Home Environment

How does the home environment influence the physical health and well-being of future generations? 

The body has to be maintained in good condition, for it is only when embodied in this human container that man can realise God. The body is either strong or weak, an efficient instrument or an inefficient one, according to the food, recreations, and habits of one’s parents. 

Since the elders do not pay attention to these, the health of the children suffers; we have hospitals, dispensaries, and clinics in every street now, because disease has its hold on every family, in every home. Even little children wear glasses; young people dye their hair, and many wear dentures. 

The reason is the atmosphere in the modern home is filled with artificiality, anxiety, envy, discontent, empty boasting, vain pomp, extravagance, falsehood and hypocrisy. How can anyone growing up in this corrosive atmosphere be free from illness? If the home is filled with the clean fragrance of contentment and peace, all its occupants will be happy and healthy. The elders have, therefore, a great responsibility towards the generation that is coming up.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba 

(Divine Discourse - October 5, 1967)

Why should we maintain the body (deha) in good health? It is for the sake of realising the Dehi (Indweller Self). – BABA