Some
devotees have asked the question "Should we pray for Swami’s
Return?". Even though I am not qualified to answer this, I feel there is
no harm in expressing my humble views.
In my belief, there is nothing we can do “specially” to bring Him back. This scenario can be compared to Swami's occasional visits to Whitefield from Puttaparthi. Even though everyone knows that He would be back to Puttaparthi some time, no one can do anything to bring Him back earlier or make Him stay in Whitefield longer than He decides.
Swami once said that Devotees seldom know what to pray for.
The advent itself was according to My Sankalpa (Resolve); every step in this Avatar is due to My own Sankalpa; not due to the prayer or petition of devotees. The devotees seldom know what is good for them. (Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 3, Ch 29)
As Swami conveys in the above words, whatever the Sai Avatar does is through His own Sankalpa or Divine Will. We would not know what His Divine Will is, except when He has expressed that through His words. His words represent His Divine Will to make those things happen. My belief in His Reappearance stems from my faith in those words. But when and how it will happen, He alone knows!
Coming
back to the question of whether or not we should pray for His Return, it would
be interesting to consider two relevant statements from the Lord.
1. The Lord comes as Avatar when He is anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus prayed, and I have come. (Divine Discourse, January 25, 1963)
2. This body has come through the Lord's resolve to come. That resolve is intended to uphold the Truth. Divine resolve is always true resolve. (Divine Discourse, November 23, 1968)
At the first glance, these two statements may appear contradictory. On one hand, Swami says that He came because of the prayers of the Sages. On the other hand, He mentions that the Sai Advent was due to His own resolve. When we delve into it a little deeper, we can come to a conclusion that He answered the prayers of the Sages as a “Divine excuse” or "pretext" to descend down to this earth. So, in my humble opinion, it is from that perspective we should pray for His Return. Even though Swami has already decided what all will happen, we can still pray so that we feel we are doing something to be a part of this Divine Drama. Collective intensity also leads to a critical mass and nothing pleases our dear Lord than when devotees unitedly come together and engage in the Divine thoughts of Him.
More importantly, we can engage in intense Namasmarana and Samastha Loka prayer for this world, which will make Him happy and also facilitate the cleansing process and spiritual transformation within ourselves. As much as I believe that all His words about the future will come true, I must also abide by His words on spiritual transformation and apply those to my life. Without that, I know I wouldn't be eligible to step foot in His Sai Kingdom that is fast approaching!
In my belief, there is nothing we can do “specially” to bring Him back. This scenario can be compared to Swami's occasional visits to Whitefield from Puttaparthi. Even though everyone knows that He would be back to Puttaparthi some time, no one can do anything to bring Him back earlier or make Him stay in Whitefield longer than He decides.
Swami once said that Devotees seldom know what to pray for.
The advent itself was according to My Sankalpa (Resolve); every step in this Avatar is due to My own Sankalpa; not due to the prayer or petition of devotees. The devotees seldom know what is good for them. (Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 3, Ch 29)
As Swami conveys in the above words, whatever the Sai Avatar does is through His own Sankalpa or Divine Will. We would not know what His Divine Will is, except when He has expressed that through His words. His words represent His Divine Will to make those things happen. My belief in His Reappearance stems from my faith in those words. But when and how it will happen, He alone knows!
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| Picture Courtesy - Sai Manoj |
1. The Lord comes as Avatar when He is anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus prayed, and I have come. (Divine Discourse, January 25, 1963)
2. This body has come through the Lord's resolve to come. That resolve is intended to uphold the Truth. Divine resolve is always true resolve. (Divine Discourse, November 23, 1968)
At the first glance, these two statements may appear contradictory. On one hand, Swami says that He came because of the prayers of the Sages. On the other hand, He mentions that the Sai Advent was due to His own resolve. When we delve into it a little deeper, we can come to a conclusion that He answered the prayers of the Sages as a “Divine excuse” or "pretext" to descend down to this earth. So, in my humble opinion, it is from that perspective we should pray for His Return. Even though Swami has already decided what all will happen, we can still pray so that we feel we are doing something to be a part of this Divine Drama. Collective intensity also leads to a critical mass and nothing pleases our dear Lord than when devotees unitedly come together and engage in the Divine thoughts of Him.
More importantly, we can engage in intense Namasmarana and Samastha Loka prayer for this world, which will make Him happy and also facilitate the cleansing process and spiritual transformation within ourselves. As much as I believe that all His words about the future will come true, I must also abide by His words on spiritual transformation and apply those to my life. Without that, I know I wouldn't be eligible to step foot in His Sai Kingdom that is fast approaching!
This hiatus, this pause is a time to intensify
our efforts and spiritual practices. It is an interlude for in-depth individual
and collective sadhana (spiritual endeavor) to complete our homework, to work
upon ourselves in order to graduate. So also, this is the phase, to ruminate,
to pledge, to rededicate, to affirm and reaffirm our willingness to serve Him
in all of creation. And, with the intensity of collective thought process,
gather a "Critical Mass" seeking the cherished return of Beloved
Bhagawan. (Jullie Chaudhuri, Foreword to STKC)
OM SAI RAM SRIJEETH
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments too
Everything is HIS WILL - We are totally powerless to make things happens unless BABA wills it - MOSES JESUS MOHAMMED NANAK All these Beings could not do the miracles unless BABA willed it with His Divine Commands - All Rishis Yogis etc........ though enlightened know without the Divine Will not even a leaf can move...but for our solace and selfless prayers we move closer to enlightenment for SWAMI says "even the worm has to reach the goal one day"
I am desperate for BABA to return to bring peace to the world and our lives but my desperation will not bring HIM back because HE decides and ONLY HE
Jai Sai Ram
Sai Dav
Why worry about anything!
ReplyDeleteGod has a plan... praying for Sai's return? Is that not saying you do not trust him... that you are worried he will not return?
He tells us that he is in each one of us... find that place, the God self inside where there is perfect stillness, don't look or pray outside of yourself... he is not there!
Honestly... With all that Baba has taught over the many years... would he not be disappointed at people praying for his return?
Do your work... Find Yourself... that place in you which Baba has taught of for so many years... then you will join him as one not praying for him as God who is somewhere outside of you!
Baba said... the only difference between you and me is... I know I am God and you don't... Yet!
There are a couple of teachers speaking clearly of self realization... Ramana Maharshi, and Mooji.... another in the lineage of Ramana.
Mooji can be seen on You Tube and on Mooji.org
They speak of the same truth that Baba spoke of... your true nature!
Now don't you think Prema Sai would be happier to see we have been doing our own home work?
Instead of waiting for him to come along and do it for us...
Yes... Realization comes through Gods grace, but our earnestness and effort is first necessary.
Here is a prayer that I love...
Grace is helping you in every way. Trust it. Say, “Yes, I am here, remove this sense of separation, this arrogance of separateness and merge me in you, oh God, oh Universe Being, Self, Truth, Life. Don’t give me any technique. Absorb me. Replace me with You.”
The last thing I will say is to watch this video... it's a prayer of surrender!
It is written on the wall by the western canteen at puttaparthi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mA3sKzTeNI
Sairam KJD, Perhaps we both are saying the same thing, but in different words :-)
DeleteSay a person has a job to do in a far off country. He or she works there for a long time, and then recieves a phone call from a very dear friend. The friend says: 'We all miss you here dearly and look forward to your coming back. We hope you can make it soon'. All this is, is an expression of the love they feel for one another. The worker has his own time schedule, is bound by his own tasks, and the friend knows that. The message won't alter that one bit. But the joy of the reunion will be all the greater because of the shared longing. So, tell me again, why shouldn't we pray for Swami's return?
ReplyDeleteSairam and thanks Koen. Any prayer or thoughts of Him are our expression of Love to Him and Namasmarana. So of course, my prayers are from that perspective.
DeleteOf course I know, as Anil Kumar has said as well, that in reality there never can be any separation between Swami and us. But as long as my mind continues to be deceived by Maya, I rejoice in Swami's physical presence, and probably even after that as well. Praying for His physical return does not stop me from doing my seva, or from working on dissolving vasanas. And after all, He has blessed me with His presence in dreams several times, and it gave me such joy. Therefore I think it's only natural to want to see Him again in person...
DeleteSairam Koen, Rightly said. I join you in your prayers.
Deletesairam...
ReplyDeleteSwami always sees how much faith we have, if I pray please come back, I still have some doubt in some remote corner of my mind, 'Oh! let me pray 'IF' He doesn't come back.'
On the contrary even if HE comes and tells I am not coming, we should have the faith to tell Him, Swami u are playing with us.
Obviously, we don't pray to the sun god to rise in the east the next day. :-)
The second argument which I often hear is 'How can u be sure what Swami will do, how can u understand His will.' He only does what He wills not what we pray and we should be tuned to His will rather than praying for what we desire.
Correct!, I am attuned to His will and know in my hearts of hearts He will come back hence there is no question of praying for my desire to be fulfilled.
Faith is beyond logic, once we try to analyze it with our minds we get completely lost.
Sairam dear Bhargav, Thank you for the comments. I completely agree. Swami’s Will is expressed through His words. So to live in accordance with His Divine Will, it is important to have full faith in His Words. And His will does not change in any circumstance. Whatever Swami said about the future also arose out of His Divine Will to make those things happen.
Delete