Sathya Sai Baba The World-Avatar Teaching and Revelations

To earn that calmness, steady constant effort is essential. When
peace is acquired, then, it is all harmony. Equanimity is the very nature
of peace. Everyone should be endowed with that peace and that calmness
and establish an Age of belief devoid of un-Veda behaviour, attitude,
conduct habits and character.
For this purpose, on army of devotees has to be trained in ashrams
and spiritual centres. This is the responsibility, of those who run the
ashrams for; they must have faith in themselves in order to train the
army along sound lines. Otherwise, things will get more confused. (3-
25/26)
The mind should not be permitted to wander as it fancies. It must be
controlled without mercy. If possible, one should aim even at its destruction,
that is to say, keeping the mind away from contact with
worldly objects. It is only when that is done that man can grasp his real
identity. The realization of that reality is the state called liberation.
Then all varieties of troubles and travails, doubts and dilemmas, come
to on end. Man then overcomes sorrow, delusion and anxiety and be
established in the holy calmness of peace. (3-28)
The devotee who wants to attain this peace has to constantly practice
a virtuous life, overcoming all the initial obstacles. Peace is a mountain
of rock. It can stand up against the continuous floods of temptation
from evil. This Prashanti need not be sought anywhere outside: it emanates
in the internal motivator itself. It is the very basis of the urge towards
liberation; it is the root of deep-grounded meditation; it is the
pre-requisite for liberation. Established in peace, reality can be known
and experienced: impulses and mental waves can be stilled. The bliss
of realization of the self is proportional to the decline of I-ness and
identification with the physical body. (3-29)
Do not shape your conduct with one eye on the opinion of others. Instead,
follow bravely, gladly and steadily, the sweet and pleasant
prompting of your own pure mind, your own awakened conscience,
and your own inner self. Associate yourself with those who are richly
endowed with truth, spend every second of your life usefully and well.
If you possibly can, render service to others. (...)
A joyful outlook helps peace to grow, it should therefore be cultivated
by the devotee. His nature should be free from pomp and show. He
should understand the secret of character, and strengthen his will for
betterment. (3-29/30)
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