Bhakti Parv, Denver CO - Jan 2015
Topic for this Sangat was “Devotion begins with surrender” The Sangat started with gratitude for Satguru and importance of Bhakti Parv.
A Young saint shared that “Devotion is the only connection between a devotee and the Lord Master”. Another saint connected surrender with submission to the five tenants given by our Lord Master.
Saints gave the example of Lord Ram’s love for Hanuman like that for Bharat, as the later was completely surrendered to his master and obeyed his command without any question/hesitation.
Saints also said that a relationship between a husband and wife is also of surrender, where one agrees with the other without any justifications. A devotee also surrenders to his master in the same way without using any of his own intellect or senses. An instance of Guru Nanak Dev and Bhai Mardana ji was shared where when the later was asked to eat a corpse; he obeyed his master without wasting a second. As soon as the corpse was unveiled, it turned out to be holy meal.
An example of a saint was mentioned whose wife had to be admitted to a facility because of some mental disorder. Even though in such a situation, the focus of his prayer did not change. The saint asked for more faith in Satguru and not for the situation or illness to be cured.
Saint sang a beautiful song – “Hey Dev samarpit kar paaoon, har swaas tumhare charnon mein” - Asking for surrender in every breath. Rev Bekal Ji’s geet was also mentioned – Sajde bhi karoon, Shikve bhi karoon, Yeh bhakti ka dastoor nahi Bhakti hai naam samarpan ka, ismein shartein manzoor nahi
Saints mentioned that a Nirankari is not the one who just knows Nirankar, but instead witnesses Nirankar in every being and lives constantly in a state of surrender. It was also mentioned that just like a pilot prepares himself from 40,000 feet to land on that particular kilometer, similarly a saint prepares to be in sangat. Saints also take a leap of faith and live life according to Satguru and his teachings.
An example of a half filled glass was given, wherein it was said that when a glass is held up, it does not matter what the absolute weight of the glass is, but instead how long is it held up. It was concluded that now is the time to let go and live like a Nirankari.
An elderly saint shared a beautiful song – Jisne isse ek sajda kiya hai, isne Bhagwaan dikhla diya hai. That one prayer is all it takes, for Satguru to reveal Nirankar.Saints mentioned that life is beautiful because of Satguru – “Aithe chanan honaya, Guru bin ghor andhaar”.
In the end, a saint said that – Devotion and Surrender is possible only through the grace of Satguru. The sangat concluded with Holy Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj.