April 10, 2015 on 11:00 am
Dear Spiritual Explorer: Is it true that Nag Champa Incense was Satya Sai Baba’s favorite incense? Lara P., Milwaukee, WI
Nag Champa Incense
Dear Lara: It is said that Satya Sai Baba actually loved this very fragrant and legendary Nag Champa Incense, and in fact, the Nag Champa Incense bears his name and endorsement.
I first heard about Satya Sai Baba in the 70’s when I resided at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California from a devotee of his who regularly visited Satya Sai Baba when he went to India. He and his partner were totally enamored of Satya Sai Baba and regularly held meditation meetings at Esalen dedicated to their guru. As someone new on the path, I never tired of the stories of the miracles of Satya Sai Baba. In fact, his devotee gave me a substance called vibhuti, which Satya Sai Baba regularly was able to produce magically out of thin air. It was a grayish, perfumed substance that felt very magical and I held it close to my heart for a long time. Vibhuti was said to have real healing properties and some people even ingested the substance.
Satya Sai Baba’s Nag Champa is truly a favorite of mine and I have been known to have continually favored his Nag Champa incense since many years ago when I visited Muktananda’s ashram in Oakland, Florida. I immediately was enamored of the never cloying, yet sweet fragrance that is attached to Nag Champa incense, a combination of spice, gum, resins, oils and flowers. Available in many sizes and packages, I don’t know anyone who is not impressed with the subtle, yet deeply fragrant incense. I would go so far as to say that Nag Champa is right up there with the spiritual fragrance of sandalwood that is one of, if not the most popular, incenses.
Satya Baba claimed to be a reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi who had died in 1918,who was also considered to be a saint and miracle worker. Satya Sai Baba was at first considered famous for his materializations of not only the holy ash called vibhuti, but other small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches. In fact, the Satya Sai Baba devotee previously mentioned showed me a ring that Sai Baba had manifested for him.
While these conjuring abilities led to much of his fame, in fact, Satya Sai Baba was a great philanthropist during his life and created many foundations and hospitals in his name that performed free medical services for countless people. In addition, Satya Sai Baba also established a network of clinics, drinking water projects and schools. His foundations continue to exist to this day to provide services.
While many were attracted to Satya Sai Baba initially by his miracles, the true miracle of Satya Sai Baba was in the many philanthropic and charitable institutions he funded and created.
I always loved Satya Sai Baba and at one time thought myself to be a devotee of his. I am truly one of his great admirers. Thanks for writing, Spiritual Explorer
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