I Am I

Be he a student, a celibate, a householder, or a renunciant, the goal is one and same for all. Contemplate on the principle of so-ham [that I am] that your inner voice teaches. Say Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman). There is nothing wrong in this statement. Some people have a mistaken notion that, to say so is a sign of egoism. In fact, that is not ego at all. It is your right. To think that you are a mere human being amounts to demeaning yourself.

Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 35, Ch. 13, “Develop Broadmindedness to Experience Divinity”

Question yourself, “Who am I”? You will get the reply, “I am I.” When you understand and experience this truth, nobody can cause any suffering to you. You cannot escape from suffering as long as you are immersed in the dualistic feeling that you are a mere mortal and God is separate from you. The feeling that “I am separate from you” is your own imagination.

You will be haunted by worry as long as you don’t realize Hari (God). You are worried because you identify yourself with the body. Once you identify yourself with the Self (God), you will be free from all worries. Hence, you should make every effort to realize your true Self. Under all circumstances, do not shed tears of sorrow. One will be free from sorrow when one gives up body attachment. In order to be free from worry and fear and to attain everlasting peace, you should realize that “I am I.” When you have firm belief in this statement, nothing can shake you. Do not develop undue attachment to the body and material possessions. You will be redeemed only when you lead your life with a spirit of sacrifice. What you should achieve is tyaga (sacrifice) and not bhoga (pleasure). To consider something as yours (‘mine’) is bhoga. To realize that nothing is yours (‘not mine’) is yoga. This yoga bestows on you the true strength.

 Divine Discourse on Christmas, December 25, 2003, “You Yourself are God”

Each one of you may undertake a different sadhana (spiritual practice). Whatever may be the sadhana, it should be performed with atmic feeling. You should make efforts to understand the principle of oneness. That alone constitutes true sadhana.

You are in the light and the light is in you. Bear this in your mind. Ultimately, you will realize that “I am I”. If you want to understand the principle of atma, you should not give scope to multiplicity. All that you see and hear in this world are merely reflections, reactions, and resounds. The reality is within you.

        Divine Discourse on, March 1, 2003“Experience of Unity is real Satsang”

You have to finally make a firm resolve “I am I.” You should not identify yourself with the body and say, “I am a child,” “I am a young man,” “I am an old man,” etc. These differences relate to the age factor. What is the next stage after old age? Nobody knows. But, “I” principle exists in the child, youth, and old age. This is the fundamental and changeless principle. Therefore, when somebody enquires who you are, you reply, “I am I.” If he is unable to understand this principle, do not bother; you hold on to your principle. It is only when you develop such firm conviction that you will be able to achieve anything in life.

Divine Discourse on, October 20, 2004, “Who are you? I am I “

In this manner, Buddha enquired deeply and ultimately got the experience of “I am I.” That is true realization. You may do penance for many years, you may do meditation and perform many yogic practices. But all these spiritual practices give only temporary satisfaction, not everlasting bliss.

Some people talk about meditation. Even Buddha advocated the practice of meditation. What is that you have to meditate upon? What is meant by meditation? Does it mean concentrating upon a particular object? No, no. That is not meditation at all. To contemplate upon the principle of “I am I” is true meditation. No other sadhana (spiritual practice) can match this.

As long as you have the dualistic feeling of “you and I”, you cannot experience unity. Buddha recognized the principle of unity and based his life on this truth. Under the direction of many yogis, he had performed various kinds of meditation and penance, but ultimately, he found them to be a mere waste of time because none of these could lead him to the ultimate experience of oneness…

 Divine Discourse on, May 13, 2006, “Attain enlightenment by renouncing desires”

I am I. I am not Sathya Sai Baba. Sathya Sai Baba is the name given to this body. I don’t have any particular name.

In this way, people today are deluded by their attachment to their body and senses. But you are not the body, you are not the senses, you are not the intellect, you are you. You should realize, “I am I.” That universal “I” principle is only one. Ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by many names). But the individual “I” represents ego. When you cut this “I,” it becomes the cross that is worshiped by the Christians. It means: when you give up your ego, you become your true self.

 Divine Discourse on July 26, 2007, “Only Love for God is True Love”