The Descent of God is for the Ascent of Man : JESUS CHRIST Part - 2
All religions and scriptures agree that going to the aid of fellow-beings in times of need and
saving them from distressing situations is the greatest virtue of a person. Every human being has
equal rights in the world. All belong to one family. To enjoy peace of mind, it is essential to
practice forbearance and equanimity. There are persons good and bad, rich and poor, educated
and uneducated in every country of the world. Though born in the same family and breathing the
same air, some persons are narrow minded and have crooked ideas and indulge in selfish deeds,
while others are good and selfless.
"Suhrudham Sarva bhuuthaanaam," "Ekaathma Sarvabhuutha antharaatma" are well known
aphorisms from the scriptures. To be friendly towards all beings is the duty of everyone, since
the same Aatma is there in all beings. Comprehending this truth, it is the duty of everyone born
as a human being to do good to others on the basis of love.
The one with the divine quality will be a Brahma-Nishtha or one engaged in the contemplation
of the Aatma within and will enjoy Aatmic bliss and sanctify every moment of his life by doing
good deeds. He realises that the same Aatma is them in all beings as the Antharaatma (Inner
Self) and leads a blissful life, discarding selfish thoughts. He is a Brahma Jnaani or Aatma
Jnaani, a realised soul, who is aware of the truth that revering others is revering the Lord and
hurting others is hurting the Lord. Such persons radiate divinity though they are in a human
body.
Though one sees his neighbours day after day, he
does not choose to love them. How can one believe that such a person can love an invisible God?
If a man cannot love a fellow human being who is visible before his eyes, how can he love what
is not visible to him? This is not possible. Only a man who loves living beings around him can
love the invisible Divine. Love must start with love for beings that have form. It must be
extended to all beings. This is the primary stage in spirituality.
Jesus was crucified on a Friday and He rose from the tomb on a Sunday. That is why Sunday is taken as the day of worship and service in churches. Catholics gave importance to Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ, while Protestants gave importance to the birth of Christ. Catholics celebrate Christmas by worshipping Mary on the evening of 24th and Protestants celebrate the birth of Christ on the 25th.
There is a custom of putting up a Christmas tree on this day and worshipping
it. The genesis of this custom can be traced to Germany. A preacher by name Jensen from
England once visited Germany. When he was travelling in Germany on his mission, he noticed
some Germans attempting to offer a child's life as sacrifice to propitiate God who, they believed,
lived in an oak tree. The priest was worried and questioned them why they were offering an
innocent child as sacrifice to a tree. As they asserted that God lived in the tree, he took an axe
and cut the tree. To his surprise, he was shaken by an inexplicable vibration from head to foot.
He noticed the form of a child between the two portions of the tree that was cut by him.
This incident teaches the truth that God lives not only in human beings but also in plants and trees. From that time onwards people started putting up a Christmas tree and worshipping it on this Christmas day.
Sinners into Saints
Never feel depressed when you are weighed down by difficulties. God will never impose on you ordeals that you cannot bear. He tests his devotees in various ways. Test is the taste of God. Never fear any test. Be ready to sacrifice even your life for the sake of God. Only then will God protect you.
Initially, Paul hated Jesus. One day Jesus appeared in his dream and asked him lovingly, “Paul, what harm have I done to you? Why do you criticise Me? All your travails are consequences of your own actions. I am not responsible for your suffering.”
Paul was transformed and attained sainthood. Thus, Jesus transformed many sinners into saints. Worship Jesus by following His ideals.
John and Jesus
Once, an angel appeared in the dream of John and handed him a book, asking him to read and digest its contents. Here, digestion means putting into practice the essence contained therin.
Vedanta says, “Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavathi (the knower of Brahman becomes Brahman himself.)” John resembled Jesus in all respects, because he constantly contemplated on Him. “As you think, so you become.” If you think of God incessantly, you will assume His form.
Sacrifice leads to Immortality
This message of truth must be taught to the entire world. Without pain, one does not realise the value of pleasure. The value of light can be realised only when there is darkness. This was the teaching of Jesus.
You see many people suffering. In what way are you helping them? Jesus opposed the practice of animal sacrifice in Jerusalem. As a result, he had to face strong opposition. People who help mankind are put to harm.
Jesus propagated the divine message of Love. He said, “Death is the dress of life.” So, He said, one has to give up body attachment and develop attachment to the spirit. Body is like a water bubble. It is merely a vesture of the individual soul.
The dualities of life such as pain and pleasure go hand in hand. One has to overcome difficulties to be successful in life. Give happiness to those who are suffering. Consider every activity as God’s work. Right from birth, man has been experiencing pain and pleasure. But, he is unable to realise that there is happiness in pain. What type of happiness? Is it related to the body or the mind? No. It is related to the Atma. Peace is essential for man at all the three levels: body, mind, and spirit. This is the reason we chant santhi (peace) three times. Man can attain peace at these three levels only by developing love for God. The one without love for God will never be peaceful. All worldly pleasures are fleeting momentary.
Jesus who attempted to rebuild mankind on the basis of Love was crucified by little men who feared that their tiny towers of hate and greed will be toppled by his teaching.
The ego has to sacrifice itself so that man's divine nature can manifest itself. "Mine" is death; 'not mine' is immortality. Renunciation results in peace. The golden key of non-attachment opens the lock which keeps the door to heaven shut. "Give up; I shall fill the gap" says Jesus.
Give up body attachment. The body is bound to change and will ultimately perish. God is the embodiment of Truth. Truth is that which does not change in all the three periods of time. One has to follow the path of truth to propagate the Principle of Truth and Divine Love. God loves those who follow the path of truth.
The Three Stages of Jesus
Jesus pointed to three stages.
The first one is “I am the Messenger of God.” He wanted to propagate the message of God.
The second one is, “I am the Son of God.” The son has a claim to father’s property. What is the property of God? Truth, love, forbearance, peace, and righteousness are the properties of God. So, man has to strive to attain these qualities. He has to practice, experience, and propagate these virtues. Only then does man deserve to be called Son of God.
The third one is “I and My Father are one.” This stage is attained when the principle of unity is realised. When Jesus reached this stage, He had no suffering at all. He was always blissful and was prepared for anything. Even at the time of crucifixion, he was smiling, because he realised that He was not the body. Body is bound to perish, but the indweller has no birth and death. Truly speaking, the indweller is God Himself. Jesus understood that the body was merely a vesture and He was the indweller.
What is happines?
Is it sitting in an air-conditioned room or partaking of delicious food? These confer happiness only at the physical and mental levels, not at the level of the Atma. True happiness is that which is related to the Atma.
You should not be afraid of difficulties; they are passing clouds. Do not waver. Follow the heart, which is steady and unwavering Unity of head, heart, and hand is essential for man. This is the true significance behind the Christians making cross sign. Install God in your heart. Contemplate on Him and undertake good deeds Consider every activity as God’s work and act accordingly.
The true message is the message of Love. Share love with everybody. There is no greater wealth than love.
Today, there are only a few who are propagating the message of God, but the majority of the people are doing just the opposite. Having been the recipient of divine love, man should propagate the same principle to his fellow men. This is what Jesus proclaimed at the time of leaving his mortal coil, “All are one, my dear son! Be alike to everyone.”
( Source - Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba )
Four kinds of potentialities of human beings
In every human being, there are four kinds of potentialities, namely, animal, demonic, human
and Divine.
The one with the divine quality will be a Brahma-Nishtha or one engaged in the contemplation
of the Aatma within and will enjoy Aatmic bliss and sanctify every moment of his life by doing
good deeds. He realises that the same Aatma is them in all beings as the Antharaatma (Inner
Self) and leads a blissful life, discarding selfish thoughts. He is a Brahma Jnaani or Aatma
Jnaani, a realised soul, who is aware of the truth that revering others is revering the Lord and
hurting others is hurting the Lord. Such persons radiate divinity though they are in a human
body.
The "human" type of persons follow the path of Truth and Righteousness--Sathya Dharma paro
marthyah. They are engaged in activities in strict accordance with Sathya and Dharma (Truth
and Righteousness), using their sense of discrimination in the fight manner. They discharge their
responsibilities without craving for position, power, pelf or fame. Such a person lives in harmony
with his fellow beings and discharges his duties with firm belief in the three precepts: fear of sin,
love of God and morality in society.
The next type is the demonic person. Such a person does not care for the code of conduct for
human beings, indulges in the shameless pursuit of sensual pleasures, is filled with ego and
pride, and does not hesitate to hurt others for selfish purposes. He goes on nonchalantly
committing sinful deeds. Egoism is his life breath and attachment is his backbone. Such a selfish
person is termed as demonic.
"Jnaana Viheenah Pashubhih Samaanaha" (The man lacking wisdom is like an animal). A
person who is steeped in ignorance is considered to be no better than an animal. Such a person's
life is centred only on sense gratification. His thoughts never go beyond the senses because of his
ignorance of the divinity within him. He deems the transient earthly pleasures as heavenly bliss
and lives in delusion devoid of discrimination.
Every man must make an effort to rise to humanness, shedding his animal and demonic qualities,
and then strive to realise his divine nature. Nowadays, we find that men are going down in the
reverse direction, from the human to the demonic and animal states.
What is
needed is the destruction of the animal and demonic qualities in man. Man today worships
inanimate idols and images, but makes no attempt to love his fellow human beings in flesh and
blood. This was the first message of Jesus.
Though one sees his neighbours day after day, he
does not choose to love them. How can one believe that such a person can love an invisible God?
If a man cannot love a fellow human being who is visible before his eyes, how can he love what
is not visible to him? This is not possible. Only a man who loves living beings around him can
love the invisible Divine. Love must start with love for beings that have form. It must be
extended to all beings. This is the primary stage in spirituality."God is in everyone. Do not revile anyone. Do not cause harm to anyone." This was Jesus's greatest message.
There are many who are deeply devoted to Jesus. Their duty is to glorify the great message of
Jesus. The most important message of Jesus is the establishment of "Peace on Earth and goodwill
among men." Without peace, mankind cannot achieve progress in any sphere---material, spiritual
or moral.
( Dear readers, if you missed to read the first part, you can read at the below link:
The genesis of the Christmas Tree
Jesus was crucified on a Friday and He rose from the tomb on a Sunday. That is why Sunday is taken as the day of worship and service in churches. Catholics gave importance to Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ, while Protestants gave importance to the birth of Christ. Catholics celebrate Christmas by worshipping Mary on the evening of 24th and Protestants celebrate the birth of Christ on the 25th.
This incident teaches the truth that God lives not only in human beings but also in plants and trees. From that time onwards people started putting up a Christmas tree and worshipping it on this Christmas day.
Sinners into Saints
Never feel depressed when you are weighed down by difficulties. God will never impose on you ordeals that you cannot bear. He tests his devotees in various ways. Test is the taste of God. Never fear any test. Be ready to sacrifice even your life for the sake of God. Only then will God protect you.
Initially, Paul hated Jesus. One day Jesus appeared in his dream and asked him lovingly, “Paul, what harm have I done to you? Why do you criticise Me? All your travails are consequences of your own actions. I am not responsible for your suffering.”
Paul was transformed and attained sainthood. Thus, Jesus transformed many sinners into saints. Worship Jesus by following His ideals.
John and Jesus
Once, an angel appeared in the dream of John and handed him a book, asking him to read and digest its contents. Here, digestion means putting into practice the essence contained therin.
Vedanta says, “Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavathi (the knower of Brahman becomes Brahman himself.)” John resembled Jesus in all respects, because he constantly contemplated on Him. “As you think, so you become.” If you think of God incessantly, you will assume His form.
Sacrifice leads to Immortality
This message of truth must be taught to the entire world. Without pain, one does not realise the value of pleasure. The value of light can be realised only when there is darkness. This was the teaching of Jesus.
You see many people suffering. In what way are you helping them? Jesus opposed the practice of animal sacrifice in Jerusalem. As a result, he had to face strong opposition. People who help mankind are put to harm.
Jesus propagated the divine message of Love. He said, “Death is the dress of life.” So, He said, one has to give up body attachment and develop attachment to the spirit. Body is like a water bubble. It is merely a vesture of the individual soul.
The dualities of life such as pain and pleasure go hand in hand. One has to overcome difficulties to be successful in life. Give happiness to those who are suffering. Consider every activity as God’s work. Right from birth, man has been experiencing pain and pleasure. But, he is unable to realise that there is happiness in pain. What type of happiness? Is it related to the body or the mind? No. It is related to the Atma. Peace is essential for man at all the three levels: body, mind, and spirit. This is the reason we chant santhi (peace) three times. Man can attain peace at these three levels only by developing love for God. The one without love for God will never be peaceful. All worldly pleasures are fleeting momentary.
Jesus who attempted to rebuild mankind on the basis of Love was crucified by little men who feared that their tiny towers of hate and greed will be toppled by his teaching.
The ego has to sacrifice itself so that man's divine nature can manifest itself. "Mine" is death; 'not mine' is immortality. Renunciation results in peace. The golden key of non-attachment opens the lock which keeps the door to heaven shut. "Give up; I shall fill the gap" says Jesus.
Give up body attachment. The body is bound to change and will ultimately perish. God is the embodiment of Truth. Truth is that which does not change in all the three periods of time. One has to follow the path of truth to propagate the Principle of Truth and Divine Love. God loves those who follow the path of truth.
The Three Stages of Jesus
Jesus pointed to three stages.
The first one is “I am the Messenger of God.” He wanted to propagate the message of God.
The second one is, “I am the Son of God.” The son has a claim to father’s property. What is the property of God? Truth, love, forbearance, peace, and righteousness are the properties of God. So, man has to strive to attain these qualities. He has to practice, experience, and propagate these virtues. Only then does man deserve to be called Son of God.
The third one is “I and My Father are one.” This stage is attained when the principle of unity is realised. When Jesus reached this stage, He had no suffering at all. He was always blissful and was prepared for anything. Even at the time of crucifixion, he was smiling, because he realised that He was not the body. Body is bound to perish, but the indweller has no birth and death. Truly speaking, the indweller is God Himself. Jesus understood that the body was merely a vesture and He was the indweller.
What is happines?
Is it sitting in an air-conditioned room or partaking of delicious food? These confer happiness only at the physical and mental levels, not at the level of the Atma. True happiness is that which is related to the Atma.
You should not be afraid of difficulties; they are passing clouds. Do not waver. Follow the heart, which is steady and unwavering Unity of head, heart, and hand is essential for man. This is the true significance behind the Christians making cross sign. Install God in your heart. Contemplate on Him and undertake good deeds Consider every activity as God’s work and act accordingly.
The true message is the message of Love. Share love with everybody. There is no greater wealth than love.
Today, there are only a few who are propagating the message of God, but the majority of the people are doing just the opposite. Having been the recipient of divine love, man should propagate the same principle to his fellow men. This is what Jesus proclaimed at the time of leaving his mortal coil, “All are one, my dear son! Be alike to everyone.”
( Source - Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba )
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