Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas is Over

Christmas is always over too soon for me and though I have never experienced a white Christmas, I miss the festive air, the carol singing and the jolly get-togethers with family and friends. But, behind all the fun and tinsel, I feel one should pause for a while and look beyond the way Christmas is celebrated today. Is there any real meaning, any message that Christmas has for us?



Christmas is actually the festival of the human heart. It is a time of year when feelings of peace, joy and love towards our fellow beings invade the earth and bring glad tidings to everyone. So along the way we can also consider abolishing our bad traits like anger, pride and greed and become more loving and forgiving. If everyone can be bringers of light and hope on this special day, think how the whole world would be transformed!



We spent Christmas Day at our Sai centre where we sang devotional songs and Christmas carols. The altar was beautifully decorated with garlands and flowers. A generous devotee had also donated a huge Christmas cake with decorations of Christmas trees, Santa Claus, reindeer and other novelties. After the singing, "Santa Claus" gave away presents to the children and adults as well. Refreshments followed and it was well after 12.00 noon that we left. Here are some of the pictures I took.







See you next Christmas and have a Happy New Year!



Monday, December 28, 2009

An Earnest Prayer

Dearest Sai Maa


I surrender at your Lotus Feet, all my thoughts, all my feelings, all my desires, all my worries and anxieties.



Please be my friend and my guide - guarding and protecting me! Please let me realise that I am not this body or this mind! But I am the soul. I am the embodiment of love. I am Sat Chith Ananda. I am ever blissful. Ever happy.



Please stay in my heart and radiate your divine love and light to everyone I meet today. And please make me realise that You are the Divine Being in everyone. Please motivate, guide and inspire and make my thoughts, speech and actions, beautiful, loving and pleasing.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Greetings

May your Christmas be filled with peace, love and joy
and may the New Year bring you health and happiness.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Jesus' Birth

"Jesus was born early in the morning at 3.15 a.m. on December 28th one thousand nine hundred and eighty years ago. The star that appeared that day appears only once in 800 years. Its appearance had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. There is no rule that when Divine Energy or Divine incarnation descends on earth, a star has to appear. That is the opinion of devotees only. But Jesus was Himself a "Star" of infinite value, spreading brilliance of infinite dimension.



Today is the birthday of Jesus, celebrated amidst December snowfalls and lights and Christmas trees and prayers. But it is useless to pray just one day and forget God the rest of the year. That is an empty show; it does not emanate from the heart.



We are true Christians only when we live according to the teachings of Christ and practise them in daily life. Even if we follow two teachings of His, that would be enough.



Christ said, "All Life is One, my dear son! Be alike to every one." If we follow this, it would be enough to fulfil our destiny."


~ Baba

25th December 1979

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tension is Good

The other day, a friend of mine told me that he had requested Baba to relieve him of a position he held since it had added considerably to his mental tension. He said that Swami told him: "You must continue doing the job!" And with His characteristic smile added, 'Tension is good!'



This unexpected statement set me thinking. Baba never makes such a statement unless He meant something significant not only to the person concerned but also to others like me. The continuance of tension is contrary to what we understand by spiritual living. We believe that once we are on the spiritual path there will be no more tension! But Baba told my friend, 'Tension is good!’



Baba sows such seeds of thought which have often led me to exploration and adventure in the realm of thoughts and ideas. I delved a little more deeply into the word tension. In today's common usage tension has come to mean, "stress, strain, anxiety, apprehension, dread, nervousness, fearfulness, etc." Baba surely could not have meant that sort of tension! Was He trying to say that it is only under tension that we will think of Him? It is only under tension that whatever we have learnt is put to test. An examination is usually a period of tension, and very often we do our best under certain tension.



I recalled the occasion when I was under severe tension as I was gheraoed by my Office staff; that was the time when all that I had tried to learn from Swami was put to test. Baba says, "Love thy enemies. Start the day with love." I prayed, “Swami! These people are using all sorts of abusive terms against me. The union leader is doing his job. Let me not hate him, Swami.” I prayed. My tension decreased and a solution was eventually found. Most important of all, I had no ill will against him and all those who shouted, and I maintained good relations with them.



Swami says, “Welcome the test, for thereafter you are awarded the certificate. It is to measure your progress that tests are imposed. So, do not flinch in the face of grief: The Lord bestows a favour when He decides to test you, for He is impressed by your achievement and wants to put upon it the seal of His approval. Rise up to the demands of the test. That is the way to please the Lord."



I continued my exploration. I thought of the veena and the violin which are tuned by stretching the strings, i.e., by tension. Each string has to be stretched correctly so that it will produce a particular note and all the strings will be under proper tension so as to produce harmony—“the simultaneous combination of tones, especially blended into chords pleasing to the ear.” This gave me some new dimensions to the term tension.



I recalled that while tuning the strings of a veena to a particular note, we not only tighten the string but the final tuning is done by moving a string so that at a particular position which is very critical, the string resonates on plucking. In the case of the violin, a screw is adjusted to get the same effect. To tune properly, we have therefore to achieve the correct tension; less tension or more tension will not produce the correct note. Too much tension will snap the string.



I tried to apply this concept to our day to day life. Is it not that many of our problems are due to the fact that we tighten our strings too taut? In fact we are under such tension so often that the slightest touch snaps our mental equilibrium and we shouts back in anger at the first victim! Somehow we seem to be unable to learn the art of correct tuning. When you get angry Baba has told us, "Lie down on the bed; drink a glass of cold water."



We are under too much tension when we are unable to cope with a situation. Then as our emotions take the upper hand, we forget all the good advice that Baba has been giving us and we burst out. Spirituality means correct tuning of all our faculties. Our mental dispositions must be well balanced—Sama Dheeh.



This led me to the statement of Lord Krishna who told Arjuna that "Yoga is skill in action" (Yogah Karmasu Kausalam). Skill implies sharpening of our capabilities when we achieve the best under any given circumstance. This is possible when we are tuned properly. The term yoga itself implies one pointed attention without which such skill will be impossible. It is because we have not learnt the correct tuning of our abilities that we are unable to have mental equanimity.



Spiritual life therefore means tuning ourselves to the correct tension so that our body, mind and spirit, thought, word and deed, are in harmony. If we are unable to produce music it is because we are out of tune. Some of our strings have snapped under too much tension; others too lax to be able to produce the correct note.



Spirituality does not mean that we relax. It is not a state of being lax with little or no tension; such a state is Tamasic and not Satwic! A spiritual life means proper tension! It requires attention, at tension! The Samskrit word for a type of spiritual practice viz, Tapas, translated in English as "austerity", means heat. This certainly does not suggest an inactive state. All such states are the result of the proper type of tension tuning!



Baba is Himself the best exemplar of proper "tension". He is always busy and all His actions and activity display kushalam. Watch the steps He takes as He walks, the way He receives a letter or blesses a picture with His signature; when He speaks to a small group or to a lakh of eager listeners; when He pats on the back of a student or allows a devotee to have the much coveted Padanamaskar. If we want to understand what Baba meant when He told my friend, "Tension is good!”, let us watch Him!


~ Dr. M.V.N. Murthy (Sanathana Sarathi – January 1982).

Friday, November 27, 2009

Namasmaran

Namasmaran means remembering or chanting God’s name repeatedly. It is one of the spiritual practices enjoined on an aspirant endeavouring to reach God. The importance Swami attaches to it is illustrated by an incident.

A devotee asked, “Swami, we often hear about total surrender (saranagathi). How is one to accomplish it?” Swami answered softly, “Bangaru, saranagathi is beyond you; why do you bother about it? Resort to namasmaran, God Himself will be at your beck and call.”

Swami once explained the special significance of namasmaran. “It is the most sublime of all the spiritual practices, it consists of japam (chanting of God’s name repeatedly), it is the most infallible penance (thapas). Kuchela could attain Lord Sri Krishna’s grace only through namasmaran. When you do namasmaran, intone the name with fervour, deep devotion and love. It bestows on you immense benefit.

In this Kali Yuga, namasmaran is enough to earn salvation and release from the otherwise unbroken cycle of birth and death. Namasmaran is the one and only divine medicine capable of curing you of lack of mental equanimity, avarice and other ills which torment you. It gives you abiding peace and contentment.

The name you choose can be any one of the thousands of names of God. Or, it can be any one of the names now in common use in any religion, country or region of the world, or in any section of devotees. Select any name and devote at least five minutes everyday for namasmaran; make it a part of your daily routine. It will give you immense benefit.”

Here is one illustration. Moorthy, Sri Kasturi’s son, was doing research in Geology. In that connection he had to tour forest areas in Assam. On one occasion when he was alone, a wild bear noticed him and began closing in on him. Moorthy fled for his life but the animal continued to chase him.

As he ran over some rocks in his desperate flight to safety, he tripped and fell down but continued to cry loudly, “Baba, Baba!” Within moments, a motor truck appeared there from nowhere and Moorthy found safety by getting into it.

After a few months, he happened to be in Prasanthi Nilayam. Swami told him, “I received your phone call and despatched a truck. Did it reach you in time?”

From the book “Tapovanam”

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Swami

Heart of my heart,
Bliss of my being,
Truth of my life,
Lord of my soul,
Living in each of us,
Speaking through each of us,
Down through the ages
Your voice is heard.
Now you are here
On earth amongst us,
Showering grace,
Truth, peace and love,
Reminding us gently,
Of your secret presence
Hidden within us
And all your creation,
That our Truth is Your Truth,
That our Love is Your Love,
That we are not separate
But one.
~ Priscilla Taylor ~


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Celebrating Swami's 84th Birthday

I woke up on the morning of November 23 with a lightness in my heart. Yes, it's Swami's birthday today! I hastened to send Him my love and birthday wishes and proceeded to arrange the altar. The red and pink roses that we had bought the day before were blooming radiantly in their vase. Mum later joined me and we went about our morning duties singing happily Swami's birthday song that we had heard over the Net. It was as though Swami was physically in the house and we were like two children, laughing and singing His glory!


In the evening, we attended a bhajan at our centre. The altar too had been beautifully decorated with garlands for both Swami's and Shirdi Baba's pictures and for Lord Ganesha. There were also rings of pretty flowers around the statues of Kwan Yin and Lord Buddha and offerings of "mee koo", fruits and more flowers. The bhajan was preceded by a video on Swami's work in India and after the bhajan, one of the devotees' children cut Swami's birthday cake. It was a lovely evening, everyone had worked hard to make it a success - and it was.




Later that evening, as I sat in contemplation, my mind travelled back to the old days when I first heard of Swami. I was told He was a holy man with miraculous powers especially for healing the sick. It was hard to convince me that this man was someone "special" especially after I looked at His photograph. I could not accept a "God" with an Afro hairdo! My mum, who was already on her way to being a devotee, persuaded me to follow her to bhajans. Still my interest was not there. It was only after I was coaxed into learning up a bhajan (Jaya Guru Om Kara) in order to sing at a relative's house bhajan that curiosity got the better of me and I started reading books about Swami. He certainly has a way of doing things if He wants to call us to His fold!



My first trip to India was in 1984 and it was an exciting experience for me. Since then I have been very fortunate in that I have been able to visit Puttaparthi almost every year! A wonderful reward for one who was initially a non-believer!



It would take too long to write about all my experiences. I sincerely hope I am a worthy messenger of Swami's and can continue to uphold His teachings. As I wrote in a previous article on this blog ("Return to the Lotus Feet"), it is not an easy task. There are many obstacles to overcome and many sacrifices to make. But keep trying I will for there is nothing more priceless than the treasure at the end of the rainbow ~ Swami's rainbow, that is.

Jai Sai Ram.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Birthday Cake for the Lord

Here's a cake you can bake for Swami for His forthcoming birthday!


EGGLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups plain flour
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup refined oil
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tps. baking powder
1/4 tps. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla essence
Dry fruits (optional)

Method:

1. Sieve plain flour, cocoa and baking powder at least thrice.

2. Mix baking soda in buttermilk and keep aside.

3. Dissolve the powdered sugar in the oil.

4. Mix the sieved mixture and buttermilk alternatively to the oil and sugar mixture. Beat well.

5. Add vanilla essence and mix again.

6. Transfer the mixture into a pre-greased cake pan and bake in preheated oven at 350oC for about 35 to 40 minutes.


HAPPY BAKING!




By courtesy of "Sai Reflections".

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Surrender to God is our True Offering

Man does not bring any wealth with him when he arrives in this world nor does he take anything when he departs. Even a millionaire has to partake of food to satisfy his hunger as he cannot swallow gold. In fact the riches he had accumulated may ultimately fall into the hands of a thief or the ruler of the land. But there will be one garland around his neck - in the form of the consequences of his past acts, bad or good. Unfortunately no one realises this but craves for worldly pleasures and forgets the purpose of his birth.



To illustrate this Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a lecture, recounted a story. Once a priest of the Viswanatha Swami Temple in Varanasi was surprised to find a gold plate suddenly falling from above, after he had offered the daily worship, with an inscription on it, "It should be given to the most ardent devotee of the Lord." The priest felt that he was the fittest person to possess it as he had been engaged in the service of the Lord for years. But the moment he touched it, it turned into mud. When the embarrassed man put it down, it got back its original shape as the golden one.



Thousands of people started trying their hand but none succeeded in the test.
Ultimately one devotee, with reluctance, but on repeated requests by the priest, handled it when it became a gold plate with greater shine. "I have not performed austerities. All I do is to serve the poor and needy, an act that is very dear to God," he said. This was an eye-opener to all. As he stepped out of the shrine, the plate too followed him. When the poor at the entrance started asking him for alms, he said: "God is the guardian of all. He is the noblest of all. Ask Him." He prayed to God for the welfare of entire humanity.



Only such a submission with utter humility will melt God's heart.



Our scriptures have prescribed nine paths of devotion. Surrender is the true offering a person should make. God has no dearth of wealth and hence does not desire anything from His devotees. What He expects is a "heart full of love". Since ancient times, mothers have been guiding their children to be compassionate to others, to treat everyone with affection, serve the needy, be courteous and do their duty honestly. These were also the teachings of God, when He appeared in the world, and of all the saints and Divine personalities.



Shared by Rajeev Nambiar.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Reflections from Pune

True to the saying "God’s Delays are Not God’s Denials", fulfilling the long cherished desire of the Jadhav’s and the Puneites, Divinity encased in human frame, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba blessed the Peshwa City with abundance of His Love, all by His rich presence for three full days! Thousands upon thousands thronged to have a glimpse of The Lord. None would understand and decipher the subtle moves and vibrations of His Divinity, inner significance of which would go far beyond human perceptions for the emancipation of mankind. …And concluding His Holy Visit, He departed to an eagerly awaiting Mumbai City.


And His Divine Caravan sped on through the Pune – Mumbai Highway…subtly blessing thousands on His way…He knows them all…but, not all of them know Him and His Divinity…as He sped on, for some He was God, for some He was a well known social reformer, for some He was a great persona, and for another lot He was another “Baba”…He alone grants the awareness…and that is the greatest blessing upon the humanity…knowing Him while He is in the midst…


While His Maharashtra sojourn entered its second and final phase, it would be interesting to reflect upon His blessed presence in Pune. Read on a summary of reflections from Ms. Julie Chaudhuri, Editor, Sathya Sai Newsletter, Pune.


If the hills around Hadshi make a priceless necklace, then Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra is the most exquisite pendant. Such a wondrous sight to hold and behold. A veritable feast for the eyes. It was the most surreal environment decorated gaily for the Lord, His entourage and the ardent devotees gathering there. But let us start at the very beginning.


Activities were on in full swing, in a highly synchronized manner ever since our Lord accepted Mr Shivajirao Jadhav’s invitation to visit Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra. The winding road leading up to the Kshetra and then on to the mandir and the divine residence was quickly repaired and tarred. For easy flow of traffic, a one-way system was made for travelling up and for the return journey down towards the city. The mandirs were decorated for the Praan Pratishthan.


A huge stage was designed with a wonderful backdrop of Shirdi Sai, Parthi Sai and Lord Panduranga in the centre. On one side of the backdrop was Swami’s saying – I am in you, You are in Me, You and I are one. On the other side, it had words that perhaps every devotee would like to say to Him – Tum shwaas ho, Tum paas ho, Tum vishwas ho...


Barricades and seating arrangements for devotees who would be coming to have darshan of their Lord was made in this most scenic of all places. The hosts left no stone unturned to do their best for our Beloved Lord’s arrival.


There was free food being served in the prasadalay for visitors and workers during these preparations, which went on ever so smoothly. Aesthetically designed fragrant flower arrangements enveloped all the mandirs and of course Bhagawan’s Divine residence.


Day 1, Oct 28, 2009
At last, Wednesday, the 28th of Oct, dawned. It was a timeless moment and Pune’s moment in time, when the Lord’s flying chariot touched down at Pune’s airport a little after 9.30 am. The Maharashtra CM’s flight landed a little prior to Bhagwan’s. He was there not only to receive Bhagwan, but also to seek special blessings as it happened to be his birthday too. Mr Shivraj Patil and Mr Jayantrao Patil were also present along with the AAI director Capt Mahajan and Deputy GM, Airport, Mr Prasad. An ambu high lift had specially been brought in from Ahmedabad airport for the Lord’s deplanement. The lift was decorated with red and yellow carnations and a red carpet covered the floor. Another red carpet was put on the tarmac right up to Bhagawan’s car. A convoy of four cars had been lined up on the tarmac to whisk Bhagawan away through the city, to Mr Jadhav’s residence and then on to SSSPK.


Outside the airport, 11 motorbikes stood ready to lead the convoy, to which five other cars were also added. Balvikas children, traditionally attired, greeted members of the Divine entourage who were served refreshments in the arrival hall.


At SSSPK, 1200 villagers from Hadshi welcomed Bhagwan with a Tukaram Dindi. Through the day, thousands of devotees thronged the Kshetra for a glimpse of Bhagawan. The evening programme began at 5.15 pm with bhajans. Swami arrived at 6 pm. There was an instant stir in the air and all hands were folded in reverence and there was a prayer on every lip.
25 villagers performed Tukaram Abhangs, after which singers Kavita Krishnamurty (Kavita Subramaniam), Nitin Mukesh and Sapna Mukherjee took centrestage. After taking His blessings, they sang beautiful bhajans that left everyone in ecstasy.


Sapna Mukherjee and Nitin Mukesh’s new album – Sai Krishna – was released at the hands of Bhagawan. Mukherjee said, “I’ve been singing His bhajans since I was a child, and I am simply too thrilled that this CD was release by Baba…” Mukesh added, “Today’s evening was most Divine. He smiled at me and praised me. I’m too overwhelmed. First, God came to me in the form of my mother, then my daughter and now Sathya Sai…”


Kavita Krishnamurthy too said emotionally, “I am what I am because of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He is God, and it must be my past karma that has led me to perform in front of Him…”


Day 2, Oct 29, 2009
The deities at the Lord Siddhivinayak Mandir, Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir and Shirdi Sai Mandir came alive by the Lord’s touch and SSSPK will now be considered a most sacred pilgrimage centre after as the Pran Pratishthan was performed by the Lord himself. Through the ceremony, there was a paraglider who showered rose petals on the Aum-shaped Kshetra.


In the evening, Bhagawan was welcomed for darshan by a traditional Tukaram Dindi. Bhagawan gave darshan from the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir. Mr Shivajirao Jadhav spoke about Swami’s message and showed his gratitude to Swami for accepting the invitation. Then, the All-India President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Mr V Srinivasan, gave a short interesting speech which was followed by Nishikant Barodikar’s Marathi narration of his own experiences with Swami.


And then, the moment that all were eagerly waiting for – Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse, which was translated into English and Marathi. Bhagawan spoke about a life of love – not to criticise anyone and to correct one’s own faults rather than pointing fingers at others. He spoke about the oneness of all beings and also stressed that our life has to be his message.


He then lovingly blessed the gathering and sweetly expressed His happiness
Day 3, Oct 30, 2009In the morning, there was a havan that took place near the Vithhal-Rukmini mandir, following which Swami came on to the stage for Divine darshan. Village children sat in front of the stage and sang Prashanthi Bhajans for our Beloved Lord, who smilingly acknowledged their devotion.


In the evening, after bhajans, the Little Champs of Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma gave a scintillating performance in the Divine presence. They began with abhangs immortalised by Tukaram and then went on to sing devotional songs which touched the heart of one and all, including Beloved Bhagwan.


It seemed as though the musical notes had incarnated as these children to serenade the Lord! To Swami’s amusement, each child who performed kept taking Padanamaskar! Bhagawan blessed them, their parents and siblings.


He was so enchanted by their performance that He asked them for one last song together even though they had finished singing the songs they had rehearsed for!
Though the evening was melodiously blissful, the imminent departure of Bhagawan for Mumbai next morning left a sad feeling deep within.


Creator and His creation; Srishti-Karta and His Srishti; Mountains, lakes, evergreen trees, fragrant flowers, mango orchards, green, green grass, butterflies and dragonflies, the white-blue expanse of the sky, a sunset most wondrous, twinkling stars and soft silky moonlight, and the loving, loving presence of Beloved Bhagwan – could anyone ask for more?


Each and every darshan is ever so valued, but to sit in front of the Lord in the lap of Mother Nature is ever so fulfilling. Dreams do come true…


Day 4, Oct 31, 2009
The next morning, Bhagawan left SSSPK at around 10.45 am. Villagers lined up in a disciplined manner along the entrance and road leading towards Lonavla. One could see the winding procession – motorbikes, two cars with security guards, Swami’s car, and a string of 20 cars following. Swami blessed the villagers with double Abhayahasta and then the convoy sped on, towards waiting Mumbai…

The Key to God's Heart Pt 7

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Suprabhatam - The Real Purpose

Spiritually speaking, Suprabhatham is an appeal to the Lord to “awake” to the devotee’s yearning. It is an appeal also to one’s own consciousness to wake up to the truth of His being one’s own innermost reality.

It may sound odd that human beings sing the awakening up song and bid good morning to Bhavawan who is ever awake and ever alert, and is the supreme witness to everything in the universe. Where is the need to waking up the One who knows no “sleep” whatsoever and is ever wakeful? Then, what is all this Suprabatham for, and for whom?

The real purpose behind this musical exercise is to arouse ability to discriminate (vivek) and alertness in all of us, who have woken up from the bosom of sleep that holds us in its embrace like a mother! The inner meaning of Suprabhatham is to remind ourselves “God resides within everyone’s heart”, and also to trim and nurture the flame of awareness (Jnana-Agni) so that it may burn brighter than ever.

Here is a revealing incident. It was the holy night of Siva Ratri (the night marking the birth o Lord Siva in the form of lingam). A scholar named Sri Deepala Pichchayya Sastry was sitting among devotees doing bhajan in Prasanthi Nilayam. Suddenly he had a strange thought. “I would like to see the wonderful grace and beauty of Bhagawan Sai Baba when He is asleep.”


At about 11 p.m. that very night, Swami summoned Sastry into the Interview Room and began talking to him. Sastry did not notice the passage of time. It was more than an hour. He felt drowsy and could not hold back his yawns any more.

Swami then asked him, “Sastry, you wished to see Me asleep but you yourself are dozing.” Sastry suddenly sprang to wakefulness and wondered how Swami knew his innermost thought that had crossed his mind a little while ago.

Baba assumed a tone of serenity and seriousness and said, “Sastry, if I were to sleep, would you be waking up again?” Sastry was startled.

God is perpetually awake and eternally active. We should never overlook this simple truth.

From the book “Tapovanam” by J.V.Sastry

When you Pray, Give God your Guilt

We all make mistakes. We all have regrets. I don’t measure up to my own standard for myself, much less God’s standard of perfection. It’s not very hard to admit you’re not perfect. So what do we do when we fall short?


There is no reason in the world you have to live with guilt. God has given us a way to get rid of guilt. It’s called confession. God promises that when we confess, He forgives us instantly, totally, completely, freely and continuously. If a Christian is carrying guilt around, it’s because they’re not taking advantage of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. Give God your guilt. Doing this, asking for pardon, is the next step in making contact with God.


God wants to forgive you. You don’t have to beg for forgiveness or to bribe Him. You simply believe you are forgiven. You worship God through prayer when you give Him your love (praise), your life (purpose) and your worries (provision). And also when you ask Him for forgiveness (pardon) of your sins.



Article from website of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Penang
www.iccpenang.com

Saturday, October 24, 2009

"Be Happy; That is the Only Thing I Ask of You"

John Sinclair was a multi-millionaire from the State of Connecticut in the USA. At one stage of his life, he was caught in a maze of business problems that destroyed his mental peace. One night as he sat in his room, he prayed to God, “I do not now where you are and what you look like. I know only one thing, that is, that you do exist! Please help me.” He prayed most earnestly and in total surrender. From then on, he began to notice that God’s invisible hand was protecting him.

One day he felt he noticed someone walking through the inner hall in his home between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. He stared steadily. The person stood unmoving. John Sinclair did not understand who he was and what was he there for. But he could recognize that he experienced some vague sense of happiness and joy that was indescribable. In a similar manner he had the same vision on another night. He was sure that it was no dream; it was starkly real.

Sinclair went to the Spiritual Centre (adhyathmic Kendra) in New York and mentioned his recent experiences to someone there. The person said, “Just a minute, please,” went inside and returned with a small packet of vibhuti in his hand and as he gave it to Sinclair, uttered, “Sai Ram.” He also spoke at length about Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and assured him that it was Swami who had given darshan to him. Sinclair was deeply touched. He was but a mere businessman in far off America; his knowledge of anything spiritual was next to nothing; he had not read even a single book about Sri Sathya Sai Baba; yet the Lord had visited his home in person and granted darshan to an insignificant person like him! In his mind, he fell at the Lotus Feet of Swami at that moment. His heart began yearning for Bhagawan’s grace and for Bhagawan’s love. Very soon it grew and assumed unbearable intensity.

As a consequence of that unbearable yearning for Baba and also Baba’s compassion, Sinclair set off to Prashanthi Nilayam. On arrival, Swami invited him into the interview room and said, “I came twice to you!” Sinclair stared at Swami in bewilderment. Swami continued, “I have done a lot for you. I have given plenty to you. Even then you have no peace. Why don’t you do something for Swami?” When he heard Swami’s words, Sinclair was prepared to give whatever Swami asked for. He said, “Surely, Swami, most certainly.” Swami smilingly told him, “Be happy always. That is the only thing I ask of you!” Sinclair was stunned to hear what Swami desired of him – nothing but his own well-being!

Speaking in the magnificent Poorna Chandra Auditorium on the auspicious Guru Poornima day in 1993, Sinclair said, “When I was a young boy being brought up as a Christian, I used to feel miserable that I was born two thousand years after the departure of Jesus Christ. Someone has truly heard my cry of agony. Here is sitting that very God who had sent Jesus to us!”

Sinclair also recounted a couple of miraculous incidents. “A few months before my arrival n Prasanthi Nilayam, I had to make a business trip to another place. I told my wife that I would pilot my helicopter myself. She tried to dissuade me, “Your mind is very much distressed nowadays because of your business problems. Why don’t you engage a professional pilot? Sathya Sai Baba is too busy to sit with you all the time to protect you, as if He were to protect you only all the time. He has got far too many people to look after. Why do you waste Hi precious time?” I told her, “I am a qualified A-Class pilot. Why do you doubt my flying skills?” I piloted my own helicopter but as feared by my wife, the engine of the helicopter failed on the way. The hydraulic system gave way. I lost control of the craft and I knew that death was certain.

I pulled out Swami’s photo from my pocket and looked at it. The next moment I found Swami Right in the helicopter. He piloted it skillfully and landed it safely on the flank of a hill. He opened the side door, pulled me out carefully, pushed the helicopter away and disappeared. That is how Bhagawan has been saving me, time after time, drawing me closer and closer to His Lotus Feet.

I will now describe to you a more astonishing incident. That woman who is sitting in the front row here in this gathering is Marlene Sinclair. She is an expert horse rider. She acquired a fine horse and rode it and also trained it for competitions. Once she was riding fast in the riding course and tried to clear a high wall. The girl was thrown off her saddle and her head dashed against the ground. And the 1,800-pound heavy horse landed on her.

It took a full 45 minutes before the girl was admitted to the emergency ward of a hospital. I got the message on phone and rushed there. I took out the small packet of vibhuti from my pocket and as I applied it to the wounds on her face, I said, ”This is just like the Holy Water of Christianity.” I also put a little quantity in her mouth. When I went to see her on the next day, there was not a single wound on her face. Three months later she has fully recovered and resumed riding.” But the story does not end here.

"In the interview room, Swami looked at Marlene and asked, “Did I not rescue you from the paralysis?” She said, “Yes, Swami, yes. You did.” After the interview I asked Marlene, “What is it that Swami asked you, and what did you answer Him?” She then told me, “On that day of my accident, I lost an eye. When the horse landed heavily on me, I was paralysed on one side. As I lay in the rain, helpless, a person stood by my side watching me; when I was being taken by ambulance to the hospital, he was by my side in the vehicle, in the emergency ward too he was by my side all the time; he also kept vigil constantly on me throughout the night at the hospital. That person is none else but this Sai Baba! He made my eye all right; and he healed my paralysis too. Only then did he move out of the hospital.”

Even though this incident happened several years ago, I did not know about it at all until the conversation began between Baba and her in the interview room. This is an excellent instance to show that Swami is much more intimate than even one’s mother and father."

My Swami, I have full faith in you. I totally surrender myself at your feet!” concluded Sinclair.

From the book "Tapovanam" by J.V.Sastry

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Return to the Lotus Feet


I have just returned home after nine wonderful days at the ashram of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, India. I have lost count of the number of times I have visited India and stayed at Prashanti Nilayam (“The Abode of Peace”). Yet every year my heart and those of my fellow devotees long to be close to Him.

Every visit is a new and exhilarating experience and those who have been there will agree. After months of planning, we pack our bags and set out, our hearts full of joy and anticipation of meeting and seeing our beloved guru. And He never disappoints us. Although personal interviews are few these days, we are content to have His darshan every morning and evening. We tune ourselves to the ashram’s daily schedule and wait patiently to experience His outpour of love.

It is difficult to describe the peace one feels when at the ashram. The accommodation is simple, so is the food; my worries seem to vanish and most of the time I don’t even know what day of the week it is! I particularly enjoy the evenings after darshan when I sit in the garden near the flats lost in the peace and tranquility of the surroundings. There are times when I hate to leave the ashram and return home!



Baba has often said that no one comes to Prashanti Nilayam unless He wills it. I consider myself extremely fortunate indeed! Going to His holy residence should however not be treated like going on a holiday for it would serve little purpose if we just go, look at Him, pray that our desires will be fulfilled and then return home. How often has He stressed in His discourses that He wants “transformation” – the giving up of our unholy qualities like greed, anger, hatred and jealousy. If we are ready to change, He is ready to help us change. In His own words, He is like a kind of smith who repairs broken, leaky, damaged hardware!



His well known maxim “Love all, serve all” says just about everything. He asks that we fill our hearts with love and dedicate our lives to serving the poor and those who suffer and grieve and so need our aid.


As a spiritual aspirant, I must confess my failings are many and each time, I have to tell myself, “Hey, you’ve got to pull up your socks, girl! This is not what Swami wants.” To practise His teachings is not easy as we are more often than not blinded by our own pride and ego. But try we must. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone one day came up to you and told you you’re beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside?



In closing, here is one of Baba’s quotations from the September 2005 issue of Sanathana Sarathi which speaks for itself:


“Life is like a train journey; young children have a long way to go but elders have to alight from the train pretty soon. You must make your journey comfortable and happy. Do not carry heavy, unwanted luggage with you that will make your journey miserable. Do not indulge in fault finding and picking quarrels with others. Do not desire to have the best things for yourself only. Share with others the good things you are given. Anger, hatred and jealousy are the heavy luggage that I ask you to avoid taking with you on the journey.” ~ Baba



I will never be able to find the words to describe His love, His wisdom, His magnificence. For those who want to know more, I recommend that you visit the official Sai website at:

www.srisathyasai.org.in/ .



May peace be with you all!