Issue 255 - November 21, 2021 |
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Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters,
While we may not realise it, opportunities are created day after day for us to be able to understand what is God, His love and compassion, what He expects from us, how to become closer to God, and ultimately how to become God Himself. We have to first believe in the truth revealed by Masters that we are divine beings having a human experience.
Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai says, “You may have come as students, devotees, staff or in any capacity to this Institution and this mission. This is the first stage. Second stage is to come closer to God, and become dearer to God. How do you become dearer and nearer? Do things that God likes. Speak the truth. Don't hurt anyone. Be kind, love everyone and don’t differentiate. Don’t judge others. Serve everybody. From that closeness, comes the likeness to God. You become like God. People will say, ‘When I see you, I see Swami in you because you are so compassionate, you are so kind, you are so loving.’ Truly, you are not just students and devotees. You are Swami personified in these forms. This is the kind of feeling others will get when they will see you and interact with you. And ultimately a day will dawn when there is no difference between you and your true divine Self; you become one with God because you have been continuously living in the thought of God!”
Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
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ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
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Ego Shadow
Many people ask Swami how to overcome ego (arrogance) that comes in the way of their spiritual progress. Swami has answered it so very simply.
Swami says, “Just as a shadow exists for every object, ego is the shadow of your individual identity. The shadow vanishes only when the object disappears. So also, when the identification with the body (dehābhimāna) merges into divine consciousness (atmābhimāna), ego or arrogance that arises due to the former, also disappears.”
Only when you disappear, does your shadow also disappear; until then, the shadow remains indestructible.
An excerpt from the book ‘Innerview’ authored by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.
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Transformation - A Metamorphosis
By Assel Mauova
Teacher, Greece
In my view, transformation is a metamorphosis and altered consciousness when an individual understands that all the living and the non-living, the moving and the non-moving are all manifestations of the same God.
I can see transformation in me, as well as in the dearest and nearest ones.
At home we have become more patient, more amicable and more understanding. We always have family satsangs and feel Swami’s presence.
Moreover, it is necessary to highlight the significant professional transformations. Working with the children aged 3-6 at kindergarten, I feel profound transformation in me. Little angels amaze me every time by their actions and observations, conveying the Master’s messages. They constantly remind me how much they love me. They often ask the questions like: ‘Who are you?’, ‘What is your name?’, ‘Where do you come from?’. Swami brings the Truth of ‘I am I’ by His divine instruments. I have also started feeling more love and compassion towards my colleagues. I realise that Baba is teaching and guiding me through them too.
While doing sevā I have started seeing my own reflection in the people I serve. Even if I meet them for the first time, these people behave and react in the way that we had known each other from centuries. It is one more evidence which emphasises that ‘We are One’, clearing all my doubts.
Divine bonds are tightened by Him and now I experience His Love every time and everywhere. I comprehend that only by God’s Divine Will, it is possible to get transformed. However, one’s efforts play a significant role as well.
We are indeed grateful to Swami for blessing our lives with His presence!
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To help reach Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s human values-based education to the world, and to resuscitate the humanness of humanity, the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence launched a unique, first-of-its-kind Institute of Human Values, to offer tailor-made courses totally free of any charges, curated by experts from around the world. The Vision of the Institute is to make better humans in their personal and professional spheres, by making them more sensitive towards society’s needs and exploring ways of their contribution to society in a meaningful and selfless manner, thereby creating a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.
The courses will help an individual balance the inside and outside, while progressively being a better human being, that will ultimately help him or her unravel the true meaning and purpose in life.
Learning from the heart is spiritual awakening, Baba would say. The Institute of Human Values is the first step to help lead the world into the beautiful awareness of its heart – a heart that operates from the universal human values of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa.
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After observing the śraddhā of the little Nachiketā, who stood right at the gates of yamalokā (the realm of death) for three nights straight, without food or water, the lord of death – Lord Yamā, out of joy gave him three boons.
Nachiketā might have been a little kid but was extremely wise and observant of the various situations of life and the entire creation. The three boons asked by Nachiketā to Lord Yamā were:
- When I go back to my father, he should accept me happily.
- What is the way to heavens, where one can find no hunger, no thirst and incessant joy?
- Please explain to me as to what happens after death.
Lord Yamā granted him the first two boons but resisted to fulfil the final one. He tried his best to dissuade Nachiketā by offering him worldly trinkets. But Nachiketā remained undeterred and stuck to his goal proving his deservedness to attain the highest wisdom. After being satisfied with the śraddhā of Nachiketā, Lord Yama revealed the ultimate wisdom to him.
In episode 37, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai reiterates and summarises the entire chapter one from the kaṭhopaniṣad in the simplest and most logical way possible!
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK |
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“This ego – the less there is of it, the nearer I am to that which I really am: the universal body.”
— Swami Vivekananda
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jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
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On Sundays, the Sai youth from Kazakhstan distributed meals to needy in Almaty city. In the month of November, close to 155 meals which included sandwiches, sweets, cookies and tea were served to the needy individuals.
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Supporting Single Mothers
In November, the Sai youth from Kazakhstan also engaged themselves to assist single parent families, primarily single mothers and widowed mothers, who are raising children. Basic necessities such as food and hygiene products were distributed.
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