Page 148 - WLMIG_6132004.indd

story behind it.” My brother sheepishly replied, “No, there’s no story behind it,” and then retired it to a small pouch that he carried in his pocket.
Fieen years went by. In the interim, Donald tried it on his finger and found that his finger had faened and it was difficult to put on the ring. This gave him an excuse if Sai Baba were to ask about the ring. Donald also reasoned that Sai Baba couldn’t possibly notice because many years had elapsed. I told him that I knew that Swami was omniscient and would know about the ring, but I doubted that he would bring it up aer such a long time, so Donald shouldn’t worry. Wouldn’t you know, during an interview Sai Baba looked over at my brother and asked where the ring was. Can you imagine that aer 15 years, he would remember and ask such a question? This rather innocent and unpretentious comment from Sai Baba struck me like a hammer. His omniscience was clearly apparent.
Donald stammered in response to Swami that his finger had swollen and he couldn’t get the ring on. Sai Baba said, “Yes, yes, I know, you were embarrassed.”
Swami then spoke gently and lovingly to my brother. “It is very important to be balanced. Everything should be done in balance and with good discrimination. Too much spiritual life without worldly life is not good. Too much worldly life without spiritual life is not good. Spiritual and worldly life should be balanced. It’s like shaving
with a straight razor. Press too hard and you get cut, press too lightly and nothing happens. I know you were embarrassed,
but now I’ll give you another ring.”
With this comment, Swami moved his precious hand in the air and materialized a beautiful diamond ring in a gold seing. The seing was somewhat like a crown, upon which sat a gorgeous diamond-like gem. It was wonderfully brilliant. Swami put it on my brother’s finger, and it was a perfect fit. He then told my brother, “Now, if anyone asks you where you got this ring, tell him
that your father gave it to you.” My brother smiled. 148