Jyoti (Light) Meditation

Flame that kindles and flames kindled are identical

1. During the Festival of lights (Deepawali), we keep a row of candles and with one candle, we light all others. With one flame, we are able to kindle myriad others. The flame that kindles is called Para-brahma jyoti (The eternal, universal flame) and the flames that are kindled are called Jivan jyoti (individual, particular flame). In the end, the flame that kindles and the flames kindled are identical. Ultimately, these two flames are recognized to be identical; it is said that the one who knows Brahman will ultimately become Brahman Himself (“Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati”). Therefore, Jyoti Meditation (Meditation using the flame) is the highest type of meditation. [Sathya Sai Baba – Excerpts from discourse on: 05-25-1979]

2. This body goes on changing, but the flame does not undergo any changes. A small example to show this – You have a tub full of water. If one keeps taking a tumbler full of water from this tub, there will be a time when there will not be any water in the tub. At one place we have dumped a truck-load full of sand. If each person carries away a basket full of sand, eventually, there will not be any sand. But, out of one single flame, one can light a million flame and still the original flame will remain. So this supreme Jyoti (flame) does not go through dilution or destruction. There will not be “kshine punye martya-lokam visanti” (after one's enjoyment due to pious activities is finished, one must return to this planet). So concentrating on such flame, if you have any form you like, any form you have taken to heart, you keep that form in the flame and meditate. It is the best form of meditation to think that, the form that I adore is in Jyoti (flame) and that flame is in all. [Sathya Sai Baba – Excerpts from discourse on: 05-25-1979]