Thus spake Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba - 12.

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Thus spake Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba - 12

 

Devotion to the Lord is really a form of discipline for reaching the

goal. The seeker should not stop with the acquisition of devotion, nor

pay so much attention to the love he has for the Lord, but rather to the

love and grace the Lord bestows on him. One should always be eager to

find out what behaviour and what actions will be most pleasing to the

Lord. Inquire about that, yearn for that, and carry out the things that

will secure that objective. Whatever a devotee undertakes, plans or

observes should draw down the grace of God. The devotee should test

every thought and feeling on the touchstone of the Lord's declared

preferences.

 

Food is an important factor which determines the state of mind:

alertness and sloth, the worry and calm, the brightness and dullness of

man. When the mind is fed on Rajasic food that induces passion and

emotion, activity and adventure, it gallops into the world with the

plunge of desire! It brings man deeper into the morass of suffering.

When it is fed on Tamasic food, which dulls and induces sloth, the mind

becomes callous, inert and useless for uplifting man. Every activity of

man is dependent on the energy he derives from the intake of food. The

success of the Sadhana (spiritual exercises) that one undertakes depends

upon the quantity and quality of the food taken by the Sadhaka

(spiritual aspirant).

 

You should be prepared to face every challenge of life with courage.

Courage is the key to success. Life is bound to offer all kinds of

difficulties, but you should not quail before them. Face every ordeal

with fortitude. Nowadays, people get easily depressed and confused when

they encounter difficulties. Depression leads to frustration. This is

not the way to face the challenges of life. You should develop the

courage to go through the adventure of life. Adhering to truth,

cherishing love in your heart, cultivating fortitude, face life with

firm determination and steady vision. Such a life will result in

fulfillment. The rewards of life can only be got through strenuous

effort.