Sathya Sai Baba The World-Avatar Teaching and Revelations

peace are on the increase; this is more evidence of the grace that the
Avatar showers. There is enormous interest, not only in India, but all
over the world in the methods adopted by the Rishis of this land to acquire
peace, through love and spiritual exercise, righteousness and
truth. Ten or fifteen years ago, attendance at discourses on religious
subjects was very sparse, only a handful of old men and women! But
now, we see thousands and lakhs, coming from long distances and sitting
through long hours, eager and attentive! And, a large majority are
young! Youth is eager to share the heritage of the past, so that it may
build a better future for itself. 14.10.69, (21-116)
When you live the life of spiritual discipline, you will find opposition
from various sources. But, do not give it any importance. (...)
Do not be cowed down by cynics critics, who may be in your family.
Public opinion, might decry the spiritual path and subject you to ridicule
or worse. (...)
Another obstacle is from the worshipper of names and forms different
from those which you have adopted. People who are attached to a particular
name and form, either through preference or mere fancy are
prone to persecute those who adore other names and forms. 22.11.69,
(21-187)
The nine steps in the pilgrimage of man towards God along the path
of dedication and surrender are
1. Developing a desire to listen to the glory and grandeur of the
handiwork of God and of the various awe-inspring manifestations
of Divinity. This is the starting point. It is by hearing about
the Lord again and again, that you can transform yourselves
into Divinity.
2. Singing to oneself about the Lord, in praise of his magnificence
and manifold exploits
3. Dwelling on the Lord in the mind, revelling in the contemplation
of his beauty, majesty and compassion.
4. Worship of the Lord, by concentrating on honouring the feet or
foot-prints.
5. This develops into a total propitiation of the Lord, and systematic
ritualistic worship, in which the aspirant gets inner satisfaction
and inspiration.
6. The aspirant begins to see the favourite form of God in all
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