The Sant Nirankari Mission has been part of my life since childhood. Spirituality was never something separate in our home. It was part of our everyday life, our conversations, our routines, and the way we were brought up.

Growing up, I had the blessing of Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj as our Satguru. Listening to his thoughts during Satsang and Samagams was something we always looked forward to. Today, we continue this spiritual journey under the guidance of Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, with the same understanding of God, humility, love, Seva, and humanity.

Much of this understanding came from the environment my parents created for us. I was born in Delhi, India, and because my father worked in a bank, his transfers took our family to different places. I remember living in Mansa and Bathinda, with most of my childhood spent in Punjab. Growing up as one of five siblings, four sisters and one brother, meant that Satsang, Seva, school, and family life were experiences we largely shared together.

Our days were simple. We went to school, studied, came home, and Satsang was naturally part of our lives. We prepared for children’s satsang, took part in activities, sang on stage, helped in langar, and participated in Seva. Spirituality was discussed at home, but it never felt like a separate subject that had to be taught to us. It was simply part of how we lived.

My father had a very strong influence on all of us. He was deeply dedicated to the Sant Nirankari Mission, but he was equally committed to his family, his work, and our studies. His days were often hectic. He would attend morning Satsang, go to the bank, and then often go straight from work to Satsang with us. Despite his busy routine, he made sure that we remained involved in Satsang and encouraged us to participate in children’s Satsang, Samagams, and Seva.

We saw him serving others, helping people, and visiting saints. He always explained to us the importance of the Guru in our lives and taught us to respect all saints. These were not merely things he told us. We saw him live them.

One of my earliest memories is from when I was around four or five years old. My father gave us shoe polish and brushes and asked us to do Seva for those coming to attend Satsang. We would take their shoes, clean and polish them, and then place them carefully in the shoe lockers.

I still remember enjoying it. At that age, I probably did not understand humility or Seva in any deep sense. I only knew that I liked doing it and that it gave me a feeling of satisfaction. Looking back, I realise that many things I understood more deeply later in life had already begun finding their place within me through these small childhood experiences.

Satsang Was Simply Part of Life

I never remember feeling that I had to go to Satsang because my family was making me go. I enjoyed it naturally. The teachings of the Sant Nirankari Mission always felt simple and light to me. There was an ease in understanding them. The more I listened, and later the more I thought about them myself, the more natural they felt.

I cannot remember a particular day when I decided, This is what I believe. There was no such moment. It feels more as though I grew with this understanding, and it grew within me.

As I became older and began analysing things for myself, that understanding did not weaken. If anything, the more I reflected on the teachings, the more I believed in them.

One thing that also became very clear to me was that I never related the teachings to the behaviour of an individual person. People are human. Everyone has their own nature and their own shortcomings. Someone’s behaviour could not change what the teachings themselves meant to me. The teachings always stood on their own.

I also grew up respecting the beliefs of others. Whether I was visiting a Gurdwara, a Church, or another spiritual place, I was happy to go. I never felt that respecting someone else’s way of connecting with God could make my own understanding weaker. My own connection was clear to me.

The Samagams I Waited For

Some of my happiest childhood memories are of Samagams. I used to wait for them every year.

There was so much I looked forward to. Satsang, Seva, the exhibition, meeting saints and old friends, eating langar, and especially listening to Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. As a child, I enjoyed every part of the experience.

My father would give us pocket money for the day. Going to the canteen was exciting, and bread pakora was one of my favourites. There was always so much happening around us, and I loved the whole atmosphere.

Sometimes I would even think that three or four days of Samagam were not enough. Why could it not be longer?

I attended almost every Samagam until I finished school. When I look back at those years now, I realise how naturally spirituality became part of me. There was no pressure to understand everything at once. I was simply growing up, enjoying my childhood, and absorbing something along the way through my family, Satsang, Seva, and the teachings I heard.

At that age, I could not have known how much of it would stay with me as life began to change. But somewhere within me, a foundation had already been laid. 🙏

Glossary

Satsang: A spiritual gathering where people come together to listen, reflect, and deepen their understanding of God.

Seva: Selfless service performed without expecting anything in return.

Satguru: The spiritual guide who leads a person towards the realisation and understanding of God.

Samagam: A large spiritual gathering where people come together for satsang, seva, reflection, and fellowship.

Langar: A community meal prepared and served in the spirit of equality and selfless service.

Babaji: A respectful and affectionate way of addressing Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj.

Gurdwara: A Sikh place of worship.

Bread Pakora: A popular Indian snack made with bread coated in seasoned gram flour batter and fried.