My Search …

- Roop Verma

New York, USA

Respected Roop Verma Ji of New York an Internationally renowned Sitar Master expresses some thoughts upon his travels on the path of Devotion to God Formless Nirankar.  We thank him for sharing his thoughts with the readers of Universal Target and trust that they will fulfill many hearts and be the cause of devotional up-liftment.

Background

My life has been an interesting voyage.  I am sure that there are countless others who have greater accounts of their journeys through life and each one of them will be unique.  For me, it all happened in the most unexpected way as at that time in my life, I was not in search of any spiritual experience.  I grew up in a religiously minded family and my views on Satsang (congregation of truth) were that it was a nice place to be, where one could always learn and benefit internally from the presence of devoted others.

Initiation

It was a hot summer’s day in 1965 that I was invited by a friend of mine to attend the most profound Satsang of my life.  His Holiness Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji was to bless a small gathering of Devotees in Pathankot, a small town in Northern India.  On that occasion, meeting with Baba Ji and being the recipient of his blessings, was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, though I did not realise back then.  I began to see the world so differently and yet so closely within a sense of totality.  This was the beginning of a new journey with Baba Ji who united me with my very essence.  I realized that he was my essence.  I wishes to remain around him always with a hope to receive a glance of Grace each time and every time I was in his presence.  I followed him through my travels within India and later abroad disregarding the distances that I would have to cross.

Development

The inner journey took many turns before I could come closer to understanding the deep but simple and true nature of Baba Ji’s teachings. I became withdrawn for some years and did not know what to do with my life except follow the path of unity that had been disclosed.  I thought it was my work for this lifetime.  I frequently looked inside to appreciate my inner being.  Did I have anything that I could call a virtue?  God, no.  But my Baba knew who I was.  He did not forsake me and it was his grace that changed the whole blue print of my life.  Soon I was invited to Europe for an Arts Festival and Baba Ji granted me his blessing.  I left India with only five dollars in my pocket but I deeply felt that his grace was my superior wealth that has crafted and enriched my life every single day ever since.

Attending Satsang

Leaving Europe in 1974, Canada became my home for some time.  My stay there was greatly enriched and blessed with the attendance at weekly Satsangs and the visiting saints in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.  The teachings of the Guru, love and care were intense, in abundance and timely.  Those were some of the most meaningful and precious years of growing up all over again in a new dimension with a renewed meaning and purpose.  This purpose had become my principle vocation in life.

Babu Mahadev Singh Ji graced my home in Ottawa, at which time I asked for blessings for progress and within a week life a miracle, I moved to the United States.  His Holiness Baba Ji occasionally visited North America and I had the privilege to attend many memorable Spiritual Conventions and Sangats receiving Darshan of great saints and Rishis, which continually enhanced my inner and outer life which was all thanks to the Satguru.  It is he who transforms the insignificant particles of dust into precious Gems!

Devotion today

Life is growing beautifully and richer in every way with purpose and a good team, in the form of a lovely family.  What we need is provided even before asking.  I will remain eternally grateful to my friend who brought me within Baba Ji’s shelter on that hot summer’s day which has become an eternal spring for me!  Everyday, I pray to Lord Almighty that human hearts be filled with greater love and compassion for fellow travelers on earth and that the human race be free of greed, hatred, violence and suffering.  I thank you for giving me this opportunity to express some of my inner emotions.  It has been a great healing process to reflect upon things that the mind begins to take for granted.  While writing these few lines tears did roll down perhaps to acknowledge how fortunate one can be when the power of grace descends and transforms every bit for the best in one’s life.  

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