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ADVICE TO YOUTH |
"Be heroes for adventure. What the world needs today are young people full of universal love, enthusiasm to serve, and disciplined emotions. As students are the roots of a prosperous nation, the basis for a strong structure, you should become citizens upon which society can depend in the future. You must develop extensive interests and visualise wide horizons. You have to develop integrity, character and self-confidence. Cultivation of knowledge is secondary to this. Maintain purity of speech, of sight, of hearing and of action. Awarding a university degree to a person of low character and vicious habits can be condemned as a sin, for the degree has to be justified by the exemplary, noble living of the recipient." Sathya Sai Baba (discourse of 23-11-1983)
Sathya Sai Baba has come to transform the world. He says that, "A spiritual revolution – more powerful and pervasive than any man has undergone so far – neither political, economic, scientific nor technological, but deeper and more basic, is now on;" and it is the young who will carry the banner of this revolution to fruition. He says that this "Revolution has Love as both the means and the end. It will awaken the springs of Love all over the world in the fields of education, morality, law, politics, commerce and science." In order to implement this moral transformation, He calls on all young people to be "street lamps" to illumine the world’s darkness, not "street dogs" to scrounge in its rubbish bins.
It is very difficult for elders to change their old habits. It is much easier for young people to do it. The hope of the Sathya Sai Organisation rests on your shoulders. You have got to find your own methods to deal with the situations you face in today’s world. You will have a lot of criticism, but that will make you strong. "Youth must learn to hear with their own ears, see with their own eyes, and not be influenced by borrowed eyes and ears. Youth are the builders of nations, the pioneers on whom the progress of all humanity depends. Young people need to be shaped into ideal individuals who, by their way of living, speaking and acting, can promote goodness, wisdom and a spirit of dedication in the world. Give up envy, anger, cynicism and fault-seeking. Keep your vision clear and pure, your emotions sacred and constructive. That is my message to you." (Baba’s discourse on Gurupoornima Day 1976)
Sai Baba gives most of his time to the Youth, exhorting them to manifest their full potential, and showing them how to avoid the many shoals on life’s path. He deplores the "mighty potential for progress that is being wasted by the empty vagaries of youth today. If only the courage, the optimism, the strength, the imagination of youth were to be channelled into constructive areas, how much could be achieved, how soon the human community could attain peace and prosperity!" (discourse of 14-11-1975)
He wants young people to become strong, "The first thing to acquire is confidence in yourself. A person who has no self-confidence cannot achieve victory in anything whatsoever. It is only when you have self-confidence that you will attain self-satisfaction. When a small bird perches on a swaying branch, the bird is not upset for it has confidence in its wings and is fearless. If one has no confidence in one’s own capacities, one is not going to blossom into a complete, integrated and sound personality." (Summer Showers in Brindavan 1972, ch 9) Only a person with self-confidence will have the courage and perseverance necessary for swimming against the tide of general negativity.
Along with self-confidence and perseverance, Baba asks young people to develop "patience and forbearance – even when they are harmed by others" He says that "the prosperity, or otherwise, of the world is based upon the character of the young, both men and women. Youth should cultivate the quality of forbearance. Forbearance is a supreme virtue. Also, they should be free from fear. Animals and birds inspire fear and are subject to fear. But, as human beings, you should neither cause fear in others no be afraid yourselves. Today’s young men and women should develop fearlessness as a principal quality. Fear sin – that is the only thing of which you should be afraid." (World Youth Conference, July 16, 1997)
He says that "we cannot always oblige, but we can always speak obligingly." He says that young people tend to be swayed by waves of emotion. They get hot-headed and angry, but He asks them to "cultivate a spirit of forgiveness. Even when others accuse or harm you, you should have patience and be willing to forget and forgive. Youth is hot-blooded and easily provoked to anger, but this is not a human quality. You should develop peace and patience. Forbearance is the highest truth. Forgiveness the highest dharma. The practice of forbearance and forgiveness is non-violence in daily life, and it confers infinite happiness." (World Youth Conference, July 16, 1997)
Non-violence can be a very powerful too, as was demonstrated so spectacularly by Mahatma Gandhi. Pursue your objectives quietly, with unruffled determination. The more restrained and exemplary is your conduct, the greater will be your influence. Always remember, in this revolution, Love is both the means and the end. Many of you will soon be in the world of commerce and business. "You should adopt a spiritual approach to the tasks of the business world. You should carry out your duties with a sense of dedication to the business, but also in a spirit of service to the community." (Sanathana Sarathi 1990, p.94)
It is not by exhortation that the world will be changed, but by example. Only youth can change youth. When the young people become inspired to be shining examples to the rest of the world, the dark clouds of immorality and unrest will roll back, leaving a clear future for humanity. "The direction of nations hangs on the direction that youth will take in these troubled days. Youth should not be led into the paths of hypocrisy, deceit or greed. Youth should act the way they speak, and speak the way they think. Think good thoughts; speak good words; do good deeds. That will give inner joy and contentment." (discourse of 14-11-1975)
Baba also reminds us all, and youth in particular, that "we are indebted to society. "We are born in society and grow in society. All one’s achievements, one’s name and fame, are the gifts of society. One should therefore express one’s gratitude to one’s benefactor by rendering selfless service. The body is gifted to man for rendering dedicated service to society. But, today, even among people in high positions of authority, both in business and in politics, there is no spirit of sacrifice. Every heart is polluted, and hardened into stone. People take pride in their intellect but have no sense of pride in their humanity. Fear of sin and love of God are the surest remedies. Once we love God, we will love the world.
Every country in the world looks forward to their young men and women for their protection and for upholding their image. So make your behaviour sacred. You should never give up ideals. Desires make one blind to ideals, then one becomes selfish, forgetting spirituality and patriotism. So, you young men and women, you must cultivate the qualities of truth, righteousness, justice and sacrifice, in order to realise the goals of your countries. The absence of these ideals has brought about misery, anxiety and unhappiness. Determine to set things right by adopting these values. Enthrone the ideal of sacrifice in your hearts. Wear the crown of justice. Be ready with the sword of truth. These are the true weaponry with which to protect both yourselves and your country. (World Youth Conference, July 16, 1997)
He speaks, too, about the present wave of promiscuity that has engulfed our modern civilisation. When you have a friendship with someone of the opposite sex, there is an attraction that is naturally built up so that the race can survive. He always says that until you are married, the relationship should not be consummated, for the simple reason that it is like playing musical beds. That is not good for either of the people. It is not conducive to a spiritual path, and it loads each of the people with all kinds of tensions. "In today’s world, it is important that young people understand the nature of love. Many mix with members of the opposite sex, calling them boy friend and girl friend. If you really love each other you must get married and not continue living as friends. Young people should learn what is truth, what is love, what is God, and what is the relationship between the mind and the world. Fear sin and uphold morality in society. Radiate human values and ensure unity in thought, word and deed". (discourse of 17-7-1997)
We all know that the temptations are out there, now more than ever because we are bombarded through television, movies and other media. That is why Baba does not want us to fill our minds with undesirable movies, magazines or all kind of media that stimulates us just on the physical level, just on the sexual. It has to be elevating. Of course one cannot avoid friendship with the opposite sex. We are thrown together at work and school situations. We naturally develop friendships, but there has to be sense-control. "Having born as a human, it is a disgrace to lead the life of an animal. Food, sleep, fear and procreation are common to human and animals, but only humans are endowed with wisdom. Bereft of wisdom, humans are equal to animals. Animals, too, eat, sleep and enjoy sensual pleasures. If you do the same, how can you be called a human being? The only difference lies in the number of legs – you are a two-legged animal and the others are four-legged animals. Having been born as a human being, you should strive to become Godlike. Do not degenerate to the level of an animal." (discourse of 1-10-1999) He asks us to keep telling ourselves, "I am a human being. I am not an animal."
"It is only young men and women who will be capable of eradicating the evils prevailing in the society. If we have virtuous youth, all the ills of society can be removed. Today, the whole world is embroiled in wicked thoughts, wicked company and evil acts. Excessive desires are the main cause for the sufferings of mankind. So keep a check on your desires. As a student, discharge your duties diligently. Study well and obtain good marks. Respect your parents and serve them. Keep in mind the welfare of society and the nation at large. Earn a good name in society. Do not feel proud of your education. Your education will have been a mere waste if it is not utilised for the welfare of society. The education you have received from the society must be dedicated to it by way of service." (inaugural discourse at Youth Conference, 18-11-1999)
Today, money has become the only deity to which governments of every country are paying any obeisance The problems of the present day world are the result of selfishness and greed. It is out of selfishness and greed that industries are turning a blind eye on the pollution they produce. It is out of selfishness and greed that the world’s forests are being destroyed and the soil left open to erosion. It is out of selfishness and greed that the seas are being overfished. These trends must be reversed. The future of the planet, perhaps of life itself, is in your hands.
"Young men and women, you are the future pleaders and leaders of this world. Great responsibility devolves on you. Be exemplary in everything you do. Make proper use of resources. Don’t waste money or time. Speak gently and persuasively – this the first discipline. You cannot always oblige, but you can always speak obligingly. Respect your parents; you owe them your blood, head, food and money. Without your mother, you don’t have existence. She has given birth to you and reared you with loving care and sacrifice. Be grateful to her." (18-7-1997, World Youth Conference)