education

To increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues within the Sai community, we aim to provide educational materials addressing the basics and some common questions people may have about the community. We emphasize a spiritual approach to these topics, focusing on unity, kindness, and love.

A good place to start would be our recorded LGBTQIA+ Allyship 101 workshop which gives a broad understanding of why discussing the LGBTQIA+ community is important, common terms to know, and how to practice inclusivity and kindness toward everyone.

Tidbit Tuesday is our educational content series where we explore LGBTQIA+ topics, how they are relevant within the Sai community, and how you can practice inclusivity. Check out the general topics below to learn more.

Definitions and Identities

“Having been born in this vast universe, it is a matter of great shame that man should have a narrow mind. This universe is the form of God. As God is immanent in everyone, one’s heart should be as expansive as the universe itself. Since people today have forgotten God and are enmeshed in worldly life, they have become narrow-minded. If one contemplates on all-pervasive God, the mind will also become broad and expansive. In this way, people should broaden their heart.” - Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 29

“It is very easy to see diversity in unity; anyone can do that. But it requires a lot of effort to recognise unity underlying the entire diversity that exists in this world” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 41

“The same effulgent atma is present in the heart of everybody. People may wear different types of dresses and speak different languages, but the atma present in all is one and the same. Names and forms can be different, but the divine principle is one in all.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 40

“Man, today, expects others to respect him; but he will not respect others. If you do not respect others, how can you expect others to respect you? Manava (human being) means an individual deserving respect. Since you are born as a human being, give respect and take respect. This is the quality you have to cultivate today. When you respect others, others will also respect you. When you offer your pranams (salutations) to somebody, to whom does it go actually? You are not merely offering pranams to the physical body consisting of the five elements. It reaches, in fact, the Indweller in that human body, who is none other than God.” -Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 37

“Wherever you look, God is present. From stars to hillocks, from insects to elephants, everything is pervaded by Brahman. Fill your heart with divine feelings. God is known as Hridayavasi (resident of heart). Here heart does not mean the physical heart. If there is enlargement of physical heart, it results in a disease. What I refer in this context is the spiritual heart which is present in every individual. When there is an expansion of heart, it gives rise to broadmindedness. On the other hand, when there is contraction of heart, you will have only narrow feelings. Hence, never entertain mean qualities.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 38

Gender

“What is the great achievement if you alone are happy? All should be happy. Your happiness lies in the happiness of all, your well-being lies in the well-being of all. You cannot be happy when others are not happy. Therefore, pray for the welfare of all, including small creatures and insects. This is the real meaning of unity. Only the heart that desires the well-being of all is dear to God.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 41

"People say that God is a composite form of Sakthi and Siva (Ardhanareeswara). He has both male and female characteristics. In fact, every human being has these characteristics." -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 24

“When everyone performs his duties, the nation will prosper. Perform your duties, without regard to what others say or do. Engage yourselves in service activity. Consider social service as service to God. To earn the love of God, this is the easiest way. The best way to love God is to love all and serve all. Your entire life will be sanctified thereby.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 22

“God does not judge anyone by his external appearance. This was the lesson which Ashtavakra taught to the pandits at the court of king Janaka when they laughed on seeing the crooked body of Ashtavakra. The latter laughed at them and told them: ‘I thought you were great scholars. I find you are only a set of cobblers. You judge a person by the skin on his body.’” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 29

Coming Out

“In God’s creation there are millions of individuals, millions of insects, mountains and trees. Do we see any one piece of creation resembling identically any other piece? Even twins, born from one mother will be different in some way or the other. They will never be completely identical. There is no similarity between one piece and another. All these flowers are jasmine flowers, but there is no complete identity between one jasmine flower and another. Can there be anything more startling than this? How many lessons can this teach us? Who can create such things? This is great work of God. If we can make an attempt to understand this aspect of God, we can understand everything.” -Summer Showers 1978

“No two things or no two men are identical.Even identical twins grow in distinct ways of life. No one of the millions of leaves on a tree is exactly the same as another. Botanists are aware of this feature. Billions of human beings are on the earth, but which is the press which has given each of them a novel imprint? This is the glory of God. Millions of boxes are manufactured by a company; all are identical; all can be locked and opened by the same set of keys. Man is created by God, each with his distinct nature, quality, potentiality and destiny.” - Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 16

"Differences in beliefs and cultural practices among men are well-known. Although climatic conditions may be the same in the various regions of the world, the ways of living and practices of people are diverse. This diversity is inherent in Nature. It is not a defect but an ornament." -Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 21

“The uniqueness of every being is one of the marvels of creation. No two persons are entirely alike. There are differences even among twins. People differ in respect of talents. But it should be realised that all talents are derived from the Divine.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 29

“God has no feelings of difference such as the good and the bad, the likable and the unwanted, the wicked and the virtuous. The sandalwood tree imparts its fragrance even to the axe that fells it. Likewise, God is ever prepared to love, foster and protect equally everyone without any distinction. But narrow-minded persons cannot easily grasp the Divine's equal-mindedness. Indeed, how can a fishmonger know the value of diamonds? Everyone apprehends God's powers and attributes according to his own limited conceptions and experiences.” -Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 22

“Nothing is impossible in this world for a person who has self-confidence and courage. One can accomplish anything and everything. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen self-confidence. Do not bother about what others say. Do not be afraid even if they make fun of you. Why should you have any fear when God is with you? He is the resident of your heart. He is none other than your Atma.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 42

Allyship

“Krishna looked upon those who, even if they were good in themselves, did not oppose unrighteousness and injustice committed in their presence when they had the capacity to do so, as actual participants in the crimes.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 19

“What is the cause of all the evils plaguing society? It is the lack of sense of social responsibility. Every individual has to recognise his duty to society and understand that without society he cannot lead a family life. Students, therefore, should develop a social consciousness. They should ask themselves how by each of their actions they can promote the welfare of society rather than the interest of themselves and their families. Everyone should feel: ‘I am a part of the society. My well-being is bound up with the well-being of others.’” - Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 24

“Every thought should be filled with compassion. We use the word ‘mankind’. He who has kindness is man. What is the use of life without kindness? One who is filled with kindness is near the Divine. A man of kindness is a friend of God.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 30

“Speech is charged with tremendous power. When, through speech, we communicate to a person something that upsets their balance or shocks them into grief, the words completely drain off their physical strength and mental courage. The person falls on the ground, unable to stand. On the other hand, when, through speech, we communicate something happy or unexpectedly cheering, the person gets the strength of an elephant.” -Vidya Vahini, Chapter 18

“Peace must begin in the family, in the home. When there is understanding and harmony in the family, peace will spread to the community and from there to the nation and the world. Hence unity is the primary need today. Unity confers joy and peace.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 23

Social Issues

“Words don’t cost anything but they are priceless. So, they have to be used with care. They must be employed not for gossip, which is barren, but for pure and productive purposes only.” -Vidya Vahini, Chapter 18

“How are human qualities to be promoted in society? Society is made up of individuals. No man can be an island to himself. Living amidst fellow human beings, man has to sow the seeds of love, rear the plants of harmony and offer the fruits of peace to society. Thereby his humanness is manifested.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 20

“You should have compassion toward all beings, and this is the flower you should offer to God. This is the essence of all sacred texts. The principle of Atma present in all is one and the same. Realising unity in diversity is knowledge, and seeing diversity in unity is ignorance.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 29

“Today, many people, in spite of their being educated, care for only one individual and the members of his family. They do not think that there is a community which has to be taken care of. You should recognise that along with you as an individual, there is also the society and the community. We are not living solely for ourselves. We are not living solely for the sake of our family. We are living for the sake of the world.” -Summer Showers 1977

“Unfortunately, today some people take to wrong ways due to the effect of bad qualities, bad practices, bad thoughts, and bad looks. Whomever you come across, treat them as Embodiments of Divinity. Whatever you say, it must reflect Divinity. When you conduct yourself in such a manner, that itself is mukti (liberation). One has to cleanse one's five senses. One should conduct oneself in such a manner that one neither hurts others nor is hurt by others. The words you make use of must be sacred.” -Divine Discourse, Feb 23 2006

“The Divine principle that is in every one is like the electric current that illuminates the bulbs before Me here, of different colours and different candle powers. The same God shines in and through everyone, whatever be the creed, colour, tribe or territory. The current animates and activates all bulbs; the Divine animates and activates all. Those who see difference are deluded; they are befogged by prejudice, egoism, hatred or malice. Love sees all as one Divine family.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 8

Scenarios

“Devotion should not be confined to the four walls of the shrine-room, or the few minutes you perform Dhyana (meditation). It is a full time Sadhana (spiritual discipline). Your devotion has to be expressed as worship of every one, as a living embodiment of Divinity. See God in every one, even in persons whom you regard as your enemies. Practise that broad, inclusive type of Love. How can you derive happiness by showing love and reverence to a stone idol that does not respond or reflect the feelings? Living beings will return appreciation and gratitude and wish you well. You can see joy growing in their faces. That will confer satisfaction on you. If you cannot educate yourself to love your fellow man, how can you follow the path of dedication to God?” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 12

"When a lamp is lit from another, there are two where there was but one. The first one did not stop emitting light. You can light a million lamps from one; but, yet, the first will not suffer a jot! Love too is like this. Share it with a million, it will still be as bright as when it was alone." -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 10

“Live without hating others, condemning others, and seeking faults in others. Vyasa, who wrote eighteen voluminous Puranas summarised all the Puranas in one single line of a small couplet: “Doing good to others is the only meritorious act; doing evil is the most heinous sin”. When you feel you cannot do good, at least desist from doing evil. That itself is meritorious service! Do not try to discover differences; discover unity. Creeds, castes, country of origin may differ but the inner hunger is the same for all men. Understand that the purpose of life is to know the Embodiment of love, namely, God, through love, and demonstrate through your own Love that you have known Him.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13

“There is no power greater than that of love. You can attain peace by cultivating love. Peace is your birthright. External peace is temporary. Man should try to attain inner peace, which alone is pure, unsullied, eternal and immortal. For this, it is necessary that man should make proper use of time. It is therefore his foremost duty to utilise time in a sacred manner. Today man is wasting a lot of time in vain gossip and talking ill of others. The atmic principle that exists in you also exists in people whom you consider as ‘others’. Understand that all are sparks of the Divine.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 33

Pride Month 2024 Series

"Serve all and love all. Firmly believe that the Divine is in everyone and constantly act on this belief. Only by continual practice can you develop this sacred attitude. Fill yourself with self-confidence and courage. Make your life a complete offering to the Divine, who is the real source of all that you are and all that you have." -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 23

“Divinity pervades all that you see, hear and feel. Being in the constant company of such an all-pervasive Divinity, why should you worry and fear? Why fear when I am here? Never be afraid of anything; because God is in you, with you, above you, below you, around you. He follows you like shadow. Never forget Him.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 17

“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.” -Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 31

"Having been born in this vast universe, it is a matter of great shame that man should have a narrow mind. This universe is the form of God. As God is immanent in everyone, one’s heart should be as expansive as the universe itself.” - Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 29

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse