DEAR ROY (Part Three)
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.
CHAPTER TWO
HAPPENINGS
One of the most interesting 'happenings' occurred to me before we reached
Puttaparthi. We had arrived late at night in Bombay and flew on to Bangalore
by the first 'plane in the morning. Shopping and preparations for our
stay were the order of the day, and it we were ready for bed when we went
to our rooms that night with our allotted companions. I was tired and
my companion asked if I minded if he read for awhile. I replied that nothing
was going to keep me awake. Next morning, he told me of an auspicious
event that had happened. The writing in his book turned a vibrant mauve
colour and he realised that something unusual was in the air. He looked
over to my bed and saw the top half of an angelic figure standing by my
bed giving me a blessing. I felt very humble. Things seem to be speeding
up at such a rate and so much has, and is happening - mostly within, (64)
These words are repeated, in different ways, again and again and show
that although we may not have realised it, we all have been given a 'push'
along the path of awareness and it is only now whilst reading the comments
of the Class of '88 that I realise that we have taken steps forward that
else may not have happened in this life time, or at least, not so quickly.
It is our great fortune or Karmic reward that we are born in this age,
able to learn at the feet of the Avatar, to not only read His words as
they pour out from India, but to hear them. We also have the supreme gift
of Darshan, and to be in the orb of His radiating energy and if we are
deserving, or maybe I should say needy, the touch and blessings of Him
who loves us all. Since finding Sai Baba my own attitude to life has matured
and He has been a constant source of love and inspiration which I've shared
(4) These words were from one of the 'healers' of the group that can happily
apply not just to that group, but to every one of us. Sometimes we are
busting to tell everyone whom we know of this great Deity that we have
found. But it doesn't work that way and many times one hears the story
that 'my partner cannot accept this Being that is now so important to
my life, to my every action, to my every word'. I say to you "Slow
down - take it easy" for within my limited experience I have come
to understand that the euphoria that comes with the knowledge of the existence,
the presence and teachings of Sai Baba cannot be appreciated by all. We
must realise that these feelings cannot be imposed upon, or felt by our
partners however loving and understanding they may be. My advice is to
let those around you see the changes that are taking place within you
and therefore in your relationship with them. At some point an appreciation
will come. You might have to drag them reluctantly to Puttaparthi, but
whatever you do, do not keep telling them what they should do, what they
are missing etc. In their time they will surely come willingly to Swami's
feet. The fact that your partner has a Karmic bond with you should be
sufficient for you to know this. I have heard others say as this devotee
said :I must confess, I never did have a burning desire to go. The impetus
came from 'Joan' and I was happy to go with her and, can I say that I
have never regretted it, (18) In that group of '88 there were another
couple who had similar feelings the previous year, yet on this occasion
it would have been difficult to tell which had been the doubter, for the
experience of the presence of Baba and the blessings received, let alone
the teachings and games played by Swami in the interview room, removed
most of their doubts. This is not an unusual tale and I have a feeling
that one can find in most groups of devotees a doubter or reluctant companion
who at some point becomes aware of the love and the power of the Being
in whose presence they have sat. As one said :
I went with a certain skepticism, but the experience I had swept that
all away. (3)
You are rarely left with any room for doubt, but do not think that people
will think any the less of you if you have doubts, for many devotees have
had them at some time or the other. Better sooner than later. One cannot
expect the change in one's thinking, the realignment to the Source, or
the many teachings from childhood to be switched without some deep thought
or experiences that can leave no doubt. There will be those around you
who cannot comprehend the change. You too may be one of those with non-understanding
partners and they will need time. Some to accept, some to reject.
I have always had some thoughts for those who have not been able to go
to India for one reason or the other. I have tried not to be guilty, in
even the slightest way, of remarking upon my trips to India, if I am not
specifically asked to, in front of someone who has not been able
to go lest I rouse the seeds of envy or despair. One of our group wrote
thus:-
Back in the 1970's, I would not have thought it possible for me to have
been able to make the journey to India to see Baba, and in fact I had
despaired of ever having the chance, as I watched others coming home from
seeing Baba absolutely bowled over with love and ecstasy
with their experiences, (104)
I could not in any way, add knowingly or unknowingly to that person's
or any other's longing.
Just think of that heartfelt need for all those years.
Whilst on this line of thought, there are many who have a longing, an
incomprehensible emptiness.
(to be continued - watch this space) (to download Dear Roy Chapter 2, click here)
to continue reading, 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
