SNA 2 draft - Sai Australia

Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia & PNG Electronic Magazine May 2013 Issue 2 

Issue 2 

Sai News Australia 

The source of peace and harmony is in every human being 

When there is peace in 

the individual, there is 

harmony in the home 


the home, there is 

harmony in the society 


the society, there is 

harmony in the na:on 


the na:on, there is 

harmony in the world 

http://www.saiaustralia.org.au 

Sai Ram! 

CENTRAL COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE – 

MAHASAMADHI DAY 2013 

“Your worldly intelligence cannot fathom the ways of God. He cannot be recognised by mere cleverness or 

intelligence. You may benefit from God, but you cannot explain Him. Your explanations are mere guesses, attempts 

to clothe your ignorance in pompous expressions.” -‐ Baba 23rd Nov. 1968 

As stated in the above quote, our 

understanding of Sathya Sai Baba is 

extremely limited and it is an 

impossible task to adequately speak of 

His life and teachings. Experiencing His 

Divine Love left us without words, in 

bliss, inspired to lead our lives based on 

the highest ideals. His teachings 

focussed on the transformation of the 

individual as the way to build a 

uniFied global community, heralding in 

an era when all of humanity could live 

in harmony, free from religious and 

social discord. 

Sathya Sai gave us this knowledge and 

therefore the power to overcome the 

negative aspects of our minds, by 

relentlessly telling us of our divine 

nature. He commonly addressed us as 

“Embodiments of the Divine”. 

Swami has said: “The Avatar comes to 

bring near the kingdom of heaven to 

earth as well as to build the kingdom of 

heaven within the individual human 

heart. The Avatar comes to reveal the 

Divine nature in man, that he is above 

his lower nature and to tell how to 

achieve unity with the divinity residing 

within him.” 

Sathya Sai Baba gave mankind much 

more than a message of hope. He 

revealed His Divinity to us, which 

naturally leads to a Firm conviction in 

Mahasamadhi of Sathya Sai Baba in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prashanti Nilayam from where He dilivered His discourses 

the truth of His teachings. He 

proclaimed that the truth of our 

(spiritual) being is goodness, truth and 

beauty and when we live righteously 

(dharmically), we will become aware of 

our higher self. 

Practising this message allows us to live 

in peace and self conFidence. Although 

this message has been with us for many 

centuries, Swami has expressed it in 

ways that are easily understood, thus 

inspiring millions around the world to 

take up the challenging task of self 

transformation. 

He has in great detail explained the 

paths of service, devotion and 

knowledge, allowing each one 

to follow the path of their choosing. 

In the history of mankind, there has 

never been an identity, who has set 

such high goals and achieved so much 

through the power of Divine Love. 

Sathya Sai was described as a Teacher, 

Educator, Leader, Compassionate giver, 

Disciplinarian, Friend, Lover of all of 

mankind, Peacemaker, etc. 

(Continued on page 2) 

To secure the Divine grace, one must adhere to right conduct and observe purity in thought, word and deed. - Sathya Sai Baba 

1


CENTRAL OORDINATOR’S 

MESSAGE... (Continued from Page 1) 

Though described in these ways, he is 

much more. Swami said: 

“I shall sing a Bhagavad Gita designed 

for each one of you. I am the 

embodiment of all the forms that men 

have imposed on Godhead in order to 

cherish it in their hearts. I have no 

name; all names are mine. I shall 

respond to whatever name you know 

me by. I have no place which you can 

identify as mine as all places are mine. I 

am the propeller in every heart. My 

word must prevail. 

Everything is my Leela; every Leela of 

mine has signiFicance. I am the witness 

of time and space. When you love 

yourself, you are loving Me. You cannot 

run away from me, denying me or 

decrying me. I have come to churn the 

mind of man and cleanse it. I am God; 

you too are God.” 

The above quote reveals His grandeur 

beyond our comprehension. 

May we all reFlect on His life with 

feelings of gratitude and apply His 

message in our daily lives by loving all 

and serving all. 

Neville Fredericks 

CENTRAL COORDINATOR – Sathya Sai 

Organisation of Australia & PNG 

Ar#cles 

IN THIS ISSUE 

Page 

Central Coordinator’s message 1 

Editorial 2 

Roger Packham’s address 3 

Ross Woodward reflects 

Pamela Engelander reflects 

Prabhu Basavalingam reflects 

Ravi Shankar reflects 8 

Queensland Celebration 8 

Victorian Unity Celebration 9 

Celebrations in Perth 

10 

NSW Region East Celebration 11 

NSW Region West Celebra:on 12 

Victoria ladies visit to NAGV 13 

Canberra service 14 

Letters to editor 

14 

Questions & answers 15 

5 

6 

7 

We, the blessed of the Sai Avatar, were 

privileged in the main to come to know 

of Him and to love Him. And for ever so 

many of us, we were blessed from the 

spiritual accruals of our earlier lives, to 

have the direct vision of Sai, to have our 

hearts leap up within as He glanced at 

us in darshan, or looks directly into our 

very hearts in the videos that record the 

days when he walked on Earth in this 

play called human life. Would that it 

were that each and every human life 

reflects true humanness. 

We were, so many of our number -‐ to 

speak with him, to pass our leJers to 

him, to have the coveted interview and 

ever more so, the precious innerview. 

He touches our lives, he grants vision of 

Sai, the inner voice, the inner darshan, 

the inner grace of touching His Lotus 

Feet. 

When he walked on this sacred Earth in 

human form, in Sathya Sai Sath 

Sambhashana, Swami wrote, 

Different are the religions, 

Their path, the same. 

Different are the Garments, 

Materials, the same. 

Different are the Ornaments, 

Gold, the same. 

Different are the colours of the Cows, 

Milk, the same. 

Different are the living beings, 

Life, the same. 

Different are the na:onali:es and 

ethics, 

Birth, the same. 

Different are the faiths, 

God, the same. 

Different are the species of flowers, 

Worship, the same. 

How ignorant the human race, 

Confined to the pain of externals! 

Fascina:ng are the ways of God, 

Know this and walk upon the Earth. 

The Sai Devotees of Australia -‐ and in 

every other na:on on this sacred 

Earth -‐ celebrated the great day when 

Swami leX his form to grace us so much 

more in his formless state. The inner 

connec:on is strong, firm, and humbly 

serves us on our path. Yes, Swami is 

ever humble, ever ready within us -‐ for 

it is there that he awaits us with loving 

glance, rushing forth to guide us, guard 

us and give us His Love. 

• In New South Wales West Region, the 

Mahasamadhi day was celebrated as a 

Journey Towards Transforma5on. 

• In New South Wales East, the 

celebra:on crowned the Glory of Sai. 

• In Victoria, the devotees aJending 

were urged to Be His Reflec5on. 

• In South Australia, the devotees 

undertook service with Love in a Shoe 

Box, items which were distributed to 

refugees. 

• In Canberra, the domain of our 

fabulous Sai-‐blessed retreat, there 

was a Day of Reflec5on. 

• In Queensland the Sai Youth 

presented a play, God first, Others 

next, Myself last. 

• And in Western Australia the 

importance of unity was emphasised 

in the celebra:ons. 

We bring you messages from these 

celebra:ons, and reflec:ons by 

devotees on the occasion of 

Mahasamadhi. The Lord Sai is ever close 

within our hearts with endless love, love 

that transcends all of :me and space to 

saturate every pore of our skin, every 

cell in our body, and every inch of our 

hearts. 

We commend this Mahasamadhi issue 

of Sai News Australia as a celebra:on of 

the love and grace of our Loving Lord of 

all the worlds: Sathya Sai Baba. 

Chris Parnell 


2 

EDITORIAL 

Editor


On this special day when we mark the occasion of Sathya Sai Baba moving from the form to the formless, we are reminded of His legacy 

– par:cularly His Works, His teachings and His Organisa3on. For those who had the blessing of seeing the physical form, I believe the 

abiding Talk personal by Roger memory is Packham that of His Love. to As Sathya this is a mee:ng Sai Organisation of His Organisa:on, of let me Australia, first recall the Region purpose of East the Sathya NSW Sai 

Organisa:on as stated in the charter He gave us: 

On this special day when we mark the occasion of Sathya 

Sai Baba moving from the form to the formless, we are 

reminded of His legacy – particularly His Works, His 

teachings and His Organisation. For those who had the 

blessing of seeing the physical form, I believe the abiding 

personal memory is that of His Love. As this is a meeting 

of His Organisation, let me first recall the purpose of the 

Sathya Sai Organisation as stated in the charter He gave 

us: 

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE SAI ORGANISATION 

The Sathya Sai Organisation is not an evangelical or 

proselytising Organisation. Its principal Objectives are: 

1. To help the individual: 

i. To become aware of the Divinity that is 

inherent in him and to conduct himself 

accordingly. 

ii. To translate into practice in daily life 

Divine Love and perfection; and therefore; 

iii. To Fill his life with joy, harmony, 

beauty, grace, human excellence and 

lasting happiness. 

2. To ensure that all human relations are governed by the 

principles of Truth, Right Conduct, Love Peace and Non 

Violence. 

3. To make devotees of the religions more sincere and 

dedicated in the practice of their respective religions. 

These Objectives can be attained in the following 

manner: 

1. By observing the four principles laid down by Bhagavan 

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, namely: 

i. There is only ONE religion, the religion of 

Love. 

ii. There is only ONE Language, the 

language of heart. 

iii. There is only ONE Caste, the Caste of 

Humanity. 

iv. There is only ONE God, He is 

Omnipresent. 

2. By constant remembrance of God and looking upon all 

creation as only a manifestation of Divinity in different 

forms and shapes. 

3. By underlining the essential unity of all religions and 

securing a proper understanding of all religions as based 

on Love. 

4. By looking upon all works as service dedicated to the 

Divine. 

5. By bringing to bear upon life’s problems, attitudes Flowing 

from Divine Love, such as understanding, compassion, 

tolerance, helpfulness, etc. 

6. By basing all actions on Love of Divinity, fear of sin and 

steadfast observance of morality in society. 

7. By engaging in spiritual, educational and service activities 

both at the individual and the community level, in an 

organised and systematic manner, without expecting any 

material reward or appreciation, but solely as a means of 

winning God’s Love and Grace. 

Mahasamadhi Day 

Prof. Roger Packham 

What wonderful objectives! The focus is on individual 

transformation, and the means to achieve this. 

This is a common message for all religions and spiritual 

organisations. Recently I was listening to a talk by the 

Catholic Trappist monk Thomas Merton, one he had given 

to novice monks during their training. In it he focused on 

individual transformation. For him the inner self seeks the 

light because it has seen the light. Is this not the same as 

Swami’s message – a universal message? Merton went on to 

say that once we see the light (God) it will shine through us 

to the rest of the world: Swami tells us “Your Life is My 

message”. 

Merton’s talk maintained that the ultimate existential 

meaning we all have to grapple with is the meaning of death 

– not so much the fact that we will all die, but rather 

grappling with the meaning of our lives. He felt that we 

often Find distractions to avoid facing this issue, but 

ultimately it is something we all have to face. When we do 

seriously face it, the experience is not easy – we ‘go through 

the wringer’ or ‘the dark night of the soul’ as another 

Christian mystic put it, but if we face this, then God’s Grace 

will transform us. 

There are two great accounts of God –attempts to describe 

God. One is in the Gita, and the other the Book of Job from 

the Bible. Both are also stories of personal transformation 

through the Grace of seeing aspects of God directly. Most 

of you are familiar with the Gita, so let me give you an 

extract from Job, which in its original form was a poem, 

much like the Gita. 

Job was a devout man who did all the ‘right’ things and had 

faith in God. 



3


It is because this kind of spirituality enables us to see the wholeness of life and all relationships and encourages us to reFlect on 

our common existence amidst diversities that appear separating us. 

transformation that both Arjuna and And fade into the light of common day. 

Talk SathyaSai by Roger Organisation Packam... of Australia & PNG March 2013 

(Continued from page 3) 

He was tested by an accusing angel of 

the Lord, and was put through many 

trials and misfortunes. His three 

‘friends’ – now called Job’s comforters 

– said he must have done something 

wrong and should confess, but Job 

knew he had not, and even though he 

thought God was not treating him fairly, 

would not lose his faith; Finally his trials 

got the better of him, and he called out: 

Oh if only God would hear me, 

state his case against me, 

let me read his indictment, 

I would carry it on my shoulder, 

or wear it on my head like a crown. 

I would justify the least of my actions 

I would stand before him like a prince. 

Now comes the ‘Voice from the 

wirlwind’ – The unnameable (i.e. the 

voice of God): 

Who is this whose ignorant words 

smear my design with darkness? 

Stand up now like a man; 

I will question you: 

please instruct me. 

Where were you when I planned the 

earth? etc... 

Then there is the equivalent of the 

description’ of God (on a par with 

that found in the Gita) after which 

the transformed Job simply says: 

I know you can do all things 

and nothing is impossible. 

Who is this whose ignorant words 

Cover my design with darkness? 

I have spoken of the unspeakable 

and tried to grasp the inEinite. 

Listen and I will speak; 

I will question you; please instruct me, 

I had heard of you with my ears; 

but now my eyes have seen you 

Therefore I will be quiet, 

comforted that I am dust. 

Many of us have seen God as Sathya Sai 

Baba, but not in the way Job (or Arjuna) 

did, and we still need to face the trial of 

Job faced; but we are blessed, we have 

the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba to 

guide us, and we have His organisation 

and its objectives as one way to achieve 

this transformation. 

William Wordsworth, the famous 

English poet of the late 18 th and First 

half of the 19 th century, has also 

described the journey to God by 

individuals in his poems, focussing on 

man’s interactions with Nature as the 

way to Find the divinity within – or as 

Wordsworth wrote to re-‐Find it – 

another message consistent with that of 

Sathya Sai Baba who was always telling 

us that God is within and all around us 

all the time. 

Here are extracts from Wordsworth’s 

“Ode”: 

THERE was a time when meadow, grove, and 

stream, 

The earth, and every common sight, 

To me did seem 

Apparell'd in celestial light, 

The glory and the freshness of a dream. 

It is not now as it hath been of yore;— 

Turn wheresoe'er I may, 

By night or day, 

The things which I have seen I now can see no 

more. 

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: 

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, 

Hath had elsewhere its setting, 

And cometh from afar: 

Not in entire forgetfulness, 

And not in utter nakedness, 

But trailing clouds of glory do we come 

From God, who is our home: 

Heaven lies about us in our infancy! 

Shades of the prison-‐house begin to close 

Upon the growing Boy, 

But he beholds the light, and whence it 

flows, 

He sees it in his joy; 

The Youth, who daily farther from the east 

Must travel, still is Nature's priest, 

And by the vision splendid 

Is on his way attended; 

At length the Man perceives it die away, 

Though nothing can bring back the hour 

Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the 

flower; 

We will grieve not, rather find 

Strength in what remains behind; 

In the primal sympathy 

Which having been must ever be; 

in the soothing thoughts that spring 

Out of human suffering; 

In the faith that looks through death, 

In years that bring the philosophic mind. 

The clouds that gather round the setting sun 

Do take a sober colouring from an eye 

That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality; 

Another race hath been, and other palms 

are won. 

Thanks to the human heart by which we live, 

Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears, 

To me the meanest flower that blows can 

give 

Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. 

What wonderful words. So there is our 

challenge – to Find the divinity within us 

– perhaps through contemplation of 

Nature -‐ and within all, and to radiate 

that divinity to the world. 

That divinity, as Swami tells us, is the 

Atma. 

Sai Ram! 

Plant the seeds of Love in 

your hearts. 

Let them grow into trees 

of Service and shower 

the sweet fruit of Bliss. 

Share the a Bliss with all. 

That is the proper way to 

celebrate any spiritual 

and religious occasion. 

-‐ Sathya Sai Baba 


4


Reflections on Sathya Sai 

Baba’s Mahasamadhi 

By Ross Woodward 

After many years of searching, Swami revealed Himself to me 

in 1986 and immediately there was no doubt a God-‐man 

walked on earth. For 10 years I was enveloped in the 

teachings and took great comfort in knowing that the Avatar 

was here on earth in human form. For me, up to that point in 

my life, the kaleidoscope of nature was the vesture of God. 

When Ron and Su Farmer invited me to travel with them for 

darshan of the Lord in 1996 and each year for a subsequent 

16 years did Swami’s physical presence accelerate my 

spiritual growth. There was no greater joy than seeing 

Swami’s beautiful form appear to Float out of Trayee in the 

morning sunlight with the gentle morning breeze rufFling His 

hair and gown. Despite the closeness of Swami’s Divine form 

in the sublime atmosphere of the Sai Ramesh Hall in 

WhiteField, Swami always kept me a safe distance from any 

physical attachment. 

Nonetheless, the Divine atmosphere of Brindavan provided 

many blissful moments during darshan. The indescribable 

experience of bliss when Swami’s eyes penetrated into your 

soul will forever be part of my being. The daily discourses 

during the summer school and the opportunity to be with 

Swami for such long periods every day would take us back 

year after year despite the heat and discomforts, which were 

quickly forgotten. Equally enthralling and consuming was 

hearing Swami’s lessons and experiencing His bliss while 

sitting in meditation in the refreshing morning breeze after 

Swami had returned to Trayee. 

Swami was traded for the close friendship of devotees such 

as Howard Murphet, Arthur and Poppy Hillcoat, and Moyia 

and Dorothy O’Brien, who freely shared their personal 

experiences of the miracles, interviews and daily interactions 

to satisfy my need to dissect Swami’s mystery. Swami knows 

what is best for each one of us. 

The annual pilgrimages were a spiritual recharge every 

Indian summer but it was the teachings that continued to 

take hold and Flower. The loss of Swami’s physical form has 

been a bitter disappointment and saw the abandoned plans 

for many more visits to the Divine atmosphere of Parthi, 

Brindavan and Kodai. Swami declares, “God is never 

separate from you. Pray to Him wholeheartedly with the 

conviction that He is always in you, with you, above you, 

below you and around you. When you offer such a prayer to 

God, He will certainly redeem your life”. So now we have the 

opportunity to accelerate our sadhana and experience God in 

this beautiful country of Australia focussing on non-‐duality 

with every breath, thought, action and experience. We now 

need to see Swami in every person, every being and every 

thing. I pray that Swami grants to each one of us in this life, 

the realisation and experience that we are eternal, boundless 

and formless, as He is. 

“One may claim to surrender all his wealth, kith and kin and 

power and position to God. But this is not real surrender. 

One must realise: "I am in You, You are in me." God is one. 

The sense of separation between God and the individual 

should go.” -‐ Baba 

Jai Sai Ram. 

You cannot see Me, 

but I am the Light you see by. 

You cannot hear Me, 

but I am the Sound you hear by. 

You cannot know Me, 

Sathya Sai Baba giving discourse 

Every pilgrimage was full of the evidence of Swami’s love 

and grace and constant presence. The desire for closeness to 

but I am the Truth by which you live. 

- Sathya Sai Baba 


5


My greatest desire is that one day you will 

no longer need me 

By Pamela Engelander, Mornington, Victoria 

Swami’s physical death happened very 

close to the time when Arie and I were 

preparing to relocate to the Mornington 

Peninsula. We were saying goodbye to 

14 years of life in the spiritual 

community Alchera, set up in Central 

Victoria together with three other 

families. 

Arie and I thought we would live out 

the rest of our lives there amongst the 

kangaroos, echidnas, birds and gum 

trees. However that desire changed 

after the Master called us to Puttaparthi 

in December 2010 to sing to Him along 

with the other members of the Sai 

choir. We did sing to Him with our 

hearts open, day after day in the 

rehearsal sheds. But I believe we choir 

members were also being rehearsed for 

our lives to be His message. To walk the 

talk. To be the deep love and soul 

connection He has always taught us to 

Why should His energy be 

confined to Puttaparthi? Is He 

not that Universal Energy which 

is within us all? Everywhere? 

feel for each other as souls in human 

form. 

Swami left His physical body and all of 

us have our own memories of the initial 

shock. I remember people driving long 

distances to join our Sai Group gathered 

together at the Alchera barn. We 

needed to be together. We derived 

comfort and soul connection with each 

other as we shared feelings and chanted 

the Gayathri. 

After returning from our last visit with 

the Sai Choir to Puttaparthi Swami had 

pushed the ON BUTTON to OFF as far as 

living our life in Central Victoria was 

concerned. For the last year I had 

struggled with the role of being 

chairperson of the Alchera Sai Group. I 

wondered, “Whatever was the matter 

with me?” as a Sai devotee who had 

surrendered my whole being to Sai 

Baba. He was the inspiration of Arie and 

myself being involved in the creation of 

Alchera spiritual community. 

I felt so empty participating in the Sai 

program where once it had been my 

greatest commitment and joy. I began 

to experience exhaustion, ill health, a 

lack of motivation for anything. What 

was wrong? What ways the divine has 

for pushing us where we need to go! 

Two weeks after He left His body we 

moved to Mornington peninsula where 

we rented at Blairgowrie. To be near 

the ocean, to walk along the beach. So 

much relief at being back in civilisation 

again. Arie had had difFiculty in walking 

along the rough, rocky land of Alchera 

Here there were footpaths, facilities, an 

easier life. The solitariness which I had 

loved for so long seemed no longer 

necessary. 

After the busyness of cleaning and 

relocating, I remember feeling 

disconnected from Swami, from myself. 

Being in a bit of a confused buzz as I 

began to settle into an entirely different 

way of life. Much easier, but very 

different. Being aware of the low 

energy levels I had experienced during 

that last year at Alchera I discovered 

my magical place. The wild coastal cliffs 

at Blairgowrie which looked out to Bass 

Strait. Terrifying, awful, huge waves 

roared shoreward, then sucked 

downwards into a vortex of deep rock 

walls, emerging to roar shoreward, 

spume Filled space. I breathed deep, 

almost fainting with ozone. Here was 

the power of nature. 

Alone one clear day in July I prayed to 

see whales and way off on the horizon 

of Bass Strait spotted the moving sea 

spray of two humpbacks travelling 

north. Here was where Swami was. I 

felt the Presence. Every time. 

But herein began my internal dialogue. 

This presence isn't really named Sai 

Baba Since Swami had left His body, 

some people made statements which 

did not ring true for me. "Come to 

Puttaparthi and feel Sai Baba’s energy". 

Why should His energy be conFined to 

Puttaparthi? Is He not that Universal 

My life is blessed. 

Thank You Swami. 

Energy which is within us all? 

Everywhere? 

“My greatest desire is that one day 

you will no longer need me.” 

I read these words of Sai Baba years 

ago. They keep coming back to me. 

"You must have not only freedom from 

fear, but freedom from hope and 

expectation. Trust in My wisdom. I do 

not make mistakes. Love My 

Uncertainty. For it is not a mistake. It is 

My Intent and Will. Do not try to 

understand. Do not want to understand. 

Relinquish the imperative that 

demands understanding". 

Arie and I joined the Frankston 

Interfaith Network soon after moving 

down here. Over the past couple of 

years we have become more involved 

with the members of this group. We 

have bonded and being together is 

joyful. 

We are "family". What I experience 

from these diverse religious/spiritual 

souls who follow God via teachings of 

Rev Moon, Catholic Church, Church of 

Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, 

Turkish Islamic, Ahmadiyaa Muslim 

faith, Brahma Kumaris, Swami 

Shankarananda, Ammachi, Sathya Sai 

Baba, Aboriginal Dreamtime, Baha’i, is 

that underlying this diversity is the 

same desire and will for ransformation, 

Alone one clear day in July I prayed 

to see whales and way off on the 

horizon of Bass Strait spotted the 

moving sea spray of two 

humpbacks travelling north. Here 

was where Swami was. I felt the 

Presence. Every time. 

to follow the teachings of their 

Teacher/Leader/God Figure, the 

awareness of the Teacher within them, 

the same love towards each other, the 

same goodness and compassion. The 

only differences are in culture, religious 

interpretations and traditions. 

(Con5nued on page 7) 


6


My greatest desire is... 

(Continued from page 6) 

I learn much more from how someone 

is than from religious quotes and 

explanations. The Frankston Interfaith 

Network is a loving group of souls. 

Everything changes. Nothing stays the 

same. I look back on how I was in the 

initial years of being a Sai devotee. So 

serious, so intense, so 'following the 

prescribed path'. 

Now I love to laugh. I need to listen to 

music. I love to be with people from 

many backgrounds. I am so grateful to 

my years at Alchera for my most valued 

lesson. That in this incredibly diverse 

world of human beings, we each have 

our own ways of perceiving life -‐ our 

own story. It is so good to acknowledge 

that we all have the right to just be 

ourselves. That no two people interpret 

Prayer isn't the same for me now as 

it used to be. Someone said that 

one constantly prays with their 

whole being if they feel deep 

compassion in the heart. I relate 

more to this form of prayer for all 

beings. 

life in exactly the same way. It often 

makes me want to laugh. My life is 

blessed. Thank You Swami. 

Life is also Filled with suffering for so 

many human beings, creatures and our 

beautiful planet. I Find the contrast 

between our blessed lives and those 

who have to endure so much very 

difFicult. I can’t come to terms with it. 

Prayer isn't the same for me now as it 

used to be. Someone said that one 

constantly prays with their whole 

being if they feel deep compassion in 

the heart. I relate more to this form of 

prayer for all beings. 

Isaac Tigrett shared a prayer a while 

ago which I often repeat: 

“Swami, think through me, feel through 

me, speak through me, act through me, 

love through me” (And I always add, 

‘Inspire through me.’) 

My deep motivation is that my life is 

always His message. 

My deepest prayer is, ‘Show me who I 

really am and always make me 

confront the process, don’t let me run 

from it. Give me the courage required’. 

My deepest universal prayer is, May all 

beings everywhere be happy. May all 

beings everywhere be peaceful. May all 

beings everywhere be liberated from 

their suffering. 

Arie and I love to attend Mary Stemp’s 

Mornington Sai Group shared at either 

her home or the homes of other 

devotees who are members of her 

group. Mary is an inspiring facilitator of 

the group. Her life is an inspiration of 

walking her talk. 

God Bless You All 

“Oh Thou who at Eirst sight I knew 

As The Lord of my being and my God 

Receive my offering 

Yours are all my thoughts 

All my emotions 

All my sensations 

All the sentiments of my heart 

All the movements of my life 

Each cell of my body 

Each drop of my blood 

I am absolutely and altogether Yours 

Yours without reserve 

What You will of me 

That I shall be 

Whether You choose for me 

Life or death 

Happiness or sorrow 

Pleasure or suffering 

Each one of Your gifts will be always for 

me 

A gift Divine 

Bringing with it the supreme felicity” 

The word Mahasamadhi means not only the conscious 

departure of Soul from the physical body of an Avatar, 

but also the shrine where His physical body is buried. 

Life as a devotee after the 

departure of Swami's form 

By Prabhu Basavalingam 

Queensland 

“Innerview not interview" is what the 

voice within said aloud when I was 

sitting in the Kulwant hall in 2007, 

yearning & pining for an interview from 

my beloved Swami. The message did 

not mean much at that time as I was 

only yearning for the physical proximity 

of Swami. It was a form that I deeply 

loved and naturally wanted to be close 

to. 

Since the departure of Swami's form, the 

view has indeed turned within. The 

quest to Find the true inner Sai magniFied 

in the absence of the physical Sai. Now 

the heart is yearning to experience the 

inner Sai, to dwell in the oneness with 

Sai within, to just Be. The idea or 

thought that "I am separate from Swami 

and I have to somehow get to Him" 

slowly disappeared. Swami's beautiful 

words of "I am God, you are also God" is 

not only sinking in but is also laying a 

strong foundation for the expansion of 

this heart & soul. 

Externally, the activities as a Sai devotee 

continues. Internally, the faith that I am 

Sai is starting to blossom. Now I 

understand (or rather inner-‐stand) the 

words of revered Arthur Hillcoat, "The 

very self that is expressing itself as Sai is 

nothing but your own true self." How 

true, how beautiful. I understand now 

that Sai is nothing but a reFlection of my 

own true self and that I or the self or Sai 

are one and the same. 

Swami's form might have departed but 

Swami lives on eternally in our hearts. 

"In regard to every 

matter, my thoughts are 

always sublime and 

exemplary. You must 

note that Swami's life is 

in His own hands and 

not in those of anyone 

else. If I will it, I can live 

for as long as I please. I 

can also terminate it at 

will. It is my will that 

decides and not any 

other person. " 


3rd July 1993 


7 7


Swami’s Mahasamadhi Celebrations Around the 

Country 

My life is His Message 

By Ravi Shankar, NSW 

Mahasamadhi is the state of consciously 

leaving one's body. This is not the same as 

physical death that happens for an 

unenlightened entity, person or animal. 

Mahasamadhi occurs only when the 

realised practitioner or yogi or an Avatar 

Finally decides to cast off His mortal frame 

and His karma or Divine Will is 

extinguished. 

Each realised practitioner or yogi or an 

Avatar enters and prepares for 

Mahasamadhi in a unique fashion. 

The ideal of love for God and service to 

humanity found full expression in the life 

of Swami. Though the major part of his life 

was spent within India, still he took his 

place as an Avatar. His work continues to 

grow and shine ever more brightly, 

drawing people everywhere on the path of 

the pilgrimage of the Spirit. 

While Swami was in His physical form, 

there was always the delusion that, 

although I could feel him in my heart, his 

body was over there in Prashanti Nilayam. 

It was hard to separate the Master’s body 

from his over-‐arching consciousness. 

When he left the body it is easier now to 

keep his presence wholly in my heart. 

Being in physical consciousness, it was a 

deep pain to lose Swami’s form. But over 

time, however, I came to understand that 

he had not, in fact, left me at all. In a way, I 

Find that He is with me more than ever. 

Once I had asked Him within myself, 'Will 

you be just as much with me as you are 

now, after you leave your form?' His 

answer from within was, 'To those who 

think me near, I will be near.' 

I am happy to be here to carry on his work 

now. It is His blessing and (I hope) my 

salvation. In a sense I still feel that I live in 

those days with my Divine Master — not in 

a spirit of nostalgia, but feeling him with 

me, guiding me in everything I do. 

I am always reFlecting on what he said, 

what he did, how he said it, how he did it. 


Mahasamadhi, A Day to Remember 

Queensland Region B -‐ Holland Park State High School Hall 

By Raj Naidu 

The evening commenced with a beautiful video of Swami giving darshan in the 

Kulwant Hall from those unforgettable golden days, which we still vividly 

remember and is deeply etched into our minds. 

A stirring welcoming song was delivered by the youth. Aao Sai, Aao Padharo, 

Ab Na Der Karo, (Come Swami come! give us your Darshan without delay) a beautiful 

melody Filled with yearning, desire, desperation for the Lord to grace us with 

his presence. 

The opening address was delivered, concluding with a short video entitled 

‘Team player’, recounting the story of a young man and his world – a gift from 

Swami. As life is a game, we should learn to play it, and let every human being 

be our team mate. 

A short drama, entitled “God First, 

Others next, Myself last” was 

presented by the Sai youth. Based 

on a true story, this play focussed 

on the recent cyclone in Orissa and 

the ensuing Floods. A performance 

worthy of accolade did much more 

than simply entertain the 

audience, but caused them to 

question one of the main pillars of 

the Sathya Sai Organisation – 

Service. Why do we serve? Who do Youth group presen5ng drama 

we serve? How do we serve? 

And Swami answers: “You should know that you serve others for your own 

sake”. The youth presentation concluded with a solemn promise to Swami -‐ a 

soulful and capturing rendition of “I will Fly in the sky just for you” followed by 

“More Love, More Service, More of You in my life”. 

The guest speaker for the night was the past National Chairman for New 

Zealand Sathya Sai Organisation, Doug Saunders. He recounted several of his 

wonderful experiences with Swami, demonstrating how Swami has always 

been with us, and shall always be, forever more – “I am within you, and I am 

without you”. 

A series of Multifaith prayers, leading to the devotional program and prayers 

concluded the evening’s celebrations. 

The welcoming slide for the evening 

was framed with an apt quote of 

Swami’s: “I shall be with you, 

wherever you are, guarding and 

guiding you. March on, have no fear”. 

We are all familiar with the bhajan 

“Why fear when I am here?” – but 

some seem to have forgotten that 

the lack of the physical presence of 

Swami does not mean that there is 

no presence at all. We must remember that He is with us, forever holding our 

hands, leading us to the beyond. 

Mahasamadhi, a day to remember! 


8


“My life is His Message” ........ 

(Continued from page 8) 

Those memories have molded my life. In 

these ways I have understood how to 

serve him. 

My main guideline has always been to ask 

myself, ‘What would Swami say or do, if I 

refuse to give my service to Sathya Sai 

Organisation?’ I make efforts to live in 

constant integrated awareness of His 

teachings. 

Often it happens that only towards the 

end of a great master’s life, those who are 

destined to carry on his mission, come to 

him. Now is the time for all His devotees, 

to take up the work the Master has 

commissioned to us to do, that is, to 

spread the message of universal 

spirituality throughout the world through 

self-‐conduct based on His teachings -‐ as 

He often reminded “My life is My 

message”. 

Swami still lives here. He lives in his 

books, he lives in his devotees, he lives in 

the very atmosphere of his own Prashanti 

Nilayam. 

He lives in his writings. His writings are 

the outpourings of his soul. They reveal 

the pinnacle of his own perfection, the 

authority of his own experience. They 

bespeak, more than anything else, His 

intense desire to serve the needy by 

sharing His Divine nature with them and 

helping them to rise to the heights of 

blessedness which he himself had 

reached. Today, Swami’s literature girdles 

the globe. In all the major languages of the 

world, the writings of Swami shed new 

and effective light on the path of progress 

of all mankind. 

No doubt, Swami still lives in his Ashram. 

Here, even today, he is a Presence 

intensely felt. Especially so in the Samadhi 

Mandir. The Shrine is fast becoming a 

place of pilgrimage to spiritual aspirants. 

The place is holy beyond compare. The 

ethereal vibrations are powerful. Having 

entered the Shrine, the visitor often 

lingers on, unwilling to leave. Swami still 

lives there, all over the space and in every 

matter. 

Be His Reflection 

Mahasamadhi Day – Victoria Region Unity Celebrations 

By S. Ramakrishnan 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their 

coopera:on, engagement and par:cipa:on in the 2013 Mahasamadhi day 

celebra:on. I am sure that all of you would have enjoyed the program giving all of 

us the message that we have to ‘Be His Reflec:on’. 

On behalf of the organising committee members, I request all of you to please 

convey our appreciation to all our members who came forward to help us in 

the preparation, organising and contributing towards the beautiful celebration 

of the Mahasamadhi day. 

Glympses from Victorian celebration, ‘Be His ReZlection’ 

A beautiful Shrine of Sathya Sai Baba to celebrate Mahasamadhi 

I offer my humble prayer at the Lotus feet of Swami to be His 

reflection 

A prayer accompanied by offerings to be His 

reflection 

Be like a flute to be His relection 

I am the Light, the Light is within me 

I pray to Swami: 

“Lord, I will reason, I will Will, I will act, but guide Thou 

my reason, Will, and activity to the right path in 

Swami is now the propeller in our hearts to guide us to be His reflections 

The consecrated food we eat 

energise us to be His reflection 


9


Mahasamadhi Event in 

Western Australia 

By Arrul Mohann 

On the evening of the April 24, the devotees of Western 

Australia gathered to observe the second Anniversary of 

Mahasamadhi of Sathya Sai Baba, to remember and to 

remind themselves of how they could continue to live His 

teachings and messages. The Sai Youth of Western Australia 

started off the evening's proceedings with an offering of two 

songs and an accompanying video presentation. One song 

was in English and the other in Hindi but both expressed the 

love and devotion the Youth have towards our beloved Sai. 

Ms Jenny Monson, the current chair of Central Council, then 

gave a thought-‐provoking speech about continuing to live 

Swami's message, particularly in regards to some of the 

sessions given at the National Conference in Canberra at the 

beginning of this year. The current WA regional chair, Mr 

Arrul Mohann, then gave an address passing on Brother 

Neville Fredrick's message for today. The bhajans that 

followed were a beautiful and uplifting experience. For the 

message of the day, a video recording of Swami extolling the 

importance of unity was played. Especially on a day like this, 

Meditation on Light 

Light is the universal symbol of formless God 

"As regards the technique of meditation, different 

teachers and trainers give different forms of advice. But 

I shall give you now the most universal and the most 

effective form. This is the very first step in spiritual 

discipline. At first, set a few minutes, every day, for 

meditation, and extend the time as you feel the bliss 

that you get. 

Let it be in the hours before dawn. This is preferable 

because the body is refreshed after sleep, and the 

dealings of daytime will not yet have impinged on you. 

Have a lamp or a candle before you with an open, 

steady, and straight flame. Sit in front of the candle in 

the lotus posture or any other comfortable sitting 

position. Look on the flame steadily for some time, and 

closing your eyes try to feel the flame inside you 

between your eyebrows. Let it slide down into the lotus 

of your heart, illuminating the path. When it enters the 

heart, imagine that the petals of the lotus open out one 

by one, bathing every thought, feeling, and emotion in 

it was a very poignant reminder of His vibrant attitude and 

His teachings. The message ended with Sai singing a bhajan, 

and all of the audience joined in.The celebrations ended with 

the vibuthi prayer and devotees were encouraged to leave 

quietly to best absorb the spiritual vibrations that our 

prayers had provided. It was an inspiring, prayerful evening 

not dwelling on the past but instead on how we as Sai 

devotees can spread Sai's love in the future. 

Swami, we feel your presence in our hearts every moment 

the light and so removing darkness from them. There is 

no space for darkness to hide. The light of the flame 

becomes wider and brighter. Let it pervade your limbs. 

Now those limbs can never indulge in dark, suspicious, 

and wicked activities; they have become instruments of 

light and love. As the light reaches up to the tongue, 

falsehood vanishes from it. Let it rise up to the eyes and 

the ears and destroy all the dark desires that infest them 

and which lead you to perverse sights and childish 

conversation. Let your head be surcharged with light and 

all wicked thoughts will flee from there. Imagine that the 

light in you now is more intense. Let it shine all around 

you and let it spread from you in ever widening circles, 

taking in your loved ones, your kith and kin, your friends 

and companions, your enemies and rivals, strangers, all 

living beings and the entire world. 

Since the light illumines all the senses every day so 

deeply and so systematically, a time will soon come 

when you can no more relish: dark and bad sights; yearn 

for dark and sinister tales; crave for base; harmful act; 

deadening toxic food and drink; handle dirty demeaning 

things; approach places of ill-fame and injury; or frame 

bad designs against anyone at any time. Stay on in that 

thrill of witnessing the light everywhere. If you are 

adoring God in any form, now try to visualise that form 

in the all-pervasive light. For Light is God; God is Light. 

Practice this meditation as I have advised regularly every 

day. At other times repeat the name of God (any Name 

fragrant with any of His many Majesties), always taking 

care to be conscious of His might, mercy, and 

munificence." 



10 

10


Swami (whose utterances are Truth) has told us that to be born a woman is very special, "that we should not think that the 

feminine principle is something ordinary", that "the woman has got a very high place" and "that her birth is something great 

and virtuous". It is our quality of sacrifice which leading makes academic us so at very the sweet University and that of our devotion cannot grants be us attained. access Without to the 

innermost 

Mahasamadhi 

chambers of God's abode. [Ladies Western Day discourse Sydney in 1995] the Fields of systems kindness and right conduct no 

theory. He further reFlected on the 

act can be called a good act. 

I take this 

Celebration 

opportunity to remind 

by 

the ladies of timeless these inspiring messages and of spirituality most loving words of our sweetest There is Swami. no one that In this we very can call busy 

through centuries as evidenced by 

our own except God.” 

world beset by continuous demands, unless we ground ourselves in the wisdom of Swami and have faith in His guidance, we 

NSW Region East English literature. 

can find ourselves overwhelmed at different stages of our lives. The Ladies Program, Following as the this past, offering, continues another to promote address 

our loving inner By Vignesh connection Shanmugam and the awareness that all is Divine. The theme for the next was two presented years is by 'Living Kosalai in God" or "It's all 

Mohanathasan, our erstwhile NSW 

about Love, Love, Love." 

On the 24 th of April 2013, NSW Region 

Region East Chairperson, who touched 

East gathered as a whole to celebrate 

on aspects of her own personal growth 

Swami has said, 

the life of our dear Swami. We 

and journey at the hands of Swami. We 

recognised that whilst Swami had left 

were left with the message that our 

"The world is one vast community. Every individual in it is part of this community bound to it by the bonds of Love. This Love 

his physical form, or rather, the 

lives are scripted by Swami; we may not 

is there, physical deep form in that the we heart most of every commonly man" [Thought for the day: 20-9-2008] understand the consequences and the 

knew of, we celebrate the glory of 

reasoning behind what is happening in 

These his legacy. profound Yes, words we are of all Swami on an are very similar to the spiritual philosophy of the Aboriginal our lives, people but it is of during Australia these who times share a 

deep individual sense of spiritual connection journey to the to discover country and all that dwell in it, both animate and inanimate. that we must In the learn words the of hard one lessons Aboriginal of 

elder, our own divinity, to attain inner peace, 

acceptance, detachment, non-judgement 

and surrender. 

Prof. Roger Packham 

"The country is a living story. Whether Aboriginal or stranger, we all breathe, sleep, move, live in the world of Manguny, and 

Shrine of Sathya Sai Baba 

to be constantly connected to the 

divine; we commemorate the one who 

brought us this message, the one who 

instructed us to go and seek out this 

Shrine of Sathya Sai Baba 

path, the one whose glory knows no 

bounds. We celebrate the “Glory of Sai” 

– the glory of his life, the glory of his 

teachings, the glory of his message. 

We began the night’s program with 

silence, as the New Zealand devotees 

were instructed by Swami in 2009. 

When they asked Him what was the 

First sadhana they should practice, his 

reply was that of silence, in particular, 

silence of all the senses. 

A region-‐wide multimedia offering of 

Swami’s favourite bhajan, Hari Bhajana 

Bina… was presented next. Featuring 

the musical talents of adults, youth and 

children throughout the region, the 

presentation highlighted the poignant 

message of the bhajan: 

“Without the singing of Sai 

Bhajans, it is not possible to Eind 

peace and happiness. Without 

love, devotion and detachment 

liberation is not possible. 

Without service to the divine 

teacher salvation is not possible. 

Without meditation and 

repetition of God's name 

Samadhi or union with god is 

not possible. Without a desire to 

realise God, supreme knowledge 

Kosalai Mohanathasan 

The night came to a close with an 

heartfelt bhajan session and a renewed 

feeling to continue along our individual 

spiritual paths, no matter the obstacles 

and examinations that need to be 

overcome and endured in order to 

recognise our inner divinity – that goal, 

after all, is the “Glory of Sai.” 

A Bharatha Nritya dance offering was 

performed by Swami’s SSE students, 

commemorating the life of our dear Sai 

Baba. Following this, Roger Packham 

related his personal experiences as a 

Sai devotee, in particular within his role 

as the, Deputy Central Coordinator of 

the Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia 

& PNG, as well as a professor and the 

Bhajan: Sai Bhajan Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi.... 


11 

11


Mahasamadhi Celebration by New South Wales Region West 

Journey Towards Transforma0on -‐ By Deluxmi Logendran 

Stepping into the hall on the second anniversary of Swami’s 

Maha Samadhi, hundreds of fairy lights twinkled amongst a 

sea of gold and yellow, setting the scene for a magical night. 

Love; that He could never truly leave. 

Shrine of Sathya Sai Baba: to turn vision inward 

After paying respects to our country with the National 

Anthem, our ears were treated to the melodious sounds and 

harmonies of our talented brothers and sisters from the 

youth wing of Region West, singing songs of love and 

devotion to our beloved Sai. They expressed their everlasting 

love for Swami with an artful combination of both Eastern 

and Western musical styles. 

Story: like Gopis, Sai devotees’ experience Swami in their hearts 

The highlight of the program by far was a series of short 

videos shown throughout the night -‐ the extraordinary 

stories of three seemingly ordinary people, now Sai devotees 

and some members of Region West. Their stories told of how 

Swami had called to them, and transformed their lives even 

though some had never seen or heard of him until He 

appeared before their eyes. 

Dance: depicting Lord Krishna’s presence in Gopis’ (devotees’) 

hearts 

A dance performance by the sisters then captured a beautiful 

and poignant reminder that Swami will always reside in our 

hearts. They depicted the reaction of the Gopis when their 

beloved Lord Krishna left them for a short time. Although 

shocked and saddened by the disappearance of their Lord, 

they realised that He was still with them in spirit and in 

Bhajan: turning vision inward to live in constant integrated 

Awareness 

Their personal experiences showed just how Swami calls us 

to Him exactly when it is right. The night was a personal 

reminder of Swami’s everlasting love, in and around us at all 

times. Even though He is physically no longer here, just like 

the story of Krishna in the dance, Swami and His Love will 

always reside in the mandir of our hearts. 

Musical performance by youth group: purification of body, mind and surrounding atmosphere 


12


A Visit to National Gallery of 

Victoria by Sai Ladies Group 

by Margo Hudson 

I remember when I went to see our beloved Swami the First 

time in WhiteField in 1993 and were told that Swami had 

said to a group of devotees that, to be born in Australia or to 

live there was very good Karma. I feel that we are so very 

fortunate to live in a country which has such a very rich 

spiritual history. The indigenous Australians, the Aborigines, 

came here at least 60,000 years ago and their spiritual 

history and stories, “The Dreamtime", are full of wisdom and 

guidance and reveal great love and respect for the 

environment. They acknowledged the sacredness and 

interconnectedness that they have with their surroundings 

and all that dwell in it. 

soon after opening as some of the paintings and other art 

forms are becoming very fragile and are now rarely placed 

on display and then only for a few months to prevent further 

deterioration. 

On display we saw exquisite examples of bark painting, 

sculpture ,including rare examples of spirit totems, 

scintillating paintings on canvas that had one in awe, 

ceramics, photography, printmaking, video installation, art 

and textiles, including wondrous three dimensional Fibre 

sculptures. The collection of woven baskets -‐ some very 

shallow -‐ that somehow in its intricate design depicted 

regional geography in an elegant and very beautiful display 

yet were pragmatic in its complexity; these were woven by 

women artists. 

Several days before the ladies attended the Art Gallery, the 

National Gallery of Victoria, I was able to preview this very 

beautiful Aboriginal Art collection at the Ian Potter Centre at 

Federation Square and whilst doing so Swami's words kept 

echoing in my mind. He has continuously reminded us that 

behind this seemingly complex and diverse Creation, there 

is only the One. I went home that afternoon contemplating 

on what I had seen and experienced. I tried to understand 

my response to some of the very beautiful paintings. 

Sai ladies group admire indigenous arts at National Gallery of Victoria 

I had not expected to have tears in my eyes whilst viewing. It 

profoundly moved me and I realised that it reminded me of 

the beauty of our Lord. Some of the paintings shimmered just 

as Swami would shimmer and shine as we looked at Him. I 

recalled this and realised the sacredness of what was 

depicted [in some of the paintings] and therefore why would 

the the divinity not shine through it. As I sat at the bus stop 

asking Swami for an explanation I kept hearing the words 

Ramayana and Mahabharatha. I then understood ,that just as 

Swami has said that the sacred teachings are ever fresh and 

relevant for all; surely therefore the Aboriginal Dreamtime 

stories are the Ramayana of Australia and our very own 

indigenous resource. 

The collection of Aboriginal art,that is currently on display 

represents both male and female artists from around 

Australia and the Torres Strait Islanders.This new 

installation of art had only opened up the week before and 

we were very fortunate to see this particular collection so 

Sai ladies group admire Aboriginal art at National Gallery of Victoria 

Some of comments from the ladies were:"fascinating and 

exhilarating", "We were impressed with the spiritual essence 

of Aboriginal art and keeping the spirit of their culture 

alive.Very sacred sites of sky,sea,land and water. Great 

similarity with Vedas." "The Dreamtime" where we all come 

from and where we all go!" "It was an opportunity to explore 

Aboriginal culture in a deep, creative way. It is beautiful to 

experience the one ness,unity,love,connection to each other 

and to Mother Earth through this rich culture. 

Swami has said "Intolerance has its roots in the tyranny of 

individual 'ego' that clings to the obsession of being uniquely 

special. It feeds on ignorance and fear. Ignorance or the less 

we know, is more likely to project our worst feelings and 

prejudices on to others. Dialogue exposes ares of 

coincidences and differences and uncovers the hidden inner 

forces that are the only source of real understanding. 

Recognise the value of dialogue and minimise the egotistical 

arrogance of a biased belief." 

May All the Worlds Be Happy! 

Without understanding what underlies the differences in art and 

culture, the materialist thinker emphasises only the differences, unlike 

the spiritual aspirant who understands the underlying differences, 

admires and speaks of only the unity in diversity. - Sathya Sai Baba 


13

f 


Canberra Service: 

Tree Plan0ng 

On Sunday 7 April 2013, the ACT Sai families and SSE 

children along with Greening Australia volunteers 

planted over 2000 plants. This tree planting activity 

took place at Bush Heritage Australia's Scottsdale 

Reserve, 75 kilometers south from Canberra. 

This activity is not just about planting trees. This is part 

of increasing vital habitat connections in fragmented 

and degraded grassy woodland environments. 

Some species of woodland birds have declined 

signiRicantly due to loss of this habitat and other factors, 

several are on the edge of extinction in some areas, and 

some no longer occur in places where they used to be 

found. Activities like this help re-‐establish these 

habitats. 

This was an opportunity to practice Sai value of caring 

for our planet, plants and habitats. The families traveled 

by bus instead of driving individual cars. The day was 

beautiful, bright and Rine weather with a mild refreshing 

cold breeze. A perfect condition to enjoy and experience 

oneness and practice right action. 

At the end of the session, the volunteers were served 

with vegetable food and briefed the vitality of this tree 

planting and its contribution to restore ecological 

corridor. 

Letters to Editor 

Sai News Australia welcomes universal spiritual inspirational letters to editor 

(electronic version only) from its readers which are published in this column for the 

benefits of spiritual aspirants. 

An historic account of Sai News Australia 

Dear Friends in Sai Australia, 

Loving Sai Ram. 

Congratulations for the re-‐launch of Sai News Australia 

(Electronic Publication) this month -‐ March 2013. Thank you 

Swami for this, something that would reconnect devotees with 

each other, inspire them towards a common goal. 

Exactly 30 years ago, March 1983, the Sai News Australia Print 

Version was Rirst launched. 

In an interview on 6 January 1983, Swami blessed Dr. Sara Pavan 

to publish a Quarterly Sai Newsletter for Australia. He told Dr. 

Pavan to make the publication simple, cost-‐effective, relevant and 

useful for all devotees. 

The Rirst Newsletter was printed on eight pages of A4 paper and 

stapled together, consisting of an editorial, schedules of the 

various Sai Groups around Australia (hardly a dozen in all ... there 

were no Sai centres in Australia then) with contact details, a brief 

transcript of a conversation between Swami and Dr. Hislop in 

December 1982, and some useful material taken from Peggy 

Mason's Sai Newsletter of UK and Barbara Bozzani's USA Sai 

Newsletter, both of which were internationally established Sai 

Newsletters. 

The Rirst ever Sai publication in Australia was a special souvenir 

for Swami's 57th Birthday in November 1982, on behalf of the 

Sydney Sai Family and distributed to all devotees who attended 

the Rirst ever Unity Celebration at AshRield Boys school hall. This 

Souvenir included a brief story on Swami life, Program for the 

Birthday Celebration and a directory of functioning Sai Groups. 

Swami specially blessed this souvenir in Poornachandra 

Auditorium by signing — "With Love, Baba" across His photo. 

In 1984-‐85 Sai News Australia received wonderful material from 

Roy Eugene Davies after meeting Dr. Pavan at the Rome 

Conference in October 1983. Roy Davies is a direct disciple of 

Paramahamsa Yogananda, had been to Swami a couple of times 

and was one of the three keynote speakers at the Rome 

Conference, Rirst ever International Sai Conference outside India. 

Sai News Australia has been through many milestones and many 

hands, including Albert Barelds and Kujan Nagaratnam and 

published by the generosity of Devendran Nair as well bound A4 

size Magazine. 

Sai families and SSE children along with Greening Australia volunteers posing with smiles of 

successful planting over 2000 plants. 

“If you sincerely, unhesitatingly, 

constantly, gladly, lovingly, offer all your 

skill and strength to the service of others, 

God will melt and move and manifest... 

with spontaneous Grace.” 


Once again, my heart felt congratulations to Chris Parnell and his 

team, particularly Ravi Shankar, for his creative talent in bringing 

out a wonderful and colourful Rirst electronic edition. 

Pray Bhagavan Baba showers His Love and Blessings upon all 

those associated with this Publication to keep all devotees well 

informed. 

Jai Sai Ram 

With Love and best wishes 

Sara Pavan 

Prasanthi Nilayam 

16 March 2013 


14


Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia & PNG March 2013 

Question & Answers 

In this column questions based on spirituality are put forward 

by Sai devotees and others around the world and Prof. Anil 

Kumar Kamaraju answers them humorously. 

Prof. Anil Kumar is best known for translating Sathya Sai Baba's 

discourses into English. He also gives very popular talks in 

Prashanti Nilayam and visits many Sai centers and conferences 

in other countries for the same purpose. He has been the 

Principal of the Brindavan campus of Sathya Sai education and 

has authored many books on Swami. He is currently a faculty 

member of the Biosciences Dept. at Sathya Sai Institute of 

Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Prashanti Nilayam, India. 

Question: “What is surrender?” 

Prof: This question is asked because 

surrender has not been achieved. A 

simple example: Here is a glass of 

water. I mix one spoon of sugar into it 

completely. Where is the sugar? The 

sugar has dissolved in the water. There 

is no sugar now. Even if you ask, “Oh 

sugar, please let me see you! I want to 

see you,” it will say, “Sir, stop asking. I 

am one with the water. I am dissolved 

in the water.” 

Similarly, once you have surrendered, 

you don't ask, “What is surrender?” 

The sugar will not say, “Where am I?” 

because it has become one with the 

water. So, the one surrendered will not 

ask this question, “What is surrender?” 

He is going towards surrender. He is in 

the process of surrender. Surrender 

means accepting His Will 

unconditionally. Surrender means 

forgetting the individual self. It means 

being One with the Supreme Self, the 

Cosmic Self, being One with Brahman 

(the Universal Absolute). That is true 

surrender. 

Question: “Please say a few words 

on Ahimsa (non-‐violence).” 

Prof: There are many acts of ahimsa. 

There are many expressions of ahimsa 

also. But himsa, violence, is rampant 

today. Himsa means violence. It is 

rampant. Today, violence is 

everywhere. You hear it the moment 

you switch on your radio, the moment 

you switch on your TV. You read it the 

moment you sit at the breakfast table 

and open the newspaper. The whole 

front page speaks of violence 

somewhere or the other -‐ this group 

Fighting with that group, or this man 

murdering so many people. Violence! 

Violence! 

Bhagavan's concept of violence is 

different from the ordinary 

connotations. The concept of violence 

that we understand is hurting or 

harming somebody. 

Bhagavan has gone a step beyond: You 

can be violent by how you look at 

another. Some people look at us in 

such a way that we feel very much 

embarrassed. ‘Why is that man looking 

like that? Why? What happened to 

him? (Laughter) He seems to be some 

wild animal. Why? There is no 

friendship in his looks. There is no love 

in his looks. Something is wrong with 

this man.’ So, you can hurt, you can be 

violent through your looks. 

By using words, you can be violent. I 

can give you numerous examples 

because we are surrounded by acts of 

verbal violence, verbal acts! 

“Sir, where can I sit?” 

"SIT THERE!" -‐ Violence! (Laughter) 

“Sir, I want to give a letter to Swami. So 

can I sit in the front?” 

"NO, SIT, SIT!" (Laughter) -‐ Violence! 

“Sir, I want another spoon of Sambar.” 

"NOTHING DOING!" (Laughter) -‐ 

Violence! 

“Sir, is this book available?" 

“CHECK THE LIST! CAN’T YOU FIND IT 

THERE?" -‐ Violence! 

“Sir, when is darshan time?” 

“ASK THE NEXT FELLOW. THIS IS NOT 

AN ENQUIRY COUNTER!" (Laughter) -‐ 

Violence! 

So, you can be violent verbally. You can 

also be violent through your looks. 

Then you can be violent by your 

thoughts. If we are always thinking of 

the fall of the other man, waiting for 

the failure of the other man or waiting 

for the other man’s defeat, that is also 

violence. 

So, violence does not necessarily mean 

only killing. One can be violent by 

word, thought and deed. 

Therefore, ahimsa, non-‐violence, 

means refraining from hurting 

anybody by thought, word and deed. 

That's the answer. 

Question: “How to earn His grace?” 

Prof: A simple thing: 

The sun is shining here, yes! If you go 

in the opposite direction, there will be 

a shadow in front of you, right? Turn 

towards the sun and walk towards it; 

the shadow will be behind you. 

When you turn away from the sun, the 

shadow is in front of you. When you 

walk towards the sun, the shadow is 

behind you. 

Similarly, when you think of God, you 

are earning His Grace. When you are 

walking towards the world (worldly 

things), you are denied His Grace. 

That’s all. 

Sun is God! Walk towards Him. That is 

Grace -‐ more and more light. If you 

turn against or away from Him, you 

have to follow your own shadow. 

This shadow is the illusion, delusion, 

mistaken identity, super imposition, 

Maya or whatever you may call it. 

Disclaimer: The comments contained in this publication have been edited from personal contributions. Photos are supplied. The content does not express nor implies the views of the 

Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia & PNG. Please address contributions/ comments/ enquiries to sainewsaustralia@gmail.com 

To secure the Divine grace, one must adhere to right conduct 15and observe purity in thought, word and deed. - Sathya Sai Baba 

15 

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SNA 2 draft - Sai Australia

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