Bliss in the Company of the Beloved

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

SantMat_Mystic_(James)
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Jivas are being roasted in the fire of Virah (separation from the Beloved Lord). How can they feel cool and contented? Without the shower of the discourses of the Beloved Lord, all freshness has gone.

The faces of those who are blessed with the company of their Beloved Lord, are radiant with smile. They are cool and happy at heart and hear Anhad Shabds [unstruck or uncreated melodies] resounding within themselves.

-- Soami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Volume II)

Returning to the Source Through the Inward Journey is the Essence of Dharma





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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
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If you want to worship, worship RadhaSoami.
If you want to give, give charity.
If you want to drink, drink your anger.
If you want to seek, seek knowledge.
If you want to control, control your desire.
If you want to share, share your happiness.
If you want to speak, speak truth.
If you want to respect, respect your elder.
If you want to rule, rule your heart.
If you want to help, help needy & poor.
If you want to establish, establish peace.
If you want to hide, hide other secrets.
If you want to forgive, forgive everyone.
If you want to praise, praise creator.
If you want to die, die for RADHASOAMI FAITH.
  Say.............Radhasoami..........

Be so devoted to one's Lord that nothing can stand in the Way 

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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)

Table talk Bachan No. XXVI - Page 11 – PG Sahib Ji Maharaj
             It is highly improper to speak ill of other people or to pry into
their faults.  Experience shows that one gradually contracts all the faults that
one sees in others.  A devotee should make it a rule, as far as possible, to
concern himself only with the virtues of others, and if any one’s faults happen
to come under his notice, he should turn his attention inwards and engage
himself in the contemplation of the Holy Form, bearing in mind that just as
meddling with filth of any kind invariably soils jour body, so does speaking ill
of others invariably result in the pollution of our mind.


With regards

---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Love For God is the Foundation of Sant Mat (Path of the Masters)

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

The poetry of Sant Dariya Sahib reveals that simran and meditation techniques alone will not be sufficient, that the devotee must have a burning love for the Beloved, the Supreme Being. Meditation permeated with this kind of intense yearning opens a Portal to the other side like nothing else can. Beyond all planes of consciousness is an Infinite Ocean of Love, and THIS is the Ultimate Reality of all the Saints.

Radhasoami,

James

The Love Chapter of Sant Dariya Sahib

Without love there can be no devotion and wisdom.
With love arisen, they can be experienced
with the Master's grace.
With intensification of love, one comes in contact
with the True Sound,
And like a lotus in water, abides in its peace and bliss.

When love and endearment are firmly ingrained,
One attains the elixir of Nam, and enjoys its bliss.
Being firmly entrenched in love and endearment,
And being well-steeped in devotion,
one obtains the true love.

Have love for the lotus feet of the Master, 0 wise men.
This life is short.
Give up needlessly extended discussions.

With love and wisdom arisen,
One moves with detachment in the world.
He who finds a Living Teacher,
Has the true recognition of the path, says Dariya.

So long as the lover is not immersed in love,
His sins and evil thoughts are not washed off.
If one's attention is not absorbed in the inner sky,
How can he see the wondrous inner sights?

So long as the intense longing for the Beloved
does not arise,
And the heart is not filled with love;
The spiritual goal cannot be attained
By mere observance of religious practices,
vows and rituals.

Whatever be the bulk of one's charity and virtuous deeds,
One can find no foothold anywhere without devotion.

Have firm faith in love and devotion.
Love is the essence of spiritual truth.
Reflect on this saying of the Saints,
By this alone, one is saved from the ocean of the world.

Without love, one goes to the abode of Yama,
But being endowed with love, one attains the immortal fruit.

Blessed is the eye which is permeated with love.
Without love it is like a pebble or stone.
Like a gardener without a garden,
the eye remains empty without love.
What is the state of a human being without love?
He is like one who is denied all delicacies,
and whose mouth is filled only with dust.
Without love one does not find the flow
of the Sound Current.
But when the flower of love blossoms,
its fragrance is praised by all.

Many are the paths prevalent in this world
Knowing the proper wisdom, work out your own salvation.
He who obtains a wise and discriminating Saint,
Recognizes the path of salvation.

The technique of love is truly the root of spirituality.
Follow this technique as imparted by the Master.
When with his grace the inner lamp is lighted,
The true Sound, the support of all, comes to sight.

Just as the lotus resides in water,
It does not come to bloom by water.
Only when the light of the sun appears,
Does the lotus open its petals,
As the contemplative (inner) eye opens to see.

The spiritual lotus likewise resides in the human body
which is like a pond.
Its sustaining water is close to the lotus.
But only when love for the Satguru arises,
Does the inner lotus bloom,
And one becomes a devotee of the Lord's holy feet.

Without love, there is no spiritual path.
The path lives in love.

With intensification of love, one comes in contact
with the True Sound,
And like a lotus in water, abides in its peace and bliss.

When love and endearment are firmly ingrained,
One attains the elixir of Nam, and enjoys its bliss.
Being firmly entrenched in love and endearment,
And being well-steeped in devotion,
one obtains the true love.

Without love one does not find the flow
of the Sound Current.
But when the flower of love blossoms,
its fragrance is praised by all.

-- Sant Dariya Sahib,
"Dariya Sahib -- Saint of Bihar," translated by
K.N. Upadhyaya

While Alive We Can Experience the Heavens

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





Param Sant Tulsi Sahib, Saint of Hathras, India:

"In this life the concept of salvation all
describe;
To meet the Lord by dying while living,
none discloses.
They all speak of the goal of salvation after
death;
How to attain it while living, no one says.
Were they to reveal the method of attaining
release while living,
Then alone would Tulsi be convinced of
their words.

Who speak, after seeing with their own eyes,
And teach the method of salvation during
life,
Are of the stage and stature of Saints,
For they reveal the quintessence of the soul."

The following is an Arabic inscription at the site of a mosque at Fatehpur Sikri, India attributed to Isa or Yeshua: "The world is a bridge. Pass over it, but do not build your dwelling there."  It reminds me of a similar saying, also attributed to Jesus, found in the Gospel of Thomas that was unearthed in Egypt: "Become passers-by." One translator renders this as: "Come into being as you pass away."





There is a wonderful book of Sant Dadu Dayal's mystic-poems recently published by Criterion Publications in New Delhi, volume 25 in their "Encyclopaedia of Saints of India" series.

Urgency of Realisation

This fragile and transient human life is speedily coming to its end. It is high time that we seek refuge in the Lord of Love. Only while living as a human being can the work be accomplished, not after death.





Sant Dadu Dayal

The mind is a deer, sayeth Dadu.
Looking at the green forest of the world.
This foolish one runs around puffed up
with pleasure.
It is destined to be a victim of Kal [lord of time, lord of death], the hunter.
The body is like a passer-by,
sayeth Dadu.
No sooner dost thou look at him, that he goes out of sight.
Be dedicated to the Name of God
As long as there is breath in thy body.
Hurry up, O passer-by, the journey hangs over thy head.
Delay no more.
What art thou doing sitting idle? Repeat God's Name.
Evening has set in while the traveller is still in the forest.
He must move briskly.
This is not the time to be slack, warns Dadu.
Go Home quickly.

Gone is the time, and lost is the opportunity.
Where shalt thou find this priceless birth once it slips out of hand?
Catching hold of our hand, the Negative Power [Kal] is drawing us close day by day.
The self does not awaken even now.
Its time is spent asleep.
While watching, 0 Dadu, the hair has grown white from black.
Body, mind, and youth are all gone, and even now thou turnest not to God!
While alive one can transcend bodily qualities.
While alive one can be liberated;
While alive one can shed all Karmas.
That truly is called liberation.
While alive one can cross over what is hard to cross,
While alive can one go to the other shore.
While alive one can find the Master of the world,
And can attain discrimination and wisdom.
If the meeting is not accomplished while alive,
If the contact is not made while alive,
If the Lord of the universe is not found while alive,
The one is simply drowned.
One is freed while alive,
One is not freed after death, sayeth Dadu
If one were to be free after death,
Then all will come under that.
Some say one can secure abode in paradise after death;
They preach liberation after death.
They, indeed, are making the world
insane, O Dadu...............

Japi Gobinda bisari jini jai

Do the repetition of God [God's Name] and forget
Him not.
Fulfil the purpose of thy birth
by practising concentration.
Be steadfast in the remembrance of God.
Practice meditation with love, and sing
the glory of God.
The human body is the door to salvation.
Do the repetitions of God, the Creator
of the universe.

Guru Updesh (The Teachings of the Masters)
by Huzur Maharaj

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1. RADHASOAMI is the name of the Supreme Being. This alone is His true and real Name.

2. The Supreme Being is the embodiment of Shabd (Sound), Prem (love), Ananad (bliss) and Harsh (joy).

3. The Supreme Being is all-pervading (omnipresent). At the same time He has His own separate abode.

4. The Supreme Being, in His unbounded grace and mercy, assumed the form of Param Sant Sat Guru and came into the world for the redemption of Jivas (humanity).

5. The grace of the Supreme Being envelopes all. But those who have taken His saran (refuge) and always keep Him in their mind, are the recipients of His special grace. They alone are His beloved ones.

6. Whenever one gets the darshan (vision) of the Supreme Being, it will be within oneself.

7. 'Thou' and 'I' refer to "Surat". Surat is an ansh (particle, emanation) of the Supreme Being, as the sun and its rays.

8. Ansh (Surat) always remains happy with its Anshi (Source, the Supreme Being).

9. This kind of Anand (happiness, bliss) is not to be found in the world. It can only be had at the Feet of the Supreme Being.

10. If the Surat (spirit entity) detaches itself from the world and reaches the Feet of the Supreme Being, it will attain to everlasting bliss.

11. Detachment from the world and attainment of the true happiness will be secured only by the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga (union of the spirit entity with Shabd or the Supreme Being).

12. Listening to the Shabd (Sound) internally, i.e. within one's self, is called 'Surat Shabd Yoga'.

13. There is none like Shabd to show the path and shed light on it. The entire creation is functioning by Shabd.

14. Shabd is resounding in the inner recesses of everyone all the time. This Shabd is called Dhwanyatmak Nam. Listening to this Shabd, the Surat (spirit) can reach its original abode or region.

15. The secrets of the Path and the method of practising Surat Shabd Yoga can be learnt from Sant Sat Guru or Sadh Guru or Their sincere and loving Satsangi (devotee).

16. Sant Sat Guru is He who has taken His Surat to Sat Lok and Radhasoami Dham (Abode) by performing Surat Shabd Yoga. He is the Special SOn and Beloved of the Supreme Being, Radhasoami.

17. Sadh Guru is He who has taken His Surat to Par-Brahm Pad, i.e., Daswar Dwar (the tenth orifice) of Sants, beyond Trikuti, and who is practising Surat Shabd Yoga for going further up.

18. Satsangis are those who are engaged in the performance of Surat Shabd Yoga for attaining the Feet of the Supreme Being, Radhasoami Dayal. They are to reach the Nij Dham (Original Abode) by the grace of the Sant Sat Guru.

19. One should find out the Sant Sat Guru of the time. Adhere to those who are no more, will not serve the purpose.

20. One can get darshan of the Supreme Being only by the grace and mercy of the Sant Sat Guru and by the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga.

21. One should engender sincere love for the Sant Sat Guru and should secure His pleasure by internal and external Satsang and strive hard for it by serving Him with one's body, mind and riches.

22. Service to the Sant Sat Guru is the service to the Supreme Being Himself. He is pleased with this very service. Service to anybody else will not secure this object.

23. One should have faith in the Supreme Being and Sant at Guru. As far as possible, one should conform to His Mauj (will, please) and ordainments.

24. The Mauj of the Sant Sat Guru is the Mauj of the Supreme Being; there is no difference between the two.

25. The Sant Sat Guru is always with His Satsangis (devotees) whom He has taken under His protection ; and He is looking after them every moment.

26. He who sincerely adheres to the Sant Sat Guru and has deep love and reliance in His Holy Feet, is His own. Kal is afraid of him; he (Kal) may try to temp and frighten him from a distance, but he dare not come near him (devotee).

27. Where praises of the Supreme Being are sung, and the importance of love and reliance in His Holy Feet and the secrets of the Surat Shabd Yoga are explained, is true Satsang.

28. The importance of Satsang is great. One should attend it with sincerity and attention.

29. Satsang is Pars; whoever joins it will become gold.

30. Satsang dispels doubts and delusions. Without getting rid of these, the practise of Surat Shabd Yoga cannot be performed successfully, nor can true salvation be secured.

31. One should be nih-karam (desireless, disinterested and detached). Therefore, one should resign the pleasures and comforts of body, mind and riches to Mauj of Sant Sat Guru. Otherwise one's load of karams (sins) and one's attachment to and entanglement in the world, will go on increasing day by day; and to the same extent one's liberation will become difficult.

32. Whatever one does, the result should be left to the Mauj of the Sant Sat Guru. One should be cheerful and pleased in all circumstances and should never complain. In this way too, one can become nih-karam (free from karams, sins and desires).

33. Lust, anger, avarice, attachment, jealousy, enmity, pride and egotism are the evils of the mind ; and the mind desires to indulge in these very evils.

34. All these evils create disturbance in the service and devotion to the Sant Sat Guru. One should, as far as possible, avoid them and keep oneself away from the tricks of the mind so that one can save oneself from the onslaughts of these evils.

35. The mind acts through the sense organs and keeps the Surat (spirit) tied down to the body and the world in order that it may enjoy the fruit of such actions.

36. The mind is attached to worldly objects and becomes unhappy if it has to give them up. The more the attachment, the greater will be the pain in leaving them.

37. The evils of the mind should be removed, otherwise, it will not be possible to have full faith in the Sant Sat Guru and the Supreme Being. For this reason, true and complete salvation would not be achieved. Without the grace of the Sant Sat Guru and the practice of the Surat Shabd Yoga, these evils cannot be removed.

38. Internal Satsang, viz., to listen to Dhwanyatmak Name within, and external Satsang viz., to associate with the Sat Guru and to recite His Bani (compositions) and read His discourses intelligently, are indispensible for the correction and purification of the mind.

39. Worldly objects are perishable. They do not provide lasting pleasures, nor do they afford complete satisfaction. One should, therefore, indulge in them to the extent it is necessary. Sincere attachment should be generated for the Sat Guru.

40. Worldly people are subjected to immense pain at the time of death, for they have to leave the objects to which they are attached, and they feel helpless.

41. Accordingly, one should practise to undergo the process of death while living. That is to say, the Surat (spirit) should be detached from the plane of the eyes and attached to the Holy Feet of the true Supreme Being and taken to the original abode.

42. When Surat (spirit) descends to the plane of the eyes, its connection is established with the body and the world.

43. Man has become entangled in the world through his eyes and ears in particular. The mind and the body are chiefly dependent on these two sense-organs.

44. By practising devotion, the true bliss of these two senses (eyes and ears) will be obtained within, and that bliss will be such as will enhance love and faith in the Holy Feet of the Supreme Being day by day.

45. This internal bliss will not remain the same always. If it does, its keenness and intensity will be lost, devotion will become slack and love in the Feet of the Supreme Being will decrease; further progress will stop.

46. The internal bliss will not be lost at the time of death. Any if it were lost, worldly desires would enter the mind. The result will be re-birth in the world; there will be no deliverance from the cycle of transmigration.

47. Hence both these contingencies are provided for in Sant Mat. In other words, the practitioner of Surat Shabd Yoga receives greater and greater bliss day by day and at the time of his death.

48. Devotion should be internal. If it is outward, it should be directed to the Sant Sat Guru. Devotion to anybody else will not bear fruit.

49. One should be gurumukh, that is to say, one should obey the commands of the Guru. A manmukh (one who follows the dictates of one's mind) will have to wander in Chaurasi (transmigration).

50. One should have love for and fear of the Supreme Being and the Sant Sat Guru and go on enhancing them day by day.

51. One should always engage in such activities as may increase one's love, yearning and faith in the Holy Feet of the Supreme Being and the Sant Sat Guru. And, as far as possible, one should abstain from those acts which may decrease one's love, yearning and faith.

52. At least two hours daily should be devoted to the service of the Supreme Being and performance of Bhajan and Sumiran (spiritual practices of listening to the internal Sounds and repetition of the Holy Name) etc.. This period of devotion should be increased whenever possible. Whenever an occasion for associating with the Sant Sat Guru presents itself, one should avail of it eagerly.

53. One should not pray for worldly prosperity to the Supreme Being or Sant Sat Guru. He knows the requirements of the Jiva and whatever He considers fit and proper, He bestows of His own accord. If, however, one's mind persists, one may express one's desire at the time of spiritual practices, but on should leave its fulfilment to the Mauj of the Supreme Being, and continue one's efforts.

54. One may now and then pray for enhancement of love and faith in the Holy Feet of the Supreme Being and Sant Sat Guru, but one should not insist or set one's mind on quick fulfilment of this wish, for, when its desire is not satisfied, the mind feels dejected and loses faith.

55. Of all physical forms, human body is the best and noblest. Bhakti or devotion to the Supreme Being can be performed only in this body. Therefore, one should not indulge in such activities as may deprive one of human body, resulting in descent into Chaurasi (cycle of births and deaths).

56. For the performance of devotion, one should be acquainted with the true Nam (Name), Dham (Abode), Rup (Form) and Leela (Sound) of the Nami or the Supreme Being. Then only Dhyan (contemplation) can be performed correctly.

57. Redemption cannot be achieved by adopting conventional names. It is essential to get initiated into the secrets of Nij Nam (True and Real Dhwanyatmak Name), which is resounding within every one at all times, and can be heard by the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga.

58. Pleasures derived from the objects of the world do not afford satisfaction to the Surat (spirit) and the mind. On the contrary, they increase thirst and desire for the same.

59. Real satisfaction will be obtained when the Surat and mind get the bliss of higher regions. This will go on increasing as one rises higher and higher. COmplete satisfaction and contentment will be obtained when one reaches Nij Desh (Region of Source and Origin).

60. Sant Mat (Religion of Sants) is very easy. Its Abhyas (spiritual practices) can be performed by a child or seven, a young man and an old man of eighty years, both male and females. It comprises of four essentials or factors. viz., true Guru, true Name, true Satsang and true Anurag (Love).

61. Every Satsangi should abstain from meat, fish, fowl and eggs and all intoxicants.

62. For one's own gain, one should not, by thought, word or deed, harass, oppress entertain enmity and jealousy towards others. One should be meek and humble at heart.

63. One should act honestly in the world, should not, as far as possible, indulge in acts of show, display and ostentation.

64. One should not give rise to inordinate desires for sensual pleasures. One should exercise moderation in every sphere of activity.

O Traveller! Seek the Path that lies Within You

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O traveller! Seek the path that lies within you,
You and your Beloved are in the same body;
Your Beloved is pervading everywhere, but is not being perceived.
Those initiated by Guru are able to recognize Him within their bodies.
O traveller! If you wish to go alone on the path of the Lord,
Look for the path within and do not delay;
The four spheres of darkness, Light, Sound and Soundlessness ---
They all lie within the temple of your body.
You stepped down to the darkness, but your Beloved is in the Sphere of Soundlessness;
Now you again go back to the Sphere of Soundlessness through the Tenth Door.
Pursuing the inner Light and practising the Yoga of Sound,
Listen to the orchestration of Sounds and closely watch the dazzling Light,
And go along the path where the five Sounds resonate;
Ascend up as you get drawn towards them.
Never imagine that there are other means of going to the Sphere of Soundlessness,
Without the Yoga of vision and the Yoga of Sound.
Says Mehi, going along this path alone
Is the secret path to Divinity, as revealed by the Saints.
Catching the most subtle one amidst different Sounds,
Go along the solitary path lying within your body.

--- Padavali of Maharishi Mehi

The Supreme Being, a Boundless Ocean of Spirit and Love

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





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-Yoga [Yoga of the Audible Life Stream, Inner Sound] 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 labour 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 neighbours; while pure and sacred love for the Supreme Being creates in the heart humility, meekness and an affectionate regard for kindred, neighbours and humanity in general.

7. Pure and holy love is always ready to spend (regardlessly) 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 MAT PRAKASH - A Brief View of Radhasoami Faith ---
Being a message of Eternal Peace and Joy to all nations ---
Originally written by Hazur Maharaj in english and published in the year 1897A.D.
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/radhasoami/rsmatpra/rsmatprakash_7.htm



Emphasis on Love and Devotion. Reviving the bhakti traditions of Medieval India, the founders of Radhasoami faith emphasize the devotional aspect of religion. According to them bhakti alone would bring salvation to the suffering humanity. One should engender true love for the formless Supreme Being and take shelter (saran) in his divine will (mauj). Hazur Maharaj says that "a heart devoid of love or affection is as hard as stone and does not form a suitable receptacle for the light of Heavenly Grace and Mercy…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 Centre of Pure Light and Attraction." Love, therefore, is the keynote of Radhasoami faith.


A practical Religion – Blending of Bhakti and Yoga. The founders of the faith have essentially made it a faith of actual practice and behaviour. The philosophical moorings and thought-processes are subsidiary elements in it. It is through practice alone that teachings would prove efficacious. The founders of the faith set the motto: "Practice and observe the results yourself." They introduces a mode of spiritual exercise – surat-shabd-yoga – and claimed to have based it on scientific lines. The practitioner of this yoga would derive practical benefits in the world and feel no pain at the time of death. An abhyasi [meditation practitioner] dies while living. He gets absorbed in the bliss and ecstasy of higher and spiritual life and attains the status of a sthitpragya [state of stabilized cognition, tranquility, peace]. Hardly does he feel the joys and sorrows of the world. The founders assert that surat-shabd-yoga is the easiest and best of all modes of yoga ever practiced in the country in the past or present. It can be practiced by all alike – men, women, old, young, rich and poor. A person leading a family life with all his temporal preoccupation can practise it as effectively as a recluse.

The faith also presents a harmonious blending of yoga and bhakti. The key to surat-shabd-yoga lies with the guru of the time. A practitioner must, therefore, practise bhakti of the guru as a prerequisite to successful performance of yoga. When the practitioner serves the guru with body, mind and soul and with all love and humanity dissolves his ego, he himself witnesses a transformation of his life within and without, and achieves remarkable progress in spiritual pursuit. The founders have, thus, delivered the message of love on practical grounds. They have affirmed that the path of love excels everything. True and selfless love is itself the yoga. Surat-shabd-yoga is the devotional mode of self-realization.

--- RADHASOAMI FAITH - A HISTORICAL STUDY
by Prof. A.P. Mathur
M.A., PhD, F.I.H.S., F.R.A.S. (London)
Former Vice-Chancellor, Agra University, Agra, India
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/radhasoami/rsfaith/radhasoamifaith.htm

Being a Disciple of Ego-Mind, or Student of the Master

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

No good can come out of reciting and memorizing the writings of Sants unless they are followed and practised. Therefore, whatever discourses you hear, you should act upon, otherwise, hearing and understanding of them will be useless.

He who has spiritual yearning will always turn towards the Guru, whereas one who is devoid of fear of the Lord, will drift with the waves of the mind.

One should keep in view what his mind says and what the Guru orders. Following the orders of the Guru, he subdues his mind and following the dictates of his mind, he turns his face away from the Guru. One who has a real spiritual yearning would follow the Guru, while he who has no fear would be carried away by the impulses of his mind.

-- Sayings of Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Prose, Book II

Everyone of us is a bubble of consciousness

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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
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I am a bubble of supermost consciousness. That is what my realization is. This is what I have gained. Now what I feel is that there is One, Infinite, Supermost Element. From it, when it moves, sound and light come out and from that light and sound this creation takes place. Cosmic rays and many other types of rays come out of this light and sound and all this gross matter is made. So it is the Will of that Supreme Power. Everything is oozing out of it and is merging back in it.

--- Baba Faqir Chand

The God-devotee is Never Alone  -- Guru Nanak from Sidh Gosht

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





Sidh Gosht (Guru Nanak's Conversation with the Siddhas)

From, Peace Lagoon -- Sacred Songs of the Sikhs,

Said Guru Nanak:

The nature of those who have known this
rapture is as the One who created them:
They suffer no birth or death, nor do they come and go.
Through the Guru's grace,
their minds receive instruction and the Imperishable Lord is obtained.

One should close the nine gates,
and arriving at the tenth [Third Eye Center], find fulfillment.
Then will the mind resound with the Eternal Music of bliss.
Then one knows the Presence of the Lord, and he merges in Him.
The True One fills every heart.
He to whom the Word becomes manifest,
the True Lord is revealed unto him.

In the instant of meeting Him, one finds eternal bliss;
And sleeping no more, one is always awake to the Lord.
Then one lives in the Infinity of God through silent contemplation.
And speaking His Name, one is liberated and by his instruction liberates others.

Those who act on the Guru's instructions
are blessed with the True Name.
Having dispelled all selfishness,
they have been granted union with God and are never alone.

A Touch of Grace --- Songs of Kabir
Translated by Linda Hess and Shukdev Singh
Published by Shambhala books

SantMat_Mystic_BLOG_at_Yahoo360
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic  





A Touch of Grace --- Songs of Kabir
Mystic Verses of Guru Kabir Sahib


Death is standing on your head.
Wake up, friend!
With your house in the middle of traffic,
how can you sleep so sound?


Wooden structure, termite,
eating all he can.
Death dwells in the body.
No one understands.


Nearby they sink and don't come up;
it makes me wonder.
In illusion's swift stream,
how can you slumber?


Into the looking-glass cavern
the dog goes running.
Seeing his own reflection,
he dies barking.


The best of all true things
is a true heart.
Without truth no happiness,
though you try
a million tricks.


They don't listen to wise words
and won't think for themselves.
Kabir continues to scream.
The world goes by like a dream.


Drop falling in the ocean---
everyone knows.
Ocean absorbed in the drop---
a rare one knows.


Make your own decision.
See for yourself while you live.
Find your own place.
Dead, what house will you have?
Creature, you don't see
your opportunity.
In the end no one belongs to you.
Kabir says, it's difficult,
this wheel of time.


Say it: Ram's [God's] indestructible name.
If you leave Hari, there's no place to go.
Wherever you go, you're just a moth.
Do you see the trap? Then don't burn.
Get attached
to Ram's name, [God's name] and learn
how the insect gives its heart
to the bee. The world is heavy with the load of grief.
Creature, if you can think or see,
make an effort! Your thoughts are useless
waves, you can't see this shore
or the other.


The world: an ocean of desire.
Ram's support: a ship.
Take Hari's refuge: the sea will be
as wide as a calf's hoofprint.


The musician plays a peerless instrument
with eight sky-mouths thundering.
Only you are played, only you thunder,
your hand alone
runs up and down.
In One Sound thirty-six ragas, speaking
an Endless Word.
The mouths a shaft,
the ear a sounding gourd---
the true teacher made the instrument.
The tongue a string,
the nose a peg---
he rubs on the wax of Maya.
Light bursts in the sky-temple
at a sudden reversal.

Kabir says, clarity comes
when the Musician lives
in your heart.


If anyone can hear,
he'll fly to the sky without wings
and live, not die, says Kabir.


Kabir Music Video at YouTube - Music by Abeda

Kabir Poems Read by Robert Bly -- YouTube Video

Beauty From Within

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

It is a natural characteristic of human beings to be beautiful, attractive, charming and respectable, and to express the right type of personality. You are interested in dressing yourself and decorating your body to be attractive, beautiful and charming to the eyes of your loved ones, friends and others. You are interested in going to others' houses, a party, club or place of recreation with others, with your fine clothes and attractive decoration.

When you will become more interested in cleaning your mind and heart, reorienting your life in deep meditation or spiritual practice through self introspection and adjustment, you will find the greatest pleasure, satisfaction and glow in your upliftment. Such meditation should be in every morning and evening, ultimately in every step of life, with the greatest intention to charm your Lord or God and beautify yourself to His liking. This should be your vital interest of life, love and relations, with the angels and the Holy Spirit of God. This is the purpose of your life. This is the goal of your life.

Remain ever beautiful in character, words and behaviour, love and service. Through your continuous reorientation and spontaneous elevation, charm your Lord, your Master, your God within. Thus remain ever blessed to enjoy your union with God, when you truly achieve eternal life, everlasting Pure Happiness.

-- Sree Sree Mentu Maharaj
   "The Truth Absolute"
   published by
   www.United-Satsang.org
   www.United-Satsang.org

Happy Diwali!







About Diwali - Wikipedia

More About Diwali

Misguided by Kal Demiurge --- Only One in A Million Knows the Secret

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

The first passage is from, The Anurag Sagar. The second reading is from, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Volume One


From Volume Three of, The Anurag Sagar -- Guru Kabir and Sant Dharam Dass (translation and commentary by Baba Kehar Singh, Tarn Taran)


Kabir Sahib asks a question and then answers it: How can a living being understand spirituality or salvation and make progress to attain it? He says that if a person after getting initiated does meditation and follows the path of devotion to his Master, he will not face any problem to realize God or attain salvation.

Kabir Sahib said that Master is competent to tell us about the secret of Sach Khand, Alakh Desh, Agam Desh and Anami Desh (fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth spiritual regions respectively).

Kabir Sahib said, "KAL [false god of time, death, and illusion -- universal mind] has entangled people in various rituals and worships so that they forget God. They do not leave these rituals and never think of their Real Home."

"Dharam Dass, only a rare person has the prudent wisdom to meditate on the Naam given by the Master and has the realization within."

"Dharam Dass, one in millions is a wise pure soul who sings the glory of God's name, who contemplates with love the Sound that leads to God. Only that person can realise God who pays attention to the Sound and has full faith in IT."  (Anurag Sagar, Book Three)


Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Volume One, Soami Ji Maharaj

IMPORTANCE OF SATSANG AND
REVELATION OF SATNAM (TRUE NAME)

How am I to depict the crookedness of Mana (Mind)? It pays no heed to the words of Guru.

Love has disappeared, and devotion is eclipsed. Instead, the reservoir of enmity and jealousy has opened.

Maya has employed its trickery's and fraud. Kal has spread the cover of darkness, ignorance and impurity. The result is, Satsang appeals to me on mere intellectual and theoretical grounds; forbearance and reliance on the Mauj [Will] of Guru have completely vanished.  

It is difficult to describe this strange phenomenon. It is all due to the influence of Kali Yuga.

Satsangis are brothers and sisters, being disciples of the same Guru. But quarrels and disputes occur daily among them.

Kal thus plays his trickery's and fraud, and gets entrance into Satsang.

When Kal fails in his attempt otherwise, he manages to find his way into seva (service) in Satsang.

Kal gets hold of everybody's mind by employing his trickeries in seva.

Kal has so misguided devotees that the Guru has to admonish them, and Satsangis are grieved at their behaviour.

They pay no attention to the admonitions of Guru. Again and again they follow the evil tendencies of their mind.

They find fault with Guru. Thus Kal succeeds in taking them to Chaurasi [the cycle of births and deaths] again and again.

They attended Satsang for such a long time, but no benefit has accrued to them.

I now pray to SatGuru, to subdue Kal and correct my mind:

Kal cannot be stronger than You. Be pleased to cut off the noose of Yama.

May Satsangis develop strong love for Your Gracious Feet and may their minds become pure and clean.

Banish enmity and malice from their hearts so that they may enjoy bliss together.

May satsangis live together in harmony and always love one another.



This is the ordainment for all. Those, who do not follow this, are under the sway of Kal.

Those, who obey my order, shall be admitted to the Abode of SatGuru.

Always pay heed to this advice of Guru and correct your understanding.

Those, who are under the sway of Kal, they will not accept my advice.
 
Now have no anxiety or worry. Utter the True Name every moment.

--- Swami Ji Maharaj,  Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry

Hark! He is playing the flute! – Sant Radhaswami Sahab

Following is an English rendering of the translation (in Hindi) of a verse composed by Sant Radhaswami Sahab by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj. English rendering of Maharshi Mehi's Translation by Pravesh K. Singh http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati
 http://blog.360.yahoo.com/praveshksingh

The Original Verse (phonetic version):

"Muraliyaa baaj rahee, Koee sune sant dhar dhyaan,
So muralee guru mohi sunaee, lage prem ke baan.
Pindaa chhod and taj bhaagee, sunee adhar me apoorab taan.
Paayaa shabd milee hansan se, khainch chadhaaee surat kamaan.
Yah vanshee satanaam vansh kee, kiyaa ajar ghar amrit paan.
Bhanvar gufaa dhig soham bansee, reejh rahee mai sun-sun taan.
Is muralee kaa marm pichhaano, milee shabd kee khaan.
Gaee surat kholaa wah dwaaraa, pahunchee nij asthaan.
Satta purush dhun been sunaee, adbhut jinakee shaan.
Jin-jin suni aan yah bansee, door kiyaa sab man kaa maan.
surat samhaarat nirat nihaarat, paay gaee ab naam nishaan.
Alakh agam aur Radhaswami, khel rahee ab us maidaan."

The Translation:

The flute (of the Lord) is ringing or playing (in the inner sky). Sants who practice meditation with focussed attention are able to listen to it. My Guru made me listen to this divine flute, listening to which I was stung or pierced by the arrows of love (towards God). I (the soul) fled rising beyond my body and the Universe and heard an astonishing music never heard of earlier. I pulled or tightened the bow of surat (focussed attention or current of consciousness) and having grasped the Divine Sound met sacred souls. This flute is carved of the flute of sattanaam (holy name, Divine Word, Divine Sound, True Sound or the Truth). I sipped the nectar (which makes one immortal, taking beyond the realms or cycles of birth and death) in the sattalok (Realm of Pure Consciousness, or The Quintessential Unstruck Melody). I am delighted and enchanted by listening to the flute of `Soham' near the Bhanwar Gufa (Whirling Cave or Tunnel – the domain or the realm where the Nature is in its undisturbed state, where all the attributes or qualities of `sat', `raj' and `tam' are in perfect equilibrium balancing each other. This region is also known as `Mahakaran Mandal' (Supra-causal Region) - Translator). Identify the secret of this flute. Meeting (hearing) this is tantamount to discovering the mine or the treasure-trove of Sound. Surat reached the gate where this flute is found, opened the gate and found its own (true, original) home. I listened to the flute played by the sattapurush (God) whose influence is striking. Whoever has reached up to here and listened to this flute has been able to overcome or destroy their ahankaar (ego). Taking care of surat (stream of consciousness) gazing intently with rapt attention, I have obtained the symbol or sign in the form of the Divine Sound. Radhaswami Sahab says that now the pure conscious soul is playing on the playfield of `alakh' (beyond vision, the Unseen) and `agam' (beyond intellect). 

Extracts from the Letters of Huzur Maharaj to Satsangis

And below the quotes from various letters are some excerpts from the Prem Bani mystic poetry of Huzur Maharaj on the voyage back to God.

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{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
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from the Letters of Huzur Maharaj to Satsangis


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 become easy and pleasant; but this cannot be accomplished soon and therefore patience and trust should be adhered to.


If you remember the Supreme Father by practising devotion and by sometimes repeating the Holy Name you will find that Grace won't forsake you, but on the other hand will always extend its protection to you in all matters.


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.


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.


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.


You are quite right in saying that true and sincere love and Bhakti [devotion] are what is required of a practitioner like yourself. It is a stupendous idea and only idea by which true redemption can be effected, but it cannot be the work of a day or a month or a year. For a very long time, i. e, for ages and ages, the mind has, in a manner, become the slave of the senses. Unless the direction of the mind or rather the downward currents emanating from the mind, be taken upward through the mercy and grace of the Sant Sat Guru Radhasoami, it would not be possible to create Bhakti or assimilate Surat with Shabd [the soul's attention being absorbed with the Sound Current]. You need not be disappointed and you should not lose heart and further, you should bear in mind that when you have been initiated in the Sublime Faith and when you have gone within at the third eye center, be rest assured that you are under the protection 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].


From the Prem Bani Radhasoami of Huzur Maharaj

Receive initiation from the Guru in the true secrets of Shabd.

Practise the modes of Surat Shabd Yoga with love and affection.

Regularly practice Surat Shabd Yoga. Contemplate the Guru's form.
Behold beautiful scenes and spectacles within.

When Radhaswami Dayal [the Merciful Lord of the Soul] is pleased to shower His grace, He will elevate your soul along the Current of Shabd. You will then ascend to your True Home.

Listen to the reverberations of Anhad Shabd within you.

Radhasoami in His grace and mercy will take you across.

Make His holy feet your prop and support.


My Beloved Himself is the most munificent Radhaswami. I sacrifice myself at His holy feet.

Radhasoami, in His grace, has taken me in His arms. He has extricated me from Kal's net.

Imparting to me the knowledge of Shabd, He has elevated my Surat to higher regions.

I heard the sounds of the Bell and the Conch.

I saw the Red Sun and then beheld the Moon. I heard the melodious sounds of the Flute and the Harp. I was delighted to touch the Holy Feet of Radhasoami. I have now reached the Highest Abode.


Always utter 'RADHASOAMI',
the Name of the Merciful Supreme Being.
Then only will mind and Kal become powerless against you.

Radhaswami is my most Beloved Lord.
None other than Him comes to mind.

I sing praises of Radhasoami again and again
and shall remain at His holy feet ever alert and vigilant.

I discard all the evil tendencies of the mind
and enshrine RADHASOAMI Nam in my heart.

I sing 'RADHASOAMI', 'RADHASOAMI',......every moment.

Dadu Dayal, Poet-Mystic from Rajasthan





Dadu is one of my all-time favorite classic Sants of India. He was a great poet-mystic and spiritual Master of Divine Light, Sound, and Nirguna Bhakti from Rajasthan in the lineage of Guru Kabir. Anyone who studies his teachings will encounter a very genuine, pure version of Sant Mat with the perfect balance of God and guru bhakti, love and mysticism (Surat Shabd Yoga, meditation).

Translations of Dadu bhajans are quite rare in English. Volume 25 in the glorious Encyclopaedia of Saints Series represents the most complete collection of the works of Sant Dadu Dayal in English to date. It is published by Criterion of New Delhi (distributed by Deep & Deep Publications). Nataraj Books is one source where this volume can be ordered from in North America. See link below.

Enjoy! Happy New Year! Radhasoami!

James
SantMat_Mystic_Blog_at_Yahoo360
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic  
Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
Radhasoami Reality:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Radhasoami-Reality  

Sant Dadu Dayal, Encyclopaedia of Saints Series (Volume 25),
Edited by Bakshi and Mittra, Criterion Publications, New Delhi, India
https://www.VedamsBooks.com/no28758.htm
https://www.NatarajBooks.com

Background on Dadu from the Preface

Sant Dadu Dayal was a Saint from Rajasthan. 'Dadu' means brother and 'Dayal' means "the Compassionate One." He lived in the second half of the sixteenth century (1544-1603). His songs are in a Hindi dialect known as Braj Bhasa, being a mixture of Hindi and Rajasthani. Like the earlier Saint Kabir, Dadu came from one of the many low artisan castes that had converted to Islam. He lived in the Jaipur region of Rajasthan, most probably as a pinjari, a cotton carder. He married and had a family of two sons and two daughters.

Dadu gathered around himself a group of followers, which became known as the Dadu-panth. This organisation has continued in Rajasthan to the present day, and has been a major source of early manuscripts containing songs by the North Indian Saints [the Panch Vani]. He himself did not write down any of his compositions. These were recorded by his disciple Rajjab. Another disciple, Jana Gopal wrote the earliest biography. [A translation of the Janma Lila by Jana Gopal is also included in this book]. Dadu clearly experienced the bliss of Sahaja and alluded to it in his songs. Surviving songs do not record the name of Dadu's guru. Certainly much of the imagery used in his songs is similar to that used by Kabir, and similar also to that used by the earlier Sahajiya Buddhists and Nath Yogis.

Some Mystic Verses of Sant Dadu Dayal, a Lover of the Beloved





Results of True Love --- The Vision of the Beloved

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.
By being dedicated to the Lord,
millions of obstacles are removed.
A tiny spark the size of a mustard seed
burns a huge amount of wood, 0 Dadu.
Impurities and blemishes of the mind
are burnt up in the fire of separation.
The separated lover will now see
the vision of the Beloved, 0 Dadu.


An Outer Guru that is not an Inner Guru, not a Qualified Teacher

The whole world makes an outer display,
whereas the practice of the Saint is within.
This is the difference between the two;
hence no accord is found between them.

A new pot taken from the potter's furnace
may be decorated with many pictures outside;
But of what use will it be to thee,
0 Dadu, without any contents?
Such are the ones who make outer display of religiosity.

From one who bears no outer religious symbols,
but has unfathomable riches within,
Receive the wealth and keep it within
thy heart, 0 Dadu, and be obedient to such a Saint.

There is a great difference between a Saint and a mimic,
the two are as far apart as earth and sky.
The Saint is absorbed in God, whereas
the mimic pins his hopes on the world.
 
The One alone dwells within my heart,
Day and night I repeat His Name.
The Name of God alone is true;
keep that within thy heart.
Forsake all hypocrisies and cumbrous practices;
this is the teaching of all Saints, 0 Dadu.





True Sants Focus Our Attention Upon God

Sadagati Sadhava re

Saints are the true redeemers,
They make one see the Creator face to face.
Having themselves crossed the ocean
of the world, they take others across;
They are the saviors of beings.
Dyed in the colour of the Supreme Lord,
They have the blameless Name
as their support;
Always truthful, disciplined, blissful and contented,-
Their wisdom and reach knows no bounds.
In eternal love, in eternal ecstasy,
In eternal company with the essential Truth;
In eternal union, in eternal life,
In eternal knowledge and contemplation are they absorbed.
Crest-jewel of all, bestower of bliss to all,
They are rare in this world.
They are the Swans, the dwellers of the Ocean of Bliss,
Who come for the good of others, 0 Dadu.

[An English rendering of the Hindi translation of couplets of Sant Paltoo Sahab by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj (1885-1986), taken from the latter's book "Santwaani Sateek" (Commentary on Sayings of Sants).  -- English Translation by Pravesh K. Singh
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/praveshksingh ) ] ,


The Original Verse (English Transliteration):

"Ulataa kuaan gagan mein, tisame jarai chiraag ||
Tisame jarai chiraag, binaa rogan bin baatee |
chhah ritu baarah maas, rahat jaratain din raatee ||
sataguru milaa jo hoya, taahi kee najar mein aawai |
Bin sataguru kou hoya, nahee waako darashaawai ||
Nikasai ek awaaj, chiraag kee jotinhi maanhee |
Jnaan samaadhee sunai, aur kou sunataa naanhee ||
Palatoo jo koee sunai, taake poore bhaag |
Ulataa kuaan gagan mein, tisame jarai chiraag ||"

The English Translation:

[There is an inverted well in the (inner) sky wherein a lamp keeps burning. (The head of a man, standing above the neck, is like an inverted well in which (the divine) lamp or flame burns or is alight. This lamp emitting light is seen by the practitioner of meditation. Tulsi Sahab has said, "Jaise mandir Deepak baaraa. Aise joti hot ujiyaaraa," meaning, just as a lamp burns in the temple, our inner sky is illumined by the light. The well that we have on the earth is open at the top. This is the straight, upright or erect well, as all of us know. Man's head, however, is closed at the top and open from the bottom; the way to its top is from its bottom. That's why a man's head is also referred to as the inverted well.)

The lamp (inside the head) burns without any oil & wick |
All the six seasons and all the twelve months, this lamp keeps burning. ||

Those who have found a Guru (and act according to his teaching) are able to behold this (Light). |

That who is deprived of a Guru, is not able to visualise this (Light of the lamp). ||

A Sound emanates out of the Light of this lamp. |

Only that practitioner, and no body else, who has sunk himself deep into trance or intense meditation, in all his awareness, is able to perceive this (divine) Sound. ||

Blessed is he, says Paltoo, who listens to or perceives that Sound. |

There is an inverted well in the (inner) Sky wherein a lamp keeps burning.|| ]

 

The Way that Leads to my Beloved Lord

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





Says Soami Ji Maharaj: The Path of Bhakti (love and devotion) alone is Guru Mat (Sant Mat). Without Bhakti, all is hollow and sham, husks without the kernel. Therefore, hold fast to Bhakti and give up shrewdness altogether. The essence of Atma and Parmatma is Prem (Love). Sat Naam (True Name, God) is the embodiment of Bhakti. Satguru is the embodiment of Prem. You also are Prem in essence, so are all souls (jivas, surats).

Soami Ji's Hymn (Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Volume II):

Khojat rahi piya panth, maram koyee nek na gaayaa .....

0 companion! I have been looking for the Way that leads to my Beloved Lord, but nobody knows anything about it; day and night I have been restless, and I have passed all my life yearning for Him. I have been making cri de coeur but nobody came to my rescue; all the bhekhs (wearing coloured clothes pretending to be sadhus), beggars and the worldly gurus are all wandering about in delusion, victims of Maya (illusion and allurement).

Without Shabd (i.e. without taking recourse to Surat-Shabd-Yoga [meditation -- union of the soul with the Divine Sound and Light within]) they have all been deceived and beguiled; but thanks to my luck, I have met the perfect Satguru who revealed to me the whole secret (of liberation and redemption). He enabled me to perceive the essence of surat and made me ascend to Gagan [mystic sky]; and reaching the sphere of Gagan He made it possible for me to hear the Unstruck Melody. All the japis (reciters of mantras), tapis (ascetics), maunis (recluses given to long spells of silence), the bakees (the braggarts, the cockalorums), jatis (abstinents), the yogis --- all follow their own ways but none of them speaks of this path (Surat-Shabd-Yoga -- Yoga of Light, Yoga of Sound, Yoga of Soundlessness -- Anadi, Anami, The Beloved), which remains a rarity.

Hail the Sant Satguru who explained to me the sum and substance of it; it is the ways and faiths of the Mind (i.e. Kaal-mat) that has spread over the whole world; the Guru Mat (i.e. Sant Mat, Teachings of Saints)  hardly anyone entertains. It is only the rare seekers, whose surat has been roused and stirs its stumps, who have taken to the practice of Surat-Shabd-Yoga; it is Radhasoami who unfolded the Mystery and roused and stirred the jivas to comprehend Reality.

Surat Shabd Yoga: Meditation Upon the Current of the Spirit

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





The Current of the Spirit is: the Current of Love (Bhakti) and Bliss (Ananda), The Current of Divine Light, Seen as Inner Light During Meditation, the Holy Light-Stream, and Heard as the Sound Current, the Music Within During Meditation (Surat Shabd Yoga: Union of the Awareness, the Attention-Faculty of the Soul with the Current of the Spirit, the Audible Life Stream that Flows into the Ocean of Love, God, Radhasoami, Oneness)





The Current of the Chaitanya Spirit [Spiritual Consciousness] is flowing in the reverse direction in this Region [Pinda Desh, Material Plane] and is getting dispersed through the sense-organs. It cannot therefore get perfect and unalloyed happiness and its condition cannot remain always the same. It is therefore necessary that one should make this Current flow in the right direction, i.e. make it ascend upwards within oneself. If he does so, his spirit would one day reach its Original Reservoir and attain perfect and eternal bliss.

All the Jivas [souls that have incarnated into the Physical Plane, Pinda Desh], having their Spirit seated in the region of the eyes in the physical body, function through their mind and sense-organs i.e. the Current of the Spirit flows outwards through the mind and the sense-organs and it has established its contact chiefly with material objects.

One feels pleasure in turning his Attention towards and in thinking about or in meeting those persons for whom he has affection. Similarly, he gets joy and pleasure when those enjoyments and objects for which he has attachment or in which he frequently indulges come before him or he comes into contact with them or makes use of them. This is the reason why the Current of the Spirit flows again and again, or very frequently, in their direction.

Although it is quite clear that whatever joy, bliss and pleasure the mind gets from the sense-organs with the help of other Jivas and the objects and enjoyments of the world, is really present in the Current of the Spirit, yet the people are unaware of this fact. If the Current of the Spirit would not flow down to a particular sense-organ and would not flow from them to the enjoyments and objects of the world, no joy or pleasure would ever be experienced.

This practice can make the Spirit reach its Original Abode from where it descended in the beginning of the creation and on reaching there, it would have the darsana [vision, darshan] of the Supreme Being Merciful Radhasoami Who is its True Father and Mother and Whose ansa [ray, particle, emanation] it is, and would also be able to attain Highest Bliss.

The Supreme Being Merciful Radhasoami has been pleased to shower His great Mercy on the Jivas in the present times, in as much as he has made the practices of the Surat Sabda Yoga so easy that a child, a young man or an old man, male or female, a family man or an ascetic, can easily perform its practices to some extent at least and can also secure the result in this very life and get some joy and bliss internally within himself and also see his salvation being gradually achieved and he can also experience the Grace and protection of the Supreme Being which are always available to one engaged in the practices of this Yoga.

http://www.dayalbagh.org.in/radhasoami-faith/surat-sabda-yog.htm

Sweet Melodies Which Attract the Soul -- Surat Shabd Yoga


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





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 Shabd 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 gains 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, from the book, "Dayal Yoga"