Sai Pilgrimage

It is wonderful to be back. HOME. The weather is cool because of the rain and cloudiness. Baba lights up the world. The Sun is out when he is around.

My trip which lasted 60 days took me to Indonesia, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Every place there were wonderful Baba devotees and centers that were filled with Love. Everyone was doing their best to exemplify Baba’s teachings.

The Jakarta Baba Center has many activities including prayers, chants and bhajans on Sunday at 6 a.m. After which many members left for seva activities. They also had activities almost every night.

I was fortunate to stay with someone who conducted weekly yagnas in his house. We also went to various temples for their weekly ceremony.

In Malaysia, SS3 Sai Baba Center has been spearheading a drive to plant saplings in an area where there was a forest fire. With other centers helping about 20,000 trees has been planted. It is arduous work. The big group does the planting on Saturdays. Some other people go on Friday.

The big news is that a special Ati Rudra Maha Yagna will be held in Kuala Lumpur from August 7-12. I hope I can be there. All of the original priests,130, that conducted the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna in Puttaparthi and in Chennai will be there for the 6 day event.

A structure similar to what was used in Chennai will be put up. Food, medical care, transportation, security, toilets, accommodations and many more items have been planned for.

There will be special speakers and entertainment in the evenings.

Water from the original sources such as the Ganges and other items are being obtained.

This will be the first Ati Rudra Maha Yagna outside of India. It is being done exactly as the others were done with the same sacred items. Baba has blessed the event.

While no one can say whether Baba will be there in the physical, I am sure his presence will be felt by everyone. People from many countries are coming.

Sai Nivas Center is coordinating the event. Contact Jullius Tan at juls_my@yahoo.com or Billy Yap at 60196691268 and email of Billy@SathyaSaiNivas.Net

Jullius Tan has been going to different places in Malaysia giving a 5-day workshop on chanting the Rudram. I was with him at two of those locations. It was powerful. All of these people will be chanting the Rudram along with the priests.

He has also been teaching grade and high school age students with amazing results as they learn faster than adults.

In Penang the Gelugor Sai Baba Center was unusual in that in a small room behind the altar enclosed in glass were pictures, paintings and figurines with vihbuti and other items. Originally, this was a private house when these happenings occurred.

The house was brought by a committee that added the Baba Center onto the original house.

In Langkawi, I was fooled by their altar. It was 3 levels each with a string of small electrical bulbs on the outside and candles in other places. As I looked at it, it seemed as if there was water on each level and that some of the candles were floating on it.

There was no water. It was solid but I experienced an illusion. It seemed so real that I had to take a look to be sure.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia there was a nice Baba center with small group of devotees who were very intense at their weekly meeting on Thursdays. If you go to Phnom Penh, do plan to spend time at the center.

I will be happy to supply information about Cambodia, Phnom Penh and the center.

I do not like being away from the physical form of Sai Baba. However, it was nice to get out of India. Places where people obeyed the traffic rules was comforting. Food was a challenge as I am on a special diet. I survived.

The trip, which was because I had to be out of India for 60 days due to Visa rules, gave me a chance to develop a different perspective on many things that go on here.

I was granted the opportunity to speak about Baba on several occasions. Besides writing this report that is certainly my favorite activity. There is nothing like writing and/or speaking about Love Incarnate.

I was also given a chance to give a motivational talk to some high school students on 3 different occasions.

I am still a bit surprised at all speaking events. Baba was doing something to me.

There is more by I am doing my best to keep it short.

I appreciated that my being in Puttaparthi was the results of amazing grace. I felt

Baba presence with me in many ways.

While I was disappointed that I didn’t get the visa I wanted, Baba let me know through someone here that he was taking care of me and not to worry. The person who conveyed a message did not know about my visa issues.

I am readjusting to be back. The first day Baba didn’t come out.

The next day, Wednesday,10^th, Baba came at 9:40, made a full round and went to verandah center for a few minutes before arati just past 10. Kornelius Keur, Consul

General of the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad spoke with Baba and received his blessings.

In the afternoon, Baba came at 5:28 in his car. He was about to go down the center driveway when there was a change of direction. The car and Baba came onto the men’s side and when it got to the front cut through the student section to the driveway. Baba headed to the university auditorium where Professor J. Sashidhara Prasad became the 9th vice chancellor of the university. (Baba is the Chancellor).

Several people gave speeches which were broadcasted to Brindivan and Anantapur Campuses by Radio Sai.

Meanwhile back in Kulwant Hall as we waited, a brief shower reminded of the season. Baba returned at 7:35 going through the women’s section up the women’s ramp to the verandah. As he did so, arati was started.

Baba came to verandah center as prasad was distributed. At 7:41 Baba left verandah center.

On Friday,11^th, morning there was no darshan.

In the afternoon as we waited we wondered if Baba will give darshan. As bhajans were continuing, I decided to tune into his vibration. I felt his presence, blessing all of us, smiling and wanting everyone to be happy.

Then came the familiar sign that Baba was coming. At 6:55, Baba came into the hall in his white chair. He used to come always in the orange chair except for special occasions. Now it was the white one which I like better as it is more regal.

Baba was very interactive taking many letters and talking with many people especially on the verandah.

He reached verandah center at 7:21 with arati a minute later. However, Baba remained speaking with students. He left verandah center at 7:28 but spent another 10 minutes speaking with people on the verandah before leaving.

On Saturday, 12, there was no morning darshan.

Baba came at 6:16. He looked to his right a lot interacting with students from Anantapur and Brindivan as well as Puttaparthi.

When he came to the women’s ramp, he turned away from the mandir as though he was leaving so he could interact more with Anantapur students. He made a u-turn to the mandir where he went along the wall before going inside using the back door. After coming out of the front door, Baba went behind the Ganesha statue to come around front.

He was at verandah center at 6:41 looking majestic in the white chair. Arati was at 6:51. It was a good darshan.

Several boys came to Baba. The last two had a long discussion with him. At 7:02, Baba left the verandah.

It was great watching Baba in silence with no bhajans or chanting as he sat there quietly.

On Sunday, 13^th, we had sunshine for a while. Still there was no morning darshan.

The temperature was pleasant with a slight breeze.

At 6:37 Baba came into the hall in his white chair. He made a full round but before going onto the verandah, Baba made another round of the women’s section cutting through on the white tile separating the boys as he headed toward the mandir.

Baba was once again very interactive, spending much time with the students from the campuses and the primary and secondary students. Long talks were held with them.

Great darshan while raising the energy level.

Baba reached the verandah at 7:01. After speaking with more people, reached verandah center at 7:08 with arati at 7:14.

Baba lingered for a few minutes as students came to speak with him. He went into the interview room for 15 minutes before heading toward his residence.

It should be noted that this weekend was the first weekend that new and old students were able to get Baba’s blessing since the new term just started. Brindivan and Anantapur were there for his blessings.

The same was true for the primary and secondary pupils as their school year just began.

Attached is a report about the new business school in Puttaparthi started by graduates of Sai University. The report is also about Kornelius Keur, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad visit to the school.

In addition,

The Western Canteen has been closed for several weeks as it receives a complete

paint job inside and out. It is expected to open after the 20^th. New equipment will be coming next month.

The North Indian Canteen which has been closed since April 9^th will open on the 16^th.

Some of the N buildings have been painted white. At this point I am not sure if all the N building or even if the other residential buildings will be repainted.

Rumor has it that the sheds near N9 will be torn down to be replaced with residential buildings. I do not how reliable this source of information was.

I haven’t checked on the progress of the new 10 dormitory/shed buildings. They are supposed to be completed by Guru Poornima next month.

Atma not having fun

Haven’t written for a while because my mind has been confused with all these silly details

I will try to explain what has been happening, BORING AS IT IS.

I hit my head on the open cabinet door. As always, I ignored it as long as possible, maybe two or three days, and then it was throbbing a little. When I looked in the mirror it was a dark red colour and yet it hadn’t been bleeding. You remember that it has been only a little over a year since my sqamous cancer episode. That sore on my back was also that funny dark red colour….then there was another thing of sqamous on my neck also on the right side. I had plastic surgery twice in Super Specialty.

Nothing is easy. I applied for Medicaid and was approved but the primary physician I choose was my sister’s doctor because she has such faith in him and also because I don’t drive. So they gave me an appointment 6 weeks away….before this hit on the head. Now I have to wait to see the doctor even though the need may be urgent.

I have other health issues too such as my chronic upper repertory infection which has kept me depressed for years.

Ok that’s one bad thing. There are others. I asked Swami if I could go back in July. He said yes. He always says yes unless it would be a disaster. So I changed my ticket so that when I applied for visa I could give them a date. But my health issues may not allow me to do that. I got a ticket with aisle seats all the way which is good when you have to sit there for 15 hours, trust me! If I can limp back to Prasanthi I will, except for the problem with the visa.

It seems that you have to produce a copy of a round trip ticket to the Conselet in Houston in order to get a visa. I came to the states on a round trip ticket and will go back on the other half. They want to make sure you are going to leave India so they want to see the proof.

So I can’t get a visa unless I can prove I’m only staying no more than six months. And my ticket may have to be changed again….for $200. One thing is my ticket is good until April 2011 so I should be able to figure out things by then.

I realize all these things are tests to see, for one thing how much I want to return to the crowds and 46 degree Celsius weather to see Swami who is giving less darsan these days. But I have my place there and have always felt that His lotus feet are the home of my soul.

We know don’t we that these are only tests by our precious Lord who never sleeps and is always and forever working on our transformation.

And yet He tells us:”Oh No! do not blame me for the pain and sorrow caused by these tests. YOU are the one who is bringing them on. YOU are the one who tests yourself in order to purify your karma.

BECAUSE YOU AND I ARE ONE

Nevertheless it is harder to love Swami when things are not going well. But if you really think about it, the love we have for Him isn’t really based on events or physical things is it? No because, the love we have for our Swami is the love we have for our very own self

I have loved Him for such a very long time. It was 1974 when I first saw His picture and started weeping right there in the book store. I was crying out of the joy I felt at having found Him at last.

Now Swami is a part of my being. I can’t imagine not loving Him and yet it is more than ‘love’….it’s simply being. For one thing it is a deep abiding feeling which has never changed since the day in the book store. Just as Swami never changes because He is God, that feeling inside which is His essence, also never changes either. When I wake up in the morning even in the midst of trials and tribulations, I look first inside my heart and find that it is right where I left it the night before. I know that sounds like duality, folks, but it seems to be good to focus on a place in the heart rather than His omnipresent Self.

Sometimes I try to imagine what it would be like without His presence there in my heart. Try it! I’ll bet you can’t do it either because that’s where He remains and He will never let you go. If you think He isn’t there it’s only your warped imagination. Take a deep breath and let your subconscious mind bring Him there. HE NEVER MOVES. ITS ONLY THAT YOU MOVE AWAY FROM HIM

If you feel you have lost Him perhaps you have really lost the awareness of yourself, as happens sometimes.

Anyway, as you can see, things are not going real well down here in Florida, inside the deep waters of the Gulf or the deep waters of my subconscious.

I don’t know if I mentioned that our dear programmer is going to spend a month on leave. He’s going to see Lord Shiva for July though He has already done a website for Lord Nataraja. He’s really going into the omnipresence of the invisible Shiva. Someone said everything you can see with your eyes is not real but the reality it that which is unseen. He is going to go on a Holy trek to Mt. Kailas. So he will not be here to do the work on the blog which also will be on leave. I may write anyway and save them in a folder. OM NAMAH SHIVAYA, OM SRI SAI RAM

More Pain and pleasure

I’ll be going home in about a month, I think. But first I’ll have a medical check up as my eyes are hurting and I hit my head. I left the kitchen cabinet door open and when I stood up got a really nasty bump almost on the third eye. The next morning I had an egg and a Bobo about the size of a bindi. By evening it had grown and was dark red. You know I have had squamus cancer twice, once on my neck and once on my back so the look of this is a little scary. The problem is my doctor’s appointment isn’t for another twenty days and so I have to wait. Sometimes the Medicaid program isn’t perfect.

The kids really liked the cantaloupe. They said it was the best they ever had and the two from California said they’d never had cantaloupe before. I was amazed because now we are even growing melons in India and they are very sweet. When I woke up this morning my legs were killing me so I took a walk around the block. I’ve met all the neighbours so it was Ok. Being on ‘house arrest’ has kept me even more inactive than usual. It’ll be Ok though.

I have a new friend. There is a large group of ferns in the backyard and the other day I saw something long and black wiggling back inside the ferns. It was a black snake and I love snakes. Florida black snakes are harmless and I remember we had one in a small pool outside when I was a child.

Snakes, especially black snakes remind me of Lord Shiva so I was thrilled. Several times during the week I went over and called “Naga” very softly hoping to see it again. Well. Just tonight as I left the apartment a long black naga snake who must have been waiting at my door, rushed across the walk and into the group of ferns growing on this side across from my front door. It’s really quite long, maybe four feet and I consider it to be a wonderful gift from Swami. I also consider it to BE Swami. I wonder if it would drink milk if I left it in a saucer or if only Indian cobras do that.

One night this week we had a concert on PBS with Carol King and James Taylor. I remember their music from the early 70’s and sang along with many of the songs like, ‘You’ve got a friend’ and ‘I feel the earth move under my feet’ a song I connect with Swami. It was really a blissful hour.

I had a very inspirational ‘aha’ moment. It started with Oprah.

A fellow on her show was saying that we have to own the responsibility for our lives. I have heard that thousands of times but this time I actually did hear it. We might make many excuses for bad behaviour, talking back to parents etc. but if we don’t face our own mistakes we can’t grow. If we don’t see the globs of black nasty stuff from the oil spill, how can we ever get rid of it. We have to accept the responsibility and feel sorry for our bad words or we can’t get rid of the bad karma we may have made for ourselves. I think that as long as we continue to blame others for our bad behaviour we won’t get in touch with our shame and feel sorry. If we don’t feel sorry for being so outspoken, we will keep the karma. And just like the sludge in the marshes along the clean white sandy beaches, it must be cleaned up and purified. We have to pray that will happen so we can know the truth. That’s Truth with a capital ‘T’

A lot has been going on with the air tickets and visas and I’ll tell youall about it tomorrow but right now my forehead hurts. So I’ll see you in the morning. I just want to add that I’ve had a record two months of peace and quiet and happiness so….its probably time for it to hit the fan. I saw a large cockroach in the bathroom. Be prepared!

I’m taking a pain pill, I brought Buffran from India.

Dear Susan,

I've been commissioned to tell you from the ladies of the Second Arch, especially the ones I was sitting with, Menakshi, Nirmala, and one very sweet-faced one whose name I can't remember as she is seldom there,..... all want you to know how much you are missed, that they love you and send you best and sweetest wishes. All feel it so unfair that you were sent away from your beloved Form and His divine culture....at least in the physical, and they said that you had become Indian. They tshed and tttufkkked, clicked and clacked, at the idea that you were forced to leave by their government.

I said you were now doing well and would return before too long....that in this Journey to Divinity, all earthly identity would have to go and they agreed. Our earthly identity Demolisher, our dear Rudra and beloved Mother, Your Tripura Sundari, (they remember your affections and devotions) is giving gorgeous Darshans from the chair only, no more car with reflected windows. And He's keeping us waiting and sitting for sometimes four hours, in the terrible heat, although it has finally cooled a little with the hint of monsoon in the air. I've been most lax, hiding away except occasionally, mostly practicing our U.S. Choir music and catching up on some of the delicious Sai reading, like Kasturi's daughter's book and the account of the Children's Project by Jyoti Gas, Begging for Change. Every Darshan, whether from our privileged section or anywhere else, outside or the back of the hall, is unbelievably sublime and uplifting.

I'd somewhat forgotten how amazing it is with so much time so far distant from Parthi,..... or He's simply amping up the Love as His body seems to be taking on more and more Karma for us all, for Humanity, for the Earth and the Universe. I suppose that is a metaphysical law and what He means by sacrifice; A direct correlation between sacrifice and spiritual power. It's simply breath-taking and out of this world. It feels even more a shame that we are not allowed to sit quietly in the hall after His great and loving Gift, true Epiphany.

Sending you sweetest loving vibes and sincere Sai Rams, Akasha

Atma Under House Arrest.

This is the second day being under house arrest. About 5 in the afternoon I saw my sister out back watering the tangerine tree.

“Can I come in and watch the John Steward Show tomorrow?”

“Of course you can.”

“This has been a rather long day out here.”

“Well, you brought it on yourself, Susie. Just come out and act normal.”

“Act normal? Oh alright, I guess I can do that. Will your son be there? He wouldn’t want to watch John Steward anyway, would he?”(John Steward usually makes fun of the republicans)

“It doesn’t matter, Susie. Just come in and say hello to everyone. After all, we are all family.”

I went back in to my protected environment and spoke to Swami.

“This day has been a failure. I was going to talk to you all day and stare at your picture and instead I watched crumby daytime tv.”

Have any of you ever watched day time tv? Its really gorse with shows mostly for teenagers whacking each other and canned laughter every five seconds

I felt irritable and disgusted with myself and sort of sad.

“Swami, I haven’t spoken to you all day.”

I got on the inner, “Don’t you know that when you are talking to yourself you are talking to me. Who gave you those feelings of disgust. You must think I live only in the photo on your bed. You may not have been actually having a conversation with me but your thoughts are also my thoughts. We are one. Your inner dialogue is with your inner Atma which is what I am. Did you think I wasn’t there when you were watching daytime TV. Did you think I said, as I headed out the door, ‘I’m not going to be in here for this nonsense, see you later?’

I am always with you every moment thru thick or thin, daytime TV or having a conversation with my picture. Don’t you understand why?”

“Because we are one?”

“That is correct.”

“Ok Swami, then you can come in the house tomorrow and watch the John Steward Show, OK?”

“It’s a bit crude, isn’t it?” (I made up the last part)

Third day of House Arrest.

I was pretty tired of staying in the apartment. The Colonel and party had been out all the previous day at Busch Gardens. I hadn’t been there in over fifty years but it’s still going strong. Now they have lots of stuff to see.

This morning I decided to take the bull by the horns and go inside to read the paper.

“Good morning,” I called coming into the kitchen. “Thought I’d come in and read the paper.”

“Did you come in to watch John Steward?”

“No, Betty, its Saturday. I just thought I’d read the paper.”

I heard the scrapping of a chair being pulled out from the tab le. I came into the breakfast room to find the form of the Air force Colonel disappearing around the corner leaving his orange juice behind and the morning paper still open.

“Please, honey, stay here, for my sake.” My sister implored.

I stuck out my chin and followed him. After all, I am a Sai Graduate and besides my Daddy was a bigger colonel than him!

“Good morning” I called with a smile, stopping him in his tracks.

“You know I was thinking about what you do for this country just this morning. (Actually, that was true. You know how Swami will plant certain thoughts early in the morning to be used later on in the day?)

“Yes, I was, really. I was thinking that you have been endangering your life every day for this country of ours and how I must respect you and honour you.”

His face was frozen as he hadn’t expected this.

“”I don’t know you at all, (hinting that he also doesn’t know me and shouldn’t judge) but I can certainly be proud and happy that you are fighting for our country.”

I happened to have a huge red hibiscus in my hand that I had picked for my sister.

“Oh, this is for your mother. I think she is a goddess. Course, you would never think that but I know that you will agree that she is the finest person either of us know.”

“ I attribute my values to her, she has taught me most of the values I have.” Said the Colonel.

And he continued to walk out.

I was on my way back to the apartment when I ran into him again and told him about a bird’s nest under part of the roof of the apartment. Later he and family left to have lunch and I had lunch with my sister.

“I thought I handled that pretty well,” I said.

“You were an adult.”

“Hmmm, I was a Sai Graduate.” I thought outloud.

My environment was not so protected any more. The people next door were having their large oak trees trimmed way down to prepare for the hurricane season. My sister was glad because the limbs were so thick and overhung our driveway. The largest machine was as big and monstrous as an earth mover. I returned to the apartment but now two or three large machines were screaming around me, Beep, Beep It sat on four strong legs supporting a cage for the man cutting the trees. It was fascinating to watch him maundering that machine, taking himself up high and then to the ground as he hacked the limbs down.

“Beats a step ladder, don’t it?” he called to me who stood in awe.

I returned to the apartment and turned on the TV to drown out the noise.

Then I finished my pudding (sugarless) and my sugarless muffin giving myself a treat. My sister came out and said she was going to the store.

I said that I had just turned on a new movie on the Hallmark channel.

By the way, Sai Graduates, if you insist on watching TV by the way, try to get the Hallmark channel. The movies are reasonably good and not crude or obscene.

“Do you need anything?” she asked

“Yea well, maybe a few more sugarless muffins.”

Big mistake. I am being given everything I need in the world by my precious sister without asking for anything. It was greedy. One of the divine names of Goddess Lalitha is, “No seeking or rejecting” and it’s a pretty good rule to live by.

Youall will be happy to know that today Swami and I spent lots of time talking. I talk and He listens. And His picture seemed to be smiling. It was in preparation for the zinger.

So at 5 o’clock I picked up my tea and went into the house to visit my sister in her very cold air conditioned room. I opened the door and there was the colonel and his kids sitting there, staring at me.

No one said, “come on in or even, Hi”

I mumbled “excuse me” and closed the door.

I thought of saying to the Colonel sitting in my Daddy’s room.

“My Daddy was an officer too, you know. To bad you never got to know him.” He was an officer and a gentleman. Too bad you couldn’t learn good manners from a real gentleman. I’m sorry that you didn’t know him and that you never had any kind of a father to teach you manners. Your military leaders probably taught you only how to be brutal and strong preparing you for combat but not polite society. My Daddy went to West Point, to bad you didn’t.”

Ok. Ok, but what about the lessons here for me. Its so easy to see the lessons for others isn’t it.

I used to worry that I had developed bad karma from being so rude as a teenager. I wondered how I could go through that karma in this lifetime and make it to realization. I should have known that our Dearest Lord takes care of all that. I was wilful and wanted my own way when I was growing up and I hurt others like my parents, especially my father the Colonel who loved all of us so much.

Besides, what was happening now really didn’t affect me that much. Swami tells this story often

The Buddha was sitting under a tree meditating when some villagers came along and began making fun of him and calling him names. One of the monks who was sitting there asked him why he didn’t react.

Buddha said that the names weren’t true and so he didn’t claim them. He explained that it was like calling a man with a great head of hair , “baldy” It simply wasn’t true. I felt the same about the Colonel’s attitude. It certainly had noting to do with me, with who I am.

Alright you’re going to find this next part a little strange but it has helped me to understand things in the past.

Our waking life is really just a waking dream. And sometimes if we look at things that way, it helps. At the ashram if the tap had a leak I would realize it was really my mouth that had the leek which was usually true. A stopped up toilet often meant that I wasn’t getting rid of some feelings what weren’t good for me like repressed anger. Ok well. That huge four footed efficient machine may have been a symbol for the Colonel and the good part was that it was cutting down tons of useless dead limbs that could cause trouble in a storm. He was getting rid of my bad karma. Neat huh?

Well, just like the movies on the Hallmark channel, this movie has a happy ending.

The Colonel bought my sister a brand new computer and installed it last night. Her old one had caused her endless trouble.

But all the computers are sort of tied together in this house on some kind of internet connection which is in a box in the garage. When they put in her new computer they didn’t have that connection and so my computer had no Google this morning. I went over to her window and told her about it. She said she’d tell the computer savvy grandson.

Another thing to. My sister brought me a huge cantaloupe a few days ago and this morning I ate about a quarter of it. I ran into the kitchen with the rest and just left it on the counter.

Anyway this morning I got smiles from the kids when they fixed the computer internet connection.

But just five minutes ago all three of the kids came out to my apartment with smiles ,”We wanted to say good bye” they said with hugs and kisses.

It was every bit as good as a Hallmark ‘made for TV movie.

And they just drove away. Wheeeew

Atmic Bottom line.

This blog is not gushing out like an oil spill. I must choose my words with caution which isn’t like me at all

At the tip of my tougue

May you always abide

Saraswati, Bhagavathi

In my speech

Will you reside

The Colonel and party arrived yesterday almost bumping into me in the narrow hallway. But before the Colonel arrived, the fireman and his father came with their truck to move some furniture.

Now I have these prejudices as most of you know. I am a died in the wool democrat and suspicious of republicans generally. I have almost deified Obama. I’ll stop here because my programmer doesn’t like it when I get political.

You see, this fireman is married to a wonderful grand niece who is everyone’s favourite and rightly so. She is always there for my sister.

“Fireman!, humph,” I growled. “ why not a doctor or a lawyer?”

In India no one is satisfied to marry their daughter off to anyone who isn’t at least a soft wear engineer. Post graduates are always better.

So finally I met this republican fireman and was swept off my feet. He and his father came into my sister’s room all 6ft 4 of him, smiling from ear to ear and with shining eyes. My sister’s room is about the size of my room in Puttaparthi. Her computer and TV take up a big part of it.

Anyway they came striding in, filing up the room with their loud bass voices and tall frames. But his words were kind and courteous, honouring my sister and….petting the little dog. I slipped out to my apartment as quietly as I could.

About an hour later guess who came through the door? It was the giant firefighter.

“Just wanted to say good bye,” he said

“Oh…”

“We loaded the truck but we’ll have to come back for the table.”

“Do you really want the table?”

“Grandma wants us to take it so that’s good enough for me.”

I agreed and jumped off my bed and stood up.”

I got a huge warm hug from the super firefighter who answers the 911 calls as a first responder.

I want both of you to come to dinner one of these days.” He said smiling

“That sounds great, thanks.”

Right, see you later” he said leaving me with much love and happiness. His family is from the Dominican Republic and he’s second generation fireman and it is a very cultured family as shown by his natural courtesy.

I sat in my apartment smiling at his sweetness and realizing that I really need to think through a few of my values. That realization became more apparent as the day progressed.

I wanted to retrieve another statue of Quan Yin I had seen on the high shelf in the breakfast room..

My sister said, “Sure Susie, just get that little step ladder out of the hall closet. I’ll hold it for you”

I went into the hallway, by the telephone, opened the closet door and as I was reaching inside….the Colonel and his party marched into the narrow hallway, through the side door. My nephew who used to be a skinny kid is now as huge as the great fireman but they are in no way alike.

The Colonel must have seen me as he almost tripped over me.

I think he murmured something ver y quietly like, “good to see you” but he kept walking not looking to the right or left. His two kids, equally large, marched after him with the same manners. I slipped out again to my apartment.

I’ll admit to being a bit shocked. The colonel had said he would be at least civil to me and I guess I expected that. I wasn’t hurt because I knew he really didn’t like me and I didn’t care. I wasn’t angry because what do you expect from one of these hard nosed selfish republicans.

Back in my protected environment again, I took Swami’s picture in hand.

“I am a Sai Graduate” I said aloud. “So how do you want me to handle this?”

I sat looking out the large picture window at the butterfly trees and the fluttering golden butterflies and two blue jays hopped off the wall and began picking around in the ferns. The tall green trees in the next compound blew gently in the breeze and the little grey morning doves cooed in the allay.

“House Arrest” I murmured. “House Arrest and I love it. I can stay out here and talk to my Swami all day and read my prayers and watch romantic comedies, finish my blog and eat sugar free pudding. I’ll have a GREAT TIME being here with Swami just like at home in Prasanthi.”

In a little while my wonderful sister came out. I told her about my meeting with her VIP son. You know she is exactly like all Indian mothers everywhere. They spoil their sons and treat them like royalty. I thought it was just because they were hoping to be cared for by their sons but my sister isn’t so now I’m convinced it’s more than that. Mothers just idolize their sons that’s all.

She said, “I am going to pray that my son and his family can see what a wonderful person, a spiritual person, you’ve turned out to be. Don’t feel bad, I think he will come out here.”

“Oh God, please don’t let him. I’m so very happy out here with the butterflies and birds. The frig is full and I have plenty of food. I have frozen lasagne and pudding and I bought some bean burgers too. I thought I’d hve a nice break….not that I need one.”

But I could see the writing on the wall. Swami didn’t bring me here to the USA to watch the butterflies but to grow in spirituality. Swami and my sister have merged in my mind and I think both are determined to see me ALL GOWN UP whether I like it or not.

Ok, let’s play a game, grown up or not. Where is the Atma in this story? Who said, ‘everywhere’? That’s not fair to give away the answer.

Atma is the bottom line.

It’s easy to see the Atma in my precious sister and in the shining eyes of the ‘first responder’ who spends his days saving lives, and I know that I am the Atma, at least sometimes I know that. But what about the Air Force Colonel (who really isn’t a full colonel) Is he the Atma because of his exalted rank? No Is he the Atma because he is a skilled pilot fighting for our freedom? No. He isn’t even the Atma because he is teaching me an important lesson in humility., is he? No. He isn’t the atma because of his attributes at all but he simply he IS the Atma. Colonel Swami, I salute you!

Dear Sai Baba Devotees holding US Passports,

OM SAI RAM

The burning question, to wit; 'Will the mandatory 2 months out of India after a stay of 6 months, remain or be removed"?; was asked at the meeting with US Consul, Jason Rieff.

Consul Rieff said he did not wish to comment and give us false hope or false despair. Later ,when talking informally, he indicated that he felt the general trend was towards tightening visa controls in India, the States and across the world.

He explained that the "2 month rule" had it's origin in the Mumbai bombing of 26-11-08. He went on to say that the Indian Government has initiated a restructuring of the Foreigner's Registration System, providing more locations for top officers, called FRROs, to process issues.

Puttaparthi may or may not eventually fall under the new FRRO officer in Hyderabad.

For the moment Sai Baba devotees, who must register, according to their visa requirements, will continue to do so with Mr. Srinivas, Assistant to the Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) in Anantapur.

Mr Srinivas generally comes to the North 7 Building in the ashram on Wednesdays; arriving some time in the morning and departing after 4PM.

Please look carefully at your tourist visa to see if registration is required. Apparently if it is required, and you don't have it, it can cause delays and more when you try to depart India.

Registration is required for all other visas and sometimes for a tourist visa.

NB:Registration with the FRO assistant normally gives you a residencial permit until the 6 months are up for a Tourist visa, or the term is up for a different sort of visa.

NB: Registration is not the same thing as a 'Report of Arrival', which must now be done withing 24 hours of coming to Puttaparthi( please see the notice at the entrance to the ashram for details.)

Normally this arrival report is done at the ashram, hotel, or with the watchman at your apartment house.

If this does not occur, you can go to the Puttaparthi Police, ask for the senior officer in charge, request 'Form C", fill it out, get it stamped and make photocpies for yourself.

US Embassies worldwide strongly suggest that you carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

The passport is the property of the US government.

It is also wise to carry a copy of your visa and the phone number of the Hyderabad Consulate so you can contact them if need be.

+91(40)4033-8300 is the main number.

You can ask for the officer on duty if it is after hours, otherwise ask for American Citizen Services.

For Indian Visa laws, property laws, or any other laws governing Foreigners in India, please contact the Ministry of Home Affairs at (011) 2338-2989, in New Delhi.

Jason did mention the subject of extensions to your stay, saying that a Tourist visa is generally not extended but other visas might be with good cause (like airline strikes or hospitalization), and a petition to the FRO.

NB:He asked all Americans on overstay to please advise the Consulate immediately.

Only a Consulate can speak with authorities in this situation.

Overstay is a serious offense with a 2 year prison term.

On a different note, Jason said that a driver's license can be obtained by going to driving school in a city nearby.

In order to get a visa for India in the USA, Jason said you must present proof of citizenship(example:passport), proof of identity(example: birth certificate) and proof of residence(examples: driver's license, income tax statement or utility bill).

Residency requirements vary from state to state, but a devotee who recently requested a visa said the Indian Consulate just wants to know you are a resident of the USA.

NB: For further information, please contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate where you plan to request your visa, whether in the States or in some other country, to be sure of the exact paperwork you must bring to them and the type of visa you will be accorded.

We want to extend a warm welcome to the groups coming to visit Swami in June and July. We are looking forward to seeing you and/or meeting you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at the email address above or phone: 98489-30117.

Sai love and blessings of peace and happiness to you all,

Margot Adams Hoagland de Labar,

Volunteer Warden, ACS, US Consulate General Hyderabad, Puttaparthi Area