Sri Sathya Sai International Organization - USA

Interfaith Dialogue Unites CSL and Sathya Sai Center

On August 3, 2025, the Center for Spiritual Living (CSL) hosted an interfaith conversation with the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center of Central San Jose, fostering a meaningful exchange rooted in shared spiritual principles.

Reverend Marcia Bencala led the discussion with Mohan Srinivasan and Jayanthi Srinivasan, representatives of the Sathya Sai Center, exploring the life and teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The dialogue emphasized universal love, selfless service, and the common threads connecting both organizations.

Reverend Marcia framed the event as part of CSL’s evolving "interfaith focus," a vision that emerged after Sai Baba Center members participated in CSL’s Peacewalk and recognized the alignment between their spiritual philosophies. As CSL's founder, Ernest Holmes, drew inspiration from both Western and Eastern traditions, viewing them as distinct expressions of the same universal truth, the collaboration between the two groups felt natural.

Mohan Srinivasan highlighted a powerful coincidence: CSL’s founding year, 1926, matches the birth year of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He interpreted this as Divine, a symbolic connection that deepens the bond as the two communities celebrate a looming centenary of spiritual service. Jayanthi Srinivasan echoed this, suggesting such alignments are not accidental but part of a higher plan. Both expressed gratitude, believing this moment marks the beginning of impactful future collaboration for the broader community.

Shared Spiritual Principles

Jayanthi shared insights into Sathya Sai Baba’s life, describing him as a revered spiritual teacher—considered by some to be divine—who demonstrated spiritual awareness from early childhood in South India. After learning about CSL, Jayanthi noted deep similarities, particularly their shared emphasis on universal truth, inclusivity, and spiritual unity.

Both traditions affirm one divine Being and many paths to connect with it. Their central message is love, embracing all cultures, races, religions, and spiritual journeys. The Sathya Sai Baba Center promotes universal love, while CSL’s space radiates this love through deep, unconditional care for others.

Their teachings encourage seeing the divinity in every individual—the "spiritual spark of the divine" within all. Service plays a vital role in both. For Sathya Sai Baba followers, love naturally leads to extensive selfless activities. CSL similarly prioritizes service and generosity as core expressions of spiritual practice, advocating for a “daily moment-by-moment practice” as a way of life.

The Sathya Sai Baba Center’s pillars—spirituality, education, and selfless service—aligns closely with CSL’s focus on education, music, prayer, service, and generosity.

The Practice of Selfless Service

Mohan Srinivasan clarified that the Sathya Sai Baba Center does not seek monetary contributions. Participants voluntarily bring what is needed for activities, with no price tags attached. Jayanthi emphasized that true service involves inner transformation and intention, defining selfless service as acting from a place of divine guidance without seeking recognition or reward.

Reverend Marcia affirmed a shared intention for future collaboration, especially in service efforts. She concluded the gathering by celebrating the unity of life, love, peace, and truth—principles known by many names. She reminded attendees that each person is a “spark of the divine,” a spiritual being in human form, and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center’s powerful example of selfless service.