Bhagavan Baba – Spiritual directions/advice on Operation of Sai Centers
Questions & Answers
Published by Sri Sathya Sai Central Council of Malaysia in conjunction with the MINI CONFERENCE of FAR EASTERN Sai Centers Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 1984
ROLE OF CENTER LEADERS
AND OFFICE BEARERS
Q: Who should be
chosen as leaders?
A: Choose men and
women who have unshaken faith in this present Avatar, with this Name and this
Form. That will save the units from many complications later, arising from
loyalties which may detract or deviate the energies of the office bearers. The
leaders of these units lead, because they have the vision and the yearning, not
because they have the votes or the purse. The Ananda they derive is the only
reward they are after. When men who have no understanding and no vision
encroach into positions of authority, unrest and confusion usurp the saddle.
Detachment, simple living, steady Sadhana-these are the qualities that entitle
a person to membership of these units. Give up, do not gather - that is the
road to Grace. Abou ben Adhem found that the Angel had recorded his name, in
the list of those whom God loved, though his name was nowhere to be found in
the register of those who loved God; for, he loved, not God, but men. That is
enough to win Grace.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. VII, Page 180)
Q: In what manner
should a Sai Centre leader be chosen?
A: There must be an
atmosphere of love and tolerance, not one of envy, excitement or
aggrandizement, when names are considered. When once a person is selected in
the atmosphere of peace and love, co-operation and tolerance should prevail,
and everyone must follow his directions and respect his guidance. It is only
then that the Divine· Grace will be conferred on you.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. VIL Paze 325)
Q: What advice has
Swami for office-bearers?
A: You are
Office-Bearers and so, you have the responsibility to carry out in actual
practice, in your own lives the rules and restrictions and recommendations laid
down by me. I warn you against falling prey to exhibitionism and display; there
are many who desire that others must admire and applaud, and so they do Japam
or sit in Dhyana, where many will be seeing them. Theirs is not the
attitude of indifference, which says, "I don't care what they say, or who
sees me or who does not." Their inner most craving is for people to notice
them and publicize their spiritual attainments. They are eager for audiences
and spectators.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. Vll, Page 389)
Q: What is Swami's
further advice to members and office-bearers taking up various
responsibilities?
A: You know that the
state requires you to take a solemn·oath, when you take up an office or enter
upon an assignment. Similarly, each member and office bearer must take an oath
from the very depths of the heart before engaging themselves in the activities.
"Swami, save me from any act of commission or omission which will affect
adversely the three qualifications You have laid down. Bless me with the skill,
intelligence, and enthusiasm necessary for the task I am dedicating myself to
carrying out for my own uplift. Guide me along the correct path; shower on me
Your grace so that I may earn a fair name in this attempt; guard me from
temptation and wrong steps." When you rise from bed at dawn, pray thus. At
night, when you go to bed, ponder over your activities during the day,
examining them, whether you went against any of the conditions of membership,
and if any wrong has been committed, unconsciously, pray that they may not
happen again. Decide to dedicate yourself in this manner, with these ideals for
the work ahead.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. Vl, Page 29 & 30)
Q: How are the
leaders in the Organization expected to behave Swami?
A: Like the case of a
mother and child, when the mother wants to lift a child, she bends to lift it.
Likewise, leaders should do and show that 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 the drill teachers, who demonstrate and show
everyone the exercises. Likewise, they should do good, be
good and see good.
(Seva
Dal 2/81, Page 9)
Q: Are key positions
of authority in Sri Sathya Sai Organizations the 'prizes' for devotion?
A: The President,
Vice President, and Secretary must be keener than the members in this endeavor
and must be examples for the rest. These officers should not be regarded as
positions of authority or 'prizes' for devotion. They must be accepted with
humility and executed with love towards the members and the public.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. VI, Page 177)
Q: Should
office-bearers receive special training?
A: Some person
suggested that the Presidents of these Organisations may be given a short
refresher course of instruction, so that they may carry out their duties (of
encouraging units to undertake Sadhana and Service), more efficiently. This is
very much like the move to train full time archaks or priests for performing
worship in the temples. Imagine someone being trained, for adoring God. It is
not a mechanical process, amenable to the curricula and timetable of the
classroom; it is a spontaneous urge from within, born out of sincere faith and
yearning. If pujaris or temple priests are to be trained to pray and adore, the
suggestion may crop up tomorrow that God too should be given training so that
He may respond and reciprocate in correct proportion. No.·Presidents and others
are now in those positions, because they are acknowledged by their people as
virtuous, devoted and capable of doing sustained service to their brothers and
sisters. What can a course of instruction add to their spiritual height? This
and similar suggestions raise their heads because most of you have not grasped
the very raison purpose of this Organizational set-up. The goal is not the
proliferation of activities and Centers, the multiplication of units, dotting
the map with Bhajana Mandalis or Seva Sangas, but encouraging Sadhaks
to become examples and inspiration to others.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. VII, Page 178)
Q: Can we assume that
all office-bearers, all members of Sai Centre are genuine spiritual aspirants?
A: There are certain
persons in our Organization who revel in factions and who dwell on differences;
there are others who have no faith in it and its task, others have no
enthusiasm for work, they are full of envy or malice. When you water a Margosa
Tree, you cannot get the sweet Mango from it. Pour the water of Devotion to the
tree of Sadhana; you will get the sweet fruit of Bliss.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. VII, Page 325)
Q: Can
"new" members be given positions?
A: On account of the
enormous development of activities and multiplication of responsibilities, it
has become necessary to give some new people a few responsibilities and some
older people changed functions and positions. But whatever happens you belong
to Swami and Swami belongs to you. This fact shall not alter. Install this
belief in your heart. Watch attentively for the alterations and additions made
in the rules... and observe them strictly in your dealings. Engage yourselves
to the fullest extent possible with sincere
enthusiasm, in the duties cast upon you.
(Sanathana
Sarathi January 1978, Page 260)
Q: What should the
relationship be between active workers and the Presidents/Convenors of SAI
Centre?
A: You must
implicitly follow the directions of the state President and the District
President, who nominate the Convenors. When you are tempted to question them,
remind yourself that their words have come through the Grace and Blessings of
Bhagavan, who has nominated them. Be polite, humble and sweet in your responses
to the commands you receive. It is imperative to have strict discipline; no
exception or concession can be tolerated. One word, one road-that should be the
motto.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. Vll, Page 268)
Q: What should the
attitude of co-ordinators be in relation to other Sai workers?
A: Be always in the
attitude of servants; that is the best training to become masters. Everyone
must feel equally entitled to the Grace that can be won by seva. Every one of
you must be ready to sacrifice everything, even your lives for the welfare of
those in distress.
(Sanathana
Sarathi, January 1978, Page 259)
Q: When leaders of
the Sai Centers are not setting good
example what should
the sincere active worker do?
A: In some Sanghas
and Samithis, as a result of the ambition of one individual or the greed
of one group, factions have sprouted and the spiritual atmosphere has been
fouled. The infection of politics has infiltrated into these Organizations.
This is because some people have started the Samithis for their own
aggrandizement. These will soon be eliminated, do not worry. You must carry on
your service, regardless of what the elders are doing to earn name or fame.
Serve, because you must, because your inner impulse asks you to do it, because
you get Ananda out of it.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. VII, Page 268)
Q: I am a
coordinator; I am not happy with the performance of a co-worker... ?
A: Office-bearers in
this organization are leaders who bear the brunt themselves, guides who walk
along the path they wish others to take. They shall not command or punish; they
can only persuade and advise. The name of Sathya Sai is attached to each wing
of this organization. It is Sathya Sai that inspires each activity of each
wing.
This fact has not
been taken to heart by many of you. Sai is the inner inspiration and light for
each worker. The sections should not feel free to act according to the whims
and fancies of members or office-bearers. Each is dependent on the other. When
a thorn pricks the foot, the eye sheds tears. There is a Divinity that moves
and motivates the entire system of physical, mental and intellectual activity
in the body. "Anthar bahischa that sarvam, vyapya Narayana
sthithat" (Inside and outside, all that is, is saturated with God).
When one organ is happy, all are happy. When one limb is affected, all is in
misery.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. X Page 227-228)
Q: Some members try
to discredit others so as to win positions in the center,... What is Swami's
advice to them.
A: Do not import into
the Sathya Sai Organization the political faction mongering, group-formation,
scandal spreading, and vote catching, in order to win positions of authority or
oust others from them. Do not create splits and parties among the devotees in
order to establish yourselves over others.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. 8, Page 29)
Q: Is it in order to
have change of leadership of Sai Centre?
A: You can suggest
changes, if you feel like having changes.
But do it after
mutual consultations and agreement. Avoid personal animosity and do not give
room to personal misunderstandings. Remember that the essential qualifications
for members are faith and devotion. Remember also that the development of this
Organization will bring Peace and Tranquility to a World torn by chaos. The
World can be bettered and saved only through Spiritual progress, by the efforts
of Spiritual Organizations.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol. Vll, Page 329)
Q: Should all members
have equal rights, obligations and duties?
A: Love all; respect
all; serve all. But do not believe that all have equal rights, obligations and
duties. You cannot say all cows are equal and purchase by the dozen. Some may
be dry, some may require more feed, some may give less milk, some may be young,
some decrepit, so, you have to distinguish and decide. Not all cars are equal,
Nor are all men. The Dharma or code of conduct for each has to be different for
it is decided by changing factors like age, profession, status, authority,
scholarship and also by considering whether a person is a male or female,
teacher or pupil, master or servant, child or youth, father or son, dependent
or free. But the basic principles of Dharma are Sathya, Prema, Sahana and
Ahimsa -Truth, Love, Fortitude and Non-Violence. The various codes written or
unwritten, are only elaborations of these basic principles.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks Vol. VI. Page 177)
Q: Can Sathya Sai
Centre help or offer help to any organizations?
A: In this matter do
not develop fanaticism or sectarianism. Others may have these, but, there is no
reason why you should meet them with the same failings. Try your best to avoid
such infection. When the other organizations require help, go and help them.
This will make them realize the loving universal nature of your attitude.
(Sathya
Sai Speaks, Vol, VI, Page 30)
Q: Should Sai Centers
make efforts to contest and work with or perform joint projects with other Seva
organizations?
A: It is best that
Seva Activities of our Organization are kept free from contact or involvement
with other Seva Organizations in the country. For, other Organizations do not
have the same strict rules and regulations regarding many matters. The
environment which makes their service programs and the atmosphere created
thereby may not be congenial to the Seva of this Organization.
(Sanathana
Sarathi, January 1978, Page 260)
