Issue 268 - March 13, 2022 |
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Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters,
When we perform any action on the spiritual path there is always a positive result, and no adverse effects will befall us. For all other actions in this world there could be a positive or a negative result, it is said.
Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai says, “Everyone is performing action without their knowledge. Even a thought generated in the mind is an action! Therefore, one has to be very careful even with a thought. If you think you are the doer and get entangled in the action, it is incorrect. The simple solution is to surrender yourself to the Divine, as He is the doer of everything. When you are asleep, who digests the food or how does the heart continue pumping blood? So, no action accrues to those who have surrendered themselves to the Divine. Try and feel that you are an instrument of God, and whatever happens, it is God. The moment your ego starts rising and your emotions are raging, just walk away from the place and think, ‘Am I really the doer? Why am I developing expectations and attachments?’ Therefore, remind yourself at all times that you are only an instrument.”
Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
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ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
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A Mystic Poem on Evolution and Man’s Inseparable Relationship with God and the Universe
Jalauddin Rumi, the famous Sufi saint sings in his cryptic poem, ‘Unto Him we shall return’ –
I died as mineral and became a plant
I died as a plant and rose to animal
I died as animal and I was man
Why should I fear? When was I less by dying?
Yet once more I shall die as man,
To which angels blest, but even soar from angelhood
I must pass on; all except God doth perish
When I have sacrificed my angel soul,
I shall become what no man ever conceived
Oh, let me not exist! For non-existence proclaims in organ tones,
‘Unto Him we shall return!’
The philosopher, mystic and scientist are all fused into one in this poem! Thus, man is at the penultimate stage of evolution of matter into God; his individual consciousness (jīva prajñā) must evolve into divine consciousness (daiva prajñā) by his conscious and concerted effort. Evolution of matter up to the stage of man may be automatic, but his evolution into God will happen only if he chooses it and puts in the requisite effort. Why should he do so? Why can he not remain as he is? Like a river, which finds fulfilment only when it reaches its origin (which is also its destination!) – the ocean, man also finds fulfilment only when he reaches his origin – God! That is his ultimate destination. As an individual, he may attain temporary pleasure and limited happiness in this world, but he will not be satisfied with anything less than infinite bliss and immortal life, which he will find only in God. When he knows and attains God, he will become God Himself, and experiences oneness with all creation. That is the ultimate state of Self-realisation adored in sanātana dharma. Man’s inseparable relationship with God and His manifestation as the universe is the essence of sanātana dharma.
Let’s conclude this discussion on science and spirituality with a pithy quote from Max Plank, the famous German physicist: “Some people think that God is the starting point of the ignorant, but let me tell you, ‘God is the crown of the career of a scientist!’”
An excerpt from the book ‘sanātana dharma’ authored by B N Narasimha Murthy, Pg no. 118,119 and 120.
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TELA – A Place of Transformation
By Ngwu Ezinne Jennifer
Student, Nigeria
Just like any other teenager, I too grew up with some abhorrent behavior which was common and was seen as normal in the society. Now when I look back at my life, I can't even comprehend or imagine the way I used to be. Tremendous transformation has happened in me—'This is the Power of Love'. I am from Umuase, a village at Ngwo in UDI LGA Enugu state. I completed my primary schooling acquiring good grades and passed four entrance examinations seeking entry into Secondary Education. When it was time to make my choice, my mother chose 'The Embodiment of Love Academy' (TELA) even after all the resistance I offered.
Six years of my life was what I gave to TELA and it gave me all I needed in order to make life worth living. It changed me both academically and character wise. I need no one to tell me so because I know this wasn't who I used to be earlier.
I can't finish my write-up without sharing a short story with all of you. Just do good to others even when no one is watching because God is always watching. I showed people around me love and also treated them in a way I would like them treat and love me. On the day of post appointment, I never thought I would get there but to my greatest surprise, I was elected. I was in tears when a student who was testifying called me her role model, a sister to all and a joy giver. Testimonies came incessantly from every corner of my room indeed it was as if the school had been watching me. I felt proud of myself and was very happy that I was the reason behind someone's smile.
I have really changed a lot. I now give things to people without expecting something in return. I used to ignore beggars or mentally unstable people on the streets but not anymore. I see myself doing all that I can to help. I now feel hurt when others are in bad conditions. Where can I start and where to stop? I really can't mention all including the fact that a timid personality like me can stand and speak to a hall of audience with zero fear. Compared to my mates and the other hand of academies, there is really no match. I can go to any part of the world today with what I have been taught and what I have learnt. I know that one day I will get there because a thousand miles begins with a single step.
The Embodiment of Love Academy has also given me the opportunity to explore different parts of the world, relate with people from different tribes and also learn more about them. I would be so unreasonable if I forget a man who made it possible for me, my role model and a father to all, Father Charles Ogada. I call him my backbone. I am also so grateful to all our sponsors out there, all thanks to Sai Baba who designed my fate as well as faith like this. Where could I have been? What could I have become? If not for The Embodiment of Love Academy, Ebe.
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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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What is death? Does the person die? No. It is only the body which is shed due to a specific reason as per destined by the cosmic consciousness. The individual soul or jīvātmā, as it is commonly referred to, continues to move on from one body to other until it completely realises its oneness with the paramātmā, the supreme soul.
It can take birth either as a living being or even as inanimate objects as stone. The succeeding birth of every soul depends on two factors – yathākarma (according to action, duties or circumstances) and yathāśrutam (according to what one has learnt).
karma (actions) and punarjanma (rebirth) are the rules when one feels one’s identity separate from that of Brahman. This rule is irrelevant to those who have attained the ātmavidyā (knowledge of the Self).
In episode 48, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai elucidates the principles of actions and reincarnations which are the fundamentals of the journey of every jīvātmā to paramātmā.
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK |
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“One gains the state of non-action when the ego with its proud delusion ‘I am the doer’ dies and disappears.”
– Ramana Maharshi
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jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
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Malawi sevā
With the recent flash floods in Malawi, East Africa, there had been distress and distraught everywhere in that country. A gentleman from Malawi, Mr Dalitso, a pharmacist by profession, who was acquainted with the Sai Hrudayam in Middle East, recently reached out to one of the active Sai youth volunteers from Middle East for help. The pitiable conditions of the people there, many being rendered homeless and struggling with basic amenities warranted immediate address. By Swami’s grace, the Sai youth took this opportunity to serve and contribute the much-needed services to the needy individuals and families in Malawi. Close to 51 families were provided with groceries and other essentials, sufficing for a month, by this concerted effort.
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Distribution of Snacks
Under the OMAD initiative, about 156 beneficiaries mostly being the cleaning staff, who are lovingly called as ‘car washing heroes’ were served with hot cup of tea and sandwiches as a token of love by the Sai youth from Middle East. It was an immensely gratifying and a humbling experience for all the youth. They work hard without minding the extremities of weather conditions just to make two ends meet. Initially, they could hardly believe that there is a community or society of people who care for them and who wish to give good, quality food for free! Later, they happily accepted and expressed their gratitude to the Sai youth and enjoyed the snacks. This service was done twice during the month.
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