Morality is the foundation for spiritual progress. It is the prerequisite
for the journey, the first step. If we do not live a moral life, our
pursuit of advanced practices is meaningless. Yet today many people
desire quick character changes and miraculous results before developing
even basic virtues. Righteousness and character are the essential qualifications
for the journey.
Religion is three-fourths character. No person
can claim to be religious if he merely observes the sacraments and
rules, and fails to be upright and compassionate.
Sathya Sai Speaks 7
Virtuous character is the driving force of every dedicated
aspirant. However knowledgeable, devoted, or active we may be, if we
lack virtue we are destined to fail. Moral strength reflects our practice
of universal values and endows us with a willingness to act on what
we have learned. It demonstrates a personality that integrates the various
facets of our discipline. Only a strongly integrated personality is
capable of great achievement.
It is often declared that knowledge is power.
No. No. Character is power. Nothing can be more powerful on Earth
than character. Riches, scholarship, status, authority are all frail
and flimsy before it.
Sathya Sai Speaks 11
Today many teachers present courses for "quick"
spiritual development that does not address this essential first step.
They prescribe breathing exercise, postures, or special meditations
for new students without imposing any preliminary qualifications of
virtuous character. But advanced practices cannot yield realization
of our divine nature without adherence to basic standards of right conduct.
You may do the most rigorous japa (repetition
of the name of the Lord) or submit yourself to the direst of austerities,
but if you are not virtuous, all of it is sheer waste
Sathya Sai Speaks 4
It is impossible for aspirants to seek their advanced
degrees without first learning the alphabet of virtue. Higher degrees
may be obtained only after first learning the basics. Living a moral
life is the essential first step in reducing egoism. If we do not conquer
selfish desires, there is no hope for us to expand beyond the small
perimeter of ourselves. The modern cults of body and personality cater
to the lower self. This trend needs to be reversed. Consideration of
and service to others is required on the spiritual path.
Morality, a virtuous character: these are
the very foundations of progress, the very basic needs. They grow
in the realm of the spirit. But, today, the spirit is neglected.
Physical and animal needs are catered to. They are accepted as the
ends of living; all efforts are directed to these.
Sathya Sai Speaks 7
