Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00234)

At 09:05 AM 11/12/97 -0500, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-11-09 19:06:06 EST, you write:
>
><< When you see Sai Baba's effect in motivating individuals to service and
> the accomplishments thereof, it is pure service to Humanity which is the
> prime objective of the launch of modern theosophical movement. While his
> specific philosophy may not be the same as that HPB propounded, as far
> as the objective is concerned, what he is doing is indeed implementation
> of pure Theosophy.
>
> mkramadoss >>
>
>Thank you, Ramadoss, for your kind words about Sathya Sai Baba. I'm been a
>devotee of His for the last seventeen years. I had the good luck (or karma)
>to have an interview with Him in August, 1981 in Puttaparthi. Needless to
>say, the experience changed the course of my life. Up 'till that time, I was
>all head (a lot of theosophical knowledge) but little heart (bhatki). He
>materialized a japamala for me which I treasure. The effects of the interview
>started to take place after I returned home and many bad habits were dropped
>and new outlooks were adopted.
>
> After leaving Swami's ashram in Brindhavan, I visited Adyar. In applying for
>a room at Leadbeater Chambers, I was interviewed by an Indian chap whose
>position in the TS escapes me now. I told him about my recent experiences and
>he started complaining about TS members who would come to Adyar on their way
>to see Baba. He said they were using Leadbeater Chambers as a respite in
>their travels to go somewhere else rather than staying at Adyar for its own
>sake. While he may have had a point, he kept prattling on in a somewhat
>critical fashion about Baba's devotees. I told him Swami had given me a
>japamala which I then showed him. He took the mala and immediately placed it
>on his forehead. I thought this was rather interesting. In America this is
>what we call "hedging our bets".
>
>It's interesting to note that Howard Morphet, the biographer of HPB and HSO,
>is not only a theosophist but also a long time Baba devotee. I have often
>given Morphet's book, Sai Baba, Man of Miracles, to those who wish to become
>acquainted with Swami's life.
>
>Namaste
>Lmhem111 (Heminway)

Dear Heminway:

 I was delighted by your msg. It does not surprise me. In India, it
is very normal for the common man and woman to be reverential to *any*
spiritual leader or sanyasi, no matter what line of belief the person is
involved in. This comes from the traditional attitude who can measure or
assess anyone's spiritual attainment. This attitude is very unique in India
and is very difficult to understand anyone outside India.

 There are many whose lives have turned around. I am familiar with
Howard Murphet's book and there is also a book by another person who was an
active member of TS in LA and I don't recall the name at this time.

 Many materializations has been done by Sai Baba and many many have
witnessed it. If anyone doubts any of it, the only way to convince
themselves is for them to go to India and visit his ashram and satisfy
themselves. Materialization by itself is not that important. What is
important is how many have been affected for the better and many social
programs that have been implemented for the poor and needy.

 Almost 15 years ago, Harold Bromley who was once the National
Secretary of TSA, after reading accounts of Sai Baba, took the trouble to
travel to India and visited Sai Baba at his ashram. He came back convinced
about the genuineness of Sai Baba and the phenomenon.

 Let me also add a personal experience. Some months ago I was
spearheading a project single handedly to stop some changes being made at
the local Hospital District. This was affecting the health care access by
homeless, poor, inner city residents and uninsured middle and lower economic
class individuals, and did make some headway. I made my efforts known to the
members of the local Theosophical group and not a single one showed any
interest in joining the efforts. On the other hand, I told it to a friend of
mine who is a follower of Sai Baba (who is already doing some social work
for homeless), the response was immediate and offered to join me in the
presentation before the County Commissioners Court. To me personally, I do
not care what your beliefs are, whether your meditate or not, what counts is
what is your attitude to the suffering and needy and any practical results
helping the poor, needy and suffering, which is after all the thrust of the
First Object of TS. I have run into many many wonderful and helpful people
in the theosophy circles. But let us not decry anyone else going in the same
direction even though their philosophy we may not like.

...M...