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Sri Sathya Sai Baba Articles

  Peace through Education in Human Values

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
       Or whither shall I flee from Thy Presence?
       If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there;
       If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
       If I take the wings of the morning,
       And I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea;
       Even there shall Thy hand lead me,
       And Thy right hand shall hold me.
                                      -Psalms 139: 7-10

      
           Universal Peace Through Human Values
              

My beloved,

        Take from me my love and my blessings!

        What is true devotion to God? Devotion is meaningless if you say you love God with your lips, while you are not well disposed to other living beings. Your love must include all that is alive, which is after all, nothing less than a manifestation of God. Such a lover of God will certainly realise God-consciousness. In this, you are not allowed to remain standing still, proving familyhood just to your human sisters and brothers.  See God in the whole of creation! Share God's gift of love with all creatures.

        Ahimsa paramo dharma - Non-violence is the highest form of right living, the divine law which is the highest of all virtues. The principle of non-violence means the promotion of mutual love along with achieving and maintaining goals of peace and unity. That is the main feature which is a recognisable sign of being human. Non-violence means refraining from violence released by passionate feelings and controlling oneself. The non-violent are recognised by their patience. Impatience is the Mother of Violence. Violence is the sign of an animal nature.

        The highest of human virtues is to help the poor and those in despair. Those who work hard for the poor, to allay their need and to stand by them, are not allowed the slightest self interest thereby, or even have the slightest expectation of gaining something in return. In nature itself, there are countless examples of absolute selflessness in service for the well-being of others. Trees carry fruits to give happiness to others.  Rivers flow for the sake of others. Cows give milk so that others can be nourished. That is how a person should stand in line to be the first to serve others. Without the readiness to serve, mankind will perish. The future well-being of humanity is closely connected with the need for the spirit of altruism. Selflessness is the recognisable sign of being a true human being.

        It is important for all people to set themselves high goals and strive for the highest ideals. They are reached not only through education, or gained in the market place. One can only promote such an inner focus through the regular practise of spiritual practices and the continual cultivation of the company of good people.

        Today, there are two bad tendencies, envy and hate, which need to be eradicated like harmful vermin. Damage can be caused to a beautiful tree full of fruit if the roots are attacked. Similarly, envy and hate are in the position to bury all the human values once they have infested the spirit of humanity. Good characteristics, cultivated over many years of self-discipline can be as quickly lost as a gesture of the hand, because of both these evils. Envy is the worst enemy of all. Envy is a demonic characteristic.

        Self-praise and slandering others are both signs of ego. It is difficult to earn a good name for oneself, but a bad reputation can come about in a matter of seconds. That is why it is so important to protect oneself from listening to the impulses of the ego.

        It is perhaps not so easy to expand the higher human qualities and install them into community service. One should nevertheless strive ceaselessly to cultivate in oneself the virtues of patience, love and non-violence, and contribute to service in the community. Every devotee must therefore be aware that the principle of love is the seed of every living thing, an expression of godliness. All should know that it is better to possess a heart without words, than words without heart. Only a heart full of love will discover the truth of God. Without that, reaching one's goals is of little value. Similarly, an act which is not based on knowledge is foolishness.

        Book knowledge alone will not assist humanity to expand in consciousness. It must be accompanied by wisdom won by personal experience.  Only thus will life be meaningful. Knowledge needs to be set alight by good character. No matter how wealthy, or strong in physical and spiritual strength someone may be - without good character one is no more than a wandering corpse.

        Also connected with good character is a loving heart, sympathy, patience, and courage to make sacrifices. These five virtues represent the true hold on life that the genuine human being has. Only the person who has these human characteristics will be capable of experiencing God-consciousness. Godliness can only enter when one has given up selfishness. Giving up of all selfishness is the prerequisite so that one can reach God-consciousness.

        Humanity will see a great future when the human community bases itself on the twin principles of love and the spirit of sacrifice.

        This is the message from Sai to you. Through your lives you should be an example of the spiritual qualities of love and the spirit of sacrifice. Go forth on the path to building a community which is based on truth, honesty, love and peace. Go forward in full trust, in unity, with total faith in God, and with courage that Sai's grace accompanies you everywhere, wherever you may be, because Sai and you
are one.

=====

      Sathya Sai Baba conveyed the preceding written Opening Message to
      attendants of a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, 9 June, 1995.
      The even was offered by the International Sathya Sai Service
      Organisation in participation with the United Nations. The theme
      of the conference was `Universal Peace Through Human Values.' The
      meeting's purpose was to explain to members of the UN the
      significance of the Human Values Programme, a method of nurturing
      and developing the full potential of children and adults through
      proven educational methods.  The programme included the following
      topics and speakers:

Introduction: Sri Indulal Shah, Chairperson of the International Sathya Sai Service Organisation;

Human values, human rights and world peace: Justice P N Bhagawati, Acting Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, and former Justice Minister of India;

The way to peace- a short historical overview: Mr Jacques Pillet-Will, noted banker and leading businessman, Paris

The role of Education in Human Values in leading to world peace: Dr Art-Ong Jumsai, scientist, Member of Parliament (Thailand), adviser to various Ministries, university lecturer, governmental expert on Education in Human Values, which is applied throughout Thailand schools.

Cost free medical treatment with the most modern equipment: a unique example: Dr A N Safaya, Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Specialty Hospital, Puttaparthi, India

Human values in a global economy: Mr Carlos Fortin, Duty Officer, UNCTAD, Geneva

Human values in the economy leading to international peace: Mr Ryuko Hira, President of various enterprises, Tokyo (Japan), Regional Service Coordinator for the Far Eastern Region

[Translated from the German publication, Sathya Sai Briefe, Summer 1995 for inclusion in SAI NEWS AUSTRALIA, Winter 1995, whose editor, Albert Barelds gifts it here in Sai Seva. For subscription data, or further news, please contact Sai News Australia via <bareldsa@ozemail.com.au> ]


Online source: http://www.hindunet.org/alt_hindu/1995_Jul_2/msg00102.html

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