Teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Volume 2

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.

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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 

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