in for an interview with another band where a very related question was asked about the benefits of mantra practice. Sathya Sai Baba laughed merrily and playfully, and then suddenly announced that he did not like Sanskrit at all, and did not like people who chant mantras, for the reason that it develops pride. He said that those who chant Sanskrit mantras mistakenly think they are becoming more spiritual and getting closer to God. Listening to these words, I could not believe my ears.
Just a week ago, he spoke completely different! How was this possible? Further, Sathya Sai Baba said that in the national culture of each of those present, there are traditional prayers that sound in their native language. At that interview there were people of different nationalities and religions: Russians, Tatars, Americans, and Indians. He recommended to each of those present not to think about Sanskrit, but to communicate with God in their own language.
I had the unique opportunity of frequent communication with Sathya Sai Baba, which allowed me to observe and compare. At times, his words seemed contradictory, but in fact they were always fully in line with the needs of the person in front of him at that moment.
What he said in one meeting could be the exact opposite of what he said in another. My first reaction was great surprise and even shock, but then I realized the full depth of his individual approach to absolutely every person.
There were a lot of people around Sathya Sai Baba, hundreds of thousands and even millions. One of the most important miracles of Sathya Sai Baba was that, despite the large number of people around him, he had a unique ability to provide a personal and individual approach to each person. That is why all his recommendations and advice were deeply personal.
What might be useful to one person might not be acceptable to another. It is very difficult to quote Sathya Sai Baba because he always spoke to the personal needs of a person and took into account the level of consciousness of each listener.
24. Oh my God! How to understand Sathya Sai Baba?
I was present at an interview when several people asked Sathya Sai Baba to instruct them in the practice of meditation. Sathya Sai Baba often gave instructions on the practices of Kriya Yoga without mentioning that it was Kriya Yoga. He sometimes taught yoga breathing exercises that improved health and harmonized the internal state, relieved stress, and gave more energy for an active and productive life.
In the interview, Sathya Sai Baba said that if you practice yoga breathing techniques, your health will improve, your emotional state will level out, you can feel a surge of energy and discover additional intellectual abilities. Sathya Sai Baba not only spoke about the benefits of yoga breathing practices, but also personally demonstrated how to perform these exercises correctly. I was happy to hear such detailed explanations of the basic techniques of Kriya Yoga, because at that time I practiced such exercises a lot.
Some time passed and I came with another group for the next interview, in which people asked Sathya Sai Baba a question about yoga breathing practices. He laughed and began to make fun, saying that all these exercises were completely useless and meaningless. Health from this would not be better, peace of mind could not be gained from these techniques, spirituality could not be increased. Then, after a pause, he began to parade comically, showing how some yogis do breathing exercises.
I left his room completely confused. What to do? How to understand Sathya Sai Baba? Why does he say completely opposite things? In an irritated state, I came to my room, not knowing what to do next.
I thought that if Sathya Sai Baba was really a spiritual teacher, then he should give clear and precise instructions to his students, but instead he only made things more confusing. Having calmed down, I decided to think more deeply about what Sathya Sai Baba said to try to understand why he said it. Once again, I had an amazing experience, which allowed me to see that Sathya Sai Baba was able to feel the audience and give an answer that was useful for the people who were listening to him at the moment.
Perhaps it was useful for someone to practice basic or advanced techniques of Kriya Yoga, but for someone else it was not. Sathya Sai Baba could also sometimes test the sincerity of a disciple who asked for guidance in spiritual practices. Is the person really interested in the practice of yoga and meditation? If the interest was sincere, then such people received detailed instructions.
25. Those who practiced the Gayatri Mantra a lot established a deep mystical connection with Sathya Sai Baba
Of course, everyone who came to the ashram really wanted to have the opportunity of personal communication with Sathya Sai Baba. Only Sathya Sai Baba himself made the decision to invite or not to invite someone to a personal conversation. How could one influence his decision and still get the opportunity for personal communication? Was there such a way? I think yes! There is an ancient mantra called Gayatri. This mantra occupies a special place in the Vedic culture.
Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra includes the wisdom and energy power of all Vedic scriptures. One who constantly practices the Gayatri Mantra receives the fulfillment of all good desires and the destruction of all evil inclinations. Gayatri mantra reveals the divine potentials dormant in every person, this mantra develops supernatural abilities and increases intellectual capabilities. The one who practiced the Gayatri Mantra a lot established a deep mystical connection with Sathya Sai Baba, attracted his attention, and received many blessings.
During those years I practiced Gayatri very intensively and that was one of the secrets why I gained plenty of personal contact with Sathya Sai Baba. The more I chanted Gayatri, the more often he invited me to his place. If I stopped practicing the mantra, he would stop communicating
