Initiatives - Newsletters
May Initiative
April Initiative
Pre-Conference Monthly Workshop Series: "Energy"
Tips for the Month
Akhanda Gayatri: Participate in the ongoing chanting of this powerful mantra, channeling your energy toward a specific cause for social or personal transformation.
Bite Back the Backbiting: Stop gossiping and idle chatter. Direct the energy you save toward YA group activities.
Seva the Earth: Nature is a beautiful physical expression of Divine energy. Do a group service project that gets you outdoors or working to protect nature. Plant trees, clean up trails, or work with animals in need of care. As a follow-up,commit to making 3 small changes in your daily life to protect the earth on an ongoing basis.
Public Displays of Peace: As a group, meditate in a public place and watch what happens to the energy of those around you. Check out the Public Meditation Project to see how it has worked for others.
Un-plug and Plug in: Remove one energy-draining habit, practice, or gadget from your life. Replace it by plugging into an energy-boosting activity, sadhana, or time in nature.
Energy experiments: Make minor changes in your life and track how your energy is affected. For example:
• Listen to calming music when you wake up or on your morning commute;
• Study or work in a natural setting instead of a man-made/artificial environment;
• Eat only fresh or healthy food for one day;
• Smile more, especially at strangers or people you struggle with.
Growing Good Energy: Grow a houseplant or a garden by intentionally sending good thoughts, saying good words, chanting Gayatri mantra, or playing spiritual music to it. Bonus: grow another one without any added “inputs” and see how the two compare.
February Initiative
Pre-Conference Monthly Workshop Series: "Money Wise"
The next 100 days. For all Sai Youth, these 100 days represent a way for us to think about what our journey has been so far, and what we will bring to the first ever USA National Youth Conference to make this rare experience as valuable as possible.
Our journey has begun, and together, we are traveling towards a special time in our country's Sai Youth movement. As individuals, our voyage didn't start at the planning of the NYC, and we know that it won’t end at the event. This is a golden opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of our having a human form during the age of the Avatar, and how we want to spend our lives in pleasing Him, in offering all our actions to Him, and finally reaching Him.
On a logistical level, youth from around the country are beginning to make preparations for the conference weekend. From signing up for campsite help, to planning the program, or making souvenirs for all youth, there are many opportunities for each young adult, local YA group, and region to feel a part of this event, whether you attend or not.
Still, the most important contributions we can make to Him are our efforts in self-transformation. As part of these efforts we have embarked on a pre-conference program to further our spiritual progress. And, along with this newsletter, we are offering to Swami a garland of flowers from youth around the country, containing our individual pledges to Him on areas we would like to improve as a part of ceiling our desires.
What should you expect on the conference weekend itself? Many opportunities – to learn, to share, and to discover ways to practice. The workshops, speakers, and activities will represent the youthfulness, the dedication, and the yearning that we all have within us. The program will touch on our fundamental role as Sai youth, and also encourage discussion of practical ways to infuse our personal and professional lives with spirituality. There will be team-building exercises, sharing of best practices, and interactive workshops that will bring out the wisdom of each and every person. By learning and working together we will strengthen our local, regional, and national program. And of course, there will be components of 'Sai-filled' entertainment, both indoors and outdoors.
Let us continue to walk together, open our hearts to Him, and become His instruments. If you haven't yet climbed onboard this US train to self-transformation, it's not too late! Join now, and be a part of the Oneness for Sai.
What can we offer to Swami in the next 100 days?
Sai Banking System
In this time of economic distress, it is comforting to know there is one bank that is still prospering – the Sai Bank! At the Sai Banking System, you will never be denied a need of infinite grace, never struggle to refinance your life mortgage with a lower rate of desires, never overdraft with a negative balance of attitude, and never be short of good credit. Luckily, you are all pre-approved to open your accounts at the nearest location – your heart.
Here is what our CEO has to say:
"Today it is a common practice for people to deposit their money in banks. Likewise, deposit the power of your senses, your mind and wisdom in the bank of God. They will never diminish; they will continue to grow forever and will be returned to you in times of need.” - Sri Sathya Sai Baba : Divine Discourse, July 28, 1999
In line with this conference, four main branches of the Sai Banking System have been set up to help us maximize our spiritual assets. The Meditation branch helps us discover our inner wealth, while the Gayatri branch shares the richness of experience from across the USA. The COD branch teaches us to maintain fiscal and personal responsibility in these trying times, and the Living Service branch returns our investments through awareness and taking right action.
What are you waiting for? Dip in, deposit, and invest in yourself by rediscovering your true value! Happy banking!
YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
Meditation: Discovering your Inner Wealth
Discover the vastness of your inner wealth through meditation. When all the world's gold, silver, and diamonds are found within the depths of one's own being, why search anywhere else?
Swami says "Observe meditation with innocence, purity and humility. Then, without fail you can attain whatever you strive for."
The meditation podcast of the month further highlights what Swami says about light meditation, as well as some exciting research done at Harvard on the impact of meditation on our moods. To listen, go to www.saiyausa.net/
Gayatri: A Wealth of Experience
The power of the Gayatri mantra enriches our lives and unlocks the divinity deposited within each of us.
"One should clearly grasp the sense of the Gayatri Mantra. It is necessary to feel the identity between the effulgent Being (Atma-swarupa) mentioned therein and oneself..there is no treasure richer than the Gayatri." Baba, Dharma Vahini, Ch. 7
This month YAs across the country share a wealth of experiences gained from Gayatri chanting. Visit the Experience Bank online to share your experiences and to inspire your own practice.
Ceiling on Desires: Capital Responsibility
Baba says, “The poor are more fortunate than the wealthy. Since they have less money, they have fewer temptations or opportunities to be wasteful.”
In a time of financial crisis, we naturally think of our responsibility to wisely manage our flow of resources. However, we can remember that we can look at the bigger picture – and think about our greater responsibility to be conscious of our overall patterns of spending.
By building awareness of our actions and reducing our fleeting wants, we guide our hearts to expand and take into account others who are in need of our help.
Living Service: Remembering to Share the Wealth
We have all been given the luxury to experience life. We also have the opportunity to share with others, through selfless service, the wealth of our joy and the richness of life’s encounters.
How much closer can we come to Swami if every action of ours is based on an attitude of selfless service? To achieve this, we must first be aware of the opportunities to serve around us, and then perform the service with the right intention. Cultivating an attitude of service and looking for the opportunity to serve in every interaction is a great way to increase our wealth of inner joy.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
DIRECT DEPOSITS
Here are the ways that you can accumulate your wealth in the SBS this month. Please note -- while various tracking tools and banking aids can be provided, all account balances are monitored directly by our CEO.
Meditation: Practice Light Meditation at least once a week in a group setting – YA meetings, devotional singing, etc. Each time a different YA can lead the meditation. The goal of the Light Meditation is to feel the divine light flow through us into all the activities that we do, making every thought, word, and deed an offering to Swami.
Meditation Banking tools: Look online for our monthly podcasts and light meditation audio guide to aid your meditation practice.
Gayatri -- Continue to chant Gayatri mantra 3 times a day, and share in the wealth of experience from other YAs.
Gayathri Banking tools: Read the YA experiences at the Gayatri Experience Bank online at www.saiyausa.net/
Ceiling on Desires: Continue to reduce a single desire as your offering to Swami. Consider how this practice will allow you to save money. Find opportunities to wisely invest your saved dollars-and-sense.
Ceiling on Desires Banking tools: Participate in this month's Money Wise workshop to learn about Capital Responsibility and responsible spending. Share your thoughts and strategies on the COD section of the Forum at www.saiyausa.net/
Living Service: Remembering to serve others enriches our lives. Be constantly aware of opportunities to live service in small and simple ways every day.
Living Service Banking tools: We may need reminders to build our awareness of opportunities to serve. This month, a set of simple tools will help us remember:
•?Service homepage: Set your web browser's home page to http://www.saiyausa.net/...[TBD] and be reminded of service every time you open a new browser window!
•?Group Sharing: Share your experiences, get reminders about ways to serve, and be inspired from others’ experiences at the Forum on www.saiyausa.net/
More details on each of these can be found on www.saiyausa.net in the Service section.
TESTIMONIALS FROM SATISFIED CLIENTS OF SAI BANKING
During the past few days, I have been reflecting on Living Service. Today, I was feeling sad about not having opportunities to serve. While studying in my room, I had a sudden realization. I looked around my room and thought "If Swami was physically present in my room, how would I serve Him?" The answer was simple: keep it clean. I realized that I was spending a lot of time thinking about "Who can I serve today?" when really, I should have been thinking about "how can I serve Swami today?" Ultimately Swami is everyone, everything, and everywhere. I just need to remember that.
When I go shopping, I try to remember Swami's quote, "Less luggage is more comfort." I used to buy unnecessary things and then would end up returning them. One day my roommate suggested that I could meditate or chant a mantra before shopping in order to alleviate this problem and avoid frivolous purchases. This opened my eyes to how prayer could help me do my regular chores. Since then, I have tried to chant Gayatri or do Namasmarana when I go shopping. This helps me stop for a moment, think it through, and only buy an item if it's really needed. Practicing this has helped me lead a simpler life, feel His Divine presence, and grow closer to Swami.
A YA shares a recollection of a beautiful Swami dream:
I sat down before a projector-screened image of our Beloved Bhagawan in His orange robe. As I gazed at His photo, He manifested from the image. He stared into my eyes and began chanting AUM. The symbol Aum appeared from His mouth in blue misty light. He began teaching me how to chant Gayatri line by line. As I looked at His lips and into His throat while He chanted, I saw the entire universe revolving within. I was delightfully stunned by this Divine vision.
The dream highlighted the importance of our gathering and chanting the Gayatri for the benefit of the entire universe, which was created by Bhagawan.
Meditation has always been a tough thing for me. Usually what comes to my mind is "Ok, I'm sitting here, what do I do next?" and "Am I going in the right direction?" After trying many times and feeling as if I was not making any progress, Swami came to the rescue. I met a devotee who had been practicing meditation for some time. We did group meditation but my mind was still filled with thoughts and discomfort.
Sensing what I was going through, he said that when starting meditation, a powerful way to calm the mind is to find the top 3 "worries,” and then come to a resolution for each one. He made me state them out loud, along with a firm resolution for each one. At first I was embarrassed to share them, but one by one, I felt my mind calming, and after the third resolution, I was gone. The next thing I sensed was the man saying "Now come back to this room." I realized 30 minutes had passed, and I felt a glowing energy through my body.
This technique of coming to a resolution has served me well ever since, both within and outside of meditation. Thank you Swami.
NYC SUPERHERO OF THE MONTH: "The Youngest Heart Donor"
A young student studying in Puttaparthi had the selfless and fervent desire to help his beloved Bhagavan with the construction of the Super Specialty Hospital. Compared with the other financial donors, the boy could only muster a modest offering. After earnest and intense prayer, the student decided to write the following letter to Swami, who was so touched that He read it out loud for all to hear:
Dear Bhagavan:
You have given so much to me and to everyone here. You have provided free education for me and all my brothers and now I hear that you are constructing a BIG Hospital that will provide the most modern health care facilities to every section of the society totally free of cost.
Bhagavan! I also want to be a part of your glorious mission but I am just a small boy and I don't know how I can contribute. Bhagavan, my parents are extremely poor but in spite of that they send me a little extra pocket money every month. I know it's due to their love and concern for me.
Bhagavan! For the last three months I have not given my clothes to the dhobi. While all the other boys were sleeping in the night, I washed my clothes and thus I managed to save a little money. Bhagavan! I have also resisted the temptations of toffees, chocolates and all the other things and thus managed to save a little money.
Bhagavan! I offer this 100 rupee note to you. I feel ashamed and small to give you so little but even if this money can be used to buy a small brick for the new hospital, I will be the happiest child in the world.
--Your Loving Son
This young boy reminds us that the most important offering we have to make to Swami is our heart. The "heart donor" is our superhero, due to his exemplary practice of prayer, COD and service. This month, try to remember that even the smallest actions, when rendered with utmost love and devotion, can touch the heart of our Bhagavan.
*Letter and full story can be found in Sanathana Sarathi, February 1995.
TIPS FOR THE MONTH
1. Meditate or chant Gayatri before going shopping. Ask Swami to guide you to buy only what you need. Take the money you save and use it in service to others.
2. De-clutter your life! Take an inventory of your home/room. Which items are needed and which are not? Donate the unneeded items that are still in good condition.
3. While meditating or chanting Gayatri, channel your light or positive energy to those struggling with material or spiritual need. Consider this as an act of living service.
4. Live service through conscious consumption. Make an effort to buy only what you need, and make sure it is fair trade, sustainably produced, cruelty-free, and/or environmentally friendly.
Additional tips can be found for each initiative in their sections.
January Initiative
"Time for Change"
Pre-Conference Monthly Workshop Series: "Time Wise"
In light of the dawning of the New Year, unprecedented alterations in global environmental patterns, an economy in flux, and the ushering in of new political leaders, it is evident that time for change is upon us. Amidst these unsteady times, Swami provides us with ample opportunities for constant transformation and spiritual growth. One such blessing is the chance to participate in the first US National Youth Conference this May.
As preparation for the journey ahead, we offer a Pre-Conference Initiative Program consisting of Meditation, Gayatri chanting, Living Service, and Ceiling on Desires. These four disciplines offer opportunities to practice spirituality in daily life – internally and externally – and all build upon one another to prepare us for our journey to Sai. Meditation directs our vision inward and calms the mind, while Ceiling our Desires removes any worldly attachments that separate us from our inner divinity. By chanting Gayatri we can channel Divine energy, and put it into action through an attitude of Living Service. These practices, when undertaken together, purify our surroundings and ourselves, such that we may realize our unity as One with Sai.
Let's begin our journey as One for Sai. The moment is bright, the moment is ripe, the moment is now.
"Yet another opportunity is offered to you today… It is the chance to move away from the present pattern of life, where you live in the twilight world of illusion… Seize the opportunity which you now have… then you will experience absolute joy, peace, and the unity of all mankind." -- Baba
Highlights for the Month
Meditation Podcasts
We invite you all to join us in a series of meditation-themed monthly podcasts. The podcasts will cover diverse topics like Introduction to meditation, the Saience and science of meditation, music and meditation, guest speakers etc.
Gayatri Study Circle
We have study circle material available online to help you delve deeper into the importance and power of the Gayatri chant as explained by Swami.
Pre-Conference Monthly Workshop Series: "Time Wise"
As part of the four initiatives, all YAs are asked to participate in one Group Workshop with your local groups. This month, a discussion has been compiled on the topic of time, looking at Swami's words and the social costs of time waste.
NYC Superhero of the Month!
And the winner is…the Tortoise! This character from the beloved classic The Tortoise and the Hare personifies 2 important goals of time management – focus and discipline.
Focus
The Tortoise had his mind set on finishing his task, and finishing it well. He took whatever steps he needed, no more no less, to reach his final goal.
The Hare, however, didn't give any importance to this kind of focus and followed his wandering mind and desires all over the forest.
Discipline
The Tortoise was disciplined enough to put in all the work necessary for attaining his goal in a timely manner. Because of his carefully regimented plan, he did not have to struggle through any part of the race to succeed.
The Hare, due to his laziness, decided that he didn't need to work as hard as the Tortoise to win the race. That may have been true, but the Hare procrastinated so much that even his quick sprint wasn't enough to catch The Tortoise.
So remember… be like the Tortoise this month and practice your time management skills!
Slow and steady wins the race!
Every month we'll compile all of our useful tips here. For more information, visit each initiative's page. Enjoy!
- GIM (Gayatri Instant Message) / GPS (Gayatri phone system) - Pair-up with a friend on IM/Phone and ping/SMS/text message each other daily to remind and chant the gayatri's together. You can even do it together… that’ even more fun!!!
- Conference bridge - For the 21st century sages- in- making, a conference bridge is set up daily (0630, 1230, 1830 - all EST) to chant the mantra 11 times each time. The bridge information - 712-432-0800; Passcode - 386166#
- Gayatri ring tone- A great way to remind ourselves to chant the Gayatri would be to set up Swami chanting the Gayatri as the ring tone. What better way to chant other than with Swami.
- Can you concentrate? Focus the thoughts on Swami for 11 seconds after your daily Gayatri chants and pray to Him to purify our thoughts.
- Not time management, but activity management - No matter how we look at it, we each have an equal 24 hours each day there are always 24 hours in a day to plan all our activities. How can you make the best use of yours?
- Fill your idle time – Listen to bhajans or chant the Gayatri mantra while driving in traffic, riding up/down the elevator, doing household chores, walking on campus etc. If you are taking a bus to work, read some Sai literature or try meditating. Using your idle time in this way can help you lessen the chatter in your life and will help you stay positive through the rest of your day!
- Beat procrastination - It all comes down to just doing it! It is important to be mentally prepared and focused when you take on any task. If it helps, schedule some time in each day to power wind down and relax, so that you can approach your work with a calm and clear mind.
- Simple actions – profound impacts - Pick up trash when walking down the street or reduce the number of plastic bags while shopping.
- Cheer up - Steer a negative conversation into stories with a positive message.