Sai Ram. Swami Sivananda Maharaj of Divine Life Society was a great Yogi and Master. His teachings are very insightful and I draw a lot of inspiration from them. I also found that the Masters are really One and help the disciples / devotees of other Masters as needed. Today, I had a problem with my fickle mind and see what I got from this great Master. May be it is useful to you too!

I bow to Sai and Swami Sivananda.

Swamy

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SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 5 JANUARY
PRESENCE OF MIND

Just reflect for a while when you have failed in an attempt. Try to be more careful in the next attempt. Try to remove those factors that led you to fail previously. Fortify yourself now. Be careful and vigilant. Be active and nimble as the squirrel. Be quick and at the same time be capable and efficient. Do not commit mistakes.

Call forth all your latent energies or dormant faculties. When the house is on fire - how alert you are. How skilfully and promptly you act at that particular moment. You do not know where the power and the energy are flowing from at that time. You are fully concentrated. You contrive by skilful methods, then and there, to save your property and the lives of those dwelling in the house. You do marvellous actions and then, when the difficulty is over you say that some mysterious `power of God' has worked through you!

Always cut the Gordian knot at once. Do not waste time. When once you have resolved on a definite line of action, carry it out dexterously, with a cool and calculating deliberation and consideration. Procrastination is the thief of time. One who procrastinates can never succeed in life, or in any of his undertakings.

The vast majority of persons, even so-called `educated' people, have no definite aim in life. They drift here and there like a log of wood on a restless ocean. They do not know what to do. After finishing their B.A. or M.A. courses students do not know how to proceed. They do not have power of judgment to select any good vocation that is suitable to their temperament, that will bring them prosperity in life. They become lazy. They are not suitable for any kind of speculative business or any kind of activity demanding knack, pluck and skill.

In persons of this sort, those who waste their time and energy, they finish their life's career in gloom, despair and sorrow. The energy, the intellect are there but they have no ideal, no clear-cut programme of life. Their life is a failure.

Clearly understand the purpose of life. Then chalk out the line of work that is congenial to your aim. Live up to your ideal. You can realise the ideal right now, this very second. But if you walk with faltering steps it will take ten years. The ideal must be there and then you can develop your will.

Sai Ram. Here are the Eleven Assurances of Sai Baba.

• Whosoever puts their feet on Shirdi soil, their sufferings will come to an end
• The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of the mosque
• I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body
• My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees
• I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb
• My mortal remains will speak from my tomb
• I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me
• If you look to me, I look to you
• If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it
• If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once
• There shall be no want in the house of my devotee

Sai Ram. It is a beautiful message from Sai Baba and the photo / graphic / visual is really appealing. I am glad to share that with all of you, especially since I got so much benefit from Sadguru Sai in the last few years of my life.

His devotee and servant,

Swamy