NEWS BRIEFS

AUGUST 2007

Master’s Day Celebration

On Sunday, July 29th, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s discourse was broadcast worldwide through internet transmission, reaching meditation gatherings in locations as far-flung as Australia, Africa, India, Europe, and South America. In celebration of Master’s Day, which was instituted in 1981 by Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj—an occasion to be celebrated on the 4th Sunday of each July—Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave a special discourse in honor of all Masters whose lives, he said, are beacons of light which lead us from the darkness and illusion of this world back to God.

Through an interesting allegory, the spiritual Master likened a race to the spiritual quest. He said that this is the summertime, and during this season we find many races—whether by horse, car, swimming or on foot. The goal is to arrive at the finish line as quickly as possible. Likewise, he explained, we, too, are in a race to be with God: the human body is the starting point and God is the destination. He then outlined four qualities we need to succeed on our journey: 1) We need to fix our attention on our goal; 2) We need a positive attitude; 3) We need to refrain from getting distracted; and 4) We need zeal and passion. He added that when we look at the lives of people who are winners, these are the qualities they possess. He concluded that ours is to put in the best effort and leave the results in God’s hands.Following, a vegetarian picnic took place on the grounds of the center.

Tour to New York & New Jersey

In the early morning hours of Friday, August 3rd, H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and Mata Rita Ji arrived at the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center in Amityville, New York. The spiritual teacher greeted those working to serve thousands of delicious vegetarian meals over the next two days. He also walked into the wooded lot behind the center to bless the new acreage that had recently been purchased, a parcel approximately 100’ x 200’ with beautiful trees and ivy. Over the next two days, this forested area would help to accommodate the overflowing crowds.

Later in the day Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj was honored by the Assembly of the State of New York with a Proclamation for his efforts in the field of human unity and peace. In a public ceremony at the Jewish Center in Jackson Heights, New York State Assemblyman Jose R. Peralta (D. 39th District), stated: “On the occasion of his visit to the Empire State, it is imperative to honor H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj who breathes life into the human unity movement. His is a global effort to seek unity at the level of the soul and transcend racial, cultural, national, religious and economic differences. His herculean efforts to uplift humanity deserve our special recognition.”

The Queens event included presentations of a NY Legislative Proclamation from Assemblyman Peralta and high praise from New York City Councilwoman Helen Sears, who described the timely need for the spiritual leader’s message. She, too, welcomed Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, thanking him for his global efforts to uplift humanity.

During his introduction, Peralta drew attention to the fact that at the meeting in the synagogue were members of different faiths— Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and others. Equally diverse social and civic organizations were represented including leaders from the American Family Community Services, BAPS Organization, the Jackson Heights Merchant’s Association, the Hindu Intellectual Forum, volunteers from Heart to Heart, NY, the President of the Columbian Civic Center, NY, Citi Bank, the Latin American Immigrant Alliance and numerous Grassroots community activists and volunteers who joined international representatives such as Dr. Gregorio Malena, Vice Consul – Republic of Dominican Consulate Dominican and Dr. Ricardo Burroughs – Republic of Dominican Consulate General Counsel. The hall overflowed with diversity and harmony. Peralta and Sears commented that this gathering was like a mini United Nations cooperating in a manner consistent with Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s teachings. Reporters and photographers from local media and press covered the event.

The spiritual Master responded to the many accolades by thanking the community and its leaders and stating humbly that these tributes were not for him but for his message of love, human unity, and peace. He spoke about the diversity of the people in the room, about how New York is considered the melting pot where people from all backgrounds sit together. The saints and mystics through the ages have been telling us that we are part of one big family of God. He then told a story from the life of Mother Teresa: When asked by a reporter if it made her angry to see so much social injustice, she replied that she did not want to waste her energy in anger when she could use her energy in love. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj closed the program with a brief meditation enabling those present to experience first hand the peace of their soul.

Upon his return to the center in Amityville, the spiritual leader took his seat on the dais. Behind him a beautiful blue background extended like the rays of the sun with stained glass windows on either side. He gave a beautiful and inspiring welcome talk, encouraging everyone to attend these spiritual programs which, he said, protects us just like a parent protects the child. He emphasized that every discourse reveals some aspect of spirituality to us; we only need to be open and receptive to hear it. The Amityville center, he concluded, is a beautiful place where one can grow spiritually.

Afterward, the spiritual Master was interviewed by Peter Holly of Newsday in which they discussed such topics as the purpose of his visit, spirituality, marriage, and parenting. The spiritual Master emphasized the need to meditate to be in contact with the divine power within so that we have something stable to hold on to in life. He also spoke of the importance of living in the current moment.

The Friday evening event at Amityville brought additional public recognition for the international spiritual leader. Welcoming remarks from Nassau-Suffolk County jurists Robert W. Schmidt, Supreme Court Justice and Richard S. Lawrence, Family Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice were inspirational and witty. Schmidt remarked with a smile that if the spiritual master was overwhelmingly successful in encouraging a lifestyle of meditation and ethical virtues that it would put judges out of business.

Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Upendra Chivukula presented a Joint Legislative Resolution to welcome H.H.Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj (who would visit New Jersey on Sunday, August 5). The Deputy Speaker spoke at length about the need for human unity and then presented the New Jersey Joint Legislative Resolution, which lauds “the standard of excellence in leadership and service” and acknowledges the spiritual leader as “an esteemed member of the global community.”

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Souzzi sent a formal Citation presented by Deputy Commissioner Ratna Bhalla. Bhalla read the citation which in part says: “The cosmic vision of human unity that drives H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is taking root globally. It is his simple paradigm that is bringing unity and peace wherever he visits because he teaches that individual transformation is contagious enough to influence families, communities, nations and eventually the globe.” The Souzzi Citation thanked the spiritual leader for, “sharing his wisdom with the community and for inspiring us to strive for greater empathy and cooperation among peoples of all faiths.”

After thanking the leaders and the audience for coming to listen to his prescription for peace and unity at the level of the soul, the spiritual leader gave an inspiring talk entitled, Conquer Life’s Challenges through Meditation in which he spoke about the need to know oneself as soul. We spend most of our day just taking care of the body, he said. If someone passes away, the body is the same, yet the person cannot do anything, so what is it that makes us be alive? he asked. He then spoke of the Creative Power, which is God. This Power brought everything into being. It is this Power, he continued, that unifies us, for it is the same in all, and we need to experience this unity to truly know ourselves. “In this beautiful talk,” said a woman from New York, “the spiritual Master us the keys for transforming our world to one of peace and joy.” He then placed the assembly into meditation.

On Saturday, August 4, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave a public discourse in Hindi entitled Adhyatamik Jagriti which translates as Spiritual Awakening. Mata Rita Ji opened the program with a shabad from a verse by Guru Nanak, extolling the virtue of keeping one’s attention on the Lord. In his discourse, the spiritual Master stated that everyone can have worldly riches, but those who are really rich are the ones who are enshrined in God. If we sincerely take one step towards the Lord, then God will take thousands of steps towards us.

After the talk, everyone was invited outside to enjoy a delicious vegetarian feast. During this time, the spiritual leader walked through the crowds, greeting and talking to people.

Not long afterward, the spiritual Master returned to the sanctuary to give a talk in English with Spanish translation. In his discourse, Meditation: Ultimate Experience of Peace and Love, he spoke about the purpose of human life and the need to contact the inner Light of God. We then realize that everything has a part of that Light within it, and so that everything in the world is good. He explained that when Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj was asked why he bowed to his disciples, he said, “I see the Light of God in them and I bow to that Light.” In conclusion, he explained that God is waiting for us to turn within and find Him there. Following this discourse, Lorenzo Menendez presented the English and Spanish editions of Maharaj Ji’s book, Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living.

Edison, New Jersey Tour Stop

On Sunday, August 5th, the tour to New Jersey, hosted by the Hindi satsang of Edison, commenced with a discourse in Hindi, given by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, at the Holiday Inn of Edison.

The hotel’s ballroom was overflowing as Mata Rita Ji opened the program with a shabad from Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj. In his discourse, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said that God is very near to each being in creation because God is within us; the curtain of the mind which covers the soul keeps us from experiencing our true selves. He then explained that as children we learn that we are different and from this ego develops. He also stated that people forget that all religions have been made in order to achieve God-realization. Through meditation one begins to realize that people are all the same. If we focus on our similarities rather than our differences, he said, then we would bring more peace into the world.

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