The refinement of life calls for continuous spiritual practice. Without such practice, life gets degraded. For instance, a diamond gets enhanced in value when it goes through the process of cutting and faceting. Likewise, gold, taken out as ore from the earth, becomes pure and valuable after refinement. In the same manner, sadhana (spiritual practice) is necessary to elevate life from the trivial to the sublime.

-Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Vol.IV., P.98.