Sairam dear brothers and sisters,
Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai expounds that service or seva is the preparation to develop the ability and deservedness to receive the highest from a Master who descends to bestow the ultimate gift upon humanity. Loving without a sense of duty and serving without any expectation is the purpose of all the projects initiated by Him. So, all the good that is being done, helps others to get inspired. Thus, we become shining examples in the lives of those who cross our paths.
When we love and serve unconditionally and selflessly, without any inhibitions or judgements, we reach a point where we simply become conduits. Everything then simply flows, and then we cease to ‘do’ anymore. The feeling is magical as it envelops the soul. May we find fulfilment in what we do, as we continue to go about touching lives every single day.
Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
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ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
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When somebody asked Saint Francis, “What is the way to God?” He said “There is no way to God. God is an abyss. If you have courage, jump.” Brother Madhusudan says, “Unfortunately, I did not even have the courage to jump. Knowing that God is an abyss, so to say, wanting God, I did not have the courage to jump. Fortunately, my good fortune was that God was behind me, and He pushed me into the abyss and that’s how I fell into it.”
Baba compassionately told brother Madhusudan the secret of success in His work and said, “If you focus on all these things, then you will be worried. But if you focus only on Me, everything else will just fade away.”
Lord Krishna says,
“Those who fix their minds on Me and always engage in My devotion with steadfast faith, I consider them to be the best Yogis.”
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 Verse 2)
Brother Madhusudan’s faith, devotion and surrender to Baba was supreme. He simply followed His command, and started walking behind Baba during Darshans, and as they say, the rest is history! Initially, there were moments when Baba would think, and simultaneously brother Madhusudan would also think! There was an obstruction, as the process was not complete. Most of the time brother Madhusudan was trying to listen to what Baba was saying, and trying to grasp the thoughts, as it was a thought level communication, or communication at a telepathic level. Sometimes, brother Madhusudan’s own thought process would result in him worrying, when he would be observe someone or something during Darshan. Parallelly there was Baba’s consciousness which would give instructions, ‘Give him the Vibuthi’ or ‘Take the letter from her’ or ‘Tell him this….’. But, slowly, gradually and completely Baba’s consciousness merged with that of brother Madhusudan’s, so much so that his individuality vanished.
An excerpt from the book – ‘Karishye Vachanam Tava -A Life In Surrender - Sri Madhusudan Sai’ authored by Bhuvana Santhanam, page no.128
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My Story
Selfless service – A Way To Transform The Life
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By Dr Kamachisree Nallapan
Malaysia
Baba has been my role model since the time I got to know of Him. His teachings and messages left a great impact in my life. Coming from a family whose members are very spiritual, God believers, following God's commands is of paramount importance in my life. Baba beautifully said that the best way to love god is to ‘Love All and Serve All’. Baba also said that, “Service to man is Service to God”, which means when we render selfless service to our fellow human beings, it is same as serving God.
Back in 2016, when I was still a medical student, I started involving myself in organising and also volunteering at free medical camps. As a medical student, I was still an amateur in my field and thus enjoyed participating in these camps, meeting people from various background regardless of race, religion and economical status, with the sole objective to help them. At the end of the day, the smile I saw on their faces gave me much of satisfaction and happiness.
The more I engaged myself in the selfless service activities, the more I realised that it wasn’t enough. I remembered one of Baba's teachings - that selfless service does not stop with physical services only, but also can be done through our thoughts and words. Whenever I am at hospital to see patients, I walk around the wards and see if anyone needs any help. I enjoy doing even simple things like feeding elders, taking them on a wheelchair for a stroll, talking to them when they need somebody to share their feelings with, and whenever I get a chance, I also say a little prayer for their recovery. The feeling of giving without expecting anything in return is so addictive that I keep wanting to do it more and more.
Baba always said, "Do not think you are doing them a favour by serving them, instead be grateful they are the one giving you the opportunity to serve them.” Every time when I get to do service even as small as holding a door for someone or helping somebody cross the road, I thank God for the opportunity bestowed upon me. Because, when we engage in selfless service, it’s not only the receiver who gets benefitted but it helps the person who is engaging in the seva, resulting in self- transformation.
I have realised how involving in seva has improved my patience levels, is slowly eliminating my ego and doership which is bringing inner peace. I am also learning that when we start expecting rewards for our actions, it will only lead to disappointments and frustrations. So, as I am putting this aspect into practise every day, expecting no rewards for my services, it is giving me the feeling of contentment and peace within.
It is said Self-transformation does not happen overnight. True that! Self-transformation doesn’t mean that we have be perfect in doing the seva. For me, it’s a selfless effort which I make with sincere intention aiming be a better person in the society. It doesn’t matter if the effort is small or big, but that one sincere intention with selfless effort would make a huge difference in my life. I am not perfect, and I still have a long way to go, but I will continue doing little acts that will bring me closer towards my goal of being selfless at all times.
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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.
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Kathopanishad is a legendary story of a brave little boy, Nachiketa, son of Sage Vajasravasa, who meets Yama (the Hindu deity of death), and seeks spiritual wisdom from him. Their conversation evolves to a discussion of the nature of man, knowledge, ātman (Soul, Self) and mokṣā (liberation).
kastvam koyam kuta āyāt kā me janani ko me tātah – Who are you, who am I, from where did I come, who is my mother, who is my father? says Sri Adi Shankaracharya in one of his literary works, Bhaja Govindam. All the relations which a person has acquired in his life, comes with a larger background of many births. Same souls are brought together and even if one of them realises his true nature and becomes free of all the bondage and sufferings, he will pave path for others redemption too.
In episode 21 featured this week, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai explains the difference between suffering and pain.
Come join us, to enter the realms of eternal bliss!
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK |
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“All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.”
– Kabirdas
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jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
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The pandemic has not stopped the Sai youth from conducting regular seva activities in Malaysia. In Sai Ananda, daily lunch for 50 needy people including dialysis patients and the kindergarten students are being prepared and served. On a daily basis, the youth prepare and pack the food for distribution. Twenty kids attend kindergarten classes everyday abiding the COVID-19 guidelines set by the Government. Values-based education is also imparted to the children. After which they are treated with sumptous meals. |
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