50th Memorial Day Weekend Retreat: Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regions
Wet and frigid weather failed to dampen the spirits of more than 1,000 SSSIO (Sathya Sai International Organization) members attending the 50th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Retreat, jointly hosted by the Northeast Region and the Mid-Atlantic Region, on May 23-26 at Camp Westmont in the lush Poconos Mountains.
With the theme Sai, The Eternal Companion, the retreat featured inspirational talks, soul-stirring bhajans, spiritual workshops, delightful cultural programs, and delicious, healthy meals. The event held special significance as participants celebrated the 100th Year of the Advent of our beloved Sri Sathya Sai Baba; 60 years of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization; and 50 years of the Annual Retreat, with the two regions uniting after 32 years to celebrate the momentous occasion.
The Mid-Atlantic Region President Aparna Chitturi noted that Sri Sathya Sai's blessings were profoundly felt, especially through everyone receiving sacred Vibhuti materialized decades ago, and inspiring speakers Sunder Iyer and Satyajit Salian, who shared their spiritual journeys, insights and many intimate stories of personal interactions with Swami. They shared their unique experiences of serving the loving Lord directly in His ashram, leading to a profound impact on their lives and careers.
The retreat opened on Friday night with rousing bhajans in the gymnasium which was magically transformed into a devotion hall. Saturday morning’s program began with Omkar and Suprabatham, followed by Nagarsankirtan around the camp. The procession ended in front of Swami's room, a beautiful sacred space where the Lord’s divine presence was strongly felt.
Sundar Iyer opened Saturday morning’s plenary session speaking about how companionship is represented in Swami's gift of the ‘giving hand' in which He gave with love to everybody even disbelievers. He described Swami as giving with faith, noting that a small hospital in the hills years later developed into a super specialty hospital. In discussing His gift of the ‘empty hand,’ he pointed out while Swami may not physically give, but one should be thankful to just take His empty hand and be grateful that He is by our side.
Sathyajit Salian emphasized the concept of eternity, urging participants not to confine themselves to the physical realm but to transcend the gross, subtle, and causal levels to finally rise to the eternal. He delighted listeners with personal anecdotes from being in direct proximity with Swami, noting that one of his biggest lessons was to make space for others to come close to Him and to be thankful for always being able to serve Him.
The weekend included workshops with a variety of topics that included ‘Sai Center, an Ideal Place for Sadhana in Centering us in Sai.’ A presentation by SSE children, ‘Get 5 Ds - To Live Sathya Sai’s Message,’ kept the audience engaged along with two uplifting YA cultural programs. One highlighted how Swami's delays and denials often nudge us toward a deeper spiritual realization. A soulful music program illustrated a seeker navigating through life culminating in the realization of ‘I am divine.’
A highlight of the retreat was the grand parade, where a beautifully adorned palanquin carrying Sathya Sai was joyously led across the campgrounds. The celebration was elevated by Vedam chanting, energetic drummers, an SSE band, and a bhajan group. A lovingly decorated cake for Sathya Sai’s 100th birthday added a sweet and joyful touch to the festivities.
In preparation for the retreat, both regions undertook a 100-day Birthday “GIFTS” sadhana (spiritual practice) —Go Inwards and Find Thy Sai—where each center reflected on one of Sathya Sai’s teachings. These reflections were offered as birthday gifts to Swami during the parade, in the form of creative expressions such as posters, 3D modes, sculptures, garlands, and banners.
In an undeniable sign of His divine grace, the skies cleared at just the right moment for this outdoor event, as well as for a flag hoisting and fireworks.