Feature of the week: Spiritual Paradox: Is there a Solution?

If equanimity is the goal, how does one achieve it? Equanimity does not dawn on us overnight. Even if it appears so, the apparent tranquility will only melt away by one single stone’s throw. What appears like a feeling of well being may well be nothing but a state of temporary happiness, perhaps a response to a smaller gain. The state of euphoria only overshadowed by the myth. The true transformation in the self is not a state of transitory upbeat, but a permanent gain. Such an eventuality has to be irreversible, full, and unconditionally blissful.

No two people are alike in nature. Sadguru Sai Baba stressed the same by His inscrutable ways of guiding His people. Some were asked to do reciting, some were sent on pilgrimage. A few were chided by Baba while some were scorned at. Truly inscrutable are His ways. A story in Sri Sai Satcharitha also tells us how Baba disapproved a devotee’s intervention in another devotee's service. Sai, only Sai, has the ability to fathom the merits of one’s intentions. However, one thing that Baba always stressed to everyone is about His demands. The demand of two pice (two cents) meaning faith and patience. These two virtues transcend one’s social, religious and monetary boundaries, and are universally appealing. By pointing out these two qualities in us, Sai Baba has made the pursuit of perennial happiness clearer. Sai Baba stands out unique among other sadgurus in this respect.

Is there a solution for the spiritual paradox faced by an aspirant? Unequivocal faith in the sadguru provides it. Patience and humility paves way for it.
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Experiences of Devotees

Veena Gupta, New Delhi, India ashok@dgsd.delhi.nic.in guptaji@cyberspace.org
I have been experiencing Miracles of Baba almost every Thursdays and on important days. This Thursday (25th Nov.1999) too I experienced a new miracle of Baba. My sister -in-law has come from USA for attending the marriage of my younger son. On Diwali day, Baba visited us and the Udi was coming from His photo, His statue and another photo of Ganesh ji, Laxmiji and Baba in between them, in our Mandir. In the evening, we performed the pooja and my sister-in-law took the photo of Baba in the temple with the Udi. She made many attempts to take the photo. Initially her flash would not work. She pleaded to Baba to allow her to take photo. Finally, she succeeded in snapping Baba giving Udi. This photo is now much in demand and we have got many copies made. On this Thursday, as usual Udi was coming from the photo and statue of Baba. About 5-6 spoonful of Udi came on Thursday. We recited Amrit Vani from 11 to 12 noon. Prasad as usual was sprinkled with Udi and was distributed after the Amrit Vani. A Sai devotee was requesting me for the photo. As soon as I took the photo out of the envelope to give it to her, we felt a flash from the photo and saw an 'AURA' of light, at the end of the middle finger of the hand of Baba from which the Udi was seen to be coming. The 'AURA' moved towards the ear and finally the 'AURA' was around the face of Baba. I requested the devotee to leave this photo with me as this was the unique photo. To this she did not agree and said that was Baba's blessings to her and she was very grateful on receiving the photo. All present there at that time witnessed this miracle of Baba. On 24th Nov.1999, it was my husband's birthday and Baba has blessed him by this presence in our house. A small amount of Udi was given by the photo and statue of Baba. On my birthday too, which was on 2nd August, '99, which was Monday this year. Baba blessed me with Udi from His own hand from the photo.

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Shri Ekkirala Bharadwaj is one of the greatest devotees of Shirdi Saibaba. He built a temple for Baba and spread Sai maharaj's gospel to many and he had various devotees. He is no more with us. He wrote a book in Telugu called Sri Saibaba jeevitha charitra (Sai Leelaamrutam). He wrote about his experience with Baba as follows:
In February 1963, my second brother desired that I should accompany him to Shirdi. Though I had no faith, I followed him. By the evening of February 8, we went to samadhi mandir. Arati was being offered to Baba. It surprised me to see the great bhakthi and faith of many devotees there to a person who left this world many years ago. After arati, my brother showed me the samadhi and stated that Baba was buried there. I felt repulsion on thinking that the body must have become foul smelling. I had nausea, left the place even without taking any food, and slept away.

Early morning, I woke up with burning hunger and very quickly ran to Madras hotel, which was behind samadhi mandir. As arati and abhishekam was over, there were nobody except pujaris (priests). As the marble statue there was almost living, I wanted to see it again and so I went inside. When I was seeing Baba’s face, I felt Baba’s vision has gone into the internal reality and that he was in some great transcendental state. At that state I felt that he was in a state that he and the whole visible and invisible was with him only and that he is completely immersed in that boundless reality. This was not just a thought. This was an indescribable experience, which ate away my spiritual heart. I did not know what was happening around me and internally in me. I did not know how much time this went on. My brother was calling me for dinner. I felt very painful to get out from that sublime state. When I looked at that time it was nearly five hours from the time, I came in. I found all the time I was sitting with eyes closed. As I was walking, I was in a state of sleep. Without my effort, my mind was going into a state of absolute nothingness full of unending happiness. I continued in this state for several months unable to properly link my mind to worldly objects.
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Sai Activities

Sai Mahima - R.V. Ramana Moorthy, Hyderabad, India
LalithaSri Combines, Hyderabad, India, is producing a full-length feature film on Sai Baba of Shirdi in Telugu. This movie, based on Hemadpant's SRI SAI SATCHARITHA titled "Sri Sai Mahima" is being made in technically superior standards including Cinemascope and graphics illustration of the Life and teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Sai phenomenon and the question, Who is Saibaba? prompted us to produce a film on His real life story and show how god reveals in the form of unique and fully inspired saint of Sri Sai Baba stature. To quote Sri Narasimha Swamyji, "SAI BABA" confers worldly benefits, cures diseases, provides mental peace and fills the devotees with gratitude and faith in him and in God. He strengthens their moral principles and lays foundation for spiritual upliftment. When Sai Baba was asked what His mission was, He replied "To take lakhs and lakhs of people to the feet of God". As gift to Sri Sai devotees all over the world, we are eager to release "Sri Sai Mahima" with English sub-titles in the early months of the new millenium. We are requesting the Sai devotees to come forward to associate with us to spread SAI philosophy throughout the world for attaining Universal peace and brotherhood. In this connection I am planning to meet Sri Sai devotees in the USA and Canada during the third week of December 1999 and offer them with the divine blessing of Sri Sai Baba, five hundred and one Sri Sai Baba's photos, Sri Sai Mahima audio cassettes and 'UDI' specially brought from Shirdi. My itinerary includes Omaha, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Alabama, New York, New Jersey, Phoenix, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Canada for three weeks only. Those who are eager to contact me are requested to communicate their address:
(Phone, Fax, E-mail) to Mr. R. V. Ramana Murty, producer of the film.C/O Dr. Cheruku Srinivasa Rao, 411 South 41st. Street, Apt. #3, Omaha, NE 68131. USA. Phone: 402-244-4254
email: scheruku@hotmail.com, srisaimahima@yahoo.com, srisaimahima@coolmail.com.

Sai Samsthan USA, Inc.
Sai Samsthan USA has scheduled New Year’s Eve celebrations at Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir, 27W 321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL 60555. The Program on December 31, 1999 is as follows:

8:00 PM Abhishek, Archana
9:00 PM Bhajans and Kirtans
11:15 PM Namajap
12:00 AM Shej Arti
12:30 AM Maha Prasad

Please contact Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir at 630-653-4444 for more details.
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Devotees Say

Pavan Goyal
I am flying to Melbourne (from India) on 12th Dec. Since this is my first visit to that part I will be obliged to know if any SAI ACTIVITIES CENTRE is there. Kindly put my query in the next issue of Sai Vichar to be published on 9th Dec. Also, if you know about such place, kindly let me know. Sai Ram.
My email address is pgthree@nde.vsnl.net.in

Alphanso D’Souza
Look unto me and I will look upon you This is just to encourage the Sai Devotee from Mauritius who has a skin disease vitiligo - on her legs, ear, and arms and for anyone going through a similar experience. Quote "I want a special blessing to stop this feeling of "suicide" At times I want to quit this world feeling bad to fight so hard for a mere living, I know you would say with the love of God we can fight all these "maya’s" but I can't." (Sai Vichaar - Nov 25, 1999: Vol. 2, Issue 27.)

Aren’t there times when doing nothing seems to be better than doing anything? These are many a time when only our Lord can do what needs to be done, and in these instances we do best to do nothing but center our faith in our beloved Lord. We can be confident of Baba's ability to rescue us even when trouble surrounds us. And we can look to the future with hope because we can recall how He has taken care of us, His devotees in the past. We all face difficulty. Although troubling crises arise, great leaders fall, precious loved ones die, and all human help and comforts fail, Our Lord is there. He is always with us. He who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that He has made us what we are. Our identity crisis is resolved when we identify with Our Beloved Lord Sai. Our troubles seem smaller when we remember the greatness of the Lord. Though we walk in the midst of any trouble, He will revive us. Know nothing, yes nothing is impossible with His Love.

Are you weighed down with the cares of life--lonely, discouraged, and despondent? Remember that our trust is in God, so He is with us. "Look unto me and I will look upon you." is Sai’s assurance to us. Look to Him today for grace and guidance, and experience His abiding peace. Perhaps you are in a crisis. You're hurting and afraid. Even so, you can sing praise to our Lord Sai for His overflowing love, and mercy. Pause to remember that He can be trusted. It's the right thing to do--and keep on doing--in a time of crisis. Do you have a problem that seems impossible to solve? Or do you have a burden that seems to be crushing you, and there is no relief? You alone can win the victory, but faith lets Him do it all. Have patience, and let your soul wait upon Him. No eloquence in the entire world is as meaningful as the patient silence at the Holy Divine feet of Sadguru Sainath and those kind, caring, and loving look in his eyes. True faith trusts in Our Lord Sai to do the miracle that will be done.

Be this the purpose of my soul, My solemn, my determined choice: To yield to Lord Sai's supreme control, And in my every crisis rejoice. My loving Lord Sai is always near, Forever by my side, He'll bring me comfort in my fear, and peace that will abide. Waiting, yes trustfully waiting; I know, though I’ve waited long, That, while He withholds His purpose, His waiting cannot be wrong. Humbly, with 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi' I offer my obeisance at thy Lotus Feet. Oh! Lord, My Sadguru, Sai Baba ‘Thy will be done’ in my entire crisis too. I Love you Sai. BOW TO SAI Peace to all.

Sai Pattabhiram, Sharjah, UAE
He first issue of Sai Vichaar received by me today was very interesting & the first article SPIRITUAL PARADOX itself was very relevant, as I have been going through the same situation. In fact, I got your newsletter on return from the temple after darshan. Hence, it was like a message from Baba himself to improve my understanding of the meaning of surrender to the guru. The other interesting aspect was " Is Saibaba more alive now than when He was living?" . I am a part of the third generation in our family associated with the teachings of Baba . We have experienced numerous instances both small and major where the divine grace of Baba has helped us through difficult situations even as of now. I also take this opportunity to relate to you a recent incidence that highlights the guidance provided by Baba and the fact that "Saibaba is more alive now than when He was living?". It happened about 2 weeks back: I am currently going through a transitional patch in my career. It is my faith and prayer to Baba that are the pillars on which my future lies. During such a phase, one tends to think deeply about various issues.

During one such thought process I was sitting on a couch and staring out through a window into the wide-open sky at various cloud formations. One particular cloud caught my attention and I started observing it closely. Soon, I realized that this cloud's outline was like the famous bust size photo of Baba with his palm held up in blessing. This shape and outline lasted for a few minutes. It was during this period that the following thought occurred to me : the cloud is like our soul, the window frame our " janma " (birth) and the entire sky is " kala " (time). If you observe a cloud coming into the frame, you will notice the cloud's small tip first enters your frame, slowly grows, and continuously changes until it starts diminishing as it moves out of your frame and finally disappears. The cloud then moves onto some other frame else where, this I felt should then be representing future janmas. I also felt that we are like the cloud forever receiving moisture from the earth, form from the wind, dust from the atmosphere etc. Our lives are also shaped in the same way. We pass from one janma to the another like the cloud moving from one frame to another without giving and continuously receiving. A cloud has value only when it gives the much-needed rain to mother earth and us. The same is the case with our lives as well. Some realize this earlier than others, just as some clouds give rain and some just pass by without. They all do produce rain sooner or later. Hence, like the rain clouds we should all start giving to others at least a part of what we receive. This thought was Baba's grace as the outline of the cloud signifies. It was Baba's guidance to understanding of the relationship between the soul and matter, made easy for an ordinary individual. I thought I could share this experience and understanding with fellow Sai devotees. After this experience, I came across your site, which I felt genuinely attracted to. Now, my day starts with an on-line devotional song from your site.

A.S. Vijayaraghavan.
On behalf of all known Sai devotees I offer my sincere prayer for the successful surgery for her husband and let Sai Maharaj bless him. True and sincere prayers will never go unanswered, only it will take some time. Sai Maharaj will first do a little bit test and then do miracles.
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Question of the Week

"What is the Purpose of Miracles"

K . Vandita Prasanna Lakshmi
One should understand that the body is not the only living thing, but internally there is Atman that is divine, and does not have birth or death. Atman wears different dresses that is nothing but a body, a life and this goes on till the internal Atman has achieved the whole of spiritual knowledge and does not have any desire and reaches the paramathma.

But to achieve this in life one has to conquer all his desires by having grip on his senses. However, to do this one has to have a guru who can help one in achieving the highest goal. But he can only help us when we have faith in him. Sai Baba is the sadguru who can draw devotees with full faith and surrender or even those who are trying themselves for surrendering to him and then lord Sai helps them in achieving the highest goal. But for all these one should get faith on their guru and to get that faith from his devotees god can do anything and performs miracles. The birth and death are pain and to realize oneself from this bondage of samsara (earthly life) one has to take help of his sadguru. And then the guru drives the chariot of heart tied to the horses which are nothing but our senses and lead them in a sanmarga (virtuous path) by preventing them of being lost in the four directions or distractions. He also removes the darkness of the path with the brightness of knowledge and guides them to the god.
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Prayer Club

N Patel
In 1997, I experienced a very bad marriage, he mentally abused me, luckily with all the support from my family and Sai as my witness I managed to leave him after 7 months. I now feel that I am ready to meet someone, as I have a lot of love to give to a partner. But the fact that I am Divorced seems to be a stigma attached to me, and people feel that everything is my fault. All I want to do is to give love to one person for the rest of my life!!! Please pray that I meet a good person that I could spend the rest of my life with!

Saraswathi, S_Saraswathi@gap.com
We are Sai devotees from many years. Our Baba has helped us a lot and he is still doing. With his grace, our family has come to one stage in so many ways. Still, we are facing with one major problem, I know by Baba's blessing and the prayers from our devotees even this problem will be solved like lifting a flower garland. My sister has lost her husband 8 years back, when she was 26years. Now she is 35 years, pretty smart, active women looking for a good partner, who can share her thoughts, feelings and happiness. She has a son of 13 years old, studying back in India. She is working in Dubai. From my side, I would like her to have her own family with lot of happiness. I want all Sai devotees to pray and help her to lead better life with her own family. If any of the Sai Devotees would like to know more details, please get in touch with me at my office phone:009714-814483, Resi : 009716-5553827 or my mail for further information.
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