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The First World Conference of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation was held on16 May 1968. Ever since then, the organisation has grown in its reach and impact.
The 9th World Conference was held on 20-21 November 2010, with all sessions being held in the Poorna Chandra Auditorium. About 475 delegates from around the world took part. To the left below is the call to the Conference; to the right, the agenda and study circle topics, with links to talks by speakers.
The first day's plenary session was held in the morning of 20 November. The opening ceremony and prayer was followed by an introductory talk by Dr. Michael Goldstein. The second speaker was Prof. David Gries, and he was followed by Dr. Narendranath Reddy. All three spoke succinctly and briefly on the goal of the Organisation, how one must conduct oneself in order to be a contributor toward that goal, and on the purpose of the study circles that were held directly after the talk. In these intense study circle sessions, all the delegates of a particular region literally formed circles to discuss issues and come up with ideas on improving the Sai Organization —how it could become anSai Ideal Organization. Two scribes in each study circle took notes, and these notes are being collated and summarized —this will take a few months. (Click on an image to enlarge it).
The second day proceeded in the same fashion. After an introductory prayer, Mr. Leonardo Gutter and Dr. William Harvey spoke, and study circles began. After lunch, each study-circle facilitator spoke for a few minutes about important points coming out of their study circle. The conference concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Goldstein and a closing prayer.
All six talks --the three from 20 Nov., and the three on 21 Nov.-- can be seen on saicast.org.
The day before the World Conference was Ladies Day; the days after, Convocation and then the 85th Birthday Celebrations. Videosof these events can be seen on saicast.org, and from there one can get links to reports of the events.
World Conference - IX Dear Brothers and Sisters: Sai Ram! Welcome to the Sri Sathya Sai International World Conference - IX! We are a group of spiritual aspirants following the light of God. Our Beloved Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the light of God. He is the source of Truth and Love and one with the divine Indweller in the hearts of all people. He has permitted us to establish a “spiritual organization” -- the Sri Sathya Sai Organization -- in order that we might encourage one another to persevere on our spiritual journey. By so doing, we become free, and, by being free, we free others to be. Has He not said, “Your Life Is My Message”? Introduction In the pre-world conferences of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organizations we engaged in spiritual inquiry. We turned inward and contemplated the deep meaning of the quintessential proclamations of our beloved Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba: “God Is, I Am I, Love All - Serve All”. We considered how we apply His profound message to our individual lives and spiritual journey within. Happiness abounded. Progress was apparent. Now we must collectively turn inward as a spiritual organization and ask ourselves the proverbial questions: "Who are we? From whence have we come? Where are we going?" Now, as a spiritual organization, we must go within and find our inner spiritual core. It unites us and empowers us. It is our love for Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba who, in fact, is one with our spiritual hearts. We do not seek worldly acclaim as a spiritual organization. We seek to become exemplary men and women and thereby become a light in the world for spiritual truth and love. I - Spiritual Purpose "Why are we in this Organization? What is the purpose? You must have the firm belief that the aim of this Organization is to remove the obstacles that keep man away from God, that separate humanity from Divinity." - Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba II - Spiritual Principles Spiritual principles must prevail in our lives, in our organization, in all programs, practices, conferences, and actions, personal and organizational. Management administers observation of rules. Conscience administers adherence to spiritual principles. Spiritual principles are God given and, if faithfully practiced, lead to spiritual authenticity. Spiritual authenticity in our words and deeds, our plans and our programs, lead to spiritual progress. Spiritual progress unceasingly sought and savored enables us to ensure spiritual accountability to our own conscience, to our Lord and Master, our God and Guru, our beloved Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The result is the realization of Sai Ideal Human Life and Sai Ideal Spiritual Organization. III - Spiritual Procedure Elucidation: Spiritual clarity and spiritual understanding. The experienced speakers will present their views and insights on agenda topics. Deliberation: Spiritual participation and spiritual experience. Seek and find. Practice and become. The study circles will be convened and all delegates will have an opportunity to make their contribution. Consummation: Spiritual conclusions and spiritual resolutions resulting from our deliberations in the study circles will be given. The summaries of the study circles will be given for our consideration at the conclusion of the conference. This will bring all of it and all of us together in the spirit of selfless love personified by our beloved Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Dr. Michael Goldstein |
World Conference - IX Poornachandra Auditorium DAY ONE. 20 November 2010 08:30 Opening Ceremony, Prayer 08:40 Intro. Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chair, SSS World Foundation 09:00 Speaker: Dr. David Gries, Chair, Zone 1 09:20 Speaker: Dr. Narendranath Reddy, SSS World Foundation 09:40 Break 09:55 Study Circle Deliberations 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Study Circle Deliberations 14:30 Announcements, Closing Prayer, Adjournment DAY TWO. 21 November 2010 08:30 Opening Prayer, Announcements 08:40 Speaker: Mr. Leonardo Gutter, Prasanthi Council 09:00 Speaker: Dr. William Harvey, Prasanthi Council 09:20 Break 09:35 Study Circle Deliberations 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Reports by Study Circle Facilitators 14:30 Closing Remarks, Closing Prayer, Adjournment Study Circle Topics Our Expectations The Sai Ideal Spiritual Organization in our lives: what can we derive from it, what can we contribute to it? Uniqueness of the Sai Organization Compare to other organizations: religious, service, philanthropic, philosophic, others. Discuss the significance of the Sai Ideal Spiritual Organization for our respective societies and the world. Attributes of the Sai Ideal Spiritual Organization Structure, Function, Programs and Practices, Leadership Rules and Guidelines Review all guidelines and rules in general terms as they pertain to each of the discussion topics. Rules/guidelines in the Sai Ideal Organization should not be an oppressive and limiting device. Rather, they must become a mechanism for achieving discipline and efficacy, a formula to empower and expand participation, documents that are conducive to deepening our understanding and are more inclusive of all views and all people.
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