Peace cannot be found in passbooks or iron Safes

1.The devotee is the needle which is always drawn towards the magnet, God. But the needle should be near and clean enough. If you feel you haven't yet received His Grace, it is because the needle is not pure enough. You have not scraped off, by the processes of repentance, the mud, dust and rust called attachment. And by near, I do not mean physically near. I do not measure distance between you and Me in miles or metres. You may be physically very far, but mentally by My side. I am always with you, in you, beside you, ever; only you have to be aware of Me and make use of My Presence. Develop virtues, good habits and attitudes, and a noble character. With love in your heart, repeat God’s name and adopt spiritual practices, then Grace will start flowing onto you.

2.Resolve to master the senses through meditation and follow it steadily, systematically and regularly, at a stated time and place, without changing them as the whim takes you. Do not alter as fancy dictates for that will bring about dire consequences. For those who eat too much and get exhausted with the task of assimilating it, those who eat less and suffer from exhaustion, those who sleep too much or too little, those who indulge in spiritual practices according to 'convenience' (that is to say, who do it for long hours one day because they have no other work, but do token meditation the next day, because they have lots of engagements), those who give free rein to the six inner enemies, those who do not confer joy on parents, and those who have little faith in the Lord installed in their hearts – for all these people spiritual practices will yield no fruit at all.

3.Everyone is after happiness. The hunt for comfortable jobs and positions of influence, the founding of banks and business houses, the growth of bungalows – all these are evidences of the eagerness to live in happiness. But there is no real eagerness to live in peace. Happiness should not be confused with peace. No one rich, well placed, prosperous or powerful has peace. Peace cannot be found in passbooks or iron safes. You can investigate and verify this truth yourself. Peace cannot also be ensured by the piling of bombs and weapons. Mere terror and counter-terror will not establish cordiality and harmony. Realize that the physical is subordinate to the spiritual. The secret to peace lies in service and love towards all beings. International peace cannot dawn until the minds are cleansed of hatred and terror; remove these two evil traits within each heart and plant therein love and service.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba