The Sai Teachings

There is only One God and He is omnipresent

Be good, Do good, See good - this is the way to God

Every life is a journey across time: from "I" to "We" to "He"

Make your emotions pure and your mind strong to resist the force of ignorance and the wiles of the senses, then you are assured of peace and joy

 

The Sai Teachings

Reigning in your senses is the sign of growing in Wisdom

Divert the boat of your Life to the lighthouse of Divine Love. You are then bound to gain the shore of Bliss

The one who discriminates well before engaging in any activity, will naturally be righteous in conduct and behaviour

Semonettes of Swami Sivananda

Let the Mind be on God

Do all your duties, but keep your mind on God. Know in your heart of hearts, nobody or nothing belongs to you – not your family, friends nor possessions.

A maid servant in the house of a rich man performs all the household duties, but her thoughts are fixed on her own home in her native village. She brings up her master’s children as if they were her own, but ultimately, knows that they do not belong to her at all.

So, do all your duties in the world lovingly, but keep your mind on God.

Double-Edged Sword

The tongue is a double-edged sword and use it with utmost caution. It eats, it speaks and can become a vicious enemy if not kept in check by the teeth. Be vigilant. The moment there is an impulse to use abusive words or to utter falsehood, fetter the tongue with the teeth and allow it not to wag. When the tongue craves for eating delicacies , shut your mouth and thus gain will-power.

You can make this arch enemy your great friend also – by making the tongue to repeat His Names constantly and earnestly sing His glories. You can gain control over speech. Keep your meditation room away from the kitchen. Then only, will you know how to drink the “Rama Rasam” and the tongue will not crave for “Rasam and Payasam”.

Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Delusion

While the insects jump into the blazing fire and the fish seizes the bait attached to the hook through sheer ignorance, man who is supposed to have discrimination and knowledge of right and wrong, man does not abandon sensual pleasures that are attended with various defects! How inscrutable is the power of Delusion!

Life is to Give

Know and realise that your faculty is intended for the good of others. Learn lessons from Nature. The various and innumerable products, like fruit, vegetables, gold, coal to name a few – all lay themselves bare for the use of Man. Man always takes but never gives. Let all learn and emulate from Nature and resolve that Life is to give and not to take.

Attain Final Emancipation

Truth is the seed; Celibacy is the root; Meditation is the rain; Shanti or Peace is the flower; Emancipation or Liberation is the fruit. Therefore, speak the truth, practise celibacy, cultivate peace and meditate regularly. You will surely attain final emancipation.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Message of Hope

Never despair, be always hopeful and you will succeed. Hope is the mother of Success. Hope gives you happiness and pushes you to sublime heights of splendour and glory. Hope inspires and encourages. Each one in this world rests on hope. In the end, the heart is the last organ that ceases to function. Hope is the last thing that dies in man. You live not on what you have, but on what you hope for.

Turn Your Gaze Within

Look into your own heart and find that Love. Cultivate it consciously and deliberately. Cast out the thorns and weeds. They have no place in this beautiful garden of your heart where the Lord dwells. You make great and expansive preparations for the reception of important guests. How much more preparation is necessary when receiving in the temple of your heart, the Lord of the universe.  

Banish Worry

Worry is uneasiness in Mind; the worry of business, of politics, of a householder. Worry kills a man and destroys his hopes of Life. It is like a cancer and eventually wears you out. Do not worry, it only harms you. The surest antidote for worry is to keep busy doing something useful. Do the best and leave the rest to God.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Yoga of Synthesis

Yoga is the attainment of the highest Divine knowledge through Conscious Communion with the Lord by controlling the senses and the mind.

A bird cannot fly without two wings. Though the bird may have two wings, yet it cannot fly without the tail. The tail balances and directs the bird to fly in the right direction and saves it from falling. The tail is Bhakti (Devotion) which balances the two wings, represented by Karma (Action) and Jnana (Wisdom). Karma, Bhakti and Jnana are necessary to make you perfect; and to develop the head (Wisdom), hand (Karma) and heart (Devotion), and help you in reaching the goal. May you all tread the path of Truth; attain perfection and integral development through the practice of the Yoga of Synthesis.

As You Think, so You Become

You sow an action and reap a habit. You sow a habit and reap a character. You sow a character and reap your destiny. Hence, destiny is of your own making. You have built it but you can also undo it. Entertain noble thoughts by changing your mode of thinking and do virtuous actions. Now you think you are the body; then start the anti-current of thought. Think that you are the all-pervading Brahman (God). Immortal Brahman will you become. This is an immutable law.

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Semonettes of Swami Sivananda

Electric Bulb and Man

The electric current in the wires is the same throughout an installation. The bulbs take the current from the wires according to their capacity and give brighter or dimmer light. Similarly, human beings are illumined by the Grace and Love of God according to the stage of evolution they have attained through the intensity of their devotion and meditation. At the highest level you will attain greatness and immortality.

Be Up and Doing

Let your determination manifest in action. Ideas get transformed into character by being lived. Therefore, be up and doing. Never accept defeat. Once you walk towards the Light, keep going forward. Go onward till the ideal of a perfect character is achieved. Be up and doing in the path of perfection.

Cogitate: Realise

Do not be discouraged by impediments and obstacles in life. Have steadfast faith in the Cosmic Order. Develop belief in the eternal and universal Justice. It is the prelude to success in life.

Sufferings are only experiences and lessons for self-correction. Faith foretells the shaping of the character and life. Never succumb to evil; your mind is the cause for your success or failure. Forbearance and self-surrender are your true guides. Plant faith deep in your hearts; synchronise your head and heart. Always be sincere in your thought, word and deed and thus Realise. 

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Semonettes of Swami Sivananda

God-Temptation

If you wish to wean the mind away from worldly temptations, place before it God-temptation. If tempted, let it be by God. If sight tempts you, then see Him everywhere. If ear tempts you, hear His name in all speech. If touch tempts you, feel you are touching His lotus-feet everywhere. If taste tempts you, know that He is the essence in all tastes. Give your whole mind to Him, without leaving any part of it for other temptations. Then the senses will die a natural death and ultimately, you will attain That eternal Bliss.

Sadhana or Spiritual Practice

The Divine Name

No one obtains liberation without the name of the Lord. Your highest duty is to repeat His Name always. The greatest of sinners can obtain God-realisation through the blessings of the Name. Meditate on God’s Name with the belief that the Name and the Named (God) are identical. The Name of God is the most potent, unfailing tonic and a sure panacea for all ills.

Put not the Cart before the Horse

Selfless service is the greatest purifying force on Earth. It is through such service that you can experience a wider consciousness and a higher life. All endeavour, contrary to this ideal, will only prove futile. Earnest and whole-hearted service forms the melting process to the base core of the egoistic self in man. To fancy one’s self fit for meditation and seclusion from the start is to put the cart before the horse.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananada

Life’s Elements

The salt of Life is selfless service; the bread of Life is universal love; the water of Life is purity; the sweetness of Life is devotion; the fragrance of Life is generosity; the pivot of Life is meditation; the goal of Life is Self-realisation.

Therefore, serve, love, be pure and generous, mediate and realise.

Be Good and Do Good

The fruits of Karma are hidden. When you do an evil action you do not feel anything. You think it is nothing. When you suffer and in acute agony, or overwhelmed by a serious catastrophe, you repent. You are actually seeing the fruits of a bad Karma, which were invisible till now. So, be always good and do good things.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

 Ethics

To Love: Desire for Liberation; company of the wise; selfless service

To shun: Miserliness; cruelty; petty-mindedness

To hate: Lust; anger; pride

To control: Tongue; temper; wandering mind

To renounce: Evil company; desires; fruit of action

To cultivate: Cosmic love; forgiveness; patience

To avoid: Falsehood; crookedness; back-biting

To admire: Honesty; frankness; charity

To adhere: Faith; unity; sacrifice

To synthesise: Yoga of Service, Devotion and Knowledge

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Pleasure and Pain

Pleasure and pain are the effects of virtue and vice. They are two kinds of emotions that pertain to the mind alone. Freedom from the body and mind is the real nature of the Self or Atman, being a silent witness to these emotions. Mind enjoys and mind suffers; the Atman has nothing to do with these; It is all Bliss.

The Path of the Pleasant

The senses have been created with a natural tendency to flow towards the objective Universe. This externalisation dissipates the rays of the Mind, weakens the Intellect and blinds the eye of intuitive Perception. Unity is falsely represented as Diversity. The untrue appears to be true – pain appears to be pleasure; and the shadow holds out greater charms than the Substance itself. This is the path the ignorant man pursues.

Who is Free?

The association with family members is like a chance meeting of travellers on a journey. They depart with the fall of each body. Just as a person casts of objects of his dream when he rises from sleep, so also he should be prepared to detach himself from them at any time. One, who reflecting thus lives at home without attachment and egoism is not bound by the home and is Free.   

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Earthly Life

Sensual Enjoyment

Sensual enjoyment is attended with various defects; pains, weaknesses, attachments, slave mentality, bad habits, cravings and mental restlessness among others. Therefore,  shun all sorts of sensual enjoyments. Enjoy and experience the unchanging, infinite and supreme happiness which must come from a Being in whom there is no change.

Obstacles to Self-Surrender

The strength and devotion depends upon the completeness of the self-surrender and sacrifice. The vast majority of us keep certain subtle desires for secret gratification, we do not grow in devotion. The two obstacles to self-surrender are desires and egoism.

Be Brave

Every difficulty is an opportunity to develop your will and grow strong – welcome it. Difficulties strengthen your will, augment your power of endurance and turn your mind towards God. This is the beginning of a new life, a life of expansion, glory and Divine splendour. Tread the spiritual path and realise: “I am the Immortal Self”.
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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

The State of “Samadhi”

The experience of fullness is called Samadhi. That blessed state in which the mystery of life is revealed, that serene and blessed state in which the meditator enters into a deep sleep, is “Nirvikalpa Samadhi”. Samadhi is an intense awareness of the Reality, the highest intuition which reveals to the meditator things as they are, in which eternal peace is experienced. It transcends duality of all kinds and is undisturbed by the ego, free from worry and enjoys complete satisfaction.

The Highest Experience

Spiritual experience cannot be described in words as language is imperfect and ambiguous. They are to be felt and raised by the aspirants. Experiences in the beginning vary, dependent upon the aspirant’s developmental stage. The highest experience is one and invariable; is that in which you become identical with the Absolute.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

The Pilgrimage

Life is a journey from impurity to purity, from hatred to cosmic love, from death to immortality, from slavery to freedom, from pain to eternal bliss, from diversity to unity, from ignorance to eternal wisdom, and from weakness to strength. Let every thought take you nearer to the Lord, every act further your evolution.

The Underlying Essence

He who give breath - gives strength, gives vigour to the senses, light to the intellect and force to the Prana, He is the Inner Ruler. He who is hiding Himself in the chambers of your heart is God. Nothing lies outside God. He is pure intelligence and has no necessity to perceive anything as an object. The whole world is within God, just as all your organs are within you.

Fruits of Spiritual Practice

Spiritual Practices will give you inner life; introspective inner vision and an unruffled state of mind under all conditions of life. You will become a changed being. You will have a new heart and a new vision too. A new spiritual current will encompass your entire being and you will experience spiritual Bliss. Even when you get a glimpse of Truth or the Supreme Being, your whole life will be changed. 

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Be Courageous

The spiritual aspirant is never helpless. The entire existence is supporting him in his arduous struggle, for he is searching for something which is True to all. One may dislike a certain thing of the world, but Truth can be hated by none. None can defeat him for he is the Immortal Spirit, the ruler of all.

Supreme Wealth

Everything will end well for those who are truthful, sincere and who rely on God. Throw your burden on Him and rest peacefully for ever. Forget all about the past and do not bother about domestic affairs. He, who takes care of the frog within the strata of the rock, will surely take care of all His creation. This is your supreme wealth.      

Goal of Life

First things First

Any number of zeroes have no intrinsic value unless the number 1 is added before them. Likewise, the material wealth accumulated is nothing if you do not try to acquire spiritual wealth and strive for Self-realisation. Therefore live in the Soul or the Self, within. Add the Divine to the life here. Seek first the Lord within. He is the fountain – Source of Divine riches, power and beauty.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

All about Saintliness

The beginning of Saintliness is killing of egoism. The end of Saintliness is Eternal life. The light of Saintliness is universal love. The garb of Saintliness is virtue. The mark of Saintliness is equal vision. The foundation of Saintliness is right conduct. May you become a Saint.

Key to Evolution

Grow; Evolve; Expand; Reflect; Meditate; Develop Pure Love. Obtain Wisdom (knowledge of the Self). Unfold the hidden treasures of spiritual consciousness latent in your heart.

Build up your Personality

Mould your character. Behave properly. Develop affection, sympathy, benevolence, tolerance and humility. Come out of your small, narrow, egoistic circle and have a broad vision. Speak gently and sweetly in a courteous manner. Eradicate undesirable thoughts and desires.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

The Adverbial Guides

Eat sparingly; breathe deeply; talk kindly; Work energetically; think usefully; persevere resolutely; act rightly; behave properly; speak politely; pray wholeheartedly; mediate seriously; Realise quickly

The Wise Aspirant

Vigilant among the careless; awake among the sleepers; reflective among the thoughtless; restrained among the indulgent, the wise aspirant boldly marches forward, reaches the goal now and here and attains Immortality and Eternal Bliss. Meditate earnestly now. Aspire. Be vigilant.

Faith and Reason

Do not argue about matters that are transcendental. Reason is finite and frail, and has its own limitations. It cannot cross the borders of the transcendental world, unable to realise the presence of the Lord. What is wanted is Faith. Faith can take you to realms where reason cannot enter. Have unshakeable faith and meditate. You will soon attain God-realisation.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

                                                  Selfless Service

Karma Yoga prepares the mind for the reception of Light and Knowledge. It is also an effective instrument for the attainment of purity of the mind and the heart. It removes all obstacles in the way of oneness and unity. Therefore do selfless service constantly and lovingly.

Saintliness

Self-Examination

A man in his ego-centric attitude sits in judgement on others conduct and ways, while, in himself are innumerable defects and frailties which need to be scrutinised and eradicated. We have a habit of ignoring our own weaknesses but see the same in others magnified as through a microscope. Let that same criticism aimed at others be directed towards ourselves. Let the pride with which one is obsessed, be laid in the dust.

Non-violence

There is no penance like the practice of “Ahimsa” or Non-violence; there is no vow like the vow of speaking the Truth; there is no discipline like that of controlling the senses. Mental renunciation is the first and most essential condition for the practice of non-violence. He who renounced desire for wealth, name and fame can practise non-violence.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Be Vigilant

Even to the very last, one should be vigilant against egoism. It raises its head in various ways and forms. Man is often deceived and side-tracked. Every aspirant should welcome insults and injuries. Everyone should learn to adapt, be humble and learn to introspect himself constantly and thus evolve quickly.

Sacrifice Pleasure to Secure Bliss

Spiritual pursuits and practices are really sweet but appear to be bitter. Sensual pursuits are really bitter though they appear to be sweet. This is due to perversion of the intellect caused by ignorance. Select some songs that you like from your scriptures and continue to sing and hum their tunes daily. In this way, you would have continuity of thoughts about God. May you always shine with Divine splendour and have inexhaustible wealth of the Lord, which is the common property of all mankind.

God-Vision is Thy Birth-right

Renunciation is the watchword. Self-realisation is the goal. Righteousness is the prop. The Bliss of Divinity is your birth-right. Knowledge of God is the only requisite for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Knowledge should become a living experience and not a mere belief. May the Lord bless you; May you all become sages.

Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

Service

Serve; Serve; Serve

This must be your motto. Never miss an opportunity to serve selflessly as it benefits those in need. We should always be aware that the Divine Spark is in each one of us. Ultimately, you serve God. Worship God in the poor and the sick and serve with intense love. Give your hands to the work and the mind to God. You will attain supreme Peace, Bliss and Immortality.

Truth

There is no religion, virtue, or treasure higher than Truth. God is Truth. Truth is God. The Truth speaks inwardly without noise of words, the language of silence. It is the subtle voice of God. A clear conscience gives joy and peace.

No Faith, No Knowledge

The goal of life is God-realisation. Life is faith and illumination. No faith, no devotion and no knowledge of God. Bad company, lust, greed, infatuated love for family, money and unwholesome food are enemies of faith. Meditate. Realise intuitively now and enjoy bliss of God.
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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

                                                                  The Soul

Control the Tongue

The tongue is a double-edged sword and is the most turbulent and powerful of all the senses. Words possess tremendous power: by words you can encourage, cheer, displease or ruin others. So, use sweet words always and conquer the hearts of others. Be careful in its selection and never use harsh words to hurt the feelings of people. Speak the truth at any cost and practise austerity of speech if you really want quick progress in meditation.

Introspect

Watch your mind and thoughts and practise self-analysis. Be humble and simple and avoid evil company. Remove arrogance, self-conceit and laziness. Be sincere and serve all with love. Respect your parents and elders. Have perfect trust in God and Divine Grace will descend upon you.

Health

Wholesome food (vegetarian), pure air and water, physical exercise and outdoor activities contribute to the maintenance of good health, strength, vigour and vitality. Regular practise of Yogic exercises will give you abundant energy, nerve-power and longevity.  Brain, muscles, organs and tissues are toned and energised. Good health is a requisite for a balanced mind and sound body.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

                                                                   The Soul

Be Self-controlled

Spiritual life is actually living in God. It is a life of fullness and perfection; a transcendental experience of unalloyed Bliss. Be self-controlled, be just, noble and impartial. Cultivate peace in the garden of your heart by removing the weeds of lust, hatred, greed, selfishness and jealousy. Know that you are one with God.

Divine Awakeners

Trials and tribulations do not make a sincere devotee lose his faith in God. Love is imperishable and the ultimate Truth. Love is the greatest power in this planet and the basis of life. It is the essence of religion. Build your life on the great ideals of selfless service and all other ideals will manifest in life through these. Keep the mind fully occupied and aim at perfection. Fear not, grieve not, worry not – be cautious, vigilant, reflect and meditate. A sincere prayer gives tremendous strength and removes all evil thoughts.

Anger

Anger begets eight kinds of vices and all evil qualities proceed from anger. If you eradicate anger, all bad qualities will die by themselves. It is anger that brings destruction to a man. An aspirant should have perfect control over his temper. Watch the mind carefully; divert the mind immediately and keep it fully occupied whenever agitation sets in and your temper flares. You may fail several times, but gradually you will gain strength and anger will disappear.

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Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda

                                                                      The Soul

Have Confidence in Yourself

Understand clearly the aim of your life and do work that is congenial to your aim. Work hard to live up to and realise your ideal. Remove a careless and forgetful attitude – have confidence in your own powers and faculties. Keep up your mental poise amidst all changes that may affect you, without consideration of its results. Have the mind rooted in God throughout your daily activities and with intense concentration kindle the fire of devotion.

Be Self-controlled

Spiritual life is actually living in God. It is a life of fullness and perfection; a transcendental experience of unalloyed Bliss. Be self-controlled, be just, noble and impartial. Cultivate peace in the garden of your heart by removing the weeds of lust, hatred, greed, selfishness and jealousy. Know that you are one with God.

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