It is rightly said that what you seek is seeking you. I have had many mystical experiences in my life, but never had the guidance to decipher them. Around October or November of 2022, I decided to search for a Guru. I have always felt connected with Lord Shiva and felt His presence all around. So, I decided that Lord Shiva is my Guru. Thereafter, in May 2023, I visited Bade Mandir for the first time and became a regular every week. I also listened to
satsangs available on YouTube. That is how the journey started.
As a family, we would talk a lot about Guruji. A month later, we were in the market to buy a new car. I said that go to Dugri with the new car we bought. Within three days, we had a brand-new, top-model car that too at a reasonable price delivered directly from the manufacturing unit to our house. It was our first taste of His grace.
Listens to every thought-beat of your heart
I had been looking for a particular
swaroop of Guruji to put up in my room. I liked the one we see at Bade Mandir, which shows Him with three faces, a hand placed over His left eye. I also used to covet the bracelets worn by devotees. Very recently, I got both when I went to satsang.
A few months ago, I was searching for '
An Autobiography of a Yogi'. Financially stressed, I felt the price was high. I was disappointed I couldn't buy it. A few days later, it was priced at a really low price.
On His birthday this year, I wanted to celebrate with a cake. I didn't discuss it with anyone at home because no one was talking about the Birthday. Around noon, my mother announced that we would celebrate His birthday in the evening with a small cake. When I was prepping the cake in the evening, I wondered whom my mom would ask to cut the cake, my brother or myself. Somehow that made me feel off. Just then, my mom called out to me and said that I had to cut the cake and offer it to Guru Sahib.
He listens to every small thought of His devotees and answers, and since He does so, why not ask Him for an everlasting connection.
I have felt His presence in the form of His characteristic rosy fragrance many times in my home and room. Sometimes I get the fragrance while driving the car. Once I felt separated from Him and felt that I had lost my connection with Him. I started crying like a baby. The following morning, I saw a peacock in front of my room!
In fact one rainy day while I was reading
Surcharged with Divine Love by Sukhmani, I became anxious about a personal matter and began asking myself if Guruji was aware of the issue. Just then I heard a voice calling me and ran on to the balcony–to see a peacock facing our house and honking loudly. He had answered again!
Inner transformation
I was spiritually inclined even before coming to Maharaj's
sangat and was connected to Lord Shiva. I used to go to Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib and sit there for hours. I once read the Qur'an, and that was amazing because I felt the presence of God intensely at a moment during the reading. I used to think that we all talk about one God, but all religions have their customs, their worship places. Is there any place in the whole planet where people from all the religions come and surrender and get blessings? Just the day before, I was sitting in my room and the thought again came to mind. Suddenly, it struck me that Guruji's sangat is one such place. It is the only place I have seen people from all religions, caste, creed, and nationality being blessed, including non-believers. Such is His grace.
Thanks to His blessings, I have seen a drastic shift in myself as a person a year after reaching His holy feet. I had a lot of ego, anger issues, and was filled with arrogance and ignorance. I was very narrowed minded when it comes to spirituality and life in general. Since childhood, I had been very quiet and introverted. I was inside a cocoon and would not come out of it. Guruji Maharaj made me sit with Him and share my thoughts and feelings, which lightened the baggage I had been carrying for years. He healed me of inner traumas that had never come to the surface of my personality. He got rid of my subconscious fears and negativity, which manifested in my life as incorrect perceptions and misbehaviour. He made me confident, taught me how to speak for myself, and gave me self-esteem and self-worth. He widened my perception. He taught me how to meditate. He made me realize that He is the divine light and that God is one.
I believe we need to be patient and just listen to Guruji.
Follow His will and commit to work upon ourselves daily. He will stand beside us every step of the way. He is listening to us every second.
Shreya Kanojia, a devotee
July 2024