Bravo Italia!

Raul Kamal, 17.10.08

In the summer of 2008 His Holiness Baba Ji had said in the UK that although the Italian congregation had only recently been established that they had moved ahead with all their devotion and selfless service.

Since that moment, I had an urge to experience first hand what Baba Ji had been describing and in October 2008 I was fortunate enough to have that opportunity.

On the morning that I was scheduled to catch my flight, I was running late and was fortunate to even make the journey. I instantly thought about the example that is shared in congregations about missing a train and that the train of life never waits for anyone which is why we must utilise our time fully and achieve our maximum potential.

As I arrived at Bergamo airport, a group of local devotees were waiting to greet me. My first impression was that in the UK, if I had to meet someone at the airport I would aim to arrive on time but if I was a little late for one reason or another that saints would understand why I was late and wait for me.

This was not an option for the saints of Bergamo. They had arrived 30 minutes prior to my flight landing and this was a normal procedure for them as waiting for a foreign devotee was considered a privilege and an opportunity to perform selfless service.

In fact, one of the most notable things about these saints was that wherever we went, the families of devotees always gathered outside of their houses to greet us. I had never even thought about extending my greeting from my front door to my front porch but these devotees had again shown me how to change myself for the better.

During a conversation with some devotees on my first day, I mentioned the praised that Baba Ji heaped on them in the UK. The devotees in return, simply asked for my blessings that they would never let these kind words become the base of any ego and instead prayed to Nirankar to live up to Baba Ji's expectations.

The next morning, I was told that a couple of devotees were arriving from Paris, one of whom had lived in the UK previously.

I was pleasantly surprised when I heard who this brother was as I had received an SMS from him a month ago telling me that he was moving back to India and therefore I thought we would probably not see each other in the near future.

I was upset at this as I had not had the opportunity to spend quality time with this devotee in the UK and learn from him. However, Nirankar had created such a situation that I was able to spend three full days with this brother and together we were able to enjoy the hospitality of the local devotees.

Once we had received the two devotees arriving from Paris, the local devotees began showing us around the local sights. As we drove through the surreal sights, I could see the beautiful hill tops and mountains on one side and a calming lake on the other side. Even though these natural spectacles were a sight to behold, the most amazing spectacles were the ones in the car with us and they were the local devotees of Italy.

That evening we were humbled further as the local devotees held a special congregation because of our presence. A young devotee, who had only recently been blessed with this divine knowledge, was eager to have the congregation at his residence as he had not been blessed with this opportunity before.

That evening the congregation took place in Zanica, Bergamo in the basement of this brother’s house. Adjacent to his house was an ice cream factory which this brother was responsible for operating.

I couldn't help but make the comparison that although the sweetness of the ice cream would bring a sweet sensation to our tongues, the wise words and selfless actions of these devotees were sweeter still.

On the Sunday saints, I was fortunate enough to attend the regular gathering at the Bhawan in Castelbelforte, Mantova. The sign "Dio � Uno" stood large across the top of the stage which local saints translated to me as saying "God Is One".

After this congregation, a devotee who lived nearby invited us to their house. Here, within a matter of minutes, tens of devotees flocked in and we had yet another opportunity to sing the praises of this Almighty God.

The next day as I travelled back to the airport, I thought that this land was famous for its connections with mafia movies such as the Godfather but that today this land truly had the opportunity to know this ‘God’ that they worship and to realise who their Supreme ‘Father’ is.

When I had first boarded the plane for Bergamo, I came with no expectations and an open mind. After all, I was only in Italy for four days. What could happen in such a short space of time I thought to myself. I left however, with memories and lessons that would stay with me forever.

I had known the divine truth but from these devotees I had witnessed truthful living. They were simple with everything they did. Not because they had to be but because they chose to be. Baba Ji's words of praise echoed through my mind again as I realised how much I still had to learn and implement into my life.

Finally, you may be wondering why I have called this article 'Bravo Italia'. This has two connotations: Firstly, the literal translation of "well done Italy" to congratulate the Italian congregation for their incredible dedication to selfless service.

Secondly, the devotees who I was staying with on my first night, had two sons and the youngest of these two boys had been nicknamed Bravo.

It is my hope that this youngster, as well as a whole generation of Italian born youth, become beacons of spreading this message of truth throughout this infamous land so that one day the Italian population can look at the Sant Nirankari Mission and truly say "Bravo"!