How Old Are You ?

An old grandfather of seventy was asked by his seven-year old grandchild, "Grandpa! How old are you?" and the old man replied, "Two!" The child was struck with wonder and looked a picture of doubt. The old man replied, "I have spent only the last two years in the company of the Lord, until then I was plunged in the marshland of pleasure seeking." 

Only the years that you have lived with the Lord have to be counted as life, the rest are not worth counting. 

Know that all this wealth, property and fame are but for a fleeting moment. Develop attachment for the Lord, who will be with you wherever you go.

-  Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Divine Discourse, Oct 10, 1964.)

Courtesy - radiosai

 

Seeking philosophers - Livemint

Wow, we may actually have some philosophers working at state govt's animal husbandry & fisheries dept!! Poor animal/fish!!
Unfortunately, the purpose of education (at least in majority of institutions, students) is just securing a job. Let us not blame it on colonial hang-over...
Over the last one week, I had opportunity to listen to two exceptional speakers... both spoke of Indigo children. Perhaps, when they grow up, we will have more genuine philosophers.
As for the purpose of education, it is surely 'Character', at a holistic level. There are educational institutions working on such ideals too.
Thanks Anurag, for raising these questions. IF more people like yourselves seek philosophers, the candidates & their institutions will catch up...
Seeking philosophers - Livemint

Compassion

Once a buffalo fell into a slushy tank accidentally and it could not come out inspite of its best efforts. As it was trying to pull out one leg another leg was going deeper into the slush. The buffalo was struggling hard to come out.

People who were passing by did not help the animal due to the fear that they themselves may get stuck in that mud. Some mischievous children were watching and enjoying the struggle of the animal.

A saint with a weak body, who happened to come there immediately jumped into the slush to pull the animal out. People around were jeering at him saying how could this man with his fragile body pull out that big animal! The saint did not care for their words. Praying to the Lord to give him strength, he brought the animal out with great difficulty.

The mischievous children in a derogatory manner said, “Oh! What a service you have done! We could have enjoyed the show for some more time if you had not interfered.”

The saint said, “I did not do any service to the buffalo. I saved the animal only to get rid of my pain. I could not bear my own agony seeing the buffalo struggling. Now I am free from that suffering.” So saying he went away.

Points to Ponder:

• we presume we are on the outside the 'slushy-tank'. Are we sure, if we are in or out of the tank ?  
• some did not rescue the animal out of the fear of getting stuck, whereas some others were having fun watching. (what would be our typical reaction? Not just in this type of situation, but when we see another person/bird/animal in agony & when we have a choice to help!) 
• Any service/seva we do, it is never to help others, but to help ourselves, always...

When was the last time we got into such a situation & what was our reaction?  what is our #Empathy Quotient?

A tiger, A Hunter, A Bear And A Fear

Once in a forest, a hunter, on being chased by a tiger, felt tired and climbed up a tree. There was a bear sitting on the top of the tree. The tiger was waiting under the tree as it could not climb up. It was
very hungry, so it wanted to gobble up the hunter. It requested the bear to push the hunter down, so that it could kill him and appease its hunger. The bear refused to do so, saying that the hunter was its
guest and it was its moral duty to extend hospitality to guests. But, the tiger continued to wait under the tree.

After some time, the bear started to doze. Noticing this, the tiger addressed the hunter, "O
man, I am very hungry. It does not matter whether I eat you or the bear. I will go back once my hunger is satiated. The bear is dozing. So, push it down without delay. I will eat it and spare you." The man did not have the morality of even the bear. He thought he could escape from the clutches of the tiger by offering the bear as bait. So, he committed the ungrateful act of pushing the bear down. As luck would have it, the bear, as it was falling, caught hold of a branch, climbed up and saved itself from the tiger.

Then the tiger said, "O bear, you should never believe the human beings. This hunter tried to harm you, though you were kind enough to give him shelter and protect him. So, without further delay, push the ungrateful wretch down, I shall devour him".

But the bear said, "I have done my duty. Each one has to face the consequences of his own actions. I will not harm him just because he tried to harm me."  - BABA

--- --- ---

Points to Ponder:

• Animals attack, kill or eat only when hungry. Tiger has no specific preference for the meat of man or bear. (can we claim to be so ? How addicted we are to taste, over health & well-being?)
• Do we really treat guest as per 'Athithi Devo Bhava' ( guest is like God) ?
• Can we think of situations when we deviated from morality, used bait and was ungrategul... all by choice ? Not just at work, but also outside...
• How trustworthy are we, human beings... crown of all creations ?
• Can we resist our tendency to 'give it back' to anyone who harm us ? Can we just stick to our duty and leave the consequences our of our area of focus ? Whether we believe in Doctrine or Karma/Newton's 3rd Law, or not ?

A powerful chinna katha from Bhagwan. 

 

Samarpan @ Brindavan with Phyllis Krystal

SOULJOURNS - AT AGE 99 PHYLLIS KRYSTAL, ONE OF HER MOST INSTRUCTIVE INTERVIEWS EVER. NOT TO BE MISSED.

From Ted Henry & Jody Cleary

Phyllis Krystal is looking at turning 100 years of age with great wisdom, love and equanimity. In perhaps her most important Souljourns interview, Phyllis talks about how Holy Man Sri Sathya Sai Baba, for the first time is allowing her to speak about her love for Baba and about her important personal training work, both at the very same time..

As you'll see Phyllis offers up a lot of straight talk about the difficulties people face as a direct result of their own karma. Even if you've heard her speak before, this interview at age 99 becomes a must for all serious spiritual aspirants.

Courtesy: https://vimeo.com/69804092

Samarpan at Brindavan with Phyllis Krystal 3

  Phyllis stress on the need to practice Swami’s teachings, even if just one teaching, to achieve enlightenment.

For many years she kept her work and Bhagwan’s message separate meticulously. But now Baba is allowing her to talk about both, continuing to guide constantly. 

For a shy and reluctant speaker, Baba has guided her to lead seminars and give talks, in different parts of world. Now at 99, she says, ‘As long as Baba wants to use me as His instrument, it is okay’. 

She is a beautiful example how we can live every moment in Sai...being a divine instrument. A la 'flute'....

Become like the flute, a hollow reed, straight, light, with no substance to hinder His breath. Then He will come and pick you up and breathe divine music through you, playing upon you with a delicate touch. In His hand the infinitesimal will be transmuted into the Infinite. Intensify the love that is present within you. It is a sacred gift. Expand your love so that all beings can share in it. Your love must be such that if someone around you is sad, you feel sad and if they are happy, you feel that happiness. Have your love fixed and devoted on the Lord, whether your petty wishes get fulfilled or not. Never let go, under any circumstances, this precious treasure - your Love for God. 
- Divine Discourse, Oct 9, 1964.(Courtesy: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam 10 Aug '13)

Samarpan at Brindavan with Phyllis Krystal 2

  

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Phyllis Krystal was born in London in 1914. She graduated from and taught for three years there, before moving to the United States. In 2004, at the age of 91, she moved to Munich and at the age of 95 moved again to Zurich.

  

In the late 1950s, Mrs Krystal and a friend developed techniques to make contact with inner source of wisdom, Higher Consciousness (Hi C). These techniques can be used to help to release from attachments. For more than 25 years, Mrs. Krystal has given seminars and individual sessions in numerous countries to share the method. 

She has written several books:  

Taming the Monkey Mind
Re-Connecting the Love Energy .  
Let’s Thank God 
Ceiling on Desires.

Cutting the Ties that bind (1982) &Cutting More Ties that Bind (1990) and a workbook to accompany these two books.  Cutting the Ties of Karma
Many of these have been translated to different languages. 

For more details:
http://www.phylliskrystal.com/phyllis-krystal-en.html