NEWS BRIEFS

DECEMBER 2006, JANUARY 2007

Holiday Program

Each year, Science of Spirituality / Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission holds an annual celebratory program spanning the New Year’s holiday. For many years, the holiday program was held at different venues in the Chicago, Illinois area. However, the 2006 – 2007 program took place in the warm climate of Orlando, Florida (USA).

The International Plaza Resort & Spa, situated on 28 acres with tropical landscaping, exotic flowers and birds, provided an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. People from different parts of the world had a chance to gather together, attend spiritual programs and spend time in meditation. From December 27 to January 1, everyone participated in workshops, meditation sittings, spiritual discourses and many other activities.

On Wednesday evening, December 27, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj launched the retreat and welcomed the diverse audience gathered in the hotel ballroom. Speaking about the joy we experience when we travel away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the spiritual Master explained that our soul needs to be careful as to what companionship we seek when we go on vacation. The mind has many ways it can distract us, taking away our most precious commodity, time. He said generally we like company when we go on vacation. Therefore, each of us has a choice: will we take the mind with us as our companion or will we choose God? He continued saying, God has given us free will, so we must decide for ourselves if we want God in our lives. If we do, then we will experience the Lord.

Afternoon Discourse on December 28th

In his second talk of the holiday program Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj talked about the past, present and future. The past, he said, makes us think about difficult times and blame others for those times; the future nullifies the present. Only when we live in the present, he explained, can we take steps toward our goal which is self-knowledge and God-realization. Following this beautiful talk, the spiritual Master put everyone into meditation.

Evening Program, Stories of Grace

That evening, a special program was arranged for members of the audience to share their stories of spiritual love, guidance and grace. Many spoke about how Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj had helped them pass through difficult situations and illnesses; other stories illustrated spiritual treasures others had received. Manmohan Singh Duggal, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s brother, beautifully explained that those events and situations that may appear to be “miraculous” to some unfold naturally in the lives of the saints.

Q & A / December 29, 2006

The next day, the audience had a chance to ask questions relating to their spiritual lives. One man asked if it were possible to have spiritual experiences but not realize it. The spiritual Master replied such experiences are totally conscious; during a spiritual experience we are aware of what is happening. Often, we may have an experience in meditation, and the mind puts doubts into us, distracting us so we don’t draw closer to our goal. A true spiritual experience, he emphasized, is not like a dream; it is real, and occurs when we are in a conscious state.

A woman asked how we can handle physical pain when it prevents us from meditating. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained that ours is not a path of austerity. We believe if we have physical pain then we should seek medical help. As we meditate, however, our attention withdraws from the pain, and the healing effects of meditation bring relief. He also said many pain management authorities prescribe meditation to their patients because of its healing effects.

Another woman said she found it difficult to meditate for more than one hour. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said meditation was like any activity that takes patience, practice and perseverance. We need to work up gradually to lengthening our meditation, adding five minutes at a time.

In the final question of the afternoon, the spiritual Master was asked about the intrinsic goodness of human beings. He replied that all people are good. We are soul, he said, and a part of God. However, we have become identified with the body and the mind. As soon as we sit to meditate, the mind distracts us with thoughts; the mind also dissipates our attention into the world so that we create more karma for ourselves. However, through the process of meditation, selfless service, and attending spiritual discourses, we can experience ourselves at the level of soul. Then, nothing but goodness comes forth from us.

Public Talk, December 30th

A public talk, “Meditation: The Divine Adventure,” was advertised for the afternoon of December 30. Many people from the Orlando area attended along with the large international audience. In his discourse, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj related how people seek adventures in the outer world. The thrill of these adventures are short-lived, he said, whereas the greatest adventure is seeking God. All the divine treasures are hidden within the deepest recesses of our soul. We can each experience this journey into ethereal regions of Light and Sound when we learn to meditate. We can experience a love which drenches our whole being with ecstasy and bliss, a love unknown in the physical world. All this can be ours when we learn to invert.

New Year’s Eve Afternoon Talk

On the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave his fifth spiritual discourse. In this, he encapsulated his New Year’s message, saying when we go on vacation, we can choose the companionship of the mind or that of God. When we get entangled in the activities of the world, it becomes more difficult to dis-entangle ourselves. He said: “Traveling with the mind, leads to pain and sorrow. Traveling with God, leads to love and bliss.” He explained that God’s love is always with us; we need only turn to the Lord and we will experience truth and bliss.

Picnic at the Southeast Center and Farewell Talk

On New Year’s Day, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj inaugurated a newly built meditation hall at the Southeast Center of the Science of Spirituality in Lake Mary, Florida. This pristine five-acre center is a natural retreat from the hub of Orlando, 15 miles southeast of the center. The serene property is ideal for peaceful contemplation and an outdoor nature experience. Adjacent to state-owned park lands, the area is a natural habitat to native Florida wildlife and offers scenic pathways winding through palm trees, pine and majestic oaks.

After cutting the ribbon to the new meditation hall, the spiritual Master spoke about the beauty of the setting and suggested that it become a place for retreats. He said Science of Spirituality/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission owns centers in many parts of the world. The more we avail ourselves of these centers and participate in the programs offered, the more we gain spiritually.

The air was fragrant and warm as Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj mingled with and greeted the many people who had gathered for the event. Later, everyone enjoyed a vegetarian picnic. In the early evening, the spiritual Master gave a farewell talk, officially ending the 2006 holiday program. As this divine holiday comes to an end, he said, let us invite God back home with us. We don’t have to return to our homes alone; we can choose to take the Lord with us as our eternal companion.

For more information about Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and his schedule, click here.