October 29th, 2006
“Spiritual Sadhana is to Transcend the Mind”
OM…OM…OM…
Sai Ram
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
TELUGU ARTICLE IN SANATHANA SARATHI
This month of October, there is another article in the Telugu Sanathana
Sarathi, in which Bhagavan spoke about His own Advent under the title:
“Avatharinchenu Achuthudu Avaniyandu”
“God Has Descended on Earth”
At the same time, my friends, we also have the English translation available
on the website. The website is: www.saiwisdom.com. There you will find all the
articles in the English versions.
What I would like to draw your attention to is that Swami’s compositions are
very interesting. His poems are highly relevant. They are not only great from
the literary point of view, they are also very important for practical
application and implementation in our daily lives.
So about a thousand poems have been collected from the Sai literature and they
are all arranged schematically, and the plan is to publish them periodically
in the Telugu original, and also have the translation available in English
simultaneously. You will have the English version even earlier than Telugu
publication. So this is just for your information. I say, once again,
www.saiwisdom.com will give you all the English versions, thanks to brother,
Lakhi, and his team, who are arranging this facility for the readers.
WHY DON’T I EXPERIENCE GOD
Well, this morning I was thinking, ‘What I should talk to you about?’ One
question was raised by a friend yesterday. What she asked me was: “Why don’t I
experience God? How far is God from me? Why don’t I experience Him? Why?” That
is the question she raised. It’s a relevant question indeed.
My friends, we may belong to different religions. We may follow different
paths. But, there is only one thing that separates everyone from God--anyone,
anywhere, anytime. . .only one thing that separates anyone from God. What is
it that separates you from God? That is what we call the mind or ego. Mind is
the only barrier that separates any person from God. This has been explained
in different ways, by different schools of philosophy. Baba says this in a
beautiful style--what we call Sanathana Dharma or Hindu philosophy.
Hindu philosophy is not a proper translation of this Sanathana Dharma. When I
say Hindu, is it branded as a religion? No! Hinduism is not a religion.
Hinduism is a way of life, Hinduism is an attitude, and Hinduism is a practice
of religion in daily life. It is not religious; it is not academic. It is
life; it is living every moment. That is what Hinduism or what you call
Sanathana Dharma is. Sanathana Dharma explains in this way: What you think and
what you see does not really exist, while what you do not see and what you say
is not there, actually exists. I think I am clear. I repeat, once again: What
I see does not exist, while what I do not see actually exists.
Eddi Kaladhanuchuntimo Addi Ledu
Edi Ledanuchuntimo Adi Kaladoooo
Vunnadokate Dhaivambhu Ennatiki
Lenidaiyyanu Lokambhu
This is what Bhagavan says:
Eddi Kaladhanuchuntimo Addi Ledu
That what you say exists is not the reality, what you see is not the reality.
Why? Because all that is seen is bound to change, and that which changes
cannot be the ultimate reality. That which transforms cannot stand for Truth.
Truth is changeless, Truth is permanent, Truth is ever-existent, in all three
periods of time. But what you see goes on changing. So how can you say it
stands for Truth. No!
Eddi Kaladhanuchuntimo Addi Ledu
That what you say it is present is not present. It is non-existent.
Edi Ledanuchuntimo Adi Kaladoooo
That what you deny, that what you say does not exist, is reality.
I see! A simple example: The foundation of a building is not seen, but I
cannot say that this building has no foundation, can I? No! Though the
foundation is not seen, I cannot deny its presence. So the building, which is
seen, has got a foundation, which is unseen. So reality is hidden; reality is
not seen; reality is not conspicuous. It is non-adherent.
Therefore, we can go on changing all that appears. You cannot change the main
principle, the reality. In short, the Truth cannot be changed. Anything else
can be manipulated--all that you see, all that you hear, all that you touch.
It means all that is subjected to the experiences of the senses, all those
experiences of the senses, are changeable, convertible, subjected to
transformation. But That (Truth) which is beyond the senses cannot be changed
and cannot be transformed because it is ever-existent. It is called “Sat”. The
Truth is Sat, meaning existence.
EXISTENCE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE, DIVISIBLE OR CHANGEABLE
Existence is non-transferable as it is everywhere; it is unchangeable. That
which is changeable is called illusion, delusion, maya or Prakrithi. So maya,
illusion or Prakrithi have got these main fundamental features--they go on
changing. All that I see is not the reality (the ultimate Truth) because, for
example, yesterday it was quite warm and sunny, while now, there is a slight
drizzle; and tomorrow, it will be very, very hot. So who knows? The climate
goes on changing.
So all that you see is not static; it is not the One (Truth or reality) which
is constant. No! It goes on changing. Therefore, it is illusion or delusion.
People may speak of maya in different styles, but Baba said, “Maya or
Prakrithi or illusion is that which is changeable, something which goes on
changing; whereas the Truth or the reality, Sat, is changeless.”
Trikalabadhyam Sathyam.
Which is not divisible, which is not transferable, which will not change, that
is “Sat” or existence.
Now, Baba gives some examples in this connection, which I would like to draw
your attention to this morning. They are quite interesting.
HOW TO CONTROL MAYA OR ILLUSION?
“Swami, how to control this maya or illusion? How to control this?”
First, we should know that illusion is present. When you enjoy this illusion,
then we cannot say anything to you. When you consider this a reality, nothing
can be done. First, let us be aware that this is all illusion. All that I see
is illusion. All that is perceived by the five senses constitutes an illusion
or delusion.
Now, a question is put to Bhagavan. “Swami, how do we transcend or go beyond
maya? What is the origin of maya?“
Many people jocularly say, “Yesterday, somebody was standing in the queue and
another person in the line was pushing him. ‘Why did you push me,’ he asked?”
This man said: “Do not worry, do not worry. It’s all maya.” (Laughter)
It’s all maya (Laughter) People can use maya for fun. Why not? Therefore, all
that goes on tends to be maya. Therefore, we should understand what it is, and
then we will be able to transcend it. And see, Baba gives a number of examples
in this connection.
What is the origin of maya? Where is it?
Somebody complained: “Swami, I am suffering because of this maya, illusion.
Well, I do not want it. See that I am free from this maya. “
Baba immediately said: “Is maya painful to you? Is maya hurting you? Show me
where maya is?”
“We want to kill maya because maya is hurting us.” We say, “Maya is killing
us. Such a painful, hurting thing should not exist. So let us kill this maya.”
MAYA IS NOT SEPARATE FROM MADHAVA
Then Baba laughed and said, “Maya is not separate from Madhava.”
Madhava is God. Madhava is a name of God. What is the meaning of Madhava?
Ma = maya or illusion
Dhava = the one who has put on Himself this vesture.
Just as I put on this shirt, God has put on Himself this shirt of maya. Ma =
maya, Dhava = the One who has put on Himself that vesture. Dharinchuta: God
has put on this vesture of maya. So where is maya? Wherever there is Madhava,
there is maya.
WHEREVER THERE IS MADHAVA, THERE IS MAYA
How do you say that?
See our experience here. We think Swami is coming this way, but He goes that
way. (Laughter) We think He is going to the stadium, but He goes straight into
the interview room. It is all very strange; you cannot predict Him. He will
delude you like anything. But, this is also a matter of fun; this is also a
matter of joy, to watch Swami doing that. You run to find out the car is
turning just in the opposite direction! These police people do not know where
Swami’s car is going; even they do not know! Sometimes they ask, “Where Swami
is going?” I tell them, “You find out and let me know!” (Laughter)
MAYA IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOD
So this maya or illusion is under the control of God only. It is not under
your control. A man who has drowned cannot save another man. He is already
finished. How do you expect him to save another fellow? Impossible! A blind
man cannot guide another blind person. Both are equally blind. Therefore, maya
cannot be removed by any other extra agency. Illusion cannot be dispelled by
anybody. It is only by God’s grace, because it is God who has put on Himself
this vesture, this dress of illusion or delusion. Therefore, He has the name
Madhava.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD, YOU CAN COME OUT OF THIS MAYA
“Swami, when God has got this maya under His control, how can I get out of
it?”
How can I get out of it? It is a serious problem. As we are not able to get
out of human-created problems, how can we come out of the God-created problems
of maya? How can I do that?
Baba gave this example. You can certainly come out of this maya by the grace
of God. Swami explains further: When you go to a rich man’s house, the rich
man has a lot of property and so much money at home. Naturally, rich people
maintain Alsatian dogs, or some have bulldogs. There’ll be signs: “Beware of
dogs! Beware of dogs!” Naturally, dogs are scary; the moment you go there, the
dog jumps on you, ready to attack. What should you do then? If you run, it
will chase you; if you stand there, you are frightened. A shake-dance starts!
So, what is to be done then?
Shout loudly, “Oh friend! Where are you? I have come to see you. What
happened? Instead of seeing you, I am seeing your dog. I have not come to meet
your dog! I have come to meet you!” Shout loudly, and then your friend will
come down. That rich man will come down, and he will just ask the dog to back
off. When he commands, “Go back”, it will immediately go, and then you can
follow your friend.
GOD IS MASTER—PET IS MAYA OR ILLUSION
Similarly, God is the Master, while the pet dog is maya. When the Master says,
this maya will go away. Whereas if you say, “Go away!”, no, no, it will be on
you, over you, around you, and if possible, reach into you (bite!). The only
way is to shout.
Baba advises, “Shout”—meaning, sing His glory, do Namasmarana.
Maya Maanusha Vesha Leeladhara
Kesava Madhava Jayadeva Madhusudhana
Maya Manusha Vesha Leeladhara
“So, when you shout for His help, naturally, maya will leave you--you will not
be pained, you will not be hurt by maya.” That is one thing Baba has said.
WHY MAN IS AFFECTED BY MAYA, AMD WHY NOT GOD?
“Swami, I am very much pained by this maya. How is it that You have this maya
and yet You are not affected. Why? Why is man affected by maya? Why not God?”
Baba gives this example. It is the cat that carries the kitten from place to
place with the help of its teeth, without hurting the kitten. The same cat,
with the help of its sharp teeth, will finish off the rat. The teeth will kill
the rat, while the same teeth don’t kill the kitten. The same teeth.
Similarly, the maya of God will not affect Him, whereas His maya will affect
us. That is the difference. I am the rat here in this example; but, when I
pray to Him, I become the kitten and He will carry me. When I do not pray, I
am a rat, and will become the prey (to maya). I become the prey. But when I
pray, I become the kitten and can be transported to a safe place. This is what
Bhagavan says, so far as maya influence is concerned.
WILL MAYA COME AGAIN, ONCE IT GOES BACK?
Another question: “Swami, will maya go once and for all, or will it appear now
and then like clouds, like American weather. In America, they give a weather
report morning and evening, every hour. There will be showers in California
and showers in Texas. I see! Is it something like the American weather report?
Will maya be appearing again? Once it goes, will it come again?
YOU WILL NOT BE IN THE TRAP OF MAYA ONCE YOU ARE AWARE OF JNANA
Baba said, “It depends upon your awareness. If you are aware all the time,
there will be no trace of maya at all. What is that awareness? That awareness
is vidya, wisdom, or jnana, which is knowledge or awareness. There will be no
chance of getting into the trap of maya or illusion again. The moment you come
out of maya, you will not get into the trap again, provided you have this
awareness, this vidya or jnana.”
ONCE IT COMES, JNANA WILL NEVER GO
When once you are aware of your true nature, then you cannot be in the trap of
illusion. That is what Baba has said. Further Swami said, “There is one thing
that, once it comes, it will never go. What is it?” What is that one, which
when it comes, it will never go? What is it? That is jnana. Jnana is that one.
The moment it comes, it will never go away. Do you understand? Therefore,
Swami wants us to be aware of the reality, so that we will not be trapped by
this illusion or delusion.
TEMPER AND ANGER IS A QUALITY OF MAYA
Swami gave another example. We have put a question.
“Swami, there are some saints like Vishwamithra. Vishwamithra was a saint, and
Durvasa was a saint. They are known for their anger, their temper. When saints
do not have control over their temper, how about we human beings? Saints
partake only of vegetables and green leaves. That is all. Whereas, we take
South Indian hot, hot sambar and all that. How are we to control our anger and
temper, when those saints are not able to control their temper, eating such
simple foods?”
This is the question put to Him. Really, we are fortunate for the simple
reason that we are in front of God and we can get all our doubts cleared by
Him. It is not possible otherwise.
If you ask me what it was that first attracted me towards Swami, my answer is
simple and straight. It is this availability of Swami with ready answers.
Whenever we go to Him with a question, He is ready with an immediate answer.
He does not say, “Meet Me tomorrow.” It is answered then and there itself.
Therefore, my friends, remember that once maya goes, it will never come back.
So, to answer this question, such sages and saints are not completely free
from maya because temper or anger is a quality of maya.
BABA GIVES A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE, USING THE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION
You must have seen buses, the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses,
particularly here in Puttaparthi. They are excellent buses. Yes. If they
start, they do not stop; but when they stop, they do not start! (Laughter)
Such determination. Some of the buses also run along the road in a slanting
position. (Laughter) It helps you to be more spiritual. (Laughter) Pray to God
so that you do not fall out! (Laughter) You will find not much difference
between the road and the bus, as both are full of dust! (Laughter) There is
dust outside, and there is dust inside. Oh, yes! Totally full of dust.
Antharbhahitsa Thatsarvam Dust Aya Namah! (Laughter)
There is dust outside, there is dust inside.
Now, Swami gave this example: When you sit comfortably in a bus, and the bus
is speeding ahead, proceeding along speedily, you find so much dust behind the
bus. Ha-ha, such dust! Wow! So much, so much dust that you cannot see any
people. The roads are so nicely made that there will almost be a dust storm!
(Laughter) So you cannot see anybody behind you. Now you are going ahead with
speed, so the dust is behind you. But if the bus stops, what will happen? All
the dust will come into the bus (without paying any charge, of course)!
(Laughter) While the bus is on the run, the dust is far behind. But when the
bus stops, it all comes into the bus.
WHEN YOU STOP YOUR SADHANA, MAYA WILL GET INTO YOU
So long as you go ahead with your sadhana, repeating God’s name, so long as
you continue to study the scripture (swadyaya) and meditation, maya will be
behind you. When you stop the ‘bus’ of sadhana or spiritual practice, the dust
of illusion will get into it. That is what Baba has told, so far as this maya
is concerned. See what beautiful examples He gives, which relate to our daily
lives here.
DUAL EXPERIENCES ARE THE SIGNS OF MAYA
Then another question: “Why not let me be happy with maya? Why not? Why should
I get out of it? Why can I not continue my life in maya or illusion? Why not?”
Here is the answer: You are having dual experiences. So long as you are within
the trap of maya, you have pain and pleasure, gain and the loss; you have all
the shocks; you have all frustrations, depressions, and mental agony. All
these feelings are there because of this maya. But once you get out of it, you
will be in the eternal state of bliss. So, to come out of maya or illusion is
absolutely necessary for your own interest. It is in your own interest. Why?
So that you can be blissful.
BABA GIVES ONE EXAMPLE OF A MUSLIM SAINT
There used to be one Muslim saint by the name of Analhak Mansoor. Mansoor is
the name of that saint. This Mansoor saint always used to repeat, “Analhak,
Analhak, Analhak.” Analhak was the sentence, the mantra that Mansoor used to
repeat. Every time: “Analhak, Analhak.”
What does it mean?
“Aham Brahmasmi.”
I am God.
Well, somebody carried this news to the king: “This fellow repeats the God
song.”
And the king said, “Does he say that? When there is only one God, how can
there be another God?”
Rivalry between two gods, you know. So, the king, who thinks that he is God,
was highly irritated. “Bring that Mansoor to my presence!” And they brought
him.
Then the King asked him, “Array! Who are you?”
He said, “I am God. “
“Oh! Oh! That is all you say?”
“Yes.”
Then the King ordered, “Put him in prison.” So he was put in prison.
Later the king went to the prison, and again asked, “Who are you?”
“God in prison. (Laughter) I am still God, but in prison.”
“Oh! I see!” Then, the king made him come out of the prison, and amputated his
legs, cut them off! “Who are you?”
“I am God.”
“I see!” Hands were also amputated.
Still, he called himself God: “Analhak, Analhak.” So he was killed and burnt;
but the ash started moving into the air, repeating, “Analhak, Analhak. I am
God. I am God.”
So physically he was no more, but his ashes went on repeating, “I am God. I am
God.” It means that Mansoor was full of that awareness; Mansoor was full of
that consciousness. Mansoor was fully convinced of his Divinity; and
therefore, he was not affected by any physical torture.
COMING OUT OF MAYA IS GOING BEYOND THE LEVEL OF THE BODY
So also, Lord Jesus Christ, when He was on the cross, did not cry in agony. He
didn’t admonish anybody, He didn’t reprimand anybody, He did not blame
anybody. Why? Lord Jesus had gone beyond the level of the body. Why?
Going beyond the level of the body is a sign of coming out of illusion. It is
only illusion that makes me feel that I am the body, that makes me feel I am
the mind. Once you go beyond that, yes, you have crossed illusion or delusion.
Verbally, we may say that; orally, we may tell that; from the books, we may
quote profusely; but we have to make every attempt to live accordingly, to see
that we grow above these considerations. That is what maya is.
BHAGAVAN SAYS THE MIND IS MAYA
Is mind maya? Yes. The mind is maya. How can you say that? Mind is necessary
to be successful here in this world. Mind is very necessary. If I go to the
college and say, “After all, you are not the mind”, the students will say,
“Never mind, sir, we do not want you.” (Laughter)
In the classroom, I should exercise my mind; as a student, you should utilise
your mind; in the office, yes, you should be very sharp enough. While
teaching, the doctor cannot say, “I am not the body.” He has to teach another
body there.
Therefore, while at work, at the functional level, that is different. But, at
the core, you are not the body. It means at the functional level. Current is
the fan. . .yes, because it is revolving. But, at the core, it is not the
current. Fan is different from the current.
Similarly, at the basic level, at the fundamental level, it is altogether
different. Therefore, Bhagavan says, “You can feel that you are not the body
within, while, functionally, you act as if you are the body.”
MIND IS VERY PECULIAR AND FUNNY
So, similarly, is the mind. The mind is also a sign of illusion. How do you
say that?
Mind is very peculiar; mind is very funny. The name of the local river is
Chitravathi. Chitra means ‘peculiar’, chitra means ‘strange’, chitra means
‘mysterious’. Chitravathi…the human mind. It has water sometimes; it is dry
many times.
(Showing his own head:) Chitravathi is here . . . full of vairagya,
detachment, at one time, while full of attachment another time. Yes! When
things are working to our favour – wow! – you are King of kings. When things
turn against you, well, the whole world is miserable, according to you. You
consider that the whole world is miserable because your wish is not fulfilled.
The mind is so funny. One has to understand the mind. To be successful in this
world, mind is essential. However, to experience God, you have to go beyond
the mind. This is the difference between psychology and spirituality.
EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT IS SPIRITUALITY, STUDY OF THE MIND IS PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is the study of the mind; spirituality is the study of the spirit.
Spirituality is the experience of the spirit; psychology is the study of the
mind. Your psychology and my psychology are different. The way you think and
the way I think is different. But you and I are One at the level of the
spirit. So, spiritually, we are One, while psychologically, we are different.
Therefore, the western countries, the whole west, stands # 1 at the level of
psychology. The mind has blossomed and has manifested in many dimensions,
which has led to progress in the fields of science, technology, and
agriculture, giving more human comfort and convenience. You can make use of
rockets and land on the moon; you can grow more food; and you all have air
conditioners, calculators, and computers. This is all due to the excellence of
the mind; this is the blossoming, the manifestation of the mind. This is the
achievement of the mind, the attainment of the mind, the success of the mind.
It starts there with western psychology, western achievements; western
accomplishments, which provide all comforts and conveniences. That is what the
mind can do.
But spirituality is above that. When the mind is withdrawn, when the mind is
annihilated, when the mind is non-functional, then comes the spiritual
experience. How do you say that?
There are a number of devotees. Let me apply this to Swami and Swami’s
devotees. There are a number of people who have a smiling face. If you just go
and ask them, “Oh, you seem to be very happy.”
“Yes! “
“Did you get any interview? “
“No.”
“Did Swami take any letter from you?”
“No.”
“Did you get first row?”
“I never tried for it.”
“Oh, oh! Then, why are you happy?” (Laughter)
“Why not? I have every right to be happy.” It means that person has gone
beyond the mind. Therefore, he is happy wherever he is.
YOU WILL BE HAPPY IF YOU GO BEYOND THE MIND
Somebody came to me and asked, “Anil Kumar, can you arrange first line for
me?”
I told him, “I can arrange first line, but you will have tire darshan, car
tire darshan (CD). (Laughter) If you get the third line, fourth line you have
driver darshan. (DD) (Laughter) From CD to DD. If you go a little beyond,
further back, you can have Swami darshan. Not till then. So, if you want first
row, come on…have tire darshan, that’s all.”
But there are some people who feel extremely happy and totally contented.
Here, let me tell you, my friends, what Baba has said. It is not my own. I
never tell anything of my own. I do not do that. I just repeat what Baba says,
whether you and I like it or not.
Baba said, “Those coming from long distances, particularly from foreign
countries, always remain in a state of bliss. They are always happy.” But
Swami didn’t stop there. He added, “Whereas you fellows, you are always
dissatisfied; you are always disgruntled.”
And further, Swami went on: “The foreigners are coming from long distances.
When they see Me, they are very cheerful. When I laugh, they are very happy.
When I wave My hand, they are ecstatic, blissful. When I talk to them, all
their friends come and touch them because, ‘Swami spoke to you.’ They want
that current of vibration to reach them; whereas you fellows are never
satisfied. You do not have anything (no state of bliss). You are like a frog
near the lotus flower. (Laughter) You are right under the street lamp, yet
living in the shadow; whereas those coming from long distances, they receive
the light. But you remain in the shadow.” That is what Baba said.
EXPECTATION THAT MAKES A MAN UNHAPPY
Truth is always bitter, but we have to accept Truth. Just watch their
faces—the foreigners are so brilliant, so happy. It is only expectation that
makes a man put on a castor oil face – expectation, yes! Swami sits there for
one hour, taking letters from everybody and listening to all our bhajans; but
still, we put on a long face. What does it mean?
“I do not get an interview.” (Laughter)
“I do not get a chance to give my letter.”
I do not get a chance to extend my neck, and put my head into the car of Swami
(like a giraffe!).” (Laughter)
How to help such people? Is it possible to help such people to get out of that
maya?
DARSHAN OF SWAMI WILL ITSELF MAKE A MIRACLE
The very darshan of Swami. . .I always tell my friends this, whether you agree
with me or not (I do not know). If I am receptive, if I am sensitive, the
darshan of Swami will do as much a miracle as an interview. If Swami looks at
you, it will do as much a miracle as a conversation with Him. If Swami talks
to you, it will do as much a miracle as receiving a gift like a chain or a
ring.
If you are immune, a bad conductor of heat, even if He gives you tons of gold,
you will remain static, a wooden piece. Because the very Name. . .well, take
for example Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. If he heard the name of Rama or
Krishna, he would immediately get up; he was so happy. The very Name made him
ecstatic and he would go into the state of samadhi, simply by the very
utterance of the Name of God.
So we have to make our heart fertile, soft, sweet, receptive, and sensitive,
so that we will be able to enjoy the very darshan of Bhagavan Baba, so that we
will be energised by singing His glory, joining bhajans in chorus. This is
what is required.
Therefore, my friends, what makes me unhappy here is my mind. What made me
unhappy in the world was my mind. So in both cases, it is the mind which makes
me unhappy.
“Well, I would not feel so badly and offended if Swami didn’t talk to me. But
I feel very badly because He talked to you. Very badly. I do not mind if He
does not talk to me. That’s okay. Chaltahai. But if He talks to you. . .Amma!
I feel like starving tonight!” (Laughter)
This is the play of the mind. Somebody commented like this. It is on record;
if you want, I can show you.
PEOPLE WITH WHOM SWAMI TALKS ARE SPOILED BECAUSE OF EGO
Those people Swami talks to are spoiled because of ego. They go on saying,
“You know what Swami told me?” Why am I interested in what He told you? And
how I am to be sure that you are reporting it all? (Laughter) Do you share all
that He spoke to you? (He must have asked you to shut up, but you don’t tell
me that.) (Laughter) So you do not share all that happened.
DIVINE ROMANCE BETWEEN BHAGAVAN AND ANIL KUMAR
When I was State President of Andhra Pradesh Sathya Sai Organisation, at one
time, Swami used to talk to me morning and evening. All devotees were in
praise of Anil Kumar: “How fortunate you are!” How can I tell the truth about
what Swami spoke to me? (Laughter) I cannot risk my reputation! (Laughter)
“Aah! Swami spoke to you in the morning and evening.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” I said, crying inside. (Laughter) Why? What did He speak to
me?
It was the year when the World Council decided to award shields and cups to
the best State in service activity. The State which was outstanding in service
activity would be awarded a silver cup and a special shield. It was declared
that Andhra Pradesh was the best State. So, it was said that, as State
President, I should go and receive the cup and the shield. I put on my suit,
ready to receive this. (Laughter)
Swami started talking in the morning. He said, “Are you going to receive the
cup?”
“Yes, Swami.”
“What a fool you are!” (Laughter) What a fool you are? That is the first
Divine romance. (Laughter)
In the afternoon, again, He spoke to me. “You know why Andhra Pradesh stood
first? You know?”
“I don’t know, Swami.”
“But, still, you want to receive the cup. (Laughter) Chi! Are you not shameful
that you do not know for what reason you have to receive the cup?”
Abbah! Everybody is thinking that Swami is speaking to you (nicely). Swami is
speaking to you, Anil Kumar! (Laughter)
Next morning, again, He spoke to me. “Did you have a visit to that Sai Center?
Did you visit those Sai centers that have done lot of activities in the
State?”
“No, Swami.”
“Oh, oh! You have not gone there, you don’t know what has happened, and yet
you are ready to receive the cup? (Laughter) What a shame it is!” This was the
interview, both morning and evening. (Laughter)
Next day He said, “Did you go to other States?”
“No, Swami.”
“So, you don’t know what other States have done either. You don’t know what
your State has done, but you are here to receive the cup!” (Laughter)
And, in the evening, He said, “Why didn’t you get up in the World Council
meeting? Why don’t you say, ‘I don’t want the cup.’ Why can’t you say that?”
(Laughter)
And, next morning, He said, “You speak a lot, but you remain silent there in
the Council meeting, because you want to receive the cup.” (Laughter)
Wah, wah, wah, wah! There cannot be greater maya than this: people thinking
that I am a lucky man because Swami talked to me. (Laughter) Well, I am not
that lucky. (Laughter) It is not a joke.
So my friends, in the world, I am already disturbed because of the mind, and
in front of God also, I continue to be disturbed because of the mind. It is
the mind that disturbs me, whether I am here or outside.
THE ONE WHO LIVES WITH GOD SHOULD BE GODLY
Some people are very curious, so they ask, “Where are you staying?”
“I am staying with Swami.”
“Oh, oh! Your temperament doesn’t look so. (Laughter) Your life doesn’t
reflect that. Your attitude doesn’t speak that, because you shout at
everybody. You shout at everybody! You are never peaceful. You were never
happy. People want to avoid you because you are of that level. How can you say
that you are living with God?”
When you say that you are living with God, how should you be? You should be
godly. The one who lives with God should be godly. Anything that is very close
to the fire will be hot. If it is not hot, it is ice cold. Yet still you say,
“I am near the fire.” It is not fire or ice either; there must be something
wrong with the mind. Therefore, when you are close to the fire, you should be
hot. Similarly, when you are close to the ice, you should be cold.
Similarly, when you are close to the God, you should be godly: You should be
cheerful, you should be happy, you should be smiling, you should be willing,
you should be cooperative, you should be respectful, you should be worshipful.
But, if you miss these qualities and you say, “I am with God”—certainly not.
GOING BEYOND THE MIND IS THE KEY FOR HAPPINESS
Physically, you may be with God, but mentally, you are not. Therefore, my
friends, whether I am here or outside, I should be able to go beyond the mind.
Go beyond the mind. . . .why? Because it is the mind that is making my life
very, very unhappy. So, psychology is the way of life; psychology is the key
to the success in life; psychology is a path towards life; but spirituality is
beyond the mind--beyond the mind.
WHAT IS THE WAY TO GROW BEYOND THE MIND
So, what is the way to grow beyond the mind? That is the next question.
“Swami, what is the way to grow beyond the mind?”
Baba said: “There is no way because you are That. Suppose, if I ask you,
‘Where is Anil Kumar’? What is the way to go to Anil Kumar? What would you
say? Array! When you are Anil Kumar, what is the fun of saying, ‘What is the
way to Anil Kumar?’ “
We met you during darshan time. You are all right. We never thought that one
could become mad within an hour of time.
So I am That. There is no question of going anywhere. So, when you are not the
mind, where is the question of going or reaching that state?”
“Swami, I do not understand. Could you explain further?”
MIND IS NEVER IDLE
Baba explains this. “How do you know that there is mind? You go on thinking
there is mind. So mind is never idle.”
Mind is never idle. You sit here. . .’Oh! Los Angeles, How nice it is.’ Okay!
‘New York, how fine!’ Bombay, Calcutta, Madras. . .your mind will go
everywhere…’And what is the preparation in the North Indian Canteen?
(Laughter) Is today pizza day or not?’ (Laughter)
This is mind. It goes on thinking about the family, about the children, about
the kitchen, about the job, opponents, friends, right from childhood.
Particularly, in meditation, these thoughts will come, because nobody else
will disturb you.” (Laughter)
Meditation . . . He goes on thinking all those things right from childhood --
action rewind, cassette rewind--that is his meditation.
Baba said, “Don’t waste your time like that. By thinking of your past, by
thinking of your friends and enemies, right from childhood, all in the name of
meditation, it is a waste of time. Better you do some work. Better you do some
service with full concentration. Do not waste time in the name of meditation,
thinking of everybody right from your childhood!”
Therefore, what is fine to say is that there is mind and there is thought.
Wherever there is thought, there is mind. Yes, in dreams also. We talk in
dreams. Why? Because we do not know how to be silent! I am too talkative; I go
on talking, and so I talk in the dreams too! I go on fighting here, so I fight
in my dreams too -- more convenient there! (Laughter) Because, I may lose in
fighting with you here, but in my dreams, I can finish you off! Yes --
challenge, come-on! Oh! I see.
EXPERIENCE OF ONE GENTLEMAN WITH SWAMI
There are some people who go on speaking about their dream experiences.
One gentleman was speaking, “Swami has taken me to heaven and paradise” and
all that.
Some students joked, “Swami, You should have left him there! Why have You
brought him back? (Laughter) You have taken him to paradise, to heaven. We are
not jealous of him; we only pray that You should have dropped him off there,
(Laughter) because he is creating hell here! (Laughter) He is creating hell
here after his return from heaven. (Laughter) So, please, take him, but do not
bring him back. Leave his luggage there! “(Laughter)
Therefore, my friends, in dreams, the mind is still functional. In the waking
state, mind is functional too because it goes on thinking, planning,
maneuvering, manipulating and dominating, full of complexity, friendly
relationships, and relationships that are negative, all of which are thoughts.
That is the mind. Okay!
DEEP SLEEP STATE IS SUSHUPTI
But, there is a third stage, deep sleep. What kind of sleep do I have? Okay!
That is what is called sushupti, deep sleep. In deep sleep, there is no mind.
But how do you know? Suppose you had a nice sleep last night. I ask you, “How
did you sleep last night?”
“Oh, excellent.”
“I see. Did you get any money there?”
“I slept well. What money?”
“Oh, oh! You say that you had a very good sleep. Is it beautiful or handsome,
tall or short, or black or fair, or what? What is the complexion of good
sleep?” Chut, no!
THE STATE BEYOND THE MIND CANNOT BE EXPRESSED
That which cannot be expressed is the state beyond the mind. I repeat once
again: That which is expressed is the experience of the mind, while the
experience beyond the mind is only experienced; it cannot be expressed.
So, how was last night’s good sleep? Good sleep is good sleep, that’s all.
Some people say, “We had a beautiful darshan this morning.”
“I see. Yesterday was not beautiful?” No, no! There is no meaning at all.
Some people say, “Sir, we had beautiful darshan this morning.”
Oh, I see. Immediate question: “How long have you been here?”
“Sir, I’ve been here for the last week.”
“Why did you say this morning only you had beautiful darshan?”
GOOD DARSHAN DEPENDS UPON THE CONDITION OF THE MIND
Beautiful darshans do not depend upon how beautiful you are. When your mind is
disturbed, you will never say, “I had a beautiful darshan.” When your mind is
calm, composed, equanimous, you say, “I had a good darshan.” So, good darshan
or not depends upon the condition of your mind; it actually has nothing to do
with the darshan. Therefore, my friends, it is absolutely necessary to go
beyond the mind, so that you will enjoy that blissful state, the non-dual,
eternal state, the blemish-less immortal state, samadhi.
GETTING OUT OF ILLUSION IS ESSENTIAL ON THE SPIRITUAL PATH
Therefore, Bhagavan says, “It is necessary to grow beyond maya.” So maya or
illusion is the mind only. Growing beyond the mind means transcending maya,
getting out of the trap of illusion. This is what is essential on the
spiritual path. Unfortunately, we do not realise it. We do not realise it
because we have a claim.
MIND IS THE CAUSE FOR YOUR EGOISM
It is a very funny thing…this claim. Many people have left so many things:
They left their big jobs; they left their salary; they left their palatial
buildings. But once they are in charge of the verandah, they feel very great!
Array, array! You were such a big officer and you left that job; now you are
in charge of the verandah, but you feel so egoistic about it. What does it
mean? It is not the job that makes you feel egoistic. It is not the place that
makes you feel egoistic. It is your mind that makes you feel egoistic. You
have given up that out there, but you have attached to this. That is the mind.
See what a funny thing it is!
A man, who left his big building, does not want to leave that particular stone
on which he sits every day.
“This is my stone.”
“Oh, oh! It is your stone. Are you a stone? How can that be your stone? Many
people sat on that same stone, many people before you. You are only one—there
are many in the queue.” See that. That is mind. I do not blame anybody. Mind
is like that.
If any fellow says, “Sir, do not sit here. I feel so badly if you sit there
because I usually sit there.” I see. When you usually sit there, and you are
shifted from this place to another place, take it casually. Usually we sit,
but we should take it casually when we are shifted. My friends, it is not my
fault; it is not your fault. It is the nature of the mind. The mind gets stuck
to many things.
YOU WILL BE READY TO GIVE UP ANYTHING WHEN YOU TRANSCEND THE MIND
Let’s suppose that I am in charge of this hall--I feel this is my hall, my
fence, mine, and mine. Oh, oh! Suddenly, some other man is appointed in my
place. I feel so badly because my mind is become attached to this hall. Or,
when I stay in a particular residence for ten years, and when I have to vacate
that house, my mind feels it. Another example: On the day of my retirement, I
feel so badly. Why? It is the quality of the mind to get stuck to any place,
to any person, to any position. But once you transcend the mind, you do not
mind giving up anything. You don’t mind dropping anything because you have
gone beyond the mind.
What made Mahatma Gandhi go away from Delhi, now Kali moment, when the whole
nation was celebrating Independence Day? Gandhiji went to settle the
difference, the conflict, the fight that was going on between Muslims and
Hindus there…now Kali moment. That’s what made him go there.
Therefore, my friends, it is time to be serious about it. Why am I not happy
here? Have I been able to go beyond the mind? Am I craving for recognition? Am
I craving for reputation? Am I craving for name and fame? Am I craving for
position? Am I craving for possession? Am I craving for contacts? What is it I
am doing here?
Once I understand these things, I will know whether I am within the mind or
beyond the mind. There is only one sign: When people praise you and you are
not elated, when people condemn you and you are not depressed, you have gone
beyond the mind. You have gone beyond the mind when you are not disturbed by
praise or blame.
Keerti Apakeerti Okkamurthigane,
Bhaavinchute Bhakthi Padamu.
Bhagavan says, “Keerti Apakeerti”, which means repute and disrepute.
EQUAL-MINDEDNESS
If you consider repute and disrepute equally, that is with equal-mindedness,
then you hare gone beyond the mind. That is the test. Whether Swami looks at
you or not, whether Swami talks to you or not, if you are not disturbed, if
you are still very happy, then you hare gone beyond the mind. You are in
Swami, Swami is in you and you are Swami. That is all. That kind of state,
growing beyond the mind, we should crave for that. We should pray for that.
“Swami, bless me with that state. Let me be able to rise above the mind, so
that I will be in the eternal, blissful state.” That is the actual realistic
spiritual approach; that is what we are supposed to do -- go beyond the mind.
In life, we have so many activities that we attend to . . .taking a bath,
brushing our teeth…all natural things that we have to do for physical
well-being. In life, we do a job for our living, which is also natural, and
furthermore, in life we do certain things which are necessary for the moment.
Like when I am sick, I should go to the hospital and take some medicine.
SWABHAVIKA, NAITHIKA AND SAKAMA ACTIVITIES
So one is called swabhavika, natural activity. The second one is naithika,
incidental activity. If you fall sick, you go to the doctor and take some
medicine. Swabhavika is natural; naithika is instrumental or accidental. The
third one is what you call sakama. Sakama means for your maintenance. You do a
job. You cannot do a job free-of-charge because there are children who depend
on you. Your family has to be maintained. Sakama. So, to repeat, there are
three activities:
Swabhavika -- natural
Naithika -- accidental
Sakama -- for your living
NISHKAMA KARMA – SELFLESS ACTIVITY
The fourth one is nishkama, selfless, with no expectations. You expect nothing
in return. This nishkama karma is selfless activity. What is the selfless
activity that we should do? Transcending the mind, growing beyond the mind, is
a selfless activity. We are supposed to do that. How do you know that you are
acting selflessly? How do you know that?
A SELFLESS MAN IS ALWAYS IN A STATE OF AWARENESS
A selfless man will never look for recognition. A selfless man will never look
for name and fame. A selfless man will always be for righteousness, dharma. He
is always in a state of peace, shanti. And he always stands for justice or
nyaya. That is what he is. He is always with the spirit of awareness,
Atmabhava, in the state of awareness.
Therefore my friends, this morning our sincere theme is to go to this line of
sadhana, to go along this line of sadhana or spiritual practice. What is it
again? To transcend the mind…to transcend the mind. For that, we have to know
the mind: know the functioning of the mind, know the nature of the mind, and
know the advantages of transcending the mind. The bottom line on this
spiritual path is to transcend the mind.
May Bhagavan help us in this highest spiritual sadhana. God bless you! Thank
you very much. (Applause)
Anil Kumar closed his talk by singing the bhajan, “Bhaja Govindam Bhaja
Govindam”.
OM…OM…OM…
Asato Maa Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrtyormaa Amrtam Gamaya
Om Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
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AUDIO Of Prof. ANIL KUMAR SATSANG Sunday
Satsang at Prashanti Nilayam.
