Issue 266 - February 27, 2022 |
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Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Recently, while speaking to a group of spiritual aspirants, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai said, “Feel God in everything and everyone, because Divinity permeates in everything and everyone. God wants everyone to do good, and in every good there is God. If you want to realise God, be good. Be more kind and compassionate, as the solution lies in selflessness.”
And when more and more individuals engage in doing good, the whole world will be transformed. It is up to each one of us to constantly remind ourselves about this truth and also be an exemplar for others to emulate this goodness, which is godliness.
Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
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ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
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Is a guru necessary?
Answer: All is Brahman declares sanātana dharma and the true purpose of human life is to overcome the māyā or illusion created by the mind, which projects the myth of duality that one is different from Brahman by giving a false identity (ahańkāra) through the acquired thoughts (manas), memories (chitta), and analysis (buddhi). This realisation that one is Brahman is mokṣa – destruction of moha or false attachment, also called mukti or freedom from ignorance. To achieve this, a guru – a realised Master – is imperative as he comprehends his truth as Brahman, and can thus help the lost seeker also discover his true identity, like the big lion that guided the ignorant cub lost in the flock of sheep to its real identity of being a lion, and thus liberated it from the illusion of calling itself a sheep.
A true guru is also known by certain qualities, eight of them to be precise, as described by the great scholar Saint Sri Ādi Śaṅkarācārya of 8th century CE in his work, vivekacūḍāmaṇi (verse 33):
1. shrotriyah – learned
2. avrjino – sinless
3. akāmataḥ – desireless
4. brahmavittamaha – knower of Brahman
5. brahmanyuparataha – withdrawn into and abiding in Brahman
6. shantaha nirindhana iva nalah – calm like the fire that has consumed all its fuel (unperturbed by the activities)
7. ahetuka dayā sindhu – ocean of mercy without any reason
8. bandhuranamataam sataam – true friend of the noble one who surrender to him
An excerpt from the book – ‘Spirituality 101’ authored by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Pg no. 23 and 25.
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The Opportunity is Ours
By Vinay
Network Engineer, California
It was around two years ago, when COVID had hit California. We had received a message from one of the co-ordinators stating if we could resume the service of distributing dinner in some way.
While we were wondering where to actually meet and prepare the dinner for the sevā and later distribute, there were many ideas being brainstormed, keeping in mind the safety measures for the volunteers while abiding the COVID restrictions imposed by the government.
With my wife’s approval, a suggestion was offered to use my home for the dinner preparations in the garage outdoors, which would ensure the volunteer’s safety and comfort. We thought we will try this out as a one-time event and then look for something more permanent.
With Swami’s grace a mini kitchen was arranged outside with a stove, tables and other necessary items. Other volunteers also took initiative to cook few items in their respective homes and bring them for packing. The final assembly and preparation of the dinner bags was done in my home. It seemed to have worked out fine. Volunteers seemed comfortable since all the COVID safety measures were met.
It's been two years now and Swami has given me the opportunity to host the dinner sevā ever since. Every month the volunteers gather in my garage and we all happily and joyfully engage ourselves in the sevā.
I learnt a lesson that if we take one step forward to do any sevā or selfless service, Swami will make sure its successful and everything goes smoothly. The decision lies in our hands!
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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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There are a total of five vital forces also called as pañchaprāṇā or pañchavāyu within every living being—prāṇavāyu, udānavāyu, vyānavāyu, śamanavāyu, apānavāyu. These play various roles in sustaining the life.
apānavāyu – Responsible for all the ejections and elimination of the body.
śamanavāyu – Responsible of stabilising all the other forces/vāyus.
vyānavāyu – Responsible for the circulation of energy throughout the body.
udānavāyu – Responsible in the evolution of consciousness.
For all the forces to work, prāṇavāyu is the one responsible. Without it the body won’t be able to sustain and survive. This lifeforce plays different roles through the other four vāyus and helps the individual to work and achieve the goal of life. Once this force which is śiva exits the body, what remains is śāva (corpse).
In episode 46, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai speaks about the importance of prāṇa for liberation. Come and receive the highest wisdom encapsulated in the simplest words!
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK |
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“For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.”
– Plato
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jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
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The youth from East Bay, Freemont California gathered to serve the homeless in the cold and Harsh winters. Vegetable Burritos which consisted of rice, veggies, avocado, salsa, protein, beans and juices and fruit were distributed to the needy individuals. Around 70 Burrito Dinner bags were distributed in the streets and parks of East Bay California, where many homeless were hungry especially due to the winter and cold conditions prevailing during the month of February. New volunteers from nearby Tech companies also joined in making and distributing the burritos.
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