By. Dr. Iqbaljit S. Rai (U.S.A.)
The organised religion has failed to reach the human race. Sometimes religion becomes too much institutionalised; therefore it fails to relate to the common needs of the common people. A man drowning in the Pacific Ocean is not interested in the gourmet meal. This individual is drowning and the only thing of any importance to this desperate soul is a life jacket, a rope and someone to save him. Likewise, our world is in a precarious situation. The people are addicted to different things to seek "an easy way out". There is no question in any body's mind that the modern society is very much in need of God's messenger with God's message to "jump start the spirit of the society" before it leaps into the 21st century. Andre Malraus, a French intellectual, was certainly right when he said that the 21st century would be the century of religion or it would not be at all.
The local religious leaders have admitted time and again that organised religion just does not have the cutting edge. One of the Deans of a School of Divinity has said, "We, who were supposed to overcome the world, have been overcome by the world." Even Pope Paul II has admitted that "We are divided, but I do not know why". According to the Nirankari philosophy, a person born in a particular family surrounded by walls of religion, stands shattered by artificial divisions, conflicting ideologies and ism. The Mission asserts that God-realisation is the only force that is the mortar binding together the many-shaped bricks of human society into a coherent structure. Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, Prophet of the time, travels around the world to preach:
"To love God’s people by knowing Him is the best religion. Everything glitters with God’s spark. One who indulges in hatred against man, hates God."
Baba Ji has said:
"Today, the world’s eyes are directed towards the Sant Nirankari Mandal. We are to take the Light of the Mission forward with devotion and dedication. People will be attracted to the Nirankari Mission through our exemplary deeds and actions of love, modesty and affection. We are to become the model, firstly to our family, then to our neighbour and, finally, to the whole world."
It is time to introspect. As disciples, we have been entrusted with the duty to heal the wounds of the society by love and dedication. We may have to make some adjustments to come true to the expectations of our Master.
Let us check on what Lord Jesus Christ said about discipleship. In Luke 14:25 to 33, he says, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." Jesus, the personification of love, used the word "hate" to get our attention! He meant that our affection for all other people and things should look like hatred relative to the magnitude and immensity of love of his disciples towards him In short, if he was not way out ahead of everyone and everything else in their lives, they cannot be his disciples. How do we measure up to that standard?
The second standard of discipleship is in verse 27, which says," Any of you who does not give up everything he had cannot be my disciple." Jesus expected his followers to give up whatever they loved more than he. True disciples do not let anything compete with their Master for their loyalty and affection.
The third standard of discipleship is in verse 33. It says, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Most of us will give up something but not everything for our Master. On the other hand, the True Master gives up everything for his disciples, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji being the most recent example. To be a disciple is an all or nothing situation. We cannot serve two masters, Satguru and the world, at the same time. As true disciples, our devotion should be to the Satguru alone.
The people in the West need God-realisation more than ever before. In a recent survey it was reported that 95 percent of the Americans believe in God. Majorities of these are believers, not belongers.
Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji has blessed us with the Knowledge of God. We can practice this knowledge in our life, among our community and then reach out to the world. In his discourse during an Annual Samagam in Delhi, Baba Ji said:
"Some devotees have come from far away countries. I ask them when they go back to spread the Truth among the people living there. The lamp that has been lit, should not be put in a box, but on the crossroads, so that it can light the path of the people. The devotees should try to bring peace and harmony among the people living there."
In the book, The master Speaks, Baba Ji has said:
"When a worldly person becomes happy, he wants to contain the happiness in himself, or at the most extends it to his own family only, but the devotees share their happiness and bliss with the whole mankind."
Let us all seek the blessings of Baba Ji and move forward on the path shown by him.