Annual Regional Retreat 2023

As the Chief Editor and Coordinator of the Sri Sathya Sai University’s Publications Division for more than 6 years, he has compiled and edited over 30 books on the Message of the Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Noteworthy among these include: the ‘My Dear Students’ series of books which cover 108 Divine Discourses for students and youth; the ‘Students with Sai: Conversations’ series of books which includes conversations between Swami and students during the years 1991 to 2004; the ‘Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam’ series of books which cover’s Swami’s life and journeys from 1926 to 2011; and revived the ‘Sai Nandana’ series of books that compiled the students’ experiences with Swami between the years 1985 and 2010. He was the main ideator behind the ‘Sathya Sai with Students’ Blog which has crossed a million visits since its inception in September 2012. Between 2012 and 2014, he served as the Joint Secretary and Treasurer of the Sri Sathya Sai Students and Staff Welfare Society at Prasanthi Nilayam.

From 1999 to 2002, Dr. Shashank Shah was a Member of the Youth Wing, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Mumbai and actively associated with the Education in Human Values Programme of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education, Mumbai.

We are happy to bring together a set of wonderful workshops during this retreat. Please find more details below.

A workshop on creating the Ideal Environment at Home and the Centre for Sai Children by Kalika Grana.

Sister Kalika Grana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Developmental Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Education, the North American Montessori Center certifications for Infant and Toddler Montessori education and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certification for both, Primary (3-6 yrs) and Elementary (6-12 yrs) Montessori education. It’s worth noting that she is one of few Montessori Directors in Austin to hold all Montessori Diplomas. Mrs. Grana comes from an extended family and long tradition of educators, school principals and Montessori directors.

From 1987 to 1997, Mrs. Grana worked as a teacher assistant, lead teacher and Assistant Director of the Pflugerville Montessori School. In 1997, she designed and managed the concepts behind the Cedar Park Montessori School and the Sapientia Montessori School, where she has served as Head of School for both schools since. Mrs. Grana has also served as a consultant for the (National) Montessori School Accreditation Committee.

Mrs. Grana has known, visited and served Swami for about three decades. Starting as an SSE teacher at a very young age, Mrs. Grana has hosted many Sai-based workshops on subjects such as parenting, teacher training, the developmental stages of children and various aspects of the Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) curriculum.

Having also been a member of the national SSEHV committee for about a decade, today Mrs. Grana serves the Chair for Partnership Schools of the Institution of Sathya Sai Education, USA.

A workshop on “Utilizing the Power of Khanjira and Manjira playing to enhance the quality of Devotional sessions” by Andres Zambrano.

Have you ever wondered what makes a devotional Bhajan session a Powerful one? Is it the singers? the instruments? the chorus? the clapping? Join us in this workshop to learn how to make any devotional singing session a High Energy one, just with instruments that we all can learn easily. A khanjira (tambourine), Manjira (cymbals) and clapping.

Requirements:  Bring your own khanjiras and Manjiras or any other percussion instrument with you to this highly interactive workshop. No more than 20 people per session.

Objectives:

• To empower those who are interested in learning how to play a khanijira or a manjira to support their devotional singing sessions in their respective centers.
• To learn basic concepts about taal (beat / rhythm) and how they are applicable in devotional singing.
• Discuss and deeply understand fundamental Devotional singing guidelines and its relationship with percussion instruments.

Brother Andres was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He’s been part of the Sai Organization since he was born, coming from a family that has been in Bhagawan’s fold for over 3 generations.  He was a delegate of the 2nd world youth conference in 1999 and 3rd World youth conference in 2007 in Prashanti Nilayam. He participated in the southeast regional pilgrimage in 2007 leading the music program team. He has also participated in several music programs with former Sai students and has conducted several Bhajan workshops in both our region and internationally. He did his studies in the field of Psychology at Florida International University.

An interactive workshop on playing games and sports Sai’s way by Balu Karanam. Anecdotes and interactive games based on Swami’s discourses annual sports day messages.

Balasubramnayam (Balu) Karanam was born in a small village near Puttaparthi in the family of Sai devotees. He joined the Puttaparthi village primary school  for 4th grade, and continued his schooling in Smt. Eswaramma High school. He then completed his graduate and post graduate degrees from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam. He joined Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to pursue his research studies in Cancer Biology. He served as the President of the Sathya Sai Center of Greater Baltimore, Maryland and as Regional Devotional Co-ordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Balu is currently working as Assistant Professor in Cancer Biology, and is a regular member of the Atlanta Sathya Sai Center.

The mandala workshop is a great opportunity for all devotees to experience Swamis love through art. We will use the essence of the meaning of mandala and a guided meditation to create a mandala as an expression of our love with Swami. There is no prior experience of any kind that is needed. We encourage all devotees to come and experience the innocent joy in art, the simplicity of making every act divine and most of all the bliss of Swami’s love.

This workshop is conducted by Atlanta center members: Darshana Patel, Usha Ganti, Sharad Kusum, & Nadini Chennur from Atlanta Center

A wonderful bouquet of activities are being organized for the SSE children attending the retreat. A detailed agenda is available here.

Here are a few highlights:

Morning Prayers: Children will begin the day with Suprabhatham chanting and Nagar Sankirtan by the harbor side in the morning breeze and as the sun rises.

Yoga For Healthy Living: Children will then enjoy a nice yoga session outdoors. Kids – Please pack your yoga pants.

The following information is applicable only to those who have registered prior to the above date.

Points To Note:

1. 2 Twin XL beds with private in room shower/bathroom
2. Bring own soap and toiletries. Towels, pillows, bed-sheets for two beds will be provided.
3. Up to four people can share room at $85 / night per room (2 beds provided in each room. Bring own sleeping bags for additional people sharing room.)
4. Images: http://www.usfsp.edu/housing/usc/
5. Elevator access to all rooms
6. Special need rooms with wheelchair access are available

Food Cost

Points To Note:

1. There’s no cost for Pre SSE (ages 0 – 5) and SSE children (ages 6 – 17) to attend the retreat.
2. Cost for Food on Saturday & Sunday is $60 for adults, $30 for YAs (ages 18 – 35), and is free for pre SSE and SSE children (ages 0 – 17).
3. On-premise lodging is no longer available.
4. All prices are inclusive of taxes.
5. Parking is $5 per day and will have to be paid separately at the parking garage at the venue.
6. Friday night dinner and Monday morning breakfast are prepared by local center devotees at no additional cost.