Segment 2—"Yes. Do it."

Author: Michael Cumpian

Roy Eugene Davis (1931–2019) was a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and a lifelong teacher of Kriya Yoga. He began his spiritual training at a young age under Yogananda’s guidance and later traveled extensively, teaching throughout the United States and abroad. As the founder of the Center for Spiritual Awareness, Davis was dedicated to making authentic yogic teachings accessible to modern seekers. His work as an editor and author reflects a commitment to preserving and sharing spiritual knowledge with clarity and integrity.

In 1972, Roy Eugene Davis was lecturing in Southern California when he met Walter and Elsie Cowan, publishers of Sri Satya Sai Baba’s works. A short time later, on a spontaneous decision to travel to India, Mr. Davis unexpectedly encountered Elsie again—this time in Bombay—which led to a visit to Sri Satya Sai Baba, near Bangalore. During their time with Baba, Elsie asked for permission to publish a small book of his sayings in America. Baba smiled and said: “Yes. Do it." From that encounter, Mr. Davis was entrusted with editing and preparing the teachings for publication, organizing them into twenty-three chapters of practical spiritual instruction.

This collection of aphoristic teachings were originally published in 1974 by the Center for Spiritual Awareness in Lakemont, Georgia, and printed copies of the book are not widely available today. This series offers access to teachings that many readers may not otherwise encounter.

An Excerpt from the Preface:

Herein are thoughts and instructions given to individuals and groups by Sri Satya Sai Baba. First compiled by Mr. N. Kasturi and published in India, this edited version has been faithfully reproduced by Roy Eugene Davis, with only some of the Sanskrit words and phrases altered into English equivalents.

Our thanks go to Mr. V. K. Gokak for his assistance in obtaining final approval after the manuscript was prepared. May The Teachings of Sri Satya Sai Baba bring hope, uplift, and multiplied blessings to thousands of readers the world over.

Further information about Roy Eugene Davis and the philosophy and practice of Kriya Yoga

can be found by visiting:

https://csa-davis.org/

Readers may also explore his published works, including Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him and Surrendered Love, Redeeming Grace (another rare book to find available in print) which offer insight into his life, training, and spiritual perspective.

With the context of the teacher and the transmission of these teachings now established, the first set of selections will now be explored. These statements on peace point inward—toward its source, its conditions, and the discipline required to recognize it.