January, February, March and Homecoming
on India Part Two page
On Thu, 15 Jul 1999 05:08:02 +0000 (GMT), Jeannie
Alvin wrote:
Hi, folks!
My mailing address is the same, but now the
letters PMB (for private
mail box) are required in front of the number:
Jeannie Alvin PMB #70
993-C S. Santa Fe Ave.
Vista, CA 92083
AND !!!!!
I made my plane reservations for my trip to
India today!!! I depart
Sept. 18, and arrive there on Sept. 21st!!! (I
lose a day.) I will
stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a rest stop
after about 23 hours of
flight, I think?!!
After some sleep in a hotel, I will fly on to
Madras, India, sleep
overnight, and fly to Bangalore, Southern India,
a very short flight.
I will depart India on Jan. 14th, and reach
L.A. on Jan. 15th.
Mom is treating me to a trip this weekend to
see Teira in San
Francisco. We are looking forward to a great
time!
Love to all, and when will I see you?
Jeannie
Jeannie Alvin <jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com> wrote:
Aug. 17, 1999
I am so excited, because one month from today I take
off for my four
month pilgrimage to see a holy man in India, Sathya
Sai Baba.
see www.sathyasai.org/
Many consider him to be the reincarnation of former
holy men such as
Jesus, Krishna, etc. I agree with all of that!!!
My phone number until I leave is at my friend
Harry E’s.
He is a friend of 9 years, and I am
staying with him.
We are enjoying great harmony.
My mailing address is Jeannie Alvin
993-C S. Santa Fe Ave.
PMB # 70
Vista, CA 92083
Here is my travel itinerary, it is a bit daunting!!!
I leave for San Francisco on Sept. 17th, where I
will be with Teira
Alvin overnight. Then I leave for LA airport at 10
am Sept. 18th,
leave LA for Kuala Lumpur at 2:40pm, a 19hour and 50
minute flight,
with one stop for gas in Tokyo.
I arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 1:30am their time, go
to a free hotel
room provided by my airlines, Malaysia Air, and
sleep a while. Then I
leave Kuala L. at 9:25pm, and fly 3h35min to Madras,
India. It will be
10:30pm there (but 10 am Denver time! They are
12h30min ahead of us on
time).
I sleep in Madras, and take off on Indian
Airlines for Bangalore. I
will find out in Madras where Sai Baba is, because
he may be in
Bangalore for a few days. Or he may be in his
ashram, Puttaparti. It
is called Prashanti Nilayam, abode of highest peace.
If he is at his ashram, I will probably take a
cab 2-3 hours to the
ashram. Although some days a plane flies right to
the ashram. I will
figure out this part of the plan in Madras, when I
find out where Sai
Baba is.
I will be be in India until Jan 14th, when I head
back, arriving in
San Francisco Jan 15th.
I am packing my bags now!!! I will send emails
from cyber cafes in
India. Love, Jeannie
Sept. 11, 1999
Five more days until I leave for my big four month
trip to India, where
I will stay at Sai Baba's ashram (spiritual
community), or nearby.
For a sneak preview, there are some great
pictures on the web at
www.sathyasai.org/pictureinfo/picts6.htm
I am pretty much packed, just taking care of the
last few details.
I am getting a bit excited!
Sept. 20, 1999
Hello from the other side of the world!!! I had a
wonderful visit in
San Francisco, and then flew out Saturday on
Malaysia Airlines.
My first excitement came as I saw our
stewardesses, about a dozen of
them, dressed in long traditional Malaysian dresses!
They were
gorgeous!!!
I flew on a huge jet, and ate 3 dinners, very
delicious food, and
slept on and off during the 20 hours of flying.
Then a man was waiting with a sign for my hotel,
the Empress, at the
Kuala L. airport. The airlines provided a beautiful
hotel room,
transportation, and 3 meals today. The meals are
very good. Plenty of
fresh fruit, cut melon, papaya, etc., and good vege
selections. I had
fruit and rice and vege curry for breakfast!
Then a young Japanese girl and I went exploring.
We got directions
to the local bus and train, and went into the city,
about an hour from
here. She wanted to stay in the city, and we took a
cab from the train
station to the shopping area. But after our taxi
driver had shown us
photos of the Buddist temple located in some caves
near the city, the
shopping did not appeal to me. I left my young
friend to shop, and I
got a taxi and went to the temple. I climbed 275
steps to the top, and
there were statues in a giant cave. It was
beautiful. Fortunately for
me, the clouds shielded the sun, and it cooled a bit
during my climb.
There were more caves and many more statues of
Krishna, Ganesh, and
many others below. Monkeys were everywhere.
I was roasting hot after my descent, and had
coconut milk from a
fresh, chilled coconut. I took a cab to the train
station, took the
train back towards the hotel, then another cab from
the train station.
I was too tired to wait for the bus at this point.
This cyber cafe is just outside the hotel.
I have to pack up, because my shuttle to the airport
leaves in 55
minutes from now, at 7 pm. Off to Madras, India. I
will change my
Malaysian ringets to Indian rupees at the airport.
Love to all,
Jeannie
P.S. No jet lag so far. I am feeling great!
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeannie Alvin [mailto:jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Saturday, September 25, 1999 3:51 AM
Hello from the other side of the world!
Sept. 25, I think! I am living out of suitcases, and
haven't seen my calendar since I packed it!
I arrived at Bangalore airport on Tuesday, and
Francis P., the taxi driver, was there with my
name on a sign. We took straight off for the 3 1/2
hour trip to Puttaparti. Fortunately I had a giant
bottle of water (thanks, June) and food packets
(thanks Diane O). We stopped once on the way
for coconut milk, and once for a restroom stop behind a
building, in a corn field. Luckily I was a Girl
Scout, so I had some training in roughing it!
The last 43 kilometers was a single paved lane.
We arrived at the ashram after passing the beautiful
super specialty hospital where patients are treated
at no cost. It was very exciting to arrive. My dream
come true.
I began the sign in process, and signed in for 4
days, as I want to go out of the ashram, and come
back in at Christmas. I can stay only 30 days inside in
one year, but I can split it up.) Francis found me
two ladies to room with by the time I did a bit of
paperwork.
(If someone is alone, you go in a big room with many people,
so you try to pair up.) It turned out that they also signed up
for 4 days. They were Diane and Devi, from South Africa,
and they were just what I had prayed for. I had prayed for
the love and harmony and joy I had enjoyed with Jeanne M
and Jeannie M, and these two were the answer to that
prayer. There was not a moment of disharmony; lots
of laughter, and each had something that the other
needed. Precious women. Thank you, Swami. They
left today.
Now I am with 2 other women, Spanish speaking
ladies. I just moved in and have yet to unpack. I
hurried to darshan (seeing the Lord), and then
hurried to write, as I know family and friends may
be worried.
Don't worry, I am well taken care of. Life has
been too much of a swirl to find much time to come
here to type, and the other 3 times I came, elec.
was out, yahoo was out, etc.!
I saw a woman leaving darshan yesterday morning,
and her eyes were exquisitely luminous. I saw her
at dinner, and mentioned how luminous her eyes were.
She said, "Did you see what happened? " I said no. She
said, "He glanced at me!" Imagine his power, that
a glance has such an effect.
I got in token line #1 after overcoming some
inner "stuff." This means our line got to go in first,
and we got the front seats, closest to where Sai Baba
walks by. I could see Sai Baba leave his residence,
walk up the sidewalk, and come in front of me. It
was the best part of a very great day.
The letter that I brought for him comes each day,
but he has not yet taken it.
It is interesting that at home I could not sit
comfortably on the floor, but here I sit for hours,
and I am totally fine. I get up at 4 am every day,
and by about 5 am heading either for Omkar (21 oms)
or Sankirtan (walking round the ashram barefooted
singing praise songs) then go in to wait for darshan about
6:45 am, leave and get breakfast in the canteen a
good walk away, go back for bhajans (songs of praise to
the Lord), and then Swami comes out again to walk back
to where he stays, giving us another glimpse. I try to
sit in silence for 10 minutes after seeing him, as
he has said that otherwise we loose the energy he
gives.
While waiting, I read the Suprabhatham, exquisite
verses speaking to God. Also, I meditate, thanks to
a new meditation the Diane O taught me, as well as
seeing it in the Sun Meditation video at the Philosophical
Library in Escondido. It is Paramahansa
Yogananda's teachings, given to us.
After 5 days of travel, I felt in a swirl,
learning the daily schedule. I still am learning it!
This is paradise for vegetarians. There are 3
canteens, each with several choices. My favorite is
the North Indian canteen.
I have to go buy a new outfit, all mine are
dirty.
I found thin cotton, my original punjabi was a
polyester mix, and too hot. I found thin cotton
ones for 100 rupees (42 rupees/dollar). And I may make
it back to bhajans.
More soon, love Jeannie
__________________________________________________
From: Jeannie Alvin [mailto:jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 1999 10:33 PM
Subject: Yearning for Divinity, within and without,
at Prashanti Niliyam
Hello again! Sept. 26th
The internet is not connected, so I am using
Notepad to write this ahead of time, then I'll copy
it to my email and mail it to you in an hour. (Half an
hour to write, perhaps that long to click all the
names on Yahoo.)
I managed that yesterday, and then rushed off to
badjans (singing and seeing Swami again), so I have
not had a chance to read anything anyone wrote to me
yet. Maybe today.
I am now rooming with two ladies from Argentina,
gracious enough to allow a third person in their
room.
They are embodiments of tranquility and love, and
cleanliness. The bathroom and the floors shine! We
communicate in Spanish.
This is a group letter, no time to send
individual ones, so a paragraph to some of you!
I tried to email Teira, Rose and Terry from
Kuala Lumpur, but that email failed, and I have not had a
chance to fix it. I probably entered the addresses
wrong. Teira, please ask them each to email me,
then I'll just hit the "add" button and get it right. I
love you, Teira darling. Hug, hug.
Rachel O., please tell Tom thanks again for the
cushion, the backrest really makes a difference, I
use it 4 times a day. And I put June's air cushion on
top of it. Thanks, June.
Stephanie O'R. and Vickie J., thanks for all
your help getting me prepared. I was well prepared,
have everything I need. I love the Nutribiotic,
Stephanie. I use it a lot. I have it in a squirt
bottle.
Harry, I got some great little pictures of
Krishna, etc. Thinking of you! I just saw a great Ganesh
wall hanging for about $6.
I was quite overwhelmed and lacked orientation
at first, but do not worry, Swami takes excellent care
of me. He has had me with totally loving roommates the
whole time so far. I have figured out where to go
and what time meals are, etc.
I can tell that the spiritual progress is
tremendously accelerated here. "Stuff" comes up and
gets processed, it is gone, and the next wave
hits!!!
Sitting in darshan I can feel the progress
intuitively.
The heat is tremendous. And we are covered from
head to foot, plus a scarf covering our chests,
necks, shoulders (for women). Now I know how Victorian
women felt! Hot! I am so glad for my very short haircut.
We are always taking off our shoes before
entering buildings, the shoes are off more than they are on.
So why even bother with them. I enjoy the free
feeling of going barefoot, which I was able to do
inside the ashram until yesterday. Now it is too
hot to go barefoot in midday, the sidewalks are burning hot.
I love seeing Swami. He is so precious. I adore
him. I have sat close , far, and in between. I
like it all.
The internet will go on in a minute!!
Monday
I retrieved emails yesterday. There is usuually
just enough time to either read or send, so today,
hopefully, will be a send day.
Mary asked via email for more stories about the
effect on people when Sai Baba looks at them. So
one day later, he already provided another story! God
heard you, Mary, and here is your answer, in one
day!
That is a Sai story in itself!
I went to breakfast after darshan, and spoke
with a lovely lady in line. We sat together, and I
got around to asking her how her experiences had
been.
She said that she has often gotten very near Sai
Baba, and he has looked in her eyes several times.
She said that she brought some photos of people in
need of healing, and held them up for him to bless.
He came right over to her and touched the pictures
and looked into her eyes. She said she felt immediate
total peace, and part of everything that exists.
There are so many languages here, and not
everyone understands each other, in fact, much of the time,
we don't. But there is a universal phrase that means
excuse me, please be quiet, let me by, etc., etc.
It is "Sai Ram," which means Mother/Father God (rough
translation, I am sure!) You hear Sai Ram
everywhere.
Love, Jeannie
________________________________________________
On Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:30:28 -0700 (PDT), Jeannie Alvin wrote:
Hello from the Abode of Highest Peace; Oct. 2,
1999
There has been a big festival going on for several
days, and today I saw a procession of thousands of
people entering the temple with padugas, silver
sandals that Sai Baba put on, I was told. These are
now holy objects, and wherever they go, his presence
will be there.
Today and yesterday, with the huge crowds, I did not
get space inside the Poornachandra auditorium, but was
left with many others where we usually wait for
darshan tokens. But both days, I was sitting where I
could watch Swami walk by on his way in. Both days,
instead of walking straight in, he came over to the
little gate by where we sat, quite close to us, and
waved at us! I was so appreciative yesterday of his
thoughtfulness, as he knew we would not get in, and my
heart was very touched, and I was so happy. And today
he repeated it!
That afternoon after bhajans (singing, and seeing
Swami once again), I experienced my first monsoon
rainstorm. The rain came down so hard and fast that
it soon made 3" rivers of the sidewalks! Everyone
huddled at the side of the buildings for a long time,
but finally I decided to just go to my hotel and eat
dinner there, and just not worry about getting soaked
up to my ankles. My plastic-insole imitation
Birkenstock sandals held up, and I got to my hotel
fine. I enjoyed the experience! I ordered some
Chinese food with room service (cost about a dollar),
took a shower, and was fine.
We are organizing a little USA group, most of us came
alone and we are scattered all over, but we are having
short meetings and unifying. This is an answer to a
prayer, as I had prayed for unity.
I stayed two days in the room with the Argentine
women, then went to the Sai Towers hotel for 4 nights,
and yesterday moved into an apartment! Here is the
story on how I found the apartment.
I had been looking, and had seen one for 1500
Rs./month, but it was too dark, and had drips in the
bathroom. I knew I wanted more light, and everything
working. I was supposed to meet two women at
different times by the Ganesh statue, but with the
crowds, I missed one, and the other later told me she
had not felt well.
So I just decided to go exploring, and walked down
the rocky Bank of India Road, because I knew at least
two women had apartments on that road. I got near the
end of it, and met a Canadian man. I asked him if he
knew of an apartment, and he said yes, he knew of one,
because he had a friend living there. So he took me
to meet the watchman.
He showed me a beautiful apartment on the top
(fourth) floor with screen door and window screen,
front and back doors, back balcony with a grill all
around for security. Inside the floors are shiny
white tiles, imitation marble, I think. There is a
big living/bed room, with a bed, 2 mattresses, a
plastic chair and plastic tiny table. There is a
built in closet with hanging space above and shelves
below. There is a kitchen (no fridge or stove), and a
bathroom with a shower and a hot water heater that I
turn on when I want, with an electric switch. Elec.
included. Very cheap cost!!!! God (Swami) really
takes care of me!
I typed this before reading any of your emails.
Thanks for your letters. Please only personal
letters, no chain letters.
Teira, darling, I was sure I had your current phone
number, but that morning of my departure, I had only
Francis Monet's number! I tried finding Rose's number
in the phone book and could not find it. Love, and
hugs.
Much love, Jeannie
Oct 4
I read your emails, but the computer got kicked off
the internet after I spent about 15 minutes checking
off names 10 at a time on Yahoo, and when it came back
on I would have had to start over. These are slow
computers, and I had already spent an hour reading
your emails to me, and I had enuf for the day.
Thanks, Barb and Jim, for your love! Mrs. Clark, I
have written your prayer request for healing your
sister and her daughters on the envelope that I
brought with me from the Encinitas Sai Center, and I
will keep trying to give it to Swami.
If anyone has healing or prayer requests, of
course they are known as soon as you pray, but I am
glad to write or print them out and try to give them
to Swami.
Yes, Jim M., I got your letter.
Love to Harry and Phyllis.
Phyllis, my apt. rent is $50 a month US. I thought
you might enjoy finding that out. Wink, wink!
Puttaparti was a little mud hut village before Sai
Baba got famous. It is still just a small town, with
one barely two lane road with dirt shoulders, and tiny
one lane or smaller side streets. If you have been to
Tijuana, the shops look like their shops, only there
are no radios blaring. And every shop is a Sai Baba
shop! Even the Bank of India has an alter to Sai Baba
in it, very, very beautiful, with a larger than life
size picture of our darling Sai.
Walking to my apartment, or scooting along in an
auto-rickshaw, I see pigs and piglets, roosters, and
along the main road, there is really not much traffic
at all. It is about a 5 minute walk to my apartment.
There seem to be about a dozen of the little
auto-rickshaws buzzing around, an occasional car or
bus bringing devotees, ox carts, a donkey by the side
of the main entrance to the ashram, flower and
vegetable market just outside the ashram gate. The
papayas are small, seedless, and delicious; the
bananas are tiny, and have the best flavor of any
banana I ever ate.
There is a constant cacaphony of sound on the main
street, even with so little traffic, because the way
to drive in India, whether by ox cart, rickshaw, car,
bus, or tractor, is to honk at anything that moves or
might move! (People, ox cart, rickshaw, car, bus, or
tractors, goats, etc.!!!) It is actually fun to buzz
around in the little rickshaws; I trust the drivers.
I am beginning to feel adjusted, it has taken all
this time. I have to figure out a routine to follow
now that I am in my apartment. The huge crowds that
were here for the Paduga festival have mostly gone,
and I think I am going to get up at about 3 am and try
to be one of the few that get in the original temple
for the Omkar, 21 oms. We can get in the gate at 4
am, and to make it in, I am going to have to be there
by 4am. It is supposed to be a powerful experience.
I finally had a chance to explore more of the ashram
today, and found the meditation tree where Swami used
to meditate. I enjoyed the peace and quiet, and also
noticed that people sit on the grass by the Ganesh
statue for quiet reading.
I bought a book today, written by a doctor who
volunteers at the Super Specialty Hospital here. The
doctors and staff all volunteer, there is no charge
for anything, operations or medicine or room. Sai
Baba believes that health care and education should
be free, so it is, here. There is also a general
hospital at the ashram, free of charge for anything!
The book is so cheap here, it is a gorgeous big red
book with beautiful color prints in it. It is the
doctor's story of his volunteering here, not knowing
Swami, and his interviews with Swami, and his becoming
a devotee.
I also bought a bhajan (song) book, with Sanscrit
words and English translations. (Swami is reviving it,
and teaching correct pronunciation.) I figure when I
am sitting in long waits for darshan (seeing the
Lord), I can be inspired, and also learn some
Sanscrit. I love learning languages.
Well, I am going to try again to send you this. If
not, I will just add to it next time.
Love from someone who has seen God 4 times today
alone!!!
Jeannie
Well, the computer disconnected again, so this will be
continued next chance I get!
p.s. I really appreciate the emails from home. I
love hearing from you all!
I am going to send $20 with April, who is going home
tomorrow, and a tiny shopping list. If anyone feels
like doing me a huge favor, it would involve a
purchase at Boney's, and one at Walmart or any similar
store. Then, another huge favor, please, some devotee
who is coming over, bring them to me! Thank you,
thank you!
Oct. 8th
Dear Vickie Jewell;
April brought a little list for me, and was
planning to give it to you. I am hoping someone will
be willing to get me a few things, and then send them
here with a devotee coming here. Could you ask Diane
Olive if she would be willing to get the things on the
list as she does her regular shopping? A change to
the list... no Nutribiotic needed, April gave me her
full one, and I still have mine. But, I would like to
get several pounds of pitted prunes, in 1 pound
packages (Trader Joe is cheapest), and athelete's food
medication, the kind in the tube. The cheapest brand.
Thanks, if anyone can help.
Dear Harry and Nancy Alter;
Harry, can I just send you my email letter, and you
forward it to everyone on my list? I don't think you
know how to get my list in a file, but Nancy is an
expert and I hope she will help you.
Nancy, can you show Harry how to do this?
I can probably get one email through, but
by the time I try to check all the people on my list,
I get kicked off. Or, would you be willing to do
this?
Alternative: Will some one of my friends be
willing to do this service? I would appreciate it so
much! Thanks!
I had an interesting shift in cultural awareness in
the last two days. I was in the line to buy bread in
the ashram shopping center. A young Indian lady was
behind me, and pressed up much closer than I wished.
I put my arm up on the siderail as a barrier. Then I
thought about how loving the Indian women were in the
Indian canteens, and thought that their pressing up
close could be an indication of more comfort with
closeness and love.
So I took my arm down, and the young lady pressed up
close again. She was actually pressed up against my
back and leg. I turned and smiled at her, and we
began talking. She was very happy because she had
touched Swami's feet, that day, I think. (Her English
was not very good, so I am not sure of when this
happened.) We shared a nice interchange.
Then this morning in darshan ( seeing the Lord), I
noticed a large western woman with a lot of space
around her. We sit pretty close usually, cross-legged
on the floor on our pillows. There was about half a
space making an aisle between her and the person to
her side. A little Indian woman put her rug down
there, and the western woman picked it up and threw it
back towards where the woman had just come from.
I thought to myself, she doesn't know that she just
turned Love away.
Then a different little Indian woman (literally
little, these women are 4 feet tall!) came and
squeezed in beside me. I looked at her and smiled a
welcome, because Love came and sat very close beside
me. I felt privileged to have such a sweet being
beside me.
Uday is here with his mother. She is very young
and sweet. Uday is taking a book home to mail to my
Dad. He and his mom are here until Sunday, then he'll
spend a week at home with her and his family.
Several people who I have lived with told me in
the last year that I ought to live in a monostary. I
love living here. I love sitting in a restaurant,
looking around, and seeing people praying before they
eat. I love sitting in the giant auditorium,
surrounded by hundreds of people who love singing
songs to God. I love being surrounded by people for
whom spiritual growth is a priority.
I love walking the tiny streets of Puttaparti,
seeing pigs and piglets, donkeys, oxen; and speaking
with the Indian people.
I am overtired, and it is 8:10pm, late for someone
who gets up at 3:45 am.
I am going to try again with Yahoo.
Love from the other side of the earth.
ps The earth looks pretty much the same here as it
does there. A lot of the same plants as in
California, although there are some trees we don't
have. And I saw my first lotus flower blooming in a
pond! The earth is red in places like in Colorado.
Oct 10
I am going to try again to send this email!
I connected with a small group of people from the
USA who are connected with the I AM foundation! We
really resonate, as those of you will understand who
are familiar with book 7 on my web site, an "I AM
Devotional Service," and my friends Harry, June,
Martha, and from the Essene Church!
I had the back door and the side window screened by
carpenters. They have been in my apartment for hours
for 3 days. This was an extra challenge, but it is
through, and the extra breeze is great. In the shade
there is a breeze and it is cool, but in the sun it is
amazingly hot.
I am told the internet is connected now. Love,
Jeannie
Date: Fri, 05 Nov 99 16:18PM PST
From: Vickie Jewell
To: Jeannie Alvin
Subject: RE: catch-up letter from Brindavan for group
forwarding
Great to hear from you Jeannie. I love all the news
from Swami's feet.
When He first left for Brindavan, I thought of you and
wondered (since you'd just gotten an apartment) if you would stay on
in Puttaparthi in your apartment or follow Swami to Bangalore. I'm happy
to hear tofollowed Him. Sounds like you are having a wonderful
experience.
I too, made the trip to Mysore and the orphanage on my
last trip and was surprised to hear that there is a "cut-off" time. I
guess we were just lucky to have arrived in time.
Well, dear one, must get back to work. (oh, I
understand that the Sandweiss's are bringing your
slippers!Hope you connect with them.)
Lots of love, Vickie
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannie Alvin [mailto:jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 1999 12:41 AM
To: Harry Evans
Subject: catch-up letter from Brindavan for group
forwarding
Oct. 31st Bangalore, India
Hello to everyone;
Sai Baba suddenly left Puttaparti on Sept. 20th to
go to his ashram in Bangalore called Brindavan, and
the thousands of devotees scrambled into taxis and
busses and followed him.
I was not feeling too well, felt I needed rest. So
I was going to stay for a while and just take it easy.
But that very afternoon, I went into my apartment,
and said to myself, "What am I doing here if Sai Baba
is not here."
I went outside and met a neighbor who lives
directly below me. His name is George L., from the
San Francisco Sathya Sai Baba Center. We decided to
share a taxi the next day, and go to Baba.
We went together to the bank, and met another
American from the San Francisco center, Steven F.
He offered to let us share his taxi the next morning
at 10:30 am.
So we all got cash from Canara Bank. I can easily
use my Visa/ATM card there. Then we went home and
packed.
I was so exhausted and hot; it took the last bit of
energy to walk back to the canteen to eat dinner at
6:30pm. Usually there was a long line, but Sai Baba
took care of me. There was no line, I walked right in
and sat down and ate. When I walked out, the normal
long line was waiting.
The next morning the cab came to George's and my
apartment. We loaded up, took some pictures with
Narayana, the watchman, and drove into the ashram to
get Stephen.
We spent the most pleasant time driving to
Bangalore. I really enjoyed both Stephen and George.
We arrived in Bangalore one day after the mobs
decended on this small suburb called Whitefield, and I
saw the name of the ashram, right on the city street,
"BRINDAVANAM".
We were very fortunate to find a room right away.
I changed to the Sai Amrut hotel the next night.
Expensive for India, but the toilet works, and the
room is beautiful.
I went to darshan (seeing a holy person) the next
morning, and appreciate the difference here from
Puttaparti. At Puttaparti, Baba walks in, walks
through the women's section, then the men's, just a
pretty quick stroll through the front.
Here He walks through most of the aisles, so most
of us get a closer look, and he is spending more time
with us.
Also, for the afternoon bhajans (singing, at
Puttaparti, he just comes out at the end, but here, he
sits in His chair up front and we have 30 minutes
contact with Him.
I can feel the difference. When he makes little
movements in the air with His hands, I can feel the
Divine energy flood the area. It is a wonderful gift
to be in His presence an extended time.
George and I became good friends very fast. We
share amazing harmony, something that has taken me a
lifetime to achieve. But now, he is the 3rd
circumstance in which I have experienced it.
First, I experienced heavenly harmony, great love, lots of
laughing and joy and nurture with Jeanne M. and
Jeannie M. (love and hugs to you!!!). Then again
with my South African first roommates at the ashram.
And now with George. What a blessing! All that
psychology, therapy, personal growth, spiritual
practices to clear negativity and negative karma!
Finally, mostly joy!
George and I wanted to go to an orphanage in
Mysore, four hours taxi ride from Bangalore. The
trucks went on strike due to an increase in gasoline
prices. We took advantage of their absence from the
highways, and the lack of pollution, horn honking and
traffic. Off we went to Mysore.
At about noon, George asked the taxi driver, who
takes many people to this orphanage, if there is a
cut-off time for entering. Luckily he asked this
question! We were told it cuts off at 2 pm (it was
actually more like 1:30pm), and the 4 hour taxi ride
would have been for nothing!
So we skipped lunch. This orphanage was started by
a former thief, who was healed by Sai Baba. Miracles
began happening. There is amrith, holy nectar, that
pours continuously from little metal pictures of
Shirdi Sai Baba (Sai Baba's previous incarnation, 8
years prior to this lifetime).
We arrived at about 1 pm, and were directed to go
inside. We went inside, and saw a door open in the
far wall. We went there, and saw an elderly man
sitting on the floor giving amrith to 2 or 3 people to
our left. Beyond them all was an alter area. There
were another couple of small groups of people.
In the alter area, there was a large picture of Sai
Baba when he was young. It spontaneously fills with
vibuti, sacred ash. It is an indication from Baba of
His presence there.
George and I tasted it. It tasted like licorice!
George and I sat down on the floor, and took out
our bottles that we brought for the amrith. We had
brought some bottles for other people, as well.
The man came and sat by us, and put a little
medallion of Shirdi Sai Baba in the palm of my hand.
My hand filled with nectar. The man took a
tablespoon, and spooned it into my other palm, and
indicated that I should drink it. I did, and
meanwhile, the amrith kept forming in my other hand.
He did this for George and I.
Then the man rejected a number of our bottles,
seeming to have clear inner guidance, filled a bottle
for me, for Gayatri, and for George, and that was all
we were to receive.
This man got up, and took a lingam, materialized
from Sai Baba, and began touching it to various points
on people's bodies. George and I observed this, and
went and lined up behind those receiving this
blessing. Soon it was my turn. The man touched
various points on my head and chest, including my
eyes, with this lingam. (It is an egg-shaped stone,
looking like quartz.) When it touched my eyes, it was
as if he touched them with an electric light. My
interpretation, days later, is that the stone is full
of God's light!
We donated some rupees, and then, at about 1:30,
the man said we were all done, and ushered us all out.
These were my first personal experiences of Sai
Baba's materializations, miracles to me!
It was a profound experience, and I needed to keep
silent about it for quite a few days. This is the
first time I have spoken of it.
The drive to and from Mysore was through exquisite,
lush country. We stopped on our way home and had
delicious coconut chutney.
On the drive, George began teaching me a few words
of Hindi! We had a lot of fun with this!
The hungry beggars have been on my mind. I bought
food for the occasional one, like the children I had
seen daily in Puttaparti, sitting quietly begging by
the path. One not very busy day, I saw the girl
looking through the garbage dump where orange peels
and coconut husks were thrown. It broke my heart.
So I have been doing much thinking about this. One
person can make so little difference, and the benefit
of one meal is so quickly gone, and the next meal is
needed.
I decided to combine doing what I could, 45 rupees
a day in food to the poorest of the poor, and a prayer
project.
So I am praying for soup kitchens in all
neighborhoods, in all the world, milk for those who
need it, at least moms and kids.
Every time I have a spare moment, I pray for this,
and the way I pray is to lift the prayer to God,
according to His will, and then thank Him for the goal
complete, food there for the poor, now, 3 times a day,
in all neighborhoods where it is needed. I see waves
of service, person helping person, going around the
world.
I am passing on this prayer and service project to
anyone whose heart wishes to join it.
I am hoping to inspire other Sai devotees who are
here. I am praying to see hundreds of us out with
bags of food, so that where we are, the hungry are
fed.
I had 65 rupees today, Suzanne from Atlanta added
20 rupees. I bought 9 loaves of bread. I feel a bit
like the Pied Piper, the mothers with babies know me
now, and follow me to the bakery.
I make them line up. I say, "No line, no bread,
one each." "Nahi line, nahi kana, ek kana." Then I
give them bread, one slice to kids, 3 to moms with
babies in arms, 4 to pitiful old ment.
I enjoyed doing this the first morning, and am
doing it every morning after darshan. The second
morning I did not enjoy it in the least; it was quite
frustrating. There was no order, and some got bread
more than once.
More to think about. This is not about my
feelings. It is about their hunger relief. So I go,
no matter how I feel.
So far George and Suzanne have joined me.
I need to log off soon.
Ruth, Swami is very much alive, and is soon going
to have a birthday, 74 or 75, on Nov. 26th. He says
he will live in this body til age 96, and be back soon
as Prema Sai Baba. He has shown what he will look
like, almost exactly like we think of as Jesus's face!
Love to you all, Jeannie
Dear All,
Check out this new site, put together by Bon Giovanni,
originator of Sai Net
as well. You will need to apply soon, as he is closing
it to all but members.
Many blessings,Stephanie http://www.delphi.com/satguru
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 99 02:39AM PST
From: Jeannie Alvin
To: Harry Evans
Subject: re-send last letter, plus here is new letter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Harry;
Do not worry about who got the emails and who did
not. A lot did not. Please skip Peter, it is a
business, and the obvious business names. There are 6
or 7 of them.
So just re-send that last letter to everyone. And
here is a new letter to send next. Thank you so much.
If you have difficulty, try calling Nancy A., or
Caroline F.-E., or Vickie J. at the Sai
Center. You can get her number from Stephanie.
Let me know how it goes, and what you do. Thanks
again!!! Much love, Jeannie
Here is the new letter, you can copy and paste it onto
a clean letter and then send it to everyone.
Nov. 7, 1999
I am typing in the midst of loud firecrackers all
around me. This was a festival day called Deepavali,
Festival of Light. It is the Hindi New Year, I am
told.
Many of the shopkeepers are setting off fountains
and sparklers in front of their shops. But there are
many big, loud blasts. I saw one firecracker before
it blew up, and it looked like it was 2 inches by 3
inches.
Sai Baba spent quite a bit of time with all of us
during darshan, instead of going right in for
interviews. (There goes another fountain right
outside the window of this cyber shop, and some more
blasts are continuing. I just stuffed my ears with
kleenex. I hope I can concentrate enough to write
this tonight!)
Swami gave prasad (a blessed offering of food,
today it was candy) to most of the people at darshan.
The men's side all got some, and about half of the
women's side. Not me.
I saw Sharon Sandelweiss for a few minutes tonite.
She is so lovely and kind. She is giving me her
rubber bath mat for my shower. The floors are tile
and very slippery. She is bringing a few things back
to the San Diego and Encinitas centers. I hope you
like what I am sending, my dear Sai friends and
family. (Just some small things)
I am feeling very well, and very, very happy. I
enjoyed your emails, Vickie J. and Shirley C. and
Harry. Thanks for sending them. I enjoy hearing
about your lives.
On Nov. 4th, I had an amazing, incredible day. At
the end of the day, I was too excited about so many
blessings in one day, so I lay there and counted them.
There were seven blessings! And the next morning, as
if to emphasize or confirm the count of seven, I was
in token line seven for darshan!
The first blessing is that I was able to get the
apartment next to my now close friend George L. It
is on the ground floor. I realized that I was
exhausting myself climbing four stories in the heat to
get to my apartment. Sometimes I would get downstairs
and realize I forgot something, and have to go back
up. Whew!
The second blessing is that the owner of the upper
apartment pro-rated the month's rent I had already
paid, and gave me back most of the money. He said to
me that he never gives the money back. He told me
this as he was counting the rupees into my hands.
I said, "Thank you, it was Sai Baba helping me!"
I must say here, that I have had to deal with a
number of Indian businessmen to fix something that I
bought, and the apartment owners. Every one of them
has been so kind and honorable. Each of them worked
with me until the problem was solved. They are good
listeners, and have very nice temperaments. American
businessmen could learn from them.
I don't know about the rest of India, but if you
are coming to Sai Baba's ashrams, do not fear dealing
with the people here. They are wonderful.
The third blessing is that Narayana, the watchman,
handed me a letter from the owner of the new
apartment. (It is in the same building, but there is
one owner for the top floor, and another owner for the
bottom three floors.) The letter said to go to a
certain shop, and I was free to choose whatever new
cot and whatever new mattress I wanted, paid for by
the owner!
I walked over to the store right away with Narayana
and a watchman friend of his from a neighboring
building! I was asked whether I wanted a tiny single
bed or a double bed, wooden or metal; and cheap
mattress or deluxe!!!
Well, guess what I chose! I got the double bed
with the deluxe mattress! I chose a metal cot because
it has bars at the head and foot that hold a frame for
a mosquito net. That is easier than putting screen
doors in. The mosquitos get in anyhow, when I go in
and out. At least I will be able to sleep without
insect repellant.
I also got a plastic chair and a little wooden
kitchen table, very cheap and quite attractive.
Just as I was wondering how I was going to get all
this stuff home, as it was too much for an auto
rickshaw, blessing number four drove by! It was an ox
cart with a flat bed! Narayana ran out and asked him
if he would take my bed, mattress, table and chair
home. He was glad to, for 20 rupees!
Narayana and his watchman friend and I walked next
to the oxcart for the five minute walk to my house. I
had so much fun! I never moved by oxcart before!!! I
was laughing about it, and hoping I could find my
camera, as everything upstairs was packed, ready to
move.
The fifth blessing was that I was able to find my
camera right away! I got a great shot of the oxcart,
the driver and the watchmen, and maybe George, who had
just come home.
The sixth blessing was that George had taken my
four letters to Swami to darshan, and Swami took
them!!! The first letter is the one I brought from
Encinitas, with some letters from Alicia, I believe,
and others. Also, I wrote a note to Swami on the
outside of the envelope asking for a healing for
Marie-Elizabeth Clark's sister and daughters, and for
their plight to be eased; and I asked for a healing
for Teira. Since he took the letter I am hoping this
means the healings and prayers will go forth.
The second letter was one where I wrote to Sai Baba
and said, "Please take this letter if you approve of
and bless my book 7 (the "I AM' Devotional Service).
So, yes, he blessed it!!!
My seven books are free on the web for anyone to
read, copy, print, etc. It is a way I can share the
simple practices that have helped me so much. Please
visit the website if you would like, and please sign
the guestbook, and share your opinion of the site. It
can be found at www.inetworld.net/lovesource.
The third letter asked if he approved of and
blessed these group letters forming book 8! Blessed
and approved!!!
The fourth letter asked if he approved of and
blessed my service project and prayers for the poor,
where I buy $1 of food a day and give it out, and say
my prayer for food kitchens in all neighborhoods for
the poor all over the world. (Did you all get the
letter where I mentioned that service project and
prayer? One group letter may be missing. It may have
only gone to Harry, Caroline, and Nancy. Caroline, it
may be the very letter where you replied and asked if
I wanted you to forward it to Joan. Can any or all of
you three send it back to me if you still have it?
The date of this letter being sent would have been
just before we left Puttaparti for Bangalore. )
Then, the seventh blessing was that Narayana and
his friend moved my things downstairs in a flash, with
George supervising from below, and me above. An easy
move.
I slept in my deluxe bed!!!
I just recognized Georges voice! He just came by!
He thought he was going to really relax tonight! A
massuesse came to his house. He'd start to relax, and
then the firecrackers went off so loud! Then he
jumped as firecrackers went off!
I'll have to continue this tomorrow. Too much noise!
Nov. 8th
I just sent home with the Sandweisses that
discourse of Swami's from Oct. 14th that the centers
will want to hear and read. I sent a transcript and a
cassette.
When I was still in Whitefield, I met a new friend,
Suzanne from the Atlanta, Georgia Sathya Sai Baba
Center. I already adore her, which took about two
minutes to happen, she is so precious. She is quite
beautiful physically, but very humble and simple.
I met her one day, and the next morning a woman
came up to me in the early morning token line for
darshan. I was just putting my cushion down. The
woman asked if I was going to be in India on Nov.
19th. I said that I would still be here. She said
that a women's choir is forming to sing to Swami on
ladies day, Nov. 19th, and auditions were being held
that night. She said that groups of three would go
into the audition. She invited me to audition!
My sister Kris, and my brothers Tim and Jim, and
Mom and Dad know how much I have overcome to be able
to sing. Our family story is quite the opposite!
A few years ago I began going twice a week to the
devotional singing group in Encinitas. I began
singing there, and taped cassettes to listen to the
beautiful songs all day long. I sang with them day
and night.
Tom Olmos said to just sing from my heart, any
note, and it would harmonize! So I have been singing
in groups for several years now, but I never had sung
alone to even one other person!
So for me to even consider auditioning was
something major! I had to keep my mind from going to
negative stories and experiences from the past. And I
transmuted those negatives thousands of times in a
row. (See the end of book 5 for this spiritual
practice. It works!)
I found Suzanne that morning and told her about the
audition! She loves to sing, and had been in the
Christmas choir last year. She wanted to audition
with me.
We went down the road outside my hotel in
Whitefield, and practiced singing to the bushes!!! I
discovered that my voice could match whatever note she
sang, which was a wonderful discovery for me, and
aided my self confidence for the coming audition.
Suzanne told me that volume was necessary to
succeed in the audition. So we sang very loudly to
the nearby bushes, and even more loudly to bushes
further away.
Suzanne suggested I pretend I was in the
metropolitan opera! The thought of that scared me! I
said I would pretend I was in my bathtub!
She had to go and rest, and I continued practicing
to the bushes. I decided to sing 'He's got the whole
world in His hands,' because the words are very easy,
and if I got scared I wouldn't forget them. Also the
range of notes is not to much.
The day passed, and Suzanne and I went to the
audition. We joined another Jeannie, to make our
group of three. We were the last to go in the room
and audition.
Jeannie and Suzanne were first. We could choose
whatever song we liked to sing; next we had to imitate
the woman singing some random notes; then we had to
imitate her clapping a random rhythm.
The other two women did this. Jeannie had to
repeat hers several times. Suzanne did her turn.
Then me.
I had already dedicated the audition to Sai Baba,
and asked my Higher Self to merge with me the whole
time and do the singing. I mentally told myself that
it was a great overcoming just to be participating in
the audition, and I would be in equanimity no matter
what the result.
I took some deep breaths. There was a big Sai Baba
picture in the far corner. I looked towards it, and
sang as loud as I could to a space about two feet in
front of it.
After I finished the singing part, one of the two
women auditioning us asked me why I was so scared. I
told her I had never sung to other people before.
Then she had me imitate her singing the random
notes. Then the clapping. She did not ask me to
repeat anything.
We were excused, and told to meet at the Krishna
statue on Monday morning five minutes after the
darshan music stopped. We would then be told who
would be accepted for the choir.
In the intervening time, I did my best to keep my
mind from going to negative thoughts, and transmuted
those that came up anyhow.
Monday morning, Suzanne and I sat together for
darshan. After the music stopped, we sped to the
statue. Names were read off. I couldn't believe it!
The woman read, "Jeannie, Suzanne, and Jeannie are
in!!!" Can you believe this miracle!
I have so enjoyed going to the choir practices, the
first choir practices in my life like this! This is
totally Swami's doing, as he knows how much I love
singing, and how I hoped in another life I would be
able to sing well!
A little Spanish-speaking group from the choir of
about a dozen women met separately to learn a Spanish
song, and I got to take part. Now we are teaching it
to the larger group.
Not all of the Spanish speakers understand English,
so I get to do some service by translating what is
said in the big choir group to them. (Hum, sing loud,
soft, meet after bhajans, etc.)
Now I am going to help the English speakers
understand and pronounce the Spanish words.
I will send a tape home to the centers so you can
hear our final rehearsals!
Enough about that!
I am going to explain a bit more about the amrith I
mentioned in a former letter.
The first time I heard of amrith was when Stephanie
O'Reilly came back from India. We were attending the
Sai study group at Jeanne Means house. Stephanie
shared her story of her recent trip, and then said
that she would give each person there a drop of amrith
on the tongue.
We finished our class, had our closing prayers,
then Stephanie went to each person with the drop of
amrith. I sat there and opened my mouth. The drop
was sweet similar to honey, but with a bit of metallic
taste. But, as my friends and family know, I feel
spiritual energy. And the energy in this drop was
profound.
I did not want to move or open my eyes or speak for
at least fifteen minutes. I was feeling a blissful,
powerful feeling that I had never felt before. Since
feeling Sai Baba's energy from his physical presence,
I believe it to be his energy. It feels the same to
me, but it is hard to compare one feeling with
another.
I had another fun experience in Brindavan, in
Whitefield. I had said to myself before morning
darshan, "My intention is a clear view of Swami," and
I pictured myself in a front line.
I sat that morning, the last morning in Brindavan,
at the front of the token line. This would be my
first time to reach in the bag and pick the token
number for our line. I love having new experiences,
so this was fun.
I sat in the line nearest the Krishna statue, to
the far right of the other lines. Suddenly the bag
was in front of me, and I reached in. There was only
one token left. I took it out and looked at it.
It was number one!!! The Seva Dal (volunteer) told
me not to tell anyone, so no one would jump into the
line! She went back and told people quietly.
Then she came in front of me and said, "Sai Ram!"
It was time to go in, and I was the very first person!
I was so excited, I ran and danced over to the front
corner where we get frisked and our purses and bags
get checked. I was so full of joy, that the ladies in
the sea of women sitting in the other token lines all
laughed to see me smiling and prancing up there!
On another subject, I wish to send love and
appreciation to my Dad. During my childhood, he drove
the family on Sunday outings to many beautiful natural
sites in Colorado. We saw Garden of the Gods in
Colorado Springs, the foothills and mountains near
Denver, the aspens in the fall, turning gold and
shimmering. I bring this up because the red soil here
brings back those wonderful memories of childhood.
And Mom, there is a vegetarian restaurant that
George and I love in Bangalore, on Commercial Street.
It is called Woody's!!! Can you believe that?
Martha, there is a lady here from Spain that could
be your daughter. Her name is Lola. She is tiny like
you, and has your face!!! I have her picture, but she
is not smiling. I will try to get a snapshot of her.
She is in the choir with me. Amazing!
Well, I will try to send this off now. Love to
all, write me emails!
Nov. 10th
The connection was too slow. I had to wait until
another day in order not to miss bhajans (singing and
seeing Sai Baba once more). So I will just add to
this letter.
I will share a funny story with you. In San Diego,
at the Sathya Sai Baba Center of Encinitas and San
Diego, we put on a marvelous play based on verses from
very ancient scriptures called the Bhagavad Gita. It
was really fun, I learned a lot from each little
episode we acted out. And I call the people who
participated, as I did, my "playmates." Jackie V.
was the playwrite and director.
After the play I had an idea for another similar
play, but with a fun twist at the beginning and end.
Sai Baba says God created everyone and everything, and
therefore everything that exists is God, being us, the
humans, the earth, the animals, all that is.
And there is a poem that He gave at one time, about
how he is the writer of the drama, and we are the
puppets. Something like that.
So I thought that the play could start with that
poem, then continue as our other play did, with the
various vignettes. And then at the end, the actors
would come out for the final bow...all dressed with a
black afro wig and orange robe. And introduce
themselves...Sai Baba acting as Jackie V., as Phyllis,
as Vickie J., etc.
And then in my mind, I imagined a screen projected
above the audience, with little orange butterflies
with black heads, little orange ants with black heads.
I really laughed to think of these images.
So one day recently I was in the North Indian
canteen, and a little orange ant walked across the
table! It was really teensy. I looked close, and lo
and behold, it had a little black head!!! Sai Baba
is everywhere and everything!!! (Substitute your
favorite name of God for Sai Baba!)
On another note, I sent $200 cash back with Sharon
Sandweiss for my future shopping expenses. I may end
up staying until March. I brought only enough
Nu-Pluses (from Diane O.) for 53 days. They really
seem to make a difference in my well being. So, dear
Diane, please order a variety of them for me, about 4
months worth.
And then, whoever is coming over here, and has room
in their suitcase, and is willing to bring them, or
part of them, will be most appreciated.
Sai Baba will help me get together with whoever may
bring it. I had a feeling that the Sandweisses were
here, and might have brought stuff for me. When I went
to buy my bed the evening I moved downstairs, a man
named George from San Diego was there. I had never
met him. He began advising me on bargaining with the
store owner. We introduced ourselves, and he told me
he was from my area. I asked him if he knew where the
Sandweisses were staying. He not only gave me their
room number, but told me they were leaving on the 8th,
so I had better hurry to see them. Sai Baba arranged
this. So I have no doubt about needed contacts
appearing at the perfect time.
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 99 20:05PM PST
From: Vickie Jewell
To: Sai Friends
Subject: FW: Ladies Day choir letter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sai Ram Friends! Below is a letter from Jeannie Alvin
in Puttiparthi.
She's just had the opportunity to sing for Swami
during the Ladies day
celebration, and describes all the decorations going
up for Swami's
birthday. Enjoy! Love, Vickie
*********************************************************
May All the Beings in All the Worlds be Happy!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannie Alvin
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 1999 3:26 PM
To: Vickie Jewell
Subject: Ladies Day choir letter
3:33 PM 11/20/99 Nov. 17th
With the addition of daily choir practice on my
schedule, it is hard to find time to type. But only
two more days until Ladies Day, Nov. 19th, and then I
will have mid-mornings free to catch up.
After darshan, if I make no sound and stay quiet, I
can feel Sai Baba's energy within me very strongly.
Here is what Sai Baba Himself says about darshan,
which means seeing the Lord, or seeing a holy person.
I saw this quote on someone's desk and then I saw it
again near the Western canteen at Brindavin. I am
very moved by it and wrote it down to share with you.
"Always find a quiet corner after My darshan where
you may enter into the stillness and receive the
completion of My blessings. My energy goes from Me,
as I pass you.
If you proceed to talk, immediately the previous
energy is dissipated and returns to Me unused. Rest
assured that whatever My eyes see becomes vitalized
and transmuted. You are being changed day by day.
Never underestimate what is being accomplished by
the act of darshan. My walking among you is a gift
yearned for by the gods of highest heaven and here you
are daily receiving His Grace, be grateful.
These blessings you receive will express themselves
in their perfect time. But also remember that to whom
much is given, from him much will be demanded."
BABA
I received "car darshan" the other day! I had gone
for breakfast at the southern Indian canteen. Then I
wandered near Sai Baba's residence to read the thought
of the day, which is written on a small blackboard.
Soon the Seva Dals near His residence came over and
shooed me and others nearby over to the side of the
road, saying, "Baba comes!" First came a white
security vehicle, then out came a red sedan, with Sai
Baba in the back seat. He was looking straight ahead,
and did not glance in my direction.
This has been my lesson for several days. He
sometimes looks in the opposite direction when He
passes in darshan. I always take this as a reminder
that I need to work harder on my thoughts, actions,
and feelings.
Busloads of people have been arriving in the last
three or four days. There is a World Youth Conference
starting today, and going for three days, the 17th,
18th, and 20th. Youths, ages 16 to 30, from all over
the world are here. Then Ladies Day is the 19th,
followed by Sai Baba's 74th birthday on Nov. 23rd.
There are big booths set up around the ashram to
provide extra access to books (mostly Sai Baba books,
of course, that is what most of us want to read!).
The ashram is very full, and single people and even
groups are ending up in big sheds, where all women, or
all men, are in one giant room. They have to line up
for bathroom and showers. Of course, they can go to
hotels if they prefer. But people try to stay in the
ashram at first, because Sai Baba says it is better.
And I can vouch for that, since I can feel the
vibrations in the food. It is much purer in the
ashram. Outside, it can be very heavy. That can be
solved to some extent by dedicating the food and drink
to God before eating it. Then an exquisite energy
from God fills the food.
I have been practicing wearing a sari, because we
need to wear either a white or blue one for our choir.
The first day, I lasted one hour. The petticoat
hobbled me, and I could only take tiny steps. I sent
my petticoats to the tailor, and had slits opened up
in the front and back.
I then wore it for two half days. I get it on
alright, it seems to me, but the Seva Dal at the
security checkpoint readjusted it the first day. I
wrap the end of the six yards of material into my
petticoat for one turn around my body, then on the
next turn, I start making pleats for the front. I
tuck that in the center front, pin it with a huge
safety pin, and then look at my guidebook for where
the rest of it goes. It goes around the body and over
a shoulder.
I pin it at one shoulder, and the remaining bit
goes behind my head, and comes over the other
shoulder, as a shawl.
Each day, I have done fine with it at darshan, but
at some point, either after a bathroom stop, or when
sitting down, I have undone the upper portion. Then I
have not been able to remember which direction this
upper part goes without my guidebook. This is about
three yards of material. I have gotten help from
other women each time. It has been fun.
At bhajans this morning, I sat only about ten rows
back from the aisle where Swami passes when he leaves
the mandir (temple) to go to His residence. He looked
in my direction with a kind look.
Nov. 18th
Sai Gita, Swami's elephant, is in the hall! There is
much excitement! A festive red cloth with lots of
gold trim is hanging over her back. At 7am, priests
seem to be chanting the many names of God. Baba is at
the front of the ramp with Sai Gita; everyone cheers.
A procession with images is going to the front.
Darshan lasted until 7:20am.
As I was leaving the seating area, I descended the
steps. An elderly Indian lady just behind me fell
down. I was stunned. She got up and seemed alright
for the moment.
I was concerned about her, because I know that
there are more steps ahead of us, at the point where
it becomes a terrible bottleneck. I reached for her
hand and held it. She held on, and we proceeded
forward.
We entered the river of people flowing into the
narrow stairway. I was very concerned about her. I
prayed to Ganesha, the aspect of God that overcomes
obstacles, for her protection. And we made it down
the steps quite fine.
We stayed together holding hands until we got into
the Southern Indian canteen. We separated, and I
didn't see her for some time.
I ate my breakfast quickly, two rice cakes called
idlis, and hot spicy sauce to dip them in. I then
hurried back into the hall for bhajans.
I found a pretty good seat, on the floor, of
course, just under Sai Baba's balcony at His
residence, which is adjacent to the hall and mandir.
I heard jazz type music, and the sounds of a
procession outside.
The procession entered, with Sai Gita at the lead.
Sai Baba went to Sai Gita.
There are yellow curtain-like banners with an
orange top edge lining the ramp that the procession
came up, and the sides of the hall. The colored
chandalier decorations are up again; there are red and
shiny silver decorations lining the mandir ceiling,
and giant silk flowers on the cast iron railing above
my seat.
At 8:25am, I can see Sai Gita passing by outside,
leading a procession. They are going to the stadium,
where Sai Baba will feed the poor and give them saris
and dhotis, the clothing for Indian men.
Outside again, I notice big decorations, as big as
blankets, creating a carport at Sai Baba's residence.
There is a huge hot air balloon in the garden by the
Sarva Dharma, which is the name of a statue honoring
the five major religions of the world. There are huge
pictures of Sai Baba on the hot air balloon,
approximately 3 meters by 4 meters in size. There are
white Christmas style lights around the low adobe-type
wall surrounding the garden. And at night, I noticed
red, green, yellow, and blue lights on the bushes in
the garden. It is very beautiful, and very festive.
A lot of effort goes into putting up and taking down
decorations for these many festivals!
Later that day, about 5 pm, I was outside the
ashram offices near that same canteen listening to Sai
Baba give a discourse on the speakers. I had caught
glimpses of Him as I passed by the men's side of the
hall, and tried to stand outside there. But the male
Seva Dals soon waved me on. Men and women are quite
separate here. I am usually appreciative of this.
So I wandered further in, and could not enter the
women's side, as Sai Kurwan Hall was totally full. So
there I was, listening to His beautiful voice, just
taking in the sounds and enjoying that. I was
satisfied, because that was what I had wanted, just to
hear His voice.
A young woman came up to me and spoke and gestured
to me in an Indian language. I got the impression
that she wanted me to move towards my right. So I
did. And there was my elderly lady friend from the
morning. She waved me over to sit next to her. We
beamed at each other and held hands.
A lady nearby said she was inviting me to her home.
I expressed appreciation, and asked how far away it
was. I could not understand where they said it was,
but I did gather that it was very far away.
We went together to Poornachandra Hall. We stood
right by the entrance, but only youths from the
conference were allowed in. So we sat down on the
cement sidewalk, right there. Soon my Indian lady
friends decided to leave, but I stayed. I sat by a
very nice Italian lady. She did not speak English or
Spanish, but we both spoke some French.
At about 5:30pm, we were treated to a wonderful
bird show! First there were birds high in the sky
above us; way, way up high. Then whole flocks of
birds flew in formation very close above our heads.
Swoop, and another group of birds would fly above our
heads in formation! It was as much fun and as
beautiful as the 4th of July fireworks!
We could see youths from the conference entering
with their notebooks that say "YOUTH FOR TRUTH."
After the crowd went in and the Seva Dals sat down, we
saw Swami come in. A play with children acting the
parts began. We could catch only occasional glances
of it, as people kept passing in front of us to go in
or out.
Still, it was fun to catch the glimpses of the
children and their costumes. The costumes were
wonderful and bright. I understood the words
"Krishna" and "Rama," and "palace," and that is about
it.
I saw the ending however. It was so beautiful.
About six girls held flame-lit tapers, and were
singing "Mangala arati" over and over.
I saw Sai Baba leaving, headed towards the far
door. I took off quickly, before the crowd came out.
I headed for the Western canteen, hoping for spagetti,
because the Italian cooks are here, and take over the
canteen for a while. But frequently they put butter
and cheese in their dishes, and I gave up eating dairy
products last year. Tonight the pasta had dairy
products, but I had some delicious beet cubes with
salad oil, some very good potatoes cooked in oil, and
some icky okra.
I went down the main street of town to order a
cotton mosquito net for my bed. While I was at the
tailor's shop, picking the white cotton net, and
figuring out the measurements and the price, I heard
very loud drums beating. I went out to the street,
and saw two men dancing to the drums. It reminded me
of the Russian dance, where they crouch down and dance
around.
Soon they got up and drummed past us up the street
in the direction of the ashram. After a while, we
heard them returning. Now they had an oxcart loaded
with idols of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman. There was a
small fire in the road to heat the drum heads. They
looked and sounded a lot like snare drums. It was
very Indian and very exciting. What fun to experience
this on the spur of the moment!
My friend Suzanne knows a man who was a child who
grew up attending Sai Baba's schools. When he was a
little boy, he and the other little boys used to be
mischievious and stick their candies on Sai Baba's
robes!
Nov. 19th
8:15am The older male students run to Swami's
residence. They return carrying maroon bundles in
their arms. They are saris; Swami gives them out to
ladies sitting up close to the mandir.
Swami gave prasad (food gift from God), and I got
some this time. It was the first time I got any. I
had been disappointed after not getting any two other
times. I shared it with others. It was like a donut,
but round, with no hole.
It is the big day for our Ladies Day choir. We had
one last rehearsal after the morning program. We are
told there will be six microphones that pick up sound
from several people around it. Three will be for the
flute and two guitars. My friend Suzanne is playing
her flute. We are told to meet at 1pm by Swami's
residence to go in together. We thanked and honored
our leaders and conductors; Dana Gillespie, a famous
blues singer in England and Austria; Gillian, and
Anna, an Italian woman who coaches opera singers!
12:15pm
Prashanti, from Belgium, is also in the
choir. She lives nearby. She came to my apartment to
help me dress in my white sari. Then we walked to the
ashram.
12:55pm Memories are made of this. We are all
gathering in mostly white saris, in the shade of a
residence in front of the Sarva Dharma statue, the one
honoring the five major religions.
One of the members of the choir brought yards and
yards of flower garlands and bobby pins. She gave us
each flowers for our hair. They were white jasmine,
with orange and yellow flowers interspersed between
several white jasmine flowers.
We are told it is time to go in. We cross a double
line of Swami's girls from Anantapur College, and
enter the mandir. A Seva Dal told me that my sari was
perfectly pinned and pleated, thanks to Prashanti’s help..
We are led to the very center front of the hall,
just right of the center aisle, and just in front of
the aisle where Swami walks in. My place is in the
back center of the choir, for which I am thankful. I
would have been nervous any closer. I was about 30
steps from Swami's chair, with a clear view of it.
Then Gillian brings a microphone to the women just
to my left! I was horrified! It is one thing to sing
with a group, but to have my newly discovered voice go
out on microphones to thousands of people was much
more than I wanted!
I changed places with a late arrival to get farther
from the microphone. But it put me right by the group
one singers for the song with rounds, and I was used
to being surrounded by group two singers, my group.
So we switched back.
I dedicated the whole experience to Sai Baba, and
asked my Higher Self to merge with me the whole time,
to sing through me, sing all the right notes, start at
all the right places, and have me be quiet at all the
right times. Then I decided to just be in trust and
in my heart, as much as possible.
Swami came in, and we all turned around 180 degrees
to face Him as He passed. He passed close on two
sides of me, with a very sweet look on His face.
He sat down, and an announcer said that the well
known actress from the USA was there, Goldie Hawn, and
she was going to give flowers to Sai Baba. She was
covered with the maroon sari that He had given her
that morning. She gave Him her flowers, and bent down
and kissed or touched His feet. Several other ladies
in the same maroon and gold saris did the same.
Then the program began. Some primary school girls
came up near Swami. They did some chanting. It was
very sweet. They appeared to be from six to eight
years old.
Then it was our turn, and we sang to God incarnate!
I was in my heart, paying good attention to the
directors. I could hear the voices of my neighbors on
both sides, which helped me. I forgot all about the
microphone, and just sang from my heart and enjoyed
it.
People later told me that our words came across
very clearly, and they really enjoyed the songs we
sang.
We sang a beautiful song starting with "We start
with a prayer to the Lord, the one we call Ganesha,"
(the aspect of God that overcomes obstacles, and
traditional for Sai devotees to begin with a Ganesh
song.)
Then we sang a Latin song in rounds, "Ceci derum."
After that we sang a Spanish song from Venezuela
called "Alma llanera." I had helped the non-Spanish
speakers with the pronunciation and the meaning of the
words in our practice sessions. Then we finished with
"Start the day with love," with Dana in her huge voice
singing one solo part, then some of us singing in
harmony, and then all of us joining in the melody.
And that was it!
I have a couple of cassette tapes of our practice
sessions. I can send them back to the centers with
devotees that come if people want them.
After we finished our eleven minute program, I
stayed in my heart, with my Higher Self very much
merged with me still. Swami looked right at me and
nodded.
Two speakers followed our songs. They were
introduced by an invisible person who was on a speaker
system. The podium where they were to speak was empty
while the speaker went to Sai Baba first and kissed
His feet! They obviously have not had the benefit of
Toastmaster training! We never leave a podium empty!
Then Swami spoke for about an hour. He often
looked from left to right. As He looked in my
direction, He seemed to look right at me. I was in
Heaven!
He always begins and ends his speeches by singing
to His devotees. We sang to God, and then God sang to
us! What a precious time!
He spoke about mothers and the importance of
remembering mothers' love.
He said it was sweeter to sing than to talk. He sang
again to us. He said that earnestness and faith equal
the atmic (soul) principle. And that we need both.
I went to Sai Towers and had dinner with Suzanne.
I was so tired after my big day. I went home and went
to bed early. I turned off my alarm, with the
intention of taking the next day very easy.
Nov. 20th
I was tired after the choir experience, and slept
until 8am. I did my blue triangle meditation to clear
some things, and went late to lunch at the Northern
Canteen, after finding out that the pasta in the
Western canteen was made with milk.
I was not planning on going in to darshan, but as I
passed by the mandir, a Seva Dal signalled me to go
in. I took off my rubber thongs, putting them by a
tree, near the hundreds of other ones, and went
inside.
Swami came in early, at about 2:30pm, and was in
front of us quite a long time. He gave what looked
like white dhotis to men, and lime green saris to a
few of the women. I sat by a nice women from Fort
Collins, Colorado, who lent me a cushion to sit on.
Mom, the weather is cooler and comfortable now. If
you or anyone wants to come, now through January is a
good time, cooler. Bring Teira if you can. Teira
needs a new passport. Let me know, I can get fax
numbers to get you hotel reservations, unless you want
to stay in the ashram. You need a passport and a visa
from the Indian Consulate. You can get an application
from the internet.
Come for Christmas, any of you who can. Sai Baba
is going to let the whole world know that God is
incarnate someday soon. Then He will be an orange dot
on the horizon. So if you want to get anywhere near
Him, come now. It has been 2,000 years since God
incarnated as Jesus. It does not happen that often.
It is too special to miss. Pray about this, I
suggest.
Vicki J. is going to take over the group
emailing. Thanks to Harry for his hard work, and now
thanks to Vickie for continuing this wonderful
service!
I have my alarm set for 4am tomorrow morning. I am
told that the web access will be quick at that time.
It is nearly impossible in the afternoon or evening
from here, between the electricity going out, and
getting kicked off the web, and not getting back on
because the phone lines are busy. The electricity
went out twice this afternoon as I typed this!
I am hoping to get all the email addresses to
Vickie, and this letter and the two previous letters
to her to send to all of you tomorrow morning.
We have heard rumours that Baba is going to
Whitefield, Brindavin, after His birthday. I want to
get this email sent before I go, as I may have lost a
letter to you all when we left here for Whitefield
last time.
George and I are more prepared this time. He made
neighboring room reservations for us in Bangalore
today, and is going to reserve a taxi.
We are going to be all packed by Baba's birthday.
I am signing off for now. Love to all from Jeannie
From: Vickie Jewell
To: Sai Friends
Subject: FW: november 23 detailes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A long letter from Puttiparthi you might enjoy. This
is Jeannie's first trip to see Swami and she has been there for several
months now. (PS the George she speaks of is not George L. from San Diego,
but from San Francisco)
*********************************************************
May All the Beings in All the Worlds be Happy!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannie Alvin [mailto:jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, December 06, 1999 5:06 PM
To: Vickie Jewell
Subject: november 23 details
Nov. 23rd.
On Sai Baba's birthday, people were lining up inside
the ashram at 1:30 in the morning! This was too much
for me! I stayed home and slept late, as I had been
tired since Ladies Day. The extra time needed for
daily rehearsals was just a bit too much for my energy
quotient.
I went into the hall for darshan at about 1:30 pm.
The token lines were already inside, and I was able to
just walk in and sit near the back gate. There has
been recent construction and extension of the hall, so
it now extends to very near the gate with the wooden
door where Baba exits in His car when He goes out of
the ashram.
There are extra decorations for His birthday.
There are umbrellas above the wrought iron grating at
different places above the low side and center walls.
Big red Japanese style lanterns are hanging from the
ceiling, along with the colored chandalier-like
decorations, and the normal exquisite crystal
chandaliers. The big columns are criss-crossed with
gold decorations and an orange decorative band.
I had gotten clear inner guidance to daily take
vibuti, sacred ash that Swami manifests from the
ethers. I forgot today, but a woman next to me
offered me some of hers from the little plastic packet
that Swami gives out in interviews. This is just like
what I have at home, from when the Sandweisses gave
me some that they got in their interview. Baba saw to
it that I took my vibuti!
There are TV sets with remote live viewing of Swami
behind each of the columns, and I could see Him and
the TV. He came in at about 3pm. There was a
classical Indian music program. First a woman sang,
then some ancient-style instruments were played.
Then there were three dance numbers, all male
dancers. I especially enjoyed these. The music for
the dancing was a blend of Indian and Western music.
The first dancers wore ballooning white trousers, and
were bare-chested except for a red band that crossed
over one shoulder. The dancing looked a bit Arabic to
my neighbor, an Indian woman who found that very
amusing! The next dancers were fully covered in
yellow and black costumes that looked something like
palace guard uniforms to me. I don't remember what
the third set of dancers wore. I just remember
enjoying all of the dancing very much.
5:45pm They announced that the program would conclude
with devotional singing. I wanted to get out before
the masses started leaving, because I don't like to be
squeezed. So I got up at this point and went outside.
There are such large crowds here that not everyone
can get inside the hall. The overflow crowds stand
outside and listen via speakers. I was hoping the
events would be held in the stadium, which is larger.
But it was not to be.
I went just outside the hall to the South Indian
canteen. It was nearly time for it to open, at 6 pm.
There was no line, only me and a few young girls who
spoke Telugu, the local language. We had a little fun
trying to communicate. At about three minutes until
6, the girls decided to go in. I had a feeling that
they would be sent out. Sure enough, in about a
minute, out they came.
They signalled me to follow them. At first I
hesitated, then I followed them. It seemed like we
were to go somewhere else to eat. We passed the
entire canteen, and walked toward the interior of the
ashram.
We went to the now roof-covered grassy area by
where the coconuts are sold. There the canteen had
been set up. It was divided down the middle the long
way; women on the coconut side, men on the other.
I lined up behind the girls. The seva dals
(volunteers) kept moving me from one place to another.
There were about 10 or so lines. The food and
plastic plates were placed on the stone benches that
line the little park.
Finally the Seva Dals, for some reason known only
to them, put me at the front of a line. We sang three
OMs, and then sang the food prayer. I have the food
prayer which is printed on the back of a Sai Baba
picture in my fanny pack. I can quickly take it out
and follow the prayer.
With the thousands there for Sai Baba's birthday, I
was first in line to eat! I take it as
acknowledgement of the inner work that I have been
doing day and night. I confirmed this by the touches
I feel on my hands, my way of communicating with the
world of spirit.
I have been sitting long hours doing spiritual
practices to overcome some "stuff" that has come to my
awareness. Two days ago, on the 21st, I spent from
noon until 6:30pm doing this inner work.
I ate a chapati, much like a wheat tortilla, filled
with a spicy combo mix with some potatoes and who
knows what else in it. Very, very tasty. And some
lemon-rice, yellow rice with little nuts and spices in
it. Very good. I was very much in appreciation.
I left the canteen and felt like a fish swimming
upstream, as a river of people walked by me in the
opposite direction. The birthday program had ended,
and the lane was crowded, almost totally full with
people headed toward the canteens. I was glad I
already ate!
I made my way out, and near the Ganesh gate, my
heart was touched by people's devotion. Lining the
top of the low stucco fence surrounding the Ganesh
statue were many little candles, all burning. I had
never seen this done before, and the sweetness and
beauty and devotion moved me.
I went to the Spiritual Museum that is just beyond
the ashram. There were some quotes from Sai Baba's
birthday discourses from years past. Here are a
couple of quotes that I especially liked. I copied
them down to share in this letter about His birthday.
He has been giving darshan for 60 years now!
"You do not gather because this birthday is
celebrated, the birthday is celebrated because you
gather." BABA Nov. 23, 1979
"I must ask you to give me as a birthday offering
only one thing. Reduce your selfishness, abate your
wrong desires, foster your spirit of sacrifice. Grow
into noble human beings." BABA Nov. 23, 1981
"Know that whatever you feel or do is an offering
to God, flows towards God. So, be cautious, do not
offer bad thoughts, words, and deeds which He does not
accept. Offer instead the holy and the pure. That is
your duty. That will insure self-satisfaction.
Self-satisfaction paves the way to self sacrifice."
BABA Nov. 23, 1985
"Who invited you here? You have all come here out
of love for Swami. Out of this love alone, so many
thousands have assembled here. Here is Bhagavan (one
of the names we call Swami) ready to be taken away by
you. Carry Him away with you as you like. Those who
love Bhagavan wholeheartedly, to them He belongs
wholly. All that Bhagavan asks of you is your
wholehearted unconditional love. Recognise this truth
and lead your life filled with love. Take this as
Swami's gift to you. Do not hate anybody. Hating
anybody is no different from hating God Himself.
Surrender your whole being and belongings to God.
Experience unalloyed Divine bliss." Baba Nov. 23,
1999
George and I are packing, because rumours have
been flying that Swami would be going to Bangalore,
to the Brindavin ashram in the suburb of Whitefield,
after His birthday.
No one but Swami knows when He will take off;
people would line the streets and perhaps impede His
departure. So he has to sneak out! He gets us all in
for darshan or bhajans, does a 3 minute version, and
hops right into his car that has been hidden from our
view. The car is driven up while we all have our eyes
on Him. Then He takes off while most of the crowd is
seated in the hall!
I packed my clothes days ago; and George has booked
us adjoining rooms where he stayed last time. In case
anyone wants to find me there, here is how to go.
At the Brindavin ashram gate, turn left. Turn
right at the first road; the road that goes to Sai
Towers bookstore. Go past the road that leads to Sai
Towers, and on your left, at the next alleyway, turn
left. Pass a grassy vacant lot on your left, and the
wall of the Hotel Sai Amrut, a white building trimmed
with red, on your right. I will be in the first
building on the left, just past the vacant lot. There
is a walled garden, and George and I will be in the
lower 2 rooms.
It is such a blessing for a single person like me,
used to doing every chore herself, to have a friend
like George. He handles a lot for me, and for the
other fortunate friends in his circle. He has already
booked a cab. We are paying it, but inviting a friend
of George's to ride free, as he is short of money.
Nov. 27
This morning I told George that I probably will
share my room with a friend from Tijuana, whose money
has not arrived from Mexico. It is a sacrifice for me
because I like some private time; but I could tell
that my friend was worried about money. Then I found
out that George is doing the same; he is sharing his
room with his friend for the same reason.
After our time in Bangalore, which we all love
because of the sweet, more intimate contact with
Swami, George and I may take off on a little trip. We
are going to explore Pondicherry, a city south of
Madras.
It was a former French colony, and French is spoken
there. I want to investigate the cost of the French
classes, and just explore.
Also, it is the site of an ashram of Sri Aurobindo
and the Mother. They have passed away, but their
ashram remains. They divinitized their bodies, which
sounds very interesting to me.
I read of bit of Sri Aurobindo's writings just
before I left on this trip. I really resonated with
what I read. So I am sure we will visit the ashram.
If you want to read about people divinitizing their
bodies, Aurobindo's books, of course, would be good.
Also, there is a book at the Philosophical Library in
Escondido called "Babaji and the 18 Siddhas." This is
about 18 people through the ages that divinitized
their bodies.
One of the 18 people lived fairly recently, when
cameras were available. A photographer took a picture
of him with other people. Only the clothes showed up
in the picture, hanging in the air! His body was too
sublime to be captured by film!
I found it very humbling to read of the incredible
spiritual practices that these people did. It makes
what I do seem so minor in comparison!
The streets around the ashram can be a challenge.
I have gone through many phases on how to deal with
the noise, clamor, and the constant call of vendors
trying to get my attention.
At first, I was polite, and said, "No thank you."
But it took too much energy to say this over and over,
at least four times to each vendor, and on and on and
on.
So then I just kept my eyes down and ignored them.
I decided that was bad for my karma, because I was
not acknowledging the God in everyone.
So next, I decided to avoid eye contact, but
silently say "namaste" to each of them. Namaste means
"I give love to the divinity within you," and it is
often signalled by folded hands in prayer position in
front of the heart.
But the other evening, I was tired, and had just
had my fill of the constant "Hello, madame. Just
look. Looking is free!"
This one man, who I was not looking at, called my
attention to himself and said, "Can I help you?" I
said, "Yes." And I mimed closing his mouth. "Yes," I
said, "you can be silent."
Then, a while later, prayer beads were thrust in my
face for the millionth time by a street vendor. I was
frustrated. I rolled my eyes, and said "Puh'leese!
Go away!" And I turned away from the young man
towards the store nearest me, hoping he would leave
without pestering me more.
As I walked on, he jumped from one side of me to
the other, saying, "Japamala, madame," (prayer beads,
madame) over and over, with a teasing but sweet smile
on his face. His face was so sweet, I had to laugh.
What sweet hearts these people are! My frustration
melted away with his charm!
I have found a restaurant that will make a dozen
hot chapati's with a bit of hot food in them for the
poor, for my 45 rupees. For a couple of days I have
been able to give hot food and an orange to the poor.
Their faces light up when they see me. They are very
sweet, some of them.
Others are pushy, and lie, and try to get more than
their share. They get their portion, hide it away,
and claim that they have none. I don't blame them,
what I give them is not even a complete meal. Hunger
can drive away good behavior.
I hope more people join me soon, so the little bit
I can purchase can expand. I need to pray more for
this.
Swami gave me a lesson regarding the Seva Dals. The
former Seva Dals let the women sit on the veranda
across from Swami's residence during bhajans. There
are some steps and shade there. Most of the women sit
by the water machine. Then we catch a glimpse of
Swami as He goes into His residence after bhajans.
A grouchy Seva Dal made us get up from the shaded
area, and off the steps. I was very annoyed.
(This annoyance is due to me eating non-ashram
food, or forgetting to dedicate food to God. If some
angry person fixed or served the food, and I don't
dedicate it, I will absorb some of that angry
vibration. I can actually feel this in the food by
putting my hands around it.)
I sat down there anyway, and joked with an Indian
woman about my annoyance with the Seva Dal. I prayed
to Sai Baba about it, and asked Him to help me
understand this, and please to give us a lady Seva Dal
there, and let us sit on this porch.
The next day I got my answer. This man was still
there. No ladies were on the porch. I stood in front
of the porch for a little while. Soon my feet were
prickled painfully by little bugs called "No-see-ums."
I had to move.
I got the message. And usually I wish to
co-operate with the Seva Dals. I got a stern reminder
to co-operate, and see all beings as God!
And yesterday I got another message about His
displeasure. I believe everything that happens is
symbolic and reflects our inner being. I got into
token line #2, and was in the second row of the very
aisle that Swami walked down for darshan, close to the
center aisle. As He came near the section where I
sat, He turned His back on us, and faced the women on
the opposite side of the aisle until He was way past
us. To me, that means that I am close to God, as I
think of Him all the time, but He was not happy with
that incident, and a few other wrong thoughts.
Nov. 28th
Last night, in the South Indian canteen, I met a
woman named Shirley from New Zealand. She ate pretty
well with her fingers. And I enjoyed my dinner with
my little plastic spoon that I keep in a baggie in my
fannie pack.
Shirley was on a world tour, and had just arrived
for one day with Sai Baba. Her intention was to see
Him briefly. As she arrived in India, strangers
started giving her small pictures of Shirdi Sai Baba,
our Sai Baba's previous incarnation, and one of our
Sai Baba.
She said she only wanted to see Him and had no
wishes other than to see Him for herself and form her
own opinion. She said she was very happy with what
she saw; that He seemed so humble, and almost shy, as
He walked among the huge crowd.
Shirley spoke of her 10 day visit to a meditation
center. She said that she was in silence and
meditated for the 10 days. We parted and I went home.
I took this as Divine guidance for me to go into
silence.
I spoke to George about going into silence, hoping
I won't be boring company for him in the four hour
taxi ride to the Brindavin ashram. He said he won't
mind, because his friend will also be in the cab.
So at 8:50pm last night, I dedicated 10 days of
silence to Sai Baba. I brought along some blank white
name tags, and put "I AM in Sai-lence" on one. I
stuck it in the middle of my plastic fan, which is my
constant companion! So I am finally doing what I knew
was coming; I just did not know quite how to begin.
So I began.
Oh, Harry, people are showing up at my door asking
to do the "I AM Devotional Service!" (Book 7 on my
website, www.inetworld.net/lovesource). Harry gives
this service in Escondido, Calif, at the Philosophical
Library. I am so glad, because it is seva, service,
and a big help to me in overcoming myself. I did it
silently while someone else did it out loud today.
And I re-charge it silently all day long, so the
benefits multiply. Re-charging decrees is something
you can learn from the "I AM Discourses," published by
the Saint Germain Foundation, or see book 5 on my
website.
Nov. 29th
Swami has been entering for afternoon darshan
earlier than 2:45 pm lately. He comes in between
about 2:10 and 2:20pm frequently since the birthday
celebrations.
George gave me his collection of the comic book
style booklets that tell stories of great sages and
saints, and stories with morals. They are meant for
children, but I enjoy reading them. They are a good
way of getting a thumbnail sketch of India's cultural
heritage.
As soon as someone comes from there with space in
their suitcase to carry them back, I will send them
back to the Encinitas Sathya Sai Baba Center for our
library. I also will send "Stories for Children,"
parts 1 and 2 for the library. Adults as well as kids
will enjoy them all.
These stories are based on the five human values
that Swami teaches. These human values are common to
all the major religions. They are truth, right
action, love, peace, and non-violence. They teach
good thinking through various examples.
I heard a horror story while waiting in today's
token line for darshan. It was about the USA high
school students. It sounds like they could have used
these stories, and more, when they were younger.
In September of the year 2000, two representatives
from each UNESCO country will come to Prashanti
Nilayam, the Abode of Highest Peace. They will get
training in Sathya Sai Baba's course on education in
these human values. The youth of the world will help
create the 1,000 years of peace that is coming.
Lisa and Tim, and Mary Lien, Terre and Elizabeth,
and Ruth P., I will be glad to try to send copies of
the "Stories for Children" for your children as well,
if you would like for them to read these. These also
may be available in a nearby Sathya Sai Baba Center.
You can find them in the white pages of the phone book
in many cities.
Caroline, thanks for your emails.
Barb, I am going to print out that prayer request
and put it in a letter and offer it to Swami. He
decides what letters he will take. I will do this in
Brindavin, where I think we are headed soon, if Swami
goes there.
Every night or morning, I pack my fanny pack for
the day with my plastic spoons in one baggie, and
about 4 strips of toilet paper in another. There is
no toilet paper in bathrooms in India. Instead, they
have a little faucet near the floor, by the toilet.
Very handy for washing feet, but that is it, for
Americans!
Harry, and others that come over. You can forget
that long list of things to pack for India. They have
everything here...decent shampoo, toilet paper,
q-tips. And I had no trouble getting my film
processed with a little disposable camera. Just bring
medications, vitamins, and your ATM card with a Visa,
not Mastercard emblem. You can get money right from
Canara Bank from your account in the states, $290 at a
time. If you are going to stay a while, I suggest
bringing a rubber bath mat.
The only thing I suggest, Harry, is to buy some
white cotton slacks in the U.S. A big man, Ted, was
here. Fortunately he had one pair from the U.S. He
bought the white cotton sets here, and each time he
would sit down, the pants ripped. He had to wear the
same pair from the U.S. over and over. Another option
is to get the tailors here, for a nominal charge, to
make some for you.
As soon as I managed to stop talking and get into
silence, I noticed how much talk is going on in my
mind. I believe my friend Suzanne H. from the Atlanta
Sai Center was divinely guided to give me the tip I
needed to quiet it. (Hi, Scott Cham. I am the
Jeannie that Suzanne and George know! Sai Baba's
leela (sport)!
She said that when she got divorced, her mind just
chewed and chewed on it. She was very unhappy. She
went to a Church of Religious Science. The minister
suggested that instead of thinking of the problem, to
think of God instead.
So she began to do this. She said that it took two
days, but she overcame the misery that way. And she
has used that way ever since.
I am going to try this every time my mind starts
chattering. I know this will help.
Nov. 29
It is not hard to be in silence in this town.
Everyone here is familiar with it. "Oh, you're not
talking? Okay!" they say. And to get home in the
rickshaw, I just tapped the driver on the right
shoulder to tell him to turn right, and the left
shoulder to turn left.
I had dinner last night with Suzanne H. Usually
she is quieter than me. But with me in silence, she
was the talkative one! We spoke, actually, she spoke
and I nodded and wrote notes, of the Gayatri mantra,
which Sai Baba says is the most powerful mantra in the
world. Suzanne and I can both agree with that from
our personal experiences saying it.
It is a Sanscrit mantra. That is an ancient
language that Swami seems to be reviving. He teaches
the correct pronunciation. There are tapes and CDs
available with Swami chanting the Gayatri over and
over.
Suzanne and I went in our hearts, spoke our
intention that the mantra would purify us within, and
purify the atmosphere and food in the restaurant.
Some smokers had been there. Soon they were gone, and
the air was pure, and the atmosphere and food was
pure.
Last night George and I sat in silence and had
vibuti, amrit, and looked at the photos I developed.
We laughed so hard at one. I had taken it in a
rickshaw when I was with George, of the driver and the
view in front. It just appears to be the back of the
driver's head. But there is a circular rear-view
mirror to the driver's left. And in the mirror you
can see a tiny George with his cap, and me with the
camera to my eye!
This was my second evening in silence, and I wrote
to George, and he did not realize he could speak, even
if I didn't. So he wrote back to me! He was in
silence, too! I am not going to tell him he can
talk!!! I think this is so funny!
Yesterday after darshan and interviews, Swami came
to the front of the mandir. It is beautiful to have
Him there in silence, with no music. A balding older
man came up behind Swami and kept talking and talking
to Him. Swami would answer him and turn away, to look
at all of us. The man just stayed there, and kept
talking to Swami. It was a good example of Swami's
patience. The man stayed there most of the 15 minutes
that Swami stood there.
I have read books about Sai Baba for years. I
loved reading them because they were inspiring and
kept my consciousness high. But I did not experience
Him personally as God until last March. Last March
I saw a video tape where He walked up and down, giving
darshan. He was only on the tape for a few seconds.
My heart reacted very strongly, I felt something in my
heart stronger that anything I had ever felt. And I
started crying.
So I searched for the location of the Encinitas
center on the internet. I had an urge to sing
devotional songs, and I knew that was done at the Sai
centers. The email failed. But the very next day, as
I volunteered at the Philosophical Library in
Escondido, someone came in and gave me a phone number
of a devotee.
I soon called Stephanie O'R., who gave me
directions and time for the meeting in Encinitas. We
had a great time talking on the phone, as well. I
went to the Encinitas Sathy Sai Baba Center the next
Monday, and immediately felt at home. I absolutely
loved the people there. The long time devotees seem
very free of ego.
Also, I love the monthly center meetings. My
interest, long term, has been in human relationships
and group and interpersonal relating. I have never
seen such good honoring of one another as I have seen
in these monthly meetings. They are following Sai
Baba's teachings in how to run the meetings and how to
relate to each other. It is really the best I have
ever seen, and it tops how the psychologists I knew
related to each other!
When I first told my Mom about Sai Baba, she was
not impressed. And when I told her I was going to
India, she was not pleased! She said to our friend
Nancy, "Guess where she is going NOW!"
I devoted two days a week to taking Mom shopping,
etc., when I had time and energy. I took her to
Devotional Singing in Orange County. I told her I
wanted to eat in a Hari Krishna temple. To prepare
her a bit, I gave her an excerpt regarding "Hari
Krishna" from the internet. It said that saying this
was of the highest and most sublime.
She said, "Who do they think they are, saying
that!"
I explained that "Hari Krishna" was the name of God
in the Indian language. And that I had myself
experienced that when I said the name of God in any
language, that an exquisite, high, subtle vibration,
that of God's vibration, would come.
So she came along with me. We both very much
enjoyed our evening. We ate dinner in the Hari
Krishna temple. We explored it with great interest.
Mom picked up a book on re-incarnation. Then we went
to the Devotional Singing. Mom loved it.
Then one day Mom asked to go along with me to the
Monday night Sai Baba meeting! I took her and she
liked it. There is no clergy, money is never
mentioned, something I find refreshing. In the past
year or so, I have distanced myself from spirituality
where there is a charge.
Mom asked about worshipping images. In her Jewish
background, this was not allowed. I explained that
when we look at an image of God, or one who realized
oneness with God, as did Jesus or Buddha, we contact
the vibration of God. And it is fine. An exquisite
experience, if one can feel or see spiritual
vibrations.
Mom read a book about Sai Baba's mother. She
empathized with the mother. It was not easy being the
mother of a divine child. The family was very poor.
Little Sathya would frequently bring home beggars to
eat. Finally he was told not to do that, or he would
not have his dinner. So he brought another home, then
refused to eat his dinner.
Sathya means truth in the Indian language. He
often wears a blood red robe. His hair is like a
crown. If you are interested in prophecy you might
look in Revelations and read St. John's predictions.
Many people, including myself, believe Sathya (Truth)
Sai Baba is the prophesied return of God to earth.
It was so wonderful sharing my devotional time with
Mom. She came frequently to Monday night bhajans at
the Sai Center, and to the yearly picnic. I loved
those times.
Mom, bring Teira and come here for Christmas. Can
you imagine a more holy Christmas, singing in person
to the Lord?
Janna, Nancy, come for Christmas. Why not? Just
email me and I will get you a hotel room, if you don't
want to stay in the ashram. Although you may be able
to do that if it is not full. But it is pretty
austere.
This afternoon I got in a token line with a low
number! I was only about 4 rows back from Swami. And
this time He took letters from my side of the aisle,
and spoke to people in Telugu, I guess, because I
didn't understand it. My heart was very happy for the
close contact, and that this time He did not turn His
back on me!
Dec. 2
Yesterday and today I tried and tried to see photos
on myfamily.com. Between phone lines being bad and
cutting off, electricity frequently going off, and a
bad internet server, I got kicked off each time before
seeing anything. There is only one internet server
for these folks, and all get kicked off the web
frequently and have to sign in again.
I will have to wait until we are in Bangalore, or
some city with better email access to see whatever is
on Myfamily.com. I would love to see those photos,
Kris, Lon, and Krista! I was able to read Phyllis's
letter, and Tom W's letter. Larry, did I tell you I
loved your email titled "Have oxcart, will travel!"
I was only able today to find out that I still have
the address wrong for Madame Kiki in San Francisco!
Yesterday I was able to get on long enough to print
Barb's prayer request out. I have it with two other
letters that I will try to give to Swami. I took them
yesterday, but was too far back for Him to get them.
Yesterday I was right by the low wall at the very
right side of the hall, just behind where Swami walks
in. I was probably 15 rows of people back from the
aisle.
Over the wall behind me is a bush. When Swami was
inside the hall, the bush trembled and leaned towards
Him. Swami was in the hall for quite a while for
Darshan. The right front segment of the hall was full
of Seva Dals. They formed aisles, and He walked up
and down between them, and blessed them for their
volunteer work. Then He took some people in for
interviews.
At 3:20 Swami came back out for about 15 minutes.
During Darshan music is played, but at this time it
was silent. A hush came over the crowd as soon as He
came out. It is so lovely seeing Him in this quiet
time.
Two young male students approached Him. He spoke
with them for a while. Then a number of the young
male students approached Him on bended knees, and
touched His feet.
The entire left side of the huge hall is filled
with males, dressed mostly in white. The right side
is the women's side, with multicolored saris and
Punjabis. Women must
have shawls covering their
shoulders and ‘fronts!’ as well.
The rest of this letter was lost, perhaps the electricity
went out or the line to the server was cut just at this point.
__________________________________________________
Hi folks
Below is the lastes news from Jeannie Alvin in India. Electricity,
phone service, and internet connections being what they are in India,
Jeannie often has a hard time staying online long enough to forward her
letters to all and read her incoming mail.
So... she has asked me to assist her. From this point forward, until
she returns, I will be forwarding her letters to you - that way she only
has to click MY NAME on her address list and know that you will all get
her letters.
I know she'd love to hear from you! Please start a new letter to her
rather then forward this one to her, (meaning - try to remember NOT to
forward her letter back to her when you write) as it takes a REALLY long
time to download a long letter in India.
Anyway... enough of my chatter, read on and enjoy Jeannie's adventures
in India. Drop her a little note if you get a chance.
Love, vickie
*********************************************************
May All the Beings in All the Worlds be Happy!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannie Alvin [mailto:jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, December 13, 1999 5:38 PM
To: Vickie Jewell
Subject: new group email
Dec. 6th
I have had three or four distressing days while
sitting in darshan. I was angry at Swami for a number
of reasons. I was carrying the print-out of Barb's
prayer request for Bill Adkins, and two letters of my
own asking for different healings. I kept getting
tokens that had me at least ten rows back. I was in
that same place by the plants on the right hand side
by the wall, day after day.
A friend from the Ladies Day choir was sitting on
the aisle where Swami walks by. I gave her the 3
letters one day. But He did not take them.
I started feeling hurt, and began crying while
waiting for Him to come in. I went home and cried
more. Then I wanted to avoid seeing Swami altogether.
I had a hard time getting myself to go a couple of
times. I entertained the idea of going home, of going
to the ocean, of going away anywhere.
But I know that the quickest way to solve these
things, at this point in my life, is to transmute the
negative feelings and negative thoughts. So I did
that, time and again, thousands of transmutings of all
these. I also did the "I AM Devotional Service"
several times with Gabriele, my neighbor, and released
and rescinded the same thoughts and feelings. (It is
book 7 on my website, www.inetworld.net/lovesource, in
case anyone wants to use it. It can be a big help!)
Today those negatives were gone from my
consciousness. I ate lunch in the Southern Indian
canteen. Then I sat happily in the line outside the
canteen for about an hour. I was pretty near the
front of the line. When we went inside to the waiting
area where we eventually get tokens, I was near the
front of the fourth row.
The Seva Dals came with the bags of token numbers.
Our line got token #1! We were all so happy! The
young Indian girl behind me said, "Get ready to run
fast!"
We have to go through a checkpoint before entering
the hall. There is as much security here as in an
airport! One Seva Dal waves an electronic device in
front and in back of us, another checks our belongings
on one side, and a third checks our purses, which are
supposed to be open.
I got thought the checkpoint and ran! I crossed
the aisle where Swami walks, and went to the left.
Down went my straw mat, right in the very front row!
I have given up carrying the bigger meditation seat
out of laziness; I got tired of carrying so much every
day. So I just sit on a little straw mat. It has not
been a problem.
I left my personal letters for Swami at home,
hoping that he would take the letter from Barb's
prayer request. Soon it was time for Swami to come
in. I tried to keep my mind pure by thinking that God
is walking towards me, and that God is in every
particle of creation.
But while Swami was still lingering in the first
section, I had a wrong thought. So I am sure that
contributed to the reason why He turned His back when
He came near, and went across the aisle to talk to
people there. So Barb, He did not take the letter
yet.
But I am now happy again with Swami. And with the
touches from my Higher Self on my hands, I asked
whether I was in token line #1 because of my vibration
(in other words, something I myself created), or
ecause of Swami's will. It was Swami's will.
He heard my cries and responded! Thank heavens!
Literally!
I have tried the Italian restaurants here. There
is one on Samadhi Road, and a new one, called Sai
Haven, on State Bank of India Road, near my apartment.
The minestrone soup at Sai Haven is delicious. I
think the salads are just as good or better in the
Western Canteen.
But I must be a simple, blue collar person at
heart. I prefer the atmosphere in the canteens to
that of "fancy" restaurants.
It is not hard now to be in silence. I forgot to
think of God all the time, as Suzanne had suggested.
But I have noticed one difference. The constant
conversation in my mind has really slowed down.
This is quite a spiritual benefit. Then we are
supposed to be able to hear God. I have not heard
God, but I have felt Him for years, and that has not
changed.
But I am sure that this slowing down of the mostly
useless thoughts is good somehow, in ways I do not
know, for my spiritual progress.
I saw Graciela from the Tijuana Sai Center last
evening. She looked beautiful in a white sari with
gold trim. She said she was trying to go into
silence, but had not yet done it.
I wrote to her in Spanish (I am being silent in 3
languages!) that I said that and said that, that I was
trying to go into silence, and still was not in
silence. But then I dedicated it to Swami, and that
did it. I really started.
She said that she was taking that as a message from
Swami through me. And she was going to do that.
I have such love for both Graciela and Angeles,
both from the Tijuana Sai Center. We have only
occasional, brief moments of contact. But I feel such
love for both of them as if I have known them much
longer. They just seem so precious to me.
Dec. 7
Today is the 10th day of my silence! Tonight at
8:50pm, the 10 days are over!
Oh, dear. I just asked my Higher Self if I should
stay in silence, or begin talking. I am getting that
I should stay in silence. There are some things my
Higher Self wants me to clean up. More transmuting.
God's will.
I went early today to bhajans in the morning. I
sat near where Swami first walks out, only about 5
rows back. I had some urgent runs to the ladies room
before lining up for afternoon Darshan, so I went home
to rest and take some Pepto Bismo tablets instead of
going in to see Swami.
I had a wonderful inner Darshan with Swami as I
rested. I feel very happy inside, although my stomach
is still queasy.
I am going to buy some flowers for George's altar.
He is having bhajans tonight in his apartment . He is
so happy and excited. He put a big picture of Swami
on his bed, and my wooden Ganesh statue, his metal
ganesh statue, and my Shiva dancing statue in front of
it.
Dec. 10th
The bhajans were beautiful at George's apartment.
There were nine men on the right, nearest the door,
and nine women on the left. We all sat on the floor,
and thought nothing of it. It is the norm here.
There was something special about the intimacy and
the close contact that made the atmosphere very holy
and very lovely. We sang for about an hour and a
half, and when we were all done, we did the Gayatri in
the dark with just a candle burning. The Gayatri is a
Sanscrit mantra that Sai Baba says is the most
powerful mantra in the world.
I wasted a day of silence. I spent most of day 11
of silence in the company of a new friend, Pat from
the United Kingdom, England. I was in silence, but
wrote notes to her all day long. As much as I enjoyed
the camaraderie, I was defeating the purpose. I could
tell, because my Higher Self added one more day to the
count of days left in silence.
It is funny how we meet people here. Out of the
thousands of people here, Pat came up to me on Dec.
7th, in desperate need of directions to the nearest
ladies room. Since I was in silence, I got up and led
her to it. Then, there she was that very night,
sitting next to me at the bhajans at Georges'!
So yesterday, day 12 of silence, I spent the day
mostly alone. And I did thousands of transmuting, and
sent many healing prayers to all mankind, and many
"blue triangle'' processes, another spiritual
practice that clears a person, using sacred geometry.
By the time several hours passed of this day, I
noticed that my thoughts had slowed down again.
When I lived alone, before my trip to France a year
ago September, I frequently spent many hours several
days a week doing such spiritual practices. But since
then, my life has been so busy that I seldom have had
the time to do them.
So this time in silence is giving me the
opportunity to do more of this inner work. You would
think that people have more time here to do these
things. But for some reason, we are so busy here,
moving from one place in line to another, that quiet
time for meditation and prayers can be put off.
Here is one thing Sai Baba says that refers to
silence. I came across it this morning in my reading:
"Pilgrimage should be as silent as eyelids dropping
on the eye. Why should people wag their tongues,
shout and wrangle when they are God ward bound?
People may say that pilgrimages are a waste of time
and money, but let me tell you, that is the best way
of spending time and money, provided one has real
devotion."
I'd love to read my email and see if any of you
wrote to me. But the lines are bad today. I was
connected only long enough for Yahoo to show up on the
screen, then off.
So I'll are some more Baba quotes, as long as I am
sitting here:
'The cow transforms grass and gravel into sweet
strength-giving milk and gives it away in plenty to
its master. Develop that quality and power to
transform the food you consume into sweet thoughts,
words and deeds of sympathy for all." BABA
"There are three desires which every 'I' cannot escape
from. 'I must live' is the first. The will to live
Is over-powering and paramount. This is the urge for
immortality. The desire to know is the second. This
too is unquenchable thirst and is an indication of the
position of which the "I" is the inheritor. The
desire for joy is the third, prompting man behind the
senses into the outer world for pleasures. This
evidence shows that, deep in the core of "I," there is
a spring of "Ananda" (bliss) which seeks its mate
and its fulfillment." BABA
Dec. 13th
I have been sick in bed for two days. Five of the
women sitting in that back corner at George's for
bhajans that night must have passed something like the
flu around to each other. First, Margaret from
England got ill for a day and a half. Then Annette
and Gabriele. Then me and Pat.
I only drank 7-Ups and Lime Soda and drank some
fresh coconut water all day yesterday. I craved the
sodas, but wanted no food. Today I still had no
appetite, but was feeling better. I slept all
morning, then went to answer the knock on my door.
It was Pat, who completed her first morning of
volunteering with the orphans. She came to see how I
was doing. She asked if I wanted any food.
I told her I still had no appetite. Just then a
lady walked by with the plastic baskets in which
people put take-out food at the North Indian canteen.
She had brought the food for someone who was not home,
and did I want it!
So Sai Baba wanted me to start eating again, and
brought food to my door! It was spinach, which I
love, and rice, and soy-meat balls (not really meat,
Sai Baba is against us eating any flesh.)
I was in silence for 13 days, total. It was all I
could do. Then, the night before I got sick for two
days, I went to the ashram bookstore with Pat, and
then on to the North Indian canteen for dinner.
Once, over 20 years ago, I felt very poor. I had
limited income, and every bit extra went for therapy
to try to better my life and my child's life. I
always loved to read, and I wished that I would
someday be wealthy enough to buy as many books and
magazines as I wanted.
So I got that wish. When Pat and I went into the
bookstore, I was like a child in a candy store. I
came out with five books! I was so happy! And I did
not realize it, but I was all prepared to spend time
alone in bed for the next two days, with my books.
I also realized that I forgot to do my Seva, my
service to the poor, that day. I felt terrible! I
had had a list of five errands, and had done them all.
Then I totally forgot to buy and distribute food to
the poor.
But the next day I was very ill. And I realized
that I had probably been contagious the day before. I
would have passed illness out along with the food! So
beloved God protected those frail people from an
unneeded illness by having me forget!
And also, I was mostly silent during these last two
days. I came to another valuable insight with this
additional silence.
And I am in great appreciation of my community of
friends. Margaret brought me rice yesterday, which I
did not eat. But it was there if I needed it. Steve
brought me a 7-Up. Pat brought me a lime soda, my
favorite. Later Barbara brought me two giant bottles
of 7 Up. Then Pat brought me a coconut.
I was hoping to get on the internet and see if any
of you wrote to me. But it was impossible to connect.
Tom W., I think of your sweet letter!
We tried to get space in the ashram for Christmas,
but there is no space. I am okay with that. My
energy level is very low right now. Going in the
afternoon is enough for me.
I wrote in the last letter that I try not to
include negatives, and here is a letter filled with
them! But I think others may come here as I did for
the first time. And it can be good to know that other
people have felt other feelings than bliss the whole
time they are here. It is all an opportunity to
overcome ourselves.
Dec. 14th
6 am
I feel terrific, full of energy! I woke up early,
after sleeping for most of the past two days, I had my
fill of sleep! So I am here at Darshan's internet
site, hoping to get on the web and see if you wrote to
me!!! I really treasure all of your letters!
There is no sign here that it is the Christmas
season. There is no commercialization of it, only
commercialization of Sai Baba! There are no
artificial trees or decorations or Christmas music in
any of the stores.
I have just been told by two people that Baba is
having the morning Darshan later for a while, at
7:30am, rather than 6:45am. Not true, a man just
came in and said Baba came at 6:50am.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannie Alvin [mailto:jeannie_alvin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 25, 1999 4:46 PM
To: vjewell@pacbell.net
Subject: Re: letter from Phyllis W
Dec. 20th
I have been in Dr. Gopal Reddy's clinic a lot
lately. Barbara and Gabriele have typhoid. They are
getting two IV drips a day. I got my blood checked,
and I am clear, probably thanks to the preventative
injection I got in the Traveler's clinic before I came
here.
Dr. Reddy is quite amazing. He sits at a small
desk in the front room, and quickly judges which cases
are emergencies and which can wait awhile.
I am told he is a former Baba student. He does not
charge the poor at all, and gives them shots, IV
drips, and medicine from his medical shop next door.
He does not charge the westerners either, but he will
say, "Can you make a donation to pay for these
supplies that I just bought." He demands nothing,
anything you wish to give is fine, and if you have no
money, that is fine.
Dec. 23rd
A couple of days ago, Pat and I sat in a restaurant
having lunch. Yvonne, from the San Diego Sai Baba
center, came up to me. She said, "I am looking for a
Jeannie, but I don't know what she looks like. Do you
know her."
I just looked at her and smiled! Soon the light
bulb came on! "Oh, it is you!" she said. We know
each other a bit from home!
She said she had nutritional packets from Diane
Olive. I was so glad to hear that! I followed her to
her shed, DD1, and she gave me the packets and the
calcium and the tea and the tea tree oil. I am so
glad to have all of them.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Diane!
See in what fun ways Sai Baba, God, finds to get me
together with whoever is bringing me something from
home! This was so funny!
Then Yvonne went off to her choir practice for a
Christmas choir. She is practicing about 6 hours a
day!
Dear Diane, I am sharing the Nu-Plus with Barbara
and perhaps Gabriele. They have been so sick.
Barbara has been put on a 10 day liquid diet to help
her get over her typhoid. They will help her a lot.
So I will need more. Please send them with the next
person coming over here!
I was relieved when I found out I did not have
typhoid. So I was not too worried when I kept having
diarrhea every couple of days. But it got worse and
worse, and I spent a couple of days in bed.
I thought I was getting better, but I got much
sicker and weaker. I was just typing the Dec. 20th
paragraphs, when I thought I was going to pass out.
Darling Darshan got an auto-rickshaw and took me to
Dr. Reddy. I have had several bad days, and many IV
drips. This morning about 4am, I began feeling
better! I am very weak, as I have not eaten for days.
I have had no appetite.
Dr. Reddy told me I don't need an IV today, just to
drink lots of coconut water and not to walk a lot. So
I will take rickshaws, even for short distances.
My neighbors have been so kind. A Danish man next
door has been bringing me coconuts every time he comes
home. And next door to him is Nanda, a woman of
Indian descent who speaks English well.
You cannot just give someone a spare key to check
up on you here. The doors all have bolts on the
outside that you lock with a padlock when you leave.
And when you come in, you slide a bolt into the door
jamb on the inside. So you could be trapped in there
if you fell unconscious.
I was worried about this. I went through two
periods of being very close to passing out. So I
asked Nanda to check up on me in the morning when she
went to Darshan. I stuffed a towel in the door to
keep it shut without bolting it. She was able to just
push it open.
We are safe here. No one comes in who does not
live here, except the occasional friend who visits.
And at night, Narayana, the watchman, locks the front
wrought iron gates when we are all inside.
Then I asked the Danish man if I could bang on the
wall if I needed help in the night. (I learned this
idea from poor Gabriele, who needed to do this for
several nights.) He said it would be impossible to
hear, as the walls are made of thick cement. I said,
"Let's try it!" So I got a metal pot from the
kitchen, and banged on his wall.
He said, "I can hear it!" So he was happy to agree
to go get Nanda if I knocked on his wall. Fortunately
I did not need to do that. But I was very reassured
that if I needed help, it was close by.
We have figured out the source of the ill health of
everyone. We mainly got sick after the bhajans at
George's that night. But Joyce, who lives upstairs,
has been sick for a year, and I was sick in October
until we went to Bangalore. We quickly healed there.
It is the water in the apartments. It is very
contaminated. And even though we only shower with it,
perhaps a few drops gets into our eyes and mouth.
Gabriele and Barbara, who got typhoid, used it to
brush their teeth.
I thought I healed in Bangalore because of the
milder climate. But now I think it was because I was
away from the contaminated water.
I have a pure water dispenser with 20 liters of
water. I ordered another 20 liters of pure water, and
had the men dump it into a bucket. I am now taking
baths from the bucket with pure mineral water. I am
washing my dishes in pure mineral water. I am not
using the tap water for anything! Steve and Nanda are
talking to Dr. Reddy about what is needed to purify
our water system.
I was supposed to meet Yvonne yesterday at a very
good Tibetan restaurant that Pat and I found. But I
was too sick to get out of bed. So Pat went and met
her there.
Jacob and Darshan just shared their hot apple pie
with me. They get it at the Sai Renaissance hotel, in
the Petite Mignon restaurant. It has raisins, and it
is made with no eggs. Wonderful. What a good way to
wake up my latent appetite.
Jacob is with the "I AM" group here, which Baba has
blessed. Jacob has pictures of Jesus and St. Germain
as wallpaper on his laptop computer.
Pat was volunteering at the local orphanage until
yesterday, when she and Margaret took off on a 20 hour
train ride to Bhopal. They are meeting a doctor from
England, where they all live. They are having a
medical camp for eyes. They are both nurses, I
believe. They will be back Dec. 30th.
I went to the orphanage a few times until I started
getting so sick. Sylvia is the first name of the
woman who started it about 4 years ago. She is a very
soft and quiet-spoken middle-aged woman. I was told
that she started it with her own money.
She told me that she needs to get out of the
building that the orphans live in by March. The lease
is up then.
She does not know where the money will come from
for the new building. A French architect has donated
plans for new buildings, and she is dreaming of a 5
acre plot near the airport. She has dreams of a
little village with the supportive services that the
children and mothers need.
She says some of the children are orphans, and stay
there all the time. Others, and she says this is
frequent here in this culture, are 20 year old mothers
of three or four children who are abandoned by their
husbands because he finds them too old! And he finds
another wife!
You can hear the sound of children while standing
in the street outside the orphanage. Just inside the
door is a long hall that extends the whole depth of
the building. To the left are classrooms for the
older children. They are fourth and fifth level. I
suppose that means something like fourth or fifth
grade. At night the children sleep on mats on the
floors.
They sit on mats on the floor during the day. The
teachers are paid staff, and are Indians. There are a
few western volunteers, but not many. All are
welcome to volunteer, at any time. Sylvia has asked
me for nothing, but I am sure that anything that
anyone brings for the children would be welcome.
At the end of the hall is the kitchen. The cook is
a young woman with three children whose husband died
not long ago. She makes enormous vats of rice, and
something that looks like soup. She and her children
are living there now.
A little boy ran by with a plastic Lego car in his
hands. He was running it along the walls. Sylvia
called him Supramanyon. What a big name for such a
little boy!
A little girl asked Sylvia for another "baby." She
had a tiny teddy bear in her hands.
I asked Sylvia how much it costs to feed the
children. She said it costs about 1,000 rupees a
month each. So I figure about 70,000 rupies per month
is her cost of food alone, not counting salaries or
rent!
I asked her if people show up to donate money to
the orphanage. She said more in the past, but not
much lately. Her best bet, she says, is when they
just put the money in her hands. When they send it
from overseas, it is a legal process. The person must
create a trust account in their name, and transfer it
into a trust account in her name. The Indian
government has strict laws about money entering the
country. If anyone wants to do that, she will give
the details.
Upstairs are some small rooms. Pat was assisting
the Indian teacher in one of those rooms. These are
the little bitty children, three and four years old.
There is an inner room. Pat was supervising the
children as they colored. They tear a page out of
coloring books. There are several boxes with crayons
and markers. The little ones all try to get the big
crayola markers, because they make a big blotch of
color on the paper with their scribbling. There are
only a few of those big markers. So there were some
tears as one child would take the marker from another.
Pat would take the marker away from the interloper,
and return it to the original child.
Pat and I went up to the roof. Part of it has a
thatched roof. The other end has a stage where the
children put on Christmas plays, etc. They Christmas
plays and the weekly bhajans are open to the public.
A teacher was there with kindergarten children. He
was teaching them the Telugu alphabet. They also
learn our alphabet as kindergarteners. And in first
grade, they begin to learn Hindi!
The children all learn Education in Human Values.
This is a course that Sai Baba suggests for all
children everywhere. The five values are Truth,
Peace, Love, Right Action, and Non-Violence.
A little boy was standing in front of the
blackboard, shouting out all of the letters. He had a
stick in his hand that he used to point to each
letter.
Then it was lunch time. They all eat on the roof
in the dry weather. The huge vat of rice and the huge
vat of soup are brought upstairs.
The little girls sit in two lines facing each other
on the right side, under the thatched roof. The
little boys sit the same way on the left side. The
girls all wear a little dark blue cotton jumper and
white blouse, the boys wear light blue shirts and dark
blue shorts. Pat counted how many boys there were,
and I counted the girls. There were 36 boys and 24
girls that day, and I would guess less than 10 staff
members.
We did not see anyone wash hands. And they had
been sitting on the floor all morning!
They had the same metal divided dishes that we use
in the ashram canteens. They are stainless steel, and
very practical.
Some of the children just chose plain rice, others
got the spicy liquid food as well if they desired.
That was their lunch.
Later that day, Pat and I were going to dinner at
the Sai Haven restaurant. I thought their soup would
be good for me. We were outside of the restaurant, on
the State Bank of India Road.
There is a round cement trash bin just past the
restaurant, filled with rubbish. A big fire was
blazing in it. I was attracted to it, and went to
warm my hands.
Just then, many goats came running home from their
daily pasturage! There must be more than 50 of them.
There is a thatched roof stable for them and some
oxen just in front of the restaurant.
They were so charming! They make a sound almost
like sheep, "baa, baa." The mommy goats are running
for their food, and the baby goats are running to find
their mommies!
Just then, as Pat and I were absorbed in the fun of
the goats all around us, up ran the orphans! They had
been taken on their daily outing to the river to play.
They ran up to her and hugged her, saying, "Auntie,
Auntie!" Then they recognized me, and I got the hugs
and the "Auntie, Auntie," too!
What a wonderful surprise. First the goats, then
the children! The goats went inside their little
corral, and the children lined up to go back to their
home. We entered the restaurant very uplifted from
this experience!
Today I was so thankful to be well enough to make
it to afternoon Darshan with Swami. I was afraid I
would be sick through Christmas and miss the
festivities. I am better, thank heavens, but I will
have to only go to some, not all of the programs. I
am still weak. I am just going to slip into darshans
late, and sit in the back.
There is a beautiful large red banner that hangs
over the gate that Sai Baba comes through. I could
not read the gold letters on it from where I sat in
the back. But a woman next to me had read it before.
She said it says, "Sri Sathya Sai Baba, lover of all
religions."
There are large red and gold bows decorating the
wrought iron walls. And there are some beautiful red
banners, trimmed with gold, with a cross in the top
center. Very pretty. There are some ornaments
hanging from the ceiling near the mandir in front.
The music started and Swami came in, at about
2:25pm today. As I first catch site of Him, I
immediately have an uplifting, beautiful feeling in my
heart! I just have to glimpse His almost ever-present
orange robe.
It is fun to watch His power of attraction. As He
passes by the section I sit in, and moves to the left
front of the hall, the heads of all the women in front
of me lean to the left. They remind me of flowers
bending in the wind.
In the last several weeks I came up with some new
spiritual practices. This will eventually be copied
into the end of book 5.
I was lying down at bedtime. My bed is a little
safe haven from the ever present mosquitos. I am
enclosed in a mosquito net that hangs from the metal
bars surrounding my bed. It has elastic at the bottom
that hugs my mattress.
I had previously visualized all of creation in the
form of an egg. So I visualized a big violet egg
representing all of creation, and then I visualized
the outline of my body filling it. I said, "I AM all
that is. I AM THAT I AM. I am divinitizing,
transmuting, and perfecting all that is God's will, in
all my creations, within, without and upon the Akashic
records." I could feel by the sensitivity on my hands
that it was working. I was purifying and clearing
much. I did this until I fell asleep.
I found this a very satisfying and effective new
process. I did it and did it for several days.
Obstacles and problems disappeared. Then one day I
was informed by my inner guidance to stop doing this.
I think I cleared what I was allowed, and I must live
through some other experiences. Now I have asked
again if I can do it, and I am allowed to do it one
time only each time I have asked.
Then I was given another spiritual practice. I
have a spiritual gift called "clair essence," meaning
clear knowing. I just get stuff as a clear idea or
knowledge. That is how these two spiritual practices
came.
This new one is great. And it is another way to
spiritually purify food! I use it for everything I
can think of.
I say, "This food, (this water, this thought and
feeling, this body, whatever) is God." Then, "This
food, (this water, this thought and feeling, this
body, whatever) is God's will." And then I must only
be the witness, with no expectation or desire for any
particular result. Then very quickly, the food or
water or energy is purified. If I have an
expectation, it does not work. I must only observe.
I had heard of the state of only being the witness.
Until now I could not do this. If I had a negative
thought, I had to transmute it. I was afraid not to.
But with this new practice, I am able to just be
the witness. I see it as more faith and trust. I am
very happy with it.
Please send your prayers for my continued healing,
and that for Barbara and Gabriele. I'll ask Darshan
to send this letter to Vickie when he can get through.
The telephone lines have been very bad this week, he
says.
Dec. 24th
I saw Dr. Reddy again last night. I felt better
all day! He says I am totally better, and I don't
even need pills. I am so happy to be well! And my
poor hands are so happy not to get poked by needles
anymore! Thank you, Sai Baba! And my feet seem
much improved with the Tea Tree Oil, thank heavens for
that also!
Tonight there will be a Christmas choir at 4pm,
followed by a children's play in Poornachandra Hall at
6pm. Also, there will be a play at the orphanage,
called something like, "A Unique life, Isa." Isa is
Jesus in some Indian language. The play at the
orphanage will be given tonight, the 25th evening, and
the 26th evening.
Last night I went for a mild-on-the-stomach dinner
at the Italian restaurant on Samadhi Road. As I was
enjoying some delicious spagetti made with olive oil
and some chopped tomatoes and mild Italian spices, I
heard the sound of children singing a Christmas carol!
I looked up and there were Sylvia and the orphans!
They were all dressed in pure white, clean and ironed
white Punjabis. They were carrying lit white candles
in little golden colored candle holders. It was so
beautiful! I am so fortunate to have seen them.
Sylvia saw me and smiled and waved.
If you would like to help poor people in need, this orphanage in India and free medical clinic for the poor in India could use your support:
Orphanage and School: Sri Sai Community School #3/559, Eswaramma Colony, Samadhi Layout, Prashaanthi Nilayam - 515134, A.P. India telephone 091 8555 87906
The address may have changed. There is a dream of a new building near the airport. As poor as they are, they share what they have. They offer free clean Indian food and a place to sleep if your budget is tight!
Dr. P.V. Gopal Reddy This was the wonderful doctor who treated me and my sick friends when we needed. He treats the poor free of charge.
telephone 091 8555 87199 clinic
Puttaparthi -515 134 A.P. India