Sai Vichaar Thursday, Jun 25, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 07 (In its twelfth year of publication.) 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 CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE DEVOTEES SAY PRAYER CLUB EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES QUOTATION OF THE WEEK QUESTION OF THE WEEK SAI ACTIVITIES FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Why know the nature of "Self"? Sai Baba's famous parables and cryptic remarks are well known. These comments were always impregnated with a message directed towards the individual who is addressed. Once, a devotee wanted to take a photograph of Baba. When Baba was approached regarding this, He said, "No, it is enough if he knocks a wall down". The devotee stood confused. Later, an explanation was given as follows: The photograph is one's likeness of Baba. The wall is "I am the body" idea, which is an obstacle that interferes with identifying the supreme spirit. One straightforward remark of Baba has always been "awaken the self". The nature of self is not easily explained. The pursuit to know the self is as varied as the individuals themselves. However, it is said that one must have an honest yearning and God's grace to know the nature of self. Now, why should one know the "self"? The Geetha says, " With the self unattached to external contact, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman, he attains endless happiness". Swami Chinmayananda on his commentary on The Geetha explains further, "Why should I deny myself the brilliant flashes of momentary joys in exchange for a steady stone-like, impregnable monotony, call it equilibrium or equanimity, peace or God-hood? Any sensible seeker entering the halls of spiritual study with his intellect bright and clear should come to doubt its efficacy and utility. Though the process of self-development is essentially a process of detachment, this technique of negation does not take us to an empty and purposeless zero, but when we have negated all that is false, we come to experience and live a total positivity. When the dreamer has renounced all his contacts with the dream world and thrown away his dream personality, he does not become a non-entity, but he re-discovers himself to be the more vital, more effective personality, the waker". Sadguru Sainath's remarks on awakening one's self refers to this state of awakening that is more vital, blissful and permanent, by Sadguru's grace. CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: The Sage of Arunachala Ramana Maharishi, one of the greatest sages of India, was not a mere life but a manifestation that descended on to this earth on December 30, 1879. It was a Monday and more important the `Day of the Arudra Darshan', (celebrated as the birthday of Siva). He was apparently an ordinary baby at birth. What he made out of his life, however, was extraordinary. When he was barely 17 years old and in the summer of 1896, he experienced a feeling of death and life thereafter. The aftermath of the experience left him not scarred or scared but enlightened. The boy Ramana, magnetized by the vibrations of the sacred hill Arunachala at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, India, reached there on September 1, 1896. He never moved out again except for his heavenly abode. Aware that the time of his departure was due, the Maharishi tried to console his devotees and assuage their grief in many words, "Where could I go?" he queried. "The body is itself a disease; when we have finished a meal do we keep the leaf plate on which we have eaten it?" Just as a servant rejoices to lay down his burden at the place of delivery, so does a Jnani rejoice at being relieved of the body by death." For a man who gave up just about everything, except his loincloth, the Maharishi did indeed have a large family of devotees. They came in hordes and from all strata of life - queens, princes, ministers, Presidents, philosophers, foreigners, musicians, the ardent seeker, the curious intellectual, the rich zamindar and the pauper. He viewed all of them with the same compassion. In his heart there was place for all creatures great and small. His demeanor towards the quadruped, the winged and the reptiles is worth pondering over. He never referred to an animal as `it' but always as "he" or "she". When he said, "Give Lakshmi her rice at once," it was the cow whom he meant. In fact the rules of the Ashram dictated that at mealtime, the dogs be fed first, then the beggars and only then the devotees. Squirrels used to hop through the window on to his couch and he always kept a little tin of peanuts besides him for them. The animals felt his Grace and once a devotee asked him what it felt to have a snake pass over him and he replied "Cool and soft." It was a delight to watch very young children run up the hill to be with the Maharishi. Ramani, a nonagenarian fondly recalls with tears in her eyes, "We never knew that he was a Maharishi. He was `Omachi thatha,' to all of us (children). It was Kavyakanta Ganapati Sastri, one of the earliest disciples of Bhagavan, who first addressed him as Maharishi. My father Manavasi Ramaswamy Iyer was a great Ramana bhakta. He was a poet who composed many songs on `Bhagavan.' He was popularly referred to as Saranagati Thatha on account of the popular Saranagati song he composed on the Maharishi. But more poignant is the fact that on the day Bhagavan died, Ramaswamy realized that he could compose no more. The stream of songs that gushed out uninterrupted for 40 years dried on the day of the Mahanirvana." Bhagavan was a simple human being. In everyday life, he was punctual, meticulous to the last detail, and simplicity incarnate. Devotees recall that he would never allow privileges of any kind to be shown to him. He shunned ostentation of any kind and refused to be garlanded on any occasion. In the dining hall, if anything extra or special was served to him he would immediately express his displeasure by refusing to eat the food. On another occasion when a devote reprimanded a European lady for not crossing her legs, Bhagavan, in spite of his arthritis and rheumatism, crossed his legs that a rule was applicable to all and refused to straighten them till the lesson had been driven home. In the last years of his life, the Ashram authorities commissioned a sthapati to carve a statue of Bhagavan. Hearing the stone being chiselled, Bhagavan jocularly remarked, "The stone God is getting ready to sit upon the stone sofa." F. H. Humphreys, the first European visitor to the Ramanashram penned his experience, of seeing Ramana Maharishi, to a friend in London. "For half an hour I looked into the Maharishi's eyes, which never changed their expression of deep contemplation. I could feel only that his body was not the man: it was the instrument of God." But Humphreys was neither the first nor the last to experience God in the form of Ramana Maharishi. Paul Brunton, who arrived at Tiruvannamalai more a skeptic than a believer records the impact of the eloquent silence of Maharishi: "Before those (eyes) of the Maharishi, I hesitate, puzzled and baffled ... I cannot turn my gaze away from him. I know only that a steady river of quietness seems to be flowing near me ... " Scholars came to Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi to get their doubts clarified but his teachings were not theoretical in the least. In fact they were simple and practical. He would constantly urge the process of self-enquiry. His oft-repeated advice to aspirants was, "Constantly introspect - Who am I? That which is peace. All that we need do is to keep quiet. Peace is our real nature." (Source: "The Hindu" dated May 9, 2003) DEVOTEES SAY: Srinivasarao Om Sai Ram. Dearest Baba aap ko koti koti pranam and dhanyavad; because of you only our nephew got this job;but for you Baba it would never have been possible; Baba always be with us all and take care of one and all; Sai Saranam Sarvasya Saranagati. Krishnaveni Deva, thanks for showering your leela's and miracles. Please forgive me if I have done or spoke wrong in this process.2 weeks back I wrote in Sai sathchritha about my problems... today I am here thanking for leelas. Jagannathan Dear Baba: My wife and I had prayed to You through the columns of "Sai Vichar (April 23, 2009 issue)" to help my son, Sanjay, get a job. Baba, you have been extremely kind. With Your Grace, he has got a job now and today he has joined the job in Ban galore. No words can express our gratitude on this boon from You. Thank you so much Baba. Please help Sanjay in prospering in his job and make a mark for himself. Please help him Baba. He is also an ardent devotee of you. Sudha P Last month I went for medical check up for immigration purpose with my husband and I prayed Baba to get the normal medical reports. And just because of you Baba we got it normal. Thank you Saibaba. S Rudra Koti koti pranam and thanks to Shirdi Sai Baba. Finally I have received Baba's kripa prasad, my prayers are answered i.e. I have been blessed with a baby boy after 10 long years. I had vowed that I would write in Sai vicar my experience of this long awaited period. Not a single day started without praying Baba's name and begging with open arms and tears in my eyes for an issue. Baba, I always said you are the malik of our destiny, so why delay in giving the kripa prasad to your daughter or do some miracle in my life and the day turned out to be December 11, 2008 when I was blessed with a baby boy. As per my vow I had offered golden palna and money as per tulabar of my son at Shirdi. I would request all Sai bhakt's to have shradda and saburi and their prayers will be answered. PRAYER CLUB: Neha Baba, please take care of us and please shower us both with love so that we both don't quarrel and live happily together with your bhakti as we start our new life. Silpa YOU should be with me and help me do the right thing. Please Baba. Please help me Baba. Babu should be happy with my decision and get settled in his life without any further troubles in his life. Please help him Indu Baba please help me to come out of the present tensed situation. Help me Sai, I beg you. Satyanarayana Raju Baba - many salutations to You. Please help with selling the house as soon as possible. Need your grace to fulfill this objective. Sharma Please SAIBABA, please see that I should get this job. Sandhya Dear Sai Baba, you know that my father's health is very bad, he always has high blood sugar and now with BP. He was hospitalized also. And my sister's health is not well. Please bless my parents and sister with good health. Rajnish Baba, Please help us and clear all of our Immigration papers. We are really stress out. Saroj Baba please let my elder niece get married. Everyone gets worried about it. Please help us to find a suitable groom for her. Ritu I am living by following the Sai principle of Shradha and Saburi. Please Baba, help us to calm down and protect us from all directions EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Mahi A few months ago my fiancé got laid off from his company. He is on an H1B visa and would go out of status if we don't either change to another visa or transfer it to another employer. We decided to transfer it to another employer. A friend of us said he would sponsor one. After a month of applying we got a very tough RFE asking for many documents. We were scared that it will not be approved and that we have to go back to India. We were getting prepared for that. I asked my fiancé to keep total trust in Sai Baba and start doing Parayana of Satcharitra. Even before he completed reading he could get all the documents needed and mailed. Just last week his visa got approved. I am thankful to Sai Baba for that. Though I trusted that things would smoothen out, we landed in even bigger mess and I did not trust he would take care of it. I was tired battling everything. But still he does not forget us and proves that he cares for us no matter what. I am thankful Baba. And at the very same time very sorry, I kept losing my patience over and over again. Please take care of everything. I will surely work on being more patient and start believing in your divine providence and being more humble and controlling my temper. I am very thankful for being there for me. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "I do not need any paraphernalia of worship - either eight-fold or sixteen-fold. I rest there where there is full devotion." - Sri Sai Baba QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children? A. Your answer can go here. SAI ACTIVITIES: Gurupournima celebrations in Chicago, USA Sri Shirdi Sai temple Chicago will celebrate Gurupournima celebrations for three days from Tuesday July 7th to Thursday July 9th with Main day being Tuesday July 7th. The full event program can be viewed on events page at the temple website. The three day event comprises of Kalash abhishek, Homa, all four arathis, Gopal Kaala, Scriptural reading, Sai Paalkhi processiona and Bhajan Sandhya. The Bhajan Sandhya will be rendered by classical singer Priya Krishnamurthy on Thursday evening after the paalkhi program. Please plan to attend the event celebrations in person or you can sponsor the event in absentia. To sponsor online, visit the home page on saibaba.org and follow the link to Gurupournima event. Please join us with family and friends in one of the biggest events in Shirdi Sai Baba tradition. For more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to maildrop@saibaba.org. Gurupoornima Celebrations - Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN invites all to visit and participate in Gurupoornima Cleberations from July 5 to 7, 2009 at the mandir located in Minneapolis, MN at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. Please call 612-789-7729 for more information on for more details as well as mandir activities, events and other information. The mandir is open 7 days a week in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and during morning hours from 6 AM to 8 AM, 11.45 AM to 12.30 PM everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. 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. Sri Sai Amruta Narayana Sarveswaraalaym, Richmond, VA The temple is open from 5.15 am to 9.00 pm, everyday (no lunch break etc). We have all 4 aarthis every day and Baba's paalki seva on every Thursday after Dhoop Aarthi. Further information can be obtained by calling the temple at 804-708-0867. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Sai Vichaar has learnt that several have received their weekly email into their unwanted email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately. Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. A Sai devotee suggested the The "Question of the week" for this week as,, Q. How does a Sai devotee deal with deceitful relationships and situations where there is abuse of trust? Humbly Yours, The Editor ABOUT THIS EMAIL: This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons: 1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page, 2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or 3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative. To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed. To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line. To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu. Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html. For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly. Thank you, The webmaster From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha (A non-profit organization) Mail: 12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USA Email maildrop@saibaba.org Phone 847-931-4058 Fax 847-464-1567 © Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors. |
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sai Vichaar Thursday, Jun 25, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 07
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sai Vichaar Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 06
Sai Vichaar
Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 06
(In its twelfth year of publication.)
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.
IN THIS ISSUE:
FEATURE OF THE WEEK
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Whiplash
"Har din har pal chalthaa rehthaa.. sangraam kahin man ke bheethar
Mein tera dwaar na dhoond sakhaa Sayii bhatak rahaa hun dagar dagar"
"It is a struggle within, every day... every minute... I am lost Sayee... trying to find my way to your abode "
Scriptures and Sadguru stress one important feature of human life. That is, the duty of a human life exists in seeking the very purpose that the life may have and knowing what life is about. It is in this context that humans are considered very fortunate and human life meritorious. Amidst the checkers of the good and the bad, happiness and misery, may lay this quest, dormant. Unsuspectingly beautiful or seemingly painful happenings of one's life may still be quite trivial relative to the quest to seek reasoning for the bigger. Sadguru Sainath said that to know the Brahman, meditation is necessary. By this constant practice, all the thoughts will be pacified, the yearning intensified, and eventually the distinction between the objective of meditation and the meditator lost, meaning the purpose is achieved. Baba also said that He is the inner ruler of all beings and He is the wire puller of the show of the universe. He added that nothing will harm those who turn their attention towards Him, but Maya will lash or whip those who forget Him. Nectar-like words!
When is the right time to contemplate on thoughts such as the above? Does human life have a stage allotted for the thoughts of spiritual nature? If so, when? Shri B. Hanumantha Rao in "Sai Anusaranamu" wrote that fortunate are those who realize the transient nature of mundane happiness at the early stage of their life and dedicate their efforts for self-realization at the feet of Sadguru. How true! No one can claim to control his or her destiny. None may allot a stage of their life, whether now or latter, to realize the purpose life may have. In fact, the thought that one controls their time and the destiny in itself denote a sense of ignorance. Entire life can be spent on small pleasures and dwelling on imaginary fear, both the concoctions of mind. So, when is the time to embark on the endeavor? When does one realize that it is not "our" time in minutes and seconds that we spend on Sai, but it is His lease given to us to realize the purpose of our living?
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: To Grieve or not to Grieve!
It is imperative that each soul that has taken birth on this earth as a human being or any other species continue its journey upon death after its time is up. No one can escape from the clutches of death when the time comes. Death is a difficult subject and very hard for us to deal with. People rather attach their mind to something else and try to shift their focus away from this unchanging principle of nature. Only when one sees the reality of death very closely, it dawns on the living that all of our time is limited and short on this earth.
Dealing with someone's loss is a very difficult and trying for a lot of people. Shri Sai openly lamented at the passing away of his beloved devotee Megha in front of the villagers to express solidarity and not look indifferent at the passing away of Megha. He went about his daily rounds after the funeral was over. Did Shri Sai leave his inner composure and Samadhi state when expressing such outward behavior? Absolutely not! The same Sainath told Tatya, upon the death of his mother, that death is an imminent principle and asked him to show one home in the entire world where there has been no death. Shri Sai used different ways and means to communicate with his devotees as circumstances demanded. But in the end what does HE do at his own passing away? He asks Shri Shamsuddin Baba to come and do Qawali and asks Shri Das Ganu to come and sing bhajans at his Samadhi. So there was Qawali and bhajans, followed by regular arathis and pooja as though he was still sitting there upon his attainment of mahasamadhi.
Saints recognize that departure of soul from this body is liberation rather than death. The soul entrapped in this body and shrouded with Senses and pulled by the ever dominating Maya is always looking for an escape. For spiritually advanced souls, this passing to the other side calls for a celebration! For us mortals who fear death, it makes us so unprepared that when someone close to us dies, it shatters our lives, faith and much more. On the occasion of this Baba's Mahasamadhi, we can all take a lesson from Shri Sai's life on how to deal with death in our own lives and the lives of our loved ones.
(Contrbuted by: Sai Vichaar Team)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Shilpa
Thank you Sai Baba for being there with me at the time of my delivery. You made a Caesarian delivery into forceps. And I m also thankful for providing a job in Pune to my husband as per our request. Thank you so much.
Shaileeprasad
Thank you Baba for finalizing my daughter's marriage. I know it is only your blessing that it all happened so nicely .It is just like a dream come true. You blessed us with a match, which we really thought of. Baba please shower your blessing on all of us, my only belief and strength is YOU. When you are with me I am not afraid of any thing. I know with your blessings and good wishes every thing will be solemnized in a greater way
Swetha
I lost one of my earrings last night. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find it. So, I prayed to Baba saying that if I find my earring I will post article in SaiVichaar. This morning with Baba's grace I found it at my Friend's yard.
Srinivas
My son's lip got hurt in day care and took him to emergency. We Prayed to Baba, Please cure him quickly and become every thing normal. By Baba's grace, his lip became normal within a week. Thank you Baba for showing your blessing on us for all hard times.
Sai devotee
Baba, Thank you very much for helping mum to recover. I hope both Mum and Dad be healthy and strong. Thank you for helping us all in many many ways. Thank you.
PRAYER CLUB:
L Viswanath
BABA, please protect me and my unborn baby from any mishaps and help me have a safe delivery. We all only rely on You to shower Your blessings on us. Please do not let us down. Koti pranams to You BABA.
Hema
Please help us to live happy and grant my son admission in to the school we want. Please bless us with no problems
Divya
Please dear Sai, keep your word to solve all my parent's financial problems within the date u told me.
Devotee
Please see that I should get this job. Please SAIBABA, Please see that Swarna and myself should get good jobs
Sai Devotee
Jai Sai Ram, Baba please help me and my husband to settle down with a good, stable and peaceful job. Please bless us with peace of mind and happiness.
Nayana
You know what happened today, I made a big mistake. Please save me from it. I assure you that I will never crib about job rather take things positively & do my best wherever I am. Please help me in the same.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
A Sai Devotee
I want to share a wonderful experience with all of you. One day a customer of ours asked me to produce certain deliverables by certain date. I was sure I will produce and therefore casually postponed the finalization of the deliverables on the morning of the day when meeting was to happen with customer. On that morning I just could not concentrate and finalize the deliverables. So when meeting started I had to show my blank face. After the meeting I was sure that the report would go to my Boss and this could be my last day. Thereafter, I prayed and cried in front of Baba for the whole weekend - that such thing has never happened me before so why this should happen now and put me to misery and shame. Believe me or not the customer NEVER reported my Boss (even though they are known for their bad and good reports to management). I can say only one thing Baba carried me on his hands and saved me. Devotees, please do your work with full diligence and faith and believe in HIM. This is undisputed truth - "HE is sure to take make things happen".
Lakshmi
I would like to share my recent experience. Few months back, on Dec 9th, 2009 Tuesday morning I read Chapter 29 from Sai Satcharitra and left to another place for job interview. On the way, I was recollecting what I read, in that chapter Baba comes into dream and fulfills devotee's desire by showing Ramdas. I thought if Baba comes into my dream what I would ask. My first wish was to go back to earlier days in Shirdi in 1910 and see the neem tree, Tatya patil, Shama and others and then finally wished to see Chavadi. After thinking all these for a while I slept and after few hours I reached my friend's house and checked my email. I got email from Saileelas about 100th year of Chavadi and everyone has to read chapter 37 before go to bed, so he fulfilled my wish of chavadi. When I read that chapter I felt like I was in Shirdi. On Thursday I got another email from Saileelas with the following link http://heritageshirdi.blogspot.com/ which has photos of neem tree and all other photos, which I wished to go back to 1910 and see.
Manjula
I came to US three years back but I never wanted to stay here. I got married and had one child during this time. Life changed a lot for me and I was finding it difficult to adjust with job, family and child. I needed help but that was possible only after going back to India. I was not sure if I could get a job in India. One day my sister told me on phone about SAI BABA and HIS mercifulness. I knew HIM before, my grand ma visited Shirdi once and I also knew about his lilas but I never thought that GOD could be so close to us to help us in day-to-day problem. I believed in GOD but never found him so close to me before. I started praying BABA. He helped me in all small things, then big news came, me and my husband both got job in India. Now we are planning to go back. Still this is unbelievable to me. This Chamatkar is possible only with SAI KRIPA. I can feel him blessing my family and me all the time. SAI BABA keep everyone healthy and happy in this world. Help us settle down in India. Always direct me, my husband and, my family to do correct things in life. Bless my daughter with good health. OM SAI RAM!
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
""Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas (life) to the Guru's feet. Guru is God, all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary." - Sri Sai Baba
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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.
Sri Sai Amruta Narayana Sarveswaraalaym, Richmond, VA
The temple is open from 5.15 am to 9.00 pm, everyday (no lunch break etc). We have all 4 aarthis every day and Baba's paalki seva on every Thursday after Dhoop Aarthi. Further information can be obtained by calling the temple at 804-708-0867.
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:
Sai Vichaar has learnt that several have received their weekly email into their unwanted email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. A Sai devotee suggested the The "Question of the week" for this week as,,
Q. How does a Sai devotee deal with deceitful relationships and situations where there is abuse of trust?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
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To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
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For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
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From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sai Vichaar: Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 04
Shirdi Sai wallpapers |1 |2 |3|4|5|6|7  |
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Sai Vichaar: Thursday , May 21, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 02
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: The Epitome of Service and Devotion
Bayajabai had extreme love and devotion towards Baba and she used to prepare food and take it to Baba. Baijabai, wife of Appa Kote Patil and mother of Tatya Kote Patil used to refer to Shri Sainath as her brother. Along with Mahalsapathi and Shama, Baijabai was one of the earliest people in Shirdi who recognized the divine personality of Shri Sainath. Baijabai and her son Tatya Patil remained very attached to Baba. Tatya used to call Baba, Mama or maternal uncle.
During initial days, Baba used to sit under neem tree or used to wander around in the woods. Baijabai, not minding the elements, used to take the food and walk in search of Baba in the jungles and feed Him. Baijabai used to walk long distances in search of Baba and used to feed Him lovingly. She did this diligent service to Shri Sainath for a long time until later days when Baba began to stay in the Masjid. After this, Baijabai's physical strain of walking around in search of Baba ended. She remained a strong devotee of Baba until her death.
Service or Seva is as important as Bhakthi or devotion. Baijabai, the simple-minded devotee of Sainath stands out as an example to everyone in this aspect. Her diligent service to Baba should be a reminder to everyone that treads Baba's path that service offered at the feet of Sadguru, in any form befitting Sadguru's virtues is as important as Bhakthi. Baijabai's episode stands testimony to the virtue of Seva or Service. As Baba Himself assured, Baijabai's service was amply repaid as Baba took care of her son Tatya Patil. However, that was not in the mind of Baijabai as she was humbly serving the Lord! The virtue of service should be done with humility and not with any expectation. Seva in the spirit of humility and surrender is the Seva that Baijabai personified.
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Have you seen God?
This is a question that has been asked to a lot of persons who have faith in their god. I read an article long time back of which I do not have the source, but in that article this same very question was asked to a Sadhu by a person who had came to visit him, sadhu confidently said "Yes, I have seen him and I can also show him to you if you wish". That person getting excited in disbelief said, "Ok then, show me this god". Sadhu asked that person to sit in front of him and then started waving his hand in front of his eyes, time passed by but still that person didn't show or felt any presence of god, so getting impatient he shouted back at the sadhu and asked "You have been doing this for past ten minutes now, but still I can't feel or see him, when will I see this god of yours?". To this the sadhu humbly replied, "From the past ten minutes I've been showing you the god and all you could see was my hand".
There is a very strong point in this story, initially till sometime back I was too in that group of people who used to ask others this same very question, then I had my day of realization, I was coming back from office, walking towards my home from the bus stop, I don't know how but before this question could appear in my mind an image appeared, where a person is helping an old lady to cross the street, this flash of thought made me feel that god is not what I had been thinking till today, god is not someone that could be found only in some avataars or in any materialistic way but that he is also the ACT, the act that was helping an old lady to cross the road through that gentleman, it also made me to think on the words "To see god in everything and everyone" now I fully realized those words, actually you don't even have to try or practice to see god in everyday life he himself shows his glory all the time, we just don't realize that. This incident has really broadened my definition of god, which like him is boundless.
(Contributed by Ramesh Chandra)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Anirud
Jai Sairam. Couple of months back We had read from some devotee's experience in SV List that before he drives his car he used to utter "SAI Sharanam BABA Sharanam" and how BABA helped him in a freeway when his car broke.
We too started the same practice. Couple of weeks back my wife started taking our baby for a playgroup and that was her first day for that group. The area was bit new and roads were little confusing. On the way back she entered wrongly into an One-way traffic lane, for a moment we just panicked, luckily by BABA's grace there was no on-going traffic at that second, and immediately we got an opening to another street which had Two-way traffic lanes. Never have we ever seen such an immediate opening to other street. It was all by BABA's grace we could come out of the critical mistake without any ticket / accident. Sharanam BABA Sharanam!!!
PRAYER CLUB:
Devyani
You know the suffering that I'm going through. Please help me Baba. I want to come to Shirdi this summer and take your darshan. Please make this happen, Baba. Only you can make my life better, Baba.
A Sai devotee
Om Sai Ram. Baba please cure my eye problem. I am unable to tolerate this pain. I cannot survive with this pain any longer. I am continuously praying
Rama
Om Sai Ram, you know all. Even though I have everything in my life just by your blessings, but you are aware of my inner fear, worry and anxiety. Please Sai, please help me now.
A devotee
Baba as you know the problems, which we are facing right now. Please help us to solve the problems and come out of this situation.
Sai devotee
We have applied for US Citizenship. Please help us to pass the fingerprints, interview test
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Sai Kumar V
This happened in January 2008, when I was on a visit to Pune. I landed in Pune airport around 12 noon. As I had the official work only the next day, I wanted to make a trip to Shirdi and be back in Pune. I realized that I forgot to carry my Debit Card and all I had was about Rs.500 and a credit card. I had a nice darshan of BABA at Shirdi and returned to Pune around midnight. I was searching for a decent hotel to stay for the night. All I had was Rs.200 in cash and credit card and my return flight ticket to Chennai. I was desperately searching for a budget hotel where credit card is accepted. Suddenly an autowallah approached me and said he can accommodate me in a decent hotel with credit card acceptance. He took me to the hotel about 20 minutes drive from the bus station. I checked into the hotel using the credit card. I never use credit card to withdraw cash from the ATM. So withdrawing cash from ATM was ruled out. The next morning I got ready to go the place of work, about one hour from the place where I was staying. All I had was Rs.100/- with me. I went down and checked with the hotel guy about the auto fare to that place. I was told that autowallahs charge Rs.200/- to reach the place. I came back to my room and prayed to BABA to help. I took out the SAI SATCHARITA from my bag and I opened randomly by closing my eyes. Lo! To my surprise, I found Rs.100/- in that page. My joy knew no bounds and reached the place after paying Rs.200/-. I returned to the airport in a cab arranged by the staff of the company. This miracle is an ample example, that once again BABA protects his devotees at all times.
A Sai devotee
It was 24^th April 2009 I came to know that my love Sandeep was suffering from TB but he was unaware of this because he did not go for the x-rays. He used to get little cough, he used to get up in the morning. He was losing weight; He used to get sharp pains in his back at night. He went to his family doctor & the Dr gave him some antibiotic each time & told him to go for the x-rays. Eventually, he left out breath & dizzy. A few days off work he was feeling sick & weak. He went to the Hospital as advised by his Dr. the Dr took x-rays which showed that he was suffering from TB. Then he took the same x-rays to his family Dr to confirm that whether it was true or not. He also said the same thing & found his left lung full of fluid. His Dr suggested him to go & get admitted in the Hospital for 2 days for lung tap. But Sandeep was getting scared & little upset & did not wanted to stay in the Hospital. When I came to know this I was very much tensed & tears was not stopping & I was not getting patience for a minute, but I knew my father my Shree Sai will make everything alright as Baba said have shraddha & saburi. My friend Sheryl also supported me a lot Baba keep her & her family at your lotus feet. I cried a lot in front of Shree Sai Baba & prayed to keep Sandeep healthy like before.
Then I gave my Sai's udhi & one orange thread, which I received from Shirdi & tied on his right hand. And the miracle took place I gave him udhi in water & at the same spot he started feeling better then the next day i.e. 27^th April he went to the Hospital the doctor did the check up & told him that there is no need to stay in the Hospital as it will take just half an hour for lung tap & at the same time Sandeep messaged me & I became very excited & I thank Baba the same time the Dr started removing the fluid with an injection. Immediately Sandeep started feeling relaxed & without any pain the fluid has been removed & I am sure the doctor who was removing the fluid was surely my Sai Natha this all happened by my Sai's grace. Now he is diagnosed with TB & had put on a course of drugs for nine months. I am sure these 9 months will also pass soon by my Baba's grace. Sandeep is now tensed of his job please Baba bless him with nice job with suitable timings as u know his first job KFC where he was working was not suitable for him & some or the other way his first job was also responsible for his bad health coz of taking no rest, drinking Pepsi instead of water, coming late from KFC. & having one time meal.
I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that is all because of my Shree Sai.
Baba create an urge in me to visit Shirdi & get your Blessings always be with my family & with Sandeep's family & bless him with a nice job & keep us all at your lotus feet.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"If you want to see My Light, be egoless and humble, and meditate on Me" - Sri Saibaba
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
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For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Sai Vichaar - April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
Shirdi Sai Baba updates -
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
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From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu.
Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu.
Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.12/2090 - Release Date: 05/01/09 06:17:00
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
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From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu.
Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu.
Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
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From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
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For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons:
1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page,
2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or
3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed.
To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line.
To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu.
Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to maildrop@saibaba.org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.
Thank you,
The webmaster
From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha
(A non-profit organization)
Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
Hampshire, IL 60140, USA
Email maildrop@saibaba.org
Phone 847-931-4058
Fax 847-464-1567
© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.12/2090 - Release Date: 05/01/09 06:17:00
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Shirdi Sai Baba updates
Sai Vichaar
Thursday , April 30, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 51
(In its eleventh year of publication.)
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
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
DEVOTEES SAY
PRAYER CLUB
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
SAI ACTIVITIES
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Humble and Modest
Baba said, "He (the devotee) should be modest and humble towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness" in Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.III. If you derive the least benefit from anyone, or should anyone contribute to your happiness in any way, acknowledge his services sincerely and feel grateful to him. Never for a moment think that the benefit of happiness you derived was due to your own Prarabdha and he was only an instrument and did nothing to earn your gratitude. On the contrary, you should feel that he conferred a great happiness. Gratefully remember the help received from him, do not forget it throughout your life even when circumstances have changed and always try to make him happy and be of service to him. Do not hesitate, when necessary, to acknowledge his services to you openly before a large gathering. This will foster mutual love between you and your benefactor and promote happiness and peace; the spirit of making others happy will grow from more to more among people, mutual sympathy and the spirit of service will receive encouragement. Remember that he who cherishes a feeling of gratitude towards his benefactor renders a great service to the world at large; for such an attitude pleases the heart of the benefactor, he feels encouraged, and the spirit of service and benevolence gets strengthened within him. Be grateful and never forget the obligation of your benefactor.
(Courtesy: Wavelets of Bliss - by Sri. Hanumanprasad Poddar)
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi is not mere emotionalism
It would be a gross mistake if you consider Bhakti as merely a stage of emotionalism, while it is actually a thorough discipline and training of one's will and the mind, a sure means to intuitive realization of God Almighty through intense love and affection for Him. It is a means to thorough apprehension of the true knowledge of Reality, beginning from the ordinary form of idol worship right up to the highest form of cosmic realization of your oneness with Him. You can achieve this by following the eleven fundamental factors, which Sri Ramanuja had prescribed. They are Abhyasa or practice of continuous thinking of God; Viveka or discrimination; Vimoka or freedom from everything else and longing for God; Satyam or truthfulness; Arjavam or straightforwardness; Kriya or doing good to others; Kalyana or wishing well-being to all; Daya or compassion; Ahimsa or non-injury; Dana or charity; and Anavasada or cheerfulness and optimism.
People put a question: "How can we love God whom we have not seen?"
Live in the company of saints. Hear the Lilas of God. Study the sacred scriptures. Worship Him first in His several forms as manifested in the world. Worship any image or picture of the Lord or the Guru. Recite His Name. Sing His glories. Stay for one year in Ayodhya or Brindavan, Chirakut or Pandhapur, Benares or Ananda Kutir. You will develop love for God.
Every act must be done that awakens the emotion of Bhakti. Keep the Puja (worship) room clean. Decorate the room. Burn incense. Light a lamp. Keep a clean seat. Bathe. Wear clean clothes. Apply Vibhuti (sacred ash) or Bhasma, and Kumkum on the forehead. Wear Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala. All these produce a benign influence on the mind and elevate the mind. They generate piety. They help to create the necessary Bhava or feeling to invoke the Deity that you want to worship. The mind will be easily concentrated.
Practice of right conduct, Satsanga, Japa, Smarana, Kirtan, prayer, worship, service of saints, residence in places of pilgrimage, service of the poor and the sick with divine Bhava, observance of Varnashrama duties, offering of all actions and their fruits to the Lord, feeling the presence of the Lord in all beings, prostrations before the image and saints, renunciation of earthly enjoyments and wealth, charity, austerities and vows, practice of Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya - all these will help you to develop Bhakti.
(Source: Swami Sivananda Saraswathi)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Pranita
It is eight years since I had got married and were eagerly waiting for a little one to arrive. I trusted Baba and knew that he would not let me down. And it happened after so many years after having lost hope Saibaba blessed us and now we are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive in June. Shree Saibaba I pray and ask you to bless us and the new one who would arrive soon. Bless us so that everything is well and everyone is happy.
Padma
Baba just because of your kind grace my sister is going to have a baby soon. It is you who entered into my older sister's womb and coming in the form of a baby to fill my other sister's life with joy. Your ways you only know. We are just instruments in your hands. Koti Koti Pranams.
Samhita
Bless my pinni. You have taken care of me very well. Please bless her with a child.
Suneeta YN
Thank you very much Baba for giving me a healthy baby boy. Baba please take care of him and be with us always.
PRAYER CLUB:
Farah
Om Sai Ram, I have become very short tempered due to certain instances in my life and my three year old daughter seems to be at the receiving end of my outbursts. I love her a lot and the last thing I want to do is to hurt her. Give me the strength Sai natha to contain my temper even when she is throwing her tantrums and being difficult.
Shalini
Please help us in selling our house at best price since we want to give away all our debts within this month. Please help us out from this financial trouble. Please bless us that our PR process gets finished before six months and without any trouble. Baba please bless us.
Anbumozhi
Please bless us with children immediately as it is already nine years since marriage. I am without a job for the past six months please help me and bless me.
Anjana
Please make my parents healthy, happy, and strong. Please take care of my parents.
Sundaram
I am starting to feel unsecured and today was just unbearable. Baba you have graced me with the responsibilities of family too. Please let me take my salary with respect and not with disgrace.
Sai devotee
Please see that my brother's marriage should go well.
Giri
Please forgive me for whatever mistakes I had done & show me the way, which I had experienced, under your refuge.
Alka
Pl help us in clearing our debts as we are deep into it and the more we try to get rid of it the more we get trapped only your grace can help us in clearing our debts.
Sanjeev
My wife and I had full faith on you and made a humble prayer in your holy feet to shower your blessing/ashirwad to start our new business with honesty.
Raghuram
Let my refinance go clean, bless us for the India trip, and take us to Shirdi.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Virendra
Its being almost more than a year or two, my father wanted to go for the operation to cut two cysts on the skull. I was so worried as if I thought the cyst is due to cancer or what? Whether the operation is possible or not? Whether it would be successful or not? We were facing some financial problems as well. SaiVichaar was something I had going. Through regularly and I promised Baba one day that I will thank Baba through Sai Vichaar if operation goes successful. And by Baba's grace and love, it all happened miraculously. The cysts were removed safely. I received money from my previous company on time. I am very much financially stable now. I am thankful to Baba for all the miracles I have experienced in my life. I know that it is all because of Baba. There are too many experiences I would like to share in SaiVichaar again. I pray to Baba to help all the needy beings who are suffering and have not yet been blessed by Baba. Jai Sai Nath. Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Yamini
I feel really gifted to write this experience. Only with lot of patience and trust in you, we can feel your presence. I was having severe earache, I checked with the leading ENT in Chennai he told no problem and to put drops when I get the pain. Due to hot summer, I got infection in my ear again and was suffering for 2 weeks. I was not willing to go to doctor again as they give antibiotic and it does not suit my stomach , I was praying Baba last Wednesday that if my earache stops I will write in Sai vichaar . The next day Thursday and Friday lot of pus and blood oozed out my ear and the pain subsided. Baba be with my kids , husband , parents ,my sisters family ,my in-laws and every soul on this earth and give them good health and peaceful life . Shower your courtesy on everyone. Make me pray you regularly and do my duties well. Thanks Baba, I will never forget you. Create an urge in me to visit Shirdi and get your blessings.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the above-mentioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection". - Sri Sai Satcharita
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion?
A. by Rathnashikamani
Intellect is the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination. Intellect is a trait of mind by which humans differentiate the bad and good, though we cannot draw a clear line between these two aspects. One man's food is another man's poison. The bad and the good are subjective and influenced by the conditioning of one's own thoughts. Considering the overlapping aspects of good and bad, we can say that devotion is far from the intellect. Devotion entails from believing. Devotion just happens irrespective of the intellect. Often, intellect looks at the physical phenomenon where the rules of science are applied. At the surface level, modern science is away from the spirituality. But many intellectuals agree that science is a way leading to spirituality. Devotion blossoms when you are wonderstruck by the unfolding science of nature. Devotion is where you are left without any reasoning that is beyond the realms of human intellect. Devotion to scientific thinking ultimately transforms one to believe in the revealing nature of the Creation. Humans are the victims of their own devices. Intellect is a device humans sometimes use it like a double-edged sword. A sword is useful for the good and also for the bad. It depends on who uses it for what purpose according to a situation. Intellect evolves as one grows from infancy to maturity. Intellect consists of thoughts. Every communication is a thought. Devotion is a thought that communes with the supernatural. Devotion can be practiced. Bhakti yoga is the science of devotion. By intense devotion, the so-called intellect vanishes as the thoughts cease and the 'I' ness unifies with the paramatma.
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 maildrop@saibaba.org.
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 email folder due to the email filter function of the respective email providers. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately.
Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
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From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site
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Mail: 12N950 State Route 47
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© Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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