More from the World of Sai...

December 26, 2007

- Philip Cowlishaw

Sunday, December 23, 2007 2:09 AM

Hello One,

I finally have gathered some photos and will send them out tomorrow or the next day. Things are going well. I just returned from meeting Michael and the kids of Childrens Project; an orphanage about 9 hours from here, which has been named an official Sai Baba school. Only some of the 33 children were here, but the ones who were here were filled with life, light, joy, and gusto! After hearing Michael speak, I presented to him a book and card (with our photo) from Mill Valley Montessori. I told him that I too, would be one of his "beggars" for his children, as they would love to accept more children and expand their facilities, but sadly cannot, due to a present lack of funds. If any of you feel to donate money or supplies to these dear angels, here is their website address: www.ChildrensProject.org I do believe they are registered as a non-profit in the States as well. I also took photos of and with the children, and played Balloon Bounce for about an hour! The girls are divine and their names represent that; Devi, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. They called me Uncle and stole my heart for sure. I was in tears, you can imagine. I really want to do all I can for these little ones of Sai. Your help is greatly appreciated. Good Seva!

Tomorrow is the day. The Choir performs for Swami, as we gather at 1 pm near the Mandir. And, it appears, we will be performing on Christmas morning, too, with the Southern California group; traditional carols. Turns out Swami's 2 favorite songs are "Silent Night" and "White Christmas." Both of which I heard right after finding this out. We were told this information at Choir Rehearsal. When I exited the building, I found that someone had stolen my shoes! Ha! Go figure? Was it Swami, or Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), or just a plain mistake. No worries. I wandered down the path to the shop and purchased a new pair for 54 rupees. In the store, they were playing music which sounded like "Christmas with Lawrence Welk." Kidding aside, I loved it! It made me feel home again! I was skipping around the store, barefoot, making some of the Indians laugh. I was happy. Everybody loves their Homeland, yes? (I even bought some Sai Baba Underwear...fancy that!)

While having lunch across the street at World Peace Cafe (recommended to me by George of the San Fran Sai Center), I took advantage of the rooftop restaurant and people-watched for awhile in the hot sun. I looked down upon 7 or 8 young Sai devotees who were carrying the body of a dead man, garlanded, through the streets for all to see. Interesting difference. In America, we put make-up on our dead bodies and pump them up with chemicals. Denial, anyone? I love how raw and real life here in India seems to be.

As I walked back to my dormitory last night. I kept feeling compelled to look up at the moon. Devotees have been seeing Swami's face in the moon. (The TRUE, Man in the Moon...rather The Man Who Created the Moon.) I soon noticed that many other people were star-gazing as well. I stopped near some boys and took out my camera, wondering what I might capture. They looked so excited and ran up to me. "Excuse me sir, but does your camera have zoom?" My $5, Longs Pharmacy, Kodak Disposable Camera....sorry boys, but no. Then I reached into my bag and brought out my digital. Still to far away. Just a very bright moon. When I returned to my dormitory, there too, grown men huddled together in search of Sai. I told them, "I don't know what the moon looks like from here in India usually, but I think I can see him in the bottom half of the moon (as I had seen in photos before)." One gentleman said something very wise, "Why are you looking for Swami in the moon? He's just over there," motioning over the rooftops of buildings and indicating Swami's home. I smiled, "People like showy, flashy, miracles...don't they?" We both agreed. (Yes, I'm one of them!)

This morning I teared up as I looked upon the Nativity Scene they have created in front of the Northern Indian Canteen. The story of Saint Francis and how he created the first Nativity Scene in Italy, back in 1203 A.D. was written. "Francis' devotion was so strong, that Jesus actually, physically appeared before him as a baby in the cradle." How beautiful to be that devoted to God.

As I ate breakfast, they played Celine Dion's beautiful version of "O Holy Night." Whew! That girl can sing! Her angelic music put me into a bit of a trance, as I stared upward and outward of a broken window. I thought, "Why must I travel across the entire world to feel such love and have such revelations of Unity." The answer...I don't. Everywhere I go, I AM. Thanks be to God!

When I woke, I felt not to go to Darshan. I am still suffering from my cold and thought the extra sleep would be nice. My only real focus right now, is getting healthy for the Choir Performance. I've been "secretly" going over my words for Amazing Grace...hoping and praying that I might be called upon to sing for Swami! (A guy can dream, can't he?) Anyways, I was in the area, and so around 9:15 am I went on the opposite side of the Mandir to watch him come out of his home and into his car. But...he never came. At 9:30, the bhajans ceased and everyone walked away. Hm...what does this mean? Sai Baba says, "Love My uncertainty."

I've learned that Sai Baba says that Matthew is the most precise Gospel of the Bible, for you Christians out there. This makes sense to me, as I believe it is Matthew which contains the Sermon on the Mount and Beatitudes.

Anil Kumar stopped by and surprised our Choir Rehearsal this morning. Sylvia, our Director, has been praying that Sai would stop by; decorating the doors and making the Seva Dals at the door chant, "Please come, Swami. Please come, Swami." When Anil came in, Sylvia said her heart raced just as much as it would have had it been Swami. This was her excuse for the mistakes she made. We forgive her.

Okay, that's it for now. The next few days may be too busy to email. And on the 26th, they are offering Catholic Mass here, and at 1 pm, the Orphanage Girls will be singing and dancing with Ladd again. I have also scheduled to see a young, 10-year old Swami Chaitanya, who Swami had told his mother, prior to the little boys birth, that he would be born in her. I am sure he is quite amazing. He has black and white skunk colored hair. I'll let you know how it goes.

Again, happy holidays to all. I love you and wish you all the very best!

Love and Light,

Philip

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