For those interested in following the progress of the Sai Bookcentre of Canada, you will know we have been at our present mid-town Toronto location on Merton Street for the past seven years. Over that time the Bookcentre has expanded a great deal, hundreds more new titles having to be accommodated on the burgeoning shelves, not to mention the huge variety of CDs and cassettes now available. Mail order, originally a very small part of our volunteer seva, has also mushroomed. But having a lovely Bhajan Hall attached has made us hesitant to move. Seven years of Sai bhajans and spiritual practices have soaked into the space to the point where newcomers and visitors often remark upon the strong spiritual vibrations, and the wonderful uplifting feeling. So, we have been wondering during the past year or so when our lease expired, what was the best thing to do. After much prayer, and surprisingly successful negotiations with the landlord, we have just signed a new three-year lease, so we are here for a while longer! Now the plan is to move a wall to expand the Bookcentre giving more shelf space and room to walk around, and also start on some much needed renovations, in order to organize ourselves to be of further service to Swami and his Organization in the new millennium. Renovations start Monday August 9th and, as this involves moving a lot of books, we are having a big RENOVATION SALE for instore customers only on SATURDAY AUGUST 14th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Substantial reductions on many titles and 10% off our already low prices for all regular books and other items.
SATHYA SAI AND THE UNIVERSAL REALITY OF MANKIND
By Mata Betty Review by Michael Sawer
New Zealand Sai devotee, Mata Betty has written four books about Swami
and his teachings, two of which have now been published by the Prasanthi
Nilayam Trust, so they are available at a lower cost than previously.
These are Sathya Sai Baba and the Universal Reality of Mankind and Sathya
Sai Baba and Universal Revelations. This month we will review the
first book and next month the second. Sathya Sai Baba and the Universal
Reality of Mankind was first published in 1995 but is still a terrific
read in 1999! Mata Betty has been to India dozens of times and has
had scores of interviews with Sai Baba; she shares many of the personal
details with us in this volume and each chapter contains excerpts from
Swami’s teaching. Before even going over to India for the first time,
Mata Betty and her late husband were graced with a vision of Sai Baba appearing
physically in their New Zealand home, speaking to them and answering their
questions. They became ardent devotees and Mata Betty’s warmth and
compassion is evident on every page as she explains how we can integrate
Baba’s principles and ideals into our lives and thereby benefit humanity
worldwide. Simply written and highly recommended. Both books CAN
$4.95 (US $3.45) each.
SOURCE OF A DREAM - My way to Sathya Sai Baba
By Robert Priddy Review by Michael Sawer
Robert Priddy is a prominent researcher and University lecturer in
philosophy and social science who has authored several notable books dealing
with Psychology and related subjects. In this volume, after direct
contact with Swami in India, he shares his spiritual awakening and eventual
transformation, along with his wife, into devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Given his credentials, Robert is no blind believer and he explores Sai
Baba’s miracles, appearances in dreams and teachings from an intellectual
standpoint. Among the very interesting and informative stories, is
this - Swami physically appeared to the author’s mother in Europe amd healed
her of her intense pain, although she was an atheist and had never heard
of Sai Baba! Another account deals with three devotees who achieved final
liberation, as promised by Swami, but at a steep price. This book
also contains the now famous photograph of Swami creating the solid gold
Lingam in 1993 - the picture that Swami says contains healing power.
This book is highly comprehensive and rewarding. Now published by
Samuel Weiser in the USA, Can $20.95 (US $14.65).
HARI BHAJANA BINA ... A song, The Journey,
Our Destiny
by Dr. Suresh Govind of Malaysia Review by
Karuna Munshi
Looking for just one easy to understand commentary on the Bhagavad
Gita? Look no further! Dr. Suresh Govind of Malaysia has authored
just the right book which should serve as a handy reference book for Sai
devotees, especially young adults. Bhagavan at the end of His discourses
usually sings the song "Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahi". This
book offers a commentary on this song and attempts to offer the reader
layers upon layers of suggestive advice, guidance and tips as to how one
should climb the mountain of life. Swami in an interview told the
author: "This song is the essence of the Bhagavad Gita ... everything is
in this song ..." The author examines this declaration line by line.
Each line of the song is a chapter by itself which is explained lucidly
with the help of over 150 quotes taken from Swami's teachings. Accompanied
by attractive illustrations, the book is written in a very reader-friendly
style and easy on the eye. Strongly recommended as a must read for
Sai Youth who are serious about integrating Swami's teachings in their
daily life. CAN$9.00 (US$6.30)
PS James Redmond has just brought out a video based on this book
filmed in Malaysia, available from The Video Education Company or through
us - price CAN $20:00
YOGA OF ACTION - Significance of Selfless
Service
Compilation from the Divine Teachings of Bhagavan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
by Kirit Patel and Vijay C. Amin
This little booklet, first published for Swami’s 65th Birthday, has
been in constant demand ever since. We are happy to say we have it
in stock once again. Chapter titles include: Avatars - Fine examples of
Selfless Service; Law of Karma and Selfless Service; Grace of God; Atmic
Unity through Service; Removal of Egotism; Ceiling on Desires; Qualifications
for Selfless Service; Criticism of Others. Every Sai Centre Seva
Coordinator would find this little book helpful for their job. Can $1.75
(US $1.25)
THE GLORY OF SAI PADHUKAS
Review by Gopal Mehta
As per ancient lore, Hindus worshipped their guru’s padhukas or wooden
sandals, as a symbol of devout respect, and in the Ramayana epic Prince
Bharata placed Ramachandra’s sandals on the throne as a symbol of his rulership
during his 14 years absence. This custom has been revived in Puttaparthi
in the last few years where silver Sai padhukas are worshipped, and at
an annual festival in October thousands of devotees who own padhukas gather
to have them recharged. The Glory of Sai Padhukas reveals the incredible
power of these padhukas as related by devotees who have received them from
the Divine Lotus feet of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. While this
book gives the method of worshipping the padhukas, it also includes innumerable
experiences of devotees with them. CAN $5.95 (US $4.15)
TWO NEW CDS
Review by Marianne
NEW FROM BHAJANAVALI SERIES - VOLUME 44 entitled
Wherever My Glory is Sung I Install Myself
There
There are 15 Bhajans on this new CD sung by the Sri Sathya Sai Bhajanavali
singers with Indian background music including the Sitar, Vibrophone, Flute,
Violin and Tabla. 1. Om Kar 2. Namosthuthe Ganapathy Ganaraya
3. Sainatha Anatha Natha 4. Sairama Bolo Satya Sairama Bolo
5. Manamohana Madhusudhana 6. Anupama Sundara Nanda Kishora
7. Madhava Hari Krishna Madhura Mohana 8. Hara Hara Shankara
Jaya Jaya Shankara 9. Manamohana Murali Dhari 10.
Jaya Kausalya Nandana Ram 11. Srikari Kripakari
12. Hara Shiva Shankara 13. Sainatha Guru Govinda
14. Govinda Gopala Narayana 15. Jag Me Sarvam Vishnu Mayama
16. Hum Sub Milkar Mangal Gaaye 17. Asatomaa Sad Gamaya
18. Aarthi. It has a delightful Indian sound, like having an Indian Satsang
in your own home, and you can follow along as the words are on the inside
cover Can $12.00 (US $8.40)
DAWN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM
JAGADEESAN’S SONGS ON A NEW CD FROM MALAYSIA
We cannot do better than copy you into to the back cover which informs
us: “Bro. J. Jagadeesan’s magic in song writing and Bro. Dr. Suresh Govind’s
play writing skills (see Review of his book Hari Bhajana Bina above) have
given birth to many successful and uplifting performances in the presence
of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Prasanthi Nilayam. These songs are now
featured in this CD Dawn of the New Millennium. Weaving rhythms and sounds
of love, peace and harmony into its captivating songs and evocative score,
this soundtrack creates a sweeping musical journey of listening pleasure.”
There are 22 songs and a Universal prayer at the end, including: I Will
Love You; Children of Sai; I am a Wave in The Ocean; I hear the Sound of
the Bell; Take My Hand; Can I See Love. On a personal note, I’m pleased
to hear a little of my favourite - Now I hear Your call which Jega often
sings in his talks and workshops - you know the one that says “Let me be
a flower in Your garden/ Let my life be delight/ Let me be a star in the
heaven above /Let me show the Light”. The CD also includes “Hurry Home’
the Theme song of the World Youth Conference 1997. The words are on the
cover CAN $20.00 (US $14.00)
Bhajan is one of the processes by which you can train the mind to expand
into eternal values. Teach the mind to revel in the glory and majesty of
God. Wean it away from the petty horizons of pleasure.
Sathya Sai Baba
FOR MARTIAL ARTS AFICIONADOS
We have a few copies of the book Budo-Ka - True Spiritual Warriors
by Sensai Deena Naidu. Some of you may be familiar with the earlier
book by the same author - Discovering Martial Arts - The Empty Hand Way.
Budo is the traditional Japanese Martial Art which emphasizes the spiritual
and mental aspects of karate - training true spiritual warriors Budo-kas.
Can 10.95 (US $7.65)
Jai Sai Ram!