Sathya Sai Baba The World-Avatar Teaching and Revelations

Relationship between Humans and God
There are many types of breath control but since in this present world
most types are impossible to practice, only those that help for meditation
have to be adopted, They are simplified systems of breath control.
(...)
Two seconds inhalation, four seconds exhalation, eight seconds stop
breathing - in this series breath control has to be practiced carefully for
three months: later the duration of the time can be doubled. When six
months are spent in this steady practice, the activities of the senses
are laid low. If practiced with faith and feeling, breath control will tame
the agitations of the mind; otherwise, it becomes mere physical exercise,
improving just physical health. Pure food, living In solitude, moderate
speech-these conditions too have to be strictly observed. (27-95/
96)
If you plead that you have no time to spare for spiritual practice and
meditation, I will say that it is but laziness that makes you argue so.
How can any lower task claim the time that is legitimately the right of
the one task for which man is born? Rise everyday as if you are rising
from death. Say: "Thus am I born, make me speak soft sweet words,
behave coolly and comfortingly towards all, do deeds that shower happiness
on all, form Ideals which are beneficial to all. May this day be
worth while for thy service." - Pray like this, sitting on your bed, before
you start the day’s schedule. (27-98)
There is, in this world, no spiritual practice higher than fortitude, no,
happiness greater than contentment, no earnings holier than mercy,
no weapon more effective than patience. (4-71)
Above all, it is best that the devotee should be under all circumstances,
joyful, smiling and enthusiastic. Even more than devotion and wisdom,
this pure attitude is desirable. Those who have acquired it deserve to
reach the goal first. This quality of joy at all times is the fruit of good
done in past births. When a person is ever worried, depressed, doubting,
he can never attain bliss, whatever spiritual discipline he may do.
The first task of a devotee is the cultivation of enthusiasm. Through
that enthusiasm, he can derive any variety of bliss. Never get inflated
when you are praised; never get deflated when you re blamed. (4-74/
75)
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