Study Circle Summaries 2019 - Sri Sathya Sai Center of Austin



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Study Circle Summaries 2019

This is the list of Summaries of all Study circles held in 2019 by Date at the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Austin. Members, please feel free to read the summaries from the past study circles.

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Date: June 2, 2019
Topic: Nine Point Code of Conduct
Facilitator: Venkata Ramana Munagala Uncle

How many are aware of ‘Nine Point Code of Conduct’?

Established 14th January 1981 - 3rd World conference

For self transformation

The charter of the Sai Organization says that every member should undertake sadhana (spiritual discipline) as an integral part of daily life and abide by the following Code of Conduct

1. Daily meditation and prayer.
* In the depth of silence you will hear the voice of God.
2. Devotional singing/prayer with family members once per week.
3. Participation in Sai Spiritual Education by children of the family.
4. Participation in community service and other programmes of the Organization.
5. Regular attendance at devotional meetings conducted by the Organization.
6. Regular study of Sathya Sai Baba literature.
7. Use of soft, loving speech with everyone.
8. Avoidance of talking ill of others, especially in their absence.
9. Practice of the principles of “ceiling on desires”, consciously and continuously striving to eliminate the tendency to waste time, money, food, and energy and utilizing any savings thereby generated for the service of mankind.

4-5 are easy to follow. Others will become easy after practice. Start with simple 1. Practice for 9 days. Then pick up 1 more. Practice 1 and 2 for 9 days.. and so on.

3 Categories:

Individual Sadhana: 1,6,7,8 and 9
Family Sadhana: 2 and 3
Group Sadhana: 4 and 5

Qualifications of Members of the Sathya Sai Organization:

* They must be eager aspirants for spiritual progress.
* They must have full faith in the Name that the organization bears and in spreading that Name, in the manner suited to Its Message and Majesty.
* Besides, the member must have won recognition as a good person.

In Addition to the 9 points of conduct we should strive to follow:

* Human Values
* Participation in all the 3 wings of the organization
* Read Bhagavat Gita and learn
* Nine paths of devotion
* Five debts - God, Divine Sages, Parental, All creatures, Human

Date: May 26th, 2019
Topic: Sai Parenting - Chapter 5
Facilitator: Bro. Sai T.

Women face a tough choice in today’s world? Career or Child Caring?

What is Supreme Shakthi? The Feminine principle

* An illusion imposed on himself by the Lord, as the energy with which he equipped himself, out of his own will
* This is why they are embodiment of Supreme Shakthi
* Faithful companion of Man
* The Protective Principle
* Illumination of the House
* In no way inferior to Men

Quotes:

"Unfair things happen in this world with respect to women.  That is why we decided not only to celebrate 19th November as Women’s day, but 19th of every month.”

* What are we not celebrating every day? Women sacrifice every day.

"Men say man is known by his job, as though only males can do jobs.  This is a misnomer. Women are now doing all work equal to men. In fact, women work more sincerely and with more dedication.  Recently, a director of the Indian Telephone Industries came to see Swami. Swami questioned him about the percentage of women employed in the industry.  He said that 99% of those employed there were women; he added that women performed 10 times better than men. Women do not stop or step out until the allotted work is completed.  They have a better work ethic than men”

* We have seen our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters working hard every day - balancing work with family

"Men do not have the same spirit of sacrifice as women.  If any problem arises, men come forward with initial enthusiasm, but it is only women who resolutely fight until success is achieved.”

* Ideal vs. reality - Swami has advised us to never forget that children are the first priority. Hence they should be a balance between work and family. Children should not feel compromised.

"Women are endowed with exceptional strength.  Even in the spiritual field, women display their endless capacity.  It is in her role as mother that there is the highest expression of a woman’s strength.  The mother is the first teacher of speech, the first steps in movement and many other primary lessons in behavior. “

“If only women were given their due recognition and encouragement, they would shine with brilliance in all fields and would serve the house, the country, and the entire world gloriously, contributing to the welfare of all humanity."

Date: May 12, 2019
Topic: Mother's Day - Eshwaramma’s Day
Facilitator: Bro. Madhav

Started with 1 min to reflect on our Mothers. Pray for her.

When did we start celebrating mother’s day? 1908 by Anna Jarvis in honor of her mother. Popularized by greeting cards, flowers and candy industry.

What is the significance? Celebration of bonding and sacrifices

How many have lost their mothers? Do you still connect and feel the love?

What is mother for you?

* Perseverance
* Selflessness
* Endless Sacrifices
* Anything for us
* Strong mindedness
* Honesty
* First spiritual guru
* Strong Work ethic
* Physiological, Hormones, Instinct
* Joint Families and multiple mothers
* Few times you experience unconditional love

Can you think about your Mother as a child? How was she when she was growing up as a child?

How do you connect to?

1. Divine Mother
2. Your mother
3. You as a mother

Swami’s quotes:

* Mother is the first - even before God
* Basic Needs - Bloodu (Family/Mother), Foodu, Dhuddu (Money)

Discussion Question: Do you still love/connect to abusive mothers?

* Yes. She still gave us this life and nourished us for 9 months
* Kunti/Karna story

Read about Krishna’s advice to Gandhari

Take away

* Give motherly love
* TRICK - Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaborate, Kind

Date: May 05, 2019
Topic: Cultural Inclusion and Expansion - Week 4
Facilitator: Bro. Sriram

Week 4 - What is the essential purpose of life?

Spiritual Principle: To deepen our understanding of the essential purpose of life and realize its value through practice, so that visitors from all faiths and cultures can know that we are all One.

“At the outset you have to consider what is the purpose of life. Is it for involvement in endless work or for eating and sleeping or indulging in gossip that the Divine has conferred this human birth. The gift of intelligence is being used for many trivial purposes but not to understand the goal of life. Society today is riddled with discord and disorder. The progress of civilization has undermined morality and decency in all walks of life. Obsessed with worldly values, men have lost all concern for moral values. Selfishness reigns supreme everywhere. Even in the spiritual field, people seem to be more interested in themselves than in the welfare of society and the promotion of public good”. – Sathya Sai Speaks, November 18, 1995 (6th World Conference of Sai Organization) 

http://sathyasai.us/devotion/discourse/fill-world-love/

 Discussion Questions and discussion: 

1. What are some specific practices we engage in during our center devotion program that acknowledge the unity that underlies the diversity of our community?

* Multi faith prayers
* Celebrate multi faith events
* English and Spanish songs
* English lyrics for all songs - Use of Technology
* Human values education
* Service activities for everyone and by everyone
* Opportunity to participate/speak in study circles
* Universal topics for study circles - Go Green, Sai Parenting
* Invitation for other Faith groups to participate
* Open topics for guest speakers

2. What practices and behaviors exhibited in our Centers may appear exclusive and not reflect the diverse faiths and culture in our community?

Perception vs. Reality 

* Arathi (Flame waving)
* Wearing white and white
* Not wearing shoes
* Ladies and Gents sitting separately
* Vibuthi, Water, Prasad
* Altar might reflect a certain culture
* Though for the day - Is it Universal?
* Topics like Moksha/Duality might appear exclusive
* Instruments used for bhajans
* Forcing vs. Sourcing

Activity/ Life Application: [Note to Facilitator - Time permitting few individuals can share a summary of their Pair Share discussion with the bigger group. Life application is an extension of Group activity where the participant practices the Study Circle learnings during the week.] 1. Pair Share Pair with a person sitting next to you. First person asks, “Can you explain to me what is the purpose of life and how can our center best demonstrate that”. Second person provides answers. Switch roles. Staying within the context of the Spiritual Principle for this Study Circle, what might be the next question? Ask this of your partner. Keep asking questions and responding.


 Date : April 28th, 2019
Topic: Sai Parenting - Chapter 4
Facilitator: Dr. Shaili

Parents need to provide support to children in the following 4 main areas

  1. Physical
  2. Intellectual
  3. Emotional
  4. Spiritual

3 Types of parents:

  1. Instructional parents - Tell children what to do
  2. Parents who do not tell anything. Children have to figure it down themselves
  3. Engage with children. Break it down to their level. Collaborative approach - Preferred

Physical Needs:

  1. Money
  2. Time

How do you budget time? 

  • Dinner time with children
  • Story time/Bed time
  • Plan family nights
  • Leave early from work and go for a family walk
  • Talk with kids while driving to/from school
  • Reduce adult phone time

Intellectual Growth:

Happens all the way from conception (what mother eats, thinks, feels) to university.

How do you teach budgeting to kids - time and money?

  • Piggy bank
  • Savings account
  • Parents only provide for needs. Kids need to budget their wants.
  • Avoid using virtual money. Use currency notes. It is harder to spend hard money.
  • Take kids to banks
  • Let kids count money
  • Teach delayed gratification
  • Share personal experiences
  • It is OK to have money. But it is not the only thing in life.
  • 2 sides to money management - discipline/order, gratitude

Emotional support:

  • Provide unconditional love. Will you able to love an immigrant kid at the border with safe affection.
  • How will you reach to a 2 year old kid breaking something?
  • Teach equanimity
  • Unconditional love vs. conditional Attachment
  • Easier to love others (e.g. students) as they do not disappoint
  • Children will feel your emotions and absorb
  • Love ever Hurt never

Spiritual growth:

  • Not separate from worldly activities
  • Lead by example
  • Tough love
    • Let it go
    • Let it fail
    • Let them grow
  • What is failure? Not meeting expectations. How do we set expectations? Do we allow for failures?
Date : April 21st, 2019
Topic : CIE week 4
Facilitator : Bro. Balaji

What is purpose of life?


  • Be Happy
  • Never Hurt others
  • Improve yourself
  • Help Ever, Hurt Never
  • Do your duty - Do not worry about consequences
  • Respect other faiths/cultures (CIE point of view)
  • Experience Life -> Identify where to improve -> Achieve level of peace and calm -> Know divinity in yourself
  • Make yourself and others happy
  • Lead life based on dharma - Attain Moksha
  • Get grace of God and attain liberation
  • Lead a spiritual life - observe Human values
  • Love God
  • Understand where you come from and where you are growing
  • Understand - Who am I
  • Break birth and death cycle. We are like mercury balls that are shattered. We need to merge with the One.
  • Ho hum to So hum
  • Purpose is to serve everyone. Origin is the same
  • Life is a snake and ladders game
  • What is Moksha? What is beyond happiness and pain 



Date: April 14 2019
Topic: Go Green Initiative


Facilitator: Bro. Sreenivas Gangadhar

As part of go-green, recycle initiative at sai center was the scope of this study circle.
Several question were discussed and answered,
                Do we recycle correctly
                How does recycle affect
                How/where we can recycle
                How to collect for recycle
                Can we simplify the recycle model

Also discussed is how go-green can be part of any spiritual sadhana that is currently undertaken by any individual/family.

Saicenter initiative with a goal towards 100% recycle
Several daily used items are going into trash because they will not be recycled as part of curb-side recycling. However, there is a very good chance that we can use other recycling centers (Austin recycle/reuse drop off and teracycle) for these items that goes into trash. To facilitate this, at sai center we will have a drive to collect the following.

Starting from Aradhana day, Every week during center time we will have 4 cans for the following.
1.       Transparent plastic covers
2.       Greasy/wax/stained plastic covers
3.       Chip wrappers
4.       Candy/cookie wrappers
5.       Monthly we will also have extra cans for Styrofoam, toothbrush/toothpaste/razors
The ONLY request from us is to please make sure that there is no food inside the wrappers. We will collect it and will send them to appropriate recycling centers.

For a quick reference attached is the PDF that will summarize instructions for curbside recycling and also recycle drive at Sai Center.

For any questions please text/wattsapp Sreenivas Gangadhar (6183036866).


Date : April 7th, 2019
Topic: Service Activities at the Austin Sai Center
Facilitator: Bro. Laksminarayan

  • What is the Purpose of Service? Sharing Love and Joy - Other items that are provided are only incidental.
  • Presented on 10 service projects at Austin Sai Center
  • Even once a month sign up would help
  • If you are not able to volunteer sign up for supplies
  • There is opportunity for everyone - SSE, YAs, Friends, Family, Colleagues etc. Share information.

Members shared their personal Experiences - Gram Seva during Ashadi, Nursing home service, ASH service etc. Words cannot express the love and joy shared. The people who we share our time with do not care about the church or group we belong to. They just celebrate our presence. We also learn life lessons from them. Finally it is for our own personal transformation.

Feedback:



  • Correct Number of Loaves on the slide
  • Can we ship supplies to one contact using Amazon?
  • Can we encourage people to participate when they are celebrating their family Birthdays, Anniversaries etc.
  • How do we know about restrictions for each service?
  • What do we do at each service? Can we provide description?

 Date : March 31st, 2019
Topic : CIE Week 3
Facilitator : Bro. Jay Solankee

What is the essential purpose of a Sathya Sai Center?

Quote:

“The primary objective of the Sai Organization is to raise the human consciousness to the Divine by eliminating all animal tendencies.

People do not seem to be aware of their true nature. Only those who understand their true selves can help to elevate others. The Upanishads have given the clarion call to mankind to wake up from their ignorance and go forward towards their supreme divine destiny of self-realization.”

– Sathya Sai Speaks, 18 November 1995, 6th World Conference (70th Birthday)

Spiritual Principle:

  • To deepen our understanding
  • To realize its value through practice
  • To let visitors from all faiths and cultures can know that we are all One

I am God. (I am an exemplar in fulfilling the true purpose of a Sathya Sai Center, which is to recognize the same inner Divinity in one and all.

What is Devotion?

  • Path towards God
  • Individual transformation
  • There is devotion in service etc.

Everything is important - Service, Devotion and Education (Illumination)

Self Inquiry -> Transform -> Knowledge - Repeat

Make Swami not part of your life - but center of your life

We cannot fully describe why we are here. We cannot understand Divinity. We cannot put Swami in a box. We do it because we love it.

We are here to be a better - Christian, Hindu or Muslim. We are not here to change our faith. 

Questions to think about:

  1. How do you explain Sai center to a colleague?
  2. Is it a cult?
  3. What are you selling?
  4. Do you practice what you say?
  5. How do you run without collecting money?
  6. Do you respect people from other faiths/beliefs? 


Date : March 24th, 2019
Topic : Self Confidence & Leadership
Facilitator : Sis. Sanju

General Progression:

  1. Self-confidence: The firm and steady conviction that you are the Atma (Self or love). This leads to Self-satisfaction.
  2. Self-satisfaction: Being satisfied with the bliss of your divine Self and no longer being tempted by what appear to be sources of joy in the external world. This prepares you for self-sacrifice.
  3. Self-sacrifice: The loving sacrifice of all sense of ego and separateness to the Lord. This leads to Self-realisation
  4. Self-realisation: Constantly experiencing your true nature as infinite, selfless love pervading all of creation. In this experience of oneness, there is only love.


 Date : March 17th, 2019
Topic : Cultural Inclusion and Expansion (CIE) - Purpose of Sai Center - Part 2
Facilitator : Bro. Shiva

We started the study circle with a recap of the previous week - CIE Purpose of Sai Center - Part 1

Sai center is about SAI

S for Service
A for Adoration
I for Illumination

We discussed about the story of a boat man who ferries people across the river. A pandit gets into the boat and asks the boatman what the time is? The boatman responds that he does not know what the time is. The pandit tells that he has wasted 1/4th of his life by not knowing about time . The pandit now asks for the newspaper. The boatman responds that he does not need to know about what is happening in the world. To this the pandit tells the boatman that he has wasted another 1/4th of his life. The pandit keeps picking on the boatman while they cross the river. When they reach the middle of the river, the boatman notices a storm coming. He then asks the pandit if he knows how to swim. The pandit responds by saying that he does not. The boatman responds that the storm will sink the boat and the pandit is going to lose his life since he does not know how to swim.

Another story we talked about was a story of a couple from USA visiting Puttaparthi for Lingodhbhavam. The husband and wife were provided with entry passes to be able to see Swami  by sitting at the front. The wife lost her pass and was not able to sit in the front. But the husband was able to use the pass to sit closer to Swami. But he was not able to witness the event as there was pillar in between him and Swami. The wife was able to witness the event even when she was sitting at the back. Swami has His own plan for everyone. This was also true in the case of a devotee from Austin Sai center visiting Puttaparthi. She got an opportunity to be part of a play for Swami. She got multiple opportunities to see Swami - due this wonderful opportunity that she got at the last minute.

Discussion:

What is divinity?

What is Sat-Chit-Anandha?

Sat: truth, absolute being or existence-- that which is enduring and unchanging
Chit: consciousness, understanding and comprehension
Ananda: bliss, a state of pure happiness

Samathvam is Oneness

Do our center activities reflect, project and inspire the message of oneness and our inner divinity to all? How and How not?

  • We are open
  • We sing English and other Language Bhajans
  • Our friends from outside the Sai center feel comfortable attending service activities
  • We have Sarva Dharma prayers and bhajans that reflect oneness and inclusion
  • Oneness is the removal of ego
  • Sai center is a lab. Provides opportunities to remove ego.
  • Service activities are truly diverse - Participation and targeted people.
  • SSE methods are also universal in nature
  • Study circles should inspire/illuminate
  • Swami is for everyone. Do not force Swami on everyone.
  • How do people of other faiths feel? Experience with the Sunday Church group member on Akhanda Bhajan/Prayers.

Actions:

  1. Can we have an orientation of Sai Center activities - How do we perform Arathi etc.?
  2. Include people from outside Sai Center in service activities
  3. Study circles have been running beyond allotted time (beyond 5 PM). Can we increase time? Can we have structure in study circle? Limit time per person.
  4. Can we bring in speakers from other faiths? 
Date: Mar 10 2019
Topic: Cultural Inclusion and Expansion (CIE) - Purpose of Sai Center
Facilitator: Bro. Mahesh

We started the study circle by sharing some experiences with Swami on the topic of Cultural Inclusion and Expansion. We discussed some common themes that stood out on this subject.

  • Treat everyone as equal
  • Should not prevent people from coming and participating
  • Swami has said - "Expansion is my life"

Website Link - https://sathyasai.us/cie
What is the Purpose of Sai Center?

  • To deepen our understanding of the essential purpose of a Sathya Sai Center.
  • Realize its value through practice
  • Experience Oneness in all, so that anyone who comes to our center irrespective of their faith, culture etc. can know that we are all One.

Swami's Quote
“The main objective of the Sathya Sai Organisation, which you must always keep before you, is to help man to recognise the Divinity that is inherent in him. ... The Sathya Sai Organisation must recognise and reestablish this Truth - that the Aathma (Divine Self) is the Reality of everyone, however, distinct they may appear in physical form and mental equipment. ... So, your duty is to emphasize the One, to experience the One in all you do and speak. Do not give any importance to differences of religion, sect, status, or color. Have the feeling of Oneness permeate all your acts. Only those who do so have a place in this Organization; the rest can withdraw.”
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 13 (1975 - 77)

We discussed about the quote and the questions that came to our mind. What is divinity? Divinity is purity in thoughts, words and deed. What does Sai Literature say about it? Could be a study circle topic.

We had a break out session. We divided ourselves into groups of 2/3 and talked about the following question. We then shared our discussions with the entire group.

What does Sai say is the purpose of a Sai Center? Please elaborate.



  • Everyone had a very personal view of the quote/statement
  • Oneness is seeing the reflection of Swami in oneself
  • Seeing Swami internal to us and also in everyone
  • Feeling at home, At Peace
  • The group chanting, satsang, study circles gives us inner peace/elevation
  • Energizing the spirit/Recharge ourselves. How long will this last? Why recharge every week?
  • Unity in thought, word and deed
  • See divinity in others, Learn from others, Inspired by others
  • Knowing ourselves
Date: Mar 03 2019
Topic: Sai Parenting - Chapter 3 - Love God, Fear Sin, Guard Human Values
Facilitator: Bro. Ketan Kharod

We recapped what we learnt in the previous Sai Parenting study circles.

"First you must understand each other, after that adjustment will be easy…"

What does Love God, Fear Sin, Guard Human Values mean to everyone?

Swami changed the way devotees should perceive God - from fearing God to loving God

Love God is about Love
Fear Sins is about Discipline. 
What is Sin? Different definitions of sins was discussed? We can have a study circle on this topic later.
Guard Human values - The human values are non negotiable.. While everything else can be

Then we talked about 3 types of love

Svaartha Prema (selfish love), Anyonya Prema (love for oneself, family and friends), Paraartha Prema (love of entire world)

Group discussed about how we apply Paraartha Prema in real life. What can we learn from young children who are very comfortable with the concept of Paraartha Prema. Participating and involving children in service activities is a way to practice.

What is self examination and why it is important? If you point 1 finger at others, we should remember other 3 fingers are pointing at you.

"The correct method is to magnify your own small mistakes and consider them as big mistakes and the big mistakes of others as small ones of no consequence."

How do we practice Truth and Right conduct: We read a passage and discussed on what stood out..

  • Have full faith in God
  • Achieve co-ordination between your education and behavior.
  • Harmony in thought, word and deed
  • Sathyam Vada, Dharmam chara (Speak the Truth and do righteous deeds.)



Date: Feb 17 2019
Topic: 
Facilitator: Bindhu Sivakumar

What is Leadership?

Leadership according to the Book "Mahavakya on Leadership" is mostly "TO BE", little less is "TO DO", little less is "TO SEE" and the least is to "TO TELL". Mostly above "TO BE" is "To Think" is at the higher level. Ideal leader would be the one who follows the above axiom.


What is Self Confidence?

  • Is the building block of Leadership
  • Ability/Belief to do something
  • Not afraid of failures
  • Being at peace with one self

“Having complete faith in the Divinity within us” – Baba

“People are like stained glass windows, they sparkle and shine when sun is out. When darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within” – Elizabeth Kubler Ross

“When the going gets tough, only the tough get going” – Author unknown

Where from Self Confidence is born and what does it lead to?

“The one who is filled with love has great peace of mind, is pure at heart and is unruffled by any adverse circumstances, failures or losses. This fortitude is derived from Love of the Lord, and it endows one with self confidence. Self Confidence generates an immense internal power. Everyone has to develop this power to experience the bliss of the self” – Baba

Where there is confidence, there is love. Where there is love, there is peace. Where there is peace, there is truth. Where there is truth, there is God” - Baba


Questions/Discussion?

  • Are the above elements in the circle inter related? What happens if we miss one of the elements?
  • Are we always in the circle? When do we leave the circle? How can we get back? Which element is the entry point?
  • How does this circle apply to people who do not believe in God? Can the Love for the Lord be replaced by something else? Love for Parent? Love for Oneself? Love for Nature? Love for Everyone?
  • When/Where do we draw a line between self confidence and complete surrender to the Lord? e.g. If we have ants in our house - do we take care of them? Or do we only pray that they go away?

We will have a series of study circles on this topic of Leadership and we hope to find answers to all the questions above.

Further Reading/Listening:

Mahavakya on Leadership – by Lt Gen(Dr)M.L. Chibber

Radio Sai - "Questions to Me" audio


Date: Feb 10 2019
Topic: Toothbrush Test for Spiritual Progress (How to make spiritual practice a daily habit) - Part II
Facilitator: Madhav SBSS

1. What is the point of a spiritual habit? Do we need it? What if we don’t do anything spiritual in our life, what’s the issue with that?
Some felt it was necessary for having peace in life
Others for clarity of intellect and personal improvement
Some others for anchoring our lives in times of troubles.
2. If you agree that practicing spirituality daily is a must for our well being, how are you practicing, how can we practice?
Some chant Gayatri 108 times every night and keep 10 swami's books next to the bed so they can read something from these books every night
Some shared they chant prayers every day and others thank Swami for the day every night and chant Gayatri immediately after waking
3. What are the challenges in making spirituality a habit?
We did not get time to discuss the challenges but a couple of them were mentioned, distractions while chanting, how they bring back the mind is by using something physical like a japa mala. Others mentioned anchoring spiritual habit to an existing habit, do prayer right before you eat, do gayatri right after you wake up, chant gayatri right before hitting the bed etc, these anchors help make spiritual habit easier instead of trying to create new behaviors.
4. What is the sign of spiritual progress (forward)?
We discussed briefly the idea of Equanimity, swami says proof of rain is in the wetness of the soil. Similarly, proof of spirituality in ones life is by having equanimity to profit or loss, cold or heat, success or failure. The practice of spiritual habit helps one get better at equanimity to events in life.
5. What are the DOs and DON'Ts in Spiritual Practice?
Swami says "Removing animal qualities is spirituality", what are the animal qualities and how can we remove them
Swami gives us the animal qualities we should remove from our lives:
  • 6 animal qualities - desire, anger, greed, pride, infatuation and jealousy
  • 5 qualities reduce man to animal - bad company, indifference, disrespect, arrogance and jealousy
To remove animal qualities, first step Swami says is to cleanse our speech, speak truth, speak softly, speak less, speak lovingly and sweetly
Some Antidote we discussed for animal qualities -
  • Greed x Love
  • Anxiety x Faith
  • Arrogance x Service
  • Attachment x Offering every act of the body to the Divine
This is not going to happen overnight, Swami wants us to practice spirituality not like the Monkey or the Eagle but like the Ant - steadily, firmly, takes tiny steps of conviction towards a chosen goal.

DOs
1. Ask God for help
2. Practise silence
3. Mediate
4. See only the good in others
5. Namasmarana
6. Be in good company
7. Monitor and Manage what is coming in, you wouldn’t let stray dog or a stranger or thief just walk into your house, why would you let bad thoughts, bad images just walk in?
8. Attach to God (Seesaw of God and World)
9. Look within, See Always Inside (SAI)
10.Domino effect, what’s the smallest domino you can push such that all the other larger dominos will eventually fall
11. No Hurry, Worry, Curry
12. ONE THING - focus all your powers of observation and judgment on one topic and it will surely stand revealed.
13. “Cool calm contemplation not quick passionate speculation and hasty decision”
14. Read, Listen, Watch teachings, first “know” then do.
15. Develop compassion, kindness, love, and forbearance

DON’Ts
1. Bad company
2. Desires - Our heart is not a love seat, not musical chairs. It's a single sofa, we cannot have desire for God and desire for the world both, it can only be one.
3. Talking Much

4. Speaking bad of others, especially in their absence

Date: Feb 03 2019
Topic: Study Circle - Cultivate Good Habits To Command Respect In Society
Facilitator: Brother Balaji

We started by reviewing last week's topics. What is toothbrush test? Why do we brush our teeth? Why is flossing harder than brushing? What is a spiritual habit? Are singing bhajans, meditation spiritual habits?

We divided into 4 groups and had discussions about the following 4 questions.

1. Some people keep awake the whole night of Sivarathri by playing cards. 
Can this be called Jagarana (vigil)?

2. You might have observed the fishermen laying their nets in the pond and waiting with single-pointed attention hoping for some fish to fall in the net. Can you call their intense gaze as concentration? Can it lead to mukti (liberation)?

3.  A person was heavily drunk and had lost his body-consciousness. Can you call it thanmayattwa (total identification with divinity)?

4. A person quarreled with his wife and abstained from food. Can you say he was on a ritual fast?

We listened to Swami's discourse (audio) and found out that the answer to all the questions above is no. We learned about Swami's habits/efforts to keep his body clean. We concluded the session with our further interest in continuing to listen to the discourse and come prepared for the next session.



Date: Jan 27 2019
Topic: Study Circle - Toothbrush Test for Spiritual Progress (How to make spiritual practice a daily habit)
Facilitator: Madhav SBSS

We all know what a Toothbrush is, it’s a tool we use to clean our teeth and it’s used once or twice daily. It must be useful, otherwise why would we do it with such regularity, right?. Ok, how does it make our life better?

What is a toothbrush

It’s a tool to clean our teeth, tongue and mouth

Why do we use it 

For freshness, better health

Why do we brush once or twice a day

We (are supposed) eat once or twice a day and it’s usually after eating food that bacteria forms on teeth and so we try to clean it

Flossing is as important as brushing, how many of us floss daily? 

What are the challenges? - Faith? Inconvenience? Harder to do?

What is a Toothbrush Test then? - Is it something you do once or twice daily (is it daily habit) and does “it" make your life better? 


Story - Wife-Husband-Guru story, you must use your intellect to discern the context and apply. Not do something today and leave tomorrow, that’s not spiritual practice.

What is a spiritual habit? 

Is it Meditation? Singing Bhajans? Swami “These are all not spirituality. These are actions to know spirituality. Then what is spirituality. To give up animal qualities is spirituality.” 

Imagine Sunday you are signing bhajans, then you get on the road to home and another car cuts you off, you start yelling all four letter words possible, are you practicing spirituality? NO.

Swami “While doing Namasmarana (chanting name of the lord), you must have sacred feelings in your heart. As the external practices grow, so should the sacred feelings inside. As the tree grows, the roots must also grow inward, if the roots don’t grow deep, the tree will not bear fruit and it will eventually fall."


Date: Jan 20 2019
Topic: Sai Parenting - Chapter 3 - Love God, Fear Sin, Guard Human Values
Facilitator: Brother Ketan

We started by reviewing Chapter 2 - Sanctify your Marriage

Understand and Adjust - Swami tells us, “First you must understand each other, after that adjustment will be easy. Today 90% of people try adjustment first. This is the wrong way. First understanding. Sometimes, it is natural  for you to have anger, ego, temper, tension. You must have adjustment and understanding”

Then we started discussing about Love God, Fear Sin, Guard Human Values. We learnt that all three go together. There is no meaning if we only pick 1 or 2. All 3 are important for parents to follow and also teach children to follow. These values are important for children as they will guide them even when the parents are not around. 

We learnt about 3 types of Prema - Spaartha Prema (self oriented love), Paraartha Prema (love towards all fellow beings) and Anyonya Prema (mutual five and take type of love). Paraartha Prema represents the highest type of Prema. We talked about the prayer - Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu - which represents the meaning of Paraartha Prema. Participants shared personal stories on what Paraartha Prema means to them.

We will continue our discussion during our next Sai Parenting study circle.



Date: Jan 13 2019
Topic: Study Circles
Facilitator: Brother Balaji G.

What is the basic goal of a study circle? To help us understand how better to lead a spiritual life, to come closer to God. Sai Baba says “It is important not simply to read and understand but to find something to put into practice.”

Discussion - other goals - Recharge our batteries, Share experiences, etc.

Discussed about process of study circle - Read a passage, and then go around the circle, Give an opinion, Discuss what you don't understand,  question that the passage brings to mind, effect of the passage on you, Answer a question.

Near the end of the Study Circle, discuss teaching, practice and follow up.

We then talked about roles and responsibilities of facilitators/participants. Preparation, Participation, Listening, Giving chance to everyone, Focus on topic etc.

Then we talked about threads for each week of the month - Sathya Sai speaks, YA/Leadership, Go Green and Sai Parenting.

Feedback collected and next steps:



  1. Try different Chair Arrangements that would enhance participation
  2. Allow 1 minute for everyone to come in after meditation. Then close door.
  3. We do not need to have a formula. We can fit all topics into any of the 4 categories.
  4. We need to have study circles for special occasions/festivals.
  5. Have enough content for ~ 50 mins. It is OK to end before allotted time. We can discuss actions. We can discuss general topics.
  6. We have good interest from many members to host study circles.
  7. We also have mentors whom we can use to guide new facilitators.
  8. We can find information for topics in Swami’s speeches/literature. It is OK to go for outside references. Make sure the sources are appropriate and relevant. Check with mentors and center officers for guidance on this.
  9. 5 minute warning at 4:55 p.m.
  10. Keeps doors closed till 5:00 p.m. - Allow facilitator to conclude study circle


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