Prema

"Prema" is Divine Love, the love that by it's nature gives continuously, asking nothing in return. It is the love that God has for all creatures.

We each can develop that love, for we have it inherently as part of our inner Divine nature. But the way must be opened so that this love, trapped in the spiritual heart, can flow outward. From the spring in the heart, the stream of love flows toward the great ocean of love which is God. Because God is within all people, Divine Love from the individual heart flows toward all. It has, as Sai Baba says, "the quality of sympathy, sympathy which makes one happy when others are happy and miserable when others are unhappy." It shows itself as "a series of little acts, directed by the attitude of reverence for the divinity of all beings."

Sai Baba says "Realize that the one and only God resides in the heart of all creatures, and try to love them all. Try to understand the fatherhood/motherhood of God and the brotherhood of all creatures. Realize that God is pure love, that He is Prema-swarupa (the embodiment of Love).

We should put this brotherhood toward all creatures into practice, he says, by remembering every day to "
start the day with love,
fill the day with love,
and end the day with love.
That is the way to God, for God is Love."

When our spiritual perception is sufficiently developed to see deeply into the human soul, our feeling of unity with all will be such that any criticisms we must make will be cushioned in kindly understanding and love. Sai Baba say's "If we have complete faith, and surrender completely to God, then, as the cat takes care of its kittens, God Himself will look after our welfare wherever we are."

Taken from "Walking the Path with Sai Baba" by Howard Murphett