Teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Volume 2

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.

 

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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. 

 

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