"As is the feeling, so does it happen. God you think, God you are; dust you think, dust you are; as you think, so you become. Therefore, we have to set right our thoughts first. Our actions are decided by the kind of thoughts we develop, which decides our character and defines our destiny. When you develop the feeling that I am Divine, naturally you will realise the Truth."
-Baba
With the Blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we are delighted to present our Sixty eighth issue of Ananda Vahini. The weekly newsletter includes interesting musings and short excerpts from the week's events.
In this issue, we bring you the first part of Bhagawan's visit to Singapore, Japan, Taiwan between March 16, 2017 and March 23, 2017.
In this week's INNER VIEW, Brother Madhusudan Naidu shares an interesting moment between the Lord and a devotee from Japan.
During the last day of the Japan trip as Swami was being driven by a young man to witness the cherry blossoms, Swami looked at the Pacific Ocean on the way and remarked, "This is the ocean between Japan and America!". The young devotee driver responded, "Yes Swami! In fact Shimoda port in Japan is the first ever port where an American man landed in 1800s. The Americans were hunting whales in the Pacific Ocean, and needed a place to store their things, and so they landed on this coast of Japan."
Swami said, "Hunting poor sea creatures for greed is not good. Even Japanese do a lot of fishing."
The driver asked, "Swami would this excessive fishing in Japan lead to problems for the people here?"
"Of course yes, if you harm innocent creatures for your greed the Karma created out of it, will get back to you."
"What is the solution to this Swami?"
"Spirituality is the solution. Ancient Japanese culture and for that matter all ancient cultures were based on 'Faith in God', respect for nature and love for fellow beings, as they knew everything is divine. We must rejuvenate that culture of Japan. The older generation cannot be changed easily, but if we teach this to the younger ones, transformation can happen. That alone can save the people of this country."
The eager devotee submitted, "Swami! I want to do this fast so that we can help the people as soon as possible."
Pat came the reply from Swami, "Isn't it why I am in such a great hurry?"
Yes, He is in a great hurry to save as many, as early as possible, for the times are changing. He cautioned in His discourse in the morning to the Japanese devotees, "Those who do not change with changing times, will not find place in the new age. They will have to go, due to some reason or the other!"
When people ask, 'What's the big hurry to open more free schools, free hospitals and travel so often around the world', probably they would find answer in Swami's profound words to His devotees in Japan!
DIVINE VISIT – SINGAPORE – MARCH 16, 2017
It was early morning, and one could hear the final Jaikars after the Nagar Sankeertan, when Bhagawan’s entourage which comprised of Sri B N Narasimha Murthy, Sri C Sreenivas, Brother Madhusudan, Sister Bhuvana and young Pavan Kumar from the Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human Excellence, boarded the cars with their luggage, all set to fly to Singapore. Truly, Singapore has become second home and like Swami says, ‘expansion love’ is what one experiences amidst the loving devotees of Singapore.
Dr Ravi Pillay along with other devotees lovingly welcomed everyone at the Changi Airport. After some quick refreshments, everyone proceeded to the residence of Dr Kesavan and Dr Roshni, which glistened in the evening, and was decked in its finery to welcome the Lord of the Universe. A sudden burst of rain was indeed a welcome sign, and it almost seemed that the roads were also being cleaned in anticipation of ‘The Arrival’.
The moment arrived when Bhagawan walked into their residence, and into the hearts of everyone gathered. Bhajans were in progress, and this intimate gathering of a handful of Bhagawan’s chosen devotees were enveloped in ecstatic bliss. Due to the sudden showers, Swami had to enter the Kesavan residence through the basement. And every situation or moment with the Lord is a learning experience, as He was quick to say, “When Krishna would go from house to house, He would enter from the backdoor like a thief to steal butter. Not that He didn’t have enough butter at his own home, for He was the son of Nanda. But Krishna enjoyed the butter of the Gopikas, whose selfless love was more powerful. Butter is obtained by churning the milk. Similarly....
Satsang at Dr Kesavan and Dr Roshni's residence in Singapore
DIVINE VISIT – SINGAPORE – MARCH 17, 2017
Morning:
After a hearty breakfast, Bhagawan blessed a few devotees with interviews. Thereafter, He proceeded for lunch to the residence of Brother Yugumaran and his devout wife Mrs Elena. After blessing the family profusely, Swami returned to the Pillay residence for the afternoon.
Evening:
Over 400 devotees had gathered to eagerly experience Bhagawan in all His glory. The Lord entered in the midst of Bhajans a little past 5 p.m. The first speaker for the evening was Sri C Sreenivas. He said, “Most of our lives, we begin by serving a need. Need, predominantly drives life. So much of life gets to be lived around these needs. How are we singularly fortunate? With the serving of a need of life, Swami first inducted into us the search for a meaning for life. He brought in this crucial factor of bringing in meaning to life. The story of all our lives is to find that meaning in life. But more than serving a need or even bringing a meaning to life, we are singularly fortunate that we have Swami who has helped in bringing ever lasting value to life!”
Sri Sreenivas spoke about the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital. “It is not a hospital. The first thought that I must share with you is, for Swami, Sathya Sai Sanjeevani was life. Because first, it served the need. Then it brought meaning to so many who served that need. And finally this is something each and every one of you, young and old should be proud that in His name, we...
An intricate decoration of peacocks at 'Sai Anandam', Singapore
Evening Satsang at 'Sai Anandam', Singapore
Sri B N Narasimha Murthy addressing the audience
DIVINE VISIT – SINGAPORE TO JAPAN – MARCH 18, 2017
After Arati at 5:45 a.m. Bhagawan’s entourage, which also included Dr Ravi Pillay and his devout wife Smt Shyamini, proceeded to the Changi Airport to board their flight for the next leg of the three-country Divine Visit, Land of the Rising Sun – Japan. The six-and-half-hour flight ensured some good rest for everyone, as they landed around 4 p.m. at the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. Brother Genzo Makino, host for Bhagawan’s trip, along with Brother Toshi Ando, Sai youth leader for Japan lovingly welcomed everyone. The entourage left the Airport in a bus to the Bullet train station at Shinagawa. The venue for the next three days was Amagi Sanso, in Izu-shi at Shizuoka, a good four hours or more by road from Tokyo. Devotees had prayed for the entourage to experience travel by the fastest train and Swami permitted the adventure.
The entourage arrived at the Misima station in less than an hour, and were driven to Amagi Sanso. Brother Anthony Tan and his wife Mrs Karen, along with Brother Sivaramakrishna and his wife Smt Aparna had already arrived in Japan to take care of all the arrangements along with other Japanese devotees. They lovingly welcomed everyone, and Bhagawan manifested in His room at Amagi Sanso. The room was very beautifully and tastefully decorated, and Swami was very pleased and happy with all the arrangements. South Dinner prepared very lovingly by the ladies from Singapore was served to the Lord and the entourage. Hot authentic South Indian...
Bhagawan's room at Amagi Sanso, in Izu-shi at Shizuoka, Japan
DIVINE VISIT – IZU, JAPAN – MARCH 19, 2017
A sumptuous spread of South Indian breakfast welcomed everyone in the morning. The place was buzzing with the arrival of many devotees from all across Japan. The Amagi Assembly Chapel was converted in to a Satsang hall with Swami’s photo in the altar. The entire premises, including the Chapel was tastefully decorated with Origami art work (the art of folding paper) by the youth, with the name of Swami written on each piece of paper, Likitha Japa. Swami recollected that Japanese devotees used to make flowers and decorate the Brindavan Ashram in Bangalore during Buddha Poornima, and each flower had carried the name His name.
Gurus from many countries had also arrived for the third Guru Vikas Meet, which was to be held that morning. Teachers are the catalysts in the path of transformation for students, and ‘Guru Vikas’ is an initiative by Swami which is all set to truly redefine education, and pave the path for a new moral and spiritual revolution in the field of education! ‘Guru Vikas’, is a journey of a teacher, until he or she becomes a Guru. Swami has always reminded everyone that children are born pure and Divine. He says, “To ensure children remain pure, as they were when they were born, the environment around them has to become pure. ‘Guru Vikas’ is one such effort to ensure that they remain what they are. They are pure, they are Divine, and they are full of love – and these qualities must be preserved by providing them the right kind of environment.”
‘Guru Vikas’ was initiated in September 2015 in Singapore. Swami expanded the word ‘Teacher’ and gave it a whole new meaning and purpose.
Gathering of devotees for the 'Guru Vikas' meet at the chapel
Bhagawan lighting the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the third 'Guru Vikas' meet
Bhagawan launching the second book, 'T- Transformation'
Bhagawan launching 'An introduction to Guru Vikas', the first book in the 'Guru Vikas' series in Sinhala and Tamil languages
DIVINE BOOKLETS
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been travelling all over the world in the Subtle to keep His promise of visiting the countries. Below is the link to the Google Drive library of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s divine visits overseas.
If you would like to subscribe to receive the new Booklets of Bhagawan’s overseas travels in 2016, as soon as they are available, kindly email bhagawanspeaksglobal@gmail.com.
And as Swami continues travelling in 2016 and beyond, and new Booklets are created, they will be added to the Google Drive Library.
SUBSCRIPTION TO 'AMRUTA VAHINI'
Amruta Vahini is a 50 page monthly magazine in English/Kannada from Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli which captures from Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in subtle to event updates, from photo features to travelogues, from book excerpts to news updates. It also features the series, 'Sri Sathya Sai Divya Anandam', the continuing biography of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the subtle form, by Sri B N Narasimha Murthy.
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