God Manifests According to Your Bhava

One devotee was asking God, “You say You are in me, above me, below me. How is that You are not protecting me?” 

God answers, “I am always in you, around you. Don’t look for Me externally.” 

The devotee asked, “Are You behind me really?” 

Replied the Lord, “My shadow is your body.” 

When the devotee turned around to see whether God behind, he could not see Him. He asked, “Are You speaking the truth? I don’t find You.” 

God replied, “When you turn back, I too have to turn back, So, you could not see Me. You have not understood the Truth.” 

Suppose you stand before a chair; the chair is in front of you. If you turn around, the chair is at your back. God manifests according to your bhava (feeling). When you pray, “Can’t you hear my prayers?”, you visualise Him hearing with His ears. When you pray, “Can’t You see my suffering?”, you see only His eyes. When you pray, “Why don’t you stay with me?”, you hear His footsteps. You have to maintain perfect silence. 

 The ancient seers spent their time in listening to the voice of God, which is Pranava. Even now, you can experience this. Close your ears gently. You will hear the sound Om from within."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 22.4.1998)