[Published in Fortean Times, no. 69, June/July 1993, p. 64.]

Sai Baba's Miracles

John Keel is quoted in your interview with him [FT65:27-30] as saying that no one has "come up with a real exposé of Sai Baba". This is incorrect. Dale Beyerstein's Sai Baba's Miracles: An Overview (US$10 from Dale Beyerstein, Apt. A, 1267 W. 70th Ave., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6P 2Y4) points out that sleight-of-hand by Sai Baba can be seen in Richard Bock's videotape, "Christ in Kashmir, The Hidden Years", which is circulated by Sai Baba devotees. A 'thumb-palmed' necklace is visible on the tape at the 44-minute point before Sai Baba 'materialises' it, and at the 45-minute point another necklace is bunched up in his right hand and he uses his left hand to free it. Beyerstein also points out several other places on the videotape where evidence of conjuring tricks may be seen.

Jim Lippard
Tucson, Arizona