Truth of all religions is the same

There are many roads to Bangalore. You may want to approach the City from the North, the South, the East or the West.

Some are shorter and some longer, and some are crowded and some less crowded. But the truth is indisputable that they are all legitimate and all lead to the same destination.

The same is true of all religions and spiritual traditions. Despite their seeming differences, they are alike in the goal they set themselves.

The late Sathya Sai Baba expressed the matter beautifully: “All religions exhort man to cleanse the heart of malice, greed, hate and anger. All religions hold out the gift of grace as the prize for success in this cleansing process. Ideas of superiority and inferiority arise only in a heart corrupted by egoism. If someone argues that he is higher or that his religion is holier, it is proof that he has missed the very core of his faith. Sadhana will reveal the unity in the fundamental teachings of all religions.”

Sadhana means spiritual practice. Why is it necessary? “Sadhana,” said Sai, “will disclose to you your true identity as one with God. But be careful; sadhana can foster pride and envy as a by-product of progress. You are tempted to look down on another whose record is less. You are proud that you have written the name of God ten million times perhaps; you talk about it whenever you get the chance so that others may admire your faith and fortitude.”

“But it is not the millions that count; it is the purity of mind that results from genuine concentration on the Name. You must make sure that your sadhana does not become like drawing water from a well with a cane basket. You will get no water this way, no matter how many times you pull the basket up. Your vices are the holes in the basket. Keep the heart pure, keep it whole.”  Irrespective of the intensity of sins committed in ignorance, there is always a way to God. His arms are forever open if there is genuine repentance.