Kazik Borkowski (PL)

    Important news!
A large portion (about 70%) of the first volume of the book (in Polish) is now available here.
Its working version of English translation has been completed in October 2007.

Overviews of three important books by Daniel Ostoja
(see also Polish versions)

Dear Sai-Netters,

These days I have read a brand new Sai-book which made such a great impression on me that I felt urge to share something about it with all of you. Since it is in Polish it will take some time until hopefully all the world will be able to enjoy it fully. The book is entitled "First Steps towards Love. Conversations with a Spiritual Master" and is written by Daniel Ostoja (pronounced as Ostoya).

The book very much resembles the famous "Conversations with God" by Neale D. Walsch, however the God here is our Swami Himself and the author is His devotee who after intense sadhana obtained Grace of becoming a scribe of His word. Although there is no mention about an outer, physical blessing of the book by Swami, its content carries such a power that to me there seem no need for any wordly confirmation.

Mentioning Neale's books, it will be of interest to all to note an indirect evidence that they are also a 'product' of Swami (the understanding, that everything is His making, aside), for Daniel in his conversations says something like 'In Neale's books You state so and so' and the Master accepts it matter-of-factly.

The main theme of the book is Love. "This book will be devoted to Love written by capital 'M', or Divine Love, its working in the world and path of man to it. This path consists of many stages and we shall discuss them all in turn. Presently on Earth there are people of all stages of evolution/development – from weakly formed intellects to highly evolved spiritual Masters. The latter have come down onto earth because of the end of certain age and transition to another – the age of Truth, in which God will be recognized as the Perpetrating Cause of the Universe. [...] In this book I shall tell how one can get to live with God in close and full of joy friendship, how to find in Him a trustee, companion and loving, devoted friend." [page 46]

Many easy and appealing methods are given for people who want to develop this Love and get indeed very close to God. Here is one example of such a practice proposed: "Concentrate on God considering Him as someone whom you love dearly. Imagine that you approach Him and embrace Him affectionately. This is the best way." [127]

Besides this dominating theme of Love a range of subjects are considered at least on passing. A few examples that caught my attention:

— Death and dying (crossing the tunnel, prayers for departed, "Death is not the end, on the contrary, it is beginning of life" [193]).

— Relationships ("In the eyes of God sacramental oath loses validity in such cases like adultery, alcoholism, sexual abuse, vilence" [81]).

— Abortion and euthanasia ("There are situations when such a procedure/operation is a good solution," but the decision always belongs to God, i.e. should be seeked in Him. [135])

— The book will become known worldwide.
Q: Thousands of people will read Your words.
A: Hundreds of thousands all over the world. And I shall touch everybody. Here. Now. [222]

— The next president (a prediction made on a lighter note).
Q: Master [Daniel usually calls the One behind the inner voice by name of Master or Baba], who will be the next president? Tell me and I shall stake a large sum of money on him and win.
A: The same man as is now, but if you'll stake too much, you will lose. Do not run the risk. [143] [No more details are given. I assume the president in question is that of USA, not Poland, for our president already serves this position second and the last tenure. Also, I assume this part of conversation took place last year. Generally, however, no dates are specified in the book.]

— About life being like a theatre drama that nears its completion. A: ... But every performance must sometime end and the present one is just about to finish. Love already appears from behind the curtain of Heaven. Clapping can be heard, simply stormy applause. It was exquisite performance with deaply touching meaning. It remains for Me only to thank you for taking part in the Play. You did it superbly, simply superbly. And in a moment for many of you will begin a new one. Would you like to know its title?
Q: Oh, yes! Of course.
A: Divine Love Leads Waking-up Humanity Towards Happiness and Light.
Q: Wonderful.
A: And how beautiful is the scenario ... Soon you will find it yourselves. [83]

— Elsewhere: Q: You know the future. Could You tell me, in what will all this end.
A: Humanity will merge in Light.
Q: And will life on Earth survive?
A: No. Within a few billions of years the Sun will envelope it with its radiation and this planet will burn up.
Q: But will in the nearest hundred or two hundred years not happen anything, which could threaten the humanity?
A: You will not get answer to this question. I have already told enough. [62]

— Some more predicitions of our future. Q: So, during the nearest 10 years the Earth will be safe.
A: There are many dangers threatening, but luckily I am here and I take care that nothing happens which could impede your [plural 'your'] development. [64]

I hope Sai-Net members will appreciate my eagerness to share these pieces from such an impressive book, even though this post may not be entirely in accord with this satsang (company of the good) rules.

Sai Ram,

Dear Sai Family, About a year ago I have posted here a review of a most amasing book that appeared in Poland and apparently dictated by Sai through an inner voice to His devotee by pen-name of Daniel Ostoja. Then, I have expressed my sincere enthusiasm for the book content and shared with you a few excerpts translated from Polish (for those who have not read it I placed an edited version at http://sai.5v.pl/SSB/Inne/Ostoja-Sai-Net.htm with a scan of the book cover). Last month I have received ... guess what! Yes, a second book by the same author and all throughout written in the same vein and about the same matter: Love (meaning Love of God or just God). Also, it carries the same subtitle ('Converasations with a Spiritual Master'), but is differently entitled: 'Boundless Love'.

It is difficult to express the feelings of something great happening that I felt while reading this second volume. It must therefore be true that He has, as He Himself mentioned in the book, blessed it with extra energy so that reading it alone much influences the reader. That first book, 'The First Steps towards Love', the Master has now described as the most important book that was written in this country (Poland) during the entire 20th century. The third book of this series has been announced to appear. So in this respect it will resemble still more the triple book of 'Conversations with God' by N.D. Walsch, of which the Master said it teaches knowledge or theory while the present writing is devoted to Love. To me it sounded like ascribing the Neale's series to well known to us notion of jnana-marga (path of knowledge) and the Daniel's one to bhakti-marga (path of devotion). Here is an important excerpt that I decided to translate sentence by sentence trying to be as precise as I can, for if it is really that great as stated in the last paragraph cited below, it would be pity to keep you awaiting for a full book translation. "If you want to meditate, sit down in solitude and ask the Highest for help in this journey. Breath evenly for some time, and then imagine the Universe as a huge ball in which your planet is only a tiny dot. Then, raise eyes still higher - look beyond the Universe and see gigantic Sun effulgent with unheard-of brillance. Envision that a blazing ray emanates from Him and touches the top of your head. Pure and luminous brightness pervades the entire head and, as if focused by a large lens, converges in your heart. After a longer while let the Light flow from the heart out to all nooks of your body, mind and soul. Let this part of the practise continue for about ten to twenty minutes. It may be accompanied by various phenomena, but remain unconcerned regarding them as small gifts from someone who loves you very, very much. This meditation is good prior to retiring. Meditate keeping in front of yourself imagined golden ball of the Universe and behind it luminous Form of the Creator – the pure, untainted Light unceasingly emitting Its rays in all directions. Become One with Him. Thanks to this meditation numerous Beings in the Great Cosmos attained liberation. I pass it down to you [plural 'you'] on this planet for the first time. It is special boon of My Love for all those who sincerely seek Love and wish to tread Its paths." [Page 208/209] There are quite a few examples of Daniel's dreams interpreted by the Master. One of them seems to carry an unhappy prediction for all of us. Daniel had a vision. When near to falling asleep he saw Osama bin Laden and soon afterwards a nuclear mushroom appeared. This time the Master refused to talk about it saying that it is too early for him to understand many events happening in the world. Daniel did not give up and later the conversation went in part like this: Q: There will be an explosion in a town. A: Maybe. Q: Hundreds of thousands of peaple will die. A: Maybe 'yes', maybe 'no'. Q: Cannot it be averted? A: Yes, it can. [148,...] Q: So, as I understand the doom of this town is sealed? A: No. Q: No? A: Until anything has happened, a matter is not closed. [149,... (after some coversation, on p. 150:)] Q: Master, I would like to get back for a while to the subject matter I started this talk with. To the nuclear explosion. A: You listen carefully. An event can be averted through removal of its causes; change of outcome can result from change of causes. You change causes, and outcomes will adjust themselves. The fact that your civilization does not respect the universal law, does not make the law work differently. And so on went the conversation. In the end the reader is left with an impression that although there are chances for the event to be averted, most probably it will happen. There is certain consolation for such tragic occurrences: the souls involved have earlier decided to take over the karma of others and so sacrifice (die) for them ("They [the thousands of such souls] have already come down, they are already here" [152]). In the previous book we have seen a somewhat vague prediction for the US presidential elections, which proved true. Now we have another prophecy, much more important but similarly vague. A thought crossed my mind: one of reasons to place such things there could be that should they come true, these books would draw attention of people that otherwise would be too suspicious of their genuineness. Dear Sai Family, there are so many things in the book I would love to be able to tell you here and now, about the author (besides, he is mathematician with a doctor degree), Golden Age and various other subjects discussed on passing, for practically every page brings some wisdom that sounds fresh and new. Obviously, it cannot be done, so let us pray these books are translated into English as promptly as can be done. I myself will eagerly await for the promised third volume of this series and, if only given a chance, shall present to this forum an overview. Let me conclude this review with an optimistic excerpt given at the very end of the book: Now I am speaking to you, the reader. Whether you want it or you do not, soon My Love will appear in your life and will let you recognize Itself. How? You will see, within a short period you will get convinced. And then a most interesting, most wonderful and most unusual advanture in your life will begin. Only wait on a little. And do smile. Today's time I compare to Christmas morning, when under the Christmas tree there are numerous gifts. They are already there waiting for you. In a moment they will be opened and there will be no end to joy and love. Do Me a favour [literally: make Me feel a pleasure] and smile [to Me]. I love so much your smile. It is time to finish this Tome and open an Other. In this Other the Creator Himself, your Father, writes down words of love with His heavenly pen on sheets of pure gold. This Tome is named Universe. Come nearer to Him and hug Him tightly. He will teach you how to read It. And there will be no end to the love that will arise. Because It has no limits. [p. 256] Sai Ram,

Third volume review for Sai-Net

Dear All, A few weeks ago I have laid hands on a new, the third volume of the series of books on Love written by Daniel Ostoja under common title of “Conversations with a spiritual Master”. The Master talking to Daniel through the inner voice, it seems, is none else than Bhagavan Shri Sathya Sai Baba, although, to my knowledge, so far it was not outwardly confirmed by Him. I reviewed the previous two volumes here on this forum in Autumns of 2004 and 2005. Those reviews can be found at this address.

To remind, these books are similar in quite a few respects to “Conversations with God” by Neale D. Walsch and are supposed to influence many, many people all over the world. They teach sort of bhakti path, a tight closeness to Loving Creator in everyday life.

The third volume is entitled “Love in Action”. It again brings tremendous dose of invitations to Love. The master says at the outset: 'Do not doubt that what you now keep in hands is one of the most important books of your life. For many of you it is the most important one. I am here to prove it to you'.

After a few introductory chapters there are ten consecutive chapters devoted to various meditations that not only directly strengthen love bonds with God but also serve to cleanse our minds and, after some practice, can be used to help whole the humanity in transformation process while it moves to the Golden Age. This help having to do with those black clouds of bad thought forms accumulated over millennia in other dimensions that must be neutralized (of which some years ago many of you must have heard from Isaac Tigrett). One special meditation allows an access to the Book of Life which contains an answer to humanity’s thousands years worth question of meaning and true value of life. The meditating reader may ask the loving Creator for being shown five pages most important to his life.

The book (the reviewed one, not that heavenly Book) content is composed of Daniel’s daily experiences and dreams commented by the Master and supported by citations from Sai Baba’s teachings, as well as teachings of a few mystics or masters of the past. More space is devoted to teachings of Spanish mystic and poet St. John of the Cross (in the book under original name of Juan de Yepes) and his work “The Ascent of Mount Carmel”, about which the Master said: ‘This work goes much beyond its time.’ It appears this saint was Daniel himself in one of his previous incarnations and those four centuries ago taught the same closeness to God as he does now under inner guidance of none else but the same Master. We are told that being a spiritual teacher in a few incarnations Daniel still carries some karmic relations with many past disciples and his present writings are meant also as a form of fulfilling his karmic obligations. For our US members of this satsang I should not omit to note a briefly discussed experience of Love Daniel have had when during an incarnation he lived in a US farm.

Another interesting point to note is a conversation about Sathya Sai Organization understood by Daniel as a movement connected with the Master. In this conversation the Master mentions the presence among members of the Organization of agents sent by governments and other political and religious institutions. Nevertheless, the Organization should be regarded as a positive movement remembering that ‘organization is but humans, while God is God’. For ultimately we should leave it behind, as we should all other worldly attachments, such as possessions, kin, and own self to come to Loving Divinity and remain with It.

As in earlier volumes, we have here ample measure of wonderful prophecies on how the life on Earth will look like after all the imminent changes take place, in times of commonly experienced great love and joy, when people shall be conscious of Divinity outwardly as now they are conscious inwardly. Daniel, while conversing, notes that on the way to these glorious times dangers await us, ‘among them I see a few nuclear explosions’. You remember of a similar prediction in previous book, when the Master was reluctant to confirm it straightaway. This time He answers directly in affirmative but adds also an encouragement (see more in the excerpts given here at the end).

To the question on credibility of the message of all these conversations the Master’s reply is: 'You are to a degree the coauthor of this book. [...] I pass over to you certain teachings so that you pass it further on. People may but do not have to accept them, there is no such obligation. […] You want to get assurance that what I say here are 100 % My words. But this is entirely unnecessary. […] All of you should note that neither in this nor in other My books the teaching or the content are not really the point. The goal is quite different. This book is not meant to be endlessly analyzed word by word from various points of view. It may and should become a propeller to love. The teachings are not nearly as important as love is.' Further on He says that everything said may be checked by ourselves in practice, and that if in doubt on the content we may ask our inner voice. Finally there is one more strong affirmation: 'This book is very, very good. As one of a few in the world it serves direct and conscious coming close to loving Creator and therefore it deserves the highest praise.' It is a doorway to Light, it is a roadmap but also a relay of hidden Power, a most precious Gift for which thousands of masters all over the Earth await, thousands of beings which are helping us.

The volume ends with a statement on forthcoming fourth book in the series.

I know of a devotee who translates the books into German.

Master: You consider yourselves to be Germans, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Chinese and Americans but I tell you point-blank: there is nothing like France, Poland or Germany. America and Australia do not exist either. All this Earth, all the continents down to the minutest grain of sand belong to Divinity and it never was or will be otherwise. Therefore, people who love Divinity naturally quit being a part of this world of dream and stand in love in front of Beloved. [80]

Master: You are still a young race and you do not understand your place in the cosmic ecosystem. But time is nearing when you will be able to grasp it, so you should get ready. Interesting times are awaiting you in near future – you’ll see it yourselves. Guests from other dimensions will be coming down here in an increasing frequency, because your civilization is approaching the turning point – opening of consciousness out onto miracles and mysteries of the Universe, onto Life and Love that exist and manifest there. Open off your hearts and your sensitivity to the gentle song of the Cosmos. You are, and always were, its part. The Universe is full of life and full of Love. Many of you soon will experience it themeselves.

Previously I have mentioned of visits from the Cosmos and today I want to continue this subject. Contrary to what may appear, it is an important issue. Cosmic beings are among you for thousands of years now. Older civilizations have visited Earth even before humankind came into being and considerably helped in your evolution. For this you should be grateful to them.

Humanity is not the only form of life in the Universe. Hundreds of millions of planets is teeming with life. The beings living on most of them became aware of Me and My working a long time ago. Many civilizations have learned to cooperate with Me and now such time is coming for you. […]

I would like you to understand My offer right. I do not take anything away from you. Just the opposite, I want to give you something very valuable, something most precious in the world and Universe. It is Love of God and opportunity to live each day in It and cooperating with It – touchably, tangibly, experienceably and verifiably. You will lose the stupidity of ego, aggression; thousands of diseases and misfortunes will just disappear. Pain and suffering will slowly go away into the past. Simply there is no alternative, since the other possibility would be only to destroy you all as the inhabitants of this Earth. [220]

[In your future] the Earth will look somewhat differently than it does today. Many bustling cities and housing estates will disappear. They will be replaced by dispersed houses, blended into ecosystems and closely fit to them. Fit not only with respect to the physical sphere but also spiritual one. […] The Cosmos will stand open for you. You will explore further and further planets and planes. There will come also a [remoter] time when you will reach the living spiritual Center of this Creation, wherefrom emerge all the Universes, hundreds before this one, and millions yet to come. You will live at the contact of Light and world, at the place where they meet, on the verge of Infinity. […]

Before you there are many events, which will shake your trust in sense and logic of Existence. Not much can be understood by seeing with the worldly eyes. But be aware even today that much has been spared from you and that after a period of difficulties there will come time of great flaring up of Consciousness.

Daniel: I have impression of a fury on the way to that time of which You speak. I see among other things a few nuclear explosions – I do not know where and when, but I do see them and hear them. They are accompanied by eerie, piercing, deep and rumbling sound.

Master: That is so.

D.: Master, won’t you say anything more?

M: Dear boy. Time to stop looking after the future. It is time to turn towards the only value, and not images of the past or future. All this is passing. Turn to what is eternal. If you were to find yourself in an immediate vicinity of the danger, surely you cannot escape. If not, there is no such a force that would be able to bring you there. Do you understand what I want to tell?

D: Yes, I think I do.

M: So where is the need to engage oneself in things and events with which you [singular] and most of you [plural] are not concerned? The inner ‘television’ sometimes is not less dangerous than the outer one. It directs your attention to the world (in Polish: swiat) instead to the Light (Swiatlo). [223]

Everyone who will turn to Love, in a few weeks time will find a few evidences proving My working, protection and existence. [239]
Sai Ram,

Kazik
Posted in Sai-Net discussion forum on March 26, 2007