Dana Gillespie Sings La ilaha illallah…

Singer Dana Gillespie of London Blues Band is known for her singing prowess and Prasanthi has experienced her regaling ‘singing’ prowess many a time. Today was different, as Dana chose to speak. Today, on the 21st day of the month of November, as part of the ongoing Birthday festivities two speakers addressed the august assembly at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam. The speakers were Mr Leonardo Gutter of Argentina and Ms Dana Gillespie from the United Kingdom.

Speaking first Mr Leonardo Gutter deliberated on the essential question as to ‘why are we here today?’ ‘Bhagawan has special plans and each one of us are here as we have a special mission’, reminded Mr Gutter, adding that we are here to receive His Divine touch, to open our hearts and thus to melt our egos. ‘Many of us have travelled thousands of miles to reach Prasanthi Nilayam, but remember, all of us have passed through many thousands of lives before reaching Prasanthi Nilayam.’

About the ensuing 10th World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, the speaker said that the Organization is spread in to more than 123 countries. ‘There is no country where Sathya Sai devotees are not there, and thus the Organization is omnipresent.’

Delving on the quantum leap of the organizational activities, Mr Gutter reiterated on the Oneness of the Organization, be it the International or Indian, be it those who work around the world, or those who serve Bhagawan at Prasanthi Nilayam.

We are here to know God’s omnipresence and understand that we too are God, reminded the speaker. ‘Spiritual path is the path of excellence of love.’

Mr Gutter also explained some of the useful Sadhana procedures, worth adapting for clearing off the monkey mind. Entertaining the assembly with some of his ‘most thrilling’ personal experiences with Bhagawan, the veteran speaker exhorted the audience to resolve, during the momentous occasion, that, from this day onwards we will abstain from anger and jealousy, to make Bhagawan ‘happy’.

‘Go to every corner of the world and spread My message there’ the speaker said, quoting Bhagawan Himself, sharing His Divine Command given to the Prasanthi Council officials some years ago.

Ms Dana Gillespie, speaking last, took a flashback to her initial days of ‘penance’ in His Presence. ‘Swami’s message has to be taken in all forms of music’, opined the singer narrating her first stint of singing in His Presence, that became, in her opinion, an embarrassment for the ‘traditional music loving’ assembly. ‘I have never sung to Swami, I sung for Swami.’

Touching upon His all-conquering love and omnipresence, She then burst into a song that He had sung for Him earlier, “The Promise”.

Calling the day her ‘favourite’, and the day to repeat all ‘favourite’ things, she explained the story behind the famous bhajan, her favourite, Allaho Akbar, wherein Bahgawan advised her to reinstate the two ‘earlier deleted’ lines, before singing, the lines beings, La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah. She then sang the enchantingly enticing bhajan “Allaho Akbar” followed by the audience in chorus. It was frenzied passion of musical devotion.

Narrating the beauty of her own ‘Rose Petal Story’ in Bhagawan’s immediate Presence, Dana Gillespie concluded singing one of her own composition – Shower The Rose Petals…” that ended with echoing refrain for Cosmic Peace – “Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu” followed by Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti! In fact, she began her speech this morning, paying obeisance at Bhagawan’s Feet in her typical style, with a Shower of Rose Petals.

Much to the delight of Prasanthi, the Sun God who had been relenting to ‘sparkle’ showed up  with added brilliance from yesterday afternoon. How could he resist the Eternal ‘Sai’ charm!!!

Bhajans continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II