7
Energy Is a Divine Gift
Spiritual practice consists of speaking good,
thinking good, seeing good, hearing good, and
doing good. Excessive talking must also be avoid-
ed, as it is a waste of energy. When one gets weak
due to wastage of energy, he is prone to get angry
and develop hatred. You must therefore use your
God-given energy for good purposes. Energy is
a Divine gift. By curtailing unnecessary talk and
keeping silent, you can conserve energy. “Talk less
and work more” is the golden rule to be adopted.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXVII,
Chapter 10: Foster Love: Eschew Hatred.
2
Harm Done by Television
Television sets are installed in every room in
the houses of the rich. From the moment televi-
sion made its appearance, the mind of man has
been polluted. Before the advent of TV, men’s
minds were not as polluted. Acts of violence were
not so rampant previously. Today TV is installed
in every hut. People watch TV even while eating.
The result is that all the foul things seen on TV
are being consumed by the viewer. Concentration
on TV affects one’s view of the world. The scenes,
thoughts, and actions displayed on the TV set fill
the minds of the viewers. Unknowingly, agitation
and ill feelings enter their minds. In due course
they take root and grow in their minds.
Hence while eating, you should not discuss
dreadful incidents. No room should be given to
subjects that excite the mind. Silence should pre-
vail during eating. Even sound waves enter into us
and affect our minds. Hence people should avoid
TV while eating.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXIX,
Chapter 3: Triple Transformation: Sankranthi’s Call.
Silence Helps to Experience the Divine
It is essential to limit one’s desires and keep
the senses under control. This is the only way to
true happiness. The most important organ that
has to be controlled is the tongue, which, unlike
the other sense organs – the eyes, the ears, and the
nose – has a double function, speech and taste.
The ancient sages practised silence for a variety of
reasons. Silence serves to conserve energy, improve
the memory, and experience the Divine. Restraint
in speech and avoidance of gossip and slander are
commendable virtues.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXIX,
Chapter 10: Srishti and Dhrishti.
2
Meditate on Swami’s Teachings during
Silence
Promote love in your hearts, and share it with
others. That is the best form of worship. Love is
the only property of Sai. My life is love. That is
what I offer to one and all. I go on giving, giving.
But to what extent are you putting into practice
Swami’s teachings? Practise silence for at least ten
minutes in a day. Meditate on Swami’s teachings
at that time. Realise that in this transient world
the Eternal is immanent. Hold fast onto God. Ex-
perience the bliss of union with the Divine. Make
love your life-breath. With love of God in their
hearts the ancient sages could transform even the
wild animals in the forests.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXIX,
Chapter 11: The Triple Transformation.
2
Be Silent and Induce Silence in Others
Be silent yourself; that will induce silence in
others. Do not fall into the habit of shouting,
talking long and loud. Reduce contacts to a mini-
mum. Carry with you an atmosphere of quiet
contemplation, wherever you happen to be.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXIX,
Chapter 21: Importance of Discipline.
8
Silence Ensures Peace of Mind
You must make it a practice to observe silence
for at least one hour daily. It saves your cosmic
energy and ensures peace of mind. You should de-
velop also the discipline of simple living and high
thinking.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXX,
Chapter 17: Cultivate Character: Lead an Ideal Life.
2
Silence Brings Back Memory Power
The ancient Indian sages practised silence as
a spiritual discipline because they realised the
myriad benefits derived from silence. Swami Vi-
vekananda learnt a valuable lesson when he found
that after ten days of endless talk he had forgotten
all the verses he had learnt by heart. By practising
complete silence for a fortnight he got back his
memory powers. People should realise that God’s
grace is secured by the sacred use of the senses en-
dowed on man by the Divine.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXX,
Chapter 25: Sacred Use of Indriyas.
2
Speak the Truth
Nowadays, people resort to telling lies, fear-
ing that they may get into trouble otherwise. Why
should you fear speaking the truth? You have to
fear only when you commit mistakes. Today, there
is fear rampant everywhere. Life is fear-stricken!
Practise truth and righteousness. If you practise
these, you need not fear. When you are not able to
utter the truth, you may desist from speaking and
keep silent.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXXI,
Chapter 12: Man, Truth, Love, and God.
Each One Has to Bear the
Consequences of His Actions
There are many obstacles along the path of de-
votion. Some people accuse, criticise, and censure
God in times of difficulties. Each one has to bear
the consequences of his own actions. God remains
unaffected. God is pure, unsullied, and sacred. Let
people say anything; be cool and calm. Do not
enter into unnecessary arguments with them. It
only breeds enmity. Speak softly and sweetly with
a smiling face. That will silence the critic. A smile
is the best answer to criticism.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume XXXI,
Chapter 46: Sacrifice Leads to Immortality.
2
Silence Fosters Purity
Only those who
observe silence are good peo-
ple. Silence fosters purity. Therefore observe si-
lence at all times. It is a waste of time if you carry
tales about others. What have you come here for?
Vain gossip causes harm to many. So refrain from
indulging in it.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 32, Part 2,
Chapter 8: Cultivate Discipline and Love.
2
Divinity Can Be Recognised Only by the
Pure Hearted
If you are aspiring for good results, offer only
good feelings to God. There should be perfect
harmony in your thought, word, and deed. He is
a noble soul whose thought, word, and deed are
in perfect harmony. Do not hate anybody. On
November 24, 1926, Sri Aurobindo broke his
prolonged silence only to declare that God had
incarnated the previous day. After making this
significant statement, he continued with his vow
of silence. Divinity can be recognized only by the
pure hearted.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 32, Part 2,
Chapter 11: Devotion – the Supreme Yagna.