Satya
Swami says,”Your life is my message” By this, Swami means:
A) We have to start at an early age, attend SSE classes, and learn His message of love and service.
B) Swami wants us to learn and also FOLLOW His teachings, so that we could be good examples of His message.
C) Swami’s teachings are mainly for grownups. He is very kind and usually excuses kids even if we follow the bad wolf in us.
B) Swami wants us to learn and also FOLLOW His teachings, so that we could be good examples of His message.
We participate in service activities because:
A) SSE requires us to participate in activities.
B) My parents do it and I just follow them.
C) Service is a special opportunity coming my way to help me see God in others.
D) God blessed me with enough money. So, why not help people in my spare time instead of idling and getting bored at home?
C) Service is a special opportunity coming my way to help me see God in others.
In the poor cobbler’s story, Swami responded to the cobbler’s request and visited his little hut in the slums. What do you think made Swami respond to the cobbler in such a loving way?
A) Swami always responds to poor people.
B) Swami was on his way to another devotees home and the hut was on his way.
C) The cobbler’s pure and earnest intent made our merciful Swami reciprocate and to bless him immensely.
D) Swami wanted to prove to the other devotees that He always keeps up His promises.
C) The cobbler’s pure and earnest intent made our merciful Swami reciprocate and to bless him immensely.
Expand the "W.A.T.C.H." acronym.
W: Words
A: Actions
T: Thoughts
C: Character
H: Heart
What did the pink sisters’ story teach us?
The value of “service of the mind”
How do we bring Swami into our daily lives?
Use all small periods of “wasted” time to think about Swami (via the 3 tools; see below) during the day and offer the mundane day-to-day activities to Swami
3 tools: Namasmarana, Prayer, & Soham Meditation
I worked really hard for my Math test this week. I just got my grades and got a B, just like the time before when I didn’t care to work hard. I have another test coming up next week. What should I be thinking moving forward?
A) No point working hard again. I get B’s anyways... I’m supposed to be contented and happy with a B.
B) Well, I will work harder this time. But, I better get an A. If not, I’ll be very upset.
C) I’m not going to worry too much about my grades. My duty is to work hard; to do my best and leave the rest to Swami.
D) Prayers can make miracles happen. This time, instead of working hard and studying, I will focus on prayers. I know Swami is capable of giving me an A on my test.
C) I’m not going to worry too much about my grades. My duty is to work hard; to do my best and leave the rest to Swami.
Physical/external silence can be attained through moderation in speech. True/internal silence can be achieved through:
Meditation and equanimity.
Swami advises external physical silence as a precursor to true silence/internal silence.
What did the farmer’s lost watch story teach us?
A) Power of Namasmarana
B) Power of Prayer
C) Power of Silence
D) Power of Meditation
C) Power of Silence
What did Thomas Alva Edison’s childhood story teach us?
A) Power of Silence
B) Power of Words
C) Power of Perseverance
D) Power of Prayer
B) Power of Words
What was the point of the “I AM” activity?
To bring Swami into our lives by constantly affirming certain values you want to inculcate. It is similar to re-affirming constantly that our true nature is being GOD.
Recall Pedabottu's story calling Swami in His sleep by saying Om Sri Sai Ram. What does this story or example tell us? Hint: has to do with one of the 3 tools
Power of Namasmarana as one of the three tools
Oh Lord! Take my everything and let me be an _________ to work for Thee!
Instrument
Life of an American author, humanitarian and a political activist teaches us that when we’re silent, our other senses often get more empowered. Who was she?
A) Helen Adams Keller
B) Mother Teresa
C) Phyllis Krystal
D) Thomas Alva Edison
A) Helen Adams Keller
What does Lord Rama’s act of going to the forest due to Lord Dasaratha teach us? Which pair of people teaches us the same thing in parallel?
A) Lord Rama - Mother Sita
B) Swami - Shiridi Baba
C) Swami - Namagiriamma
D) Lord Rama - Lord Hanuman
C) Swami - Namagiriamma
Recall the fish and jasmine flowers wrapped in a newspaper analogy. What does this example teach us?
"Tell me your company and I shall tell you what you are." - Swami
Recall the Abou Ben Adhem video. It was about Abou Ben Adhem’s dream with the angel writing a list of names. What was the moral of this story?
It’s more important for God to love us than us loving God.
“_________ is God’s only weakness and Man’s only strength.”
A) Meditation
B) Bhajans
C) Service
D) Prayer
D) Prayer
“We can _________ to practice it, then we _________ to practice it and finally we __________ up practicing it!”
Pretend; tend; end
What are the two forms of devotions? What animals are they compared to? Please explain the analogy (relate it to man and God).
Bonus points if you can name the Sanskrit names of both forms of devotions (50 points each).
Cat & monkey
BONUS Answers: “Markatabhakti” & “Marjarabhakti” (50 points each; Total: 100 points)