We have here at the World Conference delegates from many counties, wedded to different cultures and traditions, languages and styles of dress, food etc. But, this variety should not hide from our vision, the unity of Divinity inherent in all of you. The world today is afflicted with formidable problems and fast-spreading fear–fear of war, of famine, and of demonic terrorists, problems of racial, religious and regional conflicts, of economic recuperation and survival, of student indiscipline, of credal clashes, of frenzy and fanaticism, of power-grabbing and extreme egoism. The only remedy for this creeping fear is an attitude of Vairagyam (non-attachment). When one is attached to the body-mind complex and the I-and-Mine limitation, fear is inescapable. The Adhwaithic awareness, that what we witness is but a super-imposition of our own mind on Reality; it is the best cure; and service is the most effective sadhana. Our deeds reveal our motives; our motives design our habits; our ha...
EMBODIMENTS of the Supreme Atma! Look at the condition of the people of this ancient land, Bharath, today. Afflicted by multiplying wants, with no faith in experience beyond the sensual, scorning the sacred scriptures of their forefathers, weakened by fear, anxiety, and lack of confidence in the capacity to overcome these, having no knowledge of the Source of Strength and even denying the' existence of a Source which can be tapped in prayer - they are revelling in untruth, injustice, and unrest. Tossed in restlessness themselves, they do not allow others any rest or peace. Here, in days gone by; Karmakshethra was Dharmakshethra; the Field of Action was also the Field of Righteousness. But, now, declaring that Action and Righteousness cannot coexist, these people are bringing disgrace on the very name of Bharath. Of course, many lovers of the glory that was India are trying to revive it through means and methods their mental and intellectual resources indicate. But, unless one remove...
IT seems a person once saw a man struggling for life in the deep waters of a lake. The fellow could not swim and was really helplessly floundering. But without the least compunction of sympathy and without making the least effort to save him, the onlooker had the audacity to ask him, "Tell me, how deep is the lake?" Such is the behaviour of most people now-a-days. These persons are sunk In thamas - they are too wooden and dull, too hard and impervious. It is only when man gets rid of thamas {sloth and inaction) that he can rise Into rajas - the sphere of activity, emotion, devotion, compassion and service. When he rises higher into the sathwik stage (poised state of contemplation), the activity gets elevated into sadhana (spiritual discipline) and the effect is more spiritual. I find here thousands of young men and women, members of the Seva Dhal, gathered from all the states of India. This is the third All India Conference of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Dhal. It is time that we decide to...
You are all sharing the joy of serving others, doing good to others, according to your capacity and skill. The main objective of the Sathya Sai Organisation, which you must always keep before you is to help man to recognise the Divinity that is inherent in him. But, this Divinity is latent; it is veiled; it is not always apparent to oneself or others. There is nothing wholly bad or wholly good in Creation. There are few who do not commit mistakes; there are few who do not perform good deeds. Both good and bad, beneficent and maleficent, constructive and destructive, are ever present everywhere. You, as members of the Managing Committees of the units of the Samithi (Organisation), and as Members of the Seva Dhal (Voluntary Service Corps), and of the Mahila Vibhag (Women's section) are unique, because, you have dedicated your talents and time to the service of others, and, ultimately, to the promotion of your own best interests. First of all, I want that you should give up the blind imi...
I AM in the light. The light is in me. The light is me. I am the light. The man who has realised this truth becomes one with the Brahman. Man is perpetually engaged in the search for peace. The seeker of peace must search for it not in matham (religion) but in manam (the mind). The search for peace in the external is the cause of all the unrest in the world. Peace has to be established first within one's self. Then it has to be extended to the family. From the family, it has to spread to the village, the province, the state and the nation. What is happening today is the reverse of this process. Conflict and disorder are spreading from the individual to the family and right upto the nation.
You must become messengers of peace. You have to begin with yourselves. You can get peace only through service. An idle man is the devil's workshop. When one is busy at work, there will be no room for thoughts in the mind. Then there is peace of mind. A peaceful mind is the abode of love. Love is ...
THE District Presidents read their reports of the developments in their districts and of the activities of the various Units in their jurisdiction; but, most of the reports were hurriedly prepared, without first-hand knowledge and many of them were padded in the last minute for purposes of presentation. Real sincere work is going on only in a few places in the State. You must have noticed Me, standing at the back of the shamiana (large decorated tent) in the midst of the delegates, and moving from one observation spot to another while the reports were being read.
There is a chair on the dais for Me, but I occupied it only for a short while; for My place is among you, with you and wherever work lies. That is why I moved among you and stood at your back. This is just to show you that, even in your own places, when you do bhajan or some other type of adoration, like serving children or the sick or the poor, I do not sit on a special seat, apart and distant. Do not believe I am on the pede...
All-India Conference of Workers of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations
22 November 1970
THE fulfilment of man's life on earth consists in filling oneself with Love of God and transmuting that love into acts of service, service of man who is the embodiment of God. If man has no love in him and if he does not share it with all beings, he is but a burden to the earth. Make your emotions pure; make your mind strong to resist the force of ignorance and the wiles of the senses - then you are assured of peace and joy.
You maintain health by physical exercise, so too, you must maintain mental health (for the mind can lead you into bondage or liberation) by means of certain exercises. By means of pure food, the mind can be rendered subtle and sharp; it can then cut through obstacles and temptations, rend the veil of misconception. You must also try to be constantly in a good environment, a good company, a Spiritual Organisation. In the Spiritual Organisation, members do not discuss about what can be seen or heard, or touched and tasted; they are interested in the investigation of ...
All-India Conference of Workers of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations
20 November 1970
TO HAVE this Conference of the representatives of all the Units of the Sathya Sai Organisations at Prasanthi Nilayam is a source of great pleasure to Me. I am sure everyone here knows the purpose and significance of this Organisation, that has spread all over the World. It is necessary that the obligations too are always kept in view. Discipline is essential for the success of every endeavour of man, whatever the field, whether it be economic, social, educational, or merely material and wordly. It is even more essential for success in spiritual effort. The discipline of concentration, for example, is indispensable for even common acts like walking, talking, writing or reading. Spiritual progress and bliss depend on disciplined effort. It can come only through hard and difficult toil, not through pleasant easy paths. Life becomes worth living only when one has disciplined habits, concentration of mind, renunciation of sensual pleasures and faith in the Atma (the Self).
Discipline and C...
Valedictory Discourse of 7th World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations
24 November 2000
Goodness, humanness, morality and one's own culture should be made evident by practice.The one who who practises them is the true Sadhaka.This is the truth which Bhagawan is emphasizing(Telugu Poem)
THE world is replete with sacred qualities. Time is of prime importance. The heart is tender, the mind is sweet like nectar. Living in such a brilliant country with multifold virtues, you fail to recognize these. People living in families do not realize that such a soft heart and sweet mind are readily available to them. The family is like a pair of spectacles in front of your eyes. While it may appear to be an obstacle in front of the eyes, the glasses actually help to improve one's vision. You should not be deterred by every obstacle or hardship that confronts you. These are only aids to your sadhana and not impediments. Sadhakas should hold this truth firmly in mind. As is the fire, so is the smoke (cloud). As is the cloud, so is the rain. As is the rain, so is the crop. As is the crop...
