Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Aum Sri Sai Ram New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat Administration of Sai Centers Sathya Sai Baba Centers North Central Region (Region 5) Saturday March 21, 2009

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Purpose of Sai Organization “…to enable man to discover his innate divinity, regain his self- confidence and faith in God. The power and strength derived from the faith in self and the faith in God will be enduring and ever-sustaining. The objective of the Sai Organization is to make people again become aware of this truth and to live in that awareness.” –Discourse to Seva Dal April 1983

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Clarification on the ‘Purpose’ “Truth (God) is One. The same Paramatma (Supreme Soul) is called by different names. This is the cardinal principle on which Sai Organizations work. The unity of faiths is the main plank of Sai Organizations.” –Discourse to Seva Dal April 1983 “This Organization is intended to broaden your love, channelize your activities through devoted service.” –SSS Vol III

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Clarification on the ‘Purpose’ “The Organizations named after Me are not to be used for publicizing My Name or creating a new cult around My worship. They must: –Try to spread interest in sadhanas (spiritual practices) (japa, dhayana) that lead man Godward –Demonstrate the joy derivable from bhajan (devotional singing) and namasmarana (mediation on the Name), the peace one can draw from satsang (company of the good). –Render service to the helpless, sick, distressed, illiterate and needy. Their service should not be exhibitionist; it must seek no reward not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients. “ SSS Vol VI

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Need for Operational Guidelines Why do we need Guidelines? “In order to help the spiritual aspirant to attain this result (knowledge of the Atma as one’s real core) it is necessary to impose some hard rules and limitations. “ “Repetition of the name is the drug but this must be accompanied by the regimen – disciplinary limits and laws.”

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Need for Operational Guidelines Can we adjust or modify these rules? “A song is pleasant to the ear only when there is consistent tune and proper timing. So even for your spiritual sadhana through these Seva units, some rules of discipline are essential and they have to be strictly followed. You should not deviate from them.”

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Need for Operational Guidelines “The rules must be adhered to, to control the wanderings of the mind.” “Rules are protective fences for the mind.” “Do not fret against the rules and regulations which the Organization imposes on you. They are laid down for your own good.”

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Need for Operational Guidelines What if someone does not like these rules? “The objectives, rules and regulations that the Sathya Sai Seva Organizations has laid down have to be scrupulously observed by all, whatever be the difficulties, whatever be the reaction of others. Bear calumny, criticism and neglect with courage; do not allow these to affect your equanimity.”

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Office Bearers: It is a Blessing All are chosen by Swami  Let us be the most effective instruments Be an active worker  Service is an opportunity A special blessing  Work is Worship Start serving FIRST  Be an example Professor Anil Kumar, 2006

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Office Bearers: Service in different capacities SERVICE  Beautiful Continuous Selfless Spiritual/Divine Beyond Vibrant/Effulgent/Ever Fresh Professor Anil Kumar, 2006 When you do my work, I do your work ….. Baba

Live in Love Love is God God is Love Unshaken Faith in Swami, His Teachings, & Sai OrganizationLoveUnityHumility Region 5 New Officers Orientation Mini Retreat : Saturday March 21, Office Bearers: Develop a Sense of Belonging We need to reflect Swami, HIS message in everything that we do:  Accountability  Credibility  Nobility  Quality of the Organization Professor Anil Kumar, 2006 Let us be deserving of the Organization