Jyothi Meditation

05/09/2022

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AS WRITTEN IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM - September 01, 2022

What is the significance of Omkara? Bhagawan reminds us today so that we may benefit from its recitation!

For all the mantras, the primary mantra which enshrines the attributeless, Omniself, is the Omkara. Although there are many letters and words, the fundamental aksharam (letter), which has primacy of place, is Omkara. Om ith-yeka-aksharam-Brahma - the single syllable Om is Brahman Itself, says the Gita. All other letters and words are linguistic creations. They do not possess the unique sacredness and divine character of 'Om’. The special significance of 'Om' is not generally recognised or understood. Mantra Shastra (ancient scriptures on sacred formulas) has laid emphasis on the letter 'Om’. Omkara has no form. It is the manifestation of Brahman as sound. It is present in all creation. It is effulgent. It is in all speech. It is ever blissful. It is Paratparamayi (Embodiment of Supreme), it is Mayamayi (Repository of Illusory Power), it is Shreemayi (Embodiment of Prosperity).

- Divine Discourse, Oct 01, 1984.

Click to listen: https://www.sssmediacentre.org/ #/audio-detail-page1/630f502f2a555f67a1a16707

05/09/2022

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AS WRITTEN IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM - September 03, 2022

The educational system today makes an educated person selfish. It makes him a slave to the senses and as a consequence, he forgets his own divine nature.
Educated men are not prepared to take up service to the suffering people. It is not only the educated who are to be blamed for this situation. The government, which has failed to encourage and enthuse the people, is also to be blamed for this. Students are not being taught to be self-reliant and self-supporting. Despite the possession of high degrees, the educated man is frantically after salaried jobs rather than seeking independent careers. The educated man fights for his rights, without regard to the duties to be discharged. The man who neglects his duties will lose his rights as well. Rights and duties are inseparably interrelated. Love is the connecting link between the two. The faithful ones in the spiritual realm crave for joy, peace and comfort without striving to realise how they can be obtained.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 22, 1984

Click to listen: https://www.sssmediacentre.org/ #/audio-detail-page1/6311e67be5cce1373f908051

05/09/2022

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AS WRITTEN IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM - SEPTEMBER 04, 2022

How should we introspect and align our daily living with Divinity? Bhagawan explains to us highlighting some incongruous means we tend to take!

We don’t want God nor do we cultivate devotion. But we want God to shower peace and divine bliss on us. If we want peace, we should conduct our life on lines conducive to peace. How can a person pursuing evil, unrighteous ways, ever obtain peace, truth and joy? Can we have the belch of a gourd by eating mangoes? As are the deeds, so are the rewards. As the motives, so are the gifts of God. Hence our motives should be sublime and deeds should be righteous. Students should try to develop powers latent in them. The educated men of today believe in what they read in novels and newspapers, what they see in films, and even in the whimsical words of a passerby. But they have no faith in God. This is a great misfortune. Men who believe in the words of an astrologer or a purohit, don’t trust the words of the Veda Mata, who taught four great truths: "Tat twam asi, Prajnanam Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi, Ayam Aatma Brahma" (Thou art That, Knowledge is Divine, I am Divine, This Self is the Omni-Self)!

- Divine Discourse, Nov 22, 1984.

Click to listen: https://www.sssmediacentre.org/ #/audio-detail-page1/63133e4de5cce117b8908052

05/09/2022

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AS WRITTEN IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM - SEPTEMBER 05, 2022

What are the qualities a student should cultivate to be recognised as cultured and learned? On a day that is observed as Teachers’ Day in India, Bhagawan lovingly reminds us!

The Vijnana Samhita in Shikshavalli expounds on the conjunction between teacher, student, and the learning that arises therefrom. It stresses the importance of spiritual education, in addition to secular education through the education of the heart. This Samhita also imparts some essential teachings for one's conduct in life. The sacred injunctions contained in the Samhita shine as beacon lights to mankind afflicted with limitless desires and meaningless yearnings. These injunctions are: Speak Truth; Observe Righteousness; Foster knowledge with diligence; Abstain from vicious deeds; Perform worthy acts; Respect most meticulously the regulations laid down by society for leading a disciplined life in the community; As a householder practise charity according to your capacity; Show reverence and obedience to elders; And exercise extreme vigilance with regard to your duties and relationship with your kith and kin and fellow human beings.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 22, 1984.

Click to listen: https://www.sssmediacentre.org/ #/audio-detail-page1/63133e91e5cce16de7908053

24/08/2022

16/08/2022

Jyothi Meditation

Based on Bhagavan's step-by-step directions.

Jyothi (flame) Meditation is the foremost spiritual discipline geared towards gaining inner peace.

1) We should have a fixed time and place every day where we sit for meditation either in the morning and/or evening.

2) We should sit on a thin mattress for this exercise. The sitting pose or asana should be comfortable both for our mind and body.

3) We should then chant Omkar, the Universal Mantra glorified as 'Nada Brahma' at least 3 times but preferably 21 times. The mind under the influence of this divine sound slowly loses momentum and becomes more and more tranquil and steady.

4) The next step is to put the breath in rhythm. The easiest and the most effortless method is to watch the breath, thereby the process becomes normal, that is, longer and calmer. When we inhale, the breath sounds 'So' and when we exhale, it sounds 'Humm' which means 'He' i.e. "God" and 'I' respectively or "God am I".

5) Accordingly, synchronizing with these two breaths, imagine that the flame 'Jyot' is within us. Feel that the light of the flame is in our heart, right in the centre of the Lotus. Gently move the light to other parts of your body -- the stomach, the limbs, the eyes, the ears and the tongue. Feel that the entire body is illumined thereby. Rejoice that the light is the light of love; it removes hatred; it dispels darkness and doubt; it reveals that all are Divine.

6) As the light fills the eyes, you must feel that they have been purified. They shall no longer seek to look upon evil sights. When the light lights the tongue with love, decide that there is no more scope for uttering harsh words. Similarly, once the radiance of the divine light bathes the arms, they can no longer delight in performing harmful deeds while the feet can no longer move into polluting areas and places.

7) Now visualize the light as surrounding our physical body and spreading far out to family members, neighbours and even those whom we do not like. Every object is enveloped in that divine effulgence. Isavaasyam Idam Sarvam. All this is illumined by God. This is the stage of bliss.

8) In this manner, the ONE flame on which we concentrate can cleanse our mind and body and spread its light and radiance to include our entire environment.

9) Finally, take the Jyot on to the figure of our Ishta Devta or the Deity of you choice and/or fix our vision on the Jyot, and commence meditation or silent sitting for a few minutes, followed by Japa of our chosen Mantra with the full understanding of its meaning and firm faith in its power and benefits. It should be inter-woven with our breathing process of inhaling and exhaling.

Exercise on Jyoti Meditation. Instructions compiled from Sri Sathya Sai Discourses

1. Let us close the eyes and chant Omkar (OM) 3 times

To make the mind become tranquil and steady.

2. Keeping the eyes closed, let us put the breath in rhythm

To make it normal and calmer.

In our mind (mentally) repeat "SOHUM'. (1-2 mins.)

As we inhale mentally repeat "SO"

As we exhale mentally repeat "HUM". (1-2 mins.)

3. Let us mentally bathe the senses in the light

Look at the Jyoti, imagine that the flame is ablaze in the

Lotus of our heart. Having the beautiful feeling of LOVE.

Take the flame to the different parts of the body.

"Let not my eyes see evil

"Let not my ears hear evil or bad

"Let my tongue speak only sweet words

"Let my hands do only right things

"Let my legs be always moving towards places for good actions

and good work."

Now, bring the flame up the legs slowly, strengthening; up through

the stomach, cleansing; through to the eyes, taking away all the

darkness and out of the body through the head, purify us.

4. Open the eyes and look at the Jyoti. (2-3 mins.)

5. Now imagine the figure, of the form of your choice (Baba), for worshipping in the Jyoti. (2-3mins.)

6. Effortlessly repeat OM SAI RAM or your personal mantra. (2-3 mins.)

It should be natural and without tension. Relax.

7. Slowly close the eyes and meditate for a few minutes. (15-20 mins.)

8. Keep the eyes closed, stop repeating the mantra, or having the flame and form consciously. (2-3 mins.)

9. End meditation. Softly and slowly.

Om Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Lead me from untruth to truth

Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya
Lead me from darkness to light

Mrutyor Ma Amrutamgamaya
Lead me from death to immorality

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Peace Peace Peace

16/08/2022

' DIVINE DELIGHTS '

THE OMNISCIENT MASTER & OUR DIVINE GURU Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

By Mr. Mayur Pandya, An alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai University

If He chastised on one hand, He also counseled and corrected. Yoga classes were an integral part of our hostel curriculum. In fact, after I had joined Swami’s college, I learnt about Hatha yoga, the various yogasanas, and also about the Kundalini Shakti.

So I was really fascinated by it. I read a lot on the subject and I yearned for a mystic experience. Just around that time, Swami gave a luminous discourse about Jyothi Meditation. I really took it very seriously and set off on a determined mission of a transcendental expedition.

At that time, the main hostel building was completely occupied but the S. N. Singh block, next to that, was free. So I would go into one of the empty rooms there, lock the door, light a candle, and sit down for meditation. Initially, the candle flame kept flickering. So I took a 200 paged, hard cover note book and positioned it like a ‘V’ behind the flame so that the candle would not flicker and would continue to burn for at least an hour.

Months passed. I still had not got ‘that’ experience. Then one day while I was meditating, the flame became brighter and brighter, and much warmer. It got so hot suddenly that I opened my eyes thinking that this was ‘the experience’, only to see the card board, the candle and everything caught up in flames!

Evidently, the thick cover had caught fire, leaving behind only cinders of my unfulfilled aspirations. I was so thoroughly disappointed that I gave up the meditation.

One day, a few days later, I was standing in the portico along with 300 others, waiting for Swami. Those were the portico sessions, precursors to the Trayee sessions, wherein Swami would come down the stairs and spend a lot of time with the students in the portico, just before He went to the Sairam shed.

Swami would stand there, joke with all of us, and would spend so much time. We would vie with each other to grab that fragrant green creeper with the flower, which grew on the arches, and offer it to Swami. And Swami would smell the creeper and give it back.

That day, when Swami was standing in the portico, He suddenly said, “Eh Mayur, come here. Neeku knack ledu ra. Nuvvu crack ayi potadu (You do not have the knack. You have become a crack.)” I was completely taken aback, wondering why Swami was calling me such in front of so many people.

Then He called me closer and said, “If you go on staring at the candle, you are going to become a nervous wreck.” After this, He gave a beautiful discourse for an hour and a half on Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga. He spoke of the eight-fold path to yoga and emphasised that first the foundation had to be very strong. Only then could one progress to the higher stages.

This was really another telling incident of the Lord’s omniscience. I was thrilled because I was doing some wrong sadhana (spiritual practice) in a corner, unknown to anyone. But Swami, who was aware of everything, corrected and taught me in His own unique way.

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16/08/2022

Mindfulness For Stillness And Wellness

"Research shows that learning at an early age, especially till the age of 10, shapes our attitudes and personalities to a large extent. Hence in Bhagawan's primary school too, He has lovingly laid down in the curriculum a ten-minute silent sitting session before going to bed, right from grade 1 (age 6 years).

Meditation is thus a journey from sound to silence, from movement to stillness and from a limited identity to an unlimited space. Bhagawan has also included yogasanas and jyothi meditation in the curriculum. The importance of these habit-forming practices now dawns on us as a means to mindfulness and stillness in our lives.

Very often after a morning's startup of jyothi meditation (where students visualize the purifying light of God spreading to their entire body and then in ever-widening circles to their school, their country, the world and the cosmos), students commonly tell me that they are feeling particularly happy and at peace the whole day due to the poignant effect of the meditation. In my humble experience this is an unfailing tool that creates waves of positivity and purity in the classroom atmosphere.

Another dictum that Bhagawan spoke about to the kids whenever He came to school was “Play when you play, study when you study and pray when you pray.” How simply put but how illuminating!

Again a pointer that we should be mindful of every action during the day.

Unplugging ourselves from man-made devices or mind-made devices, thus, seems to be the key to using our minds effectively and sparingly. A short gap in our mental activity if dedicated to remembering His name or sitting silently a few times a day has far-reaching influence.

From ""Insights Gleaned At Swami's Primary School"" By Ms Yogita Mariwala
Sathya Sai Media Centre Archives"

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