In plain words
If below there is no root called self-confidence, and no fruit called character, this tree becomes firewood. Not tree. So, to develop the fruit above, we must make the effort to protect the root. As a reflection of this, we must set about watering the roots of the trees that belong to the world. For the social work we are going to do today, there are two things we must do: make the effort to water the roots of some trees, and prepare the soil properly so that the water sinks in well. We must not enter into this work thinking that we are just watering a few trees. We must enter into this work with the feeling that we are pouring out, on the tree called life, the Prema called self-confidence.
We Must Spend Holidays as Holy Days through Social Service
Keeping this sacred karma safe in our heart all through our life, whatever sufferings, whatever worries, whatever upsets come to any person, to any living being, at any time, to set about relieving those sufferings, sorrows and griefs as far as we can: that itself is the chief social service. You must not think that this is a compulsion, to be carried out as a set duty, merely because you have joined the summer classes today. All through your life too, when you find the time, holidays will keep coming; in those holidays we must spend holidays as holy days.
It is not good today to talk with you at length, taking much of the time meant for the karma we must do, and so do less karma. So that you may take more time for the doing of karma, I am ending My talk here, now. In the evening, social service, a natural life, and the way to give this body a strength that brings it vigour, contentment and joy: these we can talk over in the evening.
Just as we clean the body every day, in just that way it is most necessary to keep the places outside us clean. Just one small example of it. If we truly follow the natural way, it is our habit to put on clean clothes the very moment we have bathed.