Echoes from Region1 Sai Newsletter

Transcription

1 Savanne Regional Coordinating Committee (Region 1) June/July 2014 Volume 2, Issue 2 Echoes from Region1 Sai Newsletter Message of the Lord The Eternal Guru Inside this issue: Message of the Lord - The Eternal Guru Workshops by Sister Pooja on Youth and Spirituality - The Leap Forward Sai Tips to Parents 2 Past Events 3 Chinna Katha - The Pundit and the Milkmaid Chinna Katha - The Mark of a True Devotee Sai Tapovanam Week 6 OUR VISION To drive Devotees to live according to the teachings of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba OUR MISSION To SURRENDER and to develop FRIENDSHIP with SAI OUR GOAL To consolidate the SAI FAM- ILY by developing a SAI CULTURE OUR OBJECTIVE To create opportunities for the SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT of devotees On 12 July 2014 we celebrated Guru Poornima, the festival celebrating the birth of revered Sage Vyasa and the occasion to express our love, reverence and gratitude to our teachers and preceptors. Swami, most often, gave a revealing discourse on this occasion every year, and let us recapitulate now one such His discourse He delivered in By being endowed with the human form, men do not become really human. The evolution from animal to the human being has taken millennia. The world is peopled today by billions of human beings. But how many of them display genuine human qualities? Man is still going through birth-pangs of real humanness. Only when human qualities are manifest can man claim to be truly human. In that humanness there is Divinity. It will wear the mantle of Truth. It will Sister Pooja Ghoora who is presently studying at the Sri Sathya Sai University, be the embodiment of Dharma (Righteousness), Prema (Love) and Santhi (Peace). It is only when men display these qualities that they can be regarded as human. If mankind is able to achieve at least this level of humanness, it would be sufficient. Today we are celebrating Gurupoornima. The day is usually observed as an occasion for offering worship to the Guru (the religious or other preceptor). There are eight different types of gurus, who impart spiritual instructions of different kinds. Among these, the really important guru is "Vihitha Guru", the preceptor who removes the doubts in the minds of the disciples and reveals to them the process of Self-discovery and Self-realisation. The guru should destroy the darkness of ignorance (about one's Reality) and illumine the mind of the disciple. The Anantapur was in Mauritius from 22 April to 26 May During her stay she illumination must result in the perception of the One Reality that is beyond name and form and attributes. Swami often gives to devotees Vibhuti or Bhasma (the sacred ash). Many people smear their foreheads with this ash. What is the inner significance of this ash? When any object that has a name and form is completely burnt, it is reduced to ashes. The name and form are gone. All things are one and the same in the final state as ashes. When Vibhuti is given, Swami wants the recipient to understand this Advaitam (basic oneness). The devotee should get rid of Ahamkara (ego arising from the feeling of separateness) and sense of Mamakara ("mine" and "thine"). These two are based on name and form and when they are destroyed, the underlying unity of the Divine can be realised. continue on page 6.. Workshops by Sister Pooja Ghoora on Youth and Spirituality The Leap Forward conducted three workshops with the theme: Youth and Spirituality - The Leap Forward., at Sathya Sai Centre of Goodlands for Regions 7A & 7B; Sathya Sai Centre of Lallmatie for Region 3 and at Sathya Sai Centre of Rose Belle for Regions 1 & 2. She also delivered speeches at Sathya Sai Centres of Wooton, Vacoas, Solferino, Tyack, Mare d'albert and Rose Belle. She send her love to all of us to stay at the Lotus Feet of the Lord.

2 P a g e 2 E c h o e s f r o m Re g i o n 1 S a i N e w s le tt e r V o l u m e 2, I s s ue 2 Regional Operations Strategic Framework in Action - Sai Tips to Parents Continue from Volume, 2 Issue 1.. FATHER'S SUPREME ROLE Fathers who allow their sons to go astray are not real fathers at all. Prahlada declared:"he alone is a father who tells his son: Child, realise God. He is a true Guru who leads the disciple to God." The heart of the father who fosters the child and develops his personality is also sweet. While there is a lack of fathers who can guide their children on the right path and set before them some lofty ideals. Some parents preach high ideals, but they cannot correct their own children at home. Who will listen to their sermons? It is easy to speak, but difficult to practise. The father symbolizes Vishnu as the protector. MOTHER, FATHER AND THEN THE PRECEPTOR It is the mother who teaches you the sacred principles like love, compassion, forbearance, tolerance and sacrifice. Mother shows the father, father takes you to the preceptor and preceptor directs you to God. That is why among mother, father, preceptor and God, Mother comes first. The earlier years of life are the most crucial, and so mother and father have to share the responsibility of proper unbringing. The parents must lay the foundation strong and straight. The child must grow with the mother for the first five years of life. When a boy is five years old, the father has to take up the task of brining him up. The father must encourage the son by example more than precept. PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORK HAND IN HAND The father and mother must supplement at home the training given by the teacher at school. They must acquaint themselves with the lesson the child receives at school and see that their conduct and advice do not conflict with what the child learns from the teacher whom he adores. Children must be led into good ways of living, into simplicity, humility and discipline. All parents must be persuaded lovingly, through the example of bright, cheerful and cooperating children in Bal Vikas classes, to send their children also to these classes. Teachers should not be content with merely teaching the children. They should contact the parents and ascertain how they are behaving at home. Knowledge can be given by the teacher; however, the discipline, the rigorous control of the senses and behaviour must be administered by parents. Then the children become sacred souls, holy, sanctified individuals. CHILDREN COPY THE PARENTS Children have unselfish love; they are innocent onlookers; they observe the actions of the elders and learn their lessons from the home much earlier than from school. So parents have to be very careful in their behaviour with the children and between themselves. Mother and father are the first examples of social behaviour that the child sees before it learns to imitate. DEVELOP PURITY AND GOOD QUALITIES Unfortunately, today because the parents themselves have no purity of character and lack refined qualities, and do not lead regulated lives, evil practices and wickedness are growing all over the world. When the parents get up from their beds abusing each other, their children get up assailing each other. Because of the malefic effects of the Kali age, parents tend to be quarrelsome. Fathers are behaving like Hiranya Kasyapu. Beacuse of such parents, Bharat is witnessing the spread of unrighteousness and evil practices. PARENTS! REFORM YOURSELVES The parents themselves are not competent to guide children; they dote on them and do not know how to correct them, they have reprehensible habits and ways of life. They smoke, play cards, gamble, drink and fight in the home. They utter falsehoods, talk, scandal, boast and slander, in the presence of the children. How then can they lead their children on right lines? You will have to persuade such parents to mend their ways and be inspiring examples, rather than enemies and obstacles. See that the atmosphere of the home is free from hatred, pride, slander and greed; see that Love is the flywheel of the home, that faith in God is the bedrock on which relations between members are built. PARENTS BEWARE! I must give the elders-the parents who are in large numbes some advice. Do not set bad examples for these children to follow. If you are truthful, calm under provocation and full of love in all your dealings with others, these children too will grow up in Truth and Righteousness, Peace and Love. If you tell your son when you are actually at home, and someone is calling on the telephone to reply you are not at home, you are sowing a poisonous seed which will become a huge tree. Let me tell you a story to illustrate the danger of such small beginings. A mother carried her son on her shoulder when she went to the market. A woman with a basket of fruits passed by her; the child lifted a banana from the basket and started eating it. The mother noticed and when she was told tchat he had cleverly lifted it from the basket of a passing fruit seller, she complemented the son on his smartness. This made the child indulge in petty thieving and picking pockets as he grew into a boy and in actual house breaking and dacoity. Once during a dacoity, he even committed murder and when he was caught and failed, he expressed a wish to see his mother before being hanged. The wailing, weeping, desperate mother was brought before him. She was sobbing at her son's fate. The son asked to come closer to him; suddenly he tried to strangle her and the guards seperated them. The son said, "She deserves the punishment; for it was she who brought me to this doom. Had she reprimanded me when I stole a banana when I was a child of two years instead of complimenting me, I would not have fallen into this evil way." to be continued/... Our Commitment and determination are to: Develop a Relationship with SAI; See SAI Everywhere; Bring SAI into the Family; and Bring SAI into the Community,

3 E ch oe s fr om Re g ion 1 S a i N e w s le t t e r V olum e 2, I ssue 2 Page 3 Past Events: Guru Poornima Cheppinattu Chestara The Dedicated Sai Family of Region 1 in action on occasion of Guru Poornima Celebration organised by the National Council at the Sathya Sai Centre of Wootum on Sunday 20 July, They acted on the first play written by Lord Sai: Cheppinattu Chestara, that is, Faire Ce Ki Ou Dire. Past Events: Sathya Sai Vrat Kalpam at Sathya Sai Centre of Surinam Region 1 performed the Sathya Sai Vrat Kalpam for the fourth consecutive year. This year we were at the Sathya Sai Centre of Surinam on 13 July, It was a very enriching moment of bliss at the Lotus Feet of our Beloved Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Our Commitment and determination are to: Develop a Relationship with SAI; See SAI Everywhere; Bring SAI into the Family; and Bring SAI into the Community,

4 P a g e 4 E c h o e s f r o m Re g i o n 1 S a i N e w s le tt e r V o l u m e 2, I s s ue 2 Past Events: Ekadashi Rudram at Beau Climat Ashram E k a d a s h i R u d r a m was organized by the Regional Committee on Sunday 27th April 2014 at Beau Climat Ashram, La Flora. Past Events: Joint Sports Day by Region 1 (Savanne) and Region 2 (Grand Port) A joint Sport Day was organized by Region 1 ( S a v a n n e ) and Region 2 (Grand Port) Sunday 13th April 2014 at Rose Belle Sport Complex.

5 E c h o e s f r o m Re g i o n 1 S a i N e w s le tt e r V o l u m e 2, I s s ue 2 P a g e 5 Chinna Katha - The Mark of a True Devotee There will always be worry and grief of some type or the other. There is no escaping it, be it in the past or future; while walking, dreaming or even while sleeping. But by placing faith in the Lord and dedicating everyday chores and tasks to Him, the effect of these constant worries can fizzle out completely. Here s how. One day Narada boasted before Lord Vishnu about how there wasn t any devotee better than him. But in doing so he went against the very first qualification of a devotee - freedom from egoism. So, in order to teach Narada a lesson or two in devotion, Vishnu spoke of a farmer, who was tilling his little plot of land, as a greater devotee. He even recommended that Narada should visit and learn the art of devotion from him! A little humiliated but at the same time curious, Narada proceeded to the farmer s village. But what he saw amazed him. The farmer was all the time engrossed in either doing his work on the field, in the cattle shed or was busy at home. And in spite of the most vigilant watch, Narada did not hear him utter the Lord s name more than thrice a day; once when he woke up from bed, another time when he took his midday meal and the last when he retired for the night. Narada was naturally incensed that he was deemed inferior to this very poor specimen of a devotee. While Narada was always singing melodiously the divine stories of the Lord and spreading everywhere the message of chanting the name of the Lord, here was a horny-handed son of the soil who remembered the Lord just three times a day, whom Lord Vishnu judged as being superior to him! He hurried to heaven, his face flushed with anger and ignominy, but Vishnu only laughed at his plight. In answer to his anxiety, the Lord gave him a pot full to the brim with water and asked him to carry it on his head and go round a certain course without spilling even a drop. Narada did so, but when asked how often he had remembered the Name of the Lord while doing so, he admitted that in his anxiety to walk without spilling the water, he had forgotten the Name completely. Vishnu then explained to him that the farmer, who was carrying on his head more precious and more spoilable burdens than a pot of water and who had to be careful not bring harm to any of them, must therefore be more admired for remembering the Lord at least three times a day! So, even if you remember the Lord with thankfulness at least thrice or even just twice a day, it is rewarding enough and confers with you with great peace. The Revelation -17 May 1968 Do not give up your worldly duties, but do them with the Name of God on your lips, thus inviting the Grace of God upon you. In truth, you cannot understand the nature of my Reality either today or even after a thousand years of steady austerity or ardent inquiry even if all mankind joins in that effort. But, in a short time, you will become cognizant of the bliss showered by the divine Principle, which has taken upon itself this sacred body and this sacred name. Your good fortune which will provide you this chance is greater than what was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even personalities embodying facets of divine Glory! Since I move about with you, eat like you, and talk with you, you are deluded into the belief that this is but an instance of common humanity. Be warned against this mistake. I am also deluding you by my singing with you, talking with you, and engaging myself in activities with you. But, [at] any moment, my Divinity may be revealed to you; you have to be ready, prepared for that moment. Since Divinity is enveloped by humanness you must endeavor to overcome the maya (delusion) that hides it from your eyes.

6 Savanne Regional Coordinating Committee (Region 1) c/o Ajay Lochun Kader Street Bois Cheri Savanne Phone: http//: The moment a bad thought comes, you must teach your mind, Oh mind, are you on the path of human values or on the path of an animal? This thought is an animal thought you are not an animal. Train your mind saying, Oh mind, human beings are not meant to eat, sleep and enjoy pleasures. Shed all animal qualities, give up previous habits and old ways. You must get away from all evil. If you thus teach your mind, its speed will be lessened and the flow of thoughts will change. You must consistently teach your mind to transform your thoughts. There will be difficulties in the process. But let them come the one who works hard and passes through these hardships will enjoy abundant peace. Without effort, there cannot be gain or pleasure. Hence don t worry about difficulties. - Divine Discourse, 9 March 1993 Sai at your Doorstep Message of the Lord The Eternal Guru (contd ).continued from page 1 People constantly talk of Advaita (non-dualism), but hardly live up to their professions in practice. One must practice what one preaches or professes. Today there are not many gurus who live up to their beliefs or teachings. Their actions belie their words. No purpose is served by going in search of gurus. There is a guru in each of us. It is the Atma (spirit) principle. It is the Eternal Witness functioning as Conscience in everyone. With this Conscience as guide, let all actions be done Real freedom exists in submitting to the Will of the Divine and not acting according to one's caprices and fancies. What is freedom that people want? Is it to behave like dogs with no self-restraint? Is it to descend to the level of the subhuman species? Is it to flee from one's divine nature and indulge in demonic acts? What kind of freedom is this? In this context I shall tell you today the inner meaning of the different yugas (eras) the Tretha Yuga, the Dwapara Yuga and the present Kali Yuga. In the Tretha Yuga (the time of Lord Rama), the Divine elements were on one side and the demonical elements on the other In the Dwapara Yuga (the time of Lord Krishna), the divine and the demonic elements - namely, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, were in the same kingdom But today, these divine and demonic forces are battling in each human being. This is the mark of the Kali age. In Tretha Yuga Rama fought the battle in person. In Dwapara Yuga Krishna played the role of a witness, using others as His instruments. He did not engage in the battle Himself. In Kali Yuga because the two opposing factors are in each individual, the Lord plays the role of a witness and as the conscience. Man has to use the power of discrimination given to him to fight the evil forces within him. He has to foster the divine elements in him by his own efforts and listening to the voice of his conscience. The freedom to choose has been given to man for this purpose. This freedom is to be used to discriminate between right and wrong, good and evil and to foster divine qualities. This is the unique feature of the Kali age. In this age, each individual has to fight against the demonic forces himself and vanquish them. When this is accomplished man's inherent divine nature will manifest itself of its own accord. Embodiments of love! Realise that no special Sadhana (spiritual practice) is needed to experience the Divine in you. You must get rid yourself of impure thoughts and actions. Sanctify every action you do and make it a Sadhana. The Divine is not a created object. It is self-effulgent and present in everyone. - Divine Discourse in the Poornachandra Auditorium on Sai Tapovanam Week Devotees of Region 1 observed the Sai Tapovanam Week which started one week before Guru Poornima, that is, from Saturday 5 to Friday 11 July We dedicated the one week at the Lotus Feet of our Beloved Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba which at the same time created a mood and atmosphere of intense love and devotion with the mass reading of the book entitled Tapovanam. The aim is was to strengthen our spiritual quest in the Universe of Lord Sai and to bring His stories and miracles to the maximum devotees. As the book Thapovanam is available on the web, it is assumed that there is no copyright therefor. Most of us have been reading it through tablets and smartphones. Hard copies were distributed to those who do not have facilities of these technological devices. Devotees were also encouraged to share soft and hard copies to their relatives and friends. Simultaneously, during the Sai Tapovanam Week, the Sathya Sai Centre of Surinam organised a Sai Katha whereby the Chapter (s) that was/were due to be read on that particular day from the book Tapovanam was narrated and explained to devotees. The Sai Tapovanam Week culminated with the Sri Sathya Sai Vrat Kalpam at Sathya Sai Centre of Surinam on 13 July 2014.