Author: Azur Ekić
Dear readers,
I feel obliged to share two short experiences I had with Mohanji, hoping they may offer clarity on some very common challenges we encounter while walking this path we call spirituality.
The Master Knows You
In one of his recent talks, Mohanji explained that when you are with Sai Baba, you do not need to ask for anything. He knows you. As Mohanji says, that is precisely why you are there, you were brought to Him because He knows you, inside and out.
It seems this is the case with Mohanji as well. Allow me to share the first experience that illustrates this.
I will omit certain details, as they are deeply personal and too painful to write about. Someone dear to me was going through dementia. It was obvious they were nearing the end of their life. It was my pet.
Desperate, I sent a message to Mohanji on Facebook late at night, a man I had never met, asking him to please help and bless this creature so she would suffer no more and peacefully join the other realm, where the Masters would take care of her.
The next day, she passed away in front of me, surrounded by family members, on the most auspicious day in my family’s tradition.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, I had forgotten that I had sent the message. When I later remembered, I decided to check the app. According to Messenger, the message had never been seen. Mohanji had never physically opened it.
And yet, he heard. He knew. He helped.
The very next day. On the most auspicious day. In the most gracious way possible.
The first message I wish to share with you through this story is this:
Gone are the days when Mohanji had a small circle of devotees and everyone could easily communicate with him. Many of you may wish to send him a message. Please understand that he probably receives more than a thousand messages daily. He cannot, and will not, respond to all of them.
However, he knows.
Leave the messaging apps aside. Believe that the Guru Tattwa, the living tradition of the Gurus, is present. He knows. Baba knows. They know. If universal and karmic laws allow it, they will help.
Empty Cup, Full Cup
After spending months acquainting myself with Mohanji, his Acharyas, and followers, studying the teachings and volunteering, an opportunity arose to meet him in person. A satsang was to be held at MCB Croatia.
Naturally, many volunteers were needed, and I stepped in immediately. I should mention that I was somewhat afraid of Mohanji before this meeting. I do not fully understand why. Perhaps he was mirroring certain existential fears within me, or painful karmic impressions that resurfaced in his presence.
We learned that over 200 people would attend the satsang. This was wonderful news for the community, but less wonderful news for my already painful lower back.
Many chairs needed to be cleaned and carried. Tables arranged. Everything prepared.
The night before, I had also spent hours filling tiny capsules with powdered nettle, as the MCB was preparing products to be blessed by Mohanji and later sold to support the Centre’s activities. Imagine a large man bent over a table, holding the tiniest spoon and filling tiny capsules with nettle powder for more than five hours without stopping.
The next day, as satsang time approached, one more task remained.
It began to rain.
More than 200 pairs of shoes were outside the Centre, exposed. A man named Imre suggested we move them under shelter before Mohanji arrived. I agreed. The irony? Imre also has back problems.
You cannot script these things. Or perhaps, you can.
As we were moving the shoes, Mohanji arrived at the doorstep. He briefly spoke with Imre about his family, then shook my hand. That was our first formal meeting.
As he proceeded toward the satsang hall, I quickly finished moving the remaining shoes to safety.
This teaches something important: in significant moments, circumstances arrange themselves in the best possible way for you individually.
Remember, I had been afraid of this man they call Guru, Master, and so on. But when I met him, there was no room for fear.
Why?
Because I was too exhausted to think or feel.
The Tradition had arranged my mind into the right position.
During the satsang, I kept repeating one sentence internally:
“Empty cup… empty cup… empty cup.”
This became my mantra. From my studies, I remembered Mohanji saying that when you are in the physical proximity of a Master, you should not ask for anything. Do not analyze. Do not demand. Simply be an empty cup.
I must admit, I do not always follow this rule when I am not physically near him. I often ask and pray for many things from afar. But one principle stayed with me: whether in front of a Master, at a holy place, or at a Mahasamadhi, do not pray or analyze.
Come empty.
During the satsang, I felt energy moving in my stomach. My body began gently swaying back and forth. I did not analyze any of it.
When the Q&A concluded and people stepped outside for a group photo, I suddenly felt thirsty. I went to the kitchen and poured fresh apple juice into a paper cup.
When I returned to the hall, only Mohanji, the president of MCB Croatia, and a senior Acharya remained. He was preparing to bless the homemade items.
I thought to myself, I am not disturbing anyone, I will simply sit quietly and observe.
Mohanji blessed the objects by raising his hand over the table.
However, the only item he physically picked up and asked about was, the bag of nettle capsules.
Afterward, he noticed an old printed edition of The Awakening Times, a special February issue.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Oh, just an old magazine,” the Acharya replied.
“Old magazine, huh?” he said, and moved on.
I later realized I had been sitting exactly in line with the placement of that magazine, without even knowing it was there.
At the time, being tired, I analyzed nothing.
Months later, it struck me.
After chanting “empty cup” for the entire satsang, an hour later I was literally sitting beside Mohanji with a full cup in my hand, while he picked up the very bag I had filled and asked about the magazine I had volunteered for.
The message was unmistakable:
“I know who you are. I know what you do. I know the effort you put in.”
And that is the second message of this text.
No expectations.
Empty your cups, and they will be filled.
Sometimes, quite literally.
