We the Children of Sai

Aum Sairam

May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
"Sai Raham Nazar Karanaa,Bachchon ka Paalan Karanaa"

Which means- 'Sri Sai, please caste your merciful glances at your children and take care of them'.

It is the duty of all of us, the children of Lord Sri Sai Baba, to keep up the noble values Sri Sai Baba stood for. They are mutual co-existence, amity with all religion and love and compassion for all living and non-living beings so as to realize Sai-Chit-Anand- The Absolute Bliss. The essence of humanity or a human being, which is the latest development in the process of evolution of nature, lies in its contribution towards the growth of nature in the fellow beings and also all other living creations.

Sri Sai Baba saw no difference between a person and another person and between living and non-living. Today there stand two tombs at Shirdi one for a horse and other for a tiger as a monumental evidence of this Universal love of Sri Sai Baba. This being the theme of Sri Sai Baba movement let us resolves to do our little bit in helping others to grow. Sri Sai Baba was love. Let love prevail in a world of contradiction and antagonism.

The best pledge we can take on this beautiful Thursday [Baba's Day] is to decide to flow along with the Sri Sai Baba Spirit that a confused and battered world of today needs.

Sin

Aum Sairam

Sin is a kind of imperfection or ignorance. It is not necessarily something very bad, ugly or untouchable. In the process of evolution we are aiming at perfection, but right now most of us are still wallowing in the pleasures of ignorance and self-indulgence. As long as we remain in ignorance, we will do things wrong, we will commit sins. But we must not feel that we are completely lost or covered in darkness. We are just, progressing from less Light to more Light, and ultimately to liberation from ignorance-imperfection-sin.

One can liberate oneself from sin only by invoking Sri Sai Baba's constant grace. Sri Sai Baba's grace always descends abundantly and powerfully, but most human beings do not try to receive it. If the individual wants to free himself or herself from ignorance, and cries to receive Sri Sai Baba's compassion-rain, then definitely he will be liberated from the snares of imperfection-sin. But this liberation comes gradually as the seeker becomes more illumined. We must not expect sudden and miraculous overnight transformations, although these do occasionally occur.

Allah Malik

Why We Suffer?

Aum Sairam

God or His Name is the sole strength in living against all odds and uncertainties. If one is not at cross purposes with Him, one finds His manifestation in every happening. But, one has to bear with patience the onrush of the forces one has let loose. Yoke yourself unto Him and He will bear the brunt.

Take refuge in none but Him. Dependence on Him makes one fearless. Human beings will enjoy three fourths of life and one fourth they will suffer. But, we lose our patience and do not accept even that one fourth of sorrows given by Him.

Don't be obsessed with any wish. Shake off sadness. Unhappiness is part of the ego. Beyond it, no such thing exists. That you have forgotten Truth (that God is within), is the root cause of your misery.

A painful blow becomes bearable to a great extent by His remembrance. As He inflicts blows on you, so also He gives you the capacity for bearing the suffering. As one tolerates unbearable situations with patience, a time comes when He resolves all problems. Whenever you have tumults in mind, try to remember this very often. You can do this. The key is with Him. Truth wins. He is your shield. Destiny still comes but He eases the suffering.

When you have the shelter of Satyanarayan [God within], He will test you in various ways. Your duty is not to get agitated when these sorts of events hurt you. There is a saying of Sri Sai Baba, "You look to Me, and I look to you. Even then, if they do not leave Me and still seek Me, I then become their humble servant."

The smiles and frowns of life are His tokens of love. Bear them with loving patience, you have to forsake nothing. Neither indulges, nor restrain.

If you have devotion, you need fear nothing. Devotion is never devoid of strength. So many varied problems and hindrances must come; otherwise people won't understand and realize how and why He is the best of all friends and companions. He is the Dearest One, who keeps us protected in all calamities and adversities, which are unpredictable. People falter in life and suffer by discarding Him. But, they can't do anything without Him. Have faith in Him, unflinching faith. Love Him. Hazards take care of themselves. Remembering and depending on Him make one fearless in life, whatever may happen.

He gives us jolts so that we can be ready to taste real happiness with Him, to make us free of Maya, or mind and attachments. We do not know His Will, so we grieve over all He does, but He always does everything for the best. Do not worry. Never try to understand. Only accept as a gift whatever He gives, take it as His blessing. When one feels, "I am helpless, my strength fails" He comes to hold the rudder. Being always in the midst of people with their selfishness, jealousy and hatred, the mind is afflicted with pain. These afflictions are shaken off like dust through devotion and remembrance of God's Name within.

He, the Almighty, by His wish and touch takes away the worldly attractions gradually to bring one to a blissful, peaceful state. A person cannot realize this state on his or her own due to the intensity of illusory worldly desire. You do everything, see everything, listen to everything, but do not get so deeply involved as to invite sufferings through them. Of course, He will ensure this; you don't have to make any effort for it. Just keep Him in your remembrance.

Allah Malik

Blossom The Divinity

Aum Sairam

Dedicate or utilize your talents for the service of humanity. It is indeed self-alone that will blossom the Divinity within and will lead as service to Sri Sai Baba. Sri Sai Baba resides in every living being-animal, bird, stone and stump. Offer all your actions at the alter of Sri Sai Baba as flower offered at the Lotus feet of Sri Sai Baba without any envy or anger or lust or greed or ego. Fortune acquired by unfair means or deceit or trickery will never bring true happiness in your life. Only honest dealings with positive attitude in life will bring self-satisfaction, peace, happiness and joy.

There is nothing higher than Sri Sai Baba. The real seeker should sincerely worship Sri Sai Baba with a pure mind and words soaked in truth. Most of us find it well high impossible to give up the duties ordained in life.

Remember Sri Sai Baba all the time. Think of Him in the midst of work never for a moment forget Him. Meditate upon His form. The mind is prone to go stray, but never give up. Have implicit faith and perseverance in Sri Sai Baba and chant His name or mantra by loving Him, you will find a fountain of love and affection will burst open and will produce an immense joy and happiness around.

Raise your mind above the pain and pleasure, friend and foe, honor and dishonor and perform your duties, not for the sake of sensuous pleasures, but out of devotion to Sri Sai Baba. Always live in the present without worrying about the past or the future.

Indifference to worldly pleasures is the chief requisite for spiritual advancement. Never give up the self-study. Worship Sri Sai Baba. Meditate regularly. Perform your daily prayers. Never give up for a day, whether you are traveling or sick or busy in work. This alone can bring sweetness into your day-to-day life and this is path of spirituality, which will merge you with Him forever and ever at the appointed time.

Allah Malik

The Purpose Of Life

Aum Sairam

There were thousands of ants living on a hill of salt. A new ant came to them and said that there is a mountain of sugar nearby. Some ants went to have their fill from it. Many of them walked on and on but they could find nothing except salt because they had salt particles in their mouths, which they were reluctant to leave aside. Similarly, an ordinary person of the world cannot find bliss [sugar] even if they are informed that the mountain of Bliss lies with them. This is because they are reluctant to leave aside the attachments and selfish ends to which they are fast bound. Blessed is he who merges himself into Bliss and thereby becoming Bliss itself. This is the result of the supreme renunciation of all desires and attachments.

The Atman can shine only when you detach yourself from the senses. The mind must be withdrawn from its present comrades [senses] and be loyal to this royal master [Intellect]. Keep a lamp in a room with all its five windows open; the wind will blow it out. All the windows have to be closed to keep the flame burning straight. Similarly, the senses [windows] are to be controlled for mind-concentration [Flame] on the purpose of God-realization.

Be moderate in everything and keep the senses strictly under control. The cravings of hunger and sex drag you into perdition. A spiritual aspirant must be very careful about jeeva [tongue] and the guhya [organ of generation]. Get convinced that life is as unreal as a dream. Do not get attached to it beyond reasonable limits. The outward-bound senses are like the frogs that hop about on the petals of the lotus being unaware of the nectar in that flower. Only the honeybee [Intellect] can reveal that sweetness.

The Moon is unaffected even though its reflection in the lake is broken into bits. It is only due to weakness of the medium. Similarly, your reality is unaffected due to any disturbances but only your reflection [body] withers, elated or disheartened due to the weakness of the medium [Mind]. The mind assumes the form of the objects with which it is attached. It becomes small when it gets fixed on small things; it becomes grand when fixed on grand things. So, discriminate before you develop attachment. You will fail if you have attachment towards wife and children, land and buildings, bank accounts and balances. You will grow in love and splendor if you develop attachment towards the Universal. So, always dwell always on high thoughts and develop attachment on Universal. The action of Rama dhyana will remold your mind.

A ladder has to be as tall as the height you want to reach; similarly, your sadhana has to be as long as the time taken to reach the goal. When the walls are completed, the scaffolding is removed; similarly, when the Vision of the Reality is attained, japa, vratha, puja, archana, sravana, keertana---forms of spiritual discipline can be dispensed with. Always, keep Watching for every chance to dwell on noble thoughts, to do elevating tasks. Always do karma that will win Grace of the Lord. Your progress is reflected back as Grace.

Always have the meaning and purpose of life in view. Understand that –

You and the Universal are One;You and the Absolute are One;You and the Eternal are One.

You are not the Individual, the Particular, and the Temporary. Feel this, know this. Act in conformity with this.

Allah Malik

One Day I Decided to Quit

One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my Spirituality… I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. God, I said. Can you give me one good reason not to quit His answer surprised me…

Look around, He said. Do you see the fern and the bamboo?

Yes, I replied.

When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit. He said.

Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. He said to me.

Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots

I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

Don’t compare yourself to others. He said. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

Your time will come, God said to me. You will rise high

How high should I rise I asked.

How high will the bamboo rise He asked in return.

As high as it can I questioned

Yes. He said; Give me glory by rising as high as you can.

I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you!

Little things!

Aum Sairam

Too often we don't realize what we have until it is gone.Too often we wait too late to say "I'm sorry - I was wrong."Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones we hold dearest to our hearts, and we allow foolish things to tear our lives apart.

Far too many times we let unimportant things into our minds, and then it's usually too late to see what made us blind.

So be sure that you let people know how much they mean to you.Take that time to say the words before your time is through.

Be sure that you appreciate everything you've got and be thankful for the little things in life that mean a lot.

Allah Malik

How Sri Sai Test Problems

Aum Sairam

What is Sri Sai telling you with the problems He permits in your life? The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately most people fail to see how Sri Sai wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways Sri Sai wants to use the problems in your life.

Sri Sai uses problems to direct you. Sometimes Sri Sai must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is Sri Sai trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.

Sri Sai uses problems to inspect you. People are like tea bags, if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has Sri Sai ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.

Sri Sai uses problems to correct you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of health, money, a relationship by losing it. It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.

Sri Sai uses problems to protect you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. You intended to harm me, but Sri Sai intended it for good.

Sri Sai uses problems to perfect you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. Sri Sai is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship with Sri Sai and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. We can rejoice when we run into problems, they help us learn to be patient. The two thing which our Sri Sai asks Shradha and Saburi, as patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust Sri Sai more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

Sri Sai is at work in your life-even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

Allah Malik

Gayatri Mantra

Om bhurbhuva: sva:
tatsaviturvarenyam.

bhargo devasya dh:mahi
dhiyo yona: pracodayat

[ Throughout the experience of Life That essential nature illuminating existence is the adorable One.
May all beings perceive through subtle and meditative intellect the brilliance of enlightened awareness. ]

Real Spiritual Treasures [Baba's Day]

Aum Sairam

May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Happiness, Success And Joy

One would wonder what was going on in Tatya's mind as the angry fakir tore apart his headgear and threw it in the fire. Did it occur to him that he was going to be rewarded with a new headgear by his beloved Deva? Probably not. Why does this Master of Cryptic messages resort to this sort of blessing that only seems like cursing? No one knows. Shri Hemadpant illustrates several incidents of Sri Sai Baba's strange behavior that were mistaken for His indifference in the beginning only to spell relief later.

Some times the reason was to teach a lesson. Some times it was to make a point. Most of the times, it is not known. When He dissuaded Damu Anna from grain dealing business, Sri Sai Baba saved him the agony of losing money in an unprofitable venture. When the Haji was kicked out, it was only to make him closer. When He burnt Tayta's pheta, it was only to give him a better one. Burning is symbolic of the end. The end of perhaps a forgettable past, the closure to an unappealing present? May be just a reminder as to who calls the shots. Nevertheless, it is the new beginning. Anger of the mad fakir can only be a miracle that is unseen. A short move in His bigger plan. Towards bigger and better.

Let us on this Thursday think about those miracles that we do not see for those are the real spiritual treasures hard to seek.

Allah Malik

Shake The Fear

Aum Sairam

Fear is one of the qualities that could drive a person to the level of insanity. Fear manifests in different ways and forms and may lead to other vicissitudes such as anger, greed, lust, etc. Freeing oneself of the fear that lies deep within becoming the cause of various unwanted traits is a must for any serious spiritual seeker. Fear of the unknown is the biggest cause of misery. People make their lives miserable because of fear. Fear can be fought with Faith and Patience. With Faith that all that will happen will be for ones own good and patience that it will happen when the time comes for the event to happen will go a long way to lessen the agony and pain that one harbors in their lives.

Sri Sai Baba gave the lesson of Faith and Patience not as mere words to be remembered once a while or read in books, but to continuously put them into practice. Though very easy to read and understand the dictionary meaning, they are the most difficult to practice in ones life. As one tries to practice these two qualities, they discover that the harder it gets to deal with them. At times it goes to such an extent that Sri Sai Baba's dictum seems more philosophical than practical. It is for this reason that Sri Sai Baba left a series of stories to serve as an example to inspire his followers.

Patience is merely not just waiting but also actively believing that God is with them and will help them against all odds. Keeping faith alive against all odds in prayer and experiencing all difficulties that may come is Patience. As Sri Sai Baba says, Faith and Patience are like twin sisters, one cannot live without the other. Where there is no faith there is no patience and vice verse. The difficulties that do come in our lives are a result of our own past actions and the results of those have to borne as explained by Sri Sai Baba in Shri Sai Satcharitra. So there is no point in arguing why difficulties or unhappiness comes, it is a fact of life as any other fact. Dealing with it in the way prescribed by Sri Sai Baba is the key to burden and live it when sorrow knocks on the door.

When one walks on the path laid by Sri Sai Baba it is invariably noted that slowly but surely the fear that was lurking behind slowly disappears and one starts becoming free of the burden and sing joyously in honor of the master who is ever ready to lead all those who approach Him.

Allah Malik

Reason For Adversity And Problems In Our Life

Aum Sairam

Adversity makes us dynamic. Adversity forces our eyes wide apart. Adversity teaches us the meaning of patience. Adversity endows us with faith in ourselves. Adversity leads us inward to correct and perfect our march to life. Prosperity leads us onward to illumine and immortalize our human birth.

In prosperity, our inner strength remains static. In adversity, our inner strength becomes dynamic. None can deny the fact that every step of progress which the world has made has come from both the smiles of prosperity and the tears of adversity.

One merit of adversity none can deny: it helps us to be stronger within. The stronger we are within, the brighter we are without.

There is somebody who knows what is best for us, and that is the Supreme. The Supreme is not a mental hallucination. We will be able to see Him, we will be able to hear Him, and we will be able to dine with Him. He is not only our Father, but also our eternal Comrade. We have to give Him responsibility for ourselves.

His Eyes have better vision than ours. His Ears hear more quickly than our human ears. We talk to human beings who have no time to hear us; they have so many things to do in the outer world. But we very often forget that there is somebody else who is eager to listen. The Supreme is always eager to hear from us, but we do not speak to Him.

If we know how to look at a problem, half the strength of the problem goes away. But usually we try to avoid the problem; we try to run away from it. To have a problem is not a crime, so why should we be afraid to face it? Our difficulty is that when something unfortunate happens in our life, we immediately feel that we are at fault, that we have done something wrong. We must know that there are also wrong forces, undivine forces, and hostile forces around us.

By blaming ourselves and then trying to hide, we do not solve the problem. We have to face the problem and see whether we really are to blame. In order to solve the problem of ourselves, we have to practice the spiritual life and develop inner strength, aspiration and inner detachment. Slowly, gradually, we will become inwardly strong, and then we will be able to solve the problems caused by our own inner weaknesses.

As soon as we have conquered a difficulty, we will find that it repeats itself on a higher and subtler level. It is the same essential weakness in ourselves which we are made to face in a more refined form.

Allah Malik

The Key To Happiness

Aum Sairam

What does everyone strive for or hope to attain? Happiness. People go searching here and there trying many different means of attaining it, not realizing that the key to happiness is actually right around their neck. Everyone possesses the key to his own happiness but it is covered with so much falsehood, that it is not uncovered just by chance.

The key to true happiness is also not found with knowledge alone. It is found by the experience. Just one moment’s experience of the key brings realization of the simplicity of happiness. The key to true happiness is found when an individual experiences himself as a peaceful person realizing that is what he actually is. It might be the experience of only just a moment but understanding that you do have the ability to withdraw from negative vibrations and experience your true peaceful self brings hope and happiness.

The key is to realize that you are not really an angry, miserable, unfortunate person. Your present state of mind may be such, but you are actually peaceful by nature. How often you use the key and experience your true nature of peace is a different matter.

You have been trying to attain happiness and this has cost so much money, time and energy. Why not now discover the key to true happiness? Take a chance on yourself, discover the treasure within and use the key as often as possible.

Allah Malik

Mother's Day Poem!

A mother's love determines how
We love ourselves and others.
There is no sky we'll ever see
Not lit by that first love.
Stripped of love, the universe
Would drive us mad with pain;
But we are born into a world
That greets our cries with joy.
How much I owe you for the kiss
That told me who I was!
The greatest gift--a love of life--
Lay laughing in your eyes.
Because of you my world still has
The soft grace of your smile;
And every wind of fortune bears
The scent of your caress.

Let US Remember Our Mother On this Mother's Day#1

Mother's Day is a special day for all of us. It's time to kiss and hug the sweetest thing in the world - our Mother! Irrespective of how old we are, what positions we may have acquired in our lives or what is our status in the eyes of the world, we are always 'a darling child' to our Moms.Mother is perhaps the only person in the world that is ready to forgive any mistakes that the child might have made but on the other hand she also can also be the person who if angry would not speak to you for days. These charachterstics of the mother are what seprates her from all others.Mother's Day is the perfect time to pay visit to our Mommy, spend time with her, hold her hands, put our heads into her lap, look into her eyes and say - "Thanks, Mom!".

Nothing in this World is Yours!

Rivers Don't Drink Water; They Carry.
Trees Don't eat Fruit; They Bear.
Clouds Don't Bathe in Rain; They Produce.

So be Involved & Yet Know that Nothing is Yours!

I'm the King!

Aum Sairam

Sri Sai Baba said, “Our Karma is the cause of our happiness and sorrow; therefore put up with whatever comes to you. Allah (God) is the sole Dispenser and Protector, always think of Him. He will take care of you. Surrender to His feet with body, mind, wealth and speech, i.e. completely and then see what He does” in Shri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. XXXIV.

There was a learned man who, for several years, longed to be shown the way to God. Everyday, he sat apart from men and prayed that he might be brought into contact with a Sage, a Saint, and a Know-er of Truth.

One day, as he sat in prayer, he heard a Voice say, “Go to such and such a place, and you will meet the man who will show you the way to blessedness and bliss!”

Great was his joy when he heard the words. Forthwith he went to the place indicated by the Voice. He was surprised to find a man, humble, simple, poor, with tattered cloths on his body, his feet soiled with mud. The learned man looked all around him, but found no other man seated there. So, to this man, he said, “Good morning to you!”

Quietly, answered the poor man, “I have never had a bad morning!”

“God give you good luck!” said the learned man.

“I have never had ill-luck!” answered the poor man.

The learned man’s astonishment grew. “May you be happy!” he said to the poor man.
To which the poor man answered, “I have never been unhappy!”
“I am unable to understand,” said the learned man, “Pray explain it all to me.”
“Gladly,” said the poor man. “You wished me a good morning. I have never had a bad morning. For, if I do not get food to eat, I praise God. If it rains or snows, or if the weather is foul, I still praise God. If I am despised and have no human company, I praise God! So I have never had a bad morning, never an evil day.

“You wished me good luck: but I have never had ill-luck. For I always dwell at the Lotus Feet of the Lord: and I know that whatever God sends to me is the very best that can ever happen to me. I cheerfully accept everything that comes to me – health or sickness, prosperity or adversity, joy or sorrow – as a gift from God. I have never had ill-luck.

“You wished me happiness. I have never been unhappy. For the deepest longing of my heart is to live in union with God’s Will, and I have so entirely yielded my will to the Will of God, that what God wills, I will!”

Astonished, the learned man asked, “What if God’s Will should cast you into hell?”
“Cast me into hell!” exclaimed the poor man. “God too loves to do that. But even if He sends me to hell, I should have two arms with which to embrace Him. One is the arm of humility, the other of love. With them I should so embrace Him that He would have to go to hell with me. I would rather be in hell and be with God, than be in heaven and remain away from God!”
The poor man taught that in self-surrender, in utter humility, is the simplest, surest, nearest way to God.

When asked who he was, he answered, “I am a king!”

He was the very picture of destitution: and yet he felt he was a king! For he had learnt to walk the way of acceptance. He accepted all that came his way and rejoiced in all that happened. He expected nothing: he hoped for nothing: he needed nothing: he lacked nothing. Was he not the richest of men on earth?

Allah Malik

When Sri Sai Calls!

Aum Sairam

Did you ever think of Sri Sai Baba as "up close and personal"? Instead of being distant and unapproachable, the Creator of the universe has constantly sought to come near to us. In order to save us, He chose to identify with us; He also made it possible for His Spirit to indwell us as our counselor and guide. Sri Sai Baba extends to everyone a personal invitation for an intimate relationship with Him and to follow Him closely.

If we look at His call to many people throughout Scripture's recorded in Shri Sai Satcharitra, it's clear that this is not a general, vague offer. Sri Sai Baba desires that you seek Him with all your heart so that you would find Him and the future He has planned for you.

But before anything else, Sri Sai Baba's first call to any of us is a call to salvation. He wants us to open the door of our heart so that He can cleanse us and do a transforming work in our lives. He calls you as an individual to receive His love, His forgiveness, and a new identity through spiritual rebirth.

Your eternal destiny depends upon your decision to answer His call with an open heart. To say "yes" is to embark on the adventure of a new life full of purpose, the life with Him that you were created to live. Have you responded to this incredible call on your life? If you have, reaffirm your commitment to Him. If haven't answered His call yet, make today your spiritual birthday by receiving Sri Sai Baba as your personal Savior and making Him the Lord of your life.

Allah Malik

Wealth, Success and Love

A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them.

Then she said, "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home?” they asked."No," she said. "He's out.""Then we cannot come in," they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. So, he said, "Go tell them I'm home, and invite them in!"

The woman went out and invited the men in."We do not go into a house together," they replied.” Why is that?" she wanted to know. One of the old men explained. "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and pointing to another one he said, "This man is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now, go and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said.Her husband was over-joyed. "How nice!" he said. "Since that's the case, let us invite in Wealth. Let him come in and fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "Why don't we invite Success?"But, their daughter was listening from the corner of the room. She jumped in with her own suggestion. "Wouldn't it be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

The wife agreed. "Then, let us heed our daughter's advice," said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love in to be our guest."

The woman went out and asked the three old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest." Love got up and started walking toward the house. Then the other two also got up and followed him.Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success, "I only invited in Love, as you directed. Why are you all coming in?"

The old men replied together, "If you had invited only Wealth or Success, the other two of us would have stayed. However, since you invited Love... wherever He goes, we go with him... because wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!"

Satwa, Rajas, Tamas!

Aum Sairam

May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
During these times of mental anxiety and worry, one has to pray to Sri Sadguru and read holy books about Him and obtain peace. Shri Sai Satcharitra is such a holy book for all Shirdi Sri Sai Baba's devotees. As we go on reading the holy book, we will find pearls of wisdom and philosophy. In the first chapter, Shri Hemadpant, describes the cholera and the grinding of wheat and spreading it around the village to destroy cholera and at the end mentions that Sri Sai Baba did the business of grinding almost every day, the sins, the mental and physical afflictions and the miseries of His innumerable devotees. The two mills of His mill consisted of Karma and Bhakti, the former being the lower and the latter the upper one. The handle with which Sri Sai Baba worked the mill consisted of Gyan.

It was the firm conviction of Sri Sai Baba that knowledge or self realization is not possible unless there is the prior act of grinding of all our impulses, desires, sins and of the three Gunas viz. Satwa, Rajas, Tamas and the Ego which is so subtle and therefore so difficult to get rid of. In a short space, Shri Hemadpant described the unity of paths of Karma, Bhakti, and Gyan.

A - "Satwa" Guna consists of renunciationControl of mind and desire in manContent, steadfast on truth, and compassion.Steadfast too on righteousness, non-attachmentLove of all Beings of the UniverseDevotion to the Lord and shamefulness of impietySubject not to forgetfulness of essence.

B - The features of "Rajas" Guna nowEgoful and alert, craves mundane joysWith wealth and power and prestige tooOut of greed worships Gods and saints.

C - The man of "Tamas" quality you knowIs steeped in greed, envy and ireIn disputes that bring him sorrow and strifeIs idle and full of lies and fear.
Seekers unnecessarily quarrel over whether one particular is better than the others. If we sincerely take to a path and with patience and faith work out that way, it will be realized that all paths lead to the same.

On this Beautiful Thursday [Baba's Day] we all as a Sadhak must surrender and serve one path with our full strength. That is the most important thing. Once we puts all our efforts in getting rid of bad impulses, desires and sins, the path becomes easier. This is the essence of realization.

Allah Malik

Sri Sai - My Saarthi

Aum Sairam

The Lord Sri Sainath very often described the role of the Guru as a guide to take us easily to our destination. He would further tell us that He, Himself, is our Sadguru i.e. He is our guide.
The Lord Shri Krishna also acted as a guide. In the Mahabharata, the ruler of all the three worlds guided the Pandav prince Arjun through the vicious war of Kurukshetra, and ensured him victory over his enemies. Lord Krishna was Arjuna's charioteer [Saarthi].

I find that, in a similar way, my sweet Lord Sri Sai is like my Saarthi. The body is the chariot. The horses are the senses. My mind and soul are Arjun. The path we take in life is Kurukshetra. Life, itself, is like the war against our various enemies such as lust, anger, desire, ego, impulse, hatred, jealousy, and many more. Just like Arjun's enemies were many in number, so are mine. However, when the God of Gods is my Saarthi, what is the need to fear? As Shri Krishna did for Arjun, my Sri Sai will do for me. He will ensure I cross this Kurukshetra and reach my eternal abode at His lotus feet. Just as Shri Krishna gave Arjun true knowledge via the glorious Shri Bhagwad Gita, my Lord teaches the same through his sweet Leela's, direct experience, His Shri Satcharitra, or in any way He feels is best.

However, we must have the two wheels of Shradha and Saburi on our chariot, or else we move nowhere. If we do not have faith and trust [Shradha] in Sri Sai Baba, it means we are not giving Him the reigns to control our horses and chariot. Without patience or forbearance [Saburi], how do we hope to pass even the first hurdle? The path is long and difficult. At times, it becomes very rough and unpredictable. Always remember our Sri Sai Baba knows the way through it. It is only when we surrender to our Sri Sai Baba, and offer Him our Shradha, Saburi, intellect, senses, verily our whole being, that He will truly become our Saarthi and take us safely to our goal.

Mentally prostrate before our ever kind and merciful Lord and gratefully thank Him for all He does. Oh Lord Sri Sai! Please bless all your devotees. We love you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts. Oh my Sri Sai Baba! Please become our Saarthi. Guide us to your lotus feet, through the whirlwind Kurukshetra of life. May we all be given the chance to serve you to our hearts' content. There is no greater honor in all the three worlds than to be called your devotee.

Allah Malik

What Can Spirituality Do For You?

Aum Sairam

Only Spirituality can bring the lasting happiness or contentment that each of us seeks through anything we do. This is because spiritual practice is the tool to experience our divine nature [soul] or God - the only source of lasting Bliss. Everything else in this world, such as external objects, relationships, career, wealth, etc. is temporary in nature and hence, gives fleeting happiness and unhappiness. In fact science of Spirituality states that the very reason we are born is to experience our true Blissful nature by completing our Destiny and making spiritual progress through spiritual practice!

The following further explains why Spirituality is important and should be practiced by one and all:

80% of our problems, especially major ones like grave illness, failure in marriage or career, etc., are due to spiritual factors like Destiny, negative energies, etc. Practicing Spirituality alone can reduce these spiritual problems, giving us a better quality of life.

As one studies and practices Spirituality one progresses spiritually and merges with the Omniscient God principle. Thus, Spirituality is the only subject that can bestow Omniscience, that is, the knowledge/truth behind everything.

Even at the level of society, one can see the tremendous decline in spiritual and moral purity due to the decline in spiritual practice. The rampant unrighteousness, corruption, terrorism, immorality, etc., can only be eliminated if the components of society, namely the people, purify their very attitudes by undertaking the spiritual path.

Below is a glimpse of the benefits of Spirituality in day-to-day life:

Since spiritual practice works at the subtle, attitude level, it alone brings lasting reduction in undesirable attitudes or personality defects like anger, envy, intolerance, etc., gradually improving our day-to-day interactions.

By reducing unnecessary thinking or activity of the mind, Spirituality increases concentration, improving performance in any activity.

It has therapeutic benefits in mental illnesses, especially in conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorders.

It also helps develop a philosophical attitude and inner strength, that help one calmly face even dire or uncontrollable circumstances like accidents or incurable disease, aging, death, etc., in our life or that of our loved ones.

It helps develop a positive attitude, increasing our joy in life.

The importance of Spirituality for our well-being at all levels - physical, psychological as well as spiritual cannot be emphasized enough. However, Spirituality is a science of experience, that is, its benefits have to be experienced by doing actual spiritual practice daily.

Allah Malik