"Insanity," and Encountering Maharaj Gurinder Singh...

In 1990 Mahraj Gurinder Singh Ji was made head of Radha Soami Satsang. I first saw him in the  flesh at the huge Satsangs in Birmingham when he was visiting England. This took place in the National Exhibtion Centre, or NEC. Security was high there too with police, and plain clothed detectives keeping an eye on things as the Sikh terrorism was still very much a problem.

Gurinder, or more respectfully Babaji gave a number of discourses plus questions, and answers with his booming voice. In the latter sessions l asked him when he was going to start initiation, and whether he would initiate me. Instead of hearing what he actually said I heard something else (ie a bizarre trick of the mind.) He said that he would initiate me but ofcourse he did not actually say that.......
 
The reason for all this was that  I was going through a strange phase in life that I had become so obssessed with wanting to get initiation that  it was starting to drive me "insane". I was also unnaturally concerned about the possibility of an early death. This would ofcourse mean that I would not get initiated!!Quite often at Satsang in London, or at the charming local home groups  someone I knew , or not know would say that "I was going to die!"  The imitation voice was just like that of the speaker...virtually indistinguishable. 


I should point out that I have never taken drugs, or psychiatric medecine. I believe what happened above was a "by-product" of  a certain experience with Eckankar possibly during a "healing" session . Ofcourse, esoterically the meaning of "you are going to die" implies not physical death but spiritual rebirth in the material body. Apparently, in withcraft  the mental phenomenon of voice imitating someone else, and tricking someone  into believing what he, or she is saying is for "real(!)" is not entirely unknown!

Anyway, in 1993 I, along with a batch of  people  went to  recieve Nam under the new Master Babaji ( though physically not present) at Haynes Park near Bedford. This was the UK headquarters of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas.  Mrs. "Chip" Wood presided over the initiation, and later everyone was put into circular groups, and taught how to repeat, and pronounce the Five Holy Names.

On another occassion, I actually saw Babaji at Haynes Park itself. Some people including myself possibly saw his face changing to that of his previous Master Baba Charan Singh dealt with in the previous blog entry.

I recall once being in the London Satsang, and Babaji suddenly appeared out of the blue, and gave a discourse. This has happened since apparently. He likes now, and again to give unofficial appearances presumably to inspire truth seekers, and satsangis


I felt very devotional during my "honey moon" period before initiation. But  I was disappointed  after initiation as the power, and aspiration suddenly "disappeared." I felt betrayed, and disheartened. I have come to  the conclusion that a real Master must be able to give an initiate before, and AFTER  initiation (be it shabd yoga, or whatever) "something to work on". In  other words, an awareness at least of some kind of Power working for ones good. It is then that the inititiate increases its Grace via spiritual practice. Without some kind of inner support meditation can be incredibly difficult. It is vital to have some internal "drive", and "inspiration" to continue practice as we are such weak souls.............


Many people have complained about this. Some Beas Satsangis have understandably gone to one of the Sant Kirpal Singh groups which claims that one can have "something to work on" in the spiritual sense. This is VITAL!!


As I was starting to move away from Radha Soami Satsang a bizarre number of synchronicities occured with chance meetings with "devotees". The first of these though was in Newbury which I had never been to before. A lady called Iris I recognized from the London Satsang was spotted, and I went upto her, and she comfirmed that she was the very same person. She was suprised to see me. As indicated there were other similiar "chance" meetings  which are hard to explain rationally. Yet, it does indicate that somehow we are all interconnected in this Cosmic Drama of life.....


The most recent one occured in Windsor in 2007. I was sitting next to an elderly Asian tourist who was looking at his young granddaughter . Some of his relatives were around visiting Windsor, and its famous castle. For some reason or other we talked, and the topic of reincarnation, and gurus cropped up. I said I had an interest in both subjects especially the latter. He asked me whether I had a Master. I said I had been initiated into Radha Soami Satsang Beas. He was astonished as he claimed that he was initiate too!  He said that I was very lucky to have been initiated by Maharaj Gurinder Singh as not everyone is!!

Apparently, he claimed to be a retired chief of border control in (his name may have been Dhawan but I do not have the exact details with me at the time of writing) India, and knew Mr. Mann who was the "top man" in the organization of Radha Soami Satsang!! Anyway, he gave me his name, and number including that of the latter, and said if I ever I wanted to stay at his home I would be welcome to do so!

Will wonders ever cease? Who knows? But synchronicity has played an important part in my life, and not just those instances connected with Radha Soami Satsang Beas.



PS. Just one other "event" in 2005 could be mentioned here. I recall once sitting on a bench in Langley near Slough. An Asian suddenly appeared from behind me, and said, "Your Master is sitting next to you!" I replied I could see no on one in the physical, or non-physical sense. I did though just about recognize the Asian from a very long time ago. He was an initiate of the Radha Soami Satsang!


Also apologies for any grammar, and spelling errors in this, or any other blog. These may be corrected later when I get the time, and inspiration.........