Human life is the most precious of all forms of life in nature. It is said so, for one single reason, the ability to question, the innate capacity to make choices, the choice for the quest or the choice to ignore. Every sane human being is encountered with the zeal to question the unknown, a trait that begins much earlier in life as the child wanders into woods in search of its playmates. The fire is untimely quenched if one chooses to ignore its significance, as would happen in the material jungle. Fortunate ones follow the yearning and reach its purpose.

Spiritual aspirant treads the path of beautiful gardens in the sensuous fields all along in a pursuit that is not easily explained by the normal conscious. After all, even Bhakthi is a state of emotion! Double-edged sword as it may appear; senses are to be used to identify that state of being, which is beyond our perceptible senses. However, a natural mind trained to relate to everything in physical dimensions, soon realizes the limited returns of such a pursuit. Often it is said that a spiritual aspirant must practice discrimination along with enormous efforts to control the mind, body, and speech. True knowledge is the one that leads to detachment. Viveka leads to Vairagya. Indulgence dissuaded and detachment promoted he rushes to the coffers full of treasures. As one assiduously practices the living of making choices, he moves towards the state of eternal happiness. One makes the choice of virtues over vices, Shreyas (the one that is good for us) over Preyas (the one that is liked most for their sensuous response). Hemadpanth wrote that as the meditation progresses, the distinction between the meditator and the meditated upon, dissolves. For the skeptics, here is one: A recent research study in Neuroscience found that the practice of meditation affects the part of human brain which deals with the attributes that define the Self. As one progresses in this practice, the faculty that is responsible for identifying and nurturing the attributes of Self slowly wanes. When there is no Self, there is no discrimination. The world sees this material as mad fakirs and naked sanyasins. Meditation is one such choice that a seeker has to make in order to realize that eternal state of non-discrimination.

Baba said, "Blessed are those who see Me in everybody". He also added, "You need not go far in search of Me. Barring your name and form, there exists in you, as well as in all beings, a sense of Being or Consciousness of Existence. That is Myself. Knowing this, you see Me inside yourself, as well as in all beings. If you practice this, you will realize all-pervasiveness, and thus attain oneness with Me". Let us mull on these thoughts on this Thursday in a pursuit to know the nature of our Selves just the way our Sadguru wants it. Let us for a moment dwell on that discrimination, the instruments of our choice that leads to non-discrimination.
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Contributed Article: MY SWEET CHILD - A POEM

As you got up this morning I watched you and hope you would talk to me Even if it was just a few words, Asking my opinion or thanking me for something good! That happened in you life yesterday but I noticed that you were too busy Trying to find right outfit to wear to work I waited again when you were running around the house getting ready I knew there would be few minutes for you to stop and say hello But you were too busy!

At one point you had nothing to do except sit and wait and I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the telephone and called a friend for gossip, I watched you and you went to work I waited patiently all day long!

With all your activities, I guessed you were too busy to say anything to me, When having your lunch you look round and thought you wanted to say something to me May be you feel embarrassed to talk to me, that's why you did not bow you head You glanced three/four tables over and noticed that some of your friends Talked to me briefly before they ate That's okay there is still time and hoped that you would talk to me When you got home you turned the TV, I do not know if you liked watching You always spend lots of time each day in front of it each day I waited patiently again that you would talk to me You continued watching and ate your dinner and yet you did not talk to me!

You went to bed after saying goodnight to you family and I just waited for you to say something You fell asleep in no time, that is okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you! I have patience more than you will ever know, I love you so much I waited everyday for a nod, a prayer, thought or thanks from you heart I will wait once again with nothing but love and will give me some time Have a Nice Day!

Yours ever loving, BABA

(Contributed by Pravin Unadkat, London, UK)
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Experiences of Devotees

Veena Gupta, New Delhi, India
This Year Guru-Poornima fell on Thursday. In all the Baba Temples in Delhi, 'Chootak' started from 10 AM and lasted until 10 PM due to the Lunar Eclipse. Although the temples were not closed completely, 'Pooja' was not performed. In our house, also we decided to do the usual Sai Amrit Vani but decided no 'Bhog' would be there at that time. Whatever we have to offer to Baba would be offered before 10 AM. I was to prepare 'Choley' and one of my friends was to offer 'Kulche' (special bread). We got about 100 'Kulche' from the market and they were kept in the kitchen. Udi was coming since morning from many photos and from some photos kept there temporarily. This time a word RAM in Hindi, very clear and very big also appeared, besides the other figures, which are appearing on the photo these Thursdays. A few 'Kulche' and 'Choley' were offered to Baba at about 9:30. As we were doing some other work we heard a noise of Bang in the kitchen and found the Udi coming, not only on the Prasad which was kept in the pooja place but also on the other 'kulche' which were placed in the kitchen. The 'Kulche' were in pairs sticking to each other and we found that the Udi was on each layers meaning by that Udi was there on each 'kulcha'. These 'Kulche' were to be served after the Sai Amrit Vani. At exact 11 AM as we were to start the Sai Amrit Vani there was sound of bell twice (source not known) and completed the Sai Amrit Vani at 12 Noon. It was very nice and all the people present there did it with full concentration. We keep all the offerings to Baba on a Table. These offerings generally are sprinkled with Udi even in the closed boxes. But on this Thursday there was no Udi on any of the Bhog/Prasad. Through out the day there were many people in the house and Bhajans played on the stereo. This time there were a few Sai devotees also who came into contact through Sai Vichaar. At 10, I took the bath then cleaned the Mandir, gave the bath to Baba. As I was performing shej Arti, again there was Udi started coming from the hand of Baba. Jai Sai ram.
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Devotees say...

Shabnam Sanyal, NJ, USA
Following are the details of Sri Sai Mandir in Boston, MA. Saidham, 10, Butterfield Rd, Lexington, MA 02173 Telephone. 1-781-863-0221

Mala Rajendran
A Sai devotee by name Sunita called me in May and said that we could get together on Thursdays and do Arti to Baba. I do not have her number. I live in Fremont, I would request Sunita to contact me at 510-797-6259
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Prayer Club

Sandip
I am 25 yrs old, I have been Baba's bhakt for about 8 yrs. Baba has blessed my and made me what I am today; otherwise I was just a stupid kid. But I have done many bad deeds in my life, I have forgotten some of the promises I made and at other times, I have let down other peoples' trusts. But Baba this was not done for selfish reasons, I just wanted to see the welfare of my parents at any cost. However, somewhere down the line, I became greedy for worldly possessions and now I am suffering for it. Just when I though I was seeing the worst of days even more bad news is filling into my life. Baba now my parents are also suffering because of me. Throughout my life they have sacrificed a lot to raise me and now I cannot see them unhappy especially because of me. Baba I pray to you, please direct all the sufferings in such a way that I deal with all the pain but my parents live peacefully free of all tensions. Baba you know I am true in the heart, all I ask you is to free my parents of all the worries let me deal with all the pain in such a way that they are not affected by it.

Usha Sastry
Sai Mahaprabho! I am doing my best in prayers. I read Satcharitha for one week and on Guru Poornima Day. Sai I am unhappy and unfortunate not to see you at least once in my dreams. Please bless us and forgive me for my known & unknown mistakes committed.

B Advani

Oh Merciful Sainath,
In this mighty world there is no place,
Without your blessings and your grace,
Please help me give up the worldly chase,

At every step and in every breath I borrow,
It is You who have held my hand in sorrow,
Only Your love can help me tomorrow,

Whenever Your loving hands envelope me,
I feel the peace and contentment in me,
I pine for Your Darshan Please shower Your blessings on me.

Sumita
Sai Ram, Please pray for my sister-in-law ,who is in hospital for last one month. She is in lots of pain.pray for her for recovery .
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Quotation of the Week

Sadguru is like gold, sugar cane and sandalwood. Gold: the more you burn it the purer it become. Sugar cane: the more you squeeze it, the greater is the quantity of juice that it yields. Sandal wood: the more you rub, the greater is the scent that it yields - HH Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami ji

Question of the Week

Q. Why should not one divulge Guru's Upadesh to others?
A. by Anil K Sinha
I would like to add here that we should share the knowledge (Guru Updesh) with the person who can understand it and its importance. Same way as there are certain (physical) foods that may not be beneficial for some people due to basic bodily constitution of such people.

Similarly a shishya may not be realized enough to comprehend the ability of other people to assimilate the Guru teachings (spiritual food). Therefore, it should be always advisable to consult the Guru before imparting such knowledge to others. But of course simple chanting like Om Sai Ram or Hare Krishna, Hare Rama can be easily taught to others; in same way as very simple (satvik) food can be freely given to any one and every one without the fear of upsetting the health.

Similarly The other school of thought, which the author of Sri Sai Satcharitha, Sri Hemadpant supports is that whatever good knowledge we get, we should not hoard but share with others. It is like sharing food, for which Sri Hemadpant says there is no need to discriminate, unlike other charity. So, just like physical food, spiritual food also can be shared without discrimination.
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Sai Activities

Sai Mandir, Garla, Khammam, AP, India
Reported by Sridhar Vallampatla
Dear Sai Bandhus, Sai Devotees in Garla (Village in AP) are building Shri SaiBaba's temple and are in need for donations. Any contribution is greatly appreciated and by Sai's blessings, hope we will be completing the construction with all of your help. Here are the details of the Bank, which has the account on the name of Shri SaiBaba's Temple Construction. Bank Name: State Bank of Hyderabad, Bank No: 2337 Account No: 216, Name on Account: Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandira Seva Committee, Bank Address: SBH, Garla - 507210, Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh, India

SRI DATTATREYA SAI ASHRAM - Orissa, India
Reported by Naba K Mishra
At the backdrop of Kapilas foothills in Orissa, a beautiful complex is coming up. This is one of the very few Dattatreya Sai temples in India. Sri Dattatreya Sai Trust is managing the ashram. They have recently launched a nice informative website www.dattatreyasai.org. SAI devotees can visit the temple and Ashram complex to have the blessings of SRI DATTATREYA SAI.

Sai Mandir, Agra, India
Reported by Pawan Goyal
We have a small but beautiful temple of Lord Sai Nath of Shirdi in Agra, situated in the heart of the city and close to Taj Mahal. Visting Sai devotees are cordially invited to have Darshan of our Lord and participate in Aratis. We at Sai Temple will be too pleased to be of any service to Visiting Sai Devotees who are in Agra for tourism or official work. For any kind of help, following numbers can be contacted: Temple- 252492, Secretary- Pawan Goyal- 9837041207, (Email- pgthree@sancharnet.in)

GURUPOORNIMA CELEBRATIONS - Sai Darbar, Hyderabad, India
Gurupoornima celebrations started with prayer invoking Lord Ganesha, followed by Vedhaparayana by Brahmasri Ramakrishna Sastry relevant to the Guruparampara from the four Vedas. Prof. Sadasivarao delivered the welcome address and briefed about the Saidarbar activities. Sri.Mahakali Venkatrao presided the Darbar and gave a talk on the importance of Gurupoornima. Saibanisa Gopala Rao Ravada honored the guest of the day Acharya.G.V.Subramanyam on Gurupeetam. Acharya gave a marvelous lecture on Guru and it's significance in and at different stages of our life. He has fully explained with reasoning as to why Lord Sainath is addressed as Samardha Sadhguru. The celebrations ended with performing of Annadhaanam at pre-selected venue of Saibaba temple, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad. Reported by Raghu Raman Satulury, Hyderabad / 05-07-2001

Gurupoornima celebrations in Houston, TX, USA
Reported by Syamasundar, Saibaba temple, Houston, TX.
The 5th of July Thursday was an auspicious festival day to all the Sai devotees in Houston. They started gathering from 4pm onwards. Thanks to all the enthusiastic devotees who involved in the grand decoration of the temple. Baba looked majestic and graceful in His durbar surrounded by so many Gods and Goddesses all in sparkling new clothes. Beloved Mathaji (Smt.Laxmibhai Thakkar) the grand old lady, who brought Baba from her Bombay residence after worshipping a long 45 years, kept her self busy since the early morning hours and a few days earlier, in making the arrangements. The program started with the Holy bath to Baba (abhishekam/panchamruta snaanam) and pooja as done in Shirdi. This is really a blessing to all the participants! A special devotional Baba bhajan program followed the abhishekam. Smt. Ranga Narayanan and her sister Smt. Indira Kumar conducted the melodious bhajans on veena/vocal. The audience maintained the meditative silence during this bhajan program. Then all the devotees joined their hearts and minds in singing the ever-enchanting aarthi to Baba. Approximately 250 devotees including infants and senior citizens participated in the GuruPoornima celebrations. Mataji ensured that none missed the feast like Baba Mahaprasadam. Devotees felt the magic spell of Baba!
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