NSW Region Guru Poornima Celebration

NSW Region celebrated Guru Poornima through a journey of devotion, reflection and service, culminating in a regional program on Wednesday, 29 July at Ermington Community Centre. Centered upon the theme of ‘Awaken the Light Within’, this year’s Guru Poornima celebrations invited our NSW Adults, Young Adults and SSE Children to connect and introspect on how recognising Swami’s presence, guidance and divine light enables us to become part of a greater collective light – experiencing spirituality not only inwardly, but expressing it through how we speak, serve, love and live.

Drawing inspiration from Brother Sunder Iyer’s satsang during his visit in April, the program theme encouraged us to recognise every thought, action, word and moment of conscience, as an expression of that inner light. It embraced a TED-Talk inspired style, creating an evening of stillness, contemplation and connection. The evening featured storytelling and reflections from both an Adult and a Young Adult, who shared their personal insights into how Swami’s light can be recognised and experienced in their daily lives. Through storytelling and interactive moments, including a reflective letter writing segment for Letters Against Isolation, members were invited and guided through a journey to pause and introspect how can we can move from honoring our True Guru to embodying His teachings – recognising that the light within is expressed through every loving thought, kind word and selfless action.

The evening also marked the launch of the NSW Region Young Adult Study Circles, establishing an ongoing space for Young Adults to explore Swami’s teachings and literature, learn together and reflect on how we can live Swami’s message in our daily lives.

Our Guru Poornima journey extended beyond the program, through meaningful opportunities for sadhana (spiritual discipline), devotion and creativity. Through Likitha Japam (writing meditation), members across our NSW Region engaged in collective spiritual practice, whilst SSE children explored the theme and expressed their reflections in the form of artworks. The spirit of service was carried into the wider community through a Food Drive supporting Yenu Allowah Aboriginal Child & Family Centre, with generous contributions from the NSW Sai Family helping support Aboriginal children and families across Western Sydney.

Guru Poornima was a collective offering of love, selfless service and sadhana from our NSW members, reminding us that Swami does not simply show us the Divine Light – He awakens us to the light which exists within.

May we all continue to awaken the divine light which resides within and allow Swami’s unconditional love and guidance to permeate through all that we offer at his Divine Lotus Feet.

Embodiments of Divine Love! Today is Guru Poornima day. What is its inner significance? There is no guru other than the One Divine. As long as you consider yourself a mere human being, you may regard yourself as a disciple. But when you realise that you are the embodiment of the Atma, you become your own Guru. In going after gurus and teachers, men are deluding themselves and forgetting Brahmam. Seek refuge in yourself. Recognise your Reality. That is the right path. And that is the way to revere the Guru. – Sri Sathya Sai Speaks V24:Ch21, Divine Discourse July 26, 1991