1008 House and Community Bhajans

1008 House and Community Bhajans

1008 House and Community Bhajans

Bhajans are one of the flagship activities of the organisation, setup and built by our beloved Bhagwan.

Swami says:

“People say that when you go Sai Baba, there is nothing but bhajans. Realize that there is nothing greater than bhajan. What bliss is there in bhajans! What a demonstration of oneness is it when myriad throats join in uttering the name of God! The vibrations emanating from them make the heart vibrant. If you sing alone in your shrine, the vibrations return to you as a reaction. But in community singing, what you have is not a reaction, but a wave of vibrations. They enter into the atmosphere and purify the polluted air. The atmosphere today is polluted by bad thoughts and feelings. When you sing the glory of God, the bad germs in the air are destroyed and the air gets purified by a treatment of antibiotics, as it were”.

Some guidelines to follow:

  • Everybody should arrive and be seated a few minutes prior to start of the bhajan.
  • No elaborate decorations are required. Please only have a simple altar for Swami.
  • No elaborate prasadam is required. Vibhuti and fruit would be enough.• Men should sit on one side of the prayer hall and women on the other.
  • Bhajans should be sung in two speeds: slow and fast. In the slow speed, sing each line twice and, in the fast speed only once except the last line which should be sung twice to signal the conclusion of the bhajan.
  • Sing familiar bhajans so that most of the congregation can follow and give chorus.
  • Overall bhajan session should be for 1 hour and include:
    • 3 AUMs
    • Bhajans (45 mins)
    • 3 AUMs after the last bhajan
    • 2 mins meditation
    • Asatoma
    • Om Tat Sat
    • Aarathi
    • Vibhuti Mantra (Paramam Pavithram)
  • Musical instruments used during bhajans should not drown the voices of the singers and those who follow, thus maintaining a balance between the instruments and singing.
  • PA system is not essential.
  • People should return from bhajan carrying the elevated, uplifted, and sublime mood created by the atmosphere at the bhajan. Therefore, after the bhajan people should disperse quietly, maintaining silence. Then the joy and peace derived at the bhajan will linger and abide in the heart.

If you have any questions, please contact your centre or regional Spiritual Coordinator

SSSOUK Becomes a CIO

SSSOUK Becomes a CIO

SSSOUK Becomes a CIO

Formal Registration of the CIO

On 2nd April 2024, with Bhagawan’s divine blessings and grace, the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation United Kingdom CIO was formally registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Registered Charity Number: 1207697

What is a CIO?

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is a legally incorporated structure that provides members with protection against liabilities in an increasingly regulated world.

Why Has the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation UK Become a CIO?

“The members of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations should follow the law in spirit also and be models for the government.”

—Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 18

The decision to become a CIO was made in response to an increasingly stringent regulatory environment. The previous structure of the Organisation was no longer deemed suitable.

  • Liability of Office Bearers: Under the old structure, office bearers were personally liable in case of any unfortunate events.
  • Independent Legal Consultation: After seeking legal advice, it was decided that the CIO structure was the most appropriate.
  • New Protection: As a CIO, office bearers are not personally liable, except in cases of negligence or reckless behaviour.

This development has been fully approved and supported by the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. The Organisation is now legally recognised by the UK government.

Further Information

You can find more details about the CIO, including trustees, accounts, and the constitution, on the Charity Commission’s website.

Trustees, Roles, and Responsibilities

Who Are the Trustees?
The Board of Trustees for the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation UK CIO is composed of the UK Central Council, which includes:

  • National President
  • Deputy National President
  • National Wing Coordinators
  • Regional Presidents

When an individual steps down from one of these positions, they are automatically relieved of their trustee role.

The Impact on Local Activities

Centre and Group Integration
All Centres and Groups previously affiliated with the Organisation are now automatically considered Branches of the CIO. These branches must comply with the necessary requirements.

Regular Activities
The change in status does not affect regular activities at the Centre or Group level. Centres should continue to follow existing policies and procedures as outlined in the Organisation manual.

Additional Questions

If you have further questions, please contact your Regional President for assistance.