Shabad Surat Sangam Ashram

August 25, Brampton-Canada. Since last visit of Maharaj Ji, all the devotees in Canada are joining in for monthly satsang on last sunday of every month. Brampton is one such center where Surya Kriya classes, Udaan classes and other activities are also going on in addition to this monthly satsang.

August 25, Malke Ashram.  It may sound a little uncommon as at ashram we hardly give any importance to these petty events such as birthday or alike.  As we believe in divinity and eternity of everything.  However, it is very common to give an uncommon touch even to a common affair like this, if we have to do it.  As we believe everything is divine and thus we always seek a divine experience in everything which could make it holy and divine.  And Maharaj ji, who can find spirituality even in trivial affairs of life such as eating, sleeping, walking, talking, and even in cleaning your body, always comes with some innovative approach to attain this purpose. It is more than a year when a child participant of a meditation camp in ashram wanted to celebrate his birthday.  That day Maharaj ji devised a novel technique to celebrate the birthday.  In this process everyone transfers his wishes in form of energy to the birthday boy/girl using light (butter lamps) and sound (mantra recitation).  Since that day many birthdays have been celebrated in ashram.  In fact, there were two such celebrations in Canada too.  

Now, it was time to celebrate birthday of a young boy “Dhiraj” (Son of Damman & Jassi) from village Malke.  Many people had gathered inthe ashram for two reasons, 1. to bless the birthday boy and witness this amazing event, 2. more importantly to take blessings from Mahaarj Ji who otherwise remained locked in all timesaving last sunday of every month.

By the way, we do have plans to compose a book and also video for this whole process as it is not possible to entertain the growing requests for conducting the ceremony at different places.

August 25, Malke Ashram.  The day was sunny bright and night was illumined by the moonlight as this was Purnima (full moon) of Bhado (6th month of Indian Lunar Calendar).  This is a very special day for most of the Indians, when they celebrate Raksha Bandhan.  A festival when ladies tie a thread on the wrist of their brother or the saviour.  Apparently, this thread has two meaning.  When it is tied to brother it conveys the love and wishes while to a saviour it is a prayer for shelter.  Lucky few are those who get to tie a love loaded thread on the wrist of their Master.  Preeti from Jalandhar was visiting the ashram for the same purpose while for Rakesh & Upasana, destiny had chosen this day for visiting ashram. 

Anyhow, they all were blessed by Maharaj Ji.  And those who sent their love by snail mail or email or the phone or even those who conveyed their prayers through inner channels were all blessed. In the Udaan class in canada, children were educated about this festival and they were also taught to make their own Rakhi. It was so much fun that their mothers too got involved and helped the children to decorate the thread of love and well-wishes.

13 August, Canada. As we all know children are the future. If we wanted this world to be a happy place, we need to sow the seeds of happiness in the tender heart of our children. This is the motto of the project “Udaan” run by the ashram. Under this projects a weekly class is run for young children in which they are exposed to the immense possibilities life has to offer them. They learn different arts, yoga, chanting, manners & etiquetes and above all to live like a human, the son of the God. Such classes are being runin various cities in India and now one is started in Canada too. The initiative was taken by Bindu Gaur and the help was offered by Neelam Vashisht, Rani Brar & Harman Kalirao. The first class had nine young participants and they all had lots of fun. They did chanting, handicrafts, games, quizes and much more. Naina taught them to sing bhajan as well. The sole idea is to bring the children close to life and let them have the total control over their life. It is learnt from others classes that the Udaan classes have helped the participants with their confidence, life skills, arts, music, teamwork, behaviour and a their outlook towards the life. This friday classes in Brampton are open to all with prior registration with Bindu Gaur <gaurb@yahoo.com>.

August 10, Canada. It’s true, Sun is still shining in Canada. All thanks to Sur Sagar & ATN T.V. channels, more and more people are learning about the healing effects of the Sun and the simplicity of SSK-Yoga to assimilate the life giving energy of the Sun.

Even after Maharaj Ji is back, Harman, Rani & Bindu are taking up the follow up classes. Not only this Bindu is running around to create further awareness at different temples, societies and senior clubs. As a result people from different places are inviting them to conduct classes at thier places too. People are taking huge interest and the demand for more claseses is increasing day by day. This classes are conducted free of charges with the sole intention of serving the scoeity by helping them get rid of physical or mental diseases. The spiritual advancement happens naturaly with these practices. Regular classes are being run at sparhill park of Brampton City. Those who are interested in these classes or want to conduct one at their own place for their people, may have more information from Harman Kalirao <harmankalirao@yahoo.ca> and Bindu Gaur <gaurb@yahoo.com>.

July 7, Malke. It is well known that your Ashram in Malke is run totally by the volunteers. As and when need arises volunteer gather there on their own and do the needful. This is called true Sewa, as you are not only willing to serve the divine (in form of his devotees) selflessly but also interested and inquiring about the sewa. Since the beginning of this ashram almost all the tasks are completed by selfless service. There is hardly any service baught in the ashram and as you all would know there is no managing or working staff whatsoever. Many devotees from nearby villages visit their regularly and take notice of the requirements, let that be related with the kitchen, store, electricity, building, cleaning or preparing for the monthly or the annual gatherings. Lots of devotee from far off places also visit ashram time to time and offer their fair part of service. In addition they also get time to learn and practice yoga and meditation etc.

Ladies preparing quilts and covers for ashram

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, it was felt by some devotees that we don’t have enough quilts to comfort the participants in winter camps. Thus they took the initiative and even though Maharaj Ji was locked in his cottage as ever and Guru Chaitanya Ji always fascinated by the serenity and solitude of hills was far away in Himalayan Mountains of Utter Kashi and Suryendu Puri Ji had also retired for time being to find some peace, the task was started with full force. However, Sadhvi Yoganjali Chaitanya was standing by the side of this work force, as her motherly figure could not keep her aloof from all their interest and enthusiasm. She was guiding and assisting them as required and comforting them properly with food and other needs while they were busy repairing and preparing more quilts for upcoming Dashahra Camp. The task was completed in no time as it is always known, Unity is Strength. So when you come for the next camp in October, you will have your new cover to save you from the cold breeze for sure

Pratap and Laxman soaking the mats in hot water for proper cleaning

In fact they also cleaned and washed all the carpets and mats. The morning classes of Sanjivani Kriya and Surya Kriya are going on as always and now Agni Kriya is also performed occassionally as and when the climate permits. Even additional class of asanas is started these days. But believe me, they are not doing this cleaning task to reduce their body weight but the load of samskaras accumulated in so many lives. Now they want to clean it for once and all it seems. Good Luck to them and all others who are devoting not only their time but also their heart!

Flying above the coulds, back to India

16th July, India. Finally Maharaj Ji accompanied by Swami Ji & Sadhvi Ji reached back this morning. This year they spent almost double time in Canada as compared to past two years. They mainly visited London (not in England but in Canada itself), Toronto and Vancouver region. They visited many Gurudwaras, Temples and Yoga Centers there in addition to family gatherings at different people. Interview at ATN & Sur Sagar T.V. & Red FM radio made thousand of people aware of his researches and findings. Consequently, every gathering saw hundreds of aspirants. Though most of the people wanted to get rid of diseases, physical or mental there were few who wanted to get rid of this vicious cycle of death and birth and attain the salvation. Another focus was to make people aware of their life and the goal of life and this involved many youngsters too. Overall it was a great time and it helped hundreds of people. Definitely the devotees in Canada played a crucial role in organising and managing all the events. Now its time to prepare for the grand event of Guru Purnima when the devotees from all corners of the world would reach Malke Ashram and receive blessing from Maharaj ji.

10-13 July, Oakville. Vaishno Devi Temple of Oakville conduct a series of lectures. The frist day Maharaj Ji also visited the temple considering persistent request of Naresh Bhardwaj Ji full of love and affection. Maharaj Ji taught the audience how to chant the mantra while breathing in also out. He explained that unless mantra is synchronised with the breath, it will not bear fruits. And the synchronisation would not be complete untill we can chant it with exhalation as well as with inhalation. He showed them the actual technique and made them practice it too. He said I offer everything I’ve learnt and researched but grasping and practicing it is your responsibility. He said you have been listening and reciting spiritual texts since ages but without the proper guidance and intense practice it is not possible to attain the liberation. The spiritual path may seem difficult to you but I say it is the easiest one as it is a straight path unlike the material world. Later Swami Ji and Sadhvi Ji also discussed various secrets of spiritual field and also answered questions of the seekers to help them guide inside. The temple society as well as the audience were so much inspired that they were demanding more time. They requested Swami Ji to allot a whole one week for the temple next year.