Sai on Sadhana

Devotee: In the West, sadhana [spiritual effort] is gene­rally taken to be a process of self‑improve­ment. But that implies identification with the changing personality?

Sri Sathya Sai: First, there may be the urge to self‑improvement. But the next stage is inquiry, the inquiry into the reality of `this’ and `that’. Seven-tenths of sadha­na is ENQUIRY.

Devotee: Sadhana as it is described seems wrong because it is a conscious effort aimed at getting a reward. It seems to me that sadhana is real only when it is spontaneous. That is to say, as when one naturally loves God. He cannot but help love God. And he cannot help but make inquiry.

Sri Sathya Sai: It is as you say, but you have not experienced the spontaneous love for God. It is still just an idea. You have a conviction that love for God exists naturally in you. That conviction itself is the result of many lives spent in spiritual practice.

Devotee: I have the conviction so strong that it is the very marrow of my bone that Life is One; that all others, Swami, and myself are One. The atma [soul] is that One and it is fully here at this moment; and I am cons­tantly engaged in sadhana. So the question remains: Why do I not actually experience that Unity as no other than myself?

Sri Sathya Sai: Your conviction of unity is an idea, a thought. It is not experienced. For instance, when your wife has pain in the head, do you have it, too? If not, where is the experience of the unity? The unity must be experienced, not just felt as an idea or entertained as a thought.

Devotee: Swami! If sadhana and convic­tion do not bring the experience, how is one to get it?

Sri Sathya Sai: Through steady sadhana. Just as with ourselves now, in this car. We need concern ourselves only with the careful driving of the car; in due course we will arrive at Anantapur, wouldn’t we? With correct and steady sadhana, the actual experience of the ONE will naturally come about.

Devotee: How does one really experience that he is the same as another? Because now one feels for another through compas­sion. Compassion is idea, understanding it is not direct experience of unity. When someone hit a dog, Sai Baba of Shirdi had the bruises. That is the actual experience of unity.

Sri Sathya Sai: All is Divine. When you are firmly established in the fact of your divinity, then you will directly know that others are divine. Compassion for others is felt so long as you consider yourself as a separate entity, as a conse­quence of the body‑consciousness. The story of Shirdi Sai Baba that you have heard about is not fully correct. The facts are: a lady cooked and got ready a plate of sweets for Baba, and a dog ate them. The lady drove the dog away with blows. The lady then carried another plate of sweets to Baba, who refused them saying that He had eaten the sweets she previously provided, and His hunger was satisfied. The lady pointed out that this was the first time that she was offering the sweets, so how could He say to the contrary? Baba said, “No.” You offered them and while I was eating them you have also beaten Me.” Thus, He gave a lesson that He was omni­present and that there was only ONE universal life.

Devotee: What does Swami mean by `omnipresent’?

Sri Sathya Sai: Omnipresent means everywhere, at the same time, all the time.

Devotee: Swami says that at a certain stage in sadhana, the exterior nature ceases. How is that?

Sri Sathya Sai: There are ten stages in sadhana, each cognized by sounds of various types, ranging through different vibrations—bell, flute, conch, OM, thunder etc. The tenth stage is reached when the senses are transcended. Beyond the senses, it is the state of bliss.

Devotee: Is that state of bliss experi­enced only for a time? What happens in the daily round of life?

Sri Sathya Sai: That state remains always. Then it is always bliss. He thinks God, eats God, drinks God, breathes God, and lives God.

Devotee: Does everyone pass through these ten stages?

Sri Sathya Sai: No. One may go direct to the tenth, the transcendental state. Or to stage six, or seven. Or not progress at all. It is not uniform for all.

Devotee: What should be one’s attitude to these stages in sadhana as one encoun­ters each stage one by one?

Sri Sathya Sai: The states change, but the `attitude’ should be unchanging.

Devotee: But what value should one give to the various states?

Sri Sathya Sai: The sadhaka will not be satisfied with any of the states. For, complete union is the goal. Desire remains strong until the transcendental bliss is realized, and then desire ceases. At that state, all is God. Thoughts, desires, all are God.

Devotee: These thoughts that stream through the mind, are they material?

Sri Sathya Sai: Yes. They are matter. All matter is impermanent.

Devotee: Where do thoughts come from?

Sri Sathya Sai: They come from food and environment. If you have satwic [pure] food and desire only for good things and atmosp­here around you, good thoughts only will come.

Devotee: Where do thoughts go?

Sri Sathya Sai: They go no place because thoughts do not flow through the mind. The mind goes out and grasps and gets engaged with thoughts. If the desire is for God, the mind does not go out. The best way is not to get involved in the problem –  ‘How to get rid of thoughts?’ See all thoughts as God. Then only God‑thoughts will come. The entire mechanism of body, mind, intelligence will work in a coordinated manner for the benefit of the higher goal.

Devotee: Then for whom should the entire mechanism be functioning?

Sri Sathya Sai: For the atma. A small example: The earth turns on its own axis, but at the same time it is revolving around the Sun. The various faculties of man should do their own work, but the atma is the center of their universe.

Devotee: Swami! How can one bring these faculties under the control of the atma?

Sri Sathya Sai: When one realizes that the atma is the reality, the ONE, then everything will function smoothly. It is a question of surrendering all to the atma.

Devotee: But Swami has said, we should ask ourselves, “Who am I that I dare talk of surrendering my mind and intelligence to God? They do not belong to me. How can ­I surrender that which I do not own and cannot even control?”

Sri Sathya Sai: It is not a question of surrendering or giving to some other one. One surrenders to oneself. Recognition that the atma is oneself is surrender.

Devotee: Then Swami means that surrender is really putting aside of that which one perceives as incorrect or false.

Sri Sathya Sai: Yes.

Devotee: I now understand. “Surrender” implies a person offering himself or his possessions to another person. But, really, it is more like the abandoning of ideas and concepts for which one has no further use, or which one sees as inadequate or wrong.

Sri Sathya Sai: Yes.

Sai on Sadhana

The path of spirituality becomes meaningful when devotion is combined with discipline and inner purity. Sai on Sadhana teaches seekers that spiritual practice is not limited to rituals alone, but it is a way of living with love, patience, truth, and selfless service. Through divine teachings, devotees understand that every thought, word, and action should lead the soul closer to peace and realization. The essence of Sai on Sadhana inspires people to cultivate humility and faith while facing the challenges of daily life.

In the spiritual journey, consistency is more important than speed. Sai on Sadhana reminds devotees that regular prayer, meditation, and chanting purify the mind gradually. Many seekers often expect immediate transformation, but true growth happens step by step. Spiritual discipline creates inner strength and helps individuals remain calm even during difficult situations. According to the wisdom shared through Devotional India, sincere effort made with a pure heart always attracts divine grace and guidance.

One important lesson found in Sai on Sadhana is the value of selfless service. Serving humanity with compassion is considered equal to serving the Divine. Helping the poor, speaking kindly, and supporting those in need are all forms of spiritual practice. Such actions remove selfishness and bring peace to the heart. Devotees who follow these teachings often experience greater joy and emotional balance in life. The sacred messages shared by Devotional India encourage seekers to transform spirituality into daily conduct rather than keeping it limited to places of worship.

Faith and patience are the two pillars emphasized in Sai on Sadhana. Spiritual seekers may face delays, confusion, or hardships, yet they are encouraged to trust the divine timing of life. Patience allows the mind to remain steady, while faith keeps hope alive during uncertain moments. Through prayer and surrender, one learns to overcome fear and anxiety. The teachings connected with Sai on Sadhana guide individuals toward inner silence where true wisdom can be experienced naturally.

Meditation also plays a vital role in spiritual discipline. By focusing the mind on sacred thoughts, devotees slowly free themselves from negativity and distraction. Sai on Sadhana explains that a calm mind becomes a temple of peace and divine awareness. Even a few moments of sincere meditation each day can create clarity and emotional stability. Spiritual seekers reading articles on Devotional India often discover practical ways to strengthen concentration and devotion through simple daily practices.

Another beautiful aspect of Sai on Sadhana is the teaching of universal love. Spirituality is not about division, ego, or superiority. Instead, it teaches people to respect every religion and every human being equally. Love expressed through kindness and forgiveness becomes the highest form of worship. A person who follows these teachings develops purity of heart and experiences deeper harmony in relationships and society. The spiritual reflections presented by Devotional India continue to inspire countless devotees on this sacred path.

The message of Sai on Sadhana ultimately reminds humanity that spiritual practice should lead to transformation from within. A disciplined mind, a loving heart, and a selfless attitude create the foundation of true happiness. When devotion is combined with righteous living, life becomes filled with meaning and inner peace. Through sincere practice and divine remembrance, every seeker can move steadily toward spiritual awakening and lasting bliss.

-Reality