divine visit to italy april 2015

DIVINE VISIT TO ITALY
APRIL 2015
Torino
Padova
Cisternino
Roma
Excerpts of Divine Discourses
By Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
In the Subtle Body
Divine Visit to Italy
April 2015
Excerpts of Divine Discourses
By Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
In the Subtle Body
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Copyright © Sri Sathya Sai Premamruta Prakashana (R), Sathya Sai Grama,
Muddenahalli, Chikballapur Taluk and District – 562101, Karnataka, India.
All rights reserved.
June 2015.
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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................ 3
2. TORINO: 16 April 2015 ............................................... 5
3. PADOVA: 17 April 2015 – Morning Session ................ 11
4. PADOVA: 17 April 2015 – Evening Session.................16
5. CISTERNINO: 18 April 2015 – Evening Session ........ 20
6. CISTERNINO: 19 April 2015 – Morning Session ....... 26
7. ROMA: 20 April 2015 – Morning Session ..................31
8. ROMA: 20 April 2015 – Evening Session .................. 36
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INTRODUCTION
In April 2015, Italy was truly and uniquely blessed by the Divine Visitation
of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the Subtle Form. In response to the prayers
of countless Italian devotees over many decades, the Lord finally submitted and
granted supreme joy, peace, and courage to all with His Divine Presence.
As per Bhagawan’s direction, Public Programs were organised in four
different cities from 16 to 20 April, 2015:
Torino – 16 April, 2015 – Morning Programme
Padova – 17 April, 2015 – Morning and Evening Programmes
Cisternino (Brindisi) – 18 April, 2015 – Evening Programme
and 19 April, 2015 – Morning Programme
Roma – 20 April, 2015 – Morning and Evening Programmes
Altogether, there were seven sessions attended by hundreds of people
from across the country and participants from overseas as well. All who
attended the Programs benefitted by listening to illuminating discourses from
Bhagawan’s highly accomplished entourage, including Sri Narasimha Murthy,
Mr. Isaac Tigrett, and Sri C. Sreenivas.
Finally, the much awaited Divine Discourses, which uplifted each person’s
consciousness and filled them with the pure nectar of Divine Love. In His
unlimited compassion, Swami also permitted questions from the audience at
each program. His answers to the queries not only soothed the agitated minds
and hearts of many a questioner, but proved to be universal in nature, and reveal
great mysteries of man and the Universe.
Among the places He visited, Swami also blessed with His Divine Presence
the shrine built in His name at Pascarosa (Cisternino). Years ago, He had
instructed a devotee to begin a small temple there for Him. During this visit,
Bhagawan said the temple would grow to become an important place of spiritual
power and pilgrimage for people from all over the world. He also said He would
visit the holy shrine every year in His Subtle Form, and even in future, in the
form of Prema Sai Baba.
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This Booklet has been prepared at the command of Bhagawan Sri Sathya
Sai Baba and is a compilation of excerpts of His Divine Discourses granted in
Italy in April 2015. It is hoped that it will help readers relive the awe-inspiring
and blessed experience of being in the Divine Presence and, as per Swami’s wish,
put forth His message clearly and accurately to avoid confusion and
misinterpretation.
The complete transcripts of these discourses will be available in the series
of books containing Bhagawan Baba’s Divine Discourses in the Subtle Body, “Sri
Sathya Sai Uvacha”.
For those unfamiliar with the Subtle Form of Baba, it is well known that
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba left His corporeal body on 24 April, 2011. The
passing of the Great Master months after His 85th Birthday came as a shock to
millions of His devotees all over the world, especially since He had said on more
than one occasion that He would continue His Mission till the age of 96.
Not long thereafter, Bhagawan Baba began revealing Himself in the
Sookshma Shareera, or Subtle Body. As He Himself explained, “Everyone in
this world has 4 types of bodies: Sthoola Shareera - the Physical Body;
Sookshma Shareera - the Subtle Body; Athi Sookshma Shareera - the Higher
Subtle Body; and Para Sookshma Shareera - the Omnipresent Super Subtle
Body. Sthoola Shareera is the physical body which anyone can see. Now, I am
not in the physical body, but in the Sookshma Shareera (Subtle Body) which is
beyond the physical. In My Sookshma Shareera I can move to any part of the
world without taking any time. In My Athi Sookshma Shareera I enter the
dreams and meditations of people and guide them. In the Para Sookshma
Shareera, I am present in every atom. At this point of time, you are in the
Physical body. If you are in a room, you cannot see what is outside, since there
is a wall in between. However, the Sookshma Shareera is not bound by desha,
kala and paristhiti (space, time and circumstances) and, therefore, cannot be
seen with the physical eyes.”
Since then, Bhagawan has been working tirelessly to continue His Divine
Mission, both in India and abroad.
It is our great and good fortune that Swami blessed the soil of Italy with
His Holy Presence. Despite the turmoil and uncertainties we see all around us,
the Lord has assured us that we only need follow Him, and the rest will take care
of itself.
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TORINO:
16 April 2015
1.
The One who bears all names is the One who is the Embodiment of Peace. The One who
bears all forms is the Embodiment of truth. His true nature is sathyam (truth), shivam
(auspiciousness), sundaram (beauty). He is ever-present and He is the absolute truth.
2.
God is ever-present. When our hearts are turned towards God, we perceive Him. When
our hearts are full of the world, we lose the vision of God. The sun that shines over India
is the same sun that shines over Italy, too. That sun and this sun are not different. It is
just a matter of the rotation of earth that makes the sun visible to these countries.
3.
When one says that Sathya Sai Baba is the Embodiment of that Divine Principle, how
can He be different here and different there? How can they say that He does not exist
now and that He existed earlier? How can someone say that He had come and then He
left? There is no death to the eternal principle of Atma. How can there be death for an
Avatar? It is just the bodies that perish, not the Atma. It is as much true for Me as it is
for you, because we are all verily the same Embodiments of Atma.
4.
The mind is the basis for this entire creation. It is the reason for one’s bondage or
liberation. Turn the mind towards God – you are liberated. Turn the mind towards the
world – you are bound. Like the door with the key – if you turn the key to the right, it
opens; to the left, it locks. The mind is the door. If you open it, you will see the truth on
the other side.
5.
While in Puttaparthi, for those who did not believe there is God, I taught them that God
exists. Many amongst you who are seated here were so-called atheists. Many of you did
not believe in the existence of God. After coming in the proximity of Bhagawan, you
learned the truth that God exists.
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However, you thought God exists outside as Sathya Sai Baba, or as Jesus Christ, or
Buddha, or as described in other religions. Now I am teaching you that God does not
exist outside, He exists within.
6.
That is what Jesus Christ also preached. First He said, “I am the messenger of God.” He
thought God was different from Him. God existed in heaven and Jesus was on Earth to
preach the message. Then, while He was being crucified, Jesus declared, “I am the son
of God.” I am a part of God; God is a part of Me. Finally, once He renounced the body,
He realized that He and His Father were One. This is the way I am teaching you the
higher lessons and higher truths of life.
7.
All I expect from My devotees is no more talking and discussing, but now you must act
to realise your Divinity. I am breaking this illusion that you can only see God by going
to a certain place at a certain point of time. God is there where you are; your very
existence is proof of God’s existence. However, knowing the truth and experiencing it
are two different things.
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8.
I always call you ‘Embodiments of Divinity’, ‘Embodiments of Truth’, and ‘Embodiments
of Love’, because I know you already are That. Just as you must open the door to see
what is outside, likewise, you must remove all that which is not God in you to see what
you really are.
9.
God existed before Sathya Sai Baba came. God came in the form of Sathya Sai Baba. He
will come in many other forms, including your own Divine self. I will continue teaching
you the same truth. I am not the teacher who allows students to fail and leave the school.
Until you pass, you must study; again, and again, and again.
10. Question: I would like to ask You, Swami, if You could tell us something about the
spiritual changes that are happening during this period.
Swami: What you see outside is just a reflection of what you are inside. If you are
Divine, you will see everything as Divine. If you are human, you will see everything as
human.
A sick person is always angry with everyone. Because he is sad and angry, he receives
sadness and anger from others. The moment his sickness is cured, he becomes happy
and sees everyone as happy. Therefore, when you change yourself, the entire world is
going to change. It all starts from within.
I am now preaching that each one must realise their Divinity. In times to come, the
Divinity inside will start rising and many people around the world will preach the truth
that all are One. Those who cannot understand this truth will perish, just as some plants
perish when the seasons change.
Those who follow the path of dharma, will be protected by dharma. In every age, in every
time, there were some people who were good and others who were not. It has never
happened that the entire world was only full of goodness. Therefore, more and more
people will become better, become spiritual, and that is the Golden Age.
As is your vision, so will be the world outside. That which stops you from realising this
is your own ego. Through love and service, once you give up this ego, you will see the
entire world as Divine. The time has now come in the history of the world that many
spiritual people will start coming up.
We are in a period of transition. Just as day moves into night and night moves into day,
the dark night of the Kali Age is coming to an end. However, just as the night is the
darkest before the dawn, so there is so much evil at this point in time. Evil will destroy
itself as per the laws of Nature, and what will remain will be pure. If you are not prepared
for that age, you will not be able to survive there; just as when the seasons change,
certain plants don’t survive. Hence, prepare yourself by becoming more pure, more
selfless, and more Divine.
Love in action is dharma. Love in speech is truth. Love in understanding is peace. Love
in thought is non-violence. It’s just one love which has all the other things inside it.
Develop love, selfless love. Not ‘love myself’, ‘serve myself’; love all, serve all.
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11.
Question: Swami, I would like to know what to do to become an empty instrument so
love can flow through me.
Swami: No love remains as love, it expresses as service. The mind does not allow you
to share because it is afraid of losing something. Lose that fear. Once you have lost all
the fear because you have developed faith, My love will flow through you, unhindered.
12. Question: Swami, how can we help those people who didn’t have the good luck to meet
You? We feel in our heart that it is good that they should know about You.
Swami: What prevents people from wanting to know the truth is the fear that what they
already know is the truth and there is no more truth left. The moment one thinks he
knows everything, there is no scope for teaching him. Only one who is humble and has
an open mind can learn the truth. Therefore, those people who have an open mind and
are humble alone can understand this.
No one can come to Me unless I will it. Only those who are humble will be admitted into
My class. The first qualification is humility. All the trees that bear fruits are bent low.
Only trees that do not have fruits stand straight. If you have humility, you will learn.
13.
Question: Bhagawan, what can we do to have more purity inside and strengthen our
connection with God?
Swami: Don’t ask Me for this or that. Ask Me for Myself, “I want Swami. I want Swami’s
love.” Whatever happens, wherever, whenever, have only this prayer. Once you know
the destination, you will know how to go. Therefore, fill your mind with namasmarana,
engage in acts of service, selfless love. With selfless love, you will always remain pure.
Pray only for Me and nothing else.
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14. Question: We tried reading the Bhagawad-Gita to develop knowledge. If I remember
well, the 10th and 11th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita talk about masters. I would like to
know some teachings that will enable us to advance higher spiritually.
Swami: If you travel from Bangalore to Puttaparthi, on the way, you will see
Chikballapur. If Chikballapur does not come, it means you are not on the right road.
Likewise, when you travel towards God and you are growing spiritually, certain
destinations will come.
First, humility will come. Then, love for everyone will come. Then, a sense of sacrifice
will come, to sacrifice everything for others’ sake. The final destination is peace and bliss.
It starts with humility and ends with peace. Therefore, you must continuously ask
yourself whether these destinations are coming or not.
Self-confidence comes first, which is like the foundation. Self-sacrifice is the walls. Selfsatisfaction is the roof. That which resides inside is Self-realisation.
First, you will develop tremendous humility that comes to you with the faith that God is
the doer of everything. Self-confidence is confidence in your Divine Self. So, the first
destination is this confidence that will bring humility.
As you progress, you must check for yourself, whether these stations are coming or not.
If these destinations are not coming on the way, it means either the train is not moving
or you are on the wrong train.
15.
Question: Swami, can you give us some
guidance on how to develop good
character, because sometimes character is
an obstacle through our evolution and
allows us to develop ego. Perhaps
character has come from our past lives.
Swami: What you were is not important.
The past is past, forget the past. The
future is uncertain, so there is no point
worrying about the future. The present is
omnipresent. This present is here because
of your past, and because of this present,
your future will occur. So, the present was
born out of the past and will give birth to
the future. Therefore, the present is
omnipresent. Do not worry about what
happened or what will happen. Only what
is happening now should be your concern.
What is character? Doing the right thing
is character. In all circumstances,
however easy or difficult, always following
the right thing is character.
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Man has been bestowed with two powers: viveka (discrimination) and vairagya
(detachment). When a situation comes, you must take a little time and think what is
right and what is not right; what is selfish and what is selfless; what will please Swami
and what will displease Swami. Like this, if you analyse and choose the right thing, that
is your character. However, that is only 50%. The other 50% is, after having chosen, you
must follow that. Knowing what to do and then doing it, together consists of character.
Initially, you may fall, but you must always get up and continue your journey. Don’t stop
till you reach your goal. Continuously practise this, and that will develop character. As
your character, so your destiny. Keep your thoughts, words and actions pure.
16. Question: The most beautiful thing in my life is meeting You. I lost my family very
early. When You arrived, I didn’t need anything else. Yet, since I met You, I have the
feeling that I’ve not done enough. I lost lots of time and am still losing time. I fear not
being able to take what You are giving me.
Swami: In our scriptures, they say three things are extremely important. If you receive
them, consider it as the Grace of God. First, is human birth; second is the desire for
liberation; third, the company of a Diving Being. You have got all the three. Be happy.
Put in the effort. The best service you can do is to become an example.
17.
Question: Swami knows that I believe in extra-terrestrial life. Even in an interview
once, You were talking to a lady about extra-terrestrial life. I would like to know if Swami
can say something more about it, because I want to know if it exists or not.
Swami: You all are born in a certain place between certain people, in a certain culture,
based on God’s will. Just as many countries exist, with many people and many cultures,
many beings in many planes exist. They have their own rules and regulations, their
culture, their habits. They have their own language, they have their own way of
communication. However, just as a second grade student need not worry about what is
in the tenth grade, you should concentrate on what is being taught now. Therefore, at
this point in time, having been born as a human, having learned these truths from
Swami, put them into practise and realise your Divinity. Do not spend your time and
energy on idle curiosity. That will not take you to your destination.
18. Question: Swami, could you explain to me the reason for diseases and why, in my case,
my legs continue to be not well and I am unable to walk?
Swami: The reason for diseases is different in different people. In some people, it is due
to physical hurt, like an accident or a fall, but for most of people, it is because of their
mental problems. If there is a physical cause for a physical disease, it can be cured in a
hospital. If, however, it is a mental problem, only through your mind can you cure it.
Live the day asking God what He would be pleased with and act accordingly. At the end
of the day, offer everything to God and go to sleep. If God finds you worthy, He will give
you another day to live. Every day you wake up, remind yourself that Swami still trusts
you. He is again giving you an opportunity to become closer to Him. Every night when
you sleep, thank Him for the opportunity given. That is the essence of life.
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PADOVA:
17 April 2015 – Morning Session
1.
What is your duty? We are all born so that we should not be born again. Again and again,
we engage ourselves in different actions, we experience the results of these actions, and
it goes on and on. To avoid this cycle of death and birth, we must do our duty. If we
follow that duty we will attain God. Swami has come to preach about this duty.
2.
You have all come and studied in the Primary School in Puttaparthi. You have all
understood that God exists. Now, in this High School, you must understand that God is
within, not without. Furthermore, in the University of Prema Sai, you must know that
all are One. That is what Jesus preached, “All are one, my dear son. Be alike to everyone.”
3.
From dvaita (duality) – God is different, I am different; to vishishtadvaita (qualified
non- duality) – the understanding that I am a part of God; to advaita (non-duality) – all
are One; these are the three stages of our growth. That is why Swami has put it as, ‘I’ to
‘we’ and ‘we’ to ‘He’.
4.
For many, many years, devotees from Italy have been coming to Prasanthi Nilayam.
They have come especially to celebrate Christmas with Swami. They would bring
chocolates, decorations, and cakes. They organised all kinds of programmes and musical
performances. For what purpose was all this? To please Swami. The only purpose was
that Swami should be happy. If you always strive, not only during Christmas, but
throughout the year to make Swami happy, then you have really learnt your lesson.
5.
People are saying, “Swami has come from here; Swami has come from there.” Don’t
believe that. Where can Swami come from? He is already here. This morning, Swami
was telling the family here, “Do not think that I come from somewhere. Do not think it
is just a photo or just an empty chair.” If you truly believe that the chair is not empty, it
won’t be empty. If you truly believe that the photo is also Swami, He will listen to you.
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If you truly believe that you must see Swami, you can see Him. First and foremost, you
must firmly believe. For a long time, the illusion has been there that you have to go to
Puttaparthi to see Swami. That was the lower truth. The truth is that you don’t have to
go anywhere. You can find Swami wherever you are. The very fact that you are breathing
and alive is because Swami is inside you.
6.
Wherever you chant the name, the form is also there. Wherever the form is present, the
name is also there. Have this tremendous faith that every time you chant the name, I am
listening. Every time you sing bhajan, I am coming to listen. Every time you serve Me
food, I am partaking it. Every time you put a chair for Me, I am sitting there. If you
develop this kind of faith, no one can shake it. Feel My presence everywhere, all the time.
7.
It is very easy to love those who love you. However, the true test of love is being able to
love even those who do not love you. It is very easy to help those who help you, but the
true test of service is when you can help even those who harm you. That is why Jesus
Christ prayed to the Lord, “Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” See
the kind of love He had in his heart! He blessed even those who punished him. Such love
alone is real love, and such love, when transformed into service, is true service.
8.
Question: Swami, How can I feel You inside?
Swami: What is Swami? Is Swami the body? Is Swami the mind? He is not the body,
nor the mind. Swami is love. I said, “Love is My form. Truth is My breath. Bliss is My
food.” If you feel love inside your heart, that is Swami, and if you feel the same love for
everyone around you, then you will feel Swami. If there is faith, there is love. If you truly
believe that Swami is the One who is acting through everyone around you, then you will
love everyone around you.
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9.
Question: First of all, Swami, thank You for everything You have done for me and my
family. I know You have followed me all along my path and in everything I’ve done.
Thank You for everything You have given me, and for saving my daughter’s life. Despite
all this, Swami, why am I still like a doubting Thomas?
Swami: You are not a doubting Thomas. Your mind is the doubting Thomas. It is the
mind which changes. If things happen which are favourable, you are happy and faith
grows. When things do not happen as you wish, then the faith wobbles. Sometimes, a
mother does not give the child what it asks for. She knows it is not good for the child.
The child, however, misunderstands that the mother does not love him. If you only have
devotion when everything happens according to your will, then that is not devotion.
10. Question: Swami, Why is the ego so strong?
Swami: From many, many births, you have been told that you are this body. Your greatgrandmother told your grandmother, your grandmother told your mother, and your
mother told you that you are this body. For ages, this untruth has been repeated so many
times that you started believing it is the truth. That is why it is difficult to get rid of this
ego, which arises out of the body. The ego comes when you think, “I am different.” This
‘I’ is related to the body. Bodies are different, but the soul is the same; just as bottles are
different, but water is one. It looks different because of the colour of the bottle.
One day, a person came to Swami and I told him, “You have a lot of ego.” He immediately
replied, “I have no ego!” The reply itself was full of ego. First, to know that you have ego
is, itself, great.
11.
Question: In this path of purifying myself, I sometimes feel as though I am in a
wrestling match. I forget what it really means to be happy. You always remind us to be
happy. My question is, in this path of evolution, how can we remain happy?
Swami: Happiness is only in union with God. If you are always in touch with God, you
will always be happy. Think of God all the time and do everything for the love of God.
You will be happy.
12. Question: Can You help us with all the bad qualities we have?
Swami: I am always there to help. If you come to class with the intention of learning,
you can be taught. If you come with the feeling that you know everything and do not
need to learn anything, then no one can teach you. I am always there like a teacher, ready
to help the students.
13.
Question: After Your mahasamadhi, I had a ‘spiritual blackout’. I was not moving
forward nor backward. In that moment, did my soul evolve or stop evolving, even though
I felt this ‘spiritual blackout’?
Swami: Depending on My body as Me is ignorance. Like all other bodies, this body also
had to go. If you depend on the true Swami, who is with you all the time, you will never
feel lonely. Which Avatar has not come and gone? Nevertheless, His glory and love
continue to be. You must depend on that, not on the body. Just by wearing Swami’s
picture, you will not feel Swami. Only if you feel Him inside will you really experience
Him.
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14. Question: I have made many mistakes in life, Swami. I would like some guidance from
You. Another question, why are Christians being persecuted so much during this time
in history?
Swami: Past is past; forget about your past. What you do with your present is more
important. A mistake is not a mistake if we learn from it and do not repeat it. So, learn
from your mistakes and do not repeat them. Who has not made a mistake here?
However, all have learnt and progressed. So, don’t live in the past. Move on.
It is not only in this age that there are persecutions. Those who do not understand the
spirit of religion always have conflict. It has been there earlier, it is there even now, and
it will be there in the future, too. Not only Christians, but people of all religions are
suffering. It is not because of religion. It is because of the misunderstanding of religion.
It is the feeling that one religion is superior to the other, that one God is superior to the
other. That is when these conflicts arise. All are equal. All are equal. Pray for world peace.
15.
Question: Swami, how can we love people who kill?
Swami: If you really love Me very much, you will be able to love everyone as well. What
did I say earlier? Jesus was crucified. He Himself prayed for the welfare of those who
did not understand Him. If you take revenge on those who hurt you, then what is the
difference between an ordinary person and My devotee? If Jesus would have cursed
people when he was being punished and crucified, then what would have been the
difference between an ordinary criminal and Jesus? Jesus was Jesus because He could
love people, despite the harm they did.
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When you grow and evolve spiritually, you will feel the entire world is your family. In a
family, some children will be well-behaved, and some will not be. However, you don’t
throw away the children who are disobedient. You correct them and bring them back.
You cannot correct them by punishing them. If you really want them to be corrected
forever, you must love them.
16. Question: Hello, Swami. For many years, through an association that does not bear
Your name, we have been teaching human values to children. However, we are having
great difficulties. Are we taking the right direction? Please guide us.
Swami: The name is not important. Whether you eat with the right hand or the left
hand, food has to go into the stomach. Whether work is done with My name or without
My name, it does not affect the work. Remember, the path of dharma is not an easy one.
For many, many births, you have followed the dictates of the mind. Suddenly teaching
the mind to think of God is not easy.
17.
Question: I am probably asking a question that many people here want to ask, as they
have the same problem. Yesterday, I was in an assembly of the Sai Organization, and
they read a letter which was very critical of this team from Muddenahalli. I would like to
know how we should behave in these circumstances.
Swami: There were some people who always said, “Don’t believe in the Babas of India.”
However, when you decided to come and experience for yourself, you understood.
Hence, whatever good we can learn from whomever we can learn, we should be openminded. Just as no one can eat for you or sleep for you, no one can experience God for
you. You must find out for yourself.
When you came to Swami, did you not face the same situation at that time? People would
say all kinds of things. Ultimately, you have to find out for yourself. Being closedminded will not help you learn. Humility and an open mind are very important. If My
devotees do not learn this, who is going to learn? Devotees are not those who work for
an organization or a centre. This is not a school where a student is a student because he
has gotten admission. One who studies is a student. One who follows My teaching is My
devotee.
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PADOVA:
17 April 2015 – Evening Session
1.
In this world, everything is temporary. Name, fame, wealth, family, youth – all are
temporary. Only truth and the good name that you earn remain permanent. As time
passes, everything is going to change.
2.
In today’s world, the youth are very fond of remaining young forever. They engage in all
kinds of things to help them look young for long. They are always trying to look better
and more beautiful by decorating themselves and their bodies. However, whatever you
do, with time, this body will become old. No one can stop the wheel of time. What will
remain permanent, even after you age, is the good that you have done for others.
3.
What is sacrifice? All that is not Divine in you, you must sacrifice. When you say you are
a man or a woman, it is not the complete truth. “I am a man and not an animal.” That is
complete truth. The human body is a very precious gift. On the one side, it has animal
qualities. On the other side, it has Divine qualities. A man can slip to become an animal
or rise to become Divine. It depends on what you choose to become.
4.
God has given you two strengths – discrimination and detachment. Discriminate what
is good and what is not. Before doing anything, before saying anything, before thinking
anything, ask whether it is good or not. If it is good, do it. If it is not, do not do it.
Knowing whether something is good or not is viveka or discrimination, and having the
courage to give up what is not good is vairagya, or detachment. Therefore, think before
you speak or do anything. Ask Swami, who is within you. Close your eyes for a minute
and ask Me, “Swami, this is what I am feeling like doing. Are You going to be happy or
not?” If you honestly ask Me and have the courage to follow the answer that comes from
your heart, I will definitely respond. I am not somewhere far away. I am right in your
heart, and I will respond from your heart. If you practise this today, you will be able to
do it throughout your life.
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5.
The way you think, so will you become. Dust you think, dust you are. God you think, God
you are. Tell yourself all the time, “I am God. God is not anywhere. He is within me. He
will respond to whatever I ask.” Ask Him sincerely, and you will surely get an answer.
Don’t ask God only when you are in trouble. Had you asked God before, why would you
get into trouble in the first place? Therefore, talk to God, who is inside you, and believe
that it is possible to connect to your own Swami within. Seek His guidance at every step
of your life. Follow His words and reach Him. If you want to reach God, you have to
follow the footsteps of God.
6.
Question: Swami, we are all waiting for the Golden Age that You promised. What can
we do to prepare for it? Has the time come?
Swami: This external Golden Age is not what you should wait for. It is the
transformation within. One who is golden inside will see everything as golden. One who
is pure within will see everything as pure. A thief always thinks everyone else is a thief.
A saint always thinks everyone else is a saint. The Golden Age is not outside. Every time
a heart is transformed into Divine, it becomes golden. When more and more people are
transformed, the entire world will be full of happiness and peace.
As a youth, your prime duty is to become an example for others. By observing your
conduct and character, other youth will also transform. You don’t have to give speeches
from podiums. By doing what you are supposed to do, you can change the world. Hence,
transformation is within; the Golden Age is within. It is time now that more and more
of you should develop this Divine feeling.
7.
Question: Swami, I know You are the Truth, but why did You leave the body before the
age You declared you would do so?
Swami: Earlier, when I was young, I travelled all around and developed projects of
education, health and water. I spoke to thousands and thousands of people and guided
them on the path towards God. When I was young like you, and My body was strong, I
physically travelled to many places, met many people and guided them. When the body
became a little weak, I stayed in Prasanthi Nilayam, and from there, called people to Me,
spoke to them, and guided them. Finally, when the body became weaker, I could not
speak or do anything. I could only come for darshan and then return. At least that way,
I was able to serve people. Then the body became further weak. I was not even able to
come and give darshan. What is the use of such a body which cannot be of any use to
anyone? It is better to discard such a body. I have no attachment to the body. I am only
attached to My work.
The body only came to make you understand that God exists. You thought that God is in
Puttaparthi. You had to go to Puttaparthi to be with Swami. Now, when there is no body,
I am teaching you that I am within you. You don’t have to go anywhere to see Swami.
You can see Swami within you. Ultimately, you will realise that Swami is not different
from you. Swami is you. You are Swami. This is what I am teaching. That is why I gave
up the body. I will continue with this Energy Form for a few more years until the next
Avatar comes.
With the Physical Body, I came and gave darshan and did My work. Now, in the Subtle
Body, you can perceive Me through your mind. A pure and calm mind can see Me. That
is how you can reach Me now. In My Higher Subtle Body, I come into your dreams.
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You don’t have to call Me. It is I who come; it is My wish. There is no physical Swami.
There is only Swami’s Higher Subtle Body. When I give up identification with the body
altogether, I am the Omnipresent God. That is the truth.
8.
Question: I have read a book on relationships, especially between couples, and I would
like to know how to behave in a relationship where one person wants to continue the
family relation, while the other doesn’t want it anymore.
Swami: Why people come into each other’s’ lives is not because of their choice today.
It is a runanubandham – there is a debt to be paid from many, many births. This
connection goes far beyond the present time. People come together because of their past.
However, the purpose of their coming together is to reach God.
9.
Question: How is it possible to become purer in thought, word, and deed?
Swami: What is purity? Selflessness is purity. The more selfless you become, the purer
you become. The only difference between man and God is desires. Desires make God’s
love impure.
If you can love everyone without any expectations, love for the sake of loving, then you
will become pure. Believe in the power of love. It will bring you all that you need, but it
may not get you what you want. Hence, if you can love selflessly, you will become purer.
10. Question: There are some people who feel that their beliefs are superior to others’
beliefs. How is it possible to convince such people that all beliefs are equal?
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Swami: Truth and true knowledge is seeing the oneness of all. In oneness, how can
someone be greater and someone, lesser? All are equal. So, you should not listen to such
people. Why go by what is heard and what is said? Find out for yourself. Only one who
has experienced God will become God. Without having experienced, no one can define
God.
11.
Question: Swami, together with a friend, I created an association based on Your values
that also works in schools. I would like to have Your blessing and know what we can do
to improve.
Swami: Values are best taught by practicing. Once you practice, you derive joy, and the
joy will make you practice further. You practice and help others practice. Become kinder
to your own parents, more respectful to your own elders, more understanding of your
own peers, and more loving to your younger ones. You can practice these values.
Encourage practice.
12. Question: Today, in the world, there are many enlightened masters. Is it true that they
are only Your manifestations?
Swami: Yesterday, I said there is only one sun. In India, it is called ‘Indian sun’, in
Italian they may call it ‘Italian sun’, similarly in America, they may call it ‘American sun’,
but the sun is only one. It reflects in various pools of water. Just because you see many
reflections, it does not mean there are many suns. All are reflections of the same God.
All good is God.
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CISTERNINO:
18 April 2015 – Evening Session
1. I have always been saying,
“Love is My form.” I never said,
“Body is My form.” The love
within you is the proof of My
presence. There is no other
definition of God. The heart that
is full of love is Divine. The sun
reflects in pure and clear water.
Similarly, God reflects in a heart
free of all selfishness.
2. So far, you have experienced
My love. Now it is time for you to
pass it on to those who thirst for
it. Earlier, it was My body
through which I worked. Now, it
is through My devotees that I will
continue My work. Your bodies
are My body. Your hands are My
hands. Your feet are My feet.
Your vision is My vision. Your
heart is My heart. Truly, there is
no difference between you and
Me. Difference only exists in the
ignorance of the mind. Once the
mind vanishes, there is no
difference.
Just as you cannot see your reflection in the mirror if it is covered by a curtain, likewise,
you do not see your true Self because of the presence of the mind. The mind is nothing
but a bundle of desires. So long as there are desires, it is difficult to feel God. Therefore,
one by one, remove the threads, and the curtain will disappear. Remove, one by one, all
your selfish desires, and what will remain is selfless love, and then you can see your clear
reflection in the mirror of your heart, which is nothing but My own reflection. It is time
that My devotees rise to truly reflect the love that I have given them in their hearts and
share it with all those who do not have it.
3.
My mission is growing. It is only going to grow faster because I will use each one of you
as My own form. I said that I will multiply into many and will continue My work. It does
not mean that, in every street and every place, you will see Sai Baba. What I mean is, I
will work through each one of you. Each one of you will reflect Me. Each one of you will
become My form, and the world will know that Sai Baba has not gone anywhere. He is
there within each of His devotees and continues His work. It is time for us to change.
Start looking inside, not outside.
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4.
This place is definitely going to be an important spiritual centre in the future. It is not
because I decided it so. It is not because someone decided it so. It is only if your faith
meets My grace. The sun shines in the sky, but if the doors and windows are closed, the
house will remain dark. It is not the fault of the sun. Open the windows and doors and
bring the light inside. Open your mind, open your hearts, and receive My grace within.
Put every effort until you reach the goal, and do not stop unless you realise your true
Self, by loving and serving everyone as true reflections of Swami.
5.
I bless that this place will grow in the future into a great spiritual centre for the entire
country. It will grow into a very big ashram in times to come, and people from all around
the country will come here to seek spiritual solace. Just as an island gives relief to one
who is swimming in the ocean, likewise, this little place will become a spiritual refuge
for all those who are struggling in the worldly waters. Many, many more people will
come. Just as a river is joined by many other rivulets to become mighty, likewise, this
little stream will be joined by many more streams and will become a mighty river. With
great faith and devotion, you are looking after this place, and, as I said, where there is
love, there is devotion, I manifest there. Therefore, in times to come, it will grow into a
spiritual centre. Start working on building a bhajan temple here, and many rooms for
devotees to stay, to come together and have satsang and spiritual workshops. Within a
year, there will be significant progress. When Swami comes back next year, there will be
a hall here to receive Him, and not this tent. From that root, the tree and all the branches
will grow, and when I return as the next Physical Avatar, I will definitely make this My
home in Italy.
6.
In the dream (of a devotee who spoke earlier), not only did I say this is the place, but I
said this is the place I will come. Today is the beginning, and every year this will happen,
until I hand it over to the next Avatar. However, the next Avatar will not be an easy
Avatar like Me. He will be a very difficult teacher. He will not speak like Me. He will
teach in the language of silence. If you cannot understand and follow My words, how
will you understand and follow His silence? Therefore, even before the Avatar comes, I
am preparing you, so that when you are in His presence, you will understand what He is
saying in the language of silence.
7.
I need such devotees to continue My work. All the work depends on people like you.
Building hospitals and schools is not My mission. Transformation is My mission. The
Golden Age which is about to dawn will be brought about not by Me or any Avatar, but
by you. Just as the father retires and places the responsibility on his son’s shoulders, I
place this great responsibility of bringing peace and love upon you. Be strong! Be
courageous! Do not waver. Be firm! And carry on this responsibility. Follow My path and
I will follow you, wherever you are, and I will manifest in every step of your journey. I
will fill every cell of your being with My Divinity, and you will become moving temples
of God. By looking at you, people will look at Swami. By touching you, they will feel the
touch of Swami. By talking to you, they will feel they have spoken to Swami. By being
with you, they will feel they are in the presence of Swami. Such is the mighty
responsibility that I place in your hands today. Carry it with firm faith and conviction. I
will help you. My grace is there in abundance, just like the rain that pours torrents. But
how much you can collect depends on the size of the vessel. Don’t have petty minds and
petty hearts. Develop expansion love and capture as much rain as possible – from ‘I’ to
‘we’ and from ‘we’ to ‘He’. From selfish to selfless and from selfless to the real Self. I am
sure My devotees will not disappoint Me, just as I have never disappointed them. I place
great faith on you. Be worthy of this.
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8.
Question: Swami, how we are to behave in the Sai Centres You have created? As You
know, there are some difficulties at this moment in time. How should we behave?
Swami: I have always preached, do not follow the body; body is a water bubble. Do not
follow the mind; mind is a mad monkey. Follow the heart; heart is the seat of God. The
heart speaks the truth. You can reach God only through the heart, not through the mind.
What is the use if we gain the entire world and not our true Self? Once you gain your
true Self, what is the use of conquering the entire world?
All the organizations, all the institutions, all the Centres are for only one purpose – to
bring you closer to your true Self, which is Me. If it is helping you do that, then definitely
behave that way. If all these put together are not letting you go closer to your heart, but
only fill your heart with dry logic and suspicion, then better to walk alone and walk on
the right path. It is for one to decide for oneself, and the answer comes from within, not
from outside. Just as no one can eat for you, sleep for you or breathe for you, no one can
choose your path for you. You must choose for yourself. That is true spirituality.
9.
Question: What can we do for our youth, who are desperate, because there is no place
for them in society?
Swami: Youth are like mighty rivers. They will find their way. They have so much
energy that they can even break the stones and make their way. They only need direction.
However, if you give them direction by preaching to them or talking to them, it won’t
help. If you walk ahead on the right path, you can lead them. By standing here and telling
them to walk, they won’t go anywhere. Youth will learn only through personal example.
You set a personal example and you will be able to lead them to the right place. They are
22
young, they have the energy, and long life ahead. They will be able to find their way with
a little direction. So, lead them by your example. That is the best service you can do for
the youth. By mere speaking and advising, and not really following, you cannot help
much. With your experience of life, and your knowledge of good and bad, you can lead
them. The rest, they will look after themselves. But don’t give them things so easily that
they become lazy. Giving them things that make them lazy is not compassion. If you are
truly compassionate, show them the right path, so that even after you are long gone, they
will still follow the right path and reach their destination. Don’t think about their today.
Teach them what will help them tomorrow. Whether you exist or not, your direction
should help them continue their journey. Lead them by your own example. That is the
best seva you can do for the youth.
10. Question: Swami, what is the difference between spirituality and devotion?
Swami: Devotion is like the river. Spirituality is like the ocean. The ultimate destination
of devotion is spirituality. Just as all rivers flow into the ocean, all the devotion should
ultimately lead you to a spiritual life.
What is devotion? Doing everything for the love of God is devotion, whether you brush
your teeth, wear your clothes, eat your food, do your work, sing bhajans, or serve anyone
– if you do it with love, that is devotion. Otherwise, remains mere work. Even a bhajan
will remain but a song, if bereft of love for God. It will remain merely a glorious piece of
music, but it will not touch or transform you. Love for God in every act is devotion.
What is spirituality? It is the awareness of your true, Divine Self. It is the awareness that
nothing is different, everything is One. All the beings, all the people, all the objects –
everything is vibrant with Divinity.
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To be able to live in this constant awareness of truth is spirituality. Whether you achieve
this state of Constant Integrated Awareness through devotion, which is bhakthi marga,
or you do it through constant meditation, which is jnana marga, or you do it through
constant service to others, by renouncing the fruits of all your actions, which is karma
marga, they all should ultimately lead you to this constant awareness of the truth. Just
as many rivers flow into the same ocean, likewise, whether karma, bhakthi, or jnana,
all these rivers should lead you to the ultimate destination – spirituality. Spirituality
knows no difference between these paths.
11.
Question: Swamiji, I can definitely feel Your love here today, but I am very concerned
about all the separations and divisions in the Sathya Sai family all around the world. In
Italy, there are lots of Sai devotees, lots of beautiful people who all love You and are
ready to give their lives to You. Unfortunately, we are unable to work together. So, I pray,
Swami, tell me, what can I do? What can we do? This life is of no use if we are not able
to find the way to say to our brothers and sisters that we love each other and accept each
other the way we are.
Swami: Today, there are millions of people around the world who believe in the
Divinity of Sathya Sai Baba. However, ask Sreenivas, Narasimha Murthy and Tigrett –
there were days when nobody believed Sathya Sai Baba was God, except for a handful.
There were people who even wrote and spoke against Swami. Even then, when devotees
came and asked Me, “Swami, you say all are Your people, then why are they not able to
understand and become one with all of us? Why do they write and speak against You?”
To them also, My answer was the same as what I am giving today.
Two brothers may fight over the food prepared by their mother. The one who is really
hungry will say the food is tasty. He will praise the mother for preparing such delicious
food. Whereas, the other brother may call it ordinary, just like any other day. The
difference of opinion arises not because of the quality of the food, but because of the
intensity of the hunger within. The same food is tasty to the one who is really hungry,
but may be tasteless to the one who is already full.
Just as the mother feeds the hungry child first, some devotees have come first. Others
will come later. Truly, it is just the battle between mind and heart. Every single battle
fought in the world is actually a battle between the mind and the heart. The mind, even
if it knows the truth, thinks about what others would think, and listens to others rather
than itself. However, the heart knows the truth, and even if others say otherwise, it still
believes in itself, and follows it. Follow the heart. Those who follow the heart will all
come together. I assure you that eventually, everyone will be united. Some reach the
finish line first, some reach it later. Everyone has to finish the race some day. Dropping
out is not an option in spirituality.
12. Question: What can we do to have more peace between countries? In Italy we have the
problem of immigration. Many people come in boats in desperate conditions.
Swami: If people come with good intentions, you must accept them with open arms. If
you can afford to feed a few more, you may also feed them. As long as they are deprived
and helpless, help should be extended. If, however, they take undue advantage of your
kindness, they should be not allowed.
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As a citizen of the country, it is your duty to protect your country. If something is not
going to help your country, make every effort to stop it. However, if people need help
and they are deserving, the country and countrymen should provide for them. Even if
you allow more people inside the country, is the country capable of feeding them? If they
cannot be fed, they will become criminals. If they can’t earn by hard work, they will earn
through wrong ways. Therefore, either provide education and jobs for them, so that they
can earn and feed themselves, or find a way to stop them. Those who come with good
intentions to work and earn and look after themselves should be helped.
13.
Question: I feel very sad with all the killing in many countries. What can we do about
it?
Swami: In every age, in every time, there were always people who were good and not
so good. You cannot light up the entire world, but you can definitely light a lamp in your
heart, and make sure that people around you are kind and compassionate. For the others
whom you cannot reach directly, pray for their welfare with all sincerity. That is why we
have the prayer, ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu’. However, just because you
cannot help the entire world, it does not mean that you should do nothing about it. At
least the people within your reach, who are in touch with you – make sure they are full
of love and compassion. If everyone does their own little effort to bring about a change,
it will definitely happen.
A very beautiful time is coming. Just as the seasons change and some flowers fall and
others grow, likewise, in these changing times, evil will destroy itself by fighting, and
people who are dharmic will enter the next stage; just as in a school, those who did not
study will not pass and cannot be promoted. Put every effort to help as many to pass,
and pray for the rest.
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CISTERNINO:
19 April 2015 – Morning Session
1.
After you have grown up, you will be surprised at yourself that for silly toys, you ever
fought with others. When you see your children fighting, you laugh it off, saying they are
children, they do not know, therefore, they are fighting. The truth is – have we really
grown up? We must ask ourselves this question. From little toys like a bat or a ball, now
we are searching for bigger toys like a car and a home. From a few friends in school
whom we played with, we want to have bigger friends and bigger people in our lives. Just
as a boy is not happy with a small toy, and wants a bigger one all the time, we are
constantly trying to achieve happiness with bigger cars, bigger homes, and more wealth.
We struggle to achieve it day and night. Once we achieve it, we are happy for some time,
but then again we see other people having something better than us, and our struggle
begins to achieve that as well. There is no end to this greed.
In this eternal search for happiness, we are born and we die, and we are born again and
we die again. Again and again, this cycle of birth and death continues. The only way to
escape this constant cycle of birth and death is to know that all that is outside is merely
an illusion. True happiness or joy lies within.
2.
The disease that young people in modern times suffer from is not the disease of the body,
but of the mind. Just as an infection of the body leads to fever, rendering even the tastiest
of food tasteless, likewise, greed for things infects our mind, and the delicious name of
God is also rendered tasteless. Because of our many, many births of struggle for
happiness outside, we all are suffering from this infection of the mind, and unable to
experience the taste of the love which is in the heart.
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Only when you take the right medicine, accompanied by the proper diet, can you get rid
of this infection and the disease. The medicine for this malady is remembering the name
of God – namasmarana, and the proper diet is Ceiling on Desires. If there has to be a
desire, let it not be for one’s own selfish means, but for a larger desire for the welfare of
all. When you chant, ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu’, you mean to say that all
the beings in all the worlds should be happy. If all the beings in all the worlds are happy,
then are you not a part of the same? Then you too will be happy.
3.
The problems in life are equal for everyone, but despite all of our problems, there is a
way you can still be happy. If you only think of your problems and ways to solve your
problems, you will never be able to solve them and be happy. However, even in those
moments of depression and despair, if you can think of others who are in pain and
suffering, and forget about your pain and suffering, and do something for them instead
of yourself, be assured that God will come and solve your problems. You help others and
God will help you.
4.
Nowadays, everyone is asking Swami, “You promised there will be a Golden Age. When
is the Golden Age coming?” I always tell them, it will not come on a particular date on
the calendar. It will happen the moment your heart becomes golden. The moment your
vision changes, the whole world will change around you.
5.
Narasimha Murthy told the story of Duryodhana. Duryodhana knew what was right, but
did not have the will-power to follow it. He knew what was wrong, but did not have the
will-power to give it up. Therefore, he not only brought doom upon himself, but also to
his entire clan.
6.
Where is God? Is God in Puttaparthi? Or in Muddenahalli? Or in a church? Or in a
temple? No, no. You keep searching like this, just like the deer searches for the fragrance
outside, or a thirsty man looks for water in the desert. You will not find Him outside.
You will find Him within. He is you. You are not different from Him. We are all
participating in a fancy dress competition, and we have put on this make-up of being
Italian, Indian, American or British. Once the show is over, and you discard your
costumes and remove your make-up, you will realise that inside, all are one. The body is
just a costume. The mind is the make-up. However, the heart is the real person. Do not
be deluded by these external appearances and develop diversity where there is none. A
man with love in his heart will see unity in diversity, and not diversity in unity. If you
truly love Swami, then love Swami who is there in each person out there, around you.
There is no point in loving a Swami who resided in Puttaparthi, going and doing service
tirelessly in Puttaparthi, and not being able to serve people outside of Puttaparthi.
7.
Soldiers, before they are sent to battle, are given training in their own town. Puttaparthi
was a training ground for all of you, where Swami taught you to fight your own negativity
with the weapons of love and service, and to look for Swami, not outside, but inside each
one of you. Since it was a practice ground, you were protected and it was easy, but today
you are in the real world. The battle is on. Whatever you have learnt, put it into practice
now. Let all the effort that Swami put to train you not go in vain.
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8.
A teacher is truly happy when he sees the students learn and practice. One becomes a
student not merely by getting admission in a class, but by learning and practicing what
the Guru has taught. Swami has come to dispel the darkness of ignorance, that all are
different. If you consider Swami as your Guru, then learn that all are truly One. That is
what Jesus said, “All are One, my dear son. Be alike to everyone.” To realise this, you
must discard the costume of selfishness, remove the make-up of attachments, and
realise that you are not Italians or Indians or Americans, but truly, the embodiments of
Swami, Himself.
9.
In this world, where most of the people are on the path of adharma (unrighteousness),
it is very easy to become adharmic and join the many who are marching towards their
doom. It is very difficult and requires courage to walk alone on the path of truth. Do not
think that if everyone follows something, it is right. Even if a thousand people declare
an untruth to be truth, it cannot become the truth. If no one calls the truth as truth, still
it cannot become untruth. Therefore, believe in this truth which I am telling you, that
you are not weak. You are not poor. You are not alone. You are strong. You have this
wealth of love. You are always with Swami, and Swami is with you. If you truly believe
in these words, take them to heart, and put them into practice every moment of your life,
I assure you that the Golden Age is right here and right now. You are the Golden Age.
10. I depend on My people to take My message forward into the world, not by giving
speeches from platforms, or having discussions in big forums, but by simply, silently
practicing what I have taught. Action speaks louder than words, and in your acts, people
will see Me; in your words, they will hear Me; in your touch, they will feel Me, for you
truly will become Myself. That is what I expect from My youth. You have a long life
ahead. You can still correct yourself. There is still time to walk on the right path. There
is still time to mend your ways and achieve what you truly are. For those who follow Me,
I follow them everywhere. Even your shadow may give you up in times of darkness, but
Swami, who is inside you, is always with you, whether it is dark or bright outside. Take
this Swami with you everywhere. Live in accordance with Swami’s principles, and I
assure you your life will always be full of bliss. Your mere presence will give bliss to
others. A thousand lit lamps cannot match the brilliance of the sun. They cannot bring
about the light or warmth that the sun can bring. Therefore, become that sun, and spread
this light of love, compassion, and service in the world. That is the true tribute to all that
Swami said and did for all of you.
11.
Now Swami does not have a body. Your bodies are His body. Your hands are His hands.
Your speech is His speech. Your acts are His acts. Become pure, free of all selfishness
and attachments, have courage, and believe that what you need, wherever you need,
how-much-ever you need, Swami will provide, and think about others and not yourself.
For long, you have been thinking you are humans. Give up that illusion. You are Divine.
12. Question: Although I am a member of the Sathya Sai Organisation, I am now a
hundred times happier to be here. The Directors of the Prasanthi Council and the
European Council have sent us letters in which there are words of Swami in which You
have advised devotees that You don’t use mediums. When these Directors knew that we
were coming here, with all the love for our Divine Master, they told us that we would be
excommunicated, and they wanted us to resign from our positions. I remember that in
the past, Swami affirmed to remain in the Organisation that You created, whatever the
cost. I have followed the command of Baba. I will not go away. One hundred times with
more pleasure, I am united with these brothers. I hope that tomorrow, all the devotees
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of Bhagawan will be united, because Baba’s message is always that of unity. If they put
me to difficulty in this sense, I will say to them that the act of separation, you will do it,
I will not do it. I will always stay with you.
With humility, I ask Swami, what do we have to answer to these people who continuously
say that Baba affirmed while He was in the body that He didn’t have any mediums?
Swami: Swami has appeared to many
people all around the world. There are many
here who have not even visited Puttaparthi,
but they have seen, met, or heard of people
to whom Swami appeared or gave messages,
or guided to do what they needed to. Swami
has always had His own instruments and His
own ways. Now also, it is the same thing.
Those who see diversity, the truth is that they
are afraid. It is the fear of sharing what you
have with the others that makes you say that
others are different from you, so that you
don’t have to give away what you already
have.
Christ does not belong to the Church. It is the
Church that belongs to Christ. If the Church
helps you reach Christ, then by all means, be
in the Church. But if the Church is not letting
you reach the true Self, which is Christ, then
you should have the courage to walk alone
and find your way.
Picking up things conveniently and leaving what is not convenient is not the truth.
Everything should be seen in the light of truth. The mind is very tricky. It chooses to
speak the convenient truth, and avoids the inconvenient truth. It presents the picture it
wants you to see. It tells you what you want to hear. The heart, however, tells the truth,
and shows the picture of what is real. Therefore, no one can take you towards God or
away from God. It is only your heart that knows the truth and tells the truth. Follow your
heart and discover for yourself.
13.
Question: I am unable to speak when there are more than two or three persons in a
room. Many times, I had the fear of waking up and believing all this was a dream. I don’t
think I am in the kindergarten stage, but even before kindergarten! Please, Swami, help
me to understand the balance between self-confidence, which I don’t have – thinking
that I am of no use – and the ego.
Swami: Nobody is useless, whom I have created. Even a blade of grass, which might
seem insignificant, feeds and shelters beings, insects. When you are a human, the crest
jewel of all creation, how can you be useless? The very fact that I am still giving you
another day to live tells you about the faith and trust that I have in you. It is that that
you must believe in. You are alive - that is proof that Swami still believes that you will be
of service to others. Dust you think, dust you are. God you think, God you are. Therefore,
it just depends on how you think.
30
ROMA:
20 April 2015 – Morning Session
1.
I have always been saying, and I continue to say that the body is a water bubble. It comes
and goes away in no time. So long as it remains a bubble, it is different from the waters
from which it has emerged. As long as this bubble exists, all the reflections exist on the
bubble, making you believe it is all true, which it is not. Only when the bubble bursts
and merges back into the ocean, will all the reflections disappear, and will it become one
with the ocean. As long as you have attachment to your body, and believe the body to be
the ultimate truth, you will always stay separate from your real identity. Do not follow
the body.
2.
The mind is a mad monkey. It does not think of the past. It does not think of the future.
It is only busy with its life today. It is happy if its stomach is filled now. It does not care
for others. Have you ever seen a group of monkeys fighting? For the sake of food? For
the sake of territory? For the sake of family? You will understand what I say. The mind
is much more than a mad monkey. Do not follow the mind. Follow the heart.
The heart is the seat of God; that is where Sai resides. In the word ‘Sai’, there are three
letters: ‘S’, ‘A’, and ‘I’ – See Always Inside. You have to find what is hidden in the place
where it is hidden. If you look for it outside, you won’t find it. It is only in the inside of
your heart that I reside. Therefore, look for Me inside you.
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3.
First I came as a form so that you could be with Me, see Me, hear Me, and experience
Me just as I was, without much effort. Then I rose, so that you may rise with Me, and
feel Me in your heart as an indestructible source of joy, an eternal source of peace, and
an unlimited source of bliss. I shall rise still higher and will make you also come up with
Me to finally understand that you and I are One.
4.
Even Jesus Christ first said, “I am the messenger of God.” He felt God was different and
He was different. That is what you felt when I was in the body. Then He said, “I am the
son of God.” It means He felt that He was a part of His Father. He was not different from
His Father. It is only the question of quantity. Quality is just the same. In a big crystal of
sugar, the quality of sweetness is the same, just as in a small particle of sugar. The
quantity is different. That is advaita bhavam, the feeling of Oneness. That is what you
must experience now.
5.
In the form that I was in, I taught those who did not believe in the existence of God, that
God exists. He is love, He is compassion, and you should develop love for God. Now, in
this form, I am teaching you that God is not anywhere outside. He is right within you,
and with your intensity of love, you can experience Him within. As I take you higher, I
will teach you that God is neither outside, nor is He inside, but you are God. He is you.
Not only you, everyone is God.
6.
If you want to go from the ground floor to the second floor, you have to go through the
first floor. You cannot go directly from the ground floor to the second floor. So, there are
three floors. The ground floor is – God exists. Have belief, have faith in His love, His
compassion. He is the source of all peace and all joy. Once you reach there, you see the
stairs going up to the first floor, where you feel, “I am a part of God. I am not different.”
Again, you see some stairs going up, and if you climb, step-by-step, you finally realise
that you and God are One. This is what I am trying to do. All that which is not Divine,
step-by-step, give it up.
7.
You all say, “Make me Divine. Make me Divine. Make me like You. Make me like You.”
When I start taking away all that is not Me in you, you cry in pain, “I don’t want to give
this up! I don’t want to give this up!” You cannot be on the earth and also be in the sky.
If you want to fly in the sky, you have to rise above the earth. You cannot be human and
also be Divine. You have to give up selfishness and then rise above to become Divine. A
pot can have either air or water. If there is water, there is no air. If there is air, there is
no water. If there is ‘I’, there is no Sai. If there is Sai, there is no ‘I’. The less of ‘I’, the
more of Sai. The more of ‘I’, the less of Sai. The journey is: ‘I’ to ‘we’ and ‘we’ to ‘He’;
from your individuality to society, and from society to Divinity. These are the three steps.
How much ever we discuss, how much we hear or explain, you are not going to
understand it. Unless you practice even a bit of what is being taught, you will not
understand anything.
8.
It is now time for My devotees to practice all that I have taught. Even if you fail a few
times, don’t give up. Giving up is not the quality of My devotee, for it is not My quality
to give up. You must also follow in My footsteps, and become an ideal example for all
those who were not as fortunate to experience Me earlier. They will come looking for
succour, peace and solace. They will not find Me, but they will find you, and in you, they
will find Me. Your lives must become My message. Live every moment in a Divine way
and prove My words, ‘Embodiments of Divinity’, true, to the entire world. Prove to them
that your Master did not speak untruth.
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When He said you are Embodiments of Divinity, He spoke the Supreme Truth. Now, by
conducting yourself in a way that proves this statement of Mine, you will really bring
glory to yourself, to your country, and to Me. I bless that each one of you will take My
words to your heart, understand what Swami is saying, and put it into practice. However
difficult it might be, don’t give up, for giving up is not My quality, and it should not be
the quality of My devotees. We should strive until we achieve success. My blessings are
in abundance.
9.
Question: Swami, how can we abandon our identification with the body and think of
You all the time?
Swami: If you think the body is yours, there is no problem. You have to use this body
to reach God, so the body must be taken care of, just like your car. Therefore, the body
must be respected and taken care of, as long as you understand that it is only a vehicle
to reach God. However, if you are so possessed with body consciousness that you think
the body is your real self, that there is nothing beyond the body, then it is body
attachment, which is not correct. The only way to get rid of it is, first and foremost, think
that the body is only an instrument given to you to achieve God. How do you attain God
through this body? By using this body to serve others. Bend the body; mend the mind.
Unless your hands are engaged in service, your mind cannot be purified. Therefore, the
body is an instrument. Give it only that much respect; not more, not less.
Many people think body is an obstruction in their realisation, and they torture their
bodies in various ways. Instead, if you use this body for the service of others, you will
not develop attachment.
10. Question: Beloved Swami, often I notice that we don’t give much attention to disabled
people. I think that when we serve disabled people, we must not only take them into our
hands and help them, whenever possible, but also help them to be integrated into the
community, for example, their family.
33
Swami: All My life, while in the body, I served many people through various projects. I
continue to do so through My instruments here. One day, a boy asked Me, “Swami, You
have done enough. You have struggled so much to help so many people. At least now,
You can take rest.” I told him, “It is not in Me to take rest when I see others suffering,
because I don’t consider them as others. They are a part of Me, and just as any part of
My body suffers, the whole body suffers.” A small pain in the tooth will not allow you to
sleep. You don’t break your tooth and throw it away just because it hurts. You treat it.
Likewise, when you meet the needy and the poor, don’t discard them as unfortunate and
unwanted. They are like the part of the body which needs more attention.
If you really feel oneness of the entire creation, no one needs to give you a rulebook of
how to help. Your heart will know what to do.
11.
Question: Sai Ram, Bhagawan. You said that You will stay in the Subtle Body for six
more years. Can you say something to us about your future incarnation as Prema Sai?
Swami: Prema Sai is not an easy Avatar. I am a very lenient teacher. I pass everybody.
Even if you write a letter, I give ‘grace-marks’ and help you pass. Prema Sai will be like
a professor. In the university, you have to do your own homework. Nobody will come to
teach you. You have to teach yourself. Only when you have some doubts or questions
can you ask the professor. Sathya Sai spoke a lot. Not only spoke, but did all kinds of
things to keep your attention in the class. I had to perform many miracles to keep your
attention, just as a primary school teacher sometimes sings a song, tells a story, or
dances along to keep the students still. With Prema Sai, however, unless you have done
your homework and come, you are not going to understand Him. He will be a silent
master. He will speak from heart to heart. That is the best language. Words contaminate
thought. Pure thought is communicated in the heart. It doesn’t come through the mouth.
Unless your heart is tuned to receive that signal, you will understand nothing.
I am such a poor teacher! I leave the answer paper here, so that you can practice and you
are sure to pass. Now it only lies in your hands to put in the effort. I have done My part.
You do your part.
12. Question: Sometimes, due to our ego or sense of justice, we ruin a relation we have
with a person we love, and roads separate themselves. Later, through Your words, we
arrive at a point of repentance, due to the wrong actions we recognize we committed.
However, even if we have a sense of forgiveness or peace with whom we stopped the
relation, sometimes the person doesn’t reciprocate respect or forgiveness, which leads
to a great sense of guilt. How can we help ourselves to overcome this sense of guilt? To
feel that we have not offended ourselves, the other person, or Your teachings?
Swami: Ego is the root cause of all evil. If you have realised that you have made a
mistake, you are already 50% there. Many people don’t even realise that it is their
mistake and, because of their ego, all their lives, they keep blaming others for their
mistake. If you have realised that it was your mistake, you have already won the battle.
That itself will make you more peaceful. However, just realising this is in itself not
enough. You must every effort to correct your actions. Love is the master-key that can
open any heart. Pray, pray, pray. Pray to God to help you. Pray to God to give you that
love, both in quality and quantity.
34
13.
Question: Swami, we are passing through difficult moments for our nation and the
planet. Today, Swami has come and blessed Italy with His Presence. However, we are
worried about the future of our country. In this spiritual change that is happening, what
is the role of Italy?
Swami: For a long time, Italy has been driven by greed for material wealth. Just as by
eating too much and at the wrong times, you develop stomach pains, and the only way
to cure it is by not eating for some time, the greed that drove Italy to this state can be
undone only by abstaining from further acquisition, and learning the virtue of
contentment. This is the land of God. This is the land of saints. All of them have not gone
anywhere. They are all right here, protecting you, to tell you the truth. It could have been
worse. If Italy has still not broken into pieces, it is because of the blessings of great saints.
Do not worry. Italy’s future is safe, but the future is not the way you expect it to be.
Progress is not outside. It is inside. Only because of this pain that Italy is going through,
which is nothing but the result of excessive greed, to fulfil which, many have taken to
adharmic (unrighteous) paths, that the only solution is for people to become more
spiritual, and understand that progress is not outside, but inside. When each one of you
light this lamp of love in your hearts and take it with you wherever you go, and light
many more lamps with this lamp, the darkness of Italy will disappear.
If you develop spiritual strength, the day is not far when all of Italy will be full of
happiness. Teach your children this. After every summer there is a winter, followed by a
spring, and summer again. This is the changing cycle of the world. Every time people go
on the path of adharma, they suffer because of their own acts, and that is when they
look towards God. Then they grow spiritually and find the solution to all their problems.
This land is not going to perish. Those who don’t belong to the spirit of this land – they
will be extinguished. Those who are dharmic and spiritual will continue to flourish.
35
ROMA:
20 April 2015 – Evening Session
1.
Everything in this world is temporary. The wealth that you earn, the people that you
make relationships with, and youth is also temporary. These are all passing clouds. The
only things that remain ever-permanent are the truth with which you live and the good
name that you earn.
2.
In this present, modern age, everyone wants to be immortal, to be remembered forever
and to be loved by everyone. However, they do not know how to achieve it. They think
that by earning a lot of wealth, they can became rich and famous and will be remembered
forever. Or, by acquiring many powers and positions of authority, they can rule the
nation, and will be remembered forever. Or, they think that by having family and
children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they will be remembered forever.
Yet, none if this is true.
3.
Only good name and truth prevail forever. Everything else which seems to be
permanent, in a true sense, is only temporary. It is momentary, and the very next
moment, it disappears. When the objects outside, in the external world, are so
temporary, how can you derive permanent joy from them?
The secret is in the letters of the word, “Joy” – ‘J’ for ‘Jesus first’, ‘O’ for ‘Others next’,
‘Y’ for ‘Yourself last’. J, O, Y – Jesus first, others next, yourself last. This is the main
foundation to achieve permanent joy. If you place God first in your life and whatever you
do, you do it for the love of God, you will be able to find joy. If you think of others first,
before yourself, and do everything which will benefit others, rather than yourself, you
will find joy. If you can place yourself last on the list, and give priority to others’ needs
over yours, you will find joy.
36
4.
Once you achieve faith in God, you should not lose it at any cost. Asking God to prove
His Divinity at every step is not the quality of a good devotee. Once you have given your
heart to God, do not ask for it back. Once given, it is given. God will take care of the rest.
5.
Be it Sreenivas or Tigrett, they all dedicated their lives to Swami. And what did Swami
use their lives for? Not for Himself; not for them; but for others. Soon after I left the
body, they were very sad. They were feeling very lost. They did not know what to do with
their lives, because they did not know how to live life without Swami. There was no
meaning to their lives without Swami. They knew they were just ‘zeroes’. Swami was
their ‘Hero’. Swami was the one who stood in front of the ‘zeroes’ and gave value to their
lives. However, to keep My promise, I visited them again in this way and gave them
directions to continue My mission of serving society, serving the poor and needy, serving
everyone who needs help, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or nation.
You are all young people, just as they were then. You have a long life ahead. Your station
comes very late. Others have to get down on the way. You have so much time with you.
Make best use of every minute and make your lives worth living.
6.
Never feel that you are weak. You are the Children of Immortality. You are the Children
of God. You are made in My image. You are no less than Me. Do not think you are weak
and alone. Swami is there with you, every moment. Develop that tremendous faith, live
your lives with that faith, and see the miracles happen; so many miracles, every moment
of your life. The world will watch you grow into spiritual giants, and they will see My
reflection in you – a thousand reflections – just as one sun reflects in thousands of
bodies of water, equally bright and powerful. The world will know Me because of you.
7.
When Jesus was alive and there were many enemies, out of fear of their own lives, the
so-called disciples abandoned him. Then what gave them the strength to come back and
preach about Him? What made them so fearless? What made them withstand all the evil
and go on preaching what Jesus taught, so much so, that in the end, all of them were
killed by the rulers?
37
Loss of life did not scare them. What made those weak-minded people develop so much
courage and strength? What made them go fearlessly and preach the teachings of the
Master, and take Him to every part of the world? It is faith. When they thought their
Master was just a body, the body was temporary, and so was their faith. However, even
after the Master was physically no more, He came back to them, and He gave purpose to
their lives.
8.
I have taught you so many things all these years; it is time now for you to practice, and
practice fearlessly, for no harm can come to you with My protective hands right on top
of you. I will be there with you at every moment, everywhere. Never feel alone or weak.
9. It is time now for you all to pick up My message, put
it into practice in your daily lives, and spread JOY
wherever you go. It is not possible to remove the
darkness of the entire world, but if you light the lamp
of love within your heart, wherever you go, you will
spread this light of love to people around you.
There are very glorious times ahead, and what is going
to unfold in the future, which you will see in your own
lifetime, is far beyond what has ever happened in the
history of mankind. Such a wonderful time is ahead. Be
prepared. Be confident. Self-confidence is the
fundamental basis. Self-sacrifice is what you need to
do. Self-satisfaction is what you will gain. Finally, it will
lead to Self-Realisation.
10. Question: Swami, how can we serve You in every
moment?
Swami: Who am I? I am not different from all the
people around you – your family, your friends, your
group of devotees, people whom you work with, people
whom you know, and even those whom you do not
know. I am each and every one of them. I am you, too!
Serve anyone and you will serve Me. Salute anyone and
it goes to God, and if you ridicule anyone, that also goes
to God. I am not different from all of you sitting here.
Whomever you serve, you serve Me. Whomever you help, you help Me. See Me in each
one of you, and you will experience Me everywhere. You are already Divine. Through
service, get rid of your humanness and develop Divinity. You already are Divine. There
is an opportunity to serve every moment. It depends on you to grab it and use it well.
11.
Question: Sometimes, I ask myself, what is the meaning of life? For example, a big
animal eats a little animal. So, suffering is not only something of our mind, but only a
mechanism by which this world functions. Everyone fights to survive at various levels.
Meanwhile, I follow spirituality and feel apart from this logic of cruelty and
prevarication, and I feel not of this world.
38
Swami: Even if a lion hunts, it only kills one animal, only so much that it eats and will
fill its stomach. Out of fear for the future, it does not simply kill many more and store
them in its den. Even a cow eats only as much grass as it needs. It doesn’t carry the grass
home and stock it up for tomorrow. Nothing in Nature eats or takes more than what is
needed today.
It is only man who, out of fear for the future, and out of greed and not just need, breaks
the Law of Nature and, to make himself comfortable, does not mind harming others.
Even if he has stores full of grains, he is not ready to share it with the hungry. Even if he
has accounts full of money, he does not have a heart to share a penny with anyone. Even
if he is strong in position or strength, he does not bend down to serve the poor and the
meek. It is the problem with man alone.
There is no cruelty in the Law of Nature. If you are human today, know that you have
been an animal at some earlier time, and you have crossed all these stages to be a human
today. Therefore, respect the fact that you are born as a human now, and live your life
as per human nature. Live your life so that you become Divine, and not remain just a
human. All life is progress. Every day we must progress. Every moment we must
progress. What we were yesterday, we cannot remain today. What we are today, we
should not be tomorrow. We should continually grow towards Divinity.
12. Question: Swami, this morning you spoke of the moment we are approaching and the
three phases of Your teaching. Can you please explain this further?
Swami: Primary school was when I came as a physical Avatar. All kinds of devotees
came to Me – some interested in God, some interested in the world; some believing God
exists, some believing He does not exist; some believing Swami is God, some believing
Swami is not; but just like little children who don’t know the truth, who are yet to be
educated, everyone was admitted into My primary school. That was Puttaparthi.
Then, to keep them all silent in the class and learn the lessons I was teaching, I
performed all kinds of miracles and did all sorts of things that would attract them, just
like a primary school teacher who, apart from teaching lessons, puts on a circus to keep
the children attracted.
39
I said that the next Avatar is going to be like a university. Unless you have done well in
high school, you cannot enter the university. You will not understand anything, and like
many other confused students, you will also drop out of the university. As Avatar of
Prema Sai, I will speak in the language of silence, but to understand that language, you
also have to learn to become silent. All the noise of your mind, all that selfish chatter has
to be removed from your mind; it has to be silenced. Then you will hear My voice in your
heart, for will I speak in the language of the heart. There is only one language, the
language of the heart. To become eligible to enter the university, you must do your
homework now. Practice selfless love.
13.
Question: I have some friends who are suffering from depression. I am unable to help
them because they are totally depressed and they don’t believe in anything. People tell
me I am always shining, thanks to Your help. I want to help these people be like me.
Swami: What did I give you? I did not perform a miracle and give you things that you
had lost in your life – your relationships, your good name, your friends, your work, or
your money. I did not create anything and give it back to you. I only gave you hope; hope
that it is possible to change your future; that you are all children of God, and that God is
with you every moment.
14. Question: I was reflecting on selfless service, on helping the needy. Sometimes it
happens that poor people take advantage of the help you give them. How is it possible
to help someone without the risk of being used?
Swami: When you do any service, there are two things that you must know: one,
whether whom you want to serve deserves your service; and second, more importantly,
whether you deserve to serve them. Most of the time we ask whether the other person
truly deserves our help. Rarely do we question ourselves whether we deserve to help
them, in the first place. What you talk about today is whether they deserve your help or
not. However, what I ask you today is whether you deserve to serve at all. Any service
done with any expectation is not selfless. Once you have helped someone, because your
heart told you so, don’t even turn back and see what they have done with it. Once it is
given away, it is no more yours and there is no way you can claim it or judge what was
done with it. However, listen to what your heart says and then serve.
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