NEWS BRIEFS

OCTOBER 2006

Arrival in Delhi, India

When Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj arrived in Delhi, India after time abroad, the first thing he did was greet the community of people from India and abroad who had been awaiting his return. When he spoke, he praised his spiritual predecessors, Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj and Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj, for spreading the tenets of Sant Mat to the West. He also talked about the upcoming 23rd International Human Unity Conference (IHUC), September 13–20, 2006.

On September 10th the spiritual Master spoke on the importance of inner spiritual experience which the founders of each religion imparted to their followers. He said the divine revelations of these saints and mystics form the basis and principles of the spiritual path. These experiences are available to everyone. At the next week’s program Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj spoke about meditation on the divine Light and Sound of God. Meditation alone, he said, grants us the completion of our spiritual journey and the fulfillment of our life's aim.

Inauguration & Mushaira

The conference began with a poetry symposium on the night of September 13, the eve of the 85th birthday celebration of the saint and mystic poet, Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj (1921-1989). Leading poets from throughout India participated, each having been give two verses written by Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj from which they were asked to develop their own poems. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj explained that divine love plays an important role in attaining human unity and in the quest for inner and outer peace. The following day speakers from different parts of the world, representing various religious, spiritual and social backgrounds, paid tribute to the life of Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said the poet-saint revealed the intricacies of God's divine love in his poetry, a way of speaking about the spiritual life unique to him.

Seminar on "Meditation-the Way of Life"

On Sunday, September 17th, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj presided over a seminar, “Meditation, the Way of Life.” He spoke about meditation on the divine Light and Sound, explaining that meditation helps us lead a life which is calm and blissful. He also said although everyone is afflicted with pain–whether physical, emotional, or mental–those who devote their lives to the Lord lead the happiest lives.

Opening Session of the 23rd IHUC

On September 18th, the 23rd International Human Unity Conference (IHUC) continued at the Siri Fort Auditorium in Delhi. Spiritual, religious and civic leaders were invited to speak on the role of science and spirituality in the present century and how both can be a means of guaranteeing peace at the individual and global levels. In his keynote address, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj said spirituality does not believe in rites and rituals, nor is it merely about reading the scriptures. Spirituality is the mother of all sciences because each human being can experience what saints and seers from all times concluded: we are soul and a part of God. Within the laboratory of the human body, we can become spiritual scientists and, through meditation, have a direct experience of the Light and Sound of God. Meditation, he said, leads to inner peace. By experiencing the spiritual treasures of the Lord, each soul can merge with the Light and love of God present within all creation.

Birthday Celebration

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj's sixtieth birthday celebration was held at Darshan Dham in Burari, the site of a future ashram about half an hour from the existing one. Here, the grounds had been transformed into a spectacular sight with banners and scintillating lights everywhere. Over 150,000 people arrived for the occasion. The program began with offerings of floral tributes in honor of the spiritual Master’s birthday and continued with a program of qwalis led by the well-known singer, Hansraj Hans. Following a cake-cutting ceremony, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj thanked everyone for bringing the gift of love with them. We all have our physical birth, he explained, but most important is our birth of the spirit. He urged everyone to make the best use of their human life by spending time in meditation and leading a life of spiritual love, nonviolence, truthfulness, humility and selfless service. In this way, he explained, we will speed up our journey back to our True Home. Later that evening, the celebration concluded with a fireworks display.

Concluding Session

On September 20th the conference concluded with a seminar, "Healing through Prayer and Meditation." During the program a resolution was passed unanimously by delegates from 45 countries urging world leaders to join with Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission/Science of Spirituality in bringing unity and peace to humankind through spiritual leaders like Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj. A highlight of the program was a tribute from the Michigan State Legislature presented to Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj which stated: “... the cumulative effect of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s efforts is an evolving but rapidly growing awakening that is helping humanity achieve a new level of cooperation and widespread individual enlightenment and peace.”

Education for a Peaceful World

On Saturday, September 23rd, Darshan Education Foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary with a seminar on "Education for a Peaceful World" held at an indoor stadium in Delhi. This was followed by a spectacular presentation by the students of Darshan Academy on the theme, "Color Me Peaceful." The seminar opened with an address by the founder chairman of Darshan Education Foundation, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj. He began by saying as little children in school we play with crayons of different colors, and yet these are made of the same wax as well as the foundation color of white. Likewise, human beings are made of the same atoms that form their material bodies. The life and Light of each soul which enlivens the human body also originates from the same single Source. If we would meditate and connect with the inner Light and the Voice of God reverberating within us, we would realize that truly we are all the children of the same Lord. With this realization, he said, we would love all creation as members of the same glorious family.

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