MASTER'S SATSANG PROGRAM – GOSHEN

INVITED AREA – Only residents of the Northeast, Southeast, and North Central Regions, residing in the following states, may attend the Goshen Satsang Program (AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV).

No one living outside of the invited area may attend Master's Satsang Program in Goshen, even if they are visiting the invited area at the time of the Program. Due to limited space and limited parking, no exceptions will be made.

SATSANG PROGRAM – On Friday, the Satsang Program will start at 11:00 am, and on Saturday, the Satsang Program will start 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. Please follow instructions that may be given by local law enforcement in a respectful manner. 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 45 minutes before the start of satsang. 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 – Those who wish to ask a question of the Master will be selected through a random drawing each day before satsang. The Question and Answer 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 located 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, and weapons 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.

ELECTRONIC SCREENING – Everyone attending the program will pass through electronic scanning. All purses and bags are subject to search. At the entry point, you will be asked to remove all metal objects from your pockets and place them in a clear plastic bag, which will be provided. To avoid delays, we kindly ask that everyone avoid wearing any unnecessary metal objects, including metal straps, large belt buckles, etc. Please leave your cell phones and other electronic devices in your car or check them at the collection point near the screening. If you have any restricted items, you will be asked to return to your vehicle, or collection point, and then re-enter the screening area.

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. Taking notes and passing them around to others by any means, including the internet, is strongly discouraged.

PARKING AND EXIT – Parking at the Goshen Center is limited. Parking at the Goshen Center will prioritize High Occupancy Vehicles (HOVs), Special Needs/Mobility-Impaired, and Family Area vehicles with strollers. Other vehicles will be directed to Remote Parking. You must obtain a Parking Pass for this program.

To help meet the needs of the sangat, we encourage you to carpool, use charter buses or shuttle buses. The sangat arriving by bus will be dropped off and picked up near the Satsang Hall entrance.

Exiting: As it may take a long time for cars to exit the property, please prepare to wait patiently on the grounds. Please follow the exit instructions on the Travel and Transportation page.

Additional information about parking will be published on the Parking page as it becomes available.

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. There will be no switching of parents/guardians between Family Area and the Satsang Hall. 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.

SERVICES FOR THE DEAF – American Sign Language and Closed Caption monitors will be available upon request by submitting the Special Needs and Deaf Services Application Form.

FOOD – No food or tea of any kind will be available at the Center for the sangat. It is also possible there will be delays in exiting the site due to traffic. You are welcome to bring snacks, lunch, etc., and leave them in your vehicle. Please see the Dining Guide for additional dining information.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS – We will be neighbors with the local community for decades to come. It is important to cultivate positive relationships with hotels, restaurants, and local authorities. Please be aware that there are a limited number of local restaurants with vegetarian options.Please be patient and cooperate with restaurant and hotel staff.Please refer to the Dining Guide for options in neighboring areas. Please remember to tip waitstaff at hotels and restaurants.

ATTIRE, PERFUME, SCENTS, SMOKING, AND PETS – Due to long distances from parking areas, walking shoes are advised. The Satsang Hall is open air and not air conditioned, so 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.