Avatar solving the problems of all people and doing this, supposedly, instantly. Such ideas give rise to numerous illusions and leads to disappointment because, in reality, there is almost never an instant solution to problems.
An Avatar can help you overcome difficult situations, but you still need to solve them yourself because you created them yourself. Of course, there were cases when Sathya Sai Baba helped instantly, but this depended on many factors; in most cases the process of getting rid of problems took time.
I have always enjoyed studying the biography of Shirdi Sai Baba (1835 – 1918), the previous incarnation of Sathya Sai Baba (1923 – 2011). I have some wonderful books about Shirdi Sai which I reread all the time. Studying his biography, I noticed a very interesting thing. Suppose you open a book and read a fascinating story about a certain person who came to Shirdi Sai Baba and asked for help in solving problems and difficulties in life. Shirdi Sai Baba recommended this person to chant the mantra or make a pilgrimage. After fulfilling the prescription, all problems disappeared and the person was freed from suffering.
These stories usually fit onto half a page of a book. To read half a page, you need to spend about a minute, at which point the illusion is created that the problem of the person about whom the story is written was solved in one minute.
If you begin to study the same story more carefully, you gradually realize the story being described can be several years long. A person could suffer for ten years, then come to Shirdi Sai Baba, receive instructions, then practice mantras or prayers for several years, and only then solve all their problems.
32. It is important not to forget to take a step toward God
Divine love requires nothing in return. Sathya Sai Baba carefully directed his energy to absolutely everyone. However, the manifestation of his great love and blessings still required serious efforts on the part of the person himself.
At times it might seem to us that Sathya Sai Baba helped one person and ignored the suffering and difficult life situations of another. From the point of view of ordinary perception, we could sometimes assume that he loved someone and not someone else.
As human beings, we are limited in time, so we expect instant healing from the Avatar. But, according to the divine plan, you may have to learn lessons along the way and overcome many difficulties. By overcoming difficulties, you get the opportunity to develop new qualities in yourself, come to high awareness, acquire important knowledge and skills, learn new things, and reveal your hidden reserves.
By carefully reading the stories in this book, as well as in my other books dedicated to Sathya Sai Baba, you will be able to see that behind every miraculous healing, there is always a person's spiritual efforts, even if it may seem that the healing happened almost instantly.
I often quote simple folk proverbs that say, "God helps those who help themselves." Another folk wisdom recalls that "if you have taken one step toward God, then God will take ten steps toward you." It is important not to forget to take your step.
Yes, I have witnessed some devotees' problems being solved almost instantly, but most of their difficult life situations were solved only over time, and usually after a long and intense practice of meditation, prayer, and deep awareness.
When you read my books, in which I tell all kinds of amazing stories about Sathya Sai Baba, you may get the mistaken impression that he was like a kind magician who instantly solved the problems of all people.
Yes, of course, Sathya Sai Baba was a good magician, and everyone who came to him received blessings. He showed boundless love toward every person, whether that person was his follower or not. However, it should be remembered that behind all miraculous healings there was a time of self-practice, and those who lazily waited for Sathya Sai Baba to solve all problems for them, unfortunately did not receive healing and solutions to difficult situations.
The boundlessness and unconditionality of Sathya Sai Baba's divine love was so significant that he blessed even those who hated him. The greatness of his love did not cancel the personal responsibility of each person for everything that happens in life.
As Divine consciousness we are eternal, but as human beings we are limited in time. Until the age of fifteen or sixteen, a person goes through a period of childhood and adolescence. Mature life is short enough, and after that comes old age. Sometimes you have intellectual, financial, or family problems. When you ask the Avatar for help, the most important question, “when will healing occur?” subconsciously arises.
If your problems are solved in a month. Good. What if in a year? This is already causing tension. What if it takes twenty years to solve your problems? Within the framework of human life, this is a lengthy wait. Time is the highest price.
33. Sathya Sai Baba on the teachings of Krishna
Sathya Sai Baba's spiritual message is universal. He easily quoted, analyzed, and commented on the sacred texts of various traditions. Of course, first of all, in his lectures and books, he commented on the most significant Vedic scripture – the Bhagavad Gita.
In August and September 1984, Sathya Sai Baba gave a series of lectures on the spiritual heritage of Krishna. This course consisted of thirty-four lectures. In my opinion, these commentaries are the most important part of the philosophical heritage of Sathya Sai Baba. Over time, these lectures were published as a book.
This book is divided into three major parts. The first part is devoted to the "path of devotion," the second part is devoted to the "path of wisdom," and the third part is devoted to the "path of action."
In the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, a large role is assigned to the performance of wise action. The spiritual path consists not only of the practice of meditation, prayer, and the study of sacred