Spiritual Wing

Devotional Singing

Sai Devotional Singing is often in the form of Bhajans, which are a form of devotional singing traditional to India. Since Sai Baba's ministry began in India, some of the original ideas and words have been retained by the followers of His teaching. Here in New Sai-land these traditional Devotional Songs are sung in English, Sanskrit, and Maori. At larger centres they are usually accompanied by harmonium, drums, cymbals and guitar. Some smaller groups just sing without accompaniment. A lead-singer leads the group through the songs, line by line. Sai Baba has recommended that Devotional Singing should be in whatever language is appropriate to the language of the country.

It is said that when several people gather together to sing the Glory of God, then the atmosphere becomes purified. Mankind, to day, is forced to breathe an atmosphere polluted by sounds that spring from violence, hatred, greed and wickedness. The singing of Bhajans radiating devotion and love, with the melody emerging from the heart, creates a sacred sound that can help purify both the individual and the world. Baba asks us to practice unity in this world of diversity, and the Sanskrit Bhajans help that unity, for Sai groups all over the world, sing the same well-known Bhajan songs. Once these songs have become familiar to us, one can then feel at home in any Sai group the world over. They form, one might say, a universal "Sai language of the heart".

If you would like to know more about Devotional Singing, or find out whether there is a centre that you could attend, click here to go to the contacts section. You can also go to the library section to enquire about the learning tapes. Sai House has a large collection of CD's and cassette tapes of both English and Sanskrit Bhajans for purchase or lending.

Seating at Devotional Singing: In the Sai Organization, men and women are asked to sit separately at Devotional singing sessions. Swami has been quite specific on this subject, and insists that this is the way it must be in Sai Centres all over the world. Many people feel that this is an Indian custom which has been imported and is inappropriate in a Western culture, Baba has several times been asked if this rule could be relaxed as it seems odd in certain Western countries, but He has always refused.

He has said that, "When you mix men and women indiscriminately, there will be no prayers and a lack of concentration." I am well aware that many Westerners feel that this is ridiculous, and they affect the attitude that they are mentally well "above" being bothered by proximity to the opposite sex, but maybe Baba knows better . . . after all, He is inside our minds and hearts, so gets an "inside view", as one might say!

We also tend to under-estimate the fundamental difference in the subtle vibrations that emanate from the two sexes, positive for the men and negative for the women. When the positive and the negative are concentrated in different areas, the vibration from each is strengthened, and the psychic current can flow round the room as an invigorating force. When all is mixed-up, there is no flow; all that you get is a lot of little short-circuits! It may need a little psychic sensitivity to notice this, but the effect exists even if unnoticed.

We have only been asked to apply this ruling of segregation to Devotional Singing Sessions. It does not apply to informal gathering, Study Groups, public seminars, film evenings and the like, though men and women are asked to treat one another as Sai brothers and sisters at all gatherings conducted in His Name.

Study Circles (Discussion Groups)

Study Circles Under the spiritual wing of the Sai Organization Study Group/Circle or Discussion groups is an important activity. Here a group of people meet regularly to discuss spiritual topics, and find their practical application in daily life.

The study groups enable us to learn from the wisdom of saints and other great spiritual leaders. The sacred Scriptures of all religions can be studied and discussed.

Sai literature, and the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba are also studied in depth. Therefore any literature that provides spirituality, awakening and inspiration is suitable for discussion. A Study Group provides an excellent opportunity for members to come to an understanding and practice of Sai teachings and other great spiritual Truths.

According to Sai Baba, hearing the words of Truth, reflecting on those words and experiencing them in practice, is an important step to spiritual understanding. The readings of the teachings provide the opportunity to hear the spoken word which can be far more potent than silent reading. The discussion that follows allows the many views of the teaching to be shared as each sees it from a different view point.

Sharing widens the understanding. We clarify our ideas and doubts; learn to express our views on spiritual topics. We learn to listen more closely to others ideas and to consider other viewpoints. By sharing thus with our fellow aspirants, we are inspired to regularly practice the spiritual disciplines.

Study Groups usually have a "facilitator" whose main job is to see that the discussion remains centred on spiritual topics, and does not degenerate into a conversation on purely mundane issues. The usual practice is for each person in the group to read a passage from whatever book has been chosen; this passage is then discussed before the next person reads the following one.

It can sometimes happen that some of the people in the group find difficulty in reading the passages allowed (especially if English is not their "mother-tongue"), and, in such cases it is sometimes better that the facilitator should do the reading, but it is still necessary to pause for the necessary discussion on each passage, as it is only in through sharing one's understanding of what has been read that a full understanding of the meaning can be reached.

As an alternative to the above method, the group can meet to discuss certain specific spiritual topics. In this case, it is usual for the topic that has been chosen to be announced in advance, so that each member can think about it in beforehand and even bring along some relevant texts.

In either case it is recommended that groups meet regularly and the numbers be kept to a maximum of 12/15 as participation plays an important part in the functioning of the study groups. If the number is too great, some people do not always get the necessary chance to express themselves. A deep feeling of unity very soon grows between the various members of a Study Group, for each has learned to listen to the others with attention and respect, and, in this totally un-critical atmosphere, has also found the courage to express himself or herself freely. Only those who have experienced it, can know how profoundly uplifting it can be to spend an hour or so in the company of like-minded people, and with the mind focussed solely on spiritual subjects.

Click here to go to the calendar section, to enquire if there is a study circle happening near you.

Retreat Camps And Seminars

Running retreats and organizing seminars, is also an important part of the work of the Sathya Sai Organization, for these fulfil a much-felt need. While Sai Baba does not want us to publicise Him, there is none-the-less necessary to make knowledge about Him available -- not to do so would be hogging knowledge of Him selfishly to ourselves. There are countless people in today's world who are hungry for Truth, and who are earnestly seeking for the meaning and purpose of life. It is for these that has Baba come, and it is for such as these that the Organization needs to run seminars and the like.

Those who are already on a God-ward path need not, and should not, be disturbed in their allegiance. All religions adore the One and Only God known by different Names. As Baba says, "God is the harmony of all the forms and Names that men give Him". He advises each to "observe the code of conduct laid down in his or her own religion. Continue the worship of God of your choice along the lines already familiar to you", as long as this does not lead one to "criticise or cast slurs on the beliefs of another". But there are many others who have not yet found their spiritual haven, and who are still tossed on a sea of many doubts.

Retreat Camps also focus on giving people a better insight into the Goal of Life and a greater understanding of Baba's Teaching, but such camps fulfil another need as well -- that of bonding people together into one large family. Many New Zealand devotees find themselves very isolated from others on a similar path, and they greatly look forward to these camps. Baba often speaks of the benefit of being in the company of others on the God-ward path. Good company is known as Satsang, and the Retreat Camps provide people with just that; people come away from them feeling spiritually re-charged and ready to face the problems of life with renewed courage and self-confidence.

Group Meditation

"To live in constant awareness of the truth, the truth that there is only one thing that truly exists - the divine ". Group meditation sessions are regularly conducted to motivate sincere spiritual aspirants towards realizing this ultimate goal. It brings about inner strength, mastery of the mind and in its depth of silence, lies an inner peace that is indescribable!

See calendar of events section for details about up coming events such as retreats, seminars, study circles, meditation and yoga sessions.