Ceiling on desires

Ceiling on desires

Discourse by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on January 1983

MEMBERS appear to be confused about the true meaning of this programme of “Ceiling on Desires” decided on at the Tenth All India Conference of Sathya Sai Organisations. There are four components in the term “Ceiling on Desires.” They are, respectively; curb on excessive talk, curb on excessive desires and expenditure, control of consumption of food, check on waste of energy. Man needs some essential commodities for his sustenance and he should not aspire for more. We can learn a lesson in this respect from Nature. Only if air is available in sufficient quantity will it be comfortable and good. If it is excessive and there is a gale you will feel uncomfortable. When you are thirsty; you can consume only a limited quantity of water. You can’t consume the entire water of the Ganga! We take only as much as is needed for the sustenance of the body.

Doctors know that the body temperature is normally 98.4. If this goes up to 99 they say fever has set in due to some disorder in the body. We inhale and exhale at a normal rate. If there is a slight increase or decrease in the rate it indicates disorder in the body. Changes in the pulse rate or blood pressure also indicate disorder. So you find that if you cross the limits even to a little extent it is dangerous or harmful to the body. There is a limit for everything to function in a normal way. When your eyes happen to see a flash of lightning or a flash light while taking photographs, they automatically close because they can’t withstand such high illumination. Ear drums also cannot tolerate hearing beyond a certain volume and we close our ears or keep cotton inside the ears. From these we see that our life is a limited company!

Misuse of money is a great evil

Similarly our desires also should be limited. Women are usually desirous of adding to their wardrobe any number of sarees when they go to a shop or an exhibition. You should have a reasonable number of sarees, but not a huge collection for pomp or show. Misuse of money is a great evil. Even men will have to do their own bit in controlling the expenditure on unwanted and unnecessary things. Money is Dhaivaswaroopam (embodiment of Divinity). When you talk of wealth you should be careful to avoid avaricious accumulation and extravagant expenditure. Even in the preparation of food, you should be careful in avoiding wastage. We are only doing a disservice by consuming more food than what is necessary for the body.

Thirdly, you should be careful about ‘ time’ , which is the yardstick of life. Seconds become hours, hours become years, years make yugas (ages) and so on. You should not waste this most valuable ‘time’. Time lost in wasteful pursuits can’ t be got back by any means. All our activities should be planned for utilising the available time to maximum advantage. So, we should not waste food, money, time and energy. Even in purchase of garlands, you need not waste money. What God wants is the flower of your heart that is filled with humility and devotion. Eight types of flowers can be offered to God, viz, (1) Ahimsa (Non-violence), (2) Indhriya Nigraha (Control of senses), (3) Sarvabhootha Dhaya (Compassion towards all beings), (4) Sathyam (Truth), (5) Dhyaanam (Meditation), (6) Shaanthi (Peace), (7) Vinaya (Humility), (8) Bhakthi (Devotion).

God appreciates only your motive

I feel very much concerned about the excessive money that is spent y the Trust and Samithi on the expensive huge garlands offered to Me on every occasion and also the use of flowers for decorating the path. No doubt you are doing this as an expression of your Aanandha (Divine bliss). But I won’ t call this Bhakthi (devotion), though you may not own this. We should realise our defects and rectify them. You may show your affection y just handing over one flower and spend the money wasted on garlands for helping the poor people in distress.

People may think that Baba will not like it if flower paths are not provided and huge garlands are not offered. You must understand that God appreciates only your motive and not the external things. By indulging in such exhibitionism, you will only spoil the name of the organisation. As a member of Sathya Sai Organisation you should have no sense of ego or pride. As I have often said you should have your “Hands in society and heads in the forest”. This should be your guiding principle. What little you do you must do with a good and pure heart.

In the Bhagavathgeetha, Krishna has referred to “Pathram, Phalam, Pushpam, Thoyam” (that is, leaf, fruit, flower or water) that can be offered to God. I am pleased with any of these provided it is offered with sincere devotion. What is ‘pathram‘? It is not the ‘ leaf’ that you see around you. The inner meaning is that your body itself is the leaf. Flower is not the one in the plants but it is the flower of your heart, “Hridhaya Pushpam“. ‘Phalam‘ is not the ordinary fruit but ‘Manophalam‘ (the fruit of your mind). ‘Thoyam‘ means water but what is referred to here is not the water from the river or tap. It refers to the tears of joy welling up within you from a sincere
and prayerful heart.

Transform yourselves into better individuals

Moreover you should not only practise yourself but teach others also about this ceiling on desires. Though Naaraayana is in everyone, the one in the poor people is referred to as “Dharidhra Naaraayana“. When this Naaraayana begs for food, you refuse to give him food while you offer food to another person who is already well-fed. You place before God’ s pictures a lot of food of rich variety as ‘Naivedhyam‘ (offering). You do this because you know very well that this is coming back to you. So, here too it is ‘Swaartham‘ (self-interest) and not ‘Thyaagam‘ (sacrifice) The amrithathwa (immortality) or Moksha (Liberation) will come out of thyaagam.

We have Seva Dhal, Bhajan Mandalis, and other Wings. It is a good sign that more and more youngsters are coming forward to join the Seva Dhal and take part in service activities. The participation of youth is necessary for the welfare of the world. We should rejoice when they turn over a new leaf in their life. There is a common saying that you should not rejoice and distribute sweets etc. when a child is born, but you should do so only when the son grows up and earns a good name as a ‘Sathputhra‘ (good son) . You can’t please Me just y joining as a member of the organisation. I shall wait for the day when you turn over a new leaf and transform yourselves into better individuals. You should become ‘Guna-sheelas‘ (persons of sterling character and good qualities).

It is the code of conduct which is responsible for the organisation moving forward growing from strength to strength. The office-bearers should exercise maximum care to see that the code of conduct is adhered to and guide others also in the fight path. When a cook in a house works with integrity the master on his own will entrust him with the keys of the house. Similarly, God also will appreciate only men with integrity. The desire to please God should be the fundamental motive.

Discourse given by Bjagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to active workers of the
Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Tamil Nadu at Abbotsbury, Madras, 19 January 1983

Ceiling on Desires – A Spiritual Path to Simple and Peaceful Living

Ceiling on desires is a meaningful spiritual principle that teaches us to live with balance, self-control, and awareness. Human life is filled with needs and wants. Needs are necessary for a healthy and dignified life, but desires can grow endlessly if they are not guided by wisdom. A person may have food, shelter, clothes, education, and comfort, yet the mind may still run after more. This constant hunger for more creates restlessness, comparison, and dissatisfaction.

The idea of Ceiling on desires does not mean rejecting life or living without comfort. It means placing a wise limit on unnecessary wants. When desires are controlled, energy is saved, money is used properly, time becomes meaningful, and the mind becomes peaceful. A person who keeps chasing every desire becomes tired, but a person who understands enoughness begins to enjoy life deeply.

Desire itself is not always bad. A desire to learn, serve, improve, and live honestly can help a person grow. The problem begins when desires become selfish, excessive, or uncontrolled. One wish leads to another, and soon the mind becomes trapped. A person may think, “I will be happy after I get this,” but after getting it, another desire appears. This cycle continues unless we stop and reflect. Ceiling on desires teaches us to ask a simple question: “Do I really need this, or am I only following greed, habit, or comparison?”

Modern life often encourages people to buy more, show more, and compete more. Advertisements create artificial needs. Social media increases comparison. People begin to measure happiness through possessions, clothes, gadgets, houses, and status. But inner peace does not come from collecting more things. Peace comes from contentment, discipline, gratitude, and right living. A simple life is not a poor life; it is a rich life when the heart is calm.

One important part of Ceiling on desires is saving resources. When we waste food, water, electricity, money, or time, we forget that many people in the world do not have even basic necessities. Spiritual living asks us to be sensitive to the suffering of others. If we reduce waste in our own life, we can use the saved resources to help someone in need. This turns self-control into service.

Food is a good example. Many people eat more than the body needs or waste food without thinking. A ceiling on food habits means eating with moderation, choosing healthy food, and avoiding waste. Money is another example. Spending on necessary things is natural, but spending only to impress others creates pressure and emptiness. Time also needs a ceiling. Hours wasted in gossip, laziness, or harmful entertainment can be used for study, prayer, family, work, and service.

Ceiling on desires also helps in emotional discipline. Desires are not only material. People desire praise, attention, control, victory, and constant approval. These subtle desires can disturb relationships. When we always want others to behave according to our expectations, we become angry and disappointed. Wisdom teaches us to reduce ego-based desires and increase love-based actions. This brings harmony in family and society.

A person who practices this principle begins to feel lighter. There is less pressure to compete, less fear of losing, and less jealousy of others. Contentment grows slowly. Gratitude becomes natural. Instead of asking, “Why do others have more?” the heart begins to say, “I am blessed with enough, and I can share.” This change is powerful because it transforms the way we look at life.

Ceiling on desires is also closely connected with spiritual growth. A mind filled with endless wants cannot focus on God, prayer, or inner peace. Desires pull the mind outward again and again. When desires are reduced, silence becomes easier, prayer becomes deeper, and meditation becomes more natural. The heart gets space to feel divine love. Self-control purifies the mind, and a purified mind reflects truth more clearly.

This practice should not be forced harshly. It should be adopted with understanding. Start with small steps. Avoid buying things that are not needed. Do not waste food. Use water and electricity carefully. Speak less when words are unnecessary. Reduce anger, pride, and jealousy. Spend some part of income, time, or effort in helping others. These simple actions slowly build a disciplined and compassionate life.

Children should also be taught this value early. If they learn that happiness does not depend on having every toy, every fashion, or every luxury, they grow with strength and gratitude. Parents can teach best through example. A home that practices simplicity, sharing, and respect becomes a place of real education.

In the end, Ceiling on desires is a beautiful guide for peaceful living. It helps us understand the difference between need and greed, comfort and luxury, enjoyment and attachment. Life becomes more meaningful when desires are controlled and love is expanded. The less we waste, the more we can serve. The less we demand, the more peaceful we become. True wealth is not having unlimited possessions, but having a contented heart, a disciplined mind, and a life used for good.