What was Sai Baba's philosophy on the necessity of mantras and complex spiritual practices for a disciple?

Sai Baba conveyed a philosophy that prioritized faith and focused attention on the Guru over formal rituals or the acquisition of scriptural knowledge. Chapter 19 recounts him telling an old woman, 'my Guru did not blow any mantra into my ears, so how can I blow one into yours?' He further explained that the effort of a mantra is useless compared to the Guru's nurturing gaze. The core teaching was simple yet profound: 'Look at me with undivided attention, and I will look at you the same way; my Guru did not teach me anything else.' He concluded that there is 'no need for abundance of spiritual means, no need for cleverness in the six Shastras,' but rather one should have complete faith in the Guru.