Unless someone experiences for himself, he will not give merit to others’ experiences. This is the normal state of a human being. This is why the world has not progressed, despite the help offered by several Mahaans. Persons smoke and drink, knowing fully well that these habits are injurious to health. Only when their health gets spoilt, do they understand the blunders they have committed in life. Persons are not prepared to transform themselves.

            No one was prepared to adhere to the value system propounded by the Buddha, though he guided people on the basis of his experiences. If you observe, you will know that India, the land where the Buddha attained enlightenment, is not a Buddhist country, whereas in Sri Lanka and Thailand, Buddhism is the principal religion. This is because persons do not value something that is in hand. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I know the divinity of myself from experience and so does God. You are unable to believe it, because I speak so informally with you, moving as one among you. You have been used to ‘Godmen’ wearing saffron robes and keeping you at a distance. The world, because of its ego, has never accepted a candid, pure soul.

            If a doctor is sincere and does not keep you waiting on an appointment, you will doubt whether he is genuine. If a movie is good but does not draw large crowds, you will not even think of buying tickets. It is a bane on persons that they go by public opinion; they do not take responsibility for their decisions. They will never accept what is easily available.

            Siva Shankar Baba toils 20 hours a day for the good of society, without expecting any returns. But you hesitate to repose your trust in him. You are drawn towards pseudo-saints who create a hype of being busy. And you will allow yourself to be fleeced in this process.

            Jesus was crucified by the same persons for whom he dedicated his life. No Mahaan has ever been accepted in his lifetime. I have been wise to learn from the experiences of other Mahaans. This is why I do not expect any returns. I do not seek any disciple; if you want to be elevated, come to me. I have all the resources on earth to help you realize your divinity.

                This question triggered all these thoughts. The reply to this question is, life holds an experience for each and everyone. It is this experience that makes him a Gnaani(realized soul). Arunagirinatha could become a Gnaani, only when his licentious ways left him diseased and when, in utter frustration, he attempted suicide. Was he not aware earlier that he would land in health problems if he indulged himself? But only experience could transform him.

                Wisdom can never be taught; it can only be imbibed through experiences.

            Life is its own purpose. The experiences you undergo may seem good or may seem bad. But remember that everything is for your own good only. Only if your health fails you, will you give up drinking and smoking. If you are not prepared to give up these petty attachments, how can you strive for that which is important: attaining Divinity?

                I have created an environment that has all that is good, everything necessary for your development. I have constructed apartments for those who trusted me, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples, Church, Mosque and Gurudwara – all places of worship, for seekers to offer prayers, good food, wonderful atmosphere, a gym they can utilize to maintain their physique, a hospital for medical care, an in-house video theatre, internet facility; name it and you have it. I have provided all these facilities at an affordable budget, using which they can elevate themselves. They are occupied during the daytime with their studies/work/service, and this earns for them a good night’s rest. There is no place for anything negative.

            I lead a transparent life. And I steer my volunteers too towards a noble life. Only an idle mind is the devil’s workshop; and Samratchanites are never idle. Secondly, hard work is very good for health. If you are a lazy person, you will never be able to sleep well. If you become tired by working hard, you will sleep tight. The best way is to keep you busy.

            And I provide you with a variety of avenues to keep yourself busy. The atmosphere of the commune at Kelambakkam motivates one to get up early to the chanting of prayers rendered at the temple; so, they worship the Lord, being present in the temple, do whatever service they can. This temple has a good vibration that draws devotees to it every day. I am able to hold the attention of the audience for the entire duration of the satsangh, which lasts for four to five hours every day.

            I am a Jeevan Muktha (a liberated soul) and so am able to captivate persons and mould them along the right direction. There are so many persons who have advised me to wear wooden slippers, so that my power does not flow to the ground; my view is it is good if the earth can benefit from my powers.

            Neither Kailash nor Vaikuntham holds any interest for me. These are all projections of the mind. Happiness is already available within oneself.

            I have often quoted this anecdote: a pastor observed an atheist attending Sunday sermons, and that too seated in the first row. One day, he asked the atheist, ‘Why do you attend the church prayers, considering you do not believe in God?’, to which the person replied, ‘I do not believe in God. But I can see from your eyes that you totally believe in what you say; and eyes can never deceive. This is why I frequent the church, to see the truth flowing from your eyes.’ He enquired, ‘I do not offer any prayers to the Lord. But I am a good person. Will I go to Heaven or not?’ The pastor asked for a week’s time to reply. That night he prayed to the Lord for advice. He had a dream of journeying to heaven by train. The pastor was horrified to observe that none of those, whom the world knows as saints, was present in Heaven. And the whole place was very dirty. He was shown around Hell too, and noticed that the saints were there, along with their disciples, happy and busy, making Hell a place fit for living. The escort explained, ‘Heaven and hell are not outside. They are the makings of your mind. A saint is able to make a heaven of his surroundings. A negative person spoils the surroundings with the negative waves of his thoughts.’

          This answers the question. Good and bad originate from you. Everything depends on what you want to make of your life. What you perceive as good is also illusion. Life is a state of no-thoughts (Nirvana). If you have conquered your thoughts, you will be released from the jaws of illusion.

          The purpose of life is to attain a state of no-thoughts.

(Baba's reply for other questions continues next week....)

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