Your Life is Your Message : Life Before And After Sathya Sai Baba [Paperback]

Charlene Leslie-Chaden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 1999

When presented with the manuscript for this book, Sathya Sai Baba gave the author the title "Your Life is Your Message". He later signed and blessed a copy of the published book. This autobiography details how the author's life went from one of misery to a life filled with grace and bliss after she found Sathya Sai Baba who guided her on the path and provided her with continual blessings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"....the famous compiler of the comprehensive and handy A Compendium of the Teachings of Sathya Sai Baba, recounts the absorbing story of her life. Charlene struggled through the difficulty of a nightmarish childhood, and scarcely in her mid-teens, began a series of troubled relationships, as one after another failed to give her love and stability. She learnt to be financially independent and emotionally balanced, while bringing up her children, managing her oppressive mother, and dealing with her traumata. To top it all she never felt sorry for herself, intuitively realising that it was all her own karma which brought her this suffering; though it was much later, after she had met Swami that she found words to describe her resilence. She learnt to forgive the people who became the medium of inflicting her agonizing karma. Her innate faith in God and search for the meaning in life not only saw her through her painful experiences, but also made her learn valuable lessons from them.....In the tradition of the monumental Compendium, Charlene extensively quotes Swami throughout the book. The style of the narrative is matter-of-fact, clear and lively. There is an unmistakable touch of feminine sensibility which perceives the heart of the matter with as much ease as it observes the external world. Charlene is very candid and unsparing, both to herself and others, to let the truth stand out. -- Spiritual Impressions, Mar-Apr 1999

This book changed my life! I'm a police detective for many years for the Las Vegas Nevada Police Department and I've seen it all.....I could not put the book down - it addressed every question I ever had about life and how to live and deal with the challenges in everyday life. Thank you, thank you, thank you! My wife could not wait for me to finish the book so she could read it. -- Ed L., Las Vegas, Nevada

This book is by far one of my most favourite ones ever written by a Sai devotee because it is so realistic and radically different from the usual fare. Many readers will be familiar with Charlene Leslie-Chaden as the compiler of the "Compendium of the Teachings of Sathya Sai Baba", and now she writes of her life before and after hearing about Sai Baba. She spares no detail of her horrific childhood, enduring sexual abuse at the hands of an alcoholic step-father and neglect from an indifferent, cold and often cruel mother. Later on, she suffered through a series of disastrous marriages before finding Syd Chaden, the one husband who supported her interests, loved and never abused her. Two of Charlene's children grew up to have monumental problems of their own with alcohol and drug abuse. Despite these obstacles, Charlene emerged from this nightmare to discover Sai Baba whom she was able to visit as her husband's business took them to India frequently. Baba showered her with bliss, grace and love she had lacked from her childhood and granted her scores of interviews and personal attention. She narrates how Swami directly intervened to save her life on several occasions and also manifested his presence in her home and through dreams. The author details everything frankly and with a straight-forward candor that is quite refreshing; this lady tells it like it is!.....To me, this book demonstrates how God's grace can triumph over the most severe and debilitating circumstances, inspiring greater strength and devotion. -- Michael Sawer, Canadian Sai Organization Newsletter

About the Author

A retired adminstrator and small business owner, and now author and compiler of two books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Sai Towers Publishing (February 17, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 8186822623
• ISBN-13: 978-8186822623
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,128,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality Beyond Religion, April 3, 2000

By 

MEB "MEB" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Life is Your Message : Life Before And After Sathya Sai Baba (Paperback)

Charlene finds God within herself and writes about the experience. A great book on the blessed effects of Sai Baba's Love & Grace upon Charlene's life.

There are many wonderful teachings given to us through this book. I found it very difficult to put the book down.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for Sai Baba devotees!, December 29, 2001

By 

"sathyac" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Life is Your Message : Life Before And After Sathya Sai Baba (Paperback)

I have read many books on Sai Baba, the Avatar of our time. This is one of the 2 which I had the most trouble putting down. The other was my first Baba book, "The Ultimate Experience," which I recommend to anyone whether they've heard of Sai Baba or not. In this book, Charlene tells the story of her very troubled life before she becomes aware of Baba and of his Presence and Grace in her life. She cannot change her past, but she proves that amazing changes can and do occur as a result of surrendering her life and her will to God. She is a very bright woman who grows up under conditions of extreme dysfunction, having virtually no idea of how to love, or even what love is. Once she finds her way to Sai Baba and experiences the miracles of his Omnipresence and the bliss of His Divine Love, she and her husband devote their lives to living in accordance with Baba's teachings. As a result, their love and their lives blossom and grow as they become His messengers, carrying His teachings and Love with them and sharing it whenever it is appropriate. Charlene's love and devotion is so strong that one can almost feel the Presence of her beloved Baba on each and every page of this book. I guess that's why it was such a page-turner for me. Additionally, this book includes a multitude of Sai Baba quotes, in reference to just about everything. Although there are not lots of photos, the ones that are included are exceptional.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best spiritual Book, March 25, 2000

By 

Lalita (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Life is Your Message : Life Before And After Sathya Sai Baba (Paperback)

This si the best bok on Sri Satya sai baba's life and his message through hi steaching. Everyone should read this book once. And try to implement lord's teaching.