Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba

Dear Friends, Family, Brothers and Sisters, Colleagues,

There were several unique features to our most recent trip to Sai Baba’s Puttaparthi, India ashram. Rather than writing a lengthy report, I’ll just hit the highlights to make the following very easy reading for you. Three of us from our center left about Dec. 16th and returned home to Colorado on Jan. 5th. The Indo-Pak struggles hit a new high – or was it a new low – while we were there but we felt utterly safe the entire time. Indiaphiles and Sai devotees will
appreciate the details of the following:

1. Crowds: Except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, the crowds in Sai Kulwant Hall were so sparse that the hall was about three-quarters full most days.

2. Weather was unseasonably cold for India with lots of wool head-warmers and heavy shawls in sight.

3. War and Expansion of Consciousness for Humanity: An American physician (anesthesiologist from the Midwest) with whom I spoke had two interviews before we were graced with ours on our last day, Jan.
3rd. He reported in a group meeting of about sixteen people that Baba had said:

a. Bush is frustrated with the war and with his advisors who have special interests as motivations.

b. Baba will up the level human consciousness not in one step but by gradual stages.

c. In response to the doctor’s question, “Swami, how do You manage it when Muslims pray five times a day, Christians pray to You,and all are bombing each other?”

Baba: These prayers are rote/automatic, not from the heart. I don’t respond to such prayers. The way to deal with terrorism is not to kill people. Do you know who the real terrorists are? Hatred and jealousy in every heart. Deal with that in your own hearts, then we will have peace.”

4. Healings: Another Indian-American family, with relatives in Delhi, had an interview the day after Christmas. (Dr. Sunny Ananda’s parents and in-laws) Baba gave a Christmas Discourse as He always does (enjoining us to take the love of Jesus as our example).

5. Resurrection: On Christmas Eve morning after Baba’s darshan and before bhajan singing, one of His attendants expired on the temple veranda. He was about twenty-six and just keeled over. There were still a few doctors and others who had not yet gone to breakfast. They ran for Swami, Who was in the area and said, “Swami! Your
attendant has just expired! Shall we remove the body and call his parents immediately?” Baba replied, “Don’t touch the body! Bring me a glass of water.” When the water arrived, Baba sprinkled a few drops into the mouth of the deceased and brought him back to life. After the resurrection, Baba told him to rest for ten days, not to come to
darshan, and not to give his name out to protect his privacy and the health of the subtle bodies. Just as newborns have to rest away from the harsh vibrations of worldly people upon entry into our plane of existence, resurrected people also must take strict rest. When our friend Bharosa Adhikari of Nepal was resurrected by Baba after dying
of a heart attack during devotional singing in Sai Kulwant Hall, Baba later made her stay in the hospital for 16 days. She couldn’t speak for 26 hours after being re-born.

6. Other Resurrections: We now have knowledge of 19 resurrections and have personally met four people who have been brought back to life by Sathya Sai Baba.

7. Unconfirmed Resurrection Report: We were told on Jan. 3, 2002 by a friend of 20 years, who is a permanent resident in the ashram, that Mr. Suri was resurrected twice by Baba last year. Surely there have been countless resurrections, the details of which will be shrouded in mystery.

8. Our Interview: On Dec. 3, 2002, four of us Americans (purple scarves) went into the Interview Room with ten Italians (orange ribbons with gold medallions) and six Russians (blue, white and yellow scarves). Baba manifested a three-diamond ring for an Italian man; a large diamond ring for another Italian; a gold and silver watch for a Russian.

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba – A Divine Journey Of Faith And Grace

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba is a touching spiritual theme that reflects devotion, longing, faith, and the deep inner pull that brings a devotee closer to the Divine. A journey to see Baba is never only a physical travel from one place to another. It is also an inner journey from doubt to trust, from restlessness to peace, and from ordinary thinking to sacred remembrance.

For a devotee, the desire to see Baba comes from the heart. It is not like visiting a tourist place or attending a social event. It is a call of love. When the heart remembers the Divine again and again, the feet naturally begin to move toward that holy presence. Such a journey carries prayers, hopes, questions, gratitude, and a silent wish to receive guidance.

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba reminds us that every spiritual journey begins before the actual travel. The preparation starts in the mind and heart. A devotee may arrange tickets, plan the route, and prepare belongings, but the deeper preparation is inner purity. The heart asks for humility, patience, and surrender. The mind becomes filled with thoughts of Baba’s love, teachings, and grace.

When a devotee reaches a sacred place connected with Baba, the atmosphere itself feels different. The sounds of prayer, the sight of devotees, the discipline of spiritual life, and the quiet feeling of faith create a deep impression. Even simple moments can become meaningful. Sitting silently, joining bhajans, watching people serve, or remembering Baba’s words can bring peace to the heart.

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba also teaches that divine experiences are often personal and subtle. Sometimes a devotee receives a clear sign, a blessing, or an answer. Sometimes there may be no outward miracle, but the heart becomes calm. This inner peace is also grace. The Divine does not always speak loudly. Many times, Baba guides through silence, feeling, intuition, and quiet strength.

A true devotee does not go to Baba only to ask for worldly help. Health, family, work, and personal needs may be part of prayer, but the higher prayer is for transformation. The devotee asks for a pure heart, better thoughts, stronger faith, and the strength to serve others. The greatest blessing is not only receiving what we want, but becoming what God wants us to be.

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba can inspire others to understand the value of faith in daily life. Faith is not useful only during temple visits or spiritual gatherings. It must continue at home, at work, and during difficulties. If the journey brings peace, that peace should be carried into relationships. If it brings devotion, that devotion should become kindness, honesty, and selfless service.

Meeting Baba inwardly means remembering His teachings. Baba’s message of love, service, truth, peace, and compassion is simple but powerful. A devotee who returns from a sacred visit should not remain the same as before. There should be more patience in speech, more purity in thought, and more willingness to help those in need. This is the real fruit of darshan.

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba also shows that spiritual travel can refresh the soul. In worldly life, people become tired because of duties, worries, and responsibilities. A sacred journey gives the mind a chance to rest in divine remembrance. It reminds the devotee that life is not only about problems and plans. Life is also about prayer, gratitude, surrender, and inner growth.

Such a trip can also strengthen the bond between devotees. When people share experiences of Baba’s love, their faith becomes deeper. One person’s journey can inspire another person’s devotion. A simple story of grace can bring hope to someone who is struggling. This is why spiritual experiences should be shared with humility, not pride. The purpose is to spread faith, not to show personal importance.

Connie Shaw’s recent trip to see Baba finally reminds us that Baba is not limited to one place. Visiting a sacred place has great value, but Baba’s presence must also be recognized within the heart. If we remember Him with love, serve others with humility, and live with truth, then every place can become sacred. The real journey does not end when the devotee returns home. It continues through daily actions.

In the end, a trip to see Baba becomes meaningful when it changes the devotee from within. The outer journey may last for a few days, but the inner blessing can remain for life. When faith becomes stronger, love becomes deeper, and service becomes more natural, the journey has fulfilled its purpose. A heart touched by Baba’s grace becomes peaceful, grateful, and ready to live as an instrument of divine love.

Being a Good Human First