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Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week: Importance of Human Birth 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... Last week, Sai Vichaar was delayed due to Sai Utsav 2000. Although the email version was sent out promptly, the web version was not ready in time. Sai Vichaar regrets the inconvenience to thousands of its regular readers. The patience and understanding of the readers is worth every effort as Sai Utsav 2000 was peacefully celebrated in Chicago during the Thanksgiving weekend. Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization is profoundly thankful to devotees for their support to this unique event, first of its kind. Special thanks are due to BAPS, Shri Swami Narayan Mandir, the venue for their untiring encouragement and cooperation. The diligence of all volunteers is also duly acknowledged. Please look forward to more details on Sai Utsav the event and discourses in the weeks ahead. With Sai Utsav 2000 happily concluded, Sai Vichaar with the active support of its patrons would like to move forward in reaching ever wider readers and devotees around the world. Sai Vichaar would like to appreciate its readers and devotees for their continued support. Suggestions, comments, and guidance are sincerely welcome. Question of the week" for this week is What are the similarities between Sainath of Shirdi and Jesus of Nazareth? 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: Importance of the Human Birth Human birth is fortunate, for it is the only form of life that is bestowed with the ability to question the known and yearn for the unknown. This yearning, if sincere, will at one point raise the question of what is the objective of living and what has to be achieved by human life? What would be the achievement that is permanent and irreversible. This pursuit for answers will lead one to a source and more fortunate are those who realize the significance of Sadguru as that repository of wisdom, the source of all answers. A strong conviction that the help of a realized soul is indispensable for a holistic pursuit for answers will become clear to a seeker. The yearning can be called sincere only when the things of material nature will become less and less important gradually. Realization that human body can cease to exist any time, will in a way help the seeker to make the best use of the medium. While a material man hankers after acquiring material wealth, the fortunate ones will be quick enough to understand the importance of human life and make the best use of it. With the constant companionship of Sadguru, the virtuous master, fortunate ones begin their pursuit. In a short time, their focus will shift to the human virtues of truth, love, humility, forgiveness, charity, peace, and non-attachment. These fortunate ones will notice the changes in their nature as a result of their companionship with Sadguru. The vices associated with worldly nature of the human body will slowly vanish and the virtues due to the companionship will begin to accrue. All the fears associated with earthly dealings will be slowly replaced by a sense of fearlessness. A state of being that is always fearless, happy and contended. (Inspired by the writings in Telugu of Sri B.V. Hanumantha Rao in "Sri Sai Anusaranamu" ) Contributed Article Baba did not preach "Just feel good" gospel? Ravin Gnanasambandam, Ithaca, NY, USA. 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 the mission He had set? Inscrutable is His ways! This is a famous 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 and by invoking these qualities common to every human being, Sai Baba of Shirdi has indeed simplified the pursuit. Eleven assurances of Sainath are well known to His devotees. Baba said that none who would approach Him will turn back disappointed. Did He mean that every prayer will be answered? Yes! Every prayer will receive an answer. Sometimes, the answer is "Yes", sometimes, "No", and some other times, "Just wait". Baba’s coffers are open to those who believe in waiting and wanting His grace and love. His gift to those is not "just feel good" temporary material appeasement, but bliss that is perpetual, a state of permanent contentment. Bow to Sri Sai Peace be to all
Gayathri
Shirdi Sai Center, Flushing, NY, USA
Sai Satsang, Maryland, USA
Saidarbar, Hyderabad, India
Vivek
After guru’s 'aashirwad' my all problems which were of a very serious in nature came but went away like a bad dream . Baba presence is always being felt. 'He' is always there to help us out. I would like to ask ' how can I surrender myself to Sai feet'. I address this plea to the august disciples of Sai Baba. Please let me know, what should I do to please my Sai Baba, I want to have 'him' in my dream, how can I do that. I want to see and experience Sai Baba everywhere. I am sure to have an answer on the above. O! Sai Baba please help me to have my queries solve by one of your devotees. I also want to be one like them.
The Lord Himself waits anxiously for the devotees to partake of the treasure that He offers, but instead people come to me asking for worldly things. When I try to tell them this, nobody pays attention to what I say, or listen to me - Sai Baba as quoted in "Shri Sai Baba" by Swami Sai Sharan Anand.
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