ONENESS

As soon as the possibility of visiting UK again came into light, the excitement of attending NIS in person engulfed the mind. Originally I wasn't planning to attend NIS, more so for different reasons one being because I had made a return from UK. But with this news of official assignment, excitement was born to witness the first ever samagam, samagam to be held outside India on such a large scale - a step in history of the Mission.

Perhaps His plans, despite timely agreement of the assignment delays were experienced on formalities to apply for Visa. Slowly, and slowly the excitement turned into anxiety. Anxiety of not knowing whether I would be on time in UK to attend NIS. All those whom I met weeks ago would know the level of anxiety. On one such day I sat with the better half and opened up this topic.

Without wasting even a second, she said 'Why are you bothering self over this uncertainty? Have you learnt everything from all previous samagams that you have attended?'. Her questions did make me think - Have I learnt everything from what I have heard in past? It wasn't a momentarily change but it did happen - soon my mind was free again. While I waited for formalities to complete even a week before samagam, but my mind was free from the pace things were unfolding.

Today NIS has concluded and I watched it online from India. I couldn't make it in person but thankfully have no guilt of not being able to witness the proceedings in person. All thanks to Babaji, and His reminders via Mrs Sethi.

Thanks also because He acknowledged and accepted our presence even from here.

I might have been little less inspired than many others who would have keenly desired to attend the samagam, must have made efforts to join also but somehow could not join. I feel like thanking on behalf of all those as well.

On closing notes, I wish to pray that this Oneness that you have blessed us with - may we remain with this Oneness! Also seek blessings for those who have parted from this One, for them to be able to rejoin.

CONTENTMENT

While reading monthly magazine, I came across this word few hours ago. Thoughts took me back to the trip I had had in 2007 to Pune Mumbai. I landed in Pune from Bangalore and after spending a day or so, I and many youngsters made our way to Mumbai to attend Huzur's program. We all were together throughout the day in Pune, in journey and also through out the samagam. However our journey's back home were not together. They had to return back to Pune and I had to continue my onward journey. As samagam got over and everyone started to disperse, I kept coming across more saints from Mumbai. However saints from Pune stood at one side. While I was trying to attend more and more saints, I couldnt remove my eyes from one of the saints with whom I had travelled to Mumbai. It appeared that all of the Pune youngsters were getting late for their return but seeing I was busy, they stood aside not disturbing me. Time passed but nothing changed, I kept meeting more saints. Finally I saw all pune youngsters started to leave without saying a word. I wanted to bid them a bye, but wasnt able to interrupt the discussions I was having with Mumbai saints. Eyes said bye to each other. After some time, when I got a chance I rang one of the saints, asking her, actually complaining her "You didnt wait to say me a bye". A humble and sweet voice replied, "Bhaiya, I too wanted to say bye but saw that you were meeting saints here. We all were together for past two days, I think we all have had chance to spend time with you, now its turn for Mumbai saints to have your company. Even they should get your time".

Not to talk of the respect she showed for a co-follower, her contentment has always touched my heart. Till date if someone asks me of contentment, this is what I share.

Hello Brother! Brother!

Years ago, brother and I were walking in Samagam Grounds. Proceedings for the day had just completed and we were on our way to the tents. Inquisitive enough, I asked ‘why do saints get up during dhuni if it is being announced that please remain seated?’ Brother gave me some strange looks as if I had asked something wrong. Without much botheration to understand his gesture, I continued ‘Aren’t they doing wrong?’ I waited to see a Yes or No from his side, but he spoke, ‘aapko pasand nahi to aap mat utho’. When I had expected a Yes or No, I heard a very neutral answer from him that if you don’t like, don’t get up.
No wonder he reminds me often, “Jo kujh tenu changaa lagdea, khaa pi te vastar pa, duniya da updeshak banke, horr na jhagdey pyaa vadhaa “.