Meeting Flow. Topics. Outcome. Announcements Journey thus far Moving Forward Study Circle Process and Activities

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2 Meeting Flow Topics Outcome Announcements Journey thus far Moving Forward Study Circle Process and Activities Concrete Steps Center Action Items Regional Action Items

3 JOURNEY THUS FAR

The Quest of the SELF 2017-18 Self-Confidence (Ekagratha or One-pointedness) Fearlessness Equanimity The Quest of the SELF Not s but the S SSS->S Self-Satisfaction (Vairagya or

4 The Quest of the SELF Self-Confidence (Ekagratha or One-pointedness) Fearlessness Equanimity The Quest of the SELF Not s but the S SSS->S Self-Satisfaction (Vairagya or Detachment) Ceiling On Desires W.A.T.C.H Self-Sacrifice (Sharanagathi or Surrender) Give & Forgive J.O.Y Selfless Service Practice Is More Important Than Precept Baba: SSS02, Ch 11, Pg 57

5 The Quest Of The Self Time To Take Stock Sadhana An Inward Path Mama Dharma My Duty LOVE SOURCE, PATH, GOAL B.A.B.A. Be Alert Be Aware MAHASAMADHI Introspection Reconciliation

6 Taking Stock Last several years focused on several aspects of SPIRITUAL INQUIRY Building block towards inspiring / inculcating sense of Inner Strength to our SPIRITUAL INQUIRY External & Internal Discipline Be Aware Be Alert Immortality attained only thru Sacrifice Sai Into Action Love Is My Form Love: the Source, the Path and the Goal Bliss Is My Nature, Realize It My Duty Developing the mindset required for SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Sadhana - The Inward path The Quest of the Self The focus always has been, is and in the future should be SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, but concepts should not remain mere ideas We focus on cultivating this mindset further We focus on practical application We focus on staying on course in face of any challenge life presents us

7 Questions To Ponder Is there a difference between spiritual and secular/practical life? Are Swami s message and teachings relevant to our life here and now? Or is that to be left for later in life? How do we stay focused on our target amidst the cacophony & pressures of life and making a living? What is our target after all? What is the purpose of our life? Do we have integrity in this direction?

8 Questions To Ponder How do we stay confident and focused on the Self and the SPIRITUAL JOURNEY in face of: external pressure at work and in society the need to stay recognized need to keep worrying of what others think about us constant temptation to depend on external company or internal crutches to feel complete Need to conform to our ideas and concepts Swami said: You are not 1 but 3 people: the one you think you are, the one others think you are, the one you really are Do we know who we really are? Does it matter? Why?

9 Questions To Ponder Can Swami s path of transformation help us to create a personalized framework that each one of us can use to live our lives grounded in the true reality of who we really are

SAI The Path Of Transformation In Prashanthi Vahini, Swami said: Humans have three things that animals don t have: the power to reason and the power to decide on right and wrong the power to renounce

11 SAI The Path Of Transformation In Prashanthi Vahini, Swami said: Humans have three things that animals don t have: the power to reason and the power to decide on right and wrong the power to renounce These are special powers; but of what use are they unless they are applied in actual practice? If they are used, the name human is apt, otherwise, the name animal has to be used These three powers must be put into practice in every aspect of our life Path of Inquiry, Discrimination, Renunciation You embark on the path! Path to where? - Path to self transformation How? Practice not just Precept In Geetha, Krishna declares: Jnaathum, Dhrashtum, Praveshtum Three stages of knowing, seeing, experiencing on the path to selfrealization References -- Prashanthi Vahini, Pg32 -- SathyaSaiSpeaks26, Pg38

12 Study Circles for YEAR Theme: SAI The Path Of Transformation Sub-Topics: I-Individual, A-Association, S-Spiritual Inquire: Individual Transformation Adaambithwam: Simplicity Rjuthwam: Straight-forwardness Introspect: Association Transformation Soucham: Purity Ekanthavasam: Dwelling in solitude Be: Spiritual Transformation Sthairyam: Steadfastness Tathwa Jnana Darsanam: Vision of the universal principle References: Triple Transformation --Sathya Sai Speaks chapter 29, Pg50 Twenty virtues of a Jnani --Geetha Vahini chapter XXIII, Pg

13 SAI The Path Of Transformation Inquire I Individual Transformation Simplicity Straight-Forwardness SAI - The Path Of Transformation Introspect A - Association Transformation Purity Dwell In Solitude Be S Spiritual Transformation Steadfastness Constant Integrated Awareness Practice Is More Important Than Precept Baba: SSS02, Ch 11, Pg 57

14 Inquire -- I - Individual Transformation Triple Transformation: The primary endeavor of man today should be to shed selfishness, develop spirituality and realize the Divine. Three basic changes should take place in man. That is the truth contained in the Sai principle. "I" stands for "Individual" change SSS29-Ch11 "One cannot achieve anything in life unless one gets rid of ego and attachment. Anything can be achieved with humility and obedience. In all spheres of life moral, spiritual, physical, and even political one should conduct oneself with devotion. Only then will the task achieved shine in glory" Mahasivarathri 17 February 2007 Inquire -- I-Individual Adaambithwam or Simplicity: humility, vanity-less-ness, gratitude Rjuthwam or Straight-forwardness: integrity of thought, word and deed

15 Introspect -- A - Association Transformation Triple Transformation: The primary endeavor of man today should be to shed selfishness, develop spirituality and realize the Divine. Three basic changes should take place in man. That is the truth contained in the Sai principle. "A" stands for "Associational" change SSS29-Ch11 In this context, the Geetha has described the traits of the devotee who is dear to the Lord: That devotee is dear to me who is free from desire, who is pure in body and mind, who is resolute, unconcerned, free from sorrow and has renounced all sense of doership SSS26-Ch1 Introspect -- A-Association Soucham or Purity: absence of 6-vices (affection, hatred, desire, discontent, lust, anger), Sathwic habits Ekanthavasam or Dwelling in solitude: understand 3 zeros, detachment (from external and internal crutches & company)

16 Be -- S - Spiritual Transformation Triple Transformation: The primary endeavor of man today should be to shed selfishness, develop spirituality and realize the Divine. Three basic changes should take place in man. That is the truth contained in the Sai principle. "S" stands for "Spiritual" change SSS29-Ch11 "The whole world appears as containing innumerable names and forms. One should not be enmeshed with these names and forms. It is only when the names and forms are set aside and the underlying source is identified that it is possible to recognise the truth. And that truth is Tattwamasi (That Thou Art). That is Prajnanam Brahma (constant integrated awareness is Brahman)" 20th October 2004 (Dasara) at Prashanti Nilayam Be -- S-Spiritual Sthairyam or Steadfastness: discipline, courage, self-control, self-reliance, undisturbed peace (during joy, grief, prosperity, adversity, happiness and misery) Tathwa Jnana Darsanam or Constant integrated awareness: vision of the universal principle, six-darshanas

17 The Eternal Charioteer - Swami Swami has said and explained ALL THAT needs to be heard and understood it is for us to pick up pace and put this treasure into practice

18 REGIONAL CALENDAR (FOR CONSIDERATION)

19 SAI The Path Of Transformation Inquire: Individual Transformation Simplicity Straight-forwardness Introspect: Association Transformation Purity Dwell in Solitude Be: Spiritual Transformation Steadfastness Constant Integrated Awareness

20 September 2018 Simplicity October 2018 November 2018 Straight-forwardness December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 Purity Dwell in Solitude March 2019 Steadfastness April 2019 May 2019 Constant Integrated Awareness

21 Amherst Albany Boston Buffalo Burlington Chelmsford Cumberland Farmington Glastonbury Ithaca Newtown Northborough Norwalk Scarborough Rochester Stamford Shelton South Eastern CT group Syracuse Simplicity Straight-forwardness Purity Dwell in Solitude Steadfastness Wappingers Falls Walpole North Haven Scarsdale Constant Integrated Awareness

22 METHODOLOGY ADULTS Study Circle Theme: SAI-The Path Of Transformation Inquire: Individual Transformation Simplicity Straightforwardness (unity of TWD) Introspect: Association Transformation Purity Dwell In Solitude Be: Spiritual Transformation Steadfastness Constant Integrated Awareness SSE SSE Theme: Be The Change! The three objectives for three quarters are: Quarter 1: Integrity (To Be) Quarter 2: Social Responsibility (To Do) Quarter 3: Citizenship (To Tell) Monthly Topics 9 month journey 3 quarters 2 topics/quarter Sep 2018 to May 2018

23 Local Centers: Collaboration Each Center to provide ONE person to collaboration team. Collaboration Tasks: Search and Collect Study Material Create Powerpoint Templates Upload Material on Website Debrief, Brainstorm, Address Study Circle Challenges

24 Where to Research Vahinis /english/vahinis.html Summer Showers /english/showers.html Sathya Sai Speaks /english/sss.htm Chinna Kathas Conversations with Sathya Sai Baba Jack Hislop Type of Content required Pertinent Paragraphs preferred with punch lines Parables Chinna Kathas Examples such as Example of a cloth, Example of Radio etc. Please remember to note source information: Book Name: E.g. Vahini or SSSSpeaks or Summer Showers year Chapter Number Discourse Date (if available)

25 REGION 1, USA, ZONE 1

26 Put Into Daily Practice Study Circle Topics WORLD INDIVIDUAL FAMILY COMMUNITY SAI CENTER WORK PLACE / COLLEGE / SCHOOL

27 FOR CENTER CONSIDERATION Region 1 Theme SAI The Path Of Transformation Period: September 2018 to April 2019 MAY 2018 Culmination at Regional Retreat 2019

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JOURNEY THUS FAR

1 2011-2018 JOURNEY THUS FAR Sadhana An Inward Path 2017-17 Sadhana Chatushtaya (Four Spiritual Disciplines) Viveka (Discrimination between the transitory and eternal) Vairagya (Renunciation of the desire