NEWS BRIEFS

July/AUGUST 2004

EAST COAST USA TOUR

Divine Love - August 19, 2004
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj arrived in New York on Thursday, August 29. In the evening, at the LaGuardia Marriott, he gave the first talk of his six-day Northeast tour titled “Divine Love.” The spiritual leader spoke about the difference between love of this world, which deteriorates, and divine love, which permeates every pore of our being and is everlasting. To accommodate the audience, the talk was simultaneously translated into Spanish. The next day, he gave a meditation seminar where he said we have forgotten our true self, which is soul. He emphasized that the purpose of our life is to realize the Lord.

Inauguration of the Science of Spirituality Center
On August 20, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj inaugurated the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center in Amityville, New York. Joining him were religious and interfaith leaders and representatives of United Nations NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). The New York center is the newest of the many centers that span the globe. Each has the mission to provide a place of peace and tranquility where people, regardless of religion, nationality, or race, can come together in harmony to focus on the most important aspect of life—self-knowledge and God-realization.

Sister Joan Kirby, who represents the Temple of Understanding at the United Nations, expressed her great esteem for Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and his spiritual mission. She said when we get in touch with our spirituality; we translate that experience into compassion and service. Reverend Narcizo Diaz, from Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Wisconsin stated, "I have entered within through meditation and realize that the only way to peace is through spiritual development." Jonathan Granoff, vice-president of the NGO Committee on Disarmament at the United Nations spoke next. He stated that each person needs to return to his or her spiritual center. We cannot effect great change in the world until we change ourselves through our spiritual practices.

Following the dedication, the speakers gathered around a large lamp and lit a universal flame representing all religions. This was a ceremony reflecting Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj's poem: "When the flowers of the church, mosque and temple gather together, spring will blossom forth in Your garden, O Lord."

Exploring Inner Realms - August 21st
On Saturday afternoon, the new meditation center in New York was the site of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s talk, "Exploring Inner Realms." Spirituality is a way of life, he said, and affects every facet of our being, for on the health of the spirit depends the health of the mind and body. On Sunday, he spoke in New Jersey at Temple Emanu-el where his public talk was in Hindi, simultaneously translated into English.

Inner Happiness and Peace - August 23rd
Monday evening, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj presented an enlivening talk on inner happiness and peace at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Boston. The final event of the six-day tour was on Tuesday - a picnic in a large park in suburban Boston on the banks of the Charles River. Speaking informally Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said meditation is not like taking a two-week vacation in which you meditate for two weeks and then you're done for the year. Rather, he said, meditation is something we should do every day.

PUBLIC TALKS IN CHICAGO AREA

On Saturday, August 14th and Sunday, August 15th, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave talks in the Chicagoland area of Oak Park and Itasca. At the Arts Center of Oak Park, he spoke on "Exploring Inner Peace." He said everything in this world is perishable, but the sweetness we find in the inner spiritual realms cannot be experienced anywhere in this world. In his talk in Itasca, "Healing through Meditation," the spiritual leader said spirituality is a way of life; it impacts each and every moment of our lives. Even though our soul has been separated from the Lord for eons, once we have the connection to the inner Light and Sound, we bloom into our original state.

DARSHAN MEDITATION CAMP

The slogan, "Meditate More in 2004" summed up the spirit of the Darshan Meditation Children's Camp held in Bowling Green, Virginia from Saturday, July 17 through Saturday, July 23. Teens and adults from Africa, England, Australia, Austria, Canada, and all over the United States gathered to enjoy a week of spiritual fellowship, meditation, and service. Throughout the week, children ages 8-18 enjoyed busy morning schedules of sports, arts and crafts, service, spiritual classes, and meditation, followed by an afternoon of swimming, games, free time, and satsang. One day, the entire camp took a beautiful seven-mile canoe trip down the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg. People commented on the loving and peaceful atmosphere surrounding the camp. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj traditionally visits camp for a few days at the end of the camp week. While at camp, he spoke about how much we gain when we gather together in an atmosphere charged by spiritual radiation. He ate with the campers, visited their programs, led them in meditation, and joined a bonfire sing-along.

DEVON ILLINOIS

On July 11, in an area of north Chicago known as Little India, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave a public talk in Hindi. The program began with a hymn by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Discoursing on the meaning of the hymn, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained that the outer world is based on illusion, and no matter how hard we may try in this world, we cannot find lasting happiness. Through meditation we can contact the divine Light and Sound of God. The more we meditate on the inner Light and Sound, the more bliss and peace we will experience in our lives.

INTERNET BROADCASTS

July Internet Broadcast
On Sunday, July 4th, 2004, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj's Sunday talk was broadcast throughout the world from Naperville, Illinois. He focused on how to achieve true independence from the mind, as it was Independence Day in the US. His suggestions followed three decision making principles—ask ourselves whether it will benefit others, not just ourselves; whether our decision helps or hurts us; and whether it is ethical. If we are being truthful, non-violent, and serving selflessly, then we will gain peace in our lives.

August Internet Broadcast
On Sunday, August 8th, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj's discourse was again broadcast worldwide. No matter what part of the world we come from, he said, no matter how different our backgrounds, we all share the love that we have received from the great Masters.

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