What I Understand Baba's Teachings To Be

You can know all the books that are written in Baba's name by heart and yet know nothing about Baba. He teaches by being as he is, and we learn by loving and obeying him to be as he is.

If you study what Baba says about himself you will find ambiguities.

He says he is not to be looked upon as a sadhu, or a saint, or a yogi, or a teacher. He says, "If I am the Highest of the High." Were it not for that "if" we might doubt him; for nothing is more certain than that "If I am the Highest of the High it is impossible for you to measure me or to understand my ways." We are thus introduced into the sphere of the infinite in which there is no "order" in the natural sense. So Baba says, "Do not expect to understand me or what I do." In effect he says, "You can expect to know me, but not to understand me as you understand the life around you."

One of Baba's most important statements made in November 1953 is:

"I declare to all of you who approach me, and to those of you who desire to approach me, accepting me as the Highest of the High, that you must never come with the desire in your heart for wealth and worldly gain, but only with the fervent longing to give your all—body, mind and possessions—with all their attachments. Seek me not to extricate you from your predicaments, but find me in order to surrender yourself wholeheartedly to my will. Cling to me not for worldly happiness and comforts, but adhere to me through thick and thin, sacrificing your own happiness and comforts at my feet. Let my happiness be your cheer and my comforts your rest. Do not ask me to bless you with worldly success but desire to serve me diligently and honestly without expectation of reward. Never beg of me to save your life or the lives of dear ones, but beg of me to accept you and permit you to lay down your life for me. Never expect me to cure you of bodily afflictions but beseech me to cure you of ignorance. Never stretch out your hands to receive anything from me, but hold them high in praise of me whom you have approached as the Highest of the High."