Issue 253 - November 07, 2021
Editor's Note
Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Like our beloved Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai has been reminding us so often, the time has come to turn inward. What is that we can do to get closer to God? Travel inwards. The mind that is always outside, should be internalised. This is something we have to constantly practise and more importantly be aware. He says, “It is time to connect back to that voice within. Undertake only those actions, in thought, word and deed, which will take you closer to God. Know that your destination is God who is in you, and not this world. You can be in the world, but the world should not get inside you.”

Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
Excerpt From A Book
What spiritual practice does one need to follow, so that we can connect with you internally?

When you sit for meditation, you want to listen to Swami’s voice, but most of the time, you come with a mind full of other thoughts, so listening to the voice within is impossible. Just like in a market-place, if you want to talk to a friend, you will not be able to listen to him due to the surrounding noise. You will have to shout to talk to each other. If you were to take your friend aside to a quiet corner, then, you could have your conversation without much effort. Therefore, first and foremost, during some time of the day, you must learn to sit quietly in a corner, away from all physical distractions. The early hours of the morning are very good for sitting quietly. If you sit in dhyana (meditation) in the same quiet place every day at the same time, then you will be able to develop this ability. Once you have practised in a silent corner and have developed the connection within, even in the middle of all activities, you will still be able to talk to Me.

Most of the time, you are in a great hurry. You sit and want Swami to immediately start talking to you without any patience! Worse still is sitting down and immediately starting to ask questions with no pause, in a great hurry to talk but not to listen! If you sit down only to listen to Me, then I will come and tell you what is needed. When you sit, be silent and let Me speak. So, what if Swami does not speak today? Wait, it can happen tomorrow. If not tomorrow, it can happen the day after. Have patience. Slowly, when your mind becomes calm and you develop this connection with Me within, then even when you are working in the office, or conversing with other people, your heart will always be connected to Me.

An excerpt from the book ‘Sri Sathya Sai Uvacha Volume Twelve – Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the Subtle Body – July-August 2015, Pg no. 148, 149.
My Story
Love of Mother Sai

By Nisha Kesavan
Doctor, Singapore

I feel that am still very much on the journey of self-transformation. I have some thoughts on what the end might look like, but I am unsure as to when will I be reaching my ultimate destination. Mine has been a journey of unlearning and relearning. Shedding all expectation and constantly striving to lead a life of gratitude to God and to the mother Earth, I presently inhabit.

For as long as I can recall, my perception of God was limited to the form of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I grew up in a family that was privileged to have close interactions with God in this form. We would make regular trips to Puttaparthi and enjoy the darshan of Baba. The powerful mantra, given by Baba to the whole humanity, which I learnt at a young age was ‘Love All, Serve All’. I am still trying to fully imbibe this message into my life.

When I wandered away from a life revolving around God, I was fortunate to be brought back. Swami found me back again, in yet another form of brother Madhusudan. In 2014, I made my first visit to Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli and little did I know then, how much my life would change. I was again blessed to have many interactions with Swami in this form. He held my hand through many of my worldly preoccupations. He guided me in my career and chose my husband and saw me through my struggles. And He even told us, when we would have our first child, at a time when I had no thoughts of being a mother.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, we had an interview with Swami. He told me that the baby was ‘His property in our care’. He elaborated saying, “I am giving you my property to keep in your care, look after it and when I need it, you should give it back.” Without hesitation, I said, “I will.” He then made it clear by saying, “No attachments. You are doing God’s work. Think like that. Be happy.”
At the time, it seemed easy for me to say ‘I will’. My baby had only been in my womb for four months and I had not met her yet. However, in reality, it is far more challenging to live life with no attachments, particularly to love without attachment nor expectation. And of all the types of love, that of a mother and their child is an inseparable one.
 
Now that I am a mother, I find that this has to be one of the greatest expressions of God’s love. People say that Swami’s love for us is like that of a mother. I never really pondered on what it meant actually? Now, I have a glimpse of that love. The joy that I derive from my child is immeasurable. My singular thought when I am with her is of her happiness. My love for her is always there.

God’s love for us is ever effulgent. It never diminishes even during the times when we are upset or angry with Him. He only knows how to love. Swami once said to me that I am always in His heart. We All are. I have felt and witnessed His immense and infinite love and can only hope that one day I will ‘Love All’ as He does.
Self Development
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.

Log on to www.iohv.org today!
upaniṣad
After observing the śraddhā of the little Nachiketā, who stood right at the gates of yamalokā (the realm of death) for three nights straight, without food or water, the lord of death – Lord Yamā, out of joy gave him three boons.

Nachiketā might have been a little kid but was extremely wise and observant of the various situations of life and the entire creation. The three boons asked by Nachiketā to Lord Yamā were:

  1. When I go back to my father, he should accept me happily.
  2. What is the way to heavens, where one can find no hunger, no thirst and incessant joy?
  3. Please explain to me as to what happens after death.

Lord Yamā granted him the first two boons but resisted to fulfil the final one. He tried his best to dissuade Nachiketā by offering him worldly trinkets. But Nachiketā remained undeterred and stuck to his goal proving his deservedness to attain the highest wisdom. After being satisfied with the śraddhā of Nachiketā, Lord Yama revealed the ultimate wisdom to him.

In episode 37, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai reiterates and summarises the entire chapter one from the kaṭhopaniṣad in the simplest and most logical way possible!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
“Love…keeps no record of wrongs.”

– I Corinthians 13:5
jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
In Penang, Northern peninsular Malaysia, the youth & elders, joined hands, and served 40 packed food & tea for dinner to the needy individuals.
 
In Sai Ananda, a week before the Indian festival of Deepawali, all the devotees helped in distributing provision to over 400 needy families. Due to strict COVID restrictions imposed by the government, almost half of the provisions were transported to the respective locations of the beneficiary families. Each family received a bag of dry groceries, saree, hygiene items, clothes for children and stationary set for school kids.