saionline

If these answers have provided relief or some form of knowledge to you, it is our belief that should you pray from gratitude that its authors should be blessed for the gift they have shared with you it has mutual benefit. Your prayer will benefit their soul in this life or the next while benefitting yourself as well.

We receive a lot of emails and questions on Sathya Sai Baba. It is not possible to respond to each individual inquiry. Therefore our panel of long-term Sai associates have tried their best to give an appropriate response to some unsual questions that have raised much curiosity.

Bear in mind that the most profound answers to questions and beneficient spiritual input can be found in Swami's own words, compiled into the ever-expanding volumes known as 'Sathya Sai Speaks'. Vedic studies can be had through the 'Vahini' series, written by Swami himself.

The questions and answers can be quoted or copied, provided its source is mentioned as Saionline, and provided they are not portrayed as Swami's own words. Due to the large extent of misperceived media reports on Sai Baba the last few years, we have included answers to questions that may be necessary for a broader understanding. The knowledge of the answers is a compilation from years of studies by devotees with extensive experience around and with Swami.

saionline.org
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SHORTCUTS

1. I wish to volunteer in one of Swami's hospitals. Whom do I contact?
2. I am a patient and want to be admitted to Swami's hospital. How do I proceed?
3. I wish to apply to Swami's Education Institutes. Where do I get the forms?
4. Is education free in Swami's Educational Institues?
5. What is the main cause of diseases?
6. Why does such horrendous tragedies like the Tsunami take place? People who lost family feel God has caused this event and become atheist.
7. Swami has all powers and is omnipotent. Why do difficulties seem to occur even in his life?
8. Why does Swami suffer accidents when he is divine? When news reached that Swami had broken an arm and a hip, we felt confused.
9. When God has all powers, why does He not save people from disasters and tragedies?
10. How to handle a difficult child?
11. Our Sai Center conducts Indian Bhajans regularly. Is it appropriate to have bhajans in other languages?
12. Can our Sai Center conduct bhajans that are made in the name of other spiritual teachers than Sai Baba?
13. I have been given personal advice from Sai Baba via another person but do not know how to perceive it.
14. I have received herbal cures from a person who claims the treatment is blessed and approved by Sai Baba.

QUESTIONS OF DOUBTS
20. There has been various allegations against Sai Baba in the media in the last few years. How true are these?
21. Some charlatans show ability of divine powers. How to distinguish?
22. There has been questions about the miracles performed by Swami. Please explain.
23. Some reports criticise the charitable projects by the Sathya Sai Trust.
24. Why are the dates of Swami's birth different in the school records?
25. How should we change our living?
26. Many of the sadhu's are famous for smoking ganja and using drugs. How does this coincide with damaging the aura?
27. Shirdi Baba would smoke and some say he smoked ganja
28. How does the exploitation of women relate to natural calamities?
29. Why is the reduction of excess sex so vital for humanity?
30. If the creative energy has such tremendous influence in everything in the world and its misuse is destructive, why is Swami not doing something about it?
31. How can we not be reborn - we all have a soul and chose when and where we are reborn?
32. Is it not the goal of spirituality to not be reborn?
33. All is One and only God is the doer?
34. How can sexual supression be destructive?
35. How should creative energy/sex be used to build spiritual energy?
36. Eastern cultures often believed that women should be in a subserviant role or they may become overbearing.
37. Swami say the women must be the mothers, the caretakers...?

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Q: I wish to volunteer in Swami's hospital. Whom do I contact?

Doctors or nurses interested to volunteer in Swami's General hospital, Swami's SSSIHMS Puttaparthi hospital or the SSSIHMS Whitefield hospital should contact the Medical Director, and provide their CV along with a letter explaining their intentions. The hospitals may require a certain minimum time-period for professional volunteers to join.
Other volunteers should contact the hospital administration in each respective offices in Puttaparthi or Whitefield.
For open vacancies for employment in Parthi, please follow this link.
For training of physicians at SSSIHMS, please follow this link.

Q: I am a patient and wisht to be admitted to Swami's hospital. How do I proceed?

Swami's hospitals are mainly intended for very poor people with limited or no financial means to barely cover their living costs. All patients must come in person and register at any of the hospitals; there is no advance appointments or consultation provided. Patients must bring all previous medical records with them and should bring someone to assist them with care and needs. It is possible that patients requiring surgery will be added on a waiting list and will be called back when a time-slot is available for them. This can take several weeks or months. To learn more about Swami's hospitals, the address and procedures to register please follow this link.
Swami's hospitals do not have unlimited funding to provide free care to everyone. Please do not take advantage of this service that is intended for the poor if you do not belong in a poverty category. Patients who have some form of financial support in pension, salary or other monthly financial means should consider to contact professional hospitals in their own city or region for medical care.

Q: I wish to apply to Swami's Education Institutes. Where do I get the forms?

Contact the school you are interested in per phone or registered letter and ask for the warden or administrator to send the application forms to you. You may find more information about the educational set-up through this link or through the website of the SSSIHL.

1. Class I and Class XI: The Principal,
Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School,
Prasanthi Nilayam - 515134
Phone: (+91) 8555-289289

2. Under-graduate, Post-graduate/diploma, BA courses:
Vidyagiri, Prasanthi Nilayam - 515 134
Anantapur District., Andhra Pradesh (India)
Phone: (08555) 287191, 287239

3. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
PRASANTHI NILAYAM - 515 134
Anantapur Dist.,
ANDHRA PRADESH
Phone: (08555) 287235
Email: sssihl@gmail.com
For available courses, see this link.

4. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Brindavan Campus
Kadugodi P.O. BANGALORE - 560 067
KARNATAKA
Phone (College): (080) 2845 2329
Phone (Hostel): (080) 2845 2233

For Brindavan course outlines, see this link.

5. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, (Women's College)
Anantapur Campus ,
ANANTAPUR - 515 001
ANDHRA PRADESH
Phone (College): (08554) 272567
Phone (Hostel): (08554) 273122

For Anantapur course outlines, see this link.

Q: Is the education free in Swami's Educational Institutes?

Yes, the education is completely free. All tuition fees, laboratory fees, library fees, sports fees, examination fees, medical fees, etc., are waived in all of Swami's schools. Students must cover basic self-expenses such as laundry (dobhi fees), food, boarding. Swami's philosophy is that all education must be provided free of charge to those eligible. Swami incur tremendous expenses every month to provide free, truly top-quality training at all schools founded by him. The students get a great education while they also stand the chance to meet many of the dignitary visitors that come to Swami as Swami often ask these to give a guest speech to his students!

The Sai-system has done everything possible to eradicate the common problems with bribes, corruption, or indiscipline with staff and attendees. High educational standards and philosophy are a part of the curriculum; the rules and regulations are very strict for both students and staff within all facilities for the long-term benefit for everyone.

Q: What is the main cause of diseases?

Diseases have two primary causes: food and mind. Wrong food interrupts proper digestive functions that slowly develop imbalance of the body's natural flow. The stomach is the engine of the body. Swami has recommended that 1-2 glasses of room temperatured water is taken one hour before we consume anything in the morning to allow the digestive process to get ready. The stomach is like a muscle that needs regular 'workout'. Eating nuts and other healthy, and somewhat hard to digest consumables now and then without chewing them too much can help to maintain the stomach muscles and maintain good digestion. At least 1 day of complete fasting a week is also necessary to give the body's digestive system some rest.
Meat consumption is a major cause for many diseases; meat form toxins within minutes during and after the death process of the animal. Consumed meat that rot and turn toxic can remain in the lining of our intestines for many months. Vegetables, lentlils and fruit is the ideal food intake, preferrably fresh and unpreserved, without additives and should not be overcooked. Food should not be reheated and eaten; the life force and vitamins in the food dies within minutes after cooking. Reheated food is not good for the mind or body. Food should not be consumed in front of television, movies or other media; the energy of these come in subtle radiation that attach to what we consume and put into our bodies and spread into all our cells, our blood and our spiritual aura. Swami has further said that white sugar is the main cause for cancer. Coffee and tea consumption will affect our memory and is not good for us.
The mind is very powerful and negative thoughts are destructive and can cause an imbalance of the body that lead to diseases. Negative thoughts or emotional turmoil will push the energy down with force which cause friction with the life-force that is always moving upwards. This friction leads to disease and if very traumatic, can even lead to severe conditions. You can observe this in your own life by making notice of times when you have strong emotional tension or anger. The next day you may feel you are coming down with a cold or show symptoms that some disbalance is being present.
Other causes of diseases are from birth or from accident; the diseases from birth are caused by planetary constellations or constellations connected to our past lives, habits and deeds in relation to our astrological chart.
Injury to the the spine between the 5th-9th vertebrea can cause paralysis; the life force is situated between these vertebrea.
People that suffer from diseases and wish to initiate a healing process should pray daily for 40 days a minumum one hour a day (or 48 hours straight) and refrain from drinking coffee or tea, eating spices and all varities of peppers, avoid alchohol and sex during the whole period.

Q: Why does such horrendous tragedies like the Tsunami take place? People who lost family and friends feel God has caused this event and become atheists.

Atheism is simply a lack of willingess to take responsibility for ones own actions, and always find a blame. Calamities like flooding or the tsunami are events caused by man, but blamed by man, on God. God does not create any evils to the world or any personlised punishment to any individual. God is not a singular individual that has likes and dislikes. God is sometimes described as a person, a giver and taker, but these are terminology used to convey a greater message. Man is the cause of adverse events by living a wrongful life. When we live in disharmony with nature it builds-up energy that begin to effect the course of nature. Man refuse to believe there is a valid reason to live within limits and self-control for his selfishness rules him, yet argues that there is no God when he face the consequence of his own self-made freedom. Man overspend on natural resources and want comforts. Nature is polluted and this causes holes in the ozone and disbalance in temperatures which cause further havoc in weather, droughts, natural calamities. It is the responsibility of corporations and ruling governments to assure that what is manufactured and sold in the world should contribute to the overall good of the world - not just temporary monetary profits. And it is the responsibility of the people to pressure the government to maintain positive policies and regulations and assure suitable leaders are elected. Politicians should assure that man's striving for freedom is not of overall detriment to creation. We should reduce all our pollution from factories, vehicle use, personal consumption, waste and so forth. If we do not, we will bare witness to many more tragedies in the future.
It is very important to understand that God does not punish people. God is a power of existance and bliss. We punish ourselves and our surrounding. Tragedies in life happen from the progress of time combined with the actions of all living beings; our own and collective actions. There exist no retribution from God to any living creature. It is in times of severe tragedies that people should surrender to God and pray for peace, understanding, internal change and love.

Q: Swami has all powers and is omnipotent. Why do difficulties seem to occur in his life?

Avataars are something truly extraordinary in creation. Avataars show us that it is possible to handle a life with difficulties. We can overcome difficulties by learning to control our thoughts, senses and actions. The whole life of the avataar and great Mahatmas are based on exemplary living.
Throughout history all incarnations suffered extreme hardships, opposition, accusations and even tortures and cruelties. If they wanted, they could have had a cushioned and wealthy life. By taking hardships onto themselves they relieve individuals or events from the same to take place. Avataars are already complete so their spiritual expansion is different than ours. For man difficulties are essential for spiritual expansion. When we make effort to handle situations that feel difficult to us with a neutral internal reaction where we carry no resentment or ego, we create a condition known as tapas. This tapas speeds up spiritual growth and can generate tremendous internal advancement.
In the Ramayana Rama and Ravana had equal powers. While Ravana used all his powers to exploit nature (Sita) and indulge himself for his own pleasures alone without care for anyone else, Rama was willing to sacrifice the wishes of his senses and go through hardships to adhere to higher ideals. One became divine, the other a demon; one elevated himself, the other destroyed himself. If we wish for Sai Baba to act with self-intent and solve the problems we create simply from ease or comfort, we are wishing for a Ravana. Swami is generous and unyielding at the same time and follows Divine instinct not physicial instincts. It is this Divine instinct that is unpredictable and spontaneous.

Avataars never have to suffer even if they chose to. One example is that of Jesus. Jesus never had to die on the cross and could, with a single word, destroyed all his enemies to save himself. His greatness was displayed in the humble surrender of his powers to only act from Divine impulse - and never from a selfish desire even in difficult situations. He demonstrated his love by sacrificing the last and only thing in his possession: his body. He owned nothing else. Swami has said that for a fraction Jesus felt slight anger towards his tormentors, but noticing it, he immediately surrender these feelings and allowed events to take its place. His death cause his divine energy to enter into all devoted to him and raised the awareness in those willing to accept his message for the benefit of the entire world. Each received this subtle energy according to what they deserved and what they were able to absorb, whether they were aware of it or not. The same will happen when Swami leaves this world. All incarnations add to the continued life of the earth and we owe our existance to them and the grace they contribute on us.

Q: Why does Swami suffer accidents when he is divine?

Swami is really not his body, yet the functions and laws of nature remain the same for everything in the material world. That which is material is bound by time and the laws of the five elements. Swami is divine but the body is physical, material, like everyone elses. In his body immense energy is manifested all the time. This energy keeps expanding gradually over time for the body to be able to adjust and handle it. If Swami holds an electric item in his hands, or any metal, it can explode or attach to him like by a magnet. His energy is very strong. Sometimes Swami will forbid people to touch him or scold people if they touch him when the energy is particularly strong. The reason for this being that it can injure the person. Compare this to when the excess surge of electricity on our house will blow fuses!
Swami does not interfere with the happenings to his body. One time a devotee gave a hairdryer to Swami. Perhaps an unecessary gift in a country where the weather is so hot that clothes will dry in 10 minutes, but nevertheless, to complete the act of receiving and make the devotee happy Swami tried the hairdryer. The combination of his energy and the electral current blew it up in his face, blinding one eye. In spite of this most people never knew that for many years Swami was blind on one eye. He could easily have cured himself but did not. 'Selfless' means to forget about oneself and it is us devotees that need to remember Swami and wish for his welfare.
Swami is not his body. He exist in his body as long as he wishes to exist. Unlike us, he can leave his body at any moment. His body is borrowed as a vehicle so he can be amongst us and we can listen to his message and find guidance. The body is material and has limitations. This also makes its role in the world very special. Swami's body is a miniature universe. It can reflect what is about to take place in nature. If an accident happen to Swami's body it can act as a shockabsorber to reduce the impact of greater accidents to occur in the world. Swami uses his body to rid us, and rid the world of pains, sorrows and diseases.

Swami often use his body as a vehicle to benefit us. A man may suffer from cancer and be destined to suffer for 10 years and die. He prays sincerely to Swami to cure him and may have taken measures to attract Swami's attention. Swami's sankalpa responds and Swami takes the mans cancer onto his own body for perhaps 10 seconds or 10 minutes instead of 10 years so the devotee can be free from his disease. He suffers the pain of cancer for the man. This is why the divine is called Mother. In nature only transformation from one condition to another is possible. Nothing can disapper into nowhere; there is no space or void in existence. We should not take Swami's compassion with a grain of salt. He truly loves wholeheartedly and often suffer for us. Sometimes a disease is postponed but not cured and this is for the best of the person. Every thought, word or action of ours every single day carry a consequence... Our suffering is the results of wrong thoughts, words and deeds in life. Only God can prompt the Grace and the outcome. If we suffer from past wrong-doing we must accept the responsibility for our actions.
In our own life too, the body is simply a vehicle for us to live out the life we owe. Utilize it not only to pay back your debts (karma) or only to live out desires but utilize it to develop into a storehouse or channel of divine energy that is used to be a light to the world, not a burden.

Q: When news reached us that Swami had broken an arm and a hip, we felt confused.

Swami can have accidents to avert greater dangers. At other times, he is simply subject to accidents for normal reasons. Often when Swami is by himself he is in a state of extacy. In such state he becomes less aware of his body and can walk into walls, or fall over items that stand in the way. This bliss can cause some physical clumsiness.
Confusion arise because people misunderstand the principles of spiritual laws versus natural laws. Both laws are intricately intertwined and we are all subject to it to different degrees.

Q: Why does God not save people from disasters and tragedies?

Nature function in complete balance with the five elements. Disasters are not caused by nature or by God; disasters are an effect - not a cause. Nature does not initiate the effect of earthquakes, floods, starvation, famine, extinction of animals, wars, murders, diseases and evils. Natural calamities take place when something is wrong with the natural balance of nature, caused somewhere else. Man has the sole talent in creation to initiate the cause of all misfortunes fully on his own! Under the weight of our wrong living, nature struggles to maintain her balance to continue to exist. The effect of this express itself as disasters and tragedies that hits back on humanity. To stop tragedies to happen, we must change ourselves,- and we must change soon - our mind, our thoughts, our actions and our habits. We must make it a daily prayer that love should expand within us and those around us to. Prayers are like lightning; they can reach the source in an instant.
Many common diseases in the world are not formed by nature but are man-made, developed in laboratories or for biological warfare. Why do we blame God when we suffer from the effects of our own actions? We must stop them from being developed in the first place. Pollution is not caused by nature but by man and generate global warming that is destroying the protective ozone layer. This is causing the gradual melting of ice in the north, raising our sea levels. Eventually this will cause more and larger disaster for humanity. How do we blame God for this?
Some countries suffer severe poverty and discord from unethical local and political manipulations. Even the poor fight amongst themselves instead of uniting to create a change. How can we blame God for this? God has given us hands and feet to help ourselves and others, eyes to see beauty, ears to hear beauty and a heart to feel love. If we use the body for demeaning actions, they are our own responsibility. God, gentle and loving, has become our target of abuse or is being exploited to jusify immense cruelties against people, animals, nature.
It is time for us to see that the sole cause for suffering, disease, injustice, cruelties and lovelessness has only one source: mankind. At the same time the solution to all these problems has the same source: mankind.
The Avataar can only guide you how to become a better human to live the right way in the world so we can live in peace, prosperity, tranquility and harmony. If we only use the Avataar to ask for personal favors to benefit us alone, the world continues to proceed out of balance until we destroy ourselves. If we do not know how to proceed, at least pray daily that Gods energy should fill us and be our guiding light, and not the senses, the mind or the body. The first sign of spirituality is to take responsibility for one's actions and begin self-inquiry from there.

Q: Some reports criticise the charitable projects by the Sathya Sai Trust.

People who have never performed a charitable deed in their own life, find time to criticise others. It is really shameful for anyone to complain or criticise the projects undertaken by the Sai Trust, built on so much sacrifice and good-will under very difficult circumstances. Millions of people come to Puttaparthi annually, each and everyone with their own views of what is good and bad, what is right and wrong, with their own history of experiences. The fact that these projects still function and keep growing under such diverse groups of people gathering together is by itself astonishing. Because of individual differences between person to person some mishaps, unforseen events or disagreements can occasionally occur. This is the way of the world and happens everywhere. It cannot be avoided and need not be a sign of overall failure. The unique aspect in these charitable projects are that whether the people are friends or foe, whether they are rich or poor, educated or illiterate - here, they work, eat and function together with the unified desire to give rather than take something.

Q. Why are the dates of Swami's birth different in the school records?

Critics of the media have invented imaginary negative press over this common procedure in many rural areas in India. Ignorance is not always only a vice but can be evil when misused to mislead innocent people. When our knowledge is fragmented, it is better to remain silent.
In rural areas in India it is common that children will be put in school much earlier than their legal age by their parents, mainly from financial reasons and to complete the childs schooling and quickly ready them for physical labor to generate income. Parents will alter the birthdate of children and many school records in India contain faulty birth data of registered children. There was no difference in Swami's childhood and he was put in school prematurely. Because many rural children are born at home and not in hospitals there is no official record to confirm the actual birth time and date of the child.
Swami grew up in a village of 100 inhabitants where poverty was adverse and owning a cow or having milk was a luxury. Like many remote villages children were exploited for labor. He often did not have food for the day, and even as a small child he would assure all family members and even neighbours had food before he parttook of his. He never complained and tried to meet and solve difficulties with diginity. Swami was subject to threats, physical abuse and exploitation by his uncle, who worked him to exhaustion and beat him. He was further subject to the hatred of villagers who tried to poison him, kill him by burning the house he slept in and in all ways opposed his persistent efforts to stop common cruelties that took place in the region at the time. Bollywood films try to glotify his early life but he had a difficult childhood where few understood him.

Q: There has been various allegations against Sai Baba in the last few years. How true are these?

These allegations are a confusion of the right understanding of events, the background and the circumstances. People judge according to the level of their understanding. They see only on the physical level. A man that suffer from excess, uncontrollable desires for women will believe that all men, in whatever acts they do, must be like himself and he would doubt if they said anything different. His view of the entire world is from his perception alone and entrapped in his senses he is not able to see through the heart and mind of someone else.
But the Divine is not a man but is beyond the desires of a human being. This is what makes him different. The average person has no control of his throughts, his desires, his impulses, his feelings, his senses. None of these. From this standpoint he cannot comprehend what freedom of the senses is. It is only a concept to him and may not even seem realistic. For example, not being able to perform miracles himself and viewing his own opinion as the ultimate since he knows his own capacities the best, he may view miracles as impossible and fraudulent. Naturally such a person will not understand the Avataar or spiritual principles but will interpret incarnations or mahatmas to be weak as himself. But Avataars have no bondage to senses and are not filled with desires. A certain degree of Divine powers do not foster in the desires of the senses and cannot be expressed or developed under such conditions. If this would be the case, we would all have divine powers without any efforts.
All of humanity and the actions of all people are interconnected by a very delicate thread with the rest of the universe. If we live out of balance with nature we cause great disturbances not only to earth but to all planets and humanity at large. Swami does whatever is requierd to re-establish a balance and permit those who come to him to turn from the senses to build a soul. Some people suffer from conditions that are specific for them and need the appropriate procedure to be eliminated, or come to the realization of its fault and by wisdom to eliminate it themselves.
This can be compared to the story Swami gives about the knife in the hands of a surgeon, or a robber. One uses the knife to cure, the other to damage, but there is a distinct difference in the outcome.

Q: Some charlatans show ability of divine powers. How to distinguish who is real nowadays?

They dont display Divine powers, but a few minor Siddhis which is in the reach of anyone to learn who make sufficient effort to control their senses. Divine powers are distinct and quite impossible to imitate unless one is very gullible. The greater Maha-siddhis include the ability to die at will and return to life or bring a dead person back to life, the ability to control aspects of nature, the ablity to reduce to an atom or be expansive as the sky (Hanuman displayed this Mahasiddhi), the ability to be at several places at the same time; omniscience, omnipresence and so forth. Anyone who finds a guru has the right to challenge the guru to prove his/her authenticity. One unique sign of the Avataar is that occasionally his physical form casts no shadow. Great Mahatmas may omit a fragrance like perfume without wearing any perfumes; this is an ability that only great souls have. Once you are satisfied of the evidence, you must accept the teaching given you without continous arguments of proof, even if the pill is bitter to swallow. Changing our internal enemies and faults is neither easy for the guru or the student and is a slow process which requires mutual effort. If the student is too argumentative without self-effort it is a sign of unreadiness and you may be left to yourself.
Swami says: "I am Nataraja - the dance master, the first among dancers. You are all dance pupils. I alone know the agony of teaching you each step in the dance!"

Q: How should we change our living?

Swami has given us advice throughout his life. A good beginning is to study the Sathya Sai Speaks and try to implement what seems like a direct message to us one-by-one. In a nutshell; we must begin somewhere. We should try to take the means to stop eating meat. Excess killing of animals cause not only disease to man and suffering to the animals which we must one day answer and pay for, but is the main cause for overpopulation in the world. Losing spieces of animals and excess of animals the delicate balance of nature is disturbed and creates a vaccum. Nature must fill this vaccum somehow and more beings are born.
Other necessary steps are to reduce excess material possessions, the wasting of natural resources (electricity, water), stop exploitation of women, reduce the indulgance of excess sex and desires. Excess drug and alcohol use can burn a hole in the aura which cannot be repaired and drugs should be avoided at all extent. People that have a damaged aura can become obsessed by undesirable elements that latch on to them and use them. Alcohol and tobacco dulls our senses and reduces our receptivity to recognise the subtle divine energy present everywhere, so eliminating these is also necessary at some point.
The voluntary reduction of excess sexual activity or controlling sexual urges morre is an extremely important decision to benefit the rest of humanity. To stop all exploitation of women is very vital for the reduction of natural disasters and for safekeeping our survival as a whole. Reducing or controlling the desire of hoarding too much money for our own use will aid to reduce poverty in the world. If we have in excess, we should always give some away. In nature everything has a natural balance and those who keep in excess or act in excess cause deprivation somewhere else in the world. Individual sacrifices affect the entire world in a broader scale than we may think.

Q: Many of the sadhu's are famous for smoking ganja and using drugs. How does this coincide with damaging the aura?

A sadhu is a renunciate. What have they renounced if they are addicted to drugs? And what perception does one have if it is artificial hallucinations which disappear as the drugs wane off? Is the reality of the world not already difficult to unravel?

Q: Shirdi Baba would smoke and some say he smoked ganja.

Shirdi Baba would smoke but not Ganja. Swami has said that this occurred only when customary exchange of comradeship was made, as was common in those days and regions. But Shirdi Baba had also proven to his followers that he was a Mahasiddhi. Mahasiddi's can drink poison without being affected. Do ordinary people manage to drink poision? In old Indian lore Mahasiddhi's have even been seen with their own head cut off, tucked under their arm while happily strolling down the ganges. Mahatama's can do incomprehensible things to challenge themselves, to challenge the body or simply to keep pulling their awareness down into the body if it remains too elevated. The confusion always arise when we compare Mahatma's with ordinary people, or when ordinary people wish to pretend to be Mahatma's.

Q: How does exploitation of women relate to natural calamities?

All life in creation exist on the support of the feminine principle. Today, exploitation and abuse of women is rampant everywhere. Even small children-who are more vulnerable and connected to spirit than grown adults-are victims of horrendous exploitation. We should not foster the belief that what happens somewhere else does not affect us in total. We will suffer severely from these actions occurring worldwide. It is said that Swami Vivekananda once walked the streets of Calcutta when he passed a group of prostitutes. The women were teasing the Swami. Seeing their condition he became sad and fell at their feet and cried, "Oh, Mother, what has become of you?". This deep feeling of respect of women should be present in all men.
A hidden source in man longs to worship woman. In the most primitive expression it takes shape as physical desires and loveless exploitation. This innate longing must be transformed into constructive and not destructive actions. If it is, the love will expand and women will response accordingly. Women have a very unique place in the Universe and the core soul of women are connected to God in a very special and unique way. The unique duty of women is not to satisfy mens sensual desires or be a mans subserviant. She must be given equal respect, equal importance. The giving nature comes natural to women. Every woman in the world is a miniature of the Divine Mother of creation no matter what man may think. A woman is like a bridge between creation and God; the good or bad done to any woman, by a man or a woman, is fed to the very core of creation. Swami has said that a man who makes a woman cry has no idea how much he himself will cry and suffer one day. In ancient times the importance of women's happiness and honor was deeply understood and the feminine principle was worshipped and respected to bring peace and joy to all of creation. The leading epics all have women as the primary, supporting characters and even Rama and Krishna take a secondary role in front of Sita and Radha. Devotion is greater than the object of devotion. Women enabled the incarnations to be born in the world, making them equal to God.
Women have a unique power latent in them. Swami often tells stories of women in the ancient days who saved their husbands from unsurpassable situations by their mere wish. While a man had to make extraordinary physical and spiritual efforts a woman could accomplish the same and more by sacrifice and prayer. Droupadi was humiliated in the court of Duryodhana for no fault of hers. Bhisma was a witness to this incident but did not object even though he knew it was a sin to insult a woman's honor. For this lapse of his Bhisma had to suffer on a bed of arrows for 58 nights during the Kurukshetra war and died from his wounds. Men who win a woman's protection and blessing become successful in life.
Even in todays world studies confirm that men who are alone in life are more prone to disease, poorer financial prosperity, depression and crime. Women have magnetic energy that is vital for man. Today, all five elements of nature are in disbalance because man has lost his understanding of the sacredness of women and treat women like objects.

Q: Why is the reduction of sex so vital for humanity?

We have overindulged. Sexual energy is the same principle energy that is the seat of divine powers. We can build the world or destroy it from misuse of sex. If sex is used only for indulgance, it is very destructive. In today's world the media teach us that excess sex is good, natural and makes us younger and more vital. Nothing could be more wrong. Supressing sex is also not good and can be equally destructive. It is important to know balance. Swami encourage persons with strong sexual needs to marry one person, not have a whole army of lovers.
Swami has said in interviews that, "sex without love is evil". Often he will say "The heart is a single seat, not a sofa". A physical relation built on love can be utilized to build up energy and becomes very powerful. Only about fifthy years ago in most nations it was the general norm that a person would find one partner and try to create a foundation in life with that person of choice. The focus on one person builds a certain energy instead of scattering it, just as one prayer repeated daily will build protection. The trend nowadays is to hop about everywhere as one pleases. Physical relations that are spread all over the place deplete energy and becomes destructive and ruins or soils something within us. Sexual gratification on ones own oppresses the soul and gradually suffocates it all together. Sexual exploitation of women or men for merely selfish needs with constant changing of partners to feed desires will gradually stunt the soul. People obsessed with sex and abusing sex their whole life may feel alive temporarily, but in reality they have slowly suffocated their own soul. In some cases when they leave this world, there is no spirit left in them and they become ghosts. They find no peace or aid to escape their condition - nor do they have enough soul to be born again and try to build a new soul. If they are extremely fortunate, a saint may take pity on them, or prayers or rituals performed for them to take birth so they can escape their prison. Spirituality is not an imaginary belief system, it is a science of its own about the laws of the universe. Whether people believe in it or not, these laws will not discontinue to exist.

Swami is very hurt by the exploitation of women. His own regard for women is very high and often, he will shy from looking straight into the eyes of a woman. If a woman looks into his eyes, he will quickly turn his gaze elsewhere so he is not staring back as this would be intrucive and disrespectful. Swami's enormous social projects are all expressions from the wish of one woman: his mother. The power of women is tremendous. How many thousands of people, not to mention the nation, have benefitted from the innocent wish of Easwaramma?
A devotee who was present in the earlier years when it was easy to have access to Swami received the usual question, "where is your wife?". As he was not married he made a harmless but slightly crude joke about women to Swami. Swami's reaction was great offence and infuriation. The devotee hurried off in fear and was frightened to even see Swami from a distance for many months. Needless to say he never again made poor jokes about women to Swami and it took a few years for him to be accepted back into Swami's fold.

Q: If the creative energy has such tremendous influence in everything in the world and its misuse is destructive, why is Swami not doing something about it?

Swami is always trying to help those who come to him, even if they suffer problems to create a balance with their sexual dysfunctions - but he has been very much misunderstood. Disease can express in many forms and some sexual habits can be a form of psychological disease. A mirror image of ones own habits can sometimes be the most potent remedy and lead to a greater realization than merely cures or instructions.
People cannot control their own thoughts, their speech, their physicial desires and impulses, their food and have difficulty following instructions - so they pressume the Avataar too must be equally weak. From their limited understanding they cause negative publicity in this issue. But people are very much mistaken; the need to reduce sexual exploitation is very urgent in the world. Those working within the media need to take the necessary steps to reduce exploitation of women and encourage programs and subjects that honor women and fill the mind of people with the understanding that society needs to honor women.

Q: You mentioned that we are not always reborn - but do we not all have a soul and chose when and where we are reborn?

We do not chose our birth but are born in whatever situation suitable to us where there is a debt, where we have a debt or a debt owed to us. We have no freedom or choice. We must aspire to be reborn and struggle to build a soul from life-to-life until we have developed our soul to overrule our senses. When the soul rules the senses we are free at last. For this to be possible spiritual practices are important and have existed throughout ages. Only liberated souls can chose when, where and to whom they are born because they are free from debt to physical life. Until we are free from the effects of our past, from planets and the bondage to our senses, we are prisoners in creation - by our own making. For a being that is a prisoner, rebirth is a boon, a rare gift that should not be wasted even if we live under difficult circumstances: "Time waste is life waste". Without rebirth there would never be a chance for the soul to develope and one day become free. For this reason in ancient times, marriage was encouraged right after puberty with intentions to maintain the race and the family lineage. It was perceived that each person owed the world one child (one - not a nursery!) in exchange of the birth given him.

Q: But is it not the goal of spirituality to not be reborn?

Yes, the goal is to not be reborn by any bondage of the senses. To be reborn from choice is different. By developing our soul as the ruling principle in our life, in everything we do, we can acquire freedom of the immediate world and be released or liberated from the world. Then you may live in the world but in reality you are not affected by anything and are in bliss. This is far different than becoming a ghost and not being able to be reborn, or being reborn to struggle and suffer. Life is sacred and we must treat it as such.
The stories of Prahlada illustrate an example of one that was imortal from the senses. Prahlada underwent extreme difficulties put in his way, yet they did not affect him at all since he was internally liberated.

Q: All is One and only God is the doer.

Yes, this is the higher truth. But words are not enough. All is One but only the realization that this is actual reality in every moment, every second, in the core of our being makes it true. Continuous contemplation is necessary to realise this. Until then, the One appears as many and react as separate and becomes good or bad depening on how this neutral source is used. God is the life of everything but our mind cannot grasp it to make it a true reality. When the mind merges with truth there is no more effort, no separation, no experience of individuality. The individual identifies with and becomes One with the source and becomes Existance and filled with bliss. This is the essence of Advaita. Before Advaita the world is separate and we need to deal with it from that perspective.

Q: How can sexual supression be destructive?

A person with consistent and strong sexual needs, who forces supression without the right understanding or awareness, can develop a psychological disbalance or even physical diseases. The sex energy is so powerful that abstinence unless it is natural and not forced is best conducted under spiritual guidance by a guru or by observing regular, daily spiritual practices of prayer, service, vegetarian diet and meditation to control and redirect it. The consistent prayers and meditation redirects the energy upwards instead of downwards.

Q: How should creative energy/sex be used to build spiritual energy?

To create balance we must not alter the functions of creation but learn to understand it and live in balance with nature. The main responsibility in the role between couples and with sex in society lay with the man. The most important contribution to the wellbeing of society is provided by the woman so her role is more vital. But man must make the greatest effort for any balance to happen between the two sexes by his treatment of woman. The male role is to be the active principle while the female energy is a passive principle that responds. In the world the female has been forced to take a male role and act as the servant (active principle) to male sexuality and male needs, and this has created disbalance in the entire world. As a result we have more victims of sexual abuse, discord and violence today than ever in history. This should not be misunderstood that one or the other has a lesser role, only that dysfunctions in the roles creates disbalance. Women cannot serve as a constant giver to male needs. When we make efforts to develop ourselves, we become both male and female in our internal energy and are more balanced. Men need to develop their female and emotional side more and developer more feeling, and women need to balance determination and intellectuality more with their emotional side.

Q: Eastern cultures often believed that women should be in a subserviant role or they may become overbearing.

If women become overbearing, it is often due to the failing of the man to understand his own role as a man that balance the energy of the woman. The rules laid out for women are often done by men who feel threatened by the inherent power in women. Men recognize that it is there even if they dont wish to admit it. Society teach us a way of life, which from a spiritual viewpoint is quite a disaster.
Original Vedic culture worshipped only the feminine principle and the priests, Brahmavadinis, were mainly women because of the sensitivity of women. In ancient Egypt too, women were priests. Women were even permitted to have multiple husbands (one example of this tradition is Droupadi) that could fill the purpose one man may not have been able to fill. The scriptures mention a women rishis (Visvara) and female spiritual perceptors as Upadhyaya's. Later women were not even allowed to enter temples and the role was taken over by men. Women are the rulers of the world and were blessed to give life, an attribute equal to God. Swami has often reminded us that even Avataars are born from woman. Going to the local well one day to draw water, a ball of light suddenly entered Easwaramma and she fell unconscious. That was the moment of spiritual conception. Swami's lifeforce originating from the light of Spirit and is completely independent from the father. For this reason we will not find celebrations of Swami's 'father' in Puttaparthi. Easwaramma had subtle and unique attributes and became blessed by Venkusa, the guru of Swami's grandfather. This made her elected and worthy to bear the divine child.
In ancient Vedic times the female deity was the primary object of worship. It was only much later after the female deity became portrayed as 'fierce and bloodthirsty' by some leaders of the time, and the people became uncomfortable with the feminine deity and male deities entered the altars of temples.

Q: But Swami says women must be the mothers, the caretakers.

Women are always the caretakers by nature and must be given the chance to continue doing so. It happens perfectly, naturally and without asking, without force when the male principle acts its appropriate role. Surrounded by a balanced male energy the female becomes content and filled with the energy and fuel she needs. As a reaction she loves and willingly provides the affection and service that the family and society needs. A woman full of love become naturally humble; she needs no force or rules or a man that dominates her.

Q: How to handle a difficult child?

Proper upbringing of children is one of the most important tasks one could have. Behavioural problems is generally a fault in the upbringing. A home with discords will fill children with discord. In younger years the children need to be taught regular habits of disciplin in combination with love. Later, in teenage years children need mainly to be given a lot of love, as they often rebell against any advice or guidance. The inner turmoil of emotions in teens occur when the body and psyche becomes sexually mature and the child suddenly becomes responsible for the weight of all past karmas. Until then, the consequence of the childs karma and actions are carried by the parents. Even in Swami's own life you will find an example of this. At the age of 14 he suddenly confused everyone by announcing to his parents that he did not belong to them anymore. His personality became transformed. The bondage carried by the parents until then was broken. This happens to everyone and is universal law.

Q: Our Sai Center conducts Indian Bhajans every Thusday. Is it appropriate to have bhajans in other languages?

Bhajans are not restricted to any particular language. The feeling behind the bhajans is more essential.

Q: Can our Sai Center conduct bhajans that are made in the name of other spiritual teachers than Sai Baba?

In Sai Centers, Sai bhajans or bhajans with Sai's or the divine name should be sung and not songs about other spiritual teachers. Bhajans are intended as a calling from the heart to the deity or teacher of your choice. If you wish to call your mother but call the name of your neighbours mother, how will your mother know you are addressing her? If a person has too many teachers it is like looking for water by digging many small holes, instead of one deep hole that actually bring water to quench the thirst. Consistancy, loyalty and humility are very important features for personal spiritual development and for the guru to come to your help and rescue. Just like some people are disloyal on their spouse and spoil the relationship, disloyalty to the guru has similar effect on the delicate relation between the guru and the student.

Q: I have been given personal advice from Sai Baba via another person but do not know how to perceive it.
Q: I have received herbal cures from a person who claims the treatment is blessed and approved by Sai Baba.

Swami has a heart-to-heart connection to the people that come to him and need no mediators. Do not get confused or mislead by seeking medical treatment, counseling or similar from persons who claim that they channel or have been asked by Sai Baba to provide such information to you from dreams or other obscure messages. Persons suffering from medical conditions must seek treatment from licensed medical professionals and not neglect appropriate treatment. It is difficult to distingush between ego and real spiritual insight to follow guidance from individuals that may offer it to us and we must observe caution. Even Sai Baba has established hospitals for medical treatment to those in need of physical assistance. Swami has all the capacity to help and cure people but these acts are intricate and will not happen to every individual depending on many factors. Swami's task is to help us achieve internal, spiritual growth. Spirituality and spiritual laws are very complex parts of ancient science and is not always easy to understand. Individuals that seek a guru for other reasons than purely spiritual growth do not always receive what they want or demand. We receive what we deserve. We are the victims of our own actions, a fact which is often difficult for us to accept. Please do not use spirituality as an excuse to neglect the help available around us. Divinity exist even in these means of help.
If your instructions do not come direct from Sai Baba or from your own experience, do not follow the lead of people that use the name Sai Baba to pose as counselors, healers, etc.