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Prayer – from Heart for All…
Last year’s chain of
events like, Best Bakery bomb blast in Pune, the Dhantewada massacre, the
Air India Express crash, the gruesome act of sabotage that killed more than
hundred people in Jhargram, sent a chill down my spine (the memories of
26/11 in Mumbai had not yet faded) ! So many precious lives lost ! So many
hearts aching and bleeding for their near and dear ones, lost forever ! ‘Who
next ?’ my lips quivered. Those whom we see off in the morning, can we be
sure that they will be with us in the evening ? I shivered again. I was in
front of Baba’s photograph in my pooja room. “Is there no way out ?”
I asked tearfully. Amidst so much pain, insecurity and uncertainity, how can
we tread the path of Self-realization, our ultimate goal of life ? The
police, the army, the relief-workers and the Heads of states are all doing
their bit. But, we, who are at home, young as well as old, in the role of
housewives, mothers, sisters and friends (holding no official portfolio),
are we absolutely helpless and hapless ? Is there nothing that we can
do ? With these thoughts, I was seeing my son off to his college with a
short prayer to Baba for his safe journey, to and fro. Unknowingly, my
prayers went out for all those boys and girls and then to all the people who
must be travelling at that point of time to their various destinations by
road, by air or by sea (even a sea voyage is no more safe these days). And
suddenly, I realized I had been given the answer – prayer is the way out.
Prayers not only for our own folks and for ourselves but for every living
being. When we pray for our loved ones, let the same prayer go out for as many and as far a land as we can visualize. This I call the Ripple-effect prayer. When we throw a stone in the lake, it creates ripples that seem to slowly cover the entire lake ! When we wake up in the morning, we say a general prayer that, may it be a bright and peaceful day. Then, a more specific prayer for the son who is not being able to do well in studies, or for the old grandmother who is sick and depressed or for the husband who is not happy at work. Let these prayers be extended for all those who are under a similar condition, here or thousands of miles away. Then, while we are seeing our folks off to their place of work, let us pray to Baba to take them as well as every traveller on this planet under His wing of protection. When we are hungry and are about to have our meal, let us stop and pray that may every living creature, from the tiniest ant to the tallest tree, find sufficient food and be nourished (we can say a short prayer for the old and the sick who have a poor digestion. Yes, it is amazing to discover the wide range of prayers that can be sent out into this Existence). When we are having a cup of tea in the evening, it is not a bad idea to say ‘Cheers’ and pray for the safe return of our dear ones as well as for ____ well, by now, we know who ! While retiring for the day, let us specially pray for those who are sick, injured, depressed, alone or old. Let us pray to Baba that may they have a sound and peaceful sleep so that they may be relieved of their pain and discomfort. Needless to say, our prayers must pour out from the depths of our heart. It is important that after saying the prayer, we must visualize that it has come true. This gives added – power to it to get actualized. In his book ‘Happier than God’, Neale Donald Walsch says that whatever prayers we say, Nature responds by saying ‘So it be’ (Tathastu). So, we should be very careful while wording our prayers. Never to choose negative words or those words that describe the event we do not want to happen. Eg. Instead of praying – “May there be no accident today”, (‘no’ is negative and ‘accident’ is the word that describes the event that we do not want to happen) we should say – “May everyone have a safe and comfortable journey.” So, when Nature says – ‘‘Tathastu” (So it be), what gets granted is ‘safety’ and ‘comfort’ during the journey. Nature does not register ‘no’ or ‘not’. The best way to counter-act evil is by compassion and understanding. Hence, let us not be judgemental while praying. Let Baba decide who is the evil-doer and who a good samaritan (Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent that He is). We pray for one and all, indiscriminately. This kind of prayerfulness leads us to the awareness that there is no ‘other’ - One consciousness dwells in all living and non-living entities, thereby opening the door to Non-duality. Baba had always emphasized practice over preaching. Let us practice praying to Baba with positive words, specific intent and compassionate heart without being judgemental, for everyone. It won’t be long when each atom of this Existence will be infused with love, compassion and care, thereby resonating peace, harmony and bliss ! Paradise shall be regained ! Tathastu ! - Sumona Bagchi Translator : Shri Sai Sat Charita Shri Saisagunopasana Shri Sainath Stavanmanjari Chaar Adhyay (on Sai Baba by Dasganu Maharaj) in Bengali A-41, Vishrantika Apartment, Sector 3, Plot No. 5A, Dwarka, New Delhi. Mobile : (0)9899774321 E-mail : vpriya1960@yahoo.com
DECLARATION Statement of ownership and other particulars about bi-monthly Shri Sai Leela to be published in the first issue of every year after last day of February. 1. Place of Publication : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014. 2. Periodicity of its Publication : Bi-monthly 3. Printer’s Name : K. R. More 4. Nationality : Indian 5. Address : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014. 6. Publisher’s Name : K. R. More 7. Nationality : Indian 8. Address : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014. 9. Editor’s Name : K. R. More 10. Nationality : Indian 11. Address : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014. 12. Name and Address of : Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) (Charitable and individuals who own the Religious Institution) News-paper and Partners or : P. O. Shirdi, Dist. Ahmednagar. Shareholders holding more than one percent of the total capital I, K. R. More, hereby declare that the particulars given above the true to the best of my knowledge and belief. K. R. More Executive Officer, Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Printer & Publisher |
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