Sathya Sai Center of Jersey City organizes weekly devotional activities every Sunday from 1.45 pm to 5 pm. A Study circle to discuss and understand the teachings of Sathya Sai Bab is held from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm. Group Devotional Singing (Bhajans) are held from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

What is Devotional Singing?

Sathya Sai baba says that Devotional singing (bhajans)] is the process of singing that originates in the heart, not from the lips or the tongue. It is the expression of the joyous thrill that wells up from the heart when the Glory of God is remembered. It is the spontaneous manifestation of inner ecstasy. No attention is paid to the blame or praise that others may give. It does not seek the admiration or the appreciation of the listeners. Bhagawan says, “Devotional singing (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 petty horizons of pleasure.”. According to Bhagawan, devotional singing induces in us a desire for experiencing the truth, to glimpse the beauty that is God, to taste the bliss that is the Self. It encourages man to dive into himself and be genuinely his real Self.

What is a study circle?

It is not just reading books. It means taking a point and each person discussing what is the meaning of the point to them. Like a round-table conference. Each person gives their point of view, and finally values are derived from this. If there is just reading, there is doubt. But if each one gives his view, doubts will be answered. The topic is viewed; the study circle looks at different facets. It is like a diamond with its different facets, but there is one facet that is flat, the top facet, and from this all can be viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle.

Swami’s talks may be taken, or other scriptures.

Take a point. Have everyone think about it and discuss it, and come to the final point where doubt is decreased. If only one person reads, there will be only one meaning. All misunderstandings, all points of view --after these are brought out, the study circle members will get confidence. There is no doubt of this.

If each one only reads, this may go on for a year or two, then an allergy to reading develops.

Centers must have study circles in this way, and none will note the passage of time. Each one listens eagerly and many will give their point of view. The Bible, the Koran, the Gita, Swami’s books may be used. What is wanted is a study circle; rotating. Each one must be given a chance.

~Conversations with Sai Baba, by Hislop: pp.125-126 in older edition; pp. 137-138 in new edition)

Contact the Devotion Coordinator