ਵੀਰ ਭੁਪਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਵਿਨੀਪੈਗ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਫੇਰੀ
ਸਿੰਘ ਸਭਾ ਇੰਟਰਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ
ਲਿਵਿੰਗ ਟਰੈਯਰ (ਜੀਵਨ ਜਾਂਚ) ਵਲੋਂ ਵਿਨੀਪੈਗ ਵਿਖੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਦਿਨ (18, 19 ਅਤੇ 20 ਜੂਨ 2010 ਈ: ਨੂੰ) ਜੀਵਨ ਜਾਂਚ, ਬਾਣੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਣੀ ਨੂੰ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਅੰਗ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਖੂਬ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਹੋਇਆ। ਨਿਊ ਯਾਰਕ ਤੋਂ ਵੀਰਭੁਪਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਅਤੇ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਸਤਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੁਸਾਇੱਟੀ (ਪਾਈਪ ਲਾਈਨ) ਵਿਖੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਕੀਤੇ, ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਸੁਸਾਇੱਟੀ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਊਥ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੈਂਟਰ ਵਿਖੇ ਇੱਕ ਇੱਕ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਇੱਕ ਜਵਾਨ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਇੰਗਲਿਸ਼-ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੈਮੀਨਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ।
ਇਸ ਸਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਦੀ ਵਿਨੀਪੈਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੜੀ ਸ਼ਲਾਘਾ ਹੋਈ ਅਤੇ ਐਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਸੈਮੀਨਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ। ਸੰਗਤ ਨੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਅਨੰਦ ਮਾਣਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਕਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਸੀਮਤ ਸਮੇਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਹਰੋਂ ਆਏ ਸੱਜਣਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ, ਤਦ ਤਕ ਸਵਾਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੁਆਬ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਰਹੇ ਜਦ ਤਕ ਸਵਾਲ ਨਾ ਮੁੱਕ ਗਏ। ਅੱਧੇ ਘੰਟੇ ਦੇ ਨੋਟਿਸ ਤੇ ਵੀ ਸੈਮੀਨਾਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ। ਵਿਨੀਪੈਗ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਲਿਵਿੰਗ ਟਰੈਯਰ ਦੀ ਟੀਮ ਦੀ ਧਨਵਾਦੀ ਹੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਰੁਝੇਵਿਆਂ ਭਰੀ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ’ਚੋਂ ਸਮਾਂ ਦਾਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕ੍ਰਿਤਾਰਥ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।
ਜਿੱਥੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਮੇਟੀਆ ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਕਰਾਉਣ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਰਸੰਸਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਾਤਰ ਹਨ ਉੱਥੇ ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਵੀ ਧਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਨਾ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ। ਖਾਸ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਖੋਸਾ, ਜੋਗਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਧਾਮੀ, ਮੇਵਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੇਦੀ, ਉਪਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਤੂਰ, ਬਲਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ , ਬਲਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਿੱਧੂ, ਮਨਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਿੱਧੂ ਹੋਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤਿੰਨੋ ਦਿਨ ਯਥਾਸੰਭਵ ਸੇਵਾ, ਮਿਹਨਤ ਅਤੇ ਲਗਨ ਨਾਲ ਇਸ ਪ੍ਰੋਗ੍ਰਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਮਯਾਬ ਬਣਾਇਆ।
ਇਹ ਸੈਮੀਨਾਰ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਨ। ਦੂਸਰੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਮੇਟੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਔਹਲਦੀਆਂ ਸਨ ਪਰ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਕ ਸੱਜਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਮੇਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ ਖਾਂਦਾ। ਐਸੇ ਸੈਮੀਨਾਰ ਅਕਸਰ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਰਹਿਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Unconditional love is second nature to beings who are in gratitude. One does
not wait for favours from others to return. One is forever thankful. And from this
arises a creative attitude to enhance mankind. This is living God where the give
and take attitude is eradicated.
There resides an Apple Tree whose trunk is grounded on Mother Earth, well rooted
it stands upright and the roots under the ground hold the tree. But, this is not
merely a statue, standing there, infact it attains all its nutrients from Mother
Earth and finds its sustenance. It absorbs water and food and sustains its growth.
This nurturing thrives it and the leaves, branches stem out in utter vitality. All
the resources for its growth are being withdrawn from nature. Now, the tree in its
utter humility, to be a provider in kindness, reciprocates with lush green foliage,
blooming flowers whose fragrance invigorates the environment and transcends serenity
and a tranquil atmosphere. This is an embedded characteristic of a tree to produce
and give, this is the expression of its potency. So extracting all the required
nutrients for its booming growth, the tree derives it from nature and its elements
like sun, moon, earth etc, flourishes in its growth and procreates, blossoms an
apple, as its offering for the mankind. It is second nature to flora, to contribute.
As, when its ceases to produce or contribute, it dies. So, in deep reverence and
thanks, the tree gives an apple to the creation.
Likewise, is the fauna, the non-humans i.e. animals be it a cow, goat, buffalo,
all of them strive on the foliage, the green leaves, its twigs, stems etc. and in
return, present milk to the mankind. A dog or a horse survives on the diet provided
by his master and in return, offers an invaluable gift of his faithfulness to the
master.
This gratefulness is not restricted to living beings, even the non-living objects
like a shoe-shine, an iron etc. brighten our appearance on their usage. We wear
polished shoes and ironed crease free clothes that brighten and enhance our appearance.
So even tangible objects tend to nurture us, beautify us, this is their gift to
us.
Are you as a reader wondering, what begets these illustrations? Why such particular
instances and occurrences are being discussed? It is to mark the point that we are
making which is thankfulness and appreciation of kindness, and how one reciprocates
and responds in Gratitude.
A rush and flow of thanks in human beings floods them with kindness, sympathy, concern
and compassion. A human, when grateful never forgets a kind act done to him, the
love and affection they receive from anyone, the comforts, joy and the gaiety this
world provides, but such beings are rare, who observe and appreciate the goodness
they receive from others. Amongst flora, fauna and the human race, a human is the
most ungrateful species. This is because a human doesn't live in adherence to the
laws of nature and neither comprehends the universal truth. Therefore, in his callousness
and ruthlessness he turns stony and is indifferent to the conservation of nature,
endangered species, ecological balance etc.
In the religious arena, it is usually propagated that science has an adverse effect
on ones religiousness. And all the technological advancements deteriorate ones holiness.
And look at the parody, that all the advance telecommunication systems, the fastest
modes of transportation and all utility gadgets, which are none other than the gifts
of science are used by all. But no one is ever thankful for the comfort they receive
and have an indifferent and intolerable attitude to the men who have burnt the midnight
oil and had sleepless nights to invent these utility objects. Thus, ignoring the
toil and labor of the meticulous workers, people go on condemning and criticizing
science and technology through media itself, using the loudspeakers, televisions
and internet, they lament about these and undermine the greatness of science and
technology.
But one need not lose heart, akin to the flora and fauna, survive some humans who
realize deep down in their hearts, the favors they are endlessly receiving from
this cosmos and its society. These thankful beings are not blind to the gifts that
are poured to them. So, they feel a surge of affection for their brethren and Nature,
this swells them with gratitude to give back, they acknowledge and return back to
the mankind. Amongst these are the scientists, the ones doing medical research,
social activists, environmentalists conserving nature and protecting environment.
These few in their thankfulness pay tribute to God by loving his creation. So all
efforts are made by them to make our living easier, comfortable, convenient and
prosperous. In their gratitude, is an upsurge of welfare for all. These grateful
beings remember all meager favors, trivial helps and tiny gifts they have received
in their life and pour out this remembrance in the form of compassion towards others.
These people empathize and sympathize with others, lend an ear to them and work
endlessly to evade misery from the lives of others. An unconditional love is second
nature to the beings who are in GRATITUDE. And from here splurge all the inventions
and discoveries, when a scientist spends years and years to invent comfortable modes
of transportation, faster means of communication and bubbly means of entertainment
like TV, phone, computers etc. In gratitude, a medical researcher explores endlessly
the means to cure the diseased, invents vaccinations to combat illness, medicines
to cure and heal patients, and provide a livelier habitat for the inhabitants of
this world. An environmentalist tries to maintain the ecological balance, for a
healthier sustenance of living beings and conserves nature. Thus, in gratitude one
is exuberant and robust with love for all. Once one learns to be thankful, he oozes
with efforts to make a better world. Then whatever be ones profession or field of
work, he excels in it to create a safer, better and serene world. Whatever be the
nature of occupation, working carefully and meticulously one tries to create a happier
world. And in all this, all self-sacrifice and toil is not tiring, as one works
in passion and doesn't make efforts to do, as this becomes his way of living, his
way of worshiping God. He is not an atheist but a devotee as he loves the creator's
creation. This is the true portrayal of GRATITUDE where one remembers every favour
done to him and is overwhelmed by his thankfulness to radiate this world in his
compassion.
Being in gratitude is a touchstone to spirituality where one is thankful to the
diversity of nature, its varied seasons be it dry spells or rainy showers. True
religiousness lies in being grateful, for all that you have received. One must appreciate
for all that he gets as a blessing and grace and must never repent or criticize.
Infact being grateful one thinks "All received at my end is much more than I deserved";
"So much has been bestowed upon me"; "Now is my chance!"; Its my turn now". This
comes out from a satisfied contended heart where oodles of love shower for others.
One is ignited to rise above this selfish ulterior motives and narcissistic attitude
and develops a creative attitude to enhance mankind.
Thanking our spouse, children, in-laws, relatives, colleagues associates, subordinates,
employees, assistants, watchmen, servants, janitors etc. we imbibe gratitude in
our character. We must learn to thank everyone for whatever modest activity they
perform. In gratitude, one becomes an abode of patience and his conscience directs
him to utilize his assets, intellect, body and all possessions for the well being
of the creation. One's own conscious being, wants to create better opportunities
for others. This is a recurring mediation, which keeps one in bliss, as all the
misery of greediness and selfishness evades. This is religiousness, piousness, holiness
when one doesn't wait for favors from others to return back. Infact, he is forever
in the lap of thankfulness to give, this is the expression of his potency. Such
a being endlessly works for others, this is living God where the give and take attitude
elopes and only giving with compassion is the abode of GRATITUDE, where you whole
heartedly care for and be a comforter.
On comprehending the laws of nature and the universal truth, one is automatically
sparked and plugged into gratitude and its showers drench him with thankfulness
and appreciation of the creation.
Bhupinder Singh
The Living Treasure.