Sai Vichaar For May 7th 2009

Sai Vichaar Thursday , May 07, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 52 (In its eleventh year of publication.)

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Sai Vichaar is a Weekly newsletter distributed every Thursday and is devoted to the life, philosophy and teachings of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates in its original form. Please do not reply to this email. All replies will be ignored. To contact us please see information at the bottom of this newsletter. IN THIS ISSUE: •

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

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DEVOTEES SAY

•

PRAYER CLUB

•

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES

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QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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SAI ACTIVITIES

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FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Inwardly the Same If Sai Baba was a Sufi saint, one may ask, how is it that he has been so readily interpreted and embraced by the Hindu community? Deccani Sufism with its poetsaints has similarities with the strong devotional heritage of the Bhakthi movement of Central India. Echoing the devotional goal of God-realization of both the Sufis and the bhakthas, which the former call ma'rifa and the latter brahmavilasa. Sai Baba said, "reaching God is the aim". Although the eleventh-century Muslim scholar, Alberuni, visiting India declared, 'The Hindus entirely differ from us in every respect', at the mystic and devotional bhakthi level there is a fundamental similarity of thought and practice, and indeed they share the same goal to have a direct experience of God. Their inner experiences tally closely, although externally they may appear very different - in their customs, languages, rituals, and appearance. In climbing to the top of spiritual mountain, it can be said that the Sufis take a direct structured route with formal way stations, where as the bhakthas take a more informal, gentler path, but both eventually reaching the summit. Once a bhaktha is able to transcend the boundaries of his formal religion, he enters into a state common to all mystics. The Sufi goes beyond the Muslim law (shar'at) and is preoccupied with the way to enable him to experience (tariqat) the ultimate reality (ma'rifa). The poet saints were also intent on proclaiming through their poetic outpourings how to reach God-realization, placing great stress on saying the name of God (namasmarana), a practice which the Sufis also embrace (dhikr). Essentially they are no different.

(Courtesy: "Unravelling the Enigma, Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism" by Marianne Warren) CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Origin and Approval of Sai Naama Japa Baba told M B Rege to go and be with Ramakrishni, also known as Ayi who was a real mother to him. She loved him as if he was her own son. Baba sent her one roti to her as prasad, and he sent two rotis on the days when Rege was at Shirdi. This Ayi had dedicated her love and all to Baba. She lived only for Sai Baba, and her delight was to do everything he wanted or what was needed for his sansthan. So, she had plenty of work to get done for Baba, and people like Rege, Purandhare and others were constantly given this Dasya Seva by her, for Baba. But Seva was not the only item or step for his religious improvement. Being fairly advanced, Ayi had developed certain powers in addition to her bhakti. Her concentration had evidently produced results. Her concentration was helped very much by her command of music. She had a good voice and could play the sitar. Rege also had a good voice and was versed in music. They would compare notes and they agreed that, for their spiritual progress, secrecy about their efforts was necessary. So, they would compare notes, made resolutions, and kept them secret. In accordance with Kabir's motto, 'Jinne Kamaya Unne Chupaya' what one has gained, he conceals, they both agreed that songs and hymns were very good for increasing bhava. Yet for actual manolaya, they attracted too much attention of the outside public and, therefore did not suit them. So, they determined that the proper step for manaolaya, was Japa. And what Japa should they make? She said that many used the name of Ram, Vittal and that so far as she was concerned Sai was her God. So, Sai was quite sufficient for her. Rege naturally adopted the same. So, they went on making Sai nama japa and, luckily for Rege, Baba asked him soon afterwards what he had been doing in the morning. He answered Japa. Baba: Japa of what name? Rege: of my God. Baba: What is your God? Rege: You know it. Baba: That is all right. So, Sai Nama Japa was approved from the very beginning by Sai Baba also. Japa is a sadhana. What is the sadhya or goal then? For this again, they gained light from Baba. The goal was patent from everything that Baba said and did. The goal was that through laya to reach God, especially in the form of the loving Guru-God; and intense and passionate love was alike the sadhana and sadhya. For love at its perfection is Bliss and Bliss is God. Baba's wonderful love stamped its impress upon both Ayi and him. Their sadhya and sadhana were love. About sadhana, Baba gave him a hint. Religious books are generally regarded as very important sadhana for the beginner. On Guru Poornima day, the devotees usually go to Baba, and place a book in his hands, so that they might get it back with his Ashirvada and that they might study it with profit and benefit.

On one Guru Poornima day, all had taken books. Rege was there. He had not taken any book. Then Baba looking at him and said, "These people want to find God, that is Brahma in these books. There is however Bhramh, that is, worldly confusion or delusion in these books. You are all right. Do not read books. But keep me in your heart and if you unify or harmonize head and heart, that is enough'. Of course, study of books is not very useful and Baba recommended Jnaneswari. He recommended these He also made Chandorkar read the ruled out. On the other hand, religious study is Eknath's Bhagavata, Bhavarta Ramayana and to Kaka Dixit, B.V. Dev, Chandorkar and others. Bhagavad Gita. But on the whole the usual tendency to over emphasize the need of books was discountenanced by Baba. The Guru is the only sadhana of the pupil in Baba's school, and the Guru's knowledge and power sink into the sishya by the intensity of faith and love of the sishya. For that purpose, to promote faith and love, Baba gave ample and almost perpetual proof of his omniscience, omnipresence and other divine qualities. So, Rege was getting constant proof of these qualities and love from Baba. (Contributed by Madhuri; Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji) DEVOTEES SAY: Nirmala I have been blessed with twin girls all by the grace of Sai3 nights before one of the girls was not feeling well at all and was crying endlessly. She was not even able to breathe properly. I was scared and prayed to Sai. Sai heard my prayers and she was feeling better the next day..Thank you dear Sai..If you did not put your hand on me, I would have been nowhere today..Thank you. Please be with me always Jyothi With your blessings, my dad bypass surgery was successful. You are always there for us. Please make him recover soon. Please continue your grace on us and always be with us. Usha N Thank you Baba for answering my prayers about my sister. As I promised, I visited Shirdi, completed reading of Sat Sai Charit and now I am posting this Bhanuprakash Thank you Baba for blessing us with a beautiful baby boy and we have named him as Yajnesh. Because of you, only the delivery was smooth even though my wife had a fibroid. I pray to You to always be with us, shower your blessings on the little kid too, be with him always, and show him the right path. Thanks once again Baba.. Yash Thank you Sai for curing my nephew in just few days that was actually expected to take a longer and thank you for giving me an amazing daughter. Keeps me wonder struck seeing your creation. PRAYER CLUB: Sharma Please save me now also Sai Baba. Please see that marriage should go well and all our

health should be good and happy Swetha Baba please bless my son with good health. He has been getting ear infections often. Please help him recover and get normal soon. Please help chicha with his treatment and always be with him. Ramkumar Dearest Baba, I pray to You humbly to be with my father and take care of him. All of us are away from him due to circumstances and I pray to you to forgive us for leaving him alone though for 3 months only. Nayana M Sainatha please guide me with proper directions regarding situations with my family, husband's job, and housing. A Sai devotee I am very much worried Baba now a day from the time I get up in morning till I sleep I am thinking of this problem I have secured good mark in my PG exam and secured a PG degree but still I am not happy please Baba fulfill my wish as soon as possible. Forgive me if I have done any wrong. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Navatha I want to share my experience with all Sai devotees. It was in June 2007 that I started praying SAI. Since childhood, I believed in god and would perform poojas, and would fast once a week. everything was going smooth. After marriage things began to start worsening, in terms of career and we were worried bat our future. In 2007, my husband was depressed, he was on medication. He resigned to his job. I did not have visa to work. At that time, I prayed to SAI, now I am not able to imagine how and in which condition we would be if SAI did not help us at that time. It was tough time from June to October. In October he got job, soon he recovered. Since then we did not leave SAI. My husband would not believe in god and doing pooja. Now everyday first thing he does after bath is lighting diya and doop sticks for SAI. My work visa did not go thru two times i.e. 2 years were wasted, third time I prayed Baba and I got it. Whenever I feel sad or worried, I just pray SAI and read SATCHARITHA.I feel BABA with we all the time. He is with me even now. BABA I want to thank you 1000 times and much more. Thanks for taking care of us. WE LOVE YOU BABA. We had a son and we named him as SAI.I feel this as new life, which BABA gave us. We are happy now with our small SAI. Vijay I never had any doubt whether Sai existed or not, I try to start my day by praying to Sai and leave rest every thing to Sai. I had many experiences where Sai had proved that he always ready to help his devotees. Recently my wife had lost her favorite gold locket. She generally travels to office by company bus, when she returned home she did not find her locket. She was very depressed, as she believes the locket is very lucky to her. I prayed to Sai if possible please give back her locket; I had total confidence on Sai but not sure, whether she can get back her locket as she commutes by company bus. But two later miraculously she found her locket in the home. I sincerely believe she found

her locket just because of Sai. Thanks Sai for showering your blessing on us, please do shower your blessings on all your devotees and mankind. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "Get out of the circle of time and get into the circle of love" - Rumi, the Sufi poet QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion? A. Your answer can go here.

SAI ACTIVITIES: Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA Sri Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.(Summer hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 a.m. followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6 p.m. and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. Archana, Homams, Sahasranama and sponsored poojas continue in between the Arathis. To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family, please call. Devotees can request water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of Schaumburg on intersection of IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL. For more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to [email protected]. Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN Sri Saibaba Mandir is located in Minneapolis, MN at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. The mandir is open 7 days a week in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and during morning hours from 9 am to 12:30 pm, everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please call 612-789-7729 for more information on mandir activities, events and other information. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388. Shirdi Sai Temple of New England, Boston Area Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of New England is now operational. It is located at 1827 Bridge St # 8, Dracut, MA 01824. The temple is open four days from Thursday to Sunday. For temple hours and activities please visit their website. Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA Shirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704. Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA Devotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938.

Saibaba Temple, Columbus, Ohio Devotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 6599 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin, OH 43017. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call 614-799-8411. Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, Florida Devotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276. Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TX Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, Texas opened at 601 E Whitestone Blvd (RM 1431), Cedar Park, TX. Daily 4 aarthis are performed to Sai Baba. As part of service to needy, a weekly sandwich seva is also conducted. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VA Shirdi Sai Mandir is located at 43671 Trade Center Place #166 Dulles, VA 20166. The mandir is open through the week in the evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. Sri Satyanarayan pooja will be conducted every full moon day. Please call (703) 661-4724 for more information on activities, events and other information. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Toronto The Mandir is located at Unit 7 & 8 2721 Markham Road Toronto ON M1X 1L5 Canada. Daily services offered to Baba include abhishek and all aartis. For Mandir hours and activities, please call 647-444-4724. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada -Toronto Devotees in Toronto, are invited to join in Sai Namavali, Satcharita reading, Bhajans, Aarti and Prasad every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. at GUR MANDIR 207 Queen's Plate Dr. Etobicoke - Hwy27 South of Finch for more info call (416) 294 4804 Sai Mandir, Baldwin New York Devotees in New York and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Sai Mandir in Baldwin NY. The temple is located at 1889 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 516-867-8008. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Iselin/Edison New Jersey Devotees in New Jersey and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Iselin NJ. The temple is located at 465 Lincoln Highway (Route 27) Iselin, NJ 08830. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 732-283-1800. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Flushing New York This temple is located near the famous Ganesh Temple, Flushing, New york. All the day-to-day rituals at the temple are being conducted in a manner similar to that in Shirdi. The temple is located at 46-16 Robinson Street Flushing,NY,USA 11355. For more information please call 718-321-9243. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Sai Vichaar has learnt that several have received their weekly email into their unwanted

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