Some people view and see scientific knowledge as a method of understanding the different laws of nature with a view to control and apply these for the benefit of the human race. They view the scientific discoveries, inventions, newer technologies from intellectual, empirical and utilitarian points of view which can be cognized directly through the cognitive faculties like the eyes and ears or indirectly through artifacts created by them (For example: Radio, transistor transmitting electronic waves). Whereas this is not contradicted, there are very few people who interconnect their rational approach with the spiritual approach pursued by some others.

These two separate approaches if not looked at a holistic manner leads to certain contradictions. The purely spiritual group says that there is a God who cannot be seen and proved in the manner in which scientific evidences are established and can only be experienced. On the other hand, the purely scientific groups argue that but for such evidence, the so-called God, his mythological concepts and miracles cannot be accepted. These two approaches at the extreme end would have rendered the human civilization apart had not the majority of humanity believed in the existence of a supernatural power called God or called by whatever name. Although human societies have changed, its economic and political factors have changed, yet the God concept has never changed. For the Hindus, Ram remains Ram, for the Christians, Christ remains Christ and for the Muslims, Prophet Mohamed remains Prophet Mohamed, notwithstanding, the fact that societies propounding by such faiths have undergone vast changes in their economic, social and political lives over the period of time.

All such thoughts bring to mind a fundamental question - can there be a God who has created two unrelated and independent principles- scientific principles and the spiritual principles? Is it that scientific principles, like the discoveries and technology created by the human brain, is a mere chance occurrence in the gradual process of evolution or they can be viewed from a spiritualistic angle of vision.

Yesterday, when Einstein expounded his theory on inter-connectivity between matter and energy in his famous formula, E=MC˛ he tried to explain the entire universe through this single equation. He could not succeed because he could not comprehend on the interconnectivity between consciousness, energy and matter. Nevertheless, Einstein was a genius and he did acknowledge that he experienced an infinite subtle world much beyond the perceptible matter and energy world, which he was unable to explain. In other words, Einstein, the great scientist experienced and had the intellectual honesty to express his limitations about the subtle energy field existing in the world beyond. Had a genius like Einstein gone a little ahead and approached the issue from a different angle as has been explained in many spiritual books like the Gita and the Bible, he could perhaps have been able to connect the apparently diversified theorems into a single formulation. Had he developed the sixth sense of the spiritual practitioners and saints, he could have unearthed more about the subtle forms of the universe and nature.

If Einstein is taken as a model, it means that it is possible for the scientific-oriented minds to have different approach towards the unearthing of the mysteries of nature in the manner followed by the great seers of various religions. But rarely has human beings come across such great personalities like Pythagoras of the ancient Greek.

When the spiritual masters in different forms gave a spiritual thrust to the nascent human civilization, they obviously did not jump steps and straightaway started teaching theology and philosophy. At that stage what they did was to generate certain types of logic in the human minds without which it would not have been possible for them to pick up the finer aspects of nature. Hence, the simple logics generated in the minds of human beings were used to grow greater logic at later stages. What they taught was simple arithmetic (relating to numbers) and geometry (relating to shapes) and out of this mathematics, other branches of science developed. Through these symbols they could explain the different phenomenon of the vast world of nature more easily. At the second stage they gave the concepts of architectural designs, alchemy, etc. Like a newborn child looking at the world around with a surprised look, the human race started picking these concepts up rather anxiously. Once they were ready, their brain cells were geared to make higher scientific discoveries, etc. through the use of these logics. A few individuals who were ready for it were then systematically given the thought process and it is these individuals who propounded the theories of science like Marconi's Law of Radio waves, Newton's Law of Gravity or Einstein's Law of Relativity.

Today, such discoveries and the related technology have gone to great extents like conquering the space, cloning, genetic engineering, etc. which yesterday if done by any human being would have been construed as a divine act. Logically, therefore the secrets of nature are being revealed to the human beings with a purpose of expanding the horizons of their knowledge through the expansion of the brain capacity. Given this background, it is evident that the very basis of scientific thought has emanated out of the thrust given by these spiritual beings who had incarnated on this globe with a superior intelligence. Obviously, when the earth had not experienced the subtle thought processes some souls stirred them and those souls must have carried such superior intelligence from their evolutional past lives. Commonly defined as transcendental intelligence, such intellects could not have achieved such levels of excellence in a single lifetime. The inspirational revelations of many spiritual personalities holding such transcendental intelligence on this solar system of which earth forms a part is a near probability.

Today in scientific literature, we can well see the imaginative depiction of such characters/events as inter stellar warfare, UFOs, etc as in the concepts. The present fourth human civilization is on the threshold of transcending to the fifth human race. More and more scientific discoveries and experimentations will be undertaken by a few generations of human beings and this will create a group, which will have the potentiality of controlling the subtle forces of nature without the help of artifacts. That is, as the time progresses ahead, they will depend more and more on their inner faculties to capture and use the subtler forces of nature than to depend on the machines created by them. For example, they will communicate with each other through the subtle faculties of their brain, rather than using a telephone. The sixth sense of the intellectual faculty is bound to expand much more than it is today. Therefore, we have to look at the world of religion and the world of science from a totally different perspective. That perspective is to find the roots from which both scientific approach and religious approach evolved and establish their interconnectivity.

Thus if the contradictions between the two approaches can be reconciled then the benefit of science and technology shall not be used for destructive purposes. It would be colored through the spiritual approach of kindness and tolerance.

(Guruji Shri C. B. Satpathy ji)
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Contributed Article: Celebrations in Shirdi- Guru Poornima!

The word Guru stands for the source of light, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. Thus, worship of Guru means a journey from darkness to light (Tamaso ma Jyotirgamaya!). Gurupoornima is the day of worship of all our True Gurus! In the year 1908, an old man Krishnaji Noolkar came to Shirdi from Pandaripur and was staying in Chavadi. Baba told Shama, his nearest devotee to call and tell the old man to worship the Pillar near the Dhuni and after that, Baba suggested to celebrate that day. Shama questioned Baba why to worship the central pillar while Baba Himself was very much there. Finally, Baba conceded to the request of Shama. Meanwhile another devotee Noolkar referred Panchanga (the Hindu calendar) and found that the day was Gurupoornima. On that day Tatya, Noolkar, Shama and others worshiped Baba with new clothes etc. From that day, the celebration of Gurupoornima became a tradition in Shirdi. This is the only celebration suggested by Baba to his devotees! Then the question arises why Baba asked to worship the pillar. Symbolically, Baba suggested the worship of the pillar to the benefit of the devotees. A true Guru never tells his devotees to worship Himself. In the eyes of a Jnani, all are the replicas of God. Then how anybody can have disciples! Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi remarked that anybody who proclaims himself as the Guru deemed to be unfit for that holy position. Sai, a true Sadguru never craved for disciples.

The central pillar is rooted deep into the ground, supports the entire load of the house, and thus protects all the inhabitants. Similarly, a Sadguru remains steadfast in Atmasthiti and Gurubhakti and protects all his devotees in that Godly state. It leads to the conclusion that the universe is the house and we are all the inhabitants. The Guru the protector of Dharma is the central pillar of this world and Atmasthiti is the supporting ground. He is deep rooted in the ground of Atmasthiti and thus supports the creation. Such a true saint is called Qutub, the pillar of Dharma in Islam.

Source: Sri Saileelamrutam by Sri E.Bharadwaja

(Contributed by Syamasundar V Davuluri, Saibaba Temple, Houston TX)
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Experiences of Devotees:

N. Karnad
My mother was detected with breast cancer last December. I live in USA and my parents are in India. By sheer Leela of our kind Baba, I could visit my mother and be by her side for her mastectomy operation, in spite of so many obstacles. After the operation, the doctor found out that my mother couldn't be a candidate for "the pill". This meant that she would have to undergo radiation and chemotherapy subsequently. The mere thought of chemotherapy, we felt very dejected, but somewhere in our hearts, we always remembered Baba's promise - but we did not know then how the miracle was going to happen. The good news is that the cancer hasn't spread to the surrounding area. As soon as my mother found out about her having Cancer, she started drinking Baba's water (that my parents had acquired in Shirdi before). After the operation, Baba called her to Shirdi...TWICE. Now her radiation course is over. We were expecting that the doctors would put her through Chemo Routine immediately. Instead, they said that so far, there is nothing to worry about and that they would evaluate her condition only in June! My mother has never lost any hope. She continued drinking Baba's water. My family is a staunch believer in Baba... Baba is our family and we are fortunate that Baba accepted us part of HIS family. Baba's water worked miracles. My mother has faith in Baba and He has never let her down. I believe that God talks to us and guides us through the words of different people we meet. Baba spoke with finality thus (and cleared all doubts if any and assured us in this way) :- Recently, when my mother visited one of her relatives, she was presented a new saree and she was told that the saree was because she (my mother) just had a 'punarjanam' (rebirth)! In June, my mother visited her doctor and he said that she could be given the pill and that no chemo was necessary!

Baba, this is all your Leela. Thank you for making us part of YOUR family and taking such good care of us. Baba your ways are so subtle, sometimes we miss cues and may a times doubts creep our confused minds. You make things better for us - this we find out later. Baba, please cure my mother completely. I am so foolish that in spite of your repeated assurances I keep asking you repeatedly. Bless all of us, so that we have firm Shraddha and Saburi. Baba please take care of my family. Dear fellow devotees, always keep faith in our Baba's darbar. His ways are very gentle and subtle. Listen carefully to what everyone says, sometimes Baba takes form as other person and speaks to us. Om Shree Satchidanand Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai.

Rajendra Nair
"HE" is always with us where ever we go. My family and I reside at Fujairah, miles away from HIS house. I would like to narrate an incident, which emphasizes the fact that BABA's blessings are omnipresent. Just after my marriage, I lost my wedding ring, which I usually wear next to the thumb and next to BABA's ring. After relentless search for the lost ring, I concluded that my wedding ring is lost forever. One of my colleagues, ridiculed me and sarcastically remarked that since I wore the wedding ring next to BABA's ring HE should find it for me. I was taken aback when I heard this and I called HIMand Lo! On the same day, my wife found the ring at such a place where we normally tread. We were spellbound. There are many more such incidents where I felt HIS presence. Recently, my family and I entered the lift of our building (6th floor); BABA's ring, which was normally tight on my finger, slipped and fell between the gap of the lift and the floor. It was on a Wednesday night. I was very disappointed. I was dead sure that it was impossible to retrieve the same since it fell on the basement, which was not easily accessible. Aware of this fact, I still requested the watchman to retrieve the same, who expressed his inability to help in this case. Next day morning, Thursday, I again called HIM and Lo, when I answered the doorbell I found the watchman with my ring! I was in tears of joy and I was elated. It was certainly a formidable task for him to find the ring at a greasy and an oily basement. He stopped the lift and audaciously entered the basement and found the ring which otherwise was next to impossible. What else one could derive from this but a fact that BABA is omnipresent. OM SAI RAM.
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Devotees say...

Girdhar Vaswani
Shree Sachidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai. Dear Sai Devotees, We live in Vancouver, Canada. We are going to New Delhi, India in July 04 to meet our parents. We are thinking to have Sai Havan and Bhajan Sandya and want to call all our close relatives and friends over there. If anybody knows whom to contact for organizing such functions please let me know, I shall be highly grateful. I want to know about a person who can conduct Havan in the name of Shree Sai Baba, Sai Bhajan Mandli and where can I get an idol of our Lord? As time is very short if you can email this information to my email id girdharvaswani@yahoo.ca, I shall be highly obliged. Bow to Shree Sai - peace be to all.
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Prayer Club:

Meghana Y
Baba, we're trying to find a nice house in Phoenix, but the school district has to be good, too. Mom and Dad haven't gotten anywhere really. I hope I'm not asking for too much. Please help us find a very good house.

Sharma
SAIBABA I know that you are with me through out my life. You saved me in all the difficult situations. Please see that everything should go well. Pleasee see that everything should go well in my brothers family. Please SAIBABA.

Padma P
I know that you are watching my brother going through tough times with his job search. I plead YOU to take care of him and show him a path. Please Bless him with your loving embrace.

Gayatri
Om sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai, Baba, need your guidance on various issues, which you are well aware. Baba, we know the troubled period is very difficult to pass, but if your blessings are there, we can come out without any trace of tension. Baba please bless us with Saburi & Patience in this difficult time. Bless my son to study hard & become a successful professional in his life.

Sheeba R
Baba, please help me .You have always saved us from all kinds of problems. Today I'm praying and crying for your help. Please save me from this pain. It's been there from a long time and I cannot take it any more. I'm also pregnant and don't know what to do. Baba, please get me rid of this pain and suffering. Only you can help me Baba. Om Sai Shree Sai Jai Jai Sai! Please all pray for me!

Subramanian K
Om Sai Sri sai Jai Jai Sai. Dear Sai Maharaj, you know very well what pains that am undergoing for the past year and a half. After a re-organization in my office, I was left aloof. No one owned me. As a result I started loosing my career growth. I was doing some work, which was not very significant. Even after the next re-organization in my office, I was not given a suitable role. In the recent promotions, I was almost pushed down as I am demoted. So, I started trying to get a suitable job outside. In one big organization, I got call, moved forward successfully two rounds, and came to the third. But the outcome after third round was very unfortunate. I have been thinking/planning about my release from the current organization but regret message came for me as a shock, from the company where I attended three rounds of interview. Dear Baba, please tell me.. why these rejections? I am not able to withstand the pain. Besides, am suffering from low back pain as well as tip bone pain problems for the past 1.5 years. I am not able to sit on a normal surface even for 45 min. Why you are testing me like this. I am loosing hope in my life. When I heard the regret news from the company where I attended three rounds of interview, I immediately got a flash "why at all I should live with these sufferings". I have now very low confidence and feel very low about me myself "Am I not worth anywhere for anything?" Baba, please show some mercy on me; otherwise please end my life peacefully. You know everything, take a decision, and show me the right path. I sincerely request all Sai devotees to pray a few seconds for peace in my life.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Put full faith in God's providence"-Sai Baba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week:

Q. What are your comments on the practice of casting and drawing chits in front of Baba in an attempt to seek Baba's direction?

A by Rama Nagpal

I think the act of casting and drawing chits in front of Baba is just a way adopted by some devotees to satisfy themselves but on the other side its a wicked sign showing that we don't have total faith on babe that whatever Baba will do will be for our own benefit. Baba is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. We should have a steady faith towards baba and surrender all our karmas to him. There is no need to cast and draw chits; it's just to satisfy our mind, which is wandering around.
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center, Minnesota - Gurupoornima Celebrations
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center, Minnesota celebrates Gurupoornima 2004 on July 3, 2004 at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. Please watch for more details. Regular Sai activities in the Twin Cities, MN are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com, visit www.hamaresai.org Or call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983.

Gurupoornima, Mississauga, Canada
The Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada and Hindu Mandir and Cultural Center invites all devotees to participate and receive Baba's Blessings during the ABHISHEK and GURUPURNIMA CELEBRATION on Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 10.00 am at Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre 6875 Professional Court, Mississauga, ON, L4V 1Y3 (On Derry Rd E. Off Airport Rd) For more information and to volunteer, please contact: The Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada Shammi: (416) 402-8089; Suhas: (416) 939-2934; Nilesh: (416) 526-6100 www.shirdisaicanada.org saileela99@yahoo.com

Gurupoornima, Houston, TX
Devotees of Shirdisai Jalaram Mandir( 5645,Hillcroft #104,105, Houston, TX 77036) invite you all to participate in the Gurupoornima celebrations on 3rd July between 0430 and 0800pm. The program includes Bhajans, Baba pooja, Arathi etc..followed by Mahaprasadam. For more details please visit our website,www.babamandir.org

Guru Purnima and Bhoomi Pooja July 2nd 2004 at Flushing, NY
On Guru Purnima day this July 2nd , 2004, we will have much to celebrate as we break ground for the new Shirdi Saibaba Temple in Flushing, NY. It has taken us ten long years to reach this milestone. We can finally move out of the current temple setting in the house, into the temporary trailer room during the construction of the larger temple with all the requisite facilities: worship and meditation halls, library, kitchen and a dining area. The house will make way for the new temple on the same site. We welcome you to join us for the groundbreaking ceremony. This is a unique opportunity for you to participate in an auspicious ceremony for a sacred project. For information and schedules, please contact the Temple at 718-321-9243 or visit the web site at www.dwarakamaishirdi.org.

Gurupoornima in Seattle, WA
All Sai devotees, we are happy to inform you that HTCC Temple is celebrating Guru Poornima Celebrations at HTCC Temple on 1 July 2004 - Thursday. The program starts from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm. Please inform the program to all the devotees, participate in the celebrations and get the Blessings of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. If you need any further information, please visit www.htccwa.org.

Gurupoornima Celebrations in Sydney, Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join in a 2 days of Blissful experience of Bhajans and Satsang to commomerate 3rd Anniversary of Shirdi Baba gacing Sydney. The event starts Sunday 13th and Monday 14th of June 2004 at 420 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136, Australia. For more details contact contact Sansthan's Info-Line 0500 524 724 or email: events@shirdibaba.org.au

Gurupoornima Celebrations in Auckland, New Zealand
The Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand Inc, will have its Guru Purnima celebrations for our Satguru Shri Shirdi Sai Baba on 3rd July (Saturday) at The Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145, New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland. The Programme is from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm. For more info send email to shalinijan2@yahoo.co.nz
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