Issue 238 - July 25, 2021 |
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Sairam Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Inner transformation happens every moment of everyday living when we live in a state of constant awareness of the inner presence. We begin to realise and see everything around us in a different light. Since there are myriad layers of impressions from previous lifetimes, attuning it to this ‘awareness’ is a process which needs some efforts; it begins with cleansing the mind. By helping needy individuals and engaging in some sort of sevā, or through the path of karma yoga as it is called, a certain sense of clarity begins to dawn upon us. When there is clarity, the divinity within shines forth.
As we begin to inch closer to our true selves, inspiring more youth to join hands during any service project becomes an easy task; being a good example is the best way to mould and motivate the youth. And that is the only way we can transform the youth!
While addressing a group of youth, Swami said, “The only thing that I want from you is that you become an example to another. The way you live, the way you talk, the way you walk, the way you do things, the way you conduct yourself in your daily lives - everything should be exemplary. That is the best sevā you can do to other youths!”
Sairam
Bhuvana Santhanam
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ātmano mokshārtam
(Emancipation of one’s self)
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What is sanātana dharma? Is it the same as hindu dharma?
Answer: The most ancient culture in the world is that of Bharath, then known as Bharata Varsha, located in Jambu Dweepa – the great island, which stretched all the way from the eastern Europe to the Far East Asia of today. The culture of this great land that bound everyone together in a way of life unique only to this land was called ‘sanātana dharma’ – or simply put ‘the supreme eternal law’. This was simply the law that guided and governed the material as well as spiritual well-being of all the people. The idea of Divinity of all creation is unique only to sanātana dharma which proclaims ‘ahaṁ brahmāsmi’ – I am Divine, and ‘sarvaṃ khalvidaṃ brahma’ – All is Divine.
However, with the passage of time this very law came to be known as ‘hindu dharma’ due to the naming of this land, which on the other side of the river Sindhu was called as the land of Hindus. Not until Persian named it Hindu (as they pronounced Sindhu as Hindu) that the then residents of this land came to be known as Hindus and our way of life came to be known as ‘hindu dharma’. However, if we refer to our ancient texts, nowhere do we find the word ‘hindu’ been ascribed to us, albeit very recently, if one were to consider the timeless history of our ancient land.
An excerpt from the book ‘Spirituality 101’ authored by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Pg no. 05
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As is the vision, so is the creation
By Sai Jyothi Figueroa
Spanish Translator
Argentina
I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a country in the Southern half of South America, full of colourful landscapes, wide variety of fauna and flora and mixture of diversity. Even though Argentina has all the resources to meet the needs of its inhabitants, there is around 42% of total national poverty. This leads to a lot of judgement, competition and comparison in the rest of the society. The main comments that I used to hear were: “They are poor because it is easy to beg money than to work”, or “they do not put enough efforts to fulfil their education and find a job” or simply “they just want the easy life” etc.
I also thought in the same way for a long time, but my vision changed when I joined a group of youth and started participating in the sevā, following the teachings of Baba. We would gather every Thursday and cook food for about 100 people, and later distribute the fresh meals in one of the parks in the downtown area of Buenos Aires. With every visit, the bond with each person who came to partake food started to grow. I was surprised to realise that my thinking which was wrongly influenced was totally incorrect and judgemental. Before, I believed that all had same opportunities in life and few people never utilised them well. I also never counted the privileges that were bestowed on me until I met these people and realised the truth. For example; a wonderful family who gave me everything that I needed: a home, food, education and much more. They also gave me the best privilege which is to have Sai Baba as our guide and Master etc.
Later, the scale of sevā expanded and food distribution was conducted twice a week. At this point in time, I started understanding that participating in sevā not only benefits the needy individuals who are served, but it also helps the one who serves by transforming their hearts. Initially, I thought that conducting sevā was an easy task, but later, as the scale of sevā expanded, there were umpteen shortcomings which lead to unnecessary arguments, and some disorganisation amongst the group. By putting the teachings of Baba into practise such as love, compassion, peace and unity, the group overcame and solved the problems.
As the days passed, the layers of ego shed while conducting sevā selflessly. I learnt that, we cannot change the outside world, let’s transform ourselves and change our
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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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The sole purpose of human life is to turn the senses inwards or within and not about turning them outside and getting carried away with the māyā (illusion) of the world. Turning the focus outward is called as the worldly path whereas turning it inwards is called as the spiritual path.
The scriptures declare that the sense objects are greater than the senses. The senses work for the sake of sense objects. For example; only if an object exists then the purpose of eye is met by seeing it. Without the object the very existence of the eye fail. It is not the brain which analyses an experience, but it is mind which is working behind the brain which understands it. The mind can perceive the sense objects even in their absence by recollecting the information from its cittā (memory) which is like a database. Greater than buddhi is the jivātman (individual consciousness). Above this is avyakta-ātman (unmanifest ātman) and beyond this is puruṣa (ultimate consciousness). These are the seven stages or hierarchy of all the experience. The goal is to reach the first stage i.e ultimate consciousness and establish oneself in that.
In the Episode 30 featured this week, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai explains the process of withdrawal and reach the Self within as prescribed by the scriptures. Under the guidance of our Divine Master, let us learn these profound teachings of vedanta and follow Him in the path of Self-Realisation.
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK |
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“It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what do that counts.”
– Mother Teresa
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jagat hitāya
(Welfare of the World)
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La Plata, Buenos Aires
The Sai youth from La Plata prepared and served homemade meals, milk, sugar, blankets and clothes for needy families through two community kitchens located in one of the poor neighborhoods. This service was done once a week. In addition to this, food packages were distributed to the homeless. A little more than 400 meals were served during the month of June.
Córdoba
In Córdoba, the Sai youth religiously distributed fresh hot meals to the homeless in their surroundings every week. About 300 meals were distributed during the month of June.
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British Columbia
The Sai youth from British Columbia prepared homemade meals and served the homeless at City Parkway in the Whalley district of Surrey, British Columbia. A total of 100 food packs were served to the homeless. Each pack consisted of spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad and tomato salsa.
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Alberta
The temperature at Edmonton had risen up to 30°C and drinking water was a huge necessity, especially to the homeless. The Alberta Sai youth joined their hands with the Boyle Street, an organisation providing community services with a motto to end chronic homelessness in Edmonton, to provide clean drinking water to the homeless individuals in the suburbs of Edmonton. Around 100 water bottles were distributed to the homeless individuals.
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Ontario
Fighting the on-going and current situations, the Sai youth from Ontario volunteered at a local soup kitchen and supplied them with a month’s ration which included rice, lentils, oil, salt, coffee, tea, frozen vegetables etc. This kitchen serves around 100 meals on a daily basis to the homeless in Ontario.
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