Sanctify the New Year

"Therefore, O Embodiments of Divine love! Recognise that the Samvatsara (new year) connotes God who bears several appellations relating to Time. Sanctify the new year by engaging yourselves in pure, selfless and ennobling activities. As far as possible, avoid causing harm or pain to others. As you sow, so you reap. Whenever you feel disturbed by a sense of anger, envy, pride, jealousy and the like, be alert and resort to the contemplation of the Lord."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(New Year message to a vast gathering of devotees in Prashaanthi Mandir on 1-1-1991)

Be Always Happy

Transformation

"If you wish to lead a sacred life and have sacred experiences, you must engage yourself in sacred actions.  The good and evil in the world can be changed only by the change in men's actions.  Transformation of society must start with transformation of individuals."

~ Baba ~

Vairagya

"What is  meant by Vairagya?  It means reducing your desires.  Do not go on increasing your desires day by day.  As our body grows old, our life span goes on decreasing with every passing day.  Hence it will be very beneficial for us if we reduce our desires.  You can be always happy when you reduce your desires.  You may read any number of books and listen to all kinds of sacred texts.  But first and foremost, you have to reduce your desires.  Only then can you derive benefit from them."

~ Baba ~

The Heart

The Rose Plant of our Body

"In the rose plant of our body, there is the rose of pure and sacred love emitting the fragrance of good qualities.  Below the rose, however, there are thorns in the form of sensual desires.  The purpose of meditation is to separate the rose of selfless love from the senses and offer it to the Lord."

~ Baba ~

I Am In You

"Be pure in words and deeds and keep impure thoughts away.  I am in every one of you and so I become aware of the slightest wave of thoughts.  When the clothes become dirty, you have to give them for wash.  When your mind is soiled, you have to be born again  for the cleansing operations.  The dhobi beats the clothes on the hard stone and draws over it the hot iron to straighten the folds.  So, you too, will have to pass through a terrain of travail in order to become fit to approach God.  See me as resident in everyone.  Give them all the help you can, all the serve they need.  Do not withhold the sweet word, the supporting hand, the assuring smile, the comforting company, the consoling conversation."

~ Baba ~