How can Sai Baba's advice to 'not even stay in the shadow' of people with fallen character be reconciled with his teaching to 'not shoo away anyone, be it a dog, pig, or fly'?

The apparent contradiction in Sai Baba's teachings reflects a nuanced approach to interaction and self-preservation on the spiritual path. In Chapter 3, Baba advises that no one comes to us without some prior connection, and therefore we should not 'shoo away' any being, emphasizing universal acceptance. However, in the same discourse, he strongly warns against associating with those who have 'abandoned religious conduct,' calling them 'very dangerous.' This isn't a contradiction but a distinction between compassion and unwise association. The first teaching encourages a mindset of universal connection, while the second is a practical instruction for protecting one's own spiritual progress. One must avoid the corrupting influence of those whose actions are ruined, not out of hatred, but as a necessary measure for one's own well-being and to achieve one's ultimate goals.