Issue 110 - February 10, 2019
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In 2017 a
Satsang
held in the divine presence at Singapore. A devotee asked what is the difference between self-confidence and ego.
And here is what Swami said:
Confidence is within the Self – your true Self or Divine Self, which is the Divinity within you. Ego is confidence in the body and the mind that you have. When you think that you are capable because of your body, mind and intelligence, it is ego. Whereas, when you think, ‘I am capable of anything only because it is the Divine who breathes through me, who makes the food digest, who makes the blood flow, hands move, eyes see, ears hear, tongue speak and taste, then that is self-confidence. If you think that a particular name is attached to the body, then it is ego. If you attribute your work to God, that is self-confidence, but if you attribute your work to the feeling that it is through your own effort, that is ego.
Many people tell others that you can build self-confidence by becoming educated, learning new skills, and so on – but, self-confidence is truly confidence in God and in the real Self. Everything else is ego. What is happening in all of the institutions and colleges around the world, is that people are saying, “Oh, you are so and so; you are capable of such and such.” That is pampering the ego, not building self-confidence.
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Annapoorna breakfast is served to the GPS and GMS schools in Hoshiarpur in Noida, a part of the State of Uttar Pradesh. One of the vendors, who was touched by the volunteers’ service for the needy school children, has been supplying certain items at very nominal rates for the breakfast programme in these schools for over two months!
This Sankaranti, the vendor went one step further, and got his staff to make 550 packets of Rewari and Gajak (traditional sweets in Northern India made of sesame seeds, jaggery and nuts) for the school children, adding to the oranges that were being distributed by Annapoorna volunteers.
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Welcoming the New Year with Love
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A volunteer from Annapoorna and her set of friends at KPMG (a professional service company) decided to embark on the New Year on a selfless note by sponsoring breakfast for the Doddanekundi Kannada School in Bengaluru.
The set of friends along with Annapoorna volunteers distributed hot idlis (rice cakes) with sambar (lentil soup) and chutney for about 250 children in the school, where Annapoorna breakfast is regularly served. Gulab Jamuns (sweets) were also served to the children marking a ‘sweet start’ to the year.
Kudos to the entire team for starting the year with selfless love for the children!
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Annapoorna Trust – One Nation Event
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One Nation is a forum with the unique objective of working towards Unity and Equality through individual Transformation.
This year’s One Nation conclave, themed, One Nation Youth – Inspired Actions, was to inspire the youth in “Building the Nation through Nutrition” and enable them to join various NGO’s (Non-governmental Organisation) working towards this mission. One such NGO which has been engaged in this people’s movement is Annapoorna Breakfast Programme. Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust is currently serving over 200,000 school children across more than 2600 Government schools in 15 states and 2 Union Territories.
On Saturday, January 26, 2019, they celebrated India’s 70th Republic Day by congregating at NMKRV College Auditorium, Jayanagar, in Bengaluru to continue the path laid down by several inspired men and women, and involve the youth to join in the Nutrition Mission!
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Annapoorna has introduced SaiSure, a scientifically designed multi nutrient supplement which when added to milk, significantly enhances the vital nutrients such as Iron and Vitamins. It provides a delicious and wholesome nourishment for children.
This SaiSure health mix will be provided as a supplement, FREE OF COST to the milk currently provided to government and government-aided schools under the Milk Scheme Programmes of the Governments of Karnataka and Puducherry!
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The youth took to the streets of Colombo to serve hot meals to the homeless and the hungry. With hearts full of love, each weekend several of the youth got together and worked from early morning till noon to whip up scrumptious homemade meals. These meals are true to the culture and authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, though the menu varies, the team would serve mouthwatering combinations of yellow rice, daal (lentil soup), devilled potatoes together with soya and mushrooms amongst other dishes.
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Middle East
Seva
Activities For
January 2019
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These were words of wisdom from the Divine that echoed at the banks of Triveni Sangam. Thrikaarana Shuddhi (Triune Purity) can be attained only through Selflessness - the feeling of non-doership in any mode of action. These youth from the Middle East region try to attain that state of Selflessness by constantly engaging in various service activities!
Construction Site
Seva
The group visits the construction laborers every weekend with chilled buttermilk, biscuits, fruits, raw vegetables and also occasionally gives toiletries like deodorants, aftershave lotions and moisturizers. The youth never miss this service as they are so happy to meet their brothers who eagerly wait on weekends and distribute all these items to them.
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The lady youth make it a point, come what may, to visit their own friends in a Labor camp and spend some valuable time with them by engaging them in Yoga practice and impart a good body-mind balance in them. The youth also give computer classes and spoken English classes to these ladies. These ladies at the camps live on very meagre salary and so the youth distribute toiletries, raw vegetables and fruits to them regularly. The regular visits of the youth have developed a sense of security in these ladies that they have somebody to support them in any pain and pleasure.
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Seva
and Sadhana are two wings of a bird
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These youth from the Middle East are well aware that
Seva
and Sadhana are two wings of a bird and so they make it a point to assemble together every Thursday evening to sing the glory of the Lord thereby creating positive vibrations in the environment. They also make it a point to meet fortnightly to discuss their personal experiences in the divine path through
Satsang
s and
Bhajan
sessions.
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The team of Nigeria welcomed the New Year by organising Breakfast
Seva
in a school for children with learning needs in the city of Lagos. The team worked to pack and serve 250 meals for the students who are in primary and secondary grades. The students received the team and the meal with much gusto, showing their gratitude with smiles, songs and hugs. These overjoyed children who broke out into dances, mirror the dictum of the Lord that all are truly His children. Both the team and the children were elated by this experience and this two-way exchange of pure love!
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I was blessed by Swami to be born into a family of His devotees. Whatever little memory I have of my kindergarten years revolves around going to Balvikas with my mother, learning Vedam and Shlokas. It has been quite a few years since then and my relationship with Swami has only strengthened. In the year 2008, our family relocated to Ahmedabad.
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Many a times I catch myself being ungrateful towards all that I have. I take things for granted and fail to realise that what I have as a basic necessity is high-grade luxury for many. At that time, I think of how much Sai has blessed me with and how it is my responsibility to give forward what I receive.
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