“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.”
- November 23, 1926 – April 24, 2011
- Indian
- Spiritual Leader, Guru, Philanthropist, Founder of the Sathya Sai Organization
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sathya Sai Baba presents a metaphorical diagnosis of modern humanity’s condition, describing man as “lost and…wandering in a jungle.” This “jungle” symbolizes confusion, materialism, and moral disorientation, where genuine virtues—real values like truth, compassion, and humility—are overlooked or forgotten. The image reflects a society preoccupied with external success and shallow pleasures, leaving the soul adrift and unfulfilled.
He then offers a solution: real values only gain meaning when one “steps on to the spiritual path.” This path is not tied to any single religion but involves inner awakening, self-inquiry, and alignment with divine principles. The phrase “a path where negative emotions have no use” highlights that anger, greed, hatred, and jealousy have no constructive role in spiritual growth. Progress requires cultivating positive qualities like love, patience, and forgiveness, which allow real values to flourish.
In contemporary terms, this insight is a response to the increasing alienation, mental distress, and ethical ambiguity many people experience. For example, a person chasing wealth at the cost of integrity might feel empty despite material success. Sai Baba’s teaching encourages such individuals to seek deeper purpose through self-discipline, inner peace, and service, reclaiming values that reconnect them with their higher self and with others in meaningful ways.
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