SATHYA SAI SPEAKS

Education is for an Exemplary Life

Parents Should be United

Parents should lead an exemplary life if they want their children to be good and come up in life. Parents should enroll their children in Bal Vikas classes and impart them sacred teachings. As the parents, so are the children. Therefore, parents should tread the right path and set an ideal so that their children can emulate them.

The fault lies in the parents if the children do not behave properly. After a certain age, children do not obey their parents, because parents themselves do not follow the right path.

There should be no difference of opinion between the father and the mother. They should be united in whatever they tell their children. In some families, mother and father differ in their direction to the children. Such lack of unity and understanding between the parents is not a good sign.

Both of them must stand on one word and teach their children the right path. First of all, they should teach their children to adhere to truth. It is enough if we follow the path of truth, because truth is the basis of everything.

Sathyannasti paro dharma (There is no dharma greater than adherence to truth). Peace originates from righteousness, and love manifests from peace. Where there is love, there is non-violence. If the nation has to attain peace and prosperity, we should follow the path of truth.

What is truth?

"Manasyekam vachasyekam karmanyekam mahatmanaam" (He is a noble soul whose thoughts, words, and deeds are in harmony). If your thought, word, and deed are at variance, it amounts to falsehood. Before we teach our children to adhere to truth, we should practise truth in our daily life. Only then can the children emulate us and become ideal.

"Manasyekam vachasyekam karmanyekam mahatmanaam" (He is a noble soul whose thoughts, words, and deeds are in harmony). If your thought, word, and deed are at variance, it amounts to falsehood. Before we teach our children to adhere to truth, we should practise truth in our daily life. Only then can the children emulate us
and become ideal.

We should lead a "heartful life" but not an artificial life. Today, right from the system of education, everything has become artificial. People read a number of sacred texts, chant mantras, and undertake meditation. But all this is done in an artificial manner. Whatever may be the spiritual practice you undertake, do it wholeheartedly.

Turn Towards God to Control the Mind

In the name of meditation, people close their eyes and sit cross-legged, but they have no control over their mind. Their mind goes everywhere as per its whims and fancies. Therefore, we should control our mind in the first instance. Manah eva manushyanam karanam bandhamokshayo (mind is the cause of bondage and liberation of man). As the thought, so is the action. Hence, we should entertain only good thoughts, which lead to good actions and ultimately yield good results.

Mind is like a mad monkey. It goes everywhere without any restraint. But it becomes quiet and subdued when it is turned toward God. When the Sun rises, our shadow is very long. If we start walking toward the Sun, our shadow falls behind us. On the other hand, if we walk in the opposite direction with our back toward the Sun, we have to follow our shadow, which falls ahead of us. When the Sun is right on our head, the shadow falls under our feet. Maya (delusion) is like our shadow. In order to conquer maya, you have to turn your mind toward God. When your mind is directly focused on God, maya will be totally subdued like the shadow under your feet.

In order to conquer maya, you have to turn your mind toward God. When your mind is directly focused on God, maya will be totally subdued like the shadow under your feet.

There are three hands in the clock indicating seconds, minutes, and hours. The second hand is the longest and moves quicker than the other two. When the second hand completes sixty digits, the minute hand moves forward by one digit. Similarly, when the minute hand crosses sixty digits, the hour hand crosses one digit. However, the hour hand is most important. Thinking of God once in a while and spending the rest of the time in worldly pursuits is like the second hand, which has little significance. But constant contemplation of God at all times is like the hour hand, which is most important.

Love is truth and truth is love. Live in love. This is not physical and worldly love. We should preserve spiritual love in our heart. Only then can we develop steadiness of mind. Worldly love will only make our mind fickle and unsteady. Therefore, keep your mind always focused on God. Only then can you experience peace. People think it is very difficult, but let Me tell you that there is no sadhana (spiritual discipline) easier than this.

When we develop love for God, the mind can be controlled very easily. On the other hand, if the mind is not turned toward God, it can never be controlled. Whatever you do, consider it as God's work.

Surrender to His Will

Everything happens as per the Will of God. Do not be under the delusion that your will alone can make things move. If that be the case, why are you not able to exercise any control over certain events that take place in your life? Understand that everything moves as per the Divine Will. If something good happens to you, consider it as the Will of God. If something unpleasant happens, accept that too as the Will of God.

There is certainly some purpose behind whatever He does, which you cannot comprehend. Whatever He does is for your own good. Hence, leave everything to His Will. Sukhadukhe samekruthwa labhalabhau jayajayau (one should remain equal minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat). Whatever may happen, consider it as an act of divine love and welcome it wholeheartedly.

Everything happens as per the Will of God. Do not be under the delusion that your will alone can make things move. If that be the case, why are you not able to exercise any control over certain events that take place in your life?....

Sukhadukhe samekruthwa labhalabhau jayajayau (one should remain equal minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat).

When you get immersed in divine love, you will be successful in all your endeavours. But today people are getting immersed only in worldly love. One who develops worldly love is a liar! Only divine love can be termed as true love.

Divine love will never betray you. Let people think what they like, let them criticise you in any manner, but always remain firmly established in divine love. Under any circumstances, do not deviate from the path of divine love. When you preserve divine love in your heart, your future as well as the future of your children will be safe and secure.

~ Divine Discourse delivered at the Sri Sathya Sai World Education Conference on 22 July, 2008