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Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart. Interactive Workshop - Self‐Development. National Orientation & Welcome Day 2012. Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK. Objectives. To be aware of the process of self‐ development whilst on a spiritual journey

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Heart to Heart

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  1. Heart to Heart Interactive Workshop - Self‐Development National Orientation & Welcome Day 2012 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  2. Objectives • To be aware of the process of self‐ development whilst on a spiritual journey • To reflect on the shared experiences in facing the challenges to self‐development • To identify some tools that ensure success and fulfilment to those practising self‐development ‘This Organisation must elevate the human in to Divine’-SSS Speaks Vol.7 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  3. Structure 3 parts • PART 1- Quick recap of the terms‐ spiritual, self‐development, and service. • PART 2- Recognise the challenges faced along the way • PART 3- Discuss the tools that aid and ensure successful self‐development Please keep your comments brief; this will allow everyone to participate Do not be part-time devotees; be ever Sadhakasand Sevakas- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  4. General Comments • The motive and attitude behind this Workshop is one of Sharing & Learning only: NOT TEACHING • There isn’t anything in this that is new or previously unknown • All scenarios are fictional and situational • Let us keep Bhagawan firmly in our hearts and minds in this Workshop. ‘All individuals are expressions of My Will’ – Baba SSS Speaks Vol.8, p29 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  5. Part 1 Sai Organisation is for Spiritual or Self‐ Development National Orientation & Welcome Day 2012 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  6. Objectives • Reiterate the Purpose of the SSSS Organisation • Understand the terms ‘ Spiritual’ and ‘Self Development’ • Understand the role of activity in ‘Self‐ Development’ ‘Purpose of the Organisation is to bring one closer to God’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  7. Scenario Sai, Raju, and Mike are active workers who have just come out of their Regional Meeting and walking back to their cars... Be always in the attitude of servants; that is the best training to become masters- Baba

  8. Discussion Pointers 1 • Which spiritual qualities come across well in this scenario? • Which ones from the 9‐point code of conduct are missing? • The context and nature of our Organisation is spiritual. What does ‘spiritual’ mean? Sai Organisation is a ‘Spiritual’ Organisation Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  9. Spirituality • Spiritual or Spirituality means ‘God-Centredness’ or ‘God-Consciousness’. • Any activity undertaken- be it bhajans, study circles, meditation or service- as an offering of worship to God, and thus establishing one firmly in the awareness and experience of this Divinity, is spiritual. ‘All activity and discipline is Sadhana: Mental clean-up!’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  10. Spirituality ‘Truth about oneself is to be learnt first. When one does not know one’s own Truth, how can one judge or deal with others? When man knows that he is the Indestructible, Eternal Atman, he is free from fear. Truth can shine forth only from a purified mind and a clarified intellect. The units of the Organisation must be ever active in following and observing the disciplines laid down for these two processes. Man has to overcome the animal in him. The beast (Pasu) has to be laid low and GOD (Pasupati), the Master of all beings, installed in the heart. This aim has to be constantly borne in mind by the Organisation and its members; the journey towards it has to be steady and fervent.’ SSS Speaks Vol .10 p44 Sai Organisation is a ‘God-Centred’ Organisation Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  11. Discussion Pointers 2 • What does “self development “ mean? • Are service and spirituality different? What is the purpose of our Organisation? Sai Organisation is a ‘God-Centred’ Organisation Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  12. Spirituality- Service People say that service of man is service of God, that Manava Seva is Madhava Seva. That is a true statement. But though service of humanity is holy, unless it is merged in the bigger ideal, men will not benefit however huge the service. Mere repetition of the slogan is useless, if service is done without faith in the divinity of man, and with an eye on name, fame, and fruits of one’s action. Whatever action one undertakes, if one has as constant companion the contemplation of the Lord and if one has faith in the essential divinity of man, then the statement about ‘Service of man being Service of God’ is justified- Prema Vahini p79 ‘God-Centred Work’ elevates good work into Service or Seva- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  13. Spirituality- Service There is however a deeper significance in the word ‘service’ and all should understand it. It is just not doing some service, good though it may be. Service does not simply mean doing something good for others. Thus each one of you should cultivate that attitude and spirit of service, that whatever service you are rendering to others is service rendered unto God Himself. The service should be free from all selfish motives, and you should never think of reward for such activities. Neither should you expect, or desire gratitude from the person you serve. Everything you do, you have to do as worship of God-Sanatana Sarathi July 1980 ‘God serves; He allows you to claim that you have served’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  14. Key Messages 1 ‘ The sole objective of the Sathya Sai Organisation is 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, which itself is from the Faith in God, will be enduring and ever sustaining. The objective of the Organisation is to make people again become aware of this truth and live in that awareness. Truth(God) is One. The unity of all faiths is the main plank of Sai Organisation.’ Bhagawan Baba, Sevadal, 1983 p4 Truth about Oneself is to be learnt first- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  15. Key Messages 2 ‘The Organisation is intended to broaden your love, to channelize your activities through devoted service. It has not been devised to parade devotion, or collect devotees to canvass for some new‐fangled breed. It is dedicated to the great task of progressively aiding people to realise their Reality and merge in it.’ Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.3, p44 ‘God is Love, Love is God. Live in Love’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  16. Part 2 Obstacles to Self Development National Orientation & Welcome Day 2012 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  17. Objectives • Recognise the traits and tendencies that hamper spiritual growth, and thus need to be overcome • Recognise the root cause for these behaviour patterns Part 2 - Obstacles to Self Development Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  18. Background ‘You must have the firm belief that the aim of this Organisation is to remove the obstacles that keep man away from God, that separate Manavathwa from Madhavathwa. There can be no human: It is all Divine. This Organisation must elevate the human into the Divine’‐ Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.7 p324 Part 2 - Obstacles to Self Development Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  19. Scenario The following Role Play involves discussion amongst members of planning team for Swami’s Birthday celebrations. Examine the springs of action; disinfect them from all trace of ego- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  20. Discussion Pointers 1 1. What are your feelings as you watched this scenario unfold? 2. What tendencies and attitudes did your mind notice? Man has to overcome the animal in him- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  21. Discussion Pointers 2 3. What does your intellect say is the root cause for the behaviour of Saravanan, Bhavin….and Amit? 4. What is the correct attitude to adopt? Truth shines forth from a purified mind and clarified intellect- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  22. Key Messages 1 ‘The greatest evil that undermines the units of this Organisation is pride and the jealousy that it engenders. When one person exudes the pride that he alone can sing bhajans well among the group, naturally others develop anger, jealousy, hate, malice and such other deleterious traits. Beware of Pride; be always aware that you are but instruments in My Divine Mission of Dharmasthapana: Revival of Righteousness. Try to be more and more efficient as such instruments.’ – SathyaSai Speaks, Vol.7, p181 Spiritual Pride is the most poisonous of all varieties of Pride- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  23. Key Messages 2 ‘I find that, after these units have started working, the cordiality that prevailed previously has disappeared. Differences of opinion are being exaggerated, tempers are getting frayed, and misunderstandings and factions are raising their heads. Men who were together are drifting apart. ‘Tat’ and ‘Twam’, that and this, are the same; but you are forgetting this and becoming distant from this....’ SSS Speaks Vol 6, p262 Do not infect the Associations of Aspirants for My Grace with virus of rivalry and factions-Baba SSS Vol. 7, p154

  24. Key Messages 2 …. ....When you approach the senses, the spirit is far; when you approach the spirit, the senses will be afar. Attach yourself to the sensory and the worldly‐ that is to say, develop apeksha‐ and you bind yourselves with the chain of likes and dislikes. Detach yourselves from the craving for fame and comfort‐ that is to say, develop upeksha‐ and you are free.’ – Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.6 , p262 ‘Conflict and discord in the world will cease when people learn to practice sense-control’- Baba

  25. Part 3 Self Development for Spiritual Fulfilment National Orientation & Welcome Day 2012 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  26. Objectives • Understand how to overcome the obstacles and achieve the purpose and objectives of our human life? • By influencing our individual behaviour – To be, To do • and thereby Organisational behaviour – To see, To tell • Identify tools and tips that help change behaviour ‘One must become a model by personal example’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  27. Individual Behaviour Sow a thought, reap an action Sow an action, reap a tendency, Sow a habit, reap a character Sow a character, reap a destiny You are verily the makers of your destiny – Bhagawan Sri SathyaSai Baba ‘We are what we repetitively do’‐ Aristotle ‘Leaders should do and show what they want others to follow’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  28. Bhagawan’s ‘WATCH’ Method of Transformational Leadership Watch your Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character, Heart • Become aware of this every time we look at a watch. • Awareness progressively becomes a habit by repetitive behaviour ‘Be intent on the development of the man-mind, not the monkey- mind’ Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  29. ‘WATCH’ Transformational Leadership • WATCH method of leadership is a value‐oriented transformational process of an individual. Thus, one leads oneself first and foremost. Love + Words = Truth (Sathya) Love + Action = Righteousness (Dharma) Love + Thought = Peace (Shanti) Love + Discrimination = Non-violence (Ahimsa) ‘Love is My Form, and so is yours’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  30. ‘WATCH’ Transformational Leadership • Being a transformational process, the method aids in bringing about sustained self‐development. • Decision making and behaviour are thus guided by shared values, rather than merely by the leaders ‘orders’. ‘Watch for Divinity that is latent in every being’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  31. ‘WATCH’ Transformational Leadership ‘Leaders should do and show what they want others to follow. Leaders should not be like history or geography teachers, who just place facts before the students, but should be like drill masters, who demonstrate and show everyone the exercises. Likewise they should be good, do good and see good’ – Sevadal 2/81 p9 ‘In My Institutions, minds must mutually harmonize’- SSS Speaks Vol. 7 p159 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  32. Watch Your Words • Sound is Sacred energy that makes subconscious recordings, affecting behaviour. • Main causes of discord and conflict • Carelessly spoken words • Heartlessly written words (emails) ‘Cleanse your speech of cynicism and sarcasm’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  33. Golden Rules – Ten Commandments of the Tongue • Thou shalt not gossip; • Thou shalt not use a multitude of empty words; • Thou shalt not boast; • Thou shalt not flatter; • Thou shalt not grumble; • Thou shalt not backbite or slander; • Thou shalt not mock or make fun; • Thou shalt not lie; • Thou shalt not swear and shout; • Thou shalt not argue in anger . Engage the toungue in the constant repetition of the Divine Name Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  34. Golden Rules Watch Your Words • ‘You may not always oblige, but you must always speak obligingly’ • Speak Truth, Speak with love and pleasingly, Do not speak that fact which may sound unpleasant. • Use emails for disseminating positive communication only. • Delay pressing the ‘send’ button by 24 hours for negative emails. Better still! Press the ‘discard’ button! ‘Faultless people are unable to find faults in others’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  35. Scenario‐ Effective (non) Communication Mrs A helps in the ladies kitchen at a Sai centre and other ladies often talk in their native dialect, which Mrs A does not understand. They can speak English as well. She feels excluded and unwelcome by the other ladies. • How would you feel? • What could be some of the reasons that this is happening? ‘Remember all are sons and daughters of SaiMaatha (Mother)’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  36. Swami’s Examples Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  37. Key Message ‘Speak the truth, but speak pleasantly. Simply because a statement will be welcome to the listener, don’t speak it out to win approval; if speaking truth will cause grief or pain, keep silent. That is the vow of truth in ordinary daily life. Don’t have hypocrisy or crookedness in your speech. Both unpleasant truth and pleasant untruth have to be avoided’‐ Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.6 , p 104 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  38. Key Message ‘Speaking obligingly means that you have to cleanse your speech of cynicism and sarcasm, and be sincere and sweet. You may differ from co‐workers on methods and programmes, but this should not leave a scar on your heart or theirs. Office bearers are guides who walk the path they wish others to take; they shall not command or punish, they can only persuade and advise.’ – SathyaSai Speaks, Vol.10, p222‐224 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  39. Watch your Actions • Type of Actions performed • Sensory or Binding Actions (Vishaya Karmas) • Liberating Actions (Shreyo Karma) • Motives and Attitudes of Action performed • 100% Involvement, Zero% Attachment= Karma Yoga • Seva = Service with love for God, and faith in the divinity of human beings • Humility, special love and care, selfless intentions, joyful ‘Have the conviction that I am everywhere, watching everything’- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  40. Scenario 1 – Love in Action A young man influenced by Bhagawan’s Message of Universal Love has been visiting a Sai centre for Group devotional singing. He begins to feel uncomfortable after a few weeks. He felt the whole setup was geared towards Hindu worship. Now he has stopped attending Group devotional singing and centre activities and worships at home instead. • What could be some of the reasons that this is happening? • What steps could be taken to avoid this? ‘Group Bhajan must be arranged to suit the convenience of the locality and the people’ – SSS Speaks Vol. 6, p 180

  41. Scenario 2 – Love in Action A fellow‐devotee who has a disability attends a Sai function. There were no lifts at the venue, and he thus could not participate in the workshops being conducted on the upper floors. He feels that people with disabilities are not valued or supported at these functions, as similar things happened on many previous occasions too. • What could be some of the reasons that this is happening? • What steps could be taken to avoid this happening again? Always try to put yourself in the position of the other and judge your action against that background. You won’t be wrong then’- SSS Speaks Vol.7, p96

  42. Swami’s Examples Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  43. Key Messages ‘Do not serve for the sake of reward, attracting attention, or earning gratitude, or from a sense of pride at your own superiority of skill, wealth, status or authority. Serve, because you are urged by Love. When you succeed, ascribe the success to the Grace of God, who urged you on, as Love within you. When you fail, ascribe the failure to your own inadequacy, insincerity or ignorance. Examine the springs of action, disinfect them from all trace of ego. Do not throw the blame on the recipients of Seva, or on your collaborators and co‐workers, or on God.’ Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.7, p54 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  44. Key Messages ‘God will not ask you what Seva did you do? He will ask with what motive did you do it? What was the intention that prompted it? God seeks quality‐ the quality of the heart, purity of the mind and the holiness of the motive.’ ‐Bhagawan Baba, Sanatana Sarathi December 1981 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  45. Key Messages ‘When you offer milk to a hungry child, or a blanket to a shivering brother on the pavement, you are but placing a gift of God into the hands of another gift of God! You are reposing the gift of God in a repository of the Divine Principle! God serves; He allows you to claim that you have served! Without His Will, not a single blade of grass can quiver in the breeze. Fill every moment with gratitude to the Giver and the Recipient of all gifts.’ ‐SathyaSai Speaks, Vol.7, p55 Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  46. Watch Your Thoughts • Mind is a bundle of thoughts ‐ ‘Master the mind and be a Mastermind’. • Thoughts mould desires‐ ‘Peace of mind means absence of desires; Peace of mind really means complete purity of consciousness’ • Mind determines self‐image, personality, behaviour, and circumstances. If thoughts are positive, self‐image and behaviour too will be positive. ‘Think God, Desire God, Attain God’ Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  47. Thought Regulation • Role of Food • Role of Breath regulation (Pranayama)‐ • Rate of thoughts changes in proportion to rate of breathing • Role of Seva, Satsang, Bhakti, Namasmarana‐ part of 9‐point Code (Service, Holy Company, Love for God, Chanting the Divine Name) SSS = Silent Sitting, Self Study, Self Examination Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  48. Key Message Dust if you think, dust you are; God if you think, God you are; Verily thoughts decide who you are, Decide your thoughts carefully. -Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  49. Watch your Character • Development of Individual Character needs a great deal of regular practise (Sadhana) • Virtues and weaknesses exist in every individual. Their balance sheet determines one’s Character. • Self‐discipline, selflessness, loyalty, readiness to accept responsibility, willingness to admit mistakes, willingness to sacrifice when needed, faith in God‐ these constitute Character. Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

  50. Watch your Heart • Watch both the physical and the spiritual hearts • Spiritual heart‐ Centre for Goodness, Compassion and Tolerance • Sharing, Serving, and Faith in God‐ foster Purity of the heart • Heart to Heart Communication is truly the Most Effective Communication Act and serve, because you are urged by love- Baba Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK

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