Devotees of Shri Shirdi Sai often ask a question to me - "How to be in closer relationship with Baba?".  I have seen them striving in their own way to be close to Shri Sai, even if they are not aware as to what it would mean to be close to Shri Sai. Basically, it is an emotional rapport they would like to develop. The various methods they adopt, according to their stages of consciousness, strength of will, inborn and acquired qualities and faith in Baba, immensely vary.

It is true that the relationship of each disciple with Baba i.e. God will be unique and there cannot be exact second relationship. However, in all such relationships it is seen that the existence of certain common denominators and qualities are a prerequisite. If the devotees understand these qualitative prerequisites which would entail them to be closely drawn by Baba, then the treading of the path would be simpler.

The first such quality as I feel is faith in Him. Mere intellectual faith acquired over a period of time by reading books, discussions etc., may develop certain amount of conviction in him, but this level of faith is not enough. Even though at the earlier stages it may be necessary. People are often seen saying, even publicly, that "I can sacrifice my life for Baba" or that "In this world I can depend on nobody except Him fully". However, if we closely observe their lifestyle, the way they interact with people, their reaction to adversities of others, their reaction to individuals and groups around them in the society, one would find that their proclaimed convictions are mere exercise in substance less assertiveness.

If the faith in Baba is genuine, they would not be indulging in the manipulations they do in relation to other people being fully aware that Baba many times forbade people/reprimanded devotees for committing such acts to satisfy their smallest of interest. We have to watch whether we are acting truthfully, howsoever difficult, according to the advise of Baba. Faith reflects in everyday reality. It is not a mental luxury or a philosophical dream. Therefore, let us seriously think about this strength of our faith in Baba.

B -  How do we see Baba

How do we see Baba? Some people go to the temples and see Him in the form carved-out in a statue. Some feel Him in the Aarti or devotional songs. Some try to find him in the Sai Satcharita, as a character that affected the lives of millions. There are some who always seek for His miracles like un-expected favourable happenings, un-usual connections in mundane life or even in dreams. There are only a few who find Baba in all their actions i.e. Karma. The luckiest are the ones who identify their own actions as the outcome of inner motivations generated by Baba. The best devotees are those who in every motivation and action find the play of His Divine play i.e. leela.

C -   Devotion - Love of God

Experiences show that intellectual endeavours, howsoever potent and mighty they may seem, have not catapulated or thrown or raised any human being to spiritual heights. History shows that the highest spiritual masters are those who were uneducated in formal sense. For example, Ramkrishna Paramhans, Shri Shirdi Sai, Namdev, Tukaram, Paltu Maharaj etc. It obviously means that there is something self-limited in the intellectualism in the path of spiritual progress. All that the spiritual masters learnt in their life and spread among others is 'Bhakti' or devotion. "Bhakti" means love of God. Since God is not sitting in a throne like an individual, therefore, how to love Him. The answer is that God is in everyone and if one has the capacity to love others, he is doing real devotion. Even doing all the worship, yoga, pranaayaam (breath control) etc., for one's own improvement is not 'Bhakti'. It is one activity for fulfilling spiritual/occult ambition like any other ambition.

People in the path of devotion develop certain qualities that manifest in their daily life activities. They become humble, sacrificing, more universal and sensitive to the pain of others. They love Baba and flow in that stream unknowingly carrying along with them all that come in their contact. They don't try to pray to Baba for the fulfillment of any material requirements. Baba has a role to play to lead them ultimately to the correct path and correct goal. They have nothing to prove and, therefore, do not allow 'ego' to assert itself. This is the correct path towards Baba.

D -  Transcendence of the ego

Through various acts, advice and examples, Baba advised his children to follow the path of "dharma" which means transgressing the limitations of our small "ego". Keeping in mind Baba's advice we may all strive to transcend limitations of our mind and body.  In the path of spiritualism transcendence is necessary. Transcendence of what? Transcendence of the fetters of body and mind. This can only be achieved by controlling the compulsions of body like hunger, lust and the mental compulsions of mind like greed, jealousy, anger, hatred etc. When one by one the mental fetters fall off, two elements of mind like "desire" and "feeling" pertaining to those compulsions also vanish. The soul slowly but imperceptibly then enters into a state of pure consciousness. At this stage he goes beyond all bodily fetters including birth and death. He also crosses the barriers of time and space. The progress in the path of spirituality is the march of the divine consciousness from its primordial state to the original divine self.

All species controlled by time, in terms of birth and death, including human beings are a part of that creative process. Life after life they evolve ultimately to reach that state of God where from they emanated. Except God, no one and nothing in this world is perfect. All the imperfect beings and things in the world, which includes all species, get birth, because they are imperfect. Life after life they go on perfecting themselves, little by little. The meaning of life, is to endeavour to become perfect. Self-analysis, self-study, self-oriented actions towards that goal and prayer to Sadguru to lead in that path is the only way to progress meaningfully in life.

Saints and the people truly following this spiritual path always think, not only of their own evolution but also about the evolution of all human beings or other species around them. Any action (in thought, speech, activity), which helps in the evolution of the self or others is a good act called virtue (punya) and any action detrimental to such growth is an evil act called sin (paap). It is very difficult to follow such a path in a world as ours and therefore, the process of evolution of human beings is so slow, spread over a number of lives.

We must use our imperfections of yesterday and try to evolve towards a little more perfection. Knowing that no ordinary mortal is totally perfect, we try to find a model of perfection which is epitomized in Sadguru or Perfect Master. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba was in such supreme state of perfection. He possessed such powers or siddhis, which no one can imagine, however he maintained a humble life. Humility, simplicity are not weakness, they are the biggest strength one can possess in the path of spiritual development. Let us remember this.

E -  Surrender to the Supreme Perfect Master - Shri Sai Baba

No man on earth has evolved beyond a certain point without any help. For that complete support, assistance from a guide and faith in him is essential. Only one who has treaded the path and crossed the obstacles can correctly guide others. And who is the guide who has treaded the path and knows the secrets of nature? It is the Perfect Master or the Sadguru. Shri Sai had once said that there are many paths of spiritual evolution – “There is one path through Shirdi.'' He also said, " One can cross the jungle path with the proper guide”. The path obviously means the path of evolution Godwards through the thick forest of Maya. When the path ends one merges with God and to such a person there is no meaning of time as he has gone beyond it. To conquer time, therefore, we have to hold on steadfastly to our 'Param Sadguru' the Supreme Master Shri Sai Baba  who has gone beyond the concept of time.

F -   We the Children of Sai