True Meditation: Beyond Techniques to Transformation
The Leela
It was a scorching afternoon in the months of April or May in Shirdi. Sai Baba, having reached the age of eighty, appeared physically frail. His body had grown so weak that devotees often had to support Him by the shoulders just to help Him stand, and walking without assistance seemed impossible.
Yet, on this particular day, a strange fire burned within Him. Standing near the house of Vaman Gondkar, Baba suddenly commanded, “Go and get a ladder!”
A ladder was brought and placed against the house. To the shock of the onlookers, Baba waved away His support. The same Fakir, who moments ago could barely walk, began to climb the ladder with steady determination. He ascended the roof, crossed over Vaman Gondkar’s terrace, and navigated His way to the adjacent roof of Radhakrishna Mai’s house. He then signaled for the ladder to be moved, climbed down on the other side, and paid the laborer two rupees for his effort.
Why did Baba undertake such a strenuous, risky feat in His fragile state? Radhakrishna Mai was suffering from a severe fever that had gone to her head. Through this immense physical exertion—this act of Nishkam Karma (selfless action)—Baba took the burden upon Himself to cure her. He showed that before one can sit in the stillness of meditation, one must be willing to burn in the fire of selfless service.
? The Conflict / Doubt
In a world flooded with spiritual institutes teaching various breathing exercises and mental gymnastics, a pertinent question arises: Why did Sai Baba never teach a specific 'technique' for meditation?
Many feel that without a structured method to “put the mind to sleep,” they are not truly practicing spirituality. Is the silence induced by these techniques true meditation, or merely a temporary hypnosis?
The Revelation
True meditation is not a temporary sedation of the mind; it is a permanent transformation of the consciousness. The transcript reveals that mechanical techniques often act like an intoxicant—calming the mind briefly, only for desires to return with full force once the effect wears off.
Here is the path to True Meditation as described in the Sai Satcharitra:
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The Pre-condition: Drop the Three Desires Before one can even attempt to meditate on the Brahman, one must be free from Sarveshna (all desires). Specifically:
- Putreshna (Attachment to progeny/family—love is essential, attachment is bondage).
- Vitteshna (Greed for wealth—believing money equals happiness).
- Lokeshna (Hunger for fame and recognition).
“If the three desires are not dropped, then you can take crores of rebirths and study meditation but cannot meditate.”
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The Process of Purification (Chitta Shuddhi) Meditation cannot happen in an impure vessel. The mind has three flaws which must be removed sequentially:
- Mal (Impurity): Removed by Nishkam Karma Yoga (selfless service).
- Vikshep (Fickleness): The wavering mind is steadied by Bhakti Yoga (devotion and 9 forms of worship).
- Avaran (Covering of Ignorance): Removed by Gyan Yoga (wisdom).
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The Ultimate Meditation Baba simplified the path for His devotees. Instead of difficult abstract focus, He offered Shravan (listening/reading) and Manan (contemplation).
“Baba vadati katha Shravan, kara manan ani nidhidhyasan... Anandghan Prakatel.”
When a devotee sits with the Sai Satcharitra, immersing themselves in the stories with tears of love, that is meditation. Contemplating the secret behind Baba's Leelas purifies the mind and leads to the manifestation of the Cloud of Bliss (Anandghan).
Scriptural References
đź“– Sai Satcharitra Adhyay 19 (Verses 33, 106, 120, 126), Adhyay 17 (Verse 76), Adhyay 16 (Verse 167), Adhyay 6 (Verse 15)
Watch the Discourse
It was a scorching afternoon in the months of April or May in Shirdi. Sai Baba, having reached the age of eighty, appeared physically frail. His body had grown so weak that devotees often had to suppo...
Leela Narration
It was a scorching afternoon in the months of April or May in Shirdi. Sai Baba, having reached the age of eighty, appeared physically frail. His body had grown so weak that devotees often had to suppo...