Sathya Sai Baba on Social Distancing
mARCH 29, 2020
SWAMI WARNED TO USE SOCIAL DISTANCING
TO STOP THE SPREAD OF A DESTRUCTIVE SPIRITUAL DISEASE!
Because of the presence of Coronavirus in our countries, we are told to practice social distancing in order to protect those around us from catching it. This is because, if the disease cannot spread to new carriers, it will subside and limit the this physically destructive virus spreading to many more people.
But how many of us know that 18 years ago, Swami warned us to use social distancing to stop the spread of a destructive spiritual disease? That disease is the virus of using Swami's name for business, the disease of making money off Swami's devotees by deception:
TO STOP THE SPREAD OF A DESTRUCTIVE SPIRITUAL DISEASE!
Because of the presence of Coronavirus in our countries, we are told to practice social distancing in order to protect those around us from catching it. This is because, if the disease cannot spread to new carriers, it will subside and limit the this physically destructive virus spreading to many more people.
But how many of us know that 18 years ago, Swami warned us to use social distancing to stop the spread of a destructive spiritual disease? That disease is the virus of using Swami's name for business, the disease of making money off Swami's devotees by deception:
DO NOT GET DECEIVED BY PEOPLE WHO DO BUSINESS IN MY NAME!
"You are coming here with all devotion and sincerity. Do not get deceived by people who do business in the name of devotion. In many places, we find people indulging in such mean practices. Maintain safe distance from them.
Tyaja durjana samsargam; Bhaja sadhu samagamam; Kuru punyam ahorathram (run away from bad company; join good company and perform meritorious deeds day and night).
You may even live in the company of snakes, but should not tolerate the company of such evil-minded people. We are undertaking so many social welfare activities, but I have never asked anybody even for a paisa. You are all aware of this. I do not involve Myself in money matters.
But people today consider money as God. How can such people be called devotees? I told you earlier about this. I have started a service programme to look after children who do not have parents. One lakh rupees would be deposited in their name, which will take care of their needs. I have not asked anybody for any help in this regard. But today some people are collecting money saying that they would donate the amount to Swami for this purpose. Some others are proclaiming that they have taken up the responsibility of looking after the children. Can there be a worse sin than this? All such people are betrayers of God. Better they beg in the streets, than use My name to collect money."
SSS 35.11: 22 July 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf
THESE UNFORTUNATES ARE TURNING AWAY FROM HIM AND FOLLOWING AFTER FALSEHOOD
This disease has no physical source. It arises in the mind, out of greed and lust for power. Like Coronavirus, this virulent disease spreads from person to person by mouth, through deceptive or deluded words. When it infects someone, it destroys their pure devotion to Sai and diverts it to something unworthy of reverence. They in turn come down with a fever of fervour for the new object of their devotion and then, in the delirium this induces, they go out and try to infect others with the same sickness they have!
Swami called those who start such a disease and spread it 'unfortunates.' He said that those who follow them are turning away from Him and following after falsehood. He also gave instructions on how to deal with those who try to spread this disease:
Swami called those who start such a disease and spread it 'unfortunates.' He said that those who follow them are turning away from Him and following after falsehood. He also gave instructions on how to deal with those who try to spread this disease:
"Some others are swept off their feet by hysterical demonstrations by certain weak-minded individuals who are described as My speaking through them or acting through them! Take it from Me, I am not given to such absurdities! I do not use others as My media; I have no need to. I do not swing from side to side and prattle! Why, even those who torture their bodies and suffer the pains of asceticism for years until ant hills overwhelm them and they become as stiff as tree-stumps find it difficult to realise the Lord. How then can these idlers, who eat their fill and wander about as slaves of their senses, earn that status so cheaply? Their gestures, words, and actions are hollow and vain; those who burn incense before them and revere them are turning away from Me and running after falsehood.
How can the Full ever dally with the paltry and wear the habiliment of the trifling? When God has come assuming form, take it from Me, it will not fill inferior vessels or embellish tawdry stuff or enter impure bodies. So do not extol these falsities and ruin those unfortunates. Deal with them severely, and they will be cured. Those who have seen the brilliance of the diamond will not be misled by glass trinkets. The Lord is like the diamond, call it by any name. But a trinket cannot be turned into a diamond, however loud the praise and however adamant the claim."
SSS 2.31: 4 March 1962, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume02/sss02-31.pdf
IT IS THE DUTY OF DEVOTEES TO STOP ALL SUCH TRICKERY!
Let us all heed Swami's words and maintain a safe distance from such people. Let us all apply the vaccine that Swami recommended, to help cure our infected brothers and sisters. That vaccine is wise counsel and firm denial:
…a notice appeared in the ashram magazine, under the direction of Baba. The notice said: "Some persons misuse the name of Baba, and announce that Baba is in communication with them, giving them messages, answering questions and granting interviews, their object being to earn money or fame." The notice goes on to say that such phenomena have to be explained either as the manifestation of spirits or as sheer fakes by cranks or crooks: "It is the duty of devotees to stop all such trickery by wise counsel and firm denial."
Sai Baba Man of Miracles, pp147-148: http://www.saicenter.us/books/Sathya_Sai_Books1/Sai%20Baba%20Man%20of%20Miracles.pdf
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