"I am in you, around you, above you, below you
guiding you, protecting you. Have no fear...
Sai will never give you up."

It is certainly a privilege to be associated with the Living God. It is more like a sweet dream than a reality. I do believe that living with God is more than anything a responsibility; it is more like a long, lonely road rather than a garden full of roses. As long as we believe that we are the doers and are not answerable to anyone, we can enjoy our ignorance and perhaps feel happy about it. Maybe that's why some say, "Ignorance is bliss!"

The notion of living with God changes that concept. We learn with Him that this is the Master's game and we are nothing but instruments in His hands. Whether we like it or not we are answerable to Him. "Him" here could also be our own conscience. As we have the knack of using our conscience as per our own convenience, we turn a deaf ear to its guidance. Hence, we have the need for a personal God, who can listen to us, talk to us and make us answerable to Him.

For me, living with God, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, has been a unique experience in this sense too. He has changed the concept of God. He has even given us a new insight into what God is! Previously the loving expression of devoting exclusive time to God, and being in the pure vibrations of the divine, led our elders to temples, churches and mosques for prayers. These practices have gradually become, for many, mere rituals. Visiting the "House of God"

once a week has lost its real significance. Maybe the meaning of such visits have gotten lost because some of our elders have not communicated to us the essence or maybe because some have not practiced what they preached. Whatever the reason, the result is that whenever we visit the "House of God" we behave very well, offer prayers with devotion, speak softly and lovingly, and meet everyone with a smile. But the moment we leave "His abode," we leave Him behind.

This prompted me to analyze the reason as to why some youth today are repelled even by the word "religion" or anybody claiming to be religious. Yet, at the same time, we find today many youth are more active in social service, community work and being good to others than in the time of our elders. Our elders often taught us by saying, "do right or else God will punish you." These words convey the notion of God as an instructor who watches over and punishes us for our mistakes. This irrational explanation has led to fear and disinterest in God amongst the youth. This fear of God may explain why many people do not even want to go to the houses of God.

The one and only one worth loving is feared. The one who is our real, consistent friend is limited to the "House of God" and is made to look like a tough watchman appointed to punish. The one who is our constant companion, a trusting friend and our real well-wisher, is restricted to the hour of need. How sad that we postpone the appointment with such a friend to our "old" age.

"The first aim of life for young people should be to scatter the seeds of love, to cure plants of tolerance and to distribute in the society the fruits of Peace through altruistic service." (Divine discourse of Sathya Sai Baba, 08/16/1996)

Living with God…Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar, the incarnation of this age, has most certainly redefined these beliefs. He has proven that God is not someone to be feared. God is not one who can be limited to a house, an altar, a sanctum sanctorum, or someone to be used as per our convenience.

Bhagawan Baba emphasizes that God is our only true friend. His dictum, "fear sin and love God" is the sure path to peace and prosperity. By His life He proves that we cannot limit God to one place. He is in everything and is everywhere. He walks with us, sits with us, drives with us and is always with us. He knows our thoughts even before we have them. He is a silent witness to all our thoughts, words and deeds. He is full of love. He gives and gives. He does not punish. He teaches us that the so-called "punishments" are the results and consequences of our own former wrong actions. He helps us to face them with a smile and make the best of those difficult situations.

Living with God is education. Education can be summarized as the cultivation of good values and human qualities in oneself. It is ironic that we should use "fear methodology" to learn or practice certain things. With God, the element of fear is replaced with the awareness of His constant presence in our lives.

Imagine how you would behave if you knew that your God is with you when you come out of your place of worship? How would you act if you knew for sure that your God is with you when you are supposedly alone? How would you talk if you believe that the other person with whom you are interacting is God-sent, and is doing His bidding? You would not even think wrongly if you were aware that your God is watching you and your thoughts. Thus, the love and reverence for God, and not fear of Him, should guide and regulate our conduct.

Obeying the law of the land and spreading our love to the whole of creation becomes so simple when you are aware that your God is the doer and all is His. Through the power of His love, He teaches us the unity in diversity. Like children, we then start accepting whatever comes in our lives. A child never questions the mother whether she is going to feed him or her. his is because the child has full faith in the mother. Similarly, when we have God with us and we love and trust Him like a child, then it is His responsibility to take care of us. This is why we find Godly people have a sweet smile always on their lips. That's why it is said that a true devotee can never be sad for he knows that nothing can happen without the will of God. And His will is always for our good. So smile, and be happy.

Living with God, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, teaches us to be happy, always. We may falter, but that does not mean we should not try. Bhagawan very sweetly blesses us by saying, "Be happy." The end result of our material or spiritual pursuit is to be happy. One chasing the material world may think that he is finding happiness from the achievements of the world. Sooner or later he too will realize that it is not possible to get permanent happiness from the impermanent world. Thus, all will ultimately return to the same source of everlasting joy, happiness and bliss, which is God. No one is wrong or right in the journey of life. It is a process of growth and just a matter of time.

Living with God is an experience with love. Living with God…a lesson to permanent joy. Living with God…my Sai, is a door to being "Happy" always.
To reach this state of awareness there are many encounters with "sweet sorrows," lessons through "hide and seek," "lonely conversations," unsaid but assured proximity, and unseen but certainly loving constant association and protection. Above all, a great lesson that we must "Be Happy," always.