Dr. Goldstein's letter on Swami's 80th Birthday Programs

Subject: Dr. Goldstein's email on Swami's 80th Birthday Programs

From: Michael Goldstein, M.D. Chairman, Prasanthi Council
Re: 80th Birthday Programs

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Sai Ram!

Bhagavan Baba, in His Infinite Wisdom and Love, has graciously given
Approval for the following Programs to celebrate this monumental
time in the course of Human Civilization: The 80th Birthday of the
Advent of the Kali Yuga Avatar, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. We will
proceed as follows: BUDDHA POORNIMA: May 23-24 Buddha Poornima will
be celebrated with a function, probably to be held in Whitefield, on
May 23 and May 24. The Sri Sathya Sai Organization of Sri Lanka will
be the host country and all are invited to attend, especially the
Buddhist devotees throughout the world. At this time we are
expecting several distinguished speakers to address the gathering.
There will be suitable religious ceremonies as well as relevant
cultural events. Most importantly, we will pray that Bhagavan Baba
will give us the pearls of His Divine Discourse on this very
important occasion.

SAI EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS CONFERENCE: July 19-20 The Editors and
Publishers of all National Sai Publications in countries outside of
India will assemble with the Zone Chairmen, Central Coordinators,
and Presidents of the Central Councils or National Coordinating
Committees of these countries on July 19 and 20 in Prasanthi
Nilayam. The purpose of this conference will be to assess the
caliber of translation of Sanathana Sarathi and other Sai
Publications. In addition, we will determine the quality and
appropriateness of content of the national publications that bear
Bhagavan Baba's Name. Finally we will ensure that the Sai
Organization and the entities responsible for Sai Publications are
working together in a spirit of love and understanding to do the
work in a manner befitting the Divine Name effectively and with
accountability. Attendance at this conference will be limited to the
officers cited above and one editor and one publisher, or their
delegate for those who are unable to attend, per national
publication. The attendance from each country with a national
publication and/or a translation of Sanathana Sarathi will be
submitted by the Central Coordinators to the Zone Chairmen who will
nominate who should attend from their areas.

SAI INTERFAITH CONFERENCE: THE RELIGION OF LOVE July 22-23 There
will be a conference of eminent speakers from the five major
religions of the world: Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and
Jewish faiths. This will take place in Prasanthi Nilayam on July 22
and 23 and all present will be invited to attend. From this
conference conducted in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan Baba we will
come to know that the religions, God's Instructions to Man, which
have taken advent during different times during the course of human
civilization, differ only in emphasis not in essence. "There is only
one religion, the religion of Love. There is only one God, and He is
Omnipresent.

"SAI INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CONFERENCE: SEPTEMBER 3-4 In the context of Sai's Message to Mankind, the spiritual role of healthcare in our civilization will be discussed at a medical conference to be held in
Prasanthi Nilayam on September 3 to 4. The conference will include
a wide spectrum of healthcare professionals. Physicians, nurses,
administrators, producers and suppliers of medical equipment and
supplies, government healthcare administrators, and others will
assemble to consider all aspects of healthcare. All will be invited
to attend the general session, while the healthcare conference
sessions will be limited to delegates who will be nominated by Zone
Chairmen in consultation with their Zonal Medical Directors. The
Prasanthi Council will select the delegates from among these
nominees in countries other than India. The All India Chairman of
the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization will select the delegates from
India.

THE 8TH WORLD CONFERENCE OF SRI SATHYA SAI ORGANIZATIONS, "UNITY, PURITY, DIVINITY": NOVEMBER 20-21, 24 On this grand occasion, surrounding the 80th Birthday of our Lord, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Baba, we will all assemble for this conference in Prasanthi Nilayam on November 20, 21, and 24. We will deliberate on the spiritual essence of human life as taught to us by our Beloved Bhagavan Baba. We will consider the experience of "Unity, Purity, and Divinity" in these
human lives and how we as individuals and collectively as a
spiritual organization can lead inspired lives blessed with this
experience.The agenda of the conference will be derived from
the "White Papers" that most countries will have submitted to the
Prasanthi Council by June 1. These white papers will demonstrate the
depth of spiritual understanding and therefrom the nature of our
spiritual needs. Our agenda will address the spiritual needs evident
in these "White Papers".All are invited to attend the General
Sessions. There will be delegates designated for specific areas of
discussion who will then report back to the General Assembly. Most
importantly, we will pray that Bhagavan Baba will give us His Divine
Guidance that will fill our spiritual needs for the rest of these
human live.

CULTURAL EVENTS: There will be numerous cultural events during the
course of this unprecedented time. These will be spiritually
uplifting and inspire love and happiness. They will be announced in
due course.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Sai devotees from all over the world have demonstrated extraordinary compassion, generosity, and love in response to the catastrophic events of the earthquake and Tsunami in Asia. Many physicians and other volunteers have gone to the stricken areas and extended their love and their skill to the devastated victims of
this natural disaster. Many devotees have given to the Earthquake
Relief Fund that was established under the Sathya Sai Society of
America and 100% of all funds donated were sent to the Sai
Organizations in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand for
relief work. Now that the needs of the local Sai Organizations have
been met by the Earthquake Relief Fund it is time to close this fund.
Henceforth, this Earthquake Relief Fund will no longer be accepting
any funds. On behalf of the Earthquake Relief Fund, the Sathya Sai
Society of America, and, most importantly, the stricken countries, I
humbly extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have given so
generously and lovingly.My Dear Brothers and Sisters,It is time for
us to make the most of this unique opportunity to live these human
lives while the Lord Incarnate, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, has
deigned to walk among us. Let us use the forthcoming events, this
spiritual organization, this opportunity for His Divine Darshan and
Guidance, to realize who each of us really is. Let us come to know
our Divine Indweller who resides in the spiritual heart of every man
and woman.

Lovingly, In the Service of Sai,
Michael GoldsteinChairman, Prasanthi Council