Living as spiritually as a human race demands many questions: Who am I? Who are you? Who are they? How are we greater than the sum of our parts? How and why are we all sharing in the exact same journey? As individual souls, do we have a shared purpose?  What are we really here to do, and how may we help one another in this endeavour?

From the Sant Nirankari Mission’s point of view, selfless service – the ethos of giving and serving with no expectation of return or reward – is paramount. This service (Sewa) can take many forms – a good deed, a favor, a token of gratitude, and maybe even a financial contribution. Sometimes, it can be even greater than that. It can manifest into a project, a well-prepared speech, or a performance of some sort. The greatest service is given to the greatest of leaders – leaders who are not only committed to the Mission’s ideals, but also devoted to the task of unifying the troops through the delivery of the ultimate knowledge. 

Let us make sense of this by comparing our spirit to water. A river, flowing towards the ocean, becomes the ocean when it merges into it. Just as the river cannot defeat gravity, we, as human beings, cannot defeat time. Time keeps trickling along, moving us towards our ultimate destination. The awareness of our mortality is the greatest blessing, for it allows us to live in each and every ‘now’ moment, with the significance of one of these moments eventually being our last. Awareness is the deliberate endeavour of the mind to become present, not only in the now, but in the eternity of that which is everlasting. As soon as we realize that we are the vast ocean, not just the drop running its course in the river, we let go of the idea of individuality and make room for the collective consciousness found within eternal soul-presence.

It is in this state that we no longer cage ourselves into the limitations of our physical being and live instead with the reality that each and every soul on earth is a unified we. When we see the world through this vision, living spiritually becomes automatic. When the perspective I am looking out for myself when I look out for you, manifests, then selfishness itself becomes selflessness. The only switch is the viewpoint of oneself versus One Self. It is this transformation we must focus upon if we are to live with spiritual feeling for all.

Achieving such a state of being, the actions that are produced as an outcome of this mindset, become those that serve the best interests of the Super-soul. We become the vessel, out of which love pours from the depth of our spirit and flows into those around us, near and far. Have you ever experienced a goosebump-inducing moment where reality intersects divinity and that the second you think of someone, their name pops up on your phone? Or perhaps you hear that name from 3-4 different mouths within the time span of a few days? These coincidences or divine moments take place in the universe when we are on the path Nirankar is guiding us along – i.e. the path of true purpose!

With love as our guiding light, serving others becomes natural. Now, the opposite is also true. If we are not experiencing these divine moments, it is probably because we still have not achieved such a state. Perhaps the switch of divine immersion is yet to be flipped. How can we, therefore, take steps closer? This is where the phrase, fake it till you make it comes in. A mentor once suggested the replacement of fake it with faith it, for through faith, great things are possible. Through faith in Nirankar, we can indulge in Sewa repeatedly until the very nature of the act sparks the fuse of eternal presence.  

Indeed, sometimes we are not the brightest version of ourselves, with no smile on our faces. However, according to a recent study (a CNBC article), researchers found that smiling – even if faking it – can have a positive impact on our mood. It was found that triggering certain facial muscles by smiling can trick the brain into thinking we are happy. If this is the case, then certainly by enacting Sewa, we can trick our spirit into understanding the reality of the omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent breadth of that Nirankar of which we are all representatives in human form. Simply put, serving people and treating them right is the foundation for building a ripple effect of oneness. 

The next time fear, doubt or anxiety threatens to take the reins from you, taking over the driving seat of your life, I urge you to be quick to take action. Give Sewa a chance; you will be rewarded with bliss. Give love a chance; you will be rewarded with peace. If you give unconditionally, you will receive universally! Be courageous and compassionate, and life will certainly become a beautiful dominion with Nirankar’s grace.

In realising who we are in essence, our soul merges with the Super-soul. This elevated state of being helps us to rise above our narrow confines to experience the oneness of humanity. No longer do we see people as them and us, but as members of the same global family, in which we not only feel each other’s pain and suffering, but also take the necessary steps to alleviate each other’s afflictions. To blend spirituality and humanity, therefore, is to conscientiously and piously work for the wellbeing of all, without ever expecting any recognition or reward. Baba Hardev Singh ji sums it up as follows (Hardev Bani, 100):

The follower of a Satguru, from service

Never ever shies away at all – Nirankar,

The follower of a Satguru, in his service

Fully, selflessly gets involved, Nirankar.

A serving saint always seeks service on

Every occasion n’ all the time, Nirankar

When he find his opportunity to serve,

He regards himself fortunate, Nirankar

Namrata Mirpuri, Dallas, USA

                                     

Compassion – i.e. sympathetic pity and concern for the suffering or misfortune of others¹ – is a powerful state of mind. It is one that is normally triggered within us when we see people in pain, under the trials and tribulations of life. But does it have to be like that? Do we have to see someone in such an ordeal to feel the urge to tend or heal their pain with our words and/or actions? Indeed, do we have to see someone helpless before offering them a helping hand? 

Once, I was out having dinner with my friends. It was late in the evening. Being a fast food restaurant, after having finished our meal one of my friends decided to throw the leftovers in the bin. While emptying the tray, he walked over to the staff member who was cleaning. He placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, thank you. As I was observing from the corner of my eye, I saw a smile start to stretch from the corner of his mouth, travel from cheek to cheek, until it was beaming ear to ear. I cannot quite describe how warm it felt to witness this man’s happiness after such a simple collection of two words…thank you.

Is that all it takes to generate a soul-full smile? I pondered and could not help but smile within myself. This, indeed, is a remedy I would love to pass on to everyone, those I know and those I do not. It was as if the member of staff had suddenly received all the positivity and abundant energy to continue his evening shift. Who knows what he had experienced during the day, and what ache those two words soothed? Or how much he needed to hear something simplistically, impactfully compassionate?

If this small incident had not occurred, perhaps not much would have changed. We would have carried on with our evening, finished our dinner, and headed on our way, while that member of staff would have finished the rest of his evening shift. But something important did change. My friend’s gratitude for the staff member really helped that worker feel noticed and seen. One small, kind utterance may have made an otherwise mundane job feel worthwhile.  Who knows how it may have impacted the way the worker viewed his role, and the people he was serving that day. Sometimes, small acts like these may not change much on the outside but can make massive changes on the inside. I believe acts of compassionate kindness have a ripple effect on those who share, those who receive and even those who observe!

Are these events rare in our lives, once in a blue moon situations, or is this the way we can, or better still should live every day? This is the question we must ask ourselves. If these are rare occurrences, how can we make them daily occurrences, rendering them the only way to live, and not any other way?

The All-Pervading Nirankar not only recognises, but knows the nature of every heart.

The Almighty lives in every single atom

An’ knows every single heart, Nirankar

Irrespective of who & how one may be

The Lord recognizes them all, Nirankar²

Hence, the answer to innumerable questions resides here, right here, within us. Our truest essence of life and nature is known to the Almighty, and thereby should not be misconstrued. Sometimes our actions are far from being compassionate, but we portray ourselves to be better than we truly are. Respected Rajpita Ramit ji, devotee and life partner to HH Mata Sudiksha Ji, exemplified this in his discourse on March 13^th 2023. He reminded us that the lies we tell ourselves become the truth we believe. But how long can we lie to ourselves? This Gyan, the Truth, is what we should hold on to, for it is eternal, unwavering, strong, and the ultimate guide.

Upon hearing this, I wondered why we not only fail to realise our truest selves on a daily basis, but that we are also dissuaded from the path that has been set for us. Our habits begin to become second nature, and before we know it, we fall even further away from our highest potential. We rarely fail to be compassionate to someone close to our hearts, for there is a sense of personal connection, responsibility of care and love for that individual.  What holds us back from extending the same warmth and love for others? Why don’t we see everyone with the same lens?

The Avtar Bani spells this out beautifully, speaking of the one light that shines within all:

The one – same holy spark,

Dwells in female and male,

Warrior Artisan n’ Menials

Priests¹¹ from Him all hail³

When we realign our focus to the one spiritual collectiveness, we can see all souls as kindred beings.  Just as we have our needs and roles, each person is a purpose-filled individual having their own needs and roles to play.  When we take care of each other’s needs and respect each other’s roles, the world becomes a brighter place.

Living with compassion encompasses compassion towards the world around us and within us as well. Self-compassion is crucial in how we view the world and imbibe such characteristics. However, this should not be just in our actions, but in our thoughts too, for thoughts become actions, and actions become habits, and habits reflect as to who we truly are.

I often find myself going out of my way to show the positives to my friends and family who are struggling. When they cannot see sympathetically the situation they find themselves in, I endeavour to offer them a more compassionate lens. But like so many people, where I lack is in giving myself the same advice that I give to others. Self-love was once regarded as a selfish attribute, but it increasingly accepted today as the starting point of our love for others.  With such escalating challenges in mental health, the beauty of self-love, and self-compassion is needed more than ever.

Spiritually, we need to understand that this body, mind and wealth is not ours, but given in trust.  These are gifts delivered to us by God, to use whilst we journey on Earth.  One day, we will have to return these blessings, relinquishing all that we thought ourselves to be. But, whilst we have the mind, body and wealth for a temporary period, why not treat them with utmost value, respect and care? The soul is also an immeasurable wealth – we need to nurture and care for it, wholeheartedly.  In doing so, self-love and self-compassion thrives. 

Satguru blesses us with Brahm Gyan – the knowledge of the All-Pervading.  The journey from receiving this knowledge to truly living it, is where many fall short.  Yet it is in the living – through love, compassion, tolerance, acceptance and understanding – that we make practical our spiritual wisdom, and find our way home.   

Spiritual Masters have always reminded us of our duty to our Self, as well as the world we live in.  They have always inspired us to cultivate love, spread peace, live compassionately, and show empathy towards everyone around us, including ourselves. This is the truest way to be.

By following our heart, we will be naturally compassionate. Whether it is giving someone the benefit of the doubt; asking a coffee shop barista as to how their shift is going; spending time in feeding the homeless; smiling at a stranger you pass by; asking a friend how they are doing; or serving your parents – these are all opportunities to live compassionately. They allow us to be present moment focussed, and make a difference in the world.

There is a spectrum of possibilities within which one may practise compassion. There is no measure, no limit and no need to compare or compete with others. We can allow our compassion to flow, as authentically and spontaneously as possible.  When we connect spiritually to the depths within us, we will tap into the very essence of compassion. This will be the beginning of a beautiful journey, within which our love and compassionate regard becomes all-encompassing.

                          – Dr Purva Sawhney, Manchester

                                     

This world, both diverse and different, is one that we all share collectively.  The air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the earth that we exist on, and the heat (fire) that sustains us, are common to us all. These are limited, precious resources, unique to planet earth alone. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to live with cooperation, concurrence and love, not only to maximise our resources, but also to improve the quality of life.

Can we really imagine life without oxygen, food without condiments, and nature without its kaleidoscopic colours?  Indeed, not only would it be difficult, but bland and boring as well. Likewise, life without love is no different. It is colourless, crude and cruel. But with it, together with the values of compassion, humanity and humility, it keeps the fabric of society holistically solid and strong.

We only have to look at the lives of saints, seers, gurus and prophets. Kabir Dass, Jacob Boehme, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammad immediately come to mind. Not only do they still inspire us, but they also help us to break free from our delusional, self-made prison. Einstein¹ sums it up as follows:

A human being is part of a whole, called by us the ‘Universe’ – a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts, and feelings, as something separated from the rest- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Every day in my professional life, I see that we cannot continue to work without the input of humanity, love and compassion. When it comes to mental health issues, I have observed that at times even close family members neglect and ignore the patient. And yet ironically, friends and community members feel the pain. They go out of their way to provide help, support and care. Such kind, empathic people keep our faith in humanity intact, for they care for the vulnerable.

I, myself, have gone through many emotionally tough situations – I lost a close friend and was also bereaved of my parents; I experienced adverse health and had to negotiate several personal stresses. They all helped me in understanding the pain of other people. However, other than experiencing pain and suffering to understand the trials and tribulations of others, perhaps there is another way?

With the Knowledge of God², we connect with our innate Divinity, and that of others too. This union becomes a wonderful way to forge links with fellow beings, for it helps us to know and remember that we are children of the same Father, Almighty God. After knowing that our shared heritage is Nirankar, we come to the realisation that we are all brothers and sisters. This makes it eminently possible to feel one another’s pain and suffering. Baba Hardev Singh ji used to remind us of the verse from the Avtar Bani:

Affliction, be it mine or thine,

Its import is the same for all!

Tears – be they mine or thine,

Their import’s the same for all

(Dukh tera ho ya mera ho dukh ki parbhasha ek hai.
Aansu tere ho, ya mere ho, aansu ki bhasha ek ha)

Indeed, it is after acquiring the Knowledge of God that we can rise above the barriers of colour, creed, diet and dress. It is then that we come to the deliberation that we are all spiritual beings, for whom human birth is a golden opportunity to manifest our true identity.

Going down memory lane, I was born into a family on whom the said Knowledge of Godhad been bestowed by the Spiritual Master. I used to wonder why my parents were so busy, for saints and other visitors were in and out of the house all the time. My father was mostly busy with Missionary work and other social responsibilities. My mother was also occupied.  She worked at the Post Graduate Institute, where many were hospitalised.  When some saints and family friends had health issues, they would come to our house, sometimes at odd times, for guidance and professional advice.  I would often wake up only to be told that my mother is out, accompanying someone to the hospital in an emergency.

Navigating the public health system in India was tedious, and having someone who knew the system and people was always helpful. At times, this meant that we could not spend much time with our parents. Even so, they always made sure we were looked after and well provided for. When I grew up, the power of love and kindness slowly dawned on me. I understood for myself that my parents had been engaged in a life-long love of practical spirituality. As I reflect, I feel proud of my parents’ compassionate deeds, for they continue to inspire me. I will always be thankful to them and, of course, my Satguru for these beautiful teachings.

When I moved to Australia with my husband and son, I started practicing as a psychologist in Sydney. I was also seeing clients who had been affected by the acts of violence and abuse. Once I was assigned a client who was a perpetrator of crime. I struggled to connect and help him. I told my supervisor that I could not help this client and that she should take over. She agreed to do so. A few years down the track, I attended a professional training where the trainer shared his experience of helping people while working in a correctional facility.

He told us that there were many people there who had mental health issues and traumas. He shared with us that having worked there for years in helping and assisting, he saw first-hand the life-changing impact that therapy had on them. It made me think of my own experience. I then realised that it is so very important for everyone to be given a second chance, the opportunity to improve themselves. We should never judge another, or withhold our care, based on a snapshot of their circumstances.

Since then, I have come to understand that we need to be both loving and unconditionally accepting in our personal and professional life. Though it is easy to help victims of abuse or crime with my skills, it takes deeper connection to support those who have inflicted pain and suffering on others. We forget that we often produce what we have stored inside, and we are not all so fortunate to have enjoyed comfortable, safe and loving lives.

Satguru Mata Sudiksha ji has been teaching us to be non-judgemental, urging us to practice social service such as holding congregations in prisons, street cleaning drives, helping the needy, adopting orphans and so on. Such human kindness, researchers explain, has an effect on the body, that is nourishing. It lights up the love regions of the brain.  It positively affects the entire body by triggering the release of oxytocins (neurotransmitters), which then cause the release of dopamine (lighting up the reward centre of the brain), and serotonin (which reduces anxiety).

I pray to the Almighty that we are all able to practise the teachings of our Spiritual Master. We are to be loving towards each other, not only to our own selves but those around us too.  Not only when it is convenient to us, but at any time that someone is in need.

           –  Dr Gurprit Ganda, Sydney

                                     

When we seek repose from the unending pressures of life, and there is none found, we cry out “give me a break!” Those pressures may involve being laid off from work, a daughter needing braces when finances are already tight, the car transmission failing, a loved one requiring hospitalization and the list goes on.  With many facing a ‘cost of living’ crisis and relying on food banks, even the necessities of life can feel like a strain. At times, it is as if we are competing in a triathlon that is brutally enduring, where we can barely catch our breath. 

During life’s stresses, we may seek support from our network of family and friends, who help us brainstorm and consider solutions.  We may reach out for counseling, financial assist or prayer. The focus is all on us, as we attempt to climb out of the pit. For days, months, perhaps even years, it is all about us, creating a heavy burden of responsibility. After the ordeals have passed, we continue to dwell on the painful history by mentally hitting the replay button of the mind, recounting events with anyone in reach, sometimes over and over.  Eventually, our manner has the effect of people stepping away, as they try to avoid our company, leaving us feeling alone and isolated.  After all, they may have heard our stories time and time again.

We become so self-absorbed in our thinking, it leaves no room for anyone else. Do we consider other people’s woes?  Do we find ourselves having compassion for others in their time of need? Why all the focus just on our own self?  The likes and dislikes of life pull us down the rabbit hole. We live in a physical realm where we either feel pulled or repulsed by the things around us, being easily influenced by them in all our decision making, sometimes for good and sometime for ill.

Ensnared by the attachment trap of the world, we fail to ascend to higher heights. It is no wonder that we find ourselves debilitated throughout this life-long triathlon that never ends until we end. What we require, according to the Bhagavad Gita (2:56-57) is wisdom, which is expressed as follows:

One whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom…

These noble words of Lord Krishna are perplexing to the world, but to a striving soul, they are hugely meaningful.  One caught up in the material world cannot see the wood for the trees!  To be unaffected by fortune or misfortune alike is to be detached.  Lord Krishna further elaborates in 2:58,

…having drawn back all senses from the objects of sense, as a tortoise draws back into its shell, this person is a person of firm wisdom.

Our downward descent from a state of spiritual wholeness is forever hinged on our desires – desires that are never satisfied. Can we detach from our desires like a turtle recoiling into its shell? If only it were that easy!  The very first principle of the Sant Nirankari Mission spells this out clearly. It is that the body, mind and wealth belong to God and that we are mere trustees of them. As such, ego or pride of possessions, never affects a saintly soul.  We relinquish both ego and pride in possessions.  We use God’s gifts, not as owners but trustees, never allowing ego to prosper.

Therein lies the problem.  Ego, due to the reasons of wealth, status, power or control, brings us to a state of arrogance that places us above others.  When we consider ourselves as the highest, our concern for others is the lowest.  Our personal, often selfish needs, dominate the agenda.  The development of human regard for others then withers on the vine, as ego incites us to exploit people to our advantage.  It is no wonder that civilizations have evolved in the manner that they have, giving rise to war and slavery.

Though human history is not completely doom and gloom, for pockets of love do flourish, bringing hope for better times.  Many inspired personalities and institutions are working hard to solve problems and better the human experience.  Whilst some of these efforts can be traced back to the drive for wealth, status, power or control, if there is the glowing light of spiritual wisdom, the darkness cannot envelop us.

So, how do we measure the degree to which spirituality guides our human conduct? What is the baseline measure? Acceptance and connection is the starting point – this we must all work to achieve and propagate. First things first – we must know our Creator God, who is the source of infinite love and wisdom.   This knowing is not to be confined to the academic domain, wherein we merely read about God or hear sermons about Him, but in the actual sense of realizing God, a revelatory experience through one who has attained oneness with the Supreme Power.  Such a being is called Satguru, and we are fortunate to have found this presence within Her Holiness Mata Sudiksha Ji.  The Revelation of God amounts to meeting God where God is, and connecting with Him in a way that helps us to resonate with Him. This connection with God is a matter of presenting ourselves clean and devoid of our vices.  We must meet God with virtues, because virtues place us on God’s ground.  Living a virtuous life is living the God-Realization, given by the Satguru whose time-honored teachings, never to be deviated from, are an ever-constant and stable guide for humanity to experience a life of spiritual fulfilment, here and hereafter.

Though this sounds easy and straight forward, spiritual wholeness still seems like a dream that has yet to penetrate our waking lives.  We seem to wake up, before the dream is realised. Why is it that we drift away in our thoughts, circling back to our self-absorbed self? Let’s better understand ourselves to help gain insight into the spiritual journey.

After God-Realization, via Satguru, we also achieve, in time, Self-Realization.  Realizing the ‘self’ is the awareness that we are the soul – the very soul imparted by God.  Looking into the mirror, we may only see the body, when really, we are much more than this. We are the body, mind and soul, which together make up the ‘self’.

The body, being a machine, interacts with the physical world through the sensory organs, which transfer data to the mind for processing and assimilation. We may regard the mind as an artificial intelligence, given it has been programmed since birth to develop a personality, habits and instinctive reactions that keep running throughout its lifetime. The mind acts as though it is the consciousness  that operates the body, but in actual truth it is not the authentic Self. The essential authentic Self is in fact the Soul.

Yet it is the mind that has been making decisions for the Self all these years, whether good or bad.  All along, the Real Self – the Soul – has been dormant, awaiting the blessing of Satguru to awaken and take charge.  Now with the great power of Gyan (Realization), the Soul, recognized and recharged, sets to work in reprogramming the mind in the teachings of the Satguru, establishing devotion to humility, love, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness.  The once fickle mind is now calm and stable, and not drawn to the desires of the material world. 

Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, 4:40-43, reminds us that –

Desire dwells in the senses (body), the mind (consciousness) and the understanding (intellect); in all these it obscures wisdom and perplexes the embodied Self (soul).  Therefore, you must first control our senses, Arjuna; then destroy this evil that prevents you from ever knowing the truth.  Men say that the senses are strong, but the mind is stronger than the senses; the understanding is stronger than the mind; and the strongest is the Self.  Knowing the Self, sustaining the Self, Arjuna, kill the difficult to conquer enemy called desire.

We, as the Soul, must view this trio as a designed edifice by God required for us to live on Earth.  We must also know we have to be in control and not let the mind pursue desires via the body that go unchecked.  Most importantly to note is that the Self or Soul is the strongest within this trio, and we can conquer desires once enlightened by the Satguru.  The Soul managing this trio is the true way to peace, allowing compassion to fully develop in our being.

Because the Soul prioritizes unity and oneness, we become able to turn our focus from the limited, self-absorbed self, to others. By engaging in their lives and learning of their woes, we muster the good desire to serve humanity selflessly. As Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji has stated;

If we are to be one with Nirankar, then we have to be one with everyone.

She went on further state that we not only need to love others, but to be that love.  Her statements promote the paradigm shift that humanity needs to be able to create a truly spiritual foundation that is most definitely needed in our era.

Finally, HH Baba Hardev Ji instructs in the Sampuran Hardev Bani, verse 79:

The righteous path of Truth – Nirankar,

But this path in question isn’t one that

Everyone accepts, agrees to, Nirankar,

Steps of selfishness, man readily takes

And embarks upon with ease, Nirankar

Even though innumerable burdens, he

Has to withstand henceforth, Nirankar,

Though path of sacred wisdom is hard,

Whosoever marches upon it, Nirankar,

With Guru’s grace – such an individual

Succeeds in reaching his goal, Nirankar

The path of wisdom, the blessed alone,

Can righteously keep-pursue, Nirankar,

One characterised by hubris, can never

Pursue n’ abide by rectitude – Nirankar,

Domain of joy – if you desire to inhabit,

Then eliminate your egoism – Nirankar,

Hardev states – each and every second

Acquire, ever live by wisdom, Nirankar

HH Baba Hardev Ji clarifies the mind’s place in the coalition of the body, mind and soul, where the mind is not controllable unless we follow Satguru’s wisdom.  Keeping the mind in check and using the body-mind as a vehicle to spread Nirankar’s love, is the true goal of mankind, and this is the confluence of spirituality and humanity, led by the soul. 

                                                                                        – Daniel J. Slebodnik, Maryland, USA

                                     

Every challenging moment, a teaching and life-lesson can not only be beautiful, but blessed as well. It all depends on the state of our mind. If we treat both joy and sadness as gifts of the Divine, and remove the ‘I, me and mine’ and replace it with ‘You, thee and thine’, our true nature begins to emerge. But what is this nature?

Spirituality is intimately connected to humanity, which in turn is connected to how we relate to each other.  Strong human relationships necessitate tolerance and forgiveness for others. This is because every person, big or small, rich or poor, upright or evil, has a soul – a soul that connects us with the Super-soul (God). The recognition and the realization of this soul help us to understand that we are all one, irrespective of our manifold outward differences. When the soul comes to the fore, and our cardinal sins are subdued, we begin to treat one and all with love – love that can render the whole world into one, collective family. However, this one global family is only possible when we love God, which, in turn, is only feasible when we love fellow-man.  

The purpose of every relationship is to enhance our life, and allow us to grow. It takes hundreds of unselfish acts to maintain a relationship, but only one harmful word to spoil it! The recent Covid pandemic, though outwardly debilitating, was an ideal opportunity to build family relationships. The fact that more and more time was spent at home, it gave people the precious moments to better understand each other. Mata Sudiksha¹ ji put it as follows: May we learn the lessons that this pandemic has taught as a permanent life lesson – the lesson that we should better our relationships with the family.

She² also reminded us, if we take a look at a relationship that is strained and think to ourselves, it’s alright even if I don’t understand the other person’s viewpoint and vice versa, but that I should keep the relationship on a positive and happy note. I should remember the lovely times we shared together, and move on.

She went on further, Rather than looking at relationships as mother, father, husband, wife, child or acquaintance; we should consider every person as an embodiment of Nirankar and as a divine soul. Indeed, then we shall not speak negative words; our conduct shall also be positive. We must therefore consider every member of the family as a spiritual being, and not speak negatively, lest we feel embarrassed thereafter.

Our relationships can indeed be blessed, if we forge a relationship with Nirankar. Following the Knowledge of God, this is done by enacting the life-lessons passed on by our Guide and Mentor, Satguru Mata Sudiksha ji, who urges us to connect with fellow-souls, not with outward relational roles, be they father, mother, son, uncle, auntie etc.  In so doing, we further the cause of a human life, imbued with spirituality.  

Arush Gautama, Los Angeles, California