The first step in Atma-vichara is the practice of the truth that whatever gives you pain, gives pain to others and whatever gives you joy, gives joy to others. Thus, a kind of reciprocal relationship will grow between you and others, and gradually, you reach the stage when your heart thrills with joy when others are joyful and shudders in pain when others are sad. This is not the kind of affection towards those who are dear to you, or those who are your kith and kin; that is a sign of delusion, but this sharing of joy and grief is automatic, immediate, universal. It is a sign of great spiritual advancement. (SSS Vol.1, p. 67)

Do not treat My words too lightly; do not say, "We saw Sai Baba and heard his talk and it was all very fine." Decide at least to carry out some one piece of advice for your spiritual advancement. It is very wrong to tarnish the body making it perform a single bad deed or making it move in bad company. Sanctify the body, sanctify each activity by devoting it to a high purpose, I am not commanding you today on the basis of my authority; I am telling you out of the fullness of Prema, on the basis of the right I have to chastise you and direct you along the path. (SSS Vol.1)

Non-attachment born out of wisdom and fostered by the Grace of the Lord, that is the precious capital for spiritual advance. (SSS Vol.2)

To demonstrate to the world that every kind of wealth is a hindrance to spiritual advancement, Shiva renounced everything. It is through renunciation Shiva became the eternal embodiment of supreme bliss. (SSS Vol.23)