NewsLetter

General Announcements

  • SWAMI’S 96TH BIRTHDAY OFFERING:

    1) For Swami’s 96th birthday we as Raleigh Sai Center would be offering self transformation individually to Swami.  Every individual can select an initiative from the link provided below under “Transformation Ideas” or come up with their own and transform themselves.  Aspiring devotees can write a letter about their progress to Swami and provide it in a sealed envelope  by November 4th (collection details to be shared later).  Center will help collect and mail it to Prasanthi Nilayam by Swami’s birthday.  
     
    2) We are looking for volunteers to support the offering of individual transformation to beloved Swami as Swami’s 96th birthday gift. Interested members please Email: vp@raleighsaicenter.org
     
    3) Kindly visit  below link and please add more transformation ideas from day to day challenges to help each other:  Transformation Ideas

     

    STUDY CIRCLE:

    Next session on September 23rd @ 6PM EST: “Transformation by SAI” by our Sai Brother Ravi Mariwalla
    Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87245502543?pwd=ZjRYTWFRMm9CMnMyWXViS2QrSWE0QT09
    Meeting ID: 872 4550 2543
    Passcode: Sairam108

    CARY TREE ARCHIVE FROM GROUP 4 SSSE

    A group of students from group 4 will be planting 2 native trees on Saturday September 25 th morning, in the Cary Tree Archive section along the White Oak Greenway in Cary,  close to the Taylor YMCA. Planting of these Trees is the culmination of Group 3 & 4 volunteer work at this place through the summer months.

    We will have 4”x6” plaques with the following words, ”LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL – Sri Sathya Sai Baba “ and “ HELP EVER, HURT NEVER – Sri Sathya Sai Baba” one plaque in front of each tree.  Please enjoy this area with your family

    Service Opportunities:
    Sept 26th – Fresh fruit brown bag service to support Cumberland county council of older adults (Signup available!):
     
    Monthly Fresh fruit brown bag service contains apples, oranges, pears and canned fruit to support Cumberland county council of older adults in Fayetteville. For the month of September we plan to deliver on Sept. 26th. Please drop off items at 719 McRae Rd, Cary on Sept. 26th by 12pm.
     
    Click here to signup for September Fresh fruit brown bag service.
     
    Raleigh Sai Center NO in person meetings

    Please note there will be no in person meeting till Sep, 30th 2021.  As you are aware, we are seeing increasing COVID cases in this area and in the U.S.  We have decided to switch to virtual bhajans for the coming two weeks.  We want to ensure the safety of our center members. Next week, we will look at the emerging data and get recommendations from our center doctors to decide if we want to meet in person or continue with virtual sessions for some time.

    Virtual Bhajans will continue to be on Thursday evenings. We will send out the Zoom call information soon for the upcoming Thursday session. We will have the Study Circle from 6:00 to 7:00 PM followed by bhajans. 
     
    RSC Library:
    • The Vahinis Online, written by Sri Sathya Sai Baba
    • See list of books available. If you would like to borrow a book, please contact Prabhakar at hpkamath11@gmail.com or text 919-561-3465, listing the name(s) of the Book(s) interested in borrowing and the time and date you would like to pick up. Address: 1961 Weaver Forest Way, Morrisville. Anyone wishing to return a currently borrowed book, can drop off the book at the front door box. Please write your full name on a piece paper and put it in back of the book. Sairam! 

    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 which can alleviate this global health threat due to the Coronavirus.  

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Devotion

  • Sai Center Activities Schedule
     Recurrent Programs
    • Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET – RSC Study Circle (Next Session on 9/23: “Transformation by SAI”)   Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87245502543?pwd=ZjRYTWFRMm9CMnMyWXViS2QrSWE0QT09
    • RSC Bhajans On Thursday Evenings at 7:00PM; Next Session on September 23(Virtual) :
      Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87245502543?pwd=ZjRYTWFRMm9CMnMyWXViS2QrSWE0QT09
    • Sundays at 6 pm ET – Region 3 monthly virtual devotional program at www.sairegion3youtube.org  
 
  • Bhajan of the week

    Deity: Krishna
    Raag~ Gowri Manohari / Patdeep

    Taal: 8 Beat / Keherwa / Adi

    Lyrics:

     
    Krishna O Krishna Mujhey Darshan Do Krishna
    Krishna Sai Krishna Mujhey Darshan Do Krishna
    Giridhari Murari Krishna Ghana Shyama Murari Krishna
    Sri Krishna Krishna Krishna Ghana Shyama Murari Krishna
    Ab Aajaavo Krishna Mujhey Darshan Do Krishna

     

    Meaning:
    Hey Krishna! Please grant Your Divine vision (darshan) to me. O blue-complexioned Lord Krishna, the Destroyer of the demon Mura, You lifted the mountain and enchanted everyone with Your Flute music. O Lord Sathya Sai, You are my beloved Lord Krishna, please listen to my heart’s yearnings. Come O Krishna, please come now and grant me Your darshan; I am longing for Your Divine Presence.
     

    Video Link:
    https://youtu.be/Nkmmbg7xWh0

     

     

     

     

     

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Service

  • RSC Service Activities
    NEW  ANNOUNCEMENT! :
     
    Sept 26th – Fresh fruit brown bag service to support Cumberland county council of older adults:
     
    Monthly Fresh fruit brown bag service contains apples, oranges, pears and canned fruit to support Cumberland county council of older adults in Fayetteville. For the month of September we plan to deliver on Sept. 26th. Please drop off items at 719 McRae Rd, Cary on Sept. 26th by 12pm.
     
    Click here to signup for September Fresh fruit brown bag service.
     
    Sept.18th – Raleigh Men’s shelter Breakfast service : (all items taken)
     
    Monthly Breakfast service on 3rd Saturday (Sept 18th) to support Raleigh Men’s Shelter. Please drop off items at 248 Hillard Forest Drive, Cary on Friday ,Sept.17th by 8pm so volunteers can deliver supplies at the shelter on Saturday morning.
     
    Click here to signup for September Breakfast service.
     
     

     To participate in active service projects, please see list below.

     
    Service name and Date/time Service Activity Details Locations & Sign up
    IFC Sunday Food Service (Every alternate Sunday)   Preparing Dinner at Volunteer homes & Dropping it off at Inter-Faith Council for Social Service(IFC) at Carrboro, NC by 1 PM

     IFC address: 100 W. Main St. Carrboro, NC

    Please click here to sign up for Sunday.
    IFC Thursday Food Service (Every Thursday) Preparing Dinner at Volunteer homes & Dropping it off at Inter-Faith Council for Social Service(IFC) at Carrboro, NC by 3 PM.

    IFC address: 100 W. Main St. Carrboro, NC

    Please click here  to sign up for Thursday.

    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 – Supplies

     

    		 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 8pm so volunteers can deliver supplies at the shelter on Saturday morning.

     

     

    NOTE: Due to COVID, at this time we are only supplying materials/ingredients.

    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 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 SSE Students every month  Group 3 SSE 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 at 

     Inter-faith Food Shuttle

    2436 S. Miami Blvd, Suite 200-9

    Durham, NC
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SSE

  • Pre-SSSE

    CLASS DATE: 09/19/2021 TEACHERS: Patti, Lakshmi, Saideepa, Bhuvana, Mona
    SUMMARY:

     How God helps us through ‘Sun’

    		 ATTENDANCE: 11

    We started the class with 3 Oms and Gayatri. We all talked to our teachers about the activities that we did with our parents from last week’s class lesson plan. After that Lakshmi aunty asked us to close our eyes and told us to play our favorite game with  Swami who is sitting in our hearts. It made Swami as well as us very happy. Saideepa aunty talked to us about how the sun helps all the creatures on earth through a beautiful power point presentation. Bhuvana aunty practiced the bhajan that we have learnt last week. She also sang and danced with a song on Sun. Patti read a story on ‘Sunflower’. Lakshmi aunty taught us how to draw a sunflower. Mona aunty played a game on clothes that we wear in summer and winter. Teachers gave us an activity based on our theme which we will be doing with our parents this week and let the teachers know next week how it went. 

     

     

     
  • SSSE group1

    CLASS DATE: 09/18/2021, 09/19/2021

    TEACHER(S): Aruna, Sunitha, Resmi , Sharanya 

    Value: Love

    Sub value : Devotion 

    		  Attendance: 28/41

    We began with 3 AUMs and learnt Sai Gayatri.

    The topic that we will dive into for this year is one of the human values- Love. The craft that we made in our last class made a perfect segway to talk about the concept Love is God and God is Love.

    We began by showing the children a video with a beautiful song in the background which says ‘All you need is love, love is all you need’.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8DmZRD1jZc8We asked them to share what it is they liked from the video and why- just to know how they connected to Love emotion. 

    Swami says Love transcends the five senses of perception, which means we can not see, smell, taste, hear or touch love but we know it exists and it is present everywhere. We then explained this concept with the help of apple and air analogy.

    Swami also says Love is his swaroopa, his form.So we said if we were to give a form to that  love, which we cannot perceive with our senses, that form is God. And if we fill our hearts with love God will make it his home and live in our hearts.

    We then told a story of Radha and Krishna to bring home the point that god lives in our hearts. Here is the story as told by swami- “Once, Rukmini invited Radha to her house. On receiving the invitation, Radha at once came to her house. Those days idli, dosa, cakes, etc., were not known as they are today. People would offer milk or curd to guests. In her exuberance of hap- piness, Rukmini offered her hot boiling milk in a glass. Radha used to offer everything to Krishna before partaking of it. She said, “I offer it to Krishna (Krishnarpanam) and gulped the boiling hot milk.

    In the evening, when Krishna came to Rukmini, she performed His Padaseva (pressing His feet), and she was shocked to notice blisters on His feet. She asked, “Oh Lord! What has happened? Who caused blisters on Your feet ”? Krishna replied, “It is your own doing. When Radha came to you in the morning, you offered her hot boiling milk without bothering to check whether it was fit for drinking. She offered that milk to Me before drinking. Therefore, these blis- ters have come on My feet”.

    We then learnt a beautiful bhajan on love. Please find the audio clip for the bhajan as a separate post in the group.

    We also played a fun word search game.

    Life application 

    The life application for the next few weeks is to ‘start the day with love and end the day with love’. Children can choose any of the different ways of expressing the love, for eg: with a smile, by remembering god, by saying a prayer, by thanking god, by silence sitting etc. Please Encourage them to be consistent with one activity for a certain period of time. We asked them to practice it just after waking up and right before going to bed. They will also record it in their spiritual diary with a tick if they did it and with a cross if they didn’t do it. We will post the pdf of the spiritual diary sheet separately.

    Click Here for Previous Class Notes 
  • SSSE-Group2

    CLASS DATE: 9/19/21

     
    TEACHERS:Hitha Raj, Jagruti Mariwalla
    Value-Love
    ATTENDANCE: 31/36
    Summary of the class–
    We started the class with chanting Om, followed by three Gayathri Mantra, meaning  and Jyoti/ light meditation.

    We did sharing of  students’ last week’s life application.

    We shared video of ” Buddha and Angulimala” showing power of love.

    Swami’s quote showing essence of the class was 

    Love lives by giving & forgiving,

    self lives by getting and forgetting.

    Life application-

    It is practical application of lesson in class teaching how to practice in daily life as a family . This class we have following practices-

    1. Practice Jyoti/ light meditation with your family. Practice Light meditation everyday. Link of meditation is as follows- https://youtu.be/C9kpnGyOJSI

    2.Link for life application for the week 

    https://forms.gle/rhPZQc7E8zGsohkC6

    Affirmation-

    Individually each students shared and wrote their affirmation for the day.

    Closing prayers–

    Class was concluded by chanting three times “Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu” and shanti”- May all the beings in all words be happy and peace.

    If you have any questions feel free to approach any of the teachers. Looking forward to see you all in next class.

                                  Sairam

     

     

     

     
     
     
     
  • SSSE-Group3

    CLASS DATE: 9/17/21 TEACHER(S):  Nalini, Gangadhar

    SUMMARY: Love for parents

    		 ATTENDANCE:  17

    Topic: Under the Theme Love, we started this year with Swami’s teachings, Matru Devo Bhava – Pitru Devo Bhava

    Embodiments of love!!! We have got to remember from moment to moment, the principle of the mother’s love. Under any circumstances we must make the mother happy. Without a mother being happy, I will not be happy. With your efforts, if you make your mother happy, I am also happy. -Baba 1999-11-19

    Make parents happy and give them peace for,  “Maatru devo bhava, pitru devo bhava”, mother is God, and father is God. The blood, the food and the knowledge are all the gifts of one’s parents. Therefore one must be first and foremost, grateful to one’s parents and make them happy and satisfied. Then God will be happy. “Maatru devo bhava, Pitru devo bhava”, mother is God, and father is God. All are divine. But one must start from one’s parents then extend it to the entire universe. That leads to true bliss. -Baba 1996-06-22

    Stories: Students shared stories they know (Ganesha, Rama) about this topic and teachers shared story about Shravana Kumara & leaders

    Swami Birthday self transformation offering: Each student summarized their understanding of the topic and introspected where they can improve. Each student identified their transformation ideas that they will follow towards Love for parents.  Each student was asked to write up the transformation ideas on a paper, show it to their parents and post it in their room or fridge so they can be reminded of the offering to Swami.

    Next Class:

    Next class is guest speaker session under Theme Love, Body is miracle of God. Speaker: Dr Pritu

     

    Note to Parents:

    Please ask about their transformation ideas, help them practice. 
     

     

  • SSSE-Group4

    CLASS DATE:  Sept. 12th 2021
    		 TEACHER(S):  Mouli, Nirmala Aunty, Yadavan, Sai Y.
    SUMMARY: 

    1st Group 4 SSSE Class for 2021-2022 Year

    ATTENDANCE:

    17

    Main topic:

    In today’s kickoff Group 4 SSSE class, we welcomed the new student graduates from Group 3 and the returning Group 4 students.  After 3 OMs, a Swami Prayer, and a moment of silence for the victims of the 20th year anniversary of 9/11 attack, we did Group 4 Teacher Intros and then each Group 4 student gave an introduction of themselves and we did an Ice Breaker Question.  All great ice breaker responses from the students for our ice breaker questions –> If you could have lunch with anyone living, who would it be and why?.   The rest of the agenda topic discussions for the class are summarized below.  If you have any questions regarding the class today, please reach out to one of the Group 4 teachers.   We are excited for the new SSSE year and working with the Group 4 students!!

    • Group 4 Teacher Intros
    • Student/Class Size Overview
    • Group 4 Kids Intros & Ice Breakers
    • 2021-2022 Group 4 Class Sessions Dates/Times
    • Group 4 2020-2021 YIR Highlights
    •      What we did Last Year
    • Group 4 2021-2022 Survey Results Overview
    • 2021-2022 Key Planned SSSE Activities
    •      Note All Classes with be Virtual in CY2021
    •      1on1’s to stay connected
    • Other Activities (Confidential)
    •      College Prep/ College Apps Assistance
    •      Scholarship Reco’s
    • Sept 12th Class Topics
    •     Sept 25th Cary Tree Archive
    •     Women’s Shelter Service Project Spreadsheet Support
    • Today’s Class Workshop on SSSE Theme on LOVE

     

    Note to Parents:

    Sairam Parents –

    Group 4 will continue to do virtual classes and our next class will be on Sunday, September 26th at 3:30pm.

    -Group 4 Gurus

    Jai Sai Ram!
     
     

     

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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

 
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Seniors Corner

  • Seniors group (NEW!):

    Sairam,
    By Swami’s grace, Rex and Wakemed have requested 80 bracelets made with prayer beads.  Seniors from our center along with seniors from HSNC enthusiastically have taken this service project.  More volunteers from our center are most welcome to join in this effort for praying with the beads.  Please email seniors@raleighsaicenter.org if you like to pickup beads for this opportunity
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Interest Groups Updates

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Regional Update

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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
    Aruna Shankar
    education@raleighsaicenter.org
    Devotional Co-ordinator
    Shubha Nagaraj
    devotion@raleighsaicenter.org
    Service Co-ordinator
    Param Dasana
    service@raleighsaicenter.org
    YA Co-ordinator
    Sayee Shruti Manickam
    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

  • Be bound to the Atma in you; take rest and refuge in That and meditate on That without interruption. Then, all bonds will loosen off themselves, for the bond with which you attach yourself to the Lord or the Atma has the power of unbinding all other bonds. The “unattached” have real love toward all. Their love is not only pure, it is divine as well. It is the embodiment of peace. Without a doubt, one can attain the Lord if one becomes devoid of all passion or attachment (raga) and engages in the actions detailed above. Renunciation or detachment (vairagya), of course, does not mean the giving up of hearth and home, or of high estate and even kingdoms. It is the understanding of the divinity immanent in everything, the fading away of all the distinct names and forms, and the bliss of experiencing in everything and every place the Divine, which is its reality. (Prasanthi Vahini, Ch 13) – BABA

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