SPIRITUAL SHOWERS

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The Great Australian Miracle

Early in 1976 my wife and I became acquainted with Pearl Harrison, a retired secretary of the medical faculty of a Sydney University. At first we thought this just a chance meeting, but later we wondered…

At that time the manuscript of my book, "Sai Baba Avatar" was ready for the final draft to be typed for the publishers. As Pearl still liked to do casual secretarial work, it was agreed that she type the manuscript. In this way she became exposed to the wonders of Sri Sathya Sai Baba for the first time.

One of her granddaughters, nine year old Mayan Waynberg, sometimes used to help her by reading aloud the material to be typed. While the grandmother was somewhat sceptical about the miracles, the granddaughter accepted the truth of them without question.

The first few chapters of the book had been completed, when Mayan, who was looking very pale and bruising too easily, was taken to a doctor for a blood test. The doctor was so appalled at the results, that he phoned Mayan's mother, Helen, and advised that the child be collected from school and taken home immediately. He also arranged for her to be given a bone marrow test at the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney.

Blood tests showed that Mayan's haemoglobin count was less than half what it should be, and the white components of her blood were about a third of the normal level. Bad as this was, the worst were the platelets which were down to only one fifteenth of the normal count.

Her disease was diagnosed as aplastic anaemia, in which the bone marrow fails to produce the vital blood components in sufficient quantity to maintain health and life.

Mayan was put under the care of a specialist who told her mother that the only treatment for the disease was the use of certain drugs; one was a male hormone, Prednisolone, and another Fluoxymesterone. Both of these have very distressing side effects, such as stunting growth, causing puffy obesity, and bringing a growth of hair on the face while causing baldness of the head. The specialist said that the child would need to have blood and bone marrow tests constantly to monitor her condition. This in itself was a terrible ordeal for everyone concerned as Mayan had a deep phobia about needles piercing her skin and drawing blood.

But the very worst aspect was that, after going through all this, and suffering the terrible side effects of the treatment, she would still not be cured. One of the medical men told Pearl the depressing truth that the drug treatment could do no more than prolong the child's life for perhaps a few years, but could have no effect in the long run. Moreover, the child could not live a normal life even for the short time she was kept alive.

Then Pearl Harrison thought about the Sai miracles she had been typing. She writes: "I must admit to complete lack of faith in religion, considering myself a Jewess by tradition but not by observance. I had typed about many miracles that Sai Baba had performed, and had thought how interesting it all sounded intellectually, but, had not this dreadful illness occurred to my own granddaughter, I might have let it go at that. It was as if my mind suddenly opened with a jerk, and I began to think perhaps there was something real in all that I had typed. Howard and Iris were most concerned when I told them about Mayan, and said they would come over immediately, and Mayan could start taking Vibhuti.”

Lord Sai is specially interested in all those in whom His devotees are interested. But He had earlier told me the Divine cure requires faith, belief and surrender. Could we find these ingredients in this Sydney suburban home? When I said earnestly to Mayan: "But you must really believe in the power of Sai Baba,” she replied, without hesitation: "Oh, but I do." In the way she said it I sensed the simple child-like faith that is so important—and yet so hard for most people to achieve. Her grandfather, Jack Harrison, gave me a hope that perhaps he too might have the helping faith, when he said: "I'm going to India as soon as I can to thank Sai Baba for curing Mayan." The cure had not yet begun, but he seemed to have no doubt that it would take place.

Pearl, on the other hand, had her intellectual barriers to overcome. The mother Helen, though apparently sceptical, was willing to try the Vibhuti treatment. But constant prayer was important, we assured the family. They all agreed to pray to Swami; Iris and I prayed, too, fervently. We badly wanted Swami to cure Mayan of this terrible disease, not only because we felt love and compassion for the child but also because this could be the great Australian miracle that might bring more and more of our fellow countrymen to the Light.

However, the immediate question was should Mayan take the prescribed drugs? We knew from research into many cases that Swami sometimes cures through drugs, while preventing any side effects. Yet sometimes He will not have drugs used at all. The only way was to ask Him, and in the meantime let the child start the drug treatment. The doctors had said the side effects would not become evident for about three months.

By good fortune our friend Lynette Penrose was about to set off on a visit to Swami. Incidentally, it had been in her home in Balmain that we first began Sai meetings in Sydney. I believe they were the first in Australia.

Lynette agreed to take a photograph of Mayan and letters to Swami. We hoped, moreover, that she would be able to ask him verbally if the child should or should not take the drugs prescribed by the doctors.

No long after she reached India, an airmail letter came from Lynette. She had been granted an interview with Swami, had given him the photograph and letters, and asked the important question about treatment. She wrote that when He looked at the photograph, His face had become "very soft and compassionate" and He had said: "No, no drugs, just Vibhuti in water twice a day."

Pearl Harrison writes of the situation: "When this message came back, we had to decide whether to take her off the drugs and give her Vibhuti only. Mayan made up our minds for us. She said, `If Sai Baba says I should not take drugs, then I won't take them'. So after just three weeks on the drugs, she went off them and has taken only Vibhuti since." This was putting complete faith in the Divine Power of someone no member of the family had ever seen, except in photographs.

We thought it might help at the receiving end of the healing current if Sai Baba meetings were held at the home of the Harrisons in Greenacre. They readily agreed to this, and their house became the second centre for bhajan and study groups in Sydney. Soon Jack decided to convert his big garage into a Sai temple, and erect a new car port to shelter his car. The necessary changes to the building's interior were made and a beautiful shrine erected there by some of the devotees who had been to Swami. The temple acquired a sacred atmosphere and the size of the group began to expand, people coming from all parts of the metropolitan area, and from distant places in the Blue Mountains and the South Coast.

The meetings were a great success. It was surprising to see how quickly and wholeheartedly the Australians took to singing bhajans. Many learned to lead, the child Mayan being one of them.

Mayan's health was showing a steady improvement. The family had decided not to tell the doctors immediately that she was taking none of the drugs. She was taken to the hospital for tests every two weeks, and the medical people were delighted and perhaps surprised at the results. There was a dramatic rise in her red blood cells, a good improvement in the white cells, and the platelet count was slowly creeping upwards.

After a few months the red and white cell counts were quite normal, and the tests were then given every two months instead of every two weeks. Her platelets were showing a rise of about 10,000 at each test, but they still had a long way to go to reach normality.

The doctors had tested Mayan's sister Alona, who is about a year the senior, for bone marrow compatibility with that of Mayan. They advised, after the test, a bone marrow graft from the sister, saying it would help Mayan fight the disease.

Again a devotee going to India from Australia asked Swami if this operation should be performed or not. He replied that the child was getting better, and would soon be completely well. "There is no need for an operation," He said. So no operation was performed.

In November 78, soon after Iris and I arrived in India on a visit to Swami, we received a letter from Pearl Harrison telling us that Mayan's last blood test had shown her platelets as even better than normal—in fact, 174,000.

Early in the next year Jack and Pearl Harrison with their two granddaughters came to India to thank Swami for the miraculous cure.

This Divine healing across the thousands of miles had worked steadily, taking nearly two years to effect the complete cure. The time factor has, perhaps, something to do with the receiving ground—the depth of faith, belief, surrender to God and the intensity of prayer. But there are, no doubt, other inscrutable factors too. There may have been karma to work out, for instance, or something to be learned from the period of waiting.

All we can say is, that in moving through hope and prayer and worship toward this great Sai Cure, the whole family—with some relatives and friends as well—moved into the Sai Family. Their outlook and values changed when the Joy and Love of the Lord came into their lives. From being a family without religion they became one with a true spiritual religion—the Sai religion. While blessing Mayan with a cure of the body, the Divine Hand had touched many other lives for a cure of souls.

How pleased and grateful to the Lord we, ourselves, were that the great Australian miracle had come to pass!

From the Sanathana Sarathi Archives (May 1980)

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Learning the Lessons

Peep. Pee ...ep. Peep. I look in the mirror. A driver in a sports car was sounding the horn. I was giving way to other traffic at a roundabout where usual priorities of traffic flow have been changed recently. Perhaps that impatient driver has not noticed the small red "Changed Priorities Ahead" sign. A lull in the traffic lets me pass the roundabout.

Suddenly I realise that my priorities in life have changed too, after ten peaceful days at Prasanthi Nilayam in the summer of 1989. I basked in the overwhelming divine love of Swami, but at that time my senses failed to detect the most important gift Swami bestowed upon me. Yet now, there is no doubt in my mind that Swami has sown the seed to transform my thinking and behaviour. Each and every thought, word and deed of mine is now under close scrutiny, leading to exploration of the joys of the inner world which I have neglected so long. "When one turns one's vision inwards, the inner eye sees the reality of the bliss of the Supreme Consciousness. It is then that God's grace descends." These words of Swami now seem to have a new dimension to me.

My thoughts were disturbed by the sound of a horn. To my disbelief it is the same irate driver in the sports car! He seems to be irritated by the relatively slow speed of my car; so I slow down and let him pass. If not for the changed priorities in my outlook, I might have even shown him the capabilities of my car! But Swami asks us to let the ego perish for unhindered progress in spiritual practice. In my experience, driving provides the best opportunities for ego eradication. I fail many times; but I win too! Whenever I resist the temptation of one up manship on the road or am considerate to other road user, I feel one step nearer to Swami.

As I approach a cross road, with two lanes of traffic, the red light turns to green. I keep to the right hand lane and pass the traffic lights quickly. I smile as I pass the sports car trailing behind in the slow lane. To my surprise and delight the next few traffic lights change to amber as I pass, and the sports car catching up with me now seems remote. I thank the computer which controls the traffic lights. Do you know where a traffic computer is? We do not even think or talk about it! Smooth sailing like this happens only rarely.
Traffic and life

But stagnation in traffic jams, crawling behind slow moving heavy vehicles, and even accidents are much more common. I find no difference between traffic and life. In fact Swami says, "Life is a journey to God". I remembered reading in `Journey to God, Part II', Prof. N. Kasturi's difficulty in translating Swami's speech in Madras in front of ten thousand people. As usual Swami started with a poem composed on the spot, starting, "Automatic lightku adhipudevadu?" Literally, it meant, "Who is the Master of the automatic lights?" But neither Prof. Kasturi nor Dr. Bhagavantham could translate it properly. After the discourse they asked Swami about it. Swami told them the automatic lights He meant were actually traffic lights. He added that such an automatic light system also exists for the movement of planets, for the Dharma of the community (for the behaviour of different groups of people to lead lives without clashing with each other) and other functions in the universe. Thus proving that God is the One who laid down the law, not only for the things that are in space, but also for the things that are in the space of all hearts. He is the driving force of our life traffic.

Cars perish. So too our bodies. Drivers change cars. Likewise the Atman enshrined in our bodies. If the driver controls the paraphernalia of gadgets in a car he reaches the destination safely. In life traffic, the ego and the senses need proper control to reach the Driving Force.

[v2k]

Learning the Lessons

Peep. Pee ...ep. Peep. I look in the mirror. A driver in a sports car was sounding the horn. I was giving way to other traffic at a roundabout where usual priorities of traffic flow have been changed recently. Perhaps that impatient driver has not noticed the small red "Changed Priorities Ahead" sign. A lull in the traffic lets me pass the roundabout.

Suddenly I realise that my priorities in life have changed too, after ten peaceful days at Prasanthi Nilayam in the summer of 1989. I basked in the overwhelming divine love of Swami, but at that time my senses failed to detect the most important gift Swami bestowed upon me. Yet now, there is no doubt in my mind that Swami has sown the seed to transform my thinking and behaviour. Each and every thought, word and deed of mine is now under close scrutiny, leading to exploration of the joys of the inner world which I have neglected so long. "When one turns one's vision inwards, the inner eye sees the reality of the bliss of the Supreme Consciousness. It is then that God's grace descends." These words of Swami now seem to have a new dimension to me.

My thoughts were disturbed by the sound of a horn. To my disbelief it is the same irate driver in the sports car! He seems to be irritated by the relatively slow speed of my car; so I slow down and let him pass. If not for the changed priorities in my outlook, I might have even shown him the capabilities of my car! But Swami asks us to let the ego perish for unhindered progress in spiritual practice. In my experience, driving provides the best opportunities for ego eradication. I fail many times; but I win too! Whenever I resist the temptation of one up manship on the road or am considerate to other road user, I feel one step nearer to Swami.

As I approach a cross road, with two lanes of traffic, the red light turns to green. I keep to the right hand lane and pass the traffic lights quickly. I smile as I pass the sports car trailing behind in the slow lane. To my surprise and delight the next few traffic lights change to amber as I pass, and the sports car catching up with me now seems remote. I thank the computer which controls the traffic lights. Do you know where a traffic computer is? We do not even think or talk about it! Smooth sailing like this happens only rarely.
Traffic and life

But stagnation in traffic jams, crawling behind slow moving heavy vehicles, and even accidents are much more common. I find no difference between traffic and life. In fact Swami says, "Life is a journey to God". I remembered reading in `Journey to God, Part II', Prof. N. Kasturi's difficulty in translating Swami's speech in Madras in front of ten thousand people. As usual Swami started with a poem composed on the spot, starting, "Automatic lightku adhipudevadu?" Literally, it meant, "Who is the Master of the automatic lights?" But neither Prof. Kasturi nor Dr. Bhagavantham could translate it properly. After the discourse they asked Swami about it. Swami told them the automatic lights He meant were actually traffic lights. He added that such an automatic light system also exists for the movement of planets, for the Dharma of the community (for the behaviour of different groups of people to lead lives without clashing with each other) and other functions in the universe. Thus proving that God is the One who laid down the law, not only for the things that are in space, but also for the things that are in the space of all hearts. He is the driving force of our life traffic.

Cars perish. So too our bodies. Drivers change cars. Likewise the Atman enshrined in our bodies. If the driver controls the paraphernalia of gadgets in a car he reaches the destination safely. In life traffic, the ego and the senses need proper control to reach the Driving Force.

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Last summer, Pete, my husband, told me of a scientific meeting in New Delhi in February. He had submitted a paper! It was accepted! Now we faced the problem of funding. We knew we would have difficulty paying two fares. Pete applied for grants from several institutions here in the U.S. No money was available. We had almost given up hope. The meetings were a month away. I was sitting meditating, one Sunday, when Swami appeared to me. I was so overjoyed. He had not come to me for almost four years. Three days later we got a cable from India. Money was being sent for my husband's fare! We had only three weeks to prepare! Many obstacles appeared and disappeared through Swami's Grace.

At last we were off! Or so we thought. Our flight out of Los Angeles was fogged in and we missed our connecting flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Luckily, we got an almost empty flight (the other flight was full) to Tokyo. After a day there we were booked on a late night flight to Hong Kong. It was the beginning of Chinese New Year and many people were going to Hong Kong. We had to wait a long time in the crowded airport. My "jet lag" was becoming extreme. I felt so tired and off balance. My stomach was in a knot. I felt worried about the children who were all ill when we left. In particular, I was worried about Jesse, our nine year old boy, who because of allergies, always gets severe croup when he gets ill. He had croup the day we left.

We continued on to Hong Kong and then on to New Delhi. As we were getting closer and closer to Delhi, I felt my heart soar. Mother India! I felt the tremendous blessings of the Rishis and Saints. Tears of joy ran down my cheeks. Soon I would see my Beloved.

When we arrived in Bangalore we telephoned our friend, who was the mother of my husband's former secretary in N.Y., who was a Baba devotee. Yes! They had received our letter and were expecting us. In fact, they said, we were very lucky as Swami had just arrived at Whitefield the day before.

Can you imagine my extreme joy to step on the sacred earth of Brindavan? I had kissed that earth in my dreams because I know His Feet had walked on it. I look the dust on my heart and head. It was all exactly as in my dreams; the trees, the pandal, the beautiful red earth, the crowd of people. We took our places in the Darshan line. After about five minutes, some one came out of Swami's house and mentioned for us to go in! I was so dumbfounded, my heart, I felt, would stop beating! My husband sat down in the foyer with the other men and I and my two lady companions sat opposite. We were looking toward the center door, expecting Swami to come through there. Instead, I felt a rush and turned, He had come through a side door right next to us!

He was like the sun. So radiant. Words cannot describe the sweetness of this precious moment, beholding Him for the first time. Smiling, He came straight to me and in His golden voice, softly, said, "Where is your husband?" I gave Him a garland of flowers and touched His precious feet and then pointed Pete out to Swami. Swami went over to Pete, and as he touched Swami's Feet, Swami gently patted him on the shoulder several times and said "So happy. So happy. Good man. Good man." Then He told Pete to "sit, sit,” and that He would be back in a minute.

When He returned, He came to me and called Pete over to us. He then related very personal details about us, clearly showing He is with us every moment. He assured us about several personal matters. Then I showed Him a photo of our children. He said, "Yes. Yes. I know." I told him how Jesse was sick often with allergies. Swami then said, "Don't worry. I will take care." Then He said, "I give Prasad " And with a gesture I was to see many times in the next two weeks, He materialized Vibhuti into my hands, my husband's and the women we were with. "Eat! Eat!" He said, and we licked it off our fingers like small children lick cookie butter from their bands!

Then Swami brought out a red basket filled with Vibhuti packets and filled our hands till it was overflowing! Swami then signed a book for Pete and one for me. As He was signing my book, I knelt down and kissed the Precious Foot of my Lord. Six years had passed since the moment I knew He would stand before me. My heart's desire had been fulfilled. Swami said several times, "So happy, So happy,” to us and "Good man! Good man!" to my husband. Then He said, "be happy," to both of us and turned and went out to give Darshan.

Pete had to see people in Bangalore the next day, who want him to work with them (Swami's Grace again) and so he missed Darshan that day. The following day he had to return to Delhi to begin his teaching. He was planning to go to morning Darshan before he left, but found out the airlines had listed his flight time incorrectly. His flight left before morning Darshan.

So, you see, Swami knew Pete only had that one chance to see Him. I stayed on for two weeks and came to Whitefield every day. Just the sight of Swami coming through the gate was enough. To have Him so near, to have Him walk right by us, to see His Precious Form; to see the Beloved Feet and Hand, to hear His sublime, sweet voice brought such joy. How grateful we are to have had this most precious experience. I pray to see Swami in every being I meet and in every thing I see. How blessed we are to have Swami's precious teaching of Divine Love before us.

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His Touch that Purifies

This early morning, long before His other Bright Light appeared over the horizon, this devotee with the heart filled with Ananda, received a beautiful Lesson from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sharing it with you is a joy.

In the midst of dhyana Baba let me "see" Him on one of His frequent visits to Hospitals. The scene was the waiting room. Actually it was a widened hallway with new patients sitting on each side. Silently and dejectedly they sat awaiting their turn to be seen by the doctors.

Baba who did not appear to be visible to the patients, walked in front of each and touched their hands. I asked Him why He did that.

"These patients come for treatment. They know of only one kind. The kind that can be seen. A wound healing! A limb mending! A disease being routed! My touch also heals. Most times it is not `felt' by the patient engrossed in body pain. Into that body I pour purity. It is a `charge' that cannot be seen. It can only be `felt’ by one who has risen above mortal fears, one who has commenced to realise himself or herself from bodily demands motivated by a dis-eased mind". Baba kindly explained.

“You said Swamiji, that you pour purity into their bodies. Tell me more of this ingredient to better health", yearningly I asked.

"Charles, you know well the story of pouring ‘clean' water, that is water freed of impurities into the vessel containing muddy water. In time the water in the vessel is all 'clean'. And so with the body—the vessel—I pour purity in to skim off the debris which will, given the chance, rise to the ‘surface’.” Baba softly answered.

"Swamiji, are there other ways to take in your purifying power?" I again asked.

"Your eyes can gather this treasure at every turn. Your recognition of purity in others brings into yourself a like amount of the purity you see.” He answered.

"How else can one gather up this treasure Swamiji?" again I asked.

"There are many 'ways' to load your chariot with Me, more than I could hope you to learn in one lifetime, Charles. Seeing purity in all actions of others is wonderful to experience. But even more is knowing that all actions, regardless of their kind, contain elements of purity. Even actions that are foul and bitter and full of suffering". He patiently replied.

"You mean Swami that one writhing in pain, even self-inflicted is purifying himself?" I enquired.

"Yes Charles, but such a one while striving for the goal of final purification, of the world, knows no other way to reach the clouded goal. He endures mortal pain. No matter how many times such a seeker takes this Path to Me he will fail if he destroys his body, his vessel, he merely rids himself of the one means of travelling towards Me.

"Now the one who strives hard to rid himself of impurities by pouring 'clean' water into his vessel will begin to 'feel' different—uplifted. He feels released from the draw of earthly things and desires. By continually practising walking along the pure Path he will enjoy Shanthi and in time his round of births and deaths will cease victoriously. He will find that even the balance of time using a human vessel will be filled with ananda. He will not even want `time’ to ever pass swiftly for he also has great joy here on earth. In fact such a one has attained immortality upon earth." Swamiji continued.

"You have often told about the Crossing of the Ocean...can you tell how long such a `voyage’ takes?" I asked Him

"When the vessel is on course and you have acknowledged Me as the Master, the crossing can come in a flash, for 'time' is a man-made expression which is not relative to My creation. That which I created in a flash—all the Universes—can completed instantly. For where do you `travel’ to? You are already there, is it not!" patiently He explained.

"All too often, though, a Soul seasoned by many journeys in the `body vessel' almost reach the other side but runs aground in the midst of the great calm. The vessel runs aground on unseen reefs. Just a little more Guidance and vigilance would have brought the vessel safely to the shore¬line.

"Once your sails are filled with the breeze, don’t waver on the course, even when a peaceful island is located on the horizon. I will be your wind, your sails and your rudder as long as you need Me. One touch of My Hand, Charles, purifies the `sailor' and strengthens him!" Baba sweetly concluded.

Along the pure Path he will enjoy Santhi and in time his round of births and deaths will cease victoriously. He will, too, find that even the balance of time using a human vessel will be filled with ananda. He too will not even want `time’ ever to pass swiftly for he also has great joy here on earth. In fact such a one has attained immortality upon earth." Swamiji continued.

"You have often told about the Crossing of the Ocean...can you tell how long such a `voyage’ takes?" I asked Him

"When the vessel is on course and you have acknowledged Me as the Master, the crossing can come in a flash, for 'time' is a man-made expression which is not relative to My creation. That which I created in a flash—all the Universes—can completed instantly. For where do you `travel’ to? You are already there, is it not!" patiently He explained.

"All too often, though, a Soul seasoned by many journeys in the `body vessel' almost reach the other side but runs aground in the midst of the great calm. The vessel runs aground on unseen reefs. Just a little more Guidance and vigilance would have brought the vessel safely to the shore¬line.

"Once your sails are filled with the breeze, don’t waver on the course, even when a peaceful island is located on the horizon. I will be your wind, your sails and your rudder as long as you need Me. One touch of My Hand, Charles, purifies the `sailor' and strengthens him!" Baba sweetly concluded.

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Q: Swami! Excuse me. A person, observing you moving amongst people and choosing some of them for special attention, is puzzled why some are left out.

A: Yes. It is quite natural that you are puzzled. One looking from the outside cannot know who is worthy and who is not.

Q: People say that they are often punished by Swami. Is that a fact?

A: Of course. In punishing a person for misdemeanor, Swami wants to correct the defaulter. But, though harsh in appearance, at other times, he is all Love inside. Sometimes he corrects a person in private; at other times, he does so, in public. For, if he corrects in public, all who hear will learn and see for themselves, what pleases Swami and what does not. Swami is very strict in his principles and rules. An Avatar does not compromise. To the Sadhaka, strictness is, ultimately, the best kindness.

Q: Yes, Swami. Persons near you have to be perfect.

A: People judge Swami by the conduct and behaviour, the earnestness and sincerity, the generosity and humility of those 'near' him. So, those who are outwardly 'distant' are not apparently dealt with so severely. But, even they are watched and warned. Depending on the situation, I can be soft as a rose petal or hard as diamond.

Q: Swami is the motivator of the individual, I have heard you say it. I know it is true. How then do persons commit faults?

A: Swami is the 'I' in you and in every one else. The 'I' which prompts you to will, to think and act is the reflection of the 'I' that I am. The Sun is reflected in water. wherever it lies; whatever its quality. The Sun warms the water it shines upon. When the reflection is in muddy water, we say the person is Tamasic—dull, slothful, stupid, fond of darkness, revelling in ignorance. When the Sun is reflected in water that is quivering in ripples, the person is Rajasic, passionate adventurous, emotional. When the Sun is reflected in clear calm limpid water, the person is Satwic, calm, unruffled, full of peace and inner joy.

Q: Many Gurus teach, "All is done by the Lord; and, not by you.” But, the world over, there is the concept, that man is responsible for his actions.

A: As long as you believe you are only human, this concept will persist. But, that cannot change the truth—"You are God.”

Q: We do not will to be human, and not God!

A: No, you do not. It is just a matter of being confused. It is a delusion. At present, there is in you a mixture of 5 states of consciousness: the unconscious, the subconscious, the conscious, the super conscious and the Divine Consciousness, where God alone IS. When you raise yourselves from one state to another, the idea of your being merely human will vanish of itself. The Gita teaches man first to engage himself in `work'; then, he is asked to `give up the desire to earn the fruits of work'; later, he is told that Dharma is his only concern; afterwards, Dharma is interpreted as Dharma for liberation; finally, he is told that even the desire for, Liberation is to be given up. `Be attached Jo Me alone', is the final lesson. You do not will to be human; you are misled to believe so.

Q: Pardon a question that borders on the personal. Swami seems, to us to have different moods; what does this mean

A: I am not hurt by any type of questions; in fact, I want you to be free of all doubt. Remember, Swami is always happy. He is always Bliss. No worries, no concerns can affect the Bliss.

Q: Yes. Swami is often heard saying, `Yes. Yes. Yes'.

A: Your tendency is to say `Yes' to that which is pleasing to you, and 'No' if the prospect is otherwise. Swami says, `Yes. Yes. Yes.' to everything that comes. For, everything is My Gift; everything is Good for the person, at the time, for the purpose I have in view.

Q: Considering the Task that Swami has undertaken, it is strange that You are always in Bliss.

A: The boat glides over the flood; but, does not allow the flood to enter it. On Swami's shoulders alone rests an ever increasing burden. The problems and sorrows of millions of people; the institutions and individuals who turn to Him for guidance; the interviews, the prayers, the petitions. On the mental level, unknown to you, I am with all who yearn for God, no matter where they actually are, over the entire world.

I am by the side of seekers, saints, yogis, rishis, everywhere, watching them, counselling them, fostering every sign of progress towards God and Self realisation. But, the Bliss in Me is constant, unchanging. Even outwardly, My Bliss can be noted as constant, even while I may appear angry, impatient, aloof or distant. The anger is put on, just to set right some situation; the aloofness is assumed, for the particular time and place. My Love is as constant as My Bliss.

Q: Those saints, rishis and sages do they pray for counsel? Is not praying the same as begging? If we are God, we beg only from ourselves.

A: It is not begging, when you ask God for something. When you receive what He gives, you have to rise up to His level, at least for that moment. When you beg from, one equal to you, you put yourselves down and he is raised up. When you beg from one lower than you, you degrade yourself still lower. But, when you beg from God, you rise; you are elevated in spirit and you sense fulfilment.

Q: But, I had thought that since God knows all, He would remedy the situation, if it is appropriate that it should be done.

A: Of course, He would, provided you have surrendered fully, without any reservation. But, until then...

Q: Yes. Swami had written in a letter to me, "Do not worry about your health. Your God is always with you, in you and around you.”

A: That is right. What I said is enough, for those who have surrendered! You must weaken your sense of identification with the body. You may have a headache today, a stomachache tomorrow. Don’t worry. You are not the body; no; you are the Atma, the Divine Dweller in this body. Once I have told you not to worry, there is no more need to ask Me about it. Don’t identify.

Q: Swami said that while praying to God, the petitioner raised himself to the level of God. In order to make such a prayer, in what state of mind should one first put himself?

A: It is not necessary that one should put oneself into any particular state of meditation.

Q: Usually, the advice is, that one should go to a quiet place and be in a quiet mood when he wishes to pray.

A: Wherever and whenever you put yourselves in touch with God, that is the state of meditation. You may feel that 1 P. M. in California is not a good time to call Me, for I may be asleep in India and that I should not be disturbed! I know you have felt like that once or twice. But, I am omnipresent; I have no such limitations. I never sleep. At the middle of the night, I turn off the light and rest in bed, because if the light is on, devotees will gather. I have no need of sleep. But, you need at least 4 hours of sleep.

Q: If I am walking in the street, with people around, and my mind engaged with things I must do, is that a good time?

A: At the beginning; one might need some special circumstances for clearing the mind of junk and concentrate on God; but, when you become aware of God in every thing and everywhere, no matter where you are, it is the same; prayer can emerge from the heart and reach God.

Q: Swami! You have said that in meditation one should strive to cut off the Form aspect. But, we worship your Form and like it. We pray to that Form.

A: That is the right thing to do; but, later, when visualisation is abandoned, you come closer. Now, you are looking at Me directly.

Q: Swami! When they heard of, Krishna's Death, many Gopis fell lifeless from the shock. So, their relationship was only with the Form of Krishna, it seems.

A: No. The Gopis had both relationships. Because of their years of close companionship, they were strongly attached with the physical Presence. But, they also knew Krishna in their hearts as their Innermost Reality. They always felt He was with them, even when His worldly activity took Him far away, physically.

Q: Then, why the terrible shock? If Krishna was so firmly imprinted on their hearts?

A: Their only reason for placing any value on the body was that Krishna was also in physical existence! When Krishna left, they had no more interest in the world!

Q: One last question, Swami! On behalf of America. Will Swami come soon?

A: My coming will delay, until a base is built in America. However, I can go to America or any other Continent, informally, any time. The devotee need only call Me; I will appear at once

[v2k]

A friend with whom I work has listened to my endless tales of Sai Baba's miracles and power, with doubt and teasing. But, he did not scoff or deny and even asked me for some of Bhagawan's Vibhuti, when his mother was ill. His name is Tony De Paco, and his mother recovered at the time, but, made her transition, a year later.

One night, Tony asked me if I would drive him to where his auto had stalled. The starter was quite active, but, the motor was not responsive. I suggested we sprinkle some Vibhuti on the motor.

Tony said that the electricity or the petrol was not reaching the motor, and, he would just leave it, until he could return and fix it.

But, I prevailed and Tony allowed me to place Vibhuti on the motor, before he tried again to start the obstinate auto which was vary old and worn. The motor started, much to our delight, and Tony started the many miles home, while I followed, in my car.

We finally arrived where I should turn to go to my home, and Tony wanted me to turn off and he would continue the two miles further, to his residence.

But, Tony is a good man. I decided I would follow him, in case the auto stopped again. I was very grateful for this decision of mine, when I saw Tony's auto stopped dead, a short distance further:

I stopped and went towards Tony. I was expecting his gratitude for my gesture, when I was dismayed to hear him say, in disgust, "Now, see what you have done! You have stopped this motor again. Baba's Vibhuti had it running and you did not have the faith to turn off. So, your lack of faith has stopped the motor.”

While I was towing him home, I thought, " I talk like the devotee—but, it is Tony who has the faith. How wrong I was, to feel superior!"

[v2k]

From time to time, in the life of the world, Lord Himself is born in a body, like ours, so that we may see Him. When He is here with us, He teaches us and He loves us, in person. Just imagine! The Lord , who has made all of the stars in the sky, comes to visit us on this tiny earth! Maybe your mother or father has told you about Rama, Krishna, Buddha, or Jesus. These were some of the different names God was called when He visited our earth in ages long past.

We are very lucky to be alive today, for the Lord has come again to the world, to help us all to goodness. He was born in India in the year 1926, in a little village named Puttaparthi. His family and friends called Him Sathya. That means Truth. Sathya played children's games, like you do now, but He was not like the other children. Sathya was very special. How He loved the helpless animals, and the poor and sick people! When He was fourteen years old, He remembered that He was the Lord God, and that He really wasn't a little boy at all! Sathya then called Himself "Sai Baba", which means God the Father.

As He grew older, some of the wise people in India found out that Sathya Sai Baba was a Great, Great Leader. More and more people came to see this wonderful Being. Soon people began to travel from all over the world to see Him, as they do today. Sai Baba healed these people if they were sick, and He made them lovely presents out of the thin air. But most of all, He gave them the Love that only The Father could give. You will see the time when Sri Sathya Sai Baba is followed by millions of people. He is like a great Sun toward which all living things are drawn. The children of Sai Baba live in every part of the world, from India to America!

Sai Baba loves the hearts of the little children, because your hearts are clean and pure. "How sweet is the smile of the baby in the cradle, or of the child playing in the garden?" He asks us. He has said that a child will be happy with a few pebbles or twigs. But many older people want lots of money to buy a poor sort of happiness. That is why God wishes the big people would act more like little children! "That is the reason why Christ fondled a child and advised all grown-ups to become more like children, so that they may be saved," says Sai Baba. He wants you always to keep the simple, sweet heart of a child. Little ones like to think about God. What do you think about Him?

Our Father, Sai Baba, will be very pleased if you remember to say your prayers in the morning before play, and at night before falling asleep. He is also glad when you remember to repeat the Names of God. This will make you very happy too, for the rest of your life! God wants you to especially love and obey your parents, for it was He who sent them to earth to take care of you. And you must always try to be as kind as you can to everyone in your life, and ever speak the truth to them. Sai Baba teaches that our words are very, very powerful... and that our cheerfulness brings light to the world.

Even if you have not yet seen Sai Baba with your eyes, He can be your Best Friend if you just imagine His Loving Smile. Think about His lovely orange robe and His dark hair—and He will be there with you! The greatest thing we can do for Sai Baba is to dearly love every person and creature about us!

Have you ever stopped, during a quiet time, and asked yourself: "What makes me alive?" "Where did I come from?" "Where am I going?" Sri Sathya Sai Baba is here on earth to answer the questions of His Children. He tells us that every man has been on a long, long journey to find a wonderful secret. What is that great Secret that can make every person joyful, and bring our world to peace?

It is very simple. God does not live in a faraway heaven and neither does He live only inside of a Sai Baba, or a Jesus.

GOD LIVES INSIDE EVERYONE. GOD IS EVERYWHERE. GOD LIVES DEEP IN YOUR HEART.

The love we have for our mother and father is God's Love. The little birds singing are God in His Grand Costume. It is really God that gives us their song! Even the silent mountains and the shining sun are alive with God's Love. The sparkling eyes of your friends are the Lord's eyes. It is really He that plays with you! Love is seeing all things as One Great God. Where do you see Him?

Have you ever felt as big as the sky? Well, you are larger and brighter than even the sky! That is because you are an important part of God's Being. Deep within our Hearts, God sits quietly, and He watches us as we work and play. Many times He will call to us: "Look to me, inside. I am here." How can we ever be lonely or sad if we remember that wonderful secret? You can turn to your God inside at any time, and you can find Him all around you.

This is the great story that God comes as man to tell us. If every father, mother, and child knew that they too were an important part of the great God, they would love all their brothers on earth. They would not be afraid to die, if they knew they would be born into God.

You are a child now, but when you are all grown up, the world will be a very different place. Can you imagine a world where all men love one another? A world where all men love God? Sai Baba has promised to change men's hearts by teaching them the wonderful, beautiful secret. He will begin a Golden Age of Peace, and you will live to see it. You are the children of Peace, and your Father, Sai Baba, will lead you along the path of His Love.

[v2k]

This is a story about the Gods. It deals with the greed of men. It was a fine day in Heaven; Sriman Narayana and His Consort Lakshmi were talking away the hours, when Narada, the Wandering Minstrel, entered and attracted their attention. Narayana asked Narada whether the denizens of the Earth were happy. Narada replied that since they worshipped Him and won His Grace, men everywhere were quite happy and prosperous.

At this, Lakshmi (who was the Goddess of Wealth) was afflicted with jealousy and anger, for, Her share in conferring happiness on man was not acknowledged. She challenged Narada to prove that Narayana was more adored than Herself down on Earth.

Narayana accepted the challenge. Donning ochre robes, He transformed Himself into a Monk and went down amongst the villages and towns, preaching the Path. Thousands flocked at these meetings and listened to the enchanting oratory. They followed Him from place to place and adored Him with effusive enthusiasm. He was being carried along on a huge wave of devotion and adulation.

Lakshmi saw this and could not contain herself; She was overwhelmed by envy. So, she too donned the Sanyasi robe and came down to the very region which Narayana had conquered for Himself. The people were drawn towards her by the effulgence of Her Presence; many came away from the meetings addressed by Narayana to bask in Her Presence.

A few invited Her to their homes for dinner. She agreed but, declared that it was a vow she had undertaken, not to eat out of plates other than her own. She said, she would bring Her own plate, cup, drinking vessel etc. The host was only too glad to comply with Her request, for, that helped him to overcome one bother among many!

Lakshmi took with Her when She went to the houses of Her hosts, a plate of gold, a cup and a water vessel, all three of gold! The host admired and adored Her the more for this display of pomp and wealth. But, he was astounded and delighted, when, after dinner, Lakshmi said that she was leaving the plate etc., at the hosts's home, since that too was part of her vow!

When the news spread that it was highly profitable to invite Lakshmi to Dinner and to adore Her, there was a huge clamour for Her Grace and millions deserted Narayana's Discourses and hovered around the Giver of Gold. People prayed to Narayana to go back to whence He came, for, they had no time to receive Him or listen to Him. Lakshmi was monopolising their attention!

So, Lakshmi came back to Heaven, to meet Narayana who was already there. She asked Narada, "Who is being worshipped more, Narayana or Lakshmi?"

Narada replied with another question "Whom are You worshipping, please?" Lakshmi answered, "Why? Worship Narayana" Then, said, “Narada, know that it is Narayana's Grace that is helping you to bestow those gifts of gold, which make men worship you.”

Lakshmi's pride was humbled; but, man's foolishness continues. He worships Lakshmi, not Narayana!