1
Silence
The Voice of God Can Be Heard Only in the Depth of Silence
Silence Is the Speech of the Spiritual Seeker
You Can Experience Divine Bliss Only in Absolute Silence
Silence Develops Love
Silence is the only language of the realised. Practise moderation in speech. That
will help you in many ways. It will develop love, for most misunderstandings and
factions arise out of carelessly spoken words. When the foot slips, the wound can be
healed; but when the tongue slips, the wound it causes in the heart of another will
fester for life.
The tongue is liable for four big errors: uttering falsehood, scandalising, finding
fault with others, and excessive articulation. These have to be avoided if there is to
be peace for the individual as well as for society. The bond of brotherhood will be
tightened if people speak less and speak sweetly. That is why silence was prescribed as
a vow for spiritual aspirants by the scriptures. You are all spiritual aspirants at various
stages of the road, and so this discipline is valuable for you also.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume I,
Chapter 10: Viveka and Vairagya.
2
Talk Sweetly without Anger
The first step in spiritual discipline is the cleansing of speech. Talk sweetly with-
out anger. Do not boast of your scholarship or attainments. Be humble, eager to
serve; conserve your speech. Practise silence. That will save you from squabbles, idle
thoughts, and factions.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume II,
Chapter 6: Steps in Sadhana.
2
Make the Place Where You Are a Citadel
of Silence
You need not escape into a forest to gain si-
lence and the chance of uninterrupted spiritual
practice. You can make the place where you are
a citadel of silence; shut off the senses, let them
not run after objects. Your home becomes a her-
mitage; your spiritual practices will then move on,
without any obstacle.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume II,
Chapter 6: Steps in Sadhana.
2
Stay Away from Bad Company
I know that you are finding time, in spite of the
hard work throughout the day, to attend cinemas,
to engage in wayside chats, to promote and par-
take in factions, and quarrels, and for many other
distractions that add to the sum of your worries.
It is best you stay away from companions who
drag you to such distractions that weaken and
worry you; spend a few minutes every morning
and evening in the silence of your own shrine or
home; spend them with the highest of all powers
that you know of. Be in His elevating and inspir-
ing company; worship Him mentally; offer unto
Him all the work you do; you will come out of
the silence nobler and more heroic than when you
went in.
Communion with the Master
Just consider – do you come out of the cin-
ema theatre more peaceful, more heroic, purer,
nobler than when you went in? No; your passions
are aroused, your animal impulses are catered to,
your lower nature is fed. Nothing else can give
one the rich reward that silence and prayer and
communion with the Master can give. Not even a
decent bank account, or a string of degrees, or the
muscles of a prize-fighter.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume III,
Chapter 38: Project Site, Puja Site.
Kindness Has to Be Fostered in Silence
One great temptation for weak minds nowa-
days is the opportunity for publicity. Even a gift
of five rupees to some charitable organisation is
announced in thick banner headlines! Conceit
is thus encouraged, and man slides into paltry
pomp. Kindness has to be fostered in the silence
of the mind.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume IV,
Chapter 52: Anna and Amritha.
2
The Silent Man Has No Enemies
The tongue is the armour of the heart; it guards
one’s life. Loud talk, long talk, wild talk, talk full
of anger and hate – all these affect the health of
man. They breed anger and hate in others; they
wound, they excite, they enrage, they estrange.
Why is silence said to be golden? The silent man
has no enemies, though he may not have friends.
He has the leisure and the chance to dive within
himself and examine his own faults and failings.
He has no more inclination to seek them in oth-
ers. If your foot slips, you suffer a fracture; if your
tongue slips, you fracture someone’s faith or joy.
That fracture can never be set right; that wound
will fester forever. Therefore use the tongue with
great care. The softer you talk, the less you talk,
the more sweetly you talk, the better for you and
the world.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume V,
Chapter 21: The Rare Chance.
2
Silence Is the Best Practice to Guard
Faith
Silence is the best spiritual practice to guard
faith; that is why I insist on silence here also, as a
first step in your spiritual practice.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume V,
Chapter 42: Pay the Price.