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Volume 3 Issue 1
January 2005
Contents
Monthly Feature
The Pope & the President
Know Your Sai Satcharita
Quotation of the month
About Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center
Sai Sandesh
Sai Sandesh is a Monthly Newsletter dedicated to the Life and message of Saibaba of Shirdi. Please send your contributions to hamaresai@yahoo.com. If you would like to receive this newsletter please click here. Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, MN is not responsible for the opinions expressed by the individual contributors.
About Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center.
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Inc., Twin Cities, MN is registered as a Non-profit corporation in the state of Minnesota. The organization is funded by the voluntary contributions of Sai devotees. The Prayer Center is currently located at 725 NE Lake St. Apt. 139, Hopkins, MN, where regular Sai Satsangs are conducted and occasions of importance to Saibaba of Shirdi are celebrated. In addition to the Prayer Center activities, the organization is also involved with community service including "Meals on Wheels" and "Adopt a Family" programs. Please visit the Prayer Center and participate in its activities. Please write to hamaresai@yahoo.com for more details.
Daily Services
Please note that the Prayer center is open all days of the week. Sunday-Friday prayer center is open from 6:30pm to 9pm and on Saturdays 5:00pm - 9:00pm.
If you would like to volunteer for any weekday service [for a month], please send us a email at hamaresai@yahoo.com with subject 'Daily Service Signup' or you can signup the calender at the prayer center.
Fortnightly Satsangs
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center conducts fortnightly satsangs from 5pm onwards and the program includes Abhishek to Baba, Dhoop Arti, Bhajan/Kirtans, Naam Jap, Shej Arti and Maha Prasad. The next 2 satsangs are scheduled on January 29th & February 12th.
These Satsangs are sponsored by devotees. If you would like to sign-up for sponsorship, please send a email to hamaresai@yahoo.com with subject as "Satsang Sponsorship".
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2nd Anniversary * Thank You
Dear Sai Bandhus,
With Baba's grace, and devotees' support, Sai Sandesh completed 2nd year of publication. We would like to thank all of the contributors and the readers for your support.
Monthly Feature
Who is the most busy man?
A Contractor says, "I am the most busy man in the world. I have taken many contracts in Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and
Calcutta. I have to build a three storeyed building at Calcutta, a High School at Delhi and a big temple at Allahabad. It is
very difficult to get cement and other materials. I have to run here and there. There is no time for me to take my food. I am
very busy. I sleep at 2 a.m. My son is very sick. I have received a telegram. I cannot attend on him."
A Doctor says, "I am the most busy man in the world. Cholera has broken out. I have to give two hundred injections daily. I
have to attend on two hundred patients in the outpatient department. I have ten serious double-pneumonia cases in the
Hospital. There is no time to change my dress even. I took my food at 3 p. m., today. My mother-in-law came to see me. I had
no time to talk to her even."
An Advocate says, "I am the most busy man in the world. I have to take briefs and coach up witnesses. I must attend the High
Court on Tuesday and the Small Cause Court on Wednesday and Sessions Court on Thursday. My car is out of order. I am going in
tonga now. Last night I woke up till 3 a. m. I had to refer to so many law books."
An Executive engineer says, "I am the most busy man in the world. This is wartime. I have to supervise the construction of
three bridges in Assam and special buildings in five different places. I have not answered my letters to the Superintending
Engineer for the last fifteen days. I have a huge bundle of papers. I do not know what to do."
An Auditor says, "I am the most busy man in the world. I am in charge of the Military accounts now. There is not a wink of
sleep for me for the last ten days. My assistant also fell ill. I have to audit the Accounts of the other division also as
the auditor, has gone on leave. My head is aching."
All these people are doubtless busy in some way or other. They run about hither and thither in cars and saloons, they have no
time to take food and bath in these days. They cannot masticate their food properly. They have to bolt their food hurriedly
to catch the train in time. Their state is really miserable and pitiable too.
They do not know what they are exactly doing. Although they are very busy, they have not done anything useful, substantial,
laudable and praiseworthy. They have not done anything, which can propitiate the Lord, the Indweller, the silent-witness of
their mind and its activities. Some other creatures also are very busy throughout day and night.
The most busy man in the world is the silent Yogi who sits in Padmasan in the Himalayas. He is extremely busy though he does
not move about and talk. He is very busy though he does not do any physical work. He purifies the whole world by his magnetic
spiritual vibrations. He transmits soul-elevating thoughts of comfort, hope, solace, peace and spiritual strength to the
different corners of the world. He changes the mentality and lower nature of deserving aspirants by his thought
transference and magnetic thought currents. He lives to help the world. He is busy to help others. He has no selfish purpose
to be fulfilled. He is entirely unselfish.
The flywheel of the engine appears to be at standstill when it moves with a
tremendous velocity. So is the Sattvic mind of a silent Yogi who is sitting with his crossed legs in a cave of Himalayas.
Worldly people will regard him as a man of inertia but he is tremendously patient, vibrant and radiant. His Sattvic subtle
mind moves with a tremendous velocity. He can do and undo things. He is omnipotent and omniscient. He can move the whole
world. Worldly people cannot understand him. They cannot fathom and gauge his worth and depth of knowledge and power.
A doctor also is indeed very busy. In what way? He is busy in filling up his pockets. He is busy in sending his bills to
collect his fees, visiting fees and the fees for injections. A contractor is ever busy in collecting money for his false
bills by showing third class bricks as first class bricks. A lawyer is ever busy in coaching his witnesses to tell deliberate
lies. All are doubtless busy but you can now have a clear understanding of their busy nature and activities. A silent Yogi
does marvelous good to the world without expecting anything in return. This is his very nature. The other busy people are
really doing nothing, though they appear to be busy. Animals too are busy throughout the day and night in search of food and
comforts. I leave this for the readers to judge now.
Sri Sankara, Lord Buddha, Lord Jesus were very busy though they
remained silent. Whatever they have done still remain as a spiritual monument in the world. Still they inspire people.
Whatever these so-called busy people have done cannot last even for a few hours. They have done more harm than good. How can
selfish people who worship mammon, who are slaves of lust can do even an iota of good to the world?
A Yogi or a
Sannyasi or a Bhagayata or a Sadhu who resting in his own Swaroopa or essential divine nature disseminates divine knowledge,
conducts Akhanda Kirtan, trains aspirants and works for the solidarity of the world in a variety of ways is the most busy
man, although he does not move about. Glory to such busy men of this world. They are a blessing to the World at
large.
May this world abound with busy people like Sri Sankara, Lord Buddha, Lord Jesus and silent Yogis who can move the whole
world, who can establish Dharma on the surface of the earth, and who can guide people in the path of Truth, Righteousness and
Divinity!
(By Sri Swami Sivananda. Originally published IN Sai Sudha june 1944) - Courtesy - Sai Sudha.
Devotees' Contributions
The Pope and the President
Ravin, Coon Rapids, MN
Is spiritual life the same as the material life or are they different? Do they run parallel? Perpendicular? Or are they
intertwined with each other? What constitutes a life that dwells in spirit and what is material life? Although Baba didn´t
elaborate on this topic just as He did not dissect on any other topic at length, one encounters this discussion frequently.
It is an observation that the young are often discouraged to pursue any spiritual activity as it is deemed that it is
not as much a priority as earning a livelihood. Thus, spiritual pursuits are often pushed towards latter stages of life. To
dissuade this thought, it is said that one need not differentiate the spiritual life from the way we live our everyday lives.
To this effect, it is said that one should spend whatever time he/she could in the thoughts of Sadguru as one goes about the
ordinary life. As the distinction is blurred, the life itself becomes a harmonious blend of the self and Sadguru. Is there
anything more?
Everyone is entitled for Baba´s grace. But, do all get the same benefit? Baba Himself quipped that if every flower on the
tree comes to fruition it would be a bumper crop. But it doesn´t happen. The thought that material life and spiritual life is
one in itself is a revelation, a comforting assurance that would help one in looking at life in its perspective. Does this
mean that the material and spiritual lives are same, meaning there is no difference? If one were to observe carefully,
argument that there are no differences between spiritual and material life denotes an intelligent yet subtle justification to
one´s chosen pursuits that are often in conflict with the search for the spirit!
Spiritual or material, it is one life. Attempting to differentiate is a futile exercise because it is neither possible nor
appropriate to draw the line. However, as one progresses in the path of Sadguru, the changes in one´s life should be evident
as every interest revolves around Sadguru; around His likes and dislikes, and approval and disapproval. When the life is in
complete tune with Sadguru and none else, such a life is completely spiritual and not material. Just like one cannot travel
on two horses riding in opposite directions, one cannot expect to lead a material life to its fullest fulfillment and yet
accomplish the spiritual goal.
Know your Sai Satcharitha!
- What are the two books written by Dasganu Maharaj that has teachings
of Saibaba in them?
- Name the book read by V.H Thakur the meaning of which he understood
after his visit to Shirdi?
Who was cured of sever suffering from ear pain after being comforted
by Baba saying, "Allah accha karega"?
Who advised the husband of the pregnant woman to take her to Shirdi
for the next childbirth so that the delivery is safe?
When did Baba say these words, "You have been so long in My company
then why do you behave like this?"
Answers to Know your Sai Satcharitha! From Sai Sandesh December 2004
1. In which year did Jamner Miracle take place?
Jamner miracle took place in the year 1904/1905.
2. "After performing many deeds of merit you are born as a human and if you act like this, how
can Shirdi help you I any way? - Who did Baba say these words to?
Baba said the above to a bhakta who reviled someone behind
his back before other people and spoke so sarcastically that others were disgusted.
3. Who is a "mumukshu"?
A "mumukshu" is a spiritual term that indicates one who has
an intense desire to get free from mundane bondage (liberation).
4. Which episode in Sri Sai Satcharitha highlights the fact, "Food is
Brahman"?
The quest for Guru and the search in the forest where the
offer of food by a low caste person was discarded by the other three while Saibaba accepted the food and thus succeeded in
finding Guru.
5. What is the sadhana prescribed for Kaliyuga?
"Nama Smaran", remembering God´s name is prescribed sadhana for Kaliyuga.
Community Activities of the Prayer Center
With the grace and blessings of Shri Saibaba, Sai devotees across Twin Cities have participated in the following
activities during the year 2004.
Meals on
Wheels - Over 360 meals were delivered in Woodbury,
Hopkins, Shore View, Arden Hills, and Roseville areas of the Twin Cities, MN.
Adopt A
Family - Five families were supported during the
Holiday season and an additional amount of $125.00 donated to Kinship of Greater Minneapolis.
Save A
Child´s Heart - Rs 25,500 donated to Deccan Chronicle -
Apollo initiative on saving children with cardiac ailments in India
3M's Holiday Basket Deliveries - Eight baskets delivered to needy families in St.Paul area
Poor
Feeding - Participated in Salvation Army Breakfast
Services on three occasions and a donation of $250.00 was made.
Sai devotees have also raised $ 3258 towards
the Tsunami Relief Fund. Everyone's concern and contribution is sincerely appreciated as we all feel a humble sense of
participation in sending this amount to Indian Prime Minister's National Relief Fund on behalf of Shirdi Saibaba Prayer
Center. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and may Lord Sainath bless them peace and grant them the
courage to face the life after the disaster.
Thanks to all volunteers for participating in the activities of Shirdi Saibaba Prayer
Center.
Prayer Center Activities for January 2005
January 15 - Fortnightly Satsang sponsored by C Narsi Reddy & Family.
January 22 - Prayer Club - Sai Naama Jap.
January 29 - Fortnightly Satsang sponsored by Ravi Limkar & Family.
Please write to hamaresai@yahoo.com if you would like to know
more about the above activities.
Quotation of the Month
"I am the slave of those who hunger and
thirst after me and treat everything else as unimportant" - Saibaba |
Notice - Receipts for contributionsShirdi Saibaba Prayer Center thanks you for your continued support.
We request all donor devotees to kindly mention their email id on the check, as we will be emailing the receipts from now on.
In case you have already mailed/dropped in a check, on or after January 1 2005, kindly send an email to dakshina_hamaresai@yahoo.com with your name and check number, so that we can send the receipt by
email. Kindly note that this is an effort to reduce the manual processing costs thereby the devotee contributions be spent on
Prayer Center Activities. As you maybe aware, all contributions to SSPC are tax exempt to the extent allowed by
IRS.
Bow to Sri SAI, Peace be to ALL!
Om Sai! Please send your comments, suggestions, contributions in the form of features,
quotations and experiences to hamaresai@yahoo.com. Please forward this to all who
will be interested.
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Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Inc.,Twin Cities - MN
(A Non-profit, Non-sectarian,
Spiritual Learning Center, Tax ID 03-0473843)
Donations to Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center are Tax-Deductible.
725 Lake ST NE,
Apt #139, Hopkins MN * Tel: (952) 938 2983
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