How Sai became Atlanta's Swami

[Guest guest]

How Sai became Atlanta's Swami

ATLANTA DIARY | Meeta Chaitanya Bhatnagar

June 7, 2005

When you are ready, Swami, or the teacher appears - this is a maxim that has as

many sources of origin as it has interpretations.

Atlanta was ready for the appearance of (or as close to it as one could muster)

Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Swami, Baba, Sai Ram to his followers and a humanitarian

to all those who know about his life and works.

The Atlanta chapter of 'The Sri Sathya Sai Organization', a non-profit, global,

spiritual organisation devoted to practising the message of Sathya Sai,

organised a public meeting on his exemplary life, teachings, and social

endeavours in the fields of education, medicine and public service on Saturday,

June 04, 2005 at the prestigious Cobb Galleria.

The programme that was open to all and that specifically refrained from monetary

solicitation of any kind was enthusiastically welcomed by the followers of

Sathya Sai here in Atlanta as also others who espoused avid interest in

learning more about this visionary leader and relentless 'servant of all

humanity' as he calls himself.

The two-hour long event included messages from two eminent speakers - Dr Samuel

Sandweiss and Dr Philip Gosselin, and screening of a film which focuses on the

humanitarian projects of Sathya Sai Baba in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr Philip Gosselin, a psychologist in private practice and former Director of

Behavioural Medicine at Franklin Medical Centre, MA, has been a member of the

Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of the United States since its inception in

1975. He currently serves as its President.

Gosselin, who spent two years in Sathya Sai's Ashram in the early 1970s, spoke

about the compelling need of Sai's devotees to spread his message of universal

love. He spoke about the amazing grace of his Swami as he calls Sai, in

encouraging people to become better individuals following the faith they choose

to follow. He said, "Swami asks Christians to be better Christians, Hindus to be

better Hindus...The only religion he says, is that of Love."

Dr Samuel Sandweiss, the second speaker, is an assistant clinical professor in

the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School

of Medicine and has been a practicing psychiatrist for 35 years. Sandweiss is

on the Sathya Sai Baba Council since 1975 as well. He is also the author of the

book 'Sai Baba: The Holy Man and the Psychiatrist'.

Sandweiss spoke of his own personal metamorphosis from an enquirer into a

devotee and of the tangible, external works that have been conceived and

overseen by the holy leader.

His talk was followed by the screening of the film, 'His Work'. The meeting was

organised with the precision and humility that comes from truly believing in

what one does. Even though it was a quasi-spiritual gathering, it remained

imbued with subtle dignity due to the conscientious lack of overt campaigning

or canvassing. For the Diaspora, many of whom do believe in the saintliness of

Sai, the meeting was indicative of honour bestowed upon an Indian teacher,

leader, and guru if you will 10,000 miles away from home, by people who are not

Indian by birth but by choice.

The meeting was more than a spiritual platform for the preaching of the faith

fostered by the pious leader from Puttaparthy and even the most stoic of

listeners was moved by the sheer simplicity and simultaneous poignancy of the

message of this Swami (or teacher) - for that is the aspect that stands out

most significantly about him - the fact that he can inspire millions of people

across the world to the most fundamental of all positive human actions -

service to all - without any didactic pretentiousness.

Many of us look for an elusive, complex, utterly fascinating and decidedly

esoteric answer to the puzzle that life is. We look towards scriptures and

sects, religion and ritual, Sanskrit and the Delphi for answers to questions

that are beyond the physics of ordinary comprehension. Whether or not we find

them in our own faith or lack of it - this man, who is all but 5-feet tall and

who hails from a rudimentary village hundred miles off the outsourcing capital

of the world has not only found his own centre but has also drawn many

relentless believers in the creed of humanity towards and beyond himself.

In an age of prudential scientific questioning and enduring practicality, some

say it is hard enough to find God - the omnipresent. To be smitten by a man -

albeit an extraordinary man - is therefore perplexing and fascinating at once.

Whether or not he is God incarnate is indeed debatable, but that he is godly is

beyond question. To question as we do is human, to do what he does is divine -

even for humans.

Source:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1391312,00410010.htm

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram!

 

Here's beautiful story out of Atlanta about Swami from a lady named Ruth that is

in a book called The Ultimate High. If you there is another

story about Baba on the next page.

 

Blessings of Love and Peace,

 

Lisa

 

 

**********

Excerpt:

 

Working these principles was the beginning of my spirituality, even though I was

an atheist. It doesn't matter if you call the Higher Power God, Jesus, Sai Baba

or whatever. In the steps it is called 'the God of your understanding.' If you

still have a problem with the word, say that God means Good Orderly Direction.

Others are always there to help you. When I'd get cranky or emotional they would

say, "Give it up. Are you going to hold on to that? It was an emotion. Be over

it." They taught detachment from painful thoughts and feelings. When I first

went into the programme I relapsed every few weeks. I had a horrible time

getting sober. I went in and out, struggling, lying and sneaking a drink. But I

kept on till it worked. Unlike most alcoholics I can't remember my last drink.

The craving was taken from me at a certain point. Then I had to work hard to

learn how to live properly. I had to learn to improve myself, not focus on

judging and blaming others. By the time I accepted spirituality I was living in

North Carolina, in the middle of the Bible belt and there wasn't much AA there.

So, searching for something, I did a metaphysical course. I had two hundred and

eighty metaphysical books in my library and read them all. I learned to do

readings and developed psychic skills. I did this for five years, and started to

believe in a soul, but not God. I had an automatic rejection of anything that

came near to the religious structure I'd dismissed. I used to get mad when

people talked about God, till I realized it was my stuff and I had to get over

it. I pieced together a philosophy I thought was my own, a pot-pourri of

eclectic ideas. What it turned out to be was identical with Swami's teachings. A

good friend in Atlanta sent me an email saying he'd found an amazing guru in

India. He told me of the phenomenon of Sai Baba's footprints appearing before

him on the rug. I knew he wouldn't make this up. He said that unbelievable

things were happening around Swami. He also sent a quote from Baba. When I read

it I was jumping up and down in excitement. This was what I believed! After

reading all those metaphysical books, just a few words from Swami came flying

through that email, and I got it! I knew it was the end of my search. So I drove

down to Atlanta one weekend for a Sai Regional Conference. It was a whole

weekend of bhajans. I don't like singing, I hate hymns and I don't like ritual,

but the minute I walked in there I was overwhelmed by an incredible energy.

People were friendly, showing me rings that Swami had manifested, and grey ash

(vibhuti) that had appeared out of nowhere. These were things that in my

imagination I thought might exist. Here they were in front of my eyes. People's

eyes shone with divine love. Now I know them as regular people, but Swami's love

was filtering through them. I couldn't believe the bhajans. I felt as though I

would disintegrate because the energy was too high for me. I had to leave before

the end. They gave me a free tape of the songs, and I listened in the car and

cried all the way home.

I knew I had to be around devotees to learn, and I went to Atlanta every week. I

got involved in service projects and studied the teachings like crazy. Only

three weeks after the Conference, in 1999, a bunch of coincidences landed me in

India. I'd had no intention of going. Some devotees tried to book me a seat with

them, but the flight was full, I'd have to get on the waiting list. I rang the

agent to tell them not to bother, but a seat had immediately come open and they

had booked me. I took that as a sign. From that point there has been one miracle

after another.

Our group was called for an interview. The first thing Baba said to me was,

"Husband?"

"Gone, divorced." I said. He looked at me seriously, cut the air with His hand

and said,

"Gone, past. The past is a seed, the future is a seed, and the present is a

tree. The past is gone."

He detached the past from me. All the baggage I was carrying about my ex-husband

was gone, like the faraway memory of a movie that didn't really happen. He did

that. The minute I got back from India, people told me I'd changed. I didn't

look angry any more and my eyes were sparkling.

Then He said, "How are you?"

Every emotion I've ever had whizzed through me. I didn't know how to

answer…depressed, miserable, happy, sad, agitated? For a second, they all flew

through me. I said, "OK."

He started to laugh and said, "OK? Just OK?" I felt like crawling under the

chair.

He asked me what I did and I said that I was a photographer, and used to do

social service. My primary career had been in medical clinics and the drug and

alcohol field. He shook His finger and said, "That's not social service. It's

OK, but it's not social service. You helped the rich. Social service is helping

the poor, the sick, the elderly and the children. You did not do that." I took

that as a mandate to help indigent people when I returned.

He asked me who the richest person in the world was. Bill Gates came to mind,

but I knew that wasn't the answer He wanted. I said, "You Swami." He laughed,

"No, no, no, I'm the poorest. The richest is the man without desire."

Then He went to others, manifesting rings and giving away orange robes. We were

in there for half an hour. When He was leaving, He walked by me and a feeling

came over me that I must not miss the chance of a lifetime, or more than a

lifetime. I felt that God was walking out and I must not miss this opportunity.

I didn't plan it, or even know I thought it, but putting my hands up in prayer I

said, "Swami, I want to serve You." He pointed His hand at me and did some

writing in the sky. I'm very glad I said that. If I had walked out without

speaking up, I would have had an interview instead of a life with Swami. It was

the surrender I had learned to do in AA, and will practice for the rest of my

life. That was the main significance of the interview for me. I had to turn my

life into the care of God, as I understood Him. When I got home, my head was

spinning. It all happened so fast. As soon as I got back, I went into hospital

for surgery. I woke up in the recovery room wanting coffee. When I'd quit

drinking I had immediately substituted it with caffeine, and drank it from the

moment I got up till I went to bed. I loved coffee, and it had no effect on me,

except when I went for more than an hour without it. Then I had a major

withdrawal headache. I knew I was addicted, but didn't care, as compared to

alcohol it seemed a minor problem. After the surgery I craved a cup, and they

had to bring it to me, as I was so uncomfortable. The doctor told me I shouldn't

be drinking so much coffee, as it was bad for my heart. A week later I had a

dream.

Swami was sitting there on the porch of my house in North Carolina, for sixteen

hours. I remembered the time period distinctly. He was drinking my coffee,

asking for more and more. He kept saying, "Oh, it's so good! Please give me more

of your coffee."

Swami does not drink coffee. A few days later I started shaking, and was

nervous, jittery and couldn't sleep. I went back to the doctor thinking

something was wrong from the surgery. I told him my stomach was upset and I was

jumping out of my skin and couldn't sleep. I wondered if it was the drugs he'd

prescribed. He questioned me in depth and said, "It sounds like you're drinking

too much coffee. I told you." I said, "I don't get symptoms drinking coffee,

only when I don't drink it." He told me to stop, so I tried. To my amazement, I

didn't have a headache and I calmed down. My addiction was totally gone and

there were no withdrawals. To this day I love coffee, and can drink it in

moderation, but I don't need it. I'm not addicted any more. With my mandate from

Swami, I joined the Sai Centre Seva (Service) committee, and found an indigent

nursing home in a poor, multi-racial neighbourhood. There are very few of these

for poor people and this one was well run. Many of the inmates had no family,

and the devotees began to visit. We went in and sang the old songs that

generation knew. They were heavily drugged, and seemed somewhere else, but you

could see them come out of that world and smile, clap or just blink. There is a

soul in there, and they responded. The songs triggered memories. We painted

nails, did simple crafts and took little gifts. To give joy, even for a second,

gave us so much back. We also went downtown and gave sandwiches to the homeless.

I try to do as much as possible through the Sai Centre, but also do personal

seva. I keep nutritional Balance bars in the car. People stand by the freeways

downtown asking for food. I never give money but hand out a few bars. I say

nothing, but look them in the eye, smile and acknowledge they exist. Nobody

likes to look at the homeless, and they feel invisible. Doing that makes my day.

I still don't feel I do enough. I pray every day to do something good with my

life, and to do it quietly.

The basis of AA is service. The premise is to work the steps to get a spiritual

awakening. They say that the only way to recover and stay sober is to help

others. It is the basis of the programme. You help other alcoholics or drug

addicts. You can't carry the person, but you can carry the message. We had a

prayer at the end of every meeting, "Pray for the alcoholic, whether they be in

the room sober or drunk." I never saw a group of people more willing to help

each other. If someone's moving house, they will get a truck and all pitch in.

If there is a funeral in the family, two hundred AAs may turn up. They will help

wherever there is a problem. You have to get out of yourself to stay sober. It's

a way to give love and we know that to give love is to get it. Relationships

don't work if we are only looking out for ourselves. It backfires. But if you

are doing something outside of yourself, there is a union that is beautiful,

spiritual and loving. It's not just the right thing to do. It's our only

survival. Without doing that programme and helping others, I'd be dead.

It's the basis of Swami's teachings too. I can't find any difference between His

teachings and those of AA. He says, "Hands that help are holier than lips that

pray." I must serve others. Before, my whole life revolved around getting the

substance, because I thought I couldn't live without it. I was only thinking of

that. If you don't get out of your own way, you'll kill yourself spiritually,

emotionally or physically. AA knows that there is no real recovery without

spiritual intervention. It's a conversion. The whole structure of your brain

changes. In the group, we could never predict who was going to 'get it' and who

wasn't. Most people don't recover but a good number do. We used to call it 'the

light', and that this ball of light would bounce round the room and fall on at

least one person there. You might think, 'That guy will never get it, he's so

angry and obstinate', and suddenly, boom! He got it! It was nothing we did; we

were just there to allow it to happen. To watch that is a miracle.

Miracles have come into my life. For fifteen weeks running, vibhuti appeared in

my songbook at the Sai Centre. It came on my altar too. I have been cured of at

least two major diseases. Six months ago I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. So I

did voluntary work for the Alzheimer's Association, using my public speaking

experience to give talks on TV and in the media. I wanted to tell people what

you can do, to see that there is a real person in there, and take away the

stigma of the disease. Then I had a dream where Swami's head came off and rolled

past me. He grew another one and was laughing at me, saying, "See, new head!" I

had no idea what that meant. I asked my friend who said, "He just cured you."

All my symptoms went away. I kept getting better, and went to the neurologist

for another test. He couldn't find any Alzheimer's. Through stress tests they

found a major blockage in my heart. They arranged for a cardiac catheter and

scheduled me for surgery. When they went in they couldn't find a thing, and had

to send me home. I asked them how rare that is. They said it was pretty rare,

and got edgy with me. I have no problems with my heart now. I gave up smoking

three years ago, and it was painful. It took me six months, using patches,

nicotine gum, and willpower to cut down. I would not quit trying, no matter how

many times I relapsed. I prayed a lot, and went to Smokers Anonymous. Then I had

a dream. I was in hospital in a wheelchair, with emphysema. I was bent over from

smoking, and being wheeled out to the back section, where I could smoke outside.

It had such an impact that I simply could not put another puff of smoke in my

lungs. I'd had pneumonia several times and been to top pulmonary specialists

about chronic bronchitis. I knew what the cause was. For the next three months,

I didn't inhale. I couldn't. That finally broke it. When I gave up they

discovered I had Celiac disease, which is masked by smoking. Without quitting

nicotine, I could have died of that too. How many fatal illnesses can one person

have and be cured? It's getting to be comical.

It's always possible, even when sober for a long time, that we can be

'sidewhacked'. People can relapse after many years, and AA emphasises that you

have to keep using a spiritual programme. I pray every day that I'll never use

again. I'm not complacent. If you don't keep practising daily, your brain can

take over with the things you learned as a child. The pathways in the brain are

still there. I need that daily looking inward, and with prayer and meditation I

can rise above those patterns. If I get back into Maya, I'm so miserable. I want

to live on that other plane, beyond illusion, as much as I can. For my spiritual

support I go to both the Sai Centre and AA. To me their principles are

identical, because they are based on Truth.

"Why does the Divine attract? Is it to deceive or mislead? No, it is to

transform, transmute, reconstruct, reform…. a process called samskara. What is

the purpose of the reconstruction? To make that person useful and serviceable to

society, to efface his ego, and to affirm in him the unity of all beings in God.

The person who has undergone samskara becomes a humble servant of those who need

help." Baba

http://www.ultimatehigh.org.uk/ultimate-high-sample-chapter9.htm

 

 

 

saibabanews, "Ravi Yemula" <ravi.yemula@b...> wrote:

> How Sai became Atlanta's Swami

> June 7, 2005

> http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1391312,00410010.htm