“As I learn about the miracles that surround Sai Baba, I wish that it was possible for me to go see him.”
“Why do you talk as if it’s not possible for you to go?” asked Michael.
“I haven’t seriously thought about it.” I had been in a state of wishful thinking. “I sometimes limit myself because of my health.”
“The only limitations you have, are those that you accept,” said Michael.
“Lakshmi gave me a video about Sai Baba. There are some amazing stories on that tape. Either Baba is a very talented magician or he really is one with God.”
“I’d like to see that video,” said Michael.
“There are people from all over the world who go to India to see Sai Baba. It is wonderful that people from different religions go there as well. Can you imagine a place where people of many faiths live together in harmony?”
“Now that is a rare thing,” said Michael.
“Sai Baba teaches that Love is the road to God, so why would it matter if you followed one religion or another? There is one thread that runs through all the faiths and that is Love.”
“In the end we are all headed toward the same place, and that is God,” said Michael.
“I believe that is true. Baba says that there is only one religion, the religion of love. There is only one language, the language of the heart. There is only one race, the race of humanity. There is only one God, and He is omnipresent.”
“God is everywhere,” commented Michael.
“Sai Baba brought a man back to life who died of diabetic kidney failure. The man was completely cured afterwards. Baba is supposed to be able to perform miracles like Jesus did.” Baba had cured numerous people of serious health ailments. I had seen an example of this on a video done by Richard Bock. He filmed Walter talking about his experience with death. When Walter was eighty-four years old, he died of a diabetic condition and diseased kidneys. Elsie, Walter’s wife, held him in her arms as he passed from this life.
Sai Baba came to the hospital to raise Walter from the dead. Walter described passing over to the other side as a calm experience. Sai Baba was there with him and a group of gentlemen who outlined all of Walter’s past existence as a soul. Baba spoke up and said he wanted Walter’s soul. The group said, “So be it.” Walter then came back to life!
The doctor who witnessed this miracle got test results back later that showed Walter’s kidneys and diabetes were healed. “I can see why the story of healing diabetic kidney failure would inspire you,” said Michael. It brought me hope that one day I could be healed of diabetes. “Healing is inside you, Wendy. I am sure that one day you will find it.”
“Walter and Elise had a remarriage ceremony done by Sai Baba. I got to see this on the video too. Baba seemed to almost joke about bringing Walter back to life so he could perform the wedding ritual.”
“When one speaks their marriage vows and says I do till death do us part, it is a literal statement,” chuckled Michael.
“Lakshmi has seen Sai Baba’s miracles herself! She used to learn Indian Classical dance with a girl who was cured by Baba. The girl had been paralyzed from an accident and no doctor could give her hope.”
“A situation like that would motivate one to look for answers beyond traditional medicine,” commented Michael.
“Sai Baba materialized a pendent for Lakshmi’s friend who could not walk. From that day, she began to recover. Now she is dancing!”
“Miracles can happen for you too,” said Michael.
I had read numerous books about Sai Baba. Each one inspired hope and brought the message that Love was the path to follow in life. It was from Love that all true healing would occur. “The most difficult thing for me to believe, even though I saw it on the video, is that Sai Baba can materialize objects. They literally come out of his hand,” I said.
“Why is that so difficult for you to believe when you say that anything is possible?” asked Michael.
“It is certainly beyond my understanding.” There were doubts in my mind about the stories. I wanted to believe they were true because then my own healing was possible.
Michael picked up a stick and moved the logs around in the fire. He knelt by the flames and put out his hands to warm them. I watched the silhouette of his body as the shadow of flames danced across his face. Michael’s lips formed a mischievous grin and he began to speak in a goofy voice. “I’m wild and crazy man and I like to make love to innocent women sitting by campfire.”
“Sounds like fun to me,” I said.
“I was just teasing. You’re supposed to run away.” Michael had been joking, but I was serious. I wondered why we could not be lovers as well as friends. Perhaps, Michael feared that being my lover would involve a commitment. I understood that Michael was unable to commit to anyone because freedom was so important to him. I also knew that he did not want to hurt me.
We watched the fire as it gave its last flicker. Michael sat quietly and looked like he was deep in thought. “Is there something on your mind?” I asked.
“Not really, just contemplating life,” said Michael. It was obvious that Michael did not want to share his thoughts.
We climbed into our sleeping bags as the heat from the fire dwindled. Without the warmth of the fire, it was cold and damp. “It gets chilly here at night,” I said shivering.
“You can say that again,” said Michael as he snuggled against my body. I fell into a peaceful sleep, feeling grateful that I was being held by a man that I loved so dearly.
The next morning the sun shone through the tall pine trees, casting shadows of cool air. I sat in the sun on top of the picnic table. The fresh mountain air filled my lungs with the scent of pine. “Good morning,” I said to Michael as he stuck his head out of the tent. “It’s a beautiful day.”
“It looks like a good day for exploring,” said Michael. We headed for a nearby lake that was beside a meadow filled with wild flowers. The crystal-clear lake reflected the pine trees and the gorgeous mountains that were in the background. A blanket, placed on soft tufts of green grass, provided the perfect setting for our breakfast of fruit and yogurt.
Michael was silent for a while, lost in thought. “What are you thinking about?” I asked.
“There have been many questions on my mind,” said Michael. “I keep wondering what I should be doing with my life.”
“I can relate,” I said.
“I have an opportunity to wholesale crystals with some people who are in the business, but I’m not sure that is what I want to do.”
“You once said to me that Life guides us in all things if we are willing to listen. I see in my own life how so called coincidences have actually been guidance from a Higher Power or whatever you want to call it. Maybe all you have to do is listen to that and your choice will be clear.”
“At times I don’t slow down enough to listen. Thanks for reminding me,” said Michael.
“Sai Baba says that every living being is knowingly or unknowingly on a spiritual pilgrimage. I believe we are all here to help each other along the way. You have certainly helped me!” I said as I savoured a strawberry from our array of breakfast treats.
“It’s true that we learn from our interactions with each other. It’s just a matter of taking time to reflect on the experience,” said Michael, running his fingers through his hair.
“Sometimes guidance comes in a direct way from God. There is a Sai Baba story about a woman who awoke one night to find a bright light hovering over her bed. It told her to improve her diet