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Sai Spiritual Education Quarterly e-Magazine North Central Region, USA

First Quarter, 2014

Editorial We offer this first issue of 2014 reverentially at the Lotus feet of our beloved Bhagavan. We would like to thank Him as well as all contributors for the beautiful issue. We are well into the New Year and we trust that you are keeping your promises and resolutions. The fact is, everyone is always looking for peace and happiness, amidst all the demands and obstacles of life. However, for achieving uncompromised peace in all aspects of our lives, it is of great importance to be proactive. Being proactive means planning and taking proper actions at an earlier point of time so that stressful situations don’t arise. But being proactive only comes through deliberate choice and practice. In our daily lives, we are constantly facing stressful situations. Instead of being reactive, we should be proactive to find ways so that problems don’t arise. It becomes clear that being proactive calls for a greater awareness and use of imagination and will power. Following Swami’s teachings and being aware of the values will help in becoming proactive. Make proactive decisions and plans based on your own values and then you can direct the flow of your life along the lines of peace and happiness. Some examples of being proactive follow to illustrate the point: Having an emergency kit in the car in case the wintry conditions make you stranded. Working fast and focused well ahead of a project/assignment deadline. Eating healthy without being necessitated by health issues. Planning well ahead of deadline and creating a worthy submission for Sai Blossoms. In closing, we pray that Sai Blossoms will continue to be blessed with the opportunity to spread the glory of the Lord and the divine light of His message. Jai Sai Ram!! Raj Prakash (Editor)

Srividya Bhamidipati (Student Editor)

Lakshmi Pala (Student Editor)

Sunanda Adibhatla (Student Editor)

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Sai Experiences “SWAMI, WHERE IS THE YOUNG BOY??” Swami’s grace has been with my family since 1969. The starting point was when a friend of my mother gave her a beautiful photo of Swami saying, “He is the living God!” and asked her to place it in our altar. After one week, we were blessed with vibhuti on that photograph. Countless times since then, we have been blessed with vibhuti, honey, milk, and turmeric on various pictures; special sacred water and honey on Shiva lingams; also vibhuti and kumkum on Swami’s chair and various other places. Such manifestations have happened all through the years. In fact, nectar appeared this past Maha Shivarathri surrounding lingams, one photo of which is shown below. All these manifestations happened in my parents’ home in Ahmedabad.

I have three brothers but the unique blessing for our family is my sister, Sita. Swami gave her a special blessing that she can talk to Him anytime in meditation. Before making important decisions, we ask Swami through Sita and we do according to Swami’s guidance. Any new item purchased in the family was placed near Swami’s picture and then she would pray; Swami would bless it with vibhuti or kumkum. After so many years, even today, she can talk to Swami and receive the Divine guidance. I got married in 1982 and moved to Hyderabad from my parents’ home in Ahmedabad. My parents still lived in the same place along with all my brothers but Sita was living separately with her family, though in Ahmedabad itself. In June 1991, due to some personal difficulties, I sent my 9 year old son, Vijay, to Ahmedabad to live with my parents (and brothers) and go to school there. He was very happy when he left and I was also comfortable knowing that he was in good hands.

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Vijay’s school timings were from 7 am to 12 noon. The auto rickshaw driver used to drop him home promptly at 12.30 pm after school and he would walk up to my parents’ apartment on the 2nd floor. One day in October 1991, Vijay did not reach home at the expected time of 12.30 pm. My mother was waiting for him at home. When he did not come till 1.30 pm, she called my oldest brother, Ravi, at his work, and informed that Vijay was not back yet. Ravi called the school principal and she confirmed that Vijay did leave the school at 12 pm with the auto. After calling the driver, she confirmed that Vijay was dropped home at 12.30 pm as usual. Now the situation became tense. All my three brothers started to look for Vijay everywhere. They checked with the houses of his friends (he had only a few, being new in Ahmedabad) and also looked in gardens, bus stops, and other nearby public places. It was 4 pm and still they could not find him. Everyone in the family was frantically searching for him. At 4.30 pm, my mother decided to call my sister, Sita, who lived some 15 km away. Mother asked her to do meditation and ask Swami about the whereabouts of Vijay. At home, people were in a panic and were crying. Sita usually takes 10-30 minutes to go into deep meditation. Our beloved Swami appeared in her meditation and she asked the question, “Swami, where is the young boy, Vijay?” Swami immediately replied, “Go to the railway station on platform # 1 and bring him.” Swami also told her that the train would be leaving soon so quick action was required. The distance from my parents’ apartment to the railway station was 20 km. Since the office where Sita’s husband worked was just 10 km to the station, she called him up in the office and asked him to rush to the station and bring Vijay. She added in that hurried call, “I will explain everything later. Go immediately.” When my brother-in-law reached platform #1 of the railway station, he saw a lady holding Vijay’s hand and talking on a pay phone. My brother-in-law understood that she was calling my home and speaking to my brother, Ravi. He took the phone from her and told Ravi, “I am already at the station, nothing to worry, I will bring Vijay home.” Ravi did not understand how my brother-in-law reached the railway station. When Vijay reached home and told us the missing facts, we were finally able to put the whole story together. Please read on. In October, Vijay started missing me. Coupled with the fact that he did not like the school where he was studying, he decided to come back to Hyderabad (which is, by the way, a 30 hour train ride from Ahmedabad). No one at home was aware of his intentions. That day, Vijay did not go to my parents’ apartment after returning from school. Instead, he hid till the auto left and then walked away. He walked for 2 km and took a bus to the railway station. He did not have any money to buy a ticket so hid behind someone when the conductor came. Upon reaching the railway station, Vijay asked people if there was a train going to Hyderabad. There wasn’t any since during those days there was only one weekly train (Rajkot Express) from Ahmedabad to Hyderabad. He did not know what to do. He did not want to go back home as he had decided to reach his mother in Hyderabad. When he realized that there would be no train going to Hyderabad, he boarded whichever train came on platform # 1.

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He was sitting quietly. Since he did not eat anything and had a long day, he was weak and exhausted. A lady passenger sitting opposite to him asked as to where he was going. He said that he was going to Hyderabad to his mother. She asked who was with him and he replied that he was going alone. She told him that the train did not go to Hyderabad. “Where do you live here in Ahmedabad?” the lady inquired. No reply. “Which school do you go to?” No reply. “Who lives in Ahmedabad?” No reply. She was very patient and asked him f or his school bag. She took out the school diary and found my parents’ address and home phone no. in it. The lady held his hand firmly and lovingly and brought him out from the train. Those days, there were no mobile phones so she came to the public telephone booth to call my parents’ home. The lady called the phone number taken from the diary. She told Ravi that Vijay was at the railway station with her and her train would be leaving in 15 minutes and so she would not have enough time to hand him over to the police . . . and that is when my brother-in-law showed up and brought Vijay home. It was all Swami’s leela as He is the master. He has blessed my son personally a number of times, in the years before and after this incident. He has given him pad-namaskar and also materialized Vibhuti for him. I cannot even imagine, what would have happened if Swami did not guide us that day. I relate the incident to the story of Shirdi Sai Baba and the lost horse. In this case, it was my son.

Lakshmi Bhamidipati Adult Contributor, Detroit Metro Center Email us your Feedback

O Lord! You are in everything and everywhere, even in our hearts. You guide me through the right path and make me feel better when I am in pain and in sorrow. You also protect me when I am in danger. You have created me and I will always be thankful for what you have done to me. Om Sri Sai Ram!! Vinaya Sivakumar Group 1 SSE Student, Cincinnati-Dayton Center Email us your Feedback

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OUR SWAMI

Fills our hearts with love And replica of a dove As simple as He may be He is a very powerful key He is watching us everywhere He is one for sure to care Compassion in His eyes Truth is where He lies Devotion is what we pay And He will lead us the right way His heart is welcome as can be This is Sathya Sai Baba, our Swami Sravani Bondada Group 3 SSE Student, Detroit Metro Center Email us your Feedback

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Sai Values HOW SATHYA (TRUTH) HELPS IN LIFE In January, an interesting event occurred in my Health class at the school. There is a group of five friends in my seventh grade class – Nate, Jill, Bill, Josh, and Hannah, who always do things together, like sitting together in the bus and at lunch time. Everyone in my school knows that these five people are very close friends. In the Health class, we were given an assignment that was worth 80% of our grade. We had to create a presentation summarizing our research on a selected topic. It was a group activity and these five friends formed a group together. Our teacher, Mr. Salmi, gave us two weeks to finish the work and told us clearly that no one could talk to anyone except their own group members about the project, either in school or outside. One day, we were asked to work on the project in the second half of our Health class and Mr. Salmi went out of the room to do some work. The group of the five friends was 90% done anyways and Nate forgot the rule about not talking to anyone but their own group members, and started talking to someone from another group. Just then, Mr. Salmi opened the side door to enter the room and heard two people talking but couldn’t see who they were. At that moment, the bell rang which signaled the time to go home. The teacher said loudly and hurriedly, “Tomorrow, I need to know which two people were talking, and if they were from different groups, they will have to start the project all over again.” I left for home but then what happened in the classroom was later shared with me by my good friend, Jill. Everyone left except for the group of five friends. Nate had a very sad look on his face and was on the verge of crying. The teacher asked, “Nate, why do you look so sad? Is there a problem?” Nate said, “Sir, It was I who was talking to someone from another group. I’m really sorry,” and then started to cry. The teacher thought for a moment and patted Nate on the back and said, “It’s okay, Nate, you will not have to start your project over. Because you confessed and told the truth, I will let you and your friends continue your project, even though you broke the rule.” Nate stopped crying. He broke into a smile and all faces turned from sad to happy. Those five friends went home, realizing something very important. Even though the punishment for saying the truth may be grave, you should always pick up the courage and say the truth because then things will indeed get better for you. Nate and his four friends learned a very important lesson for life. And so did I. Baba indeed says to tell the truth in every situation of life.

Chinmay Sahu SSE Group 2 Student, Minneapolis South Center Email us your Feedback

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This I Believe... “Treat Others as You Would Like Others to Treat You” When I was in my Group I SSE class, my teacher quoted Jesus Christ, “Treat others as you would like others to treat you”. I liked this teaching a lot and felt strongly that I should not hate anybody. I believed in being good to everyone. In this regard, I would like to share a story from my fifth and sixth grades. It was the beginning of my fifth grade school year when a new student joined us. I was excited but little did I know that the new student would become my nightmare. Around the middle of the school year, some of my classmates started to tease me about my name, hair, and culture. Initially, I ignored them, but then I started to get annoyed by their unwanted behavior. Soon, the new girl became the lead role in harassing me. Hoping to control my irritation, I said nothing and did nothing, and I hoped that someday she would change her attitude. Unfortunately, the situation became even worse and I could not take it anymore. I went up to her and spoke to her that whatever she was doing was not right, but she didn’t listen and continued her way. So, I decided to take the matter in my own hands and took an appointment with the social worker. After I explained the whole issue to her, she asked me if she could tell the principal about it. I gave it a serious thought and felt that that girl’s acts needed to be checked so that no one else will be prey to her pranks in future. I strongly said “yes” and a week later she was called in the office and was issued a detention. I felt sorry for her and the school year ended smoothly after that. As I entered middle school, I found out she was in the same school and we ended up having our lockers next to each other. I behaved normally with her, as if nothing ever had happened. She responded to me in the same manner and was polite. We even met during some classes and became good classmates. Swami says, “Love lives by giving and forgiving.” I think that my experience falls under the human value “love” and the sub-value “forbearance”. I practiced forbearance and love by enduring the ill-behavior without a negative reaction, and by helping her to see that what she was doing was not right. I do feel that by complaining, I did not violate the value “right conduct”. Thank you, Swami, for guiding me in doing the right thing at the right time! In conclusion, hating others for their behavior is not right, instead we should forgive and forget what wrong was done to us and then see to it that love spreads through our heart every day. Thank you, Swami, for giving us this wonderful SSE Program!

Hiranmayee Kundeti Group 3 SSE Student, Chicago Metro Center Email us your Feedback

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SO SAYS BABA S A T H Y A

Speak politely.

S A I

Spend the day with Love.

B A B A

Bhakti (devotion) knows no caste, it ennobles all.

As you think, so you are. Time waste is life waste. Help ever, hurt never. You are the waves, I am the ocean. Avoid bad company.

All religions lead to the same goal. Inner purity first and outer purity later.

All are one, be alike to everyone. Be simple and sincere. All our actions should be based on truth. Sarita Kachroo SSE Teacher, Minneapolis South Center Email us your Feedback

Answer Key to Human Values Word Search Puzzle Please zoom in to see the answers. Words are boxed with associated numbers tagged.

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IS TECHNOLOGY OUR FRIEND OR FOE? Summary of a Skit Presented by SSE Group 3 Students at Swami’s 88th Birthday Celebration in Detroit Metro Center (November 23, 2013)

It’s a typical Saturday afternoon in a Sai family. Grandpa is reading the newspaper. Dad (Saikishen) is working. Mom (Sravani) is cooking. The children Rupesh (eldest), Lasya (middle), and Anish (youngest) are busy with their own activities. Without their realization, this Sai family has slowly succumbed to the digital influences in their lives and only Grandpa finds this troubling. Grandpa suggests that kids and Saikishen join him and go out to play tennis. Saikishen doesn’t hear a thing as he is busy working on his laptop with his headphones on. Anish says playing electronic tennis is so much simpler and doesn’t require any rackets or balls. Grandpa is quite confused. Anish and Lasya continue playing virtual tennis with a Wii-mote. Dad tells Grandpa that he can’t play right now because he has to join a teleconference, then puts his headphones on, and goes back to working on the computer. Grandpa is puzzled and asks about where all the people are for the meeting and why Saikishen is talking to the computer. He then notices, his daughter-in-law (Sravani) is watching some kind of TV and not looking at what she is cooking on the stove. She explains that she is looking at a tablet and learning to make a new dish. Grandpa thinks, “My wife could teach you better than that tablet. I don’t understand this at all. Sai Ram! Please save us!” In the meantime, Anish and Lasya start to fight over the Wii-mote. Grandpa says “Kids these days are so impatient. You would be more fit if you go outside and play real tennis!” and then he goes back to reading his paper. Rupesh gets a text from his friend, [Hey, Dude. You want to meet at the mall Taco Bell in 10 minutes?] Rupesh then texts his mother, [I’m going out.] Rupesh quickly grabs his jacket and leaves to meet his friends. Sravani

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is not happy about this last minute change in evening plans and sends a text to Rupesh, [When are you coming back? Love, Mom]. Rupesh responds with [Not sure…..l8r]. Lasya gets a text from her friends, [Let’s go hang out at the mall]. She quickly sends a text to her mother, [I’m going to meet my friends]. Lasya grabs her sweater and walks out the door. Sravani is now aggravated and sends another text, [Come back soon for dinner! Love, Mom]. Grandpa asks Sravani where the kids went and she tells hesitantly that they went to the mall since she never spoke to them. Grandpa in disbelief says, “Sai Ram! So much technology and everyone is clueless!” When the children are at the mall, suddenly, there is an unexpected and widespread power outage all over the city and all electronic gadgets stop working. It’s a sunny afternoon so Grandpa continues reading his paper while everyone around him starts to get stressed out. Grandpa calmly asks, “Why are all of you panicking? It’s just a power outage. Lights will be back soon. Just relax and take a deep breath.” Sravani starts to worry that the kids are all out and they said they will call or text but now that cell phones are not working how will they call? Just then Saikishen sees the children coming home. Sravani and Grandpa say, “Sai Ram!” together while the kids start walking in. Sravani hugs the children. Grandpa reminds everyone, “You are so attached to instant information that you are forgetting how to trust Swami and remember that He is taking care of everything.” They all sit at the table and enjoy good snacks and great conversation. Anish expresses his happiness in seeing his whole family together. Grandpa is surprised, “This is how we grew up every night: eating dinner as one big family, sharing stories and laughs. I can’t tell you how much those experiences helped us.” Sravani agrees that their lives have become too fast. Saikishen adds that they are all so addicted to technology that they feel they cannot live without it. Lasya remembers her SSE class and Swami’s message of ‘Ceiling on desires’ and explains that she now understands that technology should be used responsibly and judiciously. Suddenly the power comes back!! One by one, everyone starts to turn on their gadgets and the chaos returns. Grandpa is in disbelief. “Oh no….and I was just enjoying the peace and wonderful conversation. Now we’re back to digital doom. Did everyone forget Swami’s message about putting a ceiling on desires?” Saikishen declares that he will set aside time for family each day and not touch any gadgets during that time. Sravani follows and makes her own commitment to minimize cell phone and laptop time and instead listen to bhajans and discourses while cooking and driving. The children make their own pledges to minimize technology usage too. Grandpa is very happy and they all decide to enjoy the peace and quiet a little longer. Mom and daughter decide to find a nice cookie recipe online and spend time baking. Dad and Anish decide to go outside and play ‘real’ tennis and get some much needed exercise. Rupesh decides to teach Grandpa how to play Wii tennis. Grandpa is excited and promises to tell Rupesh some great stories afterwards.

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Closing by the Narrator: Swami blessed this family with a short experience of life without technology to help them make better choices. Relationships need communication and togetherness. Without these two things, they are like cell phones with no service and all they can do is play games alone and gain nothing for themselves or others. So, observe your own behavior and ask yourself, “Is Technology my Friend or Foe?” Jai Sai Ram!

SSE Group 3 Students & Teachers Detroit Metro Center Email us your Feedback

Srividya Bhamidipati SSE Group 4 Student, Detroit Metro Center Email us your Feedback

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Precious Health A FRUIT A DAY! If you are like most others, you have the best intention of following great health practices but you can’t even start. The reason why you don’t start is that you want to do it all; you want to do it really well. The underlying purpose of this article is to suggest to do away with “all or nothing” attitude. Here is the definition of this mindset in this context: We want to follow all of the great health advice for ourselves and our children -- but it’s really difficult, so we don’t do anything at all!! The advice then is to take one step at a time. One step, firm step -- in the right direction! One example is in order. Everyone knows, including children 4 and up, that fruits are good for us. However, for want of eating several fruits a day, the habit never happens. So, here is a better idea along the lines of taking ONE SOLID STEP. . . Make sure that each adult and each child at home eats one fruit compulsorily whatever time of the day it works out. Isn’t that easy – just one fruit in the day whenever it works out – but without excuses or exceptions!! Make it happen. Instill the idea in children that fruits are gifts of nature as they are packed with vitamins and minerals and body receives them in wholesome manner since they are not cooked. Can we start with an apple a day If not an apple, a fruit anyway? Just about ripe is that green pear Take it to school, would you, my dear? Pick-me-up food is a sweet banana Shouldn’t you enjoy the heaven’s manna? If you are hungry for snacks to munch Why not grapes, not one but a bunch? You get the idea. So, can we get that rolling? Kudos to you, if you say that you already do better than one fruit a day. Congratulations, if you already know that banana and milk do not go together or melons should be eaten just alone! Raj Prakash Adult Contributor, Detroit Metro Center Email us your Feedback

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FOOD & EATING

Radha Velamuri SSE Group 3 Student, Des Moines Center Email us your Feedback

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Sai Trivia HUMAN VALUES WORD SEARCH GAME Words to locate: 1. Love 5. Nonviolence 9. Dedication 13. Forgiveness

2. Peace 6. Courage 10. Contentment 14. Discipline

3. Joy 7. SelfControl 11. Kindness 15. Respect

4. Truth 8. Devotion 12. Helpful 16. Friendship

17. Honesty

18. Loyalty

19. Sharing

20. Sacrifice

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Instructions: Print the previous sheet (only) and have a pencil on hand. Find the words in the matrix and circle them. They are either across (left to right) or vertical (both ways – up or down). (Note: Answers are elsewhere in this issue.) Let this be a family fun exercise: o

Print enough copies for all.

o

Start at the same time. See who finishes first.

o

Each SSE student should mention at least two values that he/she is really practicing and also discuss two to improve upon.

o

Adults may do introspection about practicing these values or discuss among themselves.

Tanisha Kota SSE Group 2 Student, Minneapolis South Center Email us your Feedback

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O Lord, Sai Blossoms is offered at Thy Lotus Feet!!

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