The fourth North American Youth
Conference and English Medium Samagam was held in Vancouver
on the 16th and 17th of May 2009. The objective of the
conference was to create a fun and safe environment for
youth, aged 13 to 30, to engage in spiritual discussion and
share ideas in a positive setting. There were two topics
chosen which served as the central theme around which
participants based their viewpoints: “Unity in Diversity”
and “Simple living, High Thinking”. In reference to the
conference, His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji
Maharaj in his welcome message stated that, “It becomes a
unique example to be followed by the world where the youth
are being misguided and motivated to take part in the acts
of violence and terrorism”.
This was the first event of its kind,
organized by the Sant Nirankari Mission Canada, in which
more than 170 young devotees from all across North America –
from Toronto to Calgary and Seattle to Los Angeles attended
as participants and not just spectators. The two day event
began at noon shortly after participants registered. At the
time of registration, they were given a t-shirt which boldly
presented the message “Unity in Diversity” and a booklet
that described the day’s proceedings.
As the enthusiastic group collected in
the main congregation hall, a video presentation on the
history of the Mission and His Holiness’s “Divine Journey”
through North America was shown which informed the audience
about the tremendous efforts and sacrifices made by saints
and Satgurus since the inception of the Mission in 1929.
After a warm welcome was extended to all, participants
proceeded to the “Exhibition Hallway” where local and
visiting youth showcased their unique visual and artistic
interpretations of the two topics.
The key segment of the conference was
the “Spiritual Discussions” section. Participants were
seated around tables in groups of 7 and each group was given
an interesting topic to discuss along with a flip chart and
some stationary. After an hour of discussion, the teams were
to create a presentation on their topic. The groups chose
creative names for themselves and came up with practical
actionable items that could be implemented in daily life.
The topics of discussion were:
1. What is the difference between
Faith and Belief?
2. How would you motivate others to
learn more about the Sant Nirankari Mission?
3. What is the meaning behind touching
another saint’s feet when you greet them? Why is this so
important?
4. What is the best way to apply
spiritual teachings in our lives?
5. How can we balance work, life and
our spirituality?
During the three hour period, the
congregation hall was bustling with positive energy and
enthusiasm. The discussions served as a great way to bring
all the participants into a common blissful mindset leading
to the English Medium Samagam.
The English Medium Samagam was
conducted during the evening on the 16th of May and during
the morning on the 17th of May in the usual congregation
format. Devotees expressed their ideas on the two topics in
the form of speeches, skits, poetry and song – in both
eastern and western styles. The youth of Vancouver presented
a play depicting a kingdom devoid of color and how a
‘toymaker’ succeeded in painting the land by uniting diverse
colors – hinting at how differences in mankind only add
color to the fabric of society. Young poets took turns in
reciting their poems during the poetic symposium. Devotees
from Toronto enchanted the audience by collectively singing
their rendition of, ‘Tu Hi Tu’ from the album ‘Rise and
Awake’. The presiding saint, Rev Surjit Arneja, President,
Sant Nirankari Mission in Canada, congratulated the youth
for organizing the first Canadian Youth Conference and
English Medium Samagam and said in his discourse, “If our
actions don’t match our words, and if our thoughts are not
pure then naturally, the deeds which follow, bring us down.
Saints always see the best of everyone. They do not see
caste, colour or creed. They give happiness to everyone
irrespective of what others do. Their job is to give joy,
peace, love and tolerance and forgiveness:
Sant na
chhoren santayee, kotak milen asaint;
chandan vish vyapat nahin, lipte raht bhujang.
A saint never gives up his saintly way
of life, irrespective of the hardships, just as the Sandal
tree continues to spread it’s fragrance even when it is
coiled by snakes.” On the topic of Unity in Diversity, he
said, “Just as the various flowers enhance the beauty of the
garden, so does the variety becomes a source of beauty.”
On the second day, the youth from
Toronto prepared a comical skit illustrating how
spirituality can be applied in the corporate world, further
closing the gap between spiritual ideals and practical life.
Devotees from Vancouver jointly presented their concluding
message by singing “A Way of Life”, also from the album
‘Rise and Awake” against the backdrop of a picturesque
slideshow. Rev Baldev Arora Ji, Parmukh, Vancouver, thanked
all the participants and attendees, and expressed his
gratitude for the opportunity for sewa that Vancouver was
blessed with, and sought forgiveness on behalf of all the
entire Vancouver Sadh Sangat for any shortcomings.
Much to everyone’s delight, His
Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj had sent a
special video message for the Vancouver Samagam. His
Holiness applauded the enthusiasm of the youth and expressed
his delight at the organization of the fourth such
conference in North America. Satguru Baba Ji highlighted
the importance of the youth focusing their energies on
spiritual development, quite unlike the often common
participation in drugs and violence inherent in this age
group. He emphasized the need to continue on this path of
spiritual development by focusing out effort on further
societal services. He highlighted the previous efforts to
conduct blood, food and clothing drives and and reminded the
youth to not let this enthusiasm for social services and
spiritual growth die down. He blessed all those who
attended by saying, “…shoot for the moon, even if you miss
it you will land in the stars.”
Following His message, a narrated
story was presented by the Mission’s studios in Delhi which
showed how two men, sworn enemies on the basis of their
different religious practices, set aside their differences
after they were told by their caretaker that they were sons
of the same father. His Holiness said, “religion unites and
never divides… the goal of human life is self realization”
Participants left the West Coast Youth
Conference and English Medium Samagam uplifted by the
experience and ready to implement lofty spiritual ideals in
their daily lives. It was clear from the viewpoints shared
by young devotees that the youth have taken a keen interest
in the philosophy of the mission and are motivated to
promote the sentiment of “Peace, Love and Unity”.
His Holiness Satguru Baba
Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj’s discourse
“…So many teachings we get from
satsang, from attending the congregations. So many words of
wisdom - that if we feel are sincere then we will definitely
adapt those teaching and live life accordingly. It is often
said that we are old once we stop learning, whether we are
20 or 80. Even if one is 20 years old or 80 years old, being
old is not because of their age, one becomes old because one
loses enthusiasm to learn. This learning process which
starts from our childhood goes on throughout our lives. Now
all of you are gathered here who are called youth, youth of
the Mission, and the Mission stands for peace, love and
unity. It is the Mission which we have to achieve and each
passing day gives us success - that what is prayed for.
Always aim high. As it is said, “shoot for the moon , even
if you miss it you will land in the stars”. That sort of
enthusiasm and effort has to be there. All the saints and
sages gave the better part of their life- the whole of their
lives to improve mankind. To make man a man, man must live
as a human being. You have a broader outlook, the
enlightenment the Gyan you have got, it pursues us to move
in the direction of oneness, to be above barriers. We are
not to indulge in petty matters, our vision is a broader
vision and perceiving of oneness. We are not to look at
others as lower than ourselves, we have to always give a
feeling of compassion and love for all. So many events are
taking place - the Mission stands for service to mankind. In
North America too, youngsters have been participating in
various events. Whether it is to donate blood or to arrange
a soup kitchen, or to arrange food for the homeless - and so
many others which are being organized; the youth are
participating in it with enthusiasm which is indeed praise
worthy and it is hoped that this enthusiasm won’t die down.
It has to be kept alive and always have to pursue more and
more. As I often say that sky is the limit, whatever we do
there is much more to be done. So I pray to Nirankar so that
Nirankar bless you all with wisdom, may you always tread the
path of righteousness, may you always strengthen the ties
and may there always be harmony amongst you all, and may you
always become an asset to the Mission - to promote the
Mission - may Nirankar give you strength. Apart from
pursuing your careers; it is well understood that once one
reaches that stage of his/her life there are so many
responsibilities – Mission believes that one has to work,
one has to earn a living and for that matter we do we do
pursue various careers but at the same time we have to be
well aware and have to take some time to spread this message
of Truth, of Universal Brotherhood. So I congratulate you
all, the organizers and all the participants. May Nirankar
bless you. “
