NEWS BRIEFS

JUNE/JULY 2005

Darshan Mela in Illinois

On the morning of Saturday, June 11, a Darshan Mela, or fair, in honor of the poet-saint Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj was held at the Science of Spirituality Center. The day was sunny and clear with festive tents gracing the lawn. There was cookie decorating, face painting, a book table, a luncheon tent, and much more. Following lunch, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave a discourse, followed by questions and answers. When asked about the best prayer one can make, the spiritual Master said since God knows all our needs and is meeting them constantly, the best prayer we can perform is one of thanksgiving.

Internet Broadcast

On Sunday, June 12th, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s talk from the Science of Spirituality Center in Naperville, was broadcast to centers throughout the world. In this, he talked very clearly on how our meditation practice can relieve the different kinds of pain we encounter in our lives. He said we all deal with pain whether it is physical, mental, emotional, social, or spiritual. We are all seeking a state which is pain free, a state of bliss, joy, and happiness. He said we need to realize that the solution resides within ourselves. When we learn the art of meditation, we are uplifted from the physical to the divine, and nothing from the physical world will bother us anymore.

Father's Day Celebration

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s talk on Father’s Day, June 19, focused on how our fathers provide for us at the physical level, but God, who is our divine Mother and Father, also provides for us. He explained that generally in life people are very competitive; it is only parents who want their children to live a life better than their own. He then spoke in praise of his spiritual Master Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj, explaining that Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj created an atmosphere in which nothing negative was spoken about anyone. Meditation and selfless service were also modeled by his own parents, and the atmosphere in which he was raised was spiritually charged. He also said the minute a soul turns its face to the Lord, the Lord becomes overjoyed.

Public Discourse in Delhi, India

On the evening of July 8, 2005, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj spoke to a large audience at the Sathya Sai International Centre in Delhi, India. His talk, given in English, was "Meditation: The Pathway to God." He spoke about our purpose of life being to know our self and to realize God. This can be done, he said, in the context of our everyday lives. Describing the difference between the physical body and the soul, he said our body is made of matter and, hence, is perishable; the soul, however, which is our true nature, is a part of God and is eternal.

The spiritual leader also mentioned the research done on near-death experiences (NDEs). He said hundreds of thousands of people from different cultures and religions all over the world who had NDEs have described similar experiences. They felt themselves distinct from their body, traveled through a dark tunnel into a region of loving light, and many even described meeting a spiritual teacher from the past. Each person, when revived, said they learned that love is the great truth underlying all life. He added, through meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God, we can experience ourselves as soul without having to experience any trauma to the physical body.

Visit to Bern & Zurich, Switzerland

On July 16, en route from Delhi, India, to Chicago in the United States, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj stopped in Bern and Zurich, Switzerland, for a two-day visit.

Ancient sandstone buildings, historic towers and unique fountains establish Bern as an example of medieval architecture in Europe. Here, in the Kursaal, a large auditorium, which was filled to capacity by people from all parts of Europe, he gave a talk entitled, "Spiritual Consciousness and the True Meaning of Life." He said when we go within to connect with the Light and Sound of God, a new perspective of life awaits us. We experience the bliss of the oneness with the Creator and creation.

The afternoon of Sunday, July 17, the spiritual leader spoke at the "Volkshaus" in Zurich. His topic was "Inner and Outer Peace," in which he talked about how difficult it is to find peace in this world. We can find peace, he explained, once we learn the art of concentration. When we focus at the single or third eye, we can still the body and mind completely.

Return to Naperville, Illinois

On Monday, July 18th, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj returned to Naperville, Illinois. He arrived at the Science of Spirituality Center directly from the airport where he updated the local community about the activities of his last few months. He spoke about the spiritually charged atmosphere at Kirpal Ashram in Delhi, international headquarters of Science of Spirituality. He said the experience of being in India can not be put into words easily. Is it the faith of the people in the great Masters of Sant Mat, or is it the spiritual charging of the atmosphere that transports everyone into a magical kingdom? Whatever the reasons, he said, when we visit Kirpal Ashram, it is easier to spend time in our spiritual pursuits away from the distractions of our everyday life.

He then gave a spiritual discourse about the fact we are human beings, children of the Lord, but because of our egos, we cause difficulties for ourselves and others. He said once we go within through meditation, we experience the unity of ourselves with God, and the duality we experience in this world fades. He also stressed that God resides not only in places of worship, but that God is with us twenty-four hours a day no matter where we are in the world. Without the Lord's support, he said, we wouldn't be able to take a single step. He then put everyone into meditation.

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