NEWS BRIEFSJULY 2006Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Returns to the USAOn Tuesday, June 20, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj returned to Naperville, Illinois from Delhi, India. His first stop after leaving the airport was the Science of Spirituality Center in Naperville. Speaking to an overflowing crowd of people who had been waiting to greet him, the spiritual Master described his month-long stay in India, updating everyone on recent events. He talked about the celebration held on May 29 and 30 honoring Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj’s Barsi Bhandara (death anniversary). He also spoke about his travels to Tamil Nadu to dedicate three new public schools, built by Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission/Science of Spirituality in the wake of the 2005 tsunami, which he had donated to the Indian government. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj also encouraged everyone to visit Kirpal Ashram in India. He said being there is a very special experience; it is spiritually charged and it has its own charm. There, he said, we can take a break from our life in the world and focus on our spiritual quest. Internet Broadcast held at the SOS Center in Naperville, ILOn Sunday, July 9, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s discourse was broadcast worldwide via the internet. People in India, Australia, Africa, North and South America, and Europe had the opportunity to listen to the spiritual Master's sage words on living a spiritual and ethical life. He opened by saying that as we gather together in the sweet remembrances of the Lord, it is important to realize the purpose of our existence. Saints and mystics have shown a way by which we can get out of the cycle of life and death; they have shown us a path which will bring us oneness with God. Taking verses by Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Maharaj as his theme, he talked about each stage of life being accompanied by difficulties. As a child grows, it forgets from where it came. The attention of the child, which is at first embedded in God, becomes distracted into the world. As the child ages, his or her attention goes into education, finding a partner and raising a family. However youth is the time when one is strongest and it is the best time to put one's attention into spiritual pursuits. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said our youth is a precious time of life because we can sit in meditation for long periods of time without growing tired. He remarked that the saints and mystics of all ages have urged humanity not to waste this life. The time to focus on God is now. If you are a child, don't wait until you are a youth; if you are a youth, don't wait until you are in your senior years. Time is precious, and it is passing by. He quoted: "The world is like a beggar, it gives nothing in return," however, God is the Giver of all things. The spiritual Master then stated that our attention should be focused on God, who is the Giver, rather than on the world which takes everything from us and gives us nothing of real value in return.
Independence Day Discourse and Celebration Held in Naperville, IllinoisThe program on Sunday, July 2, focused on the importance of Independence Day. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj asked the congregation to consider "if we, too, are in bondage?" He explained that our soul is in bondage to the universal mind. Because people have become used to living in a certain way in their specific environments, they no longer consider themselves in bondage and so do not seek independence from the universal mind. Once we realize this, he said, we need to find ways to relieve our suffering. Quoting the words of Kabir Sahib, the spiritual Master said:
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained the verse, saying that when we travel to an alien land we become entangled in the rules and customs of that land. Likewise, our soul is suffering on the wheel of transmigration, and yet there are ways we can escape. We have an opportunity to be in a state of eternal bliss through meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God. Just as the forefathers of the United States had chosen to work for independence, we, too, can seek freedom for our soul. Question & Answer Sessions Held on Saturday EveningsOn Saturday, July 15 Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj held a question and answer session at the Science of Spirituality Center in Naperville. Someone asked for suggestions on how to guide one's children on the spiritual path. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj replied that as parents we have a great responsibility toward our children. He explained that not only do children learn what we try to teach them, but they learn from the environment in which they are raised. Therefore we need to keep an environment in our home which is full of love. One man asked advice on how to live and work with others harmoniously. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said at the level of the soul we are not different; we just think we are. In reality, he explained, we are one and the same. However, our karmas are different, and so what plays out in our life is going to be different from others. He then said we should view our life as an unfolding movie. We each have a role to play, but our roles are different from those of others. Harmony does not mean that everyone thinks the same or is going to behave in a similar manner; harmony means that in a group of people there will be differences. Therefore, a harmonious environment is one in which everyone makes an adjustment. Harmony doesn't happen by itself, he explained; one needs to give. When asked for advice on meditation, the spiritual Master replied that if one sits for meditation with regularity, then he or she will definitely have better inner experiences. With regularity and commitment in anything, he said, success will definitely be ours. In the field of spirituality, regularity is also the key to improving one's meditations. For more information about Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and his schedule, click here.
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