“I give people what they want in the hope that they will begin to want what I want to give them!”
- November 23, 1926 – April 24, 2011
- Indian
- Spiritual Leader, Guru, Philanthropist, Founder of the Sathya Sai Organization
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Quote
“I give people what they want in the hope that they will begin to want what I want to give them!”
Explanation
This quote reveals Sathya Sai Baba’s compassionate and strategic approach to spiritual guidance. By stating “I give people what they want,” he acknowledges that many seekers approach the divine seeking worldly favors—health, wealth, success, or relief from suffering. Rather than denying these desires outright, he responds with love, meeting people where they are. But his true intention lies in the second part: “in the hope that they will begin to want what I want to give them,” pointing to a higher, transformative aim.
What he ultimately wants to give is not material comfort, but spiritual wisdom, self-realization, and inner peace. This approach is deeply rooted in the guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) tradition, where the teacher patiently nurtures the disciple’s evolution from external dependency to inner awakening. Sai Baba uses this method to guide people gently from superficial needs to deeper spiritual truths, allowing time for the soul to ripen.
In modern terms, this reflects the journey of many who begin spiritual practice out of need but stay out of love and realization. For instance, someone might come to faith in a moment of crisis, only to later discover a lasting relationship with the divine that transcends their initial concerns. Sai Baba’s quote reminds us that the divine meets us in our need, but ultimately calls us to a greater purpose: the desire for truth, service, and self-transcendence.
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