Preface
Chaitanya Jyoti , the Flame of Consciousness, has been offered by Sathya Sai Organisation Overseas to Swami for His 75th Birthday. It was inaugurated by Swami on the 18th November 2000 so being authenticated for posterity.

The idea was to construct a building with international character to house a museum on the Mission and Message of Sathya Sai to benefit present and future generations. The benefits derived from the Physical form of the Avatar have to be passed on to those who will not be so fortunate.

The symbolism in the Chaitanya Jyoti is that while the building stands out like a flame from a lamp, the inner content, in the form of a museum on the Mission and Message of the Avatar is like the oil that feeds the lamp. Visitors exposed to this divine illumination can transform their lives through a constant contemplation of the contents of this museum and putting into practice the Message of the Avatar.

The purpose of Chaitanya Jyoti is similar to, but different in approach from the epics that are dedicated to earlier incarnations. The narrations are more authentic, being firsthand experiences, narrated and recorded, right during the life time of Sathya Sai. This authentication is necessary as the only authority who could validate the correctness is Baba Himself.

The visitor walking through the Chaitanya Jyoti can achieve a better and deeper understanding of Sai Mission and Message and cross his own path of self- realization and self –transformation.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Swami has graced us with a splendid opportunity to serve at the museum dedicated to his life and message. This service is a privilege offered to Sai volunteers worldwide. Never in the history of man such a thing was possible. Any Sai devotee has a chance to experience this act of God’s selfless love.

SERVICE INFORMATION
If you go to any museum and try to touch an object on display, you will be addressed by a person who tells you not to touch anything. This is exactly the basis of the Divine job Swami offers us in the Chaitanya Jyoti museum. The work you do might be more specific, depending on your position. The Seva dal is expected to keep the visitors from touching objects on display, giving them general instructions on the direction of where to proceed or where the bathroom is.

One place has headphones with Swami’s voice and there you are to offer the visitors guidance in using the headphones and making sure they don’t run around with the headphones on taking the cables with them (no need to say they love to do this).

Sometimes the kids get very lively, screaming and running around. It is difficult to calm them down, but it generally helps when you make the parents to take them by their hand. It only lasts until they disappear around the corner, but there is another Seva dal to keep his area in order.

On the day when there are not so many people the service may seem very boring and uninteresting. Some people choose to read, or meet up with their colleagues to discuss advanced spiritual issues...

These days are especially beneficial for our spiritual enterprise if we manage to concentrate on our service and enjoy the “silence”.

COMMUNICATION WITH VISITORS
If Seva Dal is white, they may find themselves attracting more attention than the actual objects on diplay. The visitors often ask your name, the country you from. The Seva Dal should also be ready for various kinds of offers or for questions on details of his personal or work life.

OPENING HOURS
Tuesday till Sunday: 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday closed

The opening time is from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 3:00 to 06:00 p.m., but it is better to be there 15 minutes before the gate actually opens. The gate closes at 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. The shift is over, when all the visitors leave your stand. So if you are at the gate, you finish at 6:00 p.m. If you are at the exit, you wait until visitors go through the museum and you leave after they pass. On a very busy day, you may be around for extra 40 minutes, but usually not more than 20 minutes.

Dates
The museum only closes for very hot summer when Bhagavan goes to Koodai Kanal. Other than that, the museum stays open all year and so the Seva Dal have a Divine opportunity to serve even when Swami leaves Prashanti Nilayam.

The service is not dependent on the presence of Baba in the ashram. Even when Swami leaves the ashram, you don’t have to worry, you can stay and continue the service.

EQUIPMENT
Shoes are not allowed in the museum. The air conditioning is on all the time and it is rather efficient causing an everlasting cooling wind. Therefore it may be wise to bring along warm socks.

When you arrive at Prashanti Nilayam
Take some time and go through the museum. It is worthwhile. It must be some kind of a Divine leela, but your working hours always exactly match the museum opening hours and you never have time for a proper tour.

It is good to come to the museum a few days in advance and let them know you are there and ready to take up the job. Ask for Bro. Unni for accommodation or Bro. Col. Bose, Director of the Museum.

NOTES
While you work in the museum, you can apply for a free accommodation in the Ashram. Ask Bro. Unni at the accommodation centre for details.

The following prudent qualifications for those who wish to volunteer for this service must be met:

1. Less than 60 years of age.
2. No history of chronic medical or psychiatric conditions.
3. No recent surgery or hospitalization for other reasons.
4. Not taking medication for any medical or psychiatric condition.
5. No physical disabilities.

Volunteers should have following requisites:

1. Minimum service offered should be one week.
2. A little English is preferable in order to communicate.
3. Seva could be divided, however we do not like to encourage this.
4. Please note every Volunteer would have the opportunity to have one Darshan every day.

Why we should perform service in the Chaitanya Jyoti Museum

1. Everyone should realise, that this is the unique possibility to grow in the ashram – sometimes even Swami’s darshan does not transform us so much, as this place does – during the construction time Swami walked through all these rooms – barefoot, He did not accept slippers, offered Him by the administrators. So all those places and rooms are penetrated by Swami’s energy. Be aware of this.
2. In the Museum of Chaitanya Jyoti you experience the Narayana Darshan – through all visiting people and you can reduce your desires here and instead focus your attention on Swami’s Message around the place, where you are serving. If you have a chance to change your serving place, then also you can study more about each corner of this magnificent place.
3. Chaitanya Jyoti is the learning place – Effulgence and all embracing Light of the Consciousness is the source of the Supreme Wisdom and Knowledge – you should just listen to your inner voice – it is the same Light of Chaitanya. Here you can get the food for your inspiration.
4. This is also the polygon of defeating your ego.
5. Here you can get ideal overview of the Vedic Concept of Creation and, once knowing it, explain it also to the others.
6. Here you can find more about different religions.
7. Also you can get very practical knowledge about the nature and human relations (5 elements, health and spirituality; music and plants; Human Values and all aspects of Life).
8. Here you can find a beautiful part of the exhibition, reflecting the relation of human values and different cultures.
9. Chaitanya Jyoti is the pearl of joined Chinese-Indian architecture and many other cultures.
10. Personal example of serving here – especially provided and shown by coordinators themselves at least one period of time (from few days till some weeks) will increase the number of seva dals from your country.
11. Swami’s Darshan flows here to you and through you to the people.

Jai Sai Ram.
Bro. G.B. Choitram,
Regional Coordinator,
Gulf And Middle East Countries