Human Life

What is the important distinction between a human life and that of birds and animals? 

"ome argue that man is born just for the gratification of his senses. Some think that they should amass food and wealth for the sake of joy and happiness only. If man simply consumes food like the other animals, how does man differ from them? Is it necessary to be born as a man to amass food? The bird, which is hungry and has not stored food, just goes straight to the food to satisfy its hunger. 

On the other hand, man stores food for the sake of future gratification. Man is not born to go in quest of food. He is born to go in quest of the Atma. We should develop our intelligence because our intelligence enables us to know good from bad through the process of constant thought and discrimination. We should not stuff our heads with all worldly matters. We must implement the good principles, which we have stored in our minds. 

The discourses of elders and the messages of great books point out the great principles of finding unity in diversity. But this principle remains only theoretical if it is not implemented in our daily lives."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Ch 21, Summer Showers 1972)

Acting under the dictates of the mind brings disaster; acting under the instructions of the illumined buddhi is desirable. – BABA