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The purpose of the retreat is to realise Sai in our every thought, word and deed and to realise that Sai is not separate from us. Swami says, “You and I are one” and therefore our every breath is an offering to Him.
The goal of the retreat is to provide participants with ways and tools to meaningfully incorporate Swami into all aspects of our daily lives and into every thought, action, interaction, communication and be constantly aware of the fact that Swami is the eternal witness to everything that goes on in the world so that you can experience the omnipresence of the Divine.
The Retreat will be held at Sathya Sai Primary and Secondary College campuses in Murwillumbah and Dungay, New South Wales on Friday, 18 April 2025 (1.00 pm) to Sunday, 20 April 2025 (12.00 pm).
For any queries, please contact registration@sssio.org.au
Aravind Balasubramanya
Aravind comes from a family that has been devoted to Swami from early 1960s. His father used to take pictures of Bhagawan in the late sixties and early seventies in Brindavan and some of the old black and white photographs we see of Swami have been through his lens.
Aravind joined the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth (Swami’s school) in Calicut, Kerala for his primary education and joined the prestigious SSS Higher Secondary School in Prasanthi Nilayam for High School. He went on to do his Bachelors in Science with specialisation in Chemistry from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for which he secured a gold medal. He continued to complete his Master in science (chemistry) and with the desire to stay with Bhagwan went on to do his Masters in Business Administration (MBA). After serving Radiosai Global Harmony for 14 years, he had a brief stint as a Marketing Manager in a luxury startup. Currently, he is a freelance content creator and writer. He is also part of the SSSIO’s digital media and mentors the Young Adults worldwide.
Aravind has been profusely blessed with immense and multifarious talents. He is an excellent writer. His writings on Swami have touched hundreds of lives around the world. He is also an extremely talented speaker and has spoken several times in the direct divine presence in Prasanthi Nilayam at various occasions such as the Prashanti Vidwan Mahasabha, summer course and several festivals. He is also a gifted actor, script writer, director, producer of several dramas which have been put up in the direct divine presence.
He is also an excellent photographer and just like his father has been Swami’s official photographer for nearly five years. Photography is not just his hobby, it’s his passion and he has worshipped Swami through it. He is also a very gifted sportsman. He has authored 5 books – Memoirs of a Sai Student, Capturing Divinity (autobiographical books), Stories and Inspirations (collection of short original stories), Living with God and Sathya Sai Bhagawatham Part 1 (experiences of devotees) – all of which are available on Amazon.
More than all this Aravind has tremendous love for Swami and His teachings. For him, his biggest and greatest hero, inspiration and guide is Swami. His greatest desire is to be known as Swami’s storyteller.
Focus: Understanding one's spiritual journey. Activities: > Daily journaling: Reflect on personal experiences that resonate with Sai's teachings. > Meditation: Begin the day with 5-10 minutes of silent meditation focusing on inner peace. Focus: Reflect on the learnings from Tapovanam Activities: > Daily Reading of Tapovanam > Seeking peace, clarity, or a deeper connection with Sai as Tapovanam becomes our guide and companion. Description: This activity encourages participants to spend time in nature, observing the divine harmony in the external world and realizing that the same divinity resides within themselves. Activities: 1. Daily Nature Walk: > Spend 15–30 minutes walking in a natural setting (e.g., a park, garden, or forest). > Observe the beauty and interconnectedness in nature: the rustling leaves, chirping birds, flowing water, or the silence of a sunrise. > Reflect on how these elements mirror qualities within you, such as peace, resilience, or harmony. 2. Journaling: After each walk, write down what you observed in nature and how it relates to your inner self. Example prompts: # "What does the calmness of the morning sky teach me about my mind?" # "How does the flow of a river relate to the flow of thoughts and emotions within?" 3. Creative Reflection: > Sketch or photograph an aspect of nature that inspires you and write a short paragraph connecting it to Sai’s teachings. > Example: A blooming flower can represent the blossoming of love and compassion within. 4. Affirmations in Nature: As you walk, silently repeat affirmations such as: # "I see Sai in every leaf, breeze, and ray of sunlight." # "The peace in nature is the peace within me." Description: Reflecting on past memories to assess and deepen your relationship with Sai over time. Activities: 1. Daily Reflection with a Photo: > Choose one photo from your past that holds significant meaning. > Reflect on the event or time captured in the photo. # What were you feeling at that time? # How did Sai influence you during that period? # Did this event bring you closer to Sai, or do you feel you moved away? 2. Journaling: Write about the memory associated with the photo and your spiritual growth since then. Example prompts: # "How has my understanding of Sai’s teachings evolved since this moment?" # "What would I say to my past self from this time to guide them closer to Sai?" 3. Sharing Memories: > Share a meaningful photo and reflection in a group setting (online or in-person). > Discuss how these memories highlight Sai’s presence in your life journey. 4. Gratitude Practice: Conclude each day by expressing gratitude for the life events that shaped your journey with Sai. Example: "I am grateful for the challenges I faced during this time, as they brought me closer to Sai’s teachings of resilience and faith." Focus: Preparing spiritually and mentally for the retreat. Activities: > Reflect on the past weeks and document key learnings. > Offer a prayer of readiness for the retreat, visualizing the transformation you seek.
Click on the Sadhana for more details
Sadhana 1: Self-Awareness
Sadhana 3 - Read Reflect
Sadhana 2: Part 1 - Walk in Nature with Sai
Sadhana 2: Part 2 - Walk Down Memory Lane
Final Stage: Reflection & Preparation
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