Circle

Study

Sathya Sai Center, Flushing NY, USA

Study Circle takes place on the second and fourth Sunday of the month right after the devotional singing program. Study Circle is usually conducted from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hindu Center. This hall is located, at 45-52 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11355. Please listen to announcements at the center and look out for updates on the website for any changes.

During this study circle, teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and spiritual experiences of participants are discussed. Several tools and techniques for practicing these spiritual concepts are also explored.

Study circle is a part of the Devotion Wing and is an integral part of all Sai Center and Group activities. These are not forums for debate and controversies, but training ground for a number of important communication and listening skills, in gaining self-confidence, in fostering values, in cooperation, in turning knowledge into wisdom and clarifying our spiritual objectives.

Study Circle

“Study circle 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.” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Baba tells us that the goal of life cannot be got by reading books alone.

It cannot be cultivated by reading guide books and made-easies, and learning steps by rote. It has to begin with a great yearning for the Light, an unbearable agony to escape from the Darkness.

Study circles provide the opportunity for Satsang (the company of like minded spiritual seekers), to listen to other points of view, have reflection, obtain wisdom and integrate insights gained into daily life. Study circles should not be used for expressions of rhetoric and intellectual knowledge, platforms for ego and venting of passion. The wonder of the Study circle is that it can provide an opportunity to experience ourselves as part of a team with a common shared purpose, with each individual an instrument and expression of the Divine. Listening with LOVE, with no hidden agenda or consideration of the limited self we can grow through this shared experience.

The following four principles may be considered the most important guiding principles to ensure that study circle deliberations meet the highest standards set by Swami for an exchange of views by spiritual seekers.

The principle of compassionate leadership on the part of the facilitator.
The principle of equal opportunity for participants to express themselves.
The principle of non-argumentative exchange of views.
The principle of opportunity for everyone to be a presenter.

One important action point arising from a study circle is to find something from the study to put into practice during the coming week. The study circle should not be simply a transfer of knowledge but should result in a transformation of the participants.

Guidelines

Study Circle

For detailed guidelines of how to conduct study-circles, please refer to the resource material available here Click here for Study Circle Guidelines

The basic goal of a study circle is, of course, to help us understand how better to lead a spiritual life, to come closer to God. Some of the benefits are:

Learn how Swami’s teachings have affected others. This can inspire us, help remove doubts we may have, give us a firmer belief.
Clarify what we “think” we know –clear up misconceptions.
Support each other in spiritual endeavors.
Discover practical applications of Swami’s teachings.
Share experiences.
Get deeper insight into Baba’s teachings.
Learn how to put Sai’s teachings into practice.
Install good values in ourselves.