Mother Sathya Sai
Sai Women Authors
In this feature we are showcasing the work of women authors who are Sai devotees. Some of these books are old friends and some newer, but all are well worth a read. Look for additions to our showcase over the next few months!
Living with the Avatar, Part 1
by Sieglinde Saunders
In her second book, ‘Siggy’ Saunders details her own and her husband’s spiritual journeys, with many an inspiring interview or dream.
- Transmuting man into God and experiencing Bliss is the one and only achievement to which life is to be devoted. The efforts you make in your own places are directed to bring this goal into the awareness of each person. Of course, there are in existence many organizations and societies engaged in distributing various cures for the “spiritual” ills of their constituents. The need has arisen to emphasize the basic and essential discipline, which is practical and universal, of the Divine in man. The Divinity you have as the core of your being, you ignore; at the same time, you seek it in others. That is the tragedy. You insult yourself by feeling helpless, weak and inferior. Cowardice and self-condemnation, these do not become a spark of the Divine Flame.(p. 12)
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The Dark and Tortured Mind
Soon after we had got back from India I was given the task of helping a woman with her banking, grocery shopping, doctor visits and so on each week. She suffers from a mental disorder and her mind lives in utter darkness receptive only to the bad things of this world. She sees people as her enemies who cannot be trusted, even her close family. It is a very sad and heart-wrenching experience to see how her negative mind has total control over her whole inner being.
... I explained to her that sending love to the evildoers weakens their demonic forces, but when one sends hatred it adds more power towards their evil forces. Not only that, it will also cause an ill effect on oneself. One knows from the Bible that God is Love and Light. Further I told her, very firmly, not to expect me to send out evil thoughts towards the wrong doers, because in my heart there is no room for anger or hatred towards anybody. Only God’s love resides in my heart and that love I will continuously send out towards all living beings. At last after three hours of my standing up for love she felt that I meant what I said and her mind began to lighten again. (pp. 14-15)
The Temptation
Life on earth is based on continuous temptations of all kinds and only people with strong moral principles can escape this downfall. Recently Douglas [her husband] shared with me a business experience he had and I would like to tell you about it. One day, his salesman Jim asked him to quote on the printing of a book. Douglas quoted the normal price and soon after the author of this book asked him if he would do it for cash to avoid taxation. Douglas told him that this was not his way of doing business and left it at that, thinking that he had lost the job. But his determined salesman did not give up and went back to the author and showed him two books that Douglas’s company had printed for the Sai Organization, and explained that Douglas would only do the job if it were done honestly. When the man saw the name “Sai Baba’ he became excited and asked Jim if Douglas knew of Sai Baba and Jin replied that he is one of His devotees. The man knew some of the teachings of Sai Baba and had even mentioned Him in his book that Douglas had given a quote on. He immediately said that he was going to give the job to Douglas, as he realized that Douglas understood about morality and this made him think that he also must act in the right way. Sai Baba will now make a much deeper impression on him since he has met a devotee who lives by His teachings.
This whole drama shows how immensely important it is for us as Sai devotees to be true examples to the whole world, so earning Him an honorable and good name. That is our foremost duty!
The merciful God Baba says:
Today the World is Afflicted with Seven Kinds of Disease.
- First: Business without morality.
- Second: Politics without principles.
- Third: Education without character.
- Fourth: Sustenance without sacrifice.
- Fifth: A harvest without labor.
- Sixth: Humanness without virtue.
- Seven: Devotion without faith. (pp. 17-18)
