This is a story of a little girl named Sita who loved to play with her friends and enjoyed the innocent indulgences of childhood.  Soon she grew older and playing with her friends no longer involved plain and simple fun.  Like other "cool kids" around her, Sita wanted to be a part   of the "grown-up scene" and that is where it all began. 

Sita wanted to experience life and sometimes acted carelessly without thinking of the consequences of her actions.  The little Sita was no longer the innocent, fun-loving girl but a young adult who thought she knew everything there was to be known about life. 

Having got on the emotional roller-coaster rather early in life, Sita underwent every possible emotional peak: happiness, sorrow, frustration,  anger ... you name it, she'd been there. 

Then there was also another side to Sita - she always had dreams, ambitions and strengths.  She would let no one or nothing come in the way of her goals.  But this time, with the choices she was making and the company she was keeping, the pathway to her goal was getting a little bumpy.  She started to go back and forth on the road and sometimes off the road.  It was all so confusing.  Eventually she came to a spot where the road forked.  She now had to choose which path she  would take. 

This is when God sent a guardian angel into her life.  Mary had faith, she had courage, she aspired to be the best.  Most of all, Mary taught Sita how to love herself.  This is when Sita decided that she wanted to take the right path in life and never ever walk along the path of regret  again.  Soon she found what she had always been searching for - the road  map to uncover her dreams and realize her true potential.  Today, Sita is stronger and more powerful than ever before.  Mary believed in Sita when everyone else lost hope and Sita knew that all the mistakes of the past were stepping stones to her own self-discovery.  Once Sita made her choice, God's grace just kept filling her life with pleasant surprises. 

Sita joined the educational wing of the Sai organization and was exposed to the human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Non-violence and Love.  She met kind and loving people who were willing to help each  other become closer to God. The Sai Educational  program helped Sita to discover her spiritual self.  She turned all hatred to love and negated all feelings of violence by serving others selflessly.  Meeting and interacting with other youth who wanted to live a life of love and harmony using non-violence as their only weapon of choice was a reaffirming experience for Sita.  She realized that every youth could be as powerful as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama if we practised love, compassion and non-violence.  Once Sita took one step towards God, God took a hundred steps towards her, enriching her life with self-confidence and inner peace. 

Sita's journey is a fine example of how God can save us and forgive us as long as we believe in our own divine nature and most of all in God's compassion and love.  If we believe with all our heart and soul that we can make a difference in this world, then God will give us the inner strength and resources to accomplish our dreams. 

 Sai Youth 

Published by Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Violence in any form seriously injures humanity. There are people who enjoy hurting physically. There are those who slash out verbally. And mostly all commit violence mentally. Non-violence through word, deed and thought is the highest good. Remember, our lives will always be more comfortable with less fights and more friendships, less hate and more love, less hurting and more healing.

"I do not want to make my stomach a grave for dead animals." - BERNARD SHAW 
"I have no doubt that the human race will leave off eating animals as surely as the savages left off eating each other when they became more civilized." 
                                      - THOREAU 

 What is Om? 
Om is the first cosmic word thought to be uttered and written and is the supreme name of God. God is called Om because he protects us. The word Om is made up of  three sounds "A,U,M". In English we spell it as Om, but actually it is spelt Aum. Aum Expresses the three great qualities of God. 

"A" denotes the power of God to create the universe- Brahma, the creator. 
"U" has the power of God to preserve the universe- Vishnu, the preserver. 
"M" has the power of God to dissolve the universe- Shiva, the destroyer of evil. 

We usually start meditation, mantras or bhajans with three Aums and at the end we usually say "Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi" (meaning peace for body, mind and soul or individual , country or world.) Chanting Om three times sends a telepathic message to Swami during any prayers  or bhajans. The first Om tells Swami, wherever he is, that you are ready, the second tells him to come straight away and the third offers Swami to take his seat if you have kept one for him. 

What is a Mantra and Why Should I Chant It? 
"Man" means mind, "tra" means that which takes you beyond the mind. Man's mind is a bundle of thoughts and by repeating mantras, the mind receives the current to experience peace and tranquillity. It has the power to calm your emotions. It has the power to heal within the body and without the body, and  power to reveal highest truth itself to you. Meditation with the aid of mantras is good as it takes you step by step to become one with God. Electricity has no form or colour, but it is capable of both. When a current is passed through a coloured bulb, it assumes the form of coloured light on the bulb. God says that we can chant mantras anywhere, i.e. while we are working, on the bus or while walking, in case we do not have the time. But I think we all must find time. 

Let us not be like the boy who woke up one morning and God was eagerly awaiting for the boy to greet him, but the boy did not. God waited patiently thinking that when the boy got home from school he would surely remember God. The boy did not do so. 

God kept waiting for the boy to finish playing and watching TV, but the boy never got around to saying hello to God. 

By this time God was feeling sad, but thought never mind, the boy will surely remember me when he goes to bed, but the boy did not do so. 

So God consoled himself thinking the boy would call him tomorrow… God is always there for us, waiting to show us the right path, but it is up to us to make the time to pray to god by chanting mantras and remembering Him instead of making excuses that we are too busy. 
Group 3 

Devotees from across the Greater Toronto Region attended a symposium on the spiritual aspects of the Sai organization, organized by Region 2 at the Scarborough Civic Center on February 27, 1999.  The event aptly opened with a song on Global Unity entitled "Thank you Swami we are one" by the youth from Scarborough Sai Center. 

The Master of Ceremonies Uncle Saba Nadesan initiated the symposium by emphasizing on the necessity of a well- structured center.  How can we expect devotees to be firm in their conviction if the center itself lacks a strong foundation?  The role of the spiritual co-ordinator is to  lay the very foundation of the Sai organization, much like the mason who  lays the base of a stone tower. 

To put the structure of the Sai organization into perspective, Uncle Pathy, the co-ordinator for Region 2 discussed the various positions in the Sai system and their attached roles and responsibilities in general and with specific reference to Canada. 

Brother Pradeep Kugarajah, regional youth co-ordinator explained the importance of the nine codes of conduct.  His presentation included a repartee with the assembly and the lively interaction led to a clear understanding of why we must follow the nine codes with a sense of  urgency and utter sincerity. 

Aunty Yamuna Muruganandan reminded us that an effective study circle is a pathway to divinity.  Participants of a study circle can grow spiritually by learning from the experiences of others.  Different rivers carry in themselves their unique water quality but when they come together by emptying into a vast ocean of clarity, each of them has contributed to the vastness of the sea.  Similarly, every center is capable of creating its own vast ocean of understanding and awareness 
by conducting effective study circles by following the guidelines that she discussed in detail. 

 Uncle Mafat Patel shared his wisdom and wit concerning bhajan singing and co-ordination.  While stressing on the importance of raga, tala and bhava (melody, rhythm and emotion), he advised against enhancing these aspects to a point where the majority of the congregation cannot  participate in singing the glory of the Lord.  Also, a bhajan is always more moving when led by those with the ability to do so.  We must not feel upset or inadequate in any way if we cannot lead because we are all contributing to the mass vibration of the chorus which touches every heart. 

Aunty Pushpa Rama conducted a calming session on Jyothi meditation where she shared her own experience of having used the technique to attain inner peace and deal with the problem of high blood pressure.  She led the audience step-by-step through the process of Jyothi meditation which generated an atmosphere of tranquillity in the room. 

Aunty Karuna Sarup-Munshi's presentation centered around organizing Sai seminars and special functions.  Her jovial attitude by no means diminished the importance of her message to broaden the appeal of Baba's message to a broader ethnic base.  We must mainstream our focus by celebrating and learning about the numerous cultures and religions which strengthen the diversity that is Canada.  The Sai message is not a new religion but a path to discover the divinity inherent in each one while  respecting all faiths and stressing their underlying unity.  Every Sai  center and function should reflect the non-denominational, multi-faith  aspect of the Sai organization. 

Aunty Sulochana Kandavel discussed the diverse religious backgrounds of Baba's devotees and how they have enriched the literary sources that are available to understand the Sai message.  She stressed on the need to read Sai literature on a regular basis.  The experience is similar to that of the honey bee endeavouring to get the sweet nectar of Swami's wisdom. 

The program concluded with a question and answer session.  The panel of Sai experts consisted of Aunty Mani Pathmaraja, Uncle Paramanandan, Uncle Kamal Jha and Uncle Mafat Patel.  A query was raised as to whether there would be a Canadian group visiting Puttaparthi this year.  There was some uncertainty with the answer but inevitably the conclusion from  the panel remained that by Swami's grace we will proceed.  In response to youth concern regarding more youth activities on regional level, the panel urged the youth to take the initiative and the centers and region would support their efforts while delegating more responsibilities to the youth in the coming year.  The youth as the leader of the Sai center in the coming millennium must be well versed in the structure and  workings of the Sai organization. 

After all the doubts were cleared, Uncle Noel Bennett summarized the conclusions of the day's proceedings.  Much was learned and shared during the afternoon and each member left with a pearl of Swami's wisdom secured in the realms of their heart. 

Sai Youth 

"…And I saw heaven open and behold a white horse and he that sat upon was called Faithful and True and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." John 17:Revelations 

The above passage appears in the New Testament of the Holy Bible (John  Ch.17).  This description of the descent of God is strikingly similar to that of the description appearing in the Puranas of Hinduism, heralding the coming of the Kalhi Avathar - the soldier with a sword, mounting a white horse, at the dawn of the Kali Era.  Though the scriptures are from different religious backgrounds, the message, once again seems to be that, "God is One."  Is it just pure coincidence or the prediction of the future?  Examining the evidence, one comes to the conclusion that the avathar who is spoken of in the scriptures is no other than Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba himself. 

In the Song Celestial or Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, the 9th incarnation of Godhead declares, "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendent of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion - at that time I descend Myself(4:7)." Presently, the world is in the throngs of evil and violence, a turbulent times desperately needing a deliverer.  Hence, it seems an incarnation of God is inevitable. 

Referring again to the verse from the Bible mentioned earlier, it speaks of He who is called Faithful and True, and he in righteousness, judges and makes war. 

 Bhagwan Sai is hailed as the personification of Truth and is known as Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Sai of Truth.  Furthermore, the verse from the Bible goes on to say, "…His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns.  He had a name written that no man knew but he himself, and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood…"  It is a well known fact that Bhagwan Sai wears orange robes, his hair is curly and appears as a crown and is known to, miraculously, cure the diseased and the unbelieving with his vision, unparalleled by any other.  Hence, Was St. John, the apostle of Jesus, granted a vision of the future Sai Avathar thousands of years ago, during the time of Christ? Even if the answer is a "No," the striking similarities of the details mentioned in the Revelation section of the Holy Bible is too significant to be ignored as  pure coincidence. 

"To deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re-establish the principles of religion, I myself appear millennium after millennium (4:8)" declares Lord Krishna at the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  Similarly Swami speaks of his mission "…to spread happiness or ananda and so I am always ready to come among you, and to correct the buddhi or the intelligence.  I have come to counsel, help, command, condemn and stand by as a friend and well-wisher to all, so that they may give up evil prosperities and recognize the straight path" 
of Dharma or righteousness.   It is clear how Swami emphasizes the importance of right conduct and truth in our personal lives, leading to the realization of the soul. 

(To be continued) 

Sai Youth 

 "I have no one name to which alone I respond," Swami has declared. 
 "I answer when addressed by any name. All names are mine. Or rather, you 
 are the ones who name me." 

The word YUGADI means the day of the Inauguration of the Yuga or Age. The spiritual discipline for each age has been prescribed by the scriptures: for the Kritha or First Age - it is Dhyana, for the Treta, the Second Age - it is Dharma, for the Dwapara, the Third Age - it is Archana or Ritual Worship and for the present age, the Kali, it is Namasmarana, the repetition of the name of the God. So, on the Yugadi Day, one must dedicate one's life anew, to the discipline enjoined and resolved to accept and practice it to the utmost. This involves giving up all habits that interfere with the constant remembrance of God. 

 Yugadi - Telugu New Year was celebrated on March 18th.