Divine Words of wisdom by Sathya Sai Baba – On Mind
Divine Words of wisdom by Sathya Sai Baba - With Mind
1. Mind is the root cause for everything in life: Analogy
Description
One only punishes the body for the mistakes committed. But there is no fault in the body. All the fault lies with the mind. A person commits a mistake. The government, recognising it as a crime, punishes the person by hanging him. But, was the crime committed by the body or by the mind? The body has not committed the mistake. The body performed the action on being prompted by the mind. So it is the mind that made the body act. Who is bad, is it the one that got it done or the one that did it? It is the instigator, the mind, which is bad. But the mind is not being punished and the body is punished. Is it justified? No. It is the inert body that did the action. The doer is the mind. “Manayeva manushyanaam kaaranam bandha mokshayoho” the mind is the cause for either liberation or attachment. Therefore, one must put one’s mind in the right path. Whatever action happens it is because of the mind and not because of the body. Therefore the mind must be taught and not the body. Hence, every teaching must be mind oriented.
2. Everything depends on your mind; Purify it
Description
For good and bad, our behavior is the main cause. Nothing wrong in education, nothing wrong with the culture, everything depends on the individual. Sacred water appears white and crystal clear, when it is pure. When this pure white water is kept in a red bottle, it appears red in color. Does the mistake lie with water or the bottle? The mistake lies with the bottle. The education system, no doubt is highly sacred, pure, unsullied and selfless. It appears polluted, when it enters the mind full of selfishness and self-interests. Therefore, in the first instance, man should purify his mind. When the mind becomes pure, our looks, behaviour and hearing would also become pure. Human life depends on the mind. Not only human life, the entire universe depends on the mind. Once the mind becomes pure, man becomes good in turn. It’s because of “Manas”- mind, we have the title “Manishi”-human. As is the mind, so is the man. When we say, so and so person is bad, it means his mind is bad. When we say, he is good; it means his mind is good.
3. Direct mind towards heart and march towards Divinity
Description
Therefore, it brings forth the right combination of mind and the nature. There is no difference between mind and nature. The whole world is nothing but a reflection of mind. “Manomoolam idam jagath” the whole world is because of the mind. When there is no mind there is no world. Hence everything is a form of the mind. Therefore one will not be bothered by the mind when one turns it towards the heart, dwells upon the divine and basks in the divine splendour.
4. Nature of Mind compared to Sun and the moon
Description
To think that one gained victory without mastering the mind is mere delusion. The mind is like the moon. “Chandrama manasojathaha, chaksho sooryo ajayatha” – Moon reflects the mind and sun is the presiding deity of the eyes. The mind, which is compared to the moon, cannot shine independently. The moon shines at the night. How does it shine? The Sun light falls on the moon causing it to shine. It is essentially the sun shine that one sees in the night as the reflection from the moon. One needs to ponder on this properly. The sun light is very intense and bright. One cannot bear the intensity of the sun light. But the moon light is cool and soothing. Though the light from the moon and the sun is the same, what is the reason for the brightness and intensity of sunlight and coolness of the moon light? The mind is full of desires and is tamasik in nature. Darkness is the characteristic aspect of tamas. It means that when the desires are fulfilled the mind is at peace but becomes restless when the desires are not fulfilled. It is never hot. This is the nature of mind. Nobody can restrain the mind. “Sankalpavikalpatkam manaha” means mind is a conglomeration of good and bad thoughts. It is not possible to stop the thoughts even for a second. Just as the waves move in the ocean incessantly so also thoughts exist and arise in the mind incessantly. He, who understands and arises above the mind with all its thoughts, is truly victorious in this world.
5. Mind is the basis for everything
Description
Man must aspire to become broadminded living in this vast and wide world. Every human being has four states viz., the ‘body’, the ‘mind’, the ‘intellect’ and the fourth one is the ‘atma’ or the soul. What is the essence and duty of this physical body? “Sareeramadhyam khalu dharma sadhakam!”- meaning body is verily the instrument to carry out righteousness. How can this instrument discharge its duty or dharma? A knife is used to cut both a vegetable and a fruit but knife by itself will not proceed to cut the vegetable or the fruit. There must be person to hold the knife and that person cuts the vegetables with a proper plan. Similarly, the physical body too is an instrument and this instrument does not indulge in activities by itself as it is not independent. The physical body works based on the stimulus and strength of the mind. Mind is the very basis for all the activity. Hence, the saying, “Mano moolam midam jagath!”, meaning the world is based on the mind. The world that is constituted by the five elements is also based on the mind.
6. Mind can make you an animal, human or Divine
Description
For a human being to live like a human being, or behave like an animal, or lead a life with divine feelings, it is the mind that steers and is responsible. There is no separate entity like human nature. So also, animal nature is not there separately. So is the case with Divine nature as well. All the three attributes are intrinsic to any human being. When the Mind steers the human being in the path of love and compassion, it is divine nature. If the human being is vulnerable to fall prey to the senses, it amounts to going the demonic way.
7. Mind and its working
Description
Students! Mind is very peculiar. Mind moves very fast. Mind is highly wavering. Mind is very powerful and strong as well. Man may be here but the Mind can travel thousands of miles in a split second and see things there! That’s why Arjuna pleaded with Sri Krishna to mentor him as to, how to control the Mind which is very strong, powerful, and highly wavering. Mind has two characteristics: One of them is akin to the animal nature and the second one is compassion-filled human nature. It is necessary for us to know about the animal and human natures, in humans! Human beings addicted to vices like lust, infatuation, anger etc., are the ones who fall under the ambit of animal nature. Those who prudently utilize their, intrinsic, God- gifted virtues viz., intellect, equanimity, far sighted approach, and progressive Mindset for National Development, manifest Divinity in their nature and belong to the second type viz., true human nature!
8. Who is Indra?
Description
One might conquer Indra, the King of celestial beings, but without conquering one’s senses it is useless. Who is ‘Indra’? Indra is the suzerain of senses. Who is the master of senses? The mind is the master of senses. Therefore, mind is Indra. What is the use of raging a battle against Indra outside when he is present within?
9. Mind is the reason for liberation or bondage
Description
One gets both the results. What is the reason for both the results? It is the mental weakness and lack of courage. One with courage can attain anything and one with weak mind faces failure. Hence it is said, “Manayeva manusyanaam, kaaranam bandhamokshayoho”, mind is the sole cause for either liberation or bondage. When the mind is turned God wards, one is liberated; on the other hand when the mind and the activities are centred on the nature and world, it leads to bondage. There is lock on the door. The key is put in the lock. When it is turned left side it opens the lock and when turned right side the lock is locked. It is the same lock and the same key but the turning makes the difference. Similarly man’s heart is like the lock, the mind is the key. When the key is turned towards God, it leads to detachment, which is liberation. If the key is turned towards the world, it leads to bondage. Therefore, liberation and bondage are aspects pertaining to the mind. Bondage is not got from someplace neither is liberation bought from a shop. It is neither gifted by anyone nor supplied by any company or firm. All these lie in the mind. Therefore, the mind needs to be kept properly. Hence, “Manasu nirmalambe manchiki margambu” Pure mind leads to goodness; “Manasu nirmalambe mahitha shakthi”, Pure mind is the mighty power; “Nirmalambu manase neeradi mutyavu!” Pure mind is the pearl of the great ocean of life.
10. Praise or blame doesn't belong to you
Description
People think that others have accused them. If they go on worrying and feeling bad about the accusations whose suffering is that? One must not suffer so. The critique’s words of accusation have gone in to the air. Good words of praise will register in one’s mind. But none of it sticks to the real self nor comes near it. Why does one worry about the things that do not reach the real self? One must refuse to let it affect oneself by saying, “This is not mine.” Man is truly human when he develops such truthful thoughts and eternal principle.
11. Turn the key of mind towards God
Description
The effect on the mind is very severe. Mind is the main cause for the liberation and bondage. If you use the mind to do pure activities or good activities human becomes pure. Whatever you hear, whatever you speak, whatever you do everything becomes sacred. this is a lock and this is a key. If you keep the key in the lock and turn left side it opens and turn right side it locks. It gets opened and locked with the same key but the difference is in the turning. Likewise, human heart is Lock, Mind is key, Turn God side it is detachment. Turn world side that is attachment. For attachment and detachment mind is only responsible. We should not allow our mind to be filled with worldly thoughts. Consider everything as divine. Everything is Brahman.
12. As is our association, so is our Mind
Description
For both the good and bad qualities, Mind is the root cause. The good quality present in the Mind cannot be felt anywhere else. Likewise, the bad traits sheltered in the Mind cannot be felt anywhere else. It is as good as it can be bad as well. So also, it is as bad as it can be good! We should, therefore, discern the true nature of the Mind. Mind is very pure, but it is vulnerable to become good or bad depending on the environs or the company. Suppose there is a clean newspaper and it is used to wrap jasmine flowers. It acquires the fragrance and aroma of the jasmine flowers. How the newspaper acquired the fragrance of jasmine is because it is used to pack the flowers in in it. Similarly, if the newspaper is used to pack ‘Pakodas’ it will acquire its smell. It means that the newspaper acquired the smell of the material packed in it. Newspaper is the same. Suppose it is used to pack dry fish. It acquires the smell of the dry fish. Newspaper that had no smell, initially, acquired the smell on the material packed/associated with it. In a similar fashion, if the Mind is put to use in the right path, it will become good. What is meant by right path? Inculcating good thoughts, good manners, good company, moral and ethical meets are all the means to steer the Mind towards being ‘good’. Instead, if it is driven in the wrong direction of nurturing bad thoughts, bad behaviour, and bad company etc, it gets into the ‘bad’ mode. Good and bad are not inborn qualities in the Mind. They are induced qualities from its surroundings. If we want to have good Mind, we should move in good company.
13. Mind and its mysteries
Description
Mind is responsible for all the business dealings and activities in the world. A school without a teacher and a temple without a deity are of no use. Similarly, a body without a mind is also useless. Ordinarily people think that the mind is bound by the body and foster it by looking after the needs of the body by various means. Man is getting bound by the body by believing that the body is essential for all the pleasures and comforts. A man with such beliefs cannot achieve any progress in spite of doing service and Sadhana. Mind is not like the blank white paper. Mind is imprinted with the tendencies and experiences of many past births. The fruits of the many actions performed by the body are also imprinted on the mind. Hence, mind can be described as an entity full of thoughts and desires.
14. What prize man should aspire for
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All the prizes that we receive are not prizes in the true sense. One with mathi or mind faces so many problems. Bahu mathi or many-mindedness or a diversified mind will have greater troubles. We should not have a wavering nature or bahu mathi. We should have the true state of mind or nija mathi. Nija mathi or the true mind, is the sukthi, the true message that arises from the human heart.
15. Power of Mind
Description
In fact, there have been tremendous beautiful sentiments in every man. This mighty strength is not noticed in anybody. It is the mind, a combination of thoughts which is very powerful. The one who can win over the mind can win the rest of the world. There is no other greater power than that of the mind. Mind is the primal cause responsible for bondage and liberation. Man is not able to control his mind today. Therefore, he is not able to be the recipient of the bliss for which he has to strive. If you control your mind, you can be successful in any of the tasks and you can become reputed. Students! Boys and girls! Achieve that state of the mind which is pure. If you control your mind, you will be able to accomplish anything.
16. Turn your mind towards God
Description
So today we should fill our hearts with love. What sort of love? Love is One. We find many types of ‘love’ in this world. That is not true love at all. It is worldly love. Physical love. It is just temporary. But the spiritual love is one that originates out of the human heart. That is the love we have to develop. All others are negatives. That which comes out of the heart is positive. You worship, you do japa, you meditate – all these are negatives. You go on moving the beads of the rosary, but the mind goes to the market. What is the use of such meditation? Your mind should be fixed in japa, the repetition of the Lord’s name. Fixing the mind on God’s name is real prayer. Prayer does not mean allowing the mind to waver. Mind is responsible for bondage and liberation. We have to divert our mind towards God. This is the lock, this is the key, put the key in the lock, turn to the left, it opens. Turn to the right, it gets locked. Same lock, same key – the difference is in the turning. Human heart is the lock. Mind is the key. Turn towards God for liberation, turn towards the world for bondage. Our mind is directed towards the world, we are not directing our mind towards God. We take just the world to be important and struggle for the physical, ephemeral, world.
17. not be a slave to your Mind
Description
We should control our mind and make the mind our slave. If you are a slave to your mind, with all your strength you will still be weak. Therefore the mind should be your slave. The power and the strength of the mind is not noticed anywhere in this world. In the mind, great features and traits find their origin.
