In fact, consciousness; and hence, thinking, can exist outside the biological functioning of the brain. In other words, thinking (consciousness) was before the birth of the physical body, and continues after the death of the physical body. This is the basis of the esoteric idea of the process of reincarnation.

In Buddhist terminology, this is called the process of continuity of consciousness, which occurs regardless of the existence or non-existence of the physical body. This is truly a vast topic, which is considered in great detail in various areas of yoga, including the tradition of Kriya yoga.

Man has three bodies: the physical body, the astral body and the causal body. Beyond these three bodies is consciousness. Thus, when the physical body dies, the astral and causal bodies continue their journey into the next life.

The process of reincarnation of the soul (consciousness) is perfectly proven by the fact of the reincarnation of Sai Baba, who incarnated in this world at least three times. Thus, he proved the reality of the process of reincarnation. The meaning of reincarnation shows we are not a mortal body, but an eternal consciousness.

The false idea that matter determines consciousness has been completely refuted. Once again, the world was shown the truth that consciousness and spirit are eternal.

My spiritual connection with Sathya Sai Baba spans many lifetimes. When I first heard about him, and then came to his ashram in Puttaparthi, I immediately felt like I was at home.

My first trip to India took place in 1993 when I was 22 years old. This trip was completely spontaneous. Circumstances suddenly swirled around me. Several of my acquaintances unexpectedly decided to go to India. Two weeks before their departure, they invited me to join them.

At that time, I had been studying yoga, meditation, Vedic and Buddhist philosophy for more than ten years. I could not even imagine that one could easily go to India and meet Sathya Sai Baba. It all seemed too fantastic.

I first came to this fabulous country for six months. At the beginning of the journey, I visited the ashram of Yogi Ramaiah (1923-2006), a unique teacher of Kriya yoga, who lived in the very south of India.

After living there for some time, I moved in with Sathya Sai Baba, who became my greatest source of blessing. A person goes through the path of spiritual practices, thereby preparing himself for a great revelation, which can only be obtained as a gift from God.

Who is Sathya Sai Baba? This is a very difficult question to answer when there are so many followers, each with their individual encounters, stories, ideas and opinions. People sometimes project the qualities and properties they want to see.

Sathya Sai Baba often said: "I am a mirror that reflects your inner world, thoughts and feelings." These are excellent and perfect words.

Some saw him as God, and some as a cunning magician. Everyone sees what they are ready to understand and accept. I don't think I would like to fantasize about this complex topic … rather let everyone follow their own intuitive feeling, let everyone find their own answer to the question, who is Sathya Sai Baba?

It is hardly possible to understand this with the mind, for this you need to go into the depths of your spiritual heart and gain understanding there. Sometimes it seems to me that I know who he is, and sometimes I come into contact with a deep feeling of the impossibility to fully understanding his greatness and infinity. Why even fantasize about something that is beyond human understanding.

There is a famous saying of Sathya Sai Baba’s, which I was fortunate to hear several times from his lips: “Yes, I am God, but you are also Gods, the difference is that I remember that I am God, and you have forgotten.”

Everyone is God. The difference is only in the degree to which we realize our true divine nature. These wise words of Sathya Sai Baba most exhaustively explain how he perceived himself and all people.

God is the totality of all individual souls – we are all one in God. Each person carries a great potential for divine creativity. This truth Sathya Sai Baba perfectly embodied in his life.

How can one understand that Sathya Sai Baba is a divine incarnation? Can we be sure that he is God born on Earth? What are the criteria by which it is possible to recognize an Avatar?

First of all, one can only come to personal and independent realization that this is even possible. Experiences gained within one’s life can then only prompt reflection to stimulate and help you understand your own spiritual practice. Realization of the truth can only happen within your spiritual heart. In order for awareness to occur, it is necessary to independently go through the path of reflection and contemplation, possible doubts and, ultimately, deep awareness.

By the time I first met Sathya Sai Baba, I was already aware of various yoga traditions and spiritual teachers. I was seriously practicing meditation and studying Vedic philosophy. Back in Moscow, when I saw the video recording of Sathya Sai Baba and learned the stories of his amazing life, I instantly felt his colossal energy power.