Values in Life

     
I came across this teaching by Sai Baba today - Just wanted to share it with you all :

In the world today, one sees anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, misguided ambition and power seeking. What is the reason for the prevalence of these negative emotions?
It is one thing only: man is lost and is wandering in a jungle where real values have no meaning. Real values can have meaning to man only when he steps on to the spiritual path, a path where negative emotions have no use. The spiritual path is based on the true human values: truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence. When man plots a course through life based on these values, which provide a solid foundation, then all the negative emotions fall away. Even if he should stumble on the path, he can easily see the reason for the fall and quickly steady himself and continue the spiritual journey.
Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process. And when the cleansing is finally complete, the evolved soul ceases to react to anything. All emotions are perfectly balanced. He lives in a state of permanent happiness, regardless of prevailing circumstances.
So long as you continue to react to whatever you experience, you must also continue to look at yourself progressively more closely. Only through self-examination will you be able to see through the negative emotions. You must see them for what they really are: aspects of the lower self attempting to maintain the grip which it has exerted over you for so long.

As you progress along the spiritual path, you should walk hand in hand with God. In whatever form you see Him. God the Ultimate is your guide and helper an He will carry you forward on the spiritual path if only you establish real contact with Him. It is like walking along a path with your closest friend. You can walk in complete silence and your friend, too, will remain silent. Or, you can talk to your friend all the time and learn from him as you go along.
God is that friend and it is up to you to break the silence and bring Him into your life at every moment of the day. God is love, and that is the easiest way to find Him, through love. If you keep your heart open and let love flow, God's love will fill you with divine energy and help you along the path, guiding you to overcome all obstacles. It is a long journey, but it becomes shorter and easier once you share it with the Lord. He knows the path, and will guide you all the way to the very end, to ultimate liberation.

It is beautiful and to the point - So true that we are so confused in this materialisitc world and we've lost the human values.