NewsLetter

General Announcements

  • A) SSSGC Region 3 Retreat May 24th-27th, 2024:

    Regional retreat -2024 RSC host volunteer form: We are looking for volunteers who can host devotees coming from various Sai centers in your home.  We are in need of 75 – 100 homes to host incoming devotees. Please use below form to share few details if you are willing to host:

    RSC Host volunteers (google.com)
    B) SSSE Parents study circle . For more details please refer Flyer

    Detailed summary available at SSSE

    C) Sadhana Initiative organized:

    Please note there is a Sadhana Initiative commemorating Bhagavan’s Centennial Celebrations. Rudram Learning Session – : To help follow Bhagawan’s guidance on chanting Rudram, every third Friday will feature a Rudram learning session conducted by brother Venkataramana. These classes will start from the third Friday, March 15th.  More details are available in the regional announcements tab

    D) Service activities :
        1) March 31, 2024 – Refugee/immigrant support – household essentials
    Our quarterly service to support recent immigrant/refugee families moved into the Raleigh-Durham area with household essentials to start their move to the area. Please use the signup sheet below to participate in this service. Drop off essentials by March 31st at 719 McRae Rd, Cary.    Signup for Refugee/immigrant support service
     2) Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu (Tree planting)
    Raleigh Sai center is teaming up with Trees for the Triangle organization for our Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu project. Interested volunteers to participate in this service, please register for volunteer at https://treesforthetriangle.org/volunteer/ and Dave from Trees for the triangle will communicate on the dates of planting

    E) Women’s Wing March Workshop : Please save the date! Our next Women’s Wing Workshop on Gardening and Spirituality will be on *March 16, 3:00-5:15pm* at HSNC. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from a Master Gardener from Wake County. There will be 3 workshops where you will learn about micro-greens, how to grow flowers and your favorite Indian vegetables. Lots of hands-on activities to explore, tips (irrespective of what type of garden you have), and seeds to take home with you!

    For our service activity, we will be collecting supplies for the Raleigh Women’s Center.
    Please sign up here – signup link

    Link to join (Ladies only)Whatsapp Link

    F) Sai samarpan magazine articles link is available on Raleigh Sai center website. The last date of submission is extended to the 3rd week of March.

    G) Sunday, Mar 17th at HSNC Room 7: 

    • 2:45 to 3:15PM – Vedam Learning session for SSSE Students for Easwaramma day

       

    HSNC Rooms: 3,4,5,6:

        • 3:15 PM – Setup
        • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Study Circle led by YAs (All are welcome to join)
        • 5:05 PM – 6:15 PM – Bhajans by YAs, Arati and Closing Prayers

    Power of Prayer:  It is good to remember Swami’s guidance to remain calm in all situations. We need to follow the guidance of our national and local medical and infectious disease experts. We should remember that prayers are very powerful. The Sai Gayatri mantra as well as the Gayatri mantra is being chanted by Sai devotees around the world for the welfare of humanity. Let us all be united and pray with intensity as often as possible. This is an important spiritual practice that can spread positive energy.

Devotion

  • Sai Center Activities Schedule

       Sunday, Mar 17th at HSNC Room 7:

    • 2:45 to 3:15PM – Vedam Learning session for SSSE Students for Easwaramma day

       

    at HSNC Rooms: 3,4,5,6:

    • 3:15 PM – Setup
    • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Study Circle led by YAs (All are welcome to join)
    • 5:05 PM – 6:15 PM – Bhajans by YAs, Arati and Closing Prayers

  • Study circle Summary : Putting Swami’s Teachings into Practice – Part 3

    We concluded this topic with Swami’s grace. This week we reviewed the “Inner Instrument” (Antah Karana) which is made up of 4 components: Mind, Intellect, Memory & Ego.
    We perceive the world with the Inner instrument which receive input from “Outer Instruments”; our sense organs.
    This inner instrument is subject to 4 types of challenges-Delusion, Danger resulting from delusion, Weakness of these instruments & jealousy.
    To overcome these challenges, Swami urges us to
    Think no evil; think what is good.
    See no evil; see what is good.
    Hear no evil; hear what is good.
    Talk no evil; talk what is good.
    Do no evil; do what is good.

    Here’s what we’ve learnt over the 3 sessions to overcome the mind’s challenges & practice these lessons consistently.
    1) To realize God is the foremost task in life.
    2) One must purify the mind to realize God.
    3) The first prerequisite is consuming pure food. Atleast chant Brahmarpanam prayer prior to every meal.
    4) Bend the body, mend the senses, and end the mind.
    5) Develop love for all. Love is God. Live in Love.
    6) Feel happy when others are happy. Do not give room for envy.
    Grateful to Swami for guiding us through these sessions!

    Jai Sai Ram!

 

  • Bhajan of the week

    Deity: Shiva
    Raag: Shankarabharanam/ Bilawal

    Taal: 8 Beat / Keherwa / Adi

    Lyrics:

    Atma Lingam Bhajorey Ati Adbhuta Lingam Bhajorey
    Naga Lingam Navamani Lingam
    Nabhi Kamala Udbhava Lingam
    Eshwara Lingam Bhajorey Sayeeshwara (Partheeshwara) Lingam Bhajorey
    Meaning:
    Sing in praise of the Atma Lingam, the auspicious and astonishing divine form of Lord Shiva, the Naga Lingam studded with nine precious stones that has emerged out of the navel of Shiva. Sing in praise of the Eshwara Lingam and Sayeeshwara Lingam.

    Bhajan Link:

    https://youtu.be/xPLAQms5mxg?si=5GTssmQlnYmY7ODn

Service

  • RSC Service Activities
    NEW  ANNOUNCEMENT(S)! :
    * March 24, 2024 – Fresh fruit brown bag service
    Our monthly fresh fruit brown bag service to support Cumberland county older adults with fresh fruits. Drop off by  March 24th by 12pm at 719 McRae Rd, Cary. Please use the signup sheet below to participate in this service.
    * March 24, 2024 – Sunday food service
    Our bi-monthly Sunday food service to support Raleigh Shelter. Volunteers cook food at home and drop off at common place and delivery volunteer will deliver food at the shelter. Please use the signup sheet below for more details and to participate in this service.
    * March 31, 2024 – Refugee/immigrant support – household essentials
    Our quarterly service to support recent immigrant/refugee families moved into the Raleigh-Durham area with household essentials to start their move to the area. Please use the signup sheet below to participate in this service. Drop off essentials by March 31st at 719 McRae Rd, Cary.
    * Habitat for Humanity construction volunteer service
    Here are the construction support volunteer opportunity dates given to our Raleigh Sai Center
    • Saturday, March 9th  Kick-off weekend
    • Saturday March 23rd (8:15am to 3:30pm)
    • Saturday April 13th (8:15am to 3:30pm)
    • Saturday June 1st (8:15am to 3:30pm)
    Add your name to our internal signup sheet and register on-line on Habitat site at http://vhub.at/SpringOPP  and sign required waivers.
    * Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu (Tree planting)
    Raleigh Sai center is teaming up with Trees for the Triangle organization for our Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu project. Interested volunteers to participate in this service, please register for volunteer at https://treesforthetriangle.org/volunteer/ and Dave from Trees for the triangle will communicate on the dates of planting.
    To participate in active service projects, please see list below.
    Service name and Date/time Service Activity Details Locations & Sign up
    Sunday Food Service: Men’s shelter – Raleigh (Every alternate Sunday)   Preparing food at Volunteer homes and drop at common place. Volunteer will deliver at Raleigh Men’s shelter by 2pm 1420 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601Please click here to sign up for Sunday service.
    SAI Tutoring Program Volunteers provide weekly one to one tutoring via Zoom to an underserved elementary school student from the Durham Public School district. The focus is on ELA and math enrichment and also providing mentorship. NOTE: Please contact service@raleighsaicenter.org if you are interested in getting involved.
    Growing Sai’s Love – Garden project RSC’s pilot program Growing Sai’s Love to help our Sai Community members get more self-reliant by learning to grow their own fresh, healthy vegetables, fruits, flowers, in their backyard. Members can also use these for service and center activities. NOTE: Please contact service coordinator service@raleighsaicenter.org if you would like to participate in this service.
    Raleigh Men’s shelter Breakfast service Monthly Breakfast service on 3rd Saturday to support Raleigh Men’s Shelter. Please drop off items at 719 McRae Rd, Cary on 3rd Friday of the month by 7pm so volunteers can take supplies to the shelter on Saturday morning to cook and serve breakfast.
    Recycling project Recycling project that involves used batteries, medication(s), small electronics and bulbs.  NOTEPlease contact service coordinator service@raleighsaicenter.org if you would like to participate in this service.
    Pediatric Clinic Food Distribution Project This bi-weekly project involves distributing grocery bags to Lincoln Community Health Center Pediatric Clinic’s families in need. Any identified family visiting the pediatric clinic who is facing food insecurity will be given a grocery bag filled with dry/canned goods as well as a list of local food resources in the Durham area. Signup sheet has instructions and Grocery list
     Food drive for Inter-faith Food Shuttle, Durham by Group 3 SSSE Students every month  Group 3 SSSE students form leads in their communities and conduct food drive. Please contact Group 3 teachers for more information. Collected food will be delivered during first week of every month atInter-faith Food Shuttle

    2436 S. Miami Blvd, Suite 200-9

    Durham, NC

SSSE

  • Pre-SSSE

    CLASS DATE: 02/18/2024 TEACHERS:    Lakshmi, Bhuvana, Radhika, Hima 
    SUMMARY:  Valentine’s Day ATTENDANCE: 
    Class was started with 3 Om and Gayathri.
    Next was ‘Swami in our heart’ by Lakshmi Aunty. We all closed our eyes and visited Swami in our hearts. They hugged Swami and invited him to join us for the Pre SSSE class.
    Next did the discussion on Valentine’s Day.
    We discussed what is Valentine’s Day?
    This is a day we show love to everyone. God is Love.
    Swami will be happy when love all.
    Swami says we should,
    Start the day is love
    Spend the day with love
    End the day with love
    How do we show love to everyone?
    How do we start the day with love?
    How do we fill the day with love?
    How do we end the day with love?
    Children came up with so many ways for it.
    – by being kind
    – by being nice
    – by helping each other
    – by sharing
    – by listening
    – by giving a hug
    – ⁠by cleaning up the toys after we play

    After this Bhuvana Aunty taught them the bhajan
    ‘Love is my form’
    Then for art and craft time Sreevidya Aunty came and taught the children to make a flower. Children also had fun drawing a heart and coloring it.
    It was time for a short snack break.
    Following this Lakshmi Aunty read the book ‘My best friend’
    Activity of the Week:
    Give mom and dad a big hug before going to bed.

  • SSSE group1

     

     CLASS  DATE: 3/3/2024

    TEACHER(S): Sunitha, Nitya, Aditi, Sharanya, Aruna 
     Topic:  Kindness  Attendance:  26/37
    Theme for the Year: Our Life, His MessageSub-theme for Quarter 2: Duty and ResponsibilityTopics for Quarter 2

    1. Duty – Be on Time, Do your bit for the family
    2. Be a responsible family member, do your part
    3. Personal responsibility- Cleanliness
    4. Do not pass your responsibility to someone else
    5. Do your duty without being told

    Topics for Quarter 3:

    1. Self-respect
    2. Kindness

    CLASS SUMMARY

    We talked about what is kindness and the 3 ways to practice kindness
    1.⁠ ⁠Thought – thinking kind thoughts(eg. Praying when an emergency vehicle passes by, etc)
    2.⁠ ⁠Word – speaking kind words
    3.⁠ ⁠Deed- practicing kind actions like helping around the house. Helping friends /teachers in school with their work.
    Please help them practice kindness
    We had a wonderful and interactive class and we read a book called “The invisible boy”. Please ask them about the book and what they learnt from it.

    Please find the link for the life application tracker. You can print it out and stick it to the notebook just like we did so they can track the life application they are practicing : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V8Q7VqVowh5_q-777B1JUkpatrFcAUUYc8MLy_QJM1w/edit?usp=drive_link

    Life application:
    The new life application activity/challenge for this month is to ‘Brush Teeth TWICE a Day’
    Children will put a tick mark in their tracker only when brushing twice, both morning and night. Just one-time brushing doesn’t count for the challenge! The Be On Time Challenge continues!!

    Easwaramma Day sign-up link:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IbXRl4Kr2ka2VZJb3q9EBY5KrLfurx69KriT1bfrfwc/edit?usp=drivesdk

    Bhajans learned:

    1. Om Shivaya Om Shivaya

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/311

    2. Jaya Hari Krishna Jaya Hari Krishna

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/2684

    3. Ram Lakshman Janki

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/209

    4. Hare rama Hare rama

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/2607

    5.Love is the way

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/2400

    6. Govinda Gopala Prabhu Giridhari dhari
    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/1630

    7. Lingashtakam – https://bhaktinidhi.com/en/lingashtakam-in-english/

    Archives:

    https://raleighsaicenter.org/sse-group1-archives/

    Calendar:


     

  • SSSE-Group2

    CLASS  DATE: 03/10/2024 TEACHER(S): Jagruti, Lalitha
    Theme: My life is my message to your life is my message  Attendance:  26/40
    Class started with Omkar, silent sitting with Gayatri Mantra, shlokas, and a recap of our last class.
    Summary of the Class: 

    We started the class by sharing experiences of life application and recap of last class on namasmarana, We started Miracles of Swami as a part of quarterly topic of My life is my message. We spoke about Vibhuti. What is vibhuti? How is it considered sacred and it’s unique features with help of Bhagwat Geeta sloka 24 from chapter 2. We did experiment to show how vibhuti too can not be harmed by any weapon, can not be burnt, can not be dissolve and can not be dried further as in driest form. How Swami and Shirdi baba both the avatars manifested vibhuti and udi and shared stories of power of udi and videos of Sai materializing vibhuti. We shared information how vibhuti is made in factory and story of vibhuti mantra.

    Vibhuri miracle-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHwW_eDHI3Y

    Vibhuti mantra origin story       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHwW_eDHI3Y

    We also learning following bhajans for upcoming Sai Madhuram.

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/2697

    https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/2862

    Life application: 

    We have given them a daily diary to follow life application. Reflect and make it a habit to show Respect to all –

    1. Was I respectful today?- Greet everyone respectfully with smile.
    2. Did I practice help ever hurt never?- Help mom to get ready for school.

    We concluded the class with prayers.

    Note to parents: Please encourage children to maintain their daily diary.

    Thank you 

    Sairam

  • SSSE-Group3

    CLASS  DATE:    03/03/2024

    TEACHER(S): Nalini, Gangadher, Sravanti, Aneesha
    Topic: Life is a game Play it – Personality Development   Attendance: 20
    Sairam dear parents

    Please find the class notes, we had brother Ravi talk to students about Leadership skills with many real world examples
    – Who is a leader- lead by example
    – What is leadership- raising above self interest
    – Different types of leadership
    – Why few considered as leaders failed later- lack of ethics & morals
    – He took examples for Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Few contemporary Company CEO’s to discuss further about leading by Force vs leading by example
    – ⁠Qualities of good leader- proactive, inspire, self driven, good communication skills, responsible, trustworthy, confident
    – ⁠Swami (our Guide, Guru, God) leading by example with emphasis on self improvement
    – Who is True leader- one who aligns with the source within and operate from a place beyond self interest.

    Brother will share his own personal experiences with Swami, guidance & grace that he received from Swami, this Sunday on 3/10.

  • SSSE-Group4

     

    SaiRam All!  

    HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!  May Swami continue shower his blessings upon you!

    For the January 7th class, we had 12 girls, and 6 boys attend.  Teachers for January 7th Class – Mouli Uncle Vini Aunty & Haritha Akka.

    The agenda and key topics/discussions/presentations in class are described below:

    • 3 OM’s, Swami Prayer
    • Each Group 4 sub-group (Devotion, Service, Enrichment) provided a quick update of activities.
    • Devotion Team (assist in Eshwaramma Day Planning and Committee Assignments – Total of 9)
    • Service Team (assist in planning and details to support Womens Shelter Dinner committed for Sunday January 28th evening
    • Enrichment Team is planning a Sports Day in April, details like date and which groups will be involved are in progress.
    • Next, the Group 4’s continued and completed the interactive workshop on Conflict Management, where teachers provided specific examples for students to select and then had them discuss, review and come up with resolutions in the class.
    • Student Led vs. Teacher Led Presentations:
      • Group 4 students are continuing to do peer presentations in front of their class on topics that they choose, and think is relevant in their lives. 
      • We have now had 5 Presentations conducted by Group 4 students –> Akshara (‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’), Vishu (‘Time Management’), Samhitha (‘Discipline’), Harshitha (‘Avoiding Comparison, – Learning to Appreciate Yourself’) and Ananya (‘Positive Attitude’).  Every class we will try to have 2 Group 4 presenters, present for 10 minutes followed by interactive Q&A.  Group 4 teachers have provided a presentation template for the students to follow.  All presentations must include specific quotes and lessons from SWAMI.
      • Each Presentation was videotaped and sent to each Group 4 student who presented for their personal review and to identify areas of improvement in public speaking. 
      • Presenter this week was Saanvi.  Throughout the SSSE year the following Group 4 students have presented – Akshara, Vishu, Saipreeti, Arnav, Samhitha, Harshitha, Hansika.  The rest of the students will be presenting throughout classes in 2024.
    • We started on a new interactive workshop on “Handling and Overcoming Rejection”.   We asked each student to provide an example of a Rejection they went through, how they handled at the time, and how they would handle differently at this time.  Group 4 peers were able to provide each other good feedback.   Many Swami quotes on the topic were reviewed as part of the workshop.
    • Updated Student Saadhanas and Challenges to overcome worksheet was re-sent to students incorporating the ability to add specific New Years Resolutions.

    Class ended with Om, 3 Shanthis & then Snacks.

    Jai Sai Ram!

     

    Note to Parents:

    Sairam Parents –

    In December, Students requests a ‘movie day’ to enhance team bonding. We will host at Raman Residence a Movie afternoon on Saturday January 20th.  We’ve asked students to vote on what movie they wish to watch. The movie day is in lieu of the January 21st class.  More details will follow next week, thanks.

    -Group 4 Teachers.

    Jai Sai Ram!

     

     

Young Adults (YA) Updates

  • GAYATHRI BEADS BRACELET SERVICE

    SERVICE TO MAN IS SERVICE TO GOD

    Sairam,

    We will chant and energize beads using the power of Gayathri Mantra, make them into bracelets and offer it to people in need like hospital patients and people in senior care homes.

    Steps to follow:

    TAKE ONE BEAD IN YOUR HAND
    CHANT GAYATHRI MANTHRA 108 TIMES WHILE HOLDING THE BEAD
    AFTER CHANTING 108 TIMES, PRAY THIS BEAD HELP SOMEONE
    KEEP THIS ENERGIZED BEAD SAFELY IN A SEPARATE BAG FROM THE OTHER BEADS
    PRAY AND ENERGIZE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE
    ONCE READY, EMAIL  ya@raleighsaicenter.org  TO DELIVER AND RECEIVE MORE BEADS  
    BEADS WILL BE CONVERTED TO BRACELETS AND GIVEN TO HOSPITAL PATIENTS OR SENIOR CARE HOMES

 

Seniors Corner

  • Seniors group :

    1. PRAYER BRACELET PROJECT FOR THE PATIENTS AT WAKEMED HOSPITAL:   This project was initiated by senior members of the Raleigh Sai Center, in collaboration with the Senior Club of Hindu Society of North Carolina (HSNC) and the members of Raleigh Sai Center. Bracelets are made with 18 crystal glass beads and filler beads for men and women. Members recite Gayatri Mantra or similar prayer based on their religious background 108 times with each glass bead. Bracelets are put in small cloth bags (stitched by the members) along with a printed message from the WakeMed Hospital. These bracelets are given to the interested patients by the hospital volunteers. Each month hospital volunteers are requesting 30-40 bracelets. Patients are very much appreciative of having the prayer bracelets during their convalescence. Photo of a bracelet offering can be seen below:
      https://drive.google.com/file/d/177CLfNxjNoLJKkdD8RW9q0EuVvV1985t/view?usp=share_link

     2. RSC  Seniors Group is planning to make the Vibuthi Packets for distribution during  Aradhana Day, Easwaramma Day, Guru Poornima and Swami’s birthday celebrations. Our Senior Group is doing this as a spiritual sadhana of writing “Aum Sri Sairam” on one side of the paper and then cut the paper into four parts, include vibuthi in the unwritten side and fold the paper to make vibuthi packets for distribution. 

    3. Some members of the Senior Group are meeting virtually on Thursday afternoons at 3:00 pm to discuss the application of Swami’s messages in their everyday lives. If you are interested in participating in the virtual meetings or to participate in seva activities with senior’s, please email:   seniors@raleighsaicenter.org

Interest Groups Updates

Regional Update

  • Sairam,  Please visit below link for announcements from our Zone.  A special birthday offering and details can be accessed at the below link:

    https://www.sssgc-zone1.org/post/sai-inspires-jan-01-2024

    Guru Purnima Sri Sathya Sai Medical Camp in July.

    One whose heart is filled with compassion,
    Whose words spell truth,
    And who works for the welfare for others
    Will never suffer from difficulties
    Or diseases even in the Kali Age. – Sri Sathya Sai Baba, February 6, 1993

    With Swami’s Grace, the annual Guru Purnima Sri Sathya Sai Medical Camp will be held from 18th of July to the 22nd of July, 2024 in Prasanthi Nilayam, N1 building. Health Care Professionals from around the world are invited to join together in unity with this unique opportunity to provide service on the holy grounds of Prasanthi Nilayam. Non-medical volunteers, especially young adults, are also needed and most welcome to join and serve in various capacities. Space is limited and registration needs to be done in advance with a deadline of May 20, 2024. Please refer the flyer for more details.

    Medical Professional Registration 2024: https://bit.ly/MedicalProfessionalRegistration2024
    Non-Medical Volunteer Registration 2024: https://bit.ly/NonMedicalVolunteerRegistration2024

    ——-
    Dr. Axay Shanti Kalathia
    SSSGC, Zone 1 Chair

    https://www.sssgc-zone1.org/
    https://www.srisathyasaiglobalcouncil.org/
    https://www.sssmediacentre.org/#/

     SSSGC-USA Announcement of National Deputy YA Coordinators

    Jai Sai Ram!

    Our SSSGC-USA team is excited to announce the selection of two outstanding Sai Young Adults to join the national YA team. Please welcome Arunima Prakash and Rushi Thanawala to their new respective roles as national deputy YA coordinators – they are welcome additions who each bring unique talents combined with unquestioned commitment to Swami’s teachings.

    Jaysai Ghayal will continue in his role as the National Male YA Coordinator, and the National YA Advisors remain Geeta Reid and Ketan Kharod.

    Also, please stay on the lookout for upcoming announcements regarding the 2024 Sri Sathya Sai Global Young Adult Conference (SSSGYAC), taking place in Prasanthi Nilayam on July 12-14, 2024 (visit www.sssgyac.com for registration and more details), and other activities and opportunities of special interest to USA Sai Young Adults.

    About Arunima Prakash (National Deputy Female YA Coordinator)

    Arunima Prakash is a Ph.D. student in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, working on improving forecast models for space weather, and studying the effect of geomagnetic storms on the Earth’s upper atmosphere. She is an alumna of Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas (India) and has been associated with Swami’s organization since childhood. Arunima was blessed with an opportunity to speak at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam as the emcee for the All-India Ladies Conference, and as a speaker for the All-India Balvikas Alumni meet. She is also an alumna of the SSSILP and previously served as the female YA coordinator for her Sathya Sai center in Boulder.  Arunima considers herself blessed for having the rare opportunity to sing bhajans in Antarctica – every day for 6 months (during a research deployment).  She also has a picture of Swami in her room, which she will emphatically tell you is a picture of her best friend “high-fiving” her.

    About Rushi Thanawala (National Deputy Male YA Coordinator)

     

    Rushi Thanawala is fortunate to have been born into a family that has been devoted to Bhagawan for more than 55 years. He has undergraduate degrees in Biology and Music, and is currently pursuing an MBA. Currently, he works as a Supervisor of Bioanalytical Research & Development in a leading pharmaceutical company. Rushi has served various roles in the Sai Organization including YA Coordinator in Philadelphia, and Devotional Coordinator and Vice President in Jersey City. He currently serves as the President of the SSSGC-USA Center of Jersey City. His greatest passion is bhajans; he has been singing bhajans, playing tabla, and composing bhajans since his childhood. He enjoys organizing bhajan and musical offerings with Sai Young Adults from all over the world.

    Please share this email with all the members.

    ***************************************************************************************************************

    Sadhana Hour Initiative

    ***************************************************************************************************************

    Sairam to All!

    Please see email below from the National Devotional Coordinator about the Sadhana Initiative commemorating Bhagavan’s Centennial Celebrations. This will be held on Fridays, starting March 1st.
    Please share with all devotees.

    Jai Sai Ram!

    Ravi Nakkina- Regional DC
    Region 3 Team.

    Sairam Dear All. I hope you and your families are doing well by Bhagawan’s immense Grace. As we joyously prepare for Swami’s centennial birthday celebrations, I am excited to share with you the details of our upcoming initiatives that aim to help with our Sadhana and enrich our spiritual journey.

    Sadhana Hour – Fridays, 9 PM to 10 PM EST: Starting March 1st, we will gather for “Sadhana Hour” on most Fridays on zoom.

    First Friday of Each Month – Bhajan best practices and Learning Sessions: Sessions on the first Friday of every month will delve into best practices on leading bhajans and workshops on learning to play common instruments used in bhajans such as taalam, kanjira, harmonium, and tabla. We kick off this series with Sai Shruthi and Rashmi guiding us through the basics of playing taalam on Friday, March 1st.

    Second Friday of Each Month – Study Circle Sessions: Eminent Sai devotees will moderate study circle sessions on the second Friday of each month. On the second Friday, March 8th, brother Ravi Mariwalla will lead a study circle on the topic “Practice & Inspire.” Please review the attached study guide beforehand for an enriching study circle session.

    Third Friday of Each Month – Rudram Learning Session – :

    Sairam All! ”Sadhana Hour” for this week is scheduled for the upcoming Friday, March 15th, from 9 PM to 10 PM EST. As it is the third Friday of the month, our focus will be on learning to chant Sri Rudram.

    We are honored to have Dr. Venkata Ramana, an accomplished vedam teacher who learnt and taught vedam at Prasanthinilayam during his student days, leading these sessions. Dr. Venkata Ramana has generously agreed to share his expertise, offering us a unique opportunity to delve into proper pronunciation, intonation, and the profound meanings behind the chant.
    During this week’s session, Dr. Venkata Ramana will guide us through a portion of the 1st Anuvaka. To support our learning, an audio-PDF that has been compiled by SSSBPT is included below.
    Please take note of the updated Zoom invite for these sessions. 

    Zoom Session Details:

    “Sadhana Hour” – Bhagawan’s Centennial Birthday Celebrations

    Time: Friday March 15th, 9 PM EST – 10PM EST

    Join Zoom Meeting : https://bit.ly/SSSGCUSASadhanaHour

    In Swami’s Service,

    Dhurjati Mudigonda
    Devotional Coordinator, SSSGC-USA

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    SSSGC Region 3 Retreat May 24th-27th, 2024

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    Loving Sairams to all of you!

    We are very excited to announce that by the Grace of our Dear Bhagavan we have the absolute honor of hosting 2 guest speakers whose inspiring talks will help rejuvenate and recharge our connections with the Lord!
    Our esteemed speakers will be Shri S.S. Naganand from Parthi and Shri Shitu Chudasama from the UK. We will also have other well known speakers from the Region and India as well.
    Please see the attached flyer below.

    We invite all of you to come help to organize and participate in your annual Region 3 Retreat which will be held in Raleigh, NC during the Memorial Day weekend. Please reach out to your center president or group lead if you are interested in serving on a committee to help with logistics and planning for the retreat. Please share widely.

    We hope to see you all in Raleigh to come and collectively celebrate our Love for Swami!

    Jai Sai Ram!
    Region 3 team

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Media Repository

  • The media repository for all past events is now available in our main page under this link. If you need the password, please email info@raleighsaicenter.org

Sai Center Officers

  • Officer Role
    Name
    Email Address
    President
    Senthil Kumar
    president@raleighsaicenter.org
    Vice-President
    Gopal Somu
    vp@raleighsaicenter.org
    Education (SSSE) Co-ordinator
    Jagruti Mariwalla
    education@raleighsaicenter.org
    Devotional Co-ordinator
    Saideepa Subramanian
    devotion@raleighsaicenter.org
    Service Co-ordinator
    Param Dasana
    service@raleighsaicenter.org
    YA Co-ordinator(s)
    Sayee Shruti Manickam, Krishna Kumar Ramachandran
    ya@raleighsaicenter.org

    If you have any questions, please email the respective office bearer. Click here to access their phone numbers (password protected). 

Thought for the Week

  • What is the fundamental essence of Vedantic wisdom that we must not lose sight of?

    Bhagawan reminds us so that we may understand the right inner meaning of the scriptures.

    At present, since education has spread widely and since education has meant only book-learning, people have become cynical. They doubt even the simplest statement and revel in wild discussions. The exponents of our culture speak about God being One and Only, of His Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence. At the same time, they speak of rivalry between the various aspects of the Divine. Thus, they sow the seeds of doubt in men’s hearts. The Brahman principle, the Cosmic Atma, is known by different names and pictured with different forms like gold in a variety of jewels. All is Brahman, Atma, OM. Ayam Atma Brahma (this Atma is the Divine Principle) declares the Veda. God is Almighty. It is sacrilege to ascribe human weaknesses to Him. Myths and legends about the mystery of God contain symbolic meanings, which are ignored. They yield their inner truth only to those who seek. – Divine Discourse, Jan 04, 1987.   BABA