Maya

Whatever we feel, enjoy and experience is the influence of Maya.  It is the powerful sway of Maya that delude humankind to mistake the impermanent as permanent, the unreal for the real and causes to identify ourselves with our bodies, mind and intellect.  Such identifications increase our desires and attachment and result in suffering, requiring even more births to attain our goals.  

We must develop a firm determination to escape from the grip of Maya through deep devotion to God.  Once our minds are fixated on God, we will not be affected by the power of Maya.  But to reach this state is immensely difficult. Only mind with utter renunciation and firmness of purpose can reach this state.  Nevertheless, we should not waver from our goal to achieve this state of being.

 - Jagadguru Sri Sharavana Baba

Powers

All powers including those of desire, speech, wisdom and action actually reside inside you.  Lord Brahma represents thought, Lord Vishnu represents speech and Lord Shiva represent action.  We need self-confidence and body power.  Presist with meditation, it is in meditation  that we develop these powers. Meditation, chanting and worship are needed to realize and conquer the inside.  Know that it is possible to live like a lotus in this world.  

                 - Jagadguru Sri Sharavana Baba

God's Grace

Every human being has his or her own style.  Irrespective of what your own style is, know that it must be good and have God's grace.  In a bus, there is a driver, conductor and cleaner.  Each has their job to do and it is separated by the function that each performs.  Similarly, we need to perform and complete the task allotted to us.  We cannot do all of them on our own.  We need help from others.  It is God's grace that ensures that the requisite help arrives on time.

 - Jagadguru Sri Sharavana Baba

Presence of God

See God in everything and everybody.  Expand your heart and expand your consciousness! If you offer a banana to Lord Hanuman, He will eat it only if it has the name of Lord Rama inscribed upon it.  Discover the presence of God! Respect everybody!

 - Jagadguru Sri Sharavana Baba

Help

Help those in distress!  This is genuine service to God! Feed a beggar at least once a year!  If you feed a beggar, God gives you everything! Serve the beggar and go to God!  Lord Murugan is portrayed as a pauper at Palani, but He is portrayed as a prince in Trichendur.  Feed the pauper and receive prasadam from God.  Feed them with love.  You will gain what you have lost!  

 - Jagadguru Sri Sharavana Baba

Difficulties

Conquer difficulties, be like Sri Rama and Seetha Devi.  Sri Rama was exiled to the forest, yet he did not flinch in performing his duties.  Even though he was an incarnation of God, he had to undergo tremendous suffering.  Your belief in your Self is your first Guru.  It is only with such belief that you can approach a Guru.

 - Jagadguru Sri Sharavana Baba