Sai Vichaar for Thursday , July 12, 2007

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , July 12, 2007 :: Volume 10, Issue 9 (In its nineth 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 WEEKCONTRIBUTED ARTICLEDEVOTEES SAYPRAYER CLUBEXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEESQUOTATION OF THE WEEKQUESTION OF THE WEEKSAI ACTIVITIESFROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARDFEATURE OF THE WEEK: When Is The Time?Time and again, it needs to be stressed that mere gratitude to Sainath for what He bestowed on us is not sufficient. The gratitude must lead to the pure state of devotion. Few are born with the absolute realization of Omniscient and Omnipresent God. For the most, the first encounter with the supreme conscious happens as a result of an event that defies logic. Everyone of us stand a testimony to this phenomenon; students getting rewards that they did not expect, hopeless patients whose fortunes were reversed for the better, the jobs that we believe Baba give us, and even the occasional bliss our spiritual pursuits have brought us. It is also the experience of several that such gratitude fades away slowly with time as other priorities occupy the lives. Although conscious of the never ending chain of wants and desires, the spiritually aspiring mind gives in to what appears as the real happiness. Stages of life according to Hindu scriptures include balya (infancy), kaumarya (youth), grihastha (household), and vanaprastha (retirement). It is thought that vanaprastha is a stage where in, the man proceeds for a recluse in woods and spends time in search of spiritual fulfillment. The myth of life also concocts convenient justifications for waiting for tomorrow, not realizing that tomorrow does not exist for granted. Time is an entity that human life has no control over.Shri B.V. Hanumantha Rao wrote "Sai Anusaranamu" a great work on Sainath of Shirdi in Telugu, "Time is a valuable commodity. There should be no waiting to initiate an attempt for liberation. It should be done when all our senses are in right order and we have the right physical and mental condition. It is a common practice for man to wait until the earthly life is settled, and it is his tendency to procrastinate until he will be ready for the spiritual journey. In reality, such a day may not come at all. Every stage of life brings with it, its own situations that may demand one's time and attention. It is very easy to be entangled in the trap of earthly comforts, joy, sorrow, fear, and a myriad of myth. Human life can be short and no one can predict when it will end. On the other hand, leaving everything, our thoughts, deeds, and their consequences at God's disposal will bring a renewed sense of well being, happiness and fulfillment that is only perennial. Cultivating the attitude of staying immune to the earthly uncertainty will bring one close to the Lord and assure him of a fruitful spiritual realization.CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Stray Thought! On Various Aspects of Sai Worship - On BhaktiIn pure 'Satvik' bhakti, there is no place for desires. When desires end, real bhakti starts. The desire to multiply temples; erect monuments in the chosen deity's name; count the holding of 'Nam Saptahs' and the number of idols installed; and the like, may form part of 'Rajsik' bhakti but surely not of pure and unadulterated 'Satvik' bhakti.

Pure bhakti generates absolute faith and faith leads to complete surrender. The joy of surrender is unique. It can only be experienced and not talked about. Blessed is the devotee who has acquired it through the grace of Baba. No treasure in the world, not even knowledge, can match it. If one is a bhakta and some unpleasant happening takes place in life which he attributes to Baba saying that while Baba was there, how could such a thing happen to him and consequently gives up his devotion to Baba, take it for certain that this person is not a true bhakta. He was merely bartering his bhakti with Baba's Grace. A true devotee will not, even in his dream, attribute this happening to Baba, what to talk of giving up his faith in Him. He would accept it a result of his 'Prarabdha'. This reminds me of a devotee of Baba who gave up his worship of Baba after his wife died of Cancer, saying that how could he have faith in Baba who could not save his wife who had served Him heart and soul. In His lifetime, when a lady told Baba as to how her son could die when He was there, Baba told her, "Mother! Please do not come to me if you feel there should be no deaths in your family. I cannot change the Prarabdha."Baba prescribed the simple path of bhakti to His devotees. It is also laid down in our scriptures that in 'Kaliyug' God can be realized by doing mere 'Naam Japa'. Baba would tell His devotees that there was no need for them to indulge in other hard spiritual practices, such as Ashtang Yoga, Jap, Tap and sixteen fold Bhakti. He lived in Bhakti alone. If they called Him even once whole-heartedly, He would come running to their help even from beyond the seven seas.

Again and again in the Sai Satcharita, Baba has exhorted His devotees to listen to His life story and leelas. By merely doing so, devotees 'avidya' will vanish and pure Satvik bhakti would start flowing in their hearts.

In Bhakti, there is no giving or taking. The bhakta becomes one with his deity and exuberates His grace in every thought and action of His. Baba had said, "I give to my devotees, what they want so that they may learn to want, what I want to give to them". What was it that He wanted to give to His devotees? Pure Satvik Bhakti and the resultant love which could engulf the devotees' whole being.(Contributed by continued.......)CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: continued....If you come across a Guru who is arrogant and exhibits partiality towards some of His devotees, know for certain that this Guru is a mere show-piece and incapable of leading you on to the path of God Realization. In Bhakti, love encompasses the whole being and every pore of the body of such a person should emit love and compassion. How could he display differentiation in the distribution of limitless love within him? As per our scriptures, there are four paths to spirituality namely gyan, Yoga, Karma and Bhakti. Each path, in its own right is capable of taking the aspirant to the ultimate. In Sai Temples however, it has been observed that often the organizers mix up one path with the other, such as performing yagnas and practising Yoga. While each path has its own efficacy, the organizers should understand that on to the path of bhakti there is no need for adulteration or deviation. The path of bhakti is self-sufficient.(Contributed by Adopted from "Scribblings of a Shirdi Sai Devotee": Courtesy: Saileelas.org)DEVOTEES SAY: PadmaI don't have words to express my happiness caused because of You. We are trying for my son's college admission. I was praying to Lord Saibaba. My son got admission in a reputed college in Chennai without any recomendation. All my family memebrs are happy with this incident. I am very much thankfull to You Sathguru Saibaba. Guide him to work hard in his studies and also bless him to get good friends.

Sai devoteeI have struggled for over a year to get a job in my field and have finally been blessed with a wonderful position that is a pure miracle by itself. Please give me the strength to do very well and proove myself in this job. Sai Baba stay with me always and guide me. Thank you Baba for Your blessings.

SaraswathiDear Baba, we are going through an important part in life. We were waiting for an appointment which was difficult to get. By Your grace and blessing we got the appointment and everything went on well. Be there always and shower Your blessings on us. I am posting in Sai Vichaar. Baba please help us to become parents so that grand-parents can play with the baby and baby can get to know them. Bless the mind to have patience and faith. We should always do things which bring happiness to people around us. Bow to Shri Sai. Peace be to all.

Sai devoteeI want to share my experience with every one. I had lost my expensive sun glasses at my work. I asked the person on whose table I left it. She refused so I checked every where but I did not find it. I prayed to Sai Baba and after four days she herself called me and gave my glasses back. It was nothing but Baba's miracle.SunandaDear all, Thursdays are special for me as it is Baba's day. But Thursdays are days when I look forward to getting the most important mail from Sai Vichaar. I am specially pleased today as I got the mail early today. I wish I could get these mails everyday. Baba, we all love You a lot. Please bless all the people of the world. Show the good and righteous path to the people who are doing wrong and leading a sinful life.With namaskarams to Your lotus feet.SatyaTwo-three weeks back, I sent my opinions and experiences as I had promised Baba to write it. It was not easy since I have been continuously in bad health for few years. One gets disappointed inspite of one`s faith. I would be very thankful if any Sai devotee could react on what I have written. When I hear other's experiences, I wonder if it can be true. What karmas have I done? Suffering must have some end. I shall be thankful if I get an answer to my mail.

PRAYER CLUB: SudhakarDearest Baba, Om Sai Ram. Baba, You have given us lot of happiness in our life and always keep Your blessings on us. Baba as You are aware I had applied for one good job in Dubai and they have called me two times to come for interivew and they will send me visa to come for interview. Baba it is quite long time now and there was no call from them. Baba bless me in getting this job and make us happy once again.AnuradhaDear Baba, Thank you very much for showing me the right way after reading Your wonderful book the Sai Satcharita. What a fool I would have been if I had believed in him. My next prayer shall be for my son. I only sincerly wish You grant me this too for You know I have no one other than You to depend. I wish to rejoin with my son and parents and be peaceful in my life. Thank you very much for helping me.

ZenobiaOm Sai Ram, as always I bow before You and ask for Your help and love. Today being Thursday and Your day my daughter will be submitting her housing application and I know in my heart of heart that her application will be accepted and she will be granted a house in the locality and the colony she is appliying for. Baba I shall definitely post this article in Sai Vichaar once her wish is granted.Sai devoteeYou know that I am working for project where I have to design. But I am very much confused. Please do shower Your blessings on me so that I shall complete my task with good understanding and well within time. Please do help me Sai. Today I should understand and also complete it accordingly. Please help me Saibaba.

LeenaBaba please bless me and my family. I am totally in dilemma about what to do and which step to take next in my life. I am aimlessly roaming around in this Universe. Please show me the right path and also the right action.NeeluBaba, You blessed me with everything and without asking. Please help me to remember You every time. Nowadays I cannot concentrate. Please help me to sit long time in front of You. Sai devoteeA thousand namaskars to You oh kind Sai. Oh deva I finished reading the Satcharitra for the second time and our house deal got finalized. Thank you for making the inspection reports come out normal. I just pray now that on monday without any delay the bank should give final approval and the council should also say everything is alright. I promise to publish my prayers in Sai Vichaar again. Please let this new house bring us good health, and lots of happiness. Kindly shower Your blessing on all Your children.

MadhuKoti koti praman at the lotus feet of Baba. Please find a suitable match for my sister. Baba please do this miracle. Thank you. Jai Sai Ram.

Sai devoteeOm Sai Bhagwan. Again we are in a critical situation in the Company as well as both of us. This issue is making us so scary. Last time You saved us and the company. Kindly take care of this situation and protect us. You know very well that we always helped others and in the process of helping, we go out of the way and get into troubles. You are the only one who really knows what is going on. Kindly protect us Baba Deva.

Sai devoteeDear Baba, Koti koti pranam. You are with us in all our dificulties. You helped us to over come all the problems. My life is Your prasad. You know the crisis in my life and my beloved ones. I know You will solve this problem also. Give me strength and I promise You I will devote my life to Your seva. Please give me this opportunity.

AnuDear Sairam, I beg You to solve my problem. I am suffering from nervousness. I am not able to do any work. Please don't allow any complications to develop in my body. Already my mind and soul are terribly shattered, please don't take me to task any more. If I have committed any unpardonable sin I beg You to forgive me. Please allow me to visit You. I sincerely and whole heartedly pray to You. Allow me to read the Holy book.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: ShanuI am working as a manager in Wealth Management Company which is into stock broking. My back office people prepares the reports and I need to verify them and send it back to the clients. In some hurry without cross checking the statements, I sent the reports. In some report there was a mistake in calculating corpus. I was not aware of the mistake and when I got the call from the client, I gave him the explanation of calculation to the client and finally he was convienced. I confirmed to them that the corpus calculation is correct. Later on when I went through the report, I found that there was really a mistake in calculating the corpus and when I called back office person he admitted that it is wrong. I was quite upset with this because I sent the report without checking and when client called me also, I gave him the wrong explanation. If I took this issue to the top managament I thought I would lose the impression on them, since a big escalation happened by me in the last

week and if I took this issue also they would think I do mistakes repeatedly. I was left with no choice except praying Baba. I was praying Baba to help me. This Thursday a miracle happened. Last week our client realised the mistake and took it to the notice of top management. Then my director accepted the format which we gave to the client even though it was a mistake and asked us to make some changes in it and send back to the client. It was really a miracle and still I am feeling that it would not have been happened without Baba,s grace. The format which is accepted by the management is unexpectable. Finally I did not get any word from the management. Baba is there with everyone all the time.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "I am the mother-Origin of all senses, the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. Nothing will harm who turns his attention towards Me, but maya will lash or whip him who forgets Me. All the insects, ants, the visible, movable and immovable world is My Body or Form".-Shirdi Sai Baba quoted in "Sri Shirdi Sai Baba The Universal Master"QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. How can one be consistent with their devotion to Sri Saibaba?SAI ACTIVITIES: Gurupoornima at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAGurupoornima celebrations will be held in Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago from Friday, July 27th through Sunday, July 29th 2007. Program highlights: Maha Abhishek, Aarthis, Satcharita parayan, Sri Sai Satyanarayan Pooja, Sri Datta Moola Mantra Homam, Palaki procession and more. For program details please visit the temple website www.saibaba.us or contact the Temple office at 847-931-4058.Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MinnesotaSaibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace and blessings of Baba and the support of devotees, a new Saibaba Mandir has begun to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for all details.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 Center in Bay Area, CAShirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CADevotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.Saibaba Temple, Columbus, OhioDevotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, FloridaDevotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276.FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Those contributing to Sai Vichaar are requested to identify themselves by giving their name. Unless Baba wills nothing can be done and it is symbolic of one's humility not to give too much credence to their writings or expressions. However, in respect to the etiquette of publication, it is only customary to identify the source of writings. Sai Vichaar hopes that devotees would oblige. A Sai devotee suggests the Question of the week as follows, Q. How can one be consistent with their devotion to Sri Saibaba?Humbly Yours,The EditorABOUT 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, or 3. 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 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 and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.Thank you,The webmasterFrom and Editor:Shirdi Sai Baba Web SiteShirdi Sai Baba Sanstha(A non-profit organization)Mail:12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USAEmailmaildropPhone847-931-4058Fax847-931-4066© Copyright 1998-2006 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.