Skip to main content

Spiritualism simplified? About Guruji who speaks less, spends time in 'deep' meditation

By Arup Mitra* 

Take the Gita or Durga Saptasati, the ever-assuring lines claim that the manifestation of God on earth is possible again and again. As per the requirements of the human society, incarnations and arrivals of divine souls do take place from time to time.
The class of ‘nitya siddha’ remains always connected to the divinity. Individuals belonging to this class, even when they pursue certain daily paraphernalia, are always engrossed in deep contemplation.
Widely known as Guruji, Shri Nirmal Singh was of such high level texture, who spent the later years of his life in Delhi, educating people in the field of divinity and practising self-less love. Prayers and meditation without any material objective is the essence of his preaching.
He spoke less, spent his time in deep mediation and suggested others to do the same. The divine consciousness does not have to be told anything; as we connect ourselves to the supreme, we evolve and gradually learn to dwell in that divinity always. Life is a temple where we worship divinity by becoming a part of this vastness.
The book Guruji: Life and Spiritualism (Rupa, 2023), written by one of his followers, C Roul, is a wonderful exposition of spiritualism that India practiced over the centuries and produced its graceful appearances repeatedly throughout the human civilisation.
Guru ji has been a part of that great legacy, that great spiritual tradition, India carried over since time immemorial. His life and messages, enchanting the absolute truth, purifies the mind as the reader flips through the pages. It reminds one of one’s own true self and ignites the urge and makes one conscious of realising the ultimate of human life.
The book unravels the depth of regional history, intricacies of psycho-analysis of different phenomena in our life -- starting from dream to several transcendental experiences, the intellectual clarity of concepts, the systematicity of rationality and finally, the all-inclusive supreme divinity, overarching our complete existence. While detailing the personal experiences the author brings out the spiritualism simplified and reinstated for individual absorption.
Book unravels depth of regional history, intricacies of psycho-analysis of different phenomena in life
Guruji, as the mahapurusas do, lived for others showering his self-less love and removing the sufferings of others so that they could lead a peaceful life and avail of all opportunities to experience divinity.
As Ramakrishna strongly believed, in the contemporary age it is not possible to practise spiritualism, completely ignoring the hand bleeding profusely. Guruji, therefore, tirelessly engaged himself in rendering good to others so that at least some of them rise above the material world to realise the spiritual heights.
When life remains confined to the narrow lanes, where will be the space for the chariot of spiritualism to come nearby? In different human forms divinity takes material manifestation in order to come close to us and speak loudly the eternal mantra for having the vision of universal form. 
That vision is the ultimate and final experience which helps the stream of life to merge with the ocean of eternity. Thereafter, as long as one is alive it is the state of jivanmukta that one relishes – the ultimate joy for which one has evolved from amoeba, little by little.
In this book, the author as a dutiful disciple has constructed such a timeless temple for his Guru, that it will provide space to enumerable to worship and get free from worldly ties.
---
*Professor, South Asian University

Comments

TRENDING

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor*  A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas*  Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Overriding India's constitutional sovereignty? Citizens urge PM to reject WHO IHR amendments

By A Representative   A group of concerned Indian citizens, including medical professionals and activists, has sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reject proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) before the ratification deadline of July 19, 2025. 

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative   A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman*   The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.