MASTER'S SATSANG PROGRAM – PETALUMA

Saturday, July 27th and Sunday, July 28th, 2024

Program
 Gates open at:6:30 am
 Satsang Hall opens for seating:6:30 am
 Please be seated by:9:15 am
 Satsang starts:10:00 am
 Site closes:1:00 pm

Only residents of the Northwest, Southwest, and South Central Regions, residing in the following states, may attend the Petaluma Satsang Program.
(AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MO, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY)

No one living outside the USA may attend satsang programs in either the USA or Canada, except for the residents of: South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, who are invited to attend the satsang program in either Fayetteville or Petaluma, but not both.

SATSANG PROGRAM – Each day there will be a satsang program beginning at 10:00 am.

ARRIVAL TIME – Please do not arrive at the site prior to 6:30 am. Earlier arrival may cause safety and traffic hazards. There will be no facilities available for the comfort of the sangat until the gates are open. Please give your kind understanding and allow proper time for sevadars to arrive and prepare the site. No one will be admitted to the Satsang Hall until the posted opening time of 6:30 am. In order to be fair to those who arrive at the scheduled time, a random line selection system for entering the Satsang Hall will be implemented.

SEATING – The sangat must be seated by 9:15 am. People who would like to be seated together should arrive together. Reserving or holding seats for others will NOT be permitted. For the safety and comfort of all, please cooperate with sevadars.

SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATIONS – There will be simultaneous translation from Punjabi/Hindi into English and from English into Spanish. A designated seating area in the Satsang Hall with headphones has been arranged for this purpose. Please note that there is limited seating in this area so seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – After the discourse, there will be a question and answer session.Those who wish to ask a question of the Master will be selected through a random drawing each day before satsang. The selection area will open at 6:30 am and close at 8:00 am after which the selection will take place. If you wish to ask a question, find your seat and then come to the question and answer selection area at the back of the Satsang Hall. If you are not selected you must return to your seat. Once the selection is complete, no one may join the question and answer line.

Question and answer guidelines
The Dera has asked that the following information be provided with regard to questions:

  1. Questioners must be 18 years of age or older.
  2. Questions should be short and precise.
  3. Only one question should be asked.
  4. Questions should be spiritual in nature and not about personal, financial, health, family, or political problems.
  5. Questions should not be asked on behalf of others.
  6. Long notes or poems or letters should not be read out.
  7. Do not interrupt the Master while he is answering your question; let him finish speaking before responding.

Requests of the audience

  1. There should be no clapping at any time during the program.
  2. Please respect the privacy of those asking questions and do not turn to look at the person asking a question.

RESTRICTED ITEMS – Mobile phones, pagers, cameras, binoculars, laser pointers, audio players, watches, and other devices that can record or transmit audio/video, electronic games or any other electronic items MUST NOT be brought into the Satsang Hall, Family Area, and surrounding areas. Any such items must be left in your place of accommodation, vehicle, or deposited with sevadars.

Photography and audio/video recording using any electronic device including mobile phones is not permitted anywhere on the property.

Large bags and purses (measuring over approximately 6" x 9") and food and drinks (other than water) will NOT be permitted inside the Satsang Hall. Please note that all bags are subject to inspection either upon entry to the satsang area or Family Area. Cushions are permitted but no seating article with a metal frame will be permitted.

NOTE TAKING – It is the Master’s wish that we take full advantage of his presence and not spend time and attention taking notes. You are kindly asked to refrain from taking notes during satsang and question and answer sessions. The taking of notes and passing of such notes to others by any means, including the internet, is strongly discouraged.

PARKING AND EXIT – Limited transportation for the elderly and special needs from remote parking areas may be available. As it may take a long time for cars to exit the property, please prepare to wait patiently on the grounds. Due to exit delays and traffic in the area, it is suggested that departing flights should be booked at least 5 hours after the end of the program.

TRANSPORTATION – Shuttle buses from certain hotels and long-distance charter buses may be arranged; please see the Hotel Shuttles and Charter Buses pages for additional details.

ATTENDING WITH CHILDREN – Children 10 years of age and older are permitted to attend satsang. Children under 10 years of age must go to the Family Area accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are responsible for their children during satsang and at all other times while at the site. Please see the Family Area page for additional information.

SPECIAL NEEDS – Assistance will be provided for those with special needs. When you arrive, please follow the signs for Special Needs drop off and parking. The Center is unable to provide medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or walkers for personal use. Please bring what you need. Please refer to the Special Needs page for additional information and the Special Needs Application.

FOOD – The sangat will be served a bag lunch that will contain 1 or 2 wraps, fruit, a bottle of water, and a cereal bar. A bag lunch with one wrap will cost $3 and a bag lunch with two wraps will cost $5.Tea and cookies will be served before satsang at a cost of 25 cents each.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS – Every attendee should be kind and pleasant to those in the local community. Our satsang centers have developed a good relationship with local communities and local governments and nothing should be done that may tarnish this relationship. Please remember to tip waitstaff at hotels and restaurants.

ATTIRE, PERFUME, SCENTS, SMOKING AND PETS – Due to rough ground and long distances from parking areas, walking shoes are advised. The Satsang Hall is open air, thus, it can be cold in the morning and temperatures can heat up quickly. Please dress appropriately. Please be considerate of others with health issues (allergies, asthma, etc.) and avoid wearing any perfumes or other scents. No smoking and pets other than certified service animals are allowed on the satsang property.