STUDY CIRCLES within the Sathya Sai Organisation
PROCESS
The study circle is an integral part of Sai
Organization activities. The general process is to read a passage, and then go
around the circle, giving each a chance to comment on the passage. Like a round-table
conference. Each person gives their point of view, and finally values are
derived from this. If there is just reading, there is doubt. But if each one
gives his view, doubts will be answered. The topic is viewed; the study circle
looks at different facets. It is like a diamond with its different facets, but
there is one facet that is flat, the top facet, and from this all can be
viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle.
For instance, if you go on eating all the 24
hours, it will result in indigestion. This will lead to disease. What is eaten
should be digested and then only you should eat again. In the same way, you
should listen {eat) in the Study Circle and put into practice (digest) what you
have learnt.
SHARING
Whatever we hear and practise should also be
distributed to society at large, such gratitude is very important for man. If
one does not have gratitude, he leads the life of an animal. Even a dog shows
gratitude if you give a little rice. In the Sathya Sai Organisation, keeping
this in mind, we should maintain unity and help the world. You should be an
ideal to others.
GOAL
In the study circle you can learn a lot of
things, but the most important thing to be learnt is your own true nature
--your Atmathathwa. Learning all about external things
without knowing your real self is like studying the branches of a tree,
ignoring its roots.
Of what use is it to know everything about
nature, if you do not know anything of the Self? Nature is only a projection of
the Self, and so, unless the Self is known, knowledge of nature is either
distorted or deceptive.
Knowledge about what this author says or that
sage teaches is not what your study circle must aim to acquire. Not
information, but transformation; not instruction, but construction should be
the aim.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Every one of you is a pilgrim on that road
proceeding at your own pace, according to your qualification and the stage
reached by its means. The advice that appeals to one of you or applies to one
of you might not be appropriate to another, who has travelled less distance or
reached a more advanced state.
When doctors who treat diseases of the body have to
prescribe different remedies, how much more specific and personal must be the
remedies for the complex and varied conditions of mental situations and
spiritual yearnings and aspirations?
FAITH & DEVOTION
Unless you make earnest inquiry, you cannot
discover the remedy applicable to your temperament and its problems. Study with
faith and devotion. Delve into the significance and the meaning of what you
read, and always have before you the goal of putting what you read into
practice.
STUDY CIRCLE OF LIFE
Do not confine your studies to this circle and
these books. The whole Universe is University for you. You can imbibe wisdom
from the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the rivers, the daily phenomena of
sunrise and sunset, the seasons, birds, trees, flowers, the insects --in fact,
all beings and things in nature.
Specific Objectives of
Study Circles
1. Learn about Swami's teachings and thus learn more about living a spiritual life.
2. Learn how Swami's teachings have affected others. This can inspire us, help remove doubts we may have, give us a firmer belief.
3. Advance spiritually.
4. See all the facets.
5. Clarify what we "think" we know --clear up misconceptions.
6. Support each other in spiritual endeavours.
7. Discover practical applications of Swami's teachings.
8. Share experiences.
9. Slow down our study of Swami's teachings, mull things over.
10. Get deeper inside Baba’s teachings.
11. Learn how to put Sai's teachings into practice.
12. Be in the company of good people --satsang.
13. Gain confidence in speaking in public.
14. Install good values in ourselves.
15. Recharge our batteries.
16. Teach us patience (as we wait our turn).
17. Find answers to problems (through teachings, not group therapy).
18. Learn how to handle situations where we disagree with others.
19.
Learn to express oneself, overcome
shyness.
Since the goal of a
study circle is transformation, not simply transfer of knowledge, the following
idea may be good. Near the end of the study circle, discuss a teaching that
came out of the study circle could be put into practice during the coming week.
See whether the group can hone in one teaching or principal. At the next study
circle, one could begin by going around the circle and see what comments people
have about how they put last weeks teaching/principle
into practice and what effect it had on them.
The job of the participant
A study circle is not a presentation by one person. At its best, it wills participation of all who are present. Here are some points that came out in one study circle.
1. Come prepared, if the reading and topic is announced in advance.
2. Participate! Speak! You get out of something what you put into it.
3. Listen fully when the material is being read! Ask it to be repeated if you didn't get it all.
4. Listen fully to what others have to say.
5. Share your experiences that relate to the topic.
6. Ask questions that arise.
7. DO be focused and to the point; stay on the topic.
8. DO have patience; wait your turn.
9. DO pass if you have nothing to say.
10. DO be open-minded.
11. Talk from the heart, not the head.
12. Avoid political issues.
13. Don't make it personal, e.g. don't attack something someone else said.
14. Don't make it a social therapy session.
15. Don't take too much time.
16. Don't talk unless you have something positive to say.
17. Avoid repetition; don't simply repeat what someone else said.
18. Don't put on a display of intellectual prowess.
19. Talk from the heart, not the head.
20. Don't debate, don't judge others.
21. Remember that the goal is your personal transformation.
22. Support the facilitator.
Sources: Swami’s Discourses, Conversations with Sai Baba by Hislop,
Official Website of International Sathya Sai Baba Organisation