He at the Helm

He at the Helm

It was exactly one year ago that the sequence of events became even remotely perceivable. Swami Paramahamsa Mukta­nanda of Ganeshpuri was scheduled to arrive in Hawaii on the return portion of his American tour. With the multitude of hotel accommodations available and the innumerable homes that abound the slopes of Honolulu, it was a little surprising when Baba Muktananda accepted the invitation to stay in the `shell’ of our new home, still very much under construction!

The invitation had been extended signifi­cantly, seemingly on impulse, partially based on Irene’s steadfast devotion to Baba Muktananda as her Guru (even though she had never met him) and partly on my reluc­tance to have anyone, including the illustri­ous personage of a Holy Man, to intrude into my life and the small flat we were then renting.

All doubts and hesitations associated with meeting a `realized being’ for the first time welled up. How should I act? Will he see through me? The expectation of his arrival was fraught with discomfort. But from the instant of his arrival, Swami warm­ed our hearts. With affectionate smiles and embraces, he melted away the walls of resistance. With his discourses he removed doubts, and with firm mandates he instilled discipline. The darshans [sight of a holy man] he held and the shakti[power] of his presence permeated the at­mosphere with prema [love] and shanti [peace].

Physically, it has changed the `outcome’ of the house itself! Aspects of finish­—design were obviated and the building took on an air of simplicity and informality quite unintended initially. More importantly, the visit initiated a change in our lives, which at that moment we could little comprehend.

In quick sequence, other Swamis travelling through Hawaii further graced the home with bhajans and discourses. Swami Satchi­dananda of the Integral Yoga Society accep­ted an invitation, again seemingly offered on impulse, and added his grace and his lessons to the house. The `net’ was closing in on us; but we had yet to understand its basic implications!

Then Indra Devi, beloved Mataji, on a brief stop‑over from India to Tecate (Mexico), delivered to a small gathering at the “Church of the Cross‑Roads” a testament in words and a film of her love for her Bhagavan, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. We had decided to attend the lecture simply because the name `Sai Baba’ denoted yet another Guru. The culmination of that evening left us with a sense of amazement at what we had seen and heard, but with a knowledge that this Baba was something quite different from all that we had previously encountered or read about. This was an Avatar [incarnation]; of this we were sure!

The following day Mataji arrived at the house quite unexpected, and with more words of reverence for Sai Baba, she related the leelas [Divine plays] of Baba and the supreme love he bore toward his devotees. Books followed Mataji; we were inundated with tapes of bhajans recorded at Prasanthi Nilayam, and more printed material. The waves of Sai Baba rolled over us and washed us until it was all that we could to contain within us the need to travel to India; but this was yet to be.

Numerous attempts were made, all meet­ing with obstructions. Some seven months later, all conditions jelled—visas, passports, finance—and we journeyed via Australia to India! Though all this took place, it must be said that the impetus of Baba’s calling us and all that had transpired during the past year remained vague in our minds…

We arrived in Madras, and after a three-­hour lay‑over boarded a DC‑3 for Bangalore, arriving at 10’00 in the evening. The next morning, a call was placed to our only contact in India, Mr. K. Bhirumal, a devo­tee of Baba. He recommended that we journey immediately to Whitefield. Another taxi and then the pure delight of watch­ing Baba grace the rows of `royal poincianas’, lined thick with devotees.

Upon reminiscing on our impressions later, we were struck with the feeling of complete familiarity that Baba imparts to even those seeing him for the first time! The figure, replete with silken dress, the gentle smile, and of course, the halo of hair were exactly as we had known it would be. We handed over a letter that Mataji had given us, somewhat awkwardly and in full awe. Baba commented, “Mexico! Indra Devi!” and passed on. Word came soon after, that we were to follow Him! Baba had blessed us with an interview; the total time that had elapsed since our arrival in India was 18 hours!

The little Interview Room was crowded, and Baba launched into a general discourse with specific comments directed toward some, but seemingly applicable to all. Then… the Individual Session, in which he quickly cut into the secret depths of one’s own being, the problems of health, the previous meetings (!) where he had contact­ed (!) Irene via a dream, and the specifics of that dream and another (!), the difficul­ties of individual sadhana, the particular desire of each of us and our internal turmoil. Vibhuti, sacred ash, was manifested. All this… quickly, naturally, and spontane­ously delivered and conferred with a love and understanding that rendered new meaning to those old words.

Here was a Confidante, Guide, Doctor, Friend, Father, Mother, and GOD all rolled into ONE! Here was the culmination of those past events within this lifetime and all the previous ones, Manifest, All Knowing, before us!

It would be naive to say that either one of us can, even in a small measure, understand the Divine nature of Baba’s Calling, much less understand Baba Himself. It is readily perceptible, however, that the culmination of events leading to our arrival in Putta­parthi is in reality a point of conscious embarkation, (in essence, a New Birth), knowing that Baba is at the helm.

Ours, of course, is hardly a unique story. There were no spectacular occurrences; there were no manifest leelas. Yet, all this is all His leela. Each one called to Prasanthi Nilayam comes on a wave of `seeming circumstance’. Names, times, places, and events vary from person to person; but the story remains ever the same—the directional moment toward Baba is unmistakable and constant. As has been stated to us, the subtleties of man’s ascent toward God pale and wane when compared to the subtleties of God’s descent to man. Bhagavan’s Call is the subtlest of subtleties; but come we must when call beckons! There are no accidents, no circumstantial happenings. But how it is all integrated, how it is all fits together, is best understood by Baba Himself.

Once touched by Baba, once the bond is established, we can only venerate Him, prostrate before His Loving Grace and tireless generosity, and pray that He will continue to bestow His multitudinous Blessings and unerring control over all aspects of our existence and sadhana. By His Grace and His Grace alone we are here. Jai Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sai Ram Sai Ram Sai Ram.

~Steve W. G. Au, Honolulu; Hawaii
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, March 1975

The game of life is worth playing and becomes an interesting tonic only when there are bounds for field and rules and restrictions for the players. Imagine a game of football or cricket where there are no rules or boundaries or umpires. The game will be chaotic; it will soon degenerate into a riot, a free fight. Dharma is what makes the game of life interesting, decent, and desirable.

~Baba

He at the Helm – Trusting the Divine Guide in Life

He at the Helm is a comforting spiritual thought that reminds us that life is not moving without guidance. Many times, we feel that we are alone in our struggles, decisions, fears, and responsibilities. We try to control every result, plan every detail, and protect ourselves from every difficulty. Yet, life often moves in ways we do not expect. At such moments, faith gently teaches us that a higher wisdom is guiding the journey.

A person may think he is the complete doer, but life itself proves otherwise. We can make sincere efforts, but results do not always follow our wishes. We can prepare carefully, yet sudden changes may come. We can desire comfort, yet challenges may enter. This does not mean life is unfair. It means that human understanding is limited, while divine guidance sees beyond what we can see.

He at the Helm gives strength when the mind becomes restless. Just as a boat needs a steady captain during rough waters, the human heart needs faith during difficult times. The waves of life may rise through illness, loss, misunderstanding, failure, or delay, but the devotee who trusts God does not lose hope completely. He may feel pain, but he also feels protected from within.

This faith does not make a person lazy. True surrender is not sitting silently and doing nothing. It means doing our duty with sincerity and then offering the result to the Divine. We must work honestly, speak truthfully, care for others, and make wise choices. But after doing our best, we should not drown in anxiety. Peace comes when effort is joined with surrender.

He at the Helm also teaches humility. Success can easily make people proud. They begin to believe that everything happened only because of their intelligence, talent, or hard work. Effort is important, but grace is greater. Many unseen factors support every achievement. The body, breath, opportunity, time, guidance, and strength are all gifts. Remembering this keeps the heart grateful and humble.

In moments of failure, this teaching becomes even more meaningful. Failure is not always rejection. Sometimes it is redirection. A closed door may protect us from a path that would not serve our growth. A delay may prepare us for something better. A painful experience may remove pride and deepen wisdom. When faith is alive, even disappointment becomes a lesson.

He at the Helm reminds us that divine guidance may not always match human expectation. We often ask for quick answers, easy paths, and visible signs. But the Divine works with patience. Sometimes the answer comes as courage instead of comfort. Sometimes it comes as silence instead of explanation. Sometimes it comes as an inner push to change ourselves rather than change the situation.

The heart that trusts God begins to see life differently. It does not panic at every storm. It does not become arrogant in every victory. It learns balance. Joy is received with gratitude, and sorrow is faced with strength. Such a person understands that every experience can become sacred when it is accepted with faith and used for inner growth.

He at the Helm is also a reminder to listen to conscience. Divine guidance is not always outside us. It often speaks quietly from within. Before we act wrongly, something inside warns us. Before we choose kindness, something inside encourages us. Before we speak harshly, something inside asks us to pause. When we respect this inner voice, we allow the Divine to guide our thoughts, words, and actions.

Modern life often makes people feel pressured to control everything. They worry about status, money, relationships, health, and the future. Planning is necessary, but fear should not become the ruler of life. A person who remembers God can move through responsibilities with a lighter heart. He knows that he is not carrying the whole universe on his shoulders.

He at the Helm also brings comfort in loneliness. There are pains that we cannot fully explain to others. There are prayers that remain hidden in the heart. There are battles that no one sees. But the Divine knows every silent struggle. This awareness gives quiet strength. Even when human support is limited, divine presence remains near.

To live with this faith, one should practice remembrance daily. Begin the day with prayer. Offer your work to God. Speak gently. Help where you can. Accept correction without ego. Thank the Divine for blessings, and ask for strength during trials. These simple practices turn ordinary living into a spiritual journey.

In the end, this message is about trust. Life may not always be smooth, but it is not meaningless. The same power that brought us this far will guide us further. When we let go of fear and hold on to faith, the journey becomes peaceful. With God guiding the boat, even stormy waters can lead us safely toward the shore of wisdom, love, and inner freedom.

When Beauty Was Being…