Contents

Editorial

The Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient God

Gramma Seva- An experience in Sarawak, Malaysia

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

to contribute articles for the next issue, due at the end of November please contact Sharan Soni, Editor at shazer40@hotmail.com

Sai Ram All

Sai Ram All,

I would most appreciate an article from you readers; after all we are doing this to please Baba. It’s not hard, it may feel difficult to start with but sharing your experiences can be an uplifting practice. Thank you for your time.

With regards to future articles, you could send them to me at shazer40@hotmail.com.

Jai Sai Ram

Sharan Soni

LIFE

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is costly, care for it.
Life is wealth, keep it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is mystery, know it.
Life is a promise, fulfil it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it

The Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient God

Humble Pranams and Love at the Lotus Feet of Beloved Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai My Divine Inspiration.

This experience I'm about to pen down happened about nine years ago. The way of the Divine is so mysterious and it's beyond our comprehension.

How could I ever forget that fateful day?? It was a Sunday. I was working then, and Sunday is the only day where I could do all my household chores…Myself and Bro.Haji (My divine half) was staying in the Larkin Sai Centre, Malaysia. The Sai Centre was our home. On that particular Sunday morning, Bro. Rajagopal (our present Centre Chairman) visited us. After he left at 12.30am, I went to the kitchen to mix a cup of coffee for myself. Bro.Haji went out to perform Puja in one of the Uncle's house by the name of Uncle Shiva (who's now settled down in KL)

For the past one week there was no rain. As I was mixing coffee, I could hear thunder, a sign it's going to rain soon. In fact I was very very happy since it was going to rain after such a long time.

Suddenly, I could hear my inner-voice (Swami's Voice) telling me to get out from the kitchen area. My monkey mind brushed it aside thinking it's my imagination. But dear readers, this time the "voice" could be heard more clearly but sternly I would say!

I didn't want to take the risk, so after throwing the spoon which was used to mix the drink on the gas stove, I went out from the kitchen. The moment I stepped out, I saw very strong lightning, which struck the place that I was just standing in. The electricity went off. When I came to the main hall, I thought I saw light everywhere, without knowing that our Centre was on fire!!

When I turned and looked at the main Bhajan hall, I nearly collapsed to see everything on fire!! I didn't know what to do but to pray to Swami for help!! No one was at home except my two dogs.

Without wasting any more time, I ran outside to call my neighbour to help. One of the neighbours called the fire department. By then, Bro. Vimal and Sis. Latha came at about 2 o'clock since we were supposed to have Youth Vikas at 3.00 p.m. They too were shocked to see the Centre on fire. It started to rain heavily by then. So myself, Bro.Vimal and others managed to put off the fire by pouring the rain water. By the time the two fire-engines came, everything was back to normal.

Everyone thought that the fire burned down the whole house. Reason being, it was half brick and half wooden house. It was more than thirty years old. But with Bhagavan's Grace everything was taken care of. To my surprise nothing was lost in the fire except for one of Swami's picture which was broken.

Everything was taken care by the Divine Hand. Later, we had our usual Centre bhajans where Dr.Ravi happened to come by on that day. It was a candle light bhajans, I would say. It took about one week to get the electricity back.

His Love and Grace is so GREAT that no pen can do justice by writing it down! I owe my entire life to Swami.

Dear Readers, Bhagavan Sai's Grace and Love is beyond imagination. Have a steady faith and devotion in Lord Sai, then everything will be taken care of by Him.

"The Grace of God is like insurance,
It will help you in your time of need without any limit"
- Sri Sathya Sai

Sis. B. Purnesvary Rajendran

Gramma Seva- An experience in Sarawak, Malaysia

Gramma Seva is an annual program held by the Kuching Centre in conjunction with the centre anniversary. This year, 20 youths from Peninsular Malaysia joined this program on the 9^th April 2004.

We started with the morning prayers at 8.00a.m at the Kuching centre. After breakfast, about 80 of us left for Kampung Rayang by four-wheel drives. Due to the road condition, some of the vehicles broke down. Some of us had to continue the journey by a lorry. The journey on the lorry was very exciting. We reached Kampung Rayang at 11.00a.m.

At Kampung Rayang, we were divided into 5 groups; medical camp, Narayana seva, shelter building, hair grooming and EHV. I was assisting the medical camp team. I was assigned at the registration counter and helped in the translation for a Pakistani doctor. I also accompanied the doctors to visit the disabled patients in the long houses. One of the patients that I met was a 65 years old blind lady, who has been blind for more than 40 years due to cataract. I felt very sad and full of pity for the lady when I saw her moving on all fours. After the respective activities were completed, the volunteers gathered for lunch that was prepared by the Narayana seva team. After lunch, we continued the medical camp in a neighboring village. All activities ended around 5 p.m. and as we were leaving, there was a heavy downpour. Some of us were stranded due to the bad road condition where some of the vehicles became immobile. By 8.30p.m., all the volunteers had reached the Kuching centre. Upon arrival, we had our dinner and left for our respective houses.

The following day, we had morning prayers and a short briefing by Bro. Nara and Bro. Simmathi about the adventures that we were going to face. We left Kuching Centre at 9.30a.m.to the base camp. Upon arrival, all the village folks were waiting for us. They were there to help us to carry our entire luggage to Kampung Semban. We started the climb to Kampung Semban at 10.30 a.m. The track was very narrow, hilly, muddy and slippery. Due to that, a few of us had experiences of falling down along the track. We had to cross big rivers using very narrow bamboo bridges that link one bank to the other. At 2.00 p.m., we reached Kampung Pine and had our lunch there.

After filling up our stomachs, there came the difficult part of the climb. Many of us had to go through physical stress and pains. Though the track was very slippery and steep, all of us managed to reach our destination. My team reached Kampung Semban at 5.30p.m. It was approximately 7 hours walk. We were divided into groups of 4 to put up the night in various kampung houses. After introducing ourselves to the respective members of the houses, a group of us conducted games for the village children. We were later entertained by the villagers with a graceful dance and melodious music. Speeches were given by the head of the village, chairman of Kuching Centre and Bro. Sri Ganesh. The youths put up a short sketch for the villagers on anti-smoking and anti-drinking. The villagers enjoyed our performance. With all the laughter and joy, we pray and hope the message will have an impact on the villagers.

We were again divided into groups to conduct activities such as Educare, Parenting and EHV. I was involved in the Educare program. From the information gathered, we realized the children need a lot of guidance and advice about the importance of education. We conducted a motivation program according to the needs of the children. Bro. Simmathi gave a short speech to make them understand the value of education and the pathways to higher education for their bright future. After all the activities ended, we distributed various items to the village folks. The event ended at 12.30 midnight.

The next morning, we gathered for breakfast at 7.30a.m. After having a short chat with the villagers, we started our journey down at 9.30a.m. Many of us were finding difficulties as there was a lack of food and water. My team reached the base at 1.30 p.m. With a caring heart, some of the devotees from Kuching Centre waited for our arrival at the base point with lunch packets. We waited for the rest of them to arrive and soon we left for Kuching Centre. Later we went back to our respective houses and packed our luggage.

Before our departure, Bro. Nara gave a farewell speech and we were all blessed by Uncle Nesa for the job well done. We had dinner with the Kuching devotees before heading to the airport. We flew back to Kuala Lumpur at 10.05 p.m. It was a wonderful experience which enlightened my innerself.

‘Service to Man is Service to God’

Thenmalar Vadiveloo

Study Circle

E G O and the Spiritual Interpretation

E= Education

G= God

O= Omkaram bindu: a mere drop in the Ocean.

Therefore, EGO here means--- we are nothing. Only by becoming part of the whole, the Ocean, the Atma acknowledging the greater being, the Paramatma

Through the Education in Human Values application that we become realized human beings, fit vessels, transformed sufficiently in order to continue on the journey for which we have come to this world; that is to help in the restoration of Dharma. God works through us as His instruments to establish LOVE, TRUTH, PEACE, RIGHTEOUSNESS and NON-VIOLENCE in the Universe.

Lokha Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu

Dr David Lingiah

The Last Word: Jyoti Meditation

We do this every Sunday in Glasgow Sai Centre and I personally find it a good de-stress ant after a hectic week, it should be attempted as often as possible. It’s the best way for us to re-charge our spiritual batteries and feel at peace with everything and everyone.

Based on Bhagavan's step-by-step directions.

Jyothi (flame) Meditation is the foremost spiritual discipline geared towards gaining inner peace.

1) We should have a fixed time and place every day where we sit for meditation either in the morning and/or evening.

2) We should sit on a thin mattress for this exercise. The sitting pose or asana should be comfortable both for our mind and body.

3) We should then chant Omkar, the Universal Mantra glorified as 'Nada Brahma' at least 3 times but preferably 21 times. The mind under the influence of this divine sound slowly loses momentum and becomes more and more tranquil and steady.

4) The next step is to put the breath in rhythm. The easiest and the most effortless method is to watch the breath, thereby the process becomes normal, that is, longer and calmer. When we inhale, the breath sounds 'So' and when we exhale, it sounds 'Humm' which means 'He' i.e. "God" and 'I' respectively or "God am I".

5) Accordingly, synchronizing with these two breaths, imagine that the flame 'Jyot' is within us. Feel that the light of the flame is in our heart, right in the centre of the Lotus. Gently move the light to other parts of your body -- the stomach, the limbs, the eyes, the ears and the tongue. Feel that the entire body is illumined thereby. Rejoice that the light is the light of love; it removes hatred; it dispels darkness and doubt; it reveals that all are Divine.

6) As the light fills the eyes, you must feel that they have been purified. They shall no longer seek to look upon evil sights. When the light lights the tongue with love, decide that there is no more scope for uttering harsh words. Similarly, once the radiance of the divine light bathes the arms, they can no longer delight in performing harmful deeds while the feet can no longer move into polluting areas and places.

7) Now visualize the light as surrounding our physical body and spreading far out to family members, neighbours and even those whom we do not like. Every object is enveloped in that divine effulgence. Isavaasyam Idam Sarvam. All this is illumined by God. This is the stage of bliss.

8) In this manner, the ONE flame on which we concentrate can cleanse our mind and body and spread its light and radiance to include our entire environment.

9) Finally, take the Jyot on to the figure of our Ishta Devta or the Deity of you choice and/or fix our vision on the Jyot, and commence meditation or silent sitting for a few minutes, followed by Japa of our chosen Mantra with the full understanding of its meaning and firm faith in its power and benefits. It should be inter-woven with our breathing process of inhaling and exhaling.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

editor sharan soni team divya soni, parag agarwal