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.

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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: Simple God!

God is simple. He is seen, heard, felt, sensed, loved, and despised. However, the most difficult thing for us is to explain how simple God is. It is the intellectual limitation of our species. Why do we have so many Gurus, Gods and Religions? For the reason that God may be made simple to understand.

How blessed are the religions? Perhaps not so blessed as long as they do not realize the very function of religion. As long as they do not underline that religion is a path and not the destination. Blessed is the mankind, stars dawn on our horizon occasionally. The Supreme Conscious that walks the earth with the message that God is too big to fit into any single religion. The entity that represents timeless conscious; just like the begging fakir of Shirdi who cautions that human life is just a frozen frame of a few years and the actual idea should be to zoom ourselves out to eternity. The Super Star who simplifies our pursuits that any single religion has perhaps failed to accomplish.

During His tenure at Shirdi, inscrutable were His ways. Someone was sent to every temple in Shirdi before entering His abode. The other was kicked out after entering from other temple. One was sent to high mountains, the other was made to read scriptures. And, one was simply made to, wait! Let us be those fortunate children of God that does not confirm to one form. He is Dattatreya and the Crucifix. He is Allah Maalik. He is the burning fire, and the Banyan tree. Let us love everyone and their religions too. Let us truthfully attempt to see His message of unification. By the grace of this simple God, for that is the beginning.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: How Baba does it?

Faith in Saibaba slowly leads one to believe that Baba is behind the things done or undone. This realization works easy when the things happen to one's satisfaction while it falters if things are not pleasing. The path to the complete surrender at Sadguru's lotus feet chops away the difference between the pleasant and unpleasant. If one completely understands how Baba's intent or sankalpa translates to tangible actions to its minutest details, contentment naturally fills in the heart and as the consequence equanimity. Rare and great are such souls. Or, if one would say that somehow Baba will do it, is indicative of a blind faith in Sadguru's disposition. This is a feeling that rain or shine, it is Baba! Any trace of ignorance in this regard will be washed away in the constant company of the Sadguru. But judgments of others actions such as "what does he or she think he or she is doing? Its all Baba's doing", is blatant arrogance. One can easily understand this feeling with a little bit of contemplation. These thoughts should be nipped in the bud, as they are signs of spiritual falling.

Baba didn't materialize anything out of thin air. Baba's "miracles" happen through people and situations in our surroundings in the most inconspicuous ways. This truth is articulated in the most eloquent way by Sri Sarathbabuji as follows: "Miracles of Sai do not take place as something falling from the sky. We experience it through mercy, compassion, and protection from those around us in a natural way. We pray to Baba, "Baba! I need money". I am in difficulties". We offer naivedya to Baba and go to bed, but we do not see Baba keeping a lakh rupees under the pillow! Someone will come to us and suggest a solution to our problem. Baba Himself said, "Not a single leaf moves without my order". When the wind blows, the leaves on the tree move. When even the movement of a leaf from an inanimate tree requires Baba's order, His intent and grace, how can we think that everything is in our hands? When this awareness crops in us, the ego that makes us think, "We are doing something, we have to do it, we have to accomplish and we have accomplished because we have done something", will vanish. The realization that "He does everything. And we are not capable of doing anything" is called as "Complete Surrender". However, this should not become the dry and wry philosophy of uttering around, "Its all Baba's sankalpa, what do I have to do? He has done it". The cognizance of "complete surrender" should remain as just an inspiration, a background to the pursuit of our desires, ideals, and trials. Unless we get to completely experience the intent of Saibaba in every action, we should not use the term "complete surrender" for our convenience".

(Contributed by Sai Vichaar team)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Saipadma
I had many experiences with Sai Baba. In the month of March, I had severe pain in my legs, that lasted more than two weeks, I had been to a doctor who told it might be spinal problem and asked me not to bend at all and take complete rest. Still the pain was there, I promised Baba that I would write my experience here if everything went fine. I visited another doctor who told its just muscle pain and will be cured soon. Within two days the pain disappeared. Thanks to Sai Baba who relieved me of the pain without further tests. Om Sai, Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai. May Sai Baba bless us all.

Kusum
Om Sai Ram! I have full faith in Sai Baba and believe that if we follow his instructions, He Himself will guide us and nothing will go against us. And if something goes against us, He will give us strength to bear it. I went to Passport office to submit application form and my younger brother gave me his Graduation Degree, Pan Card and Passport to enquire something from that office. All the time I was praying to Baba to complete my work fast. It took very little time. I thanked Baba and took an auto to return to my office. When I reached office, I gave money to the driver and went inside the office, without realizing that I had left the documents, folder in the auto itself. After ten minutes, our gatekeeper came to me and handed over that folder to me and said the auto driver has given this. I didn't even get the time to thank him because he left the folder at the gate itself. Now through this I want to thank Sai Baba and that auto driver. May Sai Baba shower His grace upon him. Bow to Sai Baba.

Gowrisankar
I was trying really hard for getting a job as I had lost my job since 5 months. Then I started reading Sai satcharitra everyday and prayed Sai to help me out from my problems. Sai has shown grace on me, the company which said they will employ me and later said no has forwarded my CV to their Group Company, which employed me. This itself is a miracle which can only be possible thru Sai Baba's Grace. From then on I read Sai Satcharitra almost everyday. Thank you Sai and I pray that my faith on you will never fade.

Gopikrishna
Dear sister Mythili, if you are in and around Delhi, kindly contact me immediately at my mobile 98999-29066. I hope and felt that I will be of some service to you. Kindly do not hesitate, even if you are anywhere in India. Because, I know a good NGO who can help you out.

Saidaasi
I was engulfed with doubts and apprehension two years ago when I thought I had a rare skin problem. I was watching television where the skin problem was discussed and checking it with my skin I was devastated to see that the problem tallied in some ways with my skin too. I was afraid to go to a doctor fearing that he might tell something bad, I kept postponing the doctor visit. In the meantime I became pregnant and couldn't think of a doctor visit then. After my baby was born, I decided to deal with the problem. I prayed to Baba everyday to give me confidence and shower his blessings. I visited the doctor and she said that it was nothing to worry about and everything is all right. Reading Satcharita everyday boosted my confidence and the fear and doubt that disturbed my sleep for two years just went away.

PRAYER CLUB:

Neetu
Baba pranam, Baba you know very well what is happening with me. Sai Baba please tell me how long will I have to tolerate this torture. Baba if you can't solve my problem please kill me. I don't want to live any more. I am not able to take this torture anymore. Baba please have mercy on my son. Please help me.

Krystal
Lord Sai, You have been everything and I hope You will still be the same to me. Baba, You know how much I have suffered in my life since childhood. Baba I want Your blessings. I want You to fulfill my desires, at least let me have the life that I desire now.

Kavitha
Baba, please help and cure Sai Akshay's whole body diseases. He is always suffering from dysentery which makes him very weak. Please help my husband in his work so that he will be happy and work peacefully.

Pratibha
I want to pray to Sai Baba that please help me to clear my 12th class in accountancy (320) with good marks and for my dearest mother and my sister and my younger brother.

Animita
Sai Baba please bless my 3 year old girl, Prarthna who is suffering from hearing loss. Please shower your blessings on her so that she starts hearing clearly without hearing aids. Sai devotees, please pray for her quick recovery.

Kusuma
Please help my husband find a job Baba. It is 8 years since our marriage and still we are helpless and without a job, please bless us Baba please.

Mahalakshmi
My husband has been posted to Indonesia a new country for us. Please be with us and bless us. Please be with him and help him to do his job to the utmost satisfaction.

Dinesh
Sai Baba as you know that with Your blessing my wife is pregnant, but now a days she is losing weight very fast every week. Baba, please take care of her and our baby and ask her to take proper medicine and food on time.

Rajani
It's been 10 years that I am married. Please shower blessings on us to have a baby. I really feel sad for my parents and in laws who is waiting for a grand child.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

Suman
There are several experiences of mine with Sai. This one is among the recent. It happened to us when we went to Shirdi lately. My mother had stopped eating rice and had taken vow that she would be eating only after she visits Shirdi. This she had taken in the year 1998. Sai blessed her this year and we got chance to visit Shirdi along with my whole family (6 of us). When we finished darshan on Thursday it was 9.30 pm and tickets for prasada (provided by temple-for dinner) were not available. The counter was closed. We were very disappointed as we wanted my mother to have her first morsel of rice from prasada and that too on Thursday. We were returning back and all of a sudden one guy came and offered us 6 tickets telling that 6 of his friends are missing and he has extra dinner tickets. We didn't have any words to tell except to thank Sai. Sai can bless us in anyways, all we need is our complete acceptance of His love!

Saipriya
I moved to the US a few years back and was not working. After a while I was desperate to get a job, but I did not know how this was going to happen after finishing college and not having any work experience. But I was determined to get a job and deeply prayed and cried and expressed my anguish and frustration to Sai and within a few months I got a very good job. The job was challenging but it was truly a miracle that I could even get it and Sai made it possible for me. I am really indebted to Sai for helping me with this.This was a very big miracle in my life. There are several instances where Sai shows his presence and miracles. I am writing this incident among all others as I had promised Sai that I would when I had this problem. I had a really urgent matter to be done by April 30th and I had a lot of data saved on a old laptop, the password of which I had totally forgotten, but it was April 30th night and only a few hours remaining for the deadline and I prayed to Sai that if I could recover my password I would post my experience here. Miraculously within 3 attempts I got the password right and believe it or not, I had the work complete exactly at 11:59 pm.a minute late it wouldn't have worked for me. As I am writing this I had a very tough situation at work and Sai handled it for me.So dear devotees believe in Him and He will surely answer all our prayers.

Saroja
Om Sai Ram. I am responding to the article published on (May 04th 2006) "Devotees Say" by Sai devotee Geetha. I think it was sometime back in 2000. I live in Florida and the temple was under construction. I thought of offering a coconut for Sai Baba if something happens. I got the coconut on Wednesday and I thought of offering it on Thursday. On Thursday I realized that our family is planning to go to the Temple which was under construction. On Saturday we started to temple and I was thinking about the coconut and thought there is no idol of Sai in that temple. I started feeling very bad after thinking about not having Sai idol in that temple and I wanted to offer that coconut to Baba. I was thinking that Sai baba will not be happy if I offer the coconut in temple since there is no idol of Sai baba. And then I decided to buy another one to offer to Sai Baba. With half mind only, I gave the coconut to Priest and he offered it to the idols there. We were taking prasadam, when I saw an agarbatti packet lying on the floor. That packet had Lord Sai Baba's picture on it. I was stunned and I realized that what I was thing is wrong. Baba is not different than any other God. I felt really happy and my joy has no bounds. My hair on arms stood straight and I felt like Lord Sai Maharaj presence and felt really blessed. After reading Geeta's article, I think we are blessed to have/feel Baba's presence and I thought of sharing with all the Sai devotees.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"Everybody should behave honestly (virtuously) and keep his/her conscience awake. One should do the duty without accepting the pride of doership, which should be dedicated along with its fruit to God so that we will remain aloof without the action binding us".-Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. Name any incident during the life of Baba which made a lasting impression on you

A. by S Ramani

Sai Baba's method of teaching was unique and varied. Baba taught Das Ganu a great lesson on contentment when he consulted Baba to give the correct interpretation of the Upanishad. Baba said "You need not be anxious, there is no difficulty about the matter, the maid servant of Kakasaheb Dixit will clear your doubts at Ville Parle on your way home"

Trusting Baba's words, Das Ganu visited Kakasaheb and stayed with him. In the morning, he heard a melodious song, admiring a beautiful saree. When he located the voice, he found the singer to be the poor servant girl, in ugly and torn rags. He immediately arranged a new small sari to be presented to her. When she wore it, her jay reached no bounds. She played and danced with other girls. The next day, she came again in her old clothing, without any trace of dejection or sorrow.

Das Ganu's pity turned into admiration. He realized that the impoverished condition of the poor girl, her torn rag, the new sari, the donor and the donee and the deal were all parts of the Lord and pervaded by Him. Here, Das Ganu got a practical demonstration of the lesson of Upanishad - the Lesson of contentment with one's own lot with the belief that whatever happens is ordained by God and is ultimately good for us.

Q. Name any incident during the life of Baba which made a lasting impression on you

A. by Manjula

Chapter XV, of Satcharitra, Mr. Cholkar's sugarless tea, incident where He says "If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am immediately with you, day and night. Thought I am here bodily, still I know what you do beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you will over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you. Always worship Me, who is seated in your heart as well as in the hearts of the all beings. Blessed and fortunate, indeed, is he who knows Me thus". This has been proved to me in many situations in my life where I had none but Him. He has always held my hands and taken me out of the calamities. Whatever I am today is by His loving grace and blessings. I cannot think of life without Him. Babas please bless everybody with Your loving grace and instill peace in all.

Q. Name any incident during the life of Baba which made a lasting impression on you

A. by S. P. Srivastava

Regarding the myriad of miracles, let us see the miracle of Baba in a similar situation. One Chennai Sanyasi, Vijayanand, has made plans to go on a pilgrimage to Mansarovar. Enroute he halted at Shirdi. Hearing the difficulties on the way to Mansarovar he cancelled his trip and stayed on in Shirdi. Vijayanand then went to Baba and prostrated himself before Him. Baba, however, got enraged and asked the fellow to be driven out. Vijayanand took this in its stride since he was filled with affection for Baba and did not feel like leaving Shirdi. It was certainly on account of his sanskars of the past years that he decided to remain at Shirdi. Vijayanand did not know his future but the Omniscient Baba could know that his life was shortly to be cut short. And in this perspective, Baba gave him invaluable sermons some of which are summarized below:
i)Do your duty leaving all attachment with the things of this world;
ii)Wealth and prosperity are transient and the body is always subject to decay and death;
iii)Remember and meditate God with love and affection;
iv)Surrender yourself to the feet of Hari to get free from all troubles and attain bliss;
v)Do the 'Saptahs' of Bhagwat;
vi)God will then be pleased with you and you will get eternal peace.
Vijayanand could complete only two readings of Bhagwat. Thereafter he stayed in his lodging for two days and on the third day he breathed his last in Baba's lap. Thus the Omniscient Baba helped an ignorant Vijayanand to attain salvation or sadgati. [Incidentally it is interesting to mention that Baba was a Hard taskmaster so far as spiritual matters were concerned]

SAI ACTIVITIES:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
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.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota
Regular Sai activities in Minneapolis, St.Paul area are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com, or call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org.

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 or visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Bay Area, California
Shirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 7:30 pm at Odd Fellows Temple, 20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. For details please call 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com or visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org.

Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USA
Shirdi Sai Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans followed by Aarti and Prasad on every 1st Saturday of each month at Durga Mandir, Kendall Park, New Jersey. The next bhajan is on June 3rd 2006 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All are requested to kindly come and receive Baba's blessings. For more information, please call us at 609-275-1334 or visit www.shirdisaidham.org or email us at shirdisaidham@hotmail.com.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada cordially invites all to join for Shirdi Sai paduka puja on Sunday, May 21st at 11:30 a.m. followed by bhajan sandhaya-navaidaya offerings-madhayaan aarti and preeti bhoj-at Gur Mandir, 207 Queen's Plate Dr. (Etobicoke) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Z7. For more information send email to saileela99@yahoo.com or saileela99@shirdisainath.org or call 416-402-8089 or 416-895-7905.

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, Canada
The Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m. Dhoop Aarti is at 7:30 p.m. everyday. Bhajans are on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. onwards. For other temple activities and information please call 647-444-4724 or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com.

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Effective May 10th, 2006 the Shirdi Sai Mandir has moved to a new location half mile north of existing premises. Address- 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH- 43016. It is just adjacent to Amul India restaurant. Mandir opens everyday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with scheduled four aaratis. Bhajans are perfomed every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. followed by prasad. Please visit www.saibaba.cc for more details or call 614-799-8411 or send an email to sssb_temple@yahoo.com.

Sai Satsangs, Seattle, WA
We are happy to inform all the devotees that we are organizing Sri Sai Baba Satsang program at HTCC Temple, Bothell (Seattle), WA from 4.00 to 6.00 P.M. on Sunday - 7th May, 2006. Please join in and get the Blessings of Sadguru Sri Sai Baba. For further details please visit HTCC temple website: www.htccwa.org

Sri Shirdi Sai Akshaya Meditation, Malaysia
We have regular gatherings, bhajans on Thursdays at Sri Shirdi Sai Akshaya Meditation Centre, Brickfields, Kualalumpur, Malaysia. For more information please call 60322606030 or send email to daewanand@yahoo.com

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Sai Vichaar wishes its readers and devotees a Special Thursday. Today is the beginning of ninth year on the web for Sai Vichaar. This is a special day of celebration of His love and glory. It would not be possible without Sainath's grace and the support of ever increasing number of readers and devotees across the globe. Inscrutable are His ways.

Gurupoornima is celebrated in July. The festival celebrating Sadguru Sainath Maharaj's love and grace is important to all Sai devotees. Please share with your fellow devotees he details of Gurupoornima celebrations planned in your community.

The Question of the week is suggested by a devotee as follows:

Q. What does Sai Baba say about the wealthy/rich?

Humbly Yours,
The Editor

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