Ram Navami Message 2019
Shirdi Sai Baba used to spend a lot of time conversing with His devotees in order to teach them ethics, religion and a pious way of leading their lives. An analysis of many of His activities reflects His spiritual and universal approach. Some of this is described below.
Baba wanted to break the barriers and walls that we create between us and others based on differences in caste, religion, wealth, education, profession and status. He wanted us to abandon the sense of duality and distinction that prevent our spiritual progress. He used many different methods to help us to do this. One method that He used was to eat with groups of devotees and smoke a hookah with them. After taking a few puffs He would pass His hookah around to those sitting with Him – Hindus or Muslims, high or low caste, rich or poor. His purpose was to break human barriers between His devotees based on religion, caste, creed and temporal differentiation.
His compassionate nature tells us that any activity done in the name of Baba is not fruitful unless it is filled with the values of love, cooperation, brotherhood and sacrifice. If the activity is based on pure intentions that provides a strong foundation for the growth of that activity.
Visiting a temple or a religious place is not the only way to worship God. What is important is whether one can nurture a spirit of empathy and love towards others which leads to sacrifice and tolerance. How you experience God depends on your bhav or spiritual feeling or devotion with which you relate to Him.
Baba taught us that the practice of excessive ritualism does not necessarily make anyone spiritual. He made it clear that He did not need any paraphernalia of worship. All that He wanted was pure devotion.
According to Him, Spiritualism is the call of the heart. Humanism is the basic theme of spiritualism. In other words, what is needed is a spirit of caring for others and rising above our selfish desires that are limited to wanting to get the best for ourselves and our families. Instead, go beyond this and do the best that is possible for all other living beings who are around us. In Baba’s words, those who see Him in all creatures are His beloved.
Every society has something important to contribute. One should adopt the best of other cultures and become a part of the society in which he lives.
Shirdi Sai Baba always told devotees to watch the negative proclivities of their minds, instead of trying to find out secrets of others.
Let us try to walk towards a little more perfection in our life in small measures by bringing little changes and trying to evolve as advised by Shirdi Sai Baba.
Jai Shri Sai!
Dr. C. B. Satpathy,
Gurugram
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