I live in Quebec, Canada, and I wanted a vacation in Portugal. In life, I felt I had everything financially and my health was good too, but since birth I always felt there was something missing.
I would often travel the world to try to fill this feeling of emptiness I felt since childhood. I did a ten day silent retreat where I did not speak and I did many other penances to try to find what was missing in my life. I tried so much to fill this inner void but the feeling of emptiness would not go away. How did it go away? Strangely, not until I was sitting next to a fellow passenger who shared a mystic revelation with me, on a busy and noisy plane!
My indirect flight from Montreal to Toronto was the first leg of my journey to the beach destinations of Portugal. I had planned a month’s holiday, intent on days of relaxation by the sea. Whatever I planned, I now realise it is God who sets all the plans in motion!
So, I found myself sitting on a plane next to a complete stranger. I remember the noise and the commotion. It was far from an ideal setting for an enlightening experience, as you may imagine. What exactly happened next was not planned and it is very difficult to put it in words.
I talked with this stranger about the deeper meaning of love and about meditation. I explained to him how I am on a journey looking for myself, seeking to get rid of the emptiness which had been with me since birth. The stranger only spoke English, but was able to somehow understand everything I said even when I spoke in French. He was able to feel what I wanted to say. Then suddenly he asked me if I wanted to receive the Gyan? He said ‘are you ready to have your life questions answered today?’ I thought “Oh my God, yes I am!”. Thinking back, I did not really know what the Gyan was, but I saw in his eyes so much love and truth. I trusted him. This is why I decided to be open to the wisdom he offered to share.
There was only 20 minutes left before touch down, to have the Gyan experience. I was listening to his voice and it felt good. I could focus, regardless of people talking all around me. At one point, even the air hostess interrupted, telling us to put the tables up as we were entering the descent for landing. Despite all the distractions, I kept listening. Then in a moment, he revealed the Formless. Suddenly, everything else disappeared. There was no more noise, nothing else could distract me.
It felt as though no one else was there. I am trembling just thinking about it! It is hard to find the expression to describe what I felt in any language. Even now, I can find no words to explain this Gyan experience. What I can say is there was so much energy and love. I felt complete. After the Gyan, there was no emptiness; there was only fullness. It was full of energy. The Gyan made such an impact in my life.
Ironically, I never liked being on a plane. As the plane was about to land this stranger was still talking and I was crying with joy and saying to myself, “please do not land too soon, allow my friend to finish”. Arriving in Toronto, I’d heard about the Tribute to Humanness Conference, and so wanted to stay for it. I was aware that the event would be a homage to the Spiritual Master who had made this Gyan possible, His Holiness Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji. So many fellow passengers, including the stranger who had become my beloved friend, were travelling to attend this most special of gatherings. However, I had already made plans to travel straight to Portugal.
Reaching Portugal some hours later, I instantly felt I made a mistake and should have stayed in Toronto. I could not think of anything else but the Gyan. This experience was the only thing in my heart and mind.
I could not sleep for two days after the revelation I had experienced. It was as though I had no desires left, and I needed nothing else. I was not sleeping, drinking or eating. I was totally absorbed in Gyan. My entire consciousness was focused on this Formless, which was so complete.
I had to know more about the Sant Nirankari Mission, His Holiness and the fellowship that was sharing such deep wisdom with others, so freely. I arranged to travel from Porto to the Mission’s Centre for Oneness in the West Midlands, UK, where I knew the friend I’d met on the plane would be. I was again sitting on a plane – this time smiling, thinking of the Gyan experience which I can never forget.
I stayed at the Centre for Oneness for a few days, enjoying the hospitality that was all around. I realised why I had made this journey. It was to share love with all the people there, who have been touched by the same Gyan experience. It was an opportunity to give and receive that same love. This love is beyond anything I could have imagined. I asked for answers and I asked from love. I received more than I possibly could have expected.
Though I have no siblings, I now feel everyone is my brother and sister. This love is boundless. I am full of gratitude. I felt at home in the company of those who also had this experience. When I sat in their company, I knew why I had come. The fulfilment I received on the plane was what I had yearned for since I was born.
I have since attended the Oneness Gathering (Satsang) in Montreal, and found the same love there. Now I want to share this unending love with the world. I travelled the world looking for answers but now finally, I can say my search is over.
Chantel Lacasse, Magog, Quebec, Cananda
