November – the auspicious Month.

“If there is one medicine that can relieve all suffering it is LOVE.” Sai Baba

November is an auspicious month for Sai devotees across the world. It is the month when great preparations are made to celebrate Swami’s birthday. However, it would be a good exercise if everyone who considers himself/herself a devotee conducts a self-evaluation to see the spiritual progress he/she has made during all the years he/she has taken Swami as his/her Guru.

All devotees, especially office bearers, should conduct themselves as role models and make every effort to put into practice the nine-point code of conduct as well as the 10 principles. How many of us know these principles and really practise them in our daily actions and interactions, both at home and outside. We should not forget that we are devotees 24 hours daily and not only on Thursdays at kirtan time.Swami has been dishing out HIS LOVE, HIS TEACHINGS for the past 70 YEARS. In what way have they been beneficial to us? Swami has often said:

 “What’s the use of my talking and your listening when none of my teachings are put into practice? Isn’t it a waste of time on my part? ”

Do we try to “Speak softly and lovingly” at least during the holy month of November? Do we refrain from hurting others? Do we move about with a heart full of love ready to help those in need?

If we are happy that we are progressing individually, what about the Centre to which we belong?Is it moving along the right track? Is it following the guidelines? Is it a model to the DGs in the Region? If we are a DG, are we aspiring to become a Centre or are we happy marking time (bouge fixe)? Are we allowing other devotees to voice their opinion? There are many that started as DGs and have remained so for the past 10 or more years and the devotees are happy with the static situation.

Splinter groups have started forming for some time. They have their own agenda but are displaying Swami’s name to conduct activities that may not necessarily be in line with those of the National Organisation.  If no action is taken, others may also see the light of the day in the future. Where are we going?

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The Birthday Gift

The big question that devotees ask themselves this month is the following:

“What gift am I going to offer to my beloved Sai on the occasion of His birthday?”

Swami himself provides the answer. Here’s what He tells devotees:

“You can be happy that you have given Swami a proper gift only when you love your fellowmen, share their sufferings and engage yourselves in serving them. That is the only gift I wish for. The present given to God has to be pure, steady and selfless love.

Rich people and people in power have plentiful servants. But the distressed, the poverty-stricken and those who suffer have no one to serve them. Go to such people and be their friends, their kith and kin and their closest well-wishers.  Let them welcome you as such.  If you pour your spirituality into the ears of those who are tortured by hunger, it will not be assimilated. First quench their hunger.

Give them God in the form of Food,

Give them God in the form of clothes,

Give god in the form of a home,

Give God in the form of Education to those who are illiterate,

Give God in the form of Peace to those who are afflicted with anxiety.

Give God in the form of Medicine to those who are suffering from ill-health.

Give God in any form that will assuage fear, pain and sorrow.

It is only when this is done that spirituality can soak into the heart. If you act contrary-wise, instead of spiritual feelings, you will be promoting atheism itself.”

N.B. You may, if you think it worthwhile, forward to others. Thanks

Leckram GUNNASAYA

National Spiritual Coordinator