A Report on the 39th Annual Retreat of the Mid-Atlantic Region
From May 23rd to 26th, 2014, the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S. Sathya Sai Organization held its 39th Annual Retreat at Camp Westmont in Wayne County, PA, drawing nearly 900 devotees to the Memorial Day weekend event.
With the theme, ‘Why Am I Here?’ the retreat was an opportunity to experience Swami’s divine presence and to reflect on Swami’s teachings through a myriad of avenues, including memorable keynote speeches, delicious prasadam [offering], uplifting devotional signing, and inspiring workshops. Other highlights included a special multimedia musical offering, a concert by a host of talented performers and a health screening camp with a blood drive that drew 21 participants
As in past years, the retreat’s keynote speakers shared frank and heartwarming stories about interacting with our dear Lord that evoked numerous thoughtful questions, as well as laughter and tears.
Brother Leonardo Gutter told of how he came to Swami and then began his mission of introducing Swami’s message to the country of Argentina. The psychologist noted that through public meetings that draw more than 5,000 people, 80-90% of the Argentina population have heard about the avatar, Sai Baba.
Expounding on the retreat’s theme of “Why Am I Here?” Gutter noted that we are here because “We were brought here by Swami to destroy our egos and awaken from the slumber of ages.” He urged devotees to “have intensity in their spiritual practices and not be lazy.”
Gutter shared numerous examples of how Swami had shown up miraculously in his life, including in dreams, and said that to get God’s attention, “One has to ask with all one’s intensity until one is tired or until He is tired of hearing the pleas.”
Gutter described how he once lost his money and passport in Miami Airport and when all attempts to recover the items proved futile, he went into the men’s room and prayed intensely to Swami for 45 minutes. Out of nowhere, a woman showed up with his money and passport and asked if the items were his. She later vanished into thin air.
Gutter challenged participants to have full confidence in Swami and say, “I trust you Swami.” If anything happens, know that He wills it to happen for your own good. He also challenged retreat goers to “promise Swami that they would never do anything bad again, and never get angry or criticize anyone. If you don’t criticize or get angry, you are halfway there.”
Dr. Choudhary Voleti, a successful heart surgeon, discussed how he used to live in a 7-bedroom house in Los Angeles with 7 cars in his driveway. After meeting Swami and being moved by His mission, Dr. Voleti left his lucrative practice to serve Swami in Puttaparthi.
Though born in India in a village about 150 miles from Puttaparthi, Dr. Voleti noted that when he first came to serve at the Super Specialty Hospital, his attitude had some of the arrogance of a big time surgeon coming to provide his serves but he soon realized that Swami could have called anyone else. “It was His grace,” said Dr. Voleti that he was given the opportunity to serve.
Dr. Voleti noted that Swami believed that education and healthcare should be free for all and emphasized that all the patients were equal whether they were from L.A. or Puttaparthi. Dr. Voleti noted that Swami could discuss any topic and would even give advice to the doctors regarding difficult cases. Swami would say, “Heal the body, then the soul.”
Dr. Voleti served for 12 years in the Super Specialty Hospital before deciding in February 2011 to retire and live in Hawaii. “I was living in a beautiful condo in Hawaii, and yet on July 8, 2012, I surrendered the ticket to Wimbledon that I had pulled strings to get, and went back to India,” said the cardiologist.
Today, he is working again and is now the hospital’s director. “I believe in Swami now more than ever,” said Dr. Voleti, telling retreat goers never to say that “Swami was here. Swami IS here. I can see it every day when I go to my office.”
For many attending the retreat, the performance by singer and harmonium player T.V. Hariharan, Swami’s former student and lead singer, was one that they will always remember. He sang several inspiring and uplifting devotional songs that resulted in a standing ovation from the crowd.
Brother Hariharan also shared his heart-warming story about how he left Swami because he felt obliged to go out into the world in order to help his family financially. After working in the IT field in a job that was unrewarding, he eventually returned to what he really loved—singing.
The retreat also included a LEAP (Life Enriched by Application of Principles) evening during which SSE children used games to share Swami’s teachings.
The retreat concluded with remarks by regional president Mrs. Prity Bhatt, who said that, “The gopikas [milk maidens] were able to find Lord Krishna by following His milk covered footprints. We are here to follow the footprints of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.”
If there was any further doubt for participants about why they were there, a huge rainbow formed an arc over the camp and dazzled all with its brilliance, proof that Swami is still here and still helping us to transform as we continue on our soul’s journey.
~Edith Billups
South Bethesda Sai Center, Maryland, USA
