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We are conditioned from childhood to think that we should not lead ordinary lives, but lead extraordinary lives, which means our lives should be filled with the best of
everything, be it house, car, etc. Swami recently asked, "What is so extraordinary about this? Those who live for others, that is extraordinary. That is being special. That is being different. Live a special life by serving others. Because, it is easy to serve oneself. Everybody does that. But if you want to be different, serve others. Service purifies you. It purifies from within. It removes egos and attachments and frees you!"
Swami's message to Sai Youth around the world this week:
"How do you know what is right and wrong? That which takes you closer to God, is the right thing. Anything which takes you away from God is not the right thing. The more you love others, the more you serve others, the more you become closer to Me. It is time that you must resolve that you will not give up unless you reach you goal, and that is to become like Swami. Every little act that is full of love will bring you closer to Me, and closer to
your
true selves."
Yours in Sai Service
Bhuvana Santhanam
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Serving Others is to Serve Oneself
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Ashwin, from the German youth group, feels that, in the modern world of today, it's very difficult to maintain stillness inside and be humble because of the false ego and the comparisons with respect to money and status. But with Seva there is a chance to come across all the obstacles of the spiritual path and connection to God becomes stronger.
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Here in Rome, a year has already passed since the youth group started offering their support to a group of disabled people. The youth group and the disabled brothers and sisters meet at least once a month, visit Museums, Villas, Parks, Exhibitions, and so on, and in the end, have an outdoor lunch all together.
In the beginning, this adventure was a new experience for many of the youth; they were a little shy and didn’t know how and in which way to interact with the handicapped. Then, after only one meeting, things started going well…the handicapped whom they were supposed to help, made them feel comfortable and started interacting with them as well as made them participate. Today, after only one year, they are like one big family... the handicapped friends laugh with the youth group, tease them, have long conversations, and when someone is not present, there is a feeling of missing that person.
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They Serve, They Clean, They're Happy
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On March 22, 2017 the group of young volunteers in Spain met once again in their community, to continue with the cleaning service. This time the objective was to clean the playground and surrounding areas of the secondary school of the town, which some of the participants of the youth programme attend. Even though the suggestion had come from the students themselves, many had to overcome the feeling of embarrassment that arose when they were collecting the rubbish in front of their classmates.
Everybody arrived at three o´clock on the dot and started to work. There were some more students who had not attended the gathering the previous time. They spent two hours cleaning and collecting heaps of rubbish. They were surprised to find that cigarette butts and food wrappings were everywhere. In total, they collected thirty bags of rubbish.
After that, they went to have a snack by the river. Joaquim, one of the ‘new’ boys, enthusiastically shared with the rest of the group that he really liked the idea of offering a selfless service...
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The Lord Inaugurates the New Seva Centre
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The first week of April was indeed a blessed week for the youth of Greece, as the Lord of the universe Himself came to inaugurate the newly founded Seva centre! Through His permission, guidance and blessings, this centre was set up in order to expand and further the Seva activities being carried out by the Greek Sai devotees
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