Study Circle is a Spiritual Activity that is mandated for every follower of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Proper study of Sai Literature (teachings available as writings and discourses) will help the sincere seeker to not only make progress in the spiritual path, but also help cultivate a balanced mind to face the challenges in daily life.
A Study Circle is similar to a roundtable discussion. It is a tool for spiritual seekers to share their successes and challenges in practicing a values-based spiritual life. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said that spiritual growth is best achieved through an integrated practice of devotion, study, and service.
The practice of sitting in a circle symbolizes equality of all as well as an equal focus on God.
According to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, mere reading of books and subsequent discussions do not help us to realize our inner divinity. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has emphasized that an ideal Study Circle should have the following three components:
Studying, internalizing and putting to practice will help everyone attain peace of mind and also spread love and compassion around them. Participation in Study Circles has many benefits. One of the primary benefits is the acquisition of self knowledge:
“In the study circle you can learn a lot of things, but the most important thing to be learnt is your own true nature—your Atma-tatwa. Learning all about external things without knowing your real self is like studying the branches of a tree, ignoring its roots. There are many fruits on the tree. We can see the fruits. What happens if you water those fruits? They will fall down. But if you water the roots down below, the tree flourishes and will give fruits which can be enjoyed. You have to develop self-knowledge and self-confidence and then only you can help others.”
– Sri Sathya Sai Baba, January 30, 1985
Study Circle Material
The materials taken for study are from the Vahini series (Writings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba) of 15 titles and discourses delivered by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on various occasions. The discourses available in print are over a thousand in number.
Material
At the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough, Study Circles have been conducted for the past three decades and at present, the following materials are being studied:
Sandeha Nivarini (Clearance of Spiritual Doubts)
Dhyana Vahini (Stream of Meditation)
Dharma Vahini (Stream of Dharma or Righteousness)
Links for Study Circle materials
Online content
During the last one year as a result of the pandemic, the sessions are being held online using the online platform Zoom and the recordings of the Study Circles sessions are made available on a YouTube channel.
Timing
At the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough, we hold weekly Study Circles in English. They are held virtually on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m