Issue 204 - November 22, 2020
Master the Mind
Mind is the cause of bondage and liberation, and if one can master this mind, one can become not just a mastermind but the master Himself, says Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. In this series of talks, ‘Master the Mind’, primarily given to the Ashram residents of Sathya Sai Grama, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai guides us step by step, to take up a 30 day sadhana to understand, analyse, master and finally merge the mind into the divine self.
Inspirational Note...
In 2016 a Satsang held in the divine presence at Suffolk, The UK a devotee seeks guidance on how one can experience one's true self.

Here is what Swami said:

When you stop experiencing the body and senses, you can experience the true self, just as, when you look at a particular object, everything else fades into the background. However, if you change your focus, the object goes into the background and you start seeing a wider perspective. The day you detach yourself from the body and mind, you will be attaching yourself to the experience of Atma, the embodied spirit within. The secret lies completely in shifting all your focus from one thing to another.

It is only through the mind that you experience the body, and it is by turning the mind inwards that you can experience Atma. It is through the same eyes that you see this side of the room or that side of the room; all that is needed is to change the focus from this to that.

When you stop worrying and stop attaching too much attention to your body and your existence as a body, then you will start attaching yourselves to Atma. That is when you will start experiencing it. That is what I am teaching. How are you to get rid of the body consciousness that produces ‘I’ and ‘mine’? Serve selflessly, love selflessly, get rid of the excessive focus on the body and learn to experience the Divinity within.
Service Updates
Argentine Youth Activities
  • During October, the youth of three different parts of Argentina distributed food for 1,620 people.
  • The youth of La Plata distributed the packages every Friday to the families of four dining rooms and two poor neighbourhoods. They served around 1,170 people.
  • The youth of Cordoba distributed hot meals for the homeless around their homes. They served on the weekends and they distributed 200 meals during October.
  • The youth of Iguazú prepared hot meals and distributed them to the people of a poor neighbourhood every Saturday. They served around 250 people.
Seva In Brazil
Mid-October to Mid-November 2020
The youth from Sao Paolo kept a steady pace with Narayana Seva every Thursday. 420 delicious meals filled with Love were made by them and then taken to a second group to be distributed in the downtown area.

In Recife, weekly Narayana Seva along with Satsangs, Bhajans and an online study of Swami’s discourses were conducted during this month.
Canadian Newsletter
November 2020 Edition
Ongoing Seva Activities in Toronto
in Collaboration With Other NGOs

  • NGO 1 - Daily activity in Greater Toronto Area
  • NGO 2 - The youths continue to support the organisation via donations.
  • NGO 3 - The youth and the elders continue to buy a month’s worth of groceries.
  • NGO 4 - INDIA - The Toronto youth are participating in ceiling on desires and sending the saved amount to educate girls in Swami’s institutions.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Honourable Justin Trudeau, wished Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba a Happy 95th Birthday.
Seva Activities in Montreal
With NGOs from India
Annapoorna Breakfast Programme

The Montreal youth have joined the Annapoorna Breakfast Programme Initiative and are sponsoring one Government School in Hyderabad and a few schools in Jamshedpur
Seva Activities in Alberta
This month the youth of Edmonton have packed and distributed non-perishable grocery items for 10 needy families.

Items Served:
Basmati Rice, Crackers, Vegetable Soup, Tomato Soup, Vegetable Noodles, Macaroni and Cheese, Fresh Fruit Juice

All service activities have been carried out as per the COVID-19 health guidelines of Alberta.
Foundation for Development of Human Excellence Chihuahua, México
Service activities were carried out in Mexico during the month of October, 2020.  

  • The Service Group took advantage of the opportunity to deliver 102 packages of basic staples.
  • During the month of October, the Mexican International Chorus filmed a video with songs popular in Mexico and Latin America as an offering to Swami for His Birthday.
  • The study circle has continued with its weekly meetings, and as of the month of October has studied 21 episodes of the “Master the Mind” series.
  • In the face of growing inequality between people who have all their nutritional needs covered and those who do not; it was decided to begin a new project as Seva in the food distribution area. The youth group is working on its implementation. Below are the logos and posters that were designed.
Bay Area Winter Drive
On November 22nd, 2020, on the eve of Bhagawan’s 95th Birthday, the Bay Area youth coordinated a winter drive in San Francisco and surrounding areas. Bay Area witnessed a sudden drop in temperature with winter approaching and many homeless did not have proper shelters and winter wear to keep themselves warm.
To address this issue, Bay Area youth started a winter drive. The following items were distributed: Jackets, hoodies, blankets, socks along with food and other snacks such as juices, dry fruits, cookies etc. This served close to 60 families.  Many adults and youths from other parts of the USA also lent their support towards this cause.