4 April 1998 – Sisterly love

 

            Valentine Sidorov, leader of the International Association for Peace through Culture, has come with a delegation of 36 Russian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian people from his organization. They have come with a proposal for a conference about India as Russia’s spiritual sister. By Maharaj’s grace, we have been able to accommodate them all with the generous help of neighbors with large houses. Tonight the delegates have gathered at Maharaj’s feet in his house on the hill, and listen intently as he gives them a long talk. Since some of them have been seated in chairs to spare their knees, Maharaj begins,

            There is one thing we will change from our ancient culture: that high people sit on chairs and others below. We place our holy book in a high place. You will understand well that to change a slight word or cultural thing brings great rebellion. If we are clean inwardly, we understand culture and religion as one. There is no problem. But sometimes there is a clash. Someone says, “According to our culture, such and such….” It takes a bit of time to lovingly explain. In Punjab, people do bhangra dancing, and so do your people when you come here, but people may say that yours is “English dancing,” and ask “Why are you changing our culture?” There is nothing to it.

            Whether you regard something as religion, culture, or lifestyle, you need to understand a bit before speaking. We all want peace and love to come, but we have made different ways of loving, of organization.  A bit of explaining is needed in universities, villages, etc. Until then, expect people to be somewhat opposed.

            In our tradition, Guru Nanak said that all should work, keep faith in God, and share their income and their good ideas. Why? There is no argument with this. The impression on us is that we are to work, meditate, and share good ideas and income to improve society. There will be no argument against this in your country. The same problems are there—some people have no food, no clothes. But we have the idea we have is that we should thank God and share everything. Only the idea of one God is not there in your programme. Where there is a clash, it is a clash of ideas. It is nothing. Just understand it as ideas.

            We must repeat what we call “dharma” again and again: Do to others what you want. It is easy to say, but our actions are not like this. Neither our ideas nor our thoughts are under our control. On this point the whole world can come together. The King of the Spirit exists who can change our thoughts—by meditation, by loving God who can clear away the weaknesses in our mind. We all have this disease–that our thoughts are not under our control. If we focus on the One who created all, then our thoughts will come under control. Therefore we should form a team and collect all our energy for good work rather than wasting it. If we are angry at someone, the thought will immediately come to us that the anger hurts us. This is our inner defense.

            There is one thing that I think we all believe: We all want love. But we have forgotten that love initially comes from God. With meditation, the feeling comes to love others but not expect thanks. This is the nature of God and of people. When we love without expectations, the record remains clean. God cannot tolerate a person’s wanting thanks for his good work. He knows He has done it, so why should a person want a reward?

            It is my feeling that in all countries, the diseases of ego and pride are bigger problems than cancer. A little story: One day Jesus washed all his disciples’ feet lovingly. They asked him why, because he was the healer, not they. He said, “You will do even greater heling than I, but make no demands for I have given you this freely.” Why? In love there is no demand.

            When there was great pressure and worry in this country, Guru Gobind Singh healed with his power, his own method, his merciful gaze, his hands, his weapons, his speech. In those who had been healed, greed, hatred, and fear disappeared. He shared what God had given him, by God’s order.  What the prophet gives is given freely, for they know it came to them for free. Thus there is great progress, education, and eradication of poverty, bringing forth people’s good qualities.

            When Guru Nanak came, people were working as farmers. So he started farming and they shared what they developed with their own hands. It was not a theory. Even now, hundreds of thousands of people can eat in free langars, by what was created from within in the sevadars. They know that the milk comes from their own hard work in dairies. Now you can go to any gurdwara and you will see unlimited hospitality, because Guru Nanak emphasized sharing. Whatever is ours, we share with you. This does not end.

            If you talk about what you have not done yourself, it won’t have any effect. If you do what you talk about, people will be touched by the love. Instead of saying, “I’ve got food and a house so I won’t do any more work,” we should make enough to share with many people. We should make ten houses and share them.

            Don’t think about your age; keep working. We celebrate holy days with dancing and such. The idea may come, “I can’t dance. I’m too old,” but some new machines are weaker than older ones. That spirit in us is always young. What is its age? It is always young like a child. Don’t let any weakening ideas enter you. If you think you’re old, accidents will happen. Stop those dangerous ideas from coming into your mind. When a person is weak-minded, he is weaker than a person who doesn’t have enough food. Poverty of the mind is greater than worldly poverty. Keep doing what you enjoy. Keep dancing!

            When you are angry, look at yourself in the mirror. You won’t like what you see when you are worried. Then look in the mirror when you are really happy; you will see how beautiful you are.

            If we all do that—love each other, share everything—that great store of good ideas in us will open. With working, your bodily and mental energy will increase.

            From the rapt and happy expression on the delegates’ faces, we can see that they are loving what Maharaj says. He continues,

            When you have shared your income with others, look at your (happy) reflection. But when you are angry, look inside for just a second. Perhaps you will find the same thing inside yourself that has antagonized you in another.

 You will see in people’s faces great worry that wants to be set free. Keep faith in God and in your goal, and worry will leave.

 Always think that this is our little house. We want all things to be in it. Think of your country in the same way: We want to make our country rich in sustenance, too.

You all know that good qualities are in short supply but are very powerful. Bad qualities may be in the majority, but thinking of that is of no benefit. Make a firm goal to give all your energy to society, to your country. Then perhaps you can raise your country to a very high level. When your good ideas are developed, it will be like a great ocean.

Since childhood, I have spoken only of what I have done myself, not from reading books. My first faith is that if one person stands up, hundreds of thousands of people can be fed and housed.

You have come with great love. You want that people will have good clothes, education, sustenance. All countries want this. But you have developed a slight habit of idleness. Work and see what happens. From sitting idle, neither a person nor his neighbours nor his society will be happy. As much energy as we give will be increased.  If you have a car but don’t run it, its battery will run down. Run it every day and it will be energized. Then your mind, wealth, and home will be happy.

We are all God’s guests. He has given us so much. He has built such a big bed that all can fit in it. What do we have to do? If millions of guests come in His House, even then the water will not run out. Look at the mountains, air, natural gardens. So beautiful they are, such examples of the greatness of God’s care. Therefore love God, love yourself, and enjoy. Be like children before Him, and He will keep giving. If a child even takes a little breath, the mother runs to it. Understand God as your Mother and Father. Make your mind as loving as a child who knows nothing, with a Parent always there to help.

You are good people. Take an elephant back to your country full of good ideas. Love and share them in your country. But try to stay happy. Know that your life is not under your control. Never think that you are alone. Laugh! We all want to be happy, so why not? Make a habit of loving. When you look at water, at the Creation, love yourself.

Noah was 600 years old when his first child was born. He did whatever was to be done, no matter what his age.

These things are new to you, but they are in you all. When you come back here, you may tell us you have discovered this inner treasure. I feel that God will surely give you and your country love and happiness for He is very loving. He keeps giving us love. I think there is a “tape” in you all. You will listen to it there and remember what was said.

You say that Russia and India are sisters. No doubt. Brothers and sisters may fight, but let us try not to.

Guru Nanak once said to God, “You are my special girlfriend. You listen to my most intimate thoughts.”

You have got a good leader. Your ideas are so good that the tree will give great fruit and fragrance. May God bless us all, remove ego, anger, and hatred, and develop the great love within us. God will definitely make us love each other as sisters.   

After Maharaj finishes speaking, the delegates come forward lovingly to receive his blessings and to offer traditional gifts they have brought for him from Russia. As you can see in their eyes, they have so much love for him.