July 2024

Sai Ram dear devotees,

I pray that you and your families are all keeping safe and well.

As the auspicious day of Guru Poornima approaches, we gather in reverence and gratitude, honouring the profound wisdom and guidance of our most beloved Guru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This forthcoming Guru Poornima, let us unite in the spirit of love, light, and devotion. May the grace of our Guru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba continue to guide us, and may we always walk the path of righteousness, compassion, and wisdom.

The significance of Guru Poornima does not refer to giving dakshina (gifts) to the gurus, worshipping them, washing their feet, and so on. The real guru is one who destroys the darkness of ignorance, who can make illumination shine in man. He should transcend form. He should be free from body-consciousness. It is only Divinity who is free from Name and Form.

Guru Poornima, 11th July 1987

Centres across the nation will be celebrating this blessed occasion, offering reverence and gratitude for the teachings imparted by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and striving to incorporate these teachings into our daily lives, so we are able to progress in our spiritual development.

I am delighted to inform you of two significant upcoming events that will also take place in the month of July. Firstly, the Global Young Adult Conference (GYAC) will be taking place in Prasanthi Nilayam from 12th to 14th July for a gathering designed to inspire and unite Young Adults from around the world.

Secondly, a team of some 35 dedicated healthcare professionals and 42 other volunteers from the UK will be running a medical camp in three villages some distance away from Prasanthi Nilayam. The aim of the camp is to provide free high quality medical care and raise health and hygiene awareness to those in need. This medical camp is part of our ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive healthcare services to those in need and to promote the welfare of the community.

We are grateful to Bhagawan for these wonderful opportunities, as they not only aim to provide essential health services, but also foster spiritual development for all those involved.

As you will all be aware by now, the Charity Commission of England and Wales officially registered our Organisation as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in April 2024. This significant milestone marks a new chapter for our Organisation and brings numerous advantages that will strengthen our mission and the services we aim to provide. Registration as a charity enhances our credibility and demonstrates our commitment to transparency and ethical practices. The Organisation is now able to receive support with Gift Aid and other benefits. For any further information please contact finance@srisathyasai.org.uk.

We sincerely thank Swami for his continued guidance and blessings and pray for His Grace to be upon one and all.

Lovingly, in Sai service

Pratap Thakkar

By the Divine Blessings of Swami, we have the pleasure of inviting you to the UK National Sai Retreat on the theme of SAI: Sai Always Inside.

• Dates: Saturday 31st August & Sunday 1st September (two days)
• Time: Saturday 8.30am – Sunday 4pm
• Venue: Soar Valley College, Gleneagles Avenue, Leicester LE4 7GY

The event promises to be a spiritually uplifting and thrilling experience, given its engaging theme and the high calibre of our guest speakers including Dr Amey Deshpande (Prasanthi Bhajan Group) and Mr Antoni Griera Aragones (National Country President of Spain).

Highlights of the Retreat include:
• Inspirational Talks
• Workshops and Activities
• Guided Meditations
• Nature Walks
• Community and Fellowship

The cost of attending the Retreat is £27.50 per person. There is limited capacity so it is important that you register as early as possible, and places will only be guaranteed upon receipt of payment. Please note that the Retreat is not suitable for children under 14 years old.

Please complete the registration form by clicking on the button below.

Registration will be on a first come first served basis and will close as soon as the venue reached its full capacity. The payments details will be sent once this form has been completed. Information on nearby hotels is available from your Centre/Group Presidents.

We look forward to welcoming you to the event!

A briefing for all Bal Vikas (SSE) gurus on how to approach special educational needs (SEN) within Bal Vikas (SSE) was held online on Saturday 6th July. Over 40 people attended from around the country. The briefing was expertly led by facilitators with several years' experience in the educational sphere, namely Sister Dharani Pillay (former Deputy National Bal Vikas Coordinator, with nearly 20 years of educational experience and a SEN coordinator for over 10 years) and Sister Jaina Patel (Region 4 Spiritual Coordinator, a secondary school teacher with several years' experience, and an experienced Bal Vikas guru), as well as Dr Rakendu Suren (a Sai alumnus who is also a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist). With vivid examples and ample opportunity for questions, attendees found the session to be very informative, with lots to consider even when dealing with children who do not fall into the SEN category.

“Neither by penance nor by undertaking pilgrimages nor by going through sacred texts nor by japa can one cross the ocean of samsara. Only through service of the noble can one redeem oneself."

"Students! Young men and women! First and foremost, make an effort to understand your true nature. The difference between God and man is very subtle. As long as you do not understand the truth, you remain a human being. Once you recognise it, you are God. Service is the best way to understand your innate Divinity."

"Spirituality is a way of life. It is not something separate from life. That should be your way of life. In order to acquire a worldly degree, you need to study various subjects. But in spirituality there is only one subject, and that is love. Undertake service activities in a spirit of love."

(Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 32, Ch. 27, 18th November 1999, Inaugural 2nd World Youth Conference Discourse)

With 13 days to go before the start of the GYAC (Global Young Adults Conference), YAs (young adults) across the UK got together for their final sadhana meeting, on the theme of “Recharge.”

After a customary icebreaker to help energise the YAs, the event started with a former YA recounting his experiences of going on pilgrimages to the Ashram. He explained how each and every trip to Prasanthi had a lesson to be learned and, despite being confronted with challenges, Swami had always been by his side – like “his best friend.” His message to the YAs was that our relationship with the Lord is unique and personal, and we should strive to maintain that connection no matter what obstacles are presented in our way, nor should we ever doubt His love and care for us.

The session progressed with YAs breaking out into groups to play a game of “Dicebreaker,” - which involved rolling dice and answering a series of questions based on the rolled score. It was a fun activity for the YAs to play, whilst also discussing spiritual themes along the lines of “Rejoice.”

As the morning drew to a close, the YAs turned their minds towards the conference and the numerous activities and initiatives planned. Over the three days of the conference, there will be the following opportunities: decorate the ashram (including Sai Kulwant Hall); deliver TEDx style talks on spiritual related matters (iSai talks); musical and bhajan offerings; Veda chanting; a drama; YA sports ('Sai Olympics'); workshops; and seva activities. For several of the YAs, the last 6 months has involved a considerable amount of effort and time – whether it be attending practices for the musical, bhajan or drama offerings, or coordinating the logistics of the decorations or iSai talks. Nevertheless, in a short time, they will be able to “rejoice” in the fruits of their actions as they make their journey towards the Lord’s abode.

The event concluded with mangala aarti, followed by the Region 1 Sports Day – which some of the YAs used as a trial run ahead of their participation in the Sai Olympics. As the YAs departed, they felt “reconnected, recharged and rejoiced” and excited that the countdown to the GYAC is on!

For the welfare of the country and of the entire world, the spirit of service, vital enthusiasm, constructive imagination, pure motivation, and unselfish alertness are all needed urgently.

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 15, Ch. 31, 19 November 1981

The purpose of the Young Adults Wing is to serve the whole organisation whilst supporting the spiritual journey of the next generation. Thus, it is the duty of the Young Adults to be of service, not only to their fellow brothers and sisters across the nation, but also to the world from which they merely borrow. This series of articles captures a snippet of the service activities supported by Young Adults across the UK, in the hope of inspiring others.

In this issue, we read reflections from Brother Sai Vivekanand Karumuri from Region 5, celebrating the spirit of Vedic tradition.

In the words of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, “Service expresses the divinity hidden in man. It broadens one's heart, destroys narrow-mindedness, and brings delight.” Our Rudram sessions embodied this very essence of Seva - service to our tradition, to our spiritual growth, and to each other.

My personal journey with the Vedas began at a young age, nurtured in the environment of Bal Vikas. It was here, under Swami’s guidance, that I first encountered the profound beauty of Vedic chants. The lessons and experiences from Bal Vikas laid a strong foundation for my spiritual journey, shaping my understanding of devotion, discipline, and selfless service.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba's emphasis on the integral role of spirituality in everyday life has deeply influenced me. His teachings on love, service, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage have been guiding principles in my life. He often said, “The end of education is character.” The encouragement I received in Bal Vikas to learn and practise the Vedas has been instrumental in my current role, where I now have the opportunity to pass on this knowledge to others.

This year, in the lead-up to Maha Shivaratri, I embarked on a profound journey of Seva with my fellow students at Lancaster University, guiding them through the first Anuvakam of the Rudram - a sacred chant dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Rudram, found in the Krishna Yajur Veda, is a powerful hymn that praises the countless attributes of Lord Shiva. It is said that the vibrations from chanting the Rudram not only purify the environment but also the hearts and minds of those who chant it with devotion. This sacred practice has been a cornerstone of Vedic tradition, encapsulating the essence of spirituality, discipline, and reverence for the divine.

Our journey began with an introduction to the significance of the Rudram. The students, many of whom were new to Vedic chants, were eager yet apprehensive. We met regularly, creating an environment that was both structured and nurturing, allowing everyone to progress at their own pace. The practice sessions were filled with dedication, as the rhythmic chanting began to resonate deeply within each participant.

The first Anuvakam of the Rudram, with its intricate phonetic nuances, presented a challenge that the students embraced wholeheartedly. As we moved through each verse, the initial hesitation gave way to confidence, and a sense of unity began to flourish. The act of chanting together not only reinforced our connection to the divine but also strengthened our bonds as a community. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said, “Unity is divinity; purity is enlightenment,” and our collective effort truly reflected this wisdom.

The culmination of our efforts was beautifully timed with the auspicious festival of Maha Shivaratri. As the event approached, the students were not just reciting verses - they were embodying the devotion and reverence that the Rudram seeks to instil.

Reflecting on this journey, I am immensely grateful for the lessons I've learned from teaching the Rudram. The questions from my students have deepened my understanding in ways I never anticipated. I am reminded of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings on the power of selfless service and the importance of spiritual education. He often emphasised that true service is an expression of love and devotion, stating, “Love in action is service.” By imparting the knowledge of the Rudram, I hoped to ignite a spark of divine love within each student, encouraging them to carry forward this sacred tradition.

This journey of guiding my fellow students was my Seva. By dedicating ourselves to the study and practice of the Rudram, we honoured Swami’s teachings and served our divine purpose, bringing us closer to the divine within and around us. As Swami said, “Service to man is service to God.”

In the spirit of Swami’s Sarva Dharma philosophy, we concluded our term with a heartfelt aarti. We invited the presidents of all the faith groups at the university to join us, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and unity. This gathering echoed Swami's teachings that all paths lead to the same divine source, emphasising the importance of love and harmony among diverse faiths. Swami always taught, “Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish and let the glory of God be sung in all the languages and in a variety of tunes. That should be the ideal. Respect the differences between the faiths and recognise them as valid as long as they do not extinguish the flame of unity.”

I hope that my efforts to start this initiative will lead to even greater participation in the next academic year, allowing us to continue honouring the traditions that have been passed down to us.

In order to keep all UK devotees updated in one place and reduce the duplication of messages, we have launched a BRAND NEW Organisation WhatsApp Channel for everyone to join.

This will be the main place to receive all National communications.

The channel sits in the “Updates” section of WhatsApp in the bottom left corner.

Please share this with all devotees across the UK, and do not forget to switch the notifications on with the bell icon in the top right corner.