Self-realization

A Visitor: The word ‘surrender’ is not the correct word, so self-realization…

Sai: Self-realization–that is why they call it so. You realize your own Self. You are you, not your wife. You are You.

A Second Visitor: Where is our responsibility? We are supposed to share, to help others.

A Third Visitor: Help oneself first.

Sai: ‘Self’ is the base or foundation. ‘Help’ is the wall. God is the roof or top of the building. Light is the owner.

A Visitor: But she was asking, ‘What is the limit?’ Where is the limit of one’s responsibility? How far should she go?

Sai: First you should look after yourself and not be a burden. That is the first thing. If you are not able to help so many people, it doesn’t matter. But if you don’t do anything that is harmful, that is real help. If you can’t help a person, never mind. But don’t harm anybody. To harm is bad. But the very feeling that you have that you can’t help, itself is good. You must have physical strength, mental strength, and spiritual strength; and only when you have the three, then can you really do service. Food, head, and God. Food is for the body; and you want a good body so the brain can function properly, so you can think. And why do you want this head and intellect? To realize that which is beyond this, and that is God.

Visitor: But it hurts me to see people in need, beggars and innocent little children who are ill…

A second Visitor: Is it not egoistic to have everything for yourself?

Translator: But Swami did not mean that. What Swami said is that when you do not have the physical, mental, and spiritual strength, how can you really help another person?

Sai: Sometimes when we are not balanced and have not got the proper truth, we will mislead so many other people.

A Visitor: It is that you cannot give what you do not have.

A Second Visitor:  Nothing before straightening yourself.

Hislop: Is it possible for Swami to give the lady self-realization?

A Third Visitor: Swami says it is possible. Since He gives the truth, can He not also give self-realization to the heart?

Sai: When there is that feeling that depth of feeling, Swami can give it, oh yes. She has such a depth of feeling for the body. If she has the same intensity for God-realization, Swami can give it. Just now.

Hislop: So that is what Swami means by, ‘Before you can help people.’

Sai: The more intensity, the greater the result. If you are digging a well, the deeper you dig, the higher will be the wall formed by the mud you bring out. The depth is in the form of the height.

Hislop: Swami says that He cannot give to a dry heart. Why is the heart dry?

Sai: Even that, God gives for our own good. When you don’t have hunger, why should He give you food? When you have hunger and receive food, it is useful, but if you don’t have hunger and He gives food, you will have indigestion. Sometimes, even if you have hunger, God does not give food to you, just to keep you in check and in control. Suppose you are in the hospital. They can’t give you everything you might ask for. There is a proper time and the proper way for your own sake. Even a spiritual experience, sometimes God withholds it, because God does everything for man’s good. He never does anything to harm man or give him sorrow. But that faith you must have. First you must grapple with the fact that duty is God and start doing your duty.

Hislop: Is it that the heart is dry because one is not doing his duty?

Sai: No, man’s heart is really dry. At least men have “sense” love. You have worldly love for children, family, and others. It is the same love but given to some only. You only have to take it all and give it to God.

A Visitor: If his heart were completely dry, he would not want to come to Prasanthi Nilayam.

Sai: Even in coming to Prasanthi Nilayam, you could be loving your wife and family. Live in love. Love itself is God. He is nothing else but love. There are different forms of love, love for family and love for money; but love for God is devotion. There is a glass of water. An Englishman will call it water, an Andhra man will call it by another name, and in Tamil still another name is given. But the water is the same. We just call it by different names. The names of love for wife, children, objects differ, and love for God is called devotion, but the love is one. The most important thing you have to develop is love. If you develop love, you don’t have to develop anything else.

Hislop: But love is not something made by man. Love is not something created by man; how can I develop love?

Sai: You have love for the tape recorder. How is it that you have that love? When the tape recorder was in the shop, did you love it? But because you have got it now, it is yours, ‘my’ tape recorder. You did not love it in the shop; you love it now because you feel it is ‘mine.’ So when you think God is ‘mine,’ you love Him.

A Visitor: I make an effort to strengthen love, but I know it does not happen.

Sai: It is a question of practice. Intellectually you under­stand. Say you have a temperature, a 105-degree fever. If you keep on chanting 100 times, ‘I want a penicillin injection,’ it won’t cure you. You have to have the injection. You don’t have to chant that you want penicillin; you just have to have one poke and you are all right. Instead of thinking of ten different things to do, if you do one thing correctly, that is enough. When you are thirsty, you don’t want all the water from the well. One glass will suffice. You don’t have to take all and try to practice everything. Take one. Here is a match box with some 60 matches. If you want to light a fire you need to strike one match, not the entire box of matches.

Source: Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Self-realization

The journey of Self-realization begins when a person starts looking within instead of searching for happiness in the outer world. Every spiritual tradition teaches that true peace does not come from wealth, fame, or temporary pleasures, but from understanding the inner self. Self-realization is the awakening of divine awareness that already exists in every heart. It helps an individual recognize the eternal truth beyond the body and mind. Through prayer, meditation, devotion, and righteous living, one gradually experiences inner clarity and spiritual strength.

Many saints and spiritual masters have explained that Self-realization is not achieved in a single day. It is a continuous process of removing ignorance, ego, anger, greed, and attachment. When the mind becomes calm and pure, the light of wisdom naturally shines. A person who follows the spiritual path with sincerity begins to understand the deeper meaning of life. Such wisdom creates compassion, patience, humility, and unconditional love for all beings. According to Devotional India, spiritual growth becomes meaningful when it transforms daily actions into acts of kindness and service.

The human mind often runs behind desires and distractions. Because of this, people forget their true purpose and suffer from stress, fear, and confusion. The practice of Self-realization teaches one to control the senses and focus on inner awareness. Meditation plays an important role in this process because it quiets the restless mind and connects the soul with divine consciousness. When a person spends time in silence and prayer, the heart slowly becomes peaceful and fearless. This sacred experience cannot be fully explained in words because it is deeply personal and spiritual.

Spiritual scriptures describe that the divine presence exists in every living being. The realization of this truth is called Self-realization. One who understands this no longer feels separated from others. Instead, such a person develops universal love and respect for all creation. Service to humanity, truthfulness, and devotion become natural qualities in life. The teachings shared on Devotional India often remind seekers that spirituality is not only about rituals but also about purity of thoughts and actions.

Faith and discipline are necessary on the spiritual journey. A seeker may face many challenges, doubts, and distractions, yet perseverance leads to inner transformation. Reading sacred texts, chanting the divine name, and keeping good company help in strengthening spiritual awareness. Through constant practice, the mind becomes stable and focused. Gradually, the seeker experiences the joy of Self-realization, which brings lasting happiness beyond worldly success.

True spirituality teaches that every individual carries divine energy within. The purpose of life is to discover this hidden truth. Self-realization removes fear and fills life with wisdom, peace, and contentment. A spiritually awakened person sees unity in diversity and remains balanced during both success and failure. Such a life becomes an example of compassion and inner strength for others.

In modern times, many people search for peace outside themselves, but real peace lies within. The message shared by Devotional India inspires seekers to walk the path of devotion, meditation, and selfless service. By practicing spiritual values daily, anyone can move closer to Self-realization and experience the divine bliss that never fades. The light of truth already exists in every soul; one only needs sincerity and faith to discover it through Self-realization.

-Swami Answers