'WHAT IS THE CENTRE OF YOUR LIFE?'

[Guest guest]

Dear Young Brothers and Sisters,

In this edition of Tender Hearts, we bring to you a very inspiring talk given in

Swami's Presence by a young student, in April 2003. He asks us.

 

'WHAT IS THE CENTRE OF YOUR LIFE?'

 

Let me begin by telling you a little story, a story of a tree. This species of

tree is supposed to be the largest and the highest in the plant kingdom. It is

called the Giant Redwood tree. This tree grows in certain parts of the North

American continent. This tree reaches the height of over a hundred feet. It's

girth is expansive, its strength is immense. In the bark of the tree is a

certain substance called tannin that gives it the red colour. Also, it gives the

tree a lot more security. Fire cannot burn this tree, nor can water wet it.

This tree is like each and every one of us in our youth - strong and invincible.

But what brings the downfall of this tree? This tree grows higher and higher.

Thereafter, it falls down because it cannot bear its own weight. Why? The tree

has shallow roots.

 

No matter what we are in our lives, no matter how strong, young and powerful we

are, if our roots are not deep enough, we will fall. Our Lord said this morning

that youth is the foundation of life. If this foundation is not strong enough,

if it does not go deep enough, the building of our life will collapse when even

a small earth-shake strikes.

 

Where should we base this foundation of our lives ? Generally we seek an

education as the base of this foundation. We think that education will give us

knowledge, wisdom and intelligence so that the foundation of our lives is

strong, so that we will be strong.

It was when we were primary school students in Swami's school. One day Swami

came to our school and said, " Boys! The education for which you have come here

is like idli and all that I teach you is like chutney. " One of the boys

remarked, " Swami, idli is supposed to be the main dish and chutney 'is only the

side dish. Your Love, Your teachings are like the idli and the worldly education

is like chutney. " To this, Swami replied, " Oh! No! " But the boys argued, " Swami,

you are more important to us. You are like the idli, the world is like the

chutney. " After some time. Swami looked at us with a smile and said, " See,

without the chutney, idli is bland, tasteless and useless. " Without Swami's

Love, without His teachings, without Swami in our lives, our lives are bland and

useless.

Let us ask ourselves, " What will be our lives without Swami? " Our roots will be

as shallow as those of the red wood tree. Any breeze will blow us down, even a

small gust of wind will bring us down to the earth.

 

In our lives, at this age, we always seek a good piece of earth where we can

strike our roots, we seek a centre of our lives. Many a time, the youngsters

outside choose a wrong centre for their lives.

I'll give you a small exercise. Just close your eyes and think for yourselves.

What is the thing that drives you every day? Who is the person that influences

every action of yours? Are our parents the centre of our lives? Or are our

friends the centre of our lives? Please remember, God is our only true friend.

In other words, what should be the centre of our lives? We need a centre that is

the strongest. We need Sai as the centre of our lives.

 

Dear brothers and sisters, we are very lucky. We are a generation on this earth

blessed with a very rare opportunity. Where has been an Avathar so easily

accessible to the millions, especially to people like us? If we make Him the

centre of our lives, our lives will acquire some value.

 

Jai Sairam

 

Volume 01: PDS / 07

Date : DEC 01 2003

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan