The Shelter of Satsang

If your boat is caught in a storm and you reach the shore, you feel so relieved. We are all in the storm of our mind, and when we go to the satsang of the mystics, we find we can land on a shore. How relieved we feel. Satsang is a great anchor. We are always influenced by the company we keep.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}

Throughout the ages, the one common battle that people have faced is that of controlling the mind. Today, with our increased dependence on material possessions, it is perhaps more difficult than ever before. Everyone is striving for more, and somehow whatever we have is never enough. The purpose of satsang is to help settle the storm of endless desires that our minds create.

Financial troubles, problems in our relationships, difficulty in sitting for meditation – our mind is constantly dwelling on something or another. Just as a sailor desperately needs a point to anchor his boat, similarly we need a place to anchor our mind. Satsang is that anchor.

Years go by, and we tend to forget the reason and the purpose of attending satsang. We wonder whether we are gaining anything in the process. Hazur used to give a beautiful explanation:

Crops can grow without a fence, but there is always a danger of somebody ruining your crop if it has no protection. So we need to protect whatever meditation we do by keeping up that atmosphere of love and devotion.
_{Die to Live}

Satsang helps us build an atmosphere of spirituality in our lives. In addition, it teaches us humility and is a source of strength that helps us rise above our weaknesses.

Even if we do not recall every single satsang we may have attended over the years, we know that they have helped nourish our soul, making us stronger to overcome the hurdles in our lives.

Life can be very difficult, but perhaps more difficult than life itself is the constant struggle of fulfilling our promise to our Master. Doing our two and a half hours meditation daily and being a good, loving human being is what he expects of us. Satsang is a constant reminder of that. If we were not reminded, how easy would it be to forget that in this world of illusion.

Ultimately, everything on this path leads to one thing – meditation. Satsang helps us build an atmosphere in which we are able to channelize our lives towards this goal. It gives us encouragement, and is a positive influence towards God-realization.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
_{Bible, Matthew 18:20}

Every time we attend satsang, the Master is present. What more positivity can we surround ourselves with? What better fence can we think of, that will protect our meditation? What better anchor can there be for our mind?

The main purpose of satsang meetings is to keep awake in our hearts a keen desire and earnestness for simran and bhajan, and to create and sustain love and devotion for the Lord.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Divine Light}