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Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week: Thanksgiving 02.Devotees Say 03.Sai Activities 04.Experiences of Devotees 05.Quotation of the Week 07.From the Editor's Keyboard 08.Submit your article to Sai Vichaar 09.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 10.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... Sai Vichaar wishes readers a Happy Thanksgiving during this Sai Utsav 2000 issue. Sai Utsav 2000 to be held in November 23-25, 2000, is a unique spiritual event involving Sai devotees from around the world. By Baba's blessings, and with the active support and participation of Sai devotees this event, first of its kind, is coming to reality. The three-day event includes Sai Pooja (Arthis, Abhishek, Sai Sathyanarayan Pooja) Sai Amrithvani recital, Sai Satcharitha Parayan, Sai Naam Japa, Sai satsangs, Bhajans and Kirtans, and discourses. The venue for this event is BAPS Mandir, Bartlett, Chicago, IL. Chicago has been blessed earlier by several spiritual retreats and it is happening yet again. The registration for this event is free and this includes meals and refreshments. Please refer to Sai activities section and follow the link for more details. The capacity at the venue is limited to 2500 people and the free registration is based on first come first served. Please register for this event as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The "Question of the week" for this week is What is the social purpose of a spiritual ritual? Humbly yours, The Editor
Disclaimer Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Feature of the Week: Thanksgiving What is the method of teaching that Baba followed? Did He install any institution or a particular way of thought for His followers to propagate? For that matter, has there been any record of Sadguru Sainath appointing anyone to continue His mission? Inscrutable are His ways! This is the well-known phrase from Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji's English version of Shri Sai Satcharitha. It turns out to be true. During His lifetime and after, Baba showed a peculiar way of teaching and guiding His followers. He had asked some to be more disciplined, perform rituals, and undertake reading of sacred texts, while some were asked to keep quiet or just wait. Some were commended for their piety while some denounced for their orthodoxy! Baba seemed to have answers to the innermost of the questions His followers had. He seemed to have a certain way of giving "individualized instruction" depending on one's earnestness. However, He seems to be very particular in emphasizing certain virtues in His followers. The two pice (two cents) He demanded were faith and patience. Invaluable! By calling Himself as a servant, Baba has stressed the importance of humility, because humility is a virtue that reaps rich harvest in one's pursuits. By insisting on the surrender of the self and accepting the will of the supreme over the individual, Baba stressed the existence of a unifying higher order. His views on the purpose of religions were simple, "There is only one God and the purpose of every religion is the same". In a unique way, Sai Baba of Shirdi also had asked His followers to investigate the "self". He also expounded on the obstacles for such a pursuit, native as well as acquired. Is it possible to categorize this unique way of spiritual leadership? For some, Baba's life and teachings might look like a paradox, but in reality, His ways are as simple and natural as it could be! He did not give any set of rules to follow for His disciples. On the other hand, He was present in the minds of earnest devotees who sought His guidance on matters, big and small. For such people, in His words, He guarded them from front, back, and sides. To those who would differ with His advice, Baba said simply, "God will do good". Neither was there an insistence on a rigorous stewardship. Faith and patience are two traits common to everyone regardless of their religious, social, financial or other status. By invoking the traits common to every human being, Sai Baba of Shirdi has indeed simplified the pursuit and the purpose life may have, which could otherwise be quite complicated given the nature of the modern day mosaic mankind has found itself in. How shall one thank Sainath of Shirdi for this? On this Thanksgiving Day, let us be happily for being so fortunate and reflect on these thoughts.
S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India
A small nice story in Sri Ramayana will not be out of place here. Sri Hanuman was born in the Monkey race so though divine, He was not immune from the tantrums to which members of His race are subjects. So when young, He was very naughty and was troubling the Rishis and Sages a lot. So, they, out of kindness, 'cursed' Him to forget all His divine powers, except when reminded for a good cause. All of us are like Sri Hanuman. We too are divine, but because of our naughtiness, we got caught up in Maya and have forgotten our divine origin. So a Guru has to remind us that we must not forget our divine origin and must not get attached to the temporal matters. Sri Sai too, gave the same lesson through Sri Nana Chandorkar, when He explained to him the real meaning of the Sloka in Sri Bhagavat Gita. I thank Sri Sai and Sai Vichar for this opportunity to share some perceptions graciously provided by Him on the subject. Sai Ram.
Sri Sai Baba Sanmarg Sangh(Regd) Ramnagar Colony, Alwal, RR Dt., AP, India
Sai Satsang, Potomac, Maryland, USA
Shirdi Sai Center, Flushing, New York, USA
Baba's Naam saptah was conducted last year too, during the same period and was well attended by devotees who participated in large numbers during the event. We hope that this event, also coinciding with the Thanksgiving weekend, will enable devotees to come in large numbers and participate in Baba's Naam Saptah. For devotees wishing to participate in this event, sign up sheets (for the event) have been made available at the mandir, located at 45-16, Robinson Street, Flushing, New York. For more information, please call Dr. Gangadhar Rao at 7183219243. Jai Sai Ram.
Sai Bhaktha, Singapore
Baba's omniscient gaze was ever watchful of his devotee's conduct and if he ever discovered that any of them was committing a folly, he was prompt in his correction - from "Sai Baba The Master" by Acharya E. Bharadwaja
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