Study Circles
Study circles present invaluable means for understanding the spiritual teachings. Participants of a study circle contemplate on a quotation from a spiritual text (typically by Sathya Sai Baba, but also from the Bible and other holy texts). Everyone expresses his or her oppinion and shares with others own experiences. This leads to achieving the comprehension of the text being studied.
What is a study circle? It is not just reading books. Circle, study circle, means taking a point and each person discussing what is the meaning of the point to them. Like a round-table conference. Each person gives his point of view, and finally values are derived from this. If there is just reading, there is doubt. But if each one gives his view, doubts will be answered. The topic is viewed, the study circle looks at different facets. It is like a diamond with its different facets, but there is one facet that is flat, the top facet, and from this all can be viewed. To discover the top facet is the task of the study circle.
Getting theoretical knowledge is not the main purpose of study circles. On the contrary, the main purpose is contemplation, in which we discover the deeper meaning of the text. This we elaborate in the follow-up discussion, in which we derive means how to practice the teachings in everyday life.
Knowledge about what this author says or that sage teaches is not what your Study Circle must aim to acquire. Not information, but transformation; not instruction, but construction should be the aim. Theoretical knowledge is a burden, unless it is practised, when it can be lightened into Wisdom, and assimilated into daily, life. Knowledge that does not give harmony and wholeness to the process of living is not worth acquiring. Every activity must be rendered valid and worthwhile by its contribution to the discovery of Truth, both of the Self and of Nature.
Study circles (as well as other activities) which are performed in Sathya Sai Organisation are realized in a way recommended by Sathya Sai Baba.
Study circles take place regularly once a month (except for summer holiday) in Prague. The current schedule may be found in the Event schedule section.