Who needs the Sai Organisation?
“The present situation in the world is like a typhoon, causing unrest and confusion. No one has mental quiet; fear and anxiety stalk everywhere; panic reigns even while the conquest of space and the creation of new planets is being hailed.” ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Welcome to Kali Yuga! These are times of chaos, of selfishness, of lack of Prema and Shanti, of the decline of Dharma. These are the times when people are most deluded and confused, when desires and false dreams are multiplying, when love for the material world and fear of God is growing. This is the tragedy of the Kali age!
“Respect for spiritual institutions, temples, holy places, elders and sacred books is fast declining. Pride in material wealth and competition in acquiring it, are fast increasing. This is the tragedy of our times.” ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba
So, how do we overcome the tragedy of our times? How do we become a lotus, which while surrounded by filth still remains untouched and pure? What do we change and how do we change? Just think of His name and it will give us our answers: ‘S’ stands for ‘spiritual’ change; ‘A’ stands for ‘association’ change, this is a change in one’s relationship with others in society; ‘I’ stands for ‘individual’ change. ‘SAI’ thus signifies changes at three levels – spiritual, social and individual. But what can help us in this change process?
The only hold that man has in this dreadful darkness is the name of God. That is the raft which will take him across this stormy sea, darkened by hate and fear, churned by anxiety and terror. ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Swami, in all his mercy, has given us a ship, the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, which gives us a chance to cross the stormy sea in these difficult times. Passengers of the Kali Yuga, wanting to lead a life of inner satisfaction and fulfilment; a life based on selflessness, Prema and Dharma; a life based on fear of sin and Love for God, must board this ship.
While a lot of us think that we are on board, we need to introspect and see if we are really sailing on the right ship? Baba has clearly directed that, “They (the Sai Organisation) must try to spread interest in japam (recitation of God’s Name), dhyaanam (meditation) and other saadhanas (spiritual practices), which lead man Godward; they must demonstrate the joy derivable from bhajan (devotional group singing) and Naamasmarana (remembering God’s Name), the Shaanthi (peace) that one can draw from Sathsang (good company). They must render seva (service) to the helpless, the sick, the distressed, the illiterate and the needy. Their seva (selfless service) should not be exhibitionistic; it must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients. Seva is saadhana, not a pastime of the rich and well placed. Each one must realise his own truth,” says Baba.
The Sai Organisation thus really becomes a place for the ones who want to realise their own Truth. It’s a place for those who are looking for peace and happiness, joy and calm not through the external world but through their inner-self. It’s a place for the ones who are blessed to play the role of the squirrel in His Mission. It’s a place for those who are living in His Love, for His Love and are making themselves a messenger of His Love!
“God has not fallen into a ditch for you and me to help Him out by building a hospital or something of that sort. He allows you to work. He allows you to exercise your muscles in this great gymnasium, not in order to help Him but that you may help yourself. Blessed are we that we are given the privilege of working for Him, not of helping Him.” ~ Swami Vivekananda
Some Highlights from the PM’s Convocation Address
Soham | सो ऽहम् 