WIDE-RANGING ENVIRONMENTAL DISCUSSIONS AND FAR-REACHING SPIRITUAL ACTS HIGHLIGHT HOMECOMING OF SRI SATHYA SAI VRINDA FAMILY TO PARMARTH NIKETAN
Pujya Swamiji, Pujya Sadhviji and Pujya Madhusudan Saiji unite for beautiful weekend of enlightenment and inspiration.
A large delegation of the Sri Sathya Sai Vrinda family arrived to their Himalayan Home, at Parmarth Niketan, as they joined to welcome Pujya Madhusudan Saiji and joined him, Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji for a beautiful Satsang, Ganga Poojan and Darshan.
The opening Satsang and welcome blessing was shared by Pujya Sadhviji by sharing with attendees about the holiday of Thanksgiving, just-celebrated in the United States. “Most of us live in the thinking that first I’ll achieve, first I’ll acquire, first I’ll overcome, THEN I’ll be really grateful, we have it backwards, and we will never be able to bask in the gift and the blessings of gratitude. Gratitude is something that comes first. It’s gratitude for the presence of the Divine. It’s gratitude for the ability that we have, regardless of whether we live on a street or live in a mansion.”
Shri Madhusudan Naidu ji then detailed the indescribable joy that he and his followers were experiencing on the banks of Mother Ganga. “People come to Parmarth Niketan…even to our ashram…to experience the love. Everything else is available in all of the other shops of the world, but this is something that is available only with God. And, there’s no purchasing it. He will give it if He wants to give it. You can’t demand it or purchase it. He will give it out of His compassion. And, we should carry this love wherever we go.”
He went on to commend the efforts of the Ganga Action Parivar, which works tirelessly to restore and protect Mother Ganga. “Pujya Swamiji does everything possible to save the environment, to promote the idea of ecology and promote the idea of harmonious living, not just with people but with all the creatures, the whole creation. That is something that we have to learn. Because these are all expressions of love…these are not just being but doing the Divine.”
During the visit, the respected faith leaders discussed important issues ranging from the environment to unity and common purposes. High on the agenda were talks about ways to work together to continue the progress that has been made in restoring the River Ganga, India’s National River, to its clean, green and serene state.
Said Pujya Swamiji, “You are all pilgrims from many countries of the world that have come to be in the divine presence of Mother Ganga. At present, our rivers, water, air and soil are getting polluted by human beings. If the rivers continue to be polluted like this, then the rivers will not be able to welcome pilgrims to their shores. This is why we have to make every effort to stop pollution. This to me should be our highest agenda as faith-based organizations. This weekend is dedicated to clearing our inner pollution, recharging our batteries and recommitting to tenaciously work for climate action.”
During their visit, devotees enjoyed the divine Ganga Aarti, one in which HE the Ambassador of Israel and a large delegation from the Israeli Embassy also joined, as well as two beautiful Satsangs held during the two-day gathering.
In the evening Satsang, held in Pujya Swamiji’s new Garden, Sadhviji encouraged everyone to be present in the heart, rather than having an intellectual experience which is fleeting and unmemorable. She went on to answer questions submitted from viewers and from those in attendance, including one that involved we being the tools in the toolbox that we use to work with our dharma and karma to meet the world, both the inner and the outer world. “Your ability to meet the world with consciousness, with love, with truth, with divinity, is with you. That IS you!”
Pujya Swamiji also shared, first lending his wondrous voice in song, then discussing ways to live with love, truth and divinity in order to break the boundaries, barriers and walls of mineness – that me and mine. “If anything is needed today in the world, if any music is needed in this world, it’s the music of all-ness, the music of oneness, the music of togetherness. Individually, we keep doing great things for ourselves, but the moment you understand what you cannot do in a hundred words, it’s grace that can do it in the blink of an eye. That’s why grace is very important, very powerful. Grace brought Sathya Sai Sanstha Home to Parmarth…now, let there be many more homecomings!”
Respected Madhusudan Saiji closed the evening be expressing great thanks for the beautiful welcoming offered by Pujya Swamiji, Sadhviji and everyone at Parmarth Niketan, and shared that in order to know the truth, you can be shown the way, but you must walk the path yourself. “Spirituality is only for the courageous, not for the weak-minded. God is only for the courageous. Working together, our courage increases, our conviction increases, our strength increases. Which is why Satsang is so very important. Though we’re leaving, wherever you are, try always to keep the company of good people…be in the company of good people, surround yourself with good people – that should be the minimum that you take away from the experience that you’ve had here.”
Pujya Swamiji, Sadhviji and Madhusudan Saiji promised their followers that there would be more homecomings in future, between both ashrams, and more beautiful and sacred Satsangs and Service as well.