Issue 248 - October 02, 2021 | | Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters, Swami is sculpting our lives in His image! We must not underestimate the power and impact of what Swami is doing, and the levels at which He is working! Otherwise, how can so many projects be initiated every day across so many countries?
While addressing a group of devotees He said, "Everything has been planned by me, everything has already been executed in my mind, just as the Director sees the entire drama in his mind. So, I know who is going to play what part, till what time, in what way, everything has been decided already. So, what is in your hands? It is to obey, carry out the command and do your part well!" That's all that there is…doing our part well and allowing the Divine to flow through us. We have to 'just be'!
Sairam Bhuvana Santhanam | | ātmano mokshārtam (Emancipation of one's self) | | Shortcut to Self-Realisation | | Swami said to the sevā volunteers that everyone is born to serve, which is the primary purpose of all existence.
"From an insect to the plant, from rivers to the animals, all are serving others, while man (and woman too) forgets the very basic truth and lose his way in selfish pursuits. Selfless sevā is to be done for one's own emancipation. The one who serves is the first beneficiary of sevā, even more than the one who is served." Swami went on to say that while many paths exist to Self-realisation, like chanting the name, singing God's glory, penance and pilgrimages, selfless service is the shortest and surest route to self-realisation. In fact, sevā is the shortcut to Self- realisation. | | Sincerity – A step Towards Transformation
By Kathiravan Soundrarajan Student, Malaysia
As we walk through the journey towards ourselves, I would like to share my footsteps on my Self-transformation. I am Kathiravan from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Under the Divine guidance of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, I am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in accounting. This beautiful journey of my transformation began when I stepped in the Divine abode of Sai Ananda Ashram, Malaysia.
Being the naughtiest among my siblings and receiving many negative remarks due to my poor character, I never realised the good fortune to be a part of the Ashram, but today I am grateful and offer my gratitude to Swami. Initially, my beloved mother would force me to participate in various service activities of the Ashram. And today I realise the importance of being under the umbrella of God and working along with God's people.
In the initial years, it all started with attending bhajans on Saturdays and Balvikas classes on Sundays at Sai Ananda Ashram. Day after day, I learnt the real purpose of my life and the reason behind being born in this world. Honestly, if it were not for Swami's entry into my life, I would have had no clue where I was heading or where I would end up.
Fortunately, by His immense grace, I kept contemplating on Swami's teachings and lessons in my heart and followed His instructions from within and without. It's not easy to practise Swami's teachings, but that did not deter me from putting efforts. As a gift for conscientious practice in my daily life, Swami has blessed me with abundant peace and satisfaction.
I am grateful to Swami for holding my hands and helping me to tread the path of spirituality. The series of discourses of 'Master the Mind' and 'kaṭhopaniṣad' have helped me tremendously to balance between the spiritual and material world. I'm trying my best to follow all that is taught in these sacred scriptures.
Today, my peers laud me observing my extensive transformation and change of perception towards life. Swami always says, 'the greatest service to humanity is by becoming an example to others.'
Swami has tested me on many occasions. Recently, my beloved mother passed away. All that was practiced so far helped me to maintain my equipoise and stay calm. My heart kept telling me that everything is the Will of that Brahman, the Almighty, and whatever happens, happens for our greater good alone.
In a nutshell, Self-transformation begins when we sincerely put efforts and try to bring positive changes in ourselves, by keeping up the values learnt and never give up till we reach the goal i.e., Self-realisation. | | 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 path of spirituality is a difficult one. Why so? It is because we have never walked on it before. When a child pulls up to stand and attempts baby steps, it goes through many difficulties and walking even two small steps is laudable. Just because the child struggles to walk in the initial stages, no mother refrains her child from attempting to walk and learn.
Falling is a part of walking; failing is a part of learning; and mistakes are the part of experience. Therefore, falling, failing or making mistakes shouldn't deter us from this most glorious path of seeking our true identity.
A mistake is not a mistake if we have learnt a lesson out of it. Only if one doesn't learn from the mistake, it remains as mistake. On this path, everyone is going to commit many mistakes. It is certainly difficult, but not impossible. To tread this path, one needs appropriate guidance. Only a guru can enlighten and guide oneself to reach the destination.
For a sādhaka (spiritual aspirant), it is most important to attempt walking on this path. When the aspirant walks two steps ahead, guru and God will take the remaining steps to guide. In episode #35, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai expounds the qualities which a spiritual aspirant must develop within himself/herself to continue the path of Spirituality. | | INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK | | "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present."
– Lao Tzu | | jagat hitāya (Welfare of the World) | | The youth from Malaysia have been continuing all the service initiatives without a miss. On the 5th of September 2021, a mobile provision camp was conducted. Around 200 packs of fresh vegetables, rice bags and cooking oil were distributed to three different locations near Batu Caves, which were allocated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In addition to it, 200 kits inclusive of dry ration, cooking ingredients, oil, rice bags and a loaf of bread were given to the refugees in Taman Wilayah Selayang during another camp. On the 26th of September, 120 dry ration packs consisting of rice bags, cooking oil and fresh vegetables were distributed in Sai Ananda Ashram to the needy locals. Another 100 packs were distributed to the UNHCR refugees in Kampung Laksamana, Sungai Tua and Shah Alam. | | | | | | |
