In the world of madness I need someone to translate disharmony to harmony. Although we speak the same language, we still fail to understand each other. It seems as if we spend more time trying to be understood than to understand. For me this is sheer madness.  

Being harmonious is realising that there is one common flow in everything. It is this flow that animates elements and planets in their glorious splendour. This flow crowns the animal kingdom and the realm of plants in majestic balance. It leaves man as the sole creature, who is unable to live with his environment and ultimately with his own conscience. After having their fill, whilst other creatures rest in the shade, man is still running around franticly night and day trying to bloat his ego.

In this age of explosive globalisation, kindness and compassion are the first things that are ditched. With instant technological communication at our finger tips, many still feel out of touch with themselves. Although the internet enables us to access millions of pages of information and knowledge, sadly all this knowledge does nothing to eliminate ignorance which fuels the fire of hatred. We never witness the branches of a tree fighting amongst themselves. This is because the branches can see that they are part of the same tree. Similarly, disputes only occur because man does not see the Power that holds creation in place.

As the world population surges, people are geographically pushed closer and closer together, but the hearts and minds are moving further and further apart. We now live in a global village but still carry tribal mentalities. Today’s state of affairs is reflected in the words of Confucius:

“Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star”

There is enough moonlight on a clear night for a traveller to see the difference between the road and the pavement, but in pitch darkness only darkness can be found. There are tremendous unthinkable tensions between countries, communities and cultures rooted in historical wars and feuds lasting generations. This is the pitch darkness engulfing humanity, where man cannot even recognise man. Any existing relationship of coexistence and co-operation evaporates at the first sign of distrust and discord.

As long as our relationship is defined and determined by our differences we will empower those who sow hatred rather than harmony; those who promote conflict, not peace; and those who bring suffering, not hope.

But if we define our relationship based on our mutual bond, not by our borders or ethnicity; by our mutual understanding and respect, and hold tolerance and dignity of all human beings as paramount, then it can be said there is real progress. We move forward only if we move together. We can only move together if we follow what His Holiness Nirankari Baba often reminded us of;

“Separate ourselves from that which separates us from others”.

This does not mean that we forego that which makes us different. Instead, we must first embrace that which has made us the same! We are all human beings made of the same elements and we are all intrinsically linked to one another. This relationship happens only when a real sustained effort is made to listen to each other, and to learn from each other, to seek a ‘common ground’.

The understanding that we share is not European, American or African, but human. This mutual link is more powerful than any other material force or personal ambition. It is to realise that the power of love is greater than the love for power.

With harmony comes an undeniable sense of freedom, which is deeply rooted in the fabric of human nature. But the manner through which man seeks that freedom and happiness often becomes the cause of self-inflicting plight. Therefore, as Martin Luther King aptly says:

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking
from the cup of bitterness and hatred”

Those who are in harmony, experience freedom and they can set others free. Where there is harmony there is appreciation, joy, a feeling of liberty and sense of satisfaction. Where there is discord there is a feeling of distress and disturbance. Human beings are strangled by wanton selfish desire and crippled by pernicious bigotry. 

Although we share the same water from the same rivers, food from the same earth and breathe the same air, we struggle to share thoughts and words in harmony. We often quickly detest anyone who challenges us, never thinking that it is these precise moments that allow us to surpass our self-imposed limits. Man dwells in huge mansions, yet expects his Maker to dwell in his small mind.

Sallust, a Roman historian on this very point states:

“Harmony makes small things grow, but the lack of it makes great things decay”

Harmony is the seed of happiness which yields the fruit of peace. Those who attain this are revered throughout the annals of history. Those who caused great devastation and discord are now only remembered as demonic monsters. Those who remain true to their own humanity are like roses living amongst thorns. They still give fragrance not only to the admiring passers-by, but also to the very thorns that spike them. Despite the spite, true harmony blossoms.

-Surjit Dhami

I ask that you become a human. Who is human?

To be human

Is to live a life

To be human

Is to live a life

To be human: is a simple concept

Live, love, learn, and give

The simplest concept, from the mind is easily erased

A life of wealth, progression, success we have embraced

All our lives, the wrong things we have chased

Because a life without love, is life gone to waste

So I say love,

Because that is the most human thing you can do,

Because what the world worries about is gross revenue,

Because that mindset is what we must undo,

Because love is the purest goal to pursue.

To be human

Is to live a life

To be human

Is to live a life

And I say learn,

Because knowledge is part of being a human

By using that knowledge we grow more human

Educate yourself to enable insight

Enabled insight enables the soul to excite:

Excite spirituality, excite individuality,

Enlighten the mind, enlighten the generation

I was a human

I lived a life

I am human

I am living

– Saurabh Chowdry, Toronto

T

The one who bears God’s name in mind is the

one who will never fall.

Even when up against all odds

he remains ready and always tall.

Even when negativity testifies

that every moment will truncate,

he will always rise and awake

to the opening of the Master’s gate.

All of his questions will be answered

and his worries, obsolete.

All of his pains will have ended

even when the outlook seems bleak.

For he bears God’s name in mind

And lets the truth speak.

From this world of shattered glass

to the highest of soaring peaks…

…he takes the Master’s gracious hand

  leaving behind a state of agony,

and enters into the truth sublime

as the Master listens to this plea.

In return is nothing asked

to quench a thirst so great,

the Lord lowers His embracing flask

from which to drink and take…

…the knowledge that ends all feuds of time

for no second is left to spare.

Heed to this one moment

and handle it with care.

Get up and go forth,

remember Him in every instance.

Be truly mesmerized

within His sheer brilliance

So precious in itself,

that victory now cannot hide,

from the one who bears God’s name in mind

in the heavenly abode resides.

– Raman Chauhan | Victoria, British Columbia(Canada)

Adversity is the true test of our faith. God brings different types of experiences and circumstance into our life so that we may learn valuable lessons from them. The most important thing adversity can do for us is to bring us to a higher level of thinking and understanding as we pass through each test of faith, or lesson. These lessons have the ability to change our perception of the world around us and strengthen our relationship with God. However, we must be willing to acknowledge that the adversity we are going through will bring something positive into our life. When we are faced with adversity, there are two very clear choices. First, do we become negative, hostile, question God’s will, and even forsake God’s company? Or the other choice we have is to remain positive, calm, loving, compassionate, and continue to remember God. The Bible says, “if thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10). What good is our faith if it is never tested or has never stood the true test of a storm?

The easiest thing in the world is to live life without any challenges, but this would probably lead to nothing of significance being achieved in our lives. The most remarkable thing in the world is to live with the challenges, the ups and downs, without breaking your spirit.

The most incredible people in the world are those who have experienced the test of faith over and over again in different forms but have remained constant in their faithfulness. Spiritual growth begins the moment we go from one test of faith to the next unruffled in our state of mind and being.

Even a kite rises higher against the wind and not with it – I believe this to be true even for human beings and spiritual growth. Just like a tree that is deeply rooted can sustain a storm, so is the life of a person of faith. Our roots need to be planted so firmly that we remain positive and unshaken by adversity.

We learn some of life’s most important lessons through difficult experiences and times. Herodotus, a Greek philosopher, said, “adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a person that would have lain dormant in its absence.” What is meant by this quote is, when we are able to respond positively to adversity, characteristics of strength and courage come to surface and remain with us. It is only then we are able to remain like the lotus flower, which is considered to one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. It is not considered beautiful because of its colors but rather it’s quality to bloom beautifully inspite of the muddy water beneath it. Can we still bloom beautifully despite the challenges of life? His Holiness Nirankari Baba often said, devotees should live like flowers and spread fragrance even in adverse situations and the fragrance of spirituality must remain present always.

In the end, for spiritual growth to occur our faith must be tested over and over again, from one phase of life to the next. A student can only move from one grade to the next, as he or she successfully completes the tests administered by the examination board. This is important to determine what the student has learned, where there is need for improvement, and sometimes to make the student reflect on his or her own learning.

If we pass these tests of faith, standing tall in the face of adverse circumstances, the experiences will bring us to a place of higher understanding and awareness.  There will be self-reflection and growth, wherever it is needed. His Holiness has often emphasized the importance of Saints and Prophets, who delivered such sublime teachings of truth, love, faith and humanity. However, these messages are easily lost and forgotten in times of adversity. The recent mass exodus from Syria and other war torn parts of the world do bring tensions and financial strain on countries who harbor the refugees and victims – however, these are tests for our wider communities, governments and for each of us as individual citizens. From a humanitarian point of view, human values decline when the message of love and oneness is forgotten. Rather, His Holiness has always reminded us of these valuable precepts so that we may live in peace and harmony within, and with others, even during adverse times.

– Rajvir L. Raheja (Seattle)

When I attend the Centre for Oneness at Leicester on both Friday and Sunday, I immediately feel the warmth and love that surrounds me. I am an only child, but now I have many brothers and sisters, all very beautiful and loving souls. I pray to Nirankar to guide me as to what he wants of me. About a year ago, having started writing a book with the title ‘ My long path to Divine Enlightenment and Cosmic Consciousness’ I was having difficulties with understanding the nature of the soul.  

I looked up many references, but could not find a satisfactory answer. Then one day, late in February, at my colleague’s bookshop in Leicester, I met a gentleman, who appeared to be of Sikh background. My colleague and I had both come back from Leicester University, where we work as research fellows. My colleague introduced me to the gentleman and mentioned my book.  As I outlined my writings, I also expressed my block regards the nature of the soul. He said that he would bring in some books the following week for me to read, which, true to his word, he did. At the same time he invited me to attend an event on the theme ‘Know Thy Selfie’ at the Sant Nirankari Mission in Birmingham on the 13th March 2016. This was a very moving and beautiful experience for me. So much so that on the way back, I started creating a poem in my head, just to put into words what I had felt. When I got home, I wrote it all down. 

A few weeks later, I was introduced to a gentleman who came from Birmingham to share the priceless gift of Gyan (Knowledge of the Formless). After that Gyan moment, as each day, week and each month passes by, I feel my connection with the Formless growing stronger. This experience has now enabled me to make progress with my book, which I hope to complete shortly. I have arrived at a deeply beautiful understanding as to the nature of the soul.

After the Gyan experience, I am now reading the Avtar Bani, which contains the scriptural writings of the second in the lineage of Nirankari Guru’s, His Holiness Baba Avtar Singh Ji. I am amazed at how it coincides with my academic research into the Big Bang theory. I do not believe all of this matter which makes up the whole cosmos came from nowhere. However, I believe I have found a solution which overcomes this problem.  I will now be integrating within my treatise, many paragraphs from the Avtar Bani. From a scientific research perspective this will enhance the fact that Nirankar is in every aspect of the Universe. As a professor, I have incorporated the Gyan in my work life and also in my family life.

A few weeks ago, my son phoned me up, at 23:00hrs to say his partner was taken into hospital with breathing difficulties. After we had spoken, I immediately prayed to Nirankar to help her as I was worried that it could be pneumonia or possibly something more serious. In a few days she had recovered. The Formless dwells in every particle and supports the entire cosmos.

Last Friday on getting back from the Centre for Oneness, my son phoned up to ask If I had received a small parcel from him, which I had found when I arrived back. It was for Father’s Day. We then had a further talk, during which he asked me about my session at the Centre for Oneness.

I was amazed when he described his feelings, which included an affinity with the teachings of the ‘Gurbani’ (the writings of the Gurus), as also the knowledge and the importance of the company of the enlightened ‘Satsang’. After listening to his views, I said,

“Jason you are a Nirankari”. I look forward to introducing him to the Mission in Hayes, when I see him in the next two weeks. He lives near to Dorking. I know this is all part of Nirankar’s plan for me, and, as it appears, for my son, Jason.

I must say that Nirankar moves in mysterious ways. With the Gyan, I have now found what I spent a long time searching for. I see that the salvation for this very troubled and damaged world can be achieved through the auspices of the Sant Nirankari Mission.

          –  Prof. Kenneth Leicester

‘There is light at the end of the tunnel’…‘every grey cloud has a silver lining’…‘don’t lose your faith now’. Ever heard these phrases when you’re going through hardships in life? I have, and often when I hear these words I think ‘really?’, ‘do they even understand the extent of my misfortunes?’

Well the fact is that every living human being has experienced periods of adversity, and the challenge lies in knowing as to which coping mechanisms we use to return to the state of happiness.

When we go through hard times, naturally we ask the question ‘if God exists then why does he make me endure this pain?’ It seems like a perfectly plausible question, given the likely difficult circumstances that lead us to ask it! So where does God and faith come into this? A well-known American academic, John Bytheway, once quoted:

“If our testimonies are strong on this point and if we feel the absolute assurance that God loves us, we will change our questions. We won’t ask, ‘Why did this happen?’ or ‘Why doesn’t God care about me?’ Instead, our questions will become, ‘What can I learn from this experience?’ or ‘How does the Lord want me to handle this?”

Often adverse times put us in negative states of mind so consequently we start to question our faith in God. However, if we try to think from a positive frame of mind, when we are facing difficulties, we often remember God. Yes, it’s true that we may be questioning why he would allow this to happen to us, however, the fact is that he makes us question life and more importantly question who is in control of it.

In that time period, he shifts our focus and energy solely to him. So could this be why God brings adversity into our lives? Does he want us to speak to him and question his purpose? These thoughts are echoed by philosopher, Charles C. West, who said,

“We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them.”

Looking into my own life, my darkest times of despair were the times in which I spoke to God, because I wanted to know that there was someone who cares enough to hold my hand through the turbulence. Without adversity, the relationship I initiated with God would not have flourished, as I would never have questioned his purpose in my life. I now know that he doesn’t want to see me in despair, but rather he sends me challenges to test my faith in his love and care.

If we take the example of a person who has become complacent in his job as a sales clerk, he feels he has learnt everything there is to know about his job and lacks motivation to move to the next ranking within his role. His manager may offer an incentive to motivate him to ‘keep moving’ toward his goal of success, without which he may remain stagnant. Similarly, sometimes we can become complacent in our relationship with God and feel we have learnt all we need to know to live a life according to his wishes. However, adversity comes as an incentive to encourage us to keep moving forward in our quest for spiritual enlightenment. These golden opportunities, which we tend to see as burdens and misfortunes, allow us to let God into our lives and reveal his unconditional love and care.

When we become open to his love, we begin to understand that in life’s many turbulent times, we are not in control; God is the controller. We exist to learn and every student needs a teacher who can guide them through challenging circumstances. But a student who does not believe in their teacher, and lacks faith, will not succeed in class. He will not ask for guidance, or simply fail to take it on board. Instead he’ll probably flunk his year and blame the teacher (or the school) for many of his own shortcomings.  More damagingly, he might carry on doing this throughout life, consequently leading to a lack of responsibility, and a life swamped in negativity. It is the same as not having faith in God after being introduced to him. Without faith, we may continue to blame him for any mishaps in our life, rather than realising that these mishaps are a lesson for personal growth. If we have faith that God is our Father and that he will only give us difficult times to make us appreciate the overwhelming ‘good’ that we have in our lives, then we have a good chance at a more content, blissful life.

The Avtar Bani, verse 59, ever reminds us:

“Avtar Says, he is ever grateful to God under all circumstances”

A spiritual teacher shows us that to live a contented life, we must be thankful to our Father, irrespective of the state we find ourselves in at any one time. We have all witnessed that adversity is inevitable, but if we can learn to accept that it is a blessing in disguise and thank God for bringing us closer to him through these times, we can be more positive in our approach to life!

John Aughey, a famous author, once said,

“God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them”

Let us be open to his love through times of adversity so we can appreciate the beautiful life he has blessed us with.

Meenakshi Kanda, Bradford, UK

I heard so much about the Gyan.  Whatever I heard was beautiful and wonderful. Whenever people have expressed their experience of it, they have done so eloquently and clearly. Yet, as I prepared myself to receive the Gyan, I had some misconceptions as to what it might be. Even before I asked for the Gyan, I sat with someone else who had it and enquired how they found it? I was building in my mind a concept of what it was going to be. It led to certain preconceived ideas, which did not help me.

The Gyan is completely different to anything that can be described in words.  It literally blows your mind! I can’t put it into sweet flowery language. This is very difficult, and now I understand why people don’t talk about it for a long time after receiving it. What I can say, is there was no earth shattering light. Yet it was deeply profound, because it was so very, very, very, simple!

When the enlightened being infront of me warmed up the context for the Gyan, it was like a chat. He talked about five pledges, which I was more than happy to accept, even though they overwhelmed me with the wisdom they contained. I was tearful for a while. Then, I received something of a science lesson – just through more chatting. I kept thinking ‘when is it going to start? When is this Gyan going to happen?’. I wondered if I would just get some sort of plan of action, or a ritual to follow. And then, bang! There it was out of the blue, and it shocked me through its simplicity. I actually felt ‘wow, wow!’.

I think having Gyan is so different for every single individual person, because we each need a different thing from it. We get what we need and what I needed was a slap in the face! I think what I needed was that shock – that sudden realisation. That’s just what I got. I am not a religious person in any shape or form. I love Churches, because they are such beautiful buildings, but I have difficulty with the rituals behind organised worship and religion.  The words spoken in places of worship tend to focus on objects, things and forms. What I found with Gyan, was uniquely inspiring. It pointed to what is, and yet can’t be seen. There is no form to the Gyan, and this helped me to understand what people mean when they say God is all around. I understand it now, but did not understand before.  Prior to Gyan, it was just a set of words without meaning.

When it is said ‘God is in everyone, you are God and you carry God with you’, I understand it now. Each person needs to realise it for themselves. Now I really feel God to be everywhere. He is within me, and around me. I never imagined I would ever say those words, because whenever I heard other people saying such things, I thought they were weird! But now I understand, and all I have to say, is ‘Thank you’.

Maggie Fletcher, Cannock

To value time is to value life. A student, looking at the ticking clock during her final exam, with a list of queries still to be resolved, knows the value of time. A pregnant woman who has gone beyond her delivery date, realises the repercussions of the unborn child staying in the womb any longer than required. A falsely accused prisoner, clinging on to the last few breaths of life, knows the value of the moments they have lost with their family and friends. Yet, ordinarily one fails to value time. Such is life.

How can we learn to give proper significance to the fleeting phenomenon of time? Introspection is definitely an integral process in achieving this skill.  Reflecting within helps us acknowledge what is really worthwhile in life, and what is, in fact, futile.

What is first and foremost is our physical well-being. We owe it to ourselves to take the necessary time to take good care of this physical frame of ours. After all, a healthy body is a prerequisite for a sound mind. For instance, a person battling against an illness gets so consumed with the ailment itself that he finds it difficult to devote time to other important aspects of life. Not only that, the ailing person knowingly or unknowingly ends up depending on others, whether they are health professionals, friends or relatives. Maintaining a healthy physical body is a great personal responsibility.

Next, we need to spend time with our loved ones, without succumbing to the 21^st Century fallacy that love and affection for those who are near and dear to us can be replaced with material objects. Ironically, parents are often found to say, ‘I’m working long hours so that I can provide all the things for my children, that I did not have’, or ‘I’ll be picking up extra shifts so that I can get all the things my son or daughter wants’.  However, various polls suggest our parents had happier childhoods than we did. We, in turn, had a happier childhood than our own children. It is no surprise to see an 8 year-old, complaining about stress at school or even at home. During our parents’ time or for that matter when we were growing up, the words stress, cyber bullying, depression and peer pressure simply did not exist.

This suggests there has been a major shift in the social and emotional experience of today’s children, adolescents and young adults. This shift is largely thought to be a consequence of the lack of quality time spent with family and loved ones. Our children, before we know it, reach a stage where quality time begins to sound like a cliché. Our relatives come to associate quality time with selfish motives. In acquiring material objects, akin to filling a bottomless pit, precious time is lost forever. It can never be retrieved. It is, therefore, crucial to take our time out for our children.

Last of all, but certainly by no means the least, is to devote some time to our self. A routine evaluation of where we stand, and how we take care of ourselves, should be taken. There may be many ways to improve the care and attention we give to our internal lives, whether this be socially, emotionally or spiritually. My personal experience with the Sant Nirankari Mission and its Oneness Gatherings, is that spirituality can bring our holistic needs together, into a harmonious way of being. Through the Mission, I have truly found my inner-self, and developed practices that help me maintain my emotional health and keep my spirits raised.

Spirituality invites a wholesome life. It equips us with the requisite tools, skills and guidance to find the much needed balance between the external and internal world.  For real health, we need to invest in both the physical and spiritual dimensions of our being.  When we do this, it is much more likely we spend our days well, and these days add up to make both the history and future of our lives.

In the final analysis, let’s take that vital step towards valuing time. For, once the fleeting moments disappear, they are never to be seen again. Now is the time to grasp every precious moment to be alive, to know and become more aware.  There is an essence that animates every aspect of existence, and unifies all life.  Understanding this essence whilst there is yet breath within us, is the most important task we can accomplish within the time that has been gifted to us as human beings.

– Kiran Pandey, New York

The first time I attended the Centre for Oneness in the West Midlands, I was instantly interested in receiving the “Gyan” (Knowledge of the Formless Being). However, I felt I needed to understand the principles of “Neti-Neti” (Not this, Not that) first, as it was very different to my usual practices.

After attending and listening to the Oneness Gatherings, it was highlighted that there was nothing to lose by receiving the Gyan. This struck a chord with me, as I had started to feel burnt out in life.

Meditation alone was not satisfying me; I yearned for more. Hence, I asked my mentor if I could experience the Gyan, which I received the very same day I requested it.

I remember sitting on the floor, not knowing what to expect. Then suddenly, I experienced what I have never had before. The only way I can describe it is that there was an unforgettable Aura in the room.

I had looked for this feeling for years, but without success. I could not believe how clear it was. For me, Gyan is the Formless and it is Peace. Since experiencing the Gyan, I have started to regain positivity in my life. I have noticed a change within too. I am much more forgiving and accepting.

I am also blessed with the “Simran” (Remembrance Prayer), which helps me to meditate more effectively. This Simran gives me instant connection with the Formless, without any delay. I can do this whenever and wherever I want. It helps me to re-centre myself when my ego is taking over. This Simran allows me to go deeper, leaving me fulfilled.

I am so thankful to Babaji and Mataji for introducing me to the Formless, through my mentor.  This has allowed my life to be fulfilled.

– Jenny Barley, Birmingham

Lacking the colors of Oneness

Only brightens ignorance’s hue

Unchaining ego to reign and redefine Greatness

Allowing illusions to blind men from the reality true

What is our Identity? Is it the Light that dispels darkness?

Or the Light from which love originates, and returns to duly?

Is it the Light which allows us to see when all else is dark?

Or is it the Light that resides in every member of humanity?

Why look for differences to further ourselves from one another

Why not look for the essence that unites us with one another

Once we see in all, the true similarly

We will see humanity’s true Identity

We can then get out of Ego-Revenge’s spiraling ride

And get dropped off at the Valley Of Bliss

Past the sea of materialism, towards the sea of devotees

Where in everything the True Light gleams with ‘this’

Where through bridging humanity Piece By Piece

Human values are brought up to the upper most tier

So that man can not only love his fellow-man

But harmoniously reduce the distance and get near

Man can find his true identity

By living harmoniously with himself and others

Through his new, but intimate true Values

He can be one with each other

                               – Jasmeen Sandhu, Phoenix, Az, USA