18th Annual Women's Mini Retreat
Theme : Inward -> Forward -> Saiward
Saturday March 29, 2025
09:30 AM PDT - 4:30 PM PDT
244 W. Grant Line Rd,
Tracy CA, 95376
"From ancient times the feminine aspect of the Divine has been worshipped. Study the lives of great women who were models of patience, fortitude, compassion, and sacrifice. I desire that you should take up the reins of leadership and bring peace and prosperity to the world by leading ideal lives."
Program
(09:30 AM PDT - 4:30 PM PDT)
| 08:45 AM – 09:30 AM – Registration |
| 09:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Invocation & Devotional Singing |
| 10:00 AM – 10:05 AM – Swami's Discourse |
| 10:05 AM – 10:20 AM – Welcome & Introduction |
| 10:20 AM – 11:30 AM – Guest Speaker - Sister Aparna Murali |
| 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Lunch |
| 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Play by the sisters - 'Light Within Aspiring Divine Heights' |
| 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – Breakout Activities |
| 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM – Question & Answer Session with Sister Aparna Murali |
| 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM – Devotional Singing & Closing Prayers |
"Women... are not encouraged to show their ability. Even in the family, they have to face obstacles and confrontations. If women are given due recognition and encouragement, they will shine with brilliance in all fields and will serve the house,
country, and the entire world gloriously, contributing to the welfare of the entire humanity."
Guest Speaker
Sister Aparna Murali
Aparna Murali is deeply grateful for the grace to be born in a family devoted to Bhagawan since the early 1960s.
A balvikas alumni, she attended the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus graduating with
honors in B.Sc (Zoology). She pursued graduate studies in Psychology from Annamalai University, India and a second
Masters in Genetic Counseling from California State University, Northridge. She is board-certified in Genetic Counseling.
Aparna works in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA as a reproductive Genetics Counselor. Beyond clinical
practice, she extends her knowledge and passion as faculty and clinical supervisor for UCLA's graduate program in Genetic
Counseling. In 2022, she was awarded Excellence in Fieldwork Supervision by UCLA GC Program as well as the AGCPD, a national
recognition. She also received UCLA GC Graduate Program Award for excellence in teaching in 2023.
Aparna's heart remains deeply rooted in her spiritual community. She has been a member of the Sri Sathya Sai Center of
Los Angeles since 2002. She feels blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in various capacities- SSE teacher since 2004,
Center Devotion Coordinator, Regional, National and Zonal YA Rep, National YA advisor. She currently serves as National
Education Coordinator and SSSIO's Education Committee. Aparna was a faculty for the inaugural years of Sri Sathya Sai
International Leadership Program. She has also contributed to various initiatives of the SSSIO- Sathyasai.org website,
National and International Conferences to name a few.
"Savitri fought with the God of Death (Yama) and succeeded in getting her husband back to life. Can you find any instance in the scriptures or history where a husband was prepared to do sacrifice for his wife? If the wife is dead, he is ready to have a second marriage. Such unfair things are happening in the world in respect of women. That is why it was decided to celebrate not only 19th November but 19th of every month as Mahila Day."
Breakout Sessions
Inspirational interactive session with Sister Aparna Murali related to the theme Inward- Forward - Saiward. This session will be deeply rooted in the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and how it could benefit the sisters to channel practical spirituality in their daily lives.
Embark on a mandala meditation journey by choosing a resonant design, setting an intention, focusing on its beauty,
allowing mindfulness, and letting go of thoughts to achieve relaxation.
This activity takes you on a colorful and creative spiritual journey towards your inner Sai.
Focusing on the Mandala and its creation is a beautiful combination of art and meditation.
Gently training your mind to concentrate on the mandala and letting go of any thoughts or feelings that arise,
helps you go inward and closer to Swami. Relax and move Saiward!
Hands on Activity - Mandala Art - New Canvas will be provided to everyone who signed up for
Mandala breakout. Kindly bring your own markers, so that you will have it handy to complete your work at
home in case you couldn't complete during the breakout.
Here is the link for markers
Move inward towards Sai as you embrace the power of
decluttering, meditation, and yoga to cleanse, bring peace, and illuminate your path with clarity.
Serve the Sai way, by stepping forward into this transformative workshop that guides you in decluttering
your body, mind, and soul. Move inward towards Sai as you embrace the power of decluttering, meditation,
and yoga to cleanse, bring peace, and illuminate your path with clarity. Clear the clutter within and around you,
drawing ever closer to Swami and HIS message Love all, serve all.
"Women must realise the enormous power of the mind for good or evil and see that its power is used only for doing good. The mind can make a person a demon or Divine. The mind is under the control of the intellect. The intellect is governed by the Aathma. Self-realisation will bring about control over everything. The dire conditions prevailing in the world are known to everyone. The root cause of all this is the failure of people to realise their inherent divinity. Excessive desires, fuelled by selfishness, are the cause of all troubles. The primary requisite is confidence in one's self. Without that confidence, nothing can be accomplished."
Bring Your Own
Carpooling is encouraged
"As today is a sacred day dedicated to women, they should change themselves and help to change the men and the children. They should develop the qualities of sympathy, compassion; love and sacrifice. Study the lives of our great women, who were models of patience, fortitude, compassion and sacrifice. I desire that you should take up the reins of leadership and bring peace and prosperity to the nation by leading ideal lives."
Regional Women's Coordinator
Pavithrah Tharmaseelan
ptharmaseelan@sathyasai.us
Regional VP
Sandhya Srikant
ssrikant@sathyasai.us
Event Coordinators
Kalpana Dharmapuri: kalpana.dharmapuri@gmail.com
Sathya Chandrasekar: sathya.vasan@gmail.com