Sai Vichaar for Thursday , November 24, 2005

[Guest guest]

of Shirdi. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates in

its original form. IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURE OF THE WEEK CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

DEVOTEES SAY PRAYER CLUB EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES QUOTATION OF THE WEEK QUESTION

OF THE WEEK SAI ACTIVITIES FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD FEATURE OF THE

WEEK: Thanksgiving! What is the method of teaching that Baba followed? Did He

install any institution or a

particular way of thought for His followers to propagate? For that matter, has

there been any record of Sadguru Sainath appointing anyone to continue His

mission? Inscrutable are His ways! During His lifetime and after, Baba showed a

peculiar way of teaching and guiding His followers. He had asked some to be more

disciplined, perform rituals, and undertake reading of sacred texts, while some

were asked to keep quiet or just wait. Some were commended for their piety

while some denounced for their orthodoxy! Baba seemed to have answers to the

innermost of the questions His followers had. He seemed to have a certain way

of giving "individualized instruction" depending on one's earnestness. However,

He seems to be very particular in emphasizing certain virtues in His followers.

The two pice (two cents) He demanded were faith and patience. Invaluable! By

calling Himself as a servant, Baba has stressed the importance of humility,

because humility is a virtue that reaps

rich harvest in one's pursuits. By insisting on the surrender of the self and

accepting the will of the supreme over the individual, Baba stressed the

existence of a unifying higher order. His views on the purpose of religions

were simple, "There is only one God and the purpose of every religion is the

same". In a unique way, Sai Baba of Shirdi also had asked His followers to

investigate the "self". He also expounded on the obstacles for such a pursuit,

native as well as acquired. Is it possible to categorize this unique way of

spiritual leadership? For some, Baba's life and teachings might look like a

paradox, but in reality, His ways are as simple and natural as it could be! He

did not give any set of rules to follow for His disciples. On the other hand,

He was present in the minds of earnest devotees who sought His guidance on

matters, big and small. For such people, in His words, He guarded them from

front, back, and sides. To those who would differ with His

advice, Baba said simply, "God will do good". Neither was there an insistence on

a rigorous stewardship. Faith and patience are two traits common to everyone

regardless of their religious, social, and financial or other status. By

invoking the traits common to every human being, Sai Baba of Shirdi has indeed

simplified the pursuit and the purpose life may have in the mosaic of modern

day life. How shall one thank the God of Shirdi for this? On this Thanksgiving

Day, let us be happy for being so fortunate. CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Deewali

gift I would like to share my experience with all Sai devotees how Sri Sai came

to my home on Deewali day. We experienced His leelas in our family many times

and whenever we are facing difficulties, He had helped us in different ways. I

am very thankful to Him throughout my life. I am still facing a lot of health

problems and personal problems from long time and

waiting for His blessings with Shradda and Saboori. I trust Him more than

anything in the world. I was not feeling well since three day before Deewali

and felt very sad that I would not be able to celebrate Deewali as usual. I did

puja with fruits and milk and went to the doctor and then from there went

directly to my work place to give the doctor's note for sick leave. After that

I went to buy some sweets from a known old lady, who usually sells homemade

Deewali sweets. As soon as I entered into her home she took me to the puja room

and asked me "Do you need Saibaba calendar?", and without waiting for my answer

she grabbed the Sai calendar from a bunch of other Gods, gave it to me as if I

had ordered before. It all happened with 2 or 3 minutes. There was no

explanation for my happiness. I was very happy. It took me a while to come back

to normal status. I thought in my mind, this is the greatest Deewali in my life

which I will remember for ever. I came home, took rest for a while

and prepared some prasad, did puja in the evening and I hung the Sai calendar in

my dining room. This is the way my Sai consoled me when I was unhealthy. It is

my message to all Sai devotees, if you have complete faith on Him, He will

always be with us to share our good and bad times. Thank you Sai for your

blessings. (Contributed by Padmaraj) DEVOTEES SAY: PadmaMy Pranams to the

Lotus feet of Baba. I said that if my husband gets a government job, which he

was trying for several months, that I would write my article. He prayed to Baba

before going to the interview and broke the coconut. When he was driving he left

as though Baba was with him all the time as when ever he is closing his eyes and

opening he could see only Baba's picture. His interview went very well and just

yesterday he got a call from the people saying that he got the job. This all

happened

because of Baba's grace and I thank Baba for making my husband's dream come

true. MeenakshiBaba, forgive me for asking You wrong things. You are always

with me but still I asked and tell other people about my sufferings. My past

with him was very painful. Baba I only want that he should realize what he has

done to me and my daughter. You saved me Saibaba, please always be there with

my child and me. Without You we will be all alone in this world so Baba never

leave us alone. PannaBaba, I ask for your forgiveness for something very wrong

that I did. I have learnt my lesson and would be grateful if You could please

take this disease away now. I promise never to go astray again. Love you

always, Baba. VasanthiI have a question. My husband had prayed that he would

put his first salary for Baba if he got the job. By Baba's grace, he did get

the job. Now our question is

should the salary be sent only to a Sai temple or can it be given to few

different charities? SabyOm Sri Sai. Thank you so much Baba for everything. I

touch your feet and pray that everything goes fine and everyone stays happy.

NaineshNo article regarding asking for Baba's help is too big or small. All

articles should be published. Has Baba not said no want is too small, by asking

devotee slowly stop asking for worldly thing and begins to ask for spiritual

devotion. Also in Satcharitha chapter 24 did Baba not get angry to show that he

knows what to permit and what to prevent, (When a devotee tells Mavashibai to be

gentle in her service.) So let all ask and he shall fulfill. Jai Sai Ram.

YogeeswariSome devotees may feel visa issues as petty ones. But just as one

devotee's fear was broken down to pieces with an article in the Saivichar about

Shake the Fear, people

who really are at the verge of life with the visa issues, find them as the

boost. I have heard through my friend who was in a dilemma whether or not to go

for a visa stamping, after reading the Sai Vichaar about a visa experience by

another devotee, went without fear and got stamped. So my thought would be to

publish whatever the matter is without any thoughts as anyone becomes Sai

devotee (only if he or she is bound to be Sai devotee) through various

experiences in their own lives. PRAYER CLUB: JyothiSai, I got a job (3

months) by your grace. Please keep me in a job continuously. Let me speak in

English fluently without grammar mistakes. Let me do my work fast and accurate.

Let me chant Your name always. Without Your blessings, I can do nothing. Please

keep me at Your feet. PrabhavathiBaba, please help. Please let people respond.

Without Your wish it cannot happen. Please Baba, help me. I know I was too

arrogant to even think about You and ask for your blessings for this event. Now

I regret it. Please forgive me and help me. Let people respond positively and

let the event take place without me having to cancel it. Please Baba, do help

me and forgive me. ShilpaPlease help me take the right decision with regard to

my son. I am not in a position to quit my job, but I am anxious about the

security and well being of my 18 month old son and I want him to be in able

hands when I am at work. Please guide me Lord. I surrender my son at your feet.

Please direct me to the right person with whom I can trust my son. Sai devoteeOm

Sai, no one else can save my family problems except You. Please guide my

children to behave in good and decent manner. Please guide them as a mother and

guru. Please save my husband from all his bad habits and have a

job and to live in a good and decent manner. Sai DevoteeBaba, please help us to

clear the debt we have and please make my project extend for another eight

months atleast. Saibaba I need this job badly so that we can clear all the debt

we have. It is possible only with Your grace. Please bless our family with Your

grace. Please bless also my husband to hear good news from his company. I know

Baba, one need not ask all these as You already know what we want. But it makes

me feel good to put it out in some way. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: HanishOnce

I was driving in my Maruti Van along with a colleague of mine. Suddenly on a

highway a truck that was parked started to move and make a right turn. I was

driving at a high speed and suddenly could not control the vehicle, which

ultimately dashed in the truck. The front portion was completely

crushed and the steering column hit on my chest and broke into pieces. The

windshield glass was broken into pieces. But there was a sticker of BABA on the

windshield, which was lying on my chest as if the complete impact was taken care

by Baba. I escaped this Accident with minor injuries with the blessing of Baba.

My colleague came out unscathed. A Sai devoteeI am writing this to thank Sri

Sai Baba. I am a strong believer of Him. I had this experience which I wanted

to share and had promised Baba that I would post it on this website. I had

applied for admission and was waiting to hear some positive result. All my

applications were rejected. It was the last one. I was called for interview and

by Babab's grace it went well. The candidate list was supposed to be revealed by

a particular date but it was not. I was told that it would be put up only after

a committee meeting. I called up the administrator and was informed that the

admissions

committee has decided the list and was waiting for the final 2 candidates from

15, I was among the 15. I had prayed to Baba. The same week, I got a letter in

mail, which had a picture of Baba. I thought it was Baba's indication to me.

His assurance. Finally, after a couple of days on a Thursday the final list was

provided and the decision was made. I was selected. I was very delighted. It is

only by Baba's grace that I was selected. This is one of my many experiences

that I had which keeps assuring me that Baba is with us. QUOTATION OF THE

WEEK: "By worshipping Sai Baba, we attain both the objects, worldly and

spiritual, and are fixed in our true Nature, and get peace and happiness.

Therefore, those who want to gain their welfare, should respectfully hear Sai

Baba's Leelas or stories and meditate on them. If they do this, they will

easily attain the object of their life and get

Bliss".-Hemadpant - Sri Sai Satcharitha QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. What is

contentment? A. by Umabala The only true and everlasting contentment is found

only in God. In all the other situations, the contentment comes and goes like

rainfall. Whenever we feel contentment, we should notice that, we have become

nondual for that moment. It is a common experience that after getting a good

job or good fiancée or if the child gets good grades in the studies, lot of us

feel contented. However, try to notice the duration of that contentment. It may

range from days to years. After that period, due to some reason or the other, we

start to feel discontented. Actually, this observation helps us to know that

whatever contentment we get from outside is temporary and short living. This

makes everlasting contentment and us to start the quest for real. Q. What is

contentment? A. by Alka Parmar Contentment is when you are happy with

everything you have, all the things Baba has blessed you with and all the

happiness and sadness that comes your way. You pray for others and you pray God

to love you. Your prayers do not consist of lists of things you want. You are

happy with everything, the way God wants your life to be and you accept what

Baba wants for you. Q. What is the two-fold importance of Khandoba temple in

Baba's life history? A. by Prasad Nimmagadda The first important aspect of

Khandoba temple is that that is the place where Priest Mahalsapathi addressed

the young Saint by saying, "Come on Sai!" as the Saint entered Shirdi with

Chand Patil's marriage procession. As we all know, Khandoba is another name for

Lord Shiva. Every Khandoba temple is home for two deities: Khandoba [shiva] and

Mahalsa [Parvathi]. Interestingly enough,

Mahalsapathi means Mahalsa's (Parvathi's) husband...who is Khandoba (Shiva)

himself. So, in a way, Khandoba invited Baba into Shirdi village and gave Him

the name "Sai." The second important aspect of Khandoba temple in Baba's life

is that the Priest of that temple spent 60 years in the company of Sai

Baba...as if he found Khandoba Himself walking the earth. Even though

Mahalsapathi attended to his duties at the temple, every opportunity he got he

used to spend time with Baba in Dwarakamayi. SAI ACTIVITIES: Shirdi Sai

Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAShirdi Sai temple is open daily

from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi

at 8 a.m followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6

p.m and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. Archana, Homams, Sahasranama and sponsored poojas

continue in between the Arathis.

To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family, please call.

Devotees can request water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by

sending us an email or by phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of

Schaumburg on intersection of IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL. For

more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to

maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org. Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, MinnesotaRegular Sai

activities in Minneapolis, St.Paul area are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba

Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt 139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact

hamaresai , or call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and

to read the monthly newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org. Sri Shirdi

Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, TexasSri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW

Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX

75023. For

temple hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or

visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org. Shirdi Sai Satsang, Bay Area,

CaliforniaShirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday

7:30 pm at Odd Fellows Temple, 20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. For

details please call 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu or visit

www.ShradhaSaburi.org. Shirdi Sai Satsang, Ontario, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba

Sansthan of Canada invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30PM at

147 Winston Castle Dr. Markham, Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other activities

and services please call Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or email us

saileela99 . Shirdi Sai Satsang in Vancouver, BC, CanadaShirdi Sai

parivar in Vancouver invites you for bhajans, every Thursday (6:30pm - 7:30 pm)

at 8571, 118A Street, Delta, V4C

6L2. For further details contact Ritu (604)592 4182 or email at

sai_ish (AT) hotmail (DOT) com. Sri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, CanadaThe Shirdi Sai

Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON M1X 1L5 (Intersection of

Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m and

Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m. Dhoop aarti at 7:30 p.m everyday

and Bhajans on Saturday from 5:00 p.m onwards. For other temple activities and

information please call 647-444-4724 or send an email to

info (AT) theshirdisaimandir (DOT) com. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Sai Vichaar wishes

all readers in a Happy Thanksgiving day. Sai activities section is a good

opportunity to spread the word about various activities, celebrations, and

festivities of Sai mandirs across the world. Postings on Sai activities are

very useful for new visitors and for those who

would like to know more about Sai activities in theirs and other areas. Sai

Vichaar receives several emails for Payer Club. They will be posted in the

order they are received, please indicate if you do not want to include your

name. Sai devotee Subhadra suggests the "Question of the week" for the week as,

Q. What is the two-fold importance of Khandoba temple in Baba's life history?

Humbly Yours,The Editor ABOUT THIS EMAIL: This newsletter is not sent

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