Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam, 31 Dec 2003 - 3 Jan 2004

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Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam

Posted on 3rd January, 2004

Sai Ram, Happy Sai Ram YearBaba seems to be busy with the preparations for

Athletic Day on January 11th. He evidently is making daily or twice daily trips

to watch the boys practise. Many of their stunts are dangerous, so he goes to

protect them even though he can do that without being physically present. Baba

has doing car darshans by taking letters, talking to people and blessing

everyone. Although the darshan have been short compared to what they have been,

the intensity and love is there. Today is January 3rd and one of the ministers

from the national government is here. There is a heavy police presence. A

group of 62 Americans mostly from the East coast have arrived. More Russians

continue to come. The crowd is considerably smaller. I have concluded that one

purpose of life is how we handle conflicts. No matter how loving and caring we

are, there will always be

conflict. The point is how we handle it. Do we listen to our ego and confront it

or do we listen to God to find a loving way to harmonize it. The evening weather

has turned cooler but daytimes remain pleasantly warm. There is a wonderful

library, Shanti Library, where books on Sai Baba and other subjects can be

borrowed. It is located just outside the ashram on a side street. It is a

wonderful place to spend some time in their little garden. Isaac Tigrett was

here for a few days. He will be opening a new restaurant called "Bozo Hot Pit

Barbecue" in Nashville, Tenn in about six months. Gerald

Posted on 1st January, 2004

Happy Sai Ram New Year, 1-1-04 This will be an exciting year for everyone. Only

the mandir was sparsely decorated having flowers, ribbons and vertical banners

saying Happy New Year in English and another language, maybe Telugu. The crowd

was tremendous rivaling birthday. As expected people lined up early and were

seated early with very little breathing space. Baba came out at 6:45 in the car

going directly to the men's side. He encircled the front men's section so that

the verandah was on the left. He continue going to the women's ramp where he

entered the verandah. His students had set up in the center white area. One

band was setting up at the beginning onf the driveway when Baba entered. They

had to rush to finish everything so that they could play. Baba exited the car

going to the railing on the women's side, As he walked, the band played what I

would call classical

type music. Baba remained on the women's side listening as he slowly walked

toward the center. He seemed to enjoy the music. Finally, when he came to the

center walk ramp, he walked down to the midst of the students. He kept

listening to the music. He walked over to where the band leader was and spoke

with him. He had them play another tune and seemed to change the way they were

playing it. He was very happy with the band leader as he patted him several

times including once on the face. He went among the band members where he pose

for pictures with them. As Baba walked back to the verandah to his chair, we

heard from another band which played more upbeat tunes. The following group

sang Telugu bhajans which led to regular bhajans.Baba who had been sitting for

a bit, got up and walked around to the women's side then behind Ganesha coming

out on the men's side. He spoke with people and blessed things and people. As

he was doing this,

prasad was passed out to the students, vip's and a few others. Finally, at about

8:30 it was arathi and off Baba was to the PoornaChandra. When Baba walks there

is always someone by his side, usually out of sight, to assist but mostly to

help him keep his balance. At no time, does Baba ever show that he needs

assistance. The expected discourse did not materialize although it might this

afternoon. What a great way to start the new year. Gerald

Posted on 31st December, 2003

Sai Ram,12-31-03There will be no more reports this year.Baba came out this

morning at 7:00 going directly to the verandah. There was a flurry of activity

of college boys bringing boxes out as he stood in the front center on the

verandah. Baba walked down the ramp to stand in front of the verandah. A group

of primary school boys were sitting by the center driveway were called up to

where Baba personally handed them what I believed were whites. They sat down in

the white center area.He walked over to the female side to hand stuff to primary

school girls.He returned to the men's side to be surrounded by a bunch of Baba

school graduates.Baba sat in his chair. Two people spoke. The first person

spoke about the contributions of graduates to the world. Anil Kumar spoke for

about 20 minutes about how the glory of Baba was has spread all over the

world.Around 8:30 Bhajans started which lasted for over

an hour. Baba went inside as he did interviews and went into the

temple.12-30-03This afternoon we were treated to an hour and a half of Indian

classical music by students from the Music College. Their teacher spoke about

each student. Baba sat in his chair the whole time. At 4:30, he suddenly got

up, arathi and he was gone to the PoornaChandra.Weather is warm.It is expected

to be very crowded for the first.Gerald

 

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