STUDY CIRCLE. IMPORTANT SATSANG SADHANA IN SAI ORGANISATION
Ganesh L
"What is a study circle? It is not
just reading books. Study circle means taking a point and each person discussing
what is the meaning of the point to them, like a round-table conference. Each
person gives their point of view, and finally values are derived from this. If
there is just reading, there is doubt. But if each one gives his view, doubts
will be answered. The topic is viewed; the study circle looks at different
facets. It is like a diamond with its different facets, but there is one facet
that is flat, the top facet, and from this all can be viewed. To discover the
top facet is the task of the study circle. "
"Swami's talks may be taken, or other scriptures. "
"Take a point. Have everyone think about it and discuss it, and come to the final point where doubt is decreased. If only one person reads, there will be only one meaning. All misunderstandings, all points of view --after these are brought out, the study circle members will get confidence. There is no doubt of this. "
"If each one only reads, this may go on for a year or two, then an allergy to reading develops. "
"Centers must have study circles in this way, and none will note the passage of time. Each one listens eagerly and many will give their point of view. The Bible, the Koran, the Gita, Swami's books may be used. What is wanted is a study circle; rotating. Each one must be given a chance."
Conversations with Sai Baba, by
Hislop: pp.125-126 in older edition; pp. 137-138 in new edition)
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What is aim of Study Circle?
Dharmakshetra - 14th May 1995
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"Practise what you
learn (Discourse, 30 January 1985
A STUDY circle does not mean only
just reading and discussing and taking information into the head, but also
putting into practice what is learnt. If knowledge is stored in the mind, it
causes confusion and confusion leads to blowing of the fuse. How will real jnana
(spiritual wisdom) develop if there is too much confusion? For instance, if you
go on eating all the 24 hours, it will result in indigestion. This will lead to
disease. What is eaten should be digested and then only you should eat again. In
the same way, you should listen {eat) in the Study Circle and put into practice
(digest) what you have learnt. Again you can have another round of listening in
the Study Circle. Now what you are doing is only loading and loading and no
unloading. How much can you sustain like that? So, you should go on loading and
unloading, listening and practising. You have to practise whatever you have
learnt. Then only it becomes a real Study Circle.
It is important to learn your true nature
In the Study Circle, whatever we listen and assimilate in the
mind should be distributed to others. In that way we show gratitude for what we
have receded. We should not listen and keep it to ourselves only for our
benefit. Whatever we hear and practise should also be distributed to society at
large, Such gratitude is very important for man. If one does not have gratitude,
he leads the life of an animal. Even a dog shows gratitude if you give a little
rice. In the Sathya Sai Organisation, keeping this in mind, we should maintain
unity and help the world. Other organisations may not know the inner meaning of
this, but in our organisation we should know the inner meaning and we should
practise it, otherwise it is of no use. You should therefore be an ideal to
others.
In the study circle you can learn a lot of things, but the most
important thing to be learnt is your own true nature --your Atmathathwa. Learning all about external things without
knowing your real self is like studying the branches of a tree, ignoring its
roots. There are many fruits on the tree. We can see the fruits. What happens if
you water those fruits? They will fall down. But if you water the roots down
below, the tree flourishes and will give fruits which can be enjoyed. You have
to develop self-knowledge and self-confidence and then only you can help
others"
Full circle or half circle? (Discourse, 3 March 1974)
"You have joined the study class at Dharmakshetra, and are engaged in poring over all types of books and gathering information and instruction. But, what have you gained? Knowledge about what this author says or that sage teaches is not what your study circle must aim to acquire. Not information, but transformation; not instruction, but construction should be the aim. Theoretical knowledge is a burden, unless it is practised, when it can be lightened into wisdom, and assimilated into daily, life. Knowledge that does not give harmony and wholeness to the process of living is not worth acquiring. Every activity must be rendered valid and worthwhile by its contribution to the discovery of Truth, both of the Self and of Nature. Of what use is it to know everything about nature, if you do not know anything of the Self? Nature is only a projection of the Self, and so, unless the Self is known, knowledge of nature is either distorted or deceptive. The Self is Atma, of which the entire Creation is composed, so knowledge of the Self alone can quench the thirst of man.
...
Every one of you is a pilgrim on that road proceeding at your own pace, according to your qualification and the stage reached by its means. The advice that appeals to one of you or applies to one of you might not be appropriate to another, who has traveled less distance or reached a more advanced state. When I tell one person to follow one line of sadhana (spiritual discipline), it is specifically for his benefit; do not take it as prescription for your benefit also, saying, "Swami told him thus; let me also adopt it." Each has a different make-up --mental, physical, and spiritual. The doctor directs one patient to drink curds and prohibits another from drinking it. When a man is obese, he advises certain types of food; when he is lean, he advises other types. When doctors who treat diseases of the body have to prescribe different remedies, how much more specific and personal must be the remedies for the complex and varied conditions of mental situations and spiritual yearnings and aspirations?
Unless you make earnest inquiry, you cannot discover the remedy
applicable to your temperament and its problems. Study with faith and devotion.
Delve into the significance and the meaning of what you read, and always have
before you the goal of putting what you read into practice. Unless you do so,
the study circle will remain a half-circle for ever; it cannot be a full circle.
And, pay attention to one other point also. Do not confine your studies to this
circle and these books. The whole Universe is University for you. You can imbibe
wisdom from the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the rivers, the daily phenomena
of sunrise and sunset, the seasons, birds, trees, flowers, the insects --in
fact, all beings and things in nature."
Education in the Sai
era (Discourse, 18 February 1980 )
"Study the best means of bringing
peace. What can gatherings, meeting and sessions of learned bodies achieve? The
conclusions arrived at after extensive discussions are not put into practice at
all. Large sums of money as well as countless reams of paper are wasted. The
recommendations and resolutions must be tasted on the touchstone of practice.
The money can be better spent on raising the standard of life of the village
folk.
You have formed a study circle. Study the best means of bringing peace and apply those means in a few villages to prove their validity. They can then be taught to people in other lands also. Members of the circle can help students who are handicapped or defective and who have not been able to keep abreast of the rest, by giving them extra attention and special guidance."
STUDY CIRCLE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SATSANG SADHANA IN SAI ORGANISATIONS.
Directors JKR
-----Original Message-----
From: "Ganesh L" <l.gane...@gmail.com>
To: "Ganesh L" <l.gane...@gmail.com>
Date: 01/10/16 18:08
Subject: STUDY CIRCLE. IMPORTANT SATSANG SADHANA IN SAI ORGANISATION
"It is important for Seva Organisations to have weekly study circle, all office bearers and members need to take study circle seriously.The growth of sai seva organisations is in the fact that members need to understand and discuss spiritual topics, sadhana should be done with understanding, understanding is awareness and it has to be combined with proper communication, you must know the purpose and significance, only then you will be sincere in practice. Do not make sadhana a mere social activity or mechanical routine, it will not help you or the society"
"Have weekly study circle in Sai Centers, in addition also have study circle for Mahila and Youth. Discuss and imbibe the teachings, practice with understanding"
--- Sai Innerview
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is a study circle?
"What is a study circle? It is not just reading books. Study circle means taking a point and each person discussing what is the meaning of the point to them, like a round-table conference. Each person gives their point of view, and finally values are derived from this. If there is just reading, there is doubt. But if each one gives his view, doubts will be answered. The topic is viewed; the study circle looks at different facets. It is like a diamond with its different facets, but there is one facet that is flat, the top facet, and from this all can be viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle. ""Swami's talks may be taken, or other scriptures. "
"Take a point. Have everyone think about it and discuss it, and come to the final point where doubt is decreased. If only one person reads, there will be only one meaning. All misunderstandings, all points of view --after these are brought out, the study circle members will get confidence. There is no doubt of this. "
"If each one only reads, this may go on for a year or two, then an allergy to reading develops. "
"Centers must have study circles in this way, and none will note the passage of time. Each one listens eagerly and many will give their point of view. The Bible, the Koran, the Gita, Swami's books may be used. What is wanted is a study circle; rotating. Each one must be given a chance."
Conversations with Sai Baba , by Hislop: pp.125-126 in older edition; pp. 137-138 in new edition)
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