Though the source of peace and bliss is within, people seek them in the external, like one pursuing a mirage. Owing to restless activity, endless worry and limitless desires, peace of mind is lost and it has become prey to discontent and misery. At the outset, peace has to be cultivated within ourselves. And then that peace has to be extended to the family. From the home it should be spread to our village. Thus, peace should begin with the individual and spread to the whole society. In the Sai organisation, efforts are made to propagate the values of Truth, Righteousness, Love, Peace and Nonviolence. This is only propagation, but not practice (or demonstration). Mere preaching is of no avail. Of all the virtues, love is the foremost. If love is fostered, all other qualities flow from it. Our degradation is the result of forgetting God. When we remember God, our life will be filled with peace and happiness.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org

Natarajan

This gorgeous image isn’t a painting. It’s a new photo by the daredevil Juno spacecraft, as it skimmed close to Jupiter on its last close pass near the planet.

Source: Jupiter abstract

http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan

It is the consciousness in the physical body that enables man to enjoy the pleasures derived from the objects experienced through the senses. Once the truth, that humans alone have the ability to seek the everlasting by giving up attachment to the body, is realised, the divine nature of consciousness will become clear. Then, every action can be regarded as an offering to the Divine. Work will then be transformed into worship. When the identification of the Self with the body goes, action which may seem to be done for personal enjoyment can be converted into actions of dedication to the Divine. When actions are performed in this unselfish spirit, one can experience a sense of liberation and enjoy bliss that is beyond understanding. It all begins with the control of the senses, which is in fact the first stage in Self-realisation. It must be taken up early in one’s life. One should not wait till old age to embark on this vital exercise. When death knocks at the door and one is surrounded by one’s wailing kith and kin, there may be no time to think of God. Begin the Godward journey from now on.

Source….http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Source: The Colorful Mansions of El Alto

http://www.amusingplanet.com

Natarajan

Divine Life is based on the quality of calm serenity (satwa guna), which must be cultivated. This quality can be built only upon satwic food – food that promotes health, strength, lightness of spirit, and earnestness of endeavour. There is no use distributing the juice of spirituality to underfed and weak people; make them strong enough to entertain strong beliefs and preserve strong ideals. Physical hunger must first be appeased by simple pure (satwic) food. Then, try to repeat the name of the Lord, the name that appeals to you the most. Do not treat the Name lightly; respect it even if you hear it from the lips of a beggar who uses it to procure alms. Though the person who utters it may not be good or may not have good intention, do not ill-treat the Name; for its purity can never be harmed. Thank them for reminding you of the Lord and go your way. Above all, do not laugh at and discourage those who call on the Lord.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Source: Isa lake: The Two-Ocean Lake

http://www.amusingplanet.com

Natarajan

To reach the Divine within, you must qualify yourself to pass through the four gates of self-control (Shama), self-enquiry (Vicharana), contentment (Trupti) and the company of the pious and virtuous (Satsanga). Shama calls for steadfast faith in the Lord and control of your senses and the mind. When you succeed in controlling the cognitive senses (Jnanendriyas), it becomes much easy to control the organs of action (Karmendriyas). Shama makes one a master of the mind and indriyas (sense and action organs). Such a person transcends the animal nature and can go forward from the human to the Divine. Birds, beasts and other creatures are concerned with the enjoyment of external things. Man alone is gifted with the capacity to discriminate between the transient and the permanent, and seek what is everlasting by controlling the senses and giving up attachment to the perishable body and the ephemeral objects of the phenomenal world.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

No sadhana or spiritual exercise is greater than controlling the senses. All spiritual practices such as japa (chanting the Lord’s name) and tapa (penance) will be of no avail if senses are not controlled. You may be under the impression that it is not possible for a human being to control the senses. Here control does not mean total cessation. Discharge your duties as a householder, student or businessman. But whatever you do, do it with a feeling that all actions are performed to please God (Sarva Karma Bhagavad Preetyartham). You feel that arpitam (total surrender) to God is rather difficult, but according to Me, nothing is easier than this. Once you develop this feeling, all your senses will naturally be controlled. Ancients have said that bliss lies in visualising and experiencing your true form, that is, the Principle of the Atma. Proper utilisation of the senses will lead to the knowledge of the Atma.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Hunter Davis wrote, “Winter is almost here at the South Pole. The last flight for the summer left last week.”

Source: Last flight gone

http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan