Om Sai Ram Dear Sai Family
3/23/15
I related earlier that I have been having some intense visions during meditation: This afternoon I sat for meditation, did some deep breathing and soham breaths, 3 Oms. Then spoke to Swami to feel His Presence. I saw our Lord, His hand was open wide, there was something in the middle of his palm glittering like a jewel. As I zoomed in it appeared to be a hole in His hand. It became very dazzling like stars and galaxies spinning there. Then it became large and I saw a sea scene, with waves churning and crashing. I saw someone coming out of the sea towards me, I couldn't see who it was the figure remained a kind of silky silhouette. As I was enjoying the beautiful scenes, suddenly David coughed in the other room where he was napping, snapping me back to earth consciousness. Om Sai Ram. Will sit later this evening and see what happens.....
This evening as I sat for meditation with David, I felt some disturbance in the atmosphere. There was some noise coming from outside and just a general chaotic energy in the room. We did some chants and then began our meditation. My mind kept wandering and I couldn't really focus properly. I started thinking how wonderful it would be, up in the mountains at a higher elevation where I could really go deeper.
At some point David left the room. I decided to incense with camphor to quiet the vibrations down.
I incensed and chanted Aarthi to Swami. Then settled down to meditate again. Gradually, I felt myself entering an altered state and saw our Lord Sai tasting something. That vision faded and a very brilliant light with lots of golden petal shapes penetrated my field of vision. I kept catching glimpses of a goddess, but it was so swift and luminous I couldn't fully grasp it.
This light filled escapade continued rippling and mushrooming through my third eye. Then I saw a resplendent vision of Swami: His face was in profile and from his head rays of light, like golden plumes radiated. It was an awesome image of Sai Surya.
As I focused on this the scene faded and I found myself in what appeared to be a city. I could see crystal outlines of beautiful buildings under a dome of stars. I held onto this vision, to see what else and there was our Lord Sai, emanating from the starry heavens. I spoke from my heart, asking Him what message He could give us. Right after that thought I heard the words: DISCIPLINE and a little later: COURAGE.
That message struck a chord in me, because I know how undisciplined I can be. And courage is something I can always use more of especially when it comes to situations pertaining to loved ones and other attachments.
Swami we pray that You will help all of us become more disciplined in our sadhana and daily life. Also we pray for courage and the faith to know that You are always with us, protecting, guarding
and above all loving us.
Om Sai Ram
"The ancients referred to this Cosmic Person as the ‘Person in the Sun’[vii] as well as the ‘Sun of suns’ and the ‘God of gods’, meaning the consciousness principle inherent in light. The main dwelling for God in the external world is the Sun as the source of light and life. Similarly, God dwells within us as the soul, the source of life and feeling within our hearts, our inner Sun:
The Cosmic Person, the size of a thumb, dwells in the middle of the heart like a flame without smoke. He is the lord of what was and what will be. He is today and he is tomorrow. All this is That!"
Upanishads[viii]
3/24/15
Om Sai Ram
This morning David and I sat for meditation. I wanted to put Swami's words from my previous meditation into practice: DISCIPLINE is the watchword.
We each pulled a quote from the blue Baba bag. My quote read:
"Today people go on consuming food at all times. How then can they escape from indigestion and other diseases. Man needs food which supplies him with energy equivalent to about one calorie per minute. Young people should be satisfied with 2,000 calories of food per day for a healthy life, man needs only 1,500 calories per day."
This was interesting, David and I recently went on a cruise, the ship was laden with all kinds of goodies and rich foods, which we consumed readily and eagerly. When we returned home it was difficult to get back into a regular routine and I noticed the pounds creeping back on. So with the watchword: Discipline, I have begun fasting for half the day and then eating only 2 meals per day with healthy snacks in between.
Davids quote read:
"Faith is a plant of slow growth. Its roots go deep in the heart. Silence is the best Sadhana for guarding faith. That is why I insist on silence as a first step in Sadhana for you."
We began our meditation with some deep breathing and a special Kundalini chant 7 times.
As I drifted into that supernal space, a tranquil feeling pervaded my being. No visions, images just
and empty, quietness. After some time - flashing images, again the outline of a city. Fluctuating lights and a very floaty feeling. I heard words: "...part of wisdom. Healthy lingam."
The images continued like a dream rolling in and out. Then I saw Swami's titanic, lotus feet above my head coming towards me. I was below and I could feel another layer of being pressing on top of my head.
I heard these words: "Yourself is wisdom."
After this I felt myself surfacing and coming out of the meditation. David looked serene. He said he had a very peaceful meditation.
Remember beloved Sai family we are part of the tremendous flow of energy that is God, that is Sai.
We can participate in this flow with full awareness, as Swami says "Constant Integrated Awareness".
Let us focus on realizing our full, Godly potential in harmony, unity and love.
Om Jai Sai Ram
Sai Ram Dearest Sai Family
This afternoon I decided to do a Meditation Walk while chanting the Gayatri mantra.
A really horrendous incident occurred in our neighborhood last week, I won't go into details
but it was horrific. Probably about 10 blocks from where we live. Since then I had the inner urge to chant the Gayatri mantra while walking through the neighborhood.
So, this afternoon I donned an orange 2 piece Indian dress, rubbed some vibhuti and camphor oil on my head. Carrying the crystal mala our Lord Sai blessed and a small battery candle I offered the walk at Bhagavan's Lotus Feet. I walked in a clockwise direction chanting the Gayatri mantra on the 108 beads crystal mala.
At the beginning I noticed a swirling wheel to the right side of the street, I closed my eyes and could see a huge disk whirling around an equally huge finger. I thought of Vishnu's disk and felt for certain all the angels and devas were walking with me. Throughout the walk I observed shadowy shapes scurrying to the roadside as the Gayatri mantra purified and cleansed the atmosphere.
After a little over 3 rounds of the Gayatri mantra, I returned to my house and circumambulated it 3 times while chanting the Gayatri mantra.
Beloved friends don't hesitate to chant the Gayatri mantra offering healing and ultra positive vibrations
to friends, neighbors, the world and yourself.
Om Jai Sai Ram
03/25/15
Om Sai Ram Dear Sai Family
Last night in my meditation, I received guidance to start using Ayurvedic knowledge to help a specific condition I have been experiencing. I am currently starting an Ama reducing diet and detoxifying my body with some fasting and recommended detoxifying herbs. I am already experiencing some beneficial effects. All knowledge and guidance is within as our beloved Lord Sai has repeatedly stated:
"I am God. You are God too, only difference is, I am aware of this and you are not."
This morning David and I sat for meditation. We each selected quotes from blue Baba bag.
My quote read:
"Start the day with Love, Fill the day with Love, Spend the day with Love, End the day with Love, This is the way to God."
We said some prayers for our ancestors who have passed on and also chanted the special Kundalini Mantra. Then we went into meditation. As I focused in my third eye center, images of extremely beautiful temples and cathedrals came into view. This time I was inside these exquisite buildings. Altars, vestibules, arching corridors and intricate sculptures flooded my consciousness. My eye zoomed in on a fountain that was in the shape of an Atma Lingam, with a huge many headed serpent arching over the Lingam. As I focused closer in, I went into the hood. There I saw myself lowering a pot scooping something out of the sea. That scene faded and our Lord Sai's celestial feet appeared walking towards me, again above my head pressing on the crown, I was below looking up. At that point I went blank and can't remember anything else.
Om Jai Sai Ram
03/26/15
Om Sai Ram
Last night I retired earlier than usual so that I could get up by 7:30am to do a meditation. My sleep routine is one area that can seriously use more discipline. I have a tendency to fight sleep and stay up late. The Sathwic sandhya time periods are 4-8am and 4-8pm. Meditating during these time periods is highly beneficial. I will gradually meditate earlier and earlier.
As I sat for meditation I chanted the special Kundalini mantra. At a certain point during the chanting I entered an altered state. Suddenly, I saw Swami's leg and the lower portion of His orange robe, He climbed up on a platform next to me. It was a brief but crystal clear encounter and snapped me out of the astral state. After that I continued chanting the mantra and then did some deep breathing.
I visualized love pouring into my being focusing from my feet up to my head. The rest of the meditation was peaceful and uneventful.
I plucked a card from the blue Baba bag:
"Purify your thoughts, words, deeds."
David came in later, we chanted the mantra and then performed aarathi.
The Kundalini chant we have been using can be accessed here:
Om Jai Sai Ram!
3/23/15
I related earlier that I have been having some intense visions during meditation: This afternoon I sat for meditation, did some deep breathing and soham breaths, 3 Oms. Then spoke to Swami to feel His Presence. I saw our Lord, His hand was open wide, there was something in the middle of his palm glittering like a jewel. As I zoomed in it appeared to be a hole in His hand. It became very dazzling like stars and galaxies spinning there. Then it became large and I saw a sea scene, with waves churning and crashing. I saw someone coming out of the sea towards me, I couldn't see who it was the figure remained a kind of silky silhouette. As I was enjoying the beautiful scenes, suddenly David coughed in the other room where he was napping, snapping me back to earth consciousness. Om Sai Ram. Will sit later this evening and see what happens.....
This evening as I sat for meditation with David, I felt some disturbance in the atmosphere. There was some noise coming from outside and just a general chaotic energy in the room. We did some chants and then began our meditation. My mind kept wandering and I couldn't really focus properly. I started thinking how wonderful it would be, up in the mountains at a higher elevation where I could really go deeper.
At some point David left the room. I decided to incense with camphor to quiet the vibrations down.
I incensed and chanted Aarthi to Swami. Then settled down to meditate again. Gradually, I felt myself entering an altered state and saw our Lord Sai tasting something. That vision faded and a very brilliant light with lots of golden petal shapes penetrated my field of vision. I kept catching glimpses of a goddess, but it was so swift and luminous I couldn't fully grasp it.
This light filled escapade continued rippling and mushrooming through my third eye. Then I saw a resplendent vision of Swami: His face was in profile and from his head rays of light, like golden plumes radiated. It was an awesome image of Sai Surya.
As I focused on this the scene faded and I found myself in what appeared to be a city. I could see crystal outlines of beautiful buildings under a dome of stars. I held onto this vision, to see what else and there was our Lord Sai, emanating from the starry heavens. I spoke from my heart, asking Him what message He could give us. Right after that thought I heard the words: DISCIPLINE and a little later: COURAGE.
That message struck a chord in me, because I know how undisciplined I can be. And courage is something I can always use more of especially when it comes to situations pertaining to loved ones and other attachments.
Swami we pray that You will help all of us become more disciplined in our sadhana and daily life. Also we pray for courage and the faith to know that You are always with us, protecting, guarding
and above all loving us.
Om Sai Ram
"The ancients referred to this Cosmic Person as the ‘Person in the Sun’[vii] as well as the ‘Sun of suns’ and the ‘God of gods’, meaning the consciousness principle inherent in light. The main dwelling for God in the external world is the Sun as the source of light and life. Similarly, God dwells within us as the soul, the source of life and feeling within our hearts, our inner Sun:
The Cosmic Person, the size of a thumb, dwells in the middle of the heart like a flame without smoke. He is the lord of what was and what will be. He is today and he is tomorrow. All this is That!"
Upanishads[viii]
3/24/15
Om Sai Ram
This morning David and I sat for meditation. I wanted to put Swami's words from my previous meditation into practice: DISCIPLINE is the watchword.
We each pulled a quote from the blue Baba bag. My quote read:
"Today people go on consuming food at all times. How then can they escape from indigestion and other diseases. Man needs food which supplies him with energy equivalent to about one calorie per minute. Young people should be satisfied with 2,000 calories of food per day for a healthy life, man needs only 1,500 calories per day."
This was interesting, David and I recently went on a cruise, the ship was laden with all kinds of goodies and rich foods, which we consumed readily and eagerly. When we returned home it was difficult to get back into a regular routine and I noticed the pounds creeping back on. So with the watchword: Discipline, I have begun fasting for half the day and then eating only 2 meals per day with healthy snacks in between.
Davids quote read:
"Faith is a plant of slow growth. Its roots go deep in the heart. Silence is the best Sadhana for guarding faith. That is why I insist on silence as a first step in Sadhana for you."
We began our meditation with some deep breathing and a special Kundalini chant 7 times.
As I drifted into that supernal space, a tranquil feeling pervaded my being. No visions, images just
and empty, quietness. After some time - flashing images, again the outline of a city. Fluctuating lights and a very floaty feeling. I heard words: "...part of wisdom. Healthy lingam."
The images continued like a dream rolling in and out. Then I saw Swami's titanic, lotus feet above my head coming towards me. I was below and I could feel another layer of being pressing on top of my head.
I heard these words: "Yourself is wisdom."
After this I felt myself surfacing and coming out of the meditation. David looked serene. He said he had a very peaceful meditation.
Remember beloved Sai family we are part of the tremendous flow of energy that is God, that is Sai.
We can participate in this flow with full awareness, as Swami says "Constant Integrated Awareness".
Let us focus on realizing our full, Godly potential in harmony, unity and love.
Om Jai Sai Ram
Sai Ram Dearest Sai Family
This afternoon I decided to do a Meditation Walk while chanting the Gayatri mantra.
A really horrendous incident occurred in our neighborhood last week, I won't go into details
but it was horrific. Probably about 10 blocks from where we live. Since then I had the inner urge to chant the Gayatri mantra while walking through the neighborhood.
So, this afternoon I donned an orange 2 piece Indian dress, rubbed some vibhuti and camphor oil on my head. Carrying the crystal mala our Lord Sai blessed and a small battery candle I offered the walk at Bhagavan's Lotus Feet. I walked in a clockwise direction chanting the Gayatri mantra on the 108 beads crystal mala.
At the beginning I noticed a swirling wheel to the right side of the street, I closed my eyes and could see a huge disk whirling around an equally huge finger. I thought of Vishnu's disk and felt for certain all the angels and devas were walking with me. Throughout the walk I observed shadowy shapes scurrying to the roadside as the Gayatri mantra purified and cleansed the atmosphere.
After a little over 3 rounds of the Gayatri mantra, I returned to my house and circumambulated it 3 times while chanting the Gayatri mantra.
Beloved friends don't hesitate to chant the Gayatri mantra offering healing and ultra positive vibrations
to friends, neighbors, the world and yourself.
Om Jai Sai Ram
03/25/15
Om Sai Ram Dear Sai Family
Last night in my meditation, I received guidance to start using Ayurvedic knowledge to help a specific condition I have been experiencing. I am currently starting an Ama reducing diet and detoxifying my body with some fasting and recommended detoxifying herbs. I am already experiencing some beneficial effects. All knowledge and guidance is within as our beloved Lord Sai has repeatedly stated:
"I am God. You are God too, only difference is, I am aware of this and you are not."
This morning David and I sat for meditation. We each selected quotes from blue Baba bag.
My quote read:
"Start the day with Love, Fill the day with Love, Spend the day with Love, End the day with Love, This is the way to God."
We said some prayers for our ancestors who have passed on and also chanted the special Kundalini Mantra. Then we went into meditation. As I focused in my third eye center, images of extremely beautiful temples and cathedrals came into view. This time I was inside these exquisite buildings. Altars, vestibules, arching corridors and intricate sculptures flooded my consciousness. My eye zoomed in on a fountain that was in the shape of an Atma Lingam, with a huge many headed serpent arching over the Lingam. As I focused closer in, I went into the hood. There I saw myself lowering a pot scooping something out of the sea. That scene faded and our Lord Sai's celestial feet appeared walking towards me, again above my head pressing on the crown, I was below looking up. At that point I went blank and can't remember anything else.
Om Jai Sai Ram
03/26/15
Om Sai Ram
Last night I retired earlier than usual so that I could get up by 7:30am to do a meditation. My sleep routine is one area that can seriously use more discipline. I have a tendency to fight sleep and stay up late. The Sathwic sandhya time periods are 4-8am and 4-8pm. Meditating during these time periods is highly beneficial. I will gradually meditate earlier and earlier.
As I sat for meditation I chanted the special Kundalini mantra. At a certain point during the chanting I entered an altered state. Suddenly, I saw Swami's leg and the lower portion of His orange robe, He climbed up on a platform next to me. It was a brief but crystal clear encounter and snapped me out of the astral state. After that I continued chanting the mantra and then did some deep breathing.
I visualized love pouring into my being focusing from my feet up to my head. The rest of the meditation was peaceful and uneventful.
I plucked a card from the blue Baba bag:
"Purify your thoughts, words, deeds."
David came in later, we chanted the mantra and then performed aarathi.
The Kundalini chant we have been using can be accessed here:
Om Jai Sai Ram!
Sai Ram Beloved Sai Devotees
David and I did a Gayatri walk through the neighborhood this afternoon. David said a beautiful prayer in the middle of our walk praying for healing and love to pervade the area.
I sat for meditation this evening between the sandhya hours of 4-8pm. I chanted some rosaries to Mother Lakshmi and offered Her flowers and incense. During the chanting I caught glimpses of the Goddess and kept seeing elephants spraying water with their trunks uplifted. I also saw our beloved Baba. He kept showing up. First in a blue robe and afterwards in white walking through the ashram.
Well, it is getting late and I have promised to get to bed earlier. Goodnight and Sweet Baba dreams.
Lots of Prema,
sonya ki
03/27/15
This morning The golden rays of the sun caressed my face, gently awakening me.
"Lover arise and come meditate on me, your one true love, your one true self."
I sat for meditation close to 8am. I continued offering chants to Goddess Lakshmi
and at some point went into a peaceful space. I saw Swami holding a flame and decided
to do the light meditation:
"As regards the technique of meditation, different teachers and trainers give different forms of advice. But I shall give you now the most universal and the most effective form. This is the very first step in spiritual discipline. At first, set a few minutes every day for meditation, and extend the time as you feel the bliss that you get.
"Let it be in the hours before dawn. This is preferable because the body is refreshed after sleep, and the dealings of daytime will not yet have impinged on you. Have a lamp or a candle before you with an open, steady, and straight flame. Sit in front of the candle in the lotus posture or any other comfortable sitting position. Look on the flame steadily for some time, and closing your eyes try to feel the flame inside you between your eyebrows. Let it slide down into the lotus of your heart, illuminating the path. When it enters the heart, imagine that the petals of the lotus open out by one, bathing every thought, feeling, and emotion in the light and so removing darkness from them. There is no space for darkness to hide. The light of the flame becomes wider and brighter. Let it pervade your limbs. Now those limbs can never indulge in dark, suspicious, and wicked activities; they have become instruments of light and love. As the light reaches up to the tongue, falsehood vanishes from it. Let it rise up to the eyes and the ears and destroy all the dark desires that infest them and which lead you to perverse sights and childish conversation. Let your head be surcharged with light and all wicked thoughts will flee there from. Imagine that the light is in you more and more intensely. Let it shine all around you and let it spread from you in ever widening circles, taking in your loved ones, your kith and kin, your friends and companions, your enemies and rivals, strangers, all living beings, the entire world.
"Since the light illumines all the senses every day so deeply and so systematically, a time will soon come when you can no more relish dark and evil sights, yearn for dark and sinister tales, crave for base, harmful, deadening toxic food and drink, handle dirty demeaning things, approach places of ill-fame and injury, or frame evil designs against anyone at any time. Stay on in that thrill of witnessing the light everywhere. If you are adoring God in any form now, try to visualize that form in the all-pervasive light. For Light is God; God is Light.
"Practice this meditation as I have advised regularly every day. At other times repeat the name of God (any Name fragrant with any of His many Majesties), always taking care to be conscious of His might, mercy, and munificence."
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume X, Page 348-350, Shivarathri, 1979
Throughout my meditation I kept hearing sudden voices. I heard someone shout my name, "Sonya!"
At another point, I heard: "You've reached the other side." "4pm noon." I am not sure if there is any
meaning to these sounds but it certainly was a very auditory meditation.
When I surfaced from my meditation I pulled a Baba quote from the blue Baba bag:
"God is not external; God is not outside you; God is inside you. You are God yourself."
As I read these precious words, an overwhelming feeling of love pervaded my whole being.
A gorgeous sweetness embraced me in its loving arms. I sank into another ambrosial meditation.
As I sank deeper in bliss, I saw Swami's arm as attached to mine, and in fact his whole body was
mine, there was a feeling of infinite space and largeness. Then I heard very loud: "THAT!"
This startled me, and brought me back to earth consciousness.
Beloved Family, we must never forget that:
"We are God, We are God, We are not different from God,"
Have a very blessed, divine day.
Lots of Prema,
Sonya ki
03/30/15
Om Sai Ram
David and I just sat for a lovely meditation. The past few days have been a bit hectic, I did manage to sit for meditation but not much happening. I think too I was a little preoccupied with some material thoughts. Today was very divine though. Before the meditation we randomly selected a quote from the blue Baba bag:
I picked:
"Life is like a block of ice that is continually melting away; life span itself it is continuously diminishing day by day."
How appropriate, Swami is reminding us to not waste time, how precious the time on earth is, we should utilize it to the fullest and realize Him!
David chose:
"When you dive into the sea at one place, you are diving into the full, not a fraction, for the ocean is the same everywhere."
The truth that we are God and not separate from that unity that fullness is such good news.
We sang the bhajan: "Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama, Ram, Rama, Rama, Rama Chandra". Then we chanted three Oms, the Gayatri and Samastha Loka.
As I drifted into a quiet space, the thought of feeling and having God's darshan was uppermost in my mind. I settled into my third eye center and just waited. It was dark and empty at first, then I saw a glow that widened into an eye. It resembled Swami's divine eyes. The eye grew huge and even more beautiful, hovering throughout space. Even when my attention shifted I was able to see this luminous eye. I didn't hear anything so there wasn't any auditory stimulation. Just that Grand All Seeing Eye. After some time I saw our celestial Lord emerging from the Eye of eyes and sweet Love permeated my being.
I closed the meditation with Aarathi.
Om Jai Sai Ram!
03/31/15
Om Sai Dear Sai Family
I was not planning to go to the upcoming Pre-world conference but last night in my meditation I experienced a strong desire to attend at least for one night. I asked Swami for an auditory response to this desire and I heard: "where my devotees are gathered there I am." Then I saw our beautiful Lord in a pond filled with lotuses playing with His devotees like Lord Krishna. How absolutely divine!
I prayed to Swami to inspire David to want to go so that he could also experience the bliss of Satsangh.
I relayed the vision to David last night. This morning David called me and said he felt inspired to go to the Pre world conference. So now it is all set and we will be attending by Lord Sai's beautiful grace.
Om Jai Sai Ram!
David and I did a Gayatri walk through the neighborhood this afternoon. David said a beautiful prayer in the middle of our walk praying for healing and love to pervade the area.
I sat for meditation this evening between the sandhya hours of 4-8pm. I chanted some rosaries to Mother Lakshmi and offered Her flowers and incense. During the chanting I caught glimpses of the Goddess and kept seeing elephants spraying water with their trunks uplifted. I also saw our beloved Baba. He kept showing up. First in a blue robe and afterwards in white walking through the ashram.
Well, it is getting late and I have promised to get to bed earlier. Goodnight and Sweet Baba dreams.
Lots of Prema,
sonya ki
03/27/15
This morning The golden rays of the sun caressed my face, gently awakening me.
"Lover arise and come meditate on me, your one true love, your one true self."
I sat for meditation close to 8am. I continued offering chants to Goddess Lakshmi
and at some point went into a peaceful space. I saw Swami holding a flame and decided
to do the light meditation:
"As regards the technique of meditation, different teachers and trainers give different forms of advice. But I shall give you now the most universal and the most effective form. This is the very first step in spiritual discipline. At first, set a few minutes every day for meditation, and extend the time as you feel the bliss that you get.
"Let it be in the hours before dawn. This is preferable because the body is refreshed after sleep, and the dealings of daytime will not yet have impinged on you. Have a lamp or a candle before you with an open, steady, and straight flame. Sit in front of the candle in the lotus posture or any other comfortable sitting position. Look on the flame steadily for some time, and closing your eyes try to feel the flame inside you between your eyebrows. Let it slide down into the lotus of your heart, illuminating the path. When it enters the heart, imagine that the petals of the lotus open out by one, bathing every thought, feeling, and emotion in the light and so removing darkness from them. There is no space for darkness to hide. The light of the flame becomes wider and brighter. Let it pervade your limbs. Now those limbs can never indulge in dark, suspicious, and wicked activities; they have become instruments of light and love. As the light reaches up to the tongue, falsehood vanishes from it. Let it rise up to the eyes and the ears and destroy all the dark desires that infest them and which lead you to perverse sights and childish conversation. Let your head be surcharged with light and all wicked thoughts will flee there from. Imagine that the light is in you more and more intensely. Let it shine all around you and let it spread from you in ever widening circles, taking in your loved ones, your kith and kin, your friends and companions, your enemies and rivals, strangers, all living beings, the entire world.
"Since the light illumines all the senses every day so deeply and so systematically, a time will soon come when you can no more relish dark and evil sights, yearn for dark and sinister tales, crave for base, harmful, deadening toxic food and drink, handle dirty demeaning things, approach places of ill-fame and injury, or frame evil designs against anyone at any time. Stay on in that thrill of witnessing the light everywhere. If you are adoring God in any form now, try to visualize that form in the all-pervasive light. For Light is God; God is Light.
"Practice this meditation as I have advised regularly every day. At other times repeat the name of God (any Name fragrant with any of His many Majesties), always taking care to be conscious of His might, mercy, and munificence."
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume X, Page 348-350, Shivarathri, 1979
Throughout my meditation I kept hearing sudden voices. I heard someone shout my name, "Sonya!"
At another point, I heard: "You've reached the other side." "4pm noon." I am not sure if there is any
meaning to these sounds but it certainly was a very auditory meditation.
When I surfaced from my meditation I pulled a Baba quote from the blue Baba bag:
"God is not external; God is not outside you; God is inside you. You are God yourself."
As I read these precious words, an overwhelming feeling of love pervaded my whole being.
A gorgeous sweetness embraced me in its loving arms. I sank into another ambrosial meditation.
As I sank deeper in bliss, I saw Swami's arm as attached to mine, and in fact his whole body was
mine, there was a feeling of infinite space and largeness. Then I heard very loud: "THAT!"
This startled me, and brought me back to earth consciousness.
Beloved Family, we must never forget that:
"We are God, We are God, We are not different from God,"
Have a very blessed, divine day.
Lots of Prema,
Sonya ki
03/30/15
Om Sai Ram
David and I just sat for a lovely meditation. The past few days have been a bit hectic, I did manage to sit for meditation but not much happening. I think too I was a little preoccupied with some material thoughts. Today was very divine though. Before the meditation we randomly selected a quote from the blue Baba bag:
I picked:
"Life is like a block of ice that is continually melting away; life span itself it is continuously diminishing day by day."
How appropriate, Swami is reminding us to not waste time, how precious the time on earth is, we should utilize it to the fullest and realize Him!
David chose:
"When you dive into the sea at one place, you are diving into the full, not a fraction, for the ocean is the same everywhere."
The truth that we are God and not separate from that unity that fullness is such good news.
We sang the bhajan: "Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama, Ram, Rama, Rama, Rama Chandra". Then we chanted three Oms, the Gayatri and Samastha Loka.
As I drifted into a quiet space, the thought of feeling and having God's darshan was uppermost in my mind. I settled into my third eye center and just waited. It was dark and empty at first, then I saw a glow that widened into an eye. It resembled Swami's divine eyes. The eye grew huge and even more beautiful, hovering throughout space. Even when my attention shifted I was able to see this luminous eye. I didn't hear anything so there wasn't any auditory stimulation. Just that Grand All Seeing Eye. After some time I saw our celestial Lord emerging from the Eye of eyes and sweet Love permeated my being.
I closed the meditation with Aarathi.
Om Jai Sai Ram!
03/31/15
Om Sai Dear Sai Family
I was not planning to go to the upcoming Pre-world conference but last night in my meditation I experienced a strong desire to attend at least for one night. I asked Swami for an auditory response to this desire and I heard: "where my devotees are gathered there I am." Then I saw our beautiful Lord in a pond filled with lotuses playing with His devotees like Lord Krishna. How absolutely divine!
I prayed to Swami to inspire David to want to go so that he could also experience the bliss of Satsangh.
I relayed the vision to David last night. This morning David called me and said he felt inspired to go to the Pre world conference. So now it is all set and we will be attending by Lord Sai's beautiful grace.
Om Jai Sai Ram!
This photo was taken when I first went to Baba in the early 90's, notice the cross to the right.
04/02/15
Om Jai Sai Ram!
What a heavenly day. I awaken to the divine Presence in and around me. David and I have just completed a Gayatri walk around our neighborhood. I had an epiphany this morning that I
would like to share with you. Yesterday during the meditation period I drew this Baba quote from the
blue Baba bag,. It was very significant especially since we are approaching Good Friday and Easter:
"When a line is drawn through the "I" it becomes the symbol of the cross; what is crucified is the ego. Then the divine nature manifests without restriction."
This morning these beautiful thoughts bloomed like fragrant lilies in my consciousness:
Only present moment awareness brings pure happiness and God's presence.
When we serve others lovingly we are totally in the present moment, because we are pulled out of our ego and chronic self involvement.
Notice when you serve how happy you and the other person feels. God is happy too with you.
That's why all the great mystics and Sai Avatar encourage us to "Love all, Serve All" (Sathya Sai Baba).
It's curious to note how this very action that brings us nearer to the divine presence and anchors us in the present moment we tend to resist: "Oh, I don't have time", or "it takes too much energy to do".
Once we see the real all around benefit loving service to others provides we will plunge heart and soul
into this holy practice.
Ways to Serve Lovingly:
Offer help to religious, spiritual centers and organizations
volunteer at hospitals and other institutions
Donate food to sharing centers and other charitable organizations
Do Gayatri chanting walks around your neighborhood. Or chant other divine names.
Serve your family and friends with every opportunity
Keep the environment healthy and clean
Devotional singing and chanting
Smile more, offer loving words, tread softly and gently
Ways to Maintain Present Moment Awareness
All of the above
Regular Namasmarana (Chanting the Names of God)
Meditation on God's awesome presence
Deep breathing and Yoga
What are other ways you can think of to preserve present moment awareness
and serve others lovingly?
Lots of Prema
Sonya ki
Om Jai Sai Ram!
What a heavenly day. I awaken to the divine Presence in and around me. David and I have just completed a Gayatri walk around our neighborhood. I had an epiphany this morning that I
would like to share with you. Yesterday during the meditation period I drew this Baba quote from the
blue Baba bag,. It was very significant especially since we are approaching Good Friday and Easter:
"When a line is drawn through the "I" it becomes the symbol of the cross; what is crucified is the ego. Then the divine nature manifests without restriction."
This morning these beautiful thoughts bloomed like fragrant lilies in my consciousness:
Only present moment awareness brings pure happiness and God's presence.
When we serve others lovingly we are totally in the present moment, because we are pulled out of our ego and chronic self involvement.
Notice when you serve how happy you and the other person feels. God is happy too with you.
That's why all the great mystics and Sai Avatar encourage us to "Love all, Serve All" (Sathya Sai Baba).
It's curious to note how this very action that brings us nearer to the divine presence and anchors us in the present moment we tend to resist: "Oh, I don't have time", or "it takes too much energy to do".
Once we see the real all around benefit loving service to others provides we will plunge heart and soul
into this holy practice.
Ways to Serve Lovingly:
Offer help to religious, spiritual centers and organizations
volunteer at hospitals and other institutions
Donate food to sharing centers and other charitable organizations
Do Gayatri chanting walks around your neighborhood. Or chant other divine names.
Serve your family and friends with every opportunity
Keep the environment healthy and clean
Devotional singing and chanting
Smile more, offer loving words, tread softly and gently
Ways to Maintain Present Moment Awareness
All of the above
Regular Namasmarana (Chanting the Names of God)
Meditation on God's awesome presence
Deep breathing and Yoga
What are other ways you can think of to preserve present moment awareness
and serve others lovingly?
Lots of Prema
Sonya ki
04/05/2015
The aromatic, ambrosial scent of Star of Tuscany jasmine permeated my Easter Sunday. I needed more fragrance in the garden and this lovely shrub embraced the backyard with its heavenly aroma. I met my daughter and grand kids at Unity church this morning. We had an uplifting sermon and message, with plenty of sweet hymns caressing our spirits.
There was an interesting leela that occurred. The Minister ended the sermon with a little story. She related that once during a Sunday school session, the teacher handed out plastic Easter eggs with messages inside the egg. One little boy opened his egg and there was no little strip of paper with a message inside it. The Teacher was concerned not knowing how the child would react. The boy told the
teacher this is the point: "Jesus' tomb was empty when He left and returned to heaven, so is my egg."
It was such a profound comparison. Then the Minister told us that we all would be receiving little plastic colored eggs, but all of our eggs definitely had a message inside.
At the end of the service as I was exiting, I selected a golden yellow Easter egg from the basket.
When I opened the egg it was empty. Needless to say, I was very surprised after hearing the empty egg story. But I took this as a sign that God was pleased with my sadhana and spiritual focus.
David and I sat for meditation this evening. My third eye center was very activated. I saw our beautiful Baba holding mala beads in His divine hands and then we garlanded Him with the beads.
Later on I selected this random quote from the blue Baba bag:
"Remember you are not the body, mind or senses. You are eternal - and all things are possible. The universe belongs to you. Think Expanded! Unlimited! Unbounded!
Om Jai SaI Ram!
The aromatic, ambrosial scent of Star of Tuscany jasmine permeated my Easter Sunday. I needed more fragrance in the garden and this lovely shrub embraced the backyard with its heavenly aroma. I met my daughter and grand kids at Unity church this morning. We had an uplifting sermon and message, with plenty of sweet hymns caressing our spirits.
There was an interesting leela that occurred. The Minister ended the sermon with a little story. She related that once during a Sunday school session, the teacher handed out plastic Easter eggs with messages inside the egg. One little boy opened his egg and there was no little strip of paper with a message inside it. The Teacher was concerned not knowing how the child would react. The boy told the
teacher this is the point: "Jesus' tomb was empty when He left and returned to heaven, so is my egg."
It was such a profound comparison. Then the Minister told us that we all would be receiving little plastic colored eggs, but all of our eggs definitely had a message inside.
At the end of the service as I was exiting, I selected a golden yellow Easter egg from the basket.
When I opened the egg it was empty. Needless to say, I was very surprised after hearing the empty egg story. But I took this as a sign that God was pleased with my sadhana and spiritual focus.
David and I sat for meditation this evening. My third eye center was very activated. I saw our beautiful Baba holding mala beads in His divine hands and then we garlanded Him with the beads.
Later on I selected this random quote from the blue Baba bag:
"Remember you are not the body, mind or senses. You are eternal - and all things are possible. The universe belongs to you. Think Expanded! Unlimited! Unbounded!
Om Jai SaI Ram!
04/20/15
Om Sai Ram Dear Sai Family
After attending the Pre-World Sai Conference this weekend I reflected on what I had learned.
I know I can always do more Seva. Seva is really the key to experiencing unity and unity
in turn leads to divinity or self realization. Also, I still need a lot more work in the desires department.
I can be such a peacock. I love new clothing, jewelry, hairstyles etc. As I reflected this morning during
meditation and shared with David: I said to him that I came to the conclusion that instead of promising
to eliminate this and that from the desire bin, I would focus on God more and offer my desires to Him.
The mind really tends to resist when I forcibly try to restrict it. I guess Swami liked that because I pulled
this random quote from the blue Baba bag immediately after this reflection:
"Let the mind ever dwell on God. Let it see all as God. That is what is described as one-pointedness. If it is so fixed it will give up its tendency to search for faults and foibles in others, it will not run after the foul and the frivolous; it will not accumulate the trivial and transitory. It will be used only to help man's progress towards the Divine Destiny." ~ Sai Baba
After our Sadhana I remained in the puja room to continue to connect with our Lord Sai. The puja room is right next to the Living room and David turned on the T.V. The sound kept interfering with my meditation.
So instead of fighting the situation I decided to sing bhajans. The bhajans provided that sweet connection with out beautiful Baba. After singing I was able to access my third eye nicely. I saw dearest Baba writing something as I zoomed in it looked like "Om Sai Ram" next He was holding strings of crystal mala, the beads radiating dazzling light.
O Baba we love you, please bless us with Your Divine Presence always.
Om Jai Sai Ram!
Sonya Ki
05/03/15
Om Sai Ram
David and I just sat for meditation this afternoon. Lately, I have been mostly doing a Namasmarana session in the morning and at night, chanting "Om Sai Ram" on the crystal mala Baba blessed. This coupled with the simplified breath systems that He recommends have been very helpful.
I went very easily into an altered state during the meditation. I saw our Lord Sai holding a huge golden, brass bell (not sure what that means). Then I saw His gigantic astral feet walking towards me. Quite suddenly I heard these words very loud and insistent, I think they were coming from my Soul addressed to Lord Sai:
"We need to know the situation, and we need to know it now!"
I have been feeling a little eery lately, I think this may be somehow connected to the Nepal disaster
and the astrological predictions concerning our planet.
Dear Brothers and Sisters please pray for our dear earth and chant the name of God always.
Lots of Prema,
Sonya Ki
Om Sai Ram Dear Sai Family
After attending the Pre-World Sai Conference this weekend I reflected on what I had learned.
I know I can always do more Seva. Seva is really the key to experiencing unity and unity
in turn leads to divinity or self realization. Also, I still need a lot more work in the desires department.
I can be such a peacock. I love new clothing, jewelry, hairstyles etc. As I reflected this morning during
meditation and shared with David: I said to him that I came to the conclusion that instead of promising
to eliminate this and that from the desire bin, I would focus on God more and offer my desires to Him.
The mind really tends to resist when I forcibly try to restrict it. I guess Swami liked that because I pulled
this random quote from the blue Baba bag immediately after this reflection:
"Let the mind ever dwell on God. Let it see all as God. That is what is described as one-pointedness. If it is so fixed it will give up its tendency to search for faults and foibles in others, it will not run after the foul and the frivolous; it will not accumulate the trivial and transitory. It will be used only to help man's progress towards the Divine Destiny." ~ Sai Baba
After our Sadhana I remained in the puja room to continue to connect with our Lord Sai. The puja room is right next to the Living room and David turned on the T.V. The sound kept interfering with my meditation.
So instead of fighting the situation I decided to sing bhajans. The bhajans provided that sweet connection with out beautiful Baba. After singing I was able to access my third eye nicely. I saw dearest Baba writing something as I zoomed in it looked like "Om Sai Ram" next He was holding strings of crystal mala, the beads radiating dazzling light.
O Baba we love you, please bless us with Your Divine Presence always.
Om Jai Sai Ram!
Sonya Ki
05/03/15
Om Sai Ram
David and I just sat for meditation this afternoon. Lately, I have been mostly doing a Namasmarana session in the morning and at night, chanting "Om Sai Ram" on the crystal mala Baba blessed. This coupled with the simplified breath systems that He recommends have been very helpful.
I went very easily into an altered state during the meditation. I saw our Lord Sai holding a huge golden, brass bell (not sure what that means). Then I saw His gigantic astral feet walking towards me. Quite suddenly I heard these words very loud and insistent, I think they were coming from my Soul addressed to Lord Sai:
"We need to know the situation, and we need to know it now!"
I have been feeling a little eery lately, I think this may be somehow connected to the Nepal disaster
and the astrological predictions concerning our planet.
Dear Brothers and Sisters please pray for our dear earth and chant the name of God always.
Lots of Prema,
Sonya Ki
Om Sairam! Happy Mother's Day & Happy Easwaramma Day!
Today at Sai bhajans I experienced a flood of intense visions. The energy at the Sai Center was high and all the devotees sang with great gusto. Closing my outer eyes I settled into my third eye.
In the blessed emptiness an image of a cow started to develop. This handsome form of the cow continued
for awhile then I saw araathi being performed to the cow.
Coming briefly out of this altered state I focused on the bhajans. Then as I started to drift again, suddenly I saw a huge pair of wings, I thought maybe an angel, zooming in it seemed to have a Hanuman like face, but when I researched later after bhajans - Hindu Gods with wings I saw this depiction of Lord Garuda that struck a bell.
Towards the end of bhajans our Divine Sai's Feet appeared walking towards me. He was robed in golden dress, shimmering like the Lakshmi sun.
Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram!
Today at Sai bhajans I experienced a flood of intense visions. The energy at the Sai Center was high and all the devotees sang with great gusto. Closing my outer eyes I settled into my third eye.
In the blessed emptiness an image of a cow started to develop. This handsome form of the cow continued
for awhile then I saw araathi being performed to the cow.
Coming briefly out of this altered state I focused on the bhajans. Then as I started to drift again, suddenly I saw a huge pair of wings, I thought maybe an angel, zooming in it seemed to have a Hanuman like face, but when I researched later after bhajans - Hindu Gods with wings I saw this depiction of Lord Garuda that struck a bell.
Towards the end of bhajans our Divine Sai's Feet appeared walking towards me. He was robed in golden dress, shimmering like the Lakshmi sun.
Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram!
05/25/2015
Om Sai Ram Beloved Bhaktas of Lord Sai
Yesterday I attended darshan at the Sai Center. Swami says "where my devotees are gathered, there I am." So, whenever we attend a Sai bhajan or event, rest assured our beloved Baba is present.
And we are experiencing none other than His exquisite darshan.
During darshan while the bhajans were swelling to a sweet crescendo, I drifted into an alternate awareness. Waiting in the splendor of my third eye center for divine Baba to appear. I suddenly became
aware of a huge stupa extending to the heavens. It was like the one in Prashanti but ginormous.
There were thousands of devotees circumambulating this colossal stupa. This continued for awhile then I came back to the bhajan surroundings. Again, after some time I entered that sublime space. Our wonderful Lord Sai made His presence known. He moved towards His special seat and sat down with such power and force I trembled with inner bliss. "Thank you, Swami, I pray we will court your divine presence with dedication and one pointed love. The last vision I saw Bhagavan viewing the world, spinning. And then dragging a heavy object, almost like a plow into the earth. He dug a circle around the world. The world seemed to split in half while still spinning. Very mysterious.
Om Sai Ram
Om Sai Ram Beloved Bhaktas of Lord Sai
Yesterday I attended darshan at the Sai Center. Swami says "where my devotees are gathered, there I am." So, whenever we attend a Sai bhajan or event, rest assured our beloved Baba is present.
And we are experiencing none other than His exquisite darshan.
During darshan while the bhajans were swelling to a sweet crescendo, I drifted into an alternate awareness. Waiting in the splendor of my third eye center for divine Baba to appear. I suddenly became
aware of a huge stupa extending to the heavens. It was like the one in Prashanti but ginormous.
There were thousands of devotees circumambulating this colossal stupa. This continued for awhile then I came back to the bhajan surroundings. Again, after some time I entered that sublime space. Our wonderful Lord Sai made His presence known. He moved towards His special seat and sat down with such power and force I trembled with inner bliss. "Thank you, Swami, I pray we will court your divine presence with dedication and one pointed love. The last vision I saw Bhagavan viewing the world, spinning. And then dragging a heavy object, almost like a plow into the earth. He dug a circle around the world. The world seemed to split in half while still spinning. Very mysterious.
Om Sai Ram
Sai Puja Leela
Om Sai Ram
Swami is so wonderful, so magnificent, He is indeed an awesome God. Some time ago in
my meditation our Lord Sai gave me a vision that He wanted me to bathe the idols in the house
and puja room. So, I bought some milk this week and decided to do it today. I also wanted to revamp
the puja room and put on fresh altar covers.
After fixing the altar and putting new cloth on it, I began the puja. David sat for a portion of it. We first chanted 3 Oms, 3 Gayatris and 9 Ganesh Gayatris. Then we said prayers for those in need. After I began bathing the various idols while chanting the Sai Gayatri throughout the puja. After bathing all the idols in water I poured milk over them and dried them. As I was getting ready to sit for meditation and then close the puja, I notice the Lakshmi in the fountain next to Baba looking at me sadly. I had forgotten to
bathe her. That particular fountain had stopped working because I had neglected to turn it off and the water ran out. I tried twice to get it to work taking it apart looking at the pump, putting more water in it
but it failed to resume working. With great love I bathed the Lakshmi fountain and poured milk over her, washed her and set her back in the base. I said, "How wonderful it would be if You would start working again." Lo and behold, when I plugged Her in the water started flowing!!! Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram! I promised to never neglect Her again.
I began putting kum kum on some of the idols but it became messy and I spilled some of the kum kum on the floor and had to clean it up. I decided I would just place vibhuti on them after Aarathi.
As I sat for meditation. I had some beautiful visions of Lord Sai as I settled into my third eye.
I saw Swami coming towards me, He placed some kum kum on my forehead and then I saw Him
pouring amrita into the lingam water.
When I came out of meditation, I finished the puja with Aarathi.
Om Sai Ram,
Thank You Swami.
Om Sai Ram
Swami is so wonderful, so magnificent, He is indeed an awesome God. Some time ago in
my meditation our Lord Sai gave me a vision that He wanted me to bathe the idols in the house
and puja room. So, I bought some milk this week and decided to do it today. I also wanted to revamp
the puja room and put on fresh altar covers.
After fixing the altar and putting new cloth on it, I began the puja. David sat for a portion of it. We first chanted 3 Oms, 3 Gayatris and 9 Ganesh Gayatris. Then we said prayers for those in need. After I began bathing the various idols while chanting the Sai Gayatri throughout the puja. After bathing all the idols in water I poured milk over them and dried them. As I was getting ready to sit for meditation and then close the puja, I notice the Lakshmi in the fountain next to Baba looking at me sadly. I had forgotten to
bathe her. That particular fountain had stopped working because I had neglected to turn it off and the water ran out. I tried twice to get it to work taking it apart looking at the pump, putting more water in it
but it failed to resume working. With great love I bathed the Lakshmi fountain and poured milk over her, washed her and set her back in the base. I said, "How wonderful it would be if You would start working again." Lo and behold, when I plugged Her in the water started flowing!!! Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram! Om Sai Ram! I promised to never neglect Her again.
I began putting kum kum on some of the idols but it became messy and I spilled some of the kum kum on the floor and had to clean it up. I decided I would just place vibhuti on them after Aarathi.
As I sat for meditation. I had some beautiful visions of Lord Sai as I settled into my third eye.
I saw Swami coming towards me, He placed some kum kum on my forehead and then I saw Him
pouring amrita into the lingam water.
When I came out of meditation, I finished the puja with Aarathi.
Om Sai Ram,
Thank You Swami.
09/29/2015
Sairam Dear Sai Family
David and I have been doing Yoga lately. It is called Yin Yoga. It's very gentle
with a focus on stretching for longer periods of time. At the end of one session the teacher did a final relaxation that was very wonderful. She had us concentrate on each chakra starting with the muladhara visualizing the specific color and the energy spinning right up to the crown chakra. This exercise was extremely invigorating and uplifting. I will share a meditation video later using this chakra exercise.
Today, I sat for meditation. I went easily into an altered state. Very clearly our Lord Sai appeared.
He seemed to be looking out on the world. Then He did something unusual, He put His hands in prayer position, like He was praying for us. That vision faded soon after that.
One more little spiritual tidbit. A few days ago I had a dream in which I was in a tent speaking about Lord Krishna and Cosmic Consciousness. There was a large gathering in the tent. I was speaking very confidently and without notes. I remember saying. "And what happened when Sri Krishna opened His mouth?" One devotee , Veena said, " She saw fishes and stars." Continuing, I said, "This is the Cosmic Consciousness, what was witnessed was Cosmic Consciousness, swirling in Lord Krishna's mouth all, the stars, planets and all that is. " I can't remember verbatim everything I related but the essence of it was Cosmic Consciousness. All that exists is Krishna.
What is Cosmic Consciousness? Here is what Swami says about Cosmic Consciousness:
Taken online from: « I AM Meditation by Robert AdamsĀdi Śankarācārya on Advaita »
KNOW YOURSELF by Sri Sathya Sai Baba
November 6, 2011 by iami108
The Cosmic Consciousness
It is this Cosmic Consciousness that has been presented to the common people as Sat-Chit-Ananda so that they can comprehend its nature. The Vedantins looked upon these three as reflections of each other. These three have also been called Asthi, Bhaati and Priyam in Vedantic parlance. In fact, all three are one and the same.
When one says, “Here is a tumbler,” the Is-ness is Asthi. This is Sat. We are seeing it. The quality of being perceivable is Bhaati. This is Chit (cognisability). “I am enjoying it.” This is Priyam or Ananda. Sat, Chit and Ananda are one. It is one and the same thing which is, which shines and which gives Ananda.
Though there is only One, because of our mental processes, we are seeing It in many forms and names.
Hence Atma-tatwa (the true nature of the Atma) is to be experienced by recognising the unity underlying the diversity. The Atma (Spirit) has no form. It is capable of assuming the form of the container which it fills. When air is filled in a balloon, it has the form of the balloon. When it fills a football, it has the form of the football. When it is present in a pneumatic pillow, it has the form of the pillow. Air, thus, has no form but it has one quality, that is Chaitanya (consciousness).
Conscience is a part of Consciousness
It is not easy to understand this quality of Chaitanya (consciousness). When you want to understand the nature of consciousness, you have to understand one part of it, namely, Conscience. Conscience is a Witness. It is also known as Awareness. A witness requires a basis for its functioning. That basis is that of which you are “conscious” in the waking state.
There are these three levels of understanding. Being “conscious” (of the objective world), the Conscience and the consciousness. The first state is related to the senses. Conscience is related to the mind. Consciousness is related to the Atma (the Spirit). These three divisions have been made for the purpose of understanding and grappling with the concerns of daily life.
This process may be illustrated by an example. For instance, a conference of doctors is held in a hall. There can be different specialists present in the hall. But all are described as doctors. Each one may have specialised in one part of the body-the heart, the ear, the brain or other limb. The body is one, but for the purpose of specialisation it is divided into many parts. Likewise, all are embodiments of the Atma. But for the purpose of earning a living, one may be labourer, or an official, or a trader, or a farmer.
These differences are based on the occupations pursued by different persons. They are based on the occupations and have no permanent significance. Similarly, although the Atma is one and the same in everybody, distinctions are made among different persons on the basis of their physical and other characteristics and their relationships.
One’s interest in these distinctions is based on one’s attachment. For instance, if there is an accident to an aeroplane, one’s interest in the fate of individual passengers is increased if one’s kith and kin were travelling by that plane. Otherwise one is interested in the accident only out of curiosity.
In the same manner, as long as the Atma is not considered as your own, your interest in the Atma is concerned with mere information. Once you know that the Atma is the Self that is present in everyone, the process of transformation takes place.
The Real is only One. But as long as the mind and body remain, it is difficult to experience this oneness. In spite, however, of the difficulty, everyone must strive to discover his true Self.
Understand the Atma first.
We have seen how the body is comparable to a chariot, the senses to horses, the mind to the reins
and the Buddhi to the charioteer. But besides these there is the master of the chariot, the Atma
residing in the body. Hence, in addition to knowing how the body, the senses, the mind and the
Buddhi function, you have to regard the understanding of the Atma as the primary goal.
Giving up the sense of “I” and “mine”, you have to do your duty as a spiritual discipline. “Karthavyam yogamuchyathe” (The performance of one’s duty is yoga). When you practise this yoga, you will experience the joy of Atmic bliss. It is the absence of this yoga which is making men Rogi (sickly).
When you examine the activities of the mind, with a view to finding out whether they are leading you to bondage or to liberation, you will find that they are only leading you to bondage.
The primary cause for the chaos of divisions, conflicts, disorder and violence in the world today is the absence of the sense of oneness among men. There is urgent need for cultivating the spirit of love which will serve to promote the feeling of oneness.
All education today is a process of proceeding from ignorance to ignorance. If you seek to know where is the Atma, it is the Chaitanya (Consciousness) between one state of consciousness and another. This is not easily understandable by all. There is a state which is between waking and sleep. Few know what this state is. We seem to be in the waking state and then we close the eyes and fall asleep. Only the yogis have observed this phenomenon.
That which is conscious between the waking and sleeping states is the Atmic principle. The waking state represents the Rajo guna. Sleep represents the Tamo guna. In between is the Satwa guna–that is the Atmic Consciousness.
Excerpt from Discourse at the ‘Summer Course ‘in Brindavan, on 29-5-1990.
Sairam Dear Sai Family
David and I have been doing Yoga lately. It is called Yin Yoga. It's very gentle
with a focus on stretching for longer periods of time. At the end of one session the teacher did a final relaxation that was very wonderful. She had us concentrate on each chakra starting with the muladhara visualizing the specific color and the energy spinning right up to the crown chakra. This exercise was extremely invigorating and uplifting. I will share a meditation video later using this chakra exercise.
Today, I sat for meditation. I went easily into an altered state. Very clearly our Lord Sai appeared.
He seemed to be looking out on the world. Then He did something unusual, He put His hands in prayer position, like He was praying for us. That vision faded soon after that.
One more little spiritual tidbit. A few days ago I had a dream in which I was in a tent speaking about Lord Krishna and Cosmic Consciousness. There was a large gathering in the tent. I was speaking very confidently and without notes. I remember saying. "And what happened when Sri Krishna opened His mouth?" One devotee , Veena said, " She saw fishes and stars." Continuing, I said, "This is the Cosmic Consciousness, what was witnessed was Cosmic Consciousness, swirling in Lord Krishna's mouth all, the stars, planets and all that is. " I can't remember verbatim everything I related but the essence of it was Cosmic Consciousness. All that exists is Krishna.
What is Cosmic Consciousness? Here is what Swami says about Cosmic Consciousness:
Taken online from: « I AM Meditation by Robert AdamsĀdi Śankarācārya on Advaita »
KNOW YOURSELF by Sri Sathya Sai Baba
November 6, 2011 by iami108
The Cosmic Consciousness
It is this Cosmic Consciousness that has been presented to the common people as Sat-Chit-Ananda so that they can comprehend its nature. The Vedantins looked upon these three as reflections of each other. These three have also been called Asthi, Bhaati and Priyam in Vedantic parlance. In fact, all three are one and the same.
When one says, “Here is a tumbler,” the Is-ness is Asthi. This is Sat. We are seeing it. The quality of being perceivable is Bhaati. This is Chit (cognisability). “I am enjoying it.” This is Priyam or Ananda. Sat, Chit and Ananda are one. It is one and the same thing which is, which shines and which gives Ananda.
Though there is only One, because of our mental processes, we are seeing It in many forms and names.
Hence Atma-tatwa (the true nature of the Atma) is to be experienced by recognising the unity underlying the diversity. The Atma (Spirit) has no form. It is capable of assuming the form of the container which it fills. When air is filled in a balloon, it has the form of the balloon. When it fills a football, it has the form of the football. When it is present in a pneumatic pillow, it has the form of the pillow. Air, thus, has no form but it has one quality, that is Chaitanya (consciousness).
Conscience is a part of Consciousness
It is not easy to understand this quality of Chaitanya (consciousness). When you want to understand the nature of consciousness, you have to understand one part of it, namely, Conscience. Conscience is a Witness. It is also known as Awareness. A witness requires a basis for its functioning. That basis is that of which you are “conscious” in the waking state.
There are these three levels of understanding. Being “conscious” (of the objective world), the Conscience and the consciousness. The first state is related to the senses. Conscience is related to the mind. Consciousness is related to the Atma (the Spirit). These three divisions have been made for the purpose of understanding and grappling with the concerns of daily life.
This process may be illustrated by an example. For instance, a conference of doctors is held in a hall. There can be different specialists present in the hall. But all are described as doctors. Each one may have specialised in one part of the body-the heart, the ear, the brain or other limb. The body is one, but for the purpose of specialisation it is divided into many parts. Likewise, all are embodiments of the Atma. But for the purpose of earning a living, one may be labourer, or an official, or a trader, or a farmer.
These differences are based on the occupations pursued by different persons. They are based on the occupations and have no permanent significance. Similarly, although the Atma is one and the same in everybody, distinctions are made among different persons on the basis of their physical and other characteristics and their relationships.
One’s interest in these distinctions is based on one’s attachment. For instance, if there is an accident to an aeroplane, one’s interest in the fate of individual passengers is increased if one’s kith and kin were travelling by that plane. Otherwise one is interested in the accident only out of curiosity.
In the same manner, as long as the Atma is not considered as your own, your interest in the Atma is concerned with mere information. Once you know that the Atma is the Self that is present in everyone, the process of transformation takes place.
The Real is only One. But as long as the mind and body remain, it is difficult to experience this oneness. In spite, however, of the difficulty, everyone must strive to discover his true Self.
Understand the Atma first.
We have seen how the body is comparable to a chariot, the senses to horses, the mind to the reins
and the Buddhi to the charioteer. But besides these there is the master of the chariot, the Atma
residing in the body. Hence, in addition to knowing how the body, the senses, the mind and the
Buddhi function, you have to regard the understanding of the Atma as the primary goal.
Giving up the sense of “I” and “mine”, you have to do your duty as a spiritual discipline. “Karthavyam yogamuchyathe” (The performance of one’s duty is yoga). When you practise this yoga, you will experience the joy of Atmic bliss. It is the absence of this yoga which is making men Rogi (sickly).
When you examine the activities of the mind, with a view to finding out whether they are leading you to bondage or to liberation, you will find that they are only leading you to bondage.
The primary cause for the chaos of divisions, conflicts, disorder and violence in the world today is the absence of the sense of oneness among men. There is urgent need for cultivating the spirit of love which will serve to promote the feeling of oneness.
All education today is a process of proceeding from ignorance to ignorance. If you seek to know where is the Atma, it is the Chaitanya (Consciousness) between one state of consciousness and another. This is not easily understandable by all. There is a state which is between waking and sleep. Few know what this state is. We seem to be in the waking state and then we close the eyes and fall asleep. Only the yogis have observed this phenomenon.
That which is conscious between the waking and sleeping states is the Atmic principle. The waking state represents the Rajo guna. Sleep represents the Tamo guna. In between is the Satwa guna–that is the Atmic Consciousness.
Excerpt from Discourse at the ‘Summer Course ‘in Brindavan, on 29-5-1990.
