There is a wonderful story, one man turned to God and asked him to publish his address. God answered when someone chants His holy names, God lives in the heart of such a person. Even the highest heavens are only branches, but the heart of a devoted person is the main place where God permanently dwells.

(Sathya Sai Baba – “Lectures at Kodaikanal”, 1996)

Of course, everyone who comes to the ashram really wants to have the opportunity of personal communication with Sathya Sai Baba. But only Sathya Sai Baba himself made the decision to invite or not to invite someone to a personal conversation. There was one way by which one could influence Sathya Sai Baba's decision and get the opportunity for personal communication, which was by chanting the ancient mantra, Gayatri. The essence of any mantra is the Holy Names of God; it is they who bring colossal power to any mantra.

By chanting the Holy Names, a person awakens the presence of God in his heart, which is why Sathya Sai Baba said that even heaven is just a branch, but the true seat of Divinity is the spiritual heart of a person. The Gayatri Mantra has a special place in the Vedic tradition. People who practiced the Gayatri Mantra established a deep mystical connection with Sathya Sai Baba and would attract his attention and receive many blessings.

All mantras are divine. Sincerely practicing any one of them will help you to gain high spiritual experiences and perfection, however, Sathya Sai Baba said that it is the Gayatri Mantra that includes the wisdom and energy power of all Vedic scriptures.

One who constantly practices the Gayatri Mantra receives the fulfillment of all good desires and the destruction of all evil inclinations. The one who chants the Gayatri Mantra receives the blessing equal to the chanting of all Vedic texts, such is the power of this mantra. Each mantra contains the names of God, which is the power of any mantra.

It is very important to not only pronounce the text of the mantra correctly, but also to deeply understand the content. While repeating Gayatri, one should reflect on the amazing philosophical significance of the teachings set forth in this great mantra. The Gayatri Mantra reveals the divine potentials dormant in every person, provides healing from diseases, increases intellectual abilities, and changes the circumstances of life.

45. Eye of wisdom – perception of unity

The "eye of wisdom" is very important for every person. It is also called the "eye of the true Self," the "divine eye," and the "eye of the Divine Consciousness." All these names are synonyms. By opening the "eye of wisdom," you realize that everything is divine, and you will be able to perceive the entire universe in the spirit of unity.

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

Physically, a person has two eyes, but in fact, every person has a third eye. By the way, the third eye is also manifested quite physically. In the center of the brain there are several points of tremendous mystical and spiritual significance: the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, the thalamus, the pineal gland, and the medulla oblongata. All these points play an important role in the process of meditation and clairvoyance.

With three eyes you contemplate three times: future, present and past. The third eye is located at the place where the flows of the three sacred rivers join – this is how the ancient texts explain the three main energy channels of the spine, which join in the third eye.

One of the ancient symbols denoting the third eye, or the eye of wisdom is the All-Seeing Eye. Lord Shiva is depicted with the third eye. All these symbols show the importance of meditation on the eye of wisdom. The symbol of Shiva is also a five-pointed star, meaning “a perfect person” who has gained true awareness of the True Self.

The three eyes correspond to the three levels of initiation in the ancient mysteries. A person walking on the spiritual ladder goes through three initiations. Climbing up three steps, the pilgrim enters the temple where secret knowledge is revealed to him.

A person who opens the eye of wisdom perceives everything in unity. In the life of such a person, the reunion of Spirit and Matter takes place and unites the single stream of spiritual self-knowledge with material abundance. Spiritual evolution takes place on all planes of human existence. Spirit self-realizes in matter, and matter comes to life in Spirit.

46. What needs to be done now, needs to be done only now

Here is an anecdote about knowing when to act. A person came to the ashram who had many problems in life; and who does not? He lived in the ashram for about a month, but Sathya Sai Baba did not invite him to a personal conversation. After some time, Sathya Sai Baba invited him to an audience. Entering the room, the man resentfully told Sathya Sai Baba he had been waiting for this meeting for more than a month because he had many questions and requests for help. Sathya Sai Baba was stunned, and calling him by name, said that he had been waiting for him for many years.

It seemed to all of us that it was effortless to come to Sathya Sai Baba – we bought a ticket and flew to India. What could be easier? In fact, only those who were personally invited by Sathya Sai Baba on a subtle mystical level came to his ashram. It is difficult to understand with the mind how he could invite everyone, because tens of millions of people came to him. Sathya Sai Baba is the omnipresent Spirit for whom nothing is impossible.

There were times when people learned about Sathya Sai Baba and felt in the depths of their hearts that for some reason they had to meet this unusual mystic from distant India. Some, feeling the call, instantly packed up and drove while others found many excuses as to why it was impossible to do it now, preferring to postpone the trip.

What needs to be done now, needs to be done only now. When the doors of space are open and you get a chance, you need to use it because fate can change and tomorrow it will be impossible to do what seems easy today.

Everyone must come to an understanding of where he aspires to be and what he does in life. One of the questions that Sathya Sai Baba sometimes asked during personal communication was: “what do you want?” Sometimes he would say: “state your goal!” Hearing the soft voice of Sathya Sai Baba, people were immersed in long reflections. Sathya Sai Baba was omnipresent and clairvoyant. Naturally, people had a desire to find the answers to their many questions from him and to consult him about how to act in various situations.

People are accustomed to shifting the responsibility for what is happening in life to someone else, and Sathya Sai Baba was the ideal candidate whom to shift the responsibility to when making an important decision. Sathya Sai Baba never dictated what to do in life or offered ready-made answers. He did not deprive people of the right to free choice; on the contrary, he inspired them to make independent decisions. Each person must come to an understanding of where he aspires to be and what he does in life.

47. To understand your purpose

A person performs an action, and he has the right to possess the results of his action. Nobody can deny it. It is important to free yourself from attachment to the fruits of your labors, successful or unsuccessful. The Vedic texts say that one should act, but not identify with the fruits of one's actions. It is not right to emotionally depend on the successful or unsuccessful results of one's actions, but it is also wrong to refuse to work. You need to do what needs to be done, understanding that at the right time the result will come, but you do not need to be attached to the result, then your actions will be perfect.

(Sathya Sai Baba – Gita Vahini, Chapter 5)

Sathya Sai Baba often said that the ideal example of a harmonious life for modern man is the ancient Indian emperor, Janaka. Since ancient times, there has been a wonderful tradition in India, according to which the rulers also received spiritual education.

Of course, one can receive a formal religious and philosophical education, but at the same time there is little interest in deep spiritual searches. Janaka was a true spiritual seeker. For many years he seriously studied philosophical texts and invited mystics and yogis to his palace in order to receive instructions on meditation practices.

Spiritual self-knowledge and meditation practices in no way conflict with a happy and successful social life. In ancient civilizations, it could not have occurred to anyone to share the path of divine knowledge of one's soul and material well-being. The question is not to avoid being active in society, but to correctly perceive the work that you are doing.

It is very important to realize your purpose in life and strive to fully embody it. Happiness and satisfaction largely arise when a person realizes his destiny along with the tasks of the current incarnation.

For some people it is clearly understood what exactly their business in life is, yet for others it can be quite difficult to understand. In order to understand your destiny, you must discard all the artificial restrictions that exist in your mind. Forget about all the seeming limitations and multiple conditionings imposed by the environment.

Imagine you have no financial restrictions, and you have a lot of free time along with all the other possibilities. How would you live your life? What would you do? Feel what brings you joy and happiness.

Meditation and contemplation of the True Self most fully reveals the answers to all questions of life. The more clearly you feel the eternal essence of your "I", the more clearly you realize what exactly your purpose in life is. But it is not enough to understand what your soul wants. It is just as important to organize your life in such a way that all circumstances develop so that you can realize your plans.

It is important to act without attachment to the result, although no one says that the result should not rightfully belong to you. You may own ideas, useful information, a firm or company, products, and much more. Yes, it's all yours, but once you are free from attachment, you can turn your business into a process of meditation.

You came into this world empty-handed, and you will leave this world also empty-handed. The only thing that will always be yours is the richest, spiritual experience accumulated in the process of life.

Jesus talked about building up treasures in heaven. Heaven is a symbol of the soul, and treasures are a spiritual experience. These treasures are always yours and no one can take them away or steal them from you; moreover, the more you share these treasures, i.e., your spiritual experience, the more enriched you are. Conversely, material treasures are subject, according to Jesus, to impermanence, corruption, and thieves.

Let's be clear once again, Sathya Sai Baba, Krishna and Jesus did not say that nothing should be done or everything should be divided equally in a communistic way, no, and again no. Everything that is rightfully yours should be yours, but without attachment. Only then can you fully fulfill your spiritual task in life and be happy under any circumstances.

Let's go back to one of the examples that Sathya Sai Baba often pointed out – the life of Emperor Janaka. Emperor Janaka lived five or six thousand years before the new era. He was a sage and an enlightened yogi who studied philosophy and practiced meditation. He was an enlightened emperor.

Janaka was a physically strong and healthy man, and he was happy in his family life. He justly ruled his city and participated in battles. He was fabulously rich, lived in the palace and his robes were decorated with precious stones. At the same time, Janaka was the greatest mystic and philosopher of ancient India. Emperor Janaka, using the example of his life, showed the path of integral development of the personality.

In the inner world of every person there is a hierarchy of positive images. Much is said about this in modern esotericism and psychology, but in fact it was already well known in the ancient Vedic tradition.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand why in life something works, and yet, something else does not. Of course, there are many reasons for success and failure, but an important factor in the outcome is the quality of the positive images invisibly present in the depths of your consciousness.

Positive images can be real people you know personally: relatives, friends, teachers, and they can be historical figures: saints, national heroes, political leaders, great scientists, and artists. A positive image builds the circumstances of life and determines the direction of your energy.

You unconsciously begin to imitate those positive images and begin to build the circumstances of life. It is important to consciously build positive images because it is the positive images that subsequently direct the circumstances of your life in an upward trajectory.

The positive image of Emperor Janaka shown in Indian history reveals that a person who practices meditation and reflects on the eternal issues of being can at the same time be harmonious and successful in their material life. Emperor Janaka is an excellent example of the unity of Spirit and Matter.

A yogi is not one who avoids family life and is afraid to touch money, naively assuming to achieve holiness by denying material existence. A true yogi is one who has gained self-realization: he is in harmony with himself and everyone around him, and lives life joyfully and happily in the awareness of absolute unity.

48. Sathya Sai Baba blessings manifest on all levels of human existence

Sathya Sai Baba is the greatest miracle worker. He often organized large Vedic ceremonies in his ashram, despite the fact that he himself was not a follower of any one of the world religions; nevertheless, he still paid great attention to the development of the Vedic tradition. During such programs, a large number of clergymen would come, as well as many devotees. The program always lasted for several days. Vedic Mantras were repeated from morning to evening along with worship.

On one occasion, after the clergy performed the final part of the ceremony, and with only a couple of hours remaining before completion of program, black thunderclouds began to fill the sky and it began to pour. Thunder clapped, nearby, as bright lightning flashed. Everyone present began to worry because the completion of the ritual would be disrupted due to the change of weather. At that time, the main temple had not yet been built so the entire program took place in the open air.

Sathya Sai Baba calmly looked at the sky and said there was no need to worry, as it would not rain. He carefully looked toward the black clouds, closed his eyes for a moment and raised his hand as a sign of blessing. Instantly, the clouds disappeared, and the sun shone.

The strength of Sathya Sai Baba’s energy was so great that people, driving up to the ashram, already forty kilometers away began to feel a special energy. He was not just a philosopher who commented on sacred and philosophical texts. Sathya Sai Baba possessed tremendous superhuman strength, which he manifested for the benefit of all people.

The energy power of Sathya Sai Baba is enormous. He was able to help tens of millions of people in such a way that every single person felt a personal, spiritual connection with him. He transformed all levels of human existence.

Sathya Sai Baba's blessings manifested in all aspects of human life, from finding a happy family life, building successful business projects, healing from serious illnesses, strengthening excellent health to having protection in dangerous situations. Most importantly, his blessings helped people realize their purpose in life and actualize their dormant talents.

49. Space of spiritual evolution

Spirituality does not mean the life of a hermit, on the contrary, true spirituality involves active participation in the life of human society. Spirituality is to sow the seeds of divine love in the hearts of all people, to work so that all of humanity flourishes and develops in harmony and peace.

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

Yes, it is a very common misconception that a spiritual person should be a hermit and an ascetic. For centuries, official religion has reduced the spiritual path to mere external renunciation, or worse, imitation of renunciation. The spiritual path is "subtler than the subtle," it consists in contemplating and realizing the identity of one's Self and God.

It would be naive to assume that by retiring to the mountains or forests, renouncing family life and material well-being, only then will you come closer to realizing the eternal treasure that is hidden in the depths of your Spiritual Heart.

People go on distant pilgrimages seeking God in distant temples, while the true pilgrimage is made to the depths of their consciousness. Of course, if a trip to holy Jerusalem, Mecca or Kailash will help you find the truth in your heart, then you need to go. By the way, Sathya Sai Baba by no means denied the need for pilgrimages or temporary solitary practices. A trip to Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram is also a pilgrimage that has helped many people to discover the truth within themselves.

Arriving at Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram, deep spiritual seekers did not become attached to his outward form but discovered eternity within their hearts. Sathya Sai Baba constantly asked people not to be attached to his physical presence, but to dive into the depths of their soul.

Of course, it was difficult to implement because Sathya Sai Baba was a living divine incarnation. In the presence of Sathya Sai Baba, it was very difficult to get rid of attachment to him and disengage from the desire to constantly see him, listen to him, and communicate with him.

The manifested world is a space of spiritual evolution and endless self-perfection. Matter, space, and time are manifestations of the Divine Consciousness. If you want to escape from the illusion of this world, then you need to change your perception as just physically avoiding participation in social life will not help.

I have visited many Orthodox and Catholic Christian monasteries, Buddhist monasteries and Himalayan yoga ashrams. Monastic life in any denomination cannot help or bring one closer to the depths of the spirit; any monastery, whether Buddhist or Christian, is still a part of society. Real renunciation takes place in the mind, and it consists in letting go of attachment.

Even if you go to the distant Himalayas, you will see the same human society there. One should not run away from one's duties in society but should be cleansed of ignorance and attachment. Trying to run away from people and pretend to be a saint is naive. The spiritual path is insight, awareness of divinity in yourself and in every person who is next to you.

As long as you are in duality, you will want to run somewhere or avoid something, expecting to find peace outside the circle of life. Being in unity, where and from whom can you run? While serving society and people, you feel that in fact there are no “other” people, because everything is in unity.

Everything that happens in life is a step on the spiritual path. Sathya Sai Baba perceived life in unity, therefore his blessings affected all levels and aspects of human existence. Good health, a happy family, caring for one's parents and children, a successful career and business, scientific research and artistic creativity, spiritual insight are all integral parts of the divine evolution of man.

50. The Power of the Holy Names of God

This is a story about an Indian women named Pedda Botu who lived in the ashram and was deeply devoted to Sathya Sai Baba. She was a very close devotee of his and everyone knew her well and loved her very much for her kindness and sincerity. One day she asked Sathya Sai Baba how to meditate. He replied that she did not need to meditate at all but should constantly chant aloud or, to herself, the Holy Names of God. In those distant times, few people lived in the ashram, so some devotees preferred to sleep on the street just under the windows of Sathya Sai Baba. Blessed people!

One night, Pedda Botu was sleeping on the grass under the windows of Sathya Sai Baba, covered with a light blanket. It was very comfortable for a hot Indian night, but suddenly it began to rain. Pedda Botu woke up to several large drops beginning to fall on her. The first thing she said softly was the mantra: “Om Sri Sathya Sai Ram.” Immediately, the door opened and Sathya Sai Baba came into the street pretending to be dissatisfied. He asked Pedda Botu why she did not let him sleep.

The frightened woman apologized and said she had not called him. However, Sathya Sai Baba insisted that she woke him up and called him. After that, Sathya Sai Baba explained that the power of the Holy Names of God is so great that one who constantly repeats them achieves the deepest intimacy with God. For such people, it is enough to say the mantra “Om Sri Sai Ram” only once and God immediately perceives this as a personal appeal and instantly comes.

The first time I heard this story was from Padananda, and then Sathya Sai Baba told about it in my presence.

One day I thought about how many times you need to repeat a mantra or a prayer in order to be heard? We all know the stories from the Gospels when, through the prayer of Jesus, amazing miracles took place, i.e., the resurrection of the deceased Lazarus, the materialization of fish and bread, healing from diseases, and much more. We remember the amazing stories about Saint Seraphim of Sarov – a prayer uttered by him only once could bring down the Holy Spirit.

In the ashram, people often discussed that it is not so important to say a lot, but it is important to pronounce mantras of high quality. But what does quality mean? Some suggest that if you say the mantra with perfect concentration once, then this is quite enough and you do not need to practice it millions of times. These are all complex and deep questions.

In the story I told in this chapter, Pedda Botu felt the beginning of rain and spontaneously uttered a mantra and received an instant response from Sathya Sai Baba. He felt her prayer and immediately left his room. It should be remembered that Pedda Botu lived in the ashram for many years and practiced various mantras millions of times.

Most importantly, she was deeply devoted to Sathya Sai Baba and her sincere love for her teacher was so endless that it is simply impossible to put it into words. It should not be thought that a single repetition of the mantra was enough. However, the mechanical repetition of the mantra is also meaningless.

Sathya Sai Baba jokingly said that if the mere amount of repetition of a mantra were sufficient, then the first person to achieve enlightenment would be a tape recorder. Great joke!