Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
Satya
Sai Baba was one of the major teachers in recent history of India. His teachings
were from the earlier tradition of Sai Baba of Shirdi and are based in vedanta.
He was a controversial figure, as he broke from convention of true vedantins
and 'worked miracles and manifestations'. Whatever one thought of him as an
individual, there was much Love and Universality in his teaching. Here is an
example.
Namasmarana - A Universal Sadhana
1. "Hindus, Muslims and Christians may differ in some religious
customs but they are all one in the glorification of the Name of God. All of
them ask their followers to recite the Name of the One Lord, though the manner
in which the Name is recited varies from religion to religion. Each one
remembers, respects and recites the name as formed in his own tongue. Each one
turns the rosary according to the direction of his own religion. All the same,
for everyone there is nothing so fruitful, so universal, so holy among
spiritual disciplines as this sadhana of Namasmarana, Japa or Dhyana."
2. "The Muslims pray in the Name of Allah, the Jews pray in the
name of Jehovah, the Vaishnavites pray in the Name of Phullabjaksha, the
Saivites pray in the Name of Shambhu. The one to whom prayers are offered in
this manner is the One God for all mankind, though He is addressed and prayed
to by the different groups of people by different names."
3. "Know that all Dharmas have One God, that all hearts are
motivated by the same God and that all Names and Forms denote only One Godhead.
Develop that 'Ekabhav', that attitude of unity and non-differentiation between
Divine Names of all creeds, of all countries and of all Faiths. This is the
Message of Love I bring to you, which I want you to understand and follow.
Spread that Love, live that Love. If that Love must grow in you and become deep
and abiding, you have to do the spiritual practice of reciting Names of God,
remembering His Love and His Mercy, His Majesty and His Glory."