Someone came to Ramana Maharshi and asked him thus "Swami! I have been doing intense dhyaana for the last 18 years; but I have failed to realize the Ideal on which my dhyana is concentrated. How many more years should I continue thus?" Ramana answered, "It is not a question of a certain number of years. You have to continue dhyana until the awareness that you are doing dhyana disappears. "Forget the ego; let it melt and merge with all its layers of consciousness." Immerse yourselves in dhyanam until you transcend all physical and mental urges and impulses. The anthill that grew over him covered Valmeeki; people discovered him by the sound of Raama naama that emanated from that mound. Ignore the deha (body) so that you may discover the dehi (indweller). Do not get engrossed in outer finery but dwell and discover the inner splendor.

Sadhana of 'Ignoring the body' implies turning aside from the temptations of the senses i.e., overcoming of the six enemies: desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride and malice (kaama, krodha, lobha; moha, madha and maatsarya). These six enemies turn a man into a drunken brute. You will be fresh, happy and healthy when you are in aathma thathwa (essential nature of the Self). But, You start declining when you separate and feel that you are in deha thathwa (principle of body). The pure water that falls as rain from the sky is changed into a hundred tastes and colors by the soil on which it falls. Similarly, the company he keeps shapes Man. One has to be ever vigilant of the air he breathes as it is fouled by the foul thoughts of the men among whom you move. But, even the slimy slush of the gutter has some hope of turning into pure water again when the sun shines. It can rise as vapor into the clouds and regain its pristine nature. One has to use prayer as water and repentance as soap to cleanse the mind. But, repentance must be followed by resolute determination not to repeat the wrong. You must pray for help in sadhana through grace.

One should cultivate an attitude of inseparable attachment to the Lord, who is your very self. If he is a flower, you should feel yourself a bee that sucks its honey; if he is a tree, be a creeper that clings to it; if he is a cliff, then feel that you are a cascade running over it; if He is the sky, be a tiny star that twinkles in it. Above all, be conscious of the truth that you and He are bound by Supreme Love. One should feel this with subtle intelligence but not with the gross intelligence. The gross is too much weighed down by the body; the subtle transcends the body and lightens the burden. The sthula buddhi (gross intelligence) keeps you walking but, the subtle intelligence flies you to the destination. You journey will be quick and the goal can be won when you use your subtle intelligence.

Dedication to the Lord that sanctifies all activities. Know that 'He' is the prompter, the executor, the giver of the required strength and skill, the enjoyer of the fruit thereof and he is the reason for all activity. Your duty is to believe that He is the impeller of your activities and draw strength from that belief. The bandage must protect the place until the wound heals and the new skin hardens. Similarly, the balm of faith, holy company and holy thoughts must be applied to the ego-affected mind until the reality is realized. As a first step towards the acquisition of this viveka (wisdom) and vairaagya (detachment), enter from now on into a discipline of Naamasmarana---the incessant remembrance of God through the Name of the Lord. All the hours spent in gossip, in watching sports or films, in hollow conversation can best be used for silent contemplation of the Name and Form and splendor of the Lord.

A mere five-minute inquiry will convince you that you are not the body, senses, the mind or intelligence, the name or the form but you are the Athma itself which appears as all this variety. Dwell over on your Athmic reality which is pure, indestructible, unaffected by the ups and downs of life, true, eternal and unchanging brahmam. Once you get a glimpse of this truth, hold on to it and make it your permanent possession. Be silent yourself; that will induce silence in others.

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

We are here in this world not by our choice. Each one of us is in a specific situation; again not by one's choice. Hence, in the situation you are placed in this world, it is your duty to perform your best, forgetting as to what you are going to gain out of it. Then one may ask, " What is the incentive for me to work?" The answer is God has already given you so much that you cannot imagine getting! Unfortunately, you have ignored what God has benevolently granted you! Look around your self and contemplate! Be grateful to Him for what Lord has already given you. Lord will decide what you should get for doing your best now! God is all merciful, full of love for us, who are His children. Can you think of mother neglecting her children? Have faith in Him and faith is the first stepping-stone towards peace of mind and success. Did not Bhagawan Sai say, " What man gives does not stay. What is given by God will not be lost."?

Then, the question comes - " Why should there be so much of disparity among God's children, some enjoying enormous wealth and advantages and others suffering miserably apparently for no fault of theirs?" Those who are enjoying now are doing so due to their good karma or punya, which they have accomplished in their earlier births. Let us not be jealous of them! Some of them may be accumulating dushkarma or paapa for their bad deeds in their current birth, which will get added to their spiritual account. They have to atone for these deeds subsequently! Hence, when we confront a difficult situation, misery, or disease, we should not blame God. We should understand that the situation that we face is due to the past karma or praarabdha. One should be content that with the suffering, a part of our praarabdha would be washed away. At the same time, we should look at the positive side of your life and be grateful to Lord Almighty for the positive possessions, which we are bestowed with.

The expression of one's gratitude to God for granting us human birth or maanava janma is an important component of one's prayer to HIM. In the vast solar system, planet Earth is blessed with life of great diversity. Among these diverse biological entities, human beings are the most privileged children of Lord Almighty, as they are endowed with knowledge and power of discrimination i.e., the capacity to distinguish good from bad and right from wrong, that is viveka. We are expected to use our intellect powered with viveka to choose the right course of action in accomplishing our duties and fulfillment of our responsibilities.

We need not ask Him to fulfill all our desires and wants, for He knows what we need! Praise of the omnipotent and omnipresent Almighty who guides the whole universe and expression of our gratitude for all that He has granted us, keeps one's mind and intellect pure and sharp. With pure and sharpened intellect, you will perform your best in your duties with out craving for reward. Such people are dear to Him! He is always at the beck and call of such devotees. Did not Lord Sainath say that he is always at the beck and call of His devotees? By praying Lord and acknowledging His grace, we are not doing Him any favor. This, however, will reduce our own vaasanas or undesirable and negative tendencies that we have accumulated as a part of the praarabdha karma. God's love and kindness are like life giving rain that is showered without any partiality or discrimination. The rain that falls on a well-prepared and fertile soil is well conserved and sustains crop. The same rain, which falls on a rocky terrain, is wasted as run-off. The soul of an egoistic person with the negative tendencies is like a rocky terrain, while that of a saatvik or pious devotee is akin to a fertile and well-prepared soil that is capable of conserving the moisture from rain to sustain a crop! (Concluded)

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

Raveendra Kona
I always feel like Sai is there for me (and to everyone) at the times of need. I traveled from India to US 2 yrs ago. I had a pretty long journey and as it was my first flight journey, I was a little bit tensed. I came to LA and I had to catch a flight to Seattle. The transit time was just 2 hrs and as there was a lot of rush my immigration itself took 1hr 45 minutes. I collected my baggage and cleared the customs and when I was rushing to a Local Terminal, a local Airport employee told me that I had missed my flight. I was really tensed, because my friend is waiting there in Seattle airport to receive me and I do not know when I would get my next flight. I prayed to Sai and begged him to help me. Soon as I arrived at the Local Flight Ticket counter, I explained them my problem and luckily she said there was another flight in 30 min and asked me to check in my luggage quickly. I did that and boarded the flight. I was a lot bit tired, now I kept on thinking whether my friend would be there in the Airport or not. I was very tired and very hungry and really in a bad shape. The lady sitting adjacent to me in the flight saw me and asked about me, as I looked very tired. I said her the whole story. Then she was so kind-hearted that when I landed in Seattle she gave her mobile phone and asked me to call my friend and when I called, he was stuck in the traffic and he is near to the Airport. The kind-hearted lady took me to the baggage claim location (the airport is a big one and I have to travel to this location by a internal train) and she brought me a trolley to put my baggage on and she helped me in all kinds and as soon as my friend came she told him to take care of me as I am really tired and hungry and left the place feeling that I am comfortable now. I really feel that it was Sai who really was there with me and saw that I will not face any problem. Thanks a lot Sai. I know that if anyone who trusts Sai whole heartedly won't be disappointed at all.

Sai devotee
By Sai's grace, I got married to a wonderful person, but since last year, we had some misunderstanding in our relationship and he filed a divorce. It seems his parents were forcing him. My whole world is my husband; I cannot survive without him. I cried a lot. Without any of my fault, he took this decision, and his parents, his sister were supporting him. He is not that type of person. He is very kind hearted, very loving person. We came to know that his parent's and his sister did some black magic on him to leave me. And they were happy that he was behaving like this with me. But in front of Sai, this black magic things will not work only Sai's magic works This thing went on seven months. We were staying together as room-mates not as husband and wife. So one fine day he said he wanted to go on business trip. He left and he never contacted me. Then six days passed, I sat in front of Sai, I asked him where is my husband? When I looked at Sai, his face was sad. I came to know something is not good. I called at his parent's home in India and he was there and he picked up the phone! He asked me to come to India and that he would not leave for US till our relationship goes smoothly. I said I did not have money. He asked me to borrow and that he would pay back. But I did not go there, I continuously prayed to Baba. Our court hearing date was on 10th March, which was on Thursday. He said in front of judge that he wants to withdraw the case. When my sister called me and told me about this, I was so happy. Its all happened with the grace of my Sai. He apologized to me for what he has done to me. He did not even say anything about the case to his parents. We are married since 7 years and we want a child now. Sai devotees please pray for us that Sai should bless us with a child soon. Peace to all. Om sai Ram.
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Devotees say...

Sunil Naik
Sai, I feel so much privileged to see your original snaps, reading your charitra, chanting your name and having sense about ability to memorize you. It gives me a feeling of your kindness towards me. Just sensing your kindness makes me feel that my goal is achieved. It is really a wonderful experience and entirely changed my attitude towards outside world.

Varad Jhingan
We bow to you our Satguru. I prayed to You that please help me to get the permanent residence of New Zealand and I will write my experience here. So thanks Baba as I have the residence of New Zealand. You are everywhere and know everything about your bhakts.

Rosalene
My husband is in so much pain as our daughter has left us to go leave with her mom. He is in so much pain I cannot see him going down this way. Everything was so smooth and we lived so happily until our daughter moved out to be with her mom who walked out on her when she was 6 years old. Our little home is scattered. My husband misses her so much, I feel for him but I am helpless. Please brothers and sisters pray with me so the misunderstanding the daughter has is cleared up and they both get back together. I am willing to give up my marriage if that is what will bring this family together. We got married 7 months ago, we all were very happy until the mother came back in the kid's life.

Jyothsana Gandham
Thank you Baba for showing us your wonderful miracles once again. A friend of mine was searching for a job since the last four months in Mechanical Engineering. Recently she lost hope and was planning to shift to software side. Seeing her depressed I prayed on one Thursday to Baba that if she gets a job in her field itself I shall write an article in Sai Vichaar. My friend is also a staunch believer of Baba and was praying most of the time. Only with Baba's grace she got a call the following Thursday for an phone interview on Friday. And she cleared that and had a very quick on-site interview on Monday and as a great miracle she got a call the same day saying that she was selected and should start her job the following Tuesday. All this happened on in a span of 4 days. Baba we both are happy as she got the job in the same company as me and so she need not even shift to any other place and any other field. Thank you Baba for all the blessings you have showered on us, bless us and protect us always. Om Sai Ram.

Rajani Raja
I prayed to Baba that if I get a word of acceptance from the company where am supposed to join as an intern for summer. For some reason the management took very long time to decide to approve this. I was worried about this and prayed to Baba and I got the good news from the company HR about the approval of the internship on last Thursday. Thank you Baba for your help.
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Prayer Club:

Jyothi
Hey Sainath, I am searching for jobs 1 year onwards. I passed the exam by your grace and I am getting interviews also but I am unable to get a job. Thandri Sainatha Please give a job where we are living. 2 weeks back I got an interview by your grace. Still that position is open. Please do some miracle and give that job to me and make me do job well done.

Sai Priya
Oh Lord Sainath! You know how eager I am to get a job. I had a very good interview with a big company last month and was able to impress the interviewers by Baba's grace. Unfortunately, they have not informed me of a decision so far. Please help me Baba.

Shamini, Malaysia
Dear Baba, I really don't know what to do or how I should go about handling this problem that has been bothering me for so long. Please give me the courage to face up to any situation.

V Vagga
Dear Sai, you know all the troubles I am going through now, wife and parents are misunderstanding me, I am also losing my temper a lot, please solve my problems and grant me peace.

Madhu SM
Oh Sai, the protector of my family and all his devotees, I pray to you sincerely to cure my youngest brother of his continuing headache of 7 years. No medicines seem to give him relief.

Sai devotee
I am your child Deva, please do not forsake me my father. Please bless me, cure me, and bless me with a child soon Sai. Please Sai, bless me. Dear Sai, please bless all the other childless couples also with a child soon Deva.

Sai devotee
Sai, thanks for being with me through all my hardships and for all your help that you have favoured on us. Baba, last time when I lost the child you know the pain and sorrow everyone underwent, this time I want to become pregnant, I want you to take care of me and within the next month give me the good news. Please Baba, stay with me and help me as a kind mother would do to her daughter.

Pavan Kumar
Dear Sai Baba, of late I am having lot of tensions at work and home. Also, my heart is paining lightly inspite of tests revealing everything is okay. Please bless me with love, abundance, peace of mind and good health.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Whatever you do, wherever you may be, always bear this in mind: I am always aware of everything you do"-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 Satcharitha?

A. by Ravin, Minnesota

Baba's wit and humor is well depicted in such incidents where the God had a hearty laugh. Baba used to laugh joyously with others and his jovial temperament was evident in the way he used to call the devotees in a teasing way. Blessed are those who were addressed such by Baba!

This episode also demonstrates an axiomatic truth that none but Sadguru is capable of judging one's actions in the spiritual path. In another incident, Baba gets this message to us in no lesser terms when He set out to hurt Himself with the Satka so that the message is driven home. For a sadbhaktha, every devotee is a child of Baba and it is the best to leave it at that. It is not up to one to assess, judge or opinion the other's actions. One should also differentiate between discrimination and judgment for it might look convenient to judge in the name of discrimination. True discrimination comes only from true knowledge fueled by the power of love and not from a set of facts, the logic of conveniences. In the path of Sadguru, understanding Love is the simple way to "knowing" that knowledge. At a more practical level indulging in judging others actions is a digression in one's own path to Sadguru, and much worse, a transgression of Sadguru's dictum.
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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.

Sri Hanuman Jayanthi on Wednesday, June 1st, Monthly (second sunday of every month) Pooja, Sunday June 12th.

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

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Bay Area, California
Shirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 7:30 pm at Odd Fellows Temple, 20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014.For details please call 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com or visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org

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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