Study Circle: 08/19/18
Sathya Sai Speaks – Vol 6, Chapter 20: The Tree Of Life.
I am glad that this Primary Health Centre has brought us all together today. This is a source of great joy to the villagers and so I am also happy. The rulers of our States, of whom the minister and the legislators now on this platform are the representatives, declare that they are trying their best to develop the resources, natural and human, of this country and to provide on the basis of those resources, food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, security and health in ample measure to the people.
But the development of the moral and spiritual resources of men is neglected and the provision of peace and spiritual happiness is ignored. Happiness and peace do not follow when man is fed well, clothed well, housed well and even educated up to a high standard and employed under comfortable conditions, with no injury to health or security. There are many who have all these in plenty but who are yetworried or in pain or discontented. They depend on the inner equipment of man, not on his outer skill or riches.
Man is fundamentally Divine, and so, naturally, the more he manifests the Divine attributes of Love, Justice, Truth and Peace, the more aanandha he is able to enjoy and impart. The less he manifests them, the more ashamed he ought to be, that he is living counter to his heritage.
The tree of Life has to be watered at the roots, but now, those who plan to raise the standard of living, water the branches, the leaves and the blossoms. The roots are the virtues; they have to be fostered so that the flowers of actions, words and thoughts may bloom in fragrance and yield the fruit of seva (service), full of the sweet juice of aanandha.
Planning for food, clothing and shelter is only promoting the well-being of the cart; plan also for the horse, the mind of man which has to use the food, the clothing, the shelter and other material instruments for the high purpose of ‘escaping from the ego into the universal’.
Loss of self-confidence is the chief defect
The distressing poverty of the Rayalaseema district was also described by some speakers; I would ask you not to be carried away by despair or lose faith in man or God. Mention was made of Emperoi Shibi who offered his own flesh to an eagle whose prey he had rescued from his talons. There is also the supreme example of Karna whose sacrifices were so spontaneous and self-effacing. Donors imbued with this spirit of detachment are even now not absent amidst us. Their services should not be lightly cast aside or forgotten. When a few tiny stones get mixed in rice and get between the teeth, you say in disgust that the plate of rice is but a plate of stones. It is human nature to exaggerate in order to create an impression. We treat joy as incidental and insignificant and dwell more on grief and pain. The chief defect of which these are but manifestations is the loss of self-confidence and enthusiasm among the villagers. They give themselves up at the slightest sign of loss or danger. They do not know that the secret of strength and courage lies in themselves. Villagers have lost the art of living together in peace and harmony. Factions have taken deep root to the detriment of the peaceful pursuit of professions. Besides, the children of the village who receive the kind of education imparted in the schools develop con–erupt for agriculture and other rural occupations and flock towards towns where the outward pomp of modern civilisation attracts them. They then become victims to the vanities of the western ways of life, and are weaned away from the culture of their ancestors.
Questions:
- Swami Says that happiness and peace do not follow when man is fed well, clothed well, housed well, and even educated up to a high standard and employed under comfortable conditions, with no injury to health or security. Why do you think this so? Please share your thoughts.
- Swami says that we treat joy as incidental and insignificant, and dwell more on grief and pain, and the chief defect of which these are but manifestations is the loss of self-confidence What does self- confidence mean to you, and what are some best practices to develop self-confidence?
Time is a prime factor for good fortunes
The reason for the very long time which has elapsed since I came to this village last, a village which is within a few miles of Puttaparthi, is to be sought, not in the attitude of individuals, but in the kaala, karma and kaarana which must coincide before such an event can come about. The kaala (time) must ripen; the karma (occasion) must also arise; and the kaarana (circumstances necessitating My presence) must occur. Then alone is this possible, is it not? It takes time for a fruit to mature and acquire sweetness and become eatable; time is a prime factor for most good fortunes. Make full use of Me, that is all that I ask of you. I have at no time any feeling of separateness. I invite all to come and know and derive benefit from Me. Dive and know the depth; watch and discriminate; eat and know the taste. I long for people who do that.
We shall close with some songs reciting the Name of God. It is My general practice to induce people to learn the sweetness of the Name. I begin My discourses with the recitation of a spiritual poem and end them with these Naamaavalis (series of divine names), and in between I give the lesson I love to teach. It is like a tasty health-giving meal, which I serve you on a plate (the poem) covering it with a lid (tile Naamaavalis). That is how you may take it.
Questions:
- Swami says, “Make full use of me, that is all I ask of you.” Reflect a little. How can we make full use of Swami? Please share your thoughts.
Affirmation: I am self – confident.
Life Application Skill: Please come up with one based on today’s reading.