Merry Christmas from Puttaparthy!

December 26, 2007

Another Christmas report from my friend Philip Cowlishaw -- Blessings, Laura Brainard

- Philip Cowlishaw

Monday, December 24, 2007 10:12 PM

Merry Christmas from Puttaparthy!

Om Jai Sai Ram Everybody! Glory to God! Today is the birth of the Lord!

Merry Christmas from across the street of Sathya Sai Baba's Ashram here in India. It is 10:30 am on Christmas Morning, and we have just recently finished 2 out of our 3 holiday darshan celebration events.

Last night was quite spectacular for me. A very Holy Night indeed. Our choir gathered around 1 pm for the 4:30 event. The sun was very hot so we held our spots with our cushions and made our way over into the shade. I was still wavering back and forth as to whether or not by some Major Miracle I would be called upon to sing "Amazing Grace," so I stood near the fence going over my words.

When we finally did shuffle in, I was amazed to see how close I would be to Sai Baba. At first count, only 7 rows back and 3 from the center. After the musicians and children settled in, I became part of row 10. When I turned my head right, I was looking right down the runway and to the gate where Sai would be entering. Wow! What a view! And when He did finally enter in, the 10th row, the back row, turned our seats around and we became 1st row for his pathway. As he grew closer to me I started crying and saying quietly out-loud, "I'm so sorry for being so selfish Lord." And then, there he was...his car passing right by my feet and his face and large hair floating by my happy soul. THAT...turned out to be my Amazing Grace experience, not my ego trying to make it all about me; quite humbling.

Once he had made it to his position for the night, again, I gasped at how close and right in front of me he was. I couldn't say if he was looking at the kids to my right, or our general direction, or at me, but his gaze was upon me sooo much of the night! I cried and prayed to him as he stared at me, "Swami, please bless my mother and father, brother and sister, all their spouses and children, my family, my friends, all whom I've ever known or ever will know. God bless all humanity and all sentient beings everywhere." I even caught myself and felt a bit embarrassed as I realized I was mouthing, "I love you, Swami," to him while he looked my way.

Our musical program went well. The children were great and adorable. Everyone seemed happy with our performance, including Sai. At one point, while we sang the lyrics, "Sathya Sai Baba, is the Name of Names," Swami began to move his arms in self-adoration and it was so amazing to see! He was agreeing with us! 'Yes, who you see before you (Wow! Anil Kumar just entered into this tiny little Internet Spot! Wow! Another Christmas miracle! He is right behind me talking right now! Cool! I keep running into him. He is Sai Baba's Translator...he is asking for the worker to print out something for him, cool!) Okay, I'll try to hold it together and finish my little story here. Anil is looking for someone to help him wi

I just helped Anil Kumar! He was looking for a fast typist. I said, "I type 60 - 70 words a minute." He said, "Oh good. I just finished my book SAI BLOSSOMS and I need someone to type the Preface for me." And with that he sat next to me and we began. Boy, was I nervous!! It was a 3-page document, which, golly geez, I guess I could attach to this email. None of you will go do something wrong and dirty with it now, will you? While typing, he told me how he has been to Los Angeles twice and up to San Jose where his son-in-law worked/studied. I asked him, "When is Swami coming to California?" He gave me that "believe you me" look and said, "I want Him to come, too. We'll see." When I finished, he asked, "How can I repay you for this kind deed?" I wanted to answer, "An Interview with Swami please," but instead replied, "This has been a gift enough. A great Christmas gift indeed." As he walked of the small computer room, he said, "Every time I open this book, I will think of you." WOW! What a beautiful thing to say. Whew...okay...back to Christmas Eve. (Thank you, Swami! Thank you, Anil!)

Well, what more to say? The evening was beautiful and holy. I noticed he kept staring up into the sky. Perhaps he was watching angels flying around, proclaiming peace on earth and goodwill to men. At the end, as he wheeled away, I saw the cross in the back of his head. I don't hear a lot of people speak about this, but it is true, when Sathya was a young boy, his parents thought for a moment or two, that he might be possessed and that is how he had all of his powers, etc. They took him to a priest and this man carved the sign of the cross in the back of little Sai's head, and then, I believe, poured hot spice and lime juice on the wound? To this day...almost 70 some years later, the scar and the image of the Christian Cross remain on his scalp, and hair doesn't grow there. Very cool how God works!!! So as he rolled away, that was the last image I had of him, the Christian Cross on Christmas Eve on the One who Sent Jesus into Incarnation. Amazing Grace again!

I walked up to Michael who had played guitar for the kids and wished him Merry Christmas. He offered a sweet hug and then I mosied over to the center of the center of the mandir stage/platform, right in front of the "Peace on Earth" sign, and said this prayer of Surrender and Thanksgiving.

"Swami, I love you and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of these Christmas Festivities. I give you my body, mind, and spirit for all Eternity. I give you my every thought, word, and deed. Thy will be done unto and through me." And with that I smiled large and exited the mandir. Christmas had come. Christ had arrived. Amazing Grace indeed.

Have a beautiful Christmas everyone!

Oh my goodness! How could I have forgotten! I saw a Miracle Manifestation! After our English Songs, Sai said he also wanted to hear the bhajans we had worked on. While singing them, he motioned to our female cellist to begin playing along. This sweet, humble white woman picked up her cello and tried to come up with some sort of an accompaniment to an Indian Bhajan! She looked a bit embarrassed by his request. He motioned to her to come up to the stage. As she walked up the stairs, Baba began to move his right hand in a circular motion, and then it happened...a gold necklace materialized out of thin air and from his sacred palm! Wow! From the 10th row, up close, I was able to see my very first Sai Manifestation. Ahh...nice. Thank you, Swamiji. Needless to say, the woman was speechless as she bent down and he put it around her neck, Swami smiling the entire time. (He likes to give!)

Love and Light,

Philip

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