PROGRAMS IN SAI ORGANISATION

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  Devotional Programs

Sai Baba emphasizes the path of devotion (bhakti). The following quote by Sathya Sai Baba defines devotion and its importance in our lives.

    "We can describe devotion as the promotion of a sacred mind in a selfless manner, in the thought of God. The path of devotion will take along your mind, body and action toward God. As the river flows into the ocean, the river of your life should flow into the ocean of God. Human nature should have this as the sacred objective. Truly, having attained human birth, if we are unable to take ourselves toward God, it is useless attaining this birth."

Devotional activities include study circle, devotional singing, prayer, and meditation, as well as observing spiritual festivals. Schedules for devotional activities vary from Center to Center. Please contact the devotion coordinator or other Center members for schedules. You are welcome to participate in any of the devotional programs.
 

  Study Circle
 
This spiritual activity of the devotional program is designed for adult members. It is usually held weekly for one hour either just before or after devotional singing. The devotion coordinator or a designated member may serve as the moderator to maintain productive discussions. Members read, reflect, and discuss topics from selected books of discourses or writings of Sathya Sai Baba, together in a group. These discussions are meant to improve members' understanding of Baba's teachings and their meaningful application in daily life and to foster love, peace, and harmony. As with other center activities men and women sit separately. Some centers may occasionally hold separate study circles for men and women.

    "Study Circle is not just reading books. It means taking a point and each person discussing what it means to them. Like a round-table conference... The study circle looks at the different facets ... but, as in a diamond, there is one facet that is flat, and from it all can be viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle."

    "The proper plan of study is reading, reflection and regular application in life."

  Devotional Singing
 
Devotional songs in praise of God are sung with love and devotion. The singing of these songs has always been at the heart of spiritual practice for Sathya Sai Baba's followers. At the beginning of each song (called bhajans in Hindi) , the leader sings a line which is repeated by all participants in unison. This "call and response" format continues until the entire song is finished. Generally, each line is sung twice the first time and once at a faster pace the second time before the song concludes. Other songs of praise to God from any religion may also be sung, and they need not follow the "call and response" format.
 
The songs are usually sung in English --the preferred language in the U.S. Centers--, Hindi, or other Indian languages. Many devotees enjoy the devotional atmosphere arising from the rhythm, vibrations, and spirit of these songs. Indian language bhajans consist largely of the Sanskrit names of the various aspects and forms of God. Deities and saints of all the major religions of the world are also honored in these songs. The first song is traditionally sung to Lord Ganesha, an aspect of God who is regarded as the remover of obstacles and difficulties.

    "When you dwell on the names of the Lord, His Majesty, His Grace, His Omnipotence, His All Persuasiveness, get fixed in your consciousness; and your own capacities and capabilities get eclipsed in the Divine. So, humility develops and a spirit of surrender sprouts in the heart. This takes the devotees nearer to God and prepares him/her to merge in His Glory. The mind is gradually liberated from all distracting thoughts, desires and imagery that give free play to all the senses. All accumulated impurities that veil the bliss (ananda) within are removed, and the latent divinity manifests Itself."

  Prayers
 
A number of selected prayers in English and Sanskrit are generally recited in unison following the conclusion of devotional singing. The selection and sequence of these prayers may vary from Center to Center; please follow the Center protocol. The following prayers are listed in alphabetical order. Center worship services repeat prayers from this list in varying orders.
 
  Arati Prayer (Singing His Glory):  At the conclusion of the devotional songs, a song praising Sathya Sai Baba is sung. In India, during this singing, a flame is lit in a small vessel and is waved around Sathya Sai Baba's picture in circular movements. This ritualistic waving of light is not practiced in the U.S. Sathya Sai Baba Centers. The spiritual significance of the waving of the light is described as follows. Light dispels darkness, and fire always surges upward, signifying auspiciousness. Light is the illumination of divine Consciousness within. When Arati is performed with camphor, there is no remainder. When the individual is united with the Almighty, all impurities are burnt away and there is no more individual identity (or remainder) left. The Arati prayer with its singable translation is generally included in the song book.
 
Asathoma Prayer: This is recited in unison at the end of meditation or prayers. This is an ancient Vedic prayer seeking to be led to Truth, Light, and Immortality. Most Centers recite both the Sanskrit and the English versions.

Asatho Maa Sad Gamaya
Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya
Mrithyur Maa Amritham Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

From untruth lead us toTruth,
From darkness lead us to Light,
From death leadus to Immortality
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.

Gayathri Mantra Prayer: The Gayathri Mantrais a universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas for the illumination of the mind and dispelling of ignorance.

There are first a few moments of silence, which are followed by reciting the Gayathri at least three times in unison. The Gayathri may be considered as having three parts: praise, meditation, and prayer. First, the Divine is praised; then, meditating upon the Divine radiance in reverence, an appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen the intellect, which is the discriminating faculty of man. Sai Baba has said that the Gayathri reflects the essence of the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures on earth. The Gayathri is followed by chanting "Om, Shanti (Peace), Shanti, Shanti". This invocation of peace three times is for the body, mind, and soul. The Sanskrit mantra and English meaning are given below.

Om Bhur Bhuva Suvaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

        Oh Mother! Who subsists in all the three kallas (time -- past, present, and future), in all three lokas (worlds - Heaven, Earth and lower or nether regions) and in all the three gunas (attributes sathva, rajas, and thamas -- universal qualities of harmony, agitation, and inertia), I pray to you to illumine my intellect and dispel my ignorance just as the splendorous sunlight dispels all darkness. I pray to you to make my intellect serene, bright and enlightened.

Om (Aum) Chant: "Om" is the primordial sound out of which all other sounds originate. It is the all-pervading Divinity in the form of sound. Om is chanted, often three times, at the beginning of devotional singing and at the beginning of study circle or any spiritual program.
 
Sacred Ash Song (Vibhuti Song):  Sacred ash (vhibuti) is distributed at the end of the Arati as devotees sing the vibhuti prayer. Hold out your right hand and receive the vibhuti in it. You may place it on your forehead between the eyebrows and a small portion on the tongue.

Paramam Pavitram Baba Vibhutim
Paramam Vichitram Leela Vibhutim
Paramartha Ishtartha Moksha Pradanam
Baba Vibhutim Idamashrayami

Sacred, Holy and Supreme is Baba's vibhuti;
Pouring forth in endless stream this play of vibhuti;
So auspicious is its might it grants liberation;
Baba's vibhuti its power protects me.

Vibhuti is a reminder that ash is the end product of all matter. Vibhuti has also an aspect of immortality, which makes it a fit offering for worshipping God. Only the vibhuti remains unchanged, since it is the final result of the annihilation of the five elements of creation. It is symbolic of the ultimate reality that remains when our ego is burnt away by the fire of illumination.

    "The vibhuti that you smear on your forehead is intended to convey the basic spiritual lesson that everything will be reduced to ashes, including the brow that wears it".

  Universal Prayer (Sarvadharma): This prayer is sung in unison in adoration of the divinities represented by various religions. The prayer (Om Tat Sat Sri Narayana Tu...) is lengthy and is included in your song book, along with an English translation. Please ask your Center officer for a copy of this book.
 
World Peace Prayer (Loka Samastha): This prayer immediately follows the Asathoma prayer and is sung in unison three times.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu

May all the beings in all the worlds be happy.

This peace prayer, which is closed with "Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti", generally marks the closing of the devotional service. At this time, some Centers may have announcements regarding Center programs, schedules and upcoming regional events.

Meditation (dhyana)

Sathya Sai Baba teaches two forms of meditation: a light meditation (jyothi meditation) and a breath meditation (so-hum meditation).

In the light meditation, one focuses first on the flame of a candle and then takes that image inside and moves it to different parts of the body as a means of purification.

In the breath meditation, one gently focuses attention on one's breathing and repeats "Soooo" with the inhalation and "Hummm" with the exhalation.

If you are not familiar with these forms of meditation, please approach the devotion coordinator for additional guidance.
   

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Educational Program

Sathya Sai Baba initiated the Spiritual Education Program (Sai Spiritual Education, formerly known as bal vikas) to facilitate the spiritual growth of children in the ages 6 through 16 who attend the Sathya Sai Baba Centers. This program is designed to teach the children five basic human values (Love, Truth, Peace, Right Conduct ,and Nonviolence), basic teachings of world's religions, and spiritual lessons based on Sathya Sai Baba's writings. Teachers receive training as set forth by Sathya Sai Baba.

    "From the most impressionable years the children should be taught to cultivate love for all. Love leads to unity. Unity promotes purity. Purity leads to Divinity."
     
    "To instill in the minds of the young the values of prayer, humility, and loving service to others, the homes where they have grown should be the first schools. The parents have to be imbued with faith in the basic truths of this Universal Religion."
     
    "Children's minds are innocent and pure. Each child is like a white marble for the teacher and the parents to sculpt the image of God, a bud to be helped to blossom in all its Divine glory so that it becomes a worthy offering to God."

Currently, there are three age groups in the Sai Spiritual Education Program: Group I (ages 6-9), Group II (ages 10-12), and Group III (ages 13-16). The teaching techniques and lesson plans are targeted to suit the age of each group.  Anyone interested in enrolling children in the Sai Spiritual Education is requested to contact the education coordinator.
 

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Service Program

Sathya Sai Baba strongly emphasizes selfless service to those in need as the highest means for enhancing one's own spiritual growth and development. He teaches that it is not enough to simply do good works ó but of equal importance is one's attitude during the service activity.  The service worker must have an attitude of humility and appreciation for the opportunity to do any service activity. The opportunity itself is a gift from God. One should not dwell on the good that they are doing, or that activity will strengthen one's ego rather than help to reduce it.

    "Selfless service is the fragrant flower of altruistic love. It is not to be performed for the satisfaction of the person rendering the service or the person at whose bidding it is done. Man should regard selfless service as the purpose for which he was given life. This feeling should flow through his very nerves and bloodstream and permeate every cell of his body. Whatever the work we do, we should do it as an offering to God for His pleasures. We should take up service activities for the purification of our own hearts."

    "When you offer a meal to a hungry child, or a blanket to a shivering brother on the pavement, you are placing a gift of God into the hand of another gift of God."

    "God serves; He allows you to claim that you have served! Without His will, no single blade of grass can quiver in the breeze. Fill every moment with gratitude to the Giver and the recipient of all gifts."

Sathya Sai Baba Centers around the world are performing selfless service projects such as feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting the aged, helping build schools and reaching out to those in need. You are welcome to join in the service projects. Please speak with the service coordinator if you wish to participate. A national newsletter entitled Sathya Sai Service Opportunities includes reports and articles giving an insight into the wide range of service activities in which members of the Organization are involved through-out the nation. The newsletter can be obtained with a subscription to the Sathya Sai Newsletter, U.S.A.

[Here is the Guide to Service in American Sathya Sai Baba Centers.]
 
 

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Young Adult Program

During the Sixth World Conference, Sathya Sai Baba laid emphasis on the formation of Youth Wings. This was the impetus for launching a formal Young Adults Program in all ten regions of the U.S., in 1996. Baba enunciates the challenges and the potential of this critical stage of youth in life:

    "Youth is the stage in life when the slightest turn toward the wrong will spell disaster. Thoughts shape the career. You plan to earn much wealth because you imagine that rich people are very happy. The rich have plenty to eat, but they have no appetite. The rich wield power over others, but they are held down by disease. The rich can have many servants, but they cannot live in peace. So, plan to be rich in virtue, in devotion and dedication to good causes. Be rich in sovereign character. What exactly is character? Steady adherence to truth, renunciation, genuine love, selfless service ó these are the essential components of character."

    "Youth should imbibe the right ideals and plunge into society with the thirst for service as a spiritual duty, and this will make their humanness worthwhile. They should cultivate basic human traits like humility, readiness to serve and commiseration at the suffering of others."

The program is designed for young adults (16 to 30 years age) such as those who have participated in Sai Spiritual Education or others, to transition into the Sai Organization. The young adults programs operate on a regional basis, involving young adults from all of the Centers in the region. There is a young adults advisor for men and another for women, who provide overall guidance to the program. Two young-adults representatives (one for women and another for men) provide the leadership to plan, develop and direct various group programs relating to service, devotion, and education. The young adults meet regularly, at least once a month, to plan and conduct their activities. The young adults enthusiastically share their ideas, ideals and highlights of their spiritual journey in a national quarterly newsletter titled Sai Students' Bulletin. You can obtain a free copy at any Sathya Sai Baba Center.
 
For more information about the young adults program, please contact the center president or young adults advisors of the region

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Supporting Programs

Workshops for Devotional Singing

Some Centers hold periodic workshops to provide coaching in devotional singing to the desiring members. The frequency and timing of these workshops are determined by each center to suit their needs. Please contact the devotion coordinator if you are interested.

Orgnizational Meetings

Centers hold regular meetings (monthly, quarterly, etc.) to plan and discuss various center and Regional programs. Decisions are made by the members, but non-members may attend with the president's approval. Members are urged to actively participate in these meetings to make contributions toward the Center objectives.

Annual Conference

Weekend retreat/ conferences are conducted by Sathya Sai Baba Centers, in each of the ten regions across the United States, and are announced in the Sathya Sai Newsletter, U.S.A.  They are usually held over the Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends because of the national holidays at those times. They are open for participation to all.  Members are urged to attend and lend a helping hand when possible. This is a good program to meet devotees from other centers, listen to national and international speakers elaborating on Sathya Sai Baba's teachings, and see videos on Sai Baba.  Announcements of the annual conferences and details of registration and accommodations are made available at the Centers. While there is no conference fee to attend the meeting itself, some charges may be associated with facility use and for providing room and board.

Books and Literature

Centers offer a selection of Sathya Sai books, audio tapes of Baba's discourses, devotional songs (bhajans), photographs etc. for sale. Some Centers may also have a lending library. A more extensive set of materials may also be obtained from the Sathya Sai Baba Book Center of America in Tustin, California, which is the official bookstore for the United States and is approved by the Sathya Sai Central Council of America.

Please refer to the last section in this booklet for the address of the Tustin bookstore, along with a list of national and international periodicals, and some of the most well-known books and publications on the life and teachings of Sathya Sai Baba.