As for Baba's style of teaching, he did not deliver lectures and rarely gave formal teachings. Rather, he taught by parable, direct experience, and the example of his own life. Baba's way is to cater directly to the needs of each individual and he did not require his devotees to take up any rituals or conventionally prescribed practice, nor did he favour any particular path over another. Baba generally discouraged people from changing their chosen form of worship. Indeed, once when a Hindu devotee converted to Islam, Baba slapped him and exclaimed, "What! You have changed your father?"

The Sri Sai Satcharitra (Ch. 19) reveals an inkling of the infinite variety of methods that Baba used to "teach" his devotees.

"Sometimes Baba observed a long silence which was, in a way, his dissertation on Brahman; at other times, he was Consciousness-Bliss incarnate, surrounded by his devotees. Sometimes he spoke in parables, and at other times, indulged in wit and humour. At times, he was quite unambiguous; and at times he seemed enraged. Sometimes he gave his teachings in a nutshell, at other times he argued at length. Many a time, he was very plain. In this way, he gave varied instructions to many, according to their requirements."

In everyday life, Baba never missed an opportunity to point out something that would benefit an individual's evolution. This could come in the form of direct instruction, or devotees might be put in circumstances where they were forced to realize something: "Like a loving mother forcing bitter but wholesome medicines down the throats of her children for the sake of their health, Sai Baba imparted spiritual instructions to His devotees." (Ch.11)

Baba's "teachings" sometimes appear contradictory, but this is because it was tailored to what a particular individual needed at a particular time. Thus sometimes he would encourage the reading of specific scriptures, but at other times, also sitting quietly; sometimes doing japa, but also ceasing to do japa; activity in the world, but also temporary withdrawal from it; puja to one's ishtadevata (chosen deity) and kirtan (including namasaptaha - singing God's name continuously for seven days), but on other occasions he would show that there was no need for such things, and so on. There are also several instances recorded of Baba reinforcing a devotee's faith by manifesting to them in the form of their ishtadevata.

Above all, however, Baba taught through an experience of love. The limitless love he extended to his devotees was reflected in their loving devotion and dependence on him. Baba spoke memorably about the great love between himself and his own guru; it was indescribable, he said, all-compelling, and filled them both with unsurpassable bliss. It is this powerful emotion that Baba triggers in his devotees, which then becomes the basis for all his teaching. Thus, more than anything else, Baba advocated trust and dependence on the sadguru, who, he repeatedly said, would take care of everything.

Baba's love and protection was such that it is often described as "motherly". The written experiences of the devotees and even the arati songs abound with joyful references to this; Baba also often spoke of his "children". As Sri Babuji wrote in Arati Sai Baba, "If we are to sum up Sai Baba's life, it is the spontaneous overflow of bounteous grace, in the form of spiritual and temporal well-being, inundating those who take refuge in him." For Sai Baba not only guided spiritual aspirants to the final destination, but he also looked compassionately on those seeking fulfilment of worldly desires. He is the epitome of Sri Babuji's statement that "the sadguru is the bridge which fuses the spiritual with the material". Once when a devotee objected to people going to Baba only for temporal benefit, Baba rebuked him, saying, "Don't think like that! That's what my people come to me for! First they get their desires fulfiled, then once they are comfortably placed in life they follow me and progress further." In what has now become a famous adage, he once said, "I give my devotees what they ask for until they ask for what I want to give." To this day, examples proliferate of how Baba is daily catering to the needs of the millions who worship him. They give us a small glimpse of Baba's unique greatness - his omniscience, omnipresence, his divine identity - and his overflowing love for all beings.