Faith springs from self-understanding. It is inner divinity
that enables us to recognize divinity in the world. That internal source
is a spring of courage and self-confidence. It swells into a river as
it flows back into the sea of understanding, for we are only seeking
to regain our lost inheritance –divinity.
For what is the root of that faith in yourself?
Who are you that you should believe in yourself? No. You believe
in yourself because your self is God and you have an unshakable
faith in God, deep down in you. Faith in yourself and faith in God
are identical; you tap the strength of the God within when you stand
at attention against an enemy without.
Sathya Sai Speaks 2
Some faith comes naturally to us. If we must submit
to an operation, we believe that the surgeon will save us, despite the
sharp knife in the surgeon’s hand. We believe that oncoming highway
traffic will remain in its own lane of travel. We have confidence in
complete strangers, but to place faith in God makes us more critical.
We have a tendency to believe what is pleasant and easy. It is more
difficult to believe when faith demands action or obligation. Faith
in god presents an array of challenges to the newcomer. It frequently
requires major changes in the new believer’s lifestyle. However, without
faith in the messages of the saints and sages, effective progress is
impossible.
You may say that you will not believe in
god unless you have clear experience personally about him. Well,
you believe that your date of birth is as certain month in a particular
year. You have taken it on trust. You take many things on trust:
it is impossible to insist on personal experience for everything,
which we have to believe, if life is to run smooth. Take this also
on trust, for many saints, sages, and scientists have accepted it
and experienced it.
Sathya Sai Speaks 7
Knowledge arises from experience, but first we must
act on faith. We must act to win the experience that rewards faith.
If we test the instructions given by others who have gone before, we
will discover for ourselves the "hidden" riches. It is not
proper to demand proof of the existence of God before any effort is
expended. Great trouble is endured to achieve material objectives, but
some people feel that the greater aim of spiritual growth should be
effortless. If such individuals do not make the effort, the loss is
their own.
Some people say that they will believe in
God only when they are afforded some experience of divine will.
How can faith arise in the will for those with such an attitude?
They have no keenness to experience; how can examples help? Of course,
if some have no faith, the loss is theirs. The Lord is unconcerned.
Two and two make four even if some swear that they will not believe
it.
Sathya Sai Speaks 6
