| Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org | |||
"I Am Not Going Anywhere…" | |||
| Profound words – "I Am Not Going Anywhere" – that came so unexpected and out of context from the Divine in human vesture, left author Diana Baskin clueless for quite sometime until it dawned upon her, the greater truth, after Bhagawan physically passed on. Read on Diana Baskin's reminscence of the momentous revelation, published in Sanathana Sarathi, November 2011. When Swami left His body, He left a deep empty space in my heart and since that unforgettable day I have asked Him to fill the steady pain of emptiness with His Love. Swami, the Heart Core of our Life Swami became my Guru when I first came to India in 1969, taking on the task of teaching me the principles of a spiritual life by building a solid foundation rooted in Dharma. Later, He became my Mother, taking over the task of nurturing, acceptance and unconditional love. Finally in 1979, Swami took the role of Father by introducing me to my husband, Robert, performing our marriage ceremony and extending His strong hand of support and gentle loving guidance throughout our marriage. Swami was the heart core of our life. For the past 40 years, our life centred solely upon Him, and the anticipation of our trips to India that brought us in His physical presence was our nourishment. My husband and I were devastated and heartbroken as we lost all at once our Guru, our Mother and our Father. But Swami did not teach us to be weaklings and even in the midst of sorrow His teachings rushed to my side, giving me strength and support while gently reminding me that there was a limit to everything. When the husband of our friend died, Swami said to her that she could mourn his death but only for a short time; after that, she needed to let go of her sorrow. Otherwise, she could not lead a purposeful and useful life. Last Words of Swami I understood intellectually that to honour Swami and His teachings, I needed to put them into practice, be a master of my emotions and keep my focus on positive and constructive thoughts. While this helped to some extent, it was not enough. I longed to re-establish the direct heart-to-heart link with Swami that gives joy to life. Swami had not only foreseen the problem I would encounter but in His infinite compassion had given the solution, unbeknownst to me, shortly before leaving His physical body. One morning, after Bhajans as Swami was returning to His residence, His car stopped in front of me and as the driver lowered the window, Swami motioned for me to come forward. His voice was very faint and I had to lean into the car and read His lips to grasp His words. At the end of our brief conversation, He said something so unusual and out of context that I had to ask Him to repeat it. These were the last words Swami ever spoke to me. For the year that followed, I pondered His words and questioned their meaning but failed to find the reason why He voiced them at that time nor could I find any sort of veiled connotation they might imply. It was not until a few weeks after Swami passed, in the midst of great sorrow and mourning that like a thunderbolt from the heavens it hit me! Not only did I understand what He meant from the deeper perspective of Advaita but a mere remembrance had the power to re-establish the precious heart-to-heart link and fill my heart with love. The powerful words of truth, love and wisdom that Swami sweetly whispered were: "I am not going anywhere." II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org |
2011-12-14
Profound words - I Am Not Going Anywhere…that came so unexpected and out of context from the Divine in human vesture, left author Diana Baskin clueless
2011-12-13
Change in timings of Ashram Utilities - Prasanthi Schedule - Mandir Schedule:
Change in timings of Ashram Utilities | |||
Prasanthi ScheduleMandir Schedule: Prasanthi Nilayam, the Abode of the Ultimate Divine, wakes up with the chanting of Aumkar 21 times at 5:20 a.m in the Mandir, followed by Suprabhatam (invoking the Lord of Parthi). Vedic chanting by a small group of selected devotees, starting from the Mandir, and after circumambulation of the Mandir and Bhagawan's Residence, culminating at the Ganesh Mandir. Simulataneously, Nagarsankirtan (devotional bhajan singing around the Mandir) by ladies and gents in two separate groups, one followed by the other starts from the Ganesh Temple, almost following the Veda chanting group, and, after circumambulating Mandir and Bhagawan's Residence, returns to the same spot at the Ganesh Mandir. Vedic Recitation is held in the Sai Kulwant Hall from 0800hrs to 0900hrs in the morning and 1630hrs to 1715hrs in the evening. Bhajans follow till 0930hrs in the morning and 1800hrs in the evening after which Mangala Arathi is offered to the Lord. Devotees are allowed to come in a line for a close Darshan of the Sanctum Sanctorum after Arathi. 05:20 Hrs: Aumkar & Suprabhatam 05:40 Hrs: Vedic Chanting 05:45 Hrs: Nagar Sankirtan 08:00 & 16:30 Hrs: Vedic Recitation 09:00 & 17:15 Hrs: Bhajans 09:30 & 18:00 Hrs: Arati Ganesh Gate (Entry into the Ashram): 04:00 to 21:30hrs.Accommodation and other OfficesHall (Dormitory) Accommodation for Indian Devotees (at Ganesh Gate): 5am to 9pm Room Accommodation for Indian Devotees (Opposite to the South Indian Canteen): 06:15 – 20:00 Hrs Accommodation for Overseas Devotees ( in the North – 8 Block): 06:00 – 20:00 Hrs Central Trust: 09:00 – 12:00 Hrs & 15:00 – 18:00 Hrs CanteensSouth Indian Canteen Breakfast: 06:30 – 08:30hrs Lunch: 11:00 – 13:00hrs Tea: 15:30 – 17:00hrs Dinner: 18:30 – 20:30hrs North Indian Canteen Lunch: 11:00 – 12:30 Hrs Dinner: 18:30 – 20:00 Hrs Western Canteen Breakfast: 07:30 – 10:15 Hrs Lunch: 12:30 – 13:30 Hrs Dinner: 18:30 – 20:00 Hrs Other Utilities inside Ashram:Prasanthi General Stores: For Ladies: 09:30 – 12:30 Hrs For Gentlemen: 14:00 – 17:00 Hrs Book Stall: 09:30 – 12:30 Hrs & 14:00 – 17:00 Hrs Library: 09:30 – 12:30 Hrs & 14:00 – 17:00 Hrs STD Booth: 05:00 – 21:00 Hrs Bakery: 09:30 – 11:30 Hrs & 15:30 – 17:00 Hrs Kiosks: There are many kiosks in Ashram which sell hot and cold beverages, snacks etc. The timings of these shops are often staggered to ensure availability through 0500 Hrs to 2030 Hrs. However these Kiosks will stay closed during Vedam and Bhajan Sessions in the morning and evening. |
13-12-2011- THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AS WRITTEN AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM TODAY
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| Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY People perform acts prompted by the desire for the fruits thereof; if an act does not yield desired results, they will not do the act thenceforth. Profit, gain, reward, result - man seeks these alone. But this rule does not apply to those who take the Geetha in their hands to drink the nectar of the Lord's message. Not all do yearn for the nectar; and if you do, it is evident that you aspire for eternal joy and liberation. Then you must pay the price of giving up the desire for the fruits of your actions, and dedicate everything at the feet of the Divine. Desist from sin, injustice and vice. Do not insult elders, desert the virtuous, and wound the self-respect of the good. Dedicate yourself to the cause of establishing Santhi and Soukhya (peace and plenty) in the world, and even if you must struggle, realize that justice is bound to win. -BABA Yesterday's Thought Date: Monday, December 12, 2011 The field of your heart must be cleared of bushes and thorns. It must be ploughed and furrowed, watered and dampened to depth. Then the seeds must be planted into the earth; not scattered on the surface. After planting the seeds, water the field, remove the weeds, keep away stray cattle, manure the plants, dust them with pesticides, and then you can reap the bounteous crop. Spiritual discipline (Sadhana) means and includes every one of these steps. If there is crooked vision, character, thought and feelings, how can devotion even sprout or bloom? If the lamp is not burning, it means that you have not lit it! Your spiritual progress is what is reflected back to you as Grace. Your decline is reflected back as its absence. Engage yourself in action that will direct your intellect and mind along divine and sublime channels, and win His bounteous grace through worthy action. -BABA  | ||
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