18
As You Think, So You Become
In order to sanctify your senses, you should
utilise them in the service of others. As you think,
so you become. If you have bad vision, listen to
bad talk, indulge in bad activities, you will ulti-
mately ruin yourself. If you cannot undertake any
service activity, at least speak softly and sweetly.
You cannot always oblige, but you can always
speak obligingly.
Today man speaks harsh words that hurt the
feelings of others. He puts his senses to misuse.
Then how can he expect to be happy and healthy?
In order to enjoy perfect health, make sacred use
of your senses. You may be a pauper or a million-
aire. You may have money or not, but God has
given each one of you five senses. Make proper use
of them, and sanctify your lives.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 35,
Chapter 2: Light the Lamp of Morality in Your Hearts.
2
What Is True Education?
When you have a visitor to your house, you
should greet him with respect and love. These days
you cannot find any such courteous behaviour at
all. That is why I often say, “You cannot always
oblige, but you can always speak obligingly.”
But
today’s education is making the children veritable
demons. There is no humility or friendliness in
them. They learn the material given in books by
rote, go to the examination centre, empty the ma-
terial in their heads on the answer papers, and re-
turn home with empty heads. Is this education?
Not at all. True education is that which is imprint-
ed on the heart of the learners. It should remain
unchanged over the years. Such sacred feelings are
not to be found in today’s students.
Lead the Life of a True Human Being
Everyone pretends to be a devotee without any
trace of devotion. What is all this acting for? Peo-
ple learn such false values from cinema, TV, etc.,
which are ruining them, especially the children.
The world today seems to be happy with TV and
cinema. But Swami does not approve of them. Are
cinema, TV, etc., helping in the redemption of
mankind? Everyone should cultivate human qual-
ities and lead the life of a true human being. But
there are few such people to be found. There are,
of course, a few parents who bring up their chil-
dren with great love and affection and put them
on the right path. Only such parents can be called
ideal parents. Their children grow up to be ideal
and noble.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 35,
Chapter 9: Mother Is Your First God.
2
Too Much Talk Diminishes Memory
Do not slide into lazy habits the moment you
leave the Institute. Laziness must be avoided at all
cost. Laziness is rust and dust, whereas realisation
is best and rest! Realisation must be your goal in
life, and laziness can make that goal elusive.
Excessive talking must also be avoided. Too
much talk diminishes memory and dulls intelli-
gence. Therefore do not talk much. Others may
try to drag you into pointless conversation, but
deftly dodge them. You cannot always oblige, but
you can always speak obligingly! Talk only when
you must, speak sweetly when you do, be ever
courteous, and never fail to respect your parents.
It is only when you conduct yourself in this man-
ner and base your actions on love that you can
truly be called an educated person.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000,
Chapter 1: Seek Educare Instead of Just Education.
19
Excessive Thought Can Lead to Harm
You should not lend your ear to all that is be-
ing said. Similarly, thoughts too must be kept in
tight check. Thoughts must centre around appro-
priate matters. The questions – when, where, and
what you must think are all important. Excessive
thought can lead to harm.
Excessive thinking (plotting) is what the
Kauravas did, and they eventually paid dearly for
it. They were always seized with evil thoughts and
spent all night devising mean and wicked ways of
harming the noble Pandavas. The Kauravas came
to ruin because they constantly harboured foul
thoughts about the Pandavas, who were the very
embodiment of righteousness. Therefore always
avoid bad looks, listening to bad words and talk,
and also bad thoughts. Do not ever utter unbe-
coming words. Always say good things and speak
pleasantly. You cannot always oblige, but you can
always speak obligingly! Students must cultivate
such good qualities for they alone are the true or-
naments.
Bad Looks Encourage Bad Thoughts
Students — boys and girls! In this phase of
life, there are many virtues that you must ac-
quire; later, you must make good and active use
of them. Only if you accumulate wealth now,
can you spend it later. If there are no “earnings”
now, what can you do later? You must therefore
firmly resolve to develop right now good intel-
lect, good habits, and good speech.
Buddha repeatedly stressed the need for right
vision and never tolerated any violation of this
maxim by His disciples. Bad looks encourage bad
thoughts, which ultimately lead to ruin. Looks
must therefore be strictly controlled.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000,
Chapter 4: The Human Body and Its Importance.
Always Be Immersed in Divine Feelings
Be polite, courteous, and humble when speak-
ing to elders. Never be rough or rude. Your humil-
ity would please the elder to whom you are speak-
ing. At times, you may not be able to do what you
are asked to do, but you can be courteous while
being non-committal. As Swami often says, “You
cannot always oblige, but you can always speak
obligingly.” Cultivate this practice.
Always be immersed in Divine feelings. If you
happen to see a wicked person, do not immedi-
ately think of that person as being bad. The bad
actions of that person are due to the body, but
within that person is the same Atma that is also in
you. This unity, this Atmic Principle is what you
must focus on. Deal with this other person with
the feeling that the Self in you is also present in
him. This is the way to develop love for all beings.
Also, do not bear ill will towards any country, but
be alike to all. Do not criticise the culture of other
countries. Love your culture as your mother, just
as people of other lands love their respective cul-
tures.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000,
Chapter 15: The Ideal Student.
2
Share Whatever You Have with Others
India is a sacred land, a land of sacrifice and
spirituality. It is being converted into a land of
material pleasures. Spirit of sacrifice is very essen-
tial. Share whatever you have with others. A small
amount of food is enough to satiate your hunger.
Why crave the entire River Ganga when a small
glass of water is all that you need to quench your
thirst? Do not harbour greed and other evil quali-
ties lest you should suffer the same fate as that of
Duryodhana and his tribe. Fill your heart with
love.
Students! Talk softly and sweetly. You cannot
always oblige, but you can always speak oblig-
ingly. You are all young. Make efforts to mould
your future in the proper way. Develop the spirit
of love and sacrifice. Share your love with your