God is the only Truth

As soon as her body was lifted to take it to the cremation ground, people around started chanting “Ram Naam Satya Hai! Ram Naam Satya Hai!”. There was nothing unusual about the sight, this is the most common way in how “Hindu” families carry the bodies of those departed to the crematorium.
 “Ram Naam Satya Hai! Ram Naam Satya Hai!” People kept on reciting the mantra but my thoughts went back to the context in which Upashak ji had once shared the meaning of this mantra. He explained that the mantra carries the message that ‘God is only Truth’, and this we also can study from searching on Google. However only on bit pondering we realize that this call has no use to the departed, rather this is the “gist” being shared with those alive (i.e. those in the body). One who has left this body has anyways now come face to face with the fact that body and material world is temporal, but people who are alive will continue to consider this material world as the Truth. So the purpose of chanting “Ram Naam Satya Hai” is to remind people who are walking, sitting, standing, eating, drinking, working, slumbering etc that you still have the body, there is still time left so arise and fulfill purpose of your existence.
 “Bhai Prapat Manukh Dehuria, Gobind Milan Ki Eh Teri Baria !!”
 The Holy scriptures provide guidance to man that this human form that you have received is a means to reach God and if this opportunity is lost, then nothing else will matter. So be wise, do not waste life in acts that are temporal rather value what is to be valued.
 And if you make use of this opportunity and realize ‘Truth’ in its essence then you will be free, you will be ‘Mukt’, you will be redeemed as is promised in commandment below
 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.
 The message “Ram Naam Satya Hai” is so profound and important that this is to be remembered every moment, in every situation, be it someone’s death or someone’s birthday, be it good day or be it not so good day. This is how we can make our living meaningful and death beautiful.

(July 2015)

For the living ones

(Jan 2014)

We all had gathered to pay our tributes to the departed soul in form of a congregation. There were few speakers who talked about the life of the departed and inspired those present there to a virtuous living. Near the end of ceremony, there was a concluding discourse given by one saint. Among other things that he shared, he brought our attention to the fact that none of the speakers before him had prayed that the departed rests in peace. All speakers had talked about departed’s life, virtues and heavenly abode but not one had mentioned about departed’s resting in peace.

The saint explained further in his discourse that the reason why no one prayed for resting in peace today after the death is because the departed was already resting in peace while he was in the body. No one doubted that departed needed any prayers to come to rest. Often we hear this prayer for the deceased - ‘May his soul rest in peace’ – although there is nothing bad in praying this way but the messages given by saints and sages are to inspire us to ensure this “resting” state while we are in body.

As soon as I heard these words, I started to reflect on the life of the departed and found it so true that each interaction I have had or heard from others for him – all signalled that he was already established in peace. It is true that I didn’t have a worldly visibility of what happened to him after he left the body but chances of him continuing to rest in peace were far more than his state being changed all of a sudden. The reverse also has to be true (although there could be exceptions); if I haven’t lived in peace it would be a real high expectation to assume that I would rest in peace after death.

In that light of understanding, I have now started to relate this statement ‘Rest in peace’ more for the living ones than the departed ones. More like the message, ‘Raam naam satya hai’, i.e. God is the only Truth. This message heard on funerals is a reminder for the living ones; ones who still have time, the opportunity to alter their lifestyles to live in the awareness that God is the eternal Truth. The one departed has already come face to face with the eternal Truth, therefore requires no further reminders.

Day to day, we meet so many people, from so many different faith groups, so many different ideologies and at times we have different opinions over the same statement but the real experience of peace cannot be different to any of us. We may have different colours of utensils, different languages to speak, different foods to fill our stomach but what it is to be on “filled” stomach - our experience cannot be different. It is this ‘same’ state of peace that we need to strive for. And one who is there – is already resting in peace!

4 ON 10 - Life in all humility

I first heard this incident some 3 years ago, since then it has been one of my favorites. This is about Tuslidas Ji and Rahim Ji. 

Story goes that Rahim Ji was well known for his strange manner of giving alms to the poor. He never looked at the person he was giving alms to, keeping his gaze downwards in all humility. When Tulsidas Ji heard about Rahim Ji's strange method of giving alms, he promptly wrote a couplet and sent it to Rahim Ji:

Aisi deni den jyu, kit seekhe ho sain
Jyon jyon kar oonchyo karo, tyon tyon niche nain

"Sir, Why give gifts like this? Where'd you learn that?
Your hands are as high as your eyes are low"

Realizing that Tulsidas Ji was well 'Aware' of the 'Truth' behind creation, and was merely giving him an opportunity to say a few lines in reply, he wrote to Tulsidas Ji  in all humility:

Denhar koi aur hai, bhejat jo din rain
Log bharam hum par kare, taaso niche nain

"The Giver is someone else, bestowing, day and night.
The world gives me credit: so, down are my eyes."

I am amazed and honestly humbled every time I come across Rahim Ji's name and this incident. I just imagine, how he would have actually recited these words with eyes down in humility...just amazing!!

Perhaps this is the 4th item to be kept on my To Do list - Humility. Wish when I breath my last, I would have inculcated this important teaching in my life.

As Ravi Ji other day reminded that "Mitha bolo te niv chalo, Murshid ehiyo seekhaanda hai"...humility is such an important aspect. I have seen so many living examples of humility in my life, that I sometimes just feel jealous :)

With jealously, I recall Upashak Ji's example where he says that beauty in a garden is guaranteed because rose is not complaining why I couldn't be as tall as coconut tree and coconut tree is not complaining that why I couldn't have beautiful flowers like rose. Everyone is happy the way they are.

Obviously Jealously shouldn't be there :) That's another thing I need to learn. 

If you are wondering like me, how does jealousy, humility fit in same post...and if you have known me in person and wondering how does humility even relate to a person like me....just chill!!!

I don't have any humility I know but that's why I am keeping it in my To Do. I pray, and you too join me in prayers, that may Nirankar bless me with a life that's lived in all humility. 

Amen!

25/10

Its been an year today since Dad left his physical form. Throughout the year, I think I have used "Dad" word more regularly than ever, and of course missed & remembered him more often. Thanks to Babaji, there is a deep rooted understanding that Dad is so close by therefore feel less guilty of what I did do or did not do.

365 days of this year, I believe ears have heard words death, dad, relations, soul, salvation etc with much more attention. Definitely there have been times when the comfort of the physical form was missed more than the non-physical presence around. But the assurance that non-physical form is so close by to support has stayed along. Since birth have heard that God Knowledge is important for salvation of the soul. However in this past year, have felt that God Knowledge is not only important for self delivery but also important for members of family. It has been such a strength to know that Dad completed his bodily journey only to go back to the source. I cannot thank often for this blessing of God Knowledge on the family including self though there is still so much to be imbibed.

Thank you Babaji for holding the family & me through various forms. Wish the love that you have given me, in strong and silent ways, may I be able to reciprocate. 

Dad, miss you as well! 

2 ON 10 - Air travel

My reply is still pending. I'm talking of the discussions that Manik and I were having few months rather years ago. I asked Manik to give me a list of 10 things which he would want to do before he dies. It takes some time to answer that, and so took Manik. But finally he handed me 10 things on his to-do list. Quite obvious, he asked me to do same. However, I didnt reply and till date my reply is pending.
Today was the last day for Mumbai Samagam. Last year same time we children along with parents were present there to seek blessings. It wasnt only the samagam I was excited about but also the journey. Eversince I remember, I had thought about travelling in airplanes and as time passed, I had opportunities to make airtravels 2-3 times a day. During one of such journeys clicked a thought, 'why not arrange air travel for parents? all of us have had opportunities to travel in plane but what about parents?'. Once in a while I did share this thought with them. As expected, parents were not so keen about spending unnecessarily especially when an alternative was available. Somehow last year, convinced Dad and Mom that they accompany us for Mumbai Samagam and that too in airplane. The journey and stay was quite pleasant. Thanks Babaji.
Today while watching Mumbai Samagam, thoughts connected back to our visit last year, the airtravel where parents too flew with me. It was like a dream come true to make a journey with them on plane. Thanks Babaji.
Coming back to the point where I started, this air travel with parents was my 2 ON 10, one of the things I would have wanted to do before I die. Thanks Babaji for making it possible and timely, no one amongst us would have thought that it was the only opportunity to do that travel with Dad. Few months later, Dad went back to Nirankar. Today when I think of this 2 ON 10, I am satisfied that this was achieved as desired. Now 9 remain.
Unlike Manik, I dont have the list handy. As the time passes I am unfolding what could be on this list. 1 is already known, 1 is achieved, 8 still to unfold. Perhaps that was the reason why reply is still pending.

Days before day!

While scrolling across pages of nirankari magzine, came across these lines in Huzur's discources.."Some people ask why we repeatedly talk of death; we should talk of life. We talk of death because we are really concerned about life."

Perhaps have become more close to this word in past few days. I recall one of the discources which I heard in days of Bangalore where again stress was being laid on the importance of saintliness and knowing God Almighty. Huzur said, "as soon as you ask anyone to take out time for such things, man will resist with a reason that I am so busy that I dont have time even for dying. As if when death is due, it will ask that are you free now? should I visit? When one has to die, he will have to leave all chores in between."

Today when I was meeting saints, many a times dad's death was being discussed. Indeed it is sad to loose someone who has been a part of life so far but somewhere down the line I think we all know it, no one will remain forever. And being born in family where I was exposed to Huzur's teachings in early years, I think I like many others were being prepared for this day from day one. And knowing this has helped us shape our days before this day!

Puriji once said, - One thing I know I was born good, lived better and with Satguru's blessings will die best! Indeed those who have lived and died with you have seen the best of the worlds! Desire is that I too die with you holding me in your hands. Keep me with you, and let every moment be spent with you throughout the life, at last moment and thereafter!

Thanks Babaji! Thank you for shaping our lives.

He introduced Dad!

One of the saints who had come to offer his condolences on Dad's passing away started talking of his experiences with Dad. He mentioned, that one day he requested Dad to accompany him for a satsang program in some distant village. To his surprise Dad refused. Saint tried hard to convince Dad to accompany, also tried to know the reason for Dad's reluctance in accompanying but Dad :), Dad gave some strange reasons. After too much pressure from this saint, Dad agreed to accompany however asked the saint to pray that in Sangat one particular mahapursh doesn't come.
This was second surprise to saint, why would anyone pray that some particular mahapursh should not come to sangat. Anyhow, both of them went to sangat. Surprisingly, the mahapursh that Dad did not want to meet didn't come for Sangat. On way back, the saint who accompanied Dad, again asked why Dad was initially reluctant? why praying for mahapursh's absence? Finally Dad opened his mouth that the mahapursh he didnt want to meet was his old acquaintance who had once borrowed some amount of money from Dad. Due to poor financial state, this mahapursh never had managed to repay the sum even in 20ish years. So Dad was intentionally trying to avoid crossing this mahapursh, because he didnt want mahapursh to carry an impression, that in cover of sangat Dad was there to ask for his money. Dad's reluctance and prayers were to ensure that the mahapursh doesnt spoil the bliss in sangat due to some weird and false assumption.

Listening the incident obviously there was a sense of pride; to be born out of such person. However, eyes had tears when the saint continued to speak "Paise jinhone wapis dene hote hai unko lendaaro se chhipte bada dekha hai, aise pehli baar dekhe jinhone paise lene the aur woh paise dene walo se chhip rahe the".

Thankyou Babaji for 'this' Dad!

Steve Sunil - Bhai Bhai

I met Steve in one of the Interfaith Meetings that are held every month here in Swindon. Steve, almost of my grandfather’s age, carries a modest pose and is such a beautiful soul that I have fallen in love with his personality. Generally I long to meet souls who can feed me spiritually. It’s not that I don’t believe in ‘world in me’ concept; it’s just that I enjoy ‘our world’ philosophy too. Khair, I also enjoy having a sip of Starbucks Caramel Macchiato in company of such great souls. One fine Saturday, Steve and I met for a coffee and we started discussing our work places, home towns, families etc etc. Don’t know when and why Steve asked me “Sunil, Do you believe in rebirths? “ Knowing that perhaps he had a different view point on this, I kept my view after taking few precautions of not hurting any of his sentiments. However, my smartness I would say that towards the end of our conversation, I closed with a thought “Steve, I haven’t read what you have read on this, but I know that something would be behind your philosophy which will take you to my philosophy” Steve didn’t disagree but neither did he appreciate my reply.
However, while I was making my return journey I was disturbed by my inner self. “Sunil, not done. It’s true that you believe in rebirths and Steve holds a different opinion. But were you trying to prove your point to him? Wasn’t this approach of differentiating between his philosophy and your own philosophy? This is not what real religion is all about. It’s about uniting. No matter you would hear different philosophies, different concepts but yet try to find similarities. If your approach is of similarity, even diversity becomes a beauty. Was there a need to quarrel, if you believe in rebirth and Steve doesn’t… perhaps you should have looked at the point that both of you believe in this birth. Of course no one could have ever mentioned the experiences of life after death but at least you have heard of life before death. So concentrate on it and beautify this life, even if you are not worried for the next life! Make sure that more important than rebirths or no rebirth is this birth where you have a responsibility to beautify your own world. “
Though am doing my course on how to pick up all goodness from different philosophies, I yet humbly, at the same time strongly put forward “All is well that ends well but if it isn’t well now, believe me it’s not the end now. “
- A Learner.