Brazil – A Large Country With a Long History Brazil is the largest nation in South American, covering 8.5 million square km. As well as being the sixth largest country in the world, it also has the sixth largest population. Half of the 180 million inhabitants are children and young people. The national language is Portuguese. The Portuguese first arrived here in April 1500, finding natives who they mistakenly called Indians because they thought they had arrived in India, their goal. During the centuries of Portuguese colonization, African people were brought in as slaves to work the sugar cane plantations and later the coffee plantations. What is unique during the colonial period is that the Portuguese, unlike most other Europeans, mixed with the Indians and Africans, thus creating a diverse nation without a singular defined race.

The People of Brazil – A Unique Fusion of Cultures

By the time Independence was attained in September 1822, and during the First and Second Empires, Brazil was known as a rich and prosperous land, always in expansion. After the Slavery Abolition Act of May 1888, Don Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, donated wide tracts of land to immigrants from European countries, especially Italy, and also to Japanese people, in order to work the plantations and small farms

		Besides economic growth, a cultural, artistic and linguistic tapestry was created as descendants of immigrants kept their customs and traditions while integrating with their new countrymen. Brazil has truly become a melting pot of humanity in which varied races and ethnic groups have come together harmoniously to forge a new country, while also maintaining the rich diversity of their ancestors. All this has produced a very tolerant nation and population, which easily accepts the differences among human beings. Being a crossbred country, people live together peacefully within the framework of their varied social, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Brazilians are known to be a friendly, generous, and welcoming people who also enjoy a strong sense of unity.
Brazil - a confluence of many cultures

The Social and Political Brazil

However, no society is perfect, and without need of addressing social, political, and fiscal problems. Under recent governments, economic strides have been made, with inflation under control and greater stability in the financial sector, which has positively affected the quality of life for all citizens. Brazil is engaged in improving the educational system and the living standards of needy communities through various social programs such as bringing basic sanitation and electricity to poor and rural areas and the improvement of public health services. There is still much more to do, though, to decrease the social disparities in this most populous country in South America, which borders every South American country except Equador and Chile.

Brazil - Beautiful and Bountiful

Brazil is blessed with a cornucopia of natural beauty and resources. Most of the Amazonian Forest, a bountiful source of innumerable species of life and oxygen for the entire planet, lies within Brazil’s borders and has been named “Patrimony of Humanity” by UNESCO. The largest urban forest in the world, the National Park of Tijuca, is located in Rio de Janeiro.

The Igauzu Falls is one of nature's wonders with 270 waterfalls		60 percent of the Amazon Rain Forest is in Brazil

One of the largest and most important cities in South America, Sao Paulo, is the capital of the state with the same name. Tourism has been growing steadily, partly due to the popularity of the many cultural celebrations, such as the June Feast in many northeast cities; the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife, the Bumba-meu-boi Feast in Parintins, Tocantins state, and the Oktoberfest in Blumenau.

These regional events continue to attract ever-growing numbers of tourists both from within and without the country. An enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer looks down upon Rio de Janeiro, His arms open wide to all who live and visit here. Religious traditions and faith have always been strong in this land, which has the largest Catholic population in the world (more than 70%), yet Brazilians are open to embracing new ideas and beliefs. During difficult times the nation has demonstrated its solidarity, and there is a basic feeling of Love and Fraternity in the spirit of the people.

The giant 'Jesus, The Redeemer' and the the magnificent scenery of Rio de Janeiro

Indian Spirituality Reaches Brazil

During the 1960s, the concepts of reincarnation and the karmic cycle of cause and effect began to spread around the country as many looked into Eastern philosophy and discovered hatha yoga and meditation for balancing the body and mind. Due to a serious lung illness in his early youth, writer and Professor Jose Hermogenes took on the practice of yoga and in 1962 created the Hermogenes Academy of Yoga. His wife, Maria, called it ‘the room of the seven windows’, and it was near a big financial center in Rio de Janeiro.

Hermógenes and his wife Maria - Pioneers of the Brazil Sai Organization (Photograph by Madalena Schwartz)

There, hundreds of people of all ages –- executives, housewives, retired and young people –- learned Indian Spirituality. About every two months, about 100 people went out to a near highland city to study sacred scriptures, practice yoga, meditation, nature walks, “laughter therapy”, and devotional singing. The joy of the Hermogenes endeared them to all present as they shared their knowledge and experiences about many spiritual subjects. The Glory of Sai Spreads to Brazil After returning from a pilgrimage to India, Hermogenes began to speak of an embodied Avatar in the south of that country and exhibited the video, “The Aura of Divinity.” A Mexican Sai devotee, married to a Brazilian man, narrated her nearly instantaneous cure of a malignant tumor in her mouth after ingesting Vibhuti materialized by Sai Baba during an interview with Him. Her testimony was very convincing, as were the anecdotes of an Italian devotee married to a Brazilian lady who lived in the northeast of Brazil.

Nevertheless, it was of the nature of the Brazilian people not to be overly impressed by such cures and miracles, because the country had a large number of mediums and healers and such miraculous occurrences were not uncommon through the practices of spiritualism. However, when Sai Baba’s message arrived, it nevertheless quickly began taking root in the country. Professor Hermogenes spoke of Sai Baba not only in his lectures and workshops and gatherings with friends but also in radio and television interviews.

The First Interview – Amazing Experiences In their first visit to Puttaparthy in 1986, the Brazilian group was graced with an interview during which they observed the materialization of vibhuti and sweets to everyone present. This vibhuti made its way back to Brazil and was credited with various cures and help with personal problems, i.e. infertile women became pregnant, those seeking marriage found partners, some persons received properties, while others attained degrees in universities and became professionals. However, the greatest miracle of all was the transformation of people from their contact with Sai Baba, sometimes through dreams, and the bliss they experienced. Dr. Hermogenes confessed that at the beginning his rational mind resisted accepting the Divinity of Sai Baba. He had already witnessed many miraculous phenomena in Brazil, so by themselves they could not convince him.
		Brazilian devotees after the first interview with Swami, on 15 March 87 (Leila, Valéria and Heloisa)

His wife Maria, though, immediately became enchanted with Sathya Sai, declaring her love for Him and without hesitation declaring, “He is God! He is God!” She also composed many beautiful songs to Swami. Later that year, when he came back to Brazil, Hermogenes, immersed in books and pictures, dedicated himself to discovering the history of this embodied God and translated and published Howard Murphet’s book, Sai Baba, Man of Miracles, which portrays the life of Sai Baba with documented testimony and facts in a studied and journalistic style. In a short time, people began recognizing Sathya Sai Baba as an Embodiment of the Divine – a manifestation of Shiva, the transformer aspect of the three divine personifications of cosmic forces Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, as well as the avatars of Rama and Krishna.

Their Second Interview – All Grace And Love

In 1987, Dr. Hermogenes lead a second group to Prashanti Nilayam, after which he would found the first Sai Baba Center in Brazil, located in Rio de Janeiro in the quarter of Vila Isabel. On this trip, the group of twenty-eight was dressed in white, with golden-yellow scarves tied around their necks. Swami granted them a lovely interview in which they experienced the grace of the Avatar. He materialized a diamond ring for an African devotee and asked if all were fine.

One of the group members asked for a blessing for Brazil, explaining that there was political turmoil and fear among the people that the army might seize power. In a sweet and reassuring way, Swami said: “Be calm. Governments come and go; but just God remains. God is Love, live in God and live in Love. Everything will get better.” Swami inquired if anyone had health problems. He asked one lady, “Do you do japamala (rosary), mother?” and materialized a crystal rosary for her. She was surprised and cried and thanked Him. Next, He asked a young woman about the illness in her eyes, which she confirmed. He said, “You will become fine,” and manifested a yellow lingam, instructing her to bathe her eyes with water from the lingam and to change the water, adding, “Don’t throw away the old water but distribute it to other people who need it.” She wept while Baba sweetly comforted her. “Don’t cry, I want everybody to be happy.” Both men and women broke into tears of bliss. Like a dear Father and loving Mother, Baba caressed Professor Hermogenes´ and Maria’s hands, seated on each side of Him. He transmitted much love and compassion to all and said, “I will receive you again in privacy.” He said with much tenderness, “I am always with you, I know all your problems. I love you profoundly.” He emphasized, “Live the present moment with much love. Don’t worry too much. Always look for the truth.” The group left the interview room touched and intoxicated by the Divine Presence. They discussed how to go about the process of correcting and transforming themselves.

They decided to create a library with Baba´s books and to meet in groups to study bhajans, in essence, to establish a Sai Center. It was an auspicious time, a turning point, and they knew in that moment it was the beginning of a great effort, one which that carries on to this day. The women hugged each other, their hearts full of joy and peace, chanting Om Sai Ram. All were happy and feeling confident of their future. The generous and loving support and guidance of Sai brothers and sisters from Argentina, who enchanted them with their miraculous tales, cannot go unmentioned. Over the following years, Sai devotees from both the countries met each other several times in Latin America Congresses and soon the guidelines for the Sai Organization in Brazil were formed.

 The Leelas of the Lord

Of the numerous Sai leelas (plays, sports) occurring in Brazil over the last twenty years, there are three described here.

As mentioned previously, Sai Baba materialized a lingam for a Brazilian lady in 1987 and instructed her to bath her eyes with lingam water every day. By that time she had lost more than 80% of her vision. Not only was she completely healed, dozens of others have been cured of glaucoma by using the lingam water as well.

In 1985, a Brazilian couple went to see Sai Baba. The wife had been diagnosed as infertile. In an interview, Swami materialized vibhuti for her but did not allow her husband to ingest it. Today, they have a family of three healthy children. The oldest is named Ananda and was born one year after the interview.

Another young woman was yearning to see Sai Baba but was anxious about spending all of her financial resources that she had at the time. While preparing for an examination in Spanish the following day, something extraordinary occurred. While studying, she saw the sentence: Next year I will go to India. She was taken aback by this astonishing coincidence. Consulting with her teacher, they checked the text and confirmed that the sentence in question was not to be found anywhere.

The Brazilian Sai Organization

Currently, the Brazil Sai Organization has a Central Council overseeing 9 Regions. There are also 7 Coordinating Committees, 2 Regional Coordinators, 32 Sai Centers and 38 Sai Groups. The Sai Foundation established in 1992 is the management agent of the property of the Sai Organization in Brazil. Besides other functions, it publishes Sai Baba books in Portuguese and produces CDs, DVDs and VCDs. The Brazil Organization maintains a website – www.sathyasai.org.br – with information about Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a calendar of events, available books, Swami’s discourses, and seva projects in progress.

The website of the Brazil Sai Organisation: www.sathyasai.org.br

The Numbers Continue to Grow…

One could not have imagined in 1986, while celebrating the 60th birthday of the Avatar, that His work would achieve such heights. Baba’s spirit of seva (selfless service) has certainly caught on among Brazilians, many of whom are eager to serve. “Swami fills our hearts making us experience that the path of Service is the solution" say the Brazilian Sai Devotees. The numbers of the Sai movement in Brazil continue to grow. 23 Public Meetings were held with a combined attendance of almost 5600 people – an average of 245 per event – spread all over the Brazilian states.

Public Meeting in Sao Paulo City, Brazil
Senior members of the Sai Organisation addressing the Sai meeting in Sao Paulo on the 22th of May 2005

“We also held seven National Congresses with an average of 450 in attendance, and three National Education Meetings, promoted by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Education of Brazil, including two of them with a wider reach, which included participates from other countries in Latin America,” the devotees share with H2H.

Sai Family Elders Share Much Joy and Love

“We have also hosted many well-known speakers from the International Sai Organization, all of them living examples of love and dedication to Sai Service. During his stay with us, Dr. Choudary Voleti, cardiologist at the Super Specialty Hospital of Prashanti, also spoke in several hospitals in Brazil, such as the Hospital João XXIII in Belo Horizonte, the largest facility in Latin America specializing in traumatology. The doctors and nurses who attended his talks were inspired and encouraged to lovingly serve all those in their care.

Dr. Choudary Voleti addressing Sai devotees during the 6th National Congress of the Sai Organisation

John Behner, Leonardo Gutter, Artung Jumsai, and Michael Goldstein have also visited as guest speakers and examples of selfless service. Their actions and words convey their dedication to dharma (righteousness), discipline, and perseverance. The Berra Family from Argentina, Dr. Jorge, Mrs. Rosana, and their daughter Alma, also gifted us with their presence. Alma recently returned to Brazil in the 4th National Sai Youth Meetingand shared her wonderful experiences with us.

Frequent Visits of Sai Family Elders
Prof. Anil Kumar in Rio de Janeiro on the 6th of May, 2006		Prof. Anil Kumar with some Sai Children of Brazil

Dr. Sara Pavan in the Canto Sai School		Mr. John Behner during the 6th National Congress

In 2006, Dr. Choudary Voleti, Dr. Sara Pavan, Dr. Samuel Sandweiss and his wife Sharon, and Professor Anil Kumar visited and spoke to us as well. Anil Kumar, Professor and Doctor in Biology, stayed with us for a week. His enthusiasm, intelligence, and wit were inspiring, and his spontaneous joyful energy left a memorable impression in our hearts,” the Sai devotees recall with great enthusiasm and joy.

Educare in Brazil

Over the last twenty years, the Education Program in Human Values has stirred the interest of countless educators and parents and achieved a boost after the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Education of Brazil in 2001. The EHV Program in Brazil continues to turn out more and more graduate teachers each passing year.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Education, Brazil
The Sai Education programme received a big boost after the Institute was set up in a picturesque campus in 2001

The young participants of the EHV Programme (left) and a day inside the class

This is a time when educators and parents alike are anxiously watching as rampant materialism is negatively influencing the formation of their children’s character. This urgency and concern has been reflected in an increasing interest in Sai Baba’s messages, especially in the area of education. To help fill this need, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Education of Brazil – ISSSEB – offers free basic, intermediary, and specialization courses, bringing to educators and professionals of the country the unique Sai Teachings in education and spirituality.

The Sathya Sai School in Rio De Janeiro
The first Sai School to be set up in Brazil in a poor community in Vila Isabel, Rio De Janeiro in 1992
The beautiful blossoming flowers from the Garden of Sai Educare...

In 1992, the first Sathya Sai School was established in a very poor community in Vila Isabel, in Rio de Janeiro. It has served as an inspiration and a model for the founding of other Sai Schools in the country, such as the Sai Schools in Recife, Goiania, Ribeirão Preto, and Minas Gerais.

The Sai School in Ribeirão Preto... one of the many in Brazil
To see a video on Ribeirão Preto Sai School, Click Here. [Wait a minute or two for the video to play on your computer]

They are supported by volunteer donations and are regulated by the laws of the country. “We dream of our children in a better world: more humane, more secure, more creative, and ultimately happier,” say the devotees, passionately devoted to His cause.

Sai Schools in South East Brazil
Human Values classes in Progress in Sao Paulo Sai School

Teaching love and unity in the Sathya Sai School of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil

Service Projects All Over the Country

Inspired by the example of students of Baba’s University, Brazilian brothers and sisters developed many action projects in the needy communities called Community Assistance and Medical Camps. Since 2005, these activities have developed into more systematic forms, enabling them to efficiently mobilize an increasing number of professionals from many areas, including volunteers not linked to the Organization.

The first Medical Camp in Brazil occurred in April 2005 and was a pilot project that brought many blessings to the volunteers and participants.

Sai Medical Camp in 2005
The first medical camp in Brazil treating young children with dental disorders

Treatment in progress (left) and post treatment some kids show off their beautiful smiles
Ophthalmologic treatment for poor children of the Jaguaré community, Sao Paulo

Odontological and ophthalmological treatments were carried out, the latter supported by the donation of fifty pairs of eyeglasses. The group effort of doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists served approximately 700 people. The young adults took care of the food items while other volunteers helped with the reception and registration of the patients. In this inaugural project, procedures were outlined, establishing models which can be applied in the rest of the country.

Sai Sociocare in Brazil - Grama Seva
Food Being Cooked For Grama Seva		Food Being Distrbuted to the Needy

Clothes Distribution in progress...		Sai volunteers cutting hair in Rio De Janeiro

Since then, these activities have expanded throughout Brazil. In a bit more than one year, three large Community Assistance projects were held – two of them in areas of dire poverty – besides numerous Medical Camps held in various Brazilian cities.

Rural Water Project - Another Facet of Sai Sociocare in Brazil
Water Pipeline Being Laid...		Woman Collecting Drinking Water

Brazilian Music Before the Lord

“Swami blessed us in a very special way, allowing Brazilian music and rhythm to be heard in Prashanti Nilayam on three different occasions,” say the devotees with great jubilation, “The first was Guru Poornima in July 2002, when about thirty Brazilians chanted beautiful songs in Portuguese. They sang Brazilian classics for forty minutes, such as ‘Trenzinho Caipira’ from Villa Lobos, ‘Aquarela do Brasil’ from Ary Barroso, as well as many bhajans in Portuguese.”

Brazilian Music in Prasanthi Nilayam

Brazilian Sai Devotees offering their music and devotion to Swami for the first time on Guru Poornima 2002

In November 2004, a group of professional Brazilian musicians presented Indian bhajans to Swami, utilizing Brazilian rhythms. The third time occurred on 1 January 2005, when the World Choir composed of 175 voices from 45 countries sang a song in Portuguese composed by a Brazilian conductor. The choir members felt moved while singing in Portuguese, a language unfamiliar to most of them. “Swami gently moved to the rhythm of the songs, making our hearts happy and enchanting us with His kindness and generosity,” say the devotees recalling those blissful moments.

Singing Indian Bhajans to Swami in 2004 - and the Lord is so pleased...

Portuguese on Radio Sai – A Divine Gift

The broadcast of the first Radio Sai program in Portuguese came as an early Christmas gift on November 25, 2004. Since then, Radio Sai has been airing programs in Portuguese at least three times a week, giving joy, sharing information, and fostering devotion by providing Sai devotees in Brazil the chance to listen to Swami’s message in their native tongue. “Our Love for Swami,” say the dedicated Sai devotees, “can be compared to a fresh and lovely cake, whose recipe includes healthy helpings of compassion, will power, joy and dashes of bliss. Whenever we offer it to Swami, however, He always gives us the first slice: His Unconditional Love.”

Radio Sai Global Harmony

The Heart2Heart team is grateful to Mr. John Behner for his active support in the writing of this article and to Mr. Gene Massey for painstakingly filming Sai Schools and service projects in Latin America and lovingly sharing it with us.