NewsLetter

General Announcements

  • A) SSSE ORIENTATION: As we get started with this year’s SSSE program, all parents are cordially invited to attend the parent orientation on Sunday, 9/ 8. Please see the details below:

    B) SERVICE ACTIVITIES:
         i)  Sept. Pillow making service – Saturday Sept.14th at 2pm 
    Our monthly pillow making and drain bag making service is scheduled for Saturday Sept 14th at 2pm. Please note the change in location. Address for the service is 4916 Enlightenment Rd, Raleigh NC 27616 (5401 North community) hosted by Subbu and Shoba Devarajan. Please use the signup sheet below to participate in this service. 
    Signup for Sept pillow making service
         ii)  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 for pediatric clinic food distribution project
    C) Parthi Pilgrimmage – 2025
    Dear Sai Family Members, With the grace and blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, it gives us great pleasure to invite you to join us for the Parthi Pilgrimage from July 10th -13th 2025 and Seva Activities start from July 5th – 9th 2025.    During the pilgrimage, there will be cultural programs including offering by SSSE students, musical programs by Adults & YA’s and various Seva opportunities including, medical camps, school service and Grama Seva. We kindly request you to confirm your interest of participation by filling out the form below by Oct 1st 2024. This will help us in organizing and planning ahead, as we come together at the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan. With love and gratitude, National Team SSSGC-USA:
    RSVP link:    https://forms.gle/F1e2BnJEXfYNev356

    D) Sunday, Sep 8th at HSNC
    Sai Center Activities on Sunday Sep 8th @ HSNC Rooms 3,4,5,6:
    • 3:15PM – Setup
    • 5:15PM to 6:15PM – Sai Sankeertan Bhajans, Arati and Closing Prayers
    Kindly note that there will be no study circle at 4PM this Sunday due to SSSE New Year Parent Orientation Meeting.
     
    E) Regional Updates – Please visit regional section at https://raleighsaicenter.org/newsletter/#regional for various Prasanthi Nilayam updates, zonal, national and regional announcements. Current updates includes happenings in Prasanthi Nilayam, Likhita Japam initiatives, new regional officers for media and medical director, sadhana hour links, Prasanthi updates from Zone 1, ladies wing initiatives etc.,
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Devotion

  • Sai Center Activities Schedule

    Sai Center Activities on Sunday Sep 8th @ HSNC Rooms 3,4,5,6:

    • 3:15PM – Setup
    • 5:15PM to 6:15PM – Sai Sankeertan Bhajans, Arati and Closing Prayers

    Kindly note that there will be no study circle at 4PM this Sunday due to SSSE New Year Parent Orientation Meeting.

  • Study circle Summary : Union with God

    With Swami’s grace we explored the true goal of life: Union with God. True worship of God consists in seeking union with God by realizing one’s own divinity.If you want real (true) lasting happiness, you can get it only by union with God. We must keep reminding ourselves constantly- “I am God, I am not different from God; I am the indivisible supreme. I am sat-chit-ananda, I am Om thath Sath” By repeating these prayers, we awaken the awareness of divinity within us.
    Love directed toward God in totality is known as bhakti (devotion)
    The form of love is divinity; Divinity is permeated with love. If one is filled with love, he is eligible for union with God.

    Thoughts from members:

    Connection with Swami :
    1)I keep practicing that Swami & I are one. Every thought, action is directed by Swami alone.
    2)I consider Swami as my Guru. I use His teachings as a barometer to verify all my actions.
    3)He is my soulmate. I confide in Him and pray that He guides all my actions.
    Happiness vs. Bliss:
    1)Chasing joy in material objects is temporary & is happiness, whereas being content is bliss.
    We offer our gratitude to Swami for guiding us through this session.

 
  • Bhajan of the week

    Deity: Ganesh
    Raag: Mishra Pahadi

    Taal: 6 Beat / Dadra

    Lyrics:

    Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesha Deva
    Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Deva
    Bhaktoddharana Bhaktha Jana Poshana
    Papavinashana Bhaktha Samrakshana
    Omkara Pranava Sri Roopa
    Parvathi Nandana Jaya Jagavandana
    Meaning:

    Victory to Lord Ganesha, the lord of Ganas who is ever auspicious, always engaged in uplifting, nourishing, redeeming and protecting devotees. He is the source of primordial sound, Pranava. He is the darling son of mother Parvati and worshipped by the whole world.

    Bhajan Link:

    https://youtu.be/mMX0IyRdwS0?si=4qA9qioMNhCJp9jm

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Service

  • RSC Service Activities
    NEW  ANNOUNCEMENT(S)! :
    * Sept. Pillow making service – Saturday Sept.14th at 2pm 
    Our monthly pillow making and drain bag making service is scheduled for Saturday Sept 14th at 2pm. Please note the change in location. Address for the service is 4916 Enlightenment Rd, Raleigh NC 27616 (5401 North community) hosted by Subbu and Shoba Devarajan. Please use the signup sheet below 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.
    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.  NOTE: Please 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
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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-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!
     

     

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Young Adults (YA) Updates

  • YA Satsang with Brother Sai Giridhar – June 28 2024

    Sairam. Young adults of Raleigh Sai Center had a wonderful satsang with Brother Sai Giridhar on 28th June. Brother Sai Giridhar shared his divine experiences with Swami and shared insights about the guidance swami gave him in his student life and professional life. Brother Sai Giridhar elaborated the importance of staying in the present and enjoying the journey without worrying about the end result. To re-iterate the power of staying in the present, he conducted a brief mindfulness activity during the satsang. The activity helped YAs understand the transitory nature of thoughts which are likely to be about the past or the future despite our physical body being in the present – that is here and now.

    Next Young Adult satsang will be organized in the end of July or early August.

    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

 
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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
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Interest Groups Updates

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Regional Update

  • Sairam Dear All,

    Please see the weekly update for the week of September 2 – September 8, 2024 from Prasanthi Connection Zone 1 Committee. Following up with the zone chairs email, for your convenience Prasanthi Connection Zone 1 team is including the information and links below:

    – Email – Week updates of September 2 – September 8, 2024
    Email link: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/941190/emails/130778462077060615

    – Center Announcements – requesting all center presidents to kindly download one page powerpoint slide or image and add to your existing center powerpoint slides. Please spend few minutes to share these updates live with your center members.
    Download Slide link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DCCnacgkUZrFJutlE1QGlfMe57ffSbEx

    – “Your Prasanthi Connection’s” – Centennial Birthday Video Offering
    Krishna Ramoutar Video Url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11sykZNfLyg

    – Need Help with your visit to Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, India?
    Call us at: +1 (909) 736-0119 or Email us at: zone1@prasanthiconnection.org or Web: coming soon

    Sai Ram,
    Prasanthi Connection 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

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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). 

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Thought for the Week

  • Even though the concept of equality in society is important, what is the nuance that is often missed out? Bhagawan clarifies and gives us important instructions on the ways to secure happiness for all.

    You hear nowadays of equality (Samanatva), of each being equal to the rest. This is a wrong notion, for we find parents and children differently equipped; when one is happy, the other is miserable! There is no equality in hunger or joy! Of course, all are equally entitled to love and empathy, and to the grace of God. All are entitled to medicines in the hospital, but what is given to one should not be given to another! There can be no equality in doling out medicines! Each deserves the medicine that will cure him of his illness. I know that this struggle in the name of equality is only one of the ways in which man is trying to get Ananda! In almost all parts of the world, man is today pursuing many such shortcuts and wrong paths to achieve Ananda. But let Me tell you, without reforming conduct, daily behaviour, the little acts of daily life, Ananda will be beyond reach. I consider pravartna (conduct), as the most essential!

    – Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1964.

    –BABA

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