Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 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: Immense is Sadguru's love! Immense is Sadguru's love. Immeasurable is Sadguru's love. Infinite is Sadguru's love. Such metaphors aside, can anyone explain the love Baba has for His children in such a way that it can be easily understood? Often, it is compared to the mother's love for mother is one that is capable of loving her child in the most unselfish way, loving for love's sake and nothing else. However, true experiences of Sadguru's love must be even beyond the above comparison. A little observation here will be able to explain this further. Although mother loves her child, a mother cannot love every other child nor can she treat every child as her own! Besides, one can see instances where a mother could hurt her own child. In the animal world, in a condition known as Infantophagia, a mother animal sometimes can devour her own offspring due to physiological reasons, for her own survival. Mother's love is considered as the purest form of love in nature. Yet, the nature as most would know, is still limited in its explanation of Sadguru's love. Sri Sainathuni Sarathbabuji explains the love of Sadguru as somewhat closer to the love that sparkles in the eye of the mother as she glances at her new born for the first time, immediately after birth. Just for that one fraction of a moment, frozen in time, the mother experiences the love that would soon be different once the child starts crying and shows its own movements, in essence its own identity. The momentary love of the mother looking at the infant, as a part of her own self, is a remote comparison to love that Sadguru has for His children! Saibaba said that he would save His children even from the jaws if death. One would find such assurances of Baba's protection a every stage of His children's lives. Blessed are we to know Baba as the Sadguru, the mother of mothers, father of fathers, Guru of Gurus and the ultimate there is. CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Devotion and Self-realization Sadguru is the substance of all scriptures and He is the wisdom that pervades eternity. The purpose of the seeker is to seek the depths of such an entity in order to quench the thirst; the blessing only mankind is bestowed with in nature. Known as sadhana, such a pursuit is the subject of discussions, arguments, speculations and postulations suited to the human convenience. True, religions and sects all talk about the same, yet we have many religions and sects. Let us not however forget that Baba refutes any argument in the name of God and he said without mincing words, "All are same", and "God is One". Baba's statement through Anantrao Patankar's episode in Sai Satcharitha that devotion is the most important qualification required to realize the supreme has most profound impression on His followers, then and now. Bhakthimaarg or the path of devotion is sure to lead one to God that exists in the self and elsewhere. Baba had stressed repeatedly the importance of realizing the self; the story of merchant seeking Brahma Gyan (the knowledge of the Supreme that exists within and out) in Sri Sai Satcharitha is an excellent example. How does devotion lead to the pursuit of the knowledge of the self? Even before we ask that question, one may wonder whether something known as "self realization" really exists. The surprising answer to the question is Yes! Mankind completely dwells in the realization of grosser perceptions; the abilities that define the self to its fullest beauty, " I realize, therefore, I am! However, the term self-realization in its spiritual context is completely subtle and difficult to comprehend. Baba said that His coffers are open and those who seek shall be given. In this context, the subtleties of realizing the self assumes enormous importance if one were to pay attention. Let us all on this beautiful Thursday spend a moment on seeking Sadguru's treasures that lead us to our own subtle nature, the material that is all pervading. (Contributed by Saibaba.org team) DEVOTEES SAY: LakshminarayanaSairam, I do not have words to explain your miracles. Just one instance, which I prayed to post in Sai Vichaar. I was disturbed about my current compensation from my current employer and decided to quit and move to another organization. My current employer called me and agreed to give me 20 percent hike which I thought is not what I deserved and prayed to Baba on Wednesday night that it would be better if I get 30 percent hike and that if I get it I would post my experience in Sai Vichaar. As prayed, the merciful Baba really helped me out in such a way that when I came to office next day which was a Thursday, I was moved with tears from my eyes when I saw the mail from my leader saying that he is ready to offer me 30 percent hike. How merciful is our lord how are we to thank him than remembering his name always. Thank you Sairam. SoundaryaBaba, thanks for all your blessing to my family. I was praying for my Dad CT scan and his health improvement. Baba you did it. I wish you would be in every stage of his recovery. SrinivasThis is a recent leela by Samartha Sadguru Sainatha Maharaj. I along with few friends have been planning to start a franchise and with Baba's grace, the things have been moving smoothly. The date was fixed for the signing of agreement was fixed, in fact I have asked the other party whether we can do this on Thursday, by Baba's grace they have agreed for that. Just few days before this signing day, my friend who has just returned from visit to India had emailed me saying that he had shipped the Baba's prasad to my address. I was so happy by reading that and prayed in my mind that I should get this prasad on the day we are going to sign the franchise agreement. Devotees, now you can guess what would have happened on that day, I came back home after signing the papers and opened my mail box quite nervously whether Baba had blessed me or not. I was so thrilled and overjoyed by seeing the packet with Baba's prasad from friend. There are lot of leelas by Baba ever since I started worshipping in the 90's. I am always thankful to him for his love and blessings all through these years and pray him to continue shower his love and blessings. Sai devoteeBaba, please help me am going with lots of things right now you sent me the offer letter to a job and same week I got a call saying the project is scrapped. I dont know what to do but I believe you will help me with this trauma. Baba my husband is worried about his college admission, please shower your grace on him and always grace Your love and blessing to us. You are our mother and father. I trust You completely, help us. PRAYER CLUB: DevendraBaba, please save me. I am facing lot of problems, I know You are giving lot of support to solve my problems, but I am getting lot of fear about my friends. Please don't distrub us, I am living means because of my friends, otherwise I would have died long back. This year I am praying You, please make me solve all problems and given by me back the money to my friends which they have given me in lot of troubles, and I am praying You don't let me die before I clear all the dues. Baba, show me good path and give me strength for good works. You know which type of problems I am facing, I believe in You Baba. Sai devoteeJai Sai Ram, please help my husband to sort out his job problem and get unemloyment. Please help him in settling down his business. Please shower your blessings to my husband and my children. Baba please take him to your sharan. Make him your devotee. Baba please help him to leave his negative attitude, his short tempered nature. Baba please bless me that scars of my face should be removed and I should be healthy. Please help my daughter that her eye problem should be ok. Always shower your blessings Baba. Sai devoteeBaba! Please help me in getting a better job. As You know I have been slogging in this organisation for the past five years without any growth and recognition. The humiliation that I faced on 23rd January made my determination strong to quit this organisation. Please show me a way out!! PujaOm Sai Ram, please help us Sai, we need You to show us the right path at this stage of life. Every step of our life has been a huge struggle and I am losing my patience and strength. Please restore my faith and patience Sai and help us through this rough stage of life. You have always held my hand when I needed you Sai so please give me strength, stability and peace of mind. Sai devoteeSai Baba please hear our prayers. Please give my sister realizations what she did is wrong and please Baba show her the right path. Baba!! I have faith on You, You would definitely bring her from the jaws of death. We don't know Baba what is Your leela but still she is not understanding her parents and sisters. Please help us to acheive what we really want. Baba be with her and help us, we need You so much in this critical time. Sai Ram A devoteeBaba, please cure the disease for that baby, Karthik and give him a normal eye vision. Please take care of him and his family and bring everyone to normal. Sai DevoteeSairam, Baba I implore you to please give guidance to our daughter who is straying from the path of truth and righteousness, inspite of all that we are doing for her. Please help her to stay focussed on her studies and help her to achieve her potential. Being our only daughter, we love her a lot and want the best for her, but feel helpless to deal with her. Please guide us. SanDear Baba, You know all my personal, financial, family and social problems. Please solve all my problems and bring peace, happiness, success and good name to me and my family from now on forever. I and my family surrender to You and are your ardent devotees. RajenderSai Baba, You saved me all the time whenever I prayed for You, Sai baba please forgive me for every bad thing I have done in the past. I am in india now, looking forward to start my life here in India after being abroad for five years away from family. Sai baba, please show me the way and please guide me and please give me your blessing. I applied for a job in India now, please bless me with your blessings as You always do. Once again our whole family needs Your bleesing, Baba please bless our family and please guide me in my life and show me the light. VithyaSairam, please bless my daughter. She is getting ill very often. Please save her life. Take care of her, I am very much worried about her. Sai ma please take care of her. Make her healthy. ManuBaba please help my brother, who is going through kidney failure. Give him strength and good health. Baba please give him good health. I know You will help us whenever we need. Thank you Baba. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: KrishnamoorthyI was suffering from back-ache since last two months, went to Medical center and got checked up, and an x-ray taken out for further investigation, but could hardly find any problem, and was given only pain killing tablets. I took those tablets but did not find any improvement, rather it was increasing. Then on 25th Jan 2006, there was Annadanam going on in Shri Saibaba Temple, where I was called for assistance. Due to back pain, I decided to offer only moral support and not to take items for distribution. But, surprisingly Baba started sending one after one asking me to take Dal, Rice, or Roti etc for distribution. Thrice I expressed my inability, and was supervising the things. But He did not leave me, and again sent somebody and asked me to take Dal for distribution. This time I could not say no and took a bucket of Dal and looked at Him (through open window) and thought in my mind 'Baba! you are repeatedly testing me, I feel this must be to grace me and relieve me of back pain', and started distributing the Dal with bending and standing for number of times. Surprisingly, from the day onwards within three days my back pain was gone to a great extent and some residual pain is there, which also shall be removed by His blessings. LalitaOur son, who is working in the US, had come to India last week on a brief visit. On his return, he was told at the Delhi airport that his flight was delayed. As a result, he missed his connecting flight from Munich, and was put to much inconvenience. The onward journey was a circuitous one, and led to a great deal of fatigue and inconvenience. As if that was not enough, on reaching his destination, New York, he found that his suitcase containing all his new, expensive clothes and other important belongings, had been lost! We were all very unhappy to hear about it as it meant a lot of trouble and inconvenience to him. This happened late at night, and he had to attend office from early next morning, which left him no time at all to even buy new clothes, shoes, toiletries etc. My only resort at this juncture was Shirdi Sai Baba. I prayed very sincerely and requested Baba to find out and send back the lost suitcase as early as possible, with all his belongings intact. Three days had passed, and there was no news of the suitcase. I told Baba that since Thursday was His day, a miracle must take place. Lo and behold, on Wednesday night we received the news that our son's lost suitcase had at last been delivered to him at home! I have absolutely no words to thank Baba. This was nothing short of a miracle, made possible only by Sai Baba's divine grace and blessings. Today being Thursday, I went to the local Sai Baba Temple to offer my thanks to Him. On my return from the temple, I was told by a friend who had just returned from Shirdi that she would be sending some "prasad" for us! Yet another instance to prove Baba's constant presence in our home. May Sai Baba's blessings be with us always! Jai Sai Ram! QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "Dear soul, Love alone cuts argument short, for it alone comes to the rescue when you cry for help against disputes. Eloquence is dumbfounded by Love: it dares not wrangle; for the love fears that, if he answers back, the pearl of inner experience might fall out of his mouth".-Rumi, a Sufi poet QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. How are we to know that we have won Sai's grace? A. by Punam As all flowers want to ripe into fruits, everyone wants to be happy in their lives. But as few flowers ripe into fruits only few are benefited with Sai Grace. Sai answered like this because people think when they got Sai Grace their life will be full of happiness. Now they never face any difficulties in their life. But as Sai Said, everyone has to live with his destiny. Sai cannot change anyone's destiny because it is linked with his past but by prayer, he can give him patience, which makes them capable to fight with his destiny. Q. Comment on what Baba said-given below A. by Maddipatla Ramaa Prasad Baba said, "I give my people what they want until they will begin to ask me what I want to give them ". Comment? A. How wonderful is Sadguru Sainath's way of handling His devotees! He is a loving mother who would lovingly coax her child into taking right steps, by yielding to some of the desires of child. First, the mother instills confidence and love in child's heart by conceding some of her demands. By this the child realizes how loving and kind the mother is. Later, the child automatically develops love and faith in her mother and consequently comes to know that what ever that mother does or asks to do would be in her (child's) own interest. Even if mother goes to punish the child later for her mistakes or pranks, the child continues to love her mother. That is how loving Sainath proceeds with His devotees. He draws the devotee to into His loving fold, by instilling love and faith in the devotee. Thus, He is ever ready to answer the call of devotee. When one of the senior devotees commented that one should not approach Baba to fulfill his or her materialistic wants, Baba said, "Don't say that! Every one naturally comes to Me to fulfill his or her material needs. In course of time they develop faith in Me and then they learn to accept what I want to give them!" Thus, Sainath directs the devotee into the path of 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi'. I know that a Sai devotee who has grown with 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi' would say, "Baba knows what I need. What ever He does is for my good. Where is the need for me to ask Him to grant my wants?" Thus, Baba takes his devotee towards spiritual heights by granting people what they seek initially and thus instilling faith and devotion in them. Subsequently the devotee asks Baba to give what is right for him / her. A true Sai devotee gradually reaches a stage of praying Baba, "Let Thy will prevail!" A classical example in this case would be of that of Bayyaji Appaji Patil during the earthly life of Baba at Shirdi. As a child and young boy, Bayyaji came under Sai Baba's fold. Baba blessed him in many ways including by granting frequent installments of money and consequently Bayyaji improved his economic status. Gradually Bayyaji developed unshakable faith and love in Sai Baba. When his father was virtually on deathbed, Bayyaji did approach Baba with a request to save him (his father) from death. But Almighty Sai looking into the pros and cons, refused to give him "udi" that could save his father. Baba simply said, "Allah hei Malik!" meaning that God's dictate is the final. That, no doubt, made Bayyaji sad momentarily. Later, however, he recovered from the temporary grief and realized that Baba knew what was good and right. His faith in Baba remained unshaken despite the fact that Baba did not relent to his request to save his father from death. That is the way a Sai devotee would evolve. Baba, therefore, granted him a rare boon. Sadguru Sainath left His mortal human body leaning on Bayyaji. Q. Comment on what Baba said - given below A. by Sadashiv Kavthankar, Goa Baba said, "I give my people what they want until they will begin to ask me what I want to give them ". Comment? A. The love of a Mother is peculiar, extraordinary and disinterested and has no parallel. A human mother knows the wants of her child beforehand and feeds it, at her breast in time. Shri Saibaba feels this Motherly love towards their people (disciple) and give them what they want. Shri Saibaba thought that what a man might give does not last long; and it is always imperfect. But what my Sircar (God) gives, lasts to the end of time. No other gift from any man can be compared to the gift of the Almighty. My Sircar (God) says, 'Take Take', but everybody comes to Me and says 'Give Give', nobody attends carefully to what I say, My Sircar's treasury (spiritual wealth) is full, it is overflowing. I say: 'Dig out and take away this Wealth in cartloads'. The Blessed son of a True Mother should fill himself with this Wealth. In fact, there no person more liberal and benevolent than The SadGuru Shri Saibaba who wants to give us the most precious thing that is inconceivable and inscrutable (The Reality). SAI ACTIVITIES: Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAShirdi 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 (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. Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USAShirdi Sai Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans followed by Aarti and Parsad on every 1st Saturday of each month at Durga Mandir, Kendall Park, New Jersey from 3 pm to 5 pm (Winter Hours). All are requested to kindly come and receive Baba's blessings. For more information, please call us at 609-275-1334 or visit www.shirdisaidham.org or email us at shirdisaidham (AT) hotmail (DOT) com Shirdi Sai Satsang, Toronto, CanadaShirdi Saibaba Sansthan invites all to join for satsangs every Thursday 7:00 pm at Sai Dwarkamai, 147 Winston Castle Dr. Markham, Ontario, L6C 2N4, phone 416-402-8089 or email: saileela99 . To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family for any occasion at your residence, please call. Devotees can request udi or Holy water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by phone. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, CanadaThe Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m. Dhoop Aarti is at 7:30 p.m. everyday. Bhajans are on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. onwards. For other temple activities and information please call 647-444-4724 or send an email to info (AT) theshirdisaimandir (DOT) com. 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. Sai Satsang, SingaporeTo all Shirdi Sai Baba devotees in Singapore, Sai Sansthan, Singapore is organizing Shirdi Sai Baba prayer session every Saturday between 18:30 hrs to 20:30 hrs at 2nd floor function hall, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman temple, (opp. to Sinda), 555, Serangoon Road, Singapore-218174. We invite you all to participate and seek Baba's blessings. For further details, please visit www.saisansthan.com. Sai Baba Satsang in Auckland, New ZealandSai Baba Satsang ( Bhajans, Provochan, Sai Ashotottram and Shej Arathi ) is held every Thursday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at MT Roskill War Memorial Hall, May Road , Mt Roskill, Auckland, NZ. For more detials visit our website http://www.shirdisaibaba.org.nz or mail to info (AT) shirdisaibaba (DOT) org.nz. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Please refer to Sai Activities section to know more about Sai activities in various locations across the world. Sai Vichaar has served as a useful platform for sharing about your activities with other Sai devotees. Please write to maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org if you would like to publish about Sai activities in your area. Sai Vichaar thanks you for your support for the Question of the Week feature. This feature is intended to initiate useful discussion on topics related to Sai philosophy, His message, and Sai devotion. Please send your suggested topics for the same. The "Question of the week" for the week is, Q. Baba said, "I give my people what they want until they will begin to ask me what I want to give them ". Comment? Humbly Yours,The Editor ABOUT THIS EMAIL: This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:1. You have d through our on-line page,2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative. To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed. To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to support (AT) saibaba (DOT) org with the words "Un Sai Vichaar" in the subject line. To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu. Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html. For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly. Thank you,The webmaster From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha (A non-profit organization) Mail: 12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USA Email maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org Phone 847-931-4058 Fax 847-931-4066 © Copyright 1998-2006 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors. 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