When David Brailsford took over the British Cycling Team in 2003 as the performance director, the Team’s cycling record was appalling. Not only did it have no record of success, it was also marked with the shameful headstone: hopeless. No reputable cycling manufacturer wanted anything to do with it, for it had failed to make any impact on the Tour de France, the sport’s Holy Grail, for over a century. Every coach had consistently failed, and sadly, all that the British Cycling Team could boast was one solitary gold medal since 1908. The impact of David Brailsford on the Team was revolutionary. He took the team from practically no medals to 150 gold medals. How did he do this? What was his winning formula?

The method he used is called marginal gains or 1% factor. The science behind this comes from the idea that if you were to break down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improve it by 1%, you would get a significant increase when you put them all together.

David began by making the bike seats more comfortable, and rubbed alcohol on the tyres for a better grip. He advised riders to wear electrically heated over-shorts to keep the muscles in prime condition while riding. He also used biofeedback sensors to see how athletes responded to particular workouts. After having tested various fabrics in a wind tunnel, he got his outdoor riders to switch to indoor racing suits for they were lighter and more aerodynamic. Doctors were hired to teach the riders proper ways and means to wash their hands to reduce the chance of catching a cold. Furthermore, pillows and mattresses were tested to see which ones suited the rider’s body structure for rest and optimal performance. The bikes were placed against a white background to see layers of dust, which could cause friction. These and manifold other improvements were considered.

After having implemented these small, aggregate changes, the Team became competitive beyond measure. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it dominated the track and road events, winning over 60% of the gold medals. At the following Olympic Games in London, the Team set 9 Olympic records and 7 world records. Then for the first time in its 110 year history, a British rider won the Tour de France, followed by four further wins. This meant 5 Tour de France successes in only 6 years, and the achievement of 178 championships, 66 Olympic/Para-Olympic medals, all in the space of 10 years. This proved to be the most successful run in cycling history.

This above method shows how the smallest change can make the biggest difference. With the lockdown and confinements in mind, we are now looking to make one huge dramatic change in our lives to overcome all our obstacles. If we believe that with one singular gigantic action, we can bring about a massive change – be it spiritual, physical or economic – then it is nothing but a fool’s paradise. This is because often people reach out for an earth shattering experience to change aspects of their life, without implementing the small steps to reaffirm and strengthen their understanding.

If a pilot adjusts the nose of the plane by only a couple of degrees over a long haul flight, the plane could deviate into another country. Our life’s destination is determined by the small steps we take today. We get what we repeat. If we want to know where we will end up in life, we will have to see how the small efforts we make are compounded. Our perception of ourselves and others becomes a subconscious, habitual practice. When we see others as angry and foolish we begin to find such people everywhere we look. During the lockdown, we saw many demonstrations. More often than not, they were not due to one particular incident, but a series of personal experiences that boil over from a single tragic event, pushed to the tipping point. Behind every sudden change, there are years of unexamined causes.

The accumulation of improvement, based on 1%, may not be noticeable on a daily basis, but it is certainly visible at the end of the year like the impact of eating junk food and playing an instrument over a period of time. Hence, positive results come from taking regular, small steps.

Day’s work – at a jeweller’s,

Won’t adept you, in its art,

A pupil – becoming prefect,

Can’t perform tutor’s part!

He – who’s being schooled,

Could he practically teach?

Having learnt – your lesson,

Only then strive to preach!

Be steadfast, do not falter,

In the secret, that I reveal,

Without  License¹³ –  Avtar,

Fifth pledge:  don’t unveil!

                   – Avtar bani (9E)

The Avtar Bani is crystal clear in its assessment of the successive stages of development. With a single day’s experience at a jeweller’s shop, just as a trainee cannot be an adept at making ornaments, a student, who becomes a monitor, cannot be a fully-fledged teacher. 

The teacher of truth, Baba Avtar Singhji, explains how one day cannot make lasting identity. It is the repeated learning process of mastering the Self which aligns the mind to the Master. As this is a slow process, the mind thinks no difference is being made, thus slides back into its old routines. Small steps on a negative descent are equally damaging over time. Being rude on one occasion can be forgiven, but the continuation of rudeness can end most relationships. There are always dips and lows in any life-driven pursuit. In the landscape of enlightened saints and sages, the unforgettable legacy of their wellbeing for all, is truly exemplary. This overriding cause is achieved with the small steps of living, moment to moment, through the realisation God.

A bamboo is rarely seen for the first few years, as it expands its root system laterally under the soil. When it shoots up perpendicularly in the spring, it can grow up to 90 feet in height. Cancer, similarly, is undetectable 80% of the time, but then it overtakes life rapidly. Life and its challenges are never linear. Even the sudden moment of enlightenment (Gyan) is due to grace, but the years of yearning and preparation of mind to receive that grace cannot be ignored. With small steps, the greatest set back is the feeling that no improvement is being made, for tangible results are not always visible.

Lord Krishna spells it out as follows: You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

Indeed, when success is achieved, people believe it happened overnight, rather than accepting the result of many small steps taken through the jungle of doubts and disappointments.

The notion of spiritual growth is at the heart of small steps. There is no need to follow the rigidity of religious dogmatic rituals, which encage people with isolated routines and occasions. These routines amount to so-called religious days of fasting, praying a prescribed number of times, in a specific manner, clothed in colour-coded apparels. Spiritual growth cannot be real, if it is stifled by limiting measures. But when it flourishes, through the divine link with the Unlimited, every action becomes sacred. 

When water flows from the kitchen tap to the sink, we can also see the essence without form – the Divine – flowing undamped. In seeing a fallen leaf, ruffled in the breeze, we can see how the essence without form remains unruffled and unchanged. These moments, weaving naturally and effortlessly within the ordinary, make each moment extraordinary, filling everything with wonder and joy. This joy is multiplied when we meet others who also experience such insights in daily life. We can start today to see how the small steps we take towards God are actually reflected in the small steps we take towards each another.

We start by walking towards the Teacher of Truth, which is a huge life-changing event; it is akin to planting a seed in the ground. It is Lord Jesus Christ’s mustard seed, a tiny seed that grows into a mighty tree. Describing the Kingdom of God as the smallest mustard seed, at first, may appear to be an oxymoron, and yet it is so because the smallest seed is compared to God’s boundless presence. This boundless Godly presence is held within the smallest act of seeking grace.

Religion is shackled to large festivals, holy days, yearly ritual observances and large displays of sacrificial homages. In actual fact, the spiritual path is one that is lived in small steps, within every hidden, small breath. Every breath is a spiritual journey of conversing  with, and perceiving, the Lord. Every small street can become a holy path and every small room, a sacred temple. Such a way of life is found also when we study the lives of the enlightened. When we realise God is not isolated, then we, as humans, cease to isolate one another.

God is neither isolated in temples nor in distant expansive skies, but resides even within the smallest particles and atoms. Humility in itself has been coined as the way to God, to live the vastness of divinity in every small aspect of life. Such a unique life acts as a lightning rod in the world for those seeking purpose, love and oneness. So, take the first step towards a life of completion.

          – Surjit Dhami, Cannock, UK

Knowledge, we are told, is information, while wisdom (Vivek) is the ability to use that knowledge to make correct judgements, and to take balanced decisions in life. This wisdom is the domain of the wise, who listen with Satguru’s ears, walk with Satguru’s feet, speak with Satguru’s tongue, and act with the grace of Satguru. They are not only positive, but also have the enormous capacity to adapt to situations, however challenging.

I can vividly recall, until the age of 8, as to how poor we were, deprived of even the most basic of requirements. But despite this, my parents would always reassure us by saying, always be thankful to Nirankar, for we have a lot more than others, some of whom don’t even have a roof over their heads. With this attitude we learnt to be very happy with the little that we had.

Such was my parents’ large-heartedness that even with their impoverished state, they would spend the little money they had, ferrying us in a horse-drawn carriage across the state of Punjab, in the early hours of the morning, attending Sangats from village to village. This was their contribution towards creating the much-needed awareness about the Mission.    

All our family savings would go to this monthly trip, which was financially taxing, but always spiritually rewarding. We also managed to get to the Nirankari Samagam in Delhi every year. However, this was only possible by joining the Hoshiarpur Sewadal Band! Their transport arrangements were a little tight, but our excitement was never dampened. After all, we were going to be part of a world spiritual event that would reconstitute the very human condition, filling it to the hilt with divine qualities that heal and redeem.

When I look back and reflect, I realise that life is about perspective – a positive perspective. It is about recognising that our standard of living is not based on what we have, but what we do with it. It is about enjoying the ride of life, experiencing greatness in everything we do.

A positive perspective is about learning to be easy on ourselves, others, and our circumstances. Such an approach always allows us to live more freely, unhindered by the dictates of society. I thank my parents, for instilling these values in me.  None of it would have been possible, without our involvement in the Sant Nirankari Mission.

                                                                                                     – Kavita Nakkra, Huddersfield, UK

In forgiveness, I believe there are two things to bear in mind: a show of love or a call for love. If you encounter someone who either offends you or physically attacks you, it is a good idea to step back and go to peace and not break into pieces. You are to ask yourself the question, is this not a call for love? Then pause for a thought, and think again. Soften your heart and show your love for them, and forgive them.

After all, being One, and God’s own Masterpiece, would you really want to condemn your fellow-masterpieces? I ask you to try and make forgiveness your interest. Try to forgive whatever takes you away from your peace, surrender to the light of love that is within you, and say in your mind,

I am lifted, I am gifted, and I rise in God.

Some people may indulge in terrible acts or commit heinous crimes, but in this world of illusions, they are displaying a call for love. Their thoughts may have become twisted, as a result of which their actions, at the time, may well have seemed right to them. We are to simply ask ourselves, in having reached such a situation, do they not show a real calling for love?

Let us forgive and be of service to all. We do not have to condone or accept their actions, but we can forgive them in our mind. I personally find that when I forgive, I feel better, as I am not holding in the hurt, anger, or grudge. The Avtar Bani (270) explains it as follows:

Unless tolerance thankfulness n’ peace

Are executed by one and all – Nirankar,

They remain far away – from happiness

Ever enfolded by sorrow – Oh Nirankar!

     – Hardev Bani (270)

Indeed, it is never easy; sometimes it is the hardest thing to do, but we can and should forgive. For forgiveness means letting go of your right to punish another and choosing through the power of God’s love to hold onto the other person rather than his or her offense. Katherine T Owens expresses it as follows:

God does not forgive because He has never condemned.

And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary.

Forgiveness is the great need of the World

But that is because it is a world of illusions.

Those who forgive are thus releasing themselves from illusions.

While those who withhold forgiveness, are binding themselves to them.

As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself?

The Hawaiian prayer, The Ho’nopono, meaning move back to balance or to make things right, puts it as follows:

I Am Sorry

Please Forgive Me

Thank You

I Love You

Forgiving or generating this positive energy is of the utmost importance. When we meet in a group, we acquire and further develop the energy of love and forgiveness. We all feel this energy. Science has proven that our hearts emanate a magnetic field that spreads out in all directions. When we have positive thoughts and emotions, our heart field joins with the heart field of others around us, lifting us and helping us to grow stronger and stronger. Lord Jesus Christ sums it up as follows:

Do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon and you will be pardoned. Luke 6:37 –

James Ferris, Birmingham, UK

Our cognitive behaviour system – i.e. our thinking, feeling and action pattern – is developed through inter-connected layers of core beliefs, mental distortion, and automatic thoughts that ultimately influence the way we see ourselves in the context of the world. Many psychologists suggest that we build biases, rules for living, and thinking constraints, which ultimately influence our identity. Both the self and self-esteem take birth in the early stages of life. The former becomes our new-found identity, and the latter, the sum total of our overall opinions and self-worth as people.

There are many factors and forces that shape our character. No two babies, born on the same day, are the same; they grow up to be completely different people. This is because our cognitive development – i.e. maturation, discovery methods, social transmissions, culture and language – impact different people differently. Siblings sharing the same parental guidance, exposed to the same social environment, school, myths, heros, and ideals, still develop uniquely different characters. So much so that even a memory shared with an immediate family member or sibling, is described differently.

Shadow

In our state of awareness, we all harbour our own unique pattern of thoughts and feelings, including those of shame, guilt, anger and anxiety. This is something that Carl Jung describes as a shadow. It is part of our personality that we choose to reject and repress. It is usually stored, hidden away, and dramatised as internal monologues and negative feelings that manifest towards ourselves, others and the world.

This not only disrupts our life, but undermines who we are as well. It creates feelings of incompetency and inadequacy, severely hindering what we can do in life. A person, who feels inadequate in himself, may also find himself criticising the world around him. In fact, a person who lives with self-hatred is akin to a constant bully, who criticises, judges and belittles himself, making himself worthless, bad and a failure. Perhaps this self-hatred or self- discrimination is where discrimination towards others is born. Racism and casteism are nothing but devices to protect our opinions and privileges.   

How do we stop hating ourselves? How do we stop hiding behind artificial smiles and truly begin to feel a sense of genuine love towards ourselves and others?

The main contribution to personal development begins with recognising that we may have unhelpful thoughts and old views that may never have been challenged. Recognising these thoughts means that we give ourselves permission to express ourselves to attain new self-understanding. We cannot be open to others if we do not open up to ourselves. These defensive walls in our hearts and minds have to be dismantled, for failure to do so, hinders our progress.

It is always helpful to capture our unhelpful thoughts by writing them down in a journal, and when we get to reflect on them, be prepared to be slightly uncomfortable. All the fears and negativity we feel, can and will become energy redirected! Humble, the poet, once said, If you make an identity out of being broken, you are never going to get better. He explains that there is a difference between self-love and simply feeling sorry for yourself. He emphasises the way we treat ourselves. How we treat ourselves dictates how others will treat us. We all have shortcomings, but what matters most is how we shift our focus back onto ourselves, recognising both the positives and the negatives. It is important to have reverence for both the dark and light parts of ourselves, for they make us who we are.  

Befriend yourself

The next step is to learn to be friends with ourselves. I always hear people say how much they love their body or aspects of their appearance, but very few ever express how much they love their mind! We need to go back to basics by building a new relationship with ourselves, learning to treat ourselves with the same love and respect that we direct towards someone we care for.

This helps us to recognise the illusion, in that we compare ourselves to an illusion of ourselves and others. Our so-called fixed identity is false. All the thoughts, habits, labels we put on ourselves are not solid facts, but simply reactions, experiences, opinions built through life experiences. The brain acts like a radio receptor, receiving and transmitting different frequencies. Depending on how you tweak the frequencies, determines if you access more or less consciousness for a particular situation, to which we all react. Self- realisation offers the mind an opportunity to evolve and overcome these processors to expand ourselves beyond such illusions.

Truth Set You Free

It has been said that truth can set us free. The truth that is referred to is a sense of knowingness/awareness of who we really are beyond the mind. This truth is about our deeper, collective consciousness; it is the recognition that we are all, without exception, inter-connected; and it is the special knowledge that helps us to break away from our limited identity to be one with the Unlimited Source of everything.

Who we are can be found in Gnostic Knowledge (Gyan), which opens us up to love, compassion, tolerance, kindness and laughter. When we laugh we know we are taking ourselves less seriously; when we tolerate another, we know we are looking at situations from the other’s point of view; when we show a non-judgemental stance, we show that perhaps the other individual may be right; and when we open up to other possibilities, we are acknowledging that there are many ways of being in the world.

Looking at life from alternative view-points helps us to go beyond limits of the mind and towards perspectives of wholeness for both ourselves and others. The Hardev Bani, 94, explains such wholeness as follows:

Why wander aimlessly here and there,

In chasing pseudo happiness, Nirankar

Why not rely upon this Sovereign Lord,

Worship Him at every breath, Nirankar    

                                                                             – Harishta Kaur, Huddersfield, UK

Born and raised in the the Sant Nirankari Mission, I have been constantly guided and inspired by my Spiritual Mentor and the fellowship of Saints to which I belong. And because one of the pillars of the Mission is not just to serve, but to serve one and all selflessly with love and compassion, without any expectation of reward or gratitude, I have found myself amongst Saint-devotees, engaged in selfless service (Seva) – both as a recipient and someone who is trying to contribute.

Sadly, I found myself serving only when it was convenient for me, and not when the need was there. Several times, I had the opportunity to serve HH Babaji, personally, in differing capacities, be they something as simple as serving him refreshments, helping him to feel comfortable or attending to him in a professional capacity as a Dentist. Whenever the opportunity arose, I would feel so privileged, so fortunate, and so blessed to serve Satguru in person. For me, it signified a way of expressing gratitude for the priceless gift of God-realisation that he bestowed upon me.

On the one hand, I would be feeling so humbled and grateful on a spiritual level. On the other hand, my ego was being stoked with thoughts of deservedness or specialness. Pride led me to believe I had been chosen above everyone else for this Seva, which in turn must signal I am doing something right. I have come to realise that this was a misplaced belief – anyone can perform Seva, regardless of their capacity, skillset or prowess.  It is simply a matter of Grace.

Now, I consider Seva a blessed opportunity – an invitation to improve myself spiritually. The more Seva I get, the more I feel I have so much yet to learn. I compose myself when serving, through Simran, my prayer to Nirankar.  I also speak openly with Nirankar, in words such as these:

Nirankar, this is all your doing; I am here because of you,
In every opportunity and obstacle I face, you’re the giver,
I surrender to you; I am at your will,
You are the doer, I am just a vessel
Whatever the outcome, it is as per your wish.
During Seva, keep me composed, and engrossed in Simran

And then after serving – whether it is a direct act for Satguru, or for the wider good – I would be overwhelmed with joy, and continue to correspond with the Formless:

Thank you Nirankar,
Thank you for the opportunity; it was all your doing,
Thank you for allowing me to be the vessel for your work,
The outcome is as per your wish.

The reason for becoming nervous before Seva, is simply because I had not surrendered to Nirankar. I was not allowing myself to live within Nirankar; it was all back to ‘me’. I wanted the rewards and recognition. It was “I” taking on the responsibility.  Such ego-identification always blocks the flow and ease of Seva.  Hunger for merit is a manifestation of ego. But it is a loss-transaction – if I wish to feel proud and cash in the rewards for the Seva I feel I have done (or am doing), then I must also carry the burden of fear, anxiety, and risk of not meeting expectations. Such pride makes me forget this body is just a shell, a vessel.  In seeking accolades, I had fill the vessel with my ego – with ‘me’. I put my droplet of water in it, instead of allowing the ocean of Nirankar to wash over it.

My perspective on Seva changed when I heard of an incident. A devotee once asked Satguru, ‘I would like to serve you personally; please may I serve you?’

Satguru’s response was:

If you want to serve me, serve humanity.
By serving humanity, you are serving me!

Every single day since, I have looked for opportunities to serve humanity.  Whilst Seva is much more than charitable endeavour or aide to the needy, it is also important to respond to those who are less privileged, or suffering. Sometimes I oblige, but often I do not. Usually, I refrain from wider humanitarian work, making excuses that I am tired or busy. I feel I have more important things to do. Besides, I question myself: “why should I; can’t they do it themselves; why isn’t there someone else taking responsibility; what will I get out of it?”

Seva is actually an act of worship and reverence – it cannot be performed if we feel we are better, wiser or more privileged than others.  It’s defining mark is humility and unconditional regard.  Satguru inspires us to serve fellow Saint-devotees, because we see the light of God within them. If Satguru allows us to serve him, it is only so that we can perfect the art of Seva, and then carry that understanding in every other context in which we may serve.

Satguru wants me to know what it’s like to serve Him,
And through this, to know what it means to serve others!

Satguru wants me to feel those same emotions, the same level of surrender that I felt when I served him. This is so that I recognise the state of heart and mind I should enjoy when I serve others. In fact, when the opportunity to serve others comes, then I should grab it with both hands! It is truly a blessing. When such an opportunity to serve others comes, we must simply surrender to Nirankar.

Nirankar, this is all your doing; I am here because of you,
In every opportunity and obstacle I face, you’re the giver.
Indeed, when we serve others, we’re serving the Satguru,
This is how we show gratitude to the Satguru, and to God.

It is important to realise that Humanness is the religion Babaji wanted of us – first he taught is the lesson of Oneness and Harmony, and then he encouraged us in his final message to us, to be deeply, deeply human. Every human being is the creation of the Almighty. There is no way you can love God, without loving his creation.

Just as for any subject matter, the practical is just as important as the theory – perhaps even moreso. The Knowledge of God (Gyan) is no different. Saints do not teach others merely through lip-service, but through their practical lives. Action is found to be more effective than words. This is why the spiritually enlightened devotees always speak through their actions. They put into practice what they say and inspire others to do the same. The concept of selfless service – Seva- is not just to serve, but to serve selflessly – Baba Hardevji explains as follows:

Let us be the lighthouse that illumines the lives of others through our actions                                                                                                                               

 -Dr Sumeet Bassan, Sutton Coldfield UK

As a spiritual student, I have always asked myself, what does surrender really mean, winning or losing? Many a time, I have found myself confronted with the beliefs of society, on the one hand, and the convictions of spiritual individuals, on the other. The former tells us that surrender amounts to losing, and the latter – the words of saints and my mother – amounts to winning. They tell us that letting go of stress and surrendering to God results in true freedom – an absolute win, second to none. However, the fact that this equation of figuring out whether surrender is victory or defeat is far more complex than you might think.

Surrender can mean a number of different things in the worldly context. One example that commonly comes to mind is the meaning of surrender in the system of law and order. If someone, on the run from legal authorities for having committed a crime, turns himself in – giving up his resistance to arrest – then this is, in fact, the act of surrendering. 

Historically, surrender has cropped up amidst war time scenarios. Let us look at an example of World War II. The innumerable battles and the war itself, ended in surrender. After Hitler succumbed his own oppression by taking his own life, World War II ended in the unconditional surrender of Germany. Hence, in a worldly context, the qualities associated with surrender are giving up, or making the winning party more powerful than the party that surrenders.

One of my personal examples of surrender from a couple of months ago involves my class performance. I had only gained a B in class despite my putting in the greatest amount of effort. With what must have been surrender on my part, I gave up the power that earning an A would have given me. This experience of achieving a lower grade than I was accustomed to made me feel less than I was.

Surrender in the spiritual sense can also mean a number of different things. One that commonly comes to mind amounts to the act of obeisance and surrendering to God. For most people this means letting go of material desires and stresses, even if only for a moment, to be able to place all their focus on God. When we surrender, we escape the worldly atmosphere, and enter a spiritual environment, in which we lose all worry and tension.

How and why does focusing on God help us to gain freedom from worry and tension? Essentially, when we surrender and focus in such a manner we allow God –who is all-knowing, ubiquitous, and omnipotent – to direct our lives and actions. In placing our faith in God, we often stop blaming ourselves (or others) for things that happen in our lives. We begin to live with the attitude that everything happens by the will of God, and that as long as we fulfil our duties to the best of our ability, we have no burdens to carry.

When I was first taught this concept, I found it very challenging. The analogy I used was that of driving as opposed to taking a taxi. When you are driving, you are of course in control of how to get to your destination. However, this control comes with many added responsibilities – staying under the speed limit, maintaining awareness of one’s route and not driving recklessly to be protected from accidents. In taking a taxi, you can still get to your destination, but with the difference that the driver takes you there without any stress or responsibility associated with driving yourself. So, when we surrender to God, it is like taking the taxi in life, placing faith in God as the driver! 

There is both a complex and a powerful relationship between surrender and faith. Those who surrender spiritually also tend to have strong faith. This is because they trust in God, who enables them to let go of their anxieties and worldly desires. Faith leads to surrender, and surrender, in turn, begets faith. The relationship between Gyan (the Knowledge of God) and surrender is also akin to surrender and faith. Those who have the Gyan and delve deep with their spirituality, are always more likely to surrender. Those who surrender, by the same token, are more likely to embrace the Gyan.

Historically, examples of surrender in spirituality have been recorded countless times. Bhakti or loving devotion in Dharmic religions comes to mind. A Bhakta, a devotee, practises a level of Bhakti in which she places her entire faith and devotion in God. She lets herself go in fulfilling God’s will.

In the Mission, all the Satgurus surrendered to Nirankar. Let us understand this in the context of Baba Gurbachan Singhji’s martydrom, and Baba Hardev Singhji’s response to it.  Unlike people in power, whose egos swell, Baba Hardev Singhji, even at the heinous murder of his father and Satguru, refrained from any violence and hatred. Instead, he preached forgiveness, declaring that everyone, without any exception, is his very own. Such was his benevolent nature that he would often say, it’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice, leaving this message indelibly imprinted on our hearts.  By letting go of power and living a life, dedicated to unity, humility and God, he demonstrated a perfect example of surrender in spirituality.

It would appear that giving up in the practise of surrender actually liberates us completely. It is, in fact, a paradox to use the phrase giving up or giving in when in so doing, we actually win. Surrender takes away our natural tendency of living life in pursuit of our own egotistical benefit. It gives us the freedom to live a more enlightened life, wherein we are stress-free, having unconditional acceptance and regard for our experience, as also those around us.

How is worldly surrender different from spiritual surrender? If, indeed, they are the same, then how is that so? First of all, they are evidently different in the sense that worldly surrender almost always incurs a loss of power or control and is usually a negative thing which is despised. Spiritual surrender, on the other hand, is gaining bliss and living life in enlightenment in the name of God. It is normally something that is desired, and looked at positively, especially by those who live in awareness of God. While most shy away from worldly surrender, spiritual surrender is a precious privilege.  What makes it precious, is the fact that it is quite rare to see. It can be thought of as the epitome of humility, and compass for one’s spiritual journey.

If the two are obviously very different, seeing that their desirability levels are polar opposites, how are they the same? First, they both exhibit a loss of control. While in worldly surrender, this is a loss of desired power, in spiritual surrender, this is increased faith in God’s control, and a loss of the sense of human control over all happenings. Second, they are both hard to achieve, requiring great effort to actualise. Most people fight for their power before they give it up, be it in political races, wars, or even in trying to land a spot in a remarkably competitive college. Similarly, most people try every possible way to control every single thing that happens in their life, prior to surrendering to God. The only real difference is that surrender hurts when done in the worldly context, while it heals powerfully in the spiritual context.

Once we explore the ins and outs of surrender in both the worldly and the spiritual context, we come to the following conclusion: worldly surrender amounts to defeat, while surrender in the spiritual context elevates us above the dichotomy of victory and defeat. Since power and ego dominate our world in this day and age, losing power hurts most people. Spiritual surrender, on the other hand, is above the dichotomy of loss and gain.

Having said this, we lose a lot of the things that we are better off without, such as our ego and unrelenting material desire. It is also true that we gain a lot of things by surrendering to God. We find that God’s hand directs all our paths. In fact, when we truly surrender to God, victory and defeat become meaningless. Why? Because both victory and defeat affect our ego, and spiritual surrender means we no longer invest in it – rather, surrender allows us to give it up. Our souls rise above the worldly concepts and rest in true bliss, where both victory and defeat simply cease to exist.  We learn from experience, rather than becoming frozen within it.

                                                                                              – Siddhant Watwani, Los Angles USA

When we look at the Mission’s logo – the globe held between two hands – we can see that it is symbolic of the world firmly placed in divine hands. For however damaging the present pandemic appears to be, the entire earth is very much protected and blessed. However, we as responsible citizens must also abide by every safeguarding protocol not just to contain the pandemic, which is proliferating through new strains, but also to help stop it all together.

Science and Spirituality

The mandate for establishing a covid-secure environment is scientific, but the protection and immunity we seek is also a spiritual endeavour. Scientifically, we are to make every effort to regularly wash our hands, make use of masks in public spaces, and continue to keep our distance from each other. Spiritually, we are to keep together, even when standing apart, and accept that whatever happens always happens for a reason – even if it is not apparent.  Spiritually, we are to be model citizens – we are to focus on keeping ourselves safe, but also prioritising the safety of others. For, it is not just our well-being that is important, but the well-being of the world at large. Now is the time to give new meaning to John Wesley’s phrase cleanliness is next to Godliness.

The Sant Nirankari Mission has been making strides in cleaning public spaces for quite some time. The initiative to remove discarded litter and to wash down railway stations, hospitals, beaches and other neglected public areas started long before the advent of covid-19. Now it is up to us as individuals to do whatever we can to help and assist others within our communities and neighbourhoods – especially when the usual support networks and faith centres are inaccessible to so many.   

The fact that we are forced to stay indoors, we may take this opportunity to pause, introspect and cleanse ourselves internally of any accumulated mental pollution.  As we associate with the material world, we are subject to the effect of the cardinal sins, be they the five¹ of the East or the seven² of the West. The ‘invisible enemy’, whichever form it takes, is best combatted with Invisible Energy, the Almighty God, which is the panacea for all ills. It is exactly this Invisible Energy that Her Holiness Mata Sudikshaji, helps us to see with the experience of Brahm Gyan (the Gnostic light). While this global pandemic is the consequence of man’s actions (whether it is a laboratory leak or some mutation caused in wet-markets), the Divine Plan (Leela) is to purify both our internal and external worlds to bring balance and stability into life.

Social Responsibility

Amongst the five principles, the Mission’s fourth principle solidifies our focus on spirituality through practical living. It stresses on the fact that our responsibilities towards our family, career, health and faith should all be honoured within society. We are to live our lives in accordance with social norms, sustaining our family by honest livelihood. We are never to renounce our hearth and home to find ourselves or seek God elsewhere. God can, indeed, be realised while playing our responsible role in society. All we need to do is to find the Satguru (who lives within society, not in some isolated wilderness), who can grant us the Gnostic Vision. This is what the Buddha calls the Middle Path. 

Lockdown restrictions afford an opportunity to get back to basics in respect of our social roles and spiritual development. Our quality time spent at home can be conducive to strengthening our understanding and bond with family members – what can be more socially responsible, than creating a home life that is characterised by love, mutual respect and care for each other?  Is this not a spiritual practice (Sadhana) within itself? When such a blue-print is generated at home, it naturally replicates within the wider social interactions each family member has outside.  We can also return to the simplicity that epitomised the spiritual era of Baba Avtar Singhji. How would he comment on the current predicament?  Would Babaji not ask us to use the circumstances at hand to sit together in worship (Satsang / Guru Charcha), deepen our awareness of Nirankar through praying together as a family (Simran) and offer generous care and love to one another through acts of kindness and service (Seva)?  We can use the time given to strength our sense of devotion (Bhakti), from the platform of our very homes.

The Five Elements

For a stable and healthy life, the five elements – ether, air, fire, water and earth -, of which we are all made, must be fully balanced. Every element must be fully taken care of. For any deficiency in any one element renders the whole body imbalanced. 

As 72% of our body is made of water, it is important to keep it fully hydrated with pure and wholesome water that contains all the necessary minerals. 6% of the body is air, which can only be balanced by minimising the stress and anxiety in life through a calm state of mind, which may be supplemented by practices such as Pranayama (deep breathing), Yoga and Mindfulness. 6% of the body is fire – in other words life energy – which we acquire from the sun. This element is essential as it is the basis for thermoregulation and fuels the biochemical reactions that allow bodily processes to function and nerve pathways to light-up. Perhaps this is why we feel at ease when lighting a candle or sitting before a fire, as these practices connect us with this element. 12% of the body is earth, which we acquire from a variety of foods. What we eat is of the utmost importance. For all that we require in the way of sugars, starches, proteins, carbs, fats, oils, minerals and vitamins come from the element of earth. Food affects mood and well-being. The fifth element – ether – makes 4% of our body. It is the very subtle sub-stratum in which all the other four elements exist. Ether is the field of potential in which all forces and energies move and manifest.  When we become more expansive and subtle in our awareness and understanding, this lends itself to a calm, composed and collected state of mind.  This creates huge potentiality, which adds to the balance we need in ether. Listening to sound or music also helps with this process.

Personal Practice

During this pandemic, I go for walks or jogs while taking all the necessary safety precautions. I keep in touch with the 5 elements by walking on the grass, getting enough sunshine, breathing fresh air, listening to music and sipping water while walking through, and constantly being aware of this ocean of Cosmic Energy (Universal Intelligence) that is all around me and inside me.

I feel that science and spirituality are intertwined. In science, we experiment, observe, and look for evidence. In spiritually, we also have to experiment (with various paths or practices), observe (our thoughts) and look for evidence (by how we feel) to a certain extent. This is because what works for one individual may not work for another. As we are all on different stages of this spiritual journey, each one of us has to experiment, observe and see what works best for us, and most importantly make changes accordingly.

Spirituality is the process of eliminating our demonic or animal qualities by evolving or bringing out our pure divine or human qualities. Most of us are afraid of silence and being alone, constantly craving outside noise. During this pandemic, I feel it is a great opportunity for us not only to take a break from the external world, but to connect more authentically to the internal world. We must face our demons and evolve to the higher dimension that we as humans have the potential for. Such an endeavour yields a practical, balanced life.  Such practice will help us get through this difficult period in human history, and find ourselves more resilient and grateful, on the other side.

– Anuj Gautama

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Stability is not something that is independent of our ups and downs. It is very much within, and part and parcel of the ebb and flow of life. It is invaluable and always there. We look at it, but never see it.

In the early 1980s, a Bio-dome experiment was carried out, in that the scientists erected a study facility in the middle of an American desert. They attempted to create a perfect artificial living environment for humans, plants and animals. The facility was fully controlled, using purified air, water and lighting designed to mimic just the right growing conditions.

Inspite of all efforts, the researchers found that trees they had added to the domes as living things proved to be very weak. After reaching a certain height, they started to fall. Initially, the scientists could not figure out why the trees were failing to flourish. Then they came to realize that there was no wind in the facility. The effect was due to a lack of adversity in the domes, which meant the trees could not become sturdy. The roots were never challenged to grow deep enough into the soil, in order to support the trunk and branches above.

We learn much from these findings.  Firstly, living things only become robust when they are tested.  It’s almost as though stability needs it’s equal and opposite force, in order to be nurtured.  If we seek to become stable when the conditions are perfect, or simply through standing still, we will never grow. Stability is about weathering our way through life, and moving with the ups and downs. Stability is about withstanding the challenges life presents, and seeing these events as having some goodness, even though they may be aversive. It’s about becoming emotionally, mentally and spirituality resilient enough to take on the tough times, and not to becoming overwhelmed by them.

We can look at this astrologically as well. We know that stars, the source of life, give light and warmth. Lasting for eons, though we never experience their beginning or end, we know that they contain properties of gravity, density, temperature and pressure. The inner layers of a star are most important, in that they have to support the weight of the said forces. If there is no gravity pull, the star can end up in a black hole, where all elements would be pulled inwards, annihilating it in the process.

We know that stars maintain this balance of forces, staying consistent and stable even during adversities such as solar storms. Just like the life of a star, our inner spirit can also be tested, sometimes to what seems like the limits of our capacity. We too need to find balance. We can either give in to pressure, causing us to crumble and fold, or we can use the challenges that come upon us to fuel our transformation. I believe that we were made to be much more than what our lives demand of us – we have more potential than we ever realise. Practising more stability during the variables of life enables us to become even fuller – both materially and spirituality.   Moving with rather than against whatever existence throws at us, renders us healthy and stable beings.

Just as trees have their roots, and the stars, their inner layers of gravity, what is it that centres us in life? Indeed, what is the foundation of human life?

During the Annual Nirankari Convention (Samagam) 2020, I was inspired by the theme of Stability, to which all presenters, poets and musicians made their address.  Following the experience, I was forced to think deeply about my personal state of being. I could see just how chaotic my state of mind was.  Even though I probably looked equipoised and consistent to an outsider, I became aware of how shaky I actually was, internally. I could see, perhaps for the first time, that I had looked for clarity and solidity in every part of my physical, occupational and relational life but had overlooked the need to do so spiritually. I had been overidentifying with the roles I play, and the functions I perform. I has been hiding behind the noise, unwilling or unable to look with authenticity at where I stand, what I feel and how I respond.  I had effectively failed to tune into my essential self.

I have come to realise that my instability is due to a lack of reliance on the spiritual anchor – Nirankar. It had been so long since I had prayed out of love, or reflected deeply upon that prayer. I now realise that we cannot drop the anchor in material things – they are unstable within and of themselves, so how can they hold me securely? The likes of a job, a degree, a feeling of belonging to a circle of friends, may all convey a sense of steadiness, but they are never consistent or enduring like the all-pervading Nirankar. Nirankar is like a mountain of support. It only takes a choice to turn and lean on it. This does not mean that we should abandon people or withdraw from all that is temporal and transitory. We should rather live in the world, but also above it. This means placing ultimate reliance on Nirankar and prioritising what we most truly are.  This equates to tuning into the infinite, and connecting our minds with that which is both stable and enduring. In so doing, we will find that relationships, roles and positions in life are further invigorated, because we are associating with the very source of our energy. We are connecting with that which breathes life into life!

On the 1^st day of the Annual Convention, HH Satguru Mata Sudikshaji advised, don’t just remember Nirankar when it’s convenient … the awareness of Nirankar needs to be maintained for long term stability. I realise that it is crucial not to neglect my faith, for in so doing, I find myself in a frenzy of instability.

HH Mataji is a beacon of stability. As she represents all that is complete and absolute, we should take comfort in her wisdom and reliance. Satguru has such an unwavering presence, she is always consistent – a uniquely stable presence in an ever-changing world. Mataji is living proof that stability is absolutely achievable. Mataji’s stability is a reflection of integrity and honour of the divine – the divine that we must look to as an example of the heights we too can achieve. In the Bible, Lord Jesus Christ says to his disciples, ‘when you love me you will start to obey my commandments …and I will dwell and become your inner being’ (John 14:15).

Changing things, continue to change ceaselessly.  They only pause and stand in stillness, when they transform into the changeless.  There is no transformation in reality, just a move from person to presence.  Our inner essence, Nirankar, is formless and unchanging – it is what we authentically are.  All things take form because of it, and into it all things must one day return.  When we meet Satguru, we can return to our Source whilst we still walk, talk and breathe.  All liberation is here, not hereafter.

Every living Mentor of the Nirankari Mission – from Baba Buta Singhji to Mata Sudikshaji – has been living proof that lasting stability can indeed be found. Stability is all about recognising the Source of all stability, the Omnipresent Nirankar, through the grace of a Mentor, to both embrace it and abide by it in our lives. Once the Self – i.e. the animating spirit – takes over, the self i.e. the carnal shell – obediently follows instructions, however diverse and challenging they may be. As it is written in the Avtar Bani,

On facing – my True Master

Births -deaths are no more,

Equi-poise, I have attained,

The pain has gone for sure!

The soul’s met – its Spouse

Suffering is now at an end

With God’s only one word

Recitation-I can transcend

– Harishta Kaur, Huddersfield, UK

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The year 2020 was significant, a game changer for countless lives. A year, in which we shared our views on 20/20 perfect vision, but also became inordinately chaotic across the globe with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has caused inestimable pain and suffering.

Societies have been left devastated. This has been both on a macro level, with economies suffering untold financial burdens, and on a micro level, with human tragedies and premature loss of loved ones.  

But in spite of the akratic surrounding atmosphere, the brahm gyanis (the enlightened ones) strive to form order, creating a positive impact with their purposeful lives. Though susceptible to the same tremors and travesties, they learn to adjust their sails for a stable and flexible change of course.

Under these unprecedented circumstances, the question arises, is this really possible? If we consider life’s core essence to be eternal stability, then it is not only conceivable, but a real possibility.

Those who accept the Will of Nirankar (Hukum) wholeheartedly believe that there is nothing that can impede their course of existence. What they experience and see is quite simply shaped by the divine hukum. With such a profound faith, the gyanis avoid the debates, challenges and the external noise. They not only introspect, but work with practicality and perseverance.

A life rooted in eternal stability of Nirankar makes us resilient, inviting us to become abundantly stronger and steadier to fight off disruption and disturbance. This disruptive world’s impact, which is already trying to gain control over our lives, we have to break and sever. We must step back to focus on our inner being.

Just as Almighty Nirankar cannot be made unsteady – it is eternal and unchangeable – we too need to concentrate on our life’s component that is always steady and stable. Strengthening this relationship is of the paramount importance, not just to course through life holistically, but also to endure the Covid-19 pandemic.

The diverse colours of the world are ever present to distract one and all away from the truth of the Colourless Nirankar. The response of the gyani, however, is always to fill his life with the Colour of Gurmat (Guru’s practically wise way) and bliss as a means of survival.

The Pandemic has wreaked havoc, causing anxiety, depression and mental illness across all age ranges. The youth have had to deal with home schooling, online teaching, and other innovative methods to continue their education. There have been significant changes to our established routines, which have been particularly difficult to deal with. Working virtually has meant a huge shift in employment patterns. Not being able to physically meet one another has also been tough for us all.

The gyanis’ response is to be fully aware, accepting all the changes in their stride. They realise that it is Nirankar, and only Nirankar, who remains constant. They attempt to practise a sense of connected constancy in their lives.

It is not just the impact of change, but the raising the bar of one’s connection as a life giver. If we reflect, we can see that spirituality has always been about remote relationships – i.e. the Atman and Paramatma without any other as its base. We have an opportunity to practise our sanctity, to the exclusion of all forms of Maya. As we learn to log into our work places, perhaps a greater attention should be placed on logging into Nirankar, who has always been the real ‘world-wide web’. Covid-19 has changed outlooks and allowed a deeper understanding of ourselves and our needs.

In the light of the above, it is vital for us all to keep steady, faced with immense challenges in responding to and dealing with so many continually changing factors during this pandemic. We must accept that it has been tough. But with Nirankar standing next to us, our load is lightened, bringing balance into our lives.

It is so important to remember what we have been taught. We are to reach out to our companion devotees, as a vital lifeline. The support we receive from one another is invaluable. It steers direction towards the word of the Satguru. To strengthen our core essence and share the teachings of Gurmat at this time, it is even more critical.

If we seek to redress the imbalances that may have been caused in our minds, and wish a return to continuing stability and vitality, this may well be a solution. It requires strong inputs and encouragements to practice Seva, Simran and Satsang, the trio that has nurtured us all. A real back to basics exercise to feel the eternally stable in all our deeds and practices. We hear of new normals in society, but this has always been our normal way.

Our emotional stability may have been shattered, causing us to feel vulnerable. In observing the spirit of One Nirankar, those very fragments begin to form a new look. We may receive many hits in life and may feel knocked out with many punches, but resilience grows as we see Nirankar and its continual awareness to be our purpose. I will get up, if I am floored, because knowing Nirankar has made me resilient – back to His will as mentioned above. I will fight trying to regain my balance and become stable once again.

In this scenario, Nirankar manifests through devotees’ company. It may just be a word, a call to reach out or some other method to forge our relationship with Nirankar. We are never to be afraid, for fearlessness is the quality that will carry us all across the line to the next season, in which the pandemic will dissipate, no longer having the same hold on society.

Hence, I pray that we all remain closely connected to Nirankar, and in so doing, retain contact with our human family. A distance in this special relationship, can only desist in the retention of our stability. May it be constant and not suffer any fragmentation. The Pandemic may have physically distanced everyone and placed pressure on relationships, but with faith the relationship with Nirankar will support and deepen the love in our families, communities and countries. May every individual devotee share their stability in the service of humanity.

            – Gurpreet Bhatia, DL

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Highest Truth in pursuing, they display,

Both courage and morale, Oh Nirankar,

Under no circumstances do saints ever,

Lose heart or become fearful, Nirankar

                                      – Hardev Bani 294

Since the start of the state-wide lockdown, I, for one, have had no alternative but to go to work. For my company, considered to be an essential business, working from home has been out of the question. It has not been easy. On the contrary, it has been most challenging. Being both fearful and unstable in the light of the global pandemic, I felt as if I was going out to war on a daily basis, treating everyone as my enemy.

Some time ago, I had spent a two-year period attending Dr Tandon’s classes on the Bhagavad Gita, together with his sessions on Meditation and Simran – i.e. concentrating on Pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditating on the Formless. Looking back, I can now see that all those classes were getting me prepared for what was to come in 2020.  Very much like Arjuna in the Mahabharata, I also felt I was on the battlefield, having to go out to work with so much chaos, uncertainty, with the invisible enemy (Coronavirus) lurking all around.

These classes proved to be my training ground, for they helped me not only to better connect with the Invisible Energy (Formless God), but they also answered a lot of questions I had in mind. I put some of those techniques and teachings into practice to help me stay calm. I also surrendered to the Formless, using Brahm Gyan (the Gnosis) as my secret weapon and shield on the battlefield.

While growing up, I was always (and still am today) fascinated with outer space, with an avid interest in the mystery of life. During my twenties and even later, whenever things would get chaotic or situations would not make sense to me, I would mentally escape into outer space to find peace. I would visualize myself going deep into outer space and see the earth become smaller and smaller like a dot, only to disappear in the Cosmic Void. This is when I would remind myself as to how tiny we really are, almost to the point of non-existence. All the things we worry about are expressions and projections of the mind; they are in many ways illusory (Maya).

It was only after receiving the Brahm Gyan in my early twenties that everything clicked. I fully realized that we truly are nothing, but in that in nothing strangely lies everything! I no longer had to look into outer space to find peace. I was now fully aware that this Cosmic Energy (Nirankar) is not only deep in outer space, but also here on earth. It is right here next to me, all around me, and inside me.

Whenever the calendar arrives at Mother’s Day, it is bitter-sweet because on this day in 2016, Baba Hardev Singhji gave us his final discourse. It was he, who was responsible for my conscious awareness of Nirankar. He captivated not just me, but everybody with his unconditional love, leaving such a positive impact on our lives. Words can never describe our indebtedness to a Mentor who guided and moulded us for 36 years. 

In order for us to be able to rise above the travails of life, it is the Mentor or the Satguru who we must seek. He or She is not the body, but the Divine Knowledge – the divine knowledge that helps us to recognise our real form, which pervades this entire universe.

This real form is eternal; it neither dies nor does it take birth. It is our essential legacy or birth right that we can all access to create a shield – i.e. the armour of God – to protect us from every eventuality, malady or calamity.

                                                                                    – Anuj Gautama, Los Angeles, USA 

                                                                                 

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