om sri sai ram welcome to workshop 1 mukund patel & shyam jamnadas

Om Sri Sai Ram

Welcome to Workshop 1

Mukund Patel & Shyam Jamnadas

Workshop Outline

1. Introduction

2. Transforming our lives into His Message

3. Transformation through His Organisation

4. Discussion

5. Conclusion

The essence of spirituality is mental transformation- BABA sss23-07

Whenever disharmony (asanthi) overwhelms the world, I incarnate in human form to establish the modes of earning peace (prasanthi) and to re-educate the human community in the paths of peace.

The establishment of righteousness (dharma): that is my aim. The teaching of dharma, the spread of dharma: that is my object.

My mission is to spread happiness, so I am always ready to come among you not once, but twice or thrice —as often as you want me.

Introduction Words of The Avatar

Avatars like Rama and Krishna had to kill one or more individuals who could be identified as enemies of the righteous (dharmic) way of life, and thus restore the practice of virtue. But now there is no one fully good, so who deserves the protection of God? All are tainted by wickedness, so who will survive if the Avatar decides to uproot?

Therefore, I have come to correct the intelligence (buddhi), by various means. I have to counsel, help, command, condemn and stand by as a friend and well wisher to all, so that they may give up evil propensities and, recognizing the straight mark, tread it and reach the goal.


Embodiments of Divine Love! Man's life is determined by his qualities. The transformation of the world is related to the transformation of the individual. The world will change only when the individual changes. When individuals are good, society also becomes good. We tend to attach importance only to the external forms of social institutions. We lay stress on the conditions prevailing in the political, economic, social and environmental spheres. Changes in these spheres alone are not enough. Mental and spiritual transformation is more essential.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba SSS 21-20


Peace on Earth through Individual Transformation

into divine messengers of Love, Peace, Happiness

Sathya Sai Avatar His Divine Mission

Your virtue, your self-control, your detachment, your faith, your steadfastness —these are the signs by which people read of my glory. You can lay claim to be a devotee only when you have placed yourself in my hands fully and completely with no trace of ego. You can enjoy the bliss through the experience the Avatar confers.

Part- 2

Transforming Our Lives into His Message

To Make Our Life His Message, we need to

•Know

•Love

•Understand

•Practise

•Live

•And Share

HIS WORDS in our daily lives.Only then, can we be His True Reflections

“Love My Teachings”

“The Geetha declares that though a person may have deep devotion to the Lord, he cannot be called a Bhaktha if he lives without regard to the commands of the Lord.”

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Geeta Vahini, pg 226.

“The day when you resolve to practise My advice, to follow My directives, to translate My message into acts of service, and to engage in saadhana---that day is My birthday for you.”

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, 2nd World Conference 1975

1. Which of Swami’s Words have a unique appeal for you? If possible, please quote His Words as you remember.

2. How do you practise these in your daily life? Please give brief example (s) from interaction in family, workplace,

community, Sai Centre etc

5 minutes; Please put your Name on the sheet provided

Swami’s Words in Our Life

SAI DARSHANThe Lord Amidst Us

As you watch Swami’s Darshan, please note down the feelings that are being generated within you.


As you watch Swami’s Darshan, please note down the feelings that are being generated within you.


When we watch Swami, holy and uplifting feelings are experienced by everyone.

We find that Swami and His Words and Teachings are not different.


“The Avatar behaves in a human way so that mankind can feel

kinship, but rises into his superhuman heights so that mankind

can aspire to reach the heights, and through that aspiration

actually reach him. Realizing the Lord within you as the

motivator is the task for which he comes in human form.

Bring something into your daily practice as evidence of your

having known the secret of the higher life from me. Show that

you have greater brotherliness. Speak with more sweetness

and self-control. Bear defeat as well as victory with calm

resignation.”


I know the agitations of your heart and its aspirations, but

you do not know my heart. I react to the pain that you

undergo and to the joy that you feel, for I am in your heart. I

am the dweller in the temple of every heart. Do not lose

contact and company, for it is only when the coal is in

contact with the live embers that it can also become live

ember.


Cultivate a nearness with me in the heart and it will be

rewarded. Then you too will acquire a fraction of that

supreme love. This is a great chance. Be confident that you

will all be liberated. Know that you are saved. Many

hesitate to believe that things will improve, that life will be

happy for all and full of joy, and that the golden age will

recur. Let me assure you that this divine body

(dharmaswarupa) has not come in vain. It will succeed in

averting the crisis that has come upon humanity.

Our Daily Lives:Can We Aspire to Be

One with Sai

Taking your examples of Swami’s words,

how can we put those into practise in our

day to day Activities?

Part- 3

Transformation through His Organisation

Transformation through His Organisation

• Purpose of Swami’s Incarnation: Our Transformation.• Purpose of Swami’s Organisation: Our Transformation

Swami founded the Organisation for our ‘Chitta Shuddhi’-

Purification of the Mind and Intellect- along the

prescribed paths of bhakthi (devotion), karma (action)

and Jnana (knowledge). These are embodied into the

activities of the 4 Wings- spiritual, service, youth and

children (SSE).

‘One With Sai’ through Our Organisation

You know that these organisations--Seva Samithis,

Bhajana Mandalis, Seva Sanghams are for awakening in

man the consciousness of the Divinity inherent in him and

to encourage him to cultivate it, so that he could blossom

into a real Saadhaka and then into a Saadhu (detached,

devoted, virtuous, wise, aspirant), and finally into a

Liberated Personality merged in the Supreme.

SSSpeaks/ Volume 07/46

Unique Activities of Sai Organisation

1. Bhajan Singing (GDS)

2. Jyothi Meditation

3. Service – Love in Action

4. Spiritually Integrated Education (SSE, Youth)

5. Human Values

6. Interfaith Spirit

7. Nine Point Code of Conduct

Bhajan Singing (GDS)

…………………… of the Divine Name is the easiest path to liberation in this age

- Baba

Bhajan Singing (GDS) in Organisation - uniqueness

Members of the Sathya Sai Seva Organisation must

not cavil at other names and forms of God; they should

not become fanatic, blind to the glory of other names

and forms. They should join the group that honour

those other manifestations and demonstrate that all

forms are MINE. They should contribute to the joy and

happiness of all without giving up their faith.

Sathya Sai Speaks/Volume 6

Jyothi Meditation

Why is Jyothi (Light) Meditation prescribed in the Organisation?

Master the …………….. mind,Be a …………………………..

BABA

Jyothi Meditation in the Organisation - uniqueness

For one who desires to practise dhyana or meditation, it is

advisable that jyothi (light) is taken as the dhyeya or

object of meditation and not a form of Divinity such as that

of Rama, Krishna, or Easwara; for these forms, too, are

subject to change and ultimately perish. Jyothi or light

does not perish or change. Moreover, a flame can kindle a

million others without getting extinguished and is therefore

inexhaustible.

Summer Showers/ss1979/ss1979-15

Service

……………gives by giving and forgiving, …………….lives by getting and forgetting.

………….all, …………..all

………………..in the Forest; …………in Society

Do all acts as offerings to ………………..

What is extraordinary about service in the organisation?

Service in the Organisation – unique feature

There are any number of service organisations in the

world. The uniqueness of the Sathya Sai Seva

Organisation consists in the fact that it regards seva as a

form of service to the Divinity that is in each being. The

bliss that is derived from such service is incomparable. It

is a spiritual experience.

Sathya Sai Speaks/Volume17/27

Spiritually Integrated Education (SSE, Youth)

………….of Education is ………………….

……………the Master, …………..the Devil, ………..to the

End, ……………..the Game

Tell me your ……………….., and I shall tell you what you are

Spiritually Integrated Education - Uniqueness

It is not enough if a student is endowed with scientific and worldly knowledge. He should have essentially moral and spiritual knowledge also.

The aim of education should be to bring about an all-round development of the personalities of the students. Education should make all virtues emerge and shine forth in students

Sathya Sai Speaks/ Volume 27

Human Values

Speak……………., practise………………………

God is …………….., Live in……………………..

……………is selflessness,

Selfishness is ………………

Human Values Unique Role for the Organisation

The task before mankind is to plant the seeds of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love in the heart made ready for their reception, to foster the saplings and watch over them with love and care until they grow into trees yielding a rich harvest of sweet fruits, and to enable all to share in that sustaining repast. Sages who had succeeded in this beneficial culture have laid down the means and methods, the steps and slips, the helps and hindrances, that men have to consider while engaged in this task, and millions have benefited by their counsel. But never before has this become an organised movement in which the entire humanity was involved.

Sathya Sai Speaks/ Volume 13/20

Interfaith Spirit

All life is ………….My Dear Son, Be …………… to everyone

There is only …………..religion, the religion of …………….

Let the different ………….. exist, let them flourish and let the glory of God be sung in all …………………and in a variety of ……………...

Interfaith Spirit Uniqueness in organisation

The symbol of the Organisation is "the Harmony of Religions, the Unity of all Faiths, the Acceptance of all Approaches.“

Sathya Sai Speaks/Volume11/sss11-35

The same paramatman is called by different names like Rama, Krishna, Christ, Allah, etc. This is the cardinal principle on which Sathya Sai Organisations work. The unity of all faiths is the main plank of Sai Organisations.

Seva Dal, 4/83, Page 4

Code of Conduct

It is the code of conduct which is responsible for the

Organisation moving forward growing from strength to strength.

The office-bearers should exercise maximum care to see that

the code of conduct is adhered to and guide others also in the

right path. When a cook in a house works with integrity, the

master on his own will entrust him with the keys of the house.

Similarly, God also will appreciate only men with integrity. The

desire to please God should be the fundamental

motive.

Discourse to active workers of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Tamil Nadu at Abbotsbury, Madras, 19 January 1983

Sai Organisation

D: How do we work for Sai's mission as true servants of the

Lord?

Baba: For this Baba has given you the Sai organisation. Make

use of it to your best capacity by doing service, by devotion and

by being loving to all. Sometimes you're very impatient with the

organisation. I know, I know……I watch everything.. .Baba

makes rules and regulations for a specific purpose. Without

rules, without discipline, soon it becomes a zoo! Discipline is

the watchword in any spiritual path.

Sai Organisation is not like Rotary or Lions Club!! It is not a

family club; it is a purely spiritual and service organisation.

.

Transformation through Sai Organisation

The very name SAI stands for (S=Spiritual Transformation, A=

Association (Social) Change and I=Individual

Transformation) ...all these have to be achieved through the

organisation. But if you're not interested in transformation,

better to stay home and not waste your time.... time is precious,

life is speeding fast, make best use of every minute. Make

every minute the best minute for you and all around you. Have

as few connections as possible. Have few attachments as

possible. There is only God...wife, husband, daughter, son, this,

that....all are mere passing clouds. Fix your attention on God

only. Focus on God, do selfless service and be happy.

Part- 4Discussion- Topics

Ceiling on Desires

Interfaith Programme

Practical Human Values

Service

Ceiling on Desires9-Point Code of Conduct

It’s inner meaning is to put a check on man’s desires. By curbing our desires, we will be able to save some money too.

This money may be used to help and support our fellow human beings. This apart, we would be able to execute some noble tasks with the money and thus be able to put the money into good use. This money could also be used to alleviate the suffering of members of our own family, who are not doing well.

Meaning ofCeiling on Desires

How to PractiseCeiling on Desires

• Don’t waste money

• Don’t waste food

• Don’t waste time

• Don’t waste energy

Correct Approach toCeiling on Desires

“Sai has not started this Organisation with the desire for

money. My wish is that you must control your desires,

walk along the path of detachment and enjoy the Divine

Bliss. But without understanding these sacred feelings of

Mine, you all have considered the saving and offering of

money to the Organization as the prime purpose of the

practice of “Ceiling on Desires”. This is not the correct

approach”.

How to Practise Ceiling on Desires

If I can donate sufficiently and do Seva more

than anyone in my social circle, and yet have

adequate funds for all my WANTS, why should I

deny myself this joy of fulfilling my desires?

•Pointers:

1.Purpose of Ceiling on Desires Programme.

2.What desires do to us.

Discussion 1


Discussion 1

The real goal of a person's existence should be giving up of

desire. Giving up of desire involves giving up of lust, anger,

greed, hatred, etc. Presence of desire implies the presence

of these harmful tendencies; these other feelings and

emotions are its natural attendant reactions. These

together are veritably the gateways to hell. Envy is the bolt

and pride is the key for the doorway to hell. Unlock and lift

the bolt - you can certainly enter in! Hence the fundamental

renunciation should be that of desire!

Baba


Discussion 2

How can I know whether I am fulfilling a basic

necessity for me and my family, or if I am

indulging in wasteful expenditure prompted by

my desires?

•Pointers:

1.Will fulfilling this need/want create further such desires?

2.Can I or my family afford to do without this?

Practical Human Values9-Point Code of Conduct

There is no meaning in repeating parrot-like words Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa. One must strive to experience divinity. All the chaos and conflict prevailing in the world today are due to the absence of fear of sin and love of God. Human values are disappearing from society. Evil thoughts and bad intentions are mining the lives of people. These should be totally eschewed. Sai workers should not indulge in slanderous gossip or talk ill about others. They should see the Divine in every one and feel that when they speak ill of others, they are demeaning themselves. Sathya Sai Speaks

Practical Human Values Discussion

1.How does one express oneself when one confronts unpleasant situations?

2.Is it better to maintain silence in such situations and let events unfold as God wills?

3.Is it a sign of ego to speak up?

Service9-Point Code of Conduct

Service

Discussion 1

… But do not believe that you can by means of

service reform or reshape the world. You may or

may not; that does not matter. The real value of

selfless service, its most visible result, is that it

reforms you, reshapes you. Do selfless service as

a spiritual discipline; then you will be humble and

happy.

Sathya Sai Baba1967.3.29

Service

Discussion 1

Is there a difference between Service and Charity?

Pointers:

1.Attitude for Service

2.Focus of Service

Service

Discussion 2

Whatever you do, do it as an offering to

God. Do not make a distinction between

"my work" and "God's work."

Service

Discussion 2

As office-bearers one may be frequently called to make

personal sacrifices. •How does one cope with simultaneous responsibilities to

one's family, work and Sai Organization? Is there a

sequence of priorities? •How does one learn to see unity in all types of work? Or is

there a difference between doing one's duties at home and

office as an offering to God and participating in Sai

Organisation activities. Is one activity more pleasing to God

than the other?

Interfaith Programme‘Main plank of the Organisation’


Discussion

Let all Faiths exist; let them flourish and let the Glory of God

be sung in all the languages and in a variety of tunes.

Respect the differences between the Faiths and recognize

them as valid as long as they do not extinguish the flame of

Unity. The basic Truth in all religions, irrespective of country

or race, is One and the same. All religions exhort man to

cleanse the heart of malice, greed, hate and anger.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sai Interfaith Conference, Prasanthi Nilayam 2005


Discussion

1. What are some ways in which office-bearers

can ensure that the Sai Organisation is always

committed to embracing all religions?

2. There are ever so many new teachers

preaching new forms of spirituality. Should the

office-bearers be discerning in accepting these

influences or should they welcome and

promote all forms of spiritual practices?

Conclusion’

Discussion

FEEDBACK

Ceiling on Desires

Practical Human Values

Service


Peace on Earth through Individual Transformation

D: What about the Golden Age, Swami?

Baba: Yes, what about Golden Age? When is it coming?

No, it comes only when your behaviour is Golden, your

attitude is Golden, when your heart is Golden! Lead

exemplary lives. As members of the Sai organisation, I

want you to have good behaviour, good conduct. Remove

anger, remove jealousy, remove falsehood and enmity, stay

far away from the wicked and the manipulative. ..and then

the Golden age will begin. Lust, anger, hate, jealousy, and

selfishness - these are the strands that weave a cobweb

around you, clear these and you are free – Blemish-less.

D: Swami, what's the first step in Sadhana?

Baba: Silence, silence of all the senses...now go and practice Swami's words and don't waste time in gossip. I bless, I bless all.

JAI SAI RAM

D: Before we leave one last question?

Baba: Yes, you may ask anything.

D: What should be our daily medication for a divine life?Baba: Medication or meditation? You need both. Be good, do good, see good...don't fight, stick to the discipline of Sadhana (spiritual practice), sing the Name of God always; love all, serve all...accept everything that happens to you as the will of God done for your own good...then no worry, no pain. But first, always act with dignity... that you are God, not animal, not animal.

om sri sai ram welcome to workshop 1 mukund patel & shyam jamnadas

Documents

avatar slide

message slide

divine mission slide

individual transformation

happiness sathya sai

introduction words

spiritual transformation

divine messengers of