[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Dayal ki Daya Radhasoami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Letters From the Masters: Huzur Maharaj

Go on regularly with your [meditation] practice, keeping your mind
and senses undisturbed as far as possible; and trust in the mercy of
the Supreme Father to grant you strength gradually as you advance.
You will progress inward daily; there is no such thing as retrograde
movement.
_____

Go on with your practice as much as you can and the Supreme Father,
through His mercy, will gradually help you in the purification of the
mind; and the devotional practice will then then become easy and
pleasant.
_____

Go on increasing and strengthening your trust in and love for the
Supreme Father and keep your full belief and entire confidence in His
mercy and grace. Nothing more is wanted from you. The rest of the
work will be done by the Supreme Father Himself.
_____

You should fully rely on the mercy and grace of the Supreme Father
who guides, directs, watches and protects the interests of all who
come sincerely and unhesitatingly under His benign rule and
protection. Go on with your practice as much and as carefully as you
can and at the same time exercise as much authority and influence
over your mind and senses as you possibly can. Leave the rest to be
done and disposed of by the Supreme Being in the manner and at the
time He thinks best.
_____

The Supreme Being Radhasoami is our true guide. He is always with us,
within us, sees us doing every little bit of internal and external
work and helps us in every thing good.
_____

The blessing you crave for will be conferred on you by the Supreme
Father provided you trust in Him fully and think of Him or remember
Him now and then by repeating His Holy Name and being mindful of His
Holy presence. Do not be disheartened. The affection or love
(attraction) is reciprocal. The more you love the Supreme Father, the
more His mercy and grace will attend you in all your work.
_____

Faith, worth the name, must be living. It must consist in acquiring
an affection, or rather an intense love, for the Supreme Being and an
intense desire to approach Him; and this latter we can do in the
interior of the body, for the path is within us.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Biography of Huzur Maharaj

[Sant Mat Fellowship]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/santmatfellowship
[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY

Am sending this to both the members of Sant Mat Fellowship and
Radhasoami-Reality -- James

Recommended Reading, Revised and Updated

1) "Songs of Kabir," translated by Rabindranath Tagore. This is one
of the most wonderful collections of mystic poetry in the history of
the world containing some of Kabir's best compositions on the journey
of the soul into Love, Light and Sound -- the Path of the lover for
the Beloved -- Bhakti and Surat Shabd Yoga. "Songs of Kabir,"
translated by Rabindranath Tagore, Samuel Weiser Books, ISBN: 0-87728-
695-7. This can be ordered through any good bookstore or library
(inter-library loan). Also; the Tagore translation is online at this
website:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sok/index.htm

2) The "Guru Granth or Adi Granth" -- the Sikh scriptures, represents
a vast collection of the banis (psalms) of the Saints. I wish more
Westerners studied it as it really captures the Bhakti or devotional
spirit of the teachings. The complete Khalsa Consensus Translation of
the Granth is online; go to:
http://www.sikhs.org/english/eg_index.htm
I like this online translation even better:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/skh/granth/index.htm
Nataraj Books sells several translations of the Granth:
http://users.erols.com/nataraj/HOME.html
South Asia Books does as well: http://www.southasiabooks.com

3) "Inner & Outer Peace Through Meditation." This is a good
introduction to Sant Mat and designed to be 'user-friendly' for
Westerners new to the Path who are not-so-acquainted with Indian
terminology or concepts. "Inner & Outer Peace Through Meditation,"
Rajinder Singh, ISBN: 1-85230-949-0. Available through SK
Publications, 4 S 175 Naperville Road, Naperville,IL 60563
USA. Phone: 1-800-222-2207.
Website:
http://skrm.sos.org/publication_list.htm
Interview with the author:
http://njholisticguide.com/singhexcerpt.htm
Real Audio Radio Interview with Rajinder Singh:
http://www.thomaspecora.com/sant_rajinder.rm
There is also a companion volume titled, "Empowering
Your Soul Through Meditation", also published by SK
(Sawan Kirpal) Publications.

4) "The Sants -- Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India," is a
great textbook on the history, teachings and love-poetry of the
classic Sants of India. "The Sants -- Studies in a Devotional
Tradition of India," edited by Karine Schomer and W.H. McLeod,
Motilal Banarsidass Books, New Delhi: MOTILAL BANARSIDASS website:
http://www.mlbd.com/index.htm
South Asia Books: http://www.southasiabooks.com or Nataraj Books
might be able to order this also. Nataraj Books -- Rare Books from
India:
http://users.erols.com/nataraj/HOME.html

5) "Prem Patra Radhasoami," by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram). Though
it's almost completely unknown in the West, "Prem Patra" (Volumes 1-
5) is a real encyclopedia of the teachings of the Masters. This is
a 'bible'. "Prem Patra Radhasoami," by Huzur Maharaj, published in
Agra by the Maheswari family. For a pricelist of Agra-Radhasoami
books and to order from them directly, write:

Mrs. Rita Maheshwari
Soami Bagh, Agra-282005
INDIA
WEBSITE:
http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Books_Frame.shtml

Quite often Banyen Books in Vancouver, BC has in stock copies of the
Sar Bachan Poetry volumes and other Soami Bagh publications, and for
some it may be more convenient to go through them to get the Agra-
Radhaswami books. Below is info on Banyen.

Banyen Books & Sound, Internal Book Search to Find Out What's
Available: A good source for Sant Mat and Radhaswami (including Agra)
Books, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Volumes 1 & 2 by Swami Ji
Maharaj, and more:
http://www.banyenbooks.com/KEYWORDS.HTM
OR, write:

Banyen Books
Phone: 604-732-7912
2671 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC Canada V6K 2G2

6) The "Sar Bachan Radhaswami Poetry"; see websites and Banyen listed
above. The Sar Bachan Poetry volumes I also highly recommend -- it's
out of this world mystic-poetry. Banyen usually keeps on hand some
copies of the Sar Bachan Radhasoami POETRY, Volumes I and II, by
Soami Ji Maharaj. (This is not to be confused with Sar Bachan PROSE,
which is another book and is also available through Banyen Books.)
Anything not in stock can be ordered. Banyen will place an order with
Soami Bagh. Call for prices. When placing an order, remember that
prices are based on the Canadian dollar.

Also, the RS Book Department now has a new volume out called
"Sar Bachan Poetry - Selections". To order, check with RS Books,
Banyen; also Nataraj Books:
http://users.erols.com/nataraj/RADHASO.html
All three volumes of Sar Bachan Poetry are good to have. The earlier
Agra two-volume set represents the entire collection, and the
new "Selections" features excerpts in a contemporary English
translation.

7) "Spiritual Elixir" by Kirpal Singh, published by several sources
including: SK Publications, Sant Bani Books, and Ruhani Satsang --
this is an excellent collection of letters providing spiritual
guidance on a large number of subjects. Great Q & A.
"Spiritual Elixir" by Kirpal Singh, published by Science of
Spirituality. For price list and order form, write to: SK
Publications, 4 S 175 Naperville Road, Naperville,IL 60563 USA.
Phone: 1-800-222-2207. Website:
http://skrm.sos.org/publication_list.htm

Also see the Kirpal Singh Website. This is a wonderful library in
cyber-space:
http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org

There is also Ruhani Books:
A RUHANI SATSANG service
PMB 147
27881 La Paz Road, Suite G
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 474-5005
WEBSITE:
http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/rs_pubs.htm

8) "The Gnostic Mystery," by Andrea Grace Diem, available only
online. It compares Sant Mat mysticism with that of an ancient
movement from the Middle East called Gnosticism. Sant Mat, Sufism and
Gnosticism all have much in common. For Sant Mat-Gnostic comparative
mysticism; GO TO:
http://members.tripod.com/~andrea65/gnostictitle.html

9) "The Anurag Sagar of Kabir", by Sant Dharamdas Sahib, a Sant Mat
"Genesis", an epic about the creation, the Four Yugas or Ages,
descriptionsof the Positive and Negative Power in the lives of souls
and the Path of Jiva Mukti.
Write: Sant Bani Publications, Sanbornton, NH 03269 USA.
ISBN: 0-89142-039-8
Anurag Sagar On The Web:
It's slowing being added at this site:
http://www.geocities.com/anulbird/anuragindex.html
Complete text as pdf file:
save the file to your hard drive for easy viewing:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sadhuramjisatsang/files/anuragsagar.pdf
Gist about this book, Tarn Tarn Webpage:
http://www.aors-dbbs.org/enter/references/anurag_sagar_part.htm

10) "Mysticism In India -- The Poet-Saints of Maharashtra" is a
beautiful anthology of writings of many "southern" Sants of India
including Tukarama. "Mysticism In India -- The Poet-Saints of
Maharashtra," by R.D. Ranade, SUNY Press, NY, ISBN: 0-87395-670-2
Any good bookstore or library (inter-library loan) could get it. Also
check with South Asia Books:
http://www.southasiabooks.com

11) "Radhasoami Reality," by Professsor Mark Juergensmeyer is a good
resource to consult for information on the recent history of Sant
Mat/Radhasoami lineages. "Radhasoami Reality," Mark Juergensmeyer,
Princeton University Press, ISBN: 0-691-07378-3 Any bookstore or
library (inter-library loan) could get it.
See website:
http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/4772.html

12) "Dadu the Compassionate Mystic", K.N. Upadhyaya, RS Book
Department. Also, one can order it from Nataraj Books:
http://users.erols.com/nataraj/RADHASO.html
or Banyen Books of Canada:
http://www.banyenbooks.com/KEYWORDS.HTM
Banyen Books
Phone: 604-732-7912
2671 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC Canada V6K 2G2
One of my favorite collections of mystic verses,
devotional prayers, and hymns.
Says Sant Dadu Dayal:

The company which does not arouse piety
and devotion, wherein the Lord
is not talked about,
Whereby blemishes of sensuality are not
shaken off, by what measure can that
be called a satsang?

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Quotes -- The Spiritual Classics of the Radhasoami Faith}

Beloved Radhasoami is Your Protector

Guru is my Father and Mother. Who can describe His glory and
eminence?

Beloved, merciful to the humble, Radhasoami, does good to my soul
every moment.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhasoami

0 Jiva [soul]! Why do you worry? Beloved Radhasoami is your
protector. When you were born, He arranged milk for your feed and
had your mother bring you up. He took care of you in every way and
attracted you to His Holy Feet.

He provided you with all the pleasures of the senses and showed you
the transitory nature of the world. He then drew you to Satsang and
gave out to you the secrets and mysteries of the Nij Ghar (True
Home). By His grace and mercy, go up and open the Tenth Door.

He improves your understanding by His discourses. He lets you
examine the true nature of the mind, enabling you to give up your
entanglements, delusions and adherences to past beliefs. He applies
your Surat [Soul's Attention] to Shabd [inner Current of Sound and
Light]. Ascend to higher regions and see beautiful scenes.

He makes the bell and the conch audible to you in Sahas-dal-kanwal
[Thousand Petaled Lotus]. He shows you the splendor of Guru in
Trikuti [Causal Plane, second inner Region]. See moonlight in the
expanse of Sunn, and, reaching the perfect region beyond
Bhanwargupha, perform Arti of Sat Guru.

Taking a telescope from Sat Purush, proceed to Alakh and Agam.
Beyond lies the infinite Radhasoami Dham. Behold it and be enriched
place your head at His Holy Feet.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhasoami

Have patience. Do not be dejected. Fix your Attention on, and absorb
yourself in the Holy Form of Guru. Always sing His praises. Make no
excuses. This should be your aim, just as the Papiha (the sparrow
hawk) patiently waits in expectation of the Swanti rain with a fixed
aim.

Direct your Attention inward, do not allow it to flow out anywhere
else. Put up with every thing inwardly. Accept nothing but internal
joy. Have patience. Do not divulge acts of grace of Sat Guru to
others. Live with Radhasoami like a fish in water.

-- Soami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry

The Soul is astonished to see the delightful activities
of loving devotees.
Giving up all fear and regard of the world
and all sense of worldly honor and shame,
she abides at the Holy Feet of Guru.

She always follows the ways
of Love and Devotion.
She performs meditation
with zeal and enthusiasm.

She always cultivates mutual affection
with other Satsangi brothers and sisters,
and all souls.
She is overjoyed on having Darshan [Vision] of Guru.

She listens to Guru's discourses,
full of joy and delight.
Her inner being is illumined
as she performs Dhyan.

As she listens to Shabd
[Heavenly Music, the Sound Current],
her Soul ascends to the higher regions.
She pierces the sky
and reaches Trikuti.

After having witnessed Sunn,
Maha-sunn and Bhanwargupha,
she halts at Sat Lok,
Alakh Lok
and Agam Lok.

On reaching Radhasoami Dham,
she is absorbed in ecstatic bliss.
The cherished desire of her heart
is now fulfilled.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhasoami

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Dayal ki Daya Radhasoami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Spiritual Discourse: Obstacles In Meditation and How to Remove Them

[[[Post for the Week of July 13th-19th]]]

By Param Purush Puran Dhani Huzur Maharaj

Some persons complain that they do not have the bliss of
concentration during Bhajan [listening for the inner Sound during
meditation], or that they have had no inner experiences. The reason
is that at the time of Abhyas or devotional practice their mind is
either engaged in worldly pursuits or desires, or that they sit in
Bhajan soon after doing some worldly acts or ruminating about them,
or that they are unable to know and appreciate whatever they see or
hear internally.

It is clear that whenever a person, at the time of Abhyas
[meditation practice], raises in his mind the thoughts and desires
of the worldly affairs, the currents of mind and Surat (spirit)
would, at that time, flow towards the sense-organ concerned. As the
mind is capable of doing one thing only at a time, and the spiritual
bliss is only discernible higher up, or in the higher current, how
can, therefore, the bliss or pleasure of Bhajan be had unless the
current of the mind is turned upwards and contacts the spirituality
of the higher plane?

Whoever sits in Bhajan or devotional practices while thinking of
some worldly object or after finishing some worldly work, his mind
and spirit are then saturated with the currents of worldly desires
at that time, and his attention and tendency would be downwards. So,
unless he turns his attention in right earnest and sits in Bhajan
with deep love and yearning, his mind and spirit would not be
earnestly and wholly engaged in Bhajan and therefore no bliss would
be perceived. In those circumstances, it is proper for him to recite
thoughtfully some hymns of Chetawani (warning) or Virah (deep
yearning) or Prem (love and devotion) from the Sar Bachan Poetry,
and thus divert his attention. Then, of course, he can derive some
bliss and pleasure in Abhyas (spiritual practices).

There are some persons who, after knowing the secrets of heavenly
spheres, desire that the first sphere should be open before their
eyes immediately. Whatever glimpse they get of that region, they
wish that it should permanently remain before them, and if they hear
the Sound of the first stage, they do not properly appreciate it, or
do not pay proper attention to it. For this reason, the devotional
practices appear to them dull and insipid. The vision of the third
Til or of Sahas-dal-kanwal [Thousand Petaled Lotus] and constant
contact with these are not an easy affair, for these are the regions
of the Virat Swarup or infinite expanse and Brahm. The vision of
these regions, quickly and constantly, is rather difficult. Their
occasional glimpse or hearing of the Bell-Sound is also a good
indication. Gradually the Sound will become clearer and closer, and
glimpses of the form of the deity of that region will also be
occasionally seen.

It is but proper for a devotee, to continue his spiritual practices
with love and faith. It should be understood, that the object of the
devotional practices of Sant Mat is to elevate the mind and the
spirit, which are tied in Pinda, to Brahmanda and beyond it. If one
fixes his mind and spirit, in Dhyan, at the first or the second
stage, and allows them to stay there for some time, he is sure to
experience the bliss of concentration and elevation, irrespective of
the fact, whether he sees anything or not. Similarly, he who fixes
his mind and spirit at the time of Dhyan and Bhajan, and gradually
takes his spirit and mind towards the centre, from where the Sound
is coming, he will then surely feel the bliss of Bhajan. It is,
therefore, proper that at the time of Dhyan and Bhajan, leaving
aside all thoughts of the world, he should fix his mind and spirit
at the first stage. If they do descend or go astray, they should be
drawn up and fixed there. If this is done repeatedly, the Shabd will
become partially audible, and the Form (Rup) will also be visible to
him, and the bliss of concentration and elevation will also be had.

For doing all this, it is necessary to have a sincere yearning and
longing, i. e., Virah and Prem of a lesser or greater degree. If, at
the time of Abhyas, the mind does not come under control, then it is
necessary to read with attention, some such hymns of Virah and Prem
or Chetawani from Sar Bachan Poetry, as may appear to him to be more
effective, and then he should sit again in Bhajan. If this is done,
the condition of the mind will be changed, to a certain degree, and
Bhajan will, more or less, be correctly performed.

One should, often, so argue with his mind: that when it is engaged
in worldly affairs it does not pay any attention to Parmarth [the
Highest Truth or Spiritual Path]; why should the mind then think of
the worldly affairs when engaged in Parmarthi pursuits? He should,
off and on, pray at the Holy Feet of the true Supreme Being, that
his mind may be purified, and he may be able to sit in Bhajan, with
all his attention drawn in. A little thought will enable a devotee
to realize that at the time of Bhajan and Dhyan, if he thinks of the
world, he is guilty of great disrespect to the Supreme Being. As, if
a man, while in the presence of his father or his officer, does not
hear them or even look at them but talks to others, how then will
they be pleased with him? Similarly the Supreme Being is also not
pleased, and for this reason no bliss or pleasure is felt in Abhyas.

It is, therefore, proper that if one cannot do his Abhyas for long,
he should do it for a short while, but, as far as possible, he
should do his Abhyas properly and with attention.

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Quotes -- The Spiritual Classics of the Radhasoami Faith

Bhakti

Mataji [Yogani Mataji] exuded a sense of joy and happiness. We
talked for more than three hours about a variety of subjects, but I
was most intrigued with Mataji's experiences on the inner spiritual
planes. I asked her what it was like to leave the body. Mataji
responded with a beautiful description of how consciousness can be
released from the mortal frame by attaching itself to the stream of
celestial music radiating from the top of the head and beyond. To do
this, she said, one first must be initiated by a genuine mystic who
has gained access to the higher realms. The practice itself,
although it may take years to master, sounds relatively simple. The
body should be kept perfectly still with one particular posture held
for at least three hours. One may choose a cross-legged position
(like the yogis in the lotus pose) or a more comfortable, relaxed
position in a chair. Keeping the back erect and the mind alert, one
continuously repeats God's name as given by his/her guru. This
simran, as Mataji termed it, should be done with one's attention
centered behind closed eyes.

Coupled with this physical stillness and ceaseless repetition of
God's name [simran practice], the next step is to contemplate the
Light within. At first, Mataji pointed out, there will be only
darkness but eventually Light will appear in the form of either
small flashes or small star-like points. In any case, one should
focus on the radiance, keeping one's simran intact and allowing the
Light to draw the soul inward. The third and most important step,
Mataji said, is to listen to the Sound that issues forth from the
Light. It is this Internal Music which will numb the body and allow
the consciousness to leave its ordinary dwelling. By riding this
Current of Light and Sound, like a fish going upstream, the soul
will be able to go back to its original home. On the journey within,
however, the soul must be guided by a true master so as not to be
detained in any of the lower illusory regions. According to Mataji,
what near-death patients experience is only the beginning of a vast
sojourn into great universes of Light, love and beauty.

Personally I was overcome with the profundity of Mataji's account.
Although it seemed plausible, especially given the findings of near-
death patients who have been resuscitated, the soul's journey in the
beginning stages appeared too difficult. How can one sit so still,
repeat only holy names and think of God constantly? "By falling in
love," Mataji answered serenely. "Because when one is truly in love
nothing but the Beloved can enter one's mind. So the secret of Surat
Shabd Yoga and of mysticism," she goaded, "is not necessarily
practice and more practice, but love. To be so devoted to one's Lord
that nothing can stand in the way-this and nothing else is the truth
of Sant Mat," Mataji stressed.... (Enchanted Land, published by the
MSAC Philosophy Group)

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Dayal ki Daya Radhasoami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Love, Devotion, Total Concentration, Prayer and Grace

Sant Mat is a Path of Bhakti -- Love and Devotion

All Sants, and Radhasoami Dayal in particular, have, in their Bani
[hymns], laid great stress upon engendering love. The idea is that
the task can be accomplished quickly and easily with the help of
love. Mere renunciation cannot afford so much advantage, nor can
mere comprehension of the Faith confer such a benefit.

All activities in the world are going on because of love and desire.
If one does not have any feeling of love or he has no interest in a
matter, he can do nothing. For the real spiritual welfare of their
soul, it therefore behooves all Jivas [souls] to develop true love
for the Supreme Being.

Total Concentration of Mind and Spirit Without Distraction

No Joy or bliss can be derived without the internal quiescence and
concentration of mind and spirit. A sincere practitioner should,
therefore, take particular care that his mind is not taken up by
worldly thoughts and ramblings at the time of devotional practices,
otherwise no bliss will be felt in Abhyas [spiritual
practice/meditation].

It can be observed that if one's mind is pre-occupied with some
thought or anxiety at the time of eating, one does not feel the
taste of any thing, (although the fare may consist of a variety of
preparations), i. e., although one does eat every type of
preparation, yet one does not feel what one ate or what its taste
was like.

How can, then, the spiritual practices prescribed by Sants, which
are extremely delicate and subtle, be felt enjoyable without the
concentration of mind and spirit? Just as the food comes in contact
with the tongue at the time of eating, yet its taste cannot be
enjoyed if the attention is elsewhere, so if the mind and spirit of
the practitioner did reach, up to the Form or partially come in
contact with the current of Shabd, no joy and bliss can, be
experienced in Dhyan [inner seeing] and Bhajan [inner hearing], if
the attention is directed elsewhere. i. e., engaged in worldly
thoughts. It is, therefore, very important that the attention is
kept under control at the time of devotional practices. In other
words, joy would be experienced only, if the attention is focused
on Form and Shabd, otherwise one would achieve nothing at the end of
his devotional practice and would feel unhappy.

Prayer and Grace at the Feet of the Merciful Lord of All Souls:
Radhasoami Dayal

A devotee should pray for forgiveness and apply himself to the
spiritual practices with all his heart and soul; then by the grace
of Radhasoami Dayal his state of mind will soon undergo a change and
he will receive internally more than usual, nay, unusual delight and
bliss.

In this way, the mercy of Radhasoami Dayal will be realized as to how
He looks after His own dear children and how by revealing to them
their failings and impurity of their minds, He gradually eradicates
evils and by increasing their understanding and by training
them in the ways of devotion and purity, bestows bliss and happiness
internally.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra Radhasoami -- The Love Discourses of
the Lord of the Soul: Supreme Being/Supreme State

Hi Alan:

There sure is. It's not a complete translation of the entire
collection of Soami Ji's bachans (Saar Bachan Radhasoami Nazam yaani
Chhand Band), but it does contain many of them. Sar Bachan Poetry --
Selections is about 380 pages, a hardcover book. The pages on the
left side feature the original Hindi in devanagari script and in
another column is a romanized version for Hindi speakers who do not
read devanagari. The pages to the right have the English
translation. Nice format. It has a glossary and subject index in the
back. It's published by RS Books:

Science of the Soul Study Center
Attn: RS BOOKS
4115 Gillespie Street,
Fayetteville, NC 28306

If you're near the West Coast or outside the US, write:
Science of the Soul Study Center
BAV Department Petaluma
2415 East Washington Street
Petaluma, CA
94954-3945

For the complete Sar Bachan Poetry in two volumes:
Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry I and II, write:
Mrs. Rita Maheshwari
Soami Bagh, Agra-282005
INDIA
WEBSITE:
http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Books_Frame.shtml
Banyen Books in Vancouver ususally has these in stock
also.

There is also Sar Bachan Radhasoami Prose. There are
three translations of that book available in English.
RS Books publishes one, the Maheshwari family has one,
and there is a Dayal Bagh edition as well. I use all
three. As with other texts, it's helpful to have more
than one translation.

Blessings,

James





--- In RADHASOAMI-REALITY@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Bosik" <alan@g...>
wrote:
> Hi James....
>
> Is there a new version of Sar Bachan Poetry?
>
> Thanks and LOADS of His Love.....
>
> Alan
> -----Original Message-----
> From: santmat_mystic ( James ) [mailto:santmat_mystic@y...]
> Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 1:54 AM
> To: RADHASOAMI-REALITY@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Radhasoami Satsang] The Unbounded, Unfathomable Ocean:
Sat Purush Radhasoami
>
>
> [Radhasoami Reality]:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
> {Radhasoami Quotes -- The Spiritual Classics of the Radhasoami
Faith}
>
> The Unbounded, Unfathomable Ocean, Sat Purush Radhasoami
>
> More from the new book: Sar Bachan Poetry -- Selections, By Soami
Ji
> Maharaj
>
> The Lord laughed and said:
>      Listen, dear soul, I shall explain fully.
>
> Since you have asked to know my secret,
>      I shall spell it out in great detail.
> I am the Lord of Agam and Anami, free of maya.
> Of my own will
>      and in a state of self-absorption,
> I live in realms beyond matter and space.
> No one can understand my secret,
> except when I reveal it myself
>
> [

Virus and Spyware Prevention: Note To All Groups

Tis the season for new viruses. There have been several major new
computer viruses lately. Now would be a great time to update your
anti virus software if your computer isn't set up to do that
automatically. If you don't have any virus protection, Norton
Antivirus is an excellent one to get and install. Norton/Symantec
sends out new virus updates every week or as needed whever there is
a major outbreak. Otherwise, Wednesday nights is the best time to
check for new virus definition updates from them. That seems to be
the time of the week when they make available most of the new virus
updates.

ALSO, by changing a couple of simple settings in your email account
you can prevent some viruses and spyware from getting through.
These actions at email accounts mentioned below or other email
systems will keep html based virses and spyware out of your computer
and cut down on the possibility of spamers noticing your e mail
address. SEE DIRECTIONS BELOW.

*****Free Anti Spyware Protection*****

You might want to get a couple of free downloads to protect your
computers from spyware. Spybot is the best one, but Adaware is
good to have also. Between these two, you should be covered.
Eventually Norton will be adding more spyware protection to it's
security software as well.

Spybot:
http://security.kolla.de

Adaware, Free Adaware 6:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

*****Email Account Directions*****

Hotmail, go to:
"options":
"Mail Display Settings"
check mark "Remove images until messages are reviewed"
hit "ok"


Yahoo mail, go to:
"mail options"
"General Preferences"
"security"
check mark: "Block HTML graphics in email messages from being
downloaded"
hit "save"


Outlook Express, go to:
"options"
"security"
check mark the following:
"warn me when other applications try to send mail as me"
"do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could
potentially be a virus"
hit "apply"


Also Outlook Express mail:
"options"
"read"
UN-check: "automatically download when viewing in the preview pain"
And, while you're there, CHECKMARK the box below that which says:
"read all messages in plaintext"
hit "apply"


**Norton/Symantec Home Page, Free Virus Check, Repair Directions**
http://www.symantec.com

Best Wishes, Peace,

James

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

Radhasoami Mat Prakash

This excerpt is from the very FIRST Sant Mat book to appear in the
English language during the early decades of the twentieth
century: "Radhasoami Mat Prakash," by Huzur Maharaj Rai Salig Ram.

Huzur Maharaj authored about 30 books on Sant Mat. His Master
was Swami Ji Maharaj. It says in "The Last Discourse of Soamiji
Maharaj," just before Swami Ji left the body, "Then Sundarshan Singh
(Soami Ji's nephew) asked Swami Ji: 'Whom shall we ask, if there is
anything to be asked (if there are any questions to be answered)?'
To this he replied: 'If anyone wants to ask anything (wishes
anything explained), he should ask Saligram.'" In the years to
follow, Huzur authored numerous spiritual discourses, cataloging for
the first time in written form, most all the teachings of Sant Mat.

In the Light and Sound of the Beloved,

James
Radhasoami-Reality

RADHASOAMI MAT PRAKASH

107. Taking into consideration the absolute necessity of the welfare
of the spirit, it appears to be incumbent upon all persons to take
notice of the diseased state of their mind and to adopt necessary
measures for the remedying the evil within their present life-time,
otherwise their case will become nearly hopeless and render them
liable to great hardships and troubles in this life as well as in
future re-births in the material regions to which their spirit
entity and mind will remain confined.

48. Love for Supreme Being.

108. This practice can be conducted easily and comfortably if the
devotee has a little love for the Supreme Being. Without love it
will be too hard and difficult to practice Surat-Shabd-Yog with any
good result to be obtained within a short time.

1. The Supreme Being, being a boundless ocean of spirit or love;
and, human being, being a drop or current of spirit or love from
this ocean; and, love being the very essence and means of existence
of the whole creation, it follows that no effort in any direction,
temporal or spiritual, unless actuated by love or affectionate
regard, can be crowned with success, and, the work or labor rendered
easy, sweet and harmonious.

2. Love is most sublime, having its origin in the highest region,
the abode of the Supreme Being. In whatever heart it sprang up, it
will gradually raise and carry the fortunate possessor of this lofty
and noble passion to the highest region.

3. All good qualities and goodness itself will gradually find their
home in the heart in which love dwells and all bad qualities will be
rooted out by and by.

4. Whatever a human being, full of pure love thinks or does, is all
wisdom; while the thoughts and works of worldly wise persons are
full of selfishness and folly.

5. Knowledge without love for the Supreme Being is futile and tends
towards untruth or darkness or materialism, while love turns
everything to good use and leads to enlightenment and truth. Even
worldly love, such as filial and conjugal, is attended with
goodness, happiness and comfort to all concerned. How much more good
would then result to mankind in general if the same loves become
spiritual, and be directed towards the Supreme Being, the merciful
and Kind Parent of the whole creation.

6. Self-love brings on egotism or pride, and sows the seed of
hatred, jealousy and disregard in the minds of kindred, associates
and neighbors; while pure and sacred love for the Supreme Being
creates in the heart humility, meekness and an affectionate regard
for kindred, neighbors and humanity in general.

7. Pure and holy love is always ready to spend (regardless) whatever
it has for the sake of its beloved, the Supreme Father, and the
benefit of mankind without any distinction; whereas self-love or
love of world always tries to appropriate everything to itself, even
at the risk and loss of others.

8. Pure and holy love is always ready to sacrifice anything whatever
to gain admission into the presence of the beloved, the Supreme
Being; whereas, self-love will never part with anything except for
the sake of its own aggrandizement and indulgence in sensual
pleasures.

9. The noble passion of love is most powerful and strong. It removes
all obstacles and thorns in its way and discards all superstitions,
doubts and skepticism.

10. Where pure love dwells there sheds the light of Grace, as it
forms a link with the spirit or love current from its source, the
Supreme Being.

11. Such is the strength and effect of affection and kind treatment
that it subdues ferocity and other injurious and dangerous
characteristics in beasts and other animals, that is to say, they
begin to love and have an affectionate regard for their keepers and
trainers.

12. A heart devoid of love or affection is as hard as stone, and
does not form a suitable receptacle for light of Heavenly Grace and
Mercy.

13. Sincere love is reciprocal, so if one has a heart full of love
for the Supreme Being, one is sure to be attracted towards Him by
Grace, Mercy and Holy Light which will gradually illumine his inner-
self, and then all menial and worldly affections and desires will
gradually disappear.

14. Love or the power of attraction is the basis of the whole
creation and the cause of its sustenance and preservation.

15. The Supreme Being loves and takes special care of those who love
Him with all their heart and soul, and gradually draws them towards
Himself, the Grand Centre of Pure Light and Attraction; while those
whose hearts are imbued with worldly love and passions recede from
this centre, or in other words, they of themselves fly away towards
the circumference or darkness and untruth.

16. Every wave of love rising in a lover's heart brings tidings of
goodness and joy from the beloved, and every thought springing up in
such a heart is a harbinger of good works and good services for the
sake of the beloved.

17. Love has no bounds, knows no restrictions, and is not limited by
conditions, and like its source is extensive and far reaching in its
beneficial results.

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

A Prayer

The following prayer is called the "Prarthana-panchak se" by
Ramesvarananda Saheb, a Guru in the lineage of Kabir. It was
translated in David Lorenzen's book, "Praises to a Formless God",
SUNY Press, NY.

O Gurudev, give me peace, Give
worthy feelings, worthy intelligence.
Give mutual cooperation.
Give purity to my heart.
Let there be pure feelings in my mind.
Let there be pure conduct by my body.
May my speech be free of falsity and slander.
May the sentiment of devotion increase.

May my thoughts not be agitated
by the ripening of innate karma.
May my body and mind be healthy,
may my worship be free of obstacles.
May I remain in the presence of Saints
and be filled with the sentiment of devotion.
May I swim across the ocean of samsara, the ocean
filled with passion, hate, change and fear.

Let there be neglect for wicked persons
and compassion for the destitute,
Happiness among those of good conduct
and friendship with good people.
May buffoonery cease and may we delight
in the words that lead across samsara.
May we be merry in the study of wisdom;
may we keep our minds under control.

May we have hope of refuge with the Satguru,
may we have no fear of lust and other vices.
May we ever yearn for self-awakening
and have faith the the words of revelation.
May the darkness of ignorance be destroyed;
may the lamp of knowledge be lit.
May the law of death be forgotten,
and immortality be expanded.

May there be no harm done to living beings
through my words or my actions.
May I never feel the least attachment
to the objects of my senses.
May there always be happiness
and the absence of desire.
May there be an end to the power of samsara,
and a beginning to the knowledge of God.

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Quotes -- The Spiritual Classics of the Radhasoami Faith}

Indications of Spiritual Progress: Love, Reaching the Eye Center, &
Inner Bliss

The slowness of the process of developing spiritual energy should
not dampen one's ardor. The result is sure, though it may be
distant. One's patience must be inexhaustible. But that is only one
side of the question.

There must be burning eagerness as well as icy patience, the
patience should hold the eagerness in restraint. But there should be
no feeling of uncertainty in the devotee about reaching the goal,
however arduous and long the journey. All responsibility and care as
to this have been taken from the spirit; all it has to do is to make
steady effort.

INDICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESS.

There are however definite indications of spiritual growth which
will in due time manifest themselves. Such indications are:

(i) a strong feeling of love for the Sant Satguru and of bliss at
the sixth chakra or third til [Third Eye];

(ii) consciousness of the rise of the spirit current to the third
til from the lower nervous centers;

(iii) the influx of spirituality from above may be felt. This is
called 'drops of ambrosia'.

(Phelps Notes, Myron Phelps)

Spiritual Bliss in Meditation

The spirit entity [soul] and the Supreme Being Radhasoami are all-
bliss and all-knowledge. In other words, the Supreme Being
Radhasoami is all-powerful, supreme-bliss, and supreme-knowledge
pervades through all. This Jiva, i.e., the spirit entity, is a
particle of His, because all the powers that are in Him are also
inherent in the spirit entity [your soul].

(Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Updesh)

The Satguru will disclose to you the secrets.....
Meet Him and receive instructions from Him.
He will show you your True Home.
Attend His Satsang with care and attention.

Enshrine His priceless discourses in your heart.
He will make you detached from the world.

He will impart to you the invaluable inner secrets
concerning beloved Radhasoami, the Supreme
Being. Get yourself initiated by Him into Surat
Shabd Yoga [Union with the Divine Light and Sound].

Your mind and the attention (surat) of your soul
will then constantly rush towards higher regions
as they listen to the reverberations of Shabd
within. They will experience immense bliss.

(Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Vol. 4)

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth, Part One

Kabir, from Raga Bhairo

9:
Serve the Guru and be devoted:
Put human birth to good use.
Even gods yearn for human shape --
serve Hari through this body.

Praise Gobind. Forget Him not:
That's the advantage of human birth. (Pause)

Before old age stains you,
before death clutches your body,
before your tongue stutters,
praise, 0 my soul, Sarangpani.

Worship him now, not later, 0 my brother.
The end comes-you can't do it then.
Now is the time for everything --
or you'll regret not crossing over.

He teaches service to His slaves:
And So they find Niranjan Deva.
Meet the Guru, and the gates will open:
You shall never be in the womb again.

Now is your chance. Now it's your turn.
Look inside your heart and meditate.
Kabir says, "Whether you win or lose,
I called out, I called out to you so many times."

10:
Real wisdom is Shiva's city.
Gather there and meditate.
You will understand this life and the next;
no one dies in self-pride there.

I am thinking about my abode there:
Raja Ram is my theology. (Pause)

By the Source's root is my abode:
I place the moon above the sun.
The sun is fiery by the western door;
the Meru-sceptred One is above me.

The western door has a threshold;
above the threshold is a window.
Above the window is the Tenth Door.
Kabir says, "It has no limits, no boundaries."

-- Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth, translated by Nirmal Dass,
SUNY Press, NY, ISBN 0-7914-0561-3

Hi James...

Amazing words.

I especially like "Unstruck Divine Music". I'm awed by the power of what reading
3 words can do.....

LOADS of LOVE....Alan

-----Original Message-----
From: santmat_mystic ( James ) [mailto:santmat_mystic@...]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 8:37 PM
To: RADHASOAMI-REALITY@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Radhasoami Satsang] Shabds of Sant Dariya Sahib


[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

Shabds (Hymns or Mystic Verses) of Sant Dariya Sahib

BE NOT INTIMIDATED BY ANY FEAR

Be not intimidated by any fear.
Hold fast to the Naam
which is always there to help.

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

Souls, Surat Shabd Yoga, and Satsang

Souls Are Emanations of the Supreme Being

This Supreme Being is the sole master of the whole creation, and the
spirit entities [souls or jivas] clothed in body in this universe
are emanations from Him, that is, their essence is the same, and
they more or less exercise the same powers as the Supreme Being
within their respective spheres or bodies, viz., controlling matter
or the forces of nature and elements which work harmoniously in
subordination to the Spirit Current. (Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat
Prakash)

Spiritual Exercises

Whoever performs the spiritual exercises (abhyas) of Surat Shabd
Yoga [meditation of the inner Light and Sound Current] with love and
yearning will certainly receive pure and unalloyed bliss and joy
within himself. He will, in his lifetime, realize that his mind and
spirit are getting detached from the body and the world. He will not
be affected much by the onslaughts of pains and pleasures. The Path
which he has to traverse at the time of death will go on clearing.
Longing to traverse the Path speedily and to reach the Abode of the
Supreme Being Radhasoami will go on increasing. Consequently, at the
time of death, his mind and spirit will proceed towards Real Home
very enthusiastically. He will be very happy on witnessing and
perceiving internal scenes and sounds....

Immense is the benefit of the spiritual exercises of Surat Shabd
Yoga and of the Satsang* of the Sant Sat Guru. The glory and
eminence of abhyas and Satsang are indescribable. Only loving
devotees know and appreciate them. (Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra
Radhasoami, Volume Four)

Satsang, What It Is

Note: * "Satsang":

(1) Spiritual gathering or association with a Living Master, Satguru.

(2) Association with 'Sat' or the Eternal God.

(3) True company or association.

(4) Holy Service (seva).

(5) Attendance on the Sant Sat Guru, hearing His discourses, reading
His works, and performing acts of faith and devotion inspired by
love for and a desire to approach the Supreme Being. This is
external Satsang.

Internal Satsang is the application of mind and spirit to the Sound
Current at the time of devotional practice and an effort to raise
them to higher spheres.

(6) In Sant Mat or Radhasoami Faith, that meeting, congregation or
function is called 'Satsang' where there is a recital of the praise
of the true Supreme Being, and how to meet Him, and of what is the
right path and procedure to find Him....The President of such an
association is either the Sant Sat Guru, a Sadh Guru or a true
Satsangi who is performing his devotional practices with love and
sincerity; congregational meeting.

(7) The place where holy service is held.

(8) The entire body of Satsangis is called 'Satsang'.

(9) True company or association. Sat Guru's personal company is
outward Satsang.

Inward Satsang is the company of the spiritual Current within, which
consists in listening to spiritual sounds or in articulating
internally spiritual Names. As the true Guide has access to the
spiritual planes of His disciples, His manifestation there, either
unsolicited, or in consequence of earnest and affectionate
contemplation of His form, or remembrance of His gracious acts, is
also internal Satsang. /////

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Quotes -- The Spiritual Classics of the Radhasoami Faith}

Kabir, Mystic Poetry: Book Review: The Nirmal Dass Translation

"Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth" makes available the Kabir
material from the Sikh Gurbani (Adi Granth) in one volume. It's a
very nice translation and it also lets the reader see all the
various names for God that Kabir used in his devotional hymns: Ram,
Hari, Gopal, Gobind, Allah and many more. I'm glad that, instead of
translating these names all as 'God', Nirmal Dass let's us see the
many names for God that Kabir used -- many names for the One God
(Iik Ong Kaar/Ekongkar/Ekankar).

In the second raga below, Kabir describes some of the inner stages
and experiences of Sant Mat Mysticism: the 'moon', 'sun', 'western
door', 'window', and 'tenth door'. After one reaches the third or
single eye, it is possible to see the inner moon, sun and sky, and
many other stages beyond with "no limits, no boundaries" in inner
space.

Kabir's path is one of devotion (prem and bhakti) and mystical
experiences of Love, bliss, Light, and Sound -- in other words,
Surat Shabd Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Ram is everywhere, in this
creation and in all the other planes or heavens of creation as well.
Says Guru Kabir: "Everywhere I look I see Ram."

The bottom line for Kabir is to experience union with God now and
not rely on this happening by itself in some future reincarnation or
afterlife only. For Kabir, NOW is the time for jiva mukti, salvation
or enlightenment. Now is the time to experience the Timeless (Akal)
Supreme Being in the Anurag Sagar (Ocean of Love). The human form is
a precious Gift. This present moment is the perfect opportunity to
experience the Beloved. Kabir says: "What is known now is known
then." If we are attached to the Beloved now, then we know that we
will continue to be in the arms of the Beloved in the other world as
well. Kabir says: "Now is your chance. Now it's your turn. Look
inside your heart and meditate."

In the Name of Radhasoami,

James Bean
Radhasoami Reality at Yahoo Groups

Kabir, from Raga Bhairo

9:
Serve the Guru and be devoted:
Put human birth to good use.
Even gods yearn for human shape --
serve Hari through this body.

Praise Gobind. Forget Him not:
That's the advantage of human birth. (Pause)

Before old age stains you,
before death clutches your body,
before your tongue stutters,
praise, 0 my soul, Sarangpani.

Worship him now, not later, 0 my brother.
The end comes-you can't do it then.
Now is the time for everything --
or you'll regret not crossing over.

He teaches service to His slaves:
And So they find Niranjan Deva.
Meet the Guru, and the gates will open:
You shall never be in the womb again.

Now is your chance. Now it's your turn.
Look inside your heart and meditate.
Kabir says, "Whether you win or lose,
I called out, I called out to you so many times."

10:
Real wisdom is Shiva's city.
Gather there and meditate.
You will understand this life and the next;
no one dies in self-pride there.

I am thinking about my abode there:
Raja Ram is my theology. (Pause)

By the Source's root is my abode:
I place the moon above the sun.
The sun is fiery by the western door;
the Meru-sceptred One is above me.

The western door has a threshold;
above the threshold is a window.
Above the window is the Tenth Door.
Kabir says, "It has no limits, no boundaries."

-- Guru Kabir Sahib,
Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth,
translated by Nirmal Dass,
SUNY Press, NY,
ISBN 0-7914-0561-3

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

Eminence of Bhakti (Devotion and Love) and Saran (Refuge, Resting in
Radhasoami)

In Sant Mat [the Teachings of the Saints],
great importance has been attached to Bhakti;
it is the sine qua non of Sant Mat.
If there are all other attributes but no Bhakti,
then there is nothing. And he, who has no virtues
but is endowed with Bhakti, is possessed of all.
He alone is a devotee and he alone is dear to
Bhagwant (Lord). Even if one performs
Surat-Shabd Abhyas,
[spiritual exercises, inner Light & Sound Meditation]
but is devoid of this attribute,
then one is empty and hollow.

-- Maharaj Saheb, "Discourses of Maharaj Saheb", Agra, India
____________________________________________________________________

The lover is converted into the Beloved. That indeed
is called true love.
Forgetting his own ego, he remains
absorbed in the One. (Sant Dadu Sahib)

It does not matter if your bhakti is imperfect.
Perform bhakti! Radhasoami [the Lord of the Soul]
graciously declares that you should perform bhakti
in whichever way you can. Fear not. He will grant
you the Treasure of Love. You will be a recipient
of the Gift of Love. ("Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry," Vol. II)

Joyous love has sprung forth from my heart;
For I have found the object of my life.
As I share His Vision, I find peace;
And my mind blossoms as I wash the feet of His Saints.
The body and mind of the devotees are filled with the Lord's Love,
But few are they who find themselves in their company.

Out of Thy Infinite Mercy, grant this one gift to me, 0 Lord,
That, by the Grace of the Guru, I may meditate on Thy
Name. (Sukhmani - Adi Granth, Peace Lagoon translation)
____________________________________________________________________

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}
___________________________________________________

The moment I utter the Holy Word RADHASOAMI,
all my doubts and misgivings are dispelled.
Repeat the Holy Word RADHASOAMI all the time.
Recite RADHASOAMI all the twenty four hours.
Radhasoami dwells in my heart every moment.
(Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Poetry, Vol. I)
___________________________________________________

Letters From The Masters: Huzur Maharaj, Holy Epistles

Read Something Each Day from the Discourses and the Hymns (Shabds,
Bhajans) of the Masters

One should also read daily one or two pages from the holy books or
recite one or two Shabds carefully understanding their true meaning
as well as applying them to one's own self......
_____

Faith in the Supreme Father's Love, Grace, and Compassion

You should depend upon the grace and mercy of the Supreme Father,
and go on with your devotional practice as usual, always increasing
your love for and dependence upon the Supreme Father Radhasoami
Dayal.
_____

Sumiran, Dhyan, Bhajan
________________________________________________________________

Sumiran (Repetition of the Divine Name)

Dhyan (Seeing the Inner Light or the Form of the Master)

Bhajan (listening to the Inner Soundi with an attitude of love and
devotion)
________________________________________________________________

You must confidently trust in the Supreme Father's mercy. It will
gradually remove every obstacle to your progress in the spiritual
journey. You should not despair if you fail to bring about perfect
concentration at the time of practice. The impressions of the
present life and the countless lives of the past are revived as you
approach them in your upward ascent during practice. These should be
obliterated before you can have undisturbed concentration. And this
is not the work of a short period. Therefore, whenever so disturbed
at the time of Bhajan, you should revert to Sumiran and Dhyan or to
Sumiran or to Dhyan alone, whichever of the two you can perform more
successfully. Thereafter, again commence Bhajan. By these
alternations you will keep yourself constantly awake. You should
also sit in meditation with the determination not to be disturbed
and His help will not be wanting in this.
_____

Meditating Upon the Astral Bell Sound

The question put by these people is of great significance. If they
can hear the sound of the bell every day or every second or third
day, no matter how faint that sound is, they should regard it as a
sign of great mercy. Slowly and gradually this sound will become
permanent and it will be heard more and more distinctly. There is no
harm if this sound is now heard mixed with other sounds. They should
pick out the sound of the bell. The following couplets describe the
attribute of this sound:

I find it difficult to reach the Beloved's region.
For me, only this much is enough that I can hear
the sound of the bell coming from there. No one
has ever had any inkling of the Beloved's region
except that the sound of the bell can be heard
(emanating from there).

Hence the fact, that this sound is audible is a sign of one's great
good luck and of the grace and mercy showered by the true Supreme
Being Radhasoami Dayal. It, therefore, behooves one to divert one's
attention from all worldly affairs and apply oneself to the practice
of Bhajan with interest and enthusiasm and, before doing that,
perform Sumiran and Dhyan for about half an hour, so that one's mind
is purified to some extent and one's heart is filled with some
enthusiasm. One will derive greater benefit, slowly and gradually,
if one applies to Bhajan there-after. One should not be in a hurry
or make haste. Just think that all these years of your life have
been spent in worldly pursuits and preoccupation with worldly
thoughts and it is only for a few days that your attention has been
led to this direction, and so, how can your mind be purified and rid
of those worldly thoughts all at once? But, slowly and gradually,
every thing will be possible through the grace and mercy of
Radhasoami Dayal, and, occasionally, manifestation of that mercy
will be in evidence.

-- Huzur Maharaj

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhasoami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection}

Ocean of Pure Light

Like a papeeha crying for swaanti raindrops,
they cry out incessantly with the Lord's Name.
Through the glory of that Name
their consciousness awakens,
enabling them to hear the Shabd [Sound] within.
Contact with the Shabd inside
merges their souls with the Master's Shabd form
and takes them through Sunn Shabd into Sat Shabd.
From there, through Alakh and Agam Shabd,
they reach their own home in Radhasoami.
Having reached their home, that perfect place,
they have reached perfection.
Beyond that nothing remains to be said.
_____

Beyond all description is the beauty of my Master;
by his grace unstruck melodies play in my heart.
The drop of my soul rises
to merge in the Ocean of Pure Light,
leaving behind the illusory creation.
As it reaches the thundering sky, its yearning intensifies
and even the cowardly mind has now become brave.
_____

The beauty of the soul,
equal in brilliance to sixteen suns and moons,
is beyond description.

-- Swami Ji Maharaj,
    Sar Bachan Radhasoami Chand Band

[Radhasoami Reality]:
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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Remember the Fearless One and Become Fearless -- Banis on
Fearlessness

You are the Transcendent. Infinite! Totally infinite!
Which of Your virtues could I describe?
They who serve You, who serve You,
says Nanak the slave, I offer myself to them.

They who reflect, who reflect upon You,
they live peacefully in this world.
They are freed, they are freed who remember the Divine,
their snare of death is cut.
They who remember the Fearless One, the Fearless One,
all their fears are dispelled.
They who serve, who serve my Beloved,
they merge with the Divine Form.
Blessed, blessed are they who remember the Divine.
Says Nanak the slave, I offer myself to them.

-- a selection from the Rahiras, in:
"The Name of My Beloved -- Verses of
the Sikh Gurus" (Guru Granth and Dasam Granth)
Nikky Singh,
The Sacred Literature Trust Series

Be Not Intimidated By Any Fear

Be not intimidated by any fear.
Hold fast to the Naam
which is always there to help.
Having come to this world
I will emancipate the souls
By giving them the mark of the Sound Current.
That Living Lord who shatters pride
And dissolves sin is always there to help.

-- Dariya Sahib, Saint of Bihar

One sits fearlessly by repeating God's Name;
the Negative Power can never consume him.
When thou ridest the elephant, 0 Dadu,
then dogs bark in vain.

When love and devotion arise, one
is firmly established in blissful meditation.
With the grace of the Master, he then
drinks the divine Nectar, 0 Dadu.

-- Sant Dadu Sahib

The Soul is astonished to see the delightful activities
of loving devotees.
Giving up all fear and regard of the world
and all sense of worldly honor and shame,
she abides at the Holy Feet of Guru.

She always follows the ways
of Love and Devotion.
She performs meditation
with zeal and enthusiasm.

She always cultivates mutual affection
with other Satsangi brothers and sisters,
and all souls.
She is overjoyed on having Darshan [Vision] of Guru.

She listens to Guru's discourses,
full of joy and delight.
Her inner being is illumined
as she performs Dhyan.

As she listens to Shabd
[Heavenly Music, the Sound Current],
her Soul ascends to the higher regions.
She pierces the sky
and reaches Trikuti.

After having witnessed Sunn,
Maha-sunn and Bhanwargupha,
she halts at Sat Lok,
Alakh Lok
and Agam Lok.

On reaching Radhasoami Dham,
she is absorbed in ecstatic bliss.
The cherished desire of her heart
is now fulfilled.

-- Huzur Maharaj,
    Prem Bani Radhasoami
    Volume Four

Whosoever has concentrated his soul has
been freed from the fear of Death.
She [the soul] has ascended the Firmament with force,
and has found refuge at the feet of the Lord.
She has taken abode in the Infinite Region and has attained union
with the Beloved.

Lightning flashed in my eye, 0 friend,
And brightly did shine the Light of the moon.
I got a glimpse of the Invisible within,
And thirst and longing for the Lord were aroused.
My ears received the boon of Unstruck Music,
And Knowledge came like the explosion of Light, 0 friend.
Dark clouds began to scatter and the sight Of the Divine Mansion was
revealed unto me.
Beyond the sun, the moon and the tunnel,
Tulsi beheld the abode of the Lord Almighty.

Within thine own self, behold the splendor of thy Beloved.

-- Tulsi Sahab - Saint of Hathras

Celestial Music is heard in the house
which is blessed:
In that fortunate home where the Lord's
power is manifested,
There rings the Melody Divine.
For there He causes one to overcome the
five passions and one is freed from the
fear of death.
Those who have been blessed with the
preordained destiny by God are attuned to
the Name.
They become peaceful, and the Divine Music rings in that home.

-- Guru Amar Das, "Peace Lagoon" translation of the Guru Granth

Kabir says: "O Sadhu! hear
my deathless words. If you
want your own good, examine and
consider them well.
You have estranged yourself from the
Creator, of whom you have sprung:
you have lost your reason, you
have bought death.
All doctrines and all teachings are
sprung from Him, from Him they
grow: know this for certain, and
have no fear.
Hear from me the tidings of this great
truth!
Whose name do you sing, and on whom
do you meditate? O, come forth
from this entanglement!
He dwells at the heart of all things, so
why take refuge in empty desolation?
If you place the Guru at a distance
from you, then it is but the distance
that you honor:
If indeed the Master be far away, then
who is it else that is creating this
world?
When you think that He is not here,
then you wander further and
further away, and seek Him in
vain with tears.
Where He is far off, there He is
unattainable: where He is near, He
is very bliss."
Kabir says: "Lest His servant should
suffer pain He pervades him
through and through."
Know yourself then, O Kabir; for He
is in you from head to foot.
Sing with gladness, and keep your seat
unmoved within your heart.

-- Sant Kabir
    Songs of Kabir
    Rabindranath Tagore
    Samuel Weiser Books
    ISBN 0-87728-695-7

[Radhasoami Reality]:
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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Transformed by Performing the Meditation Practices

When a sincere spiritual seeker is initiated and performs Bhajan and
Dhyan earnestly for some time, he gets some bliss and joy. He
experiences internally the grace and mercy of the Sant Sat Guru. The
love for and faith in the Master is engendered in his heart, and goes
on increasing gradually. As his mind and spirit are withdrawn and
translated, he is able to understand and appreciate the glory and the
superiority of the Radhasoami Faith, and of the Sant Sat Guru and the
Supreme Being. At the same time, there will be increase in the bliss
and happiness and in his faith in the Path of Surat Shabd Yoga.

The condition of a spiritual seeker is thus transformed by performing
the meditation practices. Love for the Supreme Being Radhasoami Dayal
and Sant Sat Guru is awakened in his heart. The world and its objects
and pleasures appear to him paltry, and he is gradually detached from
them. The real test of the Sant Sat Guru is that by attending His
Satsang, renunciation from the world is effected very easily. Love
for the Supreme Being Radhasoami Dayal is engendered and increased
day by day. This kind of renunciation and love will lead a loving
devotee to the Dhur Dham (Highest Region) one day.

-- Huzur Maharaj, "Prem Patra Radhasoami", Volume Four

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Letters from the Masters: Huzur Maharaj's Letters to Satsangis

The Supreme Father is, through His grace, regulating every thing
according to the requirements of each person and you may rest
assured that He will not withhold any favor when the time arrives
for it. Eagerness and constant expectation impart motion to the
wheels of progress and these should be constantly fostered and held
as signs of sure advancement. You should incessantly knock at the
door and at the same time have patience to wait till the call is
answered. Secret grace is, however, working at all times although
its palpable manifestations are not so often as you wish them to be.
These will also gradually increase in frequency and the Supreme
Father will grant you power to better perceive the workings of His
secret grace.

It is not proper to force anyone against his will to join; but you
can pray for them to the Supreme Father.

Remember the Supreme Father and depend entirely upon His grace and
mercy wherever you are and exercise ordinary control on your mind
and thoughts. But sometimes a little liberty should be given to the
mind to discharge its over-loaded current in some direction little
or not wholly opposed to your spiritual benefit, and the equilibrium
restored thereby.

Go on with your practice as best as you can without paying much
attention to the non-ableness and disturbing influence of your mind.
Have perfect faith in the Supreme Father's grace. It will one day
enable you to overcome all difficulties and obstacles. When your
efforts fail to put your mind in the right path, pray to the Supreme
Father for help; and whether it is forthcoming immediately or later
on, depend upon His mercy and grace to bring round the mind
gradually. Give up all worldly loves and desires from your heart
within or internally.

Remember the Supreme Father and repeat His Holy Name as often as you
can day and night whether it be for a minute or two only at a time,
and then you will secure greater help and assistance from above. The
Grace is sometimes hidden and concealed and there is some advantage
in its non-appearance to you.

Yes, you should endeavor to place your full reliance on the merciful
grace of the Supreme Father Who is always with you and watching your
interest. Though His mercy and the reasons for His ordinances cannot
always be observed or understood by human beings, still He is all
kind and in His kindness does what He thinks proper for His children
elect. Don't therefore, be disheartened, but be encouraged and go on
trying your best to become His child and regard Him as your kind,
merciful and loving Father and love Him and His works accordingly.
With such determined and persevering efforts you will gradually gain
more and more ground and lose nothing at any time. If you suspect
that mercy is withdrawn, this is a mere delusion. Such a state of
things never occurs though at times when our feeble mind is not at
rest it may appear so. When you are afflicted with worldly pain or
anxieties you are helped the more, but this help is not so apparent
and, therefore, the mind thinks otherwise. Apply yourself to your
practice and you will find more grace and blessing helping you in
your course than heretofore.

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Rely Upon the Grace and Protection of Radhasoami

It is proper and incumbent upon all true satsangis to sincerely
accept the protection of Merciful Radhasoami and consider Him to be
their true Father, Mother, Protector and Well-wisher. They may, in
all their spiritual and earthly affairs, take legitimate steps and
measures, in conformity with His commandments or as is customary. But
regards the result, they should rely on His grace and mercy and
accept whatever happens as being His Will. They should continue to
make efforts as much as they can, particularly in the matter of
spiritual practice. They should ever supplicate for grace, protection
and care. By doing so, their task will gradually be done easily. In
order to perceive grace and mercy, they should daily perform the
meditation practices [Surat Shabd Yoga]. It is also necessary to
observe the movements of the mind [self-introspection], so that they
may know its conditions. They should apply correction to it in
accordance with the commandments and rules of conduct. What they feel
they are unable to do, they should leave to His Will and expect His
grace.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra Radhaswami, Volume Three

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Empty Talk and the Supreme Being Was Far Away
____________________________________________________________________

So long as I was devoid of love, there was a lot of empty talk
and the Supreme Being was away from me. Now when I am
sincerely devoted to Him, the useless talking has ceased. (Kabir)
____________________________________________________________________

To whom shall I go to learn about my Beloved?
Kabir says: "As you never may find the forest if
you ignore the tree, so He may never be found
in abstractions." (Songs of Kabir, Tagore translation)
____________________________________________________________________

Test of true lovers is that when they meet, devotion is enhanced. A
heart without love is like a crematorium. It is like the bellows of
a blacksmith, which draws in and throws out air, without having
life. He who is after bargaining, can neither engender love nor can
he follow the path of Shabd. There can be no love without patience
or renunciation, without yearning for the Supreme Father. Without
the grace of Sat Guru the stain of worldly desires cannot go. Prem
knows no rules. When the mind is saturated with love, who cares to
remember the day or date (that may be auspicious)? To enjoy full
bliss and happiness of the Beloved, you should put on the sandals of
love, apply the collyrium of patience to the eyes and put the
vermilion of pity on the forehead.

When love is engendered in one's heart, one cannot hide it. If it is
not expressed through speech, the eyes will express it through
tears. What is of importance is that you should cherish love for
Guru. Outward appearances do not count. If there is love in your
heart, then it is immaterial whether you lead the life of a
householder or as an ascetic live in the forest.

The desire for the bliss of true love and hankering after worldly
honor and prestige cannot exist side by side, just as two swords
cannot be put into one scabbard. Such a thing has never been seen or
heard of. True bliss of meeting the Beloved Lord is such that its
rapturous absorption does not diminish or wear off. One remains
absorbed in the bliss of the Holy Name and amiras (nectar) all the
time. When love for the Supreme Being has manifested and spread
itself in every pore of the body, one needs no other intoxicant.
Many go to the distillery of Prem (love) but he alone will drink the
liquor of Prem who gives his head to the distiller.

As I quaff the cup of love, I am lost in the memory of the Beloved.
I hear the Shabd (sound) of the drum and behold my darling Guru
standing in the open.

He who is inebriated with love and devotion will attain salvation
and remain absorbed in the bliss of Shabd. He will secure freedom
from the cycle of birth and death. If you have thirst for Prem
(love), surrender your head (ego). If you can do so, only then
something will be achieved.

When one is attached to Guru, one's attention is withdrawn from all
other quarters. When the mind is dyed in the color of Guru, there is
no need for going elsewhere. So long as I was devoid of love, there
was a lot of empty talk and the Supreme Being was away from me. Now
when I am sincerely devoted to Him, the useless talking has ceased.

-- Guru Kabir,
    from the book, Sant Sangrah, Part One,
    Huzur Maharaj's selections from the Banis of the Saints,
    Agra, India
____________________________________________________________________

My heart and mind are ever filled with longing for the Lord.
0 God, how will I gain the vision of Thee?
This longing is only understood by those who have known
the love of Thee.
The Lord is most dear to my heart and mind.
I am a sacrifice unto my Guru, who has united me, who was
separated, to my Creator. (Guru Ram Das, Adi Granth)
____________________________________________________________________

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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Rumi's Spiritual Message To Humanity

(Rumi and the mystical poetry of other great Sufi Masters of the
past have always been very popular in Sant Mat. Everyone loves Rumi.)

True Reality

Of this there is no academic proof in the world;
For it is hidden, and hidden, and hidden. (Rumi)

God, in spite of the skeptics,
Caused spiritual gardens with sweet flowers to grow
In the hearts of His friends.
Every rose that is sweet-scented within,
That rose is telling of the secrets of the Universal.
Their scent, to the confusion of the skeptics,
Spreads around the world, rending the veil. (Rumi, Mathnawi)

The Ocean That Has Many Harbours

The shop of Oneness,
The Ocean that has many harbours,
Yet where there is no division
Between man and man, or woman,
But only a unity of souls
In the process of return to their Creator,
Whose breath lives inside each one
An helps to guide us home. (Rumi)

The Beloved Is All, The Lover Just A Veil

The Beloved is all, the lover just a veil.
The Beloved is living, the lover a dead thing.
If Love witholds its strengthening care,
The lover is left like a bird without wings.
How will I be awake and aware
If the light of the Beloved is absent?
Love wills that this Word be brought forth.
If you find the mirror of the heart dull,
The rust has not been cleared from its face." (Rumi, Mathnawi Book 1,
34)

We Are As Flute

We are as the flute, and the music in us is from thee;
we are as the mountain and the echo in us is from thee.
We are as pieces of chess engaged in victory and defeat:
our victory and defeat is from thee, O thou whose qualities are
comely!

Who are we, O Thou soul of our souls,
that we should remain in being beside thee?
We and our existences are really non-existence;
thou art the absolute Being which manifests the perishable.

We all are lions, but lions on a banner:
because of the wind they are rushing onward from moment to moment.
Their onward rush is visible, and the wind is unseen:
may that which is unseen not fail from us!
Our wind whereby we are moved and our being are of thy gift;
our whole existence is from thy bringing into being. (Rumi, Mesnavi
Book I, 599-607)

Rumi's Spiritual Message

Come to me each and all
Raw, burned or baked
Clothed or naked
Poor or wretched
Humble or bigoted
Loved or hated
Come ye all, tell me all

Tell me your untold tale
Of betrayal and separation
Of longing and lamentation
Of pain and affliction
Of joy and adoration
Of unity and affirmation
Every secret you unveil

Harken to the sound of the reed
Resonating bliss and delight
For a nexus firm and bright
To the divine sacred light
After separation and fright
From the ghastly sight
Of an unholy dogma or creed

This reed is Rumi
A Gnostic well-aware
Of life's hope and despair
Of man's love and care
And capacity to forebear
The life of a solitaire
No matter how gloomy

This reed is Shams-eddin
The Sun that cast glaring light
Upon Rumi, day and night
Like the spirit of a meteorite
Piercing and glowing bright
Transforming into an acolyte
Of his disciple Jalal-eddin

Disciple - master kindred souls
Taking chances
In love's trances
In destiny's lances
In reckless dances
In joyful glances
Brethren changing roles

In the secret heart of heaven remain
The ecstasy they evoke
The envy they provoke
The tradition they broke
The tender words they spoke
Waiting for the world to soak
In thunderous rain

The cosmic lightening will strike
The words will fall like rain
And spread across the plain
Heavenly Love shall restrain
Lust and greed insane
The sacred purging the profane
In East and West alike. (Rumi)

Lovers

O lovers, lovers it is time
to set out from the world.
I hear a drum in my soul's ear
coming from the depths of the stars. (Rumi)

At every instant and from every side, resounds the call of Love:
We are going to sky, who wants to come with us?
We have gone to heaven, we have been the friends of the angels,
And now we will go back there, for there is our country.
We are higher than heaven, more noble than the angels:
Why not go beyond them? Our goal is the Supreme Majesty.
What has the fine pearl to do with the world of dust?
Why have you come down here? Take your baggage back. What is this
place?
Luck is with us, to us is the sacrifice!...
Like the birds of the sea, men come from the ocean - the ocean of the
soul.
Like the birds of the sea, men come from the ocean - the ocean of the
soul.
How could this bird, born from that sea, make his dwelling here?
No, we are the pearls from the bosom of the sea, it is there that we
dwell:
Otherwise how could the wave succeed to the wave that comes from the
soul?
The wave named 'Am I not your Lord' has come, it has broken the
vessel of the body;
And when the vessel is broken, the vision comes back, and the union
with Him. (Rumi, Eva de Vitray-Meyerovitch,'Rumi and Sufism' trans.
Simone Fattal Sausalito, CA: Post-Apollo Press, 1977, 1987)

Great Rumi/Sufi Website:
http://home4.pacific.net.sg/~makhdoom/rumi1.html

[Radhasoami Reality]:
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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Letters From The Masters: Huzur Maharaj

The Beloved Himself incarnates
as a Spiritual Guide,
reveals the greatest secrets
and emancipates the souls (jivas).

Radhasoami took me in His company,
delivered spiritual discourses to
me and created love in my heart.
When I performed the service of
Radhasoami and gazed into His eyes,
my heart was filled with Light.
(Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani, Vol. 3)
_____

It is not an easy matter to subdue the mind and senses in a short
time. Go on practicing devotion and joining Satsang, reading the
books, etc. and you will gradually secure salvation by the mercy of
the Supreme Father, Radhasoami Dayal.
_____

The Supreme Being Radhasoami is our true guide. He is always with us,
within us, sees us doing every little bit of internal and external
work and helps us in every thing good.
_____

Love and devotion are of prime importance. To remember the Beloved
all the time constitutes the true mode of devotion. This alone is
true remembrance.
_____

Faith, worth the name, must be living. It must consist in acquiring
an affection, or rather an intense love, for the Supreme Being and an
intense desire to approach Him; and this latter we can do in the
interior of the body, for the path is within us. (Huzur Maharaj,
Letters)
_____

Every thing depends upon the purity of heart, or in other words, upon
the degree of affection each one has for Supreme Father and the
extent to which he has cleared his mind of all other affections, or
to be more clear, the extent to which one has waived away other or
worldly affections and given preference to the most holy love of the
Supreme Father.
_____

Go on regularly with your [meditation] practice, keeping your mind
and senses undisturbed as far as possible; and trust in the mercy of
the Supreme Father to grant you strength gradually as you advance.
You will progress inward daily.
_____

The morning time will be the best for you to practice Bhajan
[listening to the Sound Current].  (Huzur Maharaj, Letters)

[Radhasoami Reality]:
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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

A Spiritual Discourse by Shivbrat Lal, from a Radhasoami classic
titled, "Dayal Yoga"

The human body is a kin to a radio broadcasting station (transmitting
point). It transmits into the ethers subtle and mental waves of what
the mind thinks. Mental thought-forces and spiritual currents go out
in the atmosphere according to the disposition of one's mental and
spiritual make up. The human body system is also a radio receiver. A
powerful broadcasting station is more effective. Likewise, the
receiving set has to be tuned to listen to such broadcasts. The mind
can be made receptive to the Guru's solace-giving thought and
spiritual currents. This can be achieved by the quality of attention.
One's attention is the number one tool which can do and undo things.
The magnetic force of the Guru's holy touch is the guiding principle.
If the initiate fixes their attention properly, there is no question
of failure in meditation.

Various sorts of sound currents reverberate in the human system
(brain) from which the initiate has to pick up the right one and
listen to it, otherwise he will go astray and lose his equipoise. The
practical Guru forewarns his disciple and directs which sound to
listen to and which one to discard. A variety of sound currents are
of a lower order which have to be rejected. The experienced
practitioner [of Surat Shabda Yoga] knows that some of these low
order sound currents can become audible. Therefore the initiate his
to be very careful and avoid then in entirety. If not, they are bound
to create a sort of roadblock in the ascension process.

As aspirant must first get the know-how, this is what initiation
means and implies. It is fruitless to make an effort independently.
It is bound to fail. Unless one gets the name and address of a
person's house in a large city, he cannot find the residence he wants
to go to. The same law operates in the pursuit of Satsang. The Guru
there is the living divine guide in the person of a living Master.
One needs help from such a living source to acquaint himself and then
start practice. The discourses of the Master are very instructive.
The very presence of the Guru is a suggestive and corrective
phenomena. The atmosphere is serene, calm and peaceful. The spiritual
current of the Guru plays its own role. All this produces a sobering
and purifying effect on the mind. The law of association with the
Guru works wonders. So let him be the guiding light of life. In this
way alone would the initiate cast away ignorance and dispel all
obscurities and failings. The devotee receives the required
knowledge. Then he needs to commence his spiritual journey
internally. No doubt the devotee gaines knowledge, receives Naam Dan
(initiation) and gets happily engaged in his practice.

The devotee in his spiritual journey upwards hears sweet melodies
which attract him. The melodies are a powerful magnetic force which
draws the attention inwards and makes it fully attuned to proceed up
and up. We hear external instrumental music like the sitar, sarangi,
violin, harmonium, fiddle, flute and veena. We become attracted by
them and almost acquire a semi-rapturous condition. One can well
imagine how charming the Dhun-Atmic Shabda (internal Music) emanating
from both subtle and causal regions can be. It is a thousand times
more enchanting and absorbing! All one needs is to get the know-how
of this simple method of the Saints. A sufi of note has described
this condition thus:

If I were to reveal a little of the Heavenly Music that is heard
within, even the dead will rise from their graves.

-- Shri Shivbrat Lal

[Radhasoami Reality]:
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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Seek Your True Destination

This time therefore you should remember God
    and go home,
    or you will continue wandering
    through the four forms* of life.
Attend satsang, seek your true destination. (Soami Ji Maharaj)

Huzur Maharaj's Spiritual Discourses, Prem Patra Radhasoami, from
Volume One:

The Radhasoami Faith explains the secrets of the True Supreme
Creator and His abode, points out the way by which the spirit entity
can reach the Feet of its True Lord and Real Parent, whence it came
here in the beginning, and it teaches the mode of traversing that
path.

He who practices Surat Shabd Yoga even a little during his life time
will surely be saved from the cycle of Chaurasi** and will be taken
to higher regions.

True devotees should, therefore, commence the work of their
salvation, getting themselves properly initiated into the practices
prescribed by Sants. They should do their best to change the
downward tendency of their mind and desires. This cannot be secured
without practicing in the manner taught by Sants, which alone will
save them from this region of mind, matter and desires. These
practices should, therefore, be performed daily with care and
attention. The condition of mind and desires should be closely
watched, corrected and changed in accordance with the teachings of
Sants. The practice of Surat Shabd Yoga will help secure this end.
Those, who will perform this practice sincerely and take the
protection of the True Lord Radhasoami Dayal and His Satsang with
sincerity, shall surely receive His inward help. Radhasoami Dayal,
the True Lord, by His grace and mercy, will Tender help in the
completion of the task of His devotee, who will progress day by day.
Simultaneously his inward and outward conduct and behavior will also
be changed and purified, and one day his task will be duly
completed, i. e., he will secure true and complete salvation [jiva
mukti].

NOTES:

* "four forms of life":
(1) conceived in the womb (jeraj)-mammals;
(2) hatched from eggs (andaj)-birds and reptiles;
(3) born with the change of seasons and decay of organic matter
(setaj)-insects;
(4) born from soil (utbhuj)- vegetation.

** "Chaurasi": Eighty-four.
(1) The subtle eighty-four currents whose ramifications have
constituted a network to entrap the spirit in various grades and
orders of life.
(2) The cycle of births and deaths. Recurrent births and deaths.
(3) After long wanderings in various forms or lives, for
incalculable periods of time, when the development of the spirit
attains a particular stage, it gets the human form. This wandering
is called the cycle of Chaurasi.
(4) Eighty-four main transmigratory forms.

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Instruction for Satsangis of the Radhasoami Faith
By Huzur Maharaj

All those who join the Radhasoami Faith
and getting initiated into the practices
of Surat Shabd Yoga, upon commencing
Abhyas [meditation practices], must
consider Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful
Lord of All Souls] as the Supreme
Being, Supreme Creator, Omnipotent
and the Source of Love and Knowledge.
They should consider the August
Personage [Soami Ji Maharaj],
who promulgated the Radhasoami Faith,
and taught the easy method of Surat
Shabd Yoga [Inner Light and Sound,
the Yoga of the Audible Life Stream] for
raising the mind and spirit, to be the
Incarnation of the Supreme Being
Radhasoami. They should engender
intense love for and faith in both, and
perform Abhyas with trust in and reliance
on their grace and mercy.

The Supreme Being Radhasoami Dayal,
in His Nij Swarup [True Shabd, spiritual
Radiant Form], is the Doer or Creator
and Master of the entire Creation. It is,
therefore, the duty of all Satsangis to take
sincerely the shelter and protection of His
Holy Feet. They should depend and rely
upon His Will [Mauj], Mercy and Grace
in all matters. They should consider Him
alone to be their true Benefactor and
Redeemer, and adopt His Isht [goal or
worship, devotion]. That is, they should
firmly resolve to strive for reaching His Holy
Abode. It is only then that the devotional
practices will be performed successfully,
some internal bliss will be experienced, and,
day by day, progress will continue and
yearning will increase. (Prem Patra, Vol. 3)

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Reducing or Eliminating Karma Through the Divine Current of Shabd

Worldly Thoughts and Impulses Should Be Converted into Zeal For
Securing Internal Bliss and Happiness -- Spiritual Experience

Man's actions are the manifestations of his thoughts. The mind, by
projecting thoughts to sense-organs, enjoys pleasures. It, more or
less, identifies itself with these thoughts and pleasures. At that
time, it does not think of any thing else.

The Effect of the Three Karmas Can Be Effaced By Performing the
Meditation Practice of the Radhasoami Faith (Surat Shabd Yoga)

The meditation practice of the Radhasoami Faith consists in
reverting and raising internally the Current of the Surat (spirit,
soul) along the Shabd (Divine Sound Stream) and the Light within.
The seat of that Current is behind the eyes [at the Third Eye
Center].

When such a condition begins to supervene to some extent, as a
result of performing the meditation practices, the working of
Karmas, both internally and externally, is automatically enfeebled.
On getting some bliss and joy internally, and on witnessing the
refulgence, grace and mercy of the Supreme Being, the satsangi's
mind is, of itself, detached from the world and its pleasures. The
pleasures of the world become insipid. The longing for progress in
meditation, and higher and higher bliss, goes on increasing. Worldly
desires are curtailed. The Abhyasi [practitioner of Shabd Yoga]
always gives priority to the will, grace and mercy of the Supreme
Being in whatever he does. He subordinates his desires to the will
of the Supreme Being. Thus the devotee is entangled in Kriyaman
Karmas very little or not at all. This cuts short the chain of his
Karmas.

Prarabdh Karmas are those, which unfold in this very life. The
effect of such Karmas will be very much mitigated by the grace and
mercy of the Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of All
Souls]. To the extent to which an practitioner of Shabd Yoga is able
to withdraw from the eyes, he goes on getting detached from the body
and the world. In the wakeful state, the seat of the spirit is
behind the eyes. It is here that pains and pleasures are felt and
Karmas are performed. Therefore, as the Current of spirit is
withdrawn from here with the help of spiritual exercises, pains and
pleasures cease to be felt. In this way, the effect of Prarabdh
Karmas is lightened.

As to Sanchit Karmas, they are stored in Manakash (mind-sky) in the
form of seed-impressions. They will fructify in a future life.
As the practitioner's Surat penetrates Manakash in its ascent to
higher regions, the Sanchit Karmas appear in the form of thoughts
and impulses. They come into play for a short while only and are
obliterated. That is to say, if the spiritual exercises are
performed correctly and methodically, the Surat Shabd Meditation
practitioner's soul crosses over the region of Manakash in a short
time, and the store of his Sanchit Karams is cleared off.

In this way, all the Karams of a practitioner of the Radhasoami
Faith can be exhausted and eradicated in one or two lives. If he is
slack in meditation and desires for the pleasures of the world
remain embedded in his mind to some extent, purification will take
three lives. When the Surat [the attention-faculty of the soul]
experiences bliss and joy of Shabd and inner visions in higher
regions, pure love and longing for Surat Shabd Yoga goes on
increasing day by day.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra Radhasoami, The Spiritual Discourses of
the Radhasoami Faith

[Radhasoami Reality]:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADHASOAMI-REALITY
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

The Radhasoami Faith: Seven Points

By Huzur Maharaj

It is proper and essential for every Parmarthi [devotee of the
Highest Truth or Spiritual Path] to understand and believe in the
following seven points:

(1) Radhasoami Dayal is the Supreme Being and Omnipotent.

(2) The Jiva (spirit, soul) is an Ansha (particle) of the Supreme
Being Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul].

(3) The abode of Radhasoami is the Real Home of souls, of all the
spirit entities. In the beginning, the Current of Shabd emanated
from there. In course of its descent, it went on creating Mandals
(spheres) after Mandals (spheres) at the various stages.

(4) This world is the region of Maya and Kal Purush. It is subject
to constant changes. Nothing is stable and permanent here. One
should not, therefore, expect to stay here permanently or to
consider this region as one's home.

(5) A Parmarthi, who aspires to reach the Holy Feet of the true
Supreme Being, stands in need of the Sant Satguru who is a denizen
of Radhasoami Dham [abode, realm] and who holds its secrets. He will
guide one on the Path.

(6) A true Parmarthi needs the company of Sant Satguru and His
loving disciples, so that he may receive help, internally and
externally, in the performance of Abhyas [meditation practices].

(7) Salvation is possible with the Abhyas of Surat Shabd Yoga [union
with the Divine Light and Sound Current in meditation], for the
Surat (spirit) has descended along the Current of Shabd, and can
revert along this very Current. All other currents have originated
in the region of Maya, and they also end within the same region.