Book Notes
Sai Baba, Living Flame of Love
The science of spirituality is principally a science of devotion sans duty. It has elements discipline which evokes discipline; it is love that shares itself with all and sundry; it is nobility of purpose in a world that is seeking meaning and purpose, peace and not pieces.
Science is actually a misnomer; sai-ence is the real term, where one is continually recalling the name of God in every breath, every action, every place, in this world, and the next. The Sufi mystic, Yunnus Emrys captured this in the fourteenth century:
While some shall eat and others drink,
The angels spread God's grace about,
The raiment will be by ldris
Sewn, the name of God repeating.
Its trees are everywhere of light,
And everyone with silver leaves,
And as they grow their tender buds
Shout, the name of God repeating.
Clearer than any moon each face,
Their every word a perfumed thing,
The blessed maids of Paradise
Stroll, the name of God repeating.
Whosoever loves God truly
Never ceases from his weeping,
Within, without, illumined, he
Speaks, the name of God repeating.
What you seek, from God alone seek,
Give guidance to the one true way,
The nightingale that loves the rose
Sings, the name of God repeating.
The poet has placed this marvellous kick-start repeated verb at the start of each fourth line, like the foot of the whirling dervish, who, maintaining the ecstatic spin that mimes the cosmos and evokes eternity. This eternity is within us, it is our true nature and goes by name of Atma.
This is the second book by Geesje Lundshof, of Holland. While it appears to be a record of her day to day life, it is more the record of her inner conversations in the wells of sai-lence, within. The book gives details of each trip and preparations therefore, and events in Darshan. Geesje Lundshof is following the bhakti path, and Baba confirms this with the sensation of burning in the heart. This caused much confusion for the author, and she repeatedly sought confirmation. This is a good book, for the devotee who writes is always seeking divine confirmation of her experiences, her insights, her writings.
Question: Do you really love me?A little earlier in the book, Baba made it clear for the author what she was to write upon:
Baba: Of course.
Question: I would like to feel that I am your child, that you love me the way a father and mother love their child.
No answer
Question: Don't you want that, Baba?
Baba: I love you in a different way, one time you will understand in what way. That time has not come yet. Be convinced that my love for you is great, immortal and never ending. Proceed on the road you have taken, know that all has been mapped out by me. Don't doubt me. You are my child, but I am your child as well, you did experience that once, didn't you?
Question: Yes, that is true.
Baba: Search along those lines, but enough now. One day you will know everything. That time hasn't come yet. Let this be said: when the time comes, your joy will know no boundaries.
Question:Oh, I so hope that this is really Baba and that I am not making it up. My eternal dilemma... .
Baba: No, you are not making it up and you never have done so. How can you make up things, when everything is my Grace? Nothing is yours. Not one thought. The pen that writes is my pen. The words that are put in writing are my words. There is nothing that is not mine, you know that.
Do you want me to write?
Baba: Yes, write about having faith in yourself. When you feel that something is not as it should be, trust that it is right. Don't ask yourself if something is kind or not, for this means letting yourself be manipulated by fear. Be guided by your intuition, which will not deceive you. You are here for me....
Stand up for yourself, don't be timid. Don't let the fear that you are doing something wrong be your guideline. Take today's 'thought for the day' to heart. Look at yourself through the glasses of love. Don't judge yourself. You are unique, as everybody is unique. The way in which you deal with things and act to people is yours. Which is good. Don't compare yourself to others. Only value the contact that exists between you and me.
The task of the devotee is Sathyam anavesham, the excavation of truth. Baba confirms this task in reply to one inner question asked by the author: "Compare everything with the truth. You own thoughts may interfere sometimes, especially when you are emotionally involved. In a later chapter, there is an extended discussion on the nature of the buddhi, how it is nearest to the atma, and its functions in clarifying thought processes, drawing the seeker beyond the ego and the mind.It was James Joyce who presented to the western world that we are "stuck in the world of the senses"; it is spirituality which reminds us that we should not be fooled by the senses and allow them to make our decisions.
In another place, the author has an inner conversation with Baba about some women who have had interviews. A very interesting reply came from Baba, for it delineates the situation devotees find themselves in today:
You should not judge people, but you are allowed to have an opinion about them. What you have established is a fact. But don't you agree that people like them are most in need of interviews? You get innerviews ... how can you feel insecure about people whom I approach on a completely different level?
There is an interesting chapter dealing with the self-realisation of animals, which is rare, but can happen. This is new territory for many readers.
A faithful record of the ups and downs of life as a devotee, albeit a devotee who has made many visits to Prashanti Nilayam, and never had an interview. However, she was graced with many innerviews. Many small truths are expressed in these records of this devotee's innerviews. A book to ponder and pause, and reflect on the small, veil-piercing truths which appear in the many inner conversations this author has with Baba.
$9 (includes postage and packaging) from Sai Books, 24 Kenilworth Ave, Wonga Park, 3115,
Margaret and Randall McDonald
email books [at] saiaustralia.org.au
Phone (03)9722 1740