Even the enjoyment of a happy life in the world requires faith. We must believe in an intelligent guiding force, or the world is reduced to a chaotic jungle of greed and envy. Life is not pleasant for one caught in the coils of self-importance and wrong desire. Without concern for others, there is little joy in life. Lasting joy is found only when we aspire to universal values and ideals.

But spiritual progress is not merely intellectual exercise: it is right living, good conduct, moral behavior. These attitudes are the automatic consequence of belief in a good, just, compassionate God who is watching and witnessing every act. So faith in an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God is the first prerequisite to a good life.

Sathya Sai Speaks 6