In view of the 99th year of advent of Bhagawan, a transformative workshop on "Ceiling on Desires" was held on Saturday, 5th October 2024, at Sai Mandir, Barnes Place. Attended by approximately 70 devotees, including Mahilas, Young Adults (YAs), SSE children and their parents, and general devotees from various regions, the workshop was an immersion in Swami’s guidance on managing desires. Conducted in both Sinhala and Tamil, the workshop was structured around the four essential pillars: Do not waste food, Do not waste money, Do not waste time, and Do not waste energy.
The workshop began with an introduction to "Ceiling on Desires," grounding devotees in the importance of reducing excess and cultivating inner contentment as a path toward spiritual growth. Each of the four core areas outlined by Swami was addressed with depth and relevance, helping devotees understand how these principles can be applied to everyday life through group discussions, interactive activities, and shared reflections.
Do Not Waste Food
- Annam Brahma
- Mindful Eating
- Vegetarianism
- Expressing Gratitude
- Qualities associated with Food Consumption (Sathvic, Rajasic & Tamasic)
Do Not Waste Money
- Financial Discipline
- Sources of Income
- Distinguishing Needs from Wants
- Savings and channeling them toward meaningful initiatives like Sai service.
Do Not Waste Time
- Time Management
- Finding Time for Service
- Productivity
- Living in the Present
Do Not Waste Energy
- Physical Energy
- Mental Energy
- Spiritual Energy
The workshop concluded with a pledging session, where each participant offered a written commitment to Swami, dedicating themselves to overcoming a particular desire. This symbolic act of devotion and resolve was a heartfelt tribute to Bhagawan, reinforcing the importance of simplicity and self-discipline.
Reflecting on the event, one devotee shared, "In today’s world, Swami’s teachings remind us of the value of curbing our desires and finding joy in what we already have. This workshop was an inspiring call to put these principles into practice."
