Sathya Sai Baba. Supernatural Experiences and Divine Transformation. Book Two. Svyatoslav Dubyanskiy

the mind is also unable to experience the supreme bliss of the True Self. One who has gained self-realization can be conscious under any circumstances of life.

      (Sathya Sai Baba – "Summer Showers in Brindavan", 1990)

      "I" is the original true name of God. God is the True "I" of every person and in general of every living being. "I" and God are eternally one, which is why it is written in the Vedas that everyone can realize that “I AM God.” The Gospel says: "I and my Heavenly Father are one." These aphorisms speak of the inner reality not only of the prophets and teachers, but of the essence of the soul of every person. This is the essence of Gnostics, that is, mystical Christianity.

      By carefully studying the gospel message, we see that Jesus taught three basic doctrines. First, the realization of one's divinity. Second, direct communication between man and God. Third, love and compassion for one's neighbor. Jesus pointed out that God and the Kingdom of Heaven are the inner reality of every person.

      The message of Krishna, Jesus and Sathya Sai Baba are identical and point to the inner divinity of each person, to the direct communication of man and God, and to the importance of serving people. At a higher level of spiritual practice, one discovers the truth that "I and My Heavenly Father are one." At this level, the communication between man and God becomes the communication between the Absolute "I" and the individual "I", which takes place in the depths of the Spiritual Heart.

      The true "I" is originally enlightened and perfect; it does not need enlightenment, because enlightenment is its nature. As a person feels himself as a separate being, he strives for enlightenment as the final liberation from suffering. Realizing the true nature of his soul, a person opens the great treasure that is hidden in the Spiritual Heart.

      For many years, the Buddha aspired to enlightenment, and having received this state, he was surprised to say that it turned out he had always been enlightened. However, the Buddha and many Masters, having gained enlightenment, utter wonderful words that all enlightened people simply do not know about it.

      "I Am" is the door to higher reality. The beginning of the spiritual path lies in the awareness of one's existence, i.e., "I Am". At first glance, this sounds too elementary and obvious, but most people are not aware of their existence – most live their entire lives in unconsciousness. Self-existence is a well-known sensation for every person; it is so familiar that it often goes unnoticed. The feeling of "I Am" is the door to the highest reality and it is from this knowledge that the true spiritual path begins.

      You are what you think you are. You are inherently free, so no one can give or take away your freedom. Remember that the information you are given may be true for some, but it is not necessarily true for all. You have the right to accept or reject any point of view, regardless of the authority of the person who tells you something. You are what you think you are so, be aware of your freedom.

      The divine man is free and of good morals. Freedom alone is not enough. Freedom in ignorant hands can cause grief and suffering. The freedom of the wise is based on good. You are free because you always have the freedom to choose, even if you may not always understand it. The freedom of choice in the life of a wise man is based on love. The freedom of the unreasonable is based on selfishness.

      The Buddha told his disciples they could only accept his teaching if they agreed with it after thinking deeply about the essence of the teaching. This was a manifestation of true freedom. Sathya Sai Baba also never demanded thoughtless submission. He left people with the right to free choice and the right to learn from their mistakes.

      6. Sathya Sai Baba was unpredictable

      I will now tell a very famous story in this chapter, which I heard from several senior devotees who were close to Sathya Sai Baba for many years. In 1961, a traditional Vedic ceremony was planned to be held at the ashram. For this, several experienced Hindu Brahmin priests were invited. Vedic ceremonies are performed according to strict regulations. According to the astrological calculations made by the clergy, the ceremony had to start at 7.30am. This was immediately reported to Sathya Sai Baba. After listening to all the details of the calculations, Sathya Sai Baba said that it was not favorable to start the ritual at this time and that the correct time would be 9.30am. Moreover, he proclaimed that the ritual could only be started at the time specified by him.

      The priests were very experienced astrologers and insisted on the accuracy of their calculations. Sathya Sai Baba did not respond to their objections, so it seemed to the priests they were able to convince him of the correctness of their opinion.

      When the appointed day arrived, the clergy got up early in the morning, took a bath and prepared to leave the house to calmly reach the temple to prepare and start the ceremony at exactly 7.30am, as planned. It had heavily rained all night and in the early morning it continued to pour without a hint of the bad weather ending.

      The priests dressed as they should in special vestments, but looking at the raging weather, did not know what to do as it was impossible to leave the house because of the storm. Missing the scheduled start of the ritual would be a big mistake and would be considered an unfavorable sign, and so everyone present began to worry.

      The downpour was so heavy that the Chitravathi River overflowed its banks in the morning, and since the priests lived on the other side of the river, they simply could not come to the ashram on time. The only thing that could be done was to stand at the exit of the house and just wait. After some time, the rain suddenly stopped abruptly, and they were able to get to the ashram and begin the ritual.

      The atmosphere was tense since the start was later than scheduled, and some began to doubt whether it was necessary to start worship at all. When the ceremony finally began, it was exactly 9.30am, as Sathya Sai Baba had predicted. Realizing that everything happened strictly in accordance with the predictions of Sathya Sai Baba, everyone sang praises to God in joy.

      After some time, Sathya Sai Baba decided to hold another big Vedic ceremony, and for this he again invited the same priests to the ashram. As soon as all the priests arrived, he gathered them in his room and told them to draw up an exact list of ritual accessories needed for worship a few days before the start of the program.

      It may seem strange to you why so much attention was paid to all the details. The fact is that since ancient times in the Vedic tradition all the details of the rituals are considered very important: when to start the ritual, who should conduct it, what mantras should be pronounced, how to properly install the statues of deities, and much more.

      In accordance with Sathya Sai Baba's instructions, the clergy compiled a detailed list that included a huge number of various items, such as special incense and flowers, ghee and special rice, bells and offering plates, special cloths for deities, small spoons for holy water, and many other things. He was given the list and ordered the administrators of the ashram to buy everything they needed in strict accordance with the items listed.

      Just five minutes before the start of the ceremony, the chief clergyman realized with horror he had forgotten to include the ritual silver jar, Kalasha. Nervously, he approached Sathya Sai Baba, who had already left his room and was on his way to the ceremony site and explained the situation in a trembling voice. Sathya Sai Baba smiled, shook his head knowingly, and instantly materialized an ancient ritual silver jug.

      It was clear to all those present that this was a special jar. On its walls there were several images with images of the Deities. The jug looked like an old relic as if it was not an ordinary item but had come from another time in history. Some people present plucked up the courage and asked Sathya Sai Baba to tell the story of the unique jug. He said it was the same jug he used in his previous incarnation to perform solemn ceremonies.

      In his past life, Sathya Sai Baba was called Shirdi Sai Baba because he lived in the city of Shirdi, in the western part of India. In each incarnation we call him Sai Baba, but the first name always changes. As I have already mentioned, in the previous incarnation he was called Shirdi Sai Baba because he lived in the city of Shirdi. In his last incarnation he was called Sathya Sai Baba: the name, Sathya means "truth". In the next incarnation, in accordance with his predictions, he will incarnate in southern India and his name will be Prema Sai Baba. Prema means "divine love" in Sanskrit.

      So, Sathya Sai Baba materialized