已经从事这样目的的组织何止成千上万，然而，有什么特别的需要去成立一个以我的名字命名的组织呢？你必须在众人之中体认我并以虔诚献身的精神去服务众人。

组织必须协助人们在所有这一切鲜明多样性的背后去体认一体性，而这多样性仅是被人类心念覆盖于万物一体之‘一’的一件外衣而已。

我坦白地说，在你们之中百分之九十的人还没看清楚我允许你们成立这些组织的目的 --- 这是要在世界上树立 “神是父”和“人皆兄弟”的稳固基础。你们大家都必须清楚地理解这一点。你不是通过这些组织去从事社会服务工作的；你是为你自己而服务的。所有工作项目旨在扩展你的心并净化之。

例如，什么人能成为这些组织的会员？他们的资格是什么？（1）当然，他们必须是热衷的求道者。（2）他们必须对组织所负的名字深具信心且配合其信息训示和崇高气度来弘扬那名字。（3）除此之外，会员务必已赢得公认的‘好人’的美誉。那就是所需的资格；其他的无关重要。

神化身甚少直接给予忠告。他们想要传达的，他们更常藉由间接的方式去暗示，很少藉由直接指示的方式。其原因是，每一个人之内都有与生俱来的神性，而如果他获得有利的条件，他就能自然地彰显，就像是一颗有存活力的种子一样，基于其天赋的本质，它会发芽并成长为一棵大树，只要得到彰显潜能的方便设施。人应该有能力纠正自己，只要给他好的建议，宁可不要通过强加于他的外在指示去糟蹋他的自由与尊严。

注意，使者有三类：第一类是那些不了解导师的诫命者或不介意去了解者，及那些没有把托付给他们的工作做好的人。第二类是那些给多少做多少的人，只做明文规定和指示的。第三类是那些了解指令的目的和意义，毫不退缩的加以执行，直至达到目的的人。

限制，条规和自制是引领我们达至明心见性的康庄大道。它们不仅仅是用来束缚你，限制你或控制你的。

我们的条规强调，会员们首先必须实行他们所主张和代表的一切。己所不欲，勿施于人，你要他人做的，首先你必须每日热衷地，踏实地付诸实行。

在你加入组织或寻求组织的任何职务之前，好好考虑你是否具备服务的热忱和能力；要不然，如果你加入又对某人或某事抱怨，你只在暴露你自己的渺小和脆弱而已。事先查明详情，审慎考虑，然后才加入组织。加入之后，需尽力与他人合作并鞠躬尽瘁，克尽厥职。

也要严格地规定，凡加入我们组织者不应该与其它灵性的或宗教性的组织有任何关联 ---- 虽然人们有权崇敬和膜拜他们所喜爱的圣者或神明，但是我们不应该有这样的，双重忠诚的人活跃于组织之中。只有那些对这名和相有坚定的信心和无比的虔诚的人，能热诚地，真心地执行其宗旨。

在职者不能要求任何特权或豁免权。他们必须展示其领导才能；以其虔诚与信心去鼓励那些摇摆不定的人。那就是他们的任务。

所以，在开始运作这些组织时，你必须铭记在心的第一个理念是：不贪求身份或权力或职位；不允许任何浮华或炫耀；不要为了出名或表扬或赞美而与人竞争。

获得学习和服务的机会可谓无价之宝。在赛中心里工作是一个难得的机会，让我们献身于一个崇高法则的修习。它提供一个减少自我及无私服务的场所。

其中所得的利益是不可计量的。会籍形成跟沙迪亚赛峇峇的一股亲近的结合力。那关系提供我们一个无以伦比的良机，助我们得到灵性的进展。如果我们潜入那海洋之中，我们就能得到蕴藏于其内的宝藏。 站在岸边而宣称海洋无宝是无济于事的。只要我们以最崇高的理想和献身精神去执行我们的任务，我们就能赢得珍贵的奖品。

There are thousands of organizations already working with such aims, but what is the special need for an organization bearing my name? You must realize me in all, and serve all in a spirit of worshipful dedication.

The organization must help people to realize the unity behind all this apparent multiplicity, which is only a superimposition by the human mind on the One that is all this.

I must say plainly that ninety out of a hundred among you have not clearly visualized the purpose for which I have allowed you to form these organizations… It is to build upon the earth the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men on strong foundations. This must be clearly grasped by all of you. You are not engaged in social service through these organizations; you are engaged in your own service. All the items of work are aimed at expanding your heart and purifying it.

For example, who can be members of these organizations, and what are their qualifications? (1) Of course, they must be eager aspirants for spiritual progress. (2) They must have full faith in the name that the organization bears and in spreading that name in the manner suited to its message and majesty. (3) Besides, the member must have won recognition as a good person. That is all the qualification needed; nothing else counts.

Avatars seldom give advice directly. Whatever they wish to communicate, they convey more often by way of indirect suggestions and only rarely by the direct method of instruction. The reason for this is there is divinity inherent in every human being, which he can manifest spontaneously, if favorable conditions are provided, just as a viable seed will germinate and grow into a tree because of its inherent nature, if only suitable facilities are provided for the manifestation of its potentiality. Man should be enabled to correct himself by his own efforts, by merely giving kindly suggestions, rather than by stultifying his freedom and dignity through directives imposed from without.

Note that there are three classes of messengers: those who do not understand the orders of the master or do not care to understand, and those who operate to the detriment of the work assigned to them; those who do only just as much as the order literally communicates; and those who grasp the purpose and significance of the orders and carry them out unflinchingly until the purpose is achieved.

The restrictions, rules and self-controls are the royal road leading to the goal of self-realization. They are not just to bind you, to limit or control you.

Our rules emphasize that members must first practice what they stand for. Whatever you desire others to do, you must first put into daily practice sincerely and with steadfastness.

Before you enter the organization or seek any office therein, consider well whether you have the yearning and the capacity; else, if you join and complain against some person or some program, you are only revealing your own smallness or weakness. Make due inquiry, give full consideration, before you join the organization. Having joined, cooperate with others vigorously and carry out all your duties conscientiously.

It is also laid down strictly that those who are in our organization should not have any connection with other organizations of spiritual or religious character… Though people can revere and worship whomsoever they like, we should not have in the organization men with dual loyalties. Only those with faith and devotion in this name and form can carry out its objectives with zest and enthusiasm.

Office bearers cannot claim any privilege or exemption. They must evince leadership; by their devotion and faith, they must inspire the waverers. That is their function.

Sathya Sai Speaks 7, p.166

So the very first ideal you must keep in mind when you start and run these organizations is: do not crave for status or authority or position; do not allow any pomp or show; do not compete for publicity or for recognition or for praise.

The opportunity to learn and to serve is a priceless treasure. Work within the Sai center is a chance for devotional practice of a high order. It provides a field for reducing the ego and serving selflessly.

The benefits are incalculable. Membership forges a close bond to Sathya Sai Baba. That relationship provides us with an unparalleled opportunity for spiritual progress. If we dive into that sea, we can obtain the treasure which it holds. It is useless to stand at the shore and proclaim that the sea holds no riches. Only if we work with the highest ideals and dedication can we secure the prize.