Rejoice in the Atmic Self

Each morning I recite the 1000 names of Devi in English and this morning one of them popped out at me. ‘I depend on none and

Rejoice in Myself ‘ I thought it was interesting because of the dependency issue again and this time it was tied to ‘rejoicing in the self. Swami keeps bringing these things up.

As I read this my sweet sister was pulling weeds just outside my door so I read the Holy Name to her. As usual she brought the subject back to ‘gratitude’. As a member of ‘Friends of the Library’ she is able to lend a helping hand to someone and feels nothing but gratitude to the Lord for giving her the opportunity to help.

I just had an,’aha’ moment. That divine name of the Goddess did NOT say, ‘I depend on my sister and Rejoice in her!’ but ‘I depend on none and rejoice in myself” I’ll bet a lot of you had already come to that conclusion.

Anyway, I’m going to try to copy Swami’s Astotra here because it is something I say every morning. And I am NOT trying to change the subject!

Garland of Precious Gems

108 Names of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

1. Om Sri' Bhagavan Sathya Sai Babaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Divine Mother and Father of us all.

2. Om Sri Sai Sathya Swarupaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Embodiment of Truth.

3. Om Sri Sai Sathya Dharma Parayanaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is solely devoted to teaching Truth and Righteousness.

4. Om Sri Sai Varadaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Giver of boons.

5. Om Sri Sai Satpurushaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the eternal Truth.

6. Om Sri Sai Sathya Gunatmane Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who embodies supreme Virtue.

7. Om Sri Sai Sadhu Vardhanaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who fosters and promotes Goodness in the world.

8. Om Sri Sai Sadhujana Poshanaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who guards and gUides good people.

9. Om Sri Sai Sarvajnaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is Omniscient.

10. Om Sri Sai Sarva jana Priyaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is dear to all.

11. Om Sri Sai Sarva Shakti Murthaye Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is omnipotent.

12. Om Sri Sai Sarveshaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who embodies all forms of God.

13. . Om Sri Sai Sarva Sangha Parithyagine Namaha.

. We surrender to Sai Who is totally detached from all things.

14. Om Sri Sai Sarva Antharyamine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the indwelling Spirit.

15. Om Sri Sai Mahimatmane Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is all Majesty and Glory.

16. Om Sri Sai Maheshwara Swarupaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Embodiment of lord Maheshwara.

17. Om Sri Sai Parthi Gramodbhavaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who was born in the village of Parthi.

l8. Om Sri Sai Parthi Kshetra Nivasine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is resident in the region of Parthi.

19. Om Sri Sai Yashakaya Shirdi Vasine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who was famous in His previous body as the resident of Shirdi.

20. Om Sri Sai Jodi Adipalli Somapaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who appeared as Shiva Shakti to save a devotee's child.

21. Om Sri Sai Bharadwaja Rishi gothraya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who was born into the spiritual family of the Sage Bharadwaja.

22. Om Sri Sai BhaktavatSalaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who loves and protects the devotee like a mother.

23. Om Sri Sai Apantaratmane Namaha.

We surrender to Sail the indwelling Spirit Who carries us across the sea of Samsara.

24. Om Sri Sai Avatara Murthaye Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the essence of incarnating Godhead.

25. Om Sri Sai Sarvabhaya Nivarine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who dissolves all fears.

26. Om Sri Sai Apastamba Sutraya Namaha. .

'We surrender to Sai Who was born in the lineage of the Sage Apasthamba.

27. Om Sri Sai Abhaya Pradaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who bestows courage.

28. Om Sri Sai Ratnakara Vamshodbhavaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who was born in the Ratnakara dynasty.

29. Om Sri Sai Shirdi Sai Abheda Shakty avataraya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Whose Glory is not different from the Shirdi Avatar.

30. Om Sri Sai Shankaraya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is Lord Shiva.

31. Om Sri Sai Shirdi Sai Murthaye Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Incarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.

32. Om Sri Sai Dwarakamayi Vasine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Resident of Dwarakamayi.

33. Om Sri Sai Chitravati Thata Puttaparthi Viharine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who lives at Puttaparthi on the banks of the Chithravati.

34. Om Sri Sai Shakti Pradaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who bestows vitality and intelligence.

35. Om Sri Sai Sharanagata Tranaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who saves those Who surrender.

36. Om Sri Sai Anandaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is pure Bliss.

37. Om Sri Sai Ananda Daya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who bestows pure Bliss.

38. Om Sri Sai Artha Trana Parayanaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is ever engaged in serving the distressed.

39. Om Sri Sai Anatha Nathaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the supreme Benefactor of the destitute.

40. Om Sri Sai Asahaya Sahaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Helper of the helpless.

41. Om Sri Sai Loka Bandhavaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai! Who is Kith and Kin of the whole world.

42. Om Sri Sai Loka Raksha Parayanaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is ever engaged in fostering and guarding the world.

43. Om Sri Sai Loka Nathaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is Lord of all the world.

44. Om Sri Sai Dinajana Poshanaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Guardian of the downtrodden.

45. Om Sri Sai Murthi Traya Swarupaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

46. Om Sri Sai Muki; Pradaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who grants absolute liberation.

47. Om Sri Sai Kalusha Viduraya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is devoid of defects and deficiencies.

48. Om Sri Sai Karuna Karaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is utterly compassionate.

49. Om Sri Sri Sarva Adharaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Sustainer and Support of all.

50. Om Sri Sai Sarva Hridvasine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who resides in the hearts of all beings.

51. Om Sri Sai Punya Phala Pradaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who bestows the fruits of merit.

52. Om Sri Sai Sarva Papa Kshaya Karaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the Destroyer of~ wrong doings.

53. Om Sri Sai Sai Sarva Roga Nivarine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who removes all disease.

54. Om Sri Sai Sarva Badha Haraya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who destroys all suffering.

55. Om Sri Sai Ananta Nuta Kartrine Namaha.

We surrender to Sai, the Creator Who is praised eternally.

56. Om Sri Sai Adi Purushaya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who is the' primordial Being.

Well I managed to copy half of the Astotra. We’ll worry about the other half….tomorrow. it’s time for the Daily Show. Lots of Atma there.

But today not so much. Couple of rock and roll musicians were singing about ‘leading a righteous life and ending up in heaven. They quoted Mother Teresa who said that we should all strive for ‘holiness’. They spoke of some of the experiences they have had with great rock and roll stars who inspired them to have spiritual visions listening and singing rock and roll.

Rock and Roll started actually after my time. I appreciated jazz but balked at rock. Where do you draw the line anyway, or do you draw a line. If you’re really intent on looking for the Atma, concentrating on the holy and the good there’s no reason why you shouldn’t find it in Rock or even heavy metal. I’ve heard that some of the rappers are very spiritual if you can disregard the polluted and the profane. I personally listen to Motzart Violin Sonatas all day.

Dearest Susan,

Please tell me I haven't alienated you forever. Thinking of you with pink clouds of loving protection, and confidence that your way is best for you. Please forgive my reluctance to join in. I'm leaving for Parthi in a week and knew there was much to do.

Sending warm love and affection,

My reply…Thanks, I needed that! It’s only that I can’t believe anyone could possibly be interested in my chatting. Is that lack of self respect or simply the truth. I did go to the grocery store today to buy some more green tea but frankly the Atma didn’t even cross my mind. Once you’ve seen a couple of orange butterflies playing around the tree near the back door it isn’t so inspirational anymore. Maybe it isn’t the outside experience which brings Atmic Bliss but the inner. At Prasanthi Nilayam it never gets old. There are blissful experiences always happening. But it isn’t the experience that counts but what you do with the experience inside. That’s only the outer there too isn’t it. But then God comes along and even if you don’t get a glance, someone does and we live vicariously don’t we. At least we learn to find bliss in the attention He gives to others…..hopefully, because, all the SAME ATMA, right.