26 weekly posting of Saudi SAI activities- 16 Aug 2007

[Guest guest]

Sai-Satsang in 4 centers continued

(week ending 16th Aug, Thursday)

 

Sairam to all Children, Sisters and Sai Brothers

in all 4 Sai SatSanghs in Dammam, Jubail, Jeddah and

Riyadh.

 

We continue with the Twenty sixth (2) posting of the

activities of all 4 centers.

 

Summary:

1) Total Attendance all over Saudi over 90.

2) Note on SAI Parenting- Rita Bruce in Bahrain

 

Details:

 

In Dammam the weekly satsang was held on the evening

of Wednesday 15th Aug at Bro. Ganesan’s SAFCO

residence. The attendance was by 20 members starting

at 7.30 pm. Aarthi was taken by Bro. Jayraman.

 

Incidentally Br. Gopal Bahl (Aramco) is leaving the

Kingdom on Exit and back to USA. He was active in

study circles and contributed with incisive comments

from Baghvat Gita. The report was provided by Bro.

Prem .

 

Jubail center held the weekly Satsang on Thursday 16th

Aug at 7.30 pm attended by about 17 members at Bro

Wimal’s residence. Aarthi was taken by Bro Naidoo

(Andripalli Seetam Naidu) as he is leaving with his

family on exit after more than 20 years in KSA and

shifting to Qatar. The Samiti organized a farewell

function for him and his family. They were very active

in providing support for organizing Bhajans and other

activities which will be missed by SAI family in

Jubail. The report was provided by Bro. Wimal.

 

Incidentally Bro Swamy Mahadevan has managed to

organize 3 weddings under the patronage of Sai Gramam

run from Trivandarum to be held on 23rd Nov. 2 are

from Muslim families and one is a Christian family.

This is a significant seva activity. The organizers

spend about Rs 36,000 on each couple giving them

Mangala sutra (in Gold), Silk saree, essential

utensils and kitchen provisions. This is indeed a

great service to poor and needy. It is fully in line

with Our Baghvan’s emphasis on Service and is

considered superior to Bhajan and study circle

although they have their own merits.

 

Bro. Swamy Mahadevan mentioned to me that there is

scope or 6 more couples to be included before 23rd Nov

and so if any of you know of poor families wanting to

marry off their children, Pl get in touch with him

directly for better coordination or you can mail me at

sssdgroup

 

Jeddah Group held the weekly Satsang on Thursday 16th

August 07, at 7.30pm. It was attended by 7 members at

Bro. Ashok Kumar’s NADA residence. Aarthi was taken by

Bro Ashok Kumar. Bro Saji provided the report.

 

Riyadh group held the weekly Bhajan on Thursday 16th

Aug g from 7.00 pm till about 9 pm. Before the SAI

Bhajan, Vishnu Sashranamam is recited by some devotees

on Thursdays. The Bhajan was attended by about 55

members. Bro Kham read a new chapter from life of

Shirdi Sai Baba. The aarthi was taken by Bro Venugopal

who is leaving the Kingdom on exit after 8 yeas with

Riyadh Bank. He provided great service to the center

by taking classes on Vedam chanting, and also that of

Vishnu Shasranamam and Lalita Shasranamam. His

daughter’s Anugrahas’ bhajans were indeed melodious.

We all will miss them. They are moving to Dubai where

there is opportunity for being in the SAI family.

 

Pl find attached the text file of new Bhajans sung

this week on 16th Aug - courtesy Bro. Suresh Iyengar.

You can also visit link

http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/frbhaj.html for texts

of 108-Ashtothram, Sarvadharma, Asothama, Aarthi &

Vibudhi prayers

 

Bro Raj Rajgopal has circulated a note on forthcoming

SAI parenting seminar to be held in Bahrain on 13th

(Thursday) and 14th (Friday) September. Those wishing

to attend Pl contact your center coordinator to make

arrangments. It is recommended for all those families

with young children.

 

To help me understand about the two program conductors

(Husband-wife team) , I read a book on “Vision of Sai”

by Sister Rita Bruce who is an American devotee from

St. Louis joining Baba’s fold in 1976 (30 years

before) as a simple housewife. She has also written

books on SAI parenting and 4 aspects of human nature.

(I have not attached the PDF file sent by Raj as it

will make it heavy to download for those with dial up,

but if any one needs it I can forward)

 

Her teenage daughter in school was later entrapped by

the “Drug” habit in early eighties in USA. She

describes poignantly her suffering as parent on the

daughter’s conduct and how she tried so hard to help

her in spite of many set backs. Her faith in Baba’s

teachings and her following his emphasis on “Love”

without expectations, helped her during those trying

times. This grueling experience lasting over 5 years

prepared her for conducting the seminar on SAI

parenting.

 

Some devotees get help during their distress from

SAIMA but forget the movement after they overcome it

with his grace. Here is an example of someone who is

continuing to share her time and effort along with her

husband for sake of others in service of SAI. It is

indeed great.

 

Incidentally, Riyadh Samiti organized a Drama 3 years

back touching on this specific subject of (SAI

parenting) with two main characters enacted by sister

Mahima Narayan and Mrs Shivaji and directed by

Akilesh’s mother who is here now in Riyadh on her

second visit

 

Many of us have been on vacation to India or some

other locations. Why not share your experiences with

other members. Pl send me a brief note at

sssdgroup so that they can be

summarized and posted. Do not worry about your English

or grammar, just write.

Remember what Swami said “Why Fear, when I am here”.

 

Sairam and Pranams to all.

P.B.V.Rajan