A Call for Peace - A Call for Neutrality

A Call for Peace between the Global Council and the SSIO

 A Call for Neutrality

 

Sai Ram Fellow Devotees,

 

I think we all feel something is quite amiss here. I think we all feel that the leadership from both sides, as well intentioned as they may be, have not fulfilled their duties, as of yet, to protect the devotees and centers from unnecessary harm. The more we look at the situation and the multiplying damage occurring, the more clear it becomes that the only actual solution for this is for those on the highest levels of the organization to come to terms and deliver us all back into a place of harmony. This may be the only way we maintain unity in our Sai family.

 

Joining a side will not do it! Even if you join a side that ends up “winning” whether locally, regionally, nationally, or world wide, the amount of damage done to fellow devotees to achieve total domination leaves you as a loser all the same. Anyone who joins a side and fights is contributing to this war. Thus, the recommendation for neutrality, thus pressure for peace, thus pressure for unity, refusal to take part. The only winning move may be not to play this game of taking sides.

 

One of the primary aims of a declaration of neutrality is to make a statement to both sides that we do not support the war they are engaging in. We refuse to be forced to pick a side, and that peace and compromise is something we require from them if they want us to be part of a Sai Organization. Half-hearted attempts at negotiating are not enough; continuous negotiation is what we expect from them to reach a solution. Lock them in a hotel, or require daily calls, or appoint mediators, examine proposals for compromise constantly and send drafts back and forth with deadlines for a reply. Work and work and work for some solution until we have one. And let’s do it now. For each side to take a position and dig your heels in, and not be willing to compromise and let all chaos ensue on all levels of the organization is not responsible, and in my view is failing your fellow devotees and the Lord, our Guru, Guide, Father, Mother, & Best Friend Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

 

What is happening does not befit us as Sai devotees. The amount of politics and position grabbing, and back door dealing, and mudslinging – many actions which could be considered less than dharmic that we are seeing is almost unspeakable. Almost… but the voice of sanity must be heard. Interestingly, that voice may come from those who refuse to take a side.

 

So this is a call to all of you on an individual, center, regional, and even national level to put all your energies into working towards facilitation of a solution endorsed by those on the highest levels - and to declare neutrality publicly until we see one. So much work is going on to fight each other, thousands maybe millions of hours of calls are happening about this dispute, monumental work is going on to build or sustain separate organizations, tremendous work, and some of it beautiful, to further one organization over the other motivated by competition is happening, but it only furthers the division.

 

What if all that work and energy was directed towards seeking a solution that keeps us all unified? I’ve looked carefully at the terms of reference proposed by each side, and the differences are not unbridgeable. I’ve sent a proposal of common ground which has been seen by many higher ups and approved of in general terms and delivered to both the Chair of the Prashanti Council and the Managing Trustee of the Trust. It is one possible way, but there are many.

 

Brothers and Sisters in Sai, I tell you this whole thing can be sorted out on the highest level (yes even now) and it will save so much pain, so much grief and anguish and anger and lasting deep resentments, that all efforts put towards it are worthwhile. That is what we want by declaring neutrality – the real solution, the way it should be, ONE SAI FAMILY, and real peace - Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

 

Refuse to take part in the war! Sign the Declaration of Neutrality Today and get your center or group (whether they are currently aligned with Global Council or SSIO to sign it as well). Let’s make it clear, we are requiring a solution from all of those in the Central Trust and Prashanti Council, we are holding them to the responsibility they have to Swami and all of His Devotees. We pray Swami blesses them with the wisdom to find a way to keep us all united. In solidarity we stand as neutral parties with love for all our brothers and sisters.