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PREMA VAHINI

It is significant that the very first series of articles that Baba wrote for the Sanathana Sarathi was Prema Vahini (Stream of Divine Love).

These discourses are collected in this book as they were first presented, in English translation. Truth (sathya), dharma, peace (santhi), and love are the four pillars of the new world of the Sai era, and under Baba's guidance, humanity has to discover peace through love.

For that task, this book will be of great help,

While reading it, you are in touch with the very source of love;
while translating its message into action, you are visibly led on by the grace of the Lord Himself;
while enjoying the thrill of spiritual practice (sadhana) prescribed here, you are responding to the majesty of the very Ocean of Mercy.

N. Kasturi

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Chapter 48 — Genuine Devotees

Live the Love.
Remember the Name.
Trust the Lord.

Chapter 49 — Complete Surrender

Let God lead.
Do your part. Let go.
Become His instrument.

RECALL

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VANAPRASTHAM

52. The course of life of a forest dweller

Retire to the forest, Change the diet – alms only, do no prepare food
Must have equal love for all – and without duties
Vows of penance during waxing and waning of the moon
Study the various Upanishadic statements and understand and experience their meanings.
On the other hand, if he has no bodily disease and is hale and hearty, after adopting the above disciplines, he will experience the spontaneous dawn of true knowledge.

By means of this knowledge, he will attain liberation (moksha).

Intentional detachment from worldly matter and focus on the purification of the mind in preparation for ultimate liberation

Purposely leaving and walking away
Entrusting the care to others
Austerity in ways of living including diet
Contemplation of higher goals and purpose
Concept of spirit over matter –with mind focused and anchored on the divine

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ONE POINTEDNESS & DAWN OF KNOWLEDGE

Many argue about how this discipline can result in the dawn of knowledge. Aren't these mere bodily limitations, they ask - Through these physical regulations, traits (vasanas) are destroyed and concentration is established. The Upanishadic statements serve to foster and strengthen this onepointedness, step by step - the experience of the Upanishadic maxims alone will bring about the dawn of knowledge. Onepointedness is essential to establish spiritual wisdom firmly in the heart, and this one-pointedness can easily be gained by the above-mentioned bodily disciplines and austerities (tapas).

Yoga and penance (tapas) are only other names for the path of the control and conquest of these external ten- dencies and delusions. The rules of forestdweller (vanaprastha) are but methods to succeed in this yoga. When one subdues delusion of all types in the forest-dweller stage, the journey ends in liberation (moksha). However, through whatever path grace is obtained, that path may be chosen. Liberation is achieved by these rules and observances of the forest-dweller stage; It also makes a person delusion free. It gives them one-pointedness.

For the one who has struggled with and conquered the external tendencies, the internal tendencies become easily controllable. The difficulty is all about purifying mental behaviour, which is spoiled by the delusions of the world. Delusionless behaviour is necessarily pure. It is without any trace of defect and doubt. If people first control and conquer external delusion as much as possible, the internal tendencies will easily move in the direction of Atmic bliss (Atma-ananda).

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SPIRITUAL WISDOM

Conquer the six enemies and purify the mind

Desire -fragments the mind; focus on the material world destroys Bhakti
Anger -destroys clouds the intellect, makes a person incapable Viveka, destroys Jnana
Pride
Hatred
Attachment
Greed -destroys nishkama karma

Practice both to attain Ekagratha (One pointedness) that leads to Spiritual wisdome

External discipline [foundational]

Remember the five senses are focused outward – watch what you see, listen, eat, etc.

Internal discipline

Japam, Dhyanam, Vicharam

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SADHANA

Sadhana Chatushtayam – Four fold Qualifications

Viveka -Discrimination between real and unreal
Vairagya -Detachment from worldly pleasures and material outcomes
Shatsampathi (mental disciplines)

Shama -calmness/quietude of mind
Dama -control of senses
Uparathi -withdrawal
Titiksha -forbearance
Shradha -faith
Samadhana -concentration

Mumukshatvam - intense burning desire for spiritual liberation

Three sequential stages of practice

Shravanam -LISTEN
Mananam -CONTEMPLATE
Nidhidhyasanm -SHIFT FROM INTELLECTUAL TRUTH TO LIVING EXPERIENCE OF REALITY

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QUEST

What does leading a God-centric life mean?

What are the methods of external discipline?

What are the methods of Inner discipline?

Which one do you practice and WHY?

What helps you when the going gets tough??

What is the motivation and inspiration to remain disciplined?

Experiences – Lessons learnt and wisdom – PLEASE share

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METHODS

Namasmarana
Meditation
Read
Listen
Faith CIA
Prayer
Service without expectation

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WHO AM I?

Meditation is going inwards and seeking the answer to the question ‘Who Am I’?

The Atma is also known as Brahman, so learning the Atmic knowledge or Brahman knowledge (Atma vidya) is to be considered as the objective by every student. Such students have to earn some primary qualifications. Then only do they deserve the status of studentship. These qualifications are: discrimination (viveka), renunciation (vairagya), and the six qualities that constitute a good character
The highest Atma (Paramatma) has six chief characteristics: complete wisdom (jnana), complete renunciation (vairagya), divine beauty, the fullest splendour of power (Iswarya), undiminished fame, and inexhaustible fortune (sri). His nature is full existence (sat), full knowledge (chit), and full bliss (ananda).
The destruction of the modifications and agitations of the mind is the prereqisite for getting an audience with that ruler. His reception hall has eight gates through which one has to pass for the audience: control of the inner senses, control of the outer senses, sitting posture, breath control, mind control, concentration, meditation, and superconsciousness (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, prathyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi).

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