Penang State Gayathri Archana 29/8/10

The Sathya Sai Baba Centers of Penang, Malaysia, jointly held a state Gayathri Archana at Ramakrishna Ashrama on 29 Aug 2010, from 9.15am - 1.00pm. We chanted 108 x 5 mala (540 times) of Gayathri Mantra and ended with a bhajan session. Attendance was over 400 people. Vegetarian lunch was served to all participants.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/58

Following the Birthday Celebrations, Bhagawan gave some of us, Westerners, the wonderful gift of allowing us to sit outside His door, on the Mandir Verandah, for several days. For me, this was an enormously significant spiritual experience. For a time, I felt waves of happiness sweeping over and through me, and my attention was totally captured by the feelings inside. The state I was in can best be described as a joyful reverie. Without ever having done this before, I found myself repeating 'Om Jai Sairam' 'Om Jai Bhagawan' over and over again. It seemed as if the sound was not being made at all, but was making itself, continuously bubbling up, as if from deep wellsprings within. I marvelled at the sweetness of this inner sound and the subtle rhythms and tonal variations which arose quite spontaneously, seemingly directed by the unseen inner source.
I also found myself visualising Baba's face and body in a pose I had not seen before, with His hands outstretched in the attitude of giving. He was so beautiful I could not take my inner eyes off Him. Occasionally, I would hear a stir around me, open my eyes, and there was Bhagawan nearby!
And, then to my great surprise, I found myself choosing to close my eyes again, because, I was too attached to the inner vision, to allow myself to be distracted by even Baba standing very close. Of course I realised this was an unusual blessing Baba had bestowed, to thin out the clouds of Maya sufficiently to permit me to experience the glory of the inner view. I can now understand how this combination of repeating the name and visualising the form can take us to regions of unprecedented peace and Ananda.
Sitting there on the verandah, I would occasionally look out on the world and observe how different it looked from the view one gets sitting for Darshan in front of the Mandir. From the 'Darshan line', we see into this beautiful structure, looking with anticipation for a glimpse of Swami even if just for a few seconds as He opens the door and ushers in some lucky one for 'interview'. Even when Swami is not in view, it is very compelling to direct the gaze towards the temple. The feeling is one of looking into a very holy place. It is as if the Mandir is our heart, and, looking at it satisfies some great inner urge, to look inside the heart to see the dwelling place of the Lord, and even occasionally get a direct glimpse of Him within it.
We can never get enough looks. If we see the red robe for a minute, we long to see it for just another minute; if we see it steadily for 15, 30, or 45 minutes, we all come to Baba as beggars; through His Love and Hammer strokes, He transforms us into Bhaktas. A little maxim flitted through my mind.
When we first come, it is... always, "Please, Baba.”
But, He teaches us to.... always please Baba.
Over the last few days, this has become like a noon sign flashing on the inside of my forehead. ALWAYS PLEASE BABA. ALWAYS PLEASE GOD. I find myself examining every thought, every word, every action, to see if it will please Him. To be equal minded and unattached to the objects, beings and concepts of this world but to be attached like an eagle's claws to Him, seeing Him in everything and everybody, motivating all acts, all energies, all forms. And also to be attached to Truth, to loving all beings, as our very own, to be devoted to service, to be attached to all aspects of the Dharmic way of life.
This attitude has a remarkable effect on one's consciousness. Quite rapidly important changes take place and every move during the day becomes remarkably easy, problems solve themselves; decisions decide themselves; every thing becomes suffused with Baba.
He appears everywhere! Hearing the gong being struck repeatedly during the Aarati in the Bhajan Hall becomes Baba hammering us into His instruments to do His work; seeing a little sparrow perching on the window looking at us is an unexpected visit from Bhagawan!…"Sai Ram! Little Baba sparrow!" Getting another room mate in an already crowded West Prasanthi Room is Baba coming in, in another Form; waiting in a long queue for meals is such a nice opportunity to go `inside' or look around at any one or any thing outside and have `Baba's Darshan'. The whole world becomes filled with Baba.
We are all so fortunate and blessed to be alive today in the Presence of this beautiful Avatar. Imagine what it must be like for Him who is the in-dweller in all our hearts, who sees all, all the time, who came into this world especially for us His devotees, to be watching us caught up in Adharma! All the time, not just in the Prasanthi Nilayam, or during special times of worship, we must work towards pleasing Him and becoming fit vessels to receive His immortal Amrit. We must become full time devotees.
Let us all strive to give Him this gift, willingly and lovingly, from the depths of our hearts, doing, saying and thinking only what pleases Him. Perhaps, then, we may be able to repay, in some small measure, the boundless treasure of Grace He has given us by His Advent.

Choong Yuen Chieh Festival (Memorial Prayers)

A memorial service for departed family members and friends was held in conjunction with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival on 22 August, 2010, beginning 7.00pm, at NED.  Lotus candles with names of departed ones attached were lighted and offered at Swami's altar by each family.  Bhajans and Prayers included Veda Chanting, Lord Shiva prayers, Lingashtakam, Gayathri Mantra, Ksitigarbha Mantra and Long Dharani of Chenrezig.

After arathi, there was a quick round of spiritual satsang on the topic 'Bhagawan on Namasmarana' by Bro Lee Yew Khoon.  Vegetarian refreshments was served at the end of the evening.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/57

It was an open air gathering in tile spacious quadrangle of a bungalow at Madikeri, in the Coorg District. There were more than three thousand men and women eager for Darshan and anxious to listen to Bhagawan's Message and the bhajan songs He invariably rendered for their benefit. Baba asked me to speak for a few minutes, presumably to raise the curtain. When I stood facing the mike, my eyes discovered on the horizon of hills a heavy phalanx of dark monsoon clouds, emitting ominous grim grunts presaging an attack. The hills were already cowering in fear at the prospect of a terrific aquatic fusillade. I could see many among the audience turn pale at the prospect of being drenched by the downpour. I resolved to narrate a story which could assuage their anxiety

"Vaana Raadu"

It was about an incident that happened at Puttaparthi. Baba was a thirteen-year old boy. Indra, the God; of the Skies, desired to send tons of rain hurtling on the village where Baba, the Sai Krishna, was tending cows and calves and children. People ran helter-skelter seeking shelter from the oncoming disaster. Venkamma the elder sister, was struck with panic. She had planned to build a house and the bricks though piled in the kiln were still wet, awaiting the baking process. The rain would certainly ruin the kiln and reduce the bricks into mass of misshaped clay. Some one advised her to cover the bricks with bundles of dry sugarcane leaves, available at Karnmtanagapalli, the hamlet facing Puttaparthi from the right bank of the Chitravati. About fifteen men volunteered to help. They followed Venkamma as she hurried across the sands of the river bed to the cluster of houses. Baba too ran behind them. But He stopped suddenly when He had trekked half the distance. Lifting His flat little right palm up in the air He shouted, "Venkamma! Vaana raadu!" (d as soft as th in the). "Vaana (rain) raadu (won't come.)" It couldn't. He had willed the clouds away.

I watched the faces shine with faith and courage and sat down well pleased with myself, only to rise soon. For, Baba began his Discourse.

As I was talking into the mike, I was frightened to see the clouds descending on the range which shuddered at the thunderous impact. The storm, in a fit of wild frolic, drove the rain down into the foothills. My mind went pit-a-pat with confusion.

Baba to the rescue

Part of me proceeded with the translation while all of me blamed my effrontery at having chosen that story of "Vaana raadu". The ‘Vaana' was advancing fast, enveloping the valley, lashing the jungle hiding there. It drenched the hillocks and blitzed the heights on which Madikeri was built. It overwhelmed the bazaar and the bus station, half a kilometre away.

But, Baba spoke on as sweet and serene as ever. Concluding His Discourse with a shower of blessings, He sang three bhajan songs and bidding Ravindra Punja, who came forward with the Arati Plate, to wait and keep the camphor flame aside, He spoke about my duel with a dilemma. I had to render those slow deliberate sentences, too, into Kannada for the benefit of the huge audience.

"You were assured by Kasturi before I began to talk that the rain would be driven off by me. He was not firm in that faith, though he tried to instill that faith in you. Poor fellow! All the time, he was fearing, worrying, praying, pleading with. The rain is now pouring in Mahadevpet. It will reach this place only after twenty minutes."

I had therefore to make those devotees realise that I was like most others they have known—a pendulum swinging between acceptance and apprehension.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/56

Sathya Sai Baba tells us that if we surrender to the Lord, He is obliged to protect us. Does His Protection and Love stop with the individual devotee? It appears that His promise of protection also includes the devotees' whole family.

For the past 10 years, I have seen His Love and Grace spill over into the lives of my children, and recently I have witnessed this same Expansive Love reach out to touch the lives of my parents.
How many times I have read about Sathya Sai Baba's Miraculous Healings, never realizing that some day it would include my father. After all miracles are something you read about, but never happen to you.

In October 1984, my father was told that he had cancer of the colon and liver. It seemed like an unfortunate time to receive news of impending death. My mother and father were going to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary in a few short weeks. We had planned a Mass and reception for family and friends. It was to be a time of joyous celebration.

The doctor told them to postpone the operation until after their Anniversary. It took great strength for my mother and father to go on with the celebration, even though Dad's illness was terminal. Somehow they would manage, and they did. Their strength came from their deep faith in God.

A few days after their Anniversary, Dad's colon became blocked and emergency survey was performed. I call this "Divine Timing".

As mother and I sat across from the surgeon, we so very much wanted to hear that the news was hopeful, but the prognosis was not good. My father had cancer in the small intestine, the abdomen, the colon, and in 50% of the liver. The colon was so inflammable and cancerous that he had to give my father a Colostomy. His death was only a matter of time.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year passed. Dad's health went from bad to worse .... his large form shriveled. He couldn't eat and lost 46 lbs. My mother was so depressed that, she lost 35 lbs from worry.

I constantly called on Swami for courage, to help my parents through these troublesome days. I prayed that if it was His Will, to please heal my father, and give my mother the strength she needs.
My parents are devout Catholics and feel very close to Jesus. They cannot understand my relationship with Sai Baba nor the concept of "God in Human Form" being someone other than Jesus. When I speak about Sai Baba, I can see the fear in their eyes, especially my father's .... so I remain silent. They actually knew very little about Baba or my trips to India.

The day after my parents' Wedding Anniversary in November, our son Craig departed on his first trip to India, to see Sai Baba. We were so happy for him. Well, on Christmas Eve, Craig received our first letter, and we received his. "Divine Timing!" We told Craig about his grandfather’s operation and cancer. He was upset and wrote a note to Swami, asking Baba to help his grandfather.

On Christmas Day, Craig had a first row seat and as Sai Baba approached him, he held up the note. Sai refused the note but made Vibhuti for Craig, and gave him Padanamaskar. Padanamaskar means, "surrender to the Lord."

Craig sent some of the Vibhuti home. It arrived mid January. After taking the Vibhuti, Dad's weight stabilised. They used the Vibhuti because I told them of its miraculous power to heal. What did they have to lose, they were desperate.

One afternoon in January, I was meditating.... mostly talking with Baba. It seems as if I heard Him say that Robert and I should come for a visit in March and November this year of '85. I replied, "but Sai, my father is dying of cancer, how can I come in March?" The voice replied, "Don't worry, I'll take care of your Father." Immediately, we arranged for airline tickets leaving on March 1.

Continuing with the sequence of events, in February my father received an unusual phone call. To have the doctor call you without any prior contact from you is unusual. The surgeon suggested that Dad have another operation to re connect the colon, reverse the Colostomy. They prayed and decided to have the second operation.

This time after surgery, the doctor was so hopeful. He was smiling from ear to ear. He said that the colon was so much better. He removed the cancerous tumor and reconnected the bowel. As far as he could tell, all the cancer in the liver, intestine, and abdomen looked to be benign. A few days later this was confirmed by the tests. The doctors were amazed! They were further astonished by Dad's quick recovery after tour hours of major surgery. We took Dad home in one week, three days before we left for India.... "Divine Timing".

At Prasanthi, Sai Baba gave us an interview. I held up my parents' picture and asked, "Sai, did you cure my father of cancer?" Baba patted me on the shoulder and replied, "I sure did!" I will never forget the thrill of my "FATHER" telling me, He cured my father.

It's hard to believe that a few short months ago, my 76 year old father was so close to death. This summer he looks great and is playing 18 holes of golf four times a week. The comparison is unbelievable; Sai Baba makes it believable.

He Changes the un changeable.
He Cures the un curable.
He Loves the un lovable.
It could only be ....GOD IN HUMAN FORM!!!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/55

Recently while enjoying a meeting with my husband at a restaurant near his office, I mentioned to him that one of the cars had two tyres which seemed somewhat worn. I went on to say that since the other car had four new tyres, I preferred to drive it. At the conclusion of our luncheon, I got into the car to return home, feeling quite secure with four new tyres. However, I had only driven about two miles when a noise and a bump indicated that one of the tyres was quite flat. The car had passed over a broken bottle, slicing a six inch hole in the tyre.

The lesson in this experience was crystal clear. I began to laugh before the car had even come to a complete stop. How many times am I going to be reminded that security is not in things? I knew that once again the Infinite Wisdom of the Universe had reminded me of the only genuine security. I thanked Baba for His presence in my heart and for holding me always in safety. I may forget for a moment, but He never does.

A very handsome, dark skinned young man with a foreign accent stopped his car on the other side of the street. He crossed over, removed the punctured tyre, mounted the spare, and waved away my expression of gratitude so quickly that I estimate the total time lapse for the complete incident to have been not more than ten minutes. I continued the short journey then and arrived home permeated with joy and wonder at the beauty of the reminder I had just been given.

Perhaps the fact that my childhood that had occurred during the so called "depression years" had caused me to seek security in external things. Whatever the reason, I had for many years believed that security was to be found only in a monthly salary cheque. Then, when the decision was made to retire, I had transferred my belief in security from earning money to not spending any. I believed that as long as we never went into debt for anything that we would be quite secure.

My theory seemed to be working satisfactorily until I learned about Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Suddenly I found myself with a desire much greater than the desire for financial security. I wanted so very much to see this Divine Being, and there seemed to be no way to get money for the trip except to borrow it. I knew intuitively that the security to be found in knowing Baba was infinitely greater than the security of being debt free. My husband's desire to go to see Baba was as great as mine and he had no concern at all about finances. So we borrowed the money easily and paid it back without hardship of any kind. Our lives were transformed from the moment we received His darshan. From an almost meaningless series of unrelated incidents which we had called "life" before, we were lifted into a realm which is purposeful. Every experience now moves us inexorably toward ultimate liberation from the bondage of delusion.

On my second trip to see Baba, He brought the message of His life to bear vividly on my awareness of origin, destiny, and the ultimate security. On the first day of my return, His beautifully expressive face registered mild surprise as He asked me, "Where have you been? Bangalore?" As it had been less than three months since I had parted from Him at Brindavan, the question seemed logical and quite human. I responded that I had been to the United States and He seemed satisfied with the answer. On the following day He again smiled His recognition and asked, "Where did you come from?" This time I replied; "California, Swami." Though feeling that neither of these two incidents quite fit in with the omniscience which Baba expresses so naturally, I just allowed myself to enjoy the attention and interaction with Him without any real contemplation.

On the third day of this visit, I was privileged to attend a discourse which Baba was giving in the auditorium of the college. My seat was in the first row. When Swami came down the steps from the stage to greet those who were seated outside on the ground, He made a slight detour, stopped in front of me and asked pointedly, "Where did you come from?" He continued on His way, clearly uninterested in any answer I might give. My complacency was thoroughly shaken this time. Though I babbled some response at, His retreating back, I knew that He was not asking for geographical information. He was in fact educating me in accordance with His own definition of education.

He told those attending the First Conference on Education in Human values for College Teachers that day: "Education is not a matter of problem solving; it is a matter of problem posing." The problem He had posed three times in three days became the uppermost thing in my thought. Where had I come from? The intellect could provide answers. It quoted Wordsworth, "Trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home." It quoted the Bible, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." But there was no feeling of resolution and the inquiry continued.

After several days and nights during which the question was always with me, I was still pondering it in the early hours of a Puttaparthi morning. It was very dark and very quiet when suddenly, "as when a lion roareth," a voice from deep within me spoke the words, "You have emerged from Me and you will merge with Me again." I heard the message with my entire being. The night seemed light about me and my heart was overflowing with gratitude for the Supreme Divine Teacher. He had taken the cold words from my head, warmed them with the flame of His love, and now they are aglow in my heart forevermore.

State Blood Donation Campaign 31/7 - 1/8

Regular blood donation campaign organized by the Sathya Sai Baba Centres of Penang at Penang International Sports Arena between 31/7/10 - 1/8/10.  This was held with the support of the Penang General Hospital Blood Bank.  Many of our members were present to assist with registration and canvassing for blood donors during the two-day affair.  Total contribution collected was 123 pints of blood and 4 organ donation pledges.