Listen to or read about the teachings and divine plays of an enlightened master is one of the highest forms of spiritual practice

Shirdi Sai Baba

(from "Quintessence of Sai Satcharitra" by Shuddhanandaa Brahmachari):

Even though Baba appeared to be the most ordinary man, his sublime intelligence and spiritual strength were often reflected in his actions. Every action of his was performed for the sole purpose of the benefit of his devotees. He never taught or talked about any particular yogic practice or pranayama. Nor did he ever instruct on following any particular method of worship. He also never gave any particular holy mantra to anyone as a part of diksha, or spiritual initiation. He only had one teaching to offer to all, "Give up all narrowness of mind and keep chanting "Sai, Sai." If you keep doing this, you will be free from all shackles that bind you, and you will attain liberation."

Fire sacrifices, austerities, renunciation, and Ashtanga yoga are not meant to be practiced by those humans who are in the path of devotion and simple surrender at the feet of the Guru. Such activities are to be practiced only under an adept spiritual master and require a continuous spiritual master and require continuous spiritual mentoring by an authentic Guru. 

The mind is always filled with thoughts. It cannot remain still and thoughtless even for a moment. If you attach your mind to any particular subject of thought, your mind will keep dwelling on it continuously. And if you offer your mind at the lotus feet of your Guru, your mind will remain in constant contemplation of the divine. While you read this book, you are in the company of the divine. Yo listen to or read about the teachings and divine plays of an enlightened master is one of the highest forms of spiritual practice. This is because while one reads the lives of enlightened masters, the power of their divine grace touches the devotee's heart and transforms them in a very subtle and natural way. Contemplation on the life of saints helps to overcome worldly fears and anchors one to the strength of his spirit. Thus, if the life of Sai Baba is read and contemplated on, and his teachings are practiced in our day-to-day life, our minds will be calmer and the light of his grace will flood our beings. This path is so simple. Yet, why don't more people follow this path? 

Until such time that divine grace touches one's heart, an ordinary human is not inspired to read the lives of saints and authentic teachers. Only by the grace of God is it possible to attain such inclination. To read or listen to the life of saints is the same as being in their holy presence. To be in the company of saints and to imbibe their teachings in one's own life and thoughts is of immense value. As a result of the holy company of true saints, one is gradually freed from the shackles of the ego and attains freedom from the temporal cycles of birth and death. All the clouds of doubt are resolved, as one can see through newly opened doors of consciousness. 

The limitations of the heart and mind give way to the realization of the soul and one can perceive the self and God as the same. Individual consciousness merges with the universal consciousness. As deeper realms of the mind keep unraveling, one naturally moves away from material desires and craves the unparalleled taste of divine love. Worldly joys and sorrows cease to have much impact on the mind as their importance and relevance begin to fade. If instead of following the religious practices of chanting the divine name, ritualistic worship, and other devotional offerings to God, one completely surrenders oneself to the feet of true Sadguru, one is certain to cross the ocean of birth and death easily. The only reason why Sadguru takes a human form is for the liberation of surrendered souls. 

Even the holy rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, the waters of which can wash away the bad karma of this birth, long to be touched by the holy feet of the enlightened soul. Such is the greatness of the enlightened one. Only by the good karma of previous births is one inspired to take shelter at the feet of Sai and surrender oneself completely at the service of a Sadguru.