Yesterday was such a busy day that I could write a book about all that happened. It was like I was having a dozen or so exams or tests about all my trials and tribulations of the last year, or really this last lifetime. I felt as if He were tying off all the little veins and arteries around the heart of this person, this Susan Caffery, in preparation for the removal of her heart and soul.
Yesterday an old beau came to visit from the north. Actually he came to St. Pete to attend a high school reunion and dropped by to see me. We went out to visit 1019, my sister's house, and while we sat in the patio discussing our past courtship, my niece Bethia came down from the north. She'll stay for about a month before returning to her husband who isn't well. She'll probably spend the holidays there with her children before returning again to my sister's house for about four months. That is the usual schedule.
So yesterday was sort of a pivotal point in a way. I knew that the Lord was examining my feelings throughout, or my divine self was examining those feelings, same thing, in order to determine my progress. At least that's what I think happens in order to decide what issues need more work....like jealousy or arrogance or greed for instance. I think I may have done pretty well as I was simply my self throughout the day and didn't change personalities to cater to the occasion. This was an improvement because I tend to change colors like a chameleon depending on who I'm with.
Yesterday was 'Country Classics' as well and I sang three songs. You know, as I was sitting there watching this elderly woman in tight short shorts and ti-shirt dancing up and down the aisles gyrating her hips and skipping in time with the music, I was wondering why on earth I was there at all. These old people who sing these songs are not like any other people I've ever known. I think they maybe the same people who watch fox news and would cut back on Social Security except that they depend on Social Security to live. Also it makes me a nervous wreak to stand up there with a Mic and sing . “Why should I submit myself to this torture” I was thinking.
Then on top of everything else my Vonage phone line collapsed. So there were various tests throughout the day and I think I did pretty well and past all of them. I realized that I wouldn't have been happy with the 'old beau' and where as I would have been comfortable and secure as mother to his two sons, it probably would have been a pretty dull life. I was happier with my significant other.. When my niece arrived it was a warm and affectionate meeting after so much past anger and suffering and that was fine. And then I was able to sing my little songs with a smile on my face to an audience of pretty descent people actually, conquering my fears again, my snobbery and reaching out. I think the secret of my successful day was that I didn't want anything. I have found independence at last in my small flat and really need nobody and have no desires . If people like this person, if they like this costume I'm wearing well that's fine. If they don't, well, that's fine too. As my glorious, real self, I'll be taking off this costume one of these days, hopefully for the last time.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Who are the deserving
Having lived at the ashram for so many years, I've met many saints or near saints and seen many crash too, including myself. Not that I was ever even a near saint before I crashed. So I guess this blog came up this morning because I was thinking about one saint in particular, and it's turning out to be about me instead....as usual. Swami, if you want this blog, you're going to have to write it because I'm not doing very well with it. Which is the exact point, He always writes these blogs just as He wrote all the books and songs that bare my name. And even all the stuff I penned which had assumed names. In my heart I believed that I wrote the stuff and that I would get credit for it someday because I deserved the credit.
The thought which kick started this blog was of this one particular near saint losing her halo. I WANT TO SAY THAT THESE WINGS AND THESE HALOS DO COME OFF AT THE END. THEY ARE ATTRIBUTES JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE AND ARE NOT A PART OF THE REAL SELF. I pictured my friend with the halo slipping down, sort of lopsided over one eye. Ha ha, I thought wickedly.
But now, of course, the last laugh turns out to be about myself. Real saints, those who know their own divinity that is, real saints don't parade around with halos and wings. In fact, this might be one of the final hurdles, showing off your halo. Maybe your real shining light is only inside. No, that isn't right, Swami, because a light shines outside as well. Maybe a really dim light wouldn't show outside but I'm missing the point. I wanted to talk about how people, myself included, think they deserve to have recognition, to have the fruits of their good deeds and they don't. We don't because God is the only doer, the first lesson on the spiritual path. Wow, Swami, it took you long enough to get around to that punch line!
So there I was at Prasanthi Nilayam receiving so much grace from the Lord and feeling so totally unworthy. I wanted to PAY BACK the Lord. Incredible, right? I wanted to try to pay Him back so I wrote all those books. Only I didn't write them, HE wrote them. He was giving me even more grace by writing the books so I wouldn't feel so unworthy. So then, I BEGAN TO FEEL THAT I DESERVED RECOGNITION. THE FRUITS, when I really should have just felt MORE AND MORE GRATITUDE For THE LORD FOR GIVING THEM TO ME. I may not be the only one in the world to have these incorrect thoughts. Maybe many sainta and near saints and just ordinary people think they are deserving when they're not. I think this may be one of the last hurdles. In fact, believing that you are deserving of sainthood, or enlightenment, might be incorrect. I'm using 'incorrect' because it isn't really good or bad to think this way. It's simply, 'incorrect'. And what does a real saint think about it? Maybe they know that the Lord is the only doer because otherwise it's an ego trip and ….we all know that realization doesn't include the personal ego. That isn't who we are. You can't take credit for anything. But hang on, who are we anyway? This is where it gets complicated because you...and I are God. Does that mean that actually we are the doers? Dangerous thoughts which could destroy all our hard work, HIS HARD WORK
The thought which kick started this blog was of this one particular near saint losing her halo. I WANT TO SAY THAT THESE WINGS AND THESE HALOS DO COME OFF AT THE END. THEY ARE ATTRIBUTES JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE AND ARE NOT A PART OF THE REAL SELF. I pictured my friend with the halo slipping down, sort of lopsided over one eye. Ha ha, I thought wickedly.
But now, of course, the last laugh turns out to be about myself. Real saints, those who know their own divinity that is, real saints don't parade around with halos and wings. In fact, this might be one of the final hurdles, showing off your halo. Maybe your real shining light is only inside. No, that isn't right, Swami, because a light shines outside as well. Maybe a really dim light wouldn't show outside but I'm missing the point. I wanted to talk about how people, myself included, think they deserve to have recognition, to have the fruits of their good deeds and they don't. We don't because God is the only doer, the first lesson on the spiritual path. Wow, Swami, it took you long enough to get around to that punch line!
So there I was at Prasanthi Nilayam receiving so much grace from the Lord and feeling so totally unworthy. I wanted to PAY BACK the Lord. Incredible, right? I wanted to try to pay Him back so I wrote all those books. Only I didn't write them, HE wrote them. He was giving me even more grace by writing the books so I wouldn't feel so unworthy. So then, I BEGAN TO FEEL THAT I DESERVED RECOGNITION. THE FRUITS, when I really should have just felt MORE AND MORE GRATITUDE For THE LORD FOR GIVING THEM TO ME. I may not be the only one in the world to have these incorrect thoughts. Maybe many sainta and near saints and just ordinary people think they are deserving when they're not. I think this may be one of the last hurdles. In fact, believing that you are deserving of sainthood, or enlightenment, might be incorrect. I'm using 'incorrect' because it isn't really good or bad to think this way. It's simply, 'incorrect'. And what does a real saint think about it? Maybe they know that the Lord is the only doer because otherwise it's an ego trip and ….we all know that realization doesn't include the personal ego. That isn't who we are. You can't take credit for anything. But hang on, who are we anyway? This is where it gets complicated because you...and I are God. Does that mean that actually we are the doers? Dangerous thoughts which could destroy all our hard work, HIS HARD WORK
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Dasara News - Parthi
Om Sai Ram!
Life is wonderful. This is the best place in the universe to be. Aside from a few days of cloudiness the weather has been sunny. The crowd has been light except for Dasara. It was a very busy time with yagna, Grama Seva, speakers and musical programs.
A great time to be here. The other programs coming up for Birthday, Christmas, New Years, etc will be just as terrific. Come.
Saturday – October 1. The yagna continued until noon. The evening program
consisted of 3 speakers. Saurabh Kumar explained how Baba wove the 9 paths of devotion as part of the education program at the Universities.
Dr. P.L. Rani spoke about the importance of the 3 S’s: Sri Sathya Sai; Service, Sacrifice, Satsang; Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram as well as Baba repeating yeS, yeS, yeS.
The 3rd Speaker was Sathya Sai with except of his 21 October 2001 discourse. Sai emphasized the importance of following India’s spiritual culture. Sai said, “Leading a life of character is culture”. He concluded with a bhajan.
Afterwards, there was a musical program by Brindavan students with songs mixed with prayers.
Sunday - October 2. The crowd seems to have gotten larger over night. The weather was cloudy which provided some relief from the higher temperatures and humidity from the past few days.
The system for having darshan produced very long lines and a longer waiting time. However, as I walk along the lines of men and women outside Kulwant Hall, I realized that something has changed.
The message that Baba is alive, well, giving darshan and healing people is spreading. In addition, a major change in the energy of the planet is taking place now leading to world peace and happiness.
Also, today is the anniversary of Gandhi birthday. In the future his birthday will be an even bigger event than it is now. He has not been appreciated as much as he should be.
In addition, this morning in 1974 was the first time that I saw the physical form of Sathya Sai Baba in Prasanthi Nilayam in this lifetime.
In the evening, Shashank Shah spoke about the glory of the mother especially Sai as Mother followed by Kumari Lalitha Sarma speaking about learning detachment. The Sai Mission purifies our intellect. The last speaker was Sai Giridhar SaiRam who spoke about the grace of living in the Prasanthi Nilayam area, living your life as Sai would want you to, surrendering completely to Sai and merging with Sai.
There was another except from a Dasara Discourse where Baba urges us to follow our heart and remember that everything we have belongs to God.
The Anantapur students put on a musical program of songs they composed and put to music. Before starting they placed a miniature Golu on the Samadhi. (Photos) They sang in Telugu, Hindi and multilingual song as well as a Carnatic tune.
Monday – October 3. The morning yagna continued in the Poornachandra. In the evening there were 2 speakers; Rishabh Sachdeva and Prof Anantaraman who is also the media coordinator for the trust. Rishabh said that the best way to meet life challenges was by surrendering to god.
Prof Anantaraman said there were 2 main characteristics of the avatar: Cosmic Will and Absolute Detachment. Everything that Baba wrote in 1947 to his brother has happened. The world will remember Baba by his devotees.
There was another excerpt from a discourse.
The music program was a classical Carnatic and Hindustani concert by staff and students from Baba’s music college. (Photo)
Tuesday – October 4. General Hospital 56 Anniversary Day. Also, Tool Day. Anything you use for work and other reasons was to be blessed this day. It was Durga Ashtami. Baba has often said that gratitude was one of the most important virtues of man.
Baba’s 4 cars and his Chariot had rituals done at 8 a.m. at an altar that was set up next to the chariot. Chants were recited and coconuts were broken.
As I walked from the Western Canteen, I passed a resident who had just performed rituals on his car which included washing it.
In the evening, Shivam Chopra spoke about the importance of gratitude especially to Baba for everything he has done. Baba has also said that you should “Offer all your deeds to Me. That is the gratitude, I want from you”.
Amey Deshpande shared his experiences with Baba. He met a yogi last spring who reminded him not to feel sad. Baba went from embodied form to disembodied form.
Another story was about a student who forgot the tunes to some bhajans he was about to sing. The student thought that Baba also forgot. Baba said, I cannot forget, If I forget the entire universe will come to a standstill”.
Another excerpt from a Baba discourse was played.
Next was a special performance by staff from the General Hospital in honor of their anniversary. In 1954 when Baba was 28, he laid the cornerstone for the hospital. In those days Baba would sometimes act as a doctor by prescribing medicine and give advice to patients. The drama was ”Gamyam Neevuga…Payanam Nee Thoduga”
(Journey to Sai..With Sai..) The message was that while doctors treat the patient it is Baba who cures. Many miraculous cures were mentioned during the drama.
Following were slides and movies of Baba visit to the hospital.
Today is also the anniversary of one of the most exciting and mysterious event in Puttaparthi. Orbs. On this evening in 2007, Baba and most of Puttaparthi went to the Puttaparthi Airport where Baba said he would appear on the Moon. Supposedly nothing happened. Baba was also unable to get out of his car as there so many people. After about an hour, Baba left.
However, some people reported seeing little round orbs at the airport. Later, people
took pictures of some of them in Puttaparthi. They are here to help raise the vibration of the planet.
Wednesday – October 5. This was the last day of Navaratri and the end of Grama
Seva. (Photos)
It was an evening of speakers from Anantapur College. Kum Lalitha stated that the real aim of Navaratri was moving from darkness and ignorance to light and divine consciousness which pervades the entire universe.
Suma Rao, a faculty member, spoke about how God loves us selflessly while we tend to love god for material gain. Baba told her mother that Suma gets angry and goes to the prayer hall to overcome the anger. He said, “Why get angry at all”.
The music program was by students of Prasanthi Nilayam (Photo) along with visual of Sai inaugurating different places that were part of the ashram. The 2002 Dasara discourse was video as well as audio. Also, clothes were distributed to staff and students from all of the various educational campuses.
Thursday – October 6. Today is Dasara with the concluding ceremonies and special yagna (Photos) in Poornachandra. As expected the place was packed. No room for anyone else. It seemed like it was last year as we waited for Sai to come bless the final rituals.
In a way nothing has changed. Baba was present this morning. He sat in chair and walked about. He blessed everyone especially the priest as they did a good job.
And as usual the Poornachandra Hall was filled with invisibles having Baba’s darshan and absorbing the vibrations of the chanting and love transmission.
Near the end the priest walked through the crowd sprinkling holy water on everyone. (Photo) A memory of Baba doing this walking up the center aisle. Today he did it through the pundits.
Later Anantapur students distributed Grama Seva in the ashram. Male Students gave out more rice packets and laddus from trucks.
In the morning new housing for those taking care of the cows at the Gokulam was inaugurated.
In the evening with the hall mostly filled as another program was presented. Shashank Shah spoke about the various reasons for celebrating the holiday. It was a victory of good over evil. Rarheesh Kumbalath spoke about the importance of mother, the motherland and the divine mother. While Sanjay Sahni emphasized that we can never understand Baba and that he is everywhere from the largest to the smallest.
The Baba discourse night was about how only God can provide selfless Love.
The musical was a form of classical music that is about 350 years old performed by Pandit Bhushans, Pandit Rajan and Pandit Sajan Mishra from Varanasi (Photo). They were accompanied by several other musicians.
Friday – October 6. This morning United Kingdom presented a musical program called “Sai Harmony” from 8 – 9:30 which was unusual as this time was reserved for Rudram and bhajans. It was our treat. The music was outstanding. There were vocals and instrumentals. The highlight was the singing by Charlotte, a blind lady, who has sung in front of Baba before. Her voice was beyond the angels. The heavenly invisibles rejoiced to her vibrations.
She also played some bhajans medley on the accordion. Following her were instrumental and group songs. (Photo)
Baba was very happy with U.K.
For all the programs in Kulwant Hall, 2 big screens and several monitors had been set up for viewing Baba slides and videos. Each evening during the playback of Sai giving part of a discourse, the slides were made to give an impression that they were a live viewing of Baba speaking. (Photo)
Also attached are 2 Dasara discourses.
Thought: "Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are." This is from Baba’s discourse. He has said this many times. As I was reading it this morning, I realized another important meaning of this statement. Baba used this statement when referring to the kind of friends you have, where you work, what you at other times, etc.
However, My feeling is that the real meaning is the kind of thoughts you think about, how much time you spend thinking about God and how much about other stuff.
The company in your mind maybe more important that the physical ones.
Those of you planning to travel to Sri Lanka might want to reconsider. Effective 2012, there will be no more Visa On Arrival. However, you can get a temporary Visa at their embassy or through the computer.
Please when you send me an email, please state under your name where you are from.
Seema messages “The Divine Bird” and “God Knows...God Gives…God Saves”.
Thought for the Day
2 October 2011
Gandhiji looked upon India as one country. He planted the seed of unity of all faiths and all communities, which under his guidance grew quickly into a big tree. He built a great movement on the basis of Atmabalam (soul-force) that strengthened unity and self-confidence. There was a lot of suffering while the freedom movement was on. But sufferings are the prelude to success. Sathyagraha was the path of Truth and Love, of the means being as pure as the ends. He who accepts criticism gladly and thanks the critic for his remarks is the one really human. Since Gandhi was willing to learn and had the humility to acknowledge criticism, he could mould the people of his land and be hailed as the Father of the Nation.
Baba
Thought for the Day
5 October 2011
During the ten days of the Dasara, the Rakshasas (demons) in the form of wicked qualities are destroyed. Rakshasas do not mean demonic beings. The bad qualities in people are the demons. Arrogance is a demon. Bad thoughts are demons. When the Lord metes out a punishment, it may appear harsh. They depend on the time, place and the circumstances in which the Lord acts. Butter can be split with a finger. But a powerful hammer is needed to break a piece of iron. The Lord deals with Sathwic persons in a Sathwic way. The Lord applies the Rajasic weapon against Rajasic persons. Unknowingly, people attribute dreaded forms and qualities to the Divine. This is not proper. The Divine has only one attribute, Love. Love is God. Love pervades the Cosmos. View the world through the eyes of love and you will experience bliss.
Baba
Thought for the Day
7 October 2011
The term "Devi" represents the Divine power that has taken the Rajasic (powerful) form to suppress the forces of evil and protect the Sathwic (good). Whenever the forces of injustice, immorality and untruth have grown to monstrous proportions and are indulging in a death-dance, when selfishness and self-interest are rampant, when people have lost all sense of kindness and compassion, the Atmic principle, assuming the form of Shakthi, God will destroy the evil elements. This is the inner meaning of the Dasara festival. Develop good qualities. Cultivate love amongst all people. All the festivals have been designed to promote Divine love amongst everyone. It is to confer such love on the people that the Lord incarnates on earth. He Himself demonstrates how love should be expressed. He showers His love and teaches everyone how to love. Hence, experience this love and joy in your life and live in peace.
Baba
S-C-O-R-E-
I usually use you, dear blog, as a therapist, but today I'm just going to just bounce my ideas off you. This is so typical of the way I do things! After not going to the Sunshine Center for an entire year I have just started to go to the music things and now I have a plan to change the whole Center! Interestingly enough the CEO or the head of the Center is a friend of my sister's. My sister is the mother of STIFFS as you may remember and quite the VIP around St. Pete or WAS a few years ago. So anyway at least I'll have someone to talk to about this, maybe. Oh and another thing that's interesting, he is part Indian American. His first name is J. We know it's really Jay as in victory, don't we.
Anyway, the idea is that we seniors should have an opportunity to give back to the community. SCORE means, Senior Community Out Reach Education. I think it should be put on the Center calendar as an activity for everyone to participate in if they want. It would a chance for us seniors to give something back instead of just being given to or taking. I already know what some will say....all my life I'VE GIVEN GIVEN GIVEN and now that I'm old I can sit back and be taken care of. But see I think that everyone, no matter what age or sex or religion feels better about themselves if they are also giving
Now I realize how hypocritical this sounds coming from a person who isn't doing anything for anyone...right now at least. I was a social worker at one time and even now I'm always on the look out for small opportunities. Our Tampa Bay Sai Center does lots of service with medical camps and dental camps and stuff and I haven't joined in but I've been pretty sick and besides I don't drive so it hasn't been possible.
But as a group of seniors there may be some things we could do. We could be grandparents and connect with an elementary school and arrange for a few of the young kids, to come to the center for tutoring. We could take our 'county singers ' to nursing homes to sing to the patients....if we had a bus to take us. We could help with the 'meals on wheels' program which prepares the food right in our building. We could go to Bay Pines VA and read to wounded warriors. As Christmas gets closer, we could help with the Christmas wrapping for the needy....a program which they did last year too. And there is a need in St. Pete for people to volunteer to inspect nursing homes and assisted living facilities. There is a word for that but I CAN'T EVEN SPELL IT ENOUGH TO ASK GOOGLE. Well anyway, as you can see, I've been spending my valuable meditation time THINKING instead of clearing my mind. I'm afraid all this activity is throwing me right back into the world which means MORE KARMA doesn't it. Well I've been hiding in our ashram for over 30 years now trying to avoid karma. And I guess it's really ME who feels as if I should be giving back now.
It could very well be that this is just another 'one size fits all' idea of mine resulting from being on the high end of the pole. Being a bit 'bi-polar, a lot depends on my mood swings. Remember the idea I had to start a 'Western Sai Center' with western music and study groups made up of topical subjects? Well the western music turned out to be for me to sing to my Swami and probably this grandiose idea is only for me, too. rather than for HUMANITY. I think big.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
India announces $35 tablet computer for rural poor
Associated Press
Posted: 10/05/2011 04:37:01 PM PDT
Updated: 10/05/2011 06:07:53 PM PDT
NEW DELHI -- India introduced a cheap tablet computer Wednesday, saying it would deliver modern technology to the countryside to help lift villagers out of poverty.
The computer, called Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, is the latest in a series of "world's cheapest" innovations in India that include a $2,040 compact Nano car, a $15 water purifier and $2,000 open-heart surgery.
Developer Datawind is selling the tablets to the government for about $45 each, and subsidies will reduce that to $35 for students and teachers. In comparison, the cheapest Apple (AAPL) iPad tablet costs $499, while the recently announced Kindle Fire will sell for $199.
Datawind says it can make about 100,000 units a month at the moment, not nearly enough to meet India's hope of getting its 220 million children online.
Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal called the announcement a message to all children of the world.
"This is not just for us. This is for all of you who are disempowered," he said. "This is for all those who live on the fringes of society."
Despite a burgeoning tech industry and decades of robust economic growth, there are still hundreds of thousands of Indians with no electricity, let alone access to computers and information that could help farmers improve yields, business
startups reach clients or students qualify for university.
The launch -- attended by hundreds of students, some selected to help train others across the country in the tablet's use -- followed five years of efforts to design a $10 computer that could bridge the country's vast digital divide.
"People laughed, people called us lunatics," ministry official N.K. Sinha said. "They said we are taking the nation for a ride."
Although the $10 goal wasn't achieved, the Aakash has a color screen and provides word processing, Web browsing and video conferencing.
The Android 2.2-based device has two USB ports and 256 megabytes of RAM. Despite hopes for a solar-powered version -- important for India's energy-starved hinterlands -- no such option is currently available.
Both Sibal and Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli called for competition to improve the product and drive prices down further.
"The intent is to start a price war. Let it start," Tuli said, inviting others to do the job better and break technological ground -- while still making a commercially viable product.
As for the $10 goal, "let's dream and go in that direction. Let's start with that target and see what happens," he said.
The students Wednesday were well-briefed on the goal of providing tablets for the poor, although most in attendance already had access to computers at home or in their schools.
"A person learns quite fast when they have a computer at home," said Shashank Kumar, 21, a computer engineering student from Jodhpur, Bihar, who was one of five people selected in his northern state to travel to villages and demonstrate the device. "In just a few years people can even become hackers."
India, after raising literacy to about 78 percent from 12 percent when British rule ended, is now focusing on higher education with a 2020 goal of 30 percent enrollment.
Today, only 7 percent of Indians graduate from high school.
"To every child in India I carry this message. Aim for the sky and beyond. There is nothing holding you back," Sibal said before distributing about 650 of the tablets to the students.
Posted: 10/05/2011 04:37:01 PM PDT
Updated: 10/05/2011 06:07:53 PM PDT
NEW DELHI -- India introduced a cheap tablet computer Wednesday, saying it would deliver modern technology to the countryside to help lift villagers out of poverty.
The computer, called Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, is the latest in a series of "world's cheapest" innovations in India that include a $2,040 compact Nano car, a $15 water purifier and $2,000 open-heart surgery.
Developer Datawind is selling the tablets to the government for about $45 each, and subsidies will reduce that to $35 for students and teachers. In comparison, the cheapest Apple (AAPL) iPad tablet costs $499, while the recently announced Kindle Fire will sell for $199.
Datawind says it can make about 100,000 units a month at the moment, not nearly enough to meet India's hope of getting its 220 million children online.
Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal called the announcement a message to all children of the world.
"This is not just for us. This is for all of you who are disempowered," he said. "This is for all those who live on the fringes of society."
Despite a burgeoning tech industry and decades of robust economic growth, there are still hundreds of thousands of Indians with no electricity, let alone access to computers and information that could help farmers improve yields, business
startups reach clients or students qualify for university.
The launch -- attended by hundreds of students, some selected to help train others across the country in the tablet's use -- followed five years of efforts to design a $10 computer that could bridge the country's vast digital divide.
"People laughed, people called us lunatics," ministry official N.K. Sinha said. "They said we are taking the nation for a ride."
Although the $10 goal wasn't achieved, the Aakash has a color screen and provides word processing, Web browsing and video conferencing.
The Android 2.2-based device has two USB ports and 256 megabytes of RAM. Despite hopes for a solar-powered version -- important for India's energy-starved hinterlands -- no such option is currently available.
Both Sibal and Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli called for competition to improve the product and drive prices down further.
"The intent is to start a price war. Let it start," Tuli said, inviting others to do the job better and break technological ground -- while still making a commercially viable product.
As for the $10 goal, "let's dream and go in that direction. Let's start with that target and see what happens," he said.
The students Wednesday were well-briefed on the goal of providing tablets for the poor, although most in attendance already had access to computers at home or in their schools.
"A person learns quite fast when they have a computer at home," said Shashank Kumar, 21, a computer engineering student from Jodhpur, Bihar, who was one of five people selected in his northern state to travel to villages and demonstrate the device. "In just a few years people can even become hackers."
India, after raising literacy to about 78 percent from 12 percent when British rule ended, is now focusing on higher education with a 2020 goal of 30 percent enrollment.
Today, only 7 percent of Indians graduate from high school.
"To every child in India I carry this message. Aim for the sky and beyond. There is nothing holding you back," Sibal said before distributing about 650 of the tablets to the students.
Sathya Sai Study Circle Workshop
Dear Center Presidents,
Please forward the following announcement to all members:
Sai Ram,
Please mark the following date on your calendars. Our region will be conducting a Sathya Sai Study Circle Workshop on Saturday, Nov 5, 2011 from 9am to 5pm, in Orlando, Florida. Hotel and transportation details will follow over the next few weeks.
Our region, as part of a pilot program, will be the first in the country to host such a daylong workshop devoted to study circles. The goal is to consider eventually issuing certification for study circle facilitators, very similar to what has been occuring with SSE teacher training sessions. National Devotional Coordinator, Vijay Sagramsingh, along with Regional Devotional Coordinator Arunima Pant have been collaborating with the regional devotional coordinators throughout the country and they will be finalizing much of the groundwork for this program during their national meeting next month in Orlando.
Study circle is an integral part of the program Swami has layed down for our spiritual unfoldment. This hands on, interactive, day long event will cover topics from the importance of study circle to the specifics on planning and implementing along with several mock study circle sessions highlighting common errors as well as best practices. While all devotees are welcome and encouraged to attend, Center Devotional Coordinators and study circle moderators should make a concerted effort to attend.
Loving Sai Rams,
Axay Kalathia MD
Regional President
Please forward the following announcement to all members:
Sai Ram,
Please mark the following date on your calendars. Our region will be conducting a Sathya Sai Study Circle Workshop on Saturday, Nov 5, 2011 from 9am to 5pm, in Orlando, Florida. Hotel and transportation details will follow over the next few weeks.
Our region, as part of a pilot program, will be the first in the country to host such a daylong workshop devoted to study circles. The goal is to consider eventually issuing certification for study circle facilitators, very similar to what has been occuring with SSE teacher training sessions. National Devotional Coordinator, Vijay Sagramsingh, along with Regional Devotional Coordinator Arunima Pant have been collaborating with the regional devotional coordinators throughout the country and they will be finalizing much of the groundwork for this program during their national meeting next month in Orlando.
Study circle is an integral part of the program Swami has layed down for our spiritual unfoldment. This hands on, interactive, day long event will cover topics from the importance of study circle to the specifics on planning and implementing along with several mock study circle sessions highlighting common errors as well as best practices. While all devotees are welcome and encouraged to attend, Center Devotional Coordinators and study circle moderators should make a concerted effort to attend.
Loving Sai Rams,
Axay Kalathia MD
Regional President
Where am I
I'll start by mentioning my experiences of yesterday. Christine and I walked over to 'Save-a-lot' which is a large supermarket with low prices. It's about 8 blocks and I walked it without much trouble.
There was a woman in the check-out line who had 'tats' (tatoos) all over her arms. She was also wearing chains around her wrists and metal rings on many of her fingers. I asked her if she were a 'rocker' even tho I really didn't know what that was and she said 'no'. So then I asked if she were a 'biker' and she said yes. Christine knew her and said that she feeds dozens of feral cats each day and was written up in the papers. Feral cats are wild animals who live outside and have no home. I liked her and there was a little banter between us. After that I sat on a bench in the store. There was a burly kind of a store policeman sitting up on a pedestal behind a desk. I watched as he spoke to a bunch of little black kids who were playing around. He was also black and said he used to be with the Sheriff's department and had also taught school. I said that kids needed role models these days and suggested that he just rent himself out as a role model. Stupid remark. Anyway, afterwards we walked about 4 blocks to the bus line where we got on a city bus to go back to Peterborough. It was my first bus ride and the whole day was great.
This morning after meditation I found myself thinking about my sister. She is spending her time these days weeding the front yard. It seems there is a ground cover plant with little yellow blossoms that has been pushed out by the weeds so she pulls out the weeds which have long roots, to encourage the ground cover. I have always believed that the ordinary things we do in our lives have great spiritual significance if seen correctly and this was a good example. Our joint Pug dog needs no leash now, it seems and just quietly plays around her as she works. Both are as happy as clams which makes me also very happy even tho I'm not there.
Anyway, then I berated myself for not concentrating on my self in my thoughts. I know that Swami has put me here all alone in this flat for that express purpose. Can't seem to direct the focus inside tho. Well my thoughts at 4 in the morning are usually pretty 'right on' and it occurred to me that I have never in my life, been able to think about myself. It's like I don't exist. Of course it's only the ego self that doesn't exist but my real self has always been there. But you know, no one likes to hear that you don't think you have much of an ego because almost everyone else has a ego. People always take care of, 'number one' so why don't I. Maybe I do to some extinct but maybe I've always been more interested in other people and their problems than my own. That's why I was such a good social worker. I think it brings more problems though than it solves. I'm not good at protecting myself and am always looking for someone to take care of me. Hummmm, that sounds like ego to me. Also my small self, my personality is so subject to change. I had a friend say once, “When I come to see you I never know who I'm going to find.” Maybe my lack of ego has something to do with that. So am I enlightened? Maybe I always have been but didn't know it. Maybe we all are.
Expanding Mind
Yesterday was a red letter day. Went across the street to the Sunshine Senior Center to 'Country Classics' and sang. Sang two 'smile' song, 'Smile though your heart is breaking' and 'When you're smiling'. Most of those country songs are about 'Your
cheating Heart' and “When the role is called up yonder' so I try to cheer them up. This time I felt accepted but I also got a little negativity. The lady in charge is evidently having an affair with one of the men who sings. He has a glorious bass voice and I said something to both of them yesterday and she replied...”This is my man and you're not woman enough to take him” No that isn't the name of another song. She actually said that. I giggled. I don't know what brought this on...just because I said I thought he was cute but, good heavens! Living in India for so long I have been away from all this.
After it was over everyone came up to tell me how much they enjoyed my singing. You know, I'm 77 years old and this is the first time IN MY LIFE I've ever sung alone in public. Swami's leela and it's kind of fun. There's also a class on Drama on Mondays which I'll look into. After all I majored in Theater one year and did two seasons of summer stock so I think I'm just tying up some loose ends before I take the final voyage. My mother lived until she was 99 so it could be a long time before that voyage pushes off even though god knows I've prayed for the boat to come.
There is more good news too. Our friend Carol said that she might come for Christmas. You know, I was looking at the map yesterday and this apartment building is really amazing. It's right in the middle of downtown St. Pete within walking distance of three or four museums, two or three theaters, a movie imax and two five stars. I've been too afraid to even go out across the street to the Senior Center for about a year now and so I haven't actually seen these places. Christine took me to the movies once to see, 'Help' and just the other day I took my first bus ride oh and I walked down to the bay the other day all by myself but...I am in the center of the civic center.
So this morning I couldn't meditate because I could almost FEEL my brain expanding. OK so here goes. I could open an office for 'Community Out reach for Seniors' across the street at the Center. I hesitate to suggest anything because I was on a high last year around Christmas and went over to volunteer. Saw the social worker in charge of the 'Office on Aging' and told her I'd been a social worker in California and offered to assist in some small way maybe like keeping tract of files or something. She looked me in the eye and said, 'There is nothing you can do for me and there is nothing I can do for you' I'll never forget that but sometimes my desire to 'love all serve all' gets the better of me. I thought of lots of projects this morning when I couldn't meditate. For one thing there is a Merriot Hotel a half a block away which has a swimming pool. It's getting cooler now but maybe in the summer seniors from this building could swim there. Also I was thinking about surplus food. In India there are groups which collect surplus...uneaten...food from the five stars to give to the hungry. I was thinking that there must be surplus food at these five stars and maybe we seniors could be invited to go there for lunch about one when the kitchen was still open Lots of kind of wild ideas.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Worlwide Caution
American Citizens Services Unit
U.S. Embassy
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India
Telephone: 91-11-2419 8000 ; Facsimile: 91-11-2419-8407
E-mail: acsnd@state.gov website: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov
&n bsp; October 3, 2011
Dear American citizens:
We bring this message to your attention so you can carefully consider the information it contains. Please pass along the information below to the American citizens in your area or put this information on your notice boards for dissemination. Thank you for your co-operation.
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for retaliation against U.S. citizens and interests following the deaths of key figures in the terrorist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula on September 30. This Travel Alert expires on November 30, 2011.
On 30 September, U.S. and Yemeni government officials confirmed that dual U.S.-Yemeni citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, the external operations leader of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in Yemen. Open source information also indicates that U.S. citizen and AQAP propagandist Samir Khan was killed along with him. Awlaki played a key role in advancing AQAP plots targeting the United States.
The death of Awlaki, in the near term, could provide motivation for anti-American attacks worldwide from individuals or groups seeking to retaliate against U.S. citizens or interests because of this action. In the past Awlaki and other members of AQAP have called for attacks against the United States, U.S. citizens and U.S. interests. Awlaki’s standing as a preeminent English-language advocate of violence could potentially trigger anti-American acts worldwide to avenge his death.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on facebook as well.
For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Emergencies and Crisis link at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. The Internet home page address is http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov.
U.S. Embassy
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India
Telephone: 91-11-2419 8000 ; Facsimile: 91-11-2419-8407
E-mail: acsnd@state.gov website: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov
&n bsp; October 3, 2011
Dear American citizens:
We bring this message to your attention so you can carefully consider the information it contains. Please pass along the information below to the American citizens in your area or put this information on your notice boards for dissemination. Thank you for your co-operation.
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for retaliation against U.S. citizens and interests following the deaths of key figures in the terrorist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula on September 30. This Travel Alert expires on November 30, 2011.
On 30 September, U.S. and Yemeni government officials confirmed that dual U.S.-Yemeni citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, the external operations leader of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in Yemen. Open source information also indicates that U.S. citizen and AQAP propagandist Samir Khan was killed along with him. Awlaki played a key role in advancing AQAP plots targeting the United States.
The death of Awlaki, in the near term, could provide motivation for anti-American attacks worldwide from individuals or groups seeking to retaliate against U.S. citizens or interests because of this action. In the past Awlaki and other members of AQAP have called for attacks against the United States, U.S. citizens and U.S. interests. Awlaki’s standing as a preeminent English-language advocate of violence could potentially trigger anti-American acts worldwide to avenge his death.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on facebook as well.
For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Emergencies and Crisis link at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. The Internet home page address is http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Another Day Older
My sister picked me up on 9/28 and took me to 1019 for my birthday. Puggles, our joint-dog was shocked to see me and wouldn't look at me at first. I stayed one night and my sister brought me back the next day. Puggles never did jump up on the couch where I was watching TV but allowed me to pet her. She is very definite about her limits. I swear she is human but she wants constant attention and....food. I know I told you all about her history, seven litters in 3 years and I think she was kept in a cage. So now she craves attention and love. Something that I've finally gotten over.
About the singing. Singing has been my pastime since I moved into Peterborough. I have collected about 70 songs from the 50's and 60's and changed the lyrics just enough to sing to Swami. No kissing or touchy feely stuff or anything embarrassing. I concentrated mostly on His 'side long glances' and just His Darsan. I tried to imagine His Anantapur girls singing to Him. Anyway, then I went across the street to the Sunshine Senior Center and started singing in a program they call Country Classics. There are about ten elderlies who have guitars and maybe three keyboards. I have been singing since the second time I went...even though the organizer was noncommittal about my singing from the first. The others gave me lots of encouragement because frankly most sound terrible. Well, they are singing country ballads and the bar is pretty low. I sang 'Country Roads' by John Denver and 'Anytime' by Eddie Arnold but they mostly sing stuff like...'I'm lookin' over a four leaf clover' and 'If you knew Susie' Also they sing a lot of hymns. I have always been very up front about my India connection thinking people would be more broad minded than they probably are. I always say that I believe there is only one God but that He has many names. At the end of each session we sing, 'Amazing Grace' which is a great song but when we finish we hold hands and put them in the air. I feel they are saying, “I am saved” which is OK by me because I am, but not in the same way. I was told by one guy that Jesus is the savior because we are all sinners. Swami says that isn't true. I think the guy meant the Garden of Eden or something which refutes evolution. That is so ridiculous it's hard to believe the people in this civilized country can buy it . I was in a Girl Scout troop and my Mama was the leader, 65 years ago and we couldn't meet at the Methodist church because she was teaching evolution. Here I am right back in this group of really prehistoric thinking people.
Well, of course I don't fit in, never have. Mama never fit in either. But then when have I fitted in, in India, in second arch where I sat in the Hall? No, I didn't fit in there either but pretended to. I sat and read my English translation while everyone was chanting Sanskrit. Now I'm here, thinking inside about Swami saving me by giving me my belief in Vedanta while everyone else is proclaiming they are saved from their sins.
It's hard isn't it. I don't fit in anywhere except in my own wonderful little flat, by myself, singing love songs to my Swami. He has created this cozy little nest some where in the west and I am very grateful. Every morning I say three times, 'Salutations to my precious adorable Lord, Sri Sri Sri Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, my eternal Beloved, my very own Self, Kali Yuga Avatar. My very own Self, ummm does that mean that I, this Self, created this cozy nest? How can that be? I don't have any power to do that? Then, who did create all this if I didn't? God? Swami? I've never had the power to even create my own life and make good decisions. I can't even spell decisions, thank God for spell check. It's really hard to understand anything, isn't it? If I am God and I created all this world then why am I praying to 'the other'. Swami says there isn't 'the other' and we're all the same. Maybe my right hand doesn't know what my left hand is doing. Maybe my unconscious is subsciousnce. Oh hell, I can't spell that either. Hummm, 'this Self' and 'That Self' are the same Self because there is only 'One Self'. Maybe that will help.
About the singing. Singing has been my pastime since I moved into Peterborough. I have collected about 70 songs from the 50's and 60's and changed the lyrics just enough to sing to Swami. No kissing or touchy feely stuff or anything embarrassing. I concentrated mostly on His 'side long glances' and just His Darsan. I tried to imagine His Anantapur girls singing to Him. Anyway, then I went across the street to the Sunshine Senior Center and started singing in a program they call Country Classics. There are about ten elderlies who have guitars and maybe three keyboards. I have been singing since the second time I went...even though the organizer was noncommittal about my singing from the first. The others gave me lots of encouragement because frankly most sound terrible. Well, they are singing country ballads and the bar is pretty low. I sang 'Country Roads' by John Denver and 'Anytime' by Eddie Arnold but they mostly sing stuff like...'I'm lookin' over a four leaf clover' and 'If you knew Susie' Also they sing a lot of hymns. I have always been very up front about my India connection thinking people would be more broad minded than they probably are. I always say that I believe there is only one God but that He has many names. At the end of each session we sing, 'Amazing Grace' which is a great song but when we finish we hold hands and put them in the air. I feel they are saying, “I am saved” which is OK by me because I am, but not in the same way. I was told by one guy that Jesus is the savior because we are all sinners. Swami says that isn't true. I think the guy meant the Garden of Eden or something which refutes evolution. That is so ridiculous it's hard to believe the people in this civilized country can buy it . I was in a Girl Scout troop and my Mama was the leader, 65 years ago and we couldn't meet at the Methodist church because she was teaching evolution. Here I am right back in this group of really prehistoric thinking people.
Well, of course I don't fit in, never have. Mama never fit in either. But then when have I fitted in, in India, in second arch where I sat in the Hall? No, I didn't fit in there either but pretended to. I sat and read my English translation while everyone was chanting Sanskrit. Now I'm here, thinking inside about Swami saving me by giving me my belief in Vedanta while everyone else is proclaiming they are saved from their sins.
It's hard isn't it. I don't fit in anywhere except in my own wonderful little flat, by myself, singing love songs to my Swami. He has created this cozy little nest some where in the west and I am very grateful. Every morning I say three times, 'Salutations to my precious adorable Lord, Sri Sri Sri Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, my eternal Beloved, my very own Self, Kali Yuga Avatar. My very own Self, ummm does that mean that I, this Self, created this cozy nest? How can that be? I don't have any power to do that? Then, who did create all this if I didn't? God? Swami? I've never had the power to even create my own life and make good decisions. I can't even spell decisions, thank God for spell check. It's really hard to understand anything, isn't it? If I am God and I created all this world then why am I praying to 'the other'. Swami says there isn't 'the other' and we're all the same. Maybe my right hand doesn't know what my left hand is doing. Maybe my unconscious is subsciousnce. Oh hell, I can't spell that either. Hummm, 'this Self' and 'That Self' are the same Self because there is only 'One Self'. Maybe that will help.
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