Issue 240 - August 08, 2021 |
|
Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Being able to serve someone in need is a great opportunity bestowed upon each one of us. Swami has often reminded us that selfless service is the shortest and surest route to self-realisation. He once said, “sevā is the shortcut to self-realisation. Every one 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) forget this very basic truth and lose their 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.”
As all our brothers and sisters continue to serve needy individuals in their respective countries, we can only thank our good fortune for this rare benevolence. And using it to our advantage to grow, progress, transform and merge is up to each one us…
Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
|
|
ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
|
|
Excerpt from Divine Discourse |
|
“When you talk too much, you spoil your mind; when you talk less, it is good for the mind. That is why every one should cultivate the art of speaking less, that too, in a very pleasant way. In the vedas, God is described as - śabdabrahmamayi charācharamayi - sound is equivalent to the Divine Himself.
The fundamental element is space; space is nothing but a kind of vibration. What is the vibration in space? It is the sound of Aum. The space is the fundamental component of every other element such as wind, water, fire and earth; therefore, every element has the vibration of Aum in that. From earth, emerged the plant world and from plants comes the food, and from food emerged man. Therefore, the vibration of Aum, which is there in the earth manifests itself first in the plants, then in the food and finally in man himself. So, in every human being the vibration of Aum happens relentlessly, 24x7. When you move away from the din and bustle of the world and take to solitude, turning your mind inwards, you can listen to the sound of Aum within yourself.
Aum is the basis of all sounds and all languages. Therefore, whenever you speak, you should understand and recognise the fact that while you are speaking a language, you are but utilising the fundamental Divine sound of Aum and conversing with others. When you do not use your words judiciously and properly, it leads to all kinds of conflicts and bickering. Only when you remember that every word is Divine, will it be used in a divine way. God has given you this tongue in order to chant the name of God.
Speak the truth which is pleasant, and don’t speak truth in a blunt or harsh way. You can give joy and happiness to your friends and relatives only if the tongue is used properly. Even partaking of food happens through the tongue. The tongue has the dual function of eating and speaking. So, you have to exercise control in both eating and talking,”
An excerpt from a Divine Discourse delivered on March 10, 2016
|
|
Swami, My Eternal Companion!
By Sai Shyam
Marketing Manager
Middle-East
Hailing from North Kerala, I was born into a family who were latterly introduced to Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Naturally, I was named with a prefix of Sai—Sai Shyam. A major part of my childhood passed in loneliness, as I grew up all alone with a busy father running errands for a livelihood, and a perpetually sick mother. Penury and lack of personal attention made way for a miserable childhood. However, amidst all these, I was totally aware and began to acknowledge the ministrations of that unseen power or energy in my life even when my physical parents or my impoverished state failed me. The only happiness and joy from my childhood memories revolved around the Balvikas days. They formed my early camaraderie, and I began to associate that unseen energy as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
I recollect with gratitude, how Swami guided each step of my adolescent years from within to discriminate the good from bad. In many instances, I could have been easily carried away by my peers into bad addictions. But Swami bestowed me with courage to choose the right always! In fact, this has helped me to build great self-confidence, disregarding the situation and peer pressures, I could stand by my values.
After I moved to Dubai for a job, I was introduced to the Sai Hrudayam group, and thus to the continuing mission of Sai. I am eternally grateful to Swami for His guidance out of His immense compassion and mercy, through His people and mission even in this faraway land. With Swami’s teachings— ‘ceiling on desires’, I tried to resist all the materialistic temptations in this glittery part of the world. Yes, indeed it was difficult; but by continuous practice, persistent efforts, His teachings and His grace helped me to be ever focused on Him alone. Just like the food that we eat becomes a part of our body, similarly, thoughts are the food to our mind. The kind of thoughts that we develop and ponder upon, makes the constitution of our mind. It is rightly said, ‘cittasya śuddhaye karma - actions are for the cleansing of the mind’.
To keep my mind ever pure and focused on God, I engaged myself in selfless sevā regularly. I never missed any of the youth sevā opportunities and always looked forward to participate in them every weekend. While my friends indulged in partying all night on a weekend and even showered me with copious invites, I had the courage to say ‘no’ to them. The happiness which I derived from sevā is unimaginable. It helped me stay grounded for which I’m ever grateful to almighty. Going to the inner desert and spending time with the lonely camel caretakers has also brought about an intimate connect within. I realised that all of us are connected and inter-connected on this planet, irrespective of the language, country, cultural barriers, etc. I feel extremely happy and joyful after listening that the camel caretakers were able to save their monthly expenses, as the groceries were provided to them as a part of sevā from our side and are now able to fund their children’s education back home.
My life which began with Sai’s care continues with Sai’s care. My prayer to Swami is to keep me ever in His service until I find oneness with Him.
|
|
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 story of creation has always captured the wonder and imagination of everyone. There are countless versions of this story, be it the scientific theory of evolution or those depicted in various religious texts.
According to aitareya upaniṣad, the entire creation came out of that super-Consciousness—Brahman. It was a long process of evolution wherein it all started from gases to matter. Finally, the crest jewel of the creation—human was created and Brahman started residing in it. It is only in human that the Brahman manifests itself in all its glory. It manifests in rest of the creation too, but it expresses in a miniscule way. As a result, the lower creation—insects, animals, etc. focuses on fulfill the four basic instincts of the creation—āhāra (food), nidrā (sleep), bhaya (fear), maithuna (procreation). Only in human beings, there exists buddhi (intelligence) and viveka (discrimination) which makes it so special than the rest of the creation.
These faculties of buddhi and viveka are bestowed to human in order to understand and experience the Divinity within. If this goal is not pursued, then humans lose their special boon and fall into the same category of animals.
In episode 31, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai takes us step by step through the evolution of creation and explains the purpose of human life. Under the guidance of our Divine Master, let us learn these profound teachings of vedanta and follow Him in the path of Self-Realisation.
|
|
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK |
|
“No one belongs to me; I belong to no one. There is no ‘I’ or ‘Mine’; all is blissful aloneness.”
– Sage Vyasa
|
|
jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
|
|
Food Distribution
In the month of July, the Sai youth joined hands with ‘Food ATM’, a local NGO who serve food to about 120 blue collared workers in Dubai. This sevā has had a great impact on many and also served as an inspiration. One such person who was inspired by this sevā was the owner of the workers’ camp where the sevā was being done. When he witnessed this sevā of providing breakfast which costs less than a dollar, he was so inspired that he revealed it was an eye-opener for him and he should have thought of implementing such a noble idea. He offered to gift three meals a day for all the blue-collar workers, not just from his camp, but also to others which made a total of 4,000 workers.
|
|
Snacks Distribution
Around 250 individuals were served evening snacks like biscuits, fruits, laban (buttermilk) by the Sai youth in different locations of Dubai. The ripple effect of this sevā was quite evident.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
