Baba About Himself

Aum Sairam

I am the slave of God. God is the Lord and the Master.

This is a Brahmin, a white Brahmin, and a pure Brahmin. This Brahmin
will lead lakhs of people to the subhra marga and take them to the
goal, right up to the end. This is a Brahmin Masjid.

Brahman is my father and Maya is my mother. As they interlocked I got
this body. I am Parvadigar [God]. I live at Shirdi and everywhere.

All things are mine. I give everything to everyone.

This entire universe is in Me.

All that you see taken together is Myself. He who thinks that Baba is
only at Shirdi has totally failed to see Baba.

I look on all equally. Not a leaf moves except by My grace.

I get angry with none. Will a mother get angry with her kiddies? Will
the ocean send back the water to the several rivers?

I do not instruct [anyone] through the ear. Our traditions are different.

Allah Malik

Sai Baba Favoured

Aum Sairam

When a man takes plunge into the sea, he gets the merit of bathing in
all the Tirthas and sacred rivers. Similarly, when a man takes refuge
at the feet of the Sadguru, he gets the merit of bowing to the Trinity,
i.e., Brahma Vishnu, Mahesh and also Para-Brahma. Victory is unto Sri
Sai, the Wish-Fulfilling Tree and the Ocean of Knowledge, who gives us
self-realization. Oh Sai, create in us regard for your stories. Let the
readers and audience devour them with the same relish, with which
chatak bird drinks the water from the clouds and become happy. While
listening to your stories, let they and their families get all the true
emotions, viz.., let their bodies perspire, let their eyes be full of
tears, let their Pran be steady, let their minds be composed, let their
hair stand on end, let them cry, sob, and shake, let their hostilities
and their distinctions, great and small vanish. When these things
happen, that is the sign of the grace of the Guru, drawing upon them.
When these emotions develop in you, the Guru is most pleased and will
certainly lead you on to the goal of self-realization. The best way,
therefore, to get free from the shackles of Maya, is our complete and
whole-hearted surrender to Sri Sai Baba. The Vedas cannot take you
across of Maya. It is only Sri Sadguru, who can do so; and make you see
the Lord in all creatures.

Allah Malik

A Rule of Life

Why Follow a Practice, A Rule of Life?

I think my rule sets me free. It gives me time for my spontaneous self.
It gets the chores out of the way. It assures me that I will do the
things I have decided I want to do, so that later I don't feel like a
jerk because I didn't do any of them. And it does more than that: It
provides me a place in which to allow the delight of these tasks to
assert it once again. Even when I don't feel like exercising, I always
feel wonderful once I'm doing it and
absolutely fabulous afterward. Even if I don't want to say Morning
Prayer, I feel its blessing before I'm halfway through the first psalm.
The rule teaches me, over time: teaches me to expect delight from the
good things I have included in the rule. And you usually find delight
when you expect it.

And yes, your feelings are messengers of yourself. But they are not the
only part of you that is true. That idea is an unfortunate legacy of
the sixties, when we thought the only true self was the emotional self,
that the mind and the will were unwelcome hall monitors in our heads,
which needed to be gotten rid of as soon as possible. Disastrous, it was.

A balance. Between delight and duty. Between immediate gratification
and long term goal. Between rule and surprise. Between prayer and
action, love and work. A grown up balance in living.

Truth

Aum Sairam

Truth: Single minded faith in the Sadguru's blessings firm belief that
he will always ensure the best for me.

Truth: There is nothing called as bad; everything that happens is for
the good as my Sadguru is the doer I am only the tool.

Truth: My Sadguru and Me are one and the same [time frame is what is different]

Truth: Oneness with my Sadguru is my goal in life.

Truth: All creation is God and one with me as without His ideas nothing
natural or man made could have been created.

Truth: This reply in itself is his creation, inspiration and ideas. I
am just a mere instrument for his expressions & teachings. With best
regards and love to all Gods creations

For a Sai devotee "SAI" is the only supreme truth. Truth emerges from
Sri Sai Baba only and assimilates at his supreme feet. A Sai devotee
can only attain peace at the abode of his/her Sadguru: Sri Sai Baba",
and Truth lies where we get peace. Also Sri Sai Baba's Dhuni is the
supreme truth. Sri Sai Baba teaches with his Dhuni that we should burn
our desires, greed's, jealousy, anger, ego and hatred in the fire of
guru-bhakti and assimilate with him the Supreme truth.

In Shri Sai Satcharitra, Sri Sai Baba says I am dependent on him who
thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first
offering it to Me. He, who thus comes to Me, becomes one with Me, just
as a river gets to the sea and becomes merged [one] with it. So leaving
out pride and egoism and with no trace of them, you should surrender
yourself to Me who am seated in your heart." Baba also explained Who
this ME is "You need not go far or anywhere in search of Me. Barring
your name and form, there exists in you, as well as in all beings, a
sense of Being or Consciousness of Existence. That is Myself. Knowing
this, you see Me inside yourself, as well as in all beings. If you
practice this, you will realize all pervasiveness, and thus attain
oneness with Me.

Shri Sai Satcharitra is full of leela's in which He actually
demonstrated this truth by being omnipresent and omnipotent. Though He
lived in Shirdi, He knew what happened outside far away from Shirdi. He
knew the past, present and future, and could identify Himself heart and
soul with anybody. To Mrs. Tarkhad who fed a dog, Sri Sai Baba said,
eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended and I am still
belching. The dog, which you saw before meals and to which you gave the
piece of bread, is, one with Me, so also other creatures [cats, pigs,
flies, cows etc.] are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms. He, who
sees Me in all these creatures, is My beloved. So abandon the sense of
duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did today. A doctor, who
would not bow before a Muslim, when he saw Baba, totally lost his
resolve and bowed to Him When asked why he did so, the doctor replied
that he saw his beloved Deity, Rama, on the seat and he, therefore
prostrated himself before Him. These are just two of several such stories.

In Shri Hemadpant's own words, seeing Sri Sai Baba's handsome form,
awakened I am
He [Brahman] consciousness, brought the joy of self realization, and
dissolved the distinction of I and Thou, then and there, made me one
with the Supreme [One Reality]. When I begin to read scriptures, at
every step I am reminded of my Sadguru Sri Sai Baba who assumes the
form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance
when I sit to listen to Shri Bhagawat, Sri Sai becomes Krishna from top
to toe, and I think he sings the Shri Bhagawat or Uddhava Gita [song of
teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava] for the
welfare of the devotees.

Sri Sai Baba explained what Truth is and what Delusion is. The idea
that I am the body is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is
the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment if you want
Self-realization, that is, to see who you really are. The Self cannot
be gained by the study of Vedas, nor by intellect, or by much learning.
To realize Brahman or the Truth, one has to surrender the mind, the
intellect, and the ego. Unless his mind is at rest, one cannot gain
self realization, even by means of knowledge. To Thakur, Sri Sai Baba
said What Appa told you were all right, but these things have to be
practiced and lived. Mere reading won't do. You have to think and carry
out what you read; otherwise, it is of no use. Mere book learning,
without the grace of the Guru, and self realization is of no avail.
Bookish knowledge is worthless. Let us do our prescribed duty and
surrender our body, mind and five pranas [life] to the Guru's feet.
Guru is God, all pervading.


Allah Malik

Wisdom Nuggets

Aum Sairam

If any one wants money and you are not inclined to give decline
courteously, but do not be cross or harsh with him or make fun of him.
Demolish this wall of difference separating you from Me and the road
will be clear and open for our meeting or union. This sense of
differentiation, as I and thou, is the real barrier keeping the
disciple away from His Master and unless it is destroyed, the state of
union or at-one-ment cannot be attained

God alone is the sole Protector. His Method is unique, extraordinary,
invaluable and inscrutable. His will shall be done and He alone will
show us the way to satisfy our heart's desires. It is on account of
previous cordial relationship that we have come together again in this
life too. Let us love and serve each other and be happy. He who attains
the Supreme Goal of Life becomes immortal and happy; all others merely
exist in vain!

Wealth should be the means to work out dharma [spiritual goal]. It is
wasted if used only for personal pleasures. Unless you have given it
before, you do not expect to get it now. So the best way to receive is
to first give. The giving away of dakshina also develops non attachment
and increases Bhakti and Jnanya. Give one to receive tenfold.

Let the senses do their allotted work of seeing. By all means
appreciate beauty of God's creation with a calm and steady mind. Why
should one be afraid of anyone when his heart is pure and the thoughts
are free of evil? The eyes may do their work of seeing Beauty in a
woman or nature without being shy or restless. Make the mind desire
less and observe God's work of beauty without fear, sin, craving or attachment!

But whatever you may do remember that you cannot escape the
consequences of your actions [good or bad] committed either in this
life itself or in your past life.

Karma is the cause of happiness as well as sorrow too. One must
therefore bear with it. God is the sole dispenser of justice and
protector too. Think of him always. He will take care of you. Totally
surrender to His lotus feet with the body, mind, wealth and speech and
then see what He does for you.

Mere reading of Spiritual Books will not be enough! The Teachings in
them have to be practiced and lived. Think and practice what you read;
otherwise it is useless. Mere learning without the Grace of Guru is of
no use.

Wealth and Prosperity is Transient and the body is subject to death and
decay. While knowing this, do your duty leaving all attachments to the
things of this world and next. Anyone who does this and surrenders to
the Sacred feet of Lord Hari [or call Him whatever you like], will get
freedom from all troubles and will Attain Bliss.

The Lord runs to help one who remembers Him with Love and Affection and
meditates on Him. Since your store of past Spiritual Merits was
considerable you have reached Shirdi [Place of Salvation]. But can Sri
Shirdi Sai Baba do anything if you ignore My MESSAGE and squander your
only chance in criticizing others and looking down upon your brethren?

Allah Malik

The Power of Shri Sai Satcharitra

Aum Sairam

During these times of mental anxiety and worry, one has to pray Guru's
name and read and reread books about Him and obtain peace. Shri Sai
Satcharitra is such a book for all Shirdi Sri Sai Baba's devotees. As
we go on reading and reread the 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 Gnana.

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. Sattva,
Raja and Tama and the Ahamkara 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 Gnana.

Seekers unnecessarily quarrel over whether one particular is better
than the others. If one sincerely takes to a path and with patience and
faith work out that way, it will be realized that all paths lead to the
same. A sadhaka must surrender and serve one path with his full
strength. That is the most important thing. Once he puts all his
efforts in getting rid of bad impulses, desires and sins, the path
becomes easier. This is the essence of realization.

Allah Malik

Easier way to realize God

Aum Sairam

Let us make an assumption, that if it is popular it must be 'easier'.
In general, Bhakti is easier. Demonstrated by the fact that most saints
/ gurus are not scholarly persons. By "not scholarly" I mean that
knowledge was not their mainstay, but by no means do I imply that they
were ignorant. e.g. Sai Baba, Ramadas, Akkalkot Maharaj, Thyagaraja,
Avval, etc. These people were commoners. They had faith, faith and more
faith and a little more faith. And through faith, they elevated
themselves as Saints and Gurus.

Examples of Gnana path are demonstrated by Adi Shankaracharya, Ramana
Maharshi, Saraswati Swami [Kanchi], etc. These people read the Vedas,
Upanishads etc. day in and day out and analyzed it from various perspectives

Bhakti is solely in your mind, i.e. you can have faith or not. There
are by far no pre-requisites. It helps if you have a group, but it is
not a requirement. You could sit on a deserted island and have faith
[Bhakti] in Sri Sai. Bhakti implies Dhyana or Seva.

Gnana requires knowledge of language, access to other scholars, and
their interpretations, and the ability to analyze various perspectives.
If you sit on a deserted island, you will at a bare minimum need
written material or memories of what you have read earlier to ponder
upon. Gnana implies prasna.

An analogy Bhakti is like a candle, all you need is one lighted candle
[Guru] for just a second to light another candle [bhakta] and it
continues to provide light. Gnana is like Agnihotram, you need a bunch
of wood (scholars) put together, and they continue to provide light. In
modern world, there are no pure bhakti and pure gnana. They are
interspersed and yet, Bhakti is more popular. Must be easier. In the
end, both paths lead to the same destination.


Allah Malik

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

Visualize what you want.
See it, feel it, believe in it.
Your mind is your mental workshop.
You can build anything you want in it.

Make your mental blueprint and then begin construction.
See things as you would have them be instead of as they are.

Use your imagination to perceive your new reality
even when it's not fully materialized.
Remember, you must first clearly see a thing in your mind
before you can do it or have it.

Your imagination will show you how to turn possibility into reality.
The beginning of your success is in your imagination.
First think, and then organize your thoughts into plans.
Then transform your thoughts into reality by taking some positive action.

See the things you want as already yours.
Think of them as yours, as belonging to you,
as already in your possession.
Picture yourself as having already achieved your goal.

Dreams and ideas can cross continents and oceans.
They go anywhere you can go.

Sakhya

Aum Sairam

Sakhya-Bhava is the cultivation of the friend-sentiment with God. The
inmates of the family of Nandagopa cultivated this Bhakti. Arjuna
cultivated this kind of Bhakti towards Lord Krishna.

To be always with the Lord, to treat Him as one's own dear relative or
a friend belonging to one's own family, to be in His company at all
times, to love Him as one's own self, is Sakhya-Bhava of Bhakti-Marga.
How do friends, real friends, love in this world? What an amount of
love they possess between one another? Such a love is developed towards
God instead of towards man; physical love turned into spiritual love.
There is a transformation of the mundane into the Eternal.

Allah Malik

Gifts of God

Aum Sairam

Trees bear fruit for the benefit of others
Rivers flow for the betterment of all
Cows yield milk for the benefit of others
Human body has been given to man to help others

Start the day with love,
Fill the day with love,
Spend the day with love,
End the day with love,
This is the way to God.

You should saturate your life with love and end your life with Divine
love. All other thoughts will disturb your equanimity.

Man possesses all types of wealth except two. These two are possessed
by God you can attain them by praying to God. These two are Shanti
[peace] and Ananda [bliss]. You may feel happy otherwise too, but know
that such happiness is transient. Eternal peace and eternal happiness
are the gifts of the Divine. So, you should pray for these gifts. Your
prayer should be like this: My Lord, I do not want anything that can be
found in this world. Please grant me that which is with you alone,
Shanti and Ananda [peace and bliss]. I want nothing else other than
these two. Pleasure and happiness obtained from objects of this world
are short lived. Anithyam Asukham Lokam, Imam Prapya Bhajasva Maam,
says Shri Bhagwad Gita. Let not your prayer to God be for these
impermanent things. Pray to God for Shanti and Ananda. With such prayer
you can win God's love and grace. Once God's love is obtained, you can
win the whole world. When you pray to God for His love, your worldly
desires also get fulfilled automatically.

Once a king did penance. He had no children. God manifested before him
and asked him to tell his wish. The king said, Lord, I want to see my
great grandson ruling the kingdom. How many desires are contained in
one desire? He should have children. His children should also beget
children. The kingdom should be under his control till his great
grandson grows up and rules over it. His eyesight should be intact to
watch this progress. This single desire expressed by him contains all
the other desires. Likewise, if you pray to God for love, all your
worldly desires too will be fulfilled.

Man is seated under a tree bearing twelve worries. Birth is a worry,
life is a worry, family is a worry, death is a worry, childhood is a
worry, old age is a worry, success is a worry, failure is a worry,
action is a worry, obstacles are a worry, joy itself is a worry, and
all uncertainties are a worry. Oh ye, all come and carry away this
gift. All your worries will end.

This tree of worries is not a fit tree for shade. If you receive God's
love, all these worries will vanish. This is your only need. This
should be your only desire. All other spiritual practices are of no
use. Love cannot be acquired by these practices. Prayer and Bhakti with
intense yearning for Gods love and grace will fill your heart with
love. Chant the Lord's name ceaselessly to attain that love.

Allah Malik

Lord Shri Hari in Sai Form

Aum Sairam

Lo, the Supreme Lord Hari Himself has incarnated in the Sai form on the
banks of Godavari. On this very bank Shri Ram, who fulfills the desires
of His devotees, had stayed with Mata Sita and passed his holy days in
her company. This sportive Divine actor had enacted the drama of
Ramayana on banks Guautami.

The Godavari is the Southern Ganges having two banks named after sages
Vashista and Gautama. The river relishes the sacred company of Bhagavat
bhaktas. She pours the pitchers of devotion at the doors of the
philosophy of unity of God and His loving bhaktas.

Godavari embraces Kushawarta at one side, while using the feet of
Nathas as Her pillow. She covers her body with blanket of Yoga and
Bhakti. Godavari is the stream of bliss. Nay, She is the lustrous line
of light piercing through the darkness of Tamas.

On this bank of Gomati, Lord Dattatreya poised on the enriched lap of
Krishna River has assumed the fakir from a Malanga Sadhu. The Nrisinha
Saraswati Dattatreya with three heads has incarnated in human body as
Sri Sai Baba.

The Fakir of Shirdi is unique for as He has no trace of His name,
nativity, relations, caste or creed. He is astoundingly startling in
His internal as well external nature. He is virtually the Ashwastha
with the roots sprouting upwards and the branches spreading below.

He has no locks of hair. He wears a torn cloth round his head. He has
no Kamandalu but holds a tin pot in His hand. A piece of bread is
sufficient to quench His hunger. He is the endless immortal Guru
thirsting for the devotion of His bhaktas.

His devotion has unique protective effects. His love is sweeter than a
mother's affection. His grace is just a divine love showering on the
bhaktas. He stands detached from the world but is still attached to His devotees.

Let us all sing the divine glory of Sri Sai Baba together, endlessly
without a pause. Let us praise His virtues incessantly. Let us offer
our birth and rebirth at His lotus feet. Let us become a flute on His
sweet lips.

Sri Sai Baba is compassionate Guru treading the entire universe under
His lotus feet. Sri Sai Baba is Lord Dattatreya, assuming a human form
for performing His divine Leela's in the sacred village of Shirdi.

Allah Malik

Aum Sairam

Our Father Sri Sai knows what's best for us, so why should we complain.
We always want the sunshine, but He knows there must be rain. We love
the sound of laughter and the merriment of cheer; but our hearts would
lose their tenderness if we never shed a tear.

Our Father Sri Sai tests us often with suffering and with sorrow; He
tests us, not to punish us, but to help us meet tomorrow.

For growing trees are strengthened when they withstand the storm; and
the sharp cut of the chisel gives the marble grace and form.

God never hurts us needlessly, and He never wastes our pain; for every
loss He sends to us is followed by rich gain.
And when we count the blessings that God has so freely sent; we will
find no cause for murmuring and no time to lament.

Our Father Sri Sai loves His children, and to Him all things are plain;
so He never sends us pleasure when the soul's deep need is pain.
So whenever we are troubled, and when everything goes wrong, it is just
God working in us to make our spirits strong.

Allah Malik

You Are the Master of Your Fate

Aum Sairam

While your character is formed by your circumstances, your own desires
can do much to shape those circumstances. What is really ennobling in
the doctrine of free will is the conviction that you have the power
over the formation of your own character.

Nature is at work around you.
Character and destiny are her handiwork.
She gives you love and hate, jealousy and reverence.
You have the power to choose which impulses you will follow.

You can at any time decide to alter the course of your life.
No one can ever take that away from you.
You are the master or your joys and your sorrows.
The greatest power you possess is the power to choose.

You are the master of your fate.
You are the captain of your soul.

Allah Malik

Baba Protects You

Aum Sairam

On one occasion in 1908, when Smt. Borkar was at Kopergaon observing
Chathurmasya, a four month period of the rainy season which is
considered inauspicious, a fakir came up to her and asked for rotis and
onion chutney. She sent him away saying, we do not eat onion during the
Chathurmasya. However she immediately felt guilty, thinking that it may
have been Sri Sai Baba who came to her in that form and whom she turned
away. So later, when she visited Shirdi and Sri Sai Baba said to her,
You didn't give me the onion chutney, why did you come here then?,
she said without hesitation, I only came here to offer it to you now!

Smt Chandrabai Borkar was a woman of heart and great presence of mind.
On a Guru Poornima day Sri Sai Baba told her to go and worship Upasani
Baba. Upasani did not allow anybody to come near him in those days and
everybody was afraid to even approach him. However, Chandrabai, armed
with the courage of Sri Sai Baba's words, went straight up to Upasani
Baba along with her puja material and held his feet in worship. Upasani
Baba, astonished at her behavior, shouted at her angrily, saying, what
you are doing? Why are you holding my feet? Go away at once! She coolly
went ahead with her worship, saying, Sri Sai Baba told me to worship
you today, and his word is the ultimate for me. I will not go away, no
matter how hard you try to make me. Thus, totally ignoring his anger,
she left only after completing her worship. Such was her resolve and
her unflinching faith and respect in the words of Sri Sai Baba.

Sri Sai Baba forewarned her of the imminent death of her husband.
Appearing in her dreams he said, Mother! I am taking away your Ramu.
Don't lose heart! The disease struck Ramachandra Borkar wished that
he wouldn't die during the days of Chathurmasya, so she prayed to Sri
Sai Baba to fulfill the wish of her husband, and Sri Sai Baba obliged
her. Shree Borkar passed away one week after the period of Chathurmasya
was over, in full contemplation of Sri Sai Baba. Even though he never
visited Shirdi nor served Baba with faith, Sri Sai Baba granted him
salvation, only because of the devotion of his wife Smt. Chandrabai Borkar.


Allah Malik

Opening the Heart

Aum Sairam

Everything is made of light; everything is alive. The Great Mystery of
life has little to do with intelligence. The universe is not an
intellectual process. The intellect is helpful; but our hearts are the
wiser part of us.

Heart is a word that refers to many different levels of our being.
Essentially, it is the love aspect of soul, capable of making direct,
intuitive contact. Soul love is not emotional; it is highly impersonal
and intelligent, capable of grasping the essence of someone or
something without any projection on our part.

Appreciation significantly turns on the heart. Appreciation is not an
emotion that arises spontaneously, but a soul quality we can choose.
The more often we choose to be appreciative, the easier this choice
becomes and the more frequently our heart opens to give and receive love.

If you open your heart, love opens your mind.

Allah Malik

Bhakkal Flowers [Mahasamadhi]

Aum Sairam

"Sada Nimbarvrikshasya mooladhiwasat, Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam
tam, Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham"

Light of Guru's grace removes out fear of the mundane existence, opens
the path of salvation and turns our misery into happiness. If we always
remember the feet of the Sadguru, our troubles come to an end, death
loses its sting and the misery of this mundane existence is
obliterated. Therefore those who care for their welfare should
carefully listen to these stories of Sai Samarth, which will purify
their minds.

In the beginning, Hemadpant dwells on Dr.Pandit's worship and his
marking Baba's forehead with Tripundra, i.e., three horizontal lines.
But as this has been already described in chapter XI.

Baba got a slight attack of fever on 28th September, 1918. The fever
lasted for 2 or 3 days, but afterwards Baba gave up his food and
thereby He grew weaker and weaker. On the 17th day, i.e., Tuesday, the
15th October 1918, Baba left His mortal coil at about 2.30 p.m.

Two years before this, i.e., in 1916, Baba gave an indication of His
Passing away, but nobody understood it then. It was as follows: - On
the Vijayadashmi [Dussera] day Baba at once got into wild rage in the
evening when people were returning from 'Seemollanghan' [crossing the
border of the village]. Taking off His head dress, kafni and langota
etc., He tore them and threw them in the Dhuni before Him. Fed by this
offering, the fire in the Dhuni began to burn brighter and Baba shone
still brighter. He stood there stark naked and with His burning red
eyes shouted "You fellows, now have a look and decide finally whether I
am a Muslim or a Hindu." Everybody was trembling with fear and none
dared to approach Baba. After some time Bhagoji Shinde, the leper
devotee of Baba, went boldly near Him and succeeded in tying a langota
[waist-band] round His waist and said "Baba, what is all this? Today is
the Seemollanghan, i.e., Dussera Holiday." Baba striking the ground
with His satka said

"This is my Seemollanghan [crossing the border]." Baba did not cool
down till 11.00 p.m. and the people doubted whether the chavadi
procession would ever take place that night. After an hour Baba resumed
His normal condition and dressing Himself as usual attended the chavadi
procession as described before. By this incident Baba gave a suggestion
that Dussera was the proper time for Him to cross the border of life,
but none understood its meaning. Baba gave also another indication.

Some time after this, Ramachandra Patil became seriously ill. He
suffered a lot. He tried all remedies, but finding no relief, despaired
of his life and was waiting for the last moment. The one midnight Baba
suddenly stood near his pillow. Patil held His Feet and said, "I have
lost all hopes of life, please tell me definitely when I shall die."
Merciful Baba said "Don't be anxious, your hundi [death-warrant] has
been withdrawn and you will soon recover, but I am afraid of Tatya
Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashmi of Shaka 1840 [1918 A.D.]. Do
not divulge this to anybody, nor to him, for he will be terribly
frightened." Ramachandra Dada got well, but he felt nervous about
Tatya's life, for he knew that Baba's word was unalterable, and that
Tatya would breathe his last within two years. He kept this hint
secret, told it to none but one Bala Shimpi [a tailor]. Only these two
persons, Ramachandra Dada and Bala Shimpi were in fear and suspense
regarding Tatya's life.

Ramachandra Dada soon left his bed and was on his legs. Time passed
quickly. The month of Bhadrapad of Shaka 1840 [1918 A.D.] was ending
and Ashwin was in sight. True to Baba's word, Tatya fell sick and was
bed ridden and so he could not come for Baba's darshana. Baba was also
down with fever. Tatya had full faith in Baba and Baba in Lord Hari,
who was His Protector. Tatya's illness began to grow from bad to worse
and he could not move at all but always remembered Baba. The
predicament of Baba began to grow equally worse. The day predicted,
i.e., Vijayadashmi was impending and both Ramachandra Dada and Bala
Shimpi were terribly frightened about Tatya and with their bodies
trembling and perspiring with fear, thought that as predicted by Baba
Tatya's end was nigh. Vijayadashmi dawned and Tatya's pulse began to
beat very slowly and he was expected to pass away shortly. But a
curious thing happened. Tatya remained, his death was averted and Baba
passed away in his stead. It seemed as if there was an exchange. People
said that Baba gave up His life for Tatya; why He did so? He alone
knows as His ways are inscrutable. It seems, however, that in this
incident, Baba gave a hint of His passing away, substituting Tatya's
name for His.

Next morning [16th October] Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur in
his dream and said to him "The Masjid collapsed; all the oil men and
grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I leave the place. I therefore
came to inform you here, please go there quickly and cover me
with 'Bhakkal' flowers." Das Ganu got the information also from Shirdi
later. So he came to Shirdi with his disciples and started bhajan and
kirtan and sang the Lord's name, all through the day before Baba's
Samadhi. He weaving a beautiful garland of flowers studded with Lord
Hari's name he placed it on Baba's Samadhi and gave a mass feeding in
Baba's name.

Allah Malik

Can Any Deity Be a Guru?

Aum Sairam

What normally is advised by Gurus is that you try to have one fixed
deity as your favorite or family deity for your deep heart felt prayer.

Once you achieve this, in whatever other deity form you worship later,
you should be able to see the favorite deity in this deity's form or
prayer. That is you need to realize that God is one and that your deity
of prayer, whichever deity it is, is nothing but the same incarnation
of your favorite deity.

The question of why so many deities were also raised many times and
this could perhaps be explained as under:

In the house, the lady takes so many forms. Mother for some, Wife for
some one, Grand Mother for some, Sister for some, Aunt for some, Cousin
for some, Daughter for some, Neighbor for some, Employee for the office
or work place, etc. The person is same but the roles are many. To the
children, she is the kindest person but in the office, she may be a
strict administrator, to the husband the sweet companion, to the
parents, a good daughter, etc.

Here again, the soft forms are accepted easily and the hard form is
often questioned. To this I read a very interesting explanation and
surely it is most acceptable. What it says is that the soft spoken,
good natured mother, just coming out of her bath with her hair untied
as she is still drying out the water wetness, when she sees at a
distance outside that her child is being beaten by the neighbor for
some petty quarrel, immediately takes the form of KALI and rushes out
with the most angry form to tackle this neighbor who is beating the
child, to protect the child and to look after. That is the true nature
of the mother who can even take the form of Kali when it is required,
to save the children [devotees] from the neighbor [demons and evils].
At the same time, she is embracing the child with all the warmth,
wiping out the tears and giving the much-needed support at the right time.

So different forms are those, which are convenient to the different
devotees, who would like to see their God in that form as it pleases
them that way. But God is one. If only the devotee can get that level
of mental maturity to accept that God is one and that one form which is
the favorite one is the one to be taken as God and as Guru if need be,
for all practical purposes and then see this God in all forms and on
all occasions. However, this seeing of God as also the Guru, doesn't
necessarily absolve the real life Guru disciple relationship where
Acharyas and Sadhus and the like who are there in the Mutts, etc., who
help the people with their teachings, preaching's, lectures,
pravachans, etc., and whenever needed, their help could always be
sought and their advice to be made use of. A devotee can always learn
from many Gurus including God.

Allah Malik

Sacred Thoughts and Saying

Aum Sairam

1 Men overwhelmed by wrath are like the dead. Men free from it are with
the immortals.

2 One who is wise is easily taught but not a fool even with great effort.
3 That past year has fled away like a thousand years.

4 Unlawful desires and self-aggrandizement are the sources of misery.

5 Mud thrown at the skies drops down only on the thrower's head.

6 The world looks askance at those who strike without any reason.

7 Why surrender yourself to pleasure? Today's joys are thoughts of
tomorrow and then they pass away and are eternally lost.

8 Reflections are not seen in dirty mirrors which, if cleansed, will
reflect all passing things.

9 From the standpoint of correct reasoning none belongs to any.

10 Unasked men come to one's house as kinsmen and later they move out silently
11 No burden is heavier for the earth to suffer than tyranny wielded by
fools and charlatans.

12 In this world there is no protection like Truth: therefore one must
speak the Truth.

13 Even the ignorant if they hold their peace before the learned will
be considered wise.

14 To take liberty under the guise of old friendship and do unworthy
deeds is to court disaster.

15 Share your food with the hungry and help life in all forms. Refrain
from causing death to any form of life. All the codes enjoin this. Life
is dear, but even to save your life, do not do that which will deprive
another creature of its own dear life.

16 A favor conferred on the good is like a carving on stone. But the
good bestowed on the wicked is like writing on water.

17 Just as the earth bears those who dig into her, it is best to bear
those who hurt us. You may escape from all enemies but not from your
evil deeds which pursue you and hunt you mercilessly.

18 Purity of mind and purity of conduct- these two depend upon the
purity of a man's companions.

19 Whatever you may fail to guard, guard well your tongue; for flawed
speech unfailingly invokes anguish and affliction.

20 What has learning profited a man, if it has not led him to worship
the good feet of Him who is pure knowledge itself? They alone dispel
the mind's distress who takes refuge to the feet of him Incomparable One.
21 One who has no control over himself reaps no fruit from any one of
his acts, whether worldly or spiritual.

Allah Malik

Resurrection

Aum Sairam

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

In 1886 AD, Sri Sai Baba left His physical body for three days
entrusting it to the great devotee Mahalsapaty. Bhagat Mahalsapaty sat
for three full days with Sri Sai Baba's body on his lap waiting for
Him to return. The epitome of faith and patience, the greatest of Sri
Sai devotees Mahalsapathy's prayers were answered and Sri Sai
returned after 72 hours. Recorded incidents show that during this
period of absence from His physical body, Sri Sai Baba appeared to His
devotees several hundreds miles away.

The coming back to "life" of Sri Sadguru Sainath has a similarity to
the resurrection of Jesus Christ who rose to life three days after He
was put to death. One source on the Christ says, "If only His earthly
body was dead, then He was the same "spiritual being" with all the
power and glory in the three days His body was in the grave that He has
now or had before He came to earth". How true!

A careful examination of these incidents shows the limitlessness of the
divine. Sri Sai said, "My tomb will speak". This proved right as
millions of his devotees still listen to Him even after several years
of His physical demise. On the eve of Christmas, the celebrated of
spiritual times, let us remind ourselves of His true nature that
transcends time and space and His ever presence in our lives and His glory.

May Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's blessings be forever with all this Thursday
and always.

Allah Malik

Success Is Determined On The Drawing Board

It isn't enough to just want to be successful.
You've got to ask yourself:
'What are you going to do to get the things in life you want?'

Your problem is to bridge the distance which exists
between where you are now and the goal you intend to reach.
Planning brings your future into the present
so you can do something about it now.

Somewhere there is a map of how it can be done.
All you need is a good plan, and the courage to press on to your destination.

A well built house started with a definite purpose and a set of blueprints.
Your plan should provide the pattern for the actions you'll take.

Take time each day to study, think and plan.
Plan your steps, then implement your plan, then review your results.
Do this frequently and make the appropriate alterations to your plan,
and you'll develop the power that will bring you to success.

No one was ever lost on a straight road.

Inner Critics

Aum Sairam

We tell ourselves so many lies and half-truths ... We listen and are
duly impressed by these inner voices that turn into unseen judges that
nag at us. We give each of these judges a seat of honor in our minds;
all the while hating their guts and their never-ending supply of
judgments ... We give the judges permission to accompany us on each
journey of life, never daring to realize that we can park them, at
least momentarily.

The Inner Critic makes each of us a child. As we become the child in
our relationships, we lose our sense of self. We are no longer
self-contained, self-respecting adults. We look to others for
validation. Our self-worth is based upon their opinion of us. Thus,
everyone around us becomes a mother or a father whose support and
approval is desperately needed to protect us from the constant
criticism of the Inner Critic.

Allah Malik

The Four Rovers on the Spiritual Path

Sri Sai Baba explained to householder devotees how to earn the gift of
divine grace. The secret was to stuff and envelope our awareness [mind,
buddhi, chitta, ego] with love and faith and simultaneously purifying
body with pious humanitarian deeds, purging mind of lust, pride,
vanity, anger and jealousy. For devotees who desired instant Mukti, Sri
Sai Baba narrated this symbolic story exemplary and illustrative of His
own Guru cult.

We were four wanderers on the path of spirituality.

We searched and searched Shrutis, Smrutis, Puranas, Upanishads. We
dived deep into Shastras and ancient lore. We squabbled and raised
worldly battles. We churned all experiences of the great yogis so that
we might have a glimpse of God beyond this visible nature. We were
seeking the door to Nirvana through books.

One of us said this is the path, where Gurus or books can yield
absolutely nothing. It requires only deep and steady sadhana in extreme
isolation. Only one's own efforts can help a sadhaka on this path of emancipation.

Mind alone is the gateway to bondage and death. The aberrations of
thought and reasoning are the sources of karmic ramifications. The Yoga
alone is the doorway to Mukti, which causes waves of desire and
sankalpa to vanish, said another colleague.

The third one remarked, Gita preaches that we can uplift or degenerate
ourselves with our own deeds. The advice of books is futile. The words
are only hollow words. They cannot impart true knowledge.

I was the only disciple who was totally ignorant of karma yoga and
dhyana. But I had no ego or vanity. My mind was full of faith for My
Guru. I was determined to reach the divine destination. I had trodden
hills and dales, gone through rains and storms, but had not found the
summit of Moksha and was full of doubts. I surrendered to Guru with
modesty and impassioned love and the Gurudev suddenly appeared in front
of Me. He quenched the thirst of my yearning heart and filled My life
with illumination.

I dedicated fully My mind, buddhi, body, doubts and ego at the
auspicious feet of Guru who tied My wavering mind and calmed the
burning body. What remained was existence, energy, bliss. My awareness
merged with the Cosmic Awareness. The jiva had risen to the state of
Shiva. I was thus blessed by my Guru Venkusha.

Allah Malik

Skepticism and Ego

Aum Sairam

Can knowledge be an obstacle to anything? It is not too rare to hear
the experiences of the educated that admit their discomfort at topics
related to spiritual matters that defy their logic and thus elude any
conclusions. How could one train the mind so used to completing a book
or a thesis and take home the message in minutes, to accept the reality
of an unfinished treatise? Skepticism is destructive. God's wisdom is
as finite as space. In the mad rush to defy nature, human logic so
bound to advance itself, conveniently neglects to contemplate on its
very purpose. Sad would be the situation when the spirituality remains
eternally parallel and its fruits forbidden.

Skepticism, the initial bar to spiritual progress ends as soon as the
necessity for the Unknown and the Unseen felt. Necessities may arise
due to causes as simple as a material shortcoming. Once in the path,
the difficult bar called ego takes over the reins, at times almost in
complete control of the pursuit! This attribute is the one that makes
the seeker, accept and reject, rejoice and condole, elate and deject,
and in the process making believe that he or she is responsible. This
is the attribute that makes one think how Right her or his pursuit is,
and how pitiful is the others' plight. This attribute establishes the
superiority of one Religion over the other, and denounces everything dissimilar.

Myth troubles even me, said Sri Sainath. But, He also assured that
those seek Him will be saved from its perils and those who turns away,
lashed. What could be easier than resorting to the Merciful Fakir that
never stopped anyone from asking? How difficult would that be to listen
to the most benevolent Sri Sai who does not expect His children of
rigorous rituals, but just faith and patience? How inconvenient could
that be do simply submit to that Guru whose demands are love and
devotion? Stay with Him and the ego will vanish.

Allah Malik

Om Sai Deva

Aum Sairam

Shiva is the Power of the Full Moon, Shiva is the Absolute Reality both
male and female equally both and neither at the same time, the Great
Destroyer of all That is unreal, Mritjunjaya, the Death of death,
Mahakala, The power of time which destroys all that is temporal ,
Shambu, unending ever increasing bliss.

Worship of Shiva is timeless and immortal. All worship Shiva just by
breathing. Worship of Shiva the Lord, The one Lord, the final truth,
the ultimate reality is so rich and detailed in its descriptions of
what it reveals as the ascent of individual consciousness to universal
God Consciousness Parama Shiva that it has been characterized as a
mystical geography of awareness. It includes a highly developed system
of spirituality that emphasizes not only the intellectual understanding
of its concepts, but also the direct realization, the direct
experience, of its truth. For the Worshiper of Shiva, the very nature
of truth, its defining characteristic, is that it is unlimited and universal.

The human intellect, on the other hand, is limited and individual. As
such it cannot contain within its grasp that reality which transcends
it. For the Shiva Yogi Truth, as universal, is said to be anirvacaniya,
unspeakable. Words cannot express or reveal it. Any attempt to define
and contain it with the spoken word only limits it. If truth is to be
known and understood, it must be experienced through direct realization.

Allah Malik

Eid al-Adha [The Festival of the Sacrifice]

The Festival of the Sacrifice [Eid al-Adha] is one of two major Islamic
celebrations and takes place on the tenth day of the Islamic month
Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar in which millions
of Muslims from around the world make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in
order to worship Allah and to commemorate the willingness of the
Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in response to a command
from God. Satisfied with Ibraham's devotion, God replaced Ismail with
a sheep at the last second, and the sheep was slaughtered instead.
While pilgrims in Mecca re-enact this scene by slaughtering sheep of
their own, Muslims who can afford it in the rest of the world also
participate in this rite by slaughtering sheep, camels and cows. One
third of the meat is distributed to the poor, one third to neighbors
and relatives while one third is kept by the person who offered the
sacrifice for use within his or her own family.

India is home to approximately 150 million Muslims who celebrate the
Eid in the same way as their non-Indian brothers and sisters in faith.
It is a very happy time which is marked by special prayers, visits to
family and friends, gifts to children and, of course by food. For many
families, it may be one of the few times during the year that they have
the opportunity to enjoy meat, and only the best dishes are served.

Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the
Muslim calendar. It concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha
lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's willingness to obey
God by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ismail rather
than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ismail is considered the
forefather of the Arabs.
According to the Holy Koran, Ibraham was about to sacrifice his son
when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead.

The feast re-enacts Ibraham's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram.
The family eats about a third of the meal and donates the rest to the poor.

Allah Malik

When Is The Time

Aum Sairam

Time and again, it needs to be stressed that mere gratitude to Sri
Sainath for what He bestowed on us is not sufficient. The gratitude
must lead to the pure state of devotion. Few are born with the absolute
realization of Omniscient and Omnipresent God. For the most, the first
encounter with the supreme conscious happens as a result of an event
that defies logic. Everyone of us stand a testimony to this phenomenon;
students getting rewards that they did not expect, hopeless patients
whose fortunes were reversed for the better, the jobs that we believe
Sri Sai Baba give us, and even the occasional bliss our spiritual
pursuits have brought us.

It is also the experience of several that such gratitude fades away
slowly with time as other priorities occupy the lives. Although
conscious of the never ending chain of wants and desires, the
spiritually aspiring mind gives in to what appears as the real
happiness. Stages of life according to Hindu scriptures include balya
[infancy], kaumarya [youth], grihastha [household], and vanaprastha
[retirement]. It is thought that vanaprastha is a stage where in, the
man proceeds for a recluse in woods and spends time in search of
spiritual fulfillment. The myth of life also concocts convenient
justifications for waiting for tomorrow, not realizing that tomorrow
does not exist for granted. Time is an entity that human life has no
control over

There should be no waiting to initiate an attempt for liberation.

It should be done when all our senses are in right order and we have
the right physical and mental condition. It is a common practice for
man to wait until the earthly life is settled, and it is his tendency
to procrastinate until he will be ready for the spiritual journey. In
reality, such a day may not come at all. Every stage of life brings
with it, its own situations that may demand one's time and attention.
It is very easy to be entangled in the trap of earthly comforts, joy,
sorrow fear, and a myriad of myth. Human life can be short and no one
can predict when it will end. On the other hand, leaving everything,
our thoughts, deeds and their consequences at God's disposal will bring
a renewed sense of well being, happiness and fulfillment that is only
perennial. Cultivating the attitude of staying immune to the earthly
uncertainty will bring one close to the Lord and assure him of a
fruitful spiritual realization.

Allah Malik

Egoism

Aum Sairam

Happy Baba's Day

Unless, we surrender our ego to the lotus feet of our Sri Sadguru, we
will not succeed in our undertaking. If we become egoless, then, our
success is assured. By worshipping Sri Sai Baba, we attain both the
objects-wordily and spiritual, and are fixed in our true nature, and
get peace and happiness. Therefore, those, who want to accomplish or
gain their welfare, should respectfully hear Sri Sai Baba's Leela's
and meditate on them. If they do this, they will easily attain the
object of their life and get bliss. Generally, all people like wit and
humor; but they do not like that, jokes should be cut at their
expense.But,Sri Sai Baba's method was peculiar; when it was accompanied
with gestures, it was very interesting and instructive, and the
people,therefore,did not mind, if they were held up to the ridicule.

Allah Malik

Truth - Benevolent Caretaker

Aum Sairam

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

Truth is the power and the manifestation. Truth is eternal and
indestructible. Truth is the most beautiful and the brightest. Truth is
silent because it does not need a voice. Truth remains at the core of
the conscience, the abode of Sri Sadguru Sainath. Every spiritual
aspirant has to confront the entity of Truth, the biggest obstacle.
Conquering falsehood, most tiring of all the battles, is the beginning
of Sri Sai Baba's expanse. It becomes at one point the task of utmost
relevance, to distinguish Truth from the set of other operable facts,
the premise under which everyday dealings are carried out, material and
even spiritual are being devotional and having faith in Sri Sadguru
Sainath all what on needs?

Faith and patience are sure what Sri Sai Baba demanded from His
children. However, just faith and having patience did not win the heart
of Sri Sai Baba. Stories are plentiful in Sri Sadguru Sainath's abode
where Sri Sai Baba whipped up the conscience of those that he wanted to
bless. Those who seek Him could never resist the piercing eyes of the
compassionate father; the eyes that know the past, present, and the
future. The eyes not that of the punishing policeman, but of the
benevolent caretaker longing to lead one from the convenient facts to
everlasting contentment, Truth!

How could one trying to realize that Sri Sai Baba is the in dweller of
all beings even attempt to either lie to the self or to others? Sri Sai
Baba never lied to anyone. He always spoke of parables; some of them
were literally true while some were figurative. They were the
individualized instructions that Sri Sai Baba provided to those who
deserve it and none else.

Sri Sai Baba was always practical and realistic in his teachings. He
never told his devotees to lie and asked them always to speak truth.
The devotees knew that Sri Sai Baba was knower of the secrets of every
being and he would certainly catch them if they told a lie. Hence hey
dared not speak untruth in his presence. Untruth does not work before
Sri Sainath and Sri Sainath cannot be procured with untruth. Untruth
means downfall. Untruth in the end takes you to hell

Let us on this beautiful Thursday remind ourselves of that benevolent
caretaker longing to lead us from the convenient facts to everlasting
contentment, Truth!

Allah Malik

How to Meditate

Aum Sairam

Meditation increases the ability to concentrate and enhance memory
power. It brings in a sense of inner peace and tranquility, and makes
you appealing in nature. Meditation is also thought to tap the hidden
potentials of an individual.

Here's how:

1 Find some time out of your daily schedule.

2 Find a quiet place and sit down.

3 Be comfortable. Relax.

4 Keep the face serene. Chin up.

5 Close your eyes slowly to experience a void darkness. [Remember to
keep your eyelids closed throughout the following steps]

6 Look into your eyelids as if seeing with your eyelids open.

7 Keep your mind empty of people, place, things, color or any form.

8 Try and concentrate on the center of your forehead.

9 If thoughts arise, bypass them and keep looking with your eyelids
closed, going deeper and deeper, leaving form, name, color, and
activities far behind
you.

10 Experience the motion of going, as if driving in a car and you'll be
going deeper and deeper beyond the body and senses.

11 As you go deeper and deeper with your eyes closed in this dark
place, you may see the swirling of smoke like colors flickering in the
darkness and silvery flashes of light.

12 Look straight in front with your eyelids closed and keep going
further and further.

13 To keep you alert in meditation, take slow deep breaths. Colors will
swirl and change pattern rising with each breath.

14 Keep breathing steady. Let thoughts come and go. You're on a journey
going beyond the body and form.

15 After you feel totally calm and relaxed, gradually open your eyes
and spring back to life with renewed energy.

Tips:
Do not sit for meditation with workload on your mind.
Wear simple, loose clothes, preferably white in color.
If concentrating on nothing seems difficult, try concentrating on your
breathing. Another way to concentrate is by uttering the sacred
syllable "AUM" loudly, which helps arrest your thoughts as it resonates
through your body.

Allah Malik

Serious In Spiritual Life

Aum Sairam

Growing up towards maturity is a part of spirituality. Spirituality is
not one-dimensional pursuit, nor is it necessarily opposed to a life of
material pursuits.

Spirituality takes our whole life into consideration and helps us take
our joys and sorrows in our stride. It also helps us be aware that
there is something more to life than just pursuing security and
pleasure in life.

Rather than renouncing life to take up to spirituality, we will do
better to spiritualize all the areas of our life. It means that
material pursuits are not for their own sake but to make our journey in
life a pleasure. We do not carry with us anything beyond the grave.
What will remain with us are our deeds - good and bad, and the wisdom
that we have gathered over many lifetimes.

Spirituality includes the pursuit of Dharma [righteousness], Artha
[wealth and security], Kama [pleasures, love & happiness], and also
Moksha [Growth, Freedom and Liberation]. As long as our pursuit of
Artha and Kama is balanced by Dharma we will do well, spiritually
speaking. Living such a balanced life brings about maturity and growth
within ourselves so that in time we become ready to pursue our ultimate
objective of Moksha. Moksha is ultimate growth wherein we let go of our
limited self-concepts and soar towards freedom on the wings of
self-knowledge and maturity.

Allah Malik

Thoughts

Aum Sairam

Thoughts are creative, but for most people, thoughts and desires occur
at an unconscious level. On the surface, you might want a new job or a
partner to share your life with. You might pray for these things to
appear in your life and yet they do not. This is because, at an
unconscious level, you are harboring contradictory thoughts, beliefs
and desires.

For example, at an unconscious level, you might believe that you are
not good enough or that you are unwanted or unloved. Or you might have
decided that love hurts or that love leads to pain and separation and
so you prefer to be alone.

These things are in direct conflict with your conscious thoughts and
desires and so life does not know how to respond to you. More than
likely, your unconscious beliefs and desires will prevail.

Allah Malik

Ocean of Mercy

Aum Sairam

We begin this with a bow with all our eight limbs to Sri Sai, who is an
ocean of mercy, the God Incarnate, the Para Brahma and the great Lord
of Yog. Victory be unto Sri Sai, who is the crest jewel of the saints,
an abode of all auspicious things, our self, and the able refuge of the
devotees. We prostrate ourselves before Him, who has attained the aim
and the end of life.

Sri Sai is always full of mercy. What is wanted, on our part, is whole
hearted devotion to him. When a devotee has got firm faith and
devotion, his wishes are soon fulfilled. When the desire arose in the
mind of Shri Hemadpant to write the life and leela's of Sri Sai, He
immediately got it written by him. When the order to keep or memos was
given, Shri Hemadpant was inspired and his intellect got strength and
boldness to undertake and finish the work. He was not, he says,
qualified to write the work but the gracious blessings of Sri Sai
enabled him to complete the undertaking and thus you have this Shri Sai
Satcharitra, which is a well, a cistern, or uncut jewel from which
nectar in the form of Sri Sai leela's oozes out for the devotees to
drink to their hearts content.

Whenever a devotee had complete and whole hearted devotion to Sri Sai,
all his calamities and dangers were warded off and his welfare attended
to by Sri Sai.

Allah Malik

What is the Mind?

Aum Sairam

Mind is different from the soul [Atma]. We are not our mind. But
without the mind it is not possible to know our self. The states of
bondage and emancipation are possible only with the mind. The Self is
unchangeable--it is the mind only that undergoes changes. In this
drama of existence, the mind is both the act and the actor; it is both
the reflection and the reflector. That is, what we perceive with the
mind is not the Self, but the mind only. For example, you have met many
persons, and many different people have met you during the span of your
life, yet not a single one of those persons will perceive you in
exactly the same way as another perceive you.

Mostly what people see is what they project with their own mind; that
is, they perceive their own mental projections. The same applies when
we try to understand our lives through our own mind. Generally what we
perceive is our own mental images; hence, we misunderstand ourselves,
and we misunderstand others also. When we misunderstand ourselves and
others, we are in a state of bondage. All that this means is that our
mind is bound by its images and that we imagine we are bound by our
mind. We only imagine we are bound by our mind when our mind is bound
by images. The state of emancipation [Total Freedom] is attained only
when all the samskaras [mental imprints] of the mind are erased. To
erase the samskaras, the presence of the mind is required.

Allah Malik

Self Realization Technique

Aum Sairam

The Declarations and Assurances of Shirdi Sai Baba

My method is unique. To get self realization, i.e. knowledge of
meditation is absolutely necessary. If practiced continuously, the
thought processes will be calmed. So become desire less and meditate on
the lord within you in all creatures. When the mind is thus
concentrated, self realization will be attained.

Always meditate on My formless nirgun nature, which is knowledge,
incarnate, consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on
My physical form, as you see Me here in Shirdi or in My photo, from the
top to the toe every day and night.

When this is done, your thought processes will become one pointed and
the distinction between the meditater, Meditation and the object of
meditation will fade away and the meditater will be one in
consciousness and will merge in self.

My devotees must strive to get lord's grace and blessings, instead of
struggling for necessities of life. For, they will have plenty of food
and clothing. I always care and provide for welfare of My devotee's,
who devoutly worship Me with their minds ever fixed on Me.

With the Guru's form firmly fixed in the mind, and with the mind and
senses thus fully absorbed in the worship of the lord, My devotee must
remember Me at all times, so that his mind will not be attracted to any
other mundane things like body, wealth, home or worldly honors nor
wander elsewhere.

The mind will then become calm, peaceful and carefree, which is the
sole sign of merger with the Guru. A wandering Mind can neither merge
nor get engaged in good
company.

If My Leela's [Stories and Teachings] are written about or devoutly
sung and attentively listened to, ignorance will vanish, awareness of
the body will reduce and strong waves of devotion love would arise. If
one dives deep into My Leela's, he will discover precious jewels ofk
nowledge for self realization.

No one truly understands what I say My Sirkar's treasury [means
Government, but here it refers to lord's treasury] is full and
overflowing. I say 'dig out' and take this wealth of knowledge in
cartloads. The blessed son of a true Mother should fill himself with
this wealth.

Skill of My Fakir [God] the Leela of My God and the attitude of My
Sirkar are quite unique. What about Me? My Body will mix with earth,
and my breath with the air, but this time won't come back again! I will
go somewhere, and sit in some place. The seductive Maya still troubles
Me. I always feel anxiety for My devotees. But one, who does any
spiritual endeavor, will surely reap its fruits and one who remembers
My words will get invaluable peace and happiness.

Allah Malik

Enlightenment

Aum Sairam

Enlightenment is the awakened state of being. When all thoughts have
stopped and you are in a state of deep inner silence, which is
profoundly peaceful and still, you are in the enlightened state.

You are so fully present with everything around you that separation
largely dissolves and you experience Oneness. You feel the Presence of
God or the Divine within you and within everything around you.

It is profoundly blissful. A deep inner knowing arises and yet you are
in silence. You come to know yourself as love. Profound insights and
revelations sometimes emerge out of the silence. Spontaneous healings
can occur.

Allah Malik

Spiritual Practices Approved By Sri Sai Baba

Aum Sairam

Sri Sai Baba used several methods to instruct devotees.

1) Remembering His name and complete surrender to Him
2) Shravana [study of Eknath Bhagwath, Guru Charitra etc]
3) Manana [meditation of His form]
4) Sitting near His feet
5) Sending some to Khandoba
6) Vishnu Sahasranama
7) Direct instructions
8) Instructions in vision and dreams
9) Some to Macchindragad, some to Kolhapur and Sholapur for sadhana

Bringing Sri Sai Baba before our mental vision, these things have to be
practices and lived; mere reading is of no use. You have to think and
carry out what you read. Mere book learning without the grace of Guru
and self realization is no avail.

The nava vidha Bhakti are
1. Shravana [hearing about Sri Sai Baba]
2. Kirtana [praying to Sri Sai Baba]
3. Smarana [remembering Sri Sai Baba]
4. Padasevana [resorting to Sri Sai Baba's feet]
5. Archana [Worship of Sri Sai Baba's feet]
6. Namaskara [Bowing to Sri Sai Baba]
7. Dasya [Service to Sri Sai Baba]
8. Sakhyatva [Friendship to Sri Sai Baba]
9. Atmanivedana [Surrender of self to Sri Sai Baba]

Sri Sai Baba's feet are the only means of attaining happiness. We
should know no other method of attaining the supreme goal of life,
except meditating on His feet. Look at Sri Sai Baba's posture, how fine
it is. He is sitting with his legs folded, the right leg across the
left knee. The fingers of His left hand are spread on the right foot.
On the right toe are spread His two fingers-the index and middle ones.
By this posture Sri Sai Baba means to say, be most humble and meditate
on my toes you will be able to see My light. Sri Sai Baba had advised
Hemadpant that before the senses, mind and intellect enjoy their
objects, He should be first remembered. We should offer whatever we
enjoy to Sri Sai Baba. Then the object that is not fit to be enjoyed
will be shunned and in this way our vicious habits or vices will
disappear and our character will improve.

By worshipping Sri Sai Baba, we attain both the objects, worldly and
spiritual, and are fixed in our true nature, and get peace and happiness.

Those who want to gain their welfare should respectfully hear Sri Sai
Baba's Leela's and meditate on them. Our vrittis, [thoughts]
regarding desire, anger, [fear] and avarice should be offered to Sri
Sai Baba. He would help us eradicate all the vrittis.When Sri Sai
Baba's form is fixed before our mental vision; we forget hunger, thirst
and this sansara. The consciousness of worldly pleasures will disappear
and our mind will attain peace and happiness.

Sri Sai Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way and did
not like any other persons interfering in this. He did not like any
other Bhakta meddling with a Bhakta's service. He is capable to gauge
the merits and worth of the service rendered to Him. Sai Sai Baba is an
ocean of mercy, God Incarnate who is Para Brahma and the great
Yogeshwara. What is wanted on our part is whole hearted devotion to
Him. When a devotee has got firm faith and devotion, his wishes will
soon be fulfilled. Whenever a devotee had complete and whole hearted
devotion to Sai Sai Baba, all his calamities and dangers were warded
off and his welfare attended to by Sri Sai Baba.

Shri Hemadpant says Oh Sri Sai, let us never forget and lose sight of
Your feet; neither son, nor wife nor friend will be of any use in the
end. It is only You who will give us salvation. Remove the restlessness
of our mind and make it steady and calm. It is You that makes us drink
the nectar of Your Leela's and awakened us from our slumber due to
your grace [It is the nectar of Sri Sai Leela's that will awaken us.
This is again Sri Sai's grace on us. We have to wait patiently for the
same. We should pray to Sri Sai Baba, Make our eyes Yours, so that we
should never feel pleasure or pain. Control our body and mind as You
will and wish. Let our mind get rest at Your feet.

Come what may, leave not, but stick to your bolster [Support or Guru]
and ever remain steady, always in union with him.

We should always remain with our chosen Guru and do not waver we have
to pray to Sri Sai Baba. Oh Sri Sai, create in us regard for your
stories, while listening to Your stories let sattvik tendencies and
emotions arise in us. Let Your grace dawn on us. It is only You who can
make us see the Lord in all creatures.

Allah Malik

Transcendence of the Ego

Aum Sairam

Through various acts, advice and examples, Baba advised his children tofollow the path of dharma which means transgressing the limitations ofour small ego. Keeping in mind Sri Sai Baba's advice we may all striveto transcend limitations of our mind and body. In the path ofspiritualism transcendence is necessary. Transcendence of what?Transcendence of the fetters of body and mind. This can only beachieved by controlling the compulsions of body like hunger, lust andthe mental compulsions of mind like greed, jealousy, anger, hatred etc.When one by one the mental fetters fall off, two elements of mind likedesire and feeling pertaining to those compulsions also vanish. Thesoul slowly but imperceptibly then enters into a state of pureconsciousness. At this stage he goes beyond all bodily fettersincluding birth and death. He also crosses the barriers of time andspace. The progress in the path of spirituality is the march of thedivine consciousness from its primordial state to the original divine self.

All species controlled by time, in terms of birth and death, includinghuman beings are a part of that creative process. Life after life theyevolve ultimately to reach that state of God where from they emanated.Except God, no one and nothing in this world is perfect. All theimperfect beings and things in the world, which includes all species,get birth, because they are imperfect. Life after life they go onperfecting themselves, little by little. The meaning of life is toendeavor to become perfect. Self analysis, self-study, self-orientedactions towards that goal and prayer to Sadguru to lead in that path isthe only way to progress meaningfully in life.

Saints and the people truly following this spiritual path always think,not only of their own evolution but also about the evolution of allhuman beings or other species around them. Any action (in thought,speech, activity), which helps in the evolution of the self or othersis a good act called virtue [punya] and any action detrimental to suchgrowth is an evil act called sin [paap]. It is very difficult to followsuch a path in a world as ours and therefore, the process of evolutionof human beings is so slow, spread over a number of lives.

We must use our imperfections of yesterday and try to evolve towards alittle more perfection. Knowing that no ordinary mortal is totallyperfect, we try to find a model of perfection which is epitomized inSadguru or Perfect Master. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba was in such supremestate of perfection. He possessed such powers or siddhis, which no onecan imagine, however he maintained a humble life. Humility, simplicityare not weakness, they are the biggest strength one can possess in thepath of spiritual development. Let us
remember this.

Allah Malik

Highest form of Devotion

Aum Sairam,
Often we think the life we are leading does not bring us close to God.Most of us are put away from devotion thinking we have to give up ourworldly life. I am one of those persons. I am currently reading a bookon Meher Baba and the Perfect Masters who formed His life. And this iswhat Upasani Maharaj, the premier follower of Shirdi Sri Sai and one ofthe perfect Masters says

Gulmai fell at Upasni Maharaj's feet and begged him to accept thesurrender of her body, mind, progeny and possessions. She burst intotears again as she narrated how difficult her life had been. Finally,she beseeched Upasni to allow her to stay with him permanently at Sakuri.

Upasni Maharaj explained that she could not do so: Those withoutworldly attachments pursue forms of worship and disciplines [puja andsadhanas]. It is not new to them; it is thus easy. But to be in theworld [samsar] and belong predominantly to God and totally devoted toHim is the highest form of worship.

May Sri Sai Baba bless us and guide us always.
Allah Malik

Why and How to Pray

Aum Sairam

May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Bring You Strength, Good luck, HappinessSuccess and Joy.
Many of you, I'm sure, are confused about the underlying philosophy ofprayer. Consequently, often your prayers are not answered. Here, Iattempt to provide some insights into the success of prayers.

To begin with we must understand as to why do we pray?

There are basically 12 reasons for prayer:
1. We pray to depend on God for help in distress.
2. We pray for asking God for enlightenment.
3. We pray for communion with God through single-minded devotion.
4. We pray for asking for peace from God when the mind is restless.
5. We pray for surrendering ourselves to God completely.
6. We pray to God for giving us the ability to comfort others.
7. We pray for thanking God for his blessings.
8. We pray for expecting God to decide what is best for us when we arein a dilemma.
9. We pray for making friendship with God.
10. We pray for melting the mind and ego in silence in God.
11. We pray for requesting God to give strength, peace and pureintellect, e.g. Gayatri Mantra.
12. We pray for asking God to purify the heart and make us abide in Him forever.

In essence, what the above 12 reasons convey to us is that a prayer hastwo parts:

one is soliciting a favor from the Almighty and the other issurrendering ourselves to His will. While the first part is practicedby most of us on a daily basis, the second part is the real andultimate goal because it implies dedication.

Dedication means feelingthe light of God within your heart. If your heart is devoid of divine light, you will not be happy, cheerful and successful in your lives.

This Thursday [Baba's Day] remember, your success depends on theinward state of your mind. Your mind will create hindrance in your workif it is not in communion with God because He alone is the permanentabode of peace. Yes, I agree that most of us want to have riches,healthy lives, nice children and prosperous future. But if we alwaysapproached God with a begging attitude then we are treating Him as ourbearer to supply the things required by us at once. This is no devotion to God but devotion to our own selfish desires.

Allah Malik

Aarti

Aum Sairam

Oh Sri Sai Baba, we wave light before You, The Bestower of happiness tothe jivas. Give us - Your servants and devotee's rest under the dustof Your lotus feet, burning [destroying] desire. You remain absorbed inYour Self, and show the Lord [God] to the aspirants. As one feelsintently, You give him experiences or realizations accordingly. Oh Kindhearted, Your power is such! Meditation on Your name removes our fearof the Sansar. Your method of word is really unfathomable as, Youalways help the poor and the helpless. In this Kali age You - the all- pervasive Lord Datta, have really incarnated as Sagun Brahma. Wardoff the fears of the Sansar of the entire devotee's, which come toYou every Thursday, so as to enable them to see the Lotus Feet of theLord. Oh God of God's. I pray that, let my treasure be the service ofYour Lotus Feet. Feed Madhav with happiness as the cloud feeds theChatak bird with pure water, and thus keep up Your Word.

Allah Malik

We Experience What We Believe

Aum Sairam

You are free to believe what you choose and what you do attest to what
you believe."

You most likely believe that your experiences have taught you what is
real and what is true - at least for you. However, what you may not
know is that your beliefs - conscious and unconscious - have
determined what you would experience.

Experiences do not determine what you believe. What you first of all
believe is what you will experience. It follows, then, that if you wish
to experience life in new ways, you need to examine your belief systems.

Change your consciousness and you'll change your life.

"Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can."

Allah Malik

Lord Sai - Accept These Thousand Pranams

Aum Sairam

Oh Grand Master! I offer a thousand pranams at Your Lotus feet! I am a
nameless servant surrendered at Your Majestic Excellence!

My soul hums round Your divine feet which can save the erring world
through grace.

Your name vibrates in my pranas. My soul is weaving garland of unending
recitation of Your auspicious name and offering it at Your beloved feet.

Oh Sai you have opened the gateway of grace and given me an access to
the heaven of ecstasy on the merit of my service, dedication and
prostration being thirsty of knowledge. My mind is bubbling with joy;
love is overflowing from my heart. You have united my wings and flung
me in the free and open air to discover the charming new sky of truth.

I have realized the intensity of devotion, the sublimity of knowledge.
My soul floats in the pulsating ripples of atmic energy and bliss. My
body, mind and existence are surrendered to You. My individuality has
melted into Your Cosmic Awareness. This is the union of the Bhakta and
God. You are not only unique, but also exquisite. You have adorned and
ornamented my entire life.

There has been no trace of duality between me and Lord Sai. The wealth
of ananda is right in my hand. The aroma of our union is carried away
by the magic tunes of music of these songs of mine which sing Your
glory for the edification of mankind at large.

The tiny drops of water now realize that they own their existence to
the ocean. The relationship between You and me is more than
established. The dark cloud has assumed the shape of peacock who dances
at its very sight. The unity is now perfect and absolute. The eight
sublime sentiments are today singing the music of non duality and the
philosophy of the essential oneness of God and His bhakta. My heart is
overflowing with the upsurge of the eight sublime sentiments.

Oh Sai, your loving bird Chakor, craving for the moonlight of Your
Grace, has now been transformed into the lunar orb of Sai Moon. The
charming Sai Moon is turned into bhakta Chakor. Lord Sai has absolutely
merged into me. This is the union of the cosmic with the individual,
the macro with the micro, Paramatma with Atma, Shiva with Jiva. This
merger is so complete, so consummate that all four muktis have come to
meet collectively here and merge into the full moon orb of the
assimilation of God and His devotee. The duality of Bhakti melts here
finally into Supreme Bliss.

Allah Malik

Fruits of Action

Aum Sairam

Deeds and the results of one’s deeds are fundamental aspects of the karmic cycle. Once this every action has a reaction phenomenon is understood, the limitedness of the individual’s role in the bigger realm of things should become clear. However, as it may seem due to the ignorance, the craving for the ownership is an irresistible eventuality. It is as involuntary as the heart beat. How could one yield to the cycle of action and reaction, and yet contemplate on what the Sadguru is capable of giving? Baba said its wisdom that leads one to detachment. It is the stateless state that could only be perennial. It is possible only by surrendering the self to the Sadguru.

The fruits of action and the experiencing of those fruits in this world are dependent on the effort we put in. If one works hard in the fields, one gets good harvest. But the fruits of action, like the grains that one grows, will be spent after some time. To replenish it, one will have to work hard again. Happiness in the other world also depends upon the amount of merit earned by us in this world. More the effort, more the merit and more the happiness. With more and more effort, one might become eligible to go to Vaikunth, Kailash or Brahma Lok.

But it must be remembered that even this merit is like a bag of grains. It will be exhausted sooner or later. In this world, there is a possibility to preserve a part of the harvest for producing crops again. In other words, here it is possible to experience happiness as well as to strive hard to earn merit. It is not so in the other world. There, it is not possible to earn Punya while enjoying the fruits of merits earned previously. One will have to experience happiness completely, exhaust his merit, and then return to this world to earn more Punya.

By this, we can realize that the happiness of the other world is not only temporary, but is also troublesome to us because it drains us of our merit and sends us here to strive hard again and again. When this knowledge sets in, you will automatically lose interest in the pleasures of this and the other world. The detachment should be so strong that even if someone offers you heaven, you should turn it down and look upon it with disgust. To reject a cake when the stomach is full does not constitute Vairag. Real Vairag is that state in which an individual shows no desire for any sort of pleasure here or hereafter.

Yes, it is possible only by surrendering the self to the Sadguru.

Allah Malik