1. Daily Meditation and Prayer

Whatever religion one belongs to, whatever your spiritual heritage, the necessity to still the mind, to control the vagaries of thoughts, to make the "monkey mind" do our bidding and not what it wills, is a basic spiritual practice.

Divinity resides and reflects in man - but we are unable to see this reflection of Divinity in our consciousness because the lake of our mind is subject to incessant storms, its surface ripped apart by wild lashing waves. Only when the waters of the lake are still, can the reflection of the moon be seen on its surface -likewise the reflection of Divinity on the calm surface of our consciousness.

But if we merely do meditation and still our mind - is this enough? The reflection of the moon will not be seen, even in the still water, if the waters of the lake are filled with dirt and pollutants. Thus, two qualities are required to see the reflection of the moon:

(a) The surface of the water must be still, and
(b) the lake must be free from dirt, debris, froth and pollutants.

Sai Baba has placed meditation as the first point of the code for those who wish to glimpse the Divine within; - however stilling the mind (the waters of the lake) is not enough - a recycling plant must be erected beside the lake to clean the water. Other points of the code of conduct relate to this process of 'cleansing the water'- not only for ourselves but for our family members also.

Sai Baba in various discourses has instructed devotees on the 'light' mediation. Devotees wishing to pursue this form of meditation and its technique should make attempts to listen to tapes/cassettes that are available or read books on it.

And what of prayer? Pray in whatever is way familiar to you, this will reinforce your meditation. You can chant mantras, sing devotional songs, traditional hymns or just speak to God in your own way, whatever makes you feel closer to Him and makes you truly feel that you are communicating with Him.

We can do this silently, or quietly so that others hearing your prayers may benefit by thinking of God at least momentarily. Your chants/prayers at home will help to create positive and divine vibrations in the environment and be of benefit to those who live in your house. But most important of all do not take this daily task as a burden, something you carry around your neck like the proverbial albatross.

Prayers, devotional singing should be done joyously, providing a sense of uplifting -lightness. God is 'Bliss'-'Joy'-'Peace' and when you think of Him and sing or speak HIS name the same Bliss, Joy and Peace should fill your being, if this does not happen something is wrong with your attitude or method of prayer, reflect on this and adjust yourself accordingly.

The hunger to communicate with God - should be equal to the hunger that we experience to fill our stomachs. We eat 3 or 4 times a day for our bodily health, or to satisfy bodily hunger, pray at least twice a day to feed the 'soul' or the inner being. There will come a time when every moment, every act, every word, is a form of communication with God.