Purpose of Sathya Sai centres

The Sai centre is the basic unit within the organisational structure of the SSSIO. The main purpose is to foster in its members an ever-increasing faith in God, together with the recognition of the inherent divine nature of man and all of God's creation. The Sai centre, consisting of members in a local community, is the main vehicle through which this goal is achieved. The centre provides a loving environment that nurtures the devotion of its members by creating opportunities for the study and application of Sathya Sai Baba's teachings.

operations manual

Membership

Anyone who is 18 years of age can become a member of a centre after he/she has familiarised himself/herself with the guidelines and expresses a sincere intention to follow them. This is to make the member a role model and a worthy instrument of Sathya Sai's message. All members belong to the organisation in order to realise their personal spiritual growth, to realise and display their innate divinity, and to support others in their spiritual awakening. There are no membership fees; donations are never asked for.

SSSIO guidelines

10 guiding principles

1. Love and serve your country. Do not be critical of others’ countries. 2. Honour all religions, for each is a pathway to the one God. 3. Love all people without distinction; know that humanity is a single community. 4. Keep your home and surroundings clean. 5. Help people to become self-reliant. Provide food and shelter, love and care, for the sick and the aged. 6. Do not tempt others by offering bribes or demean yourself by accepting them. 7. Do not develop jealousy, hatred, or envy on any account. 8. Do not depend on others to serve your personal needs; become your own servant before proceeding to serve others. 9. Adore God, abhor sin. 10. Observe your country's laws and be exemplary citizens.

Swiss Sathya Sai centres

In 1975, after his first visit to Baba, whose love and divinity had touched him deeply, Dr Ali Hussein began singing bhajans with other families in Geneva. Soon, study circles and courses for the children were added. In the 1980s, more groups were formed in Bern, on Lake Geneva, in Ticino and in the rest of German-speaking Switzerland. In 1988, it was decided in Prasanthi Nilayam that a Sai organisation should be founded in every country. During a visit of a group from Ticino, Swami asked Ilse Wolk to act as coordinator of the newly formed Swiss Sai Organisation. Today, under the leadership of the eighth National Council President, there are centres in Aarau, Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich; groups in Bellinzona, Langenthal and St. Gallen; and contact points in Aigle, Lucerne and Murten. See below for addresses.

Wings

The main activities of a Sathya Sai centre are carried out by three wings: spiritual, educational and service wing. These correspond to the three main paths to self-realisation: Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. In some centres, there are special activities for women, who are the primary caretakers shaping the lives of their children to develop good character, love for God and a willingness to serve the community. Many centres also have a programme for Young Adults between the ages of 18 and 40. The guiding principle for Young Adults is self-transformation, character development towards a life of service to their families, communities and countries.

Bhakti Yoga

The spiritual wing focuses on devotional singing, prayer, meditation, retreats, interfaith activities, programmes for newcomers, organising pilgrimages to Prasanthi Nilayam and other activities that strengthen one's faith and devotion to God, as well as the understanding and application of universal spiritual knowledge...

Jnana Yoga

The educational wing promotes the study and application of the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba through study circles and the publication of His teachings. Where there is an ISSE, the education wing supports its work in disseminating Human Values Programmes. The educational wing also oversees the Sai Spiritual Education at the centre...

Karma Yoga

In the service wing, members get involved according to local needs: Providing food, water and clothing to the needy; visiting patients in hospitals; organizing medical camps and blood donation campaigns; disaster relief programmes; adopting schools; participating in environmental protection campaigns; providing private tutoring...

Sai centre Aarau

Thursday 18.45-20.15 study circle & singing

Contact: Zita

Laurenzenvorstadt 47, 5000 Aarau

zita.wirth@bluewin.ch

Sai centre Basel

Saturday 18.30-19.30 singing
Thursday 17.00-19.00 study circle & singing

additional programmes for children

Contact: Surya & Reto

Blotzheimerstrasse 28, 4055 Basel

Surya basel@sathyasai.ch - Reto web@sathyasai.ch

Programme Thursdays

Sai centre Bern

Thursday 14.30-16.00 study circle & singing
first Sunday of the month 10.00-11.30 bhajans

additional programmes for children

Contact: Erika

Mezenerweg 4, 3013 Bern

bern@sathyasai.ch

Sai centre Geneva

Thursday 18.00-20.00 study circle & singing
last Sunday of the month 15.00-16.30 bhajans

additional programmes for children

Contact: Ayesha

Chemin de la Métairie 4, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex

geneva@sathyasai.ch

www.sathyasaigeneva.com

Sai centre Zurich

Thursday 19.00-21.00 peace meditation & singing
first Thursday of the month 18.00-19.00 study circle
first Saturday of the month 18.30-21.00 bhajans

additional programmes for children

Contact: Anton & Rama

Wehntalerstrasse 102, 8057 Zürich

zuerich@sathyasai.ch

Programme Zurich

Sai group Langenthal

Saturday 17.00-18.30 study circle & singing

Contact: Suntharalingam & Arthi

Thunstettenstrasse 60, 4900 Langenthal

arthi_1986@hotmail.com

Sai group St. Gallen

Thursday 19.00-20.30 study circle & singing

Contact: Michael

Linsebühlstrasse 50, 9000 St. Gallen

stgallen@sathyasai.ch

Sai group Ticino

Sonntag 18.00-19.00 study circle & singing

Contact: Yaschin

Centro Vitae, Viale Stazione 14, 6500 Bellinzona

ticino@sathyasai.ch

Quotations from speeches & books & letters

The requirements for membership are a fervent pursuit of spiritual advancement, full confidence in the name the organisation bears, and being recognised as a good person.

70% of the world's population is made up of young people, the potential leaders of tomorrow. If they are not properly educated, the world will not move forward in peace.

Three paths are laid down for the awareness of the immanence of the divine: action, devotion and spiritual wisdom. These three are interrelated and complementary.

Study circle is not only about reading, discussing and absorbing information into your head, but also about putting what you have learned into practice.