Sai Vichaar for Thursday, October 20, 2005

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Sai Vichaar

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Thursday , October 20, 2005 :: Volume 8, Issue 23

(In its eighth year of publication.)

Sai Vichaar is a Weekly newsletter distributed every Thursday and is devoted to

the life, philosophy and teachings of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Feel free to

forward this newsletter to your interested associates in its original form.

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

DEVOTEES SAY

PRAYER CLUB

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

SAI ACTIVITIES

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: A man of His words!

The presence of Shri Sainath in the lives of millions today stands as a

testimony to His continued existence. Each prophecy and promise made by Baba

while He remained in His mortal body has turned out to be true and His words

can be found to be true to this day. Baba had clearly said "My bones will speak

and discuss the welfare of those who will put their full faith in me even after

my passing away". On another occasion He had commented about the village of

Shirdi, "People will crawl to this place like ants in the future". Blessing

Hemadpant to write a book on His life stories, Baba had said, "People who are

naturally attracted to me will feel happiness and joy on hearing my name and

stories". When a devotee was worried as to what will happen to him once Baba

passes away, Baba clearly told him not to worry and that "He will be ever

present with him and whenever the devotee called him with love, He will solve

his difficulties". When another devotee thought that he had

seen Baba in a dream ordering him to do something and went to confirm the same,

Baba said, "No that was no dream, it was me telling you personally; I require

no doors to enter any place". All the above incidents listed in Satcharita are

happening even today. The only difference is that they are happening all over

the world! There is another story in Satcharita of a Mrs Saptanekar being

followed by a fakir offering help to carry the water pitchers and she later

discovered that the fakir was none else than Baba when she saw His picture. A

similar incident happened in Connecticut, USA this month where a stranger

continuously visited an American lady. On every visit the stranger told her one

incident from her life that only she was aware of. On the last visit she started

to get eerie and started to do some research and stumbled on the picture of

Shirdi Sai Baba on the Internet.

Strangely enough the stranger who visited her a few times turns out to be none

other than the great master himself and more curiously the stranger has not

visited her since the time she stumbled on the picture! Here dictums of Baba,

"Wherever my devotee may go in this whole wide world, I am aware of his or her

life and will draw him or her to me, when it is time, like a sparrow tied with

a thread to its leg" and "We have been together for 72 generations, only I know

them all and you do not remember", comes out to be true. For one who follows

Shri Sai with love and devotion, it is necessary to reemphasize their faith and

evolve patience to overcome the curves that life pitches in from time to time.

Losing courage and thinking that Shri Sai has deserted them will only bring

unbearable agony and pain. Like a parent, Shri Sai can never desert his

children. At the same time a mother will not refrain from giving a bitter pill

to her child if it is needed! True to his words, Shri Sai works tirelessly for

his ever-growing children and the children need to be conscious of the path

laid by the master and make every attempt to walk on it. Baba himself has said

that the path is not easy, so why cry when the going gets tough? Remember Baba

with a pure heart and true to His words, He will carry you safely through

life's tough situations.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: My experiences with Saibaba (continued from last week)

Baba made me realized that what I did was wrong, while I was in India he made me

think what I really want in my life. When I was not interested in the job I was

doing then why was I pushing myself to do that. Baba showed me a path. I stayed

in India for four months did some computer courses. I came to USA and applied H1

visa.

Since I was in India for more than four months, there were many chances for my

visa not being approved. I sent all my documents to my employer and he said he

filed my H1 for Premium processing. This usually takes fifteen days for

approval. On the 15th day I was checking online status, it showed my

application is received on August 8th and it would take 120 days for them to

process it. I was shocked since first of all my employer lied to me that he

filed through premium processing and he also lied that he submitted by

application on August 4th. On August 10th the H1 visa quota was over and I was

so lucky. If he would have delayed one more day, I should have gone back to

India. On that day, I felt so bad and was crying. I spoke to employer and asked

him to change my application to premium processing. Initially he did not agree

but later he said he would fill it on Wednesday. I prayed to Baba, Baba knew

that if I did not get my H1 visa as soon as possible I will be out of

status and would have to leave the country in next 15 days. On Wednesday morning

for some reason, I checked my status again. To my surprise it showed my case has

been approved. My happiness knew no bounds. Everybody was amazed. This happened

under normal processing. I have seen my friends who have applied in May under

normal processing and have not heard anything till mid August. Baba showed his

grace, I got my approval within 15 days from the receipt day. Baba is great.

This is just one of the several miracles. Recently my brother met with an

accident, it was a very bad accident. Baba came in my dream the night before

where my mom and I were crying, due to some reason related to my brother. Then

I was thinking that I should do Sai pooja, Baba appeared in front on me and I

woke up. This way Baba suggested that He is there to save my family. Baba saved

my brother from the accident, no big injurious. If anybody has seen the car,

then they would think that people inside would have been dead. But Baba saved

him and his family. My request to all Sai devotees, never lose your faith on

Baba. He knows what is good for us. Keep patience and He will shower his grace

on you. Love Baba like your father, mother, daughter, son, in all the ways you

can. It is true that if you take one step towards Baba, he will take 10 steps

towards you. So please have faith and devotion. Baba is my father and

everything. Om Sai Ram.

(Contributed by Prasanna Ramavarapu)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Madhu VBaba, with your blessings, my son is doing well. Please be with him all

the time and take care of him. We want to visit Shirdi in December and place

him at your feet, please make this happen without any difficulty. Also, with

your grace I was able to give my exam finally. Now, I am applying, please

fulfill my dream. We have been through a lot, but with your blessings, are okay

now. Please ensure that we are happy, peaceful and content with what we have.

ArunaThis is my life experience. We came to USA in 1999. Till 2003 we had gone

through so may problems regarding my husband's permanent job and green card

process. Finally, we found one Indian company and filed green card. I have done

Masters degree in India. Because of my husband problems, I did not search for

any job. Finally, I got a job on H1 and worked for one year. After that my

six-year term is finished and I am waiting for my husbands labor approval so

that I can get EAD and start the job. Four weeks back because of green card

retrogression, I cried so much that until three or 4 years I would not get any

EAD. But because of Baba's grace, I got a job as a recruiter. I wanted to post

this if I get the job. From the past 10 years, there are so many Sai leelas

happened in our life. Everyday I pray to Sai. From the past 6 years, I am on

fast on Thursday and I do the Sai puja. I read so many times Sai Satcharitha.

One thing I learned is that if you

want to be a Sai devotee, you should be strong for His test. Jai Sainath.

Kaajal RFom my childhood I saw my family praying too Sai. I also followed the

same but there were no surrender only just prayers. I would pray but deep down

in my mind there was always stress, fear and tensions. This went on for a long

time then one day I met a person who today is my friend, philosopher and guide

and a very strong follower of Sai Naath and he taught me the difference of

surrender and prayer or rather I should say prayer with surrender and from then

on my life changed, miracles started happening each moment. When we surrender

ourselves to Sai our desires, our actions, our thoughts, our commitments, our

relationships, then we start living. We have to become like that small child

who has total faith on his parents, we have to feel that innocent love for Sai.

We just have to work honestly with faith that whatever the outcome, is the

outcome decided by our parent and it will be for our good. So I want to tell

all my brother and sisters

please surrender yourself to Sai, become his humble servant to get peace and

mukti without all worries.

HimabinduBaba, thank you for blessing us with I-140 visa. It has not been even a

week since I made a prayer to Baba regarding our green card; I got the answer. I

am out of words except for tears of joy. You were with me in every aspect of my

life and please bless my husband and me.

AnitaI was hopeless after loosing my job and had the inner desire of reading Sai

Satcharitha. Before finishing, I got my new job. Now I only pray to Baba to

bless me to be able to continue with my job without any break and sickness.

A Sai devoteeThanks for your blessing and everything you have provided in my

life. I am submitting this article to thank Sai for being with me and helping

me publish my research articles in good journals. My chronic acid reflux was

also cured by taking Udhi mixed in water every day. It really works; you only

need to have belief.

PRAYER CLUB:

ManishaThis time I again call for You and request You to come to his side. His

biopsy report should not have any sign of malignancy. Also as always I pray for

my parents and for health and long life. Baba do come again as always.

LataOh my dear lovable Baba, this is a humble request or prayer once again from

me and my small little family of three that please bless me to get a permanent

school teacher's job this year 2005 from any grades: K to 3 in public schools

here in Ontario, Canada as I still haven't heard from any of them. Baba, I

promise will write my experiences in this magazine without fail. Baba without

You blessing me, I just cannot imagine where to go. Baba, you are our

mata-pitta-bandhu-sakha. Baba, I am now fully qualified as per Ontario

teacher's education ministry requirements. Please Baba hear our plea and also

bless my son Avinash too as he too is looking for jobs and is an Electrical

Engineer by profession and will be doing MBA next year. We love you Baba and be

with us through thick and thin protecting us in your strong universal arms.

SwathiSai, You know what is going on in our family right now. I feel extremly

stressed out and when I see elders worry about us it makes me more stressed

out. Show us your miracle very soon. I know You are testing our patience. We

can't take it anymore. Be with us always. Guide my son and make him more

responsible and matured.

ChintanThank you Baba for all the things You have given me in life, just be with

me in all the phases of my life. Thanks for granting US immigrant visas to all

my family. Now help them to live a good life in the States and bless with peace

and good health and unity. Bless me with my good studies. Just be with me always

to guide me through and help me. Jai Sai ram

Sai devoteeOh! kind Sai, my pranaams to You. Oh Sai, my friend has still not

contacted me, please make him stay in touch with me. Kindly shower us with your

blessings.

KamakshiSairam, I request all the Baba devotees to please pray for my husband

who has Parkinson's disease and the pain is severe. We are praying for him. I

make him read the Sai Satcharitra everyday he does it. Only You can help, Baba.

PujaThank you Baba for making my deals come through for the month end in a

miraculous manner. I just didnt believe that it will happen by me but by Baba's

grace it happens and He makes this happen everytime when my position in th

company is questionable. I love you Baba. Please heal the world and take care

of all people praying to You for something or the other. Only You are the sole

refuge to them.

MohiniJai Sai Ram, Baba thanks for your blessings. Last week I wrote my letter

to Baba to please give me my drivers license before 15th October. Baba did this

for me. I got my license on 12th. It was nothing but just Baba's miracle. Baba

keep me and my family in your feet always. Baba please make my husband your

devotee, only then I can come to the bhajans every Thursday. Baba Iam worried a

lot about my India trip. Please keep my children healthy. Every thing should be

solved nicely there. You know what I mean.

SivaramFor the last couple of days I am not able to concentrate on prayers,

bhajans, nor my work, nor speak with my family members or friends. Something is

haunting me which is stopping me to talk to my wife properly. Please Sai help me

in this dire situation. Please Sai shower your blessings on me and my family.

Readers please pray for the well being of my twin daughters.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

HariniOne of my latest experiences is that I am having three children; they are

all settled in America. I wanted to go US for the delivery of my younger

daughter. Before leaving India, I needed medical checkup. So I went for general

checkup, I am a healthy person, I used to think, but the doctor who checked me

said that I have "Breast cancer" and that I needed a surgery immediately. At

that time, I did not worry but put the entire burden on Baba. The surgery was

done immediately. Even though, none of my children was with me. At that time,

all of my relatives were by my side with so much love and affection. Through my

surgery, chemotherapy and radiation Baba made sure that my body did not go

through any pain. Many people told different stories and experiences about

cancer, but I never got frightened at all. Why should I be frightened? I was

always under the graceful eyes of Baba This happened in the year 2003 on 14th

Jan. Until this day by Baba's grace,

I am not facing any health problems. Even though I started doing, my entire

household works, as soon as my surgery done, that was from 18 days only. My

children are Baba devotees; during my surgery, they gave me a lot of courage.

They always believe in Baba, so at time of my daughter's delivery even though

no one went for her help, baba made sure that she was looked after with care by

arranging one or the other person to help her in her need. By baba wonderful

grace, she gave birth to a healthy and cute baby with out any complications.

Both of them are very healthy with Baba's blessings .I think in every problem

baba is there to solve with love, one thing we should have 'Shraddha bakthi'.

With the grace of Baba, all my children are leading happy life. I am attending

Baba's bhajans regularly, which keeps me happy and peaceful. Bestow your

kindness always on us Baba one word to all Baba devotees, always believe in

Baba and he will look after you. Baba, I bow to your lotus feet.

UmaOm Sai Ram. My mother and my sister are both Baba's devotees. I came to USA

with my husband and applied for work-permit. Meanwhile I went to my sister's

place for her daughter's first birthday celebration. I told her about the

things for which I am awaiting eagerly and anxiously. They are nothing but my

work-authorization and my post-graduation results. She told me not to worry

Baba will look after it. She told me about Sai Vichaar. Immediately I prayed

Baba and said that if both the things will go right then I will post my

experience in Sai Vichaar. When I returned to my place, within a week I got two

good news. One is I got my work-authorization and the other is I passed my post

graduation with very good percentage. So I felt very happy and told my sister

about these two .She told me that Baba would look after the people, who with

love and faith will pray Baba. From that day onwards my belief on Baba has

grown more and more. Even I started reading

Sai Satcharitha. Baba will solve all our problems. Every one will be showered with grace of Baba.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

We must muse over our imperfections of yestarday and try to evolve towards a

little more perfection.-Shri C B Satpathy in New Year's message 1996

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. What is the significance of Sankalp?

SAI ACTIVITIES:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAShirdi Sai temple is open

daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 am

followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6 pm and Shej

Arathi at 9 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 (AT) saibaba (DOT) org.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, MinnesotaRegular 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 , or

call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly

newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, TexasSri 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 Satsang, Bay Area, CaliforniaShirdi 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 or visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Ontario, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites

all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30PM at 147 Winston Castle Dr.

Markham, Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other activities and services please call

Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or email us saileela99 .

Shirdi Sai Satsang in Vancouver, BC, CanadaShirdi Sai parivar in Vancouver

invites you for bhajans, every Thursday (6:30pm - 7:30 pm) at 8571, 118A

Street, Delta, V4C 6L2. For further details contact Ritu (604)592 4182 or email

at sai_ish (AT) hotmail (DOT) com.

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Sai Vichaar is an open forum for those interested to share their experiences,

views and ideas on Sai devotion and their experiences with Saibaba of Shirdi.

Readers are requested to note that Sai Vichaar is not responsible for the

opinions expressed by individual contributors. The "Question of the week" for

the week is, Q. What is the significance of Sankalp?

Humbly Yours,The Editor

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>From and Editor:

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