VISION OF GOD

VISION OF GOD   "When the ego is completely surrendered at his feet, infinite bliss will ensue. The whole of worldly existence will be blissful when egotism vanishes." – Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita, Ch. 2, Ovi 64.   In 1945, Sadhu Vaswani visited Jamshedpur in response to an invitation to deliver a course of lectures on the Gita and Indian Culture. It was surprising to find how, in the highly materialistic atmosphere of India 's "City of Steel ", large numbers of people – men and women, young and old – gathered together every evening to listen to his talks. Indeed, there were several in whose heart was a genuine aspiration to live the true life, the life of communion with God and of fellowship with the poor. Some of them met Sadhu Vaswani and spoke to him of their spiritual aspirations. There was one such young man; he belonged to a good Parsi family; he held a high position in the Tata Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. His eyes were bright; his face was handsome; and the words he spoke have in them the sweetness of age and the vigour of youth. He regularly attended the meetings at which Sadhu Vaswani spoke and always occupied a seat in the front row.   One day, early in the morning, he came to Sadhu Vaswani and said to him, "Master! So bless me that I may have a vision of God."   In answer, Sadhu Vaswani merely smiled.   The young man spoke again, "Master! Tell me what I may do!"   Sadhu Vaswani smiled again and said, "You know it already. Live a pure life. Look upon none with lust. Injure no creatures. Be a devotee of Truth. Covet not. Be content with whatever God gives you. And incessantly repeat His Name."   "All this I have already done," the young man said, "but still I am far from God. I fain would see His Lotus Feet."   After a brief moment's pause, the young man continued, "Sri Ramakrishna blessed Vivekananda, and Vivekananda had a vision of God. You, Master, are my Ramakrishna and you, I am sure, will reveal God to me."   "I am not Ramakrishna," Sadhu Vaswani expostulated. "I but aspire to be a servant of the saints."   The young man would not listen. "I know it," he said. "You cannot hide it from me. You are Ramakrishna and you will reveal God to me."   Day after day, for four successive days, the young man came with same entreaty, "Master! Grant me the gift of a vision of God."   On the fourth day, Sadhu Vaswani said to him, "Will you do what I ask you to do?"   "I am yours," the young man said. "My life is yours. Order and I shall obey!"   "One simple thing let me ask you to do," Sadhu Vaswani said. "Go now to a barber's shop and have your head shaved clean. Then go to your office tomorrow and meet your clerks and your superiors with your head bare. Then come to me in the evening and I shall see what I can do for you."   The words struck the young man in the face with the force of a thunderbolt. "How can I lift up my face in their presence? And even, if I pass this ordeal, what if I do not get a vision of God? How silly I will look even to myself!" The young man did not turn up the next evening. He was conspicuous by his absence at the meetings which took place on the succeeding days.   Some time later, referring to this young man, Sadhu Vaswani said, "This young man had many qualities, but he had not renounced his ego. And it is the ego which stands between us and God.   "It is this petty self, this empirical 'I', which must be pulled to pieces before one may see God and speak to Him, as the humble, little gopis, of Brindaban did, five thousand years ago. They had no body consciousness. And so they danced in sheer delight as they listened to the music and melody of the Master's Flute, and tears rolled down their cheeks.   "The ego is the great barrier. When the ego goes, the light of God flows!"       http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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COME, LET US PRAY

COME, LET US PRAY   "I also agreed with them. I was very happy that the picture had come in time and I became occupied with it. I expressed my gratitude to them." – Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita, Ch. 40, Ovi 152.   Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg , lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.   Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.   After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.   They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg .   Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.   When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."   All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no."   Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg . It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."   One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."   The name of Durer's brother has been forgotten. But the picture of his hands – The Praying Hands – continue to speak to many the words which we all need today – "Come, let us pray!" for all those who are sacrificing their life and helping us.       http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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NOVEMBER 23 - Thanks but No Thanks

NOVEMBER 23 - Thanks but No Thanks     Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. — PSALM 136:1     I learned early on in my disability how important it is to say, "Thank you." So many people do so many things for me or to me. Someone has to help me into bed, help me out of bed, pour the coffee, get me dressed, brush my hair, brush my teeth, blow my nose . . . and I am quick to say, "Thank you for helping me." And I mean it. What's more, I say it a lot. The other day my friend Judy came into my office and asked if she could borrow ten dollars. I was busy and absentmindedly told her to take it out of my wallet, which she did. When I heard my purse snap shut, I automatically said in a cheery voice, "Thank you!" Judy gave me the strangest look and another friend standing nearby said, "What did you thank her for? She's the one who ought to thank you!" It was an odd thing for me to say, but I guess I'm just programmed to express my gratitude to people. Oh, were it only that way with the Lord Jesus! If only we were better "programmed" to be more grateful to God, to lift prayers countless of times during a day, saying, "Thank you, Lord, for this . . ." and "I am so grateful to you, Jesus, for that . . ."     The entire Psalm 136 is a litany of thanks to God and a wonderful portion of Scripture to recite on Thanksgiving Day. Plan a special celebration of gratitude with the family after dinner — make copies of Psalm 136 and go around the table, each person reading the first part of a verse, then everyone exclaiming the second part in unison, "His love endures forever!"     I give thanks to you, dear Father, for choosing me to be a part of your eternal family. I give thanks to you, precious Jesus, for rescuing me out of the kingdom of darkness through your death and resurrection. And I give thanks to you, Holy Spirit, for applying to me and all the church, every benefit of salvation.

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WHAT’S RIGHT AND WHAT’S WRONG IN YOUR LIFE?

WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S WRONG IN YOUR LIFE?     We all have dozens of things right and wrong in our lives. What one thing is going well for you today, and what one thing is a burden on your heart? It's important to get in the habit of clarifying the truth about your life, so you will learn to live more often in gratitude, as well as create the right solutions and support systems, when needed. In fact, learning to make realistic appraisals and recommendations for improvements is a valuable skill that will come in handy for completing God's plan for your life.     IS IT RIGHT OR IS IT WRONG?     Things fluctuate between right and wrong on a regular basis, so for today, it's okay to take a general approach to these two questions, cleverly disguised as one! How are your career, ministry, marriage, savings account, transportation, life purpose, and travel schedule? How are you doing with your inlaws, neighbor's pets, insurance rates, budget, salary, or interest rates? What about your perception of God and your trust in his love for you? How are your relationships, your random acts of kindness, or your hopes for a bright future? Anything going on with your health, spiritual growth, or child care arrangements? Dr. RoseAnne Coleman, founder of RoseAnne Coleman Ministries, loves honest appraisals.     ROSEANNE COLEMAN TELLS IT LIKE IT IS     RoseAnne's not-for-profit organization has been providing transitional crisis housing for women and their children since 1994. Her latest project is a property called Rose Hill, where RoseAnne hopes women soon can come to be quiet and listen to the Lord, as they sit on the porch swing or help tend the flowers. RoseAnne loves God's Word and telling others what she has found in it. For eighteen years, she has taught the Bible to groups, locally and around the world. She tries to live in the moment-by-moment reality of God's presence, knowing for a fact that the Lord cares about everything and everyone she meets. RoseAnne wishes she had amazing abilities, physical beauty, and a wonderful personality to lead others to the Lord, but instead she offers her honesty about her brokenness and struggles. Her joy is to show the Lord's incredible love, mercy, and presence to earthbound stumblers like herself.     What's right and what's wrong for RoseAnne? She admits that she is creative (not administrative); about a B+ on the personality scale; unable to remember where she just put her pen; and certain that her disorganized home will not be featured in Real Simple magazine. She is global in processing information and visual in learning. She says that, although she is not the poster child for motivational speakers or for the perfect Christian woman, she is beginning to realize how much God loves her and is humbled daily at his attention to her. It is in that astonished wonder that she tries to live.     RoseAnne says, "For years I had faith that God would provide my external needs but didn't trust him to heal the dark chaos of my heart. My mother, Melrose, helped with my problems until she died in 1999. Not long ago when I was struggling to trust God with a paralyzing weakness, I thought I heard Momma's sweet voice in my head. Although afraid I had had a sunstroke, I asked her, 'What have you learned in heaven?' Maybe God spoke his truth in the voice I trusted the most, for the words stunned and changed me forever: 'He is more faithful than you could imagine. You can trust him.' So daily I am trying to trust him to heal and transform what is wrong and broken in my life, and to thank him for what is right and holy."     What's Right in Your Life? What's Wrong in Your Life?   The Lame Man Had Something Wrong and Something Right in His Life     The lame man couldn't get into the pool to be healed when the waters stirred. However, the wonderful conclusion to his story has been told for centuries, giving the hope of Jesus' miraculous, albeit delayed, intervention to millions who think they have no hope. Read John 5:1–15. Have you or a friend ever thanked God for a "righted" wrong?     SCRIPTURE TO PONDER     However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. (Ecclesiastes 11:8)     SUGGESTED PRAYER     Dear Lord, however many years I, _________, may live, let me enjoy them all. But let me never forget the days of darkness that come because of our fallen world, for they will be many. I know that remembering the good and the bad, the right and the wrong in my life, will give me a broader perspective for gratitude and problem solving. I ask you to help me today to be more honest about what is right and wrong in my life. Lead me away from confusion and denial. Lead me into your truth and clarity, so that I will become more fruitful for you.     So . . . What Insight, Prayer, or Action Step Has God Laid on Your Heart Today?

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FOCUS ON ONE

FOCUS ON ONE   "Without any attachment to the perishable, absorbed in his own self, he concentrates on the single goal of the Supreme. Indescribable indeed was the state of his being." – Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita, Ch. 4, Ovi 46.   A mullah said to Guru Nanak, "You speak of the unity of all religions. You urge that Hindu and Muslim are both dear to Him whose children are we all. Then come with me and offer worship to Allah in the orthodox Muslim way; come and do namaz with me."   The Guru readily consents. The two together go to the mosque; and the priest (the mullah) shows to the prophet (the Guru) the way to pray! The mullah inserts his fingers into his ears and kneels down to pray; the mullah goes through the rituals. The Guru keeps on standing.   Then says the mullah, "Why are you standing there like a log of wood? Why don't you pray with me?"   The Guru smiles, and then gently says, "My brother! If only you prayed, I, too, would pray with you! But, as your lips uttered the sacred words, your mind, alas! Wandered to the stable where your mare is about to give birth to a foal. And you wondered about the colour of its skin! You wished it were white as wool!"   The mullah hears and understands the meaning of true prayer and need of focusing on the One and Only.     http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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