#1 #2 # 3 ‘On Leave'

#1 ‘On Leave, Sai Center Atma

Yesterday was Sunday and so my sister and I went to the Sathya Sai Baba Center of Tampa Bay which is in Clearwater quite a distance away. I think we were able to be His instruments in afew ways.

To begin with, of course, we couldn’t find it because Belcher Road changes numbers as it runs out of the city limits of St. Pete, through part of Clearwater and then back into St. Pete again where the old numbers resume. Anyway we stopped at a neighbourhood ‘7-11’ store and my sister jumped out to get directions. The guy behind the counter was an Indian American and so was one of the customers.

Betty came out to the car again after talking to them. They were Sai Devotees and so when I heard that, I rushed inside the store, namaste-ing as I ran in.

‘Nameste’ I called

‘Nameste, are you Indian?’ the lady customer asked

‘No I’m not’ I replied, grabbing her arm, ‘but I lived in India for 30 years so I’ll bet I’m more Indian than you .’

‘Do you speak Hindi?’

It always comes down to that. You know, though I tried many times. I could never learn Hindi.

‘No, I don’t have an Indian brain,’ We all laughed.

They were Sai devotees but had no idea that there was a Sai Center anywhere around even. So I promised to come back and tell them if I found the Sai Baba Center.

We continued on Belcher and finally found the address in a shopping mall.

‘Oh Lord, it’s like a store front church.’ I grumbled, but it wasn’t at all.

At last there was a sign, ‘Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center of Tampa Bay’ so my sister parked the car and we went in. Putting our shoes on a rack in the lobby, Betty and I passed through the beautifully embossed swinging doors emblazoned with the Sarva Dharma symbal and found our way down front with the help of a sweet young Indian girl. The serene devotional vibrations literally knocked me off my feet and I skinned my knee as I tumbled to the floor. It was a very grand entrance and everyone rushed over to pick me up. It must have been an omen of some kind.

By the way let me tell you this before I forget. On the Today TV show there was a Nurse Practitioner who advised the public to leave our shoes outside the living room, maybe in a hallway because they have discovered that all kinds of germs and diseases can be found on the shoes we wear outside. It’s only taken middle class western society a couple thousand years to see the wisdom in this piece of Indian cultural behaviour.

Let’s see, where was I?

Oh yes, Inside the room which was full of customs and large comfortable chairs, the raised altar was like a stage in a theatre with a red carpet, and a beautifully upholstered red velvet throne for the Lord. On either side of the throne were large baskets of fresh tropical flowers. The larger than life size picture of our precious Lord hung from the ceiling behind. It may have been the power of that picture looking at us directly, holding up His Abeya hand, which made me stagger and fall to the floor.

Just before falling over I remember protesting the chair they wanted to give me to sit in, saying, ‘but, I always sit on the floor!’

The President of the Center was a nice looking young Indian fellow who was very low key. After they picked me up and guided me to a chair, everyone was looking at me. The president explained to the group that sometime during the week, the founder of the center, 92 year old Esther, a dear friend of mine had called him to say that I might be coming on Sunday. So with everyone sitting there looking at me after my introduction as the 30 year veteran of Prasanthi. I felt obliged to say something. I said that since my return I had found that Swami is residing here in my heart just as I was sure that each one of them had also discovered Him living in their hearts because how else could they live knowing His form was so far away in India.

It was then that Dr. Gita and her husband arrived. I think that they must have something to do with the center premises as her oncology practice is next door. Anyway I knew her from Prasanthi. She seemed happy to see me and again explained to the group my ‘veteran status’.

After things quieted down from my spectacular entrance, (I had told my sister earlier that we should try to sit in the very back and we didn’t have to talk to anyone. Swami had other plans) the President explained that this was a study circle and the first topic for discussion was, ‘what makes a good Sai Center leader’ I had never been to a study circle before and everyone spoke their ideas in turn. My sister said that she was happy with the transformation she had found in me. Those are not her words exactly but sort of the idea.. I accepted it as a compliment. One lady said that we were all leaders and we were all followers which I agreed with Another lady said that years ago in an interview Swami had explained that He was the servant. Everyone was horrified but the Lord insisted that He was here on earth as the servant of the servants. When it came to my turn I said that I had never thought about the leadership role as at Prasantrhi we lined up and ran in to take our places and did exactly what the seva and security asked us to do because the only real leader there was….Mrs. Shourie! Everyone laughed as I went for the joke. Then I corrected myself and said ‘that, of course I really knew Swami was the only leader. The gentlemen seemed to draw a blank at my response as they were all much more interested in being leaders. Then the next topic was, ‘what is a good Sai Devotee’ I threw them another curve and said…..’one of the Divine Mother’s names is,’ she who is won by loving kindness’ and that I thought love was the greatest duty of a Sai devotee. I said we should send Swami’s love to everyone, even when we are standing in the lines at the supermarket. Then my sister told about the two Sai devotees at the ‘7-11’ who had never heard of this Sai center and that maybe they should let people know they were there. I later told my sister that Swami said, ‘no advertising’ but I did think she had a good point.

After the study circle part was over we had our community singing. Almost everyone in the center is going on the pilgrimage to Parthi next week where they will converge with thousands more USA devotees. They had prepared some songs for the pilgrimage and the words were up on the big computer screen so we could sing along

After that we all got up. I was very dizzy even though I had eaten some peanut butter crackers half way through the sing-a-long. I asked Dr. Gita to speak to me afterwards. She is a cancer doctor and I was afraid this thing on my forhead was squamus cancer as it is the same dark color as the place on my back which was removed. After she heard that the sore was only 10 days old she said that cancer doesn’t act that way. I asked her if I could go to India with the group but she explained they were leaving in a week’s time. I had no visa or ticket. She said I was pushing it and I agreed,

After wards they passed vibhuti and also gave us flowers….roses to take home. Betty and I left.

On the way home we had been driving for a while when I remembered the 7-11 Indians,

‘Oh Betty, could we stop?’ I asked

‘Oh no, Susie, that was way back there,’

‘No, its right there, Betty look’

It was and it was obvious Swami seemed determined to let this 7-11 fellow know about the center.

I was still very dizzy but ran in and gave the fellow Betty’s rose and a slip of paper with the address. I asked if he had any cheese crackers and he pointed them out to me. I was so dizzy I couldn’t find anything but he left the front of the store and got them for me.

‘How much’ I asked digging in my purse,

‘Oh no, thanks for everything,’ he replied as I ran back to the car.

I thought to myself that even if nothing else had been accomplished, my sister and I had helped this guy to go to the Sai Center and see Swami.

On Leave with the Atma #2

92 year old Atma

After the Sai Center meeting, I called Esther, the who is a devotee from the Center. She is an elderly lady who started the St. Pete Sai Center 30 years ago, at the same time I took off for India. Actually we were both in the same group but Esther returned to St. Pete and I went back to California. Esther and her brother pitched right in after their return and began one of the first Sai Centers in north America. in 1974. She had a beautiful singing voice and her brother was in the theatre so between the two of them a wonderful Sai Center came into being and was highly successful. Anyway, a few days after I went to the Center 10 days ago, I called Esther who is now 92. ‘Do you have someone to take care of you?’ I asked. knowing that her brother had passed away a few years back. ‘Oh no! I value my solitude too much to have anyone stay here. I have Swami and besides I can go in and out of meditation during the day.’ ‘Sai Ram, what about shopping?’ ‘Oh there is a wonderful young lady from the Center who takes me to the doctor and shopping. She’s very much into seva. I don’t drive any more.’ ‘Oh, did I meet her at the Center?’ ‘No I don’t think so. Her name is Daniela and she works as a nurse part time so she can only come every other week. She is going to Prasanthi day after tomorrow with the other devotees from our Center. ‘Maybe she can take me to the Center when she gets back. My sister took me last week but you know she isn’t a devotee so it was a big favour.’ “I’ll ask her to call you. She’s taking me to the Doctor tomorrow.’ She also gave me Daniela’s phone number and I left a message on her cell phone suggesting that she might want to stay in my room at the ashram in round house 3. She called me back and we made arrangements for her to come over and pick up the keys to my room, The day before leaving for India, Daniels came for the keys. We had a nice visit and my sister was very impressed with her . I also gave her some extra money to give to my friends, Nagamani and Sathyapa who are keeping my room clean. It had been almost three months and I was sure they would be short of money. During our conversation Daniela said that she wasn’t married but was sure that Sai Baba would choose a very nice husband for her, just as He had chosen what kind of seva she should be doing. My sister was very impressed by her attitude. I was talking about seva opportunities with my sister and how I would be joining in. I was even thinking that I might volunteer to work at the resale store where I get all my clothes. My sister didn’t seem to think that was a terrific idea. ‘Daniela is trusting Sai Baba to chose her husband, Susie, I think that’s wonderful. Why don’t you just go to the Center and pitch in with whatever they suggest?’ ‘Yes well, this has always been a problem for me, Betty. As you know I am such a ‘plaanner’ always full of ideas. But this time I will try to do as you suggest and ‘let go, let God.’ My doctor’s appointment is in a week and I will finally find out about my health issues, my virus. I still believe I have some sort of systemic infection but we will see. My sister favours the ‘allergies’ idea. I’ve been sick for so long. If they can’t find anything really wrong I could in theory go right back to India. I am so very happy here, I would want to wait at least until September….my birthday which just happens to be the same day as Shirdie Sai Baba’s birthday.

On Leave #3

Sai Ram,

The crowds are starting to build here. A thousand Americans are coming in the next day or two. In the meantime other groups are coming and going. More buildings have been painted white. South One has been repainted with colors and looks wonderful. The Western Canteen opened Monday night. It looks great with the new paint job inside and out. What a joy to have the canteen back to get food we like at prices we can afford. The North Indian Canteen opened on the 16th. The Shopping Center changed it time schedule to 8:30 to 11:00 and 3 to 5:30. The Book Store afternoon hours are 3 to 6. You can go to theses places and still make darshan. How long these timings will remain in effect is anyone’s guess. Outside, more buildings are being constructed all over the place and some actually getting finished. I received word that a group of about 1600 people from United Kingdom are expected here from July 30th to August 7th. It is exciting to be here with all the preparations for 85th Birthday, World Conference and, in a month, Guru Poornima. Baba remains Love Incarnate blessing us whether he is physically present or not. On Monday, 21st, Baba physical form remained hidden all day. The surprise was in the evening of having arati to a chair at 6:30. However, Baba blessed us all. Great darshan on the other nights. On Sunday, 20th, Baba spent a lot time with the primary school kids sitting on the woman’s side near the mandir. They were eager to see him. At that tender age their love for him is fathomless and unconditional. Baba also had several long talks with people on the verandah. Baba came into the Hall at 6:40, reached verandah center at 7:05 with arati at 7:12. Baba stayed about another 5 minutes or more talking to people and just sitting. His energy and Love was felt all over. We felt blessed. On Saturday, the 19th, there was a musical drama performance by the Bal Vikas and young adult groups from Hyderabad. The drama exemplified several of Baba’s teaching that they have put into effect such as job training. The group originally consisted of 1000 people who had tickets to return by train on the 19th at 7:00. Those connected with the drama changed their tickets to the next day while the bulk of the group left as planned. Baba came at 6:29 and reached verandah center at 6:44. The 50 minute performance beginning at 7:05. Arati was at 8:05. The drama “Dorakunaa ithuvanti Seva” was about there being no greater worship the selfless service. Friday, 18th, was a special day. Baba came for morning darshan at 8:30. At verandah center Baba met with many students until He left to bless some medical students. Returning to verandah center at 9:35 to the sound of intense bhajans singing, Baba spent 5 more minutes before asking for arati. There were very few people as his physical presence was not expected. Those who were felt very blessed and enjoyed the darshan undisturbed by people. In the afternoon Baba came into the hall at 6:37 and was at verandah center at 6:50. A student and his family were blessed by a 50 minute interview. Bhajans continued. After 8 Baba went along the wall of the hall to the back door, turned left and returned to verandah center at 8:10. He was greeted by very loud and enthusiastic bhajans. Arati was at 8:13. On Thursday, 17th, Baba went to the Super Specialty Hospital area in the late morning and toured the ashram to view the progress being made on the construction of the new sheds and other projects. In the afternoon, Baba came at 6:48 going through the men’s and women’s sections but before going up the women’s ramp he detoured up the aisle opposite, made a u-turn to come up to the verandah. Baba spent some time with the birthday boys as they paraded up for his blessings. Arati was at 7:57. In other news, Puttaparthi having been declared a tourist destination spot by the government of India will now be having helicopter tours between here and Bangalore. Also the government is going to arrange a laser show during Baba’s birthday and world conference. Furthermore, the tourism department is going to run mini buses in Puttaparthi. Thought of the Day March 8, 2010. People believe in the Divine according to the stage of their inner progress and maturity. Some worship Rama and Krishna in Ayodhya or Mathura as the Poornam (absolute manifestation of Divinity). It is not at all wrong to do so. Only, one should not proclaim that their belief alone is the truth, the forms which they have ascribed are the 'only' names and forms of the Divine and that all other Names and Forms are worthless and inferior. 'Poornam' implies that the Lord is Universal. One must always be conscious of this and acquire the vision that all forms of God are equally valid and true. - Baba Take Care. Be Well and Happy Gerald