NEWS BRIEFS

MARCH 2007

Maharashtra Tour

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj toured the historic region of Maharashtra, India’s third largest state from February 17 – 20. Its capital Mumbai (Bombay) is considered the financial and commercial center of India. His first program was at the Bandra Reclamation Grounds where he greeted thousands of people. This was followed by a question and answer session where he talked about the importance of spiritual grace coupled with meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God.

The spiritual Master said those who focus on the Lord come under God’s grace and protection; they do not feel any pain or sorrow as their karmas are wiped away. Through constant remembrance of the Lord one can transcend body-consciousness and journey through the inner spiritual planes.

At the inauguration of the renovated meditation hall at Kirpal Ashram in Thane, he said we should make full use of the opportunity of being in an ashram by focusing our attention on God. He also explained that an intense desire and yearning for God will enable us to attain our goal.

In his discourse following the inauguration, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained the meaning of divine nectar. This, he said, was another name for inner spiritual intoxication, which is imperishable, and what all are searching for. The soul and Oversoul reside in the human body, and it is only by inverting our attention and focusing it at the seat of the soul that we can discover this eternal nectar.

During his evening talk the spiritual Master took as his theme verses by the 15th century saint, Kabir Sahib, whom he called the father of modern spirituality. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj elaborated on the purpose of human life, and urged everyone to find time for their spiritual practices, emphasizing that it is only through meditation that we can reach the goal of self-knowledge and God-realization in this lifetime.

On February 20, a public program was organized at the open air theater in Lonawala. Here, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained that the world is full of illusion and we must make use of the opportunity of our human birth to reach our spiritual goals. Later, he blessed land for a new ashram to be built in Pimpri, Pune. He said it is a great blessing to have a spiritual center where we can devote our time to meditating on the inner Light and Sound, reverberating within ourselves. The meditation center he said, provides a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Meditation for the Modern Age

On February 24, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave a public talk at the Indira Gandhi Auditorium in Noida, a region of Delhi. Speaking to a large audience, he explained how everyone can achieve the goal of self-knowledge and God-realization even in this modern age. Amidst the tension and anxiety of daily life, we can learn the art of meditation and find peace and joy within ourselves. Then, the spiritual Master explained the law of karma, saying through meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God we can eliminate karmic impressions on our soul. Meditation empowers our discriminating faculties, strengthens moral conduct, and cultivates an attitude of “forgive and forget.” By nourishing our soul through meditation, our body and mind are strengthened as well.

He then placed the audience into meditation, after which he answered their questions. When asked about how to bring spirituality into one’s worldly activities, he said we need to engage in the remembrance of the Lord or simran (silent repetition of God’s Name). This imbues us with joy and happiness, which we then we carry into all our activities. Following the question and answer session, Maharaj Ji participated in a press conference for radio, television and print media.

Visit to Jammu and Punjab

From February 26 – March 1, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, toured Jammu and the Punjab. Prized for its spectacular beauty, the Punjab is a land of rivers, fertile valleys and a rich spiritual heritage. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, founder of the Sikh faith, came from the Punjab, where Amritsar, the site of the the Sikh Golden Temple, is located. At his first stop, Kirpal Ashram in Jammu City, he discoursed on a hymn from the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev Ji. Explaining that God’s hand is always helping in our life, he said unfortunately we have become engrossed in the gifts rather than the Giver. God resides in every being, and we can experience this Power by inverting our attention through the technique of meditation. When we find God within ourselves, then all ignorance and vice vanish from our lives and are replaced with divine love and devotion.

On February 27, the spiritual Master left for Pathankot, stopping along the way at Kirpal Ashram in Sujan Pur where he gave an inspiring talk. In the evening, he reached Pathankot, the fifth largest city in the Punjab, located in picturesque foothills of Kangra and Dalhousie. In Pathankot, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj discoursed on verses by Kabir Sahib, saying even though Kabir’s compositions date back to 600 years ago, his words are as true today as when they were when first spoken. Real beauty, he said, is within us. By inverting our attention we can gain access to the inner world. There, we speak the language of love. Realizing that God is our True Friend, we experience eternal happiness and joy.

In Tanda, a small town in the Punjab, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj spoke about the life of Namdev, a 13th century mystic, who was born in a village in Maharashtra, moving to the Punjab in his later years. Although he began his spiritual quest in idol worship, Namdev eventually came to the feet of a living spiritual Master and began to worship God as the Formless Absolute.

After being warmly welcomed with a performance from the children’s program, speaking in Punjabi, the spiritual Master explained that the divine nectar is within us and is sweeter than any other sweetness in the world. We strive to search for this divine nectar, but it cannot be discovered in the world outside.

In the evening, he returned to Amritsar for a program. Here, elaborating on verses by Guru Arjun Dev Ji, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained that we find true happiness and peace when we embark on a spiritual journey within. Although our attention is now dispersed through our senses into the world outside, when we focus our attention at the gateway within—the third eye—we can gain access to the inner planes.

Holi Celebration

During the month of Phagan, which ushers in the season of spring, on the night of the full moon the festival of Holi is celebrated throughout India. This year Holi (also called the Festival of Colors) fell on March 4. This holiday commemorates the destruction of the king of demons, Hiranyakashipu. It also commemorates the divine love between Krishna and his consort, Radha.

In celebration of Holi, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave a discourse to thousands of people at Kirpal Bagh in Delhi. He explained that Holi celebrates the triumph of good over bad. It is also a celebration that deepens the bonds of love among people. He said Holi also refers to the festival of colors we can enjoy on the inner spiritual realms. Contrasting the outer celebration of Holi with the inner, spiritual festival, he said whereas musicians play music during Holi in the world outside, to celebrate Holi within, all we need do is focus our attention on the inner, spiritual Music within ourselves. We then become saturated with this inner Melody and with the color of God’s love. He added that when we meditate on the inner Light and Sound of God, the divine virtues color us with humility, contentment, stability, love and peace.

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