health had stabilized while others were still on shaky ground, but light was on the horizon.
The spring of 1987 marked the beginning of adventures that would prove to be beyond belief. I learned to stretch beyond my concepts about life and to open myself to exciting new possibilities. I learned about a man in India who had performed many miracles. This man was even known to heal the sick.
It was also written in books that Sai Baba was aware of everything about a person. He was omniscient, which meant that he was conscious of all things happening at all places and times. If I merely spoke to Sai Baba in my mind, it was said that he would hear me. How was this possible?
My brother James was engaged to be married in May to a beautiful woman from India. Lakshmi was a devotee of Sai Baba, and through her I learned about the miracles surrounding this Divine Being. I was eager to determine if the stories were true.
A week before James’ and Lakshmi’s wedding, Michael came to Calgary for a visit. It had been many months since I had seen him, and I was overjoyed to be with Michael again. His friendship enriched my life greatly by helping me to see my health and journey of healing in new ways.
Michael and I decided to go camping for a couple days at the natural hot springs near Canal Flats. We pitched our tent by a river that was surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful green pine trees. “Shall we head for the hot springs?” asked Michael as the last tent peg was put into place.
“I’m all for it.” I eagerly replied.
We followed the road until we came to a small path. “It’s down there. Have a look,” said Michael. There were three natural pools that had been made by gathering large rocks to contain the water. Each pool was on a different level of the hill as it sloped down toward the river. The water poured out of the top pool to fill the two pools below it. This created the effect of a small waterfall.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous. Let’s get in,” I said excitedly.
A narrow path led to the bottom of the hill. “The top pool is very hot and the other two are cooler. You can also go for an icy plunge in the river,” said Michael.
“No thanks. I think I’ll stick to the warm stuff.” My turquoise bathing suit was underneath my clothes. I tore everything off and plunged into the steaming water. “This is wonderful!”
Michael joined me and we both leaned against the rocks in the shallow pool. “So James and Lakshmi are getting married this weekend,” said Michael.
“They both look incredibly happy together. I know they are perfect for each other,” I said. The words “perfect for each other” echoed through my being as I looked at Michael.
“It will be interesting to see an Indian ceremony,” said Michael. A Hindu wedding was one of elaborate rituals of spiritual significance. I was happy that Michael would be there to share it with me.
“Sai Baba gave his blessings for the wedding when Lakshmi’s Mom was in India. Baba sounds like an extraordinary person. I wish I had known about him before this,” I said.
“I told you about Sai Baba when you visited me in California.”
“Oh, yes! Now I remember the picture in Tony’s hallway.” Michael’s friend was an avid Sai Baba devotee.
“Tony spoke with Baba when he was in India.” Michael playfully splashed water at me as he spoke. “Baba is a very wise being,” said Michael with an Indian accent.
A man appeared from the small wood shack that covered the upper pool. I thought we had been alone. “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation about Sai Baba. This Divine Being is well known for his miracles and gifts of love,” he said.
“Wendy’s brother is getting married on the weekend. Baba said that he would be there,” said Michael.
“He’ll be there in spirit,” said the man. Ken introduced himself with a friendly smile and a warm handshake. Our conversation became centered on spiritual ideas and concepts. It was intriguing that Michael and I would meet a man in a remote area of the woods who knew so much about Sai Baba.
“I am just learning about Baba,” I said.
“In the west, many spiritual teachers have led people to believe that spirituality can be purchased with money. The only thing that Sai Baba asks for is your love,” said Ken.
“That is encouraging,” I grinned. Sai Baba obviously lived by the values that he taught. I had read about his life being his message. It was wonderful to find a spiritual teacher who walked the talk.
“Where are you from, Ken?” asked Michael.
“Planet Earth,” laughed Ken. “My wife and I have spent the last year traveling. We were in Mexico last month. Home is where we park the van.” Ken told us many tales about his travels to Mexico and his adventures on his spiritual path. His life experience was an inspiration.
“It’s been great to hear about your travels, Ken. It brings back some fond memories of my own journeys,” said Michael.
“Yes it is great to meet a fellow wanderer,” grinned Ken.
“It’s time for Wendy and me to head back to our campsite. We have to light a fire before dinner. All this fresh air works up an appetite.”
“It was nice meeting you, Ken,” I said as Michael and I climbed out of the rock pool. We walked over to where our clothes were lying on a rock. “How am I going to change into my clothes? There is no privacy here,” I whispered to Michael.
“Do it California style?” Michael put his towel around his waist and slipped on a pair of jeans.
“That’s easy for you. You’re a guy. That only solves half my problem,” I said modestly. There were many issues that I needed to overcome. Embarrassment was one of them. Michael laughed and stood in front of me while holding his towel around my body. “Private showing eh?” I said laughing. At least no one could see me from the road above.
Michael and I walked back to our campsite as the evening sun faded behind the trees. We made a fire in the round pit by our tent. Making dinner was difficult because we had remembered dishes, but not the utensils. I burned my fingers while attempting to flip salmon patties in the frying pan. The lid from the salmon tin was not a good spatula, but at least we had a can opener.
We curled up by the fire with our dinner of salmon patties, rice and vegetables. “Food seems to taste so good when it’s cooked outdoors,” I said.
“Are there any seconds?” asked Michael.
I filled Michael’s plate with the food that was left in the frying pan. “It seems like an irony that we are enjoying the luxury of a second helping, when there are many starving people in the world.” I wondered what I could do to make a difference.
“In North America obesity is a problem, and in third world countries the problem is starvation. Where is the balance?” asked Michael.
“It is a crime that so much food is wasted. Some farmers and supermarkets dump food that doesn’t look pretty. A carrot needs to be straight, or it’s not accepted. It just doesn’t make sense to waste food,” I said.
“The real problem is much more complex than the issue of food,” said Michael. “It is about power and money.”
“Would it help if everyone reduced the amount of meat they ate? I’ve heard that it takes twelve pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat. That much grain would certainly feed more people than one pound of beef.”
“It makes sense to reduce the amount of meat that we eat so that more food is available for everyone,” said Michael. This was an idea that meat producers would not welcome.
“Baba emphasizes a vegetarian diet.” Many spiritual leaders from the East believed that a vegetarian diet was necessary in order to follow a spiritual path. I had mixed feelings about this