The Simple Technique for Self-Realization: Remembering Shirdi Sai Baba & His Life’s Stories
A path for contemporary seekers of self-awareness and moksha - final liberation - from the sadguru Shirdi Sai Baba and the book, ``Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba``
``If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness.``
Shirdi Sai Baba, in Sri Sai Satcharitra (1)
The Final Spiritual Journey - Moksha - Begins
The beauty of this spiritual sadhana -practice – lies in its simplicity and universal accessibility, as described in the Sri Sai Satcharitra.
``This sadhana is open to anyone of the four varnas (castes). The other sadhanas—yoga, tyaga (sacrifice), dhyana (meditation) and dharana (concentration)—are very difficult to practice. But singing and hearing the stories and the glory of the Lord is very easy. We have only to turn our attention towards them.``
The Power of Divine Company and Guidance
The role of a true spiritual master cannot be understated in one’s spiritual journey. As the Sri Sai Satcharitra beautifully explains,
``The most effective and speedy way to reach our goal is to approach a saint, sage or sadguru (true guru) who has attained God-realization. What cannot be achieved by hearing spiritual lectures and study of spiritual books is easily obtained in the company of such worthy souls.``
Transformation Through Divine Association
The presence of a realized master catalyzes profound inner transformation.
``Just as the sun gives light that all the stars put together cannot do, so the sadguru alone imparts spiritual wisdom that all the sacred books and lectures cannot impart. His movements and simple talks give us silent advice. The virtues of forgiveness, peace, detachment, charity, compassion, egolessness, and control of mind and body are demonstrated practically to disciples by such pure and holy company.``
The Sacred Transmission of Teaching
While some believe spiritual teachings should remain secret, the Sri Sai Satcharitra offers a different perspective:
``The sadguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours down profusely, widely scattering his nectar-like teachings. These we should enjoy and assimilate to our heart's content and then serve others with them, without any reserve.``
The Promise of Divine Grace
Baba himself made a profound promise regarding the power of the devotional practice of thinking on him and remembering and telling his life’s stories:
``If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides.``
The Promise of Divine Grace
Baba himself made a profound promise regarding the power of the devotional practice of thinking on him and remembering and telling his life’s stories:
``If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides.``
The Ultimate Goal: Self-Realization
The purpose of all spiritual practice is clear: to know the true self within:
``The listening and singing of the stories will remove attachment to the senses and their objects, will make the devotees dispassionate, and ultimately lead them to self-realization.``
This transformation occurs through divine grace, as
``Sadgurus like Sai Baba open the eyes of our intellect and show us the divine beauty of the Self, and fulfill our tender longings of devotion. When this is done, our desire for sense objects vanishes. The twin fruits of viveka (discrimination) and vairagya (detachment) come to our hands and knowledge sprouts up even in sleep.``
The Living Example of Realized Being
The text describes the state of a realized being:
``The avadhut lives in the awareness of Aham Brahmasmi – everything is God. They are one with all of Creation. They live in the awareness of ultimate reality while living in a body.``
This is the ultimate fruit of dedicated spiritual practice and receiving the grace of the Sadguru.
This final path of enlightenment is illuminated by the saints who “serve as beacons of light and show the true path for us to follow.” Through their grace and our sincere practice, the journey to self-realization and liberation – moksha – becomes possible.
#BabaTeachings #Moksha #BabaStories
(1) “Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba”,
by Hemadpant, a modern English rendering by Monika ‘Mataji’ Penukonda
