Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00495)

His name has been changed to honor his modesty, but he is an
American and a theosophist -- note the small "t".  References to
Sai or Swami or Baba are to Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba.  The report
below was not written by the poster of it -- NW.
****************************

I want to share the story of a very special sai devotee [of Sri
Sathya Sai Baba] from our center -- Mr. Ralph Smith who is 91 going
on to 92 on Oct. 6th. He is the first one to start our center here.
It was very interesting to observe Smith (the way he likes to be
called) as I was coming into Sai. He has the most beautiful
expression of JOY on his face. He is always smiling and laughing,
happy and radiant. Never a grin on his face. I started to get
curious to know what makes one to be joyous always. Living in a
continuous state of stress of competing for material goods and
wealth, fighting for name and fame, it was a refreshing feeling to
come across someone like Smith. I visited him in his apt. in a
rough neighborhood as I was coming into Sai, and I was astounded to
his way of life. His place was filled with spiritual vibrations;
with all the material of spiritual masters, Jesus and Baba.
Wonderful Agarbatti fragrance and spirituality  filled every inch
of his place. I never visited those neighborhoods before as I come
from a different background. It is only after coming into Swami, we
learnt to mix with all different people coming from all different
backgrounds. As per Baba's saying that attracted me towards Him
first was, 'THERE IS ONLY ONE CASTE, CASTE OF HUMANITY' started to
make me watch keenly all different people in the center and Smith
was no.1 in that. When I discovered that he lives alone, in an apt.
that is not in a safe neighborhood, (with minimal pension and
social security money), depends on public transportation, yet so
rich with spiritual wisdom, I was taken aback as I never came
across someone like that before. I developed fondness for him like
a father, as I was missing my father a lot and started to feel
close to him. When I learnt that he was going to have knee surgery,
I was frightened with the thought that how on earth he was going to
manage living alone, that too, on the second floor of the bldg. in
those conditions. Suddenly I had the thought 'why don't I take care
of him at our house till he is ready to be on his own again'. I
never did anything like this before and it was all too new to me.
Not ego that it was great that we do things for others, but it was
a new concept for me then. If we don't do these things now, it is
like failing Baba. I asked him to stay with us for a while during
and after surgery till he was ready and on his own again. I got to
know him well. I started to discover the 'secret for happiness' and
the reason for the radiance and love, and glow in his face.

I started to learn from him that not all the wealth in the world
can make one ever  happy, as happiness that comes from the worldly
things is transient; but the real happiness or joy is nothing but
a 'state of mind'. We became very close afterwards and I started to
learn from him Swami's teachings, the concept of 'simple living and
higher thinking' and the real meaning and goal of life. Some
important events took place in his life and he moved back to his
birthplace again. He did something that is so profound and amazing
that touched my heart and I am sure that it will touch all your
hearts. I decided to share it (with his permission) before I make
my trip to Swami and when he is still alive. We all can learn
something from his life.

I was there at Parthi [near Bangalore] when they made the
announcement that they were planning to  build the superspeciality
hospital. They started to announce the names of the benefactors and
as the list went on, suddenly I heard the name Mr. Ralph Smith from
U.S.A. I was shocked for a minute being not able to comprehend what
I heard as they read only three names from the U.S. and Smith's
name, was one of them. I asked the person next to me and my husband
later, they both said that it was Smith's name. I couldn't wait to
come back and tell Smith that I heard his name being announced.
After coming back to the U.S.,I called Smith as usual to see how he
was doing and mentioned that we heard his name as a contributor to
the hospital. He was shocked and upset, and on enquiring, he said
that he wanted to remain anonymous. I wanted to be sure that what
we heard was right and also wanted to know, if he didn't mind, what
he contributed. I was really curious as the Smith I know couldn't
have given so much, as we always take food, groceries and medicines
for him whenever we visit him, not that he needs but for our own
satisfaction. His living style shows that he is not loaded. It
started to bother me; I was feeling ashamed that I was giving him
small things when he was rich. I had to know what he contributed.
He didn't want to talk about it as he was upset that his name came
out. I tried to tell him that it was okay and it would be an
inspiration to others in future. I told him that we need living
examples. Finally, he said that what he gave was to do with number
108 and left it there. I still couldn't figure it out. He has no
money and if he gave $ 108, they won't make a big deal to announce
it. What could it be? At the end he said it was $ 108,000, I
thought I was going to faint. Oh, my God, I sure was making a
mistake of giving him little things when he is rich. As I was
torturing myself, he decided to tell me the whole story. His folks,
his x-wife (for 2 yrs.) and his sister that passed away recently,
left him money and he made a contribution to the Sathya Sai Central
Trust even before they made the announcement of the construction of
the hospital.  I couldn't help from wondering; when he had so much
money, why didn't he have his own house, his own car and a maid to
help him around the house? He travelled on a hot summery day,
sweating, changing from bus to bus to come and visit me in the
hospital one day. When I asked him about it, he said that he didn't
want to touch that money as it is God's money, not his money. It
came from God and it has to go to back to God. He is a man of high
values and principles and he told me that he wants to live with his
hard earned money only. He retired as a factory worker and lives
only with that income. I felt wonderful to come across and know
someone like him. He said that he sent that money to Baba and asked
Him to use it for a good cause. Time went on but he didn't know
what happened to that money. He was extremely pleased to know that
Swami was going to use that money for the superspeciality hospital.
He wrote a thank you letter to Baba, and felt happy and relieved
that his inherited money was used for a good cause. If you happen
to visit the Superspeciality Hospital, [a free hospital for the
poor] you can see his name on the board at the front.

To read about special people is different than witnessing and
living with them in real life. Isn't it? He is very special to us.
Most of us consider him as a living saint today. Can you imagine
one from not being tempted from the luxuries and comforts money can
buy in the present world when it is right within your reach? He
lives by the principle that he shouldn't go for any more than the
basic needs of living. He says that God is giving him too much when
he doesn't need so much referring to his pension and social
security income.

The other interesting thing with Smith is that he got his tomb
ready with the engraving of 'OM SAI RAM' on it which is unique and
one of a kind. We have some great examples to learn from 'HOW TO
GIVE, NOT GET' and 'where the real happiness lies'.

He said that his home and heart are always open to welcome anyone.
Going to his house is like going on a pilgrimage with lakes and
hills on the way to this little town.

He has Sai friends from East Coast to West Coast and he receives
phone calls and letters and Sai mementos from all of them. To learn
the key to happiness, he is a great soul to know. Cheerful and
joyful and walking love on earth is Smith. He stops to talk and
spread love to stones, plants, animals and humans. He is a blessed
soul and came to teach the world that the real joy of life is
LOVING ALL; and, 'HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND'.
***************

--
<> Nicholas Weeks <> am455@lafn.org <> Los Angeles
	"Men must learn to love the truth before they thoroughly believe it."
		Blavatsky