to others who come there for the first time. Having
lived for years in Prashanti Nilayam, if your conduct and your
appearance and behavior set a bad example for newcomers, then you will
also be committing the sin of misleading newcomers. Those who have
already been in Prashanti Nilayam, if you are able to give good
guidance to newcomers, if you tell them "this is how you should live"
and if you set an example to them and show them how to live properly,
then you would have done a good act, and you would have benefitted
the newcomers. If those who have lived for years in Prashanti Nilayam
go astray, when newcomers come they will follow these old people who
have been there for some time, and they will be led astray. What is
the use of having lived for years in Prashanti Nilayam if are leading
astray the newcomers, as well as yourselves ?
"If someone comes and tells you that Prashanti Nilayam's code of
conduct is like this, you should not do this, and you reply saying
"Swami is telling within me, He is giving an inner voice and you have
nothing to tell me," this is not right; this is simply weakness. Swami
never does such things. If one claims such a thing, do not have any
belief in such a claim. WHATEVER SWAMI WANTS TO SAY HE WILL SAY
DIRECTLY. Swami is not going to say anything indirectly from
within, or from some place that one cannot see.
"Not only this, amongst the women, there are some whose conduct and
behavior is not acceptable, is not right. When they look at men, they
begin to smile or laugh; this is not right. Such people will be sent
out of the ashram. This is not good. Why look at someone else ? This
only leads to such behavior. Don't look at others; don't waste your
time; look at yourself. Sit down and meditate and do your own sadhana.
If you correct yourselves in this manner, then Swami will create any
amount of opportunities by which one can take to a spiritual path.
"A World Conference is proposed to take place in November. For that
World Conference, we are expecting a number of people to come from
America. When such people come, those who have already been here and
those who have lived here for years should be able to guide them. They
should be able to set examples for them, and give them suitable
guidance, and put them on the right path. If you check yourselves from
now, and put yourselves on the right path, then I will give you the
responsibility of doing some work and guiding those who come as
visitors at the time of the World Conference. Ladies will be given
responsible work to handle lady delegates on the ladies side, and men
will be given similar responsibilities on the men's side. At least
from today, regard the past as passed, and forget the past. At least in
the future, set right your behavior, and be an example for the
newcomers, and put them along the right path. Then you will have done
good to yourself, and you will be doing good to people who come afresh.
"I have taken too much time, but you have come from a long dstance;
you have come with great hope and with great devotion and with great
ambition. I hope you will be able to achieve your hopes and your
ambitions, and you will be able to get the spiritual progress which you
have come here for. I am blessing you that you will be able to do
this.
"I am always ready to help you in this spiritual path. But I am
hoping that you will change your conduct and your behavior, and
your life should be one of an ideal example in the future.
[excerpted from Preparation for the Presence, a ninety-minute discourse
given on Good Friday, March 28, 1975 by Sri Sathya Sai Baba to 60
western guests at His residence in Whitefield. Translated by Dr.
Bhagavantum. Printed and published by Sri Sathya Sai Press &
Publication Co-operative Society Ltd., 82 Annie Besant Road, Worli,
Bombay 400 018. Forward by Richard Bayer.]
*+*
--
****************************************************************************
Sent via Earth Spirit Online - The Environmental Network - Los Angeles, CA
for more information send e-mail to: info@earthspirit.org
****************************************************************************
