Sai at Tustin, California, April 2014
We arrived at the Tustin Sathya Sai Baba bookstore early. It was very exciting to see Sai Baba's name prominently and publicly displayed. Uma a bookstore volunteer arrived early and welcomed us.
The bookstore was a portal to another world. Photos of Lord Sai adorned the walls. I was thrilled when I spotted my book, Sai Rapture, The Ecstatic Journey of a Modern Day Gopi seated on these hallowed shelves.
David and I removed our shoes and tiptoed softly, reverently into the inner sanctum. A huge portrait of beloved Sai Avatar graced the altar. A majestic red velvet chair The Lord of The Universe once sat upon crowned the room.
We knelt at Sai's Lotus feet taking padanamaskar. Uma then ushered us into another sanctuary – Swami's innermost room. This cloister was softly lit with Sai's loving Presence. Again we bowed down at the footstool of another glorious throne once occupied by Swami. Uma led us out locking the door to Swami's room. She invited us to meditate while we waited for Berniece Mead.
Berniece Mead burst into the bookstore exuding tremendous energy and vitality. She was a storehouse and wealth of Baba stories and information. Quickly she pointed out the founders of the bookstore Elsie and Walter Cowan's photos high up on the wall. She knew Elsie well but Walter had already passed away when she came into the Sai flock.
Berniece Mead is the USA, National Education Coordinator for Sai Spiritual Education Program. She grew up on a farm with 11 siblings. Life was hard on the farm, juggling school work with tough farm labor. Despite this she and her siblings managed to attain college degrees and Berniece became a school teacher. She taught grades k- 8 grade for many years.
The story of how Berniece Mead first came to Sathya Sai Baba can be heard first hand at a talk she gave in Ebell, Santa Ana, California. Please click on the following link scroll down and enjoy her wonderful narration:
http://www.region8saicenters.org/Speakers/
Continuing: There was a glass display case on the left side of the meditation room. Berniece pointed out the gold rings with unusual red stones Swami had materialized for Walter and Elsie Cowan's re-marriage ceremony. She also showed us an enormous multi-stoned necklace created by Baba for the ceremony and the letter certified by Sai Baba for the establishment of the bookstore along with a beautiful lingam. In the lower part of the case was the sari and white shirt given for the remarriage.
The Cowan's story and their incredible love affair with Sathya Sai Baba is a remarkable one. Walter and Elsie Cowan established the Sathya Sai Center Bookstore under the guidance of Bhagavan Baba. Berniece Mead's husband, Ron and a number of Sai devotees helped in the actual building of the bookstore. Berniece, her arms extended enthusiastically, said, that all this was a garage before it became the bookstore. And she related how Swami was so involved with every detail. Berniece said:
"Ron helped in the building of the new Book Center which was finished in '83. Up until then it had been in several places and started in one of Elsie's condos. I went to Prashanti in '83 and Swami called me in and asked how the Book Store was doing. I told him they were on the final finishing and that it looked beautiful. That's when he said, "They lack this and he started naming what they were doing by pointing to his fingers on the left hand by using his right hand, that's what Ron would do when people asked him how the book store was doing. He was imitating Ron's actions. I didn't know it at the time, but Ron knew exactly what he was doing when I told him the story."
Elsie and Walter Cowan's story of Sai Baba raising Walter from the dead (the link provided is not working) The following is the account:
(Taken from the book ‘Sai Baba: The Man Of Miracles’, by Howard Murphet).
Jack Hislop’s Account of this event:
Dear Elsie Cowan; this is a letter in response to your request that I say what I know about your husband’s experience in India, while you were there in December of 1971 and January of 1972. My name is Jack Hislop. I live in Mexico. My wife and I had visited Sathya Sai Baba a number of times in the past and we were there again in 1972. We returned from India on February 27th of this year after some four months with Sathya Sai Baba.
As I recall, Walter and you arrived in Madras on 23rd December 1971, and came to the building where Baba was holding a conference with some three thousand Presidents of His Seva Samitis. Baba at once came to you and gave Walter and yourself a warm and affectionate greeting. Walter was obviously not feeling well, and ushers had provided chair as soon as you arrived. Thus, you were quite visible amidst the great crowd of people, all of whom were sitting on the floor as is the custom in India.
On the morning of the 25th December, news quietly spread that an elderly American had a fatal attack of what was thought to be a heart trouble and had passed away. Upon hearing the rumour my wife and I at once went to your hotel. You confirmed the news, and told us how the attack had felled Walter in the hotel room. You had prayed to Sathya Sai Baba for help at this trying moment of your life, but with great self-control and recollection of human mortality, you had ended your prayer with ‘Let God’s will be done’, you at once remembered that Mr & Mrs. Ratanlal were staying in a room almost next door to yours and you called her. Mrs. Ratanlal came immediately. With her help, you summoned a room boy and Walter was lifted from the floor to the bed. Mr. Ratanlal joined you in your prayer, for it was soon evident to you that Walter had indeed passed away from the body. Someone called for the ambulance to take Walter to the hospital, but it was your experience that Walter had died in your arms, soon after having been lifted from the floor to the bed, and you were so exhausted that you could not accompany the then lifeless body into the ambulance. These events had taken place in the early morning hours of 25 December. But at 7 A.M. you had recovered sufficient strength to go with Mrs. Ratanlal to Baba’s place of residence to tell Him the news and ask for His advice and help. Baba said that He would visit the hospital around 10 a.m.
At 10 A.M. Mrs. Ratanlal accompanied you to the hospital, but you were told that Baba had already been there, and had left just before you arrived. Upon entering the hospital, you found Walter alive. That Walter was alive at 10 A.M. on 25th December is certain but how about his death? Was there any medical certification that he had died? After all, two ladies very much upset at a tragic event - could not perhaps, make the same tests for life, as would a medical doctor not personally involved in the emotional impact of the situation.
To clarify this point, at my request, Judge Damodar Rao of Madras interviewed the doctor who had attended Walter when he arrived at the hospital. This attending physician is well known to Judge Damodar Rao personally and the doctor told Judge Rao that Walter was indeed dead when he had examined Walter shortly after the ambulance had delivered him to the hospital.
The doctor said that there was no sign of life; that he pronounced “Walter as dead; that Walter’s ear and nose were stuffed with cotton, that Walter was covered with a sheet and sent into an empty room.
The doctor then left the hospital on some professional duty, and had missed seeing Baba when He was at the hospital. The doctor arrived back at the hospital after Baba had left. When the doctor returned to the hospital, Walter was alive. The doctor found himself unable to explain the situation. It seemed worthwhile to me to make an investigation for medical verification on Walter’s death, because such verification might be a factor of interest to people who had never seen Sathya Sai Baba, and who might have a very limited knowledge of Him. But, medical testimony is not a factor of any importance to devotees of Baba. To His devotees, what he said about Mr. Cowan was the truth of the matter.
I saw Baba at His place of residence after He had returned from hospital. He told me and others within hearing that Walter Cowan had died and the hospital had stuffed his ears and nose with cotton, and covered him with a sheet, and put the body in the closed room. Baba said that He had brought Walter back to life. I did not enquire of Baba as to how He had brought Walter back to life or reasons for doing so nor, to the best of my knowledge, did anyone else. This is a mystery that Baba has not as yet chosen to explain.
There was a later occurrence of great interest to me. A day later, on 26th December, Appa and I accompanied Baba to the home of a devotee. From there, He went to a meeting of the lady members of Nagara Sai Samithi where Baba was to give award and speak. Appa and I were sitting on the platform just a few feet away from Baba and were able to observe Him closely. He made the award and gave a spiritual discourse, all without any break or any moment of hesitation. From the meeting, we were to go to the home of another devotee for lunch.
As soon as we got in the car, Baba turned to us and said, “While I was talking in the meeting, Mrs. Cowan called Me. I went to the hospital at once and did what was necessary. Mr. Cowan’s health had taken a turn for the worse”. So even while busy on the speaker’s platform, Baba had gone to the hospital and had done what was necessary. But, to the eyes of Shri Appa and myself, Baba had continued in action and speech on the platform for the whole time there, without any break or hesitation whatsoever. How does one explain this mystery? When we arrived at the devotees house for lunch, Baba turned to us and said, “You will not be able to join me for lunch. Take this Vibhuti to the hospital and give Mr. Cowan some in the mouth and rub the rest on the forehead and the chest. If you walk to the corner over there you will find Mrs. Hislop there in a taxi. She will take you to the hospital”.
Now the fact was that my wife had been following Baba in a taxi. However, she had taken great pains to stay out of sight, but her efforts were to no avail. As usual Baba knew everything. When we reached the hospital with the Vibhuti, Mrs. Cowan said, “Walter took a very bad turn just a little while ago. I thought he was dead, and I was terrified. I at once called Baba in a loud tone of voice. Now, Walter seems a little improved. When I called Baba I felt His presence at once, by saying this Elsie, you independently corroborated Baba’s statement in the car, to Shri Appa and myself.
A week or so later, I was speaking with Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam. Walter and you were still in Madras and Walter was in the hospital. Baba said, “Today I received a telegram from Mrs. Cowan. Mr. Cowan was in a very serious condition again. I answered the telegram. “Mr.Cowan will be out of the hospital soon, and will come to Bangalore. It is my Sankalpa, My Will…” Of course, Elsie there was no physical telegram. The telegram was your prayer. In the same conversation, Baba said Mr. Cowan died three times. I had to bring him back three times. Walter and you did indeed come to Bangalore, and you were waiting at the West End Hotel when my wife and I returned from Prasanthi Nilayam. To our eyes, Walter appeared to be extraordinarily well. The next morning when we went out to visit Baba at Whitefield I reported Walter’s condition to Him. He said, “Tell nobody that you will ride into Bangalore with Me in the afternoon, in the late afternoon and I will visit Mr. Cowan. Send your wife ahead in a taxi.
Baba did visit Mr. Cowan and visited him a second time few days later. Then Baba told you that Mr. Cowan was strong enough to make the fifteen-mile drive to Whitefield each morning, and that he was to return to the hotel at noon each day and rest during the afternoon. Dr. Gyaneshwaran, with whom I and my wife had been acquainted for several years, was your attending physician in Bangalore. He counted himself extremely fortunate because he was in the room when Baba arrived. Walter and you graciously allowed him to bring his family also inside the room in order to have Baba’s Darshan. Then, some time later, by virtue of being Walter’s physician, Gyaneshwaran was also to be inside Baba’s house at Whitefield when Baba performed a very beautiful and very significant Vedic wedding ceremony for Walter and yourself.
Dr. Gyaneshwaran had Walter’s medical history, with its specific laboratory tests, showing severe diabetes of long standing and various other diseased conditions. After assuming his responsibility as your Bangalore physician, and a standard medical man, rechecked the finding of Walter’s American doctors with his own laboratory tests. Not only were the diabetic symptoms completely absent but the taste of the other diseases were similarly negative. He could scarcely believe the results of the laboratory tests. He explained, “Only the Divine Baba - only God Himself could do this”.
The extraordinary fact seems to be that the total organism that was Mr. Walter Cowan, died, the only entity that returned to life was Walter himself. Walter’s various diseases died with him, but the diseases were not reborn - only Walter was reborn. A most marvelous inscrutable event was it not? All of the foregoing does not, of course, imply that Walter’s physical body has become immortal. Of course, he has had some bad days. At times, he has become over tired, and at another times, has suffered perhaps because of an injudicious meal. After all, it is not a teenaged body; it is an aged body, but nevertheless, a great miracle really happened.
Walter is alive again, free of disease and filled with enthusiasm to tell people of the Divine presence of Sri Sathya Sai Baba…
Thus, Walter had a most extraordinary experience in December, 1971 and January, 1972. Both of you know directly the Divine Grace of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Sd : John Hislop
Walter Cowan’s Account of his Resurrection :
While in Connemara Hotel in Madras, I was taken very sick with pneumonia two days after I arrived and was in bed. As I gasped for breath, suddenly the body’s struggle was over and I died. I found myself very calm, in a state of wonderful bliss and the Lord, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, was by my side. Even though my body lay on the bed, dead. My mind kept working throughout until Baba brought me back. There was no anxiety or fear, but a tremendous sense of well being, for I had lost all fear of death.
Baba took me to very large hall where there were hundreds of people miling around. It was the hall where all the records of my lives were kept. Baba and I stood before the court of justice. The one incharge knew Baba very well and he asked for the records of all my lives. He was very nice and kind, and I had the feeling that whatever was decided would be the best for my soul.
The records were brought into the hall - armloads of scrolls - and all of them seemed to be in different languages. As they were read, Baba interpreted them. In the beginning they told me of countries that have not existed for thousands of years and I could not recall them. When they reached King David, the reading of my life became more exciting. I could hardly believe how great I apparently was in each life that followed. As they continued reading my lives, it seemed that what really counted was my motives and character, as I stood for outstanding peace and spirituality. I did not remember all the names, but I am included in almost all the history books of the world from the beginning of time. As I incarnated in different countries, I carried out my mission - which was peace and spirituality.
After about two hours, they finished reading the scrolls, and the Lord, Sai Baba said that I had not completed the work that I was born to do, and he asked the judge that I be turned over to Him to complete my mission of spreading the truth and He requested that my soul be returned to my body under Baba’s grace. The judge said, “So be it”. The case was dismissed and I left with Baba to return to my body. I hesitated to leave this wonderful bliss but I knew it was best to complete my mission so that I could merge with the Lord, Sai Baba.
I related the story to Elsie at once, and she recorded it. I also talked it over with Baba and he said it was not my imagination - it was a true experience. My life goes on now under the grace of Sai Baba whom I adore and to whom I owe my life.
Sd : Walter R. Cowan
(Taken from the book ‘Sai Baba, the Rose Fire Of Heaven’ by Krishna Nandan Sinha)
He used to drive one of the cars Himself. When He would go to Madras to visit His devotees there, other devotees would gather along the road at various places to see Swami drive by. The car would be coming along at a very fast clip and sitting behind the wheel was Swami with His arms folded, with the car going along - about two inches of the road - not even touching the road.
One time He went to Madras and arrived unexpectedly at the house of His hostess. You know when an Avathar comes to visit your house, I am sure you would have something with which to greet Him. Some flowers or a tray of food or some way of welcoming the great man to your house. That was the case with this hostess too.
Swami came to the door and knocked. The hostess answered, saw Swami standing there, and exclaimed, “Oh, Swami, Swami, I’m so happy to see you. But Swami you did not tell me you were coming, and I don’t have anything to welcome you with. I don’t have flowers or fruit. I don’t have anything”. The poor lady was quite distraught. So Swami said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry”. Then he turned around and beckoned at the car.
Out of the car came two angels with wings, carrying a big silver tray, loaded with fruit and flowers and everything the hostess would need to welcome Swami. The angels brought this tray up to the house and gave it to the hostess. Then Swami turned to the angels and waved them back to the car. They floated back to the car folded their wings, got in the car, and disappeared.
(Matter taken from the book ‘Seeking Divinity’, by Dr. John S. Hislop, published by Sri Sathya Sai Publication Trust)
Well, that much for Baba’s Miracles. I would say that this is only a tip of an iceberg. If the entire sky would turn into the paper and all the water of all the oceans of the world became ink, and the whole Earth appeared as a fountain pen, still I would not be able to write and complete all the miracles, performed by Bhagavan Baba so far.
Also Swami performing their re-marriage ceremony can be viewed here in the wonderful video Aura of Divinity at 22:15:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-EZH56-1Q
We all enjoyed Berniece's marvelous accounts of Sai Baba and her personal, transformational stories. The bookstore attendants listened in awe as Berniece related blessed holy stories of the Avatar. It was turning out to be a truly glorious morning. We loved Berniece Mead's down to earth, humble, loving persona. She was 80 years old and still going strong. Her son Jay had suffered a terrible life altering fall as a stuntman over 20 years ago. He injured his head and also had a stroke. Jay's story can be read in
the, extraordinary, insightful book written by Berniece Mead, Letters from J: The Expanded Life of a Coma Patient. The book is available on Amazon and at the Sathya Sai Baba Tustin Bookstore.
Years ago when I first met Berniece at a Sai Spiritual Education Teacher's training workshop, I promised her that if I ever made it to California I would give her son a foot reflexology treatment. Last year, Sai Baba came to me in a dream and told me to continue doing reflexology because it helped a lot of people.
Now it was time to make good on my promise. Parking our car near the bookstore. We had lunch with Berniece. She took us to a wonderful restaurant where we enjoyed a sumptuous vegetarian meal and then shared a really huge decadent chocolate sundae cake. We were like three playful children laughing, giggling stuffing our faces with this devilishly, divine treat.
After lunch we went to the rehabilitation home to visit Jay. I started the reflexology treatment, Jay responded to touch and was able to communicate by slightly blinking his eyes. He appeared to thoroughly enjoy the foot massage and at the conclusion of the treatment opened his eyes widely. Berniece's devotion, ceaseless love and nurturing support was beautiful to behold. She visited Jay three times a day, making sure he was comfortable, well taken care of and above all loved. Berniece did ask Swami about Jay's recovery and He responded: “Why are you so attached to that one son. Do you know how many sons you have had?” He also assured her that Jay was under His care. During our visit with Jay, Berniece showed us a fabulous lingam materialized by Baba. It was a greenish hue and had been given to her by The Cowan's secretary, who felt it belonged to Jay. We held the otherworldly lingam in our hands. As we turned it in the sunlight we were able to see the resplendent form of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba giving us darshan. “Thank You Swami!!!”
Berniece gave us all delicious lingam water from this heavenly stone.
"Ron helped in the building of the new Book Center which was finished in '83. Up until then it had been in several places and started in one of Elsie's condos. I went to Prashanti in '83 and Swami called me in and asked how the Book Store was doing. I told him they were on the final finishing and that it looked beautiful. That's when he said, "They lack this and he started naming what they were doing by pointing to his fingers on the left hand by using his right hand, that's what Ron would do when people asked him how the book store was doing. He was imitating Ron's actions. I didn't know it at the time, but Ron knew exactly what he was doing when I told him the story."
Elsie and Walter Cowan's story of Sai Baba raising Walter from the dead (the link provided is not working) The following is the account:
(Taken from the book ‘Sai Baba: The Man Of Miracles’, by Howard Murphet).
-
Resurrection of Walter Cowan, an
American, on the Christmas day of 1971 is perhaps the most dramatic,
unique and authentic event that reveals the Godlike power of Sai
Baba. Elsie Cowan, the wife of Walter Cowan,
records:
Jack Hislop’s Account of this event:
Dear Elsie Cowan; this is a letter in response to your request that I say what I know about your husband’s experience in India, while you were there in December of 1971 and January of 1972. My name is Jack Hislop. I live in Mexico. My wife and I had visited Sathya Sai Baba a number of times in the past and we were there again in 1972. We returned from India on February 27th of this year after some four months with Sathya Sai Baba.
As I recall, Walter and you arrived in Madras on 23rd December 1971, and came to the building where Baba was holding a conference with some three thousand Presidents of His Seva Samitis. Baba at once came to you and gave Walter and yourself a warm and affectionate greeting. Walter was obviously not feeling well, and ushers had provided chair as soon as you arrived. Thus, you were quite visible amidst the great crowd of people, all of whom were sitting on the floor as is the custom in India.
On the morning of the 25th December, news quietly spread that an elderly American had a fatal attack of what was thought to be a heart trouble and had passed away. Upon hearing the rumour my wife and I at once went to your hotel. You confirmed the news, and told us how the attack had felled Walter in the hotel room. You had prayed to Sathya Sai Baba for help at this trying moment of your life, but with great self-control and recollection of human mortality, you had ended your prayer with ‘Let God’s will be done’, you at once remembered that Mr & Mrs. Ratanlal were staying in a room almost next door to yours and you called her. Mrs. Ratanlal came immediately. With her help, you summoned a room boy and Walter was lifted from the floor to the bed. Mr. Ratanlal joined you in your prayer, for it was soon evident to you that Walter had indeed passed away from the body. Someone called for the ambulance to take Walter to the hospital, but it was your experience that Walter had died in your arms, soon after having been lifted from the floor to the bed, and you were so exhausted that you could not accompany the then lifeless body into the ambulance. These events had taken place in the early morning hours of 25 December. But at 7 A.M. you had recovered sufficient strength to go with Mrs. Ratanlal to Baba’s place of residence to tell Him the news and ask for His advice and help. Baba said that He would visit the hospital around 10 a.m.
At 10 A.M. Mrs. Ratanlal accompanied you to the hospital, but you were told that Baba had already been there, and had left just before you arrived. Upon entering the hospital, you found Walter alive. That Walter was alive at 10 A.M. on 25th December is certain but how about his death? Was there any medical certification that he had died? After all, two ladies very much upset at a tragic event - could not perhaps, make the same tests for life, as would a medical doctor not personally involved in the emotional impact of the situation.
To clarify this point, at my request, Judge Damodar Rao of Madras interviewed the doctor who had attended Walter when he arrived at the hospital. This attending physician is well known to Judge Damodar Rao personally and the doctor told Judge Rao that Walter was indeed dead when he had examined Walter shortly after the ambulance had delivered him to the hospital.
The doctor said that there was no sign of life; that he pronounced “Walter as dead; that Walter’s ear and nose were stuffed with cotton, that Walter was covered with a sheet and sent into an empty room.
The doctor then left the hospital on some professional duty, and had missed seeing Baba when He was at the hospital. The doctor arrived back at the hospital after Baba had left. When the doctor returned to the hospital, Walter was alive. The doctor found himself unable to explain the situation. It seemed worthwhile to me to make an investigation for medical verification on Walter’s death, because such verification might be a factor of interest to people who had never seen Sathya Sai Baba, and who might have a very limited knowledge of Him. But, medical testimony is not a factor of any importance to devotees of Baba. To His devotees, what he said about Mr. Cowan was the truth of the matter.
I saw Baba at His place of residence after He had returned from hospital. He told me and others within hearing that Walter Cowan had died and the hospital had stuffed his ears and nose with cotton, and covered him with a sheet, and put the body in the closed room. Baba said that He had brought Walter back to life. I did not enquire of Baba as to how He had brought Walter back to life or reasons for doing so nor, to the best of my knowledge, did anyone else. This is a mystery that Baba has not as yet chosen to explain.
There was a later occurrence of great interest to me. A day later, on 26th December, Appa and I accompanied Baba to the home of a devotee. From there, He went to a meeting of the lady members of Nagara Sai Samithi where Baba was to give award and speak. Appa and I were sitting on the platform just a few feet away from Baba and were able to observe Him closely. He made the award and gave a spiritual discourse, all without any break or any moment of hesitation. From the meeting, we were to go to the home of another devotee for lunch.
As soon as we got in the car, Baba turned to us and said, “While I was talking in the meeting, Mrs. Cowan called Me. I went to the hospital at once and did what was necessary. Mr. Cowan’s health had taken a turn for the worse”. So even while busy on the speaker’s platform, Baba had gone to the hospital and had done what was necessary. But, to the eyes of Shri Appa and myself, Baba had continued in action and speech on the platform for the whole time there, without any break or hesitation whatsoever. How does one explain this mystery? When we arrived at the devotees house for lunch, Baba turned to us and said, “You will not be able to join me for lunch. Take this Vibhuti to the hospital and give Mr. Cowan some in the mouth and rub the rest on the forehead and the chest. If you walk to the corner over there you will find Mrs. Hislop there in a taxi. She will take you to the hospital”.
Now the fact was that my wife had been following Baba in a taxi. However, she had taken great pains to stay out of sight, but her efforts were to no avail. As usual Baba knew everything. When we reached the hospital with the Vibhuti, Mrs. Cowan said, “Walter took a very bad turn just a little while ago. I thought he was dead, and I was terrified. I at once called Baba in a loud tone of voice. Now, Walter seems a little improved. When I called Baba I felt His presence at once, by saying this Elsie, you independently corroborated Baba’s statement in the car, to Shri Appa and myself.
A week or so later, I was speaking with Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam. Walter and you were still in Madras and Walter was in the hospital. Baba said, “Today I received a telegram from Mrs. Cowan. Mr. Cowan was in a very serious condition again. I answered the telegram. “Mr.Cowan will be out of the hospital soon, and will come to Bangalore. It is my Sankalpa, My Will…” Of course, Elsie there was no physical telegram. The telegram was your prayer. In the same conversation, Baba said Mr. Cowan died three times. I had to bring him back three times. Walter and you did indeed come to Bangalore, and you were waiting at the West End Hotel when my wife and I returned from Prasanthi Nilayam. To our eyes, Walter appeared to be extraordinarily well. The next morning when we went out to visit Baba at Whitefield I reported Walter’s condition to Him. He said, “Tell nobody that you will ride into Bangalore with Me in the afternoon, in the late afternoon and I will visit Mr. Cowan. Send your wife ahead in a taxi.
Baba did visit Mr. Cowan and visited him a second time few days later. Then Baba told you that Mr. Cowan was strong enough to make the fifteen-mile drive to Whitefield each morning, and that he was to return to the hotel at noon each day and rest during the afternoon. Dr. Gyaneshwaran, with whom I and my wife had been acquainted for several years, was your attending physician in Bangalore. He counted himself extremely fortunate because he was in the room when Baba arrived. Walter and you graciously allowed him to bring his family also inside the room in order to have Baba’s Darshan. Then, some time later, by virtue of being Walter’s physician, Gyaneshwaran was also to be inside Baba’s house at Whitefield when Baba performed a very beautiful and very significant Vedic wedding ceremony for Walter and yourself.
Dr. Gyaneshwaran had Walter’s medical history, with its specific laboratory tests, showing severe diabetes of long standing and various other diseased conditions. After assuming his responsibility as your Bangalore physician, and a standard medical man, rechecked the finding of Walter’s American doctors with his own laboratory tests. Not only were the diabetic symptoms completely absent but the taste of the other diseases were similarly negative. He could scarcely believe the results of the laboratory tests. He explained, “Only the Divine Baba - only God Himself could do this”.
The extraordinary fact seems to be that the total organism that was Mr. Walter Cowan, died, the only entity that returned to life was Walter himself. Walter’s various diseases died with him, but the diseases were not reborn - only Walter was reborn. A most marvelous inscrutable event was it not? All of the foregoing does not, of course, imply that Walter’s physical body has become immortal. Of course, he has had some bad days. At times, he has become over tired, and at another times, has suffered perhaps because of an injudicious meal. After all, it is not a teenaged body; it is an aged body, but nevertheless, a great miracle really happened.
Walter is alive again, free of disease and filled with enthusiasm to tell people of the Divine presence of Sri Sathya Sai Baba…
Thus, Walter had a most extraordinary experience in December, 1971 and January, 1972. Both of you know directly the Divine Grace of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Sd : John Hislop
Walter Cowan’s Account of his Resurrection :
While in Connemara Hotel in Madras, I was taken very sick with pneumonia two days after I arrived and was in bed. As I gasped for breath, suddenly the body’s struggle was over and I died. I found myself very calm, in a state of wonderful bliss and the Lord, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, was by my side. Even though my body lay on the bed, dead. My mind kept working throughout until Baba brought me back. There was no anxiety or fear, but a tremendous sense of well being, for I had lost all fear of death.
Baba took me to very large hall where there were hundreds of people miling around. It was the hall where all the records of my lives were kept. Baba and I stood before the court of justice. The one incharge knew Baba very well and he asked for the records of all my lives. He was very nice and kind, and I had the feeling that whatever was decided would be the best for my soul.
The records were brought into the hall - armloads of scrolls - and all of them seemed to be in different languages. As they were read, Baba interpreted them. In the beginning they told me of countries that have not existed for thousands of years and I could not recall them. When they reached King David, the reading of my life became more exciting. I could hardly believe how great I apparently was in each life that followed. As they continued reading my lives, it seemed that what really counted was my motives and character, as I stood for outstanding peace and spirituality. I did not remember all the names, but I am included in almost all the history books of the world from the beginning of time. As I incarnated in different countries, I carried out my mission - which was peace and spirituality.
After about two hours, they finished reading the scrolls, and the Lord, Sai Baba said that I had not completed the work that I was born to do, and he asked the judge that I be turned over to Him to complete my mission of spreading the truth and He requested that my soul be returned to my body under Baba’s grace. The judge said, “So be it”. The case was dismissed and I left with Baba to return to my body. I hesitated to leave this wonderful bliss but I knew it was best to complete my mission so that I could merge with the Lord, Sai Baba.
I related the story to Elsie at once, and she recorded it. I also talked it over with Baba and he said it was not my imagination - it was a true experience. My life goes on now under the grace of Sai Baba whom I adore and to whom I owe my life.
Sd : Walter R. Cowan
(Taken from the book ‘Sai Baba, the Rose Fire Of Heaven’ by Krishna Nandan Sinha)
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In the early days Swami used to go to
Madras quite often, there was a family in Madras at whose house
Swami usually stayed. He also drove His own car, although now He
does not. Now He always has a driver, who takes Him everywhere, in a
car, which somebody has put there for His use.
He used to drive one of the cars Himself. When He would go to Madras to visit His devotees there, other devotees would gather along the road at various places to see Swami drive by. The car would be coming along at a very fast clip and sitting behind the wheel was Swami with His arms folded, with the car going along - about two inches of the road - not even touching the road.
One time He went to Madras and arrived unexpectedly at the house of His hostess. You know when an Avathar comes to visit your house, I am sure you would have something with which to greet Him. Some flowers or a tray of food or some way of welcoming the great man to your house. That was the case with this hostess too.
Swami came to the door and knocked. The hostess answered, saw Swami standing there, and exclaimed, “Oh, Swami, Swami, I’m so happy to see you. But Swami you did not tell me you were coming, and I don’t have anything to welcome you with. I don’t have flowers or fruit. I don’t have anything”. The poor lady was quite distraught. So Swami said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry”. Then he turned around and beckoned at the car.
Out of the car came two angels with wings, carrying a big silver tray, loaded with fruit and flowers and everything the hostess would need to welcome Swami. The angels brought this tray up to the house and gave it to the hostess. Then Swami turned to the angels and waved them back to the car. They floated back to the car folded their wings, got in the car, and disappeared.
(Matter taken from the book ‘Seeking Divinity’, by Dr. John S. Hislop, published by Sri Sathya Sai Publication Trust)
Well, that much for Baba’s Miracles. I would say that this is only a tip of an iceberg. If the entire sky would turn into the paper and all the water of all the oceans of the world became ink, and the whole Earth appeared as a fountain pen, still I would not be able to write and complete all the miracles, performed by Bhagavan Baba so far.
Also Swami performing their re-marriage ceremony can be viewed here in the wonderful video Aura of Divinity at 22:15:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-EZH56-1Q
We all enjoyed Berniece's marvelous accounts of Sai Baba and her personal, transformational stories. The bookstore attendants listened in awe as Berniece related blessed holy stories of the Avatar. It was turning out to be a truly glorious morning. We loved Berniece Mead's down to earth, humble, loving persona. She was 80 years old and still going strong. Her son Jay had suffered a terrible life altering fall as a stuntman over 20 years ago. He injured his head and also had a stroke. Jay's story can be read in
the, extraordinary, insightful book written by Berniece Mead, Letters from J: The Expanded Life of a Coma Patient. The book is available on Amazon and at the Sathya Sai Baba Tustin Bookstore.
Years ago when I first met Berniece at a Sai Spiritual Education Teacher's training workshop, I promised her that if I ever made it to California I would give her son a foot reflexology treatment. Last year, Sai Baba came to me in a dream and told me to continue doing reflexology because it helped a lot of people.
Now it was time to make good on my promise. Parking our car near the bookstore. We had lunch with Berniece. She took us to a wonderful restaurant where we enjoyed a sumptuous vegetarian meal and then shared a really huge decadent chocolate sundae cake. We were like three playful children laughing, giggling stuffing our faces with this devilishly, divine treat.
After lunch we went to the rehabilitation home to visit Jay. I started the reflexology treatment, Jay responded to touch and was able to communicate by slightly blinking his eyes. He appeared to thoroughly enjoy the foot massage and at the conclusion of the treatment opened his eyes widely. Berniece's devotion, ceaseless love and nurturing support was beautiful to behold. She visited Jay three times a day, making sure he was comfortable, well taken care of and above all loved. Berniece did ask Swami about Jay's recovery and He responded: “Why are you so attached to that one son. Do you know how many sons you have had?” He also assured her that Jay was under His care. During our visit with Jay, Berniece showed us a fabulous lingam materialized by Baba. It was a greenish hue and had been given to her by The Cowan's secretary, who felt it belonged to Jay. We held the otherworldly lingam in our hands. As we turned it in the sunlight we were able to see the resplendent form of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba giving us darshan. “Thank You Swami!!!”
Berniece gave us all delicious lingam water from this heavenly stone.
We all kissed Jay goodbye and left him in Swami's care. Berniece took us to her house, a lovely home surrounded by gorgeous peony and tasty avocado trees. We met her husband Ron who is on oxygen support with COPD. Berniece has to also tend to him continuously. She has been through so much in her life and is still so positive and uplifting. I was very happy to give her a foot reflexology treatment too.
While I was doing her feet she related some more inspiring accounts of her experiences with Swami:
Berniece shared that once she went to India by herself. It was right before school started she had a three week window before she had to be back for the beginning of the school semester. Sathya Sai Baba had appeared in a dream and told her to come to India by herself. So, Berniece packed up and went off to India. She was fine for a while and then one night she started experiencing terrible doubts. She started wondering if Baba was really who He said he was...God. Maybe He was really the Anti Christ. Even though she thought she had faith in Baba at this particular time all these dreadful doubts surfaced. Bernice was in agony and confused, she wondered what she was doing there. She felt how ridiculous it was for her to have come to India because of a dream. She felt very unsure of herself. Still the next day she went to darshan. Berniece made up her mind not to look into Swami's eyes. She said to herself, He is too powerful, she lowered her eyes trying not to look at Baba. But then she heard laughing next to her. It was just like she had heard in her dream. She looked up and saw Baba coming towards her. He told her go into the interview room. Swami then did something so amazing. He asked Berniece if she would like some candy. This was exactly what her father used to do when she was upset. Baba materialized a delicious candy that was still warm. He looked deeply into her eyes and said “Jesus, Sai Baba all the same”.
I know the doubts that Berniece experienced. I was also raised Christian and was intensely indoctrinated with “Jesus is the only way” dogma. Visions of hellfire and brimstone were common struggles in my childhood. Overcoming this kind of limited thinking is very, very difficult. But Swami melts away all fear and confusion. He expands our hearts and minds to realize all are part of the One Supreme Self. And as the Bible says: “In Him, we move and breathe and have our being.”
Our visit with Berniece was drawing to a close. We wanted to avoid the southern California rush hour madness. We bid adieu to our gracious hosts and returned to our hotel, continuing the rest of our California pilgrimage.
Berniece shared that once she went to India by herself. It was right before school started she had a three week window before she had to be back for the beginning of the school semester. Sathya Sai Baba had appeared in a dream and told her to come to India by herself. So, Berniece packed up and went off to India. She was fine for a while and then one night she started experiencing terrible doubts. She started wondering if Baba was really who He said he was...God. Maybe He was really the Anti Christ. Even though she thought she had faith in Baba at this particular time all these dreadful doubts surfaced. Bernice was in agony and confused, she wondered what she was doing there. She felt how ridiculous it was for her to have come to India because of a dream. She felt very unsure of herself. Still the next day she went to darshan. Berniece made up her mind not to look into Swami's eyes. She said to herself, He is too powerful, she lowered her eyes trying not to look at Baba. But then she heard laughing next to her. It was just like she had heard in her dream. She looked up and saw Baba coming towards her. He told her go into the interview room. Swami then did something so amazing. He asked Berniece if she would like some candy. This was exactly what her father used to do when she was upset. Baba materialized a delicious candy that was still warm. He looked deeply into her eyes and said “Jesus, Sai Baba all the same”.
I know the doubts that Berniece experienced. I was also raised Christian and was intensely indoctrinated with “Jesus is the only way” dogma. Visions of hellfire and brimstone were common struggles in my childhood. Overcoming this kind of limited thinking is very, very difficult. But Swami melts away all fear and confusion. He expands our hearts and minds to realize all are part of the One Supreme Self. And as the Bible says: “In Him, we move and breathe and have our being.”
Our visit with Berniece was drawing to a close. We wanted to avoid the southern California rush hour madness. We bid adieu to our gracious hosts and returned to our hotel, continuing the rest of our California pilgrimage.
