A study circle does not mean only just reading and discussing and taking information into the head, but also putting into practice what is learnt. If knowledge is stored in the mind, it causes confusion and confusion leads to blowing of the fuse. How will real Jnana develop if there is too much confusion? For instance, if you go on eating all the 24 hours, it will result in indigestion. This will lead to disease. What is eaten should be digested and then only you should eat again. In the same way, you should listen (eat) in the Study Circle and put into practice (digest) what you have learnt. Again you can have another round of listening in the Study Circle. Now what you are doing is only loading and loading and no unloading. How much can you sustain like that? So, you should go on loading and unloading, listening and practising. You have to practise whatever is learnt. Then only it becomes a real Study Circle.
In the Study Circle, whatever we listen and assimilate in the mind should be distributed to others. In that way we show gratitude for what we have received. We should not listen and keep it with us only for our benefit. Whatever we hear and practise should also be distributed to society at large. Such gratitude is very important for man. If one does not have gratitude, he leads the life of an animal. Even a dog shows gratitude if you give a little rice. In the Sathya Sai Organisation, keeping this in mind, we should maintain unity and help the world. Other organisations may not know the inner meaning of this, but in our organisation we should know the inner meaning and practise it, otherwise it is of no use. You should therefore be an ideal to others.
In the Study Circle you can learn a lot of things, but the most important thing to be learnt is your own true nature - your Atma-tattva. Learning all about external things without knowing your real self is like studying the branches of a tree, ignoring its roots. There are many fruits on the tree. We can see the fruits. What happens if you water those fruits? They will fall down. But if you water the roots down below, the tree flourishes and will give fruits, which can be enjoyed. You have to develop self-knowledge and self-confidence and then only you can help others. (SSS Vol.18)
Then about the Study Circles, I am not for indiscriminate reading of books, however valuable they may be. Much reading confuses the mind; it fosters argumentation and intellectual pride. What I insist upon is putting the things read into practice - at least a thing or two. Moreover, you must always remember that the book is only a pointer, a guide, and a signpost. Reading is not completion of the journey. It is only the first step. Read for the sake of practising; not for reading’s sake. Too many books in the room indicate a person suffering from intellectual illness, just as too many tins, capsules and bottles in the cupboard indicate a person with physical illness. Reading of books or passages from books is best done at some other time and not as a continuation of bhajan or a preliminary to it. (SSS Vol.6, p. 181)
Do not confine your studies to this circle and these books. The Universe is the University for you. You can imbibe wisdom from the sky, the clouds, the mountains the rivers, the daily phenomena of sunrise and sunset, the season, the birds, trees, flowers, insects - in fact all beings and things in the universe. Approach these teachers with awe, reverence and humility, they will respond with lessons. (GA, p. 158)
What is real a Study Circle? ‘Study’ is for steady. ‘Circle’ is for purity and peace. Study Circle participants should experience oneness and constant steadiness… In a Study Circle, a book is selected, discussed and the meaning taken. A violin has four strings, and music is produced by playing on this. Each person taken a different meaning, but the ultimate meaning is one. Sugarcane has different names and forms but juice is one, and it is sweet.
Why Study Circle? How Study Circle? In a Study Circle, there should be no argumentation; otherwise it leads to confusion and hatred. You should develop love, understanding and experience divinity; thus you will earn deservedness from the Study Circle. Understanding is awareness. In a study Circle, awareness is necessary along communication. You must listen and think. Awareness should understanding. God is complete. To attain God you must have complete understanding. Members of a Study circle should not get into a routine, but it must be made satisfactory to everyone.
You have joined the Study Circle (Dharmakshetra), and are engaged in pouring over all types of books and gathering information and instruction. But, what you gained? Knowledge about what this author says or the sage teaches is not what study circle should aim to acquire. Not information, but transformation; not instruction, but construction should be the aim. Theoretical knowledge is a burden, unless it is practised, when it can be lightened into Wisdom, and assimilated into daily life. Knowledge that does not give harmony and wholeness to the process of living is not worth acquiring. Every activity must be rendered valid and worthwhile by the contribution to the discovery of truth, both of the Self and of Nature. Of what use is it to know everything about Nature, if you do not know any thing of self? Nature is only a projection of the Self, and so, unless the Self is known, knowledge of Nature is either distorted or deceptive. The self is the Atma. Of which the entire creation is composed and so, knowledge of the Self alone can quench the thirst of man.
You tell Me that you have read Bhagavata Vahini and all other Vahinis that I have written for you. But, let Me ask you, have you put at least a single direction given in them into daily practice? Question yourself calmly and decide to benefit by practising the process mentioned in them. This is the proper plan of study – Reading, Reflection and Regular Application in Life. Study is WORK. Inquiry into the value and applicability of what is studied is WORSHIP, the experience of the validity and value of the practice is WISDOM.
An ounce of honest doubt and a commitment to self-improvement are only requirement for the beginning the spiritual journey. When we first set foot on the path, our only assurance of success lies in our sincere inquiry. Faith, devotion, and knowledge grow in time, but an open mind is required for their development. Earnest seekers will find that a harvest of joy awaits them when they cultivate the field of divinity.
Spiritual growth needs to be approached along several avenues. Devotion, study and service are especially required. Study alone cannot carry us to God-realisation; our knowledge must be seasoned with devotion to win the Lord’s grace. Similarly, devotion without study and service, limits our realisation of our full spiritual potential. A balanced approach to the spiritual life promises the best results.
The Study circle is a human dynamo that charges us with ideas, inspiration and resolve. It lifts the weary and points the way when we become lost. The discipline pushes us behind as it holds a light in front to guide us; the process simple, but the results can be wondrous.
It is not just reading books. Study Circle means taking a point and each person discussing what is the meaning of the point to them – like a round table conference. Each person gives his point of view, and finally values are derived from this. If there is just reading, there is doubt. But if each one gives his view, doubts will be answered. The topic is viewed; the Study circle looks at different facets; but there is one facet that is flat, the top facets, and from this all can be viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle. (NNSG Vol.2 pp.28-31)