Sai Baba emphasizes the path of devotion (bhakti). The following quote by Sathya Sai Baba defines devotion and its importance in our lives.

Devotional activities include study circle, devotional singing, prayer, and meditation, as well as observing spiritual festivals. Schedules for devotional activities vary from Center to Center. Please contact the devotion coordinator or other Center members for schedules. You are welcome to participate in any of the devotional programs.

The regular devotional activities for the Sathya Sai Center of Austin take place on Fridays, from 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm – please see: Sathya Sai Center of Austin - Weekly Sai Center Schedule

This spiritual activity of the devotional program is designed for adult members. It is usually held weekly for one hour either just before or after devotional singing. The devotion coordinator or a designated member may serve as the moderator to maintain productive discussions. Members read, reflect, and discuss topics from selected books of discourses or writings of Sathya Sai Baba, together in a group. These discussions are meant to improve members' understanding of Baba's teachings and their meaningful application in daily life and to foster love, peace, and harmony. As with other center activities men and women sit separately. Some centers may occasionally hold separate study circles for men and women.

"Study Circle is not just reading books. It means taking a point and each person discussing what it means to them. Like a round-table conference... The study circle looks at the different facets ... but, as in a diamond, there is one facet that is flat, and from it all can be viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle."

"The proper plan of study is reading, reflection and regular application in life."

Devotional songs in praise of God are sung with love and devotion. The singing of these songs has always been at the heart of spiritual practice for Sathya Sai Baba's followers. At the beginning of each song (called bhajans in Hindi) , the leader sings a line which is repeated by all participants in unison. This "call and response" format continues until the entire song is finished. Generally, each line is sung twice the first time and once at a faster pace the second time before the song concludes. Other songs of praise to God from any religion may also be sung, and they need not follow the "call and response" format.

The songs are usually sung in English --the preferred language in the U.S. Centers--, Hindi, or other Indian languages. Many devotees enjoy the devotional atmosphere arising from the rhythm, vibrations, and spirit of these songs. Indian language bhajans consist largely of the Sanskrit names of the various aspects and forms of God. Deities and saints of all the major religions of the world are also honored in these songs. The first song is traditionally sung to Lord Ganesha, an aspect of God who is regarded as the remover of obstacles and difficulties.

"When you dwell on the names of the Lord, His Majesty, His Grace, His Omnipotence, His All Persuasiveness, get fixed in your consciousness; and your own capacities and capabilities get eclipsed in the Divine. So, humility develops and a spirit of surrender sprouts in the heart. This takes the devotees nearer to God and prepares him/her to merge in His Glory. The mind is gradually liberated from all distracting thoughts, desires and imagery that give free play to all the senses. All accumulated impurities that veil the bliss (ananda) within are removed, and the latent divinity manifests Itself."

A number of selected prayers in English and Sanskrit are generally recited in unison following the conclusion of devotional singing. The selection and sequence of these prayers may vary from Center to Center; please follow the Center protocol. The following prayers are listed in alphabetical order. Center worship services repeat prayers from this list in varying orders.

For a comprehensive list of devotional songs and prayers, including meaning and translations, please visit our section: Resources - Devotional Singing. You may also visit the following search engine: http://www.sathyasai.org/songs/textsong/Bhajans_default.htm

Sathya Sai Baba teaches two forms of meditation: a light meditation (jyothi meditation) and a breath meditation (so-hum meditation).

In the light meditation, one focuses first on the flame of a candle and then takes that image inside and moves it to different parts of the body as a means of purification. [You can find Swami's words on the light meditation here.]

In the breath meditation, one gently focuses attention on one's breathing and repeats "Soooo" with the inhalation and "Hummm" with the exhalation.

If you are not familiar with these forms of meditation, please approach the devotion coordinator for additional guidance.