I am not alone-Baba is with Me

[Guest guest]

I am not alone-Baba is with Me

 

I am pleased to share my following glorious experience with innumerable Sai devotees.

 

It was during November, 1997. My wife and myself went

to our daughter's home in the United

States. I am a diabetic patient and I also

had an attack of severe bronchitis before we left India.

The doctors here had prescribed medication to be taken during our stay in the US.

 

We reached US on schedule and continued to stay with

our daughter comfortably. As per our routine, we used to worship our beloved

deity Sri Sainath by chanting the usual prayers

everyday. We had planned our sojourn for three months. On the thirtieth day

after our arrival in US, I suddenly had severe cramps in the chest. I could not

bear the pain or breath. I lied down wherever I was. We were alone in the house

with the infant kids of our daughter, as our daughter and son-in-law had left

for their work. I was alone in the drawing room when I had these cramps. I

somehow beckoned my wife who was in the kitchen. She was shocked when she saw

my plight and immediately phoned my daughter at the office. It was snowing at

the time and there was eighteen inches of snow on the road and approach to our

home.

 

Temperature outside was below zero. On hearing about

my condition at home one of her senior colleague helped her drive through the

snow and they rushed to the house within fifteen minutes.

When my daughter saw my distressed state, she did not

waste time pondering. She called the emergency service and explained to them of

our predicament. Within ten minutes, the emergency squad arrived at our place

fully equipped. There were two doctors too in the squad. They checked my

condition, took ECG on the spot and decided that it was a stroke and that I

have to be immediately admitted to a hospital having facility to perform a

heart surgery. There were two hospitals nearby who could perform the surgery.

As it was heavily snowing, most of the roads were blocked. I was physically immobile

but I was in senses. I pleaded that " I need not be taken to any hospital

and I will be all right soon and that I can get necessary medical id in India. "

The emergency squad insisted that I should be taken to the ospital

and specialist doctors will decide the future course. They asked or our

preference of hospital, and my son-in-law suggested a name known to im, where there was a specialist Indian doctor attached to

them. They then put me on the stretcher and we waded through snow on the way to

the hospital. within 30 minutes we reached the place.

On arrival, the staff took me to thec emergency cell.

I distinctly remember that, lying on the stretcher on way to emergency room, I

was continuously chanting and remembering Lord Sainath's

name. Silently chanting his name I may have lapsed into an unconscious state.

Within an hour I understand that they conducted

various tests including catheterization. The tests suggested that there were

four blocks in the arteries. A conference was held among various doctors and

surgeons and it was decided that an open heart bypass surgery has to be

conducted without delay.

Hospital authorities summoned the anesthetist and

within two hours of arriving at the hospital the surgery was commenced. I was

not aware of anything that was being performed on my physical body. I was

gleefully wandering somewhere in the most pleasant gardens and lawns in a

serene atmosphere. I was aware that 'I' was not alone and Lord Sainath was with me'

It nearly took five hours for the surgeon and his

assistants, to complete the task of cutting the veins from my calves and thighs

and plant them firmly in place in the arteries. The operation was successful.

Probably it took another six hours for me to regain my consciousness. My wife,

it seems was continuously praying Baba for the success of the surgery and for

my speedy recovery. Her prayers were answered. She was there to give me an assuring

smile although in tears of joy.

 

I came to senses all right! But I was trying to find me! I was neither there nor

here! It took me some time. May be a minute or two, I am not sure! Suddenly I

realized that I was with Baba, and I was walking down from the inside of his

heart back to my bed. I was in a state of confusion! I did not for a moment

understand why I had to leave Baba and that beautiful garden and walk down to

this miserable place. I started looking for him. I could not find! Then after

some time, I concluded that he had walked along with me and may have entered my

heart! Yes, He is still there! Always there! I am not sure when I will have

another opportunity roaming those gardens with Him! Why should I worry? Let Him

decide.

 

One thing that has entered my heart now after the surgery is not the new veins

'but that' I am not alone and Baba is always with me! He loves, provides and

protects.

" I am not alone, Baba is with me " is not an

exclusive privilege of mine. It is a fact decreed for every devotee. We have to

be aware of His presence. He is with us hearing and looking at everything we

say and do. He is witnessing our every speech and actions. The moment the

awareness of his continuous presence is felt, we get transformed. The thoughts

which are the cause of our speech and actions will naturally get oriented to

speak and do things which have His approval. Our ego the 'I' will get a knock

and a slap. Our speech will get changed to be very courteous and polite. We

start appreciating others. We will start saying " Oh! You have done a great

job " .

This is because we also feel the Lord's presence in

the person, whom we are addressing. We shall start saying, " I admit I was

wrong " . I know how difficult it is to admit our inadequacies. But with the

awareness of his presence in us it is easy. The 'I' becomes a non-entity. When

the 'I' gives room for 'We' the life turns out to be a happy passing phase.

One more thing we normally say " I did this, I

said this, I did that, I said that " etc. We should make it a habit to say

" Let us do this, let us do that " etc. Let us include Him also in

whatever we say or do. I am a non-entity without Him. It is He who does

everything and we are only His instruments.

The eight words " I am not alone, Baba is with

me " is a mantra that we have

to repeat daily and at all times and feel His presence

with us!

 

- K. S. Shenoy

Kothrud, Pune.

 

(Shri Sai Leela May June

2000)