By Sri Nimish Pandya
All-India President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, India
Sri Nimish Pandya first met Bhagawan in 1977. His family was introduced to the world of Sri Sathya Sai Baba through the Bal Vikas movement, when his youngest brother became a Bal Vikas student. Over the years, both his younger brothers studied at Swami’s University, and his father served the university as a Professor of Commercial Law.
Sri Nimish Pandya has been practicing as an advocate of Bombay High Court since 1980 – specializing in the field of Civil Law, M&As and Contracts. As a corporate law specialist, he’s been a board member at several companies.
It is often asked, how does one connect to, and stay in touch with Swami, in day-to-day life post the Maha Samadhi?
I think that this era is a great opportunity to personally experience divinity within.
Swami says, “I’m not the form! I reside in your heart… I am in you, around you, above you…”
When Swami isn’t with us (physically) to guide us, to answer our questions, the art of listening to the conscience must be developed.
Bhagawan says – “It’s in the depth of silence that the voice of God can be heard!” He isn’t just referring to silencing one’s speech. But also, silencing one’s mind. How can we do this? Sadhana! Sadhana helps us master the mind.
The best sadhana is – in every breath and with every thought – check, ‘would Swami approve of this?’. If the answer is yes, we should go ahead, do it, and offer it to Bhagawan. But if the answer is no, we must stop right there!
All through, we must have this faith that Swami is standing right next to us, watching us all the way. Our whole life is like a movie with many passing phases. Swami has taught us to be a witness to all ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Those who practice thus, are guided very well.
This is what we’ve experienced for the last 10 years (post the Maha Samadhi). As the All-India President, I must share that I’ve always tried to act as per what Swami has said. We ponder on decisions with the singular question of whether Swami would like it or not. And the fact that even after the Maha Samadhi, the Sri Sathya Sai Organization is blossoming in all the states of India, is evidence of the fact that Swami is doer, the boss and the master guiding us at all points of time.
Right from when I came to the Sai fold in 1977, I’ve always been in awe of Swami’s students. I always thought that they are very special people, whom Bhagawan has particularly chosen to be an integral part of his mission of self-transformation.
Every human being owes it to themselves to attempt spiritual practices of self-control, mastering the mind, and experiencing divinity within themselves. But the students of Bhagawan, would succeed in this endeavour far better than other people. As George Orwell wrote, “All are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
My advice is, whenever they have a lean period, they should go back to their personal sadhana. When personal sadhana and constant remembrance of Bhagawan is practiced by the alumni, it brings great reward, in my opinion.
Bhagawan had told my younger brother Mayur Pandya, that in life whenever you are in difficulty, whenever you are far away from me, think of me, ponder over the time that you spent with me… just remembering that itself, will bring you closer to me and my experience. This is a great advantage that the Sri Sathya Sai alumni have! They have so much to remember about their proximity with Bhagawan, about their experiences with Bhagawan, that itself is a great sadhana. True leadership is born out of self-discipline, self-mastery, and really understanding that every human being is a reflection of divinity. When one does the right thing at the right time, shows exemplary character, and exhibits unity of thought, word and deed — that becomes inspirational leadership. This inspirational leadership is the hallmark of Bhagawan Baba’s message! Bhagawan’s students, being well trained in this, are at very, very senior positions as leaders in the corporate world, the judiciary, the army. Swami’s students excel as great leaders. The be, do and tell mantra for leadership makes them stand out with the unique amalgam of discipline and kindness.
The expectation from these students is that they will become beacons of light, living the message of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, of integrity and character. This is a tall order that Bhagawan has granted to all the Sri Sathya Sai alumni.
