sathya sai international organisation of australia &...

Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville Monthly Newsletter November 2015

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Sathya Sai International Organisation of Australia & PNG, NSW Region East

Monthly Newsletter Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville

Venue: Hurstville South Public School, Cnr. Maher St. & King Georges Rd. Hurstville, NSW Spiritual Program: Thursdays: 7.45 - 9.15 pm Contact: Tel: 02 9750 5298 Mob: 0402 115 298

Web: http://www.saiaustralia.org.au Compiler: Ravi Shankar

Selfless Service Opportunities

Nursing Home Visit Venue:

Hillcrest Nursing Home11 Mimosa Street

Oatley, NSW

Date: Sunday,15 November 2015

Time: 2.30 – 3.30 pm

Spending 1 hour with home-care residents: singing songs, conversing, joking, birthdays &

Christmas wishes, gifts and so on.

ALL WELCOME

For more information contact: Bill Andrianopoulos - 0422 592 968

Thomas Reddall Breakfast Club

Breakfast Service for School Students

A Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville service project supports this breakfast club. Centre participants can join in by donating any amount of the following items:

• Apple juice • Orange juice • Long life full

cream milk • Any cereals • Vegemite • Jam

You may give your donation to our Service Coordinator:

Bill Andrianopoulos - 0422 592 968

The word Avatar means descent… It is a descent from the state of the Atma to the level of the body. - Sathya Sai Baba

My Experiences With Sai My Life and My Spiritual Vision

by: Pritesh Chauhan

Mr. Pritesh Chauhan is a long time Sai devotee and a member of the Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville, NSW. Born and brought up in Suva, Fiji, he is now a resident in Sydney, Australia.

His smile, compassionate and loving expressions, and ever readiness to serve, greatly qualifies him as an example of Sai devotee. I had opportunities to converse with him on several occasions which inspired me to request his recounting of his experiences with Sai for our monthly newsletter. He looked at me, smiled and appeared bit hesitant but agreed. His article is published below, which is self-explanatory. - Editor

The president of Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville, uncle Ravi Shankar requested me, at Guru Purnima bhajans, to write an a article about my experience with Sai.

His request came to me as a surprise and was very humbling and I straight away realised that Sai was at work through uncle Ravi Shankar.

I must admit that I am not a writer and have never written an article before so the request to write something especially with respect to Sai was out of my ordinary life. Now, I am wondering where shall I begin.

My earliest recollection of Sai at work in my life came when I started attending Sunday Sai Spiritual Education classes organised by a group of Shirdi Sai devotees at Shirdi Sai Temple in Toorak, Suva, Fiji. In those day’s (1980s), Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) was known as Bal Vikas classes and there was no such organisation as Sathya Sai or Shirdi Sai Organisation world-wide. But the teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba and Sathya Sai Baba were well known to a number of pious devotees who took the challenge of teaching the basic human values and connected them to our everyday living activities.

The weekly Sai Spiritual Education classes quickly became a routine in my life, which was greatly supported by my parents as they saw this as a good way of nurturing me for a spiritual and peaceful life. In fact I am indebted to my parents for this help and their perfect vision. (Continued on page 2)

http://www.saiaustralia.org.au

http://www.saiaustralia.org.au


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Sai Spiritual Education Classes for Children

Time: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

Venue: RAIN property,

501 Forest Rd., Penshurst, NSW(Please have it confirmed by Rajeshwari

Singh for November 2015 classes)

Dates for SSE classes:

Please contact

Rajeshwari Singh:

Tel: 02 9584 3001Mobile: 0450 521 983

Email: [email protected]

Parents are requested to serve their children by enrolling them for instilling education in human values as basic principles in building their good

character at home, in school, at the work place, in society and in the nation.

Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville has a qualified and experienced SSE Teacher giving service to

parents and children.

“The end of education is character.” - Sathya Sai Baba

Gayatri Yagna (Laksha Archanam)

Chanting Universal Prayer in Sanskrit language with rituals

Date: Friday, 13 November 2015

Time: 8.00 pmVenue details:

At the residence of:NIRUPAPRASAD

3/162HarrowRd.,KogarahTel:0295992421

This service program is conducted outside the Centre by a group of Centre

members for peace and happiness in the world, and to raise awareness of Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings to the

general public.The program may be held at homes of

people in the general community at their request.

Contact R.D. Patel - 02 9570 5298


(Continued from page 1)

As time went on, I could feel that Sai was within and around me all the time. Gradually He became my spiritual friend, guard and guide. I experienced that I could talk to him about challenges in my life. Many times I asked for His assistance to give me strength and patience to overcome obstacles in my life as I was growing up, both, with spiritual education and spiritual stability amidst my secular education in the material world.

One day I experienced that I smiled at Sai and He just smiled back at me from the huge photo at the Shrine in the Shirdi Sai Temple in Toorak, where I was attending Sai Spiritual Education classes. This incident was a turning point in my life – turning my vision outward to vision inward. Sai uses love as a bait to catch love from His devotees. This is exactly what He did to me.

Following this incident, I believe that Sai came one step closer to me to engage me in more spiritual activities. One of the neighbours, I call her with respect, ‘Lakshmi Aunty’, surprisingly approached me to join her every Friday morning in singing Sai bhajans (Devotional Singing) from 5.00 - 6.00 am! She was a very pious lady and loved to share her

experiences and love of Sai with me. Her spiritual inspiration to me will remain with me for ever!

Of course I was a bathroom bhajan singer. I had never sung bhajans formally before. Lakshmi Aunty’s invitation to sing bhajan made me nervous to say the least. Nevertheless, I somehow gained the courage and started going to Friday morning bhajans at Lakshmi Aunty's residence in Toorak, which was the starting point of my involvement in Sai activities apart from getting Sai education. I felt that this was an opportunity given to me by Sai to go closer to Him.

In those days, Lakshmi Aunty was invited by many Sai devotees to go to their homes to sing bhajans and I became part of her bhajan singing group and started my pilgrimage of devotional singing around greater Suva area.

Thus Sai kept working in my life providing the stability I needed to succeed at school, which ultimately lead me to graduation in later years.

Thus my journey from early childhood to late teen years was blessed by Sai's presence through Sai Centre Sunday classes and singing bhajans, learning and reciting slokas (spiritual prayers), meeting various gurus (pious Sai devotees) and SSE teachers at the Shirdi Sai Temple, sharing their experiences with Sai. So my time with Sai became second in nature so much so that I truly believed He was just another member of my family.

I have also experienced miracles of vibhuti manifestation from Sai photos at Lakshmi Aunty's house and flowers falling from photos, whenever I prayed from the bottom of my heart to Sai for his blessings and whenever I requested Him to show me His presence with me. That was, of course, an immature me at that time asking for proof that He was really looking after me. Perhaps Sai knew my childish behaviour and He too acted like a child to inspire me.

With time I have realised Sai works miracles in our lives all the time, it's just we are unable to recall them. However, we should keep doing things in our life to the best of our abilities and for the good of others as much as possible.

Also on the contrary, with time, I realised that Sai's direct influence on me had subsided but it also made me understand that He wanted me to spend time to achieve other things in my life such as further education. (Continued on page 3)

Shiridi Sai Baba Statue: Shiridi Sai BabaTemple, Suva, Fiji


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Self Transformation Programs

(STP) For November 2015

The Self Transformation Programs of the Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville will be held

as follows:

Group 1

At the residence of Brian & Satya Champness

16 Hillcrest Ave, Morebank, NSWAt 7.30 pm

For schedule date, contact: Group 1 facilitator, Brian Champness -

02 9601 4030

Group 2

At the residence of R.D. & Meenaben Patel

816 King Georges Rd., Hurstville, NSWAt 8.00 pm

Tel: 02 9570 5298For schedule date, contact:Group 2 facilitator, R.D. Patel :

02 9570 5298

Group 3At the residence of Nirupa Prasad

3/162 Harrow Road, Kogarah. NSW At 7.30 pm

Tel: 02 9599 2421For schedule date, contact:

Group 3 facilitator, Nirupa Prasad - 02 9599 2421

Self Transformation Program is conducted outside the normal programs of the Centre. Participants serve each other by sharing spiritual knowledge and understanding of the reality that we are in fact one in the

Spirit.

This service is also open to the general public who are interested in participating in this study circle which seeks to promote understanding and the practice of the principles of the Nine Point Code of

Conduct laid down by Sathya Sai Baba for spiritual growth.

Those who wish to join the STP, please contact:

STP Supervisor, Jitendra Sahani

02 8060 5429

STP Coordinator, Brian Champness

02 9601 4030


(Continued from page 2)

Perhaps Sai also planned for my migration to Australia, to get married, have children, and so on. These are just normal transitions in life, which tests our Divine attachments in contrast to materialistic attachments. As Sai says materialistic attachments are natural to our happy living but excess materialism is harmful to our spiritual success. So I had been very vigilant about this.

As my domestic attachments increased, my attachment with Sai ritualistically, declined. I gave priority to serve my family rather than attending Sai centre programs. I feel that looking after my family is a spiritual duty and a part of my devotion. I have a loving family who are also part of my life. Like me they also follow in the footsteps of Sai.

Nothing stops me from praying to Sai whenever I like and wherever I am. My company with my friend Sai is intact. All that I have accomplished in my life is through His blessings and Grace. So I am constantly aware of His presence in every activity of mine.

Through my experiences, I am encouraged to inspire my Sai friends to understand it is not so important to use ritualistic prayers as a glue to attach ourselves to Sai. Sai wants us to be attached to Him by compassionate and selfless service to the needy; these are our baits to catch Sai’s love.

Coming back to the request of uncle Ravi Shankar to write this article, I feel that Sai is reaching out to me to make sure I continue on the path of love and service to one and all, in all, and always as far as possible.

As I mentioned my life right now is taking me in different directions for reasons well known to Sai, I am not always able to attend Sai bhajans. However, the physical limitation is not end of the road as we all can be devoted anywhere and everywhere and perhaps that is one of the messages I am getting from Sai to keep me in Sai consciousness. I can feel that this is an exercise given to me to reignite me spiritually. I accept it humbly with prayers for all for Sai’s Grace and love. May Sai’s Grace be upon all.

Sathya Sai Baba’s 90th Birth Anniversary Celebration by

Sathya Sai Centre of HurstvilleVenue: Hurstville South Public School hall

Cnr. Maher St. and King Georges Rd., Hurstville, NSW

Date: Thursday, 26 November 2015

Time: 7.45 - 9.30 pm

Program:The spiritual program will be conducted by the centre’s Youth Group

and SSE Children. Program includes:* Universal and multi-faith Prayers

* Devotional singing (Bhajan)* Spiritual items & presentations

* AratiThe program is open for all people interested to attend.

Come and enjoy the program - all based on Sathya Sai Baba’s universal teachings on unity of faiths and the human values - values in the individual, values at home, values at the work place, values in

society and the nation.

For more information contact: R.D. Patel - Tel: 02 9570 5298 or 0402 115 928


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Universal Spirituality

Program (Human Values)

Thursday, 5 November 2015

Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville presents its Universal Spirituality

Program on every 1st Thursday of the

month from 7.45 - 9.15 pm

based on Eternal Universal Spiritual

Principles.

People from all faiths are welcome

Program includes:

• Meditation on Cosmic Sound

• Earth Anthem

• Group devotional singing

• Universal Prayer

• Interactive workshop

• Prayer for world peace

Theprogramconcludeswithrefreshments

For more information contact:

Ravi Shankar Tel: 02 9588 7413; 0422 507 296

Satya Bhama Tel: 02 9601 4030; 0411 152 070


Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville Celebrates

LADIES DAY 2015 Date: Friday, 20 November 2015

(NB: Normal Centre program on Thursday, 19 November 2015 is cancelled)

Venue: Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville

Hurstville South Public School hall Cnr. Maher St. and King Georges Rd. Hurstville, NSW

Time: 7.45 – 9.15 pm

Program: • Universal prayers • Devotional singing (Bhajan) • Spiritual presentation on Swami’s message • Arati • Followed by refreshments/prasadam

All Welcome For more information contact: Shobhana - 0412 474 717

Christmas Hampers for Christmas Cheer Drive

to celebrate NSW Region East Ladies Day 2015

Date:Thursday,19November2015

Venue:StrathfieldGirlsHighSchool,AlbertStreet,Strathfield,NSW.Time:7.30-9.30pm

WearecollecSngnon-perishablefooditemsfortheChristmasCheerDrivefor:

MarrickvilleCatholicParishCommunity-90Fes'vehampersinbags.TregearSchoolCommunity(Penrith)-90Fes'veHampersinbags.

Itemstobecollectedare:LonglifemilkRawsugarHoney,vegemite,jamCereals(includingweetbix)CoffeeandteaCarton/bo^lejuices(Please ensure ‘use-by dates’ are appropriate for a

Christmas Hamper) Youmaydeliverthehamperstoourcentreservicecoordinator:

BillAndrianopoulosorbringthemalongwithyouto“LadiesDayCelebraSon”

ForMoreInforma'oncontact:SatyaBhama-0419264060


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Office Bearers Sathya Sai Centre of Hurstville

PresidentR.D. Patel

Tel: 02 9570 5298; 0402 115 298

Vice PresidentNikunj Patel

Tel: 02 87357 305; 0411 822 971

Devotional CoordinatorAruna Shankar

Tel: 02 9588 7413; 0401 615 799

Education CoordinatorRajeshwari Singh

Tel: 02 9584 3001; 0450 521 983

Service CoordinatorBill AndrianopoulosTel: 0422 592 968

Ladies Wing CoordinatorShobhana Kissun

Tel: 02 9742 1015; 0412 474 717

Youth Wing CoordinatorsPriya Patel (f)

Tel: 02 8735 7305; 0402 961 463Mayank Patel (m)

Tel: 02 9570 5298; 0403 697 912

Ad-hoc position holdersTreasurer

Dr. Gunu NakerTel: 02 9522 0357; 0438 283 411

Youth AdvisorsJitendra Sahani (m)

Tel: 02 8731 1372: 0434 652 558Nirwarni Sahani (f)

02 8731 1372; 0414 706 735

Universal Spirituality Program CoordinatorRavi Shankar

Tel: 02 9588 7413; 0422 507 296

Devotional Singing CoordinatorsRatish Thapa

Mob: 0432 021 606Satya Bhama

Tel: 02 9601 4030: 0419 264 060

Centre External Program Coordinators

Gayatri Yagna CoordinatorR.D. Patel

Tel: 02 9570 5298; 0402 115 298

STP Supervisor Jitendra Sahani (m)

Tel: 02 8731 1372: 0434 652 558

STP Program CoordinatorBrian Champness

Tel: 02 9601 4030; 0411 152 070

STP Group 1 FacilitatorBrian Champness

Tel: 02 9601 3001; 0411 152 070

STP Group 2 FacilitatorR.D. Patel

Tel: 02 9570 5298; 0402 115 298

STP Group 3 FacilitatorNirupa Prasad

NOVEMBER 2015 - Calender of Spiritual Activities

Thursday 05/11/2015 Universal Spirituality Program

7.45 - 9.15 pmMeditation

Earth AnthemDevotional singingMulti-faith prayersInteractive Workshop:

“Human Values and Rituals”By: Ravi Shankar

Prayer for world peace

Thursday 12 /11/2015Centre normal program

7.45 - 9.15 pmDevotional Singing Multi-faith prayers

Deepawali MessageIncoming office bearers ceremony

AratiPrayer for world peace

External Program Friday 13/11/2015

Gayatri YagnaTime: 8.00 pm

At the residence of:NIRUPA PRASAD

3/162 Harrow Rd., Kogarah, NSW Tel: 02 9599 2421

Formoreinforma+oncall:R.D.Patel-0295705298

External Program Saturday14/11/2015

Akhand BhajanVenue:

Strathfield Sai Centre(Hurstville Sai Centre

time slot:10.00 - 11.00 pm)Performing artists, please be present well

before starting time

External Program Sunday15/11/2015

Nursing Home Service2.30 - 3.30 pm

Venue: Hillcrest Nursing Home11 Mimosa Street

Oatley, NSW

ALL WELCOME

External Program Thursday 19/11/2015

NSW Region EastLadies Day Celebration

7.30 - 9.30 pmVenue: Strathfield Girls High School

Albert Street, Strathfield, NSW

ALL WELCOME

PLEASE NOTE Hurstville Sai Centre will be

closed on Thursday, 19 November

InsteadCentre Program will be held on

Friday, 20 November

Friday 20 /11/2015Centre Special Program

for Ladies Day Celebration7.45 - 9.15 pm

Devotional Singing Multi-faith prayers

AratiPrayer for world peace

ALL WELCOME

External Program Sunday 22/11/2015

NSW Region East Program90th Birth Anniversary

of Sathya Sai BabaVenue: Pennant Hills High School,

Laurence Street, Pennant Hills, NSW

Time: 2.30 - 5.30 pmALL WELCOME

Thursday 26/11/2015Hurstville Sai Centre Program

7.45 - 9.30 pmSwami’s Birth Anniversary

Youth & SSE Children ProgramMulti-faith prayers

Spiritual Message Arati

Prayer for world peaceALL WELCOME


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