* * *
What can one do if there
remains a modicum of uncertainty about Swami's direct influence in some matter?
In an interview in August 1986, a Dane asked Swami whether throwing certain
coins inscribed with 'Om ' would give one answers from Swami. To this Baba replied only "Om is everywhere". Some chose to interpret this as
a 'yes', others were certain it only meant that Swami wanted us first to find
God in ourselves. The answer does imply that 'Om ' is no more present in the coins than in anything else
in one's entire life, including our various human faculties.
We speak of 'sheer chance'
- that is to say unpredictable events not following any law whatever - which
makes it notoriously risky. If one's uncertainty can be removed by casting
a coin, then it cannot have been so serious. If chance really does occur and
the pendulum or the coin thus can happen not to express the will of God (whether
of Swami or one's inner divinity), then trusting to it could be fortuitous,
fateful or even fatal.
It is an observable fact
that non-rational or impulsive decisions can have disturbing consequences
for those who are relatively insecure in themselves, gradually inviting mental
unbalance and worsening any previous loss of reality-sense. Only in matters
where the outcome makes little or no difference does good sense suggest a
gamble on the toss of a coin. Thus casting one's fate to the winds is like
avoiding responsibility for exercising free will and its consequences. Self-confidence,
which is based on faith in the divinity within and without, is likely to be
lacking if one places one's confidence in a coin.
There is a time-honoured
idea that we have a destiny that we may, or may not, fulfil. It all depends
upon us, not upon 'fate'. Fate is what befalls us if we fail individually
to act to fulfil our destiny. Our true destiny becomes known to us inwardly
through use of our many faculties such as discrimination and intuition, not
by staring ourselves blind at whatever befalls us.
In our relative ignorance
of the actual God within, it is tempting at times to ignore the fact that
divine qualities are present in the very faculties that we have been given;
our 'normal' discriminative conscience, self-intuition, intelligence common
sense and perceptivity. It is easy to jump to conclusions by imagined hopes,
by magnifying one's own thoughts to be an independent 'inner voice', imposing
one's wishes into interpretations of texts and generally forcing results by
a 'psychic' act of will that itself must rather conceal the Omniwill
than express it. Instead of coming in a supernormal mysterious manner, the
answer can just as well arrive in the form of an opportunity knocking on one's
door. Can we not therefore just say that every knock on the door must be the
will of God?
"'I do not know' conveys
the same meaning as the statement 'It is the will of God.' One is no wiser
at the latter statement than after hearing the first." (Sathya Sai
Vahini, p.23)"Welcome and live out each second. Take
what works today for today, what works tomorrow for tomorrow. One day at a
time, each day for itself, each moment for itself without a past, without
memory, without conclusions. Conclusions bind. They press on the mind. Dare
to remain inconclusive. See the endless quandaries of the mind as divine leela, His Sport."
Where Swami gives no answer
or no definitive directions and leaves things up to us and our designs, there
must be a reason for it. We may simply have to 'Wait, wait' for the answer,
or else exercise our discrimination and exert wit and will-power to solve
the matter! However, Sai Baba often encourages us to take fortune into our
own hands (while dedicating them selflessly!):
"Act, act with all your
might and with all your mind; make full use of the skill, capacity, courage
and confidence that you are endowed with." (Sadhana,
p.51)
"The result of any action
is dependent upon the amount of confidence with which it is done. We might
not have confidence or faith in what we're undertaking, yet at the time asking
God for great gifts. If a person wants to benefit in what he is doing, he
must have a steady mind and a vision that is not so easily shaken." (Spirit
and the Mind, p.178. Dr. S. Sandweiss).
* * *
Sathya Sai told Dr. Hislop that it is our right to ask things of God. He is, after
all and before all, our nearest and dearest. Whether definite
word comes or not, events themselves may bear the clues one needs.
Contemplating on them can lead to the answer from one's personal inner conviction.
The frame of mind adopted towards what one must do or the dedication in one's choice can itself alone make all the difference
between right and wrong. Yet uncertainty can be unavoidable and may then prove
to be a test for sharpening one's discrimination and learning not to waste
time and energy in futile speculation. In this life, evidently, trial and
error cannot be entirely avoided, as the following also confirms:-
"Either I must grant
you the thing that you crave for, or you must realise its very absurdity and
conquer that worthless yearning." (Sathyam,
Sivam, Sundaram , Vol. IV, p.102. Prof. N. Kasturi)
"Welcome disappointments
for they toughen you and test your fortitude."... "The primary aim
is to become Masters of yourselves, established in intimate and constant communion
with the Divine who is in you as well as in the Universe of which you are
a part." (from Baba by Arnold
* * *
At times in life one's present
livelihood or way of living seems to be empty and non-meaningful (in my experience)
or simply too full of problems and compromises. Finding a new orientation
and task can be a hard challenge. It is clear that timidity can make molehills
into mountains while mental courage can do the reverse. Yet if desperation
for major changes and improvements tends to set in, there is reassurance in
knowing that Swami teaches the need for patience and that safe arrival depends
upon driving slowly.
Whether or not Swami gives
specific personal guidance seems, from most observations and reports, to depend
largely on the developmental needs of the particular individual whom He approaches.
We cannot presume to comprehend His motives, yet it is evident that some people,
such as those who suffer from chronic indecision, often need to be left to
make up their own minds and thus to strengthen themseleves.
Others may require the benefit of direct corrective advice. Meanwhile, the
common signposts for all to follow are clear enough,
the general directives and teachings given are at once simple and comprehensive.
It is a question of learning where and when to apply them in personal action.
The self-confidence and self-reliance Swami advocates so often involve striking
an equal-minded balance between the pull of outer and inner influences:-
"Do not imitate others
in your spiritual sadhana. You have your own feelings,
your own ideas, your own opinions, your own will.
Why then imitate? Follow your own sadhana. Let your
own experience of God be your guide, master and guru. Do not go into the grave
weakly imitating others." (Baba's 'Thought for the Day' Xmas Eve, 1986)
"There are many ways
to serve the world. You can serve just as actively by your serenity. Everyone
need not do all things." (advice given to a
self-enquiring devotee; Baba: Sathya Sai. II, p.141 R. Ganapati)
"The Lord will not examine
the wealth, the family, the status or the sex. He sees only Righteousness
(Sadbhava). Those endowed with such righteousness He
considers as deserving His Grace, whoever they are, whatever they are. Therefore
develop goodness and righteousness. Live and act in joy and love. These two
are sufficient; salvation can be attained without fail." (Prema Vahini, 1975
p. 49)
(Robert Priddy, January, 1990)
The above material is the copyright of Robert Priddy, Oslo