This is perhaps no revelation, but compared with our recent and remote ancestors, we are a most selfish generation! And as per the on-going trend, we shall no doubt become the ultimate self-centered human society in the entire recorded history of humankind.

The objects of our affection and undivided attention resonate with our own small sense of personhood. We filter everything through identification with our most “loved self”, but not through healthy love, rather more neurotic and narcissistic infatuation with our little self.  It’s all about “I this” and “I that”. Even the market place is flooded with a string of products promoting “I, me, and mine”.

Be it professionally or personally, I am always attempting to ace and excel, without actually delivering or putting in the required effort. I am forever eager to take home the Oscar, taking center stage in terms of glamour, humor, and dressing up to the nines just to be the envy of all at social events. However inept I may be at a subject, it does not deter me from claiming to be the connoisseur, who aggressively monopolizes every opportunity to rate my opinion at the top of the chart. The pattern has become so ingrained, that anything otherwise would simply feel unnatural. I live to the code that a world which does not revolve around ME, just doesn’t exist”.

In moments of lucidity, I become aware of the error of my ways and ask, “where have I gone wrong?” How indeed could I inhabit a world where I am not mortal, but somehow a god? Of course, I am not all knowing, all seeing and all encompassing.  I don’t always know better or do better than everyone else.  This world cannot be about all “I”, rather than “we” or “us”.   

In analyzing the folly of my ways, it does not take a very extensive study to dissect and discern the cause of my selfish outlook. I feel I am not alone in this self-centered approach to life and refer to what is commonly practiced in homes up and down the country.  From the moment a child is conscious, his or her parents whisper into the ears, “there is no-one quite like you…no-one more beautiful…no-one more special”.  Great efforts are made to make these words a reality – through tutoring, sports academies and materially decorating the child so that they do not want for anything.  I am not saying parents are wrong to love and care for their children. Such love and support should not be frowned upon, as there is nothing ill about such an approach. Don’t we all want our children to learn, grow, prosper and surpass our own accomplishments? How else would our society progress, if this were not the case?

Whilst it’s very important to encourage and push our children to reach the heights of their potential and offer them opportunities for growth, such progress and success cannot be at any expense. We fail our children, if we do not give them a sense of the collective, over and above the self.   

If we construct a world in which the happiness and self-esteem of our children supersedes that of everyone else, it literally annihilates the innocence and softness of their hearts. A person become utterly selfish and insensitive to others, if they develop the belief that only their desires are worthy of focus, and they need not be concerned with the needs of fellow students and playmates.  Ruthlessness is cultivated, when a person is at ease in putting themselves first and succeeding regardless of the cost, even if this means stepping on others in order to climb above them.

So, what I am saying is that the seeds of self-centeredness (and by this I mean selfishness, not being centered on self in a more healthy or spiritual manner) are sown in the home that we grow up in.  If we experience a society saturated with egotistical adults, ever ready to sacrifice others for their own betterment, this inhuman tendency naturally becomes part of our own social and emotional DNA.  If we witness our parents retaliating at the most miniscule misunderstandings, what hope do we have of responding with calm and kindness. Sadly, this trend not only permeates many homes, but also the places we were to seek refuge and light – our places of worship and faith. 

Indeed, what children need alongside an emphasis on developing their social standing and academic future, is the effort to support, refine and advance their human values. I, as a parent and more importantly as a human being, must help my children develop human qualities. I can only do so by exercising love, compassion, forgiveness and patience at home, and also in my dealings with others. As studies show that children imitate what they observe, I should take it upon myself to be the best role model for my little ones. Being a product of my own upbringing, together with influences from a society that has become ever more selfish, this is no easy task. I may well find it difficult to foster higher human sentiments, but I must try to do so, nevertheless.

If my constraints and difficulties are a result of misdirected guidance and social drip-feeding that has infected me with the illness of “me, my and mine”, the antidote to my ills has to be found.  I need to redouble my acquaintance with people who radiate kindness, selflessness and love.  I need to flush my system everyday with the medicine of compassionate regard.  I need to sit in company that acknowledges the need of the hour, which is for each human soul to reach its highest human potential, and for that company to be fully equipped with the necessary techniques and inspirations for attaining to my better self. 

In this regard, I am fortunate to have come across the Sant Nirankari Mission and it’s Centers for Oneness around the world. I am indebted to the Mission for the work it does in promoting and manifesting a human society which gives prominence to others’ needs over and above one’s own. The Mission introduced me as an individual to my true nature, my true self.  In this awakening, I felt oneness with a self that is pure and untainted.  It was Gnostic knowledge, no less.  In attending regular Oneness gatherings, I have grown to have enough self-esteem, so that I can love and accept not only myself and those I consider to be my own, but those around me too.

I can’t always find the words to describe the awakening that I experienced.  All I can say is that a special awareness has taken root, which helps me focus on the universe as a whole. I have learned that all human beings are individual drapes, taken from the very same ream of cloth. Comparatively, the individual drapes may appear to be bigger, better or more colorful than others, but I am always reminded we all emanate from the same source and universal spirit. This realization has helped me rise above my vainglorious, selfish and egocentric individuality to become one in essence with the world all-over.

‘Where did I go wrong’ is no longer a question that haunts me. I have found a remarkable answer and wished only to share it with others too.   

                         – Kiran Panday, USA

Why the Satguru, and indeed, what is the Satguru?

I can scarcely believe it, but it has been 10 years since I first attended the Centre for Oneness. When I walked through the main doors, the first thing I felt was instant calm, joy and love. Every single face I saw was lit up; there was a wonderful glow emanating from everyone. When I sat down to listen to their words of wisdom, songs and poems, I felt light, joyful and happy. I realised that I was experiencing bliss. I became aware of the uniqueness of the Centre, which offers, through the grace of the Satguru, the knowledge of One God (Gyan), the realisation of which is religion in it’s true sense.  

When I heard the word Satguru being mentioned, I had no idea what it meant. I had never heard of this word before. Subsequently, I learnt that Satguru is the speaker of Truth. He is an inspiring, spiritual guide, who is a living example of how life should be lived. More importantly, this important person reveals what is known as the Divine Knowledge, which demonstrates that we are all souls – formless souls – residing in this physical body. To be spiritually awakened – i.e. recognising our true purpose – this Divine Knowledge has to be acquired.  This is where the Satguru comes in.

The Satguru, at the time I speak of, was HH Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji. I had the great fortune to meet him, and hear his message first hand.  As I listened, I was absolutely mesmerised. Every word he spoke was Truth; it all made sense to me. I said to myself, how could I not desire to listen to him, attend his gatherings and heed his words? As my soul recognised the Truth, I was overwhelmed. The way I felt that day, I still feel today.

I also realised that this Satguru can help us to learn the art of living through two gifts;

a) the acquisition of the five subtle principles, which allow a human being to not only eliminate devastating burdens such pride and ego, but also enrich our lives with human values, and

b) by heeding the three jewels – Sewa (selfless service), Simran (meditation of God) and Satsang (keeping the company of enlightened souls), which help in keeping humble, connected and inspired.

There were many discourses given by Baba Ji. They all resonated with me in some way, shape or form, but one that I particularly recall was during his UK visit, where there was a special focus on Oneness.  I learned so deeply in that visit, the importance of mending bridges with our loved ones, nears and dears. As life is short, we are not to leave unresolved issues until it is too late. Otherwise we will not have peace in our lives.

As I listened to those wise words from Baba Ji, I recalled how I had left words unsaid to someone a long time ago. I felt sure that I had offended her. When she passed away, I recalled how regretful I felt. The feeling of guilt never left me; it lingered on for a long time. I was ashamed that I did not clear the air properly. It is not a good feeling to have unresolved issues with anyone.  As a consequence of this, I did not sleep peacefully for a long time.

I have now come to realise that these occurrences are past experiences, which we all have in some degree or form. Essentially, they are all lessons we have to learn or tools with which we can teach others. We are not perfect and can only try to be the best version of ourselves possible.

Baba ji also said, “we should always spread love, not hatred. We must not hurt others. We should decorate our lives with ornaments of love, compassion, benevolence and respect. Love must be shared, not hoarded. Equipped with love, we should love all and build a loving world”. Those words continue to have a profound impact on me, and I am convinced the world would be a much better place if we could all adopt and live this teaching.

I ask myself, what would my life be like without the guidance of the Satguru?  I have no doubt that my life would be pointless, repetitive, empty and frustrating. I would be that person looking for satisfaction, but who would never find it. I would be like an unlit candle, having all the potential of lighting up my path, but stumbling instead in the dark.

I openly share my experience of Satguru, as the person who saved me from such a cycle of torment. In fact, I feel everyone who comes to the Centre for Oneness has the wonderful opportunity to know themselves and be saved.  

I humbly seek blessings to be able to continue following the wise words of our present Satguru, HH Nirankari Mata Sudiksha Ji, who is the spiritual lighthouse today.  It is through her, that the path of righteousness and truth is now being revealed.  I implore anyone reading this message to know Mata Ji more closely and attend the Centre for Oneness.  These Centres are situated all across the UK, but also across Europe, North America, Africa, Australia, the Far East and of course throughout India.

-Janet Johnson, West Midlands, UK

Have you ever felt sad enough to seek to acquire happiness desperately? At the point of feeling isolated and lonely, do you constantly check your phone, searching and scrolling mindlessly through social media, to look for something or someone to connect to? In these circumstances, perhaps you reach out to food, or simply exhaust yourself at work in order to buy something bigger and better – something to fill the hole in your life. The effort means you hardly get to see your family or real-world friends, leaving you even more disconnected.

Feeling unloved and deeply unhappy can lead to so many other manifestations.  Some people find themselves in repetitively bad relationships which offer only false validation. Others develop a dependency on alcohol, without which they cannot stabilise themselves.  The problem being that the chemical addiction holds only temporary relief, and actually perpetuates a constant swing between feeling overwhelmed and completely empty. 

As a matter of fact, when enough stress and pressure is applied, many people engage in activities that leave them emotionally imprisoned.  Seduced by the hope that these passing supports will lead to something better, we lock the gate to our prison with our very own hands! The modern-day pursuit of happiness leaves us more lacking and hungry than we began.  Fleeting moments of pleasure quickly turn to more dissatisfaction.

Instead of questioning as to why these efforts only yield brief moments of joy, people strive even harder. Maybe just another pair of sports shoes, jewellery or a new watch will make things better? Perhaps more money spent on luxury items that carry the promise of comfort, will help with rest and sleep?  Maybe what is needed is more time creating virtual connections on the smartphone – surely a few more friends and likes will ease the hurt?  People more ruthlessly lose themselves in the identity of brands and become desperately disconnected from the identity of self.  In seeking to ease the pain people begin to spend more time with possessions, less time with others, and hardly any time with themselves. 

When we try to repair a problem with the same process that created it, the problem only becomes more ingrained.  Doing the same things as before, with more passion and yet more expectation, leads to the same outcomes.  Only temporary gratification is felt, whilst purpose and meaning becomes more elusive.  Quite frankly, the person is caught in the grip of habits.  It is known that the same neurological mechanisms are activated, whether we rely on alcohol to cope, or fall back on habitual patterns of relating and behaving. We become vulnerable to acting in ways that are detrimental to our sense of self. Brain circuits associated with addiction and primal reward system become active, closing in on a person at both at the biological and the emotional level of influence. It seems there can be no escape!

But there is a way out.  We have to address the root of the problem.  The fluctuations people feel between approval and affirmation, sadness and joy, fulfillment and emptiness are all a response to deep seated insecurities.  There may be shame, guilt or a struggle with life-long trauma.  Something has got in the way of our connection to self, and in so doing we have become disconnected from others. Such distraction and confusion serves to help in the avoidance of pain – a defence if you like, through material pleasures.  People are actually crying out for something to make them feel whole again. It is this need for wholeness, which must be satisfied. 

A focus on the healing power of spirit, is the solution.  Everything else comes and goes, being subject to birth and death.  Only the spiritual self is immortal, everlasting, and enduring.  This spiritual self has the capacity to absorb all pain and hurt, and transmute it into strength, courage and resilience.  Psychotherapies may use different terms for it, but essentially the human connection that is forged in a therapeutic relationship is a reflection of the divine.  I am not suggesting Psychotherapists are supernatural, god-like beings!  Not at all – they are as human as anyone else.  But the trust, kindness, unconditional regard, attentive listening and non-judgmental approach approximates a certain divinity, in which we can see ourselves more clearly.

There are many parallels between spirituality and psychotherapy. Both help us see that pain in itself is also neither good or bad, but it is how we think about the pain, and how we subsequently deal with it, which makes the difference in our lives.  Both traditions encourage us to see that there may be many situations that we have no control over, but we should never allow them to define who we are. We are more than our experience, and much more than what happens to us.  Observing what is happening or has happened, without becoming engrossed within it, is the key out of imprisonment. When we reach an observer perspective, choices open up to us – we may choose how we wish to feel, in any set of given circumstances.

Psychotherapy, like Spirituality, is a profoundly human affair.  When we are most deeply human, we are most deeply divine.  Mata ji, my Spiritual Teacher, taught me that one of the harshest things a person can do to themselves is to deny themselves the opportunity to be human.

All that we feel, even that which we may be ashamed of or wish to deny, is part of the human experience. These feelings serve a purpose.  They offer us a clue to something that must be addressed within, rather than without.  When we need courage, the universe presents us with opportunities to be courageous.  When we need love, we are given opportunities to love others or indeed, love ourselves.

Facing up to our deepest hurts is uncomfortable, but real growth is something that occurs outside the comfort zones we make for ourselves. Unlike the medial portrayal, happiness is not something to be found, but rather to be created within and amongst the struggles and pains of life. In so doing, we turn on the light, which necessarily pushes the darkness away.

I once heard Rapper Kayne West’s lyrics that the lottery ticket is just to tease us. Indeed, materialistic desires only taunt us with the idea of fulfilment. Instead of leaving our happiness in the hands of temporal achievements and external devices, let us offer love to those innermost places of ourselves that have too long been left unloved, and lend dialogue to the places within that have hitherto been mute and unspeaking.  Let us allow the humanness within, the spirit that animates life, to move us in ways we could never imagine.

Babaji, and now Mataji, help me see that lasting bliss is beyond the senses. It is beyond intellect and thought.  It is realised when we become totally and wholly aware of who and what we really are. In connecting to this source, we begin a process of healing. When this process starts, we are never really the same again.

                                                                                   – Harishta Kaur, Huddersfield, UK

This above all; to thine own self be true.

-William Shakespeare

Being true to oneself is the most important decision any person can make in life.  Letting others down isn’t something to be relished, but you should learn to see this as a subjective and changeable ‘relational transaction’.  In the currency of relationships, such profits and losses come and go.  I have learned that the disappointment others feel often says more about them and their expectations, than it does about you. Further, it’s not always possible, let alone desirable, to meet up to everyone’s expectations, hopes and wishes. 

Should you fall in your own eyes or feel diminished within your own estimation, however, more serious contemplation is called for.  When you aren’t measuring up to your own yardstick for success, fulfillment or personal standards you should consider why this is so, and seek to make adjustments as soon as possible.  After all, there is only one of ‘you’, and you have to spend your whole life with that person!  Maintaining that relationship is fundamental to your own peace of mind.

But it isn’t so simple.  No person is an isolated island.  The rules for living that you ascribe to, have not been written by your own hand.  Rather, they are laws and edicts that have been passed down from those who have cared for you, taught and raised you.  They are the tablets that society has prepared for you.  School, family, religion – these institutions have always had power over you, sometimes for better or worse.  Too often, you have been taught to follow the collective, and may even have been shunned or punished for thinking as an individual, or looking at things from a different perspective.

Giving up on your inner voice, having been pushed to doubt it, you have whole programs that have simply been streamed into your psyche.  The wider world has not offered anything more wholesome either – the personal truths that you guard and work to protect, have often been absorbed subliminally from the media that surrounds you, drenching you with its colour and hue. What is fashionable, where to travel to, which groups of society to accept and which to reject – all of these choices come pre-loaded, unless you develop a discerning mind.

So how do you know your own mind?  When you resolve to feel something, think a certain way or perform any particular action, who directs this?  Is it you, or a version of you?  Is it the script that has been handed to you, or one that you have forged with your own hand?  In truth, you will never really be sure.  The mind is the sum total of your experience, having vacuumed all manner of ideas and habits through the sense organs that serve it.  And this process has taken place not just in this lifetime, but over generations of your being here.  You are not just a part of history, but a container of it too.

In so much confusion, drowning in thoughts and sensations that push you around like a ship in stormy seas, it becomes important to find stability. Either the shore needs to be in sight, or a heavy anchor needs to be dropped, just to hold you still. Perhaps this is why people in unprecedented numbers are reaching for meditative retreats, yoga classes, mindfulness groups and psychological therapies.  Others look towards places of worship, gurus or scriptural writings.  Through all these devices, the hope is to find respite, to regroup and realign.  In short, to reestablish a sense of personhood – to feel grounded and collected within. There is the risk that you open yourself up to another group that seeks to tell you what to think, and how to be – but when you find a place that truly empowers and unshackles you, trust the informing light of your heart and soul.

And it is then, that the ‘real you’ can begin to surface.  Its hallmarks are a more expansive mind, the willingness to embrace multiple possibilities, rather than singular truths, and greater acceptance of yourself, aswell as those around you. In this worldview, there is no adherence to prejudice – you find goodness in a person, regardless of their socio-political status or religiosity, and won’t be surprised or repulsed if human fallibility rears its head from time to time.  Because all people, even criminals, have some goodness hidden within them, and all who consider themselves saintly, have some shortcomings that surface eventually. The real you is capable of tolerance, offering the benefit of doubt, encouraging the best potential within others and where needed, sending out forgiveness too.

I did not come across the real me, until I found a mentor who was generous enough to take me beyond space and time, to that which endures.  Like a mirror reflecting all that stands before it, the deeper I looked, the more I saw of me! Delving deeper still, I saw the boundaries between ‘me’ and ‘you’ dissolve which brought a profound state of calm, joy and peace. It was like the melting that takes place when you gaze at the setting sun in a crimson sky, only more overwhelming.

With practice at spending time with the real me, I began to realise that it was never about what you do, but how you do it; not about what you accumulate, but how you feel (and make others feel) in the process; not about getting somewhere, but becoming aware of where you stand here and now; not having more, but being more; not fighting with others, but leaning towards love; not correcting those around you, but challenging yourself to be better. 

It may feel I have exchanged my prior set of conditioning for the new.  An update to my old program, if you like.  But there is a vitality and vibrancy that comes with this real me, which is unmistakably authentic.  Without the push or pull of rejecting or wanting, I am that I am.  From this vantage point, I respond, rather than react.  The real me holds the pen, and authors the story that unfolds, offering a natural approach to people and circumstances leaving me free of regret, and creating space for contentment to flow.

This isn’t to say I am perfect, or never make mistakes – only that I do not do so knowingly. Past learning is never erased, with old instincts and mental impressions taking charge of the script again, should awareness slip. The ill-intentioned may also grasp at the reigns of your soul, seeking to take mastery over you once more.  But you can overcome these hazards, by re-focusing on the real, thus returning to awareness. My mentor taught me how to do this, through simran – a powerful modality, in which the dust of conditioning (both old and new) is blown away, so that purity may shine through.  The real me, and the real you is truly luminous.  It works through wholesome intentions.  With this as the guiding principle, you cannot help but leave the world in a better way than you found it.  Now that seems to be a worthy use of the life that has been gifted…to you and to me.

-Dr Bobby Sura
Solihull, UK

Satguru, the true master and a teacher unlike any other, is the key focus for a seeker of Truth. Satguru is not just the source of pearls of wisdom and the fountain of utterances of profound meaning, but the very support for the millions of faithful. Whilst Satguru is the Master, the uncontrollable mind has to become the servant. 

As the Satguru is more than mere words, the need for a seeker to go beyond the recital of his or her words is a must. The Satguru does not only give discourses but lives by each and every holy word. If you follow Satguru’s words in your life then your life will not be far from the life he or she lives. After all, Satguru’s words are a direct reflection of his/her own divine character and majestic way of living, untouched by the polluted world. 

Whenever life throws us in a difficult situation, our thought should turn to what the Satguru would do in this situation. If you keep this question in your mind, you will soon be following the very path of the Satguru, who is not confined to history, but lives contemporarily. It is Satguru who shares the Knowledge God, the Gyan, like pearls on a thread. Satguru, cannot be confined or restricted; Satguru is the cause of liberation, which is total and complete. For how can liberation be incomplete? 

There has always been, on this earth, a Satguru, who gives a resounding clarion call to all, irrespective of their background, culture or any other social denomination. This call or message is quite simple. Whenever and wherever there is chaos and confusion, the Lord sends his special messenger – a Satguru – to guide humanity to tread the path of divinity. The Bhagavad Gita echoes this: ‘Arjuna, wherever righteousness has fallen and unrighteousness has ascended, there I myself come to save righteousness’. 

It is through the jurisdiction of the Satguru that the Spirit of God is unfolded amongst all. As it is said in the Bible, ‘Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’. Buddhist texts also speak of how the Buddha comes to earth to save humanity from illusion. The essence of the Satguru is never born, and it never ages. Words are not enough to convey the multi-faceted glory of Satguru. 

However, if I were to be asked for a single, definitive hallmark, it would have to be that Satguru, the True Master, is the one who introduces us to the Formless, All-pervading, undying-power that some people call God! 

– David Hawkes, Wednesbury, UK

“Why should I say sorry?  He/she started it!” My mother was used to hearing this when my brother and I were very young.  Mum wasn’t interested in who started what and just wanted peace and for us to stop quarrelling.  Of course, justice and fairness did not seem to count and my brother and I would have to make up and start talking to one another to stop Mum from becoming further upset. 

Recently I observed my two-and-a-half-year-old being bossed around by an older friend of his, who was shouting at him as to which toys he could and could not play with.  Later that day, I asked my son about the way he was spoken to and whether he would like to play with this friend again.   He thought about it and then said: “No, mummy, he was being horrible to me.”  Remembering my own childhood, I tried to console him and told him that it was his responsibility to show his friend how to be nice.  My thinking was that the sooner he picks this up the better.

We often take our opinions on fairness and justice into adulthood and focus on how people ought to treat us and how they ought to speak to us.  The moment someone talks down to us, disrespects our views or tries to attack the ego, we shut them out and protect ourselves with a mental wall which has a huge red sign painted outside of it saying: “Warning!  This person is dangerous!” or “Warning!  This person can’t be trusted!”  

Many of us have learnt the age-old maxim; ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated’ and many of us live with the principle that if I am doing good to someone, I expect good back from them and the moment we don’t receive goodness in return, we ditch the maxim and give as good as we get, which is not always very nice.

Perhaps our parents’ teaching of “it doesn’t matter who is right or wrong, be nice anyway” was long forgotten or perhaps we get used to life experiences and we think we know better in the real world where we are faced with the challenges within work, studies or other relationships.  Or perhaps the ego has grown so big that it now demands to be respected no matter what!

I always observe that it’s easier to become a bridge or a mediator to bridge the gap between others when it doesn’t involve you.  However, when you are faced with the challenge and it directly concerns you, it’s an entirely different story.  When faced with criticism, misunderstandings or someone’s ego, are we able to become a bridge?  Is it easy to become the peace-maker, the mediator for our self? 

Taking inspiration from fascinating Spiritual Gurus (Satgurus) from various times, they all had something in common.  They were able to do the unthinkable and unimaginable.  They were able to continue treating another the way that they wanted to be treated irrespective of the treatment they were receiving in return.  Look at Lord Buddha who was calm in the face of adversity and remained kind to the one who hurled abuse at him.  Similarly, Guru Amar Dass ji, the third Sikh Guru, was compassionate towards the person who kicked him in his back.  Instead of anger and retaliation, he lovingly asked the man if his foot was not hurt in the process of kicking his hard bones.  In Christianity, Lord Jesus Christ asked God to forgive those who had misunderstood his teachings and who were responsible for his crucifixion.  Similarly, Satguru Baba Hardev Singh ji Maharaj guided all to forgive those responsible for assassinating his Satguru and father, Baba Gurbachan Singh ji.

Spiritual Masters have always stood out amongst the rest because of their compassionate, forgiving and loving nature.  Their purpose was to inspire us to live the same way, as it was the only way to break walls of hatred and to keep bridges maintained.  Where did their strength for such noble divine attributes come from and why were they motivated towards building bridges?  Their inspiration came from the source of eternal unconditional love and compassion.  Their inspiration came from that which unites us all; God or Formless Nirankar.

Being the torch bearers of Enlightenment, the Satgurus awakened man through Self-Realisation/God-Realisation – the Gyan.  This Awakening in turn, revealed the eternal thread that binds all of us and that we are all part and parcel of the same Divine Energy; our souls are part of the same One Super-soul and we are creation of the same Creator.  Being aware of this One Almighty Entity, we then begin to see ourselves in others. 

The Gyan (God-realisation) peels away the external layers of the ‘fake identity’ i.e. the colour, faith group, profession, family relation, personality etc.  Instead, focus is on the ‘real identity’ which is the Formless One that resides within us all.  The maxim, ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated’ not only makes sense but becomes effortless because we are actually treating not another but ‘our self’.  By keeping the light of Gyan alight and living in self-awareness, we automatically become bridges in all situations whether those situations involve us or not.

After receiving the Gyan, I can happily state that whenever I am one with the Supreme Bridge and connected to the Universal Connector, it’s far easier to become a bridge and to allow potential walls to fall.  I pray that I remain living in Awareness so that my life can be of use to a world which needs bridges more than ever before.

– Sangeeta Tutt

We spend our whole life making decisions. We think long and hard about some of them, but how much time do we spend thinking about how we make decisions that we do and whether we really are in control?
– Casper Berry. 

Have you ever thought about why we hold ourselves back from taking action on things we know will be good for us? Many of us have not even taken the time to think about this. We can be so busy just doing, we forget to reflect on our decisions. For example, the actions can be to eat better, exercise, and walk in nature. Too often we do not want to take these actions. We experience negative self-talk convincing us of the reasons why we should not take action. Next time you are going through this experience, think to yourself, I am quick to take action on the things that do not serve me. Why is this? 

Maybe because they are readily available. We find it easier to take action on things we are used to doing.  This is part of being in your comfort zone. If you want to create change, you have to break out of doing things that bring you comfort. In order to grow, you have to be committed to changing your mindset. Take each day as it comes and make it your goal to become more and more aware each and every day. 

This can be a scary experience. When I was first presented with the opportunity to live and work abroad in the Czech Republic, I did not think about it in such vast detail, as I know I could have thought my way out of such an opportunity. I could have let my thoughts and fears override my mind and stop me from taking action. I stepped out of my comfort zone in such a huge way. When you take massive action, there is so much opportunity for growth. Sometimes you just have to step out of what is familiar to you and change your environment and everything that you are used to. This is where you grow. 

I have learnt so much about myself. If I did not take action on this decision, I would still be stuck. I would have kept myself from experiencing new things. I got to face new challenges that I would not have faced if I had not made the move. When you travel and witness how other people live differently from how you live, you realise that there is no such thing as “normal.” Too often in society, we are told that we have to be normal or we are being abnormal. The truth is, as humans, we all have our own definition of what normal is. Society and the media have their definition, and they expect us to live up to their idea of normality. It is time to step into who you truly are. 

The world is waiting for the gifts you have within you to share. Be your unique self. Do not live to please society or anyone else. If you do this, you will be neglecting your true self. We live in a world that is always trying to tell us who we are, always trying to change and conform us. You will discover that it is liberating to be your unique self and stand fully in the expression of who you truly are. 

Who are you holding yourself back from becoming? Often, we are fearful of what we can become when we achieve. The quote from Marianne Williamson extracted from her book, ‘A Return to Love’ comes to mind; 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us 

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. 

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. 

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. 

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

The universe is invested in your enlightenment and your ability to become the best version of yourself. Live your life on purpose with meaning and empowering others. Next time you see that you are holding yourself back from taking a positive action, remember to reframe and rethink. Do you want to stay stuck and experience the same things you are used to, or do you want to grow and spread your wings and experience more in your life? 

The choice is yours. Once you become consciously aware of the decisions you are making, you can decide what action steps you wish to take. Ask yourself, will this action step inspire me to become more, or will it hold you back? 

Katrina Calvin 

We don’t do it enough, but what is essential

Is to think about our Highest Human Potential

For when this short life comes to its end

What will the world remember you for, my friend?

Your job, your house, bank balance or clothes…

You won’t be remembered for any of those

What did you do, how did you make others feel?

What did you give back? That’s the big deal

If you came, you lived then you went – so what!

Did you leave a mark… or just left a blot?

Those who are on histories’ pages

Are the ones who gave like saints and sages

Those who made the world a better place

Of the billions, we recognise only their face

They did not waste a second, they came first

Such was their drive, such was their thirst

They knew that life could be gone in a breath

That nothing can be achieved after death

So they worked in the moment, lived in the now

They just did and kept doing, did not wonder how.

We too have one life and if we waste it with vices

Then hate breeds hate, we’ll be left in a crisis

Wars and terror and lives full of fear

Happiness cannot come from all of this dear.

Give human values, ‘humanness’ back to all

Build bridges says my Master, don’t build a wall.

Those who live for others, they have love in their hearts

Where our thinking ends, that is where theirs starts

Let’s reach our true potential, let’s start today.

Who knows if we’ll live to be old and grey

Let’s wear a smile and let’s see all as One

Embrace the world then the journey has begun.

See the beauty in every creation He made

He controls each moment, so why be afraid?

Worry not, for He will always provide…

The King and the pawn are put back side by side

We’ll all have to go, but it’s about how we went

The time that was given, how was it really spent?

What use is the Sun, if the curtains are drawn?

What use is our life if we did nothing, once born?

Each day gone by, reminds me for sure

It’s another day wasted, I should have done more

Love, Live, Laugh… know who you are

Know the One Formless, who is Nirankar

The only One to know, is the Only essential

Who helps us unlock our Highest Human Potential

                                                           – Sudhir Kundi, London