Significance of Human Life
What are the main causes of ill health? Millions of living beings grouped as species dwell on the earth; they sustain themselves by means of food secured from nature, as provided by nature. It is only man that is an exception. In order to cater to his palate and other senses, he changes the composition and characteristics of the things provided by nature and prepares, through the process of boiling, frying, and mixing concoctions that have no vitality in them. Birds and beasts do not adopt such destructive methods. They eat things raw and consume the strength-giving vital essence. So they do not fall victim to the many ills that man brings on himself.
Plant a boiled pulse in the soil; it won’t sprout. How, then, can it contribute life to the living? The vitamins and proteins that are valuable ingredients are destroyed while it is cooked to please the palate. The billions of cells in the body are so interdependent that when one is weakened or damaged, all of them suffer. There is a limit and a balance which every limb and organ has to maintain. Insufficient or improper food will endeavor this balance. An occasional cough helps to strengthen the lungs and to clear them of extraneous matter, but fits of coughing are signs of positive illness.
Evil thoughts cause ill health. Anxiety, fear, and tension also contribute their share. All these result from greed; greed to have more things, power and fame. Greed results in sorrow and despair. Contentment can come only from spiritual outlook. The desire for worldly goods has to be given up.
Digest 2, p. 162
Another method of avoiding illness is to diminish mental worry. Now, I find people increasing their worries, and getting anxious about things that they do not understand; nor can they correct them or reform them. The radio, newspaper, and other means of communication or information cause so much fear and discontent, that worry and anxiety are increased and man’s mind is weakened.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 5, p. 53
When man’s mind is unattached to the ups and downs of life, but is able to maintain equanimity under all circumstances, then even physical health can be assured. The mental firmament must be like the sky that bears no mark of the passage through it of birds, planes, or clouds. Illnesses are caused more by malnutrition of the mind than of the body. Doctors speak of vitamin deficiency; I will call it the deficiency of vitamin G and I will recommend the repetition of the name of God, with accompanying contemplation of the glory and grace of God. That is vitamin G. That is the medicine; regulated life and habits are 2/3 of the treatment, while the medicine is just 1/3 only.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 5, p. 58
