A Report on the 39th Annual Retreat of the Mid-Atlantic Region From May 23rd to 26th, 2014, the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S. Sathya Sai Organization held its 39th Annual Retreat at Camp Westmont in Wayne County, PA, drawing nearly 900 devotees to the Memorial Day weekend event. With the theme, ‘Why Am I Here?’ the retreat was an opportunity to experience Swami’s divine presence and to reflect on Swami’s teachings through a myriad of avenues, including memorable keynote speeches, delicious prasadam [offering], uplifting devotional signing, and inspiring workshops. Other highlights included a special multimedia musical offering, a concert by a host of talented performers and a health screening camp with a blood drive that drew 21 participants As in past years, the retreat’s keynote speakers shared frank and heartwarming stories about interacting with our dear Lord that evoked numerous thoughtful questions, as well as laughter and tears. Brother Leonardo Gutter told of how he came to Swami and then began his mission of introducing Swami’s message to the country of Argentina. The psychologist noted that through public meetings that draw more than 5,000 people, 80-90% of the Argentina population have heard about the avatar, Sai Baba. Expounding on the retreat’s theme of “Why Am I Here?” Gutter noted that we are here because “We were brought here by Swami to destroy our egos and awaken from the slumber of ages.” He urged devotees to “have intensity in their spiritual practices and not be lazy.” Gutter shared numerous examples of how Swami had shown up miraculously in his life, including in dreams, and said that to get God’s attention, “One has to ask with all one’s intensity until one is tired or until He is tired of hearing the pleas.” Gutter described how he once lost his money and passport in Miami Airport and when all attempts to recover the items proved futile, he went into the men’s room and prayed intensely to Swami for 45 minutes. Out of nowhere, a woman showed up with his money and passport and asked if the items were his. She later vanished into thin air. Gutter challenged participants to have full confidence in Swami and say, “I trust you Swami.” If anything happens, know that He wills it to happen for your own good. He also challenged retreat goers to “promise Swami that they would never do anything bad again, and never get angry or criticize anyone. If you don’t criticize or get angry, you are halfway there.” Dr. Choudhary Voleti, a successful heart surgeon, discussed how he used to live in a 7-bedroom house in Los Angeles with 7 cars in his driveway. After meeting Swami and being moved by His mission, Dr. Voleti left his lucrative practice to serve Swami in Puttaparthi. Though born in India in a village about 150 miles from Puttaparthi, Dr. Voleti noted that when he first came to serve at the Super Specialty Hospital, his attitude had some of the arrogance of a big time surgeon coming to provide his serves but he soon realized that Swami could have called anyone else. “It was His grace,” said Dr. Voleti that he was given the opportunity to serve. Dr. Voleti noted that Swami believed that education and healthcare should be free for all and emphasized that all the patients were equal whether they were from L.A. or Puttaparthi. Dr. Voleti noted that Swami could discuss any topic and would even give advice to the doctors regarding difficult cases. Swami would say, “Heal the body, then the soul.” Dr. Voleti served for 12 years in the Super Specialty Hospital before deciding in February 2011 to retire and live in Hawaii. “I was living in a beautiful condo in Hawaii, and yet on July 8, 2012, I surrendered the ticket to Wimbledon that I had pulled strings to get, and went back to India,” said the cardiologist. Today, he is working again and is now the hospital’s director. “I believe in Swami now more than ever,” said Dr. Voleti, telling retreat goers never to say that “Swami was here. Swami IS here. I can see it every day when I go to my office.” For many attending the retreat, the performance by singer and harmonium player T.V. Hariharan, Swami’s former student and lead singer, was one that they will always remember. He sang several inspiring and uplifting devotional songs that resulted in a standing ovation from the crowd. Brother Hariharan also shared his heart-warming story about how he left Swami because he felt obliged to go out into the world in order to help his family financially. After working in the IT field in a job that was unrewarding, he eventually returned to what he really loved—singing. The retreat also included a LEAP (Life Enriched by Application of Principles) evening during which SSE children used games to share Swami’s teachings. The retreat concluded with remarks by regional president Mrs. Prity Bhatt, who said that, “The gopikas [milk maidens] were able to find Lord Krishna by following His milk covered footprints. We are here to follow the footprints of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.” If there was any further doubt for participants about why they were there, a huge rainbow formed an arc over the camp and dazzled all with its brilliance, proof that Swami is still here and still helping us to transform as we continue on our soul’s journey. ~Edith BillupsSouth Bethesda Sai Center, Maryland, US

On Saturday May 4th, the SSE children, young adults, and adults from many New Jersey Sai Centers came together to celebrate Easwaramma Day as Children’s Day with a Sai Carnival filled with activities that were both fun and promoted human values from 9:30 a.m. onward. The event was held at Sarva Dharma Service Center in Howell, New Jersey. This inspiring celebration was a tribute to Easwaramma, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s mother. It commenced with vibrant bhajans by children in the main devotional hall and a message on the significance of mothers in our daily lives. By Swami’s grace, the weather was conducive, so booths were set up outside for the various activities. The activities prepared and conducted by the SSE children included games such as Jenga, Ring of Values, Chutes and Ladders, Darts, Memory, Values head-up, Wheel of Dharma, Spiritual Pursuits, an obstacle course representing challenges of life, and so on exemplifying Sai human values. There were also fun activities like decorating the hands with henna, face painting, guided art, T-shirt screen printing, etc. For lunch, there were stalls serving a variety of delicacies from around the world. In the afternoon, there was a magic show with enthusiastic interactive participation by children followed by bhajan antakshari [musical game]. The fun and learning continued with the value-based games, balloons, and cotton candy for children and making greeting cards as a service activity. A robotics booth was also available throughout the day for children to explore and learn. The main idea was to appreciate and enjoy while acquiring knowledge, learn in diverse environments, work in different ways, and use multiple senses, all for application of the values for the benefit of mankind. This was a truly fun-filled event for children and adults of all ages. All participants left thanking everyone for their inspiring efforts for making this event a successful elevating experience in celebrating mother Easwaramma’s day as the SAI “Human Values” Carnival and being especially grateful to Swami for bringing us all together in such energizing events. Jai Sai Ram

Region 2 – Retreat Play 2024 Iwas asked to write a play for the SSE Groups 1-3 back in July of 2023 by Brother Chetan Bhatt, Region 2 SSE Coordinator, while on his flight to the West Coast. Brother Chetan also mentioned that he wanted the storyline to be about a main character who was unhappy with their life and wanted to change it. As I always do, I consulted with Swami through my daily meditations and the script was written in 3 days. It was not going to be just a play; it was to be a Musical Play, [like] musicals you would see on a Broadway stage. Those were Swami’s words to me. An American art form that the children could relate to. His final words to me were, “Do.” The play was presented and approved. The title of the Retreat Play was “Swami, Astra, and His Superheroes.” The leading character is Astra, who is a teenager not practicing the 5 Human Values, and is not living a very happy life. In the play she has a dream in which she visits Swami who is in Prashanti Etherlands. with His mother, Easwaramma. There are four Superheroes that live with Swami, and they set out to help put Astra’s life back on track by practicing Swami’s 5 Human Values. Astra has a flashback in time, where she is able to change her past actions. She is escorted all along the way by Swami’s Superheroes. Astra’s test of character comes in Scene 5 when a local bully challenges her and her Sai friends. Not only did Astra stand up to the bully, but she convinces him and his brother to come to her Sai Center and learn the same 5 Human Values that she has learned at her SSE Classes. The play ended with a Human Values Rap. All in all, Astra transforms and makes a complete turnaround in her life. The auditions were held online in October 2023 for Region 2 SSE children, and the Cast was chosen. By January 2024 the work began. There was audio, visual, music, choreography/dancing, acting, and singing classes both online and in person. Costumes, props, backdrops, were created and rehearsals went until mid-May. The Retreat Play was an awesome gift for Swami on May 26, 2024, and an amazing Musical Play. My gratitude to Brother Chetan Bhatt, Retreat Play Team, Costumes/Props Team, Choreographer/Dancers, Make-up Team, Visual, Sound Team, Editors, Backstage Crew, SSE teachers who gave many hours of their week to help in Swami’s Play to come to fruition. Hats off to the Cherry Hill Center N.J., Madhavi Kanekal, Service Coordinator, for hosting two in-person rehearsals, and to Fairfax Virginia, Raghu Butna for hosting the only in-person rehearsal. Cast included SSE students from Richmond, Pittsburg, Flushing, South Ozone, Cherry Hill, Scotch Plains, and Fairfax Centers. ~Marie Captain, Cherry Hill Center, NJ