1. All People Have Some Faith

Nothing is accomplished without faith. We must have faith in ourselves or in others to complete any task. We must have faith in the laws of nature. We must have faith that will live to see the results of right effort. So also we must have faith in God if we are to make spiritual progress. Faith is the first step that makes each following step possible.

Faith is the basis of every act. You do not run away from the barber because he is armed with a sharp razor. You place faith in him and allow him to cut your hair, quietly submitting to his idiosyncrasies. You give away costly clothes to the washer since you have faith that he will return them washed and ironed… So, too, believe in the inner motivator, the atman within, the voice of God.

Sathya Sai Speaks 10,

2. The Origin of Belief

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

3. The Necessity of Faith

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

4. Guard the Tender Shoots

Without faith, where can happiness be found? At first the work is difficult and the results are not readily apparent. But with time, faith blossoms into a tree under which many find shade. One step at a time is sufficient for even the longest journey. It is not necessary to finish the journey in one day. At the beginning we need to guard faith, as a small flame must be guarded from the wind.

When faith dawns, fence it around with discipline and self-control so that the tender shoot might be guarded against goats and cattle, the motley crowd of cynics and unbelievers. When your faith grows into a big tress, those very cattle can lie down in the shade that it will spread.

Sathya Sai Speaks 1,

Until faith is strong, it is best for us to remain silent. By challenging others, we may lose the little faith we have. When faith is unshakable, we can aid others. Firm faith is like a raging fire: it will consume even the green wood of others ‘doubts. Until that time, silence is the kindest friend of faith.

Faith is a plant of slow growth; its roots go deep into the heart. Silence is the best sadhana (spiritual practice) to guard faith.

Sathya Sai Speaks 5

5. The Road to Victory

With steady, faithful effort, victory is assured. A disciplined approach yields the most fruitful results. We must persist despite setbacks and obstacles. When our practice conforms to our precept and the Lord’s grace is won, the prize will be awarded.

Steady faith alone can earn victory. You cannot be changing your allegiance as and when you please. Hold fast until the realization is awarded.

Sathya Sai Speaks 5

The faith with which we pursue the goal helps to implement the result. The Lord rewards faith with grace. He is so compassionate that he will not disappoint the earnest seeker. The certainty of our expectation is like the force of a great wave ---it sweeps away all obstacles in its path.

Faith can work wonders; it can compel the Lord to manifest himself and give you what you believe he will give you.

Sathya Sai Speaks 2

Unshakable faith does not grow overnight. It arrives on a slow cart, pulled by the oxen of strength and determination. There can be no worthier object of effort than realizing the omnipresent God. Our faith grants us patience while we develop spiritual discrimination. Spiritual discrimination enables us to know what is real and of lasting value. When we taste the sweetness of spiritual values, the journey becomes a pleasure. Until that time, faith sustains the vision.

That faith can come only slowly, by association with the godly, by reading the lives and experiences of godly persons, and by gaining experience oneself.

Sathya Sai Speaks 7

6. Confirmation of Progress

The test of success in faith lies in our actions. Faith that is not backed by the conviction of our deeds is a leaky boat for crossing the river of life. Sometimes we know our own faith only when presented with tests; then we must act on the courage of our beliefs. When we act in accordance with high ideals, we earn God’s grace to progress further. Experience in spiritual endeavor confers knowledge; practice earns grace.

An individual who has faith in god must put his faith into practice. By believing in God and yet by ignoring God’s utterances and commands, you are contradicting yourselves. Faith is not a cloak that is worn outside for deceiving others.

Summer Showers 1977

Experience of the Lord’s grace grants the certainty of self-realization. When the caterpillar of faith is transformed into the butterfly of knowledge, there is no further room for doubt. Once the nectar of divinity is tasted, there is no hunger for the bitter fruits of the world.

Do not waver or doubt when once you are convinced. Seek to understand and satisfy yourself. After that, do not be misled. When the sun is over your head, there will be no shadow; similarly, when faith is steady in your head, it should not cast any shadow of doubt.

Sathya Sai Speaks 1

God can be known as surely as day follows night. Divine vision is more real than the experience of this transient world. Life changes constantly; God alone is unchanging. Only a life based on divine principles truly rests upon a solid foundation.

Faith in God is the secure foundation on which hope has to be built. The faith has to be stable and strong. The feeling that God will come to our rescue has to be vivid and vital, motivating and activating all that we do or speak or think.

Sathya Sai Speaks 7,

Faith grants us our true freedom. Holding fast to the divine will, we release our hold on fear and anxiety. God guides us through the maze of life. The Lord’s voice is heard in the stillness of the heart; for his voice is our own voice; his strength is the strength of our faith and courage. Our own divine self, the God within, grants success.

Rely on the Lord within and discover inexhaustible reinforcements of courage within each heart. The final victory is for those who have faith in the invincible atma, their reality.

Sathya Sai Speaks 5

7. Realization of the Goal

The saints and sages have trodden the razor-edged path to victory. By following their examples, we have little to lose and much to gain. Some petty pleasures are discarded, but the divine bliss that we gain is a far greater prize. Soon this short life will end and what will we have achieved? The material acquisitions will be left behind; the only treasure we will keep is the degree of evolution attained. All virtue earned lifts us closer to God- realization in this life or the next.

Whoever has the enthusiasm, the steadfastness, and the determination to reach the goal will certainly succeed. Cultivate that faith in ultimate success; never despair of fault or doubt. That is my advice to one and all.

Sathya Sai Speaks 2