"In bliss supreme I was. How can a fool like Me describe the joy I experienced?". This was Baba's reply to His guru for the question as to how He felt hung feet tied and head downwards in a well for five hours. This is one of Baba's important parables.

Hemadpanth described further on this account as follows: "We think that this description of the topsy-turvy position in the well for 4 to 5 hours should not be taken too literally; for no one can be at ease and feel bliss if he be suspended with a rope-head down and feet up in a well for hours together. On the contrary it might amount to torture. This seems to be a figurative description of the trance or Samadhi state. There are two sorts of consciousness, (1) Sensual and (2) Spiritual. When our senses and mind, which are created by God with an outgoing tendency meet their objects, we get the sensual consciousness in which we feel pleasure or pain, pure or mixed, but not bliss supreme or happiness. When the senses are withdrawn from their objects and are given opposite or topsy-turvy direction, i.e., when they are introverted and fixed on the self, we get the other, i.e., spiritual consciousness in which we feel unalloyed joy or bliss which is ineffable. The words, "In bliss supreme I was, and how can I describe the joy I felt?" indicate that the Guru put Him in a trance and kept him above or aloof from the waters of restless senses and mind." (Sai Satcharitha, English translation by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji, Chapter XXXII.
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Contributed Article: Words of Wisdom

Only persistent effort, personal experience, and intensive feeling can realize the existence of God. Once the "I" in you is erased, you become one with God. For He is the only Reality. You see Him in all humanity. The ultimate reality can be perceived only by constant practice. Even the highest learning of shastras supported by logic and creative imagination can take us only to the lower level of awareness. Man is not the mere physical body. He is the Atman (self) encased in the body. The Atman seeks release to join the Paramatman. The sacred mission of Man is to help this process.

Logical arguments and eloquent speeches do not help to feel the presence of God. In the process of material progress, one should not lose oneself in the trifles. Man should not forget the real purpose for which he is created on earth. One who cleans his inner self is ready to receive the grace of God. His inner self reflects in good conduct (sadachar) which is the excellence of his external conduct. When youth vanishes, you cannot control the mind. When body is worn out, you cannot do sadhana. Strive now earnestly to attain spirituality and the highest perfection.

The whole world lives, moves, and has its being in God. Dharma is the means to elevate mankind to the level of feeling the presence of God. Man should practice Dharma to react this Divinity. Saints attained their sanctity through the adoration of God. Seeking refuge in God solves all your problems.

Let your minds be imbued with love and devotion to God. Seeking refuge in God solves all your problems. External enemies of man can either be conquered or befriended. However, his internal enemies like desire, anger, greed, pride, attachment, and jealousy remain concealed, causing untold havoc. They can be vanquished only through His Grace. So let us pray and fit ourselves to be the recipient of His Grace.

Control over sense organs is very much needed for the realization of God. Singing the names of the Lord devoutly and fervently enables such control. True spiritual pursuit leads the Saadhaka into Samadhi in which the Jagat (universe) and the Jeeva (life) disappear. All relative existences vanish leaving behind only the Brahman, the Absolute. Thoughts and feelings rise in the minds of the ordinary people like waves on the sea. But the mind of a yogi is like a wave-less sea. This placid state is due to his mastery over the self. The yogi is a Sanyasin as his individuality subdued and his desire utterly annihilated. This state of actionlessness is the blissful state or Brahmavastha. Those who make an exhibition of their temple going without real devotion are hypocrites. Temple-visit is in reality an outward manifestation of the inner urge to see His Idol, which is symbolic of the ideal, and to fill the mind and heart with His thoughts.

Listen to Guru's teachings and follow them in practice. It is by the triple process of Sravana, manana and Nidhi-dyasana that knowledge is attained. When the mind is stilled, the Bliss in the self can be directly grasped. Forget yourself when you are in sorrows. Then peace comes to you of its own accord. Zeal and courage of the mind can be acquired by serenity. Draupadi's episode reveals that absolute surrender to the Lord alone makes Him shed His Grace on the devotee. The progress to perfection is through pain and suffering. Hard flint must come into collision to produce sparks.

Grief grows from desires and attachment. Happiness cannot be attained from satisfying the desires as new desires crop up. Hence, happiness lies in contentment. Happiness leads to peace of mind. Peace of mind results in concentration. Concentration is the basis of meditation. Through meditation mind is united with Sachchidanada. There is no happiness higher than this. Experience of the supreme Bliss is the greatest happiness.

One should not proclaim that he knows everything. One should be free from ego, pride, and prejudice. One should develop self-confidence. Man aspires to enjoy the Supreme Bliss. This can be possible by renouncing the worldly things and by offering the following eight flowers: Nonviolence, Control of senses, Sympathy, Patience, Peace, Austerity, Meditation and Truth. Sage Kapila offered these eight flowers to God and attained union with Him.

One cannot realize one's soul until the ego vanishes. When the ego is submitted, then occurs a total surrender to God. One can experience supreme bliss by feeling the presence of God. In such a state, the minute soul will be merged with the Universal Soul and there will be no difference between Nara and Narayana. All agonies can be easily averted if only man feels that God is the responsible spirit behind all the progress. Bhakti, Karma, Jnana are just means to the same end. Each charts out for us a route towards God. When the highest knowledge dawns on us, the final release is obtained. Manava Jeevans has come to us as God's greatest boon. Let us not throw it away in ignorance.

(Contributed by Excerpts from Poojyasri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji's discourse)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Sai devotee
I was angry with my Baba since He rejected my brother?s visa, I had stopped praying Him. He gave such a experience in my life that I became a firm devotee of Him. In a unknown country my mother and I faced such a problem which is unbelievable. My mother was leaving to India in a day so we were doing our last minute shopping. I met a friend in the indoor mall and my mother was walking and went outside the store, those items were not paid and she was out with the cart. The lady there was so rude and she said my mother did shop lifting, I said we are sorry it was a mistake. She said that since none of the items were paid it is a retail theft and the police/cops charged us for this. Me and my mom who are Baba's devotees cried so much for the thing happened. The charges against me would have affected my job and residency. We were so scared and cried in front of Baba and thought everything is ruined. With Baba?s grace the attorney my husband hired was such a wonderful person as if he was sent by Baba, after hearing the whole thing he talked with the State attorney and explained my situation. With Baba?s grace the charges were changed to a minor. Then still I had a fear that this will be in my records which may affect my job. I had a court date after a month, we pleaded in front of Baba, but we were not sure what was going to happen were very scared. For my mom, they did not charge any fine or anything, they asked to pay the court fees for me and they charged me fine and after one year it won't be in my records. Usually they don?t reduce the charges like they did for me but it?s a miracle. It is hard to put in words the everyday miracles I saw from my ?Sai? during this phase. I started reading Sai Satcharita seven times.

I had 2 dreams, one in which a very old lady (face not seen only I could see is the feet) asking for a chadhar if this problem is solved. I never use a chadhar word. Then in another dream Baba says I need to solve your 3 problems, two I will do but the third is difficult but I will do it. To the wonder it was my job, citizenship and being in the record forever. Dear devotees I am not able to put all the experience in detail I went through, but all I can say is in every step Baba is there protecting His children. I learned such a lesson in my life, which is very hard to express. Please surrender yourself to Baba, he will do wonders of wonders. Believe and have faith rest is up to our Sai Baba. He is still alive and He is around us all the time, it is a 'True Fact'.

Sudha
I live in Qatar at present. Baba, thank you for what all you did to me and for clearing my doubts that whether I was suffering from Breast cancer. After mentally depressed for 2 years I went to the hospital to clear my doubt on Thursday. Without any appointments everything happened automatically, because where I live we have take appointment for everything. Doctor checked me first, and then they did scan. After that they took biopsy sample. Everything happened one after other. Then the doctor told me that I will get my result next Thursday. I was very worried. I prayed to Baba for the whole week to help me. And by Baba's grace on Thursday my result where negative. I thought I would post my experience in Sai Vichaar with His grace.

Kumar
Koti pranams to Sai Baba. I was really worrying about getting into new job and the situations at home were really bad. This is the time I really had to be in job at least for my family responsibilities. Last week there was an interview where I excelled, but I didn't get the job. I thought this opportunity is completely gone and the recruiters said to look for something else. I prayed to Sai and thought He will take care of me. Today, Thursday morning I get a call from the recruiter saying that the company wants to hire me! Not only that but with a good pay. This is really incredible and all thanks to Sai Baba.
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Devotees say...

Swetha
"Baba " this word is enough to solve any of your problems, but the only condition is that it should come truly out of your heart. Since the first day when I started believing Him till today my life has been through many ups and downs (most of them were ups because of Baba's grace). He has been there for me when I called Him and also on the days when I forgot Him. Till now I got every result of mine good except for one that was my want to become a doctor. Even now I believe that there is something lacking in me because of which I didn't get my MBBS seat. Still I am thankful to Baba for what He has given me. I want Him to continue His grace upon me like this and see that I don't commit any mistakes because of which I'll have to get parted from Him. Baba, please continue to bless me because I am what I am today only because of You, Baba.

Sai devotee
We live in a society where there are multiple religions and numerous castes. People from all the sections of the society take up multiple posts irrespective of their religious and caste beliefs. People from all the varnas perform duties according to their educational and family standards. When people from different castes and religions come under the same roof to take up the ideal jobs, it is normal for them to have emotional and friendly bonding towards each other which, can ultimately turn towards love and end up in marrying each other. My question is, did Baba allow people to marry even though, when they belonged to different castes and religions? I was reading a book on devotee,s experiences, where Baba scolded a person who changed his religion into another one. I wondered what made Him to scold when He considered that all religions are same. Please answer my query.

Nainesh
My Son or should I say Sai's son, since everything is His by His grace nothing is ours, got sick earlier in the week with fever. Usually when he gets fever it lasts about a week. I prayed to Baba and applied Udi to my son's head within 24 hours the fever was gone. Thanks Baba, may Your grace be always on us.

Sai devotee
I had faced lot of hassles when coming back to USA from India due to my tickets confusion. I was not even sure I would get my connecting flight at New York after clearing immigration and customs under an hour. Thanks to Baba, everything went off well. One thing that I was reminding myself was to have faith, but I also realized how tough it was. May Baba forgive me and all for any such lack of faith and give us the strength and courage to face all situations by taking refuge at his holy feet.

Manish
Baba this time I got C.A. degree. Please always keep your hands on our head and give us space on Your feet. Please always shower your blessing on us.

Madhu
Each day, it has been all too easy to get caught up in the "busy-ness" of just living. "Sai Vichaar" brings things back in perspective. I have been a subscriber for about a year now. More often than I would have liked to admit, it has happened that I have not opened the mail the same day or even the next. And then, by some miracle, when I do open the weekly emails of Sai Vichaar, it seems to address the issue that I am grappling with at that time. It seems then as though it was meant for me alone! My heartfelt gratitude for the unstinting work that all of you have put in day after day to publish the issue week after week unfailingly. Thank you.

Hetal
Sairam, first of all I should say sorry to Saibaba for late posting of this message. Thanks a lot Saibaba, I promised Saibaba that I will publish this experience once my sister gets an admission in MD and I get scholarship for two semesters. My sister got an admission in New York downtown hospital and I got scholarship for fall and winter semester. As my sister is very hardworking student she deserves that admission which was given by Saibaba. By Saibaba's grace my sister is pregnant. I am really thankful to my Sai to whom I love like crazy.
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Prayer Club:

Megha
Baba, please accept my namaskars. My parents are going through a lot of tensions and also health problems. All of a sudden I have developed a negative feeling. Nothing is hidden from You. Please bless my parents with good health and a calm mind, resolve their problems and help me overcome my negative emotions.

Sai devotee
Sai, I want you to help, that myself and my spouse don't fight. Even though we understand the reality, we shout at each other and then come to a stop. Our child is getting affected. I want my career to get an uplift. Help me to concentrate in my work and learn and score good marks in exams. I want the health of my child, my spouse and myself to be in good condition. All the basic concepts should be fine for me. Our child should be good in all activities. We should finish our debts as soon as possible. My spouse should get a good opportunity to other countries. Please Sai help us to sort out things and be with us in every moment in our life.

Padma
Koti Namaskaram to your lotus feet Baba. Please Baba help my son to get Education Loan, we are trying for this like anything but not able to get even the application form from the Banker and they are not even bothering us asking us to come several times to Bank with no result. Please Baba help me in this regard.

Shyama
Baba today whatever I am, it is only because of You. You have always helped me. Please help my children always and take care of them. Please guide me in the right direction and solve my problems. Please bless my son.

Sai devotee
Sai Bhagwan, I am going through a lot of mental agony since past one month for the situation that You know. You have already helped me in the very initial stage of this problem. Now, I pray to Your lotus feet Baba! Kindly help us to clear this problem and get along with our routine. I shall transform myself and be alert from now onwards. Thank you so much Baba!

Sudevi
Baba! please bless my parents and sisters. We just don't know what is going to happen. Why this happen to us. Please Deva forgive us for our sins and make us peaceful and happy. We are constantly going through lot of tensions and depression. Deva!!! what is this play of Yours, You only know. Please bless us and take us out of this big problem.

Ramesh
Thank you for Your blessings in solving our problems. Without You, it was difficult one. Please give me strength to pray for you, have good thoughts and do good deeds. Jai Sai Ram

Sai devotee
A thousand namaskars to You Oh kind Sai. Please let my daughter get a position in the childcare center we want her to go to. Please let me also get a suitable job so that we can buy a house. Kindly bless all Sai devotees and their families. Continue to shower Your blessings on us, kind Sai.

A devotee
Dearest Sairam, please keep Your blessings on us. My job is in mess, Baba let me come out of this mess and make me tension free. As You are aware last week my BP was up because of tension. All bless my sister and her family. Her childrens have walking problems, let them come out of it.

Zenobia
Saibaba I am your child and therefore would like You to help my daughter get a house in the same colony where I live. I know that my prayers have always been answered and even this request will be taken care of. Koti namaskars.

Ajit
Om Shri Sai Nath Maharaj, Baba Koti Koti Pranam. Please help me since so many days I am trying for the good job in IT Company for that I need to do one course but due to problems I am not able to do this. One more thing I am trying for our new house, I am struggling but not getting any financial help for the down payment and registration and stamp duty payment please help me with this. I have been transfered to a new location and my boss is expecting good results from me but things are not moving favourable please help me. Baba please help me for these three things I will be very thankfull to You. I know Baba you are always with me and my family please give me Your blessings.
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Quotation of the Week:

"Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and disinterestedly the duties of his station in his life, his mind will not be purified".-Shri Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. Saibaba said to Dasganu Maharaj, "Why do you want all this paraphernalia-coat, uparani and pheta etc, do off all that before Me, why wear them on the body?" - Comment?

A. by Ramaa Prasad MV

One day, while getting ready to go to give "kirtana" / "Harikatha" (Story in praise of Lord Almighty God), Dasganu Maharaj dressed himself pompously with a customary Maharatha turban and a showy, full-length oriental jacket. As he was about to leave, Baba called him back and remarked sarcastically, "Ah! Look at this bridegroom! He is getting ready for the marriage!" Dasganu responded saying that he was going to give "Harikatha". Then Baba pulled him up, ", "Why do you want all this paraphernalia-coat, uparani and pheta etc, do off all that before Me, why wear them on the body?" To an on-looker it might give an impression that Baba was pouring cold water on the enthusiasm of Dasganu Maharaj, who was zealously getting ready to give "kirtana' / "Harikatha". An experienced devotee, however, would perceive that Baba was not discouraging Dasganu, but only instilling the quality of simplicity in him, which is the basic requirement that would enable the 'saadhaka' to climb the ladder of spirituality step by step.

The external appendages such as pompous dress etc. would only augment the ego as suggested by Shri Vipul Desai in Sai Vichhaar dated January 18. As a consequence that would erect a barrier between him and his goal. This in turn would result in the seeker spending more time in making himself presentable with a gorgeous dress, rather than the actual spiritual tasks that he would undertake. Any undue attention to superficial materialistic attributes would in turn mask the core that is the spirit, submitting to the play of "maya".

The basic character of the spiritual seeker should be simplicity coupled with devotion. Any activity devoid of devotion would be like an artificial flower devoid of the original fragrance that is inherent in a natural flower. The essence of devotion is a combination of humility and fervent service to Almighty God / Sadguru and His Messengers. A sincere devotee would only plead, ``My Lord, I want only You and none else and nothing else''. This naturally demands the extinction of one's ego and in consequence desire for the superficial materialistic possessions. Such an unadulterated sincere devotion would lead to "desirelessness".

By uttering the above words of invaluable advice, Baba was only suggesting the value of simplicity coupled with devotion in the pursuit of seekers' spiritual activities. Dasganu, a sincere devotee of Baba, understanding the implications of the advice of Paramaguru Sai Baba, promptly removed the showy dress and went bare-chested only with a garland to perform "Harikatha" as per the example set by the divine saint Naarada. Baba's words of advice are not only meant for Dasganu Maharaj, but to every "saadhaka."
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8 a.m. followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6 p.m. and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. 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.

Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace and blessings of Baba and the support of devotees, a new Saibaba Mandir has begun to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for all details.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org.

Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA
By Baba's grace, Shirdi Sai Parivaar is pleased to announce the grand opening of Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area. The center is located at 897-B East Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-564-6704 or 408-705-7904.

Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA
Devotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.
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