There were thousands of ants living on a hill of salt. A new ant came to them and said that there is a mountain of sugar nearby. Some ants went to have their fill from it. Many of them walked on and on but they could find nothing except salt because they had salt particles in their mouths, which they were reluctant to leave aside. Similarly, an ordinary person of the world cannot find bliss (sugar) even if they are informed that the mountain of Bliss lies with them. This is because they are reluctant to leave aside the attachments and selfish ends to which they are fast bound. Blessed is he who merges himself into Bliss and thereby becoming Bliss itself. This is the result of the supreme renunciation of all desires and attachments.

The Atman can shine only when you detach yourself from the senses. The mind must be withdrawn from its present comrades (senses) and be loyal to this royal master (Intellect). Keep a lamp in a room with all its five windows open; the wind will blow it out. All the windows have to be closed to keep the flame burning straight. Similarly, the senses (windows) are to be controlled for mind-concentration (Flame) on the purpose of God-realization.

Be moderate in everything and keep the senses strictly under control. The cravings of hunger and sex drag you into perdition. A spiritual aspirant must be very careful about Jiva (tongue) and the guhya (organ of generation). Get convinced that life is as unreal as a dream. Do not get attached to it beyond reasonable limits. The outward-bound senses are like the frogs that hop about on the petals of the lotus being unaware of the nectar in that flower. Only the honeybee (Intellect) can reveal that sweetness.

The Moon is unaffected even though its reflection in the lake is broken into bits. It is only due to weakness of the medium. Similarly, your reality is unaffected due to any disturbances but only your reflection (body) withers, elated or disheartened due to the weakness of the medium (Mind). The mind assumes the form of the objects with which it is attached. It becomes small when it gets fixed on small things; it becomes grand when fixed on grand things. So, discriminate before you develop attachment. You will fail if you have attachment towards wife and children, land and buildings, bank accounts and balances. You will grow in love and splendor if you develop attachment towards the Universal. So, Always dwell always on high thoughts and develop attachment on Universal. The action of Raama dhyaana will remold your mind.

A ladder has to be as tall as the height you want to reach; Similarly, your sadhana has to be as long as the time taken to reach the goal. When the walls are completed, the scaffolding is removed; similarly, when the Vision of the Reality is attained, japa, vratha, puja, archana, sravana, keerthana---forms of spiritual discipline can be dispensed with. Always, keep Watching for every chance to dwell on noble thoughts, to do elevating tasks. Always do karma that will win Grace of the Lord. Your progress is reflected back as Grace.

Always have the meaning and purpose of life in view. Understand that -
You and the Universal are One;
You and the Absolute are One;
You and the Eternal are One.

You are not the Individual, the Particular, the Temporary. Feel this, know this. Act in conformity with this.

(Contributed by Sai devotee Sathyanarayana)
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Contributed Article: My thoughts about Living with Sai

Sai Baba is the incarnation of Almighty God in Kaliyuga as Sadguru, who lived in human form at Shirdi for over sixty years. Achaarya Ekkiraala Bharadwaja, the author of the book "Sai Baba the Master" and several other works on Sai-tatva stated, "I have not come across a unique spiritual phenomenon like Sai Baba in any of the religions. Lord Sainath offers solutions to the problems confronting the world. Without affiliating Himself to any religion, He belonged to all the religions of the world. He is the bedrock of the entire universal spiritual ethos. He is striving for the spiritual evolution of all seekers irrespective of their religious affiliations. He is the beacon light to the current day world ridden with religious strife and prejudice." M.V. Kamath and B.V. Kher the authors of "Sai Baba of Shirdi - A Unique Saint" commented, " Sai Baba of Shirdi is a phenomenon. In all of India's history, there has never been another like Him. He is not a conventional saint. He wrote no critique of Bhagavad Gita or the Upanishads or any other holy work. He made no pretensions to scholarship, yet He had a profound insight into both Hindu and Islamic scriptures. He founded no ashram or 'peetham', wrote no tome, initiated no disciple to take over from Him. He performed 'miracles' but in no manner of means to impress any one, devotees or otherwise. Sai Baba in every way remains unique".

Blessed are the residents of Shirdi who lived in His holy and divine company and were guided by Him. Although He no more exists in human body, He is always there at the disposal of His devotees to guide them and protect them. His devotees are experiencing his divine presence or sannidhi even today. Bhagawan Sai Baba is the embodiment of divine love, compassion, kindness, generosity and mercy. I am convinced that being a Sai devotee is the greatest blessing.

The marvel of Sadguru Sainath is that while He goes to the rescue of His devotees in fulfilling their materialistic needs, He gradually leads them to attain spiritual maturity. Although Shirdi appeared to be his station or area of operation, He operated in the whole Universe, which He does even now. Sai, the personification of love and compassion carries out dushta-samskarana (reforming the bad and wicked), not dushta-shikshana (punishing the bad and wicked) as was done by shakthi avatars viz., Rama and Krishna, of course in addition to sishta-rakshana (protection of the good and pious), which is His sole mandate.

Baba has not laid down any rigid rules or dictum of spiritual practices. He never tried to give discourses on Aatma, Brahmam, Maaya or Kundalini etc. His greatness lies in simplifying the code of spirituality and taking it to even the lowest, downtrodden and under-privileged of the society beyond the barriers of religions. During the period of His earthly life at Shirdi, one could see that He had not discriminated any of His devotees or the people who visited Him. A leper, a beggar, a laborer, an affluent landlord, a high government official, a wealthy businessman and a king were all treated alike. He guided His devotees in their respective traditional spiritual and religious traditions (swadharma) and exhorted them not to deviate from their swadharma.

What Baba expects from us are bhakti or devotion, truthfulness and simplicity. His own life was a shining example of simplicity devoid of ego. He categorically said that He would always be with His devotees, who possess the above attributes. Hemadpant tells us in "Sai satcharitra", what Baba said for welfare of His devotees, "Those who are fortunate and whose demerits have vanished; take to My worship. If you always say 'Sai, Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas; believe in these words, and you will be certainly benefited. I do not need any paraphernalia of worship - either eight-fold or sixteen-fold. I rest there where there is devotion". Sainath advocated dedicated effort in the path of spirituality. He told V.H. Thakur, " In the spiritual path, you have to put in your best exertion as it is difficult. Mere reading of spiritual texts will not do. You have to think and carry out what you read. Otherwise, it is of no use." In other words, as Acharya Ekkiraala Bhardwaja puts it, "It is not adequate if you make saadhana a part of your life. Your entire life should be saadhana i.e., spiritual exercise." Let us see as to how we can reach Him and live with Him, practicing what He expects us to do. Sai naamasmarana (reciting His sacred name), getting into sacred thoughts about Sai Baba, admiring His all pervasiveness, divinity and protection and Sai worship will take us one definite step towards living with Him. More importantly, I feel that living with Sai would mean leading a life, as He would expect us to do. (To be continued)

(Contributed by Maddipatla V. R. Prasad)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Neelu Butaney
I am a devotee of Sai Baba since many years. Whenever I have prayed to him, he has always showered his blessings on me. Since few years, I have been trying to sell my property in India. This time I prayed to Lord Sai to help me. There were few days left for me to come back to USA. And I was very much worried. Before coming I went to Shirdi and prayed to Sai Baba, on the next day I had a buyer who was ready to buy and give money in few days. I was so happy with tears in my eyes that I have no words to describe my Lord Sai's grace.

Surekha Ramireddy
I am very much devoted to Shirdi Saibaba. I often read Sai Satcharitha. One day when I was reading in the book, it was written that whoever prays whole-heartedly for Sai Baba to visit their house that would happen. He may come in any form. So, I prayed Sai whole-heartedly with great devotion to visit my house in India. Believe me it happened after two or three days of my prayer. One man with Sai's photo came home begging. My mother went to give him some rice, I was inside my house. I just looked outside who it was, then I found a man with Sai's photo standing in front of my house. I ran to touch Sai's feet in the photo. When I was touching Baba's feet, the person with the photo smiled at me as if " you asked me to visit your house see I have come". After that, the person left my house in a few seconds. I went outside to see the photo again. I could find no one there. I went and searched the whole street I could not find him. In a few seconds, he should be in the next house or 2, 3 houses after, right! So, I thought that Baba himself visited my house in person. I really felt very happy. It was a very nice experience for me. Like this, I had so many experiences in which Baba saved me from so many troubles.
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Devotees say...

A Sai devotee
Thank you Lord, You are so kind, as a kind mother you have given me what I asked for. I had sent a prayer to You through Sai Vichaar and took a vow that I would be writing if it comes true and today I am writing, thanking you for the favor. But Baba please bless me in my new job. I do not know how I will manage but I have faith in you.

Subhadra
Baba would also refer to the sounding of the drum of the beginning of eternity within the soul. This "aahat" sound emerged from Baba's heart, from every limb, every bone and pore of his body. It was permeated with divine essence and Baba claimed that though one day his physical body will not exist, his remains will communicate from the grave. Therefore, the most important place in Shirdi, is Baba's temple - the Samadhi Mandir, is his grave, which literally millions have visited and still.

Ramesh Sharma
Om Sai Ram. Dear baba thank you for answering my prayers. I had lot of problems publishing my research in scientific journals. There were always few reviewers who were skeptical about my contributions to the science. Review process lasted about year and half and were rejected. This was major blow to my academic career. With only by Baba's grace, we resubmitted the paper again and it was accepted in the premier journal. Shri Sai Maharaj please accept my prayers for helping me achieve the milestone.

Krithika Suri
I started feeling Baba's presence in my life 4 years ago. I want to share a recent experience. I am moving to a new home and in that process I wanted to sell the current home. My down payment for the new home is based on the profit I make in the current home. I prayed to Baba saying Please send me a good buyer for a reasonable rate. The day before selling I got a dream in which Baba assured me Don't worry about the house Every thing will be ok. On the day of the open house, I went to Baba Temple and read Satcharitha and then I went to my friend's house still being tense about my property sale. There was a surprise waiting for me. My friend gave me a Baba Calendar. He told me that he went to an expo and when he saw the Baba calendar there, he immediately thought about me and got it for me. Baba appeared second time in front of me to assure that he was there for me. I am very happy to say that I got a contract the next day for a reasonable amount and eventually it so happened that the closing date for my new home is on a Thursday.

Sai devotee
Dear Sai, thankyou very much for the abundant blessings showered on me. Thanks for giving me this job right in time when my family needed the most. Please bless us all to keep complete faith in You. Bless me to deliver this baby hail and healthy Baba.
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Prayer Club:

Nikhil
I am a sinner, I know I am going through this phase so that I can come closer to you and realize your existence in my life more. Please have mercy on me; I am totally submitting myself in your feet. Forgive me for what I have done, inspire me to be a better person and help me so that I do not slip anymore in the walk of this life. You know I am not a bad person, I have committed a sin but the very fact that you are still with me and I am still getting a chance to write my mind out in this article of your newsletter itself confirms that I am your baby and you will always be with me.

Sakshi Sareen
Sai baba, I have realized that what ever happen to us because of our sins and merits we have done in our previous and present birth. I am very upset with my personal life and unable to balanced up and downs in my life. I need your help baba, please shower your blessing on me. I leave it to you and you know what is best for me, you have always given me what is good for me.

Sandhya
I am very sad these days Sai baba. Please help me. I am unable to take care of my children because of my worries and depression.

Radha
Sai you have always been there with us. Kindly guide my son through his decisions please Baba help him to find admission and a job he needs. Please Guide him in his thoughts. We are blessed. Sai Ram.

Mahesh
Om Sai Ram, Sai please provide a permanent job to my brother so that he can settle on his life. You know every thing Sai, please do something special in his case we put his burden on your shoulder Sai. Please help him.

Naayaki
Respected Sai Baba, I pray to You for my son's good health and deliverance from his present illness. I pray You to grant him a healthy life. I also pray for deliverance from my illness which is taking a toll of me. I bow before You Baba asking you to help us.

Shiban
Koti, koti Pranama Sai Baba, when ever my family prayed and asked for your help you have helped us. We want to thank You again and again after hearing good news from my daughter that by Your grace she is pregnant after three to four years of her marriage and third month is going on. Sai Baba, please help her for a normal delivery as doctors have advised her to take complete bed rest and she is presently residing at Kolkatta alone with her husband, which is far away from this place. I am always worried about her. We daily pray to Baba for her safe and normal delivery. Sai Baba please help her, she has every faith in You and is praying since early 1990. Sai Baba, I have one more request regarding my son, please help him in getting a good job in good company. By you grace he is doing the job but not to his satisfication. Sai Baba please heip my son and daughter. Bless us so we can go and visit You in Shirdi. This is my humble request.
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Quotation of the Week:
"What do we lose by another's good fortune? Let us celebrate with them, or strive to emulate them. That should be our desire and determination".-Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. What lessons can one derive from the episode of Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai in Sri Sai Satcharita?
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7:10 am followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6:00 pm and Shej Arathi at 9:00 pm. Archana, Homams, Sahasranama and sponsored poojas continue in between the Arathis. To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family, please call. Devotees can request water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of Schaumburg on intersection of IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL. For more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to maildrop@saibaba.org.

Upcoming Events: Monthly Pooja ( 2nd Sunday of every month) on Sunday May 8th, Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on Poornima (Monday), May 23rd.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota, USA
Regular Sai activities in Minneapolis, St.Paul area are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com, or call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30 PM at 147 Winston Castle Drive, Markham, Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other Activities and Services please call Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or send email to saileela99@yahoo.com

Sai Satsang, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Shirdi Sai devotees in Vancouver, Canada invites you to join in for satsang with your family and friends every Thursday 6:30 pm at 8571-118 A Street, Delta, Vancouver BC V4c 6l2. For more information please call Ritu (604) 592 4182 or Panna (604) 501 2687 or email at dritu@hotmail.com.
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