Gurinder Singh
Gurinder Singh Dhillon, also known as Baba Ji to his followers, is the current spiritual head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB). He succeeded Charan Singh, his uncle, as spiritual head, or guru, of RSSB in 1990.[1] The headquarters of the society, called Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, are located beside the river Beas near the town of Beas, Punjab, in northern India, and have been a center for satsang since 1891. RSSB has centers located worldwide.
Gurinder Singh | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Born | 1 August 1954 |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Religious career | |
| Based in | Beas, Punjab, India |
| Period in office | 1990 to Present |
| Predecessor | Charan Singh |
Personal history
Gurinder Singh was born 1 August 1954, into a family of the Dhillon clan who were followers of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas.
He was educated at the Lawrence School, Sanawar, in the Shimla Hills of Himachal Pradesh,[2] and obtained his bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University, Chandigarh. He was in Spain working before coming back to India to accept his nomination as the next spiritual head of RSSB in 1990. According to the society, he lives off his own income and in keeping with the policy for all volunteers, he does not receive any money or honorarium from the society. He has two sons Gurpreet Singh Dhillon and Gurkirat Singh Dhillon. Gurpreet is the CEO of Religare Health Trust RHT[3]
Philosophy and teachings
RSSB is a philosophical organization based on the spiritual teachings and dedicated to "a process of inner development under the guidance of a spiritual teacher".
That there is a spiritual purpose to human life - "to experience the divinity of God within all of us" is a central belief. In the Indian language, Radha Soami means ‘lord of the soul’ (radha = soul; soami = lord) satsang describes a group that seeks truth, and Beas refers to the town near which the main center is located in northern India. There are a number of other contemporary movements that use the name ‘Radha Soami’ that Radha Soami Satsang Beas is not associated with.
RSSB was established in India in 1891 and gradually began spreading to other countries in the mid 20th century. RSSB holds meetings in more than 90 countries worldwide. It is a registered non-profit society with no affiliation to any political or commercial organizations.[4]
The philosophy teaches a personal path of spiritual development which includes a lacto-vegetarian diet, abstinence from intoxicants, tobacco, alcohol and mind-altering drugs, a moral way of life and the practice of daily meditation. There are no rituals, ceremonies, hierarchies or mandatory contributions, nor are there compulsory gatherings. Members need not give up their cultural identity or religious preference to follow this path.
The meditation method imparted at the time of initiation is known as Surat Shabd Yoga and is practiced according to the Living Masters instructions. It is a solitary practice where the disciple concentrates within, with eyes closed, and performs simran, meditating upon the five holy names taught/imparted at the time of initiation. This is followed by bhajan: an attempt by the disciple to listen to the divine Sound or 'Word' (also known as Shabd) within. Both these practices form the complete method of meditation as prescribed by Surat Shabd Yoga within Sant Mat.
Spiritual discourses
The Dera, located in Beas, Punjab, is the designated home of the spiritual leader of the organization. Large crowds visit on designated days, usually in the weekends, to hear discourses from him. He also gives satsang at other major centers of RSSB in India.[5] He goes on tour to the various RSSB centers outside of India during the months of April–August.
See also
References
- The encyclopedia of cults, sects, and new religions James R. Lewis - 1998 - Page 395
- Sardar Gurinder Singh at radhasoamiji.in, accessed 14 March 2012
- "RSSB.org". Retrieved 5 March 2011.
- "RSSB.org". Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- "Satsang Programme". RSSB Official. Retrieved 1 July 2020.