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Peace through Education in Human Values
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Subject: Peace through Education in Human Values
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From: aq974@lafn.org (Bon Giovanni)
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 1995 05:25:42 GMT
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Apparently-To: alt-hindu@relay1.uu.net
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From news@lafn.org Mon Jul 24 01: 15:41 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: The Los Angeles Free-Net
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References: Sai News Australia
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Reply-To: aq974@lafn.org (Bon Giovanni)
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Sender: news@lafn.org
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Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from Thy Presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea;
Even there shall Thy hand lead me,
And Thy right hand shall hold me.
-Psalms 139: 7-10
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Universal Peace Through Human Values
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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 you
are one.
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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, Paris
The 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, India
Human values in a global economy: Mr Carlos Fortin, Duty Officer,
UNCTAD, Geneva
Human 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@ozemail.com.au> ]
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Whatever a fine person does, so will others do; people effect behaviour
by example. -Bhagavad Gita 3:21
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