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Living in harmony with nature is living with God.
Beginning the presentation with a dance depicting the
greater lessons that could be learnt from the animal
kingdom that made up the totem pole - the tortoise, the
wolf, the beaver, Bigfoot, the buffalo, the bear and the
eagle, the narrative had songs in native tongue with
ancient musical tones help illustrating how various
components of nature help living a harmonious life. A
couple of months ago, the SSE children from the US had
an exclusive presentation on the theme in His Divine
Presence.
Other stories included history of slaves during the 18th
century, Young Andre’s spiritual healing miracles in the
name of St. Joseph, the story of legendary Terry Fox,
who in 1980, with one leg having been amputated embarked
on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for
cancer research. While the famous “Walk For Values”
campaign that has earned the status of a successful
movement in the western world spreading the message
importance of Human Values was the fifth story presented
the final story was in the form of a French-Canadian
Opera-Ballet to the theme, Life is Love, Enjoy it…a
graceful melody expressing the all conquering love of
the Avatar of The Age, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba,
bringing to light the Truth that, essentially all are
living embodiments of Love, possessing highest innate
potential.
The forty minutes' presentation came to a close at 1900
hrs. with a group song. A pause ensued upon which
Bhagawan moved down the dais to pose with the
participating children who exhibited remarkable
discipline. Upon returning onstage, all the 235
participating children were given away safari pieces and
sarees, boys and girls respectively, as a Divine gift.
Bhagawan asked the group to sing Bhajans that continued
for fifteen minutes before Bhagawan called for Mangala
Arathi.
Upon accepting Arathi Bhagawan amused the
children gesturing them to "go, eat and sleep"...and the
children burst into laughter enjoying every bit of His
Divine attention! As He was moving off the dais, He
repeated the same yet again, and these lovely children
went bursting yet again, making merry of His Divine
gesture!
Earlier, while making His round of darshan, Bhagawan
interacted with quite a few from the group and blessed
the entire group with His Divine benedictory glance. A
special mention has to be made about the participating
children who arrayed in disciplined order posing for a
snap with The Divine!
Following the international batches from the United States and the
UK, over 1200 devotees from far-flung Canada came on a Prasanthi
Pilgrimage staying for ten days, from 17th Aug to 26th August.
After the Onam festival on the 23rd, the next two days were marked
for the Canadians to perform in the Divine presence.
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In the evening on the 24th Aug, as Bhagawan moved past during His
darshan rounds, His gaze was fixed upon the Canadian contingent that
included senior citizens, youth and the SSE children. As He came
onstage after His usual round of darshan, children belonging to the
performing group moved unto Him seeking invocatory benedictions. As
an announcement about the children programme was made, detailing the
region-wise participation in the ‘collective story’ having six
episodes, children came forth displaying Canadian map with
centre-wise allocation of the programme.
With a collaborative and unified effort linking up many regions in
the country, 235 SSE children from various centres across the vast
Canadian land presented a unique programme entitled "A Life of Sai
Ideals".
The programme was all about living a life with potential airing the
message that “Impossible Is Nothing” asking man to seek the
incessant spiritual reservoir that is innate in every being.
A young school boy by name Ravi gets excited watching the ‘school
Olympics’ developing a nascent desire to participate in the
Paralympics of Winter Olympics. Being physically challenged, he
raised his own doubts about accomplishing the same, Encouraging the
boy to pursue his lofty ambitions, his parents narrate six true
Canadian success stories instilling fresh hopes in their ward.
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…And on the next evening, the Youth from Canada presented a music
programme, entitled Canadian Youth Music Programme 2010. The
thirty-five minute programme had six songs, each song comprising of
many verses. Beginning with "Om Gam Ganapathaye..." in dedication to
Lord Ganesha, they continued to sing with "Open the eyes of my
heart", a prayer unto Him hailing Him to be The Light, expressing
desire to Serve Him, The Lord, followed by "My Soul, My Sai", a song
in praise of Bhagawan's all conquering love that is unfailing. The
fourth piece was "We Believe", a proclamation of the descending
awareness of "Unity" with established faith in Sai, that was
followed by the penultimate piece, "Lord of Peace", a piece
ascribing various names unto Him as He is many in One form, to
conclude with the final piece in Hindi, a Qawwali, reiterating our
established bond with Sai. The "Choir" was conducted by Arun Yusuf.
Hearts cried out to high musical tones that lent the air on this
beautiful evening as Youth from Canada sang through a session that
lasted for more than half-an-hour, spelling out their Love For Sai.
Bhajans by the Canadian troupe continued for the next half-an-hour
until Bhagawan nodded for Mangala Arathi at 1935 hrs. In the
meantime, sarees and safari pieces were distributed to the entire
contingent. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan moved off the dais at
1940 hrs. retiring for the day. Prasadam was distributed to the
entire assemblage |
