Legacy is often assumed to be associated with material possessions passed down from our ancestors. However, legacy encompasses faith, practices, traditions, and core values transcending from generation to generation. Fortunately, for some of us, the divine elixir of God-knowledge has been deeply rooted in us because of our forefathers and mothers. Many of us opened our eyes to a family that connected us directly with the Satguru. Our childhood was spent in the laps of Bal-Satsang and our teenage years cocooned in the perpetual arms of Sewa and Simran. Do we even realise how subconsciously we start doing Simran in the wake of an emergency crisis? How quickly our conscious mind unites with our subconscious to recite ‘Tu Hi Nirankar, Main teri sharan haan, Mainu baksh lo’ when we see our toddler getting hurt from the end of a table at home or when there is an imminent car crash that could have occurred? But we are preoccupied with our lives to such an extent that we often ignore this legacy passed on to us by our respective families.

This reminds me of the story of a legend, Reverent Jugal Kishore Kabir Ji, the first treasurer of the executive committee of Sant Nirankari Mandal, who did not permit even his family members to take advantage of Guru’s finances. His daughter-in-law visited Sant Nirankari Mandal’s office for an urgent personal phone call, and Kabir Ji was responsible for taking care of the telephone device. After making the call, Kabir Ji asked her to pay for the call. When she couldn’t make a payment for the call, Kabir Ji paid from his own pocket to fulfil his responsibility towards Sant Nirankari Mandal. This incident has been narrated at many forums to inculcate the legacy of utmost devotion towards caring for Guru’s Maya. We have innumerable legends leaving behind the legacy of strengthening our faith and cautioning us not to deviate from the path shown by Satguru.

The advancement in science and technology, ranging from the advent of the internet to the age of social media platforms, the influence of Westernisation and materialism have created a paradigm shift in our society. However, we have become attached to these changes and forgotten the true essence of our lives, values, and legacy. How often do we take the time to express gratitude towards saints who have devoted their entire lives to ensure our generations are reminded of the valuable asset of human form? The ability to think wisely to amend our actions and blow the wind of right deeds and efforts to make this world a better place to live. Since immemorial, saints in the mission have tirelessly contributed to literature writing for books and magazines, poetry and song renditions in the form of beautiful melodies we hear at Satsang, and online content development on various channels such as Youtube and the Nirankari websites. We have been exposed to testimonies from our parents and grandparents about Shehenshaah Baba Avtar Singh Ji’s Yug: the era we eagerly await when the saints can trust and respect each other like their own family. When ‘Satvachan’ will be the only action that would prevail. This era is a fascinating imagination and a Brahmgyan is the push towards turning this ideal imagination into a real world.

Our mission has welcomed many devotees from all across the globe with open arms to create a safe space where our inherent nature of being human is discussed. It is surprising to observe the faith instilled and belief with which these saints lead the path of ‘God-knowledge’. They are above the barriers of religion, caste, race and ethnicity. The language of love and respect is being practically followed. We are fortunate to have such saints who came empty-handed as if they were empty vessels only to be filled by the wisdom of Nirankar. These saints do not take the teachings of the True Master for granted. They are the ones who believe they are the chosen ones yet remain their most humble self, rising above the shackles of subtle ego that lurk in our lives.

We all have a moral responsibility to introspect deeply within ourselves and answer this question just for our own understanding and peace of mind: Are we leveraging the elixir of life we have received from our ancestors, or are we so lost in the illusions of life that we take all of this for granted? It is of utmost importance to wake up to our own realisation and start living as per the legacy of ancestral saints blended with the teachings of our Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj. There is no bigger sense of happiness and achievement than this. ‘Sukoon’ is the next stage when we start relishing immense gratitude towards the ‘legacy’ our mission is leaving behind. Undoubtedly, we would want to carry this legacy forward to the next generation so that they can also reap the benefits of this divine realm.

Intro – Legacy is often assumed to be associated with material possessions passed down from our ancestors. However, legacy encompasses faith, practices, traditions, and core values transcending from generation to generation.

Blurbs:
The advancement in science and technology, ranging from the advent of the internet to the age of social media platforms, the influence of Westernisation and materialism have created a paradigm shift in our society.
Are we leveraging the elixir of life we have received from our ancestors, or are we so lost in the illusions of life that we take all of this for granted?

-Dr. Shikha Grover

Imagine life as a flowing river, with various opportunities, happiness, and moments drifting downstream. When someone becomes fixated on what a person said or did, it’s like they’ve anchored themselves to a rock in the middle of the river. Their mind becomes trapped, swirling around the hurtful words or actions, unable to move forward with the current of life. While they’re stuck there, they miss the chance to catch the opportunities or experience the joy in the universe. They’re so preoccupied with the past that they can’t see what lies ahead in the river of life.

On the other hand, forgiveness acts like releasing that anchor. When someone forgives, it’s like they let go of the weight holding them back. They’re free to flow with the river of life, enjoy its currents and explore the opportunities it presents. By forgiving, they open themselves up to experiencing new moments of happiness and fulfilment.

The ability to open yourself to new moments of happiness is echoed by all spiritual masters across eras. We read in holy scriptures that Lord Shri Ram forgave his enemies and that Lord Jesus asked God to forgive those who hurt him. In the same vein, Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj wrote in the Sampuran Hardev Bani:

“ If you want mercy for self, show mercy to others too
If you want to be forgiven, do forgive others too”

– Hardev Bani (Verse 56)

Just as in physics, where every force has an equal and opposite reaction, in human interactions, our actions towards others often provoke corresponding reactions. If we act with forgiveness and mercy towards others, it’s likely that we’ll receive forgiveness and mercy in return, creating a positive cycle of understanding and compassion. However, the process of forgiving someone can indeed be challenging. It requires letting go of resentment, anger, and hurt feelings, which can feel like an emotional burden. This difficulty is akin to overcoming inertia in physics—a resistance to change or motion. Yet, just as overcoming inertia leads to movement and change, overcoming the reluctance to forgive can lead to emotional healing and growth. So, while forgiveness may be difficult, it can ultimately lead to positive outcomes.

But how does one forgive? This is where the God-Knowledge blessed to us by Satguru Mata Sudiksha ji Maharaj helps us. If we realise that we are part of the creation and that everything is happening with God’s will, then there will be no question of getting angry with someone or something. Wherever we go, we will realise God within every particle and life will become full of blessings and gratitude. Execution of this realization in every given moment, especially when faced with challenging situations, is important. However, it is in those moments, we sometimes forget to keep this realization in the forefront. To help us get back on the track of realization, here are three things to remember when it becomes difficult to forgive:

• We are not one to judge the right or wrong of others because we might not know their story.
• We are responsible for our own actions only.
• We need to focus on seeking forgiveness for ourselves and others.

Simran reminds us of the importance of seeking forgiveness. Multiple studies show that humans make at least three mistakes (usually 5-7) every hour that they are awake, increasing to 11-15 per hour under extreme stress or fatigue. So being a doer of so many mistakes, focusing on the mistakes of others is a mistake in itself! No wonder the Simran we have been blessed with has the line, “Mainu baksh lo.” We all surely need it!

Intro – When someone forgives, it’s like they let go of the weight holding them back. They’re free to flow with the river of life, enjoy its currents and explore the opportunities it presents.

Blurb – The ability to open yourself to new moments of happiness is echoed by all spiritual masters across eras.

– Sneha Rautmare (Ireland)