Sai Vichaar for Thursday , August 11, 2005

[Guest guest]

Sai Vichaar

www.saibaba.org

Thursday , August 11, 2005 :: Volume 8, Issue 13

(In its eighth year of publication.)

Sai Vichaar is a Weekly newsletter distributed every Thursday and is devoted to

the life, philosophy and teachings of Shri Sai Baba 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: Spiritual Paradox

Every aspirant would like to believe that he or she has surrendered the self at

the feet of Sadguru. A typical day for such an aspirant would start with the

reminiscence of the Guru. However, it is more common to observe that a blissful

day is marred by an incident, sometimes very small, and soon it is realized that

one is far away from Sadguru. What goes wrong? Spiritual progress is in a way a

retreat; regression from the acquisitions the self has to become of.

Acquisitions of every proportion, ranging from the material prosperity to the

lesser visible attributes of self-respect, prejudice and pride. Resignation

from the material acquisitions may be an apparent goal and task for an

aspirant. While the physical attributes of the material self may be gotten rid

of by practice and preparation, the challenges in fighting the enemy within,

requires Guru's grace. One might forego the cravings of material pursuit,

truthfully realize the temporary nature of worldly acquisitions, and even win

past the shackles of attachment.

However, this does not guarantee a freedom from the playfulness of Maya, the

delusion. Somdev Swami may have renounced everything, but when he reached the

shores of Shirdi and saw Sainath's glory, his pride did not allow him to accept

the greatness of the God who walked on earth! The power of Maya is such. One

that was successful in physically arising above the bondage of attachment and

material wealth, blinded by the ego, did not see the equanimity of Lord Sai.

Eventually, blessed that he was, Somdev had the fortune of seeing Sai reveal

Himself to him. Was Saibaba the begging fakir that allowed others to decorate

Him with silk and perfume? Or is He the supreme Lord that took a morsel out of

the most offensive appearing leper's bowl? Does Baba have any "self" to Him? He

is Antaryamin! Working towards material detachment, in thoughts as well as

action, is a significant part of that regression process. Completion may not be

possible unless Guru reveals Himself to the aspirant. Equanimity is the reward

an aspirant earns from the saadhana. This is a secret the Guru, only Guru, can

lead the aspirant.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Sai Baba's Crow

Abdul was a resident of Nanded. From his sixteenth year, he was serving Fakir

Amiruddin, a saint of Nanded. In the year 1889, Baba appeared in a dream of

Amiruddin, put two mangoes in his hands and asked him to send Abdul to him.

When Amiruddin woke up, he really found two mangoes in his hands. He gave them

to Abdul, and asked him to go to Shirdi and be in the service of Sai Baba.

Abdul came immediately to Shirdi. On seeing him, Baba said that his crow had

come. Baba asked him to do his service without any other thoughts. From then

onwards Abdul kept the mosque and adjoining places clean and the paths on which

Baba walked. He cleaned the lanterns in the mosque, not forgetting Lendi Bagh.

In his leisure time, he sat near Baba and read the Quran. He put two pots of

water near the Nanda Deep in Lendi Bagh. Baba set in the evenings daily at a

fixed time near Nanda Deep. He took water in his hands from the pots and

reading something sprinkled the water on all sides. After that, he got up and

looked seriously in all directions in which water was sprinkled. Devotees used

to think that by his actions, Baba was protecting his devotees who were there

on all sides. One whole night Abdul knelt down and put his hands on his head

and Baba asked him whether he wanted to see the moon. After remaining in that

position for sometime, Abdul fell on Baba sleepy. Baba woke him up and told him

that he would show him the moon. Next day afternoon, when Abdul took water in

his hands, he found the image of the moon in the water. Abdul also washed the

clothes of Baba daily in the nearby rivulet and kept them neat.

(Contributed by From Life History of Shirdi Sai Baba by Ammula Sambasiva Rao)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Poona AroraI want to share my experience with all Sai devotees. One day my

husband lost his job due to some reason. He is on his notice period. I was very

tense. I thought to read Sai Satcharitha and wish from Sai Baba that my husband

get an offer letter within his notice period. I started to read Sai Satcharitha

from Thursday and I think that on another Thursday I will complete Sai

Satcharitha. Before my completion, by the grace of Saibaba, my husband got

offer letter. On Thursday i.e. the day of my completion, I feel that Baba is

here to overcome my problems. I read Sai Satcharitha first time in my life and

I feel its effect.

Rohini KalidindiI would like to thank the people maintaining this website and

sending out the newsletter every week. I would like to share the happy news

that we were blessed with a daughter two weeks ago the day after Gurupoornima.

Sai blessed us all along, everything went well, and I promised to write my

experience if everything went on safely. God forgive our sins, bless us all,

and please help my sister get married soon

RanjiniSai, as per my promise to you, I am posting my experience here. Sai,

thank you Sai for helping me to be registered in college. Sai, its all your

because of you help Sai.

PRAYER CLUB:

AnithaThanks for everything You have given me. But how long should my parents

wait for my youngest sister's marriage. Her marriage has become the cause of

their restlessness and worry. You know that whatever happens in my house is

only because of then Baba why so late in this matter. We beg you dear Lord,

please settle my sister's marriage at the earliest. Accept our pranams at thy

lotus feet.

Bhuvana RDear Sai, You know me well and my mind. You have only introduced him to

me when my mind was out of the way from marriage. You have only made him to tell

his interest in marrying me. You know well all the oppositions in both sides.

Baba please do some miracle without hurting all our life to change the minds of

both our family members. Without him as partner, I do not need any marriage

life. Bless both of us to live long with love on you and peace through out our

rest of the lifetime and rest of our births.

RenuBaba please reunite myself and my ex husband in holy matrimony again. Baba

please bring us together as one family living under one roof. Baba please help

me and help my children, I really need him and the children need their father.

Suma RamisettiWe are trying to have a baby and not successful. I get depressed

sometimes but I try to remind myself of your words to keep patience always. I

am sure by your grace we will have a baby. Please give me enough patience and

strength. I know my husband is worried too though he does not show it. Please

take care of my husband and give him patience and faith in You.

Subramanian KDear Sai devotees, please pray Saimaa for my good health and peace

of mind. Please pray for my daughter to concentrate on her studies.

Chakraborty RanjanParam Pujya Shri Sai Baba, Koti Koti Pranam to you, please

keep us always at your holy feet. My wife has worked very hard to get teaching

license and now she is applying for job, which are very hard to get. Baba,

please bless her so that she gets a job where she is professionally satisfied

and happy.

A Sai devoteePlease help me to get positive results and help me in getting visa.

Without you, I am sure that I cannot do anything. Please help me to get visa to

UK also and help me in finding a job there. Look after my family. Be with me in

writing thesis and other reports, and help me in completing my reports

successfully.

MeenakshiBaba, only you can remove from his heart all hatred for me. Baba please

show your mercy and fulfill my wish that he will come back to me with a feeling

of love and respect for me.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

Krishnamaohan KI wanted to share a recent miracle of Baba in my life. I am a

non-resident Indian. We have had several miracles happen in our life ever since

we became Baba's devotees in 1997. I currently work for a Government Department

and had applied for a higher position. I did the interview well and was merit

selected. However, the position went to another candidate who was working at

the same level but wanted a transfer to my Division. I therefore did not get

the job. However, I was told I was merit listed and if there was any

opportunity for a similar position within a year, I would be given preference.

I had full faith in Baba and prayed to him that I should get this higher

position job by end of June 2005 by when I would be completing 40. For my age

and experience, this position was most suitable and would give me a lot of

confidence. In the second week of June, I was told that there was a position

available and I was being considered for it. June was almost coming to an end

and there was no news, but I was still hopeful that Baba will help me if I

deserved and if it was beneficial to me. In the last week of June when I had

completely forgotten about it and was not thinking about it, and the paper work

was also getting delayed, it was as if Baba himself wanted things to move

faster, one day my manager called me in asked me about the paper work, I said I

am not aware of anything happening. He himself personally saw to that my paper

work was completed and also informed me that my higher duties in the new

position will commence from the 30th of June and I signed my acceptance letter

on the 30th of June! It was as if Baba in the form of my Manager helped me

achieve my ambition. However, being a Baba devotee, he has also given me the

maturity to accept his decisions. My family is totally convinced that if we do

our best and leave the rest to Baba, he will take care of all our needs and

help us attain spiritual maturity.

Sasidevi ArunachalamI am Baba's devotee for past few years. He has done so many

wonders for me and for everybody. I would like to share one of my recent

wonders. As my father passed away last month, I need to go to India. I do not

have valid visa to enter back to US. And there is no web appointment dates till

the month of December. So many of them encouraged not to go since my father has

any how died and I won't be able to attend his last funeral party. Everybody

advised me not to take risk. But looking at my condition my husband asked me to

proceed leaving everything into Baba's hand. So, I came to India and attended my

fathers other ceremonies. My return to US was uncertain. Me and my husband tried

for the emergency visa appointment by Baba's grace luckily we got it immediately

and I went for the interview to worrying for so many reasons and questions but

the consular didn't ask any questions and gave me the visa. Everything happened

only because of Baba's grace and blessings. Though I will miss my father as well

as mother Baba is there to guide me in every step as I totally believe and trust

Him.

Srinivas BWith mercy of Baba he had got us a tenant for a property which we were

struggling to get, While I was praying and submitting my request there was a

phone call from a lady that she is looking for an apartment for rent, what more

leela we need, straight away she agreed to stay and agreed for the rent etc.

with Baba, nothing is impossible.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"The efficacy of God's name is well-known. It saves us from all sins and frees

us from the cycle of births and deaths. There is no easier Sadhana than this.

It is the best purifier of our mind. It requires no paraphernalia and no

restrictions"-Hemadpant in Sai Satcharita

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. How to read Sai Satcharitha?

SAI ACTIVITIES:

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

daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 am

followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6 pm and Shej

Arathi at 9 pm. 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. Upcoming Events: Monthly (second sunday of every

month) Pooja, August 14th, Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja and Raksha Bandhan on

Poornima day, Friday August 19th and Temple Anniversary Day, Saturday August

20th.

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.

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 .

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Please note that Sai Vichaar is only yet another global platform on the

electronic medium for sharing information on the life and message of Sadguru

Sainath of Shirdi. Sai Vichaar does not profess to endorse any particular

thought, nor will judge or reflect the opinions expressed by individual

contributors. Unless specified otherwise, Sai Vichaar team is responsible for

"Feature of the week" segment. Sai Vichaar believes that "Question of the week"

is a useful segment that helps bring out various aspects of Sai devotion and His

message. Readers are encouraged to actively participate in this segment Sai

Vichaar also has served as a useful platform for sharing about your activities

with other Sai devotees. Please write to maildrop (AT) Saibaba (DOT) org if you would like

to publish about Sai activities in your area. Sai devotee Poonam Arora suggests

the "Question of the week" for the week for this week, Q. How to read Sai

Satcharitha?

Humbly Yours,The Editor

ABOUT THIS EMAIL:

This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you

because of at least one of the following reasons:1. You have d through

our on-line page,2. You have visited our web site and shown interest

in the Sai topics and asked for information, or3. You have been gifted a

subscription by a friend or a relative.

To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL

http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the option from the

menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we

request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the

newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed. To

Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL

http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the option from

the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems,

please send an e-mail to support (AT) saibaba (DOT) org with the words "Un Sai

Vichaar" in the subject line. To make a contribution to any of the sections of

Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and

select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu. Back copies of

HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL

http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html. For any questions or more information

regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to

maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.

Thank you,The webmaster

>From and Editor:

Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site

Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha

(A not for Profit Organization)

Mail:

182 West Melrose Street Suite #4

South Elgin, IL 60177, USA

Email

maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org

Phone

847-931-4058

Fax

847-931-4066

© Copyright 1998-2005 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly

may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be

obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba

of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting

the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible

for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.