A Devotee's Visit
DEAR ROY
The Class of '88
by Roy Creek
A devotee's book about the experiences of a group of pilgrims to Baba's ashram in 1988, serialised exclusively on this website.
INTRODUCTION
Reflection is such a valuable tool, none better that when reliving
your personal experiences and examining the reasons for the actions
that have subsequently occurred, and if you happen to be one of a
group of pilgrims who have experienced a unique event, it becomes
all the more interesting to see how their reflections compare.
I had asked a friend who had previously been to Puttaparthi how it
had affected him and he replied that he did not think that it had
changed him at all. However his wife had remarked to him how changed
he was since coming back home. He was calmer, more tolerant. More
at peace might be a better description.
It was going to be interesting to see if others could recognise subtle
or profound changes since their pilgrimage.
It was with this in mind that I wrote the following letter, not knowing
the response, but firmly believing that a profound change would have
taken place in that band of pilgrims of 1988.
We owed much to the guidance of Aimé and Sandra Levy on that
trip. They had gathered us together, invited us to their home to instruct
us and tell us what to expect and whilst in Puttaparthi had led us
to behave in a manner that would be expected of pilgrims. This was
not a holiday, it was a pilgrimage led with kindly, loving discipline.
I believe their disciplines were instrumental in this group receiving
an amazing three interviews.
The letter to Brothers and Sisters in Sai who went to Puttaparthi
in January 1988
12th June 1993
Dear Friend in Sai
The Class of '88
I was at a Satsang at Horsham recently and one of the devotees on
the January 1988 trip came up to me and after the usual greetings
said " I think that there was something special about our group".
Not that we were better than others or that this trip was better than
others, but there seemed to be a purpose in our being there together
at that time. ( I hope that many others will say the same about their
pilgrimage ).
1988 being my first trip, it was certainly special to me. It was certainly
more physical than I had meant it to be ( as though it was going to
be as I meant it to be anyway!!). That first time was to pay homage
to Swami - as I saw it then. So when I went this Christmas 1992, I
was determined that it was not going to be so physical - and it was,
at least to my limited awareness. For who decides what it is going
to be, but Swami? And who decides what has happened since then, but
Swami.
A lot has happened to me in the intervening five years in that my
thoughts are now directed more and more to Swami, yet not in the way
I would expect, for I always try to respond to opportunities to do
Seva, but now tend to shy away from group activity and other forms
of spiritual activity that do not involve Sai Baba. My thoughts seem
to be guided, in that, little droplets of inspiration drip ever so
gently into my consciousness and I find that my recent line of spiritual
thinking is echoed word for word, in the books that I am drawn to
read at that time. There seems to be a steady, but calm progression
towards increased awareness of all manner of subjects that have the
common link of the Oneness of God. It is when one stands back and
looks at oneself that the link becomes apparent and perhaps your answers
may reflect something similar in yourselves and to the 1988 group.
I am sure that people will have said to you "Did you have to
go to see Baba" and that your answer was an unequivocal "YES".
For how can you pay homage otherwise? At home you can acknowledge
and recognise His presence, and even seem closer to Him, but don't
you think that the very act of going to Him had a greater significance
than you realised then, or do realise even now, that this may have
been an event predetermined lifetimes ago? And, that we are now receiving
the benefits of Darshan (The sight of the Lord that destroys all sins),
Sparshan (The touch of the Divine that liberates one from all karmic
bonds) and Sambhashan (Conversing with the Lord destroys all grief)
- with all the implications. And, that we have received the unbelievable
benefit of experiencing God?
The purpose of this letter then, is to ask if you would kindly write
back and tell me how you have been redirected or led, since that trip
in '88. with possibly a little inward look at your self.
It may be good or not so good, it may be towards Swami or away, it
may be that you really are a wave in the ocean and like the waves
advance and recede, but I am sure that the tide is coming in and safely
and surely we are being drawn to Baba. Perhaps you need help or are
in a position to offer it, your interests may have widened to cover
the Universe or narrowed to an intensity.
If you would care to share this with me and then if, as I suspect,
there is a common theme flowing through the answers, I would like
to publish them. If the thought of being published disturbs you, it
may be that we can leave sections, or your name out, and use your
initials, perhaps a nom de plume or town, anyway I am sure that we
will sort it out.
It feels to me that it will turn out to be important that you all
answer, for the reluctant ones may have experienced or been redirected
in the way that has some meaning to this quest.
I look forward to your answers, please give your letter some thought,
and if you know the address of someone in that group who has moved
in the last five years, this may prove very useful
I do hope that this compilation will be an inspiration to those that
may eventually read it. It may show that the hand of Swami is gently
but surely guiding us all in the same direction. It may show aspects
that were never suspected. Let us see!
You may also like to speculate on the future - progress - enlightenment?
In closing, I would say that writing this letter to you has been a
thought provoking experience for me, I do hope that your answer will
be stimulating to you and your readers.
Yours in love and light
Sai Ram
Roy Creek
The appendix contains the letters with the extracts numbered so that
you can see their context
One writer asked to remain anonymous and it was then my decision to
remove the names and reference to all others by name.
These letters make wonderful reading for they show better than I ever
could, the wonder and joy of these three weeks into the unknown of
India. No mention is made of the basic accommodation or conditions
or of personal problems.
They are a Journal of Joy - This joy that eternally reaches out through
time. The joy of coming face to face with the Creator.
(to download Dear Roy Introduction, click here)
The above file is in pdf format using Adobe Acrobat Reader version
6 so if you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it
for free from:
www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html
