On tests

Got this from an old Bal Vikas magazine -- an extract from Swami's discourse to His students

"My dear students! Why should God test us? What does this test mean? It is not test but it is His taste. Unless you are tested, your determination will not be strong. You appear for four examinations per year. What are they meant for? They are not to trouble you but to develop your interest in the subjects. When you pass in the examination, you are promoted to a higher class. You will be tested even for entering higher studies. God also does the same. Whatever may be the test, you must clear it. Only then you attain a higher state. It is in fact to protect, not to trouble. It is not a punishment. but only a protection. Then why does God want to test when He knows everything?

There is no need for Him to test you as He knows your standard. Only the teacher tests you because he does not know about you. God knows that you are good but He tests in order to set an ideal for others. What you see is one and what God sees is another. God does not put everyone to test. He keeps protecting you. He is always there within you, beside you and around you to safeguard you. How can such a God test you?

But all your sins and shortcomings need to be washed away. We wash the tumbler both inside outside before using. Is it not enough if you wash inside? But, people outside also should see the cleanliness. He tests you in order to strengthen your patience and devotion. Even gold is tested. Everything is tested. Suppose you have been honoured by a degree or you apply for a job. They call you for an interview. Even the interview is an examination. The questions can be very tricky.

Once an interview was organised in the third floor of a building. The interviewers asked the person who was being interviewed, "How many steps have you climbed to reach the third floor of the building?" The boy was stunned. He said, "Sir, I did not count." He was rejected for this reason.

These tests are conducted in order to test your courage. Without test, you do not get rest. You should ask for tests. You have to face the tests and attain a higher stage. If you keep on pestering Swami that you do not want test, how can you go to a higher state? In order to progress ahead, you must face the tests and you should have the courage to face them. Even if you are weak or unfortunate, you must try to win. The Godward path is very hard to follow. Whatever happens, take it as God's will.

We must say, "Whatever You have given me, I offer it back to You. I did not bring anything with me." You may think that your mother and father have given you this body. They might have given birth to the body, but who put the heart in it? You may feed the body, but who is running the heart incessantly? Who is its Master? Who is the driving force behind the circulation of blood? 

God Himself takes care of everything that goes on in the body. The eye that is not even an inch long can clearly perceive the stars far away in the sky. Who has given this strength to the little eye? God has conferred upon you everything. However, you say everything is yours out of ego. This is the greatest ignorance. So, let God do Whatever He wants.

Give your mind to the Lord

If you focus only on the worldly gains, a time will come when you look back on your achievements and will yourself sigh at the futility of it. Entrust your mind the task of serving your Lord, before it is too late. Let Him shape it as He likes, and your mind will be tamed. You don’t have to hand over to the goldsmith an ornament that is quite beautiful. You give him broken and dented ones, or those that have gone out of fashion! So too willingly give the Lord your mind that certainly needs repair, if not complete reconstruction!

Sathya Sai Baba in a Divine Discourse delivered on Jan 1, 1964.
   

Everything that happens in the gift of grace

Take everything that happens to you as the Gift of Grace. Of course, on your path, you must act with all the skill and devotion you are capable of. Do this with as much sincerity as you worship God. Then, leave the result to the All-powerful, All-knowing, All-merciful God. Let whatever ensues ensue! Why do you hold yourself responsible? He prompted it, He got it done through you; He will give whatever result He feels He must!

-- Bhagawan Baba, in a discourse given on 27-3-1971

What is true Yajna

The term Yajna means ‘any activity dedicated to the glory of God’. Such activity can be done in all climes, in all realms, and by all races. The key to success is ‘dedication’. Without it, there will inevitably arise anxiety, fear and faction. 

Every activity in the world is directed unto God, whether you know it or not. If God is not the inspirer and motivator, how can the Universe be moving in harmony, wheeling so smoothly, without chaos and anarchy? Those who are aware of this fact and accept it, experience thrill and joy in witnessing it! Anyone who lives in the constant presence of God and does all acts dedicated to God is continuously engaged in Yajna. 

- Divine Discourse, Oct 11, 1972.

Offer yourself completely to God, to be merged in His Glory

Sai Inspires -- 19 Oct, 2012 http://media.radiosai.org/sai_inspires/2012/SI_20121019.htm

Cleanse the heart with the water of love and the detergents of prayer and contrition, so that the stains of desire will be removed. Then God will pour His Grace into it. If you yearn for God, you should give up attachment to the external world and to the body (Loka bhranthi and Deha bhranthi). There is no use trying to put one foot in one boat and another in a different boat. You may have been a spiritual aspirant for 20 or 25 years, but if you worry more about physical needs and comforts than meditation and spiritual progress, then the years of practice is of no value, as there has been no progress. The waving of the camphor flame (aarti) at the end of the prayer or bhajan session is to remind you that your sensual cravings must be burnt away without leaving any trace behind. You must offer yourself completely to God, to be merged in His Glory.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 8, 1966.

Make your choices wisely.

From Sai Inspires -- Oct 18, 2012 http://media.radiosai.org/sai_inspires/2012/SI_20121018.htm

A merchant was once brought before a magistrate for selling adulterated ghee (clarified butter). Judgment was pronounced and as a punishment he was asked to either consume the entire quantity of the foul ghee or receive 20 whips or pay a fine of 100 gold coins. He preferred the ghee and started drinking the stuff a little bit, but finding the smell unbearable, he then chose the stripes. He received a few but could not stand any more. So finally he pleaded with the magistrate to let him go with the fine and paid his dues. If only he had opted for this initially, he could have avoided the foul drink and the excruciating pain. By swaying in his decision, he had to taste the wreck and the rod. So too, most people do not opt for God in the beginning when grief overpowers them. They do not recognize the inevitability but eventually come to God, sooner or later. Make your choices wisely.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 8, 1966.

Do not yield to despair

If you are patient and calm, I shall grant you joy without fail. Do not yield to despair. Even the infant lotus buds will bloom, in their own good time. -- Baba