Moral lapses are a consequence of incomplete spiritual perception of the nature of worldly things and of the spirit. Increased insight into the worthlessness of matters grossly worldly is a product of gradual evolution of consciousness through practice. In the path of devotion to Baba this development is entirely a matter concerning the devotee in question. We have nothing to bother about it. Sai Baba himself had furnished the true picture of the matter. When one of his devotees wondered how many of those who flock to Baba would realize life's goal, he gave an apt parallel. When the mango tree blossoms, how many buds will ripen into a fruit and how many fall off the tree. A verse in the Gita too says that of thousands of individuals, only a few turn towards God; of these, only very few will realize God. "Many are called but very few are chosen", says the Christ and illustrates it with the parable of a farmer. The devotee's zeal in the pursuit of his goal is of prime concern to him and it is a matter concerning his enlightenment. Why should we bother about it? A true devotee of Baba never does. For, Baba himself had demonstrated what our attitude to such should be. When Jawahar Ali pretended to be the guru of Sai Baba, the latter kept quiet. He never bothered to expatiate the formers unworthiness to other devotees. He was very explicit in asking us to shed the sense of difference and to see the one in all if we wish to attain the ultimate object of life.

To be obsessed with lapses of other devotees is to totally divert our attention from what Baba taught both by his practice and percept and then we do not deserve to be called his devotees. Instead of meditating on the divine in all, we thereby do the reverse of it and the fruits of doing so could be contrary to what we hope to get by following Baba.

May Baba inspire in us the wisdom to take what is positive from all others, and if we notice any failings, may these help us to be careful against falling into similar error ourselves.

(Source: Sai Baba the Master by A.E.Bharadwaja, page 362)
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Contributed Article: News from Shirdi: Clean Shirdi Beautiful Shirdi

The Central Government of India along with the State of Maharashtra, Shirdi Township and Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi announced a project "Clean Shirdi Beautiful Shirdi". Since its announcement, the project has started to be implemented in various phases.

In its first phase, the project is supposed to widen the roads in Shirdi on which Palki procession is taken out weekly. All encroachments on Sansthan and township property have been demolished, cleaning and widening the area immediately surrounding the temple. All shops have been removed from Pimpalwadi road on the north side of the Samadhi mandir. The Nagar-Manmad road which is the main highway going through Shirdi will be four laned within Shirdi to handle the growing traffic.

In the next phase, all internal roads within Shirdi, Nimgaon, Rahata Township will be repaired and widened as part of this project. Future phases will include revamping the sewage and water supply lines in the township. All this development is being carried out to accommodate and facilitate the growing number of devotees from within and outside India.

On an average, it is estimated that 60,000 people visit Shirdi each day and on festivals, the crowd is estimated at about 300,000 people. The project is being run under the supervision of Ahmednagar District Collector's office. The central government has allocated Indian rupees one hundred crores for this project which is targeted to be completed within the next five years.

(Contributed by Smita Deshmukh)
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Experiences of Devotees:

A devotee
The first time I started worshipping Baba was January 1 2005. Before that, I had only seen pictures of Him and nothing more. We had moved from U.S. back to India and our minds were in turmoil since we were not very happy about the relocation. It so happened that we were in Mumbai for New Year and my friend suggested in passing about her devotion for Baba and also mentioned about Baba's temple in Boriville that she frequents. My husband and I made up our minds to start the New Year with Sai Baba's darshan. The first look at the idol and I just felt that all my problems would vanish. We sincerely prayed to Him to help us settle down soon. From that day, onwards our life took a turn for the better. A week after we reached home my husband started getting calls for an open position in U.S. (until then there was no response). He had lost all hopes of going back especially since our Green Card process was also abandoned by us. He decided to read Sai Satcharita for a week and the day he completed the job was offered to him. Only a miracle by BABA made the most impossible thing happen. In 3 months time my husband moved back to U.S. and I joined him last week. What more the same company has agreed to continue our GC processing. If we are happy today it's only besause of Sai's guidance. He helped us cross all hurdles smoothly. We owe all that we have to Sai. Now our day starts and ends with Sai. In these 6 months, I have read Sai Satcharitha a couple of times and so has my husband. Our life has more focus and bliss after completely surrendering at His Holy feet. Sai has indeed taught us Shradda and Saburi. I personally have total blind faith in Him and cannot do anything now without His blessings. Baba, we are humbled that you have accepted us as your devotees and we will follow the path chosen by you for eternity.

A Sai devotee
Om Sai Ram. Thank You Baba for hearing my prayer and thank you for being with us all the time. Dear Sai devotees, I wanted to share one of my experiences, which makes me very clear all the time that Sai is there with us. We had purchased a site. Planned to go for construction. I was just praying that the day of Bhoomi Pooja should be done with Baba's presence. You do not believe it, when we sat on the bhoomi and while doing pooja, one old man with white dress similar to what we see in Baba's photos stood right in front of us. All of a sudden, I was shocked and was happy that it is Baba in front of us. Once the pooja was over and we were to distribute the prasadam, that old man was not to be seen Finally I felt happy for Baba's presence on that day. When we started constructing, we were into a problem from our neighbour site owner. There was a stay from them on our site construction. We tried fighting in the court. From our side there was no fault. This went for nearly 5 months. I prayed to Sai last week about this problem and to my surprise this Thursday we won the case I was very happy for Baba is with us. However, the other party is planning to go to higher court to fight. But this does not make me worry, as I believe that Baba does everything for our good. I pray to Baba to make the other party realize that they are unnecessarily troubling the people who are not related to the problem and get the matter clear from the builder from whom they got site, and let them withdraw the case. May Baba's blessings be there for everyone.
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Devotees say...

Harini
This happened few months back, one of my dear friend's sisters was suddenly ill. My friend called me expressing that she was scared and worried. She being Baba's devotee, I told her to have rock faith in Him and keep meditating. Later, I did pray to Baba, for her sister to regain her health fast. After sometime, I was browsing Baba's Satcharitha in Saibaba.org and vaguely clicked on a chapter, Lo! there comes the greatest surprise, it was the chapter on Baba's Udi and how his devotees were rescued from major ailments with his vibhuthi. I was almost in tears for this positive sign and immediately emailed my friend to see that her sister has Udi with her. Since my friend lives far from her sister, she put Baba's vibhuthi to her picture. Well as I was 200 percent sure of her fast recovery, I did get the expected news in few days. I was so happy about her recovered health and realize once again Sai leelas, which He keeps showering on his bhakthas.

A Sai devotee
I am devotee of sai from 14 years. I have prayed to Baba that I will write in Sai's newsletter, when my wish will fulfill, which came true today. I am very thankful to Baba for always being there for me and his blessings and kindness. All Sai devotees always have "Shraddha and Saburi".

Kamu
Sai Baba, I had promsied that when my nephew got the job and my niece got her immigration papers under process, I would write to say thankyou to Baba. I hope Baba has accepted our thanks and will keep showering us with good health, peace and happiness. Thankyou once again Baba for always being there for us. Baba, I would also like to thankyou for letting us receive our money which we had accepted as being gone, but we received the money last week. Thanks once again
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Prayer Club:

Amala Balasubramanyam
Baba for the past several weeks I am not feeling well. My BP is fluctuating and I feel unsteady and dizzy while walking. Please help me and guide me to overcome this problem. My humble pranams at the lotus feet.

Sriram
I am seriously looking for a job change; please help me in getting a new job. My father is still suffering from the paralytic attack effects, his speech is not yet fully recovered please help my father to regain his speech and also help me in getting the new job.

Manish Arora
As you know I have my test tomorrow at 7:30 am.and I need Your blessings to get through. I and my wife will visit Shirdi in August 2005.

Manju
My Baba, please help my son, as you know Baba he is suffering from asthma, please make it go away soon, I beg you. Please always be with my son and help him heal. I am heart broken please help my son Baba. I will always pray for You. Regarding my personal life Baba, I need guidance, I'm going through strange times, you know what it is Baba, I'm also very heart broken, please tell me what to do about the situation I'm going through now, why is this happening to me, why me Baba. I feel hurt.

Vimla Raj
Please bless me with love, which should tie into knot very soon. Sai I pray that no hurdles should come in our both ways. Please give health and peace to my family. Jai Sainath..

Rema
You have always fulfilled my prayers. You know very well the problems that I face.my husband is facing problems in the office, my daughter hasnt found a room mate as yet.my husband will not be able to take leave to drop my daughter at the new place where she is going to work. Altogether I am stressed out by thinking of all these. Please help my husband to get 1 week's leave next month so that he will be able to go with my daughter and help her in doing the paper works. Please Baba be with him at this important event. Baba I am really worried and disturbed about all these problems. Baba please hear my prayers. I want him to be with her at this important time of her life. Jai Sai Ram.

Sai devotee
Sai Baba, my deep regards to you. I was very worried about my job but after getting your blessing I got myself a new and better job than previous. I thank you very much and may all the people who are seeking for job get one by your blessings. Baba because of your blessings on me I am able to do everything best. Sai, may everyone have your blessing. Baba always help me with my studies and my job.

A devotee
Dear Sai, please keep my mind focused on the positive good things in life. Kindly help me and my sister find a good job soon enough. We have been both trying for it quite a while. We have firm faith in your feet, Sai.

Lakshmi P
Saibaba, first of all I thank you for the wonderful life you have given to me. Thankyou for being there with me in each and every second of my life. But Baba, why did you lie to me? Why did you cheat me in my most ardent wish? I can understand 'unanswered prayers' but I can't digest the 'broken promises'. Why Baba? What is my mistake? Didn't I believe when everyone around make fun of my belief on You? Why did you shattered me now? Quarrel is going on between us for long. I put forth all my opinions and I still confess and confirm them. You would have atleast given me an opportunity to prove myself to You. Baba, you have now created a situation like, I can't even wholeheartedly pray for my wish to be fulfilled. Why did you do this to me, Baba? Why did you lie? I still believe you, but please do not play with my feelings (Kabhi Ha, Kabhi Na). You only asked us to be confident and be patient. But why did you cheated my confidence? Baba, I badly need an answer from you. I can't digest that you can lie to me when all your assurances happened. When the bad you suggested was happened, why can't the good you promised, Baba? Somehow there is a faint hope(immense faith too.) in me but it seems impossible at the surface. Please understand me, Baba. I can't give answers to the big questions You may pose to me. You ask us not to show intelligence but sincere devotion. Baba, then why did you show your smartness instead of love to me? Please do not be silent, Baba. Please prove me baba, that you didn't lie to me. You know your assurance. Tell me Baba, you ask us to adhere to Truth and moral principles. But now tell me, what is truth? I want justice Baba. I want justice. I do not deserve the punishment you have given me. Please show mercy. Please talk to me again as earlier. I request all the Sai Bandhus here to pray to Baba to talk to me once, atleast once and give answer to my question and if possible, fulfill my wish.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Spend money in charity; be generous and munificent but not extravagant"- Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. What does Sai give us? That what we desire, we wish or that which he thinks is best for us?

A. by Sakshi Kundra

Sai Baba, omnipresent and omniscient, whose leelas are beyond depiction, is seated in our heart and was always ready to accomplish his devotee's wishes. Entangled with our biases and web of karma's we didn't know what is good for us and what we deserve, we do pray to baba asking for the petty tiling of life such as wealth, children, promotion and the like, plead him to solve our problem, direct us the path and some time even put a time limit for desired results. Baba who can hear the voice of our heart, interact with our soul, to whom we treat, as our munificent father has to act objectively. As a judge he has to decide in our best interest and wants, appreciating this own ways to bless us, what all we need is Shraddha and saburi, though it is difficult for us to understand his method of functioning, Sai never abandons his bhaktas, sometimes grant our desires without asking him and always gives us the best baba no matters how we are, the deeds we have done. Sraddha and saburi give us enormous peace of mind and avoids needless frustration and disappointment, when things do not happen as per our wish. Keeping our mind steady, we should continue to do our duty fearlessly and have faith in sai words.

Q. What does Sai give us? That what we desire, we wish or that which he thinks is best for us?

A. by Usha Madhuri

Baba spreads his love to all the life on the earth. He does choose "The Best" for his devotees and guides them all through their activities. It is his way of teaching the Truth and protecting from maya of life. A devotee who has complete trust in Sai, slowly leaves all earthily desires and devotes himself to the feet of god, with a trust that god does the best for him without mentioning.
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Sai Activities:

Gurupoornima at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Gurupoornima celebrations will be held in Sai Temple, Chicago from Thursday, July 21st through Saturday, July 23rd 2005. For program details please contact the Temple office at 847-931-4058. You may also visit the temple website www.saibaba.us.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota - Guru Poornima 2005 - Sai Utsav
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center invites you to a daylong festival of Sai Utsav on occasion of Gurupoornima on Saturday, July 23, at BAPS Mandir, Brooklyn Park, MN. The events includes havan, Sri Sai sathyavrata, Sai arthis, abhishek, cultural program, palki procession and Sai naama jap. Please write to hamaresai@yahoo.com for more details.

Shirdi Sai Gurupoornima celebrations, Bay Area, California
Shirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Shirdi Sai Guru Poornima celebrations on July 24th (Sunday) between 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Presidential Ballroom, Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94088. For details please visit www.ShirdiSaiParivaar.org or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com.

Gurupurnima Celebrations at Sri Saibaba Mandir in Columbus, Ohio
Gurupurnima Celebrations will be held at Sri Saibaba Mandir in Columbus, Ohio from Thursday 21st July to Saturday 25th July 2005. This holy event includes, Sai Bilva and Pushpa Archana, Sri Sai Pallaki Seva, Sri Sai Paduka Yatra, Sri Sai Vratam, Sri Sai Chalisa, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam Parayanam, Lalita Sahasranama Parayanam and Cultural programs. We request the devotees to take this opportunity and attend this holy event. For more details please contact the priest at 614-799-8411 and visit our website www.saibaba.cc or send emails to sssb_temple@yahoo.com.

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

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW, Texas
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW is located at the north west intersection of Custer and Parker road in Plano, Texas. The temple is open daily. For temple hours and other details please visit http://www.shirdisaidallas.org or call 469-467-3388.

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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