Health, human family and human values by Swami

Health is the foundation on which human life rests. There is no greater wealth than health. What is the origin of this word 'Health'? It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Heilig ', meaning that which is sacred and pure. The body is a combination of different limbs. So, only when all limbs are utilized for sacred purposes can one have good health and happiness. For a healthy mind, one should have a healthy body. The Spirit (Atma) sustains human life basing on the health of the body and the mind. Health is the primary requisite for the realization of the four objectives of human life - Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kaama (desire) and Moksha (liberation).

Good health is ensured by the proper utilization of head and heart. There are many unseen qualities in man. But man values only that, which he sees, listens and experiences. But, no importance is given to that which is unseen. That which is unseen is actually responsible for experiencing the fruits of one's action. All human qualities spring from the heart only, they cannot be obtained from teachers or texts.

The main cause for illness is psychological disturbances. These are nothing but illusions and dilusions. In olden days diseases were few in number. But today they are rampant. What is the reason for this? The fear that one may be a victim of the prevalent disease. '80% of the diseases are psychological. If you check your pulse rate under anxiety, you will find it abnormal. Do not bestow undue attention on your health; discharge your duties peacefully, then everything will be all right.

Just as each limb is as important as any other in the body, so also is each individual in the society. All limbs have to work in unison for the effective functioning of the body. Unity is most essential for man. Unity leads to purity, which in turn leads to divinity. Cultivate the feeling of brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. People may come from varied cultures, languages and countries, but all are the children of God. Since you make distinctions based on country, culture and language, you are unable to comprehend divinity. Everyone is a member of the universal family.

Everything in God's creation follows certain rules and regulations. Even the sunrise and sunset are regulated by the Divine command. But, man today is not following the dictates of God, though he is endowed with supreme intelligence. Today man is acquiring knowledge, which is information-oriented, not transformation-oriented. This information-oriented knowledge makes man a machine, a computer; whereas, transformation-oriented knowledge makes man a composer. The transformation-oriented knowledge confers human values.

Sai Baba, Divine Discourse "Unity is Divinity" 20 Nov 1998, Prasanthi Nilayam.