The Path of Spiritual Evolution
Sadgurus like Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, operate simultaneously at two levels of consciousness. Some of their activities are manifested and some are non‐manifested in nature. Few examples of the manifested activities are: feeding the poor and the devotees, curing their physical and mental diseases, rendering temporal assistance in all their material needs and religious pursuits etc.
The manner in which He gave relief was sometimes miraculous. Hundreds of families of Shirdi and outside used to depend on Him for relief and sustenance in their worldly existence. Sai Baba never refused to help any one who came to Him. He labored day in and day out to solve the complex problems of His devotees. Once He told a devotee that He (Baba) could not sleep during the previous night thinking about that devotee. He used to say: “What would happen to my people, if I constantly do not keep an eye on them”. This was the role of a Provider and Protector.
The other role of Shri Sai was subtle and secret in nature, which created a permanent value in the lives of the people that approached Him. Being a Perfect Master or Sadguru, His divine charter of duties was to train the devotees with a view to evolve their mental and emotional qualities and ultimately to lead them towards emancipation. Such a process of evolution, when left to the disciple himself, is very slow and may take a number of lives to achieve.
Without the help of a Master who has traveled along and experienced the path of spiritual evolution, the seeker goes through a process of trials and errors and his evolution slows down. if one accepts a ‘Sadguru’ as his mentor, and strictly abides by His advice, his evolution becomes easier and faster.
The Sadguru with His divine powers and qualities has immense capabilities to hasten the process of evolution of all beings that come in contact with Him. Therefore, He is called a Samarth Sadguru (capable of giving God realization). However, notwithstanding the ceaseless effort of the Masters all devotees do not progress spiritually at an equal pace. The pace of evolution of a devotee depends on a few Prime factors:
Acceptance of the Master‐both intellectually and emotionally, as the sole guide and Protector in spiritual journey.
Complete Faith in and adherence to the advice and commands of the Master.
A lot of Perseverance under all trying circumstances and over long periods of time to follow the Masterʹs prescriptions in its true spirit.
Source: Excerpts from MAHA SAMADHI DIWAS MESSAGE (2006) by Dr. C B Satpathy