Page 183 - WLMIG_6132004.indd
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Within a few months, despite my dread of flying, fear of leaving our daughters for 10 days, and worries about sanitation, we were off to India. In retrospect, given my many concerns, I’m amazed that I agreed to such a trip. However, Sai Baba was becoming a part of my life, and I had to meet him for myself.
My sister Nancy, and brother-in-law Donald, (Sam’s brother married my sister) also joined us, and I was happy for Nancy’s company and support. Face to face with my fear of death, I spent the entire flight praying that the plane wouldn’t crash and wondering how on earth I could leave our four young children for such an uncertain adventure.
The conditions at Prasanthi Nilayam in 1972 were primitive compared to present-day standards. There were no screens on our half-finished windows, and the malfunctioning toilet was a challenge. Fortunately, several young Western devotees took pity on us because we would be sleeping on the cold concrete floor, and supplied us with bedding to put on our cheap vinyl air maresses. A lovely Indian woman, Uma, regaled us with stories of Sai Baba’s miraculous and loving nature. Sensing this love gave us the stamina to persevere.
Sai Baba was kind and aentive, and over the period of a week, he gave us three interviews in a small room in his temple. The first interview was with a large group of people, and he invited us to ask spiritual questions. I asked him about my pervasive fear, “Baba, what about death?” His answer was simple and strangely reassuring, “One should not fear death. Your soul is eternal and never dies. You merely shed your body as you would shed an article of clothing.”
In a smaller, more intimate group interview, he walked over to Donald, moved his hand in a mysterious circular manner, and produced a beautiful ring, which he then gave to Donald. We all gasped and I burst into tears, not because I was deeply moved by this powerful moment, but because I felt jealous, angry, and hurt. How could Sai Baba offer such a gi to Donald? Why was he not more aentive to Sam, who was his devotee?
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