Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/63

          My wife Marsha returned from her first trip to Swami in 1977. She had been present at the last public Maha Shivaratri, during which our beloved Swami manifested Vibhuti, showered the audience with Ram Tirth, and produced what Prof. Kasturi was later to describe as a "self illumining crystal lingam".

Soon after her return, Marsha and I were on a visit to my father and step-mother. When they asked her, "Tell us about your trip in India," she proceeded to do just that, with all the enthusiasm of one who had just returned from her first three months with the Avatar.

Producing photographs of Swami holding up the glowing lingam, Marsha excitedly explained to this senior medical man how Sai Baba produced this unidentifiable object in His body, and then brought it forth from His mouth every year to the delight of His devotees. This was, to say the least, very difficult for my father to grasp or accept.

We did not know it at the time, but this conversation was a turning point in our relationship with our folks. Being so unfamiliar with anyone even remotely like Sai Baba they felt sure that we were being taken in by a master magician, and "feared for our sanity". As the years passed however, their fears abated when they perceived we had not given up personal control over our lives, and continued to develop as human beings.

Three years after this visit we were back again, talking in that room where the fateful exchange had taken place. I was browsing in the kitchen cabinets when I spied a set of goblets I had never seen before—of clear heavy crystal. "Hey Nona!" I called to my step-mother with mild curiosity, "where did you get the crystal goblets?" "Oh, those were a gift to your father from Dr. Sivalingam." "Oh." I replied.
So, the sceptical doctor who so profoundly doubted Lord Siva's ability to produce a lingam of crystal, had himself received crystal from a doctor named Sivalingam! And unknowingly participated in an exquisite first hand experience of what Einstein might have meant when he proclaimed, in referring to how "nature conceals her sublimity": "SUBTLE IS THE LORD, (but not malicious)..."

In August 1989 Bhagawan invited our group of twenty one Americans for an interview. I resolved that, with His Grace, I would leave it knowing more about my connection to Einstein.

During the interview Baba gave everyone private time, answered questions on all aspects of personal life, and blessed Marsha's and my entry into advanced studies in psychology. He materialized a diamond pendent for her, and a red, white and blue on gold pendent for my daughter Nilima. I was sitting next to Baba in the same position as in 1978 and was filled to overflowing.

Again, I had an opportunity to pose my question about the meaning of my relationship to Einstein. I took the opportunity, and Swami revealed some personal information that I will ponder for some time to come.
Swami then went on to say the following to the group:
"Einstein is a body. That body is dead. He was a very good man. Einstein was very patient. Peace, Peace, Peace. He was always thinking of Bhagawan."

Swami, in an apparent reference to Einstein's pain that his work laid the foundation for nuclear weapons, said "Einstein made 'gunpowder' and felt bad at the end (of his life), —he said: I have made a mistake, this was a mistake.”

Swami: "What is a scientist? Science is the study of creation. Spirituality is studying the Creator."
[Swami draws a circle with His finger on the wall:] "Man as scientist works from senses down. Man as Spirit works from senses up." "See, science is only a ' C,' (tracing one half of a circle) but Spirit is full circle. It is the difference between this and that."

Swami concluded by saying: "If science were more spiritual, it would know more. Science is no love. Science tries to get the exact truth but has no goal; it is random. Always in the laboratory. There is no love in science. Study Spirit! Spirit has a goal. Know yourself and you know everything.”

What about the Future?

To Einstein's sadness, a major response to his discoveries about relativity has been fear about the future of the planet itself.

A question arises: Dose a means exist to view or make use of Einstein's insights in a positive way—one that will truly be a "blessing to mankind, and not a curse?”

I am not a physicist or mathematician; but I offer several thoughts about this question.
I believe that not only can the example of Einstein's life stand as a blessing to humankind, but that one of the most profound expressions of his work can serve as well: the formula E = mc² (energy equals mass into the velocity of light squared).

We are accustomed to think of this formula in primarily negative terms, the unleashing of the atom's destructive potential. Paradoxically, I feel that it embodies something of a most heartening spiritual nature as well.

E = mc² mathematically expresses the unity to which Swami frequently refers, through its having scientifically established that matter and energy—the tangible and the invisible—are wholly equivalent and interchangeable i.e., that mass is simply concentrated energy; and that energy is mass minus form.
To expand: Starting with denser forms of energy, we might consider Einstein's discovery E = mc² as a metaphorical “two sided coin", with one side dark, the other light.

We are quite familiar with the "dark side"—nuclear fission. The concept of a "light" side could be considered along the following lines of thought.

On the "dark" side, it seems that by tracing matter, visible and tangible, to its most extreme potentiality, we observe that it transmutes into energy, having a destructive effect upon other matter (nuclear fission).
If we do the reverse, and trace energy, diffuse and invisible, back through its various forms; from radiation, combustion, electricity, and human thought, we come to its ultimate state, Divine Thought, which we know can exert a most constructive influence upon matter.
Einstein's formula accomplishes two things: It teaches the fundamental truth that "All" is in fact "One", and that the various forms of this One can be used either for our annihilation or for our highest good, depending on the consciousness with which it is used.

Paradoxically, E = mc² provides both the means to destroy the world, and scientific validation of liberating truth that everything is interconnected and stems from one source. (The threat of the former perhaps also motivating us to seek the latter). That Source, Reality which Einstein laboured to discover, has come among us in the form of Bhagawan Baba.

While the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, granted Albert Einstein rare insight into some of the workings of His creation, and though Einstein revolutionised science and our perception of reality, like any of us, he was not fully able to grasp all aspects of his favourite subject of study.
Like Spinoza, Einstein asserted his belief in an impersonal God saying, "I can't believe in a God who gets involved in the affairs of men." Ironically, though he helped in preparing us for the Presence by demonstrating the essential unity of all creation, like Moses, Albert Einstein glimpsed but did not enter the Promised Land: he died never knowing that the Eternal Principle he sought had actually come among us.

Interestingly, and consistent with many aspects of both physics and spirituality, an element of paradox exists regarding this question. As those who have come into the orbit of Sri Sathya Sai Baba can well attest, the Creator is infinitely multi faceted and unpredictable; at one moment seemingly detached and remote "from the affairs of men” while at another (if not simultaneously) intimately involved with them, down the minutest details of their lives...

Baba's Presence here among us perhaps the greatest expression of His love, and far transcending our limits knowledge, represents the perfect synthesis of energy and matter, time an space. To gaze upon Him is in fact to see energy and matter combined in their most mysterious and perfect form.
When we consider the fact the Baba has given us His personal assurance that the world will not end in nuclear annihilation, we can know that we are beyond the shadow of the fearful implications of E = mc² and in the light of His Divine Presence, which beckon us to realize that energy, as Light, Love—God—is our only Reality. Firmly rooted in this truth, we can confidently proceed with our individual roles in Swami's transformation of the present era into a Golden Age of Divine Consciousness, utterly permeated by His Love.

May Sai bless us with the faith ant skill to traverse this world always remembering who He declares we are true synthesis of matter and Diving Energy.

"The world was created by the word of God so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” — Saint Paul.


(Concluded)

Happy Holy Shirdi Sai Jayanti 2010

The auspicious birthday of our Bhagavan Shri Shirdi Sai Baba was celebrated with veda chanting, prayers and bhajans at our centre on 26 September 2010, at 7.00pm.

When I Am Alone (Bilingual)

Baba found me at twenty three. As you can imagine, I regarded my first trip to the Avatar as a possible opportunity, among other things, to learn more about my relationship with Einstein. It may come as no surprise that throughout these and subsequent trips, leelas have been the order of the day.

Baba, the consummate "tour guide", treated my wife Marsha and me to a host of travel experiences over the course of my first visit to India. We had no desire to be anywhere but where He was, and since He went to Delhi, Madras and Hyderabad we were overjoyed to be allowed to follow Him.

In Hyderabad a most interesting incident occurred during a discourse Swami was giving in a large auditorium. It was very hot and I had just eaten lunch. As time went on, I realized to my horror that I was being overtaken by a powerful drowsiness. As I was sinking into tamas I projected a thought to the Lord: "Baba, the only thing that could keep me from falling asleep right now is if You were to mention Einstein...” I knew He could do it but didn't really expect it at all and continued my descent. Within sixty seconds, my head thrust backward as Swami's lilting pronunciation of the name "Einstein” entered my consciousness from His ongoing flow of Telugu.

I was awake then, and became riveted to the story He recounted of how a young Indian physicist during an appointment with Einstein eagerly probed for the ultimate in Western scientific wisdom. What he received from Einstein however, was, to roughly quote Swami, "Every major conclusion I’ve arrived at is contained in your Bhagavad Gita. Look there!"

My curiosity about the connection was inflamed anew! I was dying to get some insight into "why me?" As Swami's translator for the discourse was himself a nuclear physicist I approached him afterwards hoping for some kernel of insight. He had nothing personally to share, and as far as learning more from Sai he said, "I counsel patience..." I was disappointed but left knowing I had received sound advice.
Approximately one month later we found ourselves in the interview room at Prasanthi Nilayam. I was sitting on the floor just to Swami's right as He was talking to various people in the group. Seeing His footstool off to the side and recalling how frequently He is seen using one, I took the opportunity to perform the logical but minor seva of placing it in position. He accepted and I felt happy. After some time there was a lull in the give and take of conversation. No one was asking questions and Swami was silent, save for the quiet phrase "And you sir?" drawing the words out slowly. The thought came that He seemed to be addressing me though He kept saying it. I was at a complete loss for words. I was embarrassed to be addressed personally in front of the group. I definitely had something I wanted to ask and whether I was being addressed or not, it was an absolutely clear, appropriate chance to approach Baba about it. Perhap s as many as two or even three solid minutes passed. An ego based lack of confidence prevented me from simply asking, "What is my connection to Einstein, Baba?" I feel Baba gave me many chances there, but finally new dialogue began with someone also. The moment was lost and I clearly could not cut in. I was to wonder many times after that if the opportunity might not have been lost forever.

That was in 1978. More blessed interviews occurred in ensuing years and questions about more important matters were raised than about my Godfather. It was okay; I had become patient and accepted that He would reveal whatever I needed to know in its own best time.

After Professor Einstein's death in 1955, Ms. Einstein and Ms. Dukes remained patients of my father and friends of the family, remembering birthdays and attending my Bar Mitzvah at 13. My mother sometimes gave them rides around town as they did not drive.

For sometime I had had a yearning to visit Einstein's home to see his study. In 1983 my sister planned to get married in Princeton and this looked like a good opportunity. My father called Ms. Einstein to arrange a visit and on a cold December day he, my stepmother and I spent about two hours chatting with this completely unassuming artist in the parlour of the house where she had lived for close to fifty years. She told us of her time spent studying art at a convent in Italy and showed us a beautiful little wax sculpture of Saint Francis, for whom she had a special affection.

Somewhat paralleling that 1978 interview with Swami, I had been feeling some reserve during this conversation about requesting to see the Professor's study. This woman was elderly and appeared frail and I didn't want to trouble her by an extra trip upstairs. Clearly it was getting time to go. I had to act quickly or the chance would be lost. Thinking of Swami I made my request and she responded with an enthusiastic "Sure!!" and charged up the stairs to the room in question. On the way we passed her father's bedroom which was very plainly furnished, like a monastic cell. Then we were in the study. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a wide window faced a deep garden in the back of the house. To the left of this picture-window were two portraits, one of a bearded Jewish sage, the other of Mahatma Gandhi. One shelf contained all of the original issues of "Der Annalen der Physik" (Annual of Physics), the journal in which both Theories of Relativity were first published. Then, just as I noticed a large easy chair and foot-stool, Ms. Einstein "commanded" me to sit in it. How could I refuse? I smiled broadly to myself, remembering Swami's footstool and feeling His subtle presence in what for me was a meaningful coincidence. We took pictures, looked around a bit more and left. Later, I remembered Swami had said Einstein had a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and wished I'd looked for it.

As we left, my father recalled the time, years before, when he'd brought his brother-in-law Elliott Montroll over for what Einstein's formidable secretary had said would only be a three minute appointment. My uncle, who was to be later named to the Einstein Chair of Physics at the university of Rochester, would have been overjoyed just to have shaken hands, but Einstein offered them lunch. They declined. My uncle ended up spending half an hour at Einstein's dining room table, talking and laughing with him about physics, while my father beamed with joy, understanding not one word.
My father, only on being asked recently, recounted to me how every three or four months for some years he would receive a call from Einstein's secretary asking him if he might be able to spare a few minutes, as the Professor wished to talk. "Somehow", especially in the early years of his practice, he always found time to go over, for discussions involving the non scientific topics his host was interested in, such as philosophy, and world and national events.

Always straightforward and humble in human dealings, Einstein came to accept and use the bewildering fame that was thrust upon him in the only way that made sense to him—service to humanity. He worked tirelessly throughout his life promoting peace, freedom, and respect for all people.

Dad recalled how Einstein's efforts during the 1930's and World War Two enabled a certain number of Jews to escape Nazi persecution. The Professor also spent many years working for the United Jewish Appeal in establishing the state of Israel and accepted my father's invitation to co chair the local fundraising campaign with him in Princeton for several years.

My father considers himself a rational scientific and appropriately skeptical man, who, while loving his religion and believing in God, puts great stock in what can be touched, seen, and measured.


(to be continued...)

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2010

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated at our centre with veda chanting, prayers and bhajans.  After arathi, our Chairman, Bro Thum Koh Teik, expounded on some of the important phrases in the Bhagavad Gita.

The following are some of the quotes mentioned.  Lord Krishna said :

"Whoever remembers Me at the time of death, merges in Me, of that there is no doubt."(8-5). 

"As for those who exclusively worship Me, who meditate on Me with no other thought and who are ever steadfast - I bear entirely the burden of their welfare." (9-22)

"Taking total refuge in Me and surrendering unconditionally to Me, relinquish to Me all thy actions flowing from thine natural Dharma.  I shall absolve thee of all sins, worry not."(18-66)


  Bro Thum also related several interesting stories as told by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Refreshments was served at the end of the evening.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/61

Albert Einstein was my Godfather and a family friend. Over the years I have sought to increase my understanding of this great man, and the spiritual implications of his work. Einstein was a scientific giant who, perceiving the unified nature of reality, was able to express some of it mathematically. Beyond the role of scientist, he can best be thought of as a spiritual giant whose life, in terms of humility, compassion for humanity, and one pointed focus on God, stands as an example of how Sathya Sai Baba teaches us to live most happily.

Albert Einstein stands as a precursor and example of the unique type of scientist so sorely needed in the world today the type that Bhagawan is currently graduating from His Institute of Higher Learning. Under Swami's loving hand, these are "whole" scientists. Their aim is to benefit society and not merely accomplish selfish ends without thought to their work's impact upon humanity and the environment. These are scientists who combine spiritual awareness with state of the art training. Swami's graduates are at the leading edge of discovery in various fields. Three recent Ph.D.'s in physics had the unheard of experience of having their papers published in American physics journals within a year of receiving their degrees! Grounded in the truth that God is the source of all phenomena and knowledge, they maintain the perspective that the best path to understanding creation is to study the Creator.

Einstein also was this type of scientist, and his life was guided by this principle. His overriding goal was to "Understand how the 'Old One' thinks." And he devoted his life to the effort to gain "knowledge of the ultimate immutable essence that under girds the mutable, illusory world."

In this part of this article I will mention some personal stories about my family, Baba and Einstein. The continuing part will include some of Einstein's thoughts on science, spirituality, education and character, as well as what Swami had to say about him during a recent interview.

Although Einstein was deeply saddened by the ironic fact that some of his work led to the development of nuclear weapons, we might also consider that work also holds within it scientific illustration of spiritual truth. This article will conclude with some musings on how some of Einstein's work may be useful as one more 'tool' to help free us from Maya and accept the unseen Atma as the fundamental truth of life.

My father, Dr. Henry Abrams, opened his general medical practice in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1938. A year later, the physician who had been caring for Prof. Einstein, his daughter Margot and secretary Miss Helen Dukas, was leaving for further training. He approached my father and asked if he would care to take over, and he readily agreed. He cared for Einstein and the others until the outbreak of World War II.
Godfather Einstein

During the war my father was stationed on the cold and desolate island of Greenland. He and Einstein corresponded. While in Greenland my father received a letter from Einstein remarking that this should be a "contemplative period" for him, and urging him to consider getting further medical training in some speciality. Subsequently, my father did that, and returned to Princeton as the town's sole ophthalmologist. When I was born in 1949, he asked the professor, as Einstein preferred to be called, if he would be my Godfather, and Einstein consented. Thus, following Jewish tradition, Einstein was the one who held me for the eris Milah, the ritual circumcision ceremony. He was to have minor contact, but major impact over my life in the years to come. Further, because in the West the Godfather is considered a child's spiritual teacher I have come to consider Professor Einstein to be the first of several spiritual teachers in this life. They ultimately led me to Bhagavan.

Einstein died when I was six, and my recollections of him are few. I do remember that he had a very nice laugh, which he used often. For my fourth birthday, my parents and I were invited for a small celebration. My uncle took the opportunity to photograph the Professor and me dealing with the gifts that his secretary had obtained: a toy log cabin and a bag of foil covered chocolates in the form of "gold coins." It was this latter which occupied most of my attention. Professor Einstein worked on the log cabin, trying to fit the simple pieces of wood together. Interestingly, when I grew up and printed all the negatives, there was a picture of my mother leaning over Professor Einstein and the logs, showing him how the ends joined.

Of course at that young age I had no idea of what was so special about being around this nice old man. It wasn't until I was at college that I really began to appreciate the honour of being his Godson and to consider what his scientific work meant.

I discovered meditation at the age of twenty. As my spiritual journey proceeded I became intensely curious as to what my link was with such a luminous soul.


(to be continued...)

Ganesh Chaturthi 2010

Ganesh Chaturthi 2010 was celebrated at NED on 11 September 2010, at 8.00pm.  The auspicious event began with vedam chanting and was followed by Lord Ganesh bhajans.  A sumptuous vegetarian meal prepared by our Sai brothers and sisters was served after arathi.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/60

As a prelude to this account, I would like to state that attempting to realize the true nature of life has  always been a prominent aspect of my life experience on a fairly constant basis. The prayer below  was written by me in the late fifties. Help me Lord...I search for truth...Beyond the world of sight...And the thoughts of "me".. Help me, Lord...For if I exist I am...All People, and...All People are Thee My earliest memory of "seeing" Swami was in 1968 or 1969. I was in Vancouver, British Columbia, and spent much of the time practising a very ascetic regimen of spiritual and "psychic" inquiry. In one meditation session I had the blissful experience of myself as a body-less, placeless center of "light". Much information was coming into my consciousness regarding spiritual guides and teachers.  On one such occasion I witnessed a scene in which there appeared to be an East Indian Guru with  devotees sitting around him in an informal but reverent manner. The night was clear and the Guru   looked up into the sky as a star fell from its position with a trail of light behind it. The Guru told  the disciples that some other Indian mystic (I can't recall the name) had just "given up", or “Spit out"  his body. The man who spoke did not have long flowing hair, but bushy "Afro" type hair.  I did not receive his name. I saw another scene (different night?). The setting was outside a factory somewhere in India.   There was an old bearded man sitting on a bus stop bench outside the factory yard fence and a factory  worker was standing in front of him. I seem to recall that the worker got on a bus that came, but before  he did, there was some sort of exchange between him and the old man. Later, this worker had the  occasion to be in the presence of the same Guru of the first dream, who told him that he (the Guru)  had changed his form and was the old man on the bench. Several months later when I had returned to the U.S., I was visiting a friend who showed me a book  about an incredible Indian mystic named Sathya Sai Baba. As I looked through it I discovered  accounts of the two incidents I have related above, and I recalled having the dreams. It was both   wondrous and a puzzlement that this information was in a book that had been published for some  time—which meant the dreams I had were some sort of look into the past! Since then, I have had many such 'past' and 'future' encounters with Swami which have been verified  either by passages in books about Him, photographs, or oral accounts from devotees. From that initial  experience in 1969, Swami was definitely a part of my consciousness. I had no doubt that He is a  True Teacher, but I still did not consider myself His student or devotee, nor did I even entertain the  possibility. But I know that I was graced in so many ways: I had a film about Him for a while that  my family and I enjoyed and shared with others; I had the opportunity to hold a photograph on which  he had placed a "psychic charge"; I heard about Indra Devi; and also, my friend (who is a gifted  jeweller) placed some Sai Vibhuti in the wedding rings he made for my wife, Lorraine, and me.  On one occasion I held a Sai "manifested" gift that He made for a friend who visited Him around 1970. However, it wasn't until December of 1980 that I had the experience from which I was to emerge as a  Devotee. Lorraine and I operate a modest food processing business, and as one can imagine, small business  ownership is very demanding—‘25 hours a day, 8 days a week,' I always say. And some times it  really feels that way. In the Fall of '80 we had a heavy schedule between a thankfully busy period  at work and numerous social functions. I am usually in fine health, but evidently this time I had let  my guard down, and my resistance was low. I started getting the signals at the end of November,  but I hardly took notice. In December we made an arduous business trip to Florida—to participate  in an industry trade show. My chest pains were increasing. Sensibly, I should not have gone.  I worked the show with intense fever and tried to do the follow up regional field event as planned— lasted one day and ended up flying back to L.A. on the first flight out I could get. I was in a  semi-delirious state. The doctor at home sent me to bed with a pu lse rate of 100 and a temperature  of 105! He diagnosed a bronchial virus with bacteriological complications. I can't recall ever having   been so sick. It was during this period that Baba became prominent in my consciousness. I felt  frightened and lost. I was not able to derive much comfort from Lorraine's devoted attention or from  anyone else I could think of. I had an overwhelming yearning for contact with someone whom I could  communicate with about God reality outside the endless, futile world of illusion in which I felt trapped  because it seemed to demand so much of my attention. I felt a despairing sense of dark loneliness. Swami's name came to me and I began chanting it to slow down my pulse rate. I was sure that it  would work, but in any case it gave me great comfort to do it. One night Swami appeared in the  "middle distance” of my mind and I felt immediate assurance. I intuitively understood that He was  rescuing me (though I have no memory of experiencing Him since the time spoken of at the beginning  of this account). He took my right hand in both of His and I felt an incredible "charge" of energy flow through me.  I knew then that I would heal, and soon.

He was restoring my physical health, but more importantly, He was answering my other call, too— the longing of this soul to know God Truth. I knew that I had found a genuine Teacher and Friend. I also had the revelation that the only action, or true value, in the world, is loving service to others. This world is God's altar. I knew that when I got up from that bed I must do service in the world. I had been a "taker” most of my life, and it was time to grow beyond that. And so, for the first time, still not knowing of the vastness of Swami's great Works, Teachings, Generosity, Compassion, Power or Fame, I sought out a Sai Center—and that was when this person's story truly began. I am a constant witness to Baba's great Works in my life and in the lives of others. Not Baba, the little figure somewhere way off in India, but Baba who is the Formless Essence of Creation, who is everywhere present and, indeed, the Tender Shepherd.

National Sai Convention 2010

A gathering of more than 1000 Sai family members from all over Malaysia on 3 - 5 September at the Glory Beach Resort, Port Dickson. The theme for the National Sai Convention 2010 was "Celebrating Life", organized by the Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia.  Twenty of our members had participated in the event.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2010

Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated at our centre with prayers and bhajan on 2 September 2010, at 8.00pm.  We had vedam chanting, followed by recitation of the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 1), and Krishna bhajans.  Vegetarian snacks was served after arathi.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/59

Today, the Birthday of Krishna is being celebrated all over India. The Birth of Krishna took place in Mathura so many years ago; we know about it only from legends, stories, images, songs and books. None of us has experienced in this life the presence of Sri Krishna. Although He still lives in the heart of every devotee, the distance of ages makes much difference. Even in India, the sophisticated and the educated class, when you tell about Sri Krishna, will be quiet when you relate many stories of Krishna's life, like His being at many places at the same time. They will not accept that it can take place now. They will believe what has happened in the distant past; but, they will scorn at what is happening now. The things they accept happened so long ago that no one can actually prove them. We know that those things happen here and now. To me, personally, and to many of you, Sri Krishna was born on the 23rd November 1926, at Puttapart hi. Sathya Sai is the Krishna we have and know. What we have seen with our own eyes, we cannot but believe and proclaim. The impossible is becoming possible, in this twentieth century, by this Krishna.
Listen to this passage from a book: "He is the Lord Omnipotent; the Lord of all beings, the controller of all; yet, He permits Himself to be controlled by those who love Him. Not by penance; nor by austerities, nor by study is He to be attained; but, those who love Him, with whole-souled devotion find. Him easily, for, they are His; Chosen—they who have pure love in their hearts: Infinite though He is, He may be realised through Love."
When I tread this little paragraph, I thought, just as many of you now thought, that it was about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. No, it is about Krishna. We need not change any expression in this paragraph when we try to describe Bhagawan. The greatness and glory of both are identical.
In His previous appearance, Bhagaawn came to Shirdi, no one knew from where. He never announced His place of birth or even His name. But, Bhagawan, in this birth, has selected this holy place Puttaparthi where he was born as His place of residence. Sri Krishna moved from Mathura to Brindavan and then to Dwaraka. But, Bhagawan has chosen this place itself, when any city in India, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bombay or any place in America or any other country will place all they have at His Feet if He bestows His Grace on it. I shall be personally happy if Prasanthi Nilayam can be in America or rather, I should have said; if America can be made a Prasanthi Nilayam by Bhagawan's Blessings.

House Bhajan 31/8/10

There was an invitation for housewarming bhajan by Bro Teh Sian Ghee and Sis Lim Siew Kim on 31 August 2010.  Most of our members were present to celebrate the happy occasion with the couple.  After conducting naamvalli, mantra chanting, buddhist chants, and bhajans, we were all treated to a sumptuous vegetarian lunch prepared by the hosts.