Back to Basics workshop was on the subject of “Non-Violence” held on Wednesday 7th January, 2024 at 7 pm in Soar Valley College.
The aim was to bring all volunteers and devotees together to discuss, share their knowledge, learn from each other on how to control our thoughts, words and deeds to ensure our spiritual journey is a peaceful one. After registration the attendees were divided in to three groups and after the opening prayers to Swami, the questions were put to the attendees “How does mind, thoughts, words and our senses play an important role in violence or nonviolence in our daily life? And how can we avoid it?”
The attendees jotted down their answers in a group discussion and their answers were presented to all, for in depth discussion, to avoid conflicts in our everyday life, on how to overcome sensitive situations, remaining calm and resolve the task in a peaceful manner. The rule of nonviolence can be achieved by simple thoughts, showering with God’s love in every action we do with empathy and understanding to maintain peace and harmony. All these points were noted in all three group presentations.
Swami’s explanation is simple, our actions are based on our own Karma but we can alleviate ourselves from this Karmic law of ’cause and effect’ leading to negative thoughts and to lower Self. We are responsible for our own actions, we have the potential to express ourselves to noble and dignified higher Self or to disturbed unpleasant lower self. The higher self-values are having sweetness, love, consideration, generosity and patience leading to higher human values and qualities. The values of lower self are easily agitated with anger, greed, aggression, hatred and jealousy. But in both higher and lower self of human nature the Atma remains divine.
After a short tea break, thanks for the cakes, biscuits and savouries, an interesting presentation was delivered on negative thoughts. The three groups have written their negative thoughts in a chart, and each group explained their problems facing in their daily life. There were varied solutions discussed, some aimed at contemplation of God, the thought process can be aimed at controlling our senses and one attendee said that, she would follow the Three wise monkeys, closing their eyes, shutting their mouth and ears from external stimuli thus ignore every gossip or unpleasantness going around, some opted for “Silence is Golden” and some opted for “Pray to the Lord”. We learn that, training our senses have definite positive outcome. The tongue is the most powerful tool that we have, a word uttered cannot be taken back, leaving a permanent scar for life. So, think, do your homework before your action to use your tongue or even your body language in anger. Never do anything in anger.
Swami repeatedly said that we must restrain our senses that lead to bad thoughts by doing Karma yoga, doing service to man is the same offered to God and doing Bhakthi yoga by singing His Glory(contemplation of God) to alleviate ourselves in this life experience during living in this Kaliyuga. By doing so our negative thoughts can be destroyed or cut in to pieces and changed to a positive one. That’s how, I interpreted the presentation given by our Sai Brothers.
The Agenda for “Back to Basics” had further discussions on organising the forthcoming events delegated to members of each group, taking all past events in to consideration and making changes accordingly. Interestingly, the time went passed after 9 pm and the meeting ended with Salutations to our beloved Swami, offering of Swami’s prasadam and Vibuthi to all attendees. Thanks to the organisers for this successful evening workshop. Jai Sai Ram
