Peace through Education in Human Values

[Guest guest]

Peace Through Human Values My beloved, Take from me my love

and my blessings! What is true devotion to God? Devotion is meaningless

if you say you love God with your lips, while you are not well disposed to

other living beings. Your love must include all that is alive, which is after

all, nothing less than a manifestation of God. Such a lover of God will

certainly realise God-consciousness. In this, you are not allowed to remain

standing still, proving familyhood just to your human sisters and brothers.

See God in the whole of creation! Share God's gift of love with all creatures.

Ahimsa paramo dharma - Non-violence is the highest form of right living,

the divine law which is the highest of all virtues. The principle of

non-violence means the promotion of mutual love along with achieving and

maintaining goals of peace and unity. That is the main feature which is a

recognisable sign of being human. Non-violence means refraining from violence

released by passionate feelings and controlling oneself. The non-violent are

recognised by their patience. Impatience is the Mother of Violence. Violence is

the sign of an animal nature. The highest of human virtues is to help the

poor and those in despair. Those who work hard for the poor, to allay their need

and to stand by them, are not allowed the slightest self interest thereby, or

even have the slightest expectation of gaining something in return. In nature

itself, there are countless examples of absolute selflessness in service for

the well-being of others. Trees carry fruits to give happiness to others.

Rivers flow for the sake of others. Cows give milk so that others can be

nourished. That is how a

person should stand in line to be the first to serve others. Without the

readiness to serve, mankind will perish. The future well-being of humanity is

closely connected with the need for the spirit of altruism. Selflessness is the

recognisable sign of being a true human being. It is important for all

people to set themselves high goals and strive for the highest ideals. They are

reached not only through education, or gained in the market place. One can only

promote such an inner focus through the regular practise of spiritual practices

and the continual cultivation of the company of good people. Today, there

are two bad tendencies, envy and hate, which need to be eradicated like harmful

vermin. Damage can be caused to a beautiful tree full of fruit if the roots are

attacked. Similarly, envy and hate are in the position to bury all the human

values once they have infested the spirit of

humanity. Good characteristics, cultivated over many years of self-discipline

can be as quickly lost as a gesture of the hand, because of both these evils.

Envy is the worst enemy of all. Envy is a demonic characteristic.

Self-praise and slandering others are both signs of ego. It is difficult to

earn a good name for oneself, but a bad reputation can come about in a matter

of seconds. That is why it is so important to protect oneself from listening to

the impulses of the ego. It is perhaps not so easy to expand the higher

human qualities and install them into community service. One should

nevertheless strive ceaselessly to cultivate in oneself the virtues of

patience, love and non-violence, and contribute to service in the community.

Every devotee must therefore be aware that the principle of love is the seed of

every living thing, an expression of godliness. All should know that it

is better to possess a heart without words, than words without heart. Only a

heart full of love will discover the truth of God. Without that, reaching one's

goals is of little value. Similarly, an act which is not based on knowledge is

foolishness. Book knowledge alone will not assist humanity to expand in

consciousness. It must be accompanied by wisdom won by personal experience.

Only thus will life be meaningful. Knowledge needs to be set alight by good

character. No matter how wealthy, or strong in physical and spiritual strength

someone may be - without good character one is no more than a wandering corpse.

Also connected with good character is a loving heart, sympathy, patience,

and courage to make sacrifices. These five virtues represent the true hold on

life that the genuine human being has. Only the person who has these human

characteristics will be capable of

experiencing God-consciousness. Godliness can only enter when one has given up

selfishness. Giving up of all selfishness is the prerequisite so that one can

reach God-consciousness. Humanity will see a great future when the human

community bases itself on the twin principles of love and the spirit of

sacrifice. This is the message from Sai to you. Through your lives you

should be an example of the spiritual qualities of love and the spirit of

sacrifice. Go forth on the path to building a community which is based on

truth, honesty, love and peace. Go forward in full trust, in unity, with total

faith in God, and with courage that Sai's grace accompanies you everywhere,

wherever you may be, because Sai and youare

one.======================================================= Sathya Sai

Baba conveyed the preceding written Opening Message

to attendants of a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, 9 June, 1995.

The even was offered by the International Sathya Sai Service Organisation

in participation with the United Nations. The theme of the conference was

`Universal Peace Through Human Values.' The meeting's purpose was to

explain to members of the UN the significance of the Human Values

Programme, a method of nurturing and developing the full potential of

children and adults through proven educational methods. The programme

included the following topics and speakers:Introduction: Sri Indulal Shah,

Chairperson of the International Sathya Sai Service Organisation;Human values,

human rights and world

peace: Justice P N Bhagawati, Acting Chairperson of the United Nations Human

Rights Commission in Geneva, and former Justice Minister of India;The way to

peace- a short historical overview: Mr Jacques Pillet-Will, noted banker and

leading businessman, ParisThe role of Education in Human Values in leading to

world peace: Dr Art-Ong Jumsai, scientist, Member of Parliament (Thailand),

adviser to various Ministries, university lecturer, governmental expert on

Education in Human Values, which is applied throughout Thailand schools.Cost

free medical treatment with the most modern equipment: a unique example: Dr A N

Safaya, Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Specialty Hospital, Puttaparthi,

IndiaHuman values in a global economy: Mr Carlos Fortin, Duty Officer, UNCTAD,

GenevaHuman values in the economy leading to international peace: Mr Ryuko

Hira, President of various enterprises, Tokyo (Japan), Regional Service

Coordinator for the Far Eastern

Region[Translated from the German publication, Sathya Sai Briefe, Summer 1995

for inclusion in SAI NEWS AUSTRALIA, Winter 1995, whose editor, Albert Barelds

gifts it here in Sai Seva. For subscription data, or further news, please

contact Sai News Australia via <bareldsa (AT) ozemail (DOT) com.au> ]

COLLECTION: PREETHAM SAI P.V.

MANGALORE,INDIA.

 

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