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Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre, QueenstownSri Sathya Sai Baba Centre, Queenstown

HARI RAYA HAJI & ONAMTHE EGO PLAY

DATE: SATURDAY, 2nd SEPTEMBER 2017


Message of Abraham

Message of Vamana

The Ego Play

Swami’s Message

CONTENT


MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


Ibrahim, known as Abraham in the Hebrew Bible, is recognized as a prophet and messenger in Islam of God.

Abraham plays a prominent role as an example of faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

In Muslim belief, Abraham fulfilled all the commandments and trials wherein God nurtured him throughout his lifetime.

As a result of his unwavering faith in God, Abraham was promised by God to be a leader to all the nations of the world.

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


The Quran extols Abraham as a model, an exemplar, obedient and not an idolator.

In this sense, Abraham has been described as representing "primordial man in universal surrender to the Divine Reality before its fragmentation into religions separated from each other by differences in form".

The Islamic holy day Eid al-Adha is celebrated in memory of the bravery of Abraham, and Muslims perform the pilgrimage to pay homage at the Ka‘bah which they believe Abraham had set up and reformed.

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


Muslims believe that the prophet Abraham became the leader of the righteous in his time.

Ibrahim was born in a house of idolaters in the ancient city of Ur of the Chaldeans, likely the place called 'Ur' in present-day Iraq, in which case, the idolaters would have been practitioners of the hypothesized Ancient Mesopotamian religion

Abraham himself had many children, but Ismail (Ishmael) and Ishaq (Isaac) were the only two who became prophets.

Against idolatry.

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


One night, Ibrahim went up to the mountain, leaned against a rock, and looked up to the sky.

He saw a shining star and said to himself, "Could this be my Lord?" But when it set he said: "I don't like those that set." The star had disappeared so it could not be God. God is always present.

Then he saw the moon rising in splendor and said, "Could this be my Lord?" but the moon also set.

At daybreak, he saw the sun rising and said, "Could this be my Lord? This is the biggest and brightest!" But when the sun also set he said, "O my people! I am free from all that you join as partners with Allah!

I have turned my face towards Allah who created the heavens and the earth and never shall I associate partners with Allah.

Our Lord is the creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in between. He has the power to make the stars rise and set."

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


After this declaration, Ibrahim then heard Allah calling him, "O Ibrahim!" Ibrahim trembled and said, "Here I am O my Lord!" Allah replied, "Submit to Me! "

Ibrahim fell to the ground, crying. He said: "I submit to the Lord of the universe!" Ibrahim kept prostrating himself until nightfall. He then got up and went back to his home, in peace and full of conviction that Allah has guided him to the truth.

A new life started for Ibrahim. His mission now was to call his people to monotheism.

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


God tested his loyalty by demanding he sacrifice his son.

He is esteemed by Muslims who regard him as the ancestor, through his son Ishmael, of the Arabs.

One of the main trials of Abraham's life was to face the command of God to sacrifice his dearest possession, his son.

The son is not named in the Quran, but Muslims believe it to be Ismail.

Upon hearing this command, Abraham prepared to submit to the will of God.

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


During this preparation, Shaitan (the Devil) tempted Abraham and his family by trying to dissuade them from carrying out God's commandment, and Abraham drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him.

In commemoration of their rejection of Satan, stones are thrown at symbolic pillars during the Stoning of the Devil during Hajj rites.

When Abraham attempted to cut his throat, he was astonished to see that his son was unharmed and instead, he found a dead ram which was slaughtered.

Abraham had passed the test by his willingness to carry out God's command.

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


Significance

God’s Tests

Ego Dissolution

Complete obedience

MESSAGE OF ABRAHAM


MESSAGE OF VAMANA


Emperor Bali grandson of Prahlaad.

Bali is the recognition of Divinity in Man.

Bali was a great devotee of God, compassionate, righteous and charitable.

Ruled his kingdom well.

He had however Ego and Possessiveness.

Lord Vishnu came as a Braahmana lad known as Vamana

Requested gift of three feet of land

Guru Shukrachaarya warned Emperor Bali

Emperor Bali reproached his Guru and kept his word.

Bali felt that if the Lord of the Universe came to him for a gift, there was no greater honour for him than to give it.

MESSAGE OF VAMANA


Immediately the dwarfish Vaamana grew to cosmic proportions.

By his first foot, he covered the earth.

By his second foot he covered the heavens.

He then asked Bali wherefrom he should get the third foot of ground.

Bali begged the Lord to place His foot on his head.

Bali was pushed to the Nether World

Wish to visit his people on Onam every year.

MESSAGE OF VAMANA


Significance

Vamana as a Dwarf

Humility

Spirituality is not dependent of how big or small a person is

3 steps represents Body, Mind and Soul.

Disobedience towards his Guru, Shukracharya

No person should get in the way between devotee and the Lord

Keeping one’s word

Sometimes the Lord Incarnates not to destroy but purify

Ultimate Surrender towards the Lord with no exceptions

MESSAGE OF VAMANA


THE EGO PLAY


Ego

Belief Systems adopted

Identification of the Unreal to be Real

Absence of Divine Connection

Controlled by the 5 senses and mind rather than vice versa

Ignorance

Ego is not evil

Gatekeeper to Divinity

THE EGO PLAY


Ego Issues

Self Condemnation – false humility

Fear and Trepidation

False Confidence

Self validation versus Others’ validation

Criticisms/ Cynicisms – False logic and perceptions

Possessiveness – Mine and Thine

THE EGO PLAY


Ego Dissolution

Self Awareness

Acceptance and Love of oneself – Self Validation

Re-establish the Divine Connection

Take responsibility of our own Spiritual Well Being

Surrender the bad qualities to feet of the Lord

Acceptance of the Divine within

Faith with the Divine Within

Relationship with God is equal not higher or lower

God as Best friend who is within and closest

THE EGO PLAY


SWAMI’S MESSAGE


“The sages, probing the mystery of the Divine, came to the conclusion that God is everything and no one can claim anything as one's own. By this attitude they were able to realize the Divine. However, because of the influence of Kali Age, today everyone claims everything as "Mine". Indeed, nothing belongs to anyone. Men are immersed in the false and foolish concept of ownership. Possessiveness is rampant in every thought and action. And this leads to the inflation of the ego. Egoism has to be utterly eradicated. Possessiveness should be banished. Divinity should be installed in the heart. Be aware that all things belong to God "You came with empty hands and you depart with empty hands". All that was got or spent in between are mere passing clouds.”

- Onam, 5 Sep 1995, Prashanthi Nilayam

SWAMI’S MESSAGE


END OF PRESENTATION

A Presentation By,

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre, Queenstown

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