Satsang in Guru's Absence

           Satsangs are of two kinds. One is with the Guru. You listen to his expositions on Truth. By that your knowledge and purity will grow. It is interactional, where your part is less, and the Guru's effort is more. Such satsangs have been our cultural mainstay.

                       The other kind of satsang is the periodic regular one that devotees and disciples of a Guru conduct amongst themselves in the physical absence of the Guru. It is a natural corollary of the main satsang. Since they cannot always have the Gurusanga, the best substitute for the devotees and enquirers is to have a congregation in a place regularly, spending an hour or two together. Here, the satsang should have a sublime programme, in which group-chanting, silent-introspection, reading or listening to Guru's words, and discussions on his teachings, are taken up.

                                  
                       The purpose of such a gathering is to engender togetherness. This is very important for the seeker's inner development. In contrast to the household life with one's own family, this spiritual group activity certainly leads to inner expansion of the participants. Initially, it may prove difficult. But, in overcoming this phase and making the gathering lively, as if it were a bigger family, lies the success of personal saadhanaa of the seekers. It is an inevitable addition to the personal, exclusive, home-based spiritual pursuit.
                     Spirituality is a pursuit of refinement, aimed at bringing about purity, discipline and expansion to the mind, character and behaviour. This expansion will not come easily to people. The weekly, periodic satsang provides such a platform.
                      In the satsang, you must become fond of each other. Have a sense of openness to endear yourself to others. Hate none. Resent nothing. Embrace all. Generating mutuality should be the aim. Interpersonal behaviour is an important part of human life. This is where one becomes good, amiable and successful. To be able to live and move with others, to appreciate togetherness, and in the process to absorb and expand inwardly, is a must. Devoid of this, spiritual saadhanaa will become drab and stale.
                       It is said that when five or more people assemble and think together, virtually God will manifest there. Some beautiful ideas will crop up, which, on sharing and pooling, will turn to be a mighty force to change the society and seed even a new lasting culture. In the huge subcontinent of India, it is such small and tiny gatherings that have resulted in the growth and perpetuation of our eternal culture.
Understand and assess the satsangs to be of such ineffable potential and magnitude. And be fortunate in being a part of it, for the growth and sustenance of the Nation and the Globe.
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