God cannot be a memory; He Is The Living Presence…

God cannot be a memory; He Is The Living Presence…

We keep hearing many devotees, asserting with ‘thumping clarity’, looking at the ‘empty’ throne of Bhagawan that, ‘the chair is not empty’. How many of us, in reality, are able to feel Him and how many of us are able to see Beloved Bhagawan’s most enchanting physical frame…??? The Throne of Bhagawan at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam is definitely not empty…and is ‘undoubtedly’ full with Bhagawan’s ‘subtle’ presence… Post April 2011 Divine Drama, on the 1^st of Oct 2011 as part of Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha, Dr PL Rani, Asst. Professor with Dept of English at Anantapur Campus of SSSIHL, addressed the Prasanthi assembly, beginning with a ‘revealing’ preface… Narrating her beautiful, revealing dream, Dr Rani ended her ‘preface’ with… God cannot be a memory; He Is a Living Presence, as ‘showed’ by Bhagawan Himself... Read on…

I have had to make amendments to my talk overnight. I am compelled to add an unplanned preface to my talk due to a very small but significant episode that occurred this morning. It seems divinely ordained that I share it with all of you, due to the larger implications and universal message. Last night, after a particularly tiring day, I was planning this talk in my mind and putting my thoughts in order. At that point, there were two conflicting feelings that were filling my mind. On one side was the sense of gratitude, responsibility and loving duty that I owe to Swami, which is the motivation for this talk; and on the other hand lurked a tinge of sadness that this time, compared to every other time I have had an opportunity to be here. There is a ‘shade of difference’.

I felt that it was very clever of me to think of the phrase ‘shade of difference’ because to me the shade of difference was the change from the vibrant orange to the sparkling white marble. Bhagawan, in His most inimitable manner decided to disprove it to me. I am not a person who gets frequent dreams of Swami or who works on a practical level based on some dreams. I haven’t had one for so many months and I definitely haven’t had any after April, in particular. But suddenly when I woke up this morning, I woke up with a pleasant feeling and I quickly recalled that I had had a beautiful message.

In my dream, the scene was of those three painful days right here in the Mandir, when the Immortal One had decided to leave the mortal coil. In my mind, I was deciding that I was not going to see this because I can’t bear to see the lost luster on His face. My curiosity got the better of me and after a little while, I began to peep from a distance. I got a little closer and I saw that it was the same beautiful, effulgent, brilliant familiar face of Swami and I felt so relieved and satisfied. Just then Swami’s eyelids opened so vividly and in a fit of panic and fear, I sprang backwards. It is unusual that someone springs backwards on seeing Swami. He then raised His palm and beckoned me, making me even more frightened. When He beckoned me the third time, I went near, and He placed His palm on mine, and the immediate tangible sensation that I felt was the warmth of His Hand. The message was home immediately, even in my sleep, and I knew that in those moments of weak faith, we tend to believe that ‘the orange form’ has entombed itself in the ‘white marble’. Warmth is a sign of love and life and I thought, He was telling all of us today that God cannot be a memory; He Is a Living Presence.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

He Is The Living Presence – Feeling Swami in Every Moment

He Is The Living Presence is a comforting truth for every devotee who has ever felt the nearness of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba beyond physical sight. Many people think presence means seeing a form with the eyes, hearing a voice with the ears, or standing close to someone in a visible way. But divine presence is deeper than physical nearness. It is felt in the heart as peace, strength, guidance, and love.

When a devotee remembers Swami with sincerity, something within becomes calm. The mind may be surrounded by worries, responsibilities, and worldly noise, yet a quiet feeling rises from inside: Swami knows, Swami cares, and Swami is guiding. This inner assurance is not imagination for a loving heart. It becomes a living experience that gives courage during difficult moments.

He Is The Living Presence because His love did not end with the physical form. A true divine master does not belong only to one period of time. His words, teachings, blessings, and unseen guidance continue to work in the lives of those who trust Him. The body may not be before the eyes, but the spiritual force remains active, intimate, and deeply personal.

Many devotees have experienced this presence in simple ways. A prayer answered at the right time, sudden protection from danger, comfort during sorrow, or a line from Swami’s teaching appearing exactly when needed can feel like a direct response. Such moments remind the heart that divine love moves silently and wisely, often before the mind understands.

He Is The Living Presence in the conscience that warns us before we do wrong. When anger rises and something inside asks us to remain silent, that is guidance. When selfishness pulls us one way and love gently points another way, that is grace. When we feel restless after speaking harshly and peaceful after helping someone, Swami is teaching from within.

This presence should not make us passive. Faith in Swami should inspire right action, not laziness. If we truly believe He is near, we should become careful in our thoughts, words, and behavior. We should speak truthfully, serve humbly, respect others, and reduce ego. The best way to feel His nearness is to live in a way that pleases Him.

He Is The Living Presence whenever love becomes action. Swami’s message was not complicated. He taught people to love all, serve all, help ever, and hurt never. These teachings are not meant only for quotation or decoration. They are meant to be practiced in homes, workplaces, schools, communities, and every relationship. When we practice them sincerely, His presence becomes visible through our conduct.

A devotee may sometimes feel dry inside. Prayer may not feel deep, meditation may be difficult, and the mind may wonder why Swami seems silent. But silence does not mean absence. A mother may not speak every moment, yet her love remains. In the same way, Swami’s grace may work quietly, strengthening the heart from within even when no outer sign is visible.

He Is The Living Presence in sacred memories too. A glance, a smile, a blessing, a discourse, a bhajan, or a moment of darshan can remain alive in the heart for years. Such memories are not merely old events. They become inner lamps. During loneliness or fear, they return with warmth and remind the devotee that divine love once touched the heart and continues to shine there.

His presence can also be felt through service. When we feed the hungry, comfort the sad, help the weak, or speak kindly to someone in pain, we come close to Swami. He is not found only in pictures, temples, or prayer rooms. He lives in every being. Serving others with humility is one of the most direct ways to experience Him.

He Is The Living Presence when faith remains steady during tests. It is easy to feel devoted when life is smooth, but the real strength of devotion appears during pain, delay, illness, loss, or misunderstanding. If we can still remember Swami, still do good, and still trust His timing, then our faith has begun to mature.

The world changes constantly. People come and go, situations rise and fall, and the mind moves between hope and fear. But the presence of the Divine remains steady. Swami’s love is not limited by distance, time, or circumstance. It flows wherever the heart calls with sincerity.

To live with this awareness is to make life sacred. Begin the day with remembrance. Offer your work to Him. Speak gently. Avoid hurting others. Correct your mistakes honestly. Help where you can. Thank Him in joy and trust Him in difficulty. These simple practices turn ordinary life into a path of devotion.

In the end, He Is The Living Presence is not only a belief to repeat; it is a truth to experience. When the heart becomes pure, loving, and service-minded, Swami is felt everywhere. He guides through conscience, comforts through prayer, blesses through love, and lives forever in the devotee’s heart.

Sai Vani Is Sathya Vani…