Issue 237 - July 18, 2021 | | Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters, Swami reminds us ever so often that helping someone in need is like a deposit into the bank account of God. We earn interest, and when we retire, we can withdraw. He says, "When you help others, in your time of need God will give you grace. In the world, like day and night, success and failure will come and go. So, keep doing good always. As a family, as a group of people or even as an individual, do good everyday." But to do good, we also need to be good. Swami also says, 'do good, be good and see good', and these three are inseparably interfused! We certainly cannot do one without the other. If we analyse ourselves, most of the time we tend to lose our balance due the six internal enemies - desire, anger, greed, attachment, arrogance, and jealousy. Everything starts with control; and our desires must be completely annihilated, for He knows what is best for us.
Sairam Bhuvana Santhanam | | ātmano mokshārtam (Emancipation of one's self) | | All about sevā Speaking to sevā volunteers in Spain, Swami asked if they knew what sevā truly construed of. This unexpected question drew an intelligent blank from the audience, and thus created an opportunity for Swami to elaborate. Swami remarked, "When should sevā be done? Where should it be done? How it should be done? What should be done as sevā? And why should one do sevā? All these should be known about sevā by the volunteers." And He Himself went on to answer the when, where, how, what and why of sevā and said, "When should sevā be done? All the time. Where should it be done? Everywhere. What sevā should be done? Whatever is needed. How it should be done? With humility and no ego. Why should it be done? For once own self-improvement." Thus, Swami summarised all that one needed to know about sevā. An excerpt from the book 'Inner View' authored by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. | | Sioufas D Marios Attorney-at-law Greece Right from childhood my dear mother taught me how to pray. I have kept this practice alive till date as every day of my life begins with a prayer. My prayer every morning, which is repeatedly urged, is that Swami's aspiration should become a reality. What exactly is Swami's aspiration? According to me, it is that each one of us should become like Him and nothing less – absolutely pure and selfless, and finally become Him! During my adolescence, I remember having a diary to note down my actions, relationships, feelings, thoughts, and everything which was necessary for my spiritual progress. My recourse for this, was different quotes that I had heard and read from various sources such as books, websites etc. Few examples to quote – 'Be yourself', 'You only live now', 'Think big', and many more. Suffice it to say, that I was struggling with these random and vague interpretations as I could not remember and practice them when I needed them the most. None of them worked for me and my yearning for a correct pathway was falling like a house of cards. All these quotes and advices were turning meaningless to me and frequent ups and downs had become a common phenomenon in my life back then. This turbulence came to a standstill when Swami decided to enter my life. His loving glance, His compassion by letting me enjoy His proximity had changed my life completely. It was Swami who showed and guided me, step-by-step on to this royal path of spirituality. The teachings of our great Master which I strongly hold on within me did not remain just quotes or pieces of advice; they became the path lights which showed me the correct pathway leading me to discover the true purpose of my life. I started practicing them as I kept contemplating and dwelling on those nectarine words of wisdom. Some teachings which I repeatedly heard and continue to hear within me are 'Love and service are like the two feet which cannot be separated. You cannot have love without service and service without love'. As this kept ringing within me, I tried to put them into action and serve the fellowmen with all my capacities. As Swami often said, "You do My work, and I will do yours". It is true that the more I served the ones in need, our loving Swami took care of all my daily affairs and issues, in most convincing ways which I was incapable of achieving with all my efforts. On the other hand, when I missed serving others, things and situations got tougher. I have found these teachings as a life-support to me which makes sense and gives tremendous amount of satisfaction while following them. No knowledge and guidance can match the joy and satisfaction which sevā brings into my life. These teachings will remain just words of wisdom and quotes to those who just listen and forget; but those who contemplate and try to practice them in their daily lives are the ones who derive complete benefit and make the most out of this rare golden opportunity bestowed on all. And this I say with much conviction! | | To help reach Sri Sathya Sai Baba's human values-based education to the world, and to resuscitate the humanness of humanity, the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence launched a unique, first-of-its-kind Institute of Human Values, to offer tailor-made courses totally free of any charges, curated by experts from around the world. The Vision of the Institute is to make better humans in their personal and professional spheres, by making them more sensitive towards society's needs and exploring ways of their contribution to society in a meaningful and selfless manner, thereby creating a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.
The courses will help an individual balance the inside and outside, while progressively being a better human being, that will ultimately help him or her unravel the true meaning and purpose in life.
Learning from the heart is spiritual awakening, Baba would say. The Institute of Human Values is the first step to help lead the world into the beautiful awareness of its heart – a heart that operates from the universal human values of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa.
| | The world is called to be karma bhūmi - the plane of action. Humans, animals, birds, trees etc. none of the creation is exempted from performing actions on this planet. It may be the most mundane actions performed such as breathing, sitting, sleeping, eating etc. The actions can be further bifurcated as voluntary and involuntary actions.
The involuntary actions are not in the control of any being, but the voluntary actions can be surely be tended and decided before performing them. This gives an option to every human to choose between acting good or bad. Lord Krishna says, it is the rajo guṇa through which krodha (anger) and kāma (desires), the twins are born, compelling every human to perform good and bad actions. Therefore, they need to be under a constant check and vigilance in order to not to deviate from the right path.
buddhi (intellect) plays very vital role in maintaining the overall balance of life. It must be kept pure and good by perpetual discrimination (viveka) of good and bad. This ensures that manas (mind) and indriyas (senses) are kept under control. Only when these precusors are fulfilled one can fix his/her focus on Brahman and can attain the state of perfection
Episode 29 featured this week explains the ways to develop a steady and pure mind and thus, establish oneself in the ultimate truth. Under the guidance of our Divine Master, let us learn these profound teachings of vedanta and follow Him in the path of Self-Realisation. | | INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK | | "Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received only what you have given; a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage." - St Francis of Assisi
| | jagat hitāya (Welfare of the World) | | During the month of June, the Sai Youth continued to extend their support to the Greek-Orthodox Church to feed the destitute. A total of 120 boxes of food supplies which included pasta, rice, lentils, olive oil, tomato sauce, milk, sesame bars etc. were distributed to the churches in Alimos and Anavyssos. About 40 boxes of food supplies were also distributed to another local organisation which works towards satiating the hunger of the impoverished all across Greece. In addition to this, 80 poor families were also supported with food supplies. Continuing the monthly sevā of serving the less fortunate elderly folks, 1,200 portions of yogurt, 720 litres of milk and 40 kilograms of feta cheese, were sent to two elderly homes in Athens and Palea Fokea. Around 35 physically challenged children from 'EGNYA' association were provided with hot and fresh pizzas, twice this month. | | Food Distribution
Sai youth distributed freshly cooked meals to needy individuals with much love, which filled the hearts of the beneficiaries making the whole process of giving and receiving, an act of sharing love with each other. | | Supporting Single Mothers
During the month of June, Sai youth continued to help families with single parent, primarily focusing on single or widowed mothers, who are managing the household expenditure and raising their children with great difficulties. Basic necessities such as food and hygiene products were distributed to them. | | | | | | |
