Book Notes
Man's Journey to Love and Peace
The title of this book captures the purpose for writing perfectly: a series of writings about the journey to love and peace. A devotionally inspiring book which covers themes ranging from the journey through life, the task, being a lightworker in the world, self knowledge, the goal, self confidence, perceiving the world, and self discovery on the journey. The book is well rounded off with a selection of divine discourses which address the themes of this book.
In the first chapter, Mata Betty of New Zealand writes, "In the light of Love, there is nothing more you need to know". In many respects, this is self revealing of Mata Betty, that here was one devotee setting the example and guiding other devotees towards the very source of Love, Sri Sathya Sai. Above all, Mata Betty drums it in: the source of love is verily within. Seek it with silent sitting, prayer and service. You will know this love.
It is refreshing to be reminded that thoughts are energy. Thoughts, words and deeds affect everyone. They affect us, the doer, and they affect the environment and the people around us. Swami tells,
Love is the natural state and all other contrary emotions are unnatural. Therefore, when you send a wave of spontaneous Love to a person, it is bound to strike some chord in him or her. When you go on showering Love, it will slowly begin to cleanse and purify and soon the undesirable traits will be weeded out and goodness will shine through. The Bliss that can be derived from unselfish scattering of Love is a rare elevating experience. It is a very valuable spiritual practice.
The spiritual path is not 'roses, roses all the way, with myrtles mixed in your path like mad', as the poet Browning wrote. Mata Betty reminds her reader that there are obstacles on the path. Resistance is necessary. Obstacles are necessary!!! writes Mata. It is the nature of Avatars and divine personages to attract calumny and criticism. The world does not know how to experience them, and so pulls them down with all types of criticism and difficulty. Devotees also experience resistance and difficulty, from within. The wayward mind, and the hidden demonic traits within create obstacles on the path. The Lord Sai, of his unique graciousness revealed to us the secrets of creation: "I separated myself from myself, so I could love myself". Being-Awareness-Bliss are in the recognition by the Self of the Self, its very own Self. For that, the lotus petal has to rise above the mud and the water and open to receive the Sun.
In an unusual devotional book, Mata Betty addresses the reader, the devotee with directness and love. Thus her courage infused with love shines. She writes, "There is an energy power greater than our physical selves which manifests within us as well as everywhere else in the universe." It is a salutary reminder of the 27 billion cells of the Atma which comprise the human body, and comprise every speck of sand, every speck of dust, every insect, flower, tree, animal, concrete, steel, rubber, why, verily all creation itself. Thus Mata Betty writes: "May you inspire many with your spiritual example, to teach the purpose of life is evolution; through self effort into God consciousness".
In an interesting metaphor on the daily meditation on light, Mata Betty writes:
When one takes a small stone and throws it into a well, a wave will start from the point the stone hit the water. The waves will only travel to the edge of the well. In the same way one should throw the stone of good thoughts into the pond of the mind. The waves created in our mind will spread to the eyes and we will see only good things. The waves will reach the ears and the mouth, then our hands, and only good things will be heard and said, and hands will work for the good of humanity, and become waves of goodness.
Taking up the rosary and prayer, Mata Betty writes that when we pray, every cell in our body is praying, even our very breathing is praying. He is the doer, He is the receiver, He is the all-in-all, seeking yet, His own Self, within. To emphasise this further, Mata Betty writes: "You cannot tune in or connect with God by anyone else's assurance." This, probably, is the most precious gift of all to devotees. Sai Baba gives his very own self to devotees; there are no priests, no Brahmins, no rituals between the devotee and God; all go by that direct route to the divine. As Mata Betty writes, "Precious memories in the stillness of midnight linger and fill our souls. Precious sacred scenes unfold in your silent sitting." Prayer and silent sitting is heart to heart with God.
The one precious gem of this book is probably where Mata Betty likens the spiritual journey to being pushed out of the nest. "Can you imagine how a tiny eagle feels when he is forced out of his nest and pushed over a cliff? Imagine the questions as he realises it is his mother doing this to him". As Mata Betty points out, your achievements in the world make no difference when God stirs up your nest. It is a confusing, isolated, and anxious journey learning to fly with the Divine, live with the Divine, and recognise the Divine as the doer of all your action. YOU do nothing. It is also, at times a lonely journey, for the only companion you have on the journey is Sathya Sai himself. None other can understand the road, the difficulty, the stages you are at. Mata concludes this little writing with "Be wise and careful how you live ... Your goodness is a mirror of God's love, and you will reflect this to all who come in your orbit".
A most unusual book in it's direct advice and guidance to devotees. It is also a book of discipline, and ceaseless repetition of the one fact: your goal in life is the experience and consciousness of your divine reality. Not an academic read, but rather, a spiritual refresher course. Revisiting our foundations, as and when spirit prompts.
$9 (includes postage and packaging) from Sai Books, 24 Kenilworth Ave, Wonga Park, 3115,
Margaret and Randall McDonald
email books [at] saiaustralia.org.au
Phone (03)9722 1740