The Sri
Sathya Sai Seva Organisation was founded in the 1960s by Bhagawan Sri Sathya
Sai Baba to enable its members to undertake service activities as a means to
spiritual advancement. The Sathya Sai Organisation derives inspiration,
guidance and strength from Bhagawan Baba’s mission and message of propagating
the truth of man’s inherent divinity, which is proclaimed and preached by all
religions of the world. In consonance with this truth, the Organisation has as
its main objective selfless love and service without any distinction of
religion, nationality, race, socio-economic status, either for those who work
in the Organisation or for those who are served by them. Thus, it transcends
all barriers, leading humanity towards the ideal of ‘Fatherhood of God and
Brotherhood of Man’. In fact, this spiritual basis enables everyone in the
Organisation to pursue his own religion better by putting its teachings into
practice by way of love and service to the God who dwells in all hearts (Source)
Bhagawan’s Divine Sankalpa (Will) to create this edifice of the Sri
Sathya Sai Organization for the emancipation of humanity, is like a potent seed
sown in the 1960s which has now spread out with innumerable branches across the
globe. To comprehend the power and determination behind this Divine Sankalpa is
mind boggling. However, it is very important for us to understand and recognize
how Bhagawan Baba, notwithstanding all the Divine Powers at His command, in a
very human way, through a very natural process, built this edifice brick by
brick, laying out its blueprint in all its enormity, phase by phase. He
communicated its vision, mission, and modus operandi in every possible detail
to all the stakeholders. Studying the “construction” of this Divine
Organization and appreciating its “architecture”, in the backdrop of its Divine
Creator, is a matter of great thrill and joy, a source of profound wisdom and
message and a matter of immense fulfilment and satisfaction. This will be the
focus of this posting. Needless to say, what will be covered is just a drop in
the ocean, for there is so much that Bhagawan Baba has said and done, and only
part of which is documented and even less is available as audio files in His
Voice. Therefore, what is included here is just a part of what is available to
us, audible in His own Voice.
This posting on Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the Sri Sathya Sai
Organization (SSSO) will be covered in the following seven parts:
Part
|
Theme
|
Part-I
|
Genesis and Management Model
|
Part-II
|
Emphasis on “No connection between
SSSO and Money”
|
Part-III
|
Discipline – The undercurrent of
all activities in SSSO
|
Part-IV
|
Love-Service-Sacrifice – The Three
Pillars of the SSSO
|
Part-V
|
Expected Profile of SSSO Members
|
Part-VI
|
Ten Directives for SSSO Members
|
Part-VII
|
Concept of Ceiling on Desires
|
Part-VII
presents Bhagawan’s concept of Ceiling on Desires. Practice of Ceiling on
Desires is the ninth point in the Nine-Point Code of Conduct prescribed by
Bhagawan for all members of the SSSO. The charter of the Sai
Organization says that every member should undertake sadhana (spiritual
discipline) as an integral part of daily life and abide by the following Nine-Point
Code of Conduct.
1. Daily
meditation and prayer.
2. Devotional
singing/prayer with family members once per week.
3.
Participation in the educational programmes conducted by the Organization for
children.
4. Attendance
at least once per month at group devotional programmes conducted by the
Organization.
5.
Participation in community service and other programmes of the Organization.
6. Regular
study of Sai literature.
7. Speaking
softly and lovingly with everyone with whom one comes into contact.
8. Avoiding
talking ill of others, especially in their absence.
9. Putting
into practice the principles of “ceiling on desires”, consciously and continuously striving
to eliminate the tendency to waste time, money, food, and energy and utilising
any savings thereby generated, for the service of mankind.
There is
much that Bhagawan has spoken about Ceiling on Desires. However, all the audio
files are not accessible as yet. Once they are accessible, the posting will be
updated appropriately. Interested readers may refer to two Discourses given by
Bhagawan focusing specifically on Ceiling on Desires. These are titled “Ceiling
on Desires – I” and “Ceiling on Desires – II”.
“Ceiling on Desires – I” is a discourse given to active workers of the Sri Sathya Sai
Organisations, Tamil Nadu at Abbotsbury, Madras, on 19 January 1983.
“Ceiling on Desires – II” is a discourse given in the Mandir, at Prasanthi Nilayam, on 14
July 1984.
The three
audio extracts in this posting are taken from the Discourse delivered by
Bhagawan in the year 1985.
In Clip-1, Bhagawan explains the concept of Ceiling on Desires and
elaborates on its inner significance. Clip-2 highlights the four key aspects of
Ceiling on Desires. In Clip-3 Bhagawan illustrates how the concept of Ceiling
on Desires has been misunderstood by most people and clarifies that this
initiative has not been started for collecting money, but for helping others
and thereby seeking joy.
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial
number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip,
Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of
the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The
post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of
Bhagawan's Message from these extracts.
Note:
Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched
together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on
link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If
anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-Concept of Ceiling on
Desires-2.07-1985 November 21 Evening
 |
| When we put a Ceiling on our Desires we get happiness |
What is
the meaning of “Ceiling on Desires”? It’s inner meaning is to put a check on
man’s desires. By curbing our desires, we will be able to save some money too.
This money may be used to help and support our fellow human beings. This apart,
we would be able to execute some noble tasks with the money and thus be able to
put the money into good use. This money
could also be used to alleviate the suffering of members of our own family, who
are not doing well.
In Kali
Yuga, “Dhanam Moolam Idam Jagath” (The basis of the entire world is
money). Without money we would not be able to do any small task also.
Therefore, in order to save some money for the nurturing of one’s own family,
for the purpose of helping others, and for the purpose of carrying out sacred
tasks, the practice of “Ceiling on Desires”, i.e. to avoid wastage of money -
is proposed.
02-Four Aspects of Ceiling on
Desires-1.04-1985 November 21 Evening
 |
| Do not waste Money, Food, Time and Energy |
Don’t
waste money
Don’t
waste food
Don’t
waste time
Don’t
waste energy
Ceiling
on Desires has been established so that the practice of these four aspects
would give you an opportunity to be able to promote your Divinity and recognize
the transcendental Divine principle.
03-Distorted Practice of Ceiling on
Desires-Swami started SSSO not for money-Bhagawan wants only Love-2.05-1985
November 21 Evening
 |
| Bhagawan wants only your Love! |
Today, in
India, in the name of “Ceiling on Desires”, without controlling one’s own
desires, merely saving money, an amount of Rs. 60 lakhs has been deposited in
the account of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. I do not have the beggarly feeling
of desiring for money. Not only today, never in the past too, has there been
any moment, when I have asked anybody for any wealth. My sacred tasks
themselves generate the money that is necessary for them. Therefore, what you
need to give me is the sacred principle of Love. I do not need this money.
A Short Quiz
01-What is the inner significance of
the practice of Ceiling on Desires?
02-What is the purpose in practising
the concept of Ceiling on Desires?
03-What are the four key aspects of
the concept of Ceiling of Desires?
