JOIN USExams – those dreaded tests most do not like to face – what are they really about? The word exam is short for examination.
An individual takes an examination to observe and scrutinise a situation. We examine our conscience to check on our behaviour. Are we living dharmically, for instance? The teacher gives an examination to investigate whether or not what is studied is understood. The dentist examines our teeth to evaluate their condition. It is not the inquisition that matters, perhaps, as much as the result.
Puttaparti Sai Baba has said, “One’s mental condition depends on his thoughts and circumstances. It is in this context that it has been said that the result of any action by you will depend on your state of mind.”He did not say the result of some actions is determined by the mind; he said the result of any action. Therefore, according to the Beloved Preceptor, it is necessary to keep the mind in check and to think positively – no matter what the circumstances. In this way, we maintain our inner peace.
Guru Sai’s mission: To love all and to serve all produced far-reaching effects. He served millions of sick and suffering people throughout the world.
In his formless state, he continues. His love for humanity is even appreciated by those who rejected him as God on earth. Yet, he condemned the act of doing volunteer work without love, simply for self aggrandizement.He said, “Efforts to serve must spring from agony at the suffering of others, and the service must be the genuine effort to get rid of that anguish. And there is another point to remember: do not worry about the result. Help as much as you can, as efficiently as you can, as lovingly as you can; leave the rest to God, who gave you the chance to serve.”
It is conventional to donate money to various causes, to attend charity functions, to even get tax reductions for such impersonal efforts. This type of donation is largely egoistic. Swami Sai asks for empathy and compassion so deep that we feel the distress of the sufferer. In order to do that it would seem that up close and personal contact might be necessary.
If someone thinks of herself highly or lowly, the thoughts must change. As stated by Sai, we cannot love others meaningfully until we love ourselves. The Beloved Avatar is clear, “In order to attain and experience divinity, it is necessary to have divine thoughts and divine actions. Many people pursue various paths to spirituality and expect results. At times, they are disappointed due to not attaining the results.
They get frustrated and disappointed. What is the reason? Every individual should know what sadhana (spiritual practices) is. Everyone has to examine whether he is obeying God’s commands or not. People behave in a wayward way and therefore do not get freedom. Everyone should know all things relating to sadhana. We consider sadhana as japa, bhajan, meditation, and etcetera. These are merely worldly physical practices.”