Be Like Jesus
The Good News of Jesus
in the words of Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Paperback, 212 pages, Rs 41
Set out in five parts and with 172 pages of text, this book is entirely composed from discourses and talks given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Every paragraph is referenced in the index like so:
So it is a simple matter to refer to the discourse in question (available in Sathya Sai Speaks, on the SSSBPT website, or on Radio Sai Global Harmony website).
Set out in five parts, the first part is titled The Coming of Jesus and has chapters dealing with Why God incarnates as Man, Jesus's Early Years and Jesus's Divine Mission. Jesus inspired everyone to be a light in the world, recalling the parable from Mark's gospel where Jesus told, "Do not hide your light under a bushel".
The second part covers the Teachings of Jesus and is spread over the universal aspects of Jesus' teachings, and the concept Beatitudes are used to delineate these teachings, as given in the divine discourses by Baba.
Traditionally, there are 8 beatitudes, sometimes called the Sermon on the Mount. In this book, nine beatidues are given:
- Blessed are the Humble, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven where Baba teaches Be like children, leave the ego behind to enter God's mansion, dedicate your life to God by serving society.
- Blessed are those who Mourn, for they shall be comforted where Baba teaches understand happiness and difficulties, give solace to those who are distressed, and know that in God there is no suffering.
- Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the Earth where Baba urges us to see true wealth, reduce ego desires and develop detachment, and to know your divine source.
- Blessed are the Righteous, for they shall be fulfilled where Baba spoke on developing morality and character, seeking of good company, and having unity of thought, word and deed (the foundation of human righteousness).
- Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain mercy wherein Baba addressed sanctifying life through compassionate action, recognition of good virtues in others, and planting the seeds of noble qualities.
- Blessed are the Pure of Heart, for they shall see God where Baba urged purifying heart and mind, knowing the the Kingdom of God is within you, and walking on the Godwards journey.
- Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they are Children of God where Baba spoke on fostering peace in the world, finding peace in the depths of the heart, and practising tolerance, forgiveness and understanding.
- Blessed are the Persecuted for the sake of Righteousness; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven where Baba spoke on fearlessness and courage, the two qualities of devotees of God, following your chosen path, and manifesting your inherent divinity.
- Blessed are the Slandered for the sake of God, for great is their reward in Heaven where Baba said to face criticism with equal-mindedness, to be unafraid of those who work against God, and to see God in all.
Other sections in this book are titled The Sacrifice of Jesus, The Oneness and Omnipresence of God, and Merging with Jesus. This book is both a work of art and a work of love. It is impeccably compiled, the translations and excepts from the divine discourses are excellent and it is simultaneously an inspiration, a reference book, an illustration of the unity of the world's religions and map of the journey home to very God.
Obtain from the Ashram Bookshop or Online Order. Link