When humanity loses the notion of humanity and virtues such as truthfulness, goodness, purity, mercy, patience, tolerance, and nonviolence start vanishing, gods appear among us. Yes, gods. They take human incarnations solely to preserve the universal order and to direct humanity towards the Truth. In many places, they speak the same in their way. Those who have ears to hear and eyes to see, experience profound transformations. Gods among us are just guides and the place they are trying to take us to is ourselves. There are many traps and challenges, but their consciousness protects us from fall. “You are what you are looking for. ” Without the ego, without concepts, without karmic baggage.  Achieving this means hard work. We must first unlearn to start from scratch.  And only when one asks: “Who am I?” Questions like, “Why am I? “What is my purpose?”, follow.

The journey to yourself is not easy.

People of God are there to remind us of things we already know but have forgotten. They are there to show us where to look. Let us recall a few.

Sai Baba of Shirdi

Baba always emphasized that saburi (patience)

and shraddha (faith) are values to be nurtured by every

spiritual seeker.

“Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them, with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah (courtyard) to strangers for sitting and resting.”

 

Sathya Sai Baba

The essence of Baba’s teachings is duty, discipline, and devotion.

Discipline in relationship with self, duty in relations

with society, and devotion in relationship with God.

“Nations are many, but Earth is one; 

 Beings are many, but Breath is one; 

Stars are many, but Sky is one; 

Oceans are many, but Water is one; 

Religions are many, but God is one; 

Jewels are many, but Gold is one; 

Appearances are many, but Reality is One.” 

 

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis encouraged the highest human values, showing

that we should treat all beings like humans. He loved preaching to animals and addressed them with “brothers” and “sisters”.

From the story, written by Thomas of Celano, a member of the Franciscan order and a friend of St. Francis, it is evident how much love he shared with even the tiniest creatures.

A cricket lived in a fig tree by the cell of the holy one of God at the

Portiuncula, and it would sing frequently with its usual sweetness. Once the

blessed father stretched out his hand to it and gently called it to him: ‘My

Sister Cricket, come to me!’ And the cricket, as if it had a reason,

immediately climbed onto his hand. He said to it: ‘Sing, my sister cricket, and

with joyful song praise the Lord your Creator!’ The cricket, obeying without

delay, began to chirp, and did not stop singing until the man of God, mixing

his songs with its praise, told it to return to its usual place. There it

remained constantly for eight days as if tied to the spot. Whenever the saint

would come down from the cell he would always touch it with his hands and

command it to sing, and it was always eager to obey his commands. And the saint

said to his companions: ‘Let us permit our sister cricket to leave, who has up

to now made us so happy with her praises, so that our flesh may not boast

vainly in any way.’ And as soon as it had received permission, the cricket went

away.”

 

Sri Anandamayi Ma

From early childhood, Ma was intoxicated with God. She spent her life helping many reach self-realization.

No matter what path anyone may choose it is

that. Vedanta means the end of difference and

non-difference. While engaging in sadhana (spiritual practice) one must

concentrate in a single direction; but after it has been completed, what comes

then? The cessation of difference, distinction, and disagreement. Differences

do indeed exist on the path, but how can there be a difference of goal?” 

Not everyone has to meditate or have a spiritual master by their side, but if we are seekers, not just tourists in spirituality, connecting with the gods among us helps us reach the goal faster. There is a beautiful word for that – satsang- to be in a good company, a company of Light. And each of us can do that. At least by watching movies that encourage our spiritual growth.

 

BARAKA

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/

A GLIMPSE INTO THE DIVINE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pux1v6U6z-Y

SAI BABA’S DEVOTEE SPEAKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CELeXLWiis

RAM DASS, FIERCE GRACE

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310951/

 

Let us lose ourselves in love, and start treasuring the world in unity and our uniqueness.

 

Author: Lea Kosovac, TAT editorial team

 

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