Our Puttaparthi Pilgrimage 2010
Minutes for the meeting held at the centre on Dec 20, 2009 from 4:10 - 5:15 pm
Spiritual Segment
The discussions on the Spiritual Saadhana aspect of our Pilgrimage was based on
the document “Sai Pilgrimage – Spiritual activities” that was emailed to the group on
December 18, 2009.
LIKHITA JAPA:
Devotees have already started writing “Om Sri Sairam” 108 times per day, on the grid
layout out recommended by the Central Council. Some concerns and suggestions as follows
were raised:
1. Do we know if the papers we write swami's name will be used for vibuthi packing in
Parthi or any other purposes? What are we going to do with the papers with the japam.
We will be taking it to Prashanthi Nilayam and present it to Swami. So, it has to be
handled with reverence, utmost care and sacredness. It will be used for packing vibhoothi,
when we finally deliver to the offices in Prashanthi Nilayam.
2. Is there any restriction about the paper size we write? Can we use 1/2 the size of
letter size paper if we have paper (from a old diary) available?
We would like to maintain a uniform size. Please use the template sent with both sides
printed.
As I said, this has to be treated with all reverence and sacredness including the paper,
so we should use new sheets.It is our present to our Lord.
3. Can we write on both side of the paper? and if so we had concern about the
toner/writing ink getting mixed with the vibuthi if we write on both sides. Please advise.
Yes. As the vibhothi is scared, and because of its scaredness and curative mahima we need
not worry about all these. I had the answer in my mind. I also asked one of the youth at
Prashanthi Nilayam to enquire at the offices and I got the same answer today. That is the
reason for my delayed response.
4. Some people complained about the size of the space given in the template is too small.
Can we make it bigger? Or do we have to use the given template?
Please see answer 2. We have used this size with no difficulty. When we want to present
something as our present to Swami, we need to have uniformity. Also the size lends itself
to writing 108 times daily for 4 days in a sheet with optimum paper usage.
5. Apart from Likhita Japa, may we have a combined group chant every month. This can
become a habit, to chant His name while we wait for Swami to arrive in the darshan hall
and not letting the mind distracted.
Certainly, that was a very good recommendation that we could take up from the next
meeting onwards.
MEDITATION and 9 Points of Code of Conduct:
As recommended by the Central Council; 5 minutes minimum each day, 9 Gayatri chants,
and reminded of the Code of Conduct.
MONTHLY MEETINGS:
Attendance is mandatory, as important information, recommendations will be conveyed, and
discussions take place for our spiritual betterment. This is the crux of the preparations
to help us in our journey towards God.
VEDA CLASSES:
We are currently looking into inviting a teacher for Rudram starting January. Rudram chant
is heard while waiting for Swami’s darshan.
Other Veda were recommended such as Purusha Sooktams, Lalita Sahasranaamas, Vishnu
Sahasranaama etc.
Rudram is recommended since it is a long one and would take longer to learn, so an early
start will allow us to progress further than a later start after learning the smaller
size Vedas. Central Council will be recommending in this regard.
Class timings was discussed to accommodate the participants who will not be available from
3:45 on Sundays.
Suggestions were made to have these classes starting 2:30 to include them too in Veda
classes; a small sacrifice on others to help out the few in our group who cannot make it
if the Veda class starts at 4:00.
Request was made to send links for audio, and text (with meaning) of the Vedas to be
taken up, so as to help us to better learn the pronunciation and meaning.
Here is the link:
http://www.sssbpt.org/sri-rudram/VedamMain.html
Suggestion was made to diligently listen to the Rudram being played before the start of
bhajans, to reduce the time spent on this activity separately.
A very good suggestion because the more we hear, the easy it will be for learning the
Vedas.
So let us discipline ourselves to be present in the Bhajan Hall by 5:15 pm on Sunday.
CENTRAL THEME TO BOND US TOGETHER - Our Transformation – Our Gift to our Lord
The first Guna (quality) to work on is “Ahimsa”
Some clarification was requested as to the actual carrying out of the recommended Sadhana.
viz concept seems so vast, so how are we going to narrow down and enlist the activities
that will indicate Ahimsa.
The plan is to discuss with the group and come up with a list of activities, which each
of us will take home and put it up such that we are reminded of them to be mindful of
that quality within us. This way we will work on enhancing one Quality at a time and
add on the other qualities as each month passes by:
Ahimsa (Non-violence) in January.
Indriya-Nigraham (Sense-control) in February.
Sarva Bhuta Daya (Compassion to all beings) March.
Kshama (Forbearance) in April.
Santhi (Equanimity) May.
Tapas (Harmony of thought, word and deed) June.
Dhyana (Meditation) in July.
Sathyam (Truth) in August.
Some expressed concern that this is a very difficult and stressful sadhana to follow,
especially for children, while others thought it was an excellent opportunity to practice
Human Values that Swami emphasizes very much, and to remind ourselves and be aware of our
words, actions, thoughts and even intentions.
This saadhana is not meant to stress people out, but rather appreciate the qualities
that lie within us, and to work on other qualities that we would like to improve on.
Just be reminded of that, so that when the time comes, we would check ourselves before
we react or respond to situation.
Let us first feel comfortable about ourselves, and where we stand in spirituality,
wherever that might be, so that we can proceed further as and when we learn of the ways.
The recommended list of activities to improve on a Quality, is not meant to stress us
out that we may not have all the enlisted ones, but rather simply look for opportunities
to carry them out.
This could be difficult with children, so come up with some simple stories, or activities.
The beauty of this sadhana is there is no hard and fast rule here, simply another avenue
to help ourselves progress in our spirituality.
So, it is left to the parents how they want to bring about these qualities in their
children. Are collection of petals important?
Petals are only for our instant recording and gratification that we indeed have done
something good as Swami recommended and that we are offering our qualities to our
Dear Lord. Petals are only secondary, just to bring about some light- heartedness in
our spiritual undertakings for this pilgrimage, but not to lose focus on the main
concept “Self Improvement”.
SHARING OF INFORMATION:
It was recommended that each one of us, share any information or readings, or quotes that
we come across that will add to our spiritual endeavours. By sharing with our group, we
would develop a bond with other members, thereby have that feeling of oneness with others,
and then as a group feel the Oneness with Swami.
Since we could not brainstorm to come up with a list, we request your family to send me
your suggested activities that will express Ahimsa(non-violence).
e.g. suggested activities would be:
- will not think wrong about a person, as that leads to anger; Ahimsa through thoughts.
Instead, will stop to understand the personès actions, or reactions.
- Will pay more attention to my actions towards Environment, as I do not want to injure
the environment. E.g. use reusables instead of disposables.
- Will not get angry as I may then lose control on how I will react. Instead stop to
understand the person and communicate accordingly.
Solicited for volunteers to help in the research of the Gunas(qualities) as addressed by
different religions. So each month the volunteer will bring to our group his or her
findings. This will expose us to other Religions, there by seeing the commonality as well
as a different angle to the same topic.
It was very pleasant to see SSE students willing to participate in this activity.
Volunteers for research on Gunas(qualities) as addressed in Sarva dharma Faiths.
The following have volunteered to do the research. Below are the Faiths assigned to
them (randomly). Each month, they will share with us their findings of how the Faith
assigned to them addresses the Guna of the month. This should have a lasting effect on
us us with our saadhana, spiritual practice, not only for this pilgrimage, but even
beyond this pilgrimage.
The next guna which we will take up and work on is Indriya Nigraham (sense control).
Christianity:
Nikhil Kousik
Koghulan Jeyapalasingham
Islam:
Puthiran Jeyapalasingham
Sachu Madhavan
Buddhism:
Ashwini Hemmady
Monica Mahadevan
Zorashtrianism:
Chayyon Thayaparan
Maha Mahadevan
Hinduism:
Any volunteers?
For documentation:
Satish Mallya
Photography:
Niranjan Gowru
Here is a quote that I found, which ties very well with what we are trying to undertake
for this pilgrimage; the effects of which should last beyond this trip.
Dec 22, 2009 quote in Sai Inspires:
How should your actions be, every single day, in your journey to God? Swami lovingly
explains to us today.
To a superficial observer, the life of man appears as a rotation of eating and drinking,
toiling and sleeping. But verily, Life is a yagna, a sacrifice. Each little act is an
offering to the Lord.
Do not commit the great fault of identifying with the body. Do not accumulate a variety
of things for the upkeep and the comfort of the body. Before death, everything - position,
pride, power, etc. - will vanish. Realize this and strive day and night with purity of
body, mind and spirit, to realize the Higher Self by serving all living beings. Remember,
Thou Art That; You are the indestructible Eternal Self. Utilize your authority over this
body to foster the welfare of the world. The body is but an instrument, an implement
given by God. Let it serve its purpose.
-Divine Discourse, Prema Vahini.
