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#619

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Fri Oct 21, 2011 5:02 am
Subject: Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib -- Light and Sound on the Path

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Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat Satsang

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[Below are links to: a new Sant Mat Podcast;�Bhajan (Hymn) at Youtube of Tulsi Sahib;

a Youtube video about Tulsi Sahib, Saint of

Hathras and certain guru-lineages;

online map of Hathras at the Gate;

Article: Who Was Tulsi Sahib's Guru?

PDF File of Tulsi Sahib writings in English;

Quotes from: Ravidas, Dalai Lama, Quran, Khalil Gibran, Kirpal Singh, Sant Sevi Ji;

passages from Param Sant Tulsi Sahib,

the great grandfather/modern-day founding father or Adi Guru of Sant Mat lineages;

Shyama, disciple of Tulsi Sahib; Maharshi Mehi, "God is Like a Black Hole or Gravitational Singularity",

and, "The Teachings of Sant Dariya of Bihar",

A Good Introduction to Sant Mat from the

Sant Dariya Mission Website.]

New Satsang PODCAST: An Ode to the Unknown God - the Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Sant Ravidas. Program Length: 60 Minutes. Click to Listen - Download MP3 of Spiritual Awakening Radio with James Bean [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]:�http://bit.ly/oTBmXd

"Have trust in God alone,

And in none other, says Ravidas.

If one is engrossed in something else,

leaving God aside,

One will ever remain disappointed." (Sant Ravidas)

"Love cannot be hidden, O Ravidas,

Howsoever much one tries.

Love is never expressed by the mouth,

But tears do appear in the eyes.

The body is ablaze with the fire of longing

As soon as the memory of the Beloved

comes to mind.

Like the sprinkling of water

on pieces of limestone,

Instantaneous fire arises every time."

(Sant Ravidas)

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." (Dalai Lama)

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." (Khalil Gibran)

"Be good, do good, and be one." (Kirpal Singh)

"All bliss, peace and glory lie within you, on the Holy Road upon which you are traveling. So please carry on with your meditations with love, faith and devotion, and you will progress within from day to day and enjoy in ever increasing measures the great love and peace that inner spiritual development affords. Master-Power is working overhead and is your ever benign companion giving all feasible help and grace." (Kirpal Singh, Spiritual Elixir, Volume One)

"After rising above the physical body, you will have self awareness. When you rise above the astral and causal bodies, you will come into your true I-hood. You will see that 'I and my Father are One'. The whole thing depends on the concentration of your attention within yourself. Then, whichever way you direct your attention, you will work wonders." (Kirpal Singh)

"We sit in meditation, fail to concentrate, and get upset or fed up. A pessimistic thinking sets in as to whether or not 'I would be able to do it.' No, we should not get nervous, or anxious, nor should we nurture any doubts in our minds. We must go on trying, with persistence and perseverance." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

Bhajan (Hymn, Chant) of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras: "Dil ka huzra saaf kar, jana ke aane ke liye":

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=OPnznnYDS4U

Discovered a new Youtube video recently showing scenes from the Sant Tulsi Sahib Mandir/Ashram in Hathras: I recognize several of the images: Sant Tulsi Sahib, Surswami, and Girdhari Saheb, a disciple of Tulsi Sahib who was friends with Swami Ji Maharaj, staying at his house for a time according to the Biography of Soami Ji Maharaj. The previous mahant, Prakash Das, and current mahant in Hathras are also shown in the video. Am not familiar with some of the other photos, perhaps teachers connected with a couple of other ashram centers. Glad to see everyone from India getting online these days:http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=-orRDiam1mU

Hathras, India: "It was during the times of Ramayana, that Hathras was established. When Tulsi Sahib began to recite a particular version of the epic poem called Sampurn Ramayana, he chose to start with the town of Hathras......Tulsi Sahib's grave is housed at the Siyal, Kila Gate, Hathras, and throngs of devotees and admirers flock to this site each year to celebrate the great poet." (AnkitaSagar.Wordpress blog)

Hathras, at the Gate: The Tulsi Mandir: Samadh of Sant Tulsi Sahib is located at Siyal, Kila Gate, Hathras, India:http://wikimapia.org/16470275/Mandir-Tulsi-Saheb

Sant Mat History: Article: Who Was Tulsi Sahib's Guru? My Thoughts:

http://bit.ly/pQRVvd

"Within This Body" -

Mystic Poem of Sant Tulsi Sahib

Within this body

breathes the secret essence.

Within this body

beats the heart of the Vedas.

Within this body

shines the entire Universe,

so the saints say.

Hermits, ascetics, celibates

- all are lost

seeking Him

in endless guises.

Seers and sages perfectly parrot

the scriptures and holy books,

blinded by knowledge.

Their pilgrimage,

and fasting,

and striving

but delude

Despite their perfect practice,

they discover no destination.

Only the saints

who know the body's heart

have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi.

Realize this, and you've found your freedom

(while teachers trapped in tradition

know only the mirage

in the mirror).

"It was Kabir who first gave out the secret of Surat and Shabd. That Shabd is Sar Shabd (True Shabd, True Sound), which is inaccessible and unique. The soul travels in the region of Saat Naam [True Name], and it is the Surat which merges into Sar Shabd." (Sant Tulsi Sahib)

"In the month of Kuar (September-October), Surat [the soul], the paragon of virtues, has lost memory of its Original Abode because of the company of crow-like impudent persons. It has forgotten all about the delicacies available in its own abode of pure spirituality, the secrets of which are disclosed only in Satsang of Sants. Without adopting saran (refuge) of the Sat Guru, the path cannot be known, nor the method of elevating the Surat and mind to higher regions. With the approach of the month of Katik (October-November), the Surat receives secrets of all chakras and ganglia in the human microcosm. It starts its upward journey from the Third Eye, the centre at which is to be found the first true form of Surat (spirit). It proceeds to Sahas-dal-kanwal [the sphere of the Thousand-Petaled Lotus]. It adopts the saran (refuge) of Sat Guru, wipes off impurities and attains true knowledge. The heart is illumined with the inner Light." (Sant Tulsi Sahib)

Sant Tulsi Sahib: "External practices and formalism are worth nothing. The real sadhana [spiritual or meditation practice] is within one's own self."

Sant Tulsi Sahib: "Without realizing the soul and the Sound Current, all this is a vain show. All this is a vain show till the soul rises above and abides in it's Natural State."

"Without the Saints, O Tulsi, we are tossed about endlessly. Without the merciful, compassionate Master, aeon after aeon we rove." (Shabdavali of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

"Masters reveal the Path of Inner Light and Sound. They still the mind and raise one's attention to Mystic Skies within. The soul concentrates at the Portal [Third Eye] and is in bliss." (Sant Tulsi Sahib)

The True Guru Does Not Neglect His or Her Students, is a Good Teacher of Wisdom, and Properly Guides Their Followers

"Tulsi Sahib says that people devote themselves to worldly learning, but of what use will it be if they do not recognize Sants?

"The Jiva's [soul's] inner eye has not opened, and though he has his external sight, he is really blind, that is, cannot see things in their true perspective. Without the Satguru, he will drift in the lower centers and will never be rid of his worldly attachments.

"No other Yuga [epoch] can be compared with Kali Yuga in which Sants [Saints, Heavenly Beings, Enlightened Masters] incarnate themselves. If the Jiva adopts the Saran [refuge] of a Sant, he will get across the ocean of material existence."

"From the Source of the Ocean opens a Window of Light. Awaken that resplendent Light within thee....Repeat the name of the Lord and secure Him." (Shabdavali/Hymn of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

Sant Tulsi Sahib: "He who follows the precepts and teachings of Satsang, is a blessed soul. I sacrifice myself at him again and again. His Surat [soul] is absorbed in the bliss of Satsang, and is sure to attain the goal. Tulsi says that he who has come under the protection of the all-powerful and merciful Sat Guru is enjoying the greatest bliss and joy internally. He is one with the Beloved. The bliss of the Holy Feet is indescribable."

"I saw a brilliant flame bursting forth within me, on which I kept my Surat [attention of the soul] fixed. Then, piercing the flame, my surat proceeded onward and it reached a gateway, as it were, from where could be seen a sky studded all over with suns and moons. By your grace and compassion have I been able to partake of the bliss of higher regions." (hymn of Shyama, disciple of Tulsi Sahib)

"Tulsi Saheb says that the Master resides in Gagan [the inner mystic sky] and to meet Him, Surat [the soul] has to rise up. Only in this human form which is a replica of the whole infinite expanse, can the soul [jiva] work out his salvation and can easily cross the ocean of existence." "When my Surat [soul] reached Gagan [the inner mystic sky], I met the Sat Guru, who guided my path onwards. He embraced me and made me one with Himself, and, by His grace, my Surat ultimately reached the abode which is unfathomable and where there is no fear of any kind."

"Tulsi Sahib used to go often to places quite far from Hathras wrapping his body in a blanket and with a stick in hand. He usually used to remain in a state of withdrawal, and in that very state, an incessant flow of utterances concerning the secrets of higher regions used to emanate from his mouth like a babbling stream. Ghat Ramayan, Shabdavali (collection of hymns) and Ratan Sagar are well known works of Tulsi Saheb. Another book which he wrote but remained unfinished is Padam Sagar. All these books were written after Tulsi Sahib's coming to Hathras.......

"....Near the above-mentioned Banyan Tree, a stupendous two-storeyed building had been constructed later on by Tulsi Sahib's devotees, which is still there and in which he stayed till he left his mortal coil. In this very building there is a place marked, where Tulsi Saheb used to sit whilst initiating people into Sant Mat [inner Light and Sound Meditation Practice]. There is also a hemispherical cave where he used to practise Bhajan [meditation]." ("Param Sant Tulsi Saheb", translated into English by Sant Das Maheshwari)

All Tulsi Sahib quotes above are from, "Param Sant Tulsi Sahib", edited by Sant Das Maheshwari, Agra, India.

Online Book: Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India -- PDF File:�http://bit.ly/hgxOB4

Sant Tulsi Sahib, from his Spiritual Classic, "Ghat Ramayana":

Sat surat samajhi sihaar saadhau, nirakhi nit nainan rahau", translated at the SadGuruMehi Website:

"The Surat i.e. consciousness-force or individual soul [soul's attention or awareness] is true and she has been extended and entrapped in the untrue realms of Pinda (the microcosm or body, physical plane) and Brahmand (Universe or macrocosm). So, being deprived of the attainment of the self-existence of the Supreme Sovereign God, she is suffering from the pain of falling down (degeneration). To be free from this pain of degeneration, take care of the Surat in such a way that she be liberated from all miseries by concentrating through the untrue realms, being free from untrue spheres, and thus attaining the innate (natural and pure) form of the Supreme Sovereign God.

"The practice of holding Surat (consciousness-force) will begin with Maanas Jappa [Simran] (a meditation process in which an alphabetical holy word instructed by Guru is chanted/repeated with eyes closed), and then Maanas Dhyaan (a meditation process in which holy form of Sadguru is concentrated upon with eyes closed), and then Bindu Dhyaan (Drishti Saadhan, the Yoga of Inner Vision), and then finally: Surat Shabda Yoga (the Yoga of Divine Sound). The first shutter within our inner vision is hard and impenetrable darkness. The Surat can cross it by the practice of Dhrishti Sadhana (Yoga of Vision).

"When the Surat (consciousness-force) will experience the miracles of Brahma within its own body while crossing the concealment of darkness, then she (the Surat, soul) will be immersed always in the love of Supreme Sovereign God. Then she will move ahead grasping the notes (Sounds) of the Flute by knowing the proper method.

"The Surat will recognize the Sar-Shabda (Essential Divine Sound) through catching the 'Gagan-Dori' -- (Divine Light or Divine Sound of the Inner Sky).

"The Surat being poised onto the Essential Divine Sound (Sar-Shabda) will become tranquil in that Unlimited (Infinite) State where form, design, appearances, body, mind and Maya (illusion) do not exist; and that is the Inexpressible and the fundamental Original State.

"To whom this Ultimate State will be realized, his/her Surat (consciousness-force, individual soul) will be merging into that Ultimate State (the Nameless State, the State beyond Sound) again and again."

Tulsi's earlier name was "Dakhani Baba", meaning, "Saint from the South," and he often meditated in a cave. I know some living saints who, like Tulsi Sahib, also meditate in caves!

The term "Sant Mat" was coined by Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, during the 19th Century, but the Sant tradition, with its many guru-lineages or branches, is a spiritual movement that dates back to ancient India. Sant Tulsi Sahib was of the opinion that the Sant movement dates back to the time of Krishna thousands of years ago, that Krishna knew of Sants during his day, the time of the Bhagavad Gita.

God is Like a Black Hole or Gravitational Singularity

Maharishi Mehi in his spiritual discourse, The Philosophy of Liberation, states that "the individual self, the part of God which dwells in the body, is concealed. Direct knowledge is not experienced because of the concealments of the four Realms of Qualified Lower Nature: Gross [Physical], Subtle [Astral], Causal [Akashic] and Supra-Causal [Universal Mind]."

"The realm of creation in which we live is the Gross Realm. Above the Gross is the Subtle Realm; above the Subtle is the Causal; above the Causal is the Supra-Causal, and above the Supra-Causal is Kaivalya, the realm of Oneness (Pure Conscious Realm). The existence of these four realms is as fixed as the Pole star. Thus, there are five spheres of creation including the Gross Realm. Kaivalya is of Pure Consciousness and the other four realms are Non-Conscious, but coexisting with the conscious." (Philosophy of Liberation)

Note: the top part of Kaivalya in some systems of Indian cosmology is called "Nirvana", "Radhaswami", "Anami" or "Anadi". Maharishi Mehi called it "The Soundless State", a State beyond Light and Sound, a heaven beyond the other heavens.

God is described as being Formless (Nirguna), Nameless (Anami), Soundless (Anadi), Unknowable (Agochar), Invisible (Alakh), and Inaccessible (Agam), unfathomable, hidden or veiled by divine Light and Sound.

The above reminds me of the description by astronomers of black holes in the cosmos, which are invisible but indirectly seen all-the-same as they are a kind of "donut hole" surrounded by luminous matter of swirling atoms smashing together, which give off immense light as this matter falls into the gravity well, just before slipping out of the normal space-time of the regular universe. Looking for the halos of light astronomers are able to sometimes indirectly see these invisible black holes. By the light surrounding black holes one sees black holes. So too, mystics can see the Light that veils the Supreme Being. "By the Light of Allah, I see Allah." (Quran)

The Teachings of Sant Dariya of Bihar,

A Good Introduction to Sant Mat

(from the Sant Dariya Mission Website)

Sat Purush [True, Eternal, Original Being, God] sends His sons to the world to save the living beings from the clutches of Kal [time, illusion]. Sant Dariya Saheb came to this world under the instructions of the Lord to save Jivas [souls]. Sat Purush came to Dharkandha (a village in Bihar, India [in the form of Dariya�s Satguru]) to instruct Dariya Saheb. The Lord enthroned Sant Dariya and assured him to save the souls that followed his teachings.

The Sant preached ahimsa (non-violence in thought, word, and deed) against all living beings. According to him, unless the lamp of kindness and compassion is lit, the soul cannot find the Path that leads to the Lord.

The teachings of Dariya Saheb are above sects, castes and religions. People belonging to any race, religion and caste can be benefited from His teaching. According to the Saint, all the men and women are the creation of the Sat Purush. One should love and respect others as one expects love and respect from others. Harsh words should not be spoken. One should see his own image in others. The Sant preached love and devotion to the Sat Purush only. According to him no purpose is served by visiting places of pilgrimage if true devotion to the Lord is missing. The Sant preached against ritualism. The human body has all the sixty eight tirthas (places of pilgrimage). It is the true mandir/masjid [temple] in which the Lord can be discovered and worshipped.

Sat Purush is unborn, eternal, all-powerful, the creator of everything. He does not take birth and meet death. He is beyond description.

The Jiva [soul] is the resident of Satlok [True, Eternal Spiritual Realm]. It has got entangled into the snare of Kal [lord of time and illusion] and is wandering in samsara (the world of changes) in different forms.

Sat Purush sends Satgurus to the samsara (world) to teach the misguided souls (Jivas). Only the Satguru knows the Path that liberates Jivas from the snares of Kal. The Jiva, by following the teachings of the Satguru, gets liberated and goes to his permanent abode, that is: Satlok.

Devotion to Sat Purush alone can free the souls from the clutches of Kal. Worship to poly-gods, ghosts and other celetial objects have been discouraged by the Saints/Sants/Sant Mat.

Observance of rituals and wandering in places of pilgrimage without true devotion to the Lord serves no purpose.

One should take vegetarian food only. The eating of meat is completely prohibited in his order.

The Sant has advocated two paths only for attainment of Nirvana:

1) The Path of Knowledge [Inner Experience], and,

2) The Path of Bhakti (Devotion)

Human birth is most precious and it should not be lost in mere satisfaction of sensuous pleasures, accumulation of wealth and wielding power. Human birth should be utilised for the realization of Pad-Nirvan (God). If this opportunity is lost, none can say when one would be fortunate to get human birth again. Getting human birth is rare.

One does not become high or low from his origion of birth. By acquiring virtues and doing good deeds only, one becomes high.

Like all other Saints of the Nirguna School [Devotion to the Formless God], Dariya Saheb discarded Avatarbad (Incarnation theory). He did not believe in the theory of Divine creation of four classes of people as Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra.

Jiva and Brahma are two different entities. The Jiva takes different forms (Rupas) in Samsara, whereas Brahma is beyond Samsara. Brahma is one while Jivas are many. The Jiva gets tainted by loads of deeds and reaps the fruits of his actions. Brahma is nirlep (beyond getting tainted).

The Teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib could be summarized as these three:

1. Right Gahani (Understanding)

2. Right Rahani (Living)

3. Simran (Mindfulness, Remembrance, Meditation)

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#620

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Wed Oct 26, 2011 3:36 am
Subject: Happy Diwali! The Festival of Lights

santmat_mystic

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Happy Diwali!�

The Festival of Lights�

"Until the last moments of his life, Mahavira [of Jainism] inspired many to seek world peace through the establishment in inner peace, and he encouraged people to realize their divine nature. For 30 years he traveled throughout India to spread his message. At the age of 72, on the day of Diwali (the Festival of Lights) in the town of Pawa Puri, Mahavira ended his journey in the world while in the state of deep meditation and attained Nirvana." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions)�

"While Divali is popularly known as the "Festival of Lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the Inner Light".

"Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's True Nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent Reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

"The gunas are the underlying forces or tendencies which one needs to have unaffected, direct relation with in order to find effectiveness and righteousness in life: they are lines of potential and illuminate thought and action, thus the inner meaning of Diwali being the Festival of Lights.

"Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner Light (Atman) or the underlying Reality of all things (Brahman)." (Wikipedia)

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#622

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:45 am
Subject: Truth Always Wins: Light and Sound on the Path

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Truth Always Wins: Light and Sound on the Path �-- Sant Mat Satsang

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http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship

http://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat.html

http://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

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{[Contents Below:�1) Links to Three New Podcasts;�2) Buddhism and the Sound Current -- Inner Sound Meditation;�3) Brief Summary of the Teachings of Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters; 4) Video: 8000 Chinese Sky Lanterns Launched In Poznan, Poland -- a Reflection about Outer Light and Sound Rituals in the World Religions;�5) Baba Faqir Chand and the Radiant Form of the Inner Master;�6) A Letter from Soami Ji Maharaj; 7) Reducing or Eliminating Karma Through the Divine Current of Shabd; and,�8) Link to an Online Sant Mat Book by a Living Master: Yoga Of Inner Light and Sound.]}

New Sant Mat Radio Podcasts Available For Streaming and Downloading (Use Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer)

The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Darshan Singh -- Love's Last Madness, Part ONE: My Guests are Barry Lerner and Harbans Singh Bedi -- Poetry Readings in Urdu with English Translation -- Program Length: 60 Minutes. Click to Stream or Download:�

http://bit.ly/uvTlR8

The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Dariya Sahib of Bihar. I also make the case that the guru of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras was either Dariya Sahib or one of the gurus that Dariya appointed to succeed him in Bihar:�http://bit.ly/unIBCy

The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India: Poetry Musically Accompanied With Sitar, Flute, Tambura and Tablas:�http://bit.ly/vTy4qD

Subscribe to Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts & Access More Podcasts Here:

http://hosted.EarthChannel.com/HealthyLife/spa-od.html

"The human body is like a radio receiver for listening to the Sound Current [the inner Sound]. When we tune in the radio, we begin to hear the sound. Similarly, when the Master (Sant Satguru) guides us within, we are able to hear the Divine Music. By adjusting the 'dial', we hear various kinds of Sound." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)

Buddhism and the Sound Current -- Inner Sound Meditation

"Ananda and all you who listen here

Should inward turn your faculty

Of hearing to hear your own nature

Which alone achieves Supreme Bodhi.

That is how enlightenment is won.

Buddhas as many as the Ganges' sand

Entered this one gateway to Nirvana.

All past Tathagathatas

Have achieved this method."

(The Surangama Sutra: Selections from the

Upasaka Lu K'uan Yu Translation,

Published by Rider and Company, London)

"It is easiest to hear this Sound when it is quiet, particularly at nighttime. Once you have identified this Sound, then you place your awareness on it without wavering. Resting your mind in the Sound, you continue to listen, going further and further into the Sound itself."�(Mind Beyond Death, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Snow Lion Publications)

"Listening to the inner Sound brings the heart into a position of acute inner awareness. It is not that the inner Sound has some magical property. Rather, it is that bringing of the alert mind, bringing openness and receptivity to Sound, is symbolic of the presence of Ultimate Truth. The Sound is always there. We don't have to create it. It is featureless. It is ever present. So it is a good symbol for Ultimate Reality itself."�(Ajahn Amaro)

Brief Summary of the Teachings of Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters

* All souls (jivas) are in essence drops of love from the Sea of God.

* The attachment and association with mind and body makes the soul lose sight of the real Self.

* God assumes the form of a Saint to lead the soul back to its Original Home.

* One must surrender one's entire being to the Ocean of Love of which we are a part, instead of limiting ourselves to sensual pleasures which leave us unhappy and discontented.�

* This can be done by the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga [Inner Light and Sound Meditation].

* By attuning oneself to the Life Current which proceeds from the Heart of Anami Purush [God, The Nameless One/Radhasoami] in the form of Light and Sound, one can finally achieve union with the True Self, finding the joy one is seeking.�(R.S. White Paper on Religion of Sants and Radhasoami Faith, Dayalbagh, Agra, 2011)

* Consider the following as the requirements to attain liberation:�

1) Trust and belief in God; 2) commitment to seek the Divine within; 3) devotion to a spiritual master; 4) listening to the teaching of the spiritual discourse including study of the teachings of the saints and the scriptures; and, 5) diligent meditation practice. (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

A Reflection about Outer Light and Sound Rituals:�8000 Chinese "Sky Lanterns" Launched in Poznan, Poland

http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=O0LiJmSX2fs

http://www.Youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=GSdPBM7GRwU

What a beautiful ceremony this is.�

Souls yearn for heavenly experiences�

and sometimes create rituals�

around the lighting of lamps, fireworks,�

the ringing of bells in temples, gongs, drumming, etc�.�

A preview of mystical experience,�

a taste of things to come.�

As without, so within.�

As above, so below.�

Types and shadows�

till the day the wisdom eye opens, �

the lamps light themselves,

the third ear hears,

and unstruck bells ever reverberate�

on their own�

in other realms beyond.

Truth Always Wins: "Truth should be the guideline in the performance of all activities, spiritual or temporal, for a satsangi. Nothing that falls short of truth should be acceptable to him [or her]." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

Baba Faqir Chand and the Radiant Form of the Inner Master

"Maharaj Faqir Chand ji Sahab established his Ashram after his retirement from Railway service [station master] in 1962. The Ashram is located on the outskirts of Hoshiarpur in the foothills of Himalayas. It is called 'Manavata Mandir' -- 'Be Man Ashram'.

"Although the lineage is the same, this Satsang sees every religious tradition from Radhasoami to Advait Vedanta as being parts of the total reality. Baba Faqir Chand was a devotee of Shiv Brat Lai ji Sahab and had a large and devoted following.

"Faqir Chand ji Sahab was the first guru in the Sant Mat tradition to speak about the 'unknowing' aspects of visionary manifestations, which were called the 'Chandian Effect' after him. However, other Sant Mat gurus like Baba Jaimal Singh Ji went beyond this hypothesis and spoke of manifestation and knowledge of manifestations. Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji, for whom both Faqir Chand ji and his master Shiv Brat Lai ji had high regard, wrote and explained that the outward guru can and does know about the inner condition of his disciples. This knowledge is conveyed to the physical master via the inner Shabd, though only in extreme cases where the outer master's attention is needed. The Perfect Master is one with the Supreme Lord and when He initiates a devotee He creates an Astral Image of Himself in the disciple and, then on, never leaves the disciple, remaining therein as the Inner Master. When the life of the disciple needs the personal attention of the

�Master, this Inner Master reports to the Conscious Master." (R.S. White Paper on Religion of Sants and Radhasoami Faith, Dayalbagh, Agra, 2011)

Param Purusha Puran Dhani Huzur Soami Ji Maharaj

A Letter from Swami Ji Maharaj

My Dear Saligram,�

"Always remember the Lord, and, knowing that He is always with you, imbue yourself with His love. I have come to know the state of your restlessness and uneasiness all these days owing to separation and overflow of love. But the Lord is with you all the time. Why are you so restless? This, too, is a sort of joy, which is particularly bestowed on lovers only, and its relish is experienced only during the state of separation. Its bitterness, in fact, is also very sweet indeed. Of course outward darshan you get only occasionally, but the Lord is watchful in Shabd Form and is always with you.�

"Lord in Shabd form is always with you and is never far. Have patience, and you will get a glimpse of True Light.�

"Sat Naam, the Name of Sat Purush, is resounding in Sat Lok. Raise your Surat with Shabd, and you will have darshan of the refulgent form of the Lord.�

"Be saturated with His love and yearning. Keep away from evil tendencies and leanings. Combating with mind and its forces, remain absorbed in Shabd.�

"Further, your letter of yearning was read out in the assembly of all the Satsangis. All were pleased to hear it, and, in a way, it served as an example to them all, to emulate and learn what true love means. The Lord will, out of His own Grace and Mercy, bestow upon you the blessings of true love in its entirety. Further the Lord is all powerful.�

"Radhaji sends Her blessings for your welfare and is pleased with you and says that She will intercede on your behalf for your early return."

Reducing or Eliminating Karma Through the Divine Current of Shabd,�by Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra Radhasoami ("Love Discourses of the Lord of the Soul")

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 Karmas can be Effaced by Performing the Meditation Practice of Surat Shabd Yoga: Union of the Soul With the Divine Light and Sound.

The meditation practice 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 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 [The Merciful Lord of the Soul]. To the extent to which a 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 desires, pains and pleasures are felt and the seeds of Karmas or actions are created. 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 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)

Huzur Maharaj (Rai Salig Ram)

Online Sant Mat Book: Yoga Of Inner Light and Sound, by Swami Achyutanand Baba � Audio/Talking Book and Several E Book Options:�http://bit.ly/tYLcq0

"Obeisance to the Worthy souls. Obeisance to the Liberated souls. Obeisance to the Preceptors (Spiritual Guides). Obeisance to the Spiritual Teachers. Obeisance to all the Saints in the world." (Lord Mahavira, Saman Suttam, Scripture of Jainism)

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#623

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:38 am
Subject: Light and Sound on the Path: More Light!

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Light and Sound on the Path: More Light! ("Mehr Licht") -(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe)

These Solstice-related holidays have the theme of the return of Light or miracles associated with the Renewal or Incarnation of the Light in the physical plane. Happy Holidays of Light and May the New Year Bring Much Wisdom.

Jai Guru, Radhasoami,

Jai Sat Naam, In the Light and Sound of the Beloved,

James

Sant Mat Fellowship

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The universe within is infinitely larger than the universe without. And if the universe without is over 40 billion light-years and expanding, and yet is merely a tiny drop in a Divine Ocean, this implies much about the Heavens or Dimensions that are waiting for us within.

Rumi: "Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray."

"On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear." (Bhagavad Gita)

"The knowledge of the soul and Supreme Soul is the highest level of knowledge for human beings. It uplifts us from earthly suffering, births and deaths to the State of Salvation (i.e. Moksha, Nirvana)." (Swami Ashutosh Baba)

The December 2011 Sant Mat Satsang Podcast at Blog Talk Radio: The Dharamdasi-Tulsi Sahib Connection: The Five Names and Anurag Sagar

To stream, click this link:�http://bit.ly/tAWWmi�or to download:�http://bit.ly/va43hB

Sant Mat History is the focus of this edition of the Sant Mat Podcast. What is the family tree of Sant Mat? Where does this spiritual path come from? Who used the Five Names (Panch Naam) before the time of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras? Who was Tulsi Sahib's Guru (one of the successors of Sant Dariya Sahib in Bihar)? Who are the People of the Anurag Sagar? Who used the Anurag Sagar (Kabir's "Ocean of Love"), a sacred text of Sant Mat, before the time of Tulsi Sahib and Radhasoami? I make the case that the lineage of Masters begins with Guru Kabir, goes to Sant Dharam Das (the Dharamdasis), then perhaps to one of Dharam Das's successors, such as Churamani Naam, to Dariya Sahib's Guru, to Dariya Sahib of Bihar, then to one of the successors of Dariya (Guna Das or Teka Das), to Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, and branched out from there.

Other Recent Podcasts Available Online: The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Darshan Singh -- Love's Last Madness, Parts One and Two; Buddhism and Inner Sound Meditation; A History of Mystics, East and West: Charts of the Heavens -- Maps of Inner Space; The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India: Poetry Musically Accompanied With Sitar, Flute, Tambura and Tablas -- GO TO the Podcast Page of Spiritual Awakening Radio:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

Let them try to imprison Him in temple, mosque and church!

The Seeing Eye finds the Beloved's signs in every mote.

Very near your heart are seekers of your Vision;

Those who look at the surface are exiled from the Beloved's Light.

What can I say of the grace He showers on me within?

Darshan, the moment I close my eyes, the Beloved's Light begins.

(Love's Last Madness, Darshan Singh, Hohm Press)

I Hear Your Wordless Song

Light that shines from inner skies,

we watch together.

I hear your wordless song,

of bliss and peace.

Skies illumine with you,

hearts burst with joy,

at your wordless song

of Truth.

No longer tied with earthly ropes

of illusion,

Now free .....freed by your song

of silence!�(Jennifer Latham)

The more we meditate,

the more we communicate with our inner selves,

the more we contemplate the Light and the Sound,

the more lighthearted and energetic we will be to help others.

If your Eye becomes Single, your whole body shall be full of Light: "The meditator sees a dark void ahead when he closes his eyes. Light is seen when attention is focused in the center of that darkness. Sant Tulsi Sahib articulates this thus: 'Attention is stilled in the inner sky and remains seated day and night at the portal of the til (Point).' That is, the spiritual practitioner who focuses his [or her] attention in the inner void enters into the Gate of Bindu or the Tenth Door." (Swami Achyutanand, Yoga of Inner Light and Sound)

Seeing the Inner Light of God, by�Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, translated into English by Pravesh K. Singh

Although the "Drishti Yoga" (Yoga of Inner Light or Vision) is more difficult to accomplish than the "Shabda Yoga" (Inner Sound Meditation), it is important to practice first the Yoga of Light to attain Single-pointedness....

Having attained Single-pointedness, the attention should be focused on the inner Sounds. The consciousness will, naturally, be drawn towards the inner Sounds, leaving the bindu (the Radiant Infinitesimal Point) behind. The extreme bliss experienced when hearing the inner Sounds completely absorbs the consciousness....

While meditating on the inner Sound it is possible for the practitioner to also see the Divine Light. Just as while attending a concert, one cannot help but see (the stage, artists etc.), so also the spectacular scenes of the various Non-Conscious Realms also are seen inevitably when engaged in the practice of the Yoga of Sound. Hence, it has been remarked that "the Light is within the Sound". Not surprisingly, the practice of the meditation upon the inner Sound may transport its practitioner into the Domain of Divine Light. The Sound, nonetheless, is of utmost importance, is the essence of the practice, and not grasping the Sound, therefore, would be the greatest loss."

"If one is whole, one will be filled with Light, but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness." (Yeshua, Gospel of Thomas) "If your Eye be Single, your whole body shall be full of Light." (Gospel of Matthew) "There is Light within a Person of Light, and it illuminates the entire cosmos." (Yeshua, Gospel of Saint Thomas) "The Light of one soul is equal to that of sixteen suns."(Anurag Sagar) "Thus as a result of recollecting all these things the impulses of the mind are extended from the sphere of material things towards those impulses which are without limit, that is to say, wonder at the New World, and the faculty of vision which belongs to contemplation [of God]. For when the vision of the mind is mingled with the Light...., all its impulses become infinite. For none of the Visionaries or 'Gnostics' is able to distinguish the identity of the mind as a result of the vision of that glorious Light that is seen ..... for all the innermost�chambers of the heart are filled by that blessed Light....". (Joseph the Visionary, Syriac Mystic quoted in, The Syriac Fathers on Prayer and the Spiritual Life, translated from the Aramaic by Sebastian Brock) "Blessed are those who have approached the divine Light, who have entered it and been absorbed by it, mingled in its brightness." (Saint Symeon)

The Nameless God (Anami): "Come, that I may teach you about secrets no person has ever seen. For there exists a Great and Boundless Realm, whose extent no generation of angels has seen, in which there is a Great Invisible Spirit, which no eye of an angel has ever seen, no thought of the heart has ever comprehended, and it was never called by any name."(Yeshua, Gospel of Judas)

"It is impossible to confine love to the temporal and transient levels of life, and it is impossible to confine the grandeur and majesty of God to the dimensions of the mind. When I had come to a partial realization of this fact, wise adepts of the inner realms provided me with guidance through the fragrant mystic universe, the spirito-mental region. They showed me their many magnificent planets of light and wonder. It was they who ultimately persuaded me to roam and explore untold realms of gold within myself. I had no fixed starting place in time and space, for I dwelt in a multi-verse that was co-extensive with all the ages. But my inner world was still limited by the boundaries of creation; I needed the guidance of a spiritual adept, within the physical world itself, to give me new birth into the freedom of eternity." (George Arnsby Jones)

He has awaited me for countless ages. Yet I did not know the bliss that was so near to me, for my love was not yet awake. But now, my Lover has made known to me the meaning of the note that struck my ear: Now, my good fortune is come. Kabir says: "Behold! how great is my good fortune! I have received the unending caress of my Beloved!"�-- Guru Kabir

The moral code appertaining to Radhaswami Faith is comprised in two sentences:

All acts including spiritual practice which tend to free the spirit from matter and raise it towards its source are good work.

All acts which tend to degrade the spirit be weighing it downwards deeper and deeper into matter are bad work. Again any action done with a view to help the needy from unselfish motives is good work; and the contrary, bad work in this world.

Radhasoami Dayal says that the highest aim and object of every spirit should be to gradually throw off the coating of matter with a view to return to the Supreme Source. This is what He defines as "Good". To seek worldly objects, to set the heart entirely on worldly affairs, is a retrograde movement; and this is "bad". The next aim of every human being should be to do good to his fellow creatures by thought, word and deed as far as practicable, and to avoid injuring them except in the interests of society or for the good of many. (Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash)

"This world is perishable and so also is all that pertains to it. A wise person is he, who, having closely examined the nature of existence here, has realized that it is all transitory and illusory, and consecrated his human form by devoting himself to Bhajan and Sumiran (listening to inner Sounds and repetition of the Holy Name of the Supreme Being) and who, taking the fullest advantage of the various faculties which the Supreme Father has graciously endowed him with, has translated the invaluable jewel within him, which is Surat (spirit, the soul) or the essence of his being, to its Original Abode." (Opening Paragraph of Sar Bachan Radhasoami Prose)

"Who am I; what is the reality of my existence; what is the Truth are some of the questions that agitate a spiritual seeker's mind. None of these questions can be answered fully, since these questions as well as their answers arise at the level of mind, whereas the truth thereof can only be realized, not by the mind but at a level beyond the mind, at the level of the Self. All the scriptures attempt to provide answers to these questions in their own way, but no explanation or description can be fully satisfactory, as the Truth cannot be comprehended completely in words....."

"To realize the Truth, one has to first realise the Self, because the essence of the Truth is the same as the essence of the Self....." (R.K.Gupta, The Science and Philosophy of Spirituality)

"The great philosopher Socrates was asked by Crito 'in what manner should he be buried?' It is said that Socrates had replied: 'In any manner you like, but first you must catch me, the real me. You can bury only my body and not the real me.' Being the irradiation of the all-shining luminous Sat Purush, the soul is also luminous." (R.K. Gupta, The Science and Philosophy of Spirituality)

Always, always meditate day and night: When you rise, when you lie down, when you breathe in, when you breathe out. Waking or sleeping, relish the taste of meditation -- meditation will bring union. Meditation will remove all your burdens; meditation upon Ram's name [God's name] will become your support. Kabir, says, "He is limitless."�(Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth, Nirmal Das, SUNY Press, NY)

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#624

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Jan 1, 2012 2:15 pm
Subject: Sant Mat As It Is -- Light and Sound on the Path, January 2012

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Sant Mat As It Is -- Light and Sound on the Path, January 2012

(Pictured Above: Soami Ji Maharaj)

Below in this first Sant Mat Satsang Society digest/newsletter of 2012:

*Links to Podcasts and Sant Mat Websites;

*The Ascension of the Soul;

*Spirituality Part of Daily Life;

*Meditation Improves With Practice -- Never Give Up;

*Do Simran -- Do the Meditation;

*About the Practices and the Ahimsa/Ethical Foundation of Sant Mat: Five Precepts, and Eight Limbs of Yoga;

*The Four Essentials of Sant Mat;

*Bhajan of Huzur Maharaj: The Secret of Life: Contained Within This Human Form Are All the Portals and Inner Regions of the Cosmos;

*How Karma Operates (Essays on the Bijak of Kabir, A Genuine Satsang Template of Sant Mat)

and....

*Happy New Year 2012! -- Five New Year Messages;

Jai Sat Naam -- Jai Guru -- Radhasoami!

Social Networking in India: New Sant Mat Page (and Blog) at SpeakingTree:

http://www.SpeakingTree.in/public/6lhpifd3dj81kde6euberrxo7/blog

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts and Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

Sant Mat Fellowship at Yahoo Groups:

http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship

Sant Mat Library of Online Books:

http://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/library.html

Daily Spiritual Quotes: Sant Mat at Facebook:

http://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

Sant Mat Radhasoami Blog - Number One Sant Mat Blog on the Web:

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

Daily Spiritual Quotes: Sant Mat at Twitter:

http://Twitter.com/SantMat

Daily Spiritual Quotes: Sant Mat at Tumblr:

http://SantMat.Tumblr.com

"Better than a thousand useless words

is one useful word,

hearing which one attains peace.

Better than a thousand useless verses

is one useful verse,

hearing which one attains peace."

-- Buddha, Dhammapada

"This mysterious path is described in the holy books, but it cannot be found simply by the study of sacred texts. It is found by the grace and guidance of an Accomplished Teacher." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

"Those that say that individuals are not capable of changing anything are only looking for excuses" (Vaclav Havel)

"The eyes only see what the mind is prepared to comprehend." (Henri Bergson)

Starve the ego,

Feed the soul.

"To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself." (Thich Nhat Hanh)

"I think it's very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person." (Oscar Wilde)

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." (Oscar Wilde)

Souls are God-Particles: "The soul is a particle or wave (ansa) of the Supreme Being just as the ray of the Sun is an emanation of the Sun."(Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra Radhasoami)

"The pathway to the liberation of the 'jiva' (individual soul) already exists within each one of us." (Baba Devi Sahab)

"God and Love (Bhakti) are one and the same thing". (Baba Devi Sahab)

"Look within yourself with the inner eye. The whole expanse inside is replete with the refulgence of the Divine Light." (Sant Dadu Dayal, the Compassionate Mystic)

"Remember, I can only show you the door, you must walk through it". (Morpheus, in, The Matrix)

The Ascension of the Soul, By Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

The individual Soul has descended from the higher worlds [realms of the Divine] to this city of illusion [bodily existence]. It has descended from the Soundless State to the essence of Sound, from that Sound to Light, and finally from the realm of Light to the realm of Darkness. The qualities (natural tendencies) of the sense organs draw us upward (by withdrawing consciousness) from the darkness to the realms of Light and Sound. In other words, to go inward from the external sense organs to the depth of the inner Self. The natural tendencies of the Soul (Atman) are to move from outward to inward. The Current of consciousness which is dispersed in the nine gates of the body and the nine senses must be collected at the tenth gate (the sixth chakra, the Third Eye Bindu, Center between the eyebrows). Therein lies the path for our return. This is the act of leaving the gates of the sense organs and becoming established in the soul. .... We travel back from the realm of Darkness to the realm of Light, from the Light to divine Sound, and from the realm of Sound to the Soundless State [the Ocean of Love and All-consciousness]. This is turning back. This is what dharma or religion really intends to teach us and it is the essence of dharma. (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions)

The Word, and, OM, by The Moody Blues ('The Fountain' film motif continues!) -- Youtube:�http://youtu.be/IfkUfarjVO8

Swami Harinandan Baba

Spirituality Part of Daily Life, By Swami Harinandan Baba, Living One and Current Acharya (Teacher) of Sant Mat at Maharshi Mehi Ashram -- in Guru Kabir/Sant Dharamdas/Sant Dariya Sahib/Sant Tulsi Sahib Lineage -- Translation from Hindi into English Provided by Pravesh K. Singh Ji

This faith, loyalty and dedication precisely are the proof of one's honesty. We should forsake neither three times meditation a day nor satsang (company of noble people). Those who develop the habit of attending satsang daily, feel as if they have committed some crime if they somehow miss satsang, even for a single day. Similar is the state of those who practice meditation regularly. If they don't sit in meditation as scheduled, they feel restless as if something really important has gone amiss, feel bereft of mental peace. Another thing is that only they who meditate regularly find concentration and genuine pleasure in it. Which is why, our Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi Paramhans Ji Maharaj) would say, "Attend satsang daily, and meditate daily as well". If you could fix and strictly observe a particular routine for meditation, that would be even better. Get up at 3 AM, also known as 'Brahma Muhurta'. There is no disturbance at this hour. Ambiance, also is perfectly calm. This is the best time for meditation.�

Meditation Improves With Practice -- Never Give Up, By Swami Harinandan Baba

Initially when we sit in meditation, 'dhyAn' [true meditation, all encompassing concentration] does not take place; it is as if we are pretending to meditate. But as we tenaciously persist sincerely with our practice, one day dhyAn does happen in its true sense. Otherwise those are extremely rare to find who can do dhyAn perfectly. DhyAn has been described as "dhyAnam shUnyagatam manah" (Dhyan means the mind getting completely void of any thoughts or agitations). He who can accomplish perfect dhyAn finds that his mind has become empty. Thus Sants exhort us not to sit in the lap of disappointment (if we don't succeed in meditation) but to persevere whether dhyAn is effected or not.

Do Simran -- Do the Meditation, By Swami Harinandan Baba

Perform virtuous acts, you will receive happiness. Also do 'sumiran' (remembering God's name, or meditating on the Divine Sound) regularly. The biggest advantage of 'sumiran' is that we do not have to pass through the painful cycle of 8.4 million species again. Those who perform true worship of God, meditate on His name, are rid of the cycle of transmigration. The condition is that meditation be done with utmost regularity. Get initiation from an adept Guru, meditate thrice daily. Whether you see anything (during meditation) or not, never ever discontinue meditation. Initially, it might appear to be a mere show, a 'useless' exercise. People often say that they are going to do 'dhyan', but dhyan does not happen in the very beginning. Dhyan is in fact the seventh limb of eight-fold Yoga* (as enunciated by Patanjali). We have to start with 'yam'**, 'niyam', 'Asan', 'prANAyAm', 'pratyAhAr'; then comes 'dhyAn'. Dhyan is followed by 'samAdhi' (the highest state of meditation) which is the eighth limb of yoga. So dhyan does not happen initially. First we make an attempt to do dhyan, and this process is called 'dhyAn AbhyAs' (practice of dhyan [meditation]).

About the Practices and the Ahimsa/Ethical Foundation of Sant Mat

* The Eight Limbs of Yoga -- Stairway to Heaven -- these steps and stages of ascension are used to varying degrees fairly universally by Eastern spiritual paths:

See:�http://yoga.about.com/od/theyogasutras/p/eightlimbs.htm

** Ethical Foundation - The Five Precepts: Two and a half/three hours of meditation per day, and ethcial precepts of Ahisma (non-violence in thought, word, and deed):

THE ETHICAL FOUNDATON OF SANT MAT -- AHIMSA VALUES -- THE FIVE PRECEPTS (Includes Vegan Version)

Moral requirements for Initiation

1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs (intoxicants);

2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including in the area of diet, as in following a vegan (abstinence from animal products) or vegetarian diet (abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs);

3. Leading a truthful life;

4. Practicing non-stealing: an honest, ethical source of income;

5. Loyalty to ones spouse;

Another Version of the Five Precepts

1) Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. This precept also requires strict adherence to a vegan (no animal products) or lacto-vegetarian diet (no meat, fish, poultry nor eggs, fertilized or non-fertilized).

2) Refrain from speaking what is not true.

3) Refrain from taking what is not yours.

4) Refrain from sexual misconduct.

5) Refrain from using intoxicants.

* Below is on Daily Meditation, Ethical Precepts, and Eight Limbs of Yoga in the book, Philosophy of Liberation, by Sant Maharshi Mehi:

88. Yama consists of five disciplines: satya (truthfulness), ahimsa (non-violence), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacarya (continence), and aparigraha (control of greed or non-possessiveness).

Niyama also consists of five practices, which are the following: sauca (internal and external purity), santosha (contentment), tapas (penance), svadhyaya (study of spiritual matters) and lsvara pranidhana (meditation on God).

89. In following Yama and Niyama, one exercises aversion from the five sins, serves the spiritual master, attends satsang, and practices meditation as referred to in section 60.

90. A comfortable asana (a pose of sitting or posture) of keeping the head, neck and trunk straight and steady is a must for meditation. Without the ability to sit in such a steady posture for prolonged periods, meditation cannot be practiced.

91. Meditation should be practiced being alert, without being drowsy, shutting the eyes comfortably and without turning the eyeballs or pressing them in any way.

92. The practice of meditation should be an essential part of the practitioner's daily routine. The preferred time of meditation is Brahmamuhurta ([Hour of God: Brahma-mu-hurta, or Amrit Veela: Hours of Elixir]: very early in the morning: 3:00/4:00 A.M.). Likewise one should meditate at mid-morning and then again in the evening time. While falling asleep, one should also engage his mind in meditation. Further, it is good to practice Manas japa [Simran] or Manas dhyana [Dhyan] while working.

93. Before learning the Nadanusandhana (meditation on inner Sound) in practicing Manas japa (mantra repetition), Manas dhyana (focusing on the form of the master or deity) and Drshti Yoga ([inner Light meditation in the Third Eye Center or Eye-Focus] focusing on a Point that is practicing one-pointedness), one should meditate with eyes and mouth shut. Upon learning Nadanusandhana (Yoga of Sound [Inner Sound meditation]) from the Master, one should also close the ears.

94..........In the initial stages of dhyana (absolute concentration), pratyahara is practiced. [Note: Pratyahara means to bring back. Bringing back or refocusing one's attention during meditation, bringing the mind distracted by worldly thoughts back to the Focal Point during meditation.] Through the means of pratyahara, the mind is brought back repeatedly to the Focal Point. By this constant practice of pratyahara, one is eventually able to concentrate for a short period on the Focal Point. This state of concentration is called dharana (steadiness of concentration or absorption). When absorption is maintained for longer and longer periods of time, then it is dhyana (absolute concentration). Then in this state of dhyana, one is able to grasp the Streams of spiritual Sounds (described in section 60) and finally achieves samadhi (Unity [Union, Absorption, Oneness in deep meditation]). Drshti Yoga (seeing the inner Light -- the Yoga of Vision) will greatly facilitate pratyahara and dharana. ////////

"Whoever sincerely practices the inner meditation comes to experience Light within. First he sees the Light and then he hears Sound also. Sound has a natural, inherent property of attracting the listener towards its Source or Origin. One who is capable of grasping the Sound springing straight from the God Himself gets naturally drawn to Him." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

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"

The Four Essentials of Sant Mat are: True Guru (Sat-Guru), True Name (Sat-Naam), True Association (Sat-sang) and True Love (Sat-Anurag).

Bhajan of Huzur Maharaj: The Secret of Life: Contained Within This Human Form Are All the Portals and Inner Regions of the Cosmos

Having heard the plight of the devotee, the All-Merciful Supreme Lord spoke, thus showering torrents of Grace and draining away all pains and sufferings. Human life, with its unknown Secrets, is invaluable. Without knowing its Secrets, how may one realize its value?

Like an ignorant oil miller who did not know the value of the Philosopher's stone, he keeps on weighing oil with the precious stone that he has in his possession. Similarly, without knowing the Secret, you have not valued the human form. You have remained entangled with flesh and bones and not understood the inner Reality. Just as the All (the Reservoir of Spirituality), brought the creation into existence, in a similar measure, the Spirit-Entity has created the human body.

Saints have explained for your benefit the Secret of the creation. There is the Pinda [physical planes/universes] and Brahmanda [Universal Mind Plane], and beyond is the Region of Saints. Each of these has six subdivisions. These are explained in detail by Saints. Chakras, Kamals and Padams [Centers, Lotuses, Ganglions of various regions] are the names given to these only. This human body has within itself the images of all the regions or levels of creation. Contact with these inner regions is established when the corresponding portals are opened.

As the good fortune awakens, all these Secret Gateways get opened. The Spirit-Entity gets released naturally and rejoins its Original Source. Besides the human form, no other body provides this opportunity, (for the Spirit-Entity). It is after aimless wandering for crores of births that you have got it [sentient being, the human form]. The invaluable seeds of Bhakti [spiritual love and devotion] are sown by the Saint Incarnations. Apart from this 'soil' of the human frame, it cannot 'sprout' anywhere else. The path of traversing to the Original Abode that the Saints have revealed, cannot be traversed without residing in this human frame.

Therefore, you should be alert and know the great value of this human body. You must realize the immense value of each breath of life that you take.

Now I tell the Secret of the mind that you have been given. This provides a connection between the Spirit and the body.

The burden of the Adi Karma (original propensity to associate with physical matter) that you carry on your head -- the currents of that burden would be falling on this mind now and then.

Call mind a gateway or comprehend it as a pipeline, through which the impurity of Adi Karma would flow out and get emptied.

Without associating with the mind, one cannot reside in the body. Without associating these with the Spirit, the Karmas would not get annihilated.

Without the Karmas being annihilated, one cannot reach the Original Abode. Being sold away in the 'Bazaar of God of Death', you would have to suffer misery everyday.

Radhasoami Dayal [the Compassionate Lord of the Soul] reveals, opening up the essential Secret to you, surrender to the Holy Feet to annihilate all the ailments of your body and soul.�(Prem Bani Radhasoami)

New Year Messages

Greetings for the New Year!

Hope always springs in the human heart. With this in mind, let us hope that the year 2012 will bring greater harmony, understanding, love and acceptance of one another. May the violence and other atrocities prevalent in the world come to an end, so that people can begin to live according to human ideals.

Throughout history there has been great teachings by our Saints and Satgurus to enshrine Divine Love in our hearts, to live a spiritual life, and strive to realize unity with God and with all in the world. Unfortunately, there has been violence throughout history, and the peace that most people would like to have in their lives, has not been experienced.

With the modern means of communication, good and spiritual ideas can be transmitted worldwide very quickly. However, what is most often transmitted throughout the world are the crimes, misdeeds, violence, immorality and quite often useless information. How wonderful it would be if everyone could see the reflection of Divinity in everyone else's heart. And for those who do not believe in God, they could see the reflection goodness that is inherent in the heart of everyone. We all need to raise our consciousness from the mundane to the Divine, and let go of trivialities, prejudices, hate, and a myriad of negativities that occupy our lives.

May this New Year bring blessings, brotherhood, understanding and acceptance of one another. Let the innate love that is often dormant in our heart be transmitted to all beings.

Satguru Kabir stated, "Love does not grow in a garden or sold in the

marketplace. Whether you are a king or a poor subject, you need to surrender your ego to manifest love."

BLESSINGS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Dr. J. Das

Kabir Association of Canada (pictured below)

Message from His Holiness Panth Shri Hajur 1008 Ardhnam Saheb

Satyanaam

Dear Kabir Saheb's blessed,

My heartiest well wishes to all of you for the New Year and Poornima. I wish and pray that it brings happiness and success to all of you in your endeavours. May the new year bring with it strength and devotion to bring you close to Satguru.

As each new day gives you fresh and new opportunities similarly does the beginning of a new year, glance back and see what was achieved and achievable.

May Satguru help you all in achieving your goals and bringing happiness and health in life of your dear ones.

My best wishes to all of you.

Panth Shri 1008 Hajur Ardhanam Saheb

Sadguru Kabir Prakatyadham Lahartara

Varanasi, INDIA 0091-9415304040

"In the enveloping darkness of these days, I say to all to whom my voice may reach: Turn back to God! He is not afar. He is not in temples and churches: They are no longer centres of spiritual forces. He is not in scriptures which men recite but do not make effort to translate the teaching in deeds of daily living. He is not in places of pilgrimage. He is within you!" (Dada J. P. Vaswani, Sadhu Vaswani Mission, from his New Year's Message)

A New Year's Message by Sant Kirpal Singh

All scriptures handed down the ages are conclusive that 'God is Spirit' -- moreover 'God made man in His own image.' The image cannot be but spirit.

As God is infinite, i.e. not subject to death, then man in his own essence can also be not subject to death -- he is conscious entity, a drop of the ocean of all consciousness, and indweller in the body, and on account of that the body is working. God is a living Presence within our being -- controlling us in the body. Both soul and God reside in our bodies, but we are identified with the body so much so that we have forgotten our own self. We are under a grand delusion and cannot see the world in its right perspective. Unless we know ourselves by rising above body-consciousness, how can we know God who is residing with us in the body? Truly speaking, manbody is the temple of God. We should therefore be conscious of our Divine Nature, and try to regain our God-head. For that, you turn away completely from outside and outgoing faculties for a while, and close yourself in the closet of your body. The Ringing Radiance of God will become effulgent. God is eternal, all wisdom, all happiness, so you are the same. Mind that you and God are one, you can never be separated. He is ever with you, enlivening you. His life is your life, and you cannot live without Him -- so you have nothing to fear.

Man is what he thinks about all day long. One can only live one moment at a time. Emerson said: "There is no moment in eternity more important than this moment." All real good or evil that may befall him is from himself. If a man lives in a good or bad way in the real present, he will ensure the same in the future. If you have bad thoughts for others, you will harm not them only but yourself as well, as thoughts are very potent. So try to live in the living present, forgetting the past and the future -- and fill every moment of your life with simple trust in Him in all loving devotion. He will manifest in you when you choose and turn your face to Him. As loving advice I give you, from this moment let love be your constant companion and trust Him in all things. God is love and love is God, and the way back to God is also through love. Guru Gobind Singh says "Hear ye all, I tell the truth; God is attained through love." Rest assured that He is With you always, and be of good cheer.

With all best wishes,

Yours affectionately,

Kirpal Singh

1970 Christmas and New Year's Message

RuhaniSatsangUSA Website

How Karma Operates (Essays on the Bijak of Kabir, A Genuine Satsang Template of Sant Mat), By Dr. Jagessar Das

"If we wish good things to happen, we have to do good things. We cannot have anger, hate, greed, violence, egoism, lust, jealousy and evil intentions and expect good results. Yet all people expect good things to happen to them, even when they display all the bad and negative behaviour. It simply will not happen. So the violence occurring in the world simply feeds itself in a self-perpetuating manner, as does all negative activities. Good and positive activities will also perpetuate themselves. Bad things in the world will cease only when they are replaced with good, and sufficient time is allowed for the negative karmas to work themselves out in peoples� lives. This may take several lifetimes, but the start has to be made, otherwise there will be no progress in the positive direction. The good must be in thoughts, words and deeds. It all boils down to the fact that good will not produce bad, and bad will not produce good.

"Considering the above, how do we decide what is good and what is bad? Different people can have different interpretations of good and bad. We give 'value', whether negative of positive, to everything in life. Whatever brings happiness, comfort, self-esteem, respect, enjoyment and good health we say is good. Whatever brings suffering, stress, depression, anxiety and illness we say is bad. We mold our behaviour according to the 'value' we give to things, and according to our behaviour, we reap the fitting results, good or bad.

"How do we change our behaviour? First, we need to assess our actions in thoughts, words and deeds and decide if they are good or bad, and make the changes. This will require diligence and perseverance. Second, we need to seek the company of those who can guide us in the 'good' direction. Third, we need to get in touch with the 'Source' of our being. That Source is indescribably good, and has given the gift of life. That source is with us and within us." ////////

"Be not imprisoned in the jail of ' I ' and 'me'. He who hath transcended self, he verily hath attained to the Highest. He hath become Perfect. Such a one knows no difference between the Hindu, the Muslim, the Sikh, the Christian, the Jew, the Buddhist or the Zoroastrian, for God is the Lord of all and in all shines the one picture Divine; we are worshippers of the same Lord. The One is within thee, outside thee, in me, in him and in every place. That One alone doeth speak in all." (Kirpal Singh)

"In different times and different places saints appear and their followers name their religion according to the sage or saint who propounded that tradition. The appearance of differences can be attributed to time, place, and language. This gives rise to various labels for the common views held by all religions. Likewise, due to excessively zealous followers, these seeming differences are often amplified. When all sectarianism and the temporal and linguistic aspects are removed, the basic principles of all the saints are in accord and the voices of the saints are in harmony." (Maharishi Mehi, "Harmony of All Religions")

Let them try to imprison Him in temple, mosque and church!

The seeing eye finds the Beloved's signs in every mote.

Very near your heart are seekers of your vision;

Those who look at the surface are exiled from the Beloved's Light.

What can I say of the grace he showers on me within?

Darshan, the moment I close my eyes, the Beloved's Light begins.

"How wondrous is the instrument of love!

Two hearts join and sing as one.

Indefinable, inscrutable its ultimate design:

Life is forever a constant beginning."

(Sant Darshan Singh)

-- Darshan Singh, New Poetry Website:�http://LovesLastMadness.com

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From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Fri Feb 3, 2012 5:07 am
Subject: Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat Satsang Newsletter

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Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat Satsang Newsletter: February 3rd

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Below: Words of Light and Love for the Spiritual Journey from the Masters -- Past and Present:

Sant Mat As Presented by J.L. Chaudhari (Chand, Mataji, Radhasoami);

Mystic Poetry About the Countless Worlds: "Many millions are the skies and solar systems" .... "Through the Word the Worlds Converse";

Document: "The Definition or Explanation of Sant Mat";

One of the Prayers Recited Daily in India: "Hail All Sants";

New Podcast at SoundCloud on the Ahimsa-Ethical Foundation of the Masters of Inner Light and Sound;

More Material Added to the Sant Mat Library;

Wisdom from the Gospel of THOMAS;

Scanned Pages from the Narada Bhakti Sutras, and Kabir;

The Story of Quan Yin (Avalokiteshvara);

Songs of Kabir, by Rabindranath Tagore: http://bit.ly/xjD4vW

"People keep thinking and living on-borrowed-dharma." (Baba Devi Sahab)

Rumi: "So long as a spirit does not rise above the body-consciousness, it remains a stranger to the spiritual realms beyond".

Meditation: "O traveler! Seek the path that lies within you. You and your Beloved are in the same body. Your Beloved is pervading everywhere but not being perceived. Those initiated by Guru are able to recognize God within their bodies." (Maharshi Mehi)

Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras: "The soul's inner eye has not opened, and though he has his external sight, he is really blind, that is, cannot see things in their true perspective. Without the Satguru, he will drift in the lower centers and will never be rid of his worldly attachments. No other Yuga [epoch] can be compared with Kali Yuga in which Sants [Saints, Heavenly Beings, Enlightened Masters] incarnate themselves. If the Jiva-soul adopts the Saran [refuge] of a Saint, he will get across the ocean of material existence. When the soul (Surat-disciple) meets the Master (Shabd-guru), the Path will be traversed."

"So plunge into the Truth, find out who the Teacher is. Believe in the Great Sound!" (Kabir)

"The beginning of the Turiyaa state has been said to be the Aajnaa-chakra (the Guru instructs about the Point in between the two eyes where the vision of both unites [Third Eye Center]), and the destination of this is in Kaivalya -- the State of Oneness -- Pure Consciousness." (Swami Bhagirath Baba)

"When you reach the state of concentration, then you are surrounded by a protective aura automatically. No power on earth can harm you then. Therefore, do simran and be anxiety-free." (Anurag Sagar, Volume Two)

"Seeing without eyes

Hearing without ears

Walking without feet

Working without hands

Uttering His Name without tongue

And dying while living

Is accepting His Will."

-- Guru Angad

"If you are an ocean, I am like a wave; I rise from you and I retire and return unto you." (Swami Ji Maharaj)

‎"If you know you're alive,

find the essence of life.

Life is the sort of guest

you don't meet twice."

(Guru Kabir, The Bijak -- Sakhi 10)

Through the Word the Worlds Converse

And the Highest One gave the Word to his worlds,

which interpret his own beauty,

recite his praise,

reveal his thought,

are instructors of his works.

For the swiftness of the Word is ineffable.

Its course knows no end,

it never fails, it stands.

Its decent and its Way are incomprehensible.

And through the Word the worlds converse.

The mouth of the Highest One spoke to them

and he was made clear by his Word.

The dwelling place of the Word is man

and Its Truth is Love.

(Book of the Odes, Syriac/Aramaic, First Century AD)

‎"Hiding in this cage of visible matter

is the invisible lifebird.

Pay attention to her.

She is singing your song."

(Kabir)

"Look around inside you,

The blue sky opens out farther and farther,

A million suns come forward with Light

When I sit firmly in that inner world."

(Kabir)

Many millions are the skies and solar systems.

Many millions are the moons, the suns and stars.

Many millions are the sources of creation and continents.

Many millions are the jewel containing oceans.

Many times has the universal expanse occurred.

The Lord has strung all the creation in His thread.

His limit no one knows.

Many millions go about in many existences.

Many millions have been the incarnations.

Many millions are the creatures of various descriptions.

Many millions of beings, the Lord has made of good many descriptions.

Many millions are the celestial singers.

Ever and ever, the Unique Lord remains the same.

From the Lord, they emanate and into the Lord they merge.

(Adi Granth, Sikh Scriptures)

PODCAST: Some Radio For Peace -- Education For A More Peaceful Planet: The Ethical Foundation of the Masters of Inner Light and Sound: lecture on peace and ahimsa (non-violence in thought, word, and deed) as practiced in Sant Mat as well as Jainism: Spiritual Awakening Radio -- Program Length: 45 Minutes [via SoundCloud]: http://SoundCloud.com/santmat/spiritualawakeningradio293

Recently Added to the Sant Mat Library of Recommended Reading

PDF File of the Shri Satyadeo Baba translation of "Philosophy Of Liberation";

Kirpal Singh: "Dangers Of Spiritual Healing, Yoga and Occult Powers" (Sant Mat is not a "new age" psychic path);

Kirpal Singh Poetry: "Divine Melodies";

Darshan Singh Poetry: "Love's Last Madness";

Western Plagiarisms of India's Sant Mat Tradition: "The Making of a Spiritual Movement – The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar", authored by David C. Lane;

"Evaluating Spiritual Teachers" – In Search of a Worthy, Genuine, Competent, Qualified Spiritual Teacher, by Don Howard;

"The Bijak of Kabir" – Ahmad Shah Translation;

"57 Health Benefits of Going Vegan";

"Why I Don't Eat Faces – A Neuroethical Argument for Vegetarianism", by David C. Lane;

Youtube: "The China Study" – Lecture by T. Colin Campbell;

"Vegans Are Cool", by Kathy Divine;

New Vegan Cookbook;

"The Book of Compassion – Reverence For All Life" (Vegan Jain Publication);

"Reducing Our Himsa (Violence) Footprints";

"Lost Books of the Bible", and, "Summarizing the Spiritual Message of the Gospel of Thomas in the Context of Syriac Mysticism";

"The Stranger of Galilee – The Sermon on the Mount and the Universal Spiritual Tradition", by Russell Perkins;

"Sophia's Passion: Sant Mat and the Gnostic Myth of Creation", by Dr. Neil Tessler;

John Davidson: The Gospel of Jesus – In Search of His Original Teachings (via Google Books)

The Sant Mat Library:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/library.html

‎"If your spiritual guides say to you,

'Look, the divine Realm is

in the sky,'

well then the birds

will get there ahead of you.

If they say,

'It is in the sea,'

then the fish will precede you.

"No, divine Reality exists

inside and all around you.

Only when you have come to know your

true Self will you be fully known --

realizing at last that you

are a child of the Living One.

If, however, you never come to know

who you truly are,

you are a poverty-stricken being,

and it is your 'self'

which lies impoverished."

(Yeshua, Saying Three, The Gospel of Thomas --

Wisdom of the Twin, Lynn Bauman translation)

"In all truth it can be said that the fall of the human being took place when he began to forget himself. That is to say: to forget his Supreme Being, the mysterious Source whence he emerged." (The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance, Edward Salim Michael)

‎"We are in physical bodies. We are conscious entities. We are so much tied up with mind and matter that we cannot differentiate ourselves. We have to leave the physical, transcend the astral, go further beyond the causal, supercausal, and reach the true home of our Father. That is the true destination for each one of us." (from, The Night is a Jungle, By Kirpal Singh, Ruhani Satsang Books)

Kabir says: "God suits His language to the understanding of His hearer."

"The whole process of evolution, for the spirit, is an awakening to the truths, and the means of implementation of those truths, that are eternally present in itself. What was implicit has to become explicit... When you discover for yourself, however dimly, that you are rooted in something that is infinitely vast potential, you have found the soil wherein you grow unconsciously into a most wonderful tree, the Tree of Life blended with knowledge." (Lord Mahavira)

The Definition or Explanation of Sant Mat

1. Stillness or steadiness is the essence of Shanti.(A)

2. He who has attained Shanti is a saint.(B)

3. Sant Mat encompasses the thoughts and teachings of the saints and sages.

4. It is natural for human beings to desire Shanti. Inspired by this inherent desire, seers of ancient times searched for the inner peace and found the path to attain this inner peace, and expounded this way in the ancient teachings of the Upanishads.(C) Similar views have been expressed by saints in more recent times such as Guru Nanak and Kabir Sahib. They expressed their teaching in the Punjabi and Hindi vernaculars, respectively,(D) for the inspiration and edification for the common masses. The teachings of these latter saints are referred to as Sant Mat.

However, the Upanishads are considered to be the foundation of Santmat, because they uniquely and abundantly describe the means for attaining Shanti, and contain a comprehensive explanation of the Divine Word-Sound which leads to the Highest Wisdom. The Upanishads explain the yogic techniques and present a systematic path for transcending thought in order to attain the Absolute through the use of sound (the Yoga of Surat Shabda).(E) Santmat follows the yogic path prescribed in the Upanishads and specifically, employs Surat Shabad Yoga in its practices. [Therefore, it is to be understood that the teaching of the saints is a later expression and development of the teaching within the Upanishads.]

When viewed on the surface, the teachings of various saints sometimes seem to contradict one another [or even to contradict the principles of the Upanishads]. But upon deeper analysis, it becomes apparent that there is an unbreakable unity in the spiritual views of all saints. Saints have appeared in different times and in different places, and their followers name their tradition in respect to the particular saint [for example, Kabir Panth and Dadu Panth]. The apparent differences can be attributed to variations in time, place, language, and labels given to the views, but in reality, they are the same. It also happens that excessively zealous followers tend to accentuate these seeming differences. When sectarianism and the forms of the particular time or place of the teachings of a saint are removed, the basic principles of Santmat are in unity.

Footnotes by Veena Howard

(A) Shanti is a Sanskrit word which can be understood in English as peace, tranquility, and bliss. It is the peace which results from participation in some degree of Divine communion.

(B) The term "Sant" is derived from the Sanskrit Sat (truth, reality). Thus the "one who knows the Truth," and who has experienced Ultimate Reality. Even though the word sant does not cognate with "Saint" it is often translated in English "Saint." In this book, for the sake of convenience, we use the words 'sant' and 'saint' interchangeably. A saint in the Santmat tradition is one who experiences the mystical state; it is a title conferred because of yogic achievements. This is different from the way this word is commonly understood in Western traditions, where a saint is considered to be morally correct and is only canonized as a saint after death on the basis of some form of miracle that he/she had performed during their life times. In the Sant Mat tradition, a saint is a living person who leads a moral life and has achieved realization of the Divine. Clearly, many of those who are considered to be saints in the Western view would also be included in the Santmat definition of saint.

(C) The Upanishads are ancient Vedic texts that define and categorize the mystical teachings and the philosophy of Yoga. In the chapter on the Vedanta, we have dealt with these teaching in great detail.

(D) The seers of the Upanishads composed in the Sanskrit language. This was not a language of the common people. Guru Nanak and Kabir Sahab describe the same Upanishadic views in languages understood by the common man.

(E) Surat Shabad Yoga is the practice of transcending the mind in order to enter the level beyond the mind. This is the level of ultimate unity. The vehicle for this inward journey is sound.

-- Maharshi Mehi, quoted in the book, Harmony Of All Religions, and, Philosophy Of Liberation:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/Harmony12-ChapterSeven-santmat.pdf

‎"Through inner meditation the jivatman (individual soul) begins its ascent toward the Soundless State [Realm of God/Ultimate Reality Beyond Light and Sound] where it will eventually merge with the Divine. When the soul thus experiences oneness with the Divine, it will attain ultimate peace and supreme joy. Sant Mat teaches a path to the attainment of this joy and peace. This is the significance of the way of saints and the importance of Santmat." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

The Path of the Masters -- The Way of Inner Light and Sound

"The real message of man's life is 'Be Man'. The question is, how to follow this principle and what should we do to adopt this principle and formula for finding a way to God, which is nothing but salvation.

"The only way is to surrender oneself at the lotus feet of a spiritual master. After this surrender, the disciple and master become one, because a true surrender makes a man free from the bondage of senses, dilution, affection, etc, etc... So far as we are under the control of worldly desires, the surrender is not possible. So the first step is to be free from worldly desires. But that does not mean that the needs for earthly life should not be fulfilled. In fact, needs should be fulfilled, and not the desires. If we have taken birth as a human being, some food (energy) is necessary for the body to work, but it is not necessary that we always aspire for multi-course meals. It is necessary to put on some cloths to cover the body, but not necessary that silk linen is put on. It is necessary that there is a small shelter for living, but not necessary that a marble fitted house is something to be attached to.

"As a human being we have to survive in this world without caring for ourselves much, without looking to the ills of others. Rather, by looking towards the ills of ourselves, purifying ourselves first, we then can do something for the purification of others. This is the life of a "lotus" on a pond, and this is why Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom and intellect, sits on the lotus. The lotus flower blossoms in a muddy pond, but any one looking at the flower exclaims, 'Wow! How beautiful this flower is!' The whole world is a muddy pond and we have to survive in the midst of mud like a lotus flower, which does not care for mud but it blossoms for the pleasure and happiness of others. Every morning with sunrise, the lotus blossoms. This is what we should also follow. The divine Power and Light emanated by the spiritual master makes us to blossom like the lotus flower, provided we have full trust and faith in our spiritual master.

"Sant Mat does not look at the race, cast, sect or any other identification for a person. Rather, it looks to the true sense of service, sacrifice, surrender, devotion, determination, trust, and belief of a person towards the master. Those who have such characteristics may belong to any cast, race, country, or direction. Those of any identification can join this Yoga. But for this a true spiritual master is a must. I don't know whether you have adopted some spiritual master or you are under the shelter of someone as a spiritual master. If so, please do surrender yourself to him or her for all what you desire to attain and achieve. The spiritual master is not the body. Rather, it is the Divine Light, the Divine Sound, and your own wisdom, your own conscious, and your own perception, which is selfless and without any expectation from anyone on this earth."

Yours in Him,

J.L. Chaudhari

‎"Listen within day and night; you will hear blissful inner Sounds. Within everyone, reverberates Shabd [Sound Currents], about which no one knows. The Brahmand [cosmos, inner planes] is represented in the body in every respect. Says Tulsi, open your inner eyes, and the Sant will show it to you.

"Glittering Light shines in the region of the Sky, which only a brave one can behold. If one seeks the Truth, one will not go down the transmigratory cycle. If one meets the Merciful Sat Guru, one will come to know of all the secrets from Him. If one renders service to a Sant, he will tell one of the whereabouts of the Abode. Says Tulsi, it is only by being dead whilst alive* that one can find the Perfect Guru." (Sant Tulsi Sahib)

*NOTE: "Being dead whilst alive" or "death before dying": a popular saying used by Sants and Sufi poets espousing the view that rising above body-consciousness or soul travel during meditation practice is a preparation or rehearsal for the afterlife. Hazrat Sultan Bahu: "Let us die before dying, O Bahu, only then is the Lord attained."

Hail all Sants,

Hail all Sants!

Oh, too mean is our intellect

to extol the Sants!

Hail all Sants!

Smashers of sorrows,

breakers of worldly fetters

Treasure of wisdom,

they are the world's benefactors!

Yoga of Light,

Yoga of Sound,

In an easy way everywhere they propound!

Hail all Sants!

Great are all the Sages, great was Lord Buddha

Foes of sins, great were Shankara and Ramananda.

Glory to Sant Kabir who was so great

Glory to Guru Nanak who was so great!

Hail all Sants!

Goswami Shri Tulsidas Ji

Great benefactor Sahab Tulsi

Dadu, Sundar, Sura, Svapach,

Ravi the great seer

Jagjeevan, Paltu -- they robbed us of all fears!

Hail all Sants!

Satguru Devi (Sahab) and all those who have been, are

And who ever will be! Prostrate at their feet we are!

I, Mehi, sing their glory, express my appreciation

And place at their lotus-feet all my expectation!

Hail all Sants!

O Hail all Sants!

(Prayer of Maharshi Mehi,

Translated into English

by Pravesh K. Singh)

Narada Bhakti Sutras, 1-4, Translated by Swami Tyagisananda

"Receive initiation from the Guru in the true secrets of Shabd. Practice the modes of Surat Shabd Yoga with love and affection. Listen to the reverberations of Anhad Shabd within you. Regularly practice Surat Shabd Yoga. Contemplate the Guru's Form. Behold beautiful scenes and spectacles within. When Radhasoami 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." (Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhaswami)

‎"One grasps the central Sounds of the lower realms and progressively is drawn upward to the Sounds of the higher realms. Ultimately, one reaches the center of the Original Sound, the Essential Divine Sound, and thereafter attains the Ultimate State, Sabdatit Pad (State beyond Sound). The Yoga of Sound must be practiced in order to attain the Nameless State (Anami, Anadi)." (Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy of Liberation)

Kabir says: "If you merge your life in the Ocean of Life, you will find your life in the Supreme Land of Bliss."

Youtube: Bodhisattva of Compassion: Meditating Within and Being Compassionate Without -- The Story of Quan Yin (Avalokiteshvara):

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=PkG8Q-z38LE

Countless Are the Earths, Spheres, and Devotees: Countless are the gospels, sutras, odes, upanishads, gathas, quatrains, abhangas, gitas, granths, vanis and vedas. As Guru Nanak says in his Morning Prayer (Jap Ji): "Endless are the harmonies played by the minstrels; the players prepare endless tunes and measures to sing to Thee, 0 bountiful Creator. Thy Light is within the beings and the beings are all within thy Light..... countless are the countries, earths and spheres. Millions assign to Him ever new names, 0 Nanak."

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#626

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:50 pm
Subject: Going Beyond the Universe -- Light and Sound on the Path

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Going Beyond the Universe -- Light and Sound on the Path

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PODCAST:�Education For A More Peaceful Planet: The Ethical Foundation of the Masters -- a presentation on peace and ahimsa (non-violence in thought, word, and deed) as practiced in Sant Mat as well as Jainism -- Spiritual Awakening Radio:�http://bit.ly/ApIDvU

"Do not feel lonely; the entire universe is inside of you." (Rumi)

"Love is fearless in the midst of fear." (Rumi)

"When I am silent,

I fall into the place where everything is Music." (Rumi)

"In the modem scientific age, science and humanity is in the search of ultimate truth. Sustained efforts are being made from both the ends of the spectrum but considerable success so far has not been realized. Science and humanity seek to achieve ultimate truth with their limited knowledge of mind and matter i.e. the ordinary consciousness: states of waking and sleep. Ultimate truth is not matter nor it is material -- it is Spirit, Pure Spirit and nothing but Spirit. It can only be realized by entering into higher states of consciousness. Transformation to higher states of consciousness is the path traversed towards ultimate truth -- God realization. Sant Mat -- the Religion of Sants -- describes such a path leading to the Portal of spiritual consciousness and the mansion of the Supreme Spirit." (Gurdeep Singh, Scholar, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India [Abstract of Presentation Papers], from, "Spiritual Consciousness�Studies"�

-- Spircon 2010, Agra)

"The path leading to God is within your heart. Enter into the ajna-chakra [Third Eye Center] and you will find your Beloved." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

"God is not a matter of assumption but a subject of actual perception and realization. He can be seen with the Divine Eye." (Ashutosh)

"Do the repetition of God and forget Him not (Japi Gobinda bisari jini jai). Fulfill the purpose of your birth by practicing concentration. Be steadfast in the remembrance of God. Practice meditation with love, and sing the glory of God. The human body [within] is the door to jivamukti [salvation, liberation]." -- Dadu (Encyclopedia of the Saints of India, Volume 25: Sant Dadu Dayal)

The Third Eye Center is the Place of Purification from the Effects of the Outer Senses and Impressions, and is the Field of Vision for the True Worship of God in Meditation

From the Jabala Upanishad:

Thereafter the sage Atri asked of Yajnavalkya: "How am I to realize the Self which is Infinite and Unmanifest -- the Imperceptible Atman?"

Yajnavalkya said: ....."The Infinite Imperceptible Self is worshiped ....... between varana and nasi. What are varana and nasi? Varana is that which dispels all the evils done by the sense-organs, and that which destroys all the sins done by sense-organs is called nasi. Where is that place? That place is at the location of both the eye-brows and the nose. That is also the meeting place of this world and the next.

"The Brahmajnanis [gnostics or knowers of God] worship at this meeting place. By meditating at that Point, they attempt to realise Brahman [God, the Lord of Love]."

(Jabala Upanishad quoted in, Satsang Yoga, Part One, Passages from Hindu Scriptures Compiled by Maharshi Mehi)

Transforming Ordinary Consciousness into Spiritual Consciousness -- from Wakeful-sleep to God-realization

"The Merciful Supreme Being and Sant Satguru reveal to their true parmarthi jivas [spiritual souls, initiates, disciples, chelas] that they are Chaitanya [Spirit, Consciousness], are the Ansas [particles, rays, emanations] of the Supreme Being. They should therefore establish their connection with their Father-Mother who is the Supreme Chaitanya and make this connection much more intimate, so that they may attain His Region i.e. the Realm of Pure Spirit, where there is no Maya [illusion], and attain the joy and bliss of His Darshan [divine Vision]. People have been advised to perform the practices of Surat Shabda Yoga Marg [the way of inner Light and Sound Meditation]. The practice of Surat Shabda Yoga, which has been mercifully revealed by the Saints in this age, is beneficial for all jivas [souls]. The Spirit can reach the Original Home, beyond the limits of Maya. The current, which is the current of the Spirit and also the current of Shabda, is the�current of the Name. The current of the mind and the spirit which is flowing outward and downward towards the enjoyments of the world and the objects of Maya should be turned away from these and made to ascend upward within oneself." (Prabha Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, DEI, Agra [Abstract of Presentation Papers], from, "Spiritual Consciousness Studies" -- Spircon 2010, Agra)

"The Saints say, 'O individual souls! Recognize your Supreme Father. You are drowning in the ocean of samsara [this world of changes], full of contradictions, and bearing extreme hardships. Remaining ignorant of your body, mind and senses, you are being variously tortured. With the secrets given to you by the Master, enter the Tenth Door [Third Eye]. Ascending the currents of Divine Light and Divine Sound within, come out of all the coverings [subtle bodies associated with various inner regions: astral, causal, etc...].' Mehi says, self-knowledge is possible beyond the dualism of mind and body. Then you will recognize your Supreme Father and all your woes will vanish." (Padavali of Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj)

Going Beyond the Universe

By James Bean (Exploring the World Religions Column)

In this Internet Age we seem to be drowning in information, distracted by a million voices. A world of knowledge and opinion my be at our fingertips, yet wisdom remains a bit more illusive. My goal with these articles, blogs, public speaking, and podcasts is not so much about sharing of information as it is about revealing a state of Being and Becoming.

The Less Organization, the Better

Each of the great world religions presents its own version of a "treasure-map" to enlightenment or God, along with voluminous histories, customs, and beliefs, yet souls do not yearn merely to collect "maps" containing information. Swami Ji Maharaj of Agra once said of the world religions: "Without Bhakti [love], they are all hollow and sham, outer husks without a kernel." It is the inner "kernel" or "seed" of Life we're really after, not developing attachments to institutions or organizations.

Throughout history, it has often been certain rigid religious organizations that ultimately: 1) become the adversaries of mystics and Gnostics; favoring institutional life over inner exploration; 2) can be fearful of scientific research and academic freedom; 3) might have a tendency to overreach, ever thinking up new and excessive rules or regulations, at war even with their own members; 4) on occasion have banned books and "unauthorized" gatherings of those re-labeled as being "heretics;" 5) often claiming to be superior to all other sects -- the "one-and only-true path", and, 6) have all-too-often been opponents of equality and human rights.

I love this quote by Huzur Baba Sawan Singh about need to always maintain humanity, compassion, genuineness, honesty, and simplicity as the guiding principals and foundation for public gatherings in the name of spirituality, which in the East are called "Satsangs" or "Sanghas". "'Satsang' has more than one meaning: First, it means the meeting of the Master and a disciple. Second, it means the meeting of all Satsangis [followers, devotees] who may attend, whether the Guru is present in body or not. There is no formality about it, none at all. It is a simple meeting of all disciples who can attend. We avoid formality and anything that may have the appearance of a rigid organization. The less organization, the better. And there must be no idea of leadership. The only leader in Sant Mat is the Guru. Just the Master and His disciples meeting together is the only organization we have." I love the libertarian, heart-centered simplicity of this statement.

Pulling Back the Veil -- Being and Becoming -- Knowing Ourselves

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a Light of meaning in the darkness of mere being." (Carl Jung) That's very close to the definition of Guru according to Hinduism: "one who takes the darkness away", or is, in other words, a "Light-giver". The role of the genuine spiritual Master is to escort us into Heavenly Realms so we may have our own experience of the divine and see for ourselves the beauty that up to now has remained hidden.

The soul seeks to actually realize the "treasure" of it's own Self -- Buddha Nature, Atman, New Adam, Pearl of Great Value, Christ-within-you, the Light-Spark of the Divine, which is the Real Me/You. Says Namdev: "I wandered through the cosmos in search of the treasure but found it within me." Says Tulsi Sahib: "Within thine own self, behold the splendor of thy Beloved." Rumi says, "The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you; don't go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want; don't go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the door-sill where the two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don't go back to sleep." "Open a window to God and begin to delight yourself by gazing upon Him through the opening." (Rumi) "The Lord will make the pupil of your eye his home, and your eye will expand to contain the entire universe." (Namdev)

This mystic-poem by Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India beautifully reflects upon the inward journey of the soul back to God:

Within this body

breathes the secret essence.

Within this body

beats the heart of the Vedas.

Within this body

shines the entire Universe,

so the saints say.

Hermits, ascetics, celibates --

all are lost

seeking Him

in endless guises.

Seers and sages perfectly parrot

the scriptures and holy books,

blinded by knowledge.

Their pilgrimage,

and fasting,

and striving

but delude.

Despite their perfect practice,

they discover no destination.

Only the saints

who know the body's heart

have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi.

Realize this, and you've found your freedom

(while teachers trapped in tradition

know only the mirage

in the mirror).

When we sit for meditation and gaze into the darkness with eyes closed, we're encountering the world of "within", opening up to the possibility of seeing via the Third Eye, also known as the Wisdom Eye. This is the Portal or Door to the Kingdom of the Heavens that are inside. This is what Rumi and the Masters are attempting to show us. For those taught the methods of meditation practice by a qualified living teacher and spiritual guide, we soon will discover that the darkness is no longer dark. There is a pinpoint of light, and an inner sky, inner stars, moons, suns, many colors, dark voids, and tunnels that go into the Light.

As the saying goes, "When the student is ready, the teacher shall appear." A living teacher, being fully acquainted with the 'landscape' of Inner Space, is able to impart to initiate-candidates valuable guidance on how to safely make the journey of ascension to the Inner Regions during meditation. This kind of spiritual transmission and the details of meditation practice are not found in books, old scriptures of the past, and are not for sale, but are given freely.

We also will discover during extended periods of meditation that there is Sound coming from beyond the silence. "When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is Music," says Rumi. "Bring the sky beneath your feet and listen to Celestial Music everywhere." (Rumi) Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has a great description of the Inner Sound in his book, Mind Beyond Death: "It is easiest to hear this Sound when it is quiet, particularly at nighttime. Once you have identified this Sound, then you place your awareness on it without wavering. Resting your mind in the Sound, you continue to listen, going further and further into the Sound itself."

More On Inner Sound Meditation In Buddhism

"Listening to the inner Sound brings the heart into a position of acute inner awareness. The Sound is always there. We don't have to create it. It is ever present. So it is a good symbol for Ultimate Reality itself." (Ajahn Amaro)

"How sweetly mysterious is the Transcendental Sound of Avalokiteshvara [Quan Yin]! Is is the subdued murmur of the sea-tide setting inward. Its mysterious Sound brings liberation and peace to all sentient beings who in their distress are calling for aid." (Surangama Sutra)

"You can experience the Sound of silence in the mind. You hear it as a kind of high frequency Sound, a ringing Sound..... When you're just with the cosmic Sound alone, there is pure attention, no sense of a person or personality, of 'me and mine'". (Ajahn Sumedho, The Sound of Silence)

"When meditating with this Nada [Inner Mystic Sound], it is essential that the aspirant always seek and follow the particular aspect of it that is most subtle and 'ultra' in pitch as well as in brilliance. Even when the Sound becomes very shrill and loud in moments of deep concentration, he [or she] must not be tempted to be satisfied with it merely because it is sharp and resonant. He should relentlessly attempt to rise further and further into ever more subtle spheres of its mysterious Invisible Kingdom." (Edward Salim Michael, "The Law of Attention -- Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance", Published by Inner Traditions)

We are all connected to these subtle realms of Light, Sound, and Heavenly Regions but normally remain deaf and blind to them in our day-to-day experience, being always completely enmeshed in the worlds of mind and matter. It rarely occurs to most that it's possible to explore consciousness itself, the "lost" buried treasure, our true Self or Soul, the Observer.

Beyond the Universe

"The Guru's word is a stairway to heaven." (Sant Namdev)

"So long as a spirit does not rise above the body-consciousness, it remains a stranger to the spiritual realms beyond". (Rumi)

"God is perceivable only through the soul or spirit. But our individual soul has become surrounded or covered by several sheaths or subtle bodies [astral, causal, etc�]. So long as it remains in the captivity of these various subtle bodies and the physical body, it will be under the knowledge of these bodies and organs only, will be under illusory knowledge only, and will not be able to realize God. In order to know Him, the Jiva-atma or the individual soul shall have to liberate itself from these bondage's. The one who is able to liberate himself from the body and subtle bodies, is able to lift himself beyond the universe, also."�(Param Poojya Shahi Swami Ji Maharaj)

Here, Shahi Swami, referring to his own mystical explorations and that of others who follow this same practice, speaks of Inner Light and Sound meditation -- transcendental seeing and hearing, and how it's possible during meditation to transcend the physical body (rise above body-consciousness), transcend the astral subtle body, transcend the causal or akashic subtle body, ascend beyond the mental subtle body, and shed the etheric subtle body. All that remains is one's true naked identity: atman, self or soul. After stripping off the garments of the outer worlds (the subtle bodies and corresponding realms they are associated with), the soul exclaims, "I Am That! I Am That! I Am That!" In this sense, the soul has ascended beyond all the universes of space-time and experiences knowing itself in the Timeless State (Akal) or True Eternal Realm. What an amazing thing to proclaim to "child humanity" -- we can go beyond the universe.

Swami Achyutanand Baba is one of the eldest living disciples and spiritual successors of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, as well as an eminent scholar in the tradition of Sant Mat founded by Param Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras. Swami Ji has had the rare fortune of very prolonged close serving association of more than three decades with Maharshi Mehi, who appointed him as the founder editor of the spiritual monthly "Shanti Sandesh" (Message of Peace), published by Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Kuppaghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.

Swami Achyutanand Ji even at this ripe age has dedicated his life to propagating the ideals of Sant Mat by widely traveling across the length and breadth of India, his mother country.

"Those practitioners who assiduously practice meditation will behold wonderful spectacles within." (Swami Achyutanand Baba)

He has a number of books to his credit like, Vindu -- Nada Dhyan, Santmate Ki Baten, Navadha Bhakti, Bandaun Guru Pad Kanj, Maharshi Mehi Ke Ashirwachan Aur Upadesh, Sukti Sudha Sagar, etc. He also is the current editor of the quarterly "Adhyatma Prakash" (Light of Spirituality), published by Maharshi Santsewi Dhyan Yogashram, Agarpara, Kolkata, India.

Online Sant Mat Book: Yoga Of Inner Light and Sound, by Swami Achyutanand Baba -- Audio/Talking Book and Several E Book Options:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Yoga_Of_Inner_Light_And_Sound_.pdf

"My true disciple is one who has seen the Divine Light within during meditation". (Guru Gobind Singh)

"The process by which the secret of how to realize God is taught is called deeksha or initiation. It is always rewarding to seek initiation from a Satguru or preceptor." (Swami Achyutanand Baba)

Questions about initiation, locating a satsang meeting in your area? Email me:�James@...

Jai Guru, Jai Sat Naam, Radhasoami, In the Divine Love, Light, and Sound of the Beloved,

James

At your holy feet lies the sphere of Divine Light even as I have fallen into the dark well (of ignorance).

Save me, O Guru, save me! Ascend me into the domain of your radiant form.

You instructed me to rise through the Sushumna or the Til DwAr, but I am unable to find that path within.

O Gurudev! Have pity on me, dispel the darkness (of my inner sky) and lift me up so that I may move on to the other side of the Til or the Dark Point.

Make me fly high into the star-studded (inner) sky and even higher into the Region of the Thousand-petalled Lotus (sahasra-dal kanwal).

Where Divine Light keeps shining bright, where is seen the full moon's Light. O Gurudev! Let these secret splendours be manifest unto me!

Trikuti is the source or origin of the three qualities/attributes (namely sat, raj and tam) which is the abode of the Para Brahma.

O Gurudev! I beseech at your sacred feet; Help me so that I may attain to this house (Trikuti).

Here in the Trikuti the Divine Sun shines in all its brilliance.

Where Shuddha Brahma resides and which is renowned as the "ShUnya Desh" (Void Region).

Guide me into the Manasarovar, and make me grasp your own name (the Quintessential Primordial Sound/Word).

The Word (your name) is capable of fulfilling all our wishes and is the essence of the whole creation.

Lend me even greater power so that I may soar into Maha Shunya (Greater Void),

And even beyond...

I may enter into the Bhanwar Gufa (Whirling Cave) -- but alas! even here the pain of transmigration is not relieved entirely.

Therefore, O Sadguru, empower me to climb into the Sataloka (The realm of Pure Consciousness or Quintessential Unstruck Word).

O Gurudev! Catapulting me thus into the Sata-loka, make me absolutely pure (free of all coverings, shrouds, veils).�

Bless me that I may cross even the attribute-less Sataloka (Kaivalya Region, or the Realm of Pure Consciousness) and attain to the Nameless/Soundless State.

O Lord! This way shower your blessings by elevating me unto my own true Home (the Domain of the Absolute Lord that is, God).

(Padavali of Maharshi Mehi, translated by Pravesh K. Singh)

Practice Bindu-Dhyana everyday like a Chatak bird,

Glimpsing the luminous symmetry of God uninterruptedly,

Enter into the solar sphere immediately;

The Quintessential One known as Raam-Naam is the true voice or Sound,

It emanates from its place of origin and flows down the universes and the solid mass;

Merging Surat [the attention of the soul] with the Quintessential One, meet your Lord,

And eliminate the cycle of birth and death;

Without devotion to one's Guru and service to the sages, nothing fructifies;

So always repeat the name of Guru and concentrate on his lotus-feet,

With concentration on Bindu, the luminous star emerges,

And then the Sun and the Moon appear,

Along with these the currents without being impaired Sounds are heard,

The Sounds gather -- concentrate at a point between the two eyebrows,

And at this point only, the spiritual aspirant witnesses and hears all the Sounds;

All praise to the Satguru who has acquainted Mehi with these applications,

You are magnificent, O my competent Guru!

I seek your shelter day and night, says Mehi. (Maharshi Mehi)

"Man is what he thinks about all day long. One can only live one moment at a time. Emerson said: 'There is no moment in eternity more important than this moment.' All real good or evil that may befall him is from himself. If a man lives in a good or bad way in the real present, he will ensure the same in the future. If you have bad thoughts for others, you will harm not them only but yourself as well, as thoughts are very potent. So try to live in the living present, forgetting the past and the future -- and fill every moment of your life with simple trust in Him in all loving devotion." (Kirpal Singh)

"Practice the repetition of the True Name, which alone is of value (sumiru Sat Naam niju kam hai jahi te)......Have kindness in your heart, look with compassion......Being detached, brush aside all worldly delusions, and take refuge under the Satguru's holy feet, which is the kingdom of eternal bliss.....Be firmly absorbed in contemplation, which alone is of value. Thereby the inner Lotus will blossom, Nectar will flow, and the inner Sky will resound with Melody, hearing which, Kal [illusion, god of time and death] will flee away. There the dazzling Light will shine and the true Sound will resound, which will destroy heavy sins [karma], and place a divine canopy over your head." (Shabd/Hymn/Mystic-Verses of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar)

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#627

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:39 am
Subject: Transcendental Seeing and Hearing - Light and Sound on the Path

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Transcendental Seeing and Hearing - Light and Sound on the Path

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"This spiritual path and its destination is divine love..... The remover of difficulties is the one spiritual teacher who has given you the secret knowledge (spiritual guidance and experience)." (Baba Devi Sahab)

"The Satguru pulled me up into the Gagan [Mystic� Sky, Firmament].

On hearing the Shabda [Sound Current] my spirit was emancipated,

O my Compassionate Sat Purusha [True, Eternal Original Being, God]!

He showered His Grace and embraced me; by taking shelter in His Holy Feet I came under His protection.

Knowledge of my countless past lives was revealed, and the cycle of births and deaths was now eradicated.

I obtained the wealth of unlimited love and faith, and with victory over matter,

I recognized the Shabda [Sound Current] of Trikuti [Three Worlds, Causal Plane].

On hearing this Shabda I was enabled to hear the Shabda of Sat Lok [True, Eternal, Timeless, Spiritual Ream].

The spirit then proceeded further and came into contact with the Sound coming from Its Nij Dham (Original Abode).

How can I adequately praise the majestic glory of Merciful Radhasoami [the Lord of the Soul] Who is all-knowing?"

-- Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Poetry, from, Prem bhari meri ghat ki gagaria....

"A diamond was laying in the street covered with dirt. Many fools passed by. Someone who knew diamonds picked it up." (Kabir)

The effulgence of the Supreme Being

is beyond the imagination:

Ineffable is His beauty,

to see it is the only proof.

-- Kabir

The method for taking back the Spirit to Its Supreme Source

is first to concentrate at the focus of the eyes [at the Third Eye Center] the Spirit and mind,

which are diffused in our body, and in a manner tied to external objects by desires and passions.

Next is to commence Its journey homewards by attending to the Internal Sound, or in other words,

by riding the Life or Sound Current that has originally emanated from the Supreme Source.

-- Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash -- A Message of Peace and Joy to All Nations

PODCASTS: Spiritual Awakening Radio: "The Law of Attention, Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance", is a book authored by the late Edward Salim Michael, and has some great genuine insights about encountering the inner Sound in meditation. At this webpage hear a couple of radio programs exploring the wisdom of this book,�passages from Buddhist and other world scriptures on inner Sound, and there's an interview with the author's wife, Michele Michael:

http://www.meditation-presence.com/en/interviews

"Meditation is the soul's Portal to the Divine, a Doorway to God and the Heavens that are within. Place your mind

before the mirror of eternity. Place your soul in the brilliance of glory. Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance and transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead itself through contemplation. Meditate upon�the Love, Light�and Sound of the Positive Power within you. When darkness is no longer dark, when the stillness of the night gives birth to a faint Celestial Melody, know this: one more soul is being summoned to awakening, one more soul hears the Call, one more soul ascends to the Place of Life."�(from my article, "Seeing Heaven as a Real Place")

The Art Of Seeing, by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

"What is the use of beautiful eyes when you do not understand the art of seeing? Just as a flower is beautiful, without a�fragrant scent it is not so appealing. Sant Paltu Sahab says: 'What is the use of decorating your eyes if you do not know the art of seeing'? By 'art of seeing' he is not talking about how to see beautiful scenery or magnificent sights. But rather he is referring to the practitioner (sadhak) on the spiritual journey. He is referring to the sadhana (spiritual/meditation practices) which allows one to develop the art of seeing. .... If we can not see the Unseen then we are not using our vision to the fullest extent possible. What kind of eyes are we speaking about here? Are we talking about the physical eyes composed of flesh? No. Sant Kabir says you can not see the celestial subtle realm with these physical eyes of the flesh. Rather, we must acquire the inner eyes -- the eyes of the soul. .... Nobody can see the subtle celestial realm by looking into this physical world, only by looking within using the art of seeing can we understand the celestial. Therefore one must turn inward to understand this Formless Atman, the inner Self."

"When your eye, turning inward into your brain, pierces the sky within and your Spirit leaving your body, flies upward, you will sight the heaven which is the location of the Thousand-Petalled Lotus". (Sar Bachan of Swami Ji Maharaj, Agra)

Youtube: "Dying While Living" via Inner Light and Sound Meditation (An Introduction to the Mystics of the East):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efzt0pmMQQY

Youtube: "The Journey Within � An Introduction to a Spiritual Path from India Called Sant Mat":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ba5UV9Ax6U

"When the soul begins to awake from its deep slumber, no worldly forces can undo with the tears and yearning of the heart. At that blessed moment the life takes a turning point and the search for the Lord starts. It is the Lord from within our own heart calling us back home. From that very moment the destination of the soul is fixed. The cry of the heart will not stop until the goal of the heart is reached and the union with the Lord is accomplished." (Lars Jensen, from, "With Cries from the Heart, the Search for a True Guru Begins")

"Holy places, austerities, rituals and ceremonies all detain you on the way. If you wish to meet the Beloved Lord, wander not in the world. Search for the Beloved Lord within your own self." (Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Agra)

The Ascension of the Soul

"It is a very difficult thing to raise oneself above the level of the plane of consciousness on which one is. The effect of long continued association with the material world which one must combat is very deep seated. Just as, if an object is submitted for a great period to the play of light of a given color, it will at length absorb and appropriate a modicum of that color.

"Hence the value of association with the Sant Sat Guru [living Master]. His influence gradually loosens the ties of the world, breaks the bonds of association with it and raises the spirit." ("Phelps Notes", by Myron Phelps)

Seek the true Master with faith, love, and patience.

He will give Light to find the hidden entrance.

If with constant effort you attune the Inner Ear,

The way to God opens and the Path will be clear.

-- Param Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras

"If one is keen about learning this knowledge, let him join the spiritual school of the living Satguru and thus enjoy the eternal peace of mind." (Shri Paramhans Granth)

"Unless one realizes the Self within, how can one believe that God resides there in His Refulgent Form? Only the realization of God can bestow eternal peace of mind and true happiness." (Shri Paramhans Granth)

The Methods for Returning to the Divine Source

by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, and, Maharshi Mehi

"When the mind becomes concentrated so does the current of consciousness which permeates the body and mind.

Therefore, the Sants have given instruction about the ways to withdraw and concentrate the mind within. Maharishi Mehi elaborates on this in the Philosophy of Liberation. The following references are particularly worth studying:

"In whatever realm of this universe one lives, it is natural to get the support from the predominant element of that realm.

"Therefore, one who is dwelling in the physical realm will naturally take support from the material elements. It would be easier to utilize the sensory elements in the method to concentrate the mind.

"Therefore, to begin to concentrate the mind, one should make use of Manas japa (mental repetition of the alphabetical name of God), and Manas dhyana (focusing on a physical manifested form of God). God permeates all realms of nature and the entire universe. The saints, prophets, sages, all radiant and all benevolent beings are myriad physical manifestations of the Divine Power on earth. Fixing the mind on one of their images (Manas dhyana; focus on a divine form) facilitates concentration of the mind and prepares it to enter into the inner subtle realms.�

"In order to enter into the subtle realms, one must take support of the subtle element. One must therefore practice taking support of the subtle (non-material) element. Subtle support is 'the infinitesimal point'. This point is seen in the middle of two eye-brows. The infinitesimal point is also known as the subtlest of the subtle forms of God. Bindu (point) is defined as an indivisible point. It is too minute to be drawn or indicated in any physical way. Dristi yoga, the yoga of vision is an uninterrupted concentration on (literally 'seeing') on the infinitesimal point. Dristi is the power of seeing. Single-pointedness (intense focus) is attained by sitting with closed eyes and practicing uniting the beams of vision of both eyes. The technique of how to gaze on a single infinitesimal point in the center and concentrating the mind on that point is taught by the teacher. This is known as Dristi Yoga [yoga of inner Light]. In this practice it is advised neither to focus forcefully nor manipulate the eyeballs in any manner. The saints teach specifics of this yogic technique. By this practice the inner divine vision is opened. This is beyond the sensory dimension of seeing.

"When the state of one-pointedness (complete focus) of mind is attained, it is possible to listen to the divine inner Sounds which arise from the juncture of the material and subtle realms. These celestial Sounds are not audible to the sensory ears. When the subtle state (sukhma, non-material) is reached, it becomes possible to perceive the divine sounds of the subtle realm. This sound has the inherent quality of attracting the consciousness to its point of origin. Once that Sound is perceived, consciousness is drawn to the sounds of each successive and ascending realm until consciousness reaches the Soundless Realm (Shbadatita). This is the realm of God (a State of Transcendence and Bliss). To achieve this, service to and association with a Sat Guru, as well as his instruction and grace are essential. The practitioner must also be diligent in practice.

"The path described above can be summarized in the following manner. The four practices are gross to subtle in an ascending order: Manas japa, Manas dhyana, Dristi yoga, Nadanusandhana (inner Sound yoga), and the Soundless yoga. The practices of Manas japa (mantra) and Manas dhyana are the worship of the physical, qualified (personal) form of God. (God is perceived in various manifestations of name and form in the gross realm). The practice of the meditation on the infinitesimally small point, Dristi yoga, is the worship of the subtle qualified form of God (where God perceived as the infinitesimal point). Concentration on the divine Sounds, nadas (other than Sar Sabad, the Divine Sound of the beginning, Logos) is the worship of the qualified formless Divine. As this meditation finally leads to the meditation on the Sar Sabad (the Original Divine Sound). The meditation on this essential Sound, Logos, Adi Shabda, is the worship of the Unqualified-Formless (the transcendent Godhead). This meditation is the culmination of all forms of worship. But without completely mastering all these practices and treading the inward journey, it will be impossible to reach the Soundless State (the realization of the Impersonal form of the Divine). This is the Realm of God and the attainment of moksa (the state of liberation). Reaching this the aspirant experiences absolute peace and achieves the ultimate goal of human life." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji)

"The saints and true teachers are known to be impartial; their blessings fall like the rain. However, the rain, while falling on all, tends to collect in deep pools just as the grace of the saints while showering on all flows rapidly and collects in the deep pools of the aspirants who are devoted. It is not surprising that the aspirants through their devotion draw the grace of the master towards them. Aspirants who give great attention to the ways of the teacher are worthy of the gift of knowledge. Obviously, not the careless one, but the one who honors the gift, and cares for the receiving bowl, receives the gift of the grace of the teacher. Making oneself worthy is the secret of devotion to the master, the way of gaining grace as described in the writings of the saints.

"The aspiration to serve with love and behave humbly before the teacher arises naturally in the hearts of students. Therefore, devotion to the spiritual teacher is also natural. To say anything against devotion to the teacher is pointless. And also, the wise will not give devotion to an unworthy teacher and will influence other aspirants to do the same.

"The four essential elements a sadhaka (an aspirant of the spiritual path) needs are the following:

(1) satsang (association of saints and hearing spiritual teachings);

(2) sadacara (moral rectitude);

(3) guru seva (dedication to the teacher); and,

(4) dhyan-abhyasa (practice of meditation).....

"In Sant Mat an intense eagerness to acquire these essentials must be present. However, devotion to the teacher is paramount to the other three essentials and is the key to achieving the other three."

-- Maharishi Mehi Paramahans Ji Maharaj, "Philosophy of Liberation"

"While I am happy to give the right guidance, it should also be remembered that those initiated by me are looked after by the gracious Master-Power working overhead, Who is ever with His children and can solve all of their problems if they

but put themselves in a receptive mood. In this regard an application of sound common sense together with a calm consideration of the facts can work wonders in developing receptivity to the Master Power. Receptivity is the key which can not only solve your material difficulties, but also unlock the Kingdom of Heaven within you." (Kirpal Singh, The Need For Receptivity)

Youtube: "Children of Light", by Yes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbynmgKkT3k

Reference to Holi by Mirabai

Days of good fortune are few and short-lived, so make the most of them celebrating Holi, the festival of colours (in the

right way).

Drum beats, produced without the use of (tapping of) hands, resound and uncountable notes (Anhad Naad)

reverberate inside.

All the thirty-six musical notes are heard produced without voice (vocal cords); the divine Melody echoes in all the pores of the body.

Solution of saffron (yellow colour) in the form of virtuosity and contentment is sprayed by means of the colour gun (syringe) of love and affection.

The inner sky has been coloured red (red colour is seen) as if the coloured powder has been sprinkled all over; countless hues have been raining torrentially (hinting at the sighting of divine Light).

(Translated by Pravesh K. Singh)

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#628

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:08 am
Subject: Radhasoami Sant Mat - Light and Sound on the Path

santmat_mystic

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Radhasoami Sant Mat - Light and Sound on the Path

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"In a nut-shell, the Radhasoami Faith is a Gospel of Love. Love towards the holy feet of Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul], love towards the Guru of the time and love with all the human beings is its cardinal message." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

"The practice of Surat Shabd Yoga is dependent on the love generated in the devotee's heart for the Supreme Being Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul, Anami, Anadi Purush]. The Radhasoami Faith [Sant Mat] therefore advocates the blending of Yoga with Bhakti [devotion]." (Agam Prasad Mathur)

The Prose (Sar Bachan Radhasoami Bartik): Book One of the Sar Bachan Prose is an Abstract of the Teachings of Huzur Radhasoami Saheb (Soami Ji Maharaj) authored by Huzur Maharaj (Ral Saligram). Book Two of the Sar Bachan Prose is a collection of the Sayings of Soami Ji Maharaj delivered in Satsang.

Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry (Sar Bachan Radhasoami Nazm yaani Chhand bandh): Both volumes of Sar Bachan Poetry represent compositions of Soami Ji Maharaj. "This scripture was written to the dictation of Huzur Radhasoami Saheb Himself. He had no intention to compose any Bani. But some devoted Satsangis and Sansangins persistently beseeched Him, and He was pleased to accede to their prayer." (Radhasoami Sahia Bhoomika -- Preface to the Sar Bachan Poetry, by Huzur Maharaj)�

Web Page Dedicated to the Teachings of Soami Ji Maharaj and His Writings Online:�http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/radhasoami.html

"Truth should be the guideline in the performance of all activities, spiritual or temporal, for a satsangi. Nothing that falls short of truth should be acceptable to him [or her]." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

The Cosmos Is A Symphony of Vibrating Currents or Strings, By Huzur Maharaj

"The entire creation is composed of currents. The various bodies are made up of currents (threads or wires). Just as cloth is made from threads or as the branches and twigs of a tree are but clumps of fibres, so is the human body made up of thread-like nerves, through which currents pass. This is how all the physical bodies are made. When a person speaks, his voice becomes audible by means of currents. Similarly it is by the currents of sight (light) that we see the world.

"When there was no universe, the first thing that happened [the First Cause] was that a current issued forth from the Feet of the Supreme Being Compassionate Radhasoami [Lord of the Soul]. This current is the current of Shabda [Mystic Sound] and of Life and Light. The entire creation of all the regions [planes, spheres, dimensions] higher or lower, has been brought into existence by this current.

"The seat of the Supreme Being Radhasoami Dayal is within everybody. The spirit currents descended from Him creating Dayal Desh [Merciful Region, Spiritual Realms], Brahmand [universal mind] and Pind [physical plane, material universe/multiverse]. From a centre inwards between the two eyes, where the spirit has taken its location in this body [seat of the soul, third eye, wisdom eye], it is supplying energy by means of currents to the mind and the senses and the entire frame. As the spirit current alone is the current of bliss, pleasure and knowledge, it is only on account of it, that all those having physical bodies experience pleasure and relish it through the sense organs.

"Whoever is desirous of reaching the source of this current, which is the fountain-head and reservoir of all bliss, all pleasure and all knowledge, to obtain supreme bliss and eternal happiness, should revert to its source, i.e., the Feet of the Supreme Creator, Radhasoami, with the help of this very current."

-- Huzur Maharaj (Rai Bahadur Salig Ram Sahab), Prem Patra Radhasoami, Volume One (the Love Discourses of the Lord of the Soul)

Sant Mat History: On the Origin, Meaning, and Usage of the Sacred Name of God 'Radhasoami' (Pronounced "Radha-Swami")

Soami is Ocean and Radha its First Wave

"The founders of the faith have a few allegorical interpretations to put forward to explain the two components of the word -- Radha and Soami. The second guru says that the Supreme Being may be compared to an Ocean. A creative Ocean cannot be perceived without commotion. The first wave of the endless Ocean is Radha. The original Current is not different from but is identical with the Ocean itself and as it comes out so it is ever drawn towards it. The creative Ocean, therefore, is Soami and the first original wave just identical to the Ocean is Radha. The two together form the Supreme Ocean full of spiritual bliss and truth. Hence Radhasoami. ....

"Radhasoami faith is the religion of pure and spiritual love. Love denotes two components, the Beloved and the lover. The prime Source of all love and spiritual energy is the Beloved and is therefore known as Soami. The first wave of love and spiritual energy arising from its Source and then being attracted towards it again, is the lover and therefore is known as Radha. The Supreme Love is Radhasoami, identifying both the components and fusing them into one." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Radhasoami Faith, A Historical Study)

"In the Radhasoami Faith, this Supreme Being is called 'Radhasoami'. The exponents of this faith hold that this holy name has been given out by the Supreme Being Himself and as it is refulgently resounding within the higher spheres, it can be heard by a person who practises Surat Shabd Yoga. The second Guru used to address his Guru as 'Radhasoami Saheb'. When Hazur Maharaj practised the spiritual exercise of Surat Shabd Yoga and attained the highest spiritual Truth, He listened internally the refulgent resonance of Radhasoami incessantly resounding in the first and highest region of creation and found his Guru identical with the Highest Spiritual Being. He was then filled with divine grace and holy light of love. As such, He addressed Him as 'Radhasoami Saheb' and considered Him to be the incarnation of the Supreme Being. .... It was Huzur Maharaj who revealed the name Radhasoami after he realized in His deep meditation (Abhyas) not only that Soami Ji Maharaj was identical with Radhasoami, the Supreme Being, but also that Radhasoami is an ever reverberating Sound coming from the Highest Abode." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

"RADHASOAMI Nam was revealed by the Supreme Being Himself. When the humble devotees of Soamiji Maharaj, as a result of their successful Abhyas ([meditation] devotional practices) and Satsang, came to realize His exalted position and immense spiritual powers, and when He too, in His grace and mercy, enabled them to recognize Him, they started addressing Him by the appellation of RADHASOAMI, the Name of the Original Abode from where He made His advent to this world, for showering His grace on Jivas [souls] in this Kali Yuga." (Radhasoami Sahia Bhoomika -- Preface to the Sar Bachan Poetry, by Huzur Maharaj)

"Soamiji tested His disciple and He found that Hazur was capable of spreading His spiritual message. The disciple had realized the Master; and the Master had also recognized the spiritual perfection and glow of the disciple. He recognized in Hazur Maharaj His own spiritual counterpart and on a special request of Hazur, Soamiji Maharaj established the Satsang in 1861. In all eternal radiance Soamiji Maharaj bestowed upon him the most precious and sacred gift -- the revelation of the name 'Radhasoami'. It was the name that Hazur gave to Soamiji Maharaj after the [inner] realization that his Guru was identical with the Supreme Being. The object of Hazur's life had been achieved and he felt contented as never before. Later in 1866, at Hazur Maharaj's stance, Soamiji Maharaj revealed the holy name 'Radhasoami' to His followers." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

"The Radhasoami mat or Faith derives its name from its original founder, the Supreme Being, Radhasoami, who appeared in this world in human form and designated Himself Sant Sat Guru or perfect Saint or True Guide and Preceptor, and preached holy doctrines to the sincere Enquirer of Truth for the deliverance of their spirit from the bondage of body and surroundings, as well as from the pains and pleasures of this world, and for the ultimate admission (of their spirit entity) into the Holy Presence of the Supreme Being after traversing and breaking through the trammels and impediments in the material spheres." (Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash -- Being a Message of Eternal Peace and Joy to All Nations -- Originally written by Hazur Maharaj in English and published in 1897)

Simran

"Radhasoami Naam -- whoever recites gets across the ocean of life; troubles vanish, bliss abides, and gone's complete all strife." (Soami Ji Maharaj, Manglacharan, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Book One)

Chanting the Name Radhasoami

"You have to walk with Me, with My spirit, with My radiation. Receive My radiation first, then you can enjoy every radiation with right understanding and without being submerged and drowned in the current of attraction and repulsion they call Maya [illusion].

Always carry My reflection. My aura or reflection is the sum total energy and My spirit of the universe. I am all strength and courage. I am all love and mercy. I am the potential of all talents. I am the source of all riches. I am the light of all wisdom. I am that truth of all truths.

All exist in Me as they are part of Me and I exist in all of them. They are nothing but Me. You will see that I am vibrating everywhere, not only as light waves but also as sound waves, as the creative force, as the procreative force, as the force of all expansion.

I am the creative force, 'Raaa'.

I am the expanding force, 'Dhaaa'.

I come back with all the vibrations, 'Swammm'.

I become again one with you all and you feel one with Me as 'EEEE'.

Ra Dha Swam i.

(Radhaswami, Ra-Dha-Swam-e, Radhasoami).

Radhasoami

Chant this Name, this is Me in sound form.

Enjoy Me in sound form, as the magnetic field of love.

(Discourses of Sree Mentu Maharaj, Volume One)

Prem Bani Radhasoami of Huzur Maharaj

The Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul] loves you dearly.

He will redeem you in a moment.

Believe what I say is true.

Know that Radhasoami is your True Beloved.

His heart is overflowing with compassion for souls.

He imparts them his own strength and redeems them.

Have no anxiety or worry in your mind now.

Utter

'RADHASOAMI'

........ every moment.

Always utter 'RADHASOAMI',

the Name of the Merciful Supreme Being.

Then only will mind and Kal become powerless against you.

Radhasoami 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.

(Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume One)

The Sar Bachan of Swami Ji Maharaj

Radhasoami has imparted a unique message.

The moment I utter the Holy Word 'RADHASOAMI',

all my doubts and misgivings are dispelled.

Radhasoami has taken me in His lap.

Radhasoami will also redeem you.

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 Radhasoami Poetry, Book One)

Satsang

'''Satsang' is association with the Guru or a Sadh [sadhu, or virtuous satsangi, devotee], and the Guru or Sadh should be a follower of the Religion of Saints, i.e., the Radhasoami Faith [Sant Mat]. In such a Satsang there will be no mention of quarrels, disputes, stories, worldly entanglements and such other things. Only the following matters will be dealt with:

(1) Glory of Sat Purush, the Compassionate Radhasoami [God, the Lord of the Soul], the secrets of the path -- of the various stages, and the methods of traversing the path;

(2) Methods of developing love for -- and faith in -- the Feet of Merciful Radhasoami and the Guru;

(3) Engendering in one's mind -- of the condition of indifference to -- and detachment from -- the world and its enjoyments;

(4) Description of those obstacles which the mind and Maya [illusion] create to prevent an Abhyasi [practitioner] from proceeding on the path;

(5) Description of the experiences which an Abhyasi [practitioner] gets at the time of Satsang and his Abhyasa [meditation practice]; and,

(6) Description of the ascent of the spirit to higher regions and the conditions therein." (Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Sandesh)

Devotional Practices

"It should be noted that all the following activities are included in devotional practices (Abhyas):

(1) Sumiran [Simran: Repetition of the Holy Name];

(2) Sumiran and Dhyan [Repetition of the Holy Name along with Contemplation of the Holy Form];

(3) Bhajan [Listening to the Sound Current].

(4) Recitation of holy books or listening to their recital in Satsang intelligently;

(5) Discussing the principles of the Radhasoami Faith or listening to such discussion;

(6) Thinking about and reflecting on matters pertaining to the Radhasoami Faith and its practices and pondering them; and

(7) Examining the ways of one's mind and senses daily, keeping them under control as far as possible." (Huzur Maharaj, Prem Patra Radhasoami, Volume One)

Above -- Letters from the Masters:

Huzur Maharaj (from a collection of extracts

from letters�written by

Param Guru Huzur Maharaj to satsangis)

Ocean (God), Wave (the Living Master/Sant Satguru) and Drop (the Soul)

"The relationship between the Supreme Being, the Guru and the jivas [souls] has been well compared with ocean, its wave and the drop. The Supreme Being is the ocean of all bliss, light, life, sound and truth. The Guru is the wave which is always in union with the ocean and not different from it and the jiva [soul] with the same attributes is a drop far away from the ocean. This contact between the drop and the wave is the true Bhakti [path of love]. Therefore, emphasis has been laid upon establishing contact between the Guru and the disciples at all levels, that is, physical, mental and spiritual. This contact would be developed through the company of the Guru, both external and internal. The external company of the Guru is called the 'external satsang' and the internal company of the Shabd form of the Guru is called the 'internal satsang'. There are four essentials on which this faith bases its tenets:

1. Sat-Guru

2. Sat-Sang

3. Sat-Anurag (True Bhakti)

4. Sat-Naam (the true name, that is, Radhasoami Nam) or Sat-Shabd

"By the Seva [service] and the Satsang [true association] of the Guru the spirit entity would slowly and slowly shake off the coverings [sheaths, subtle bodies] and would be able to catch the Sound Currents and one day reach the Ultimate Abode. The whole process may take a period of four lives which may be shortened in the case of more ardent devotees.

"For the attainment of perfect salvation, the Radhasoami Faith like all other Sant sects, shuns all other paraphernalia and external observances and rituals. It has emphasized upon the pure love in the holy feet of the Supreme Being and the Guru. As such it denounces hatred and discrimination among the human beings. All are the children of one Father and as such there is no place for such a discrimination in point of caste, creed or color and thus cannot check one to adopt this faith. According to the Radhasoami Faith, women are entitled to enjoy the same privileges as men. They also can practice Surat Shabd Yoga and gain high spiritual attainments. The champions of this enlightened faith, advocated in the social set up of the nineteenth century the removal of the purdah system for the ladies and urged them to come out of the narrow social restrictions and respond to the call of the time. Moreover, their preachings strengthened the disintegrating Hindu society by effacing the false barriers of caste prejudices." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

"Great emphasis as been made by the Masters on the generation of love for the Supreme Being, the Supreme Master who is all love. Love is the prime source of boundless energy. Love is bliss, and thus the Supreme Being is Supreme Bliss. Love is Light and Truth and from them emanates intelligence. Thus, the Supreme Being is an infinite Ocean of bliss, intelligence, energy, truth and light. He is eternal and unchangeable, the sole director of the whole creation. Such a Supreme Being is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. He is all-pervading. The entire universe is the creation of His own Current and as such He is present at every stage in the creation." (Agam Prasad Mathur, "Petals of Love")

"The sole purpose of the incarnation of the Supreme Being as Satguru is to redeem the Jivas [souls] from the cycle of chaurasi [the transmigratory cycle of births and deaths], to reveal to them the efficacy of Surat Shabd Yoga and to engender into them the true and sincere love for the Supreme Being." (Agam Prasad Mathur, "Petals of Love")

"Through practicing Surat Shabd Yoga with love and bhakti one is able to attain true salvation. One does not have to forego one's worldly duties for this practice, which can be performed by anyone, whether young or old, male or female. The key ingredients of this faith are love and devotion." (Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love)

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#629

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:28 am
Subject: The Heart of Mysticism -- Light and Sound on the Path

santmat_mystic

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The Heart of Mysticism -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Digest of Recent Sant Mat Satsang Posts and Announcements

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New! Guru Lineage Charts of Sant Mat, Surat Shabd Yoga, Kabir Panth, and Radhasoami Faith -- From Kabir to 2012:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/surat_shabd_yoga_sant_mat.html

An Introduction to Sant Mat:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/santmat.html

Sant Mat Online Library -- Recommended Reading:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

Sant Mat Radhasoami Blog:

http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

Daily Spiritual Quotes:

http://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

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New Podcast -- Spiritual Awakening Radio: Pravesh K. Singh, speaking about Inner Light and Sound Meditation and the Spiritual Masters of India, the Sant Mat tradition (Maharshi Mehi Ashram) �-- Click to Stream or Download MP3:�http://bit.ly/HW5nHf

New Podcast -- Spiritual Awakening Radio: Going Beyond the Universe: Sants, Sufis, and Gnostics -- Eclectic Readings: Sant Namdev, The Upanishads, Rumi, Kabir, Dadu, Maharshi Mehi, Gnostic Gospel of Judas, Kirpal Singh, Gospel of Thomas, Mandaean Gnostic Prayer, Anurag Sagar -- Click to Stream or Download MP3:�http://bit.ly/I2lfr9

New Podcast -- Spiritual Awakening Radio: Pravin K. Shah, a representative of one of the great world religions known as Jainism. He's in charge of the Jain E-Library, and is part of the Vegan Jain movement. This is a great conversation about Jainism and Ahimsa: non-violence in thought, word and deed, including in the area of diet -- Click to Stream or Download MP3:�http://bit.ly/Hp9yIP

Brief Summary of the Teachings of Sant Mat

* All souls (jivas) are in essence drops of love from the Sea of God.

* The attachment and association with mind and body makes the soul lose sight of the real Self.

* God assumes the form of a Saint to lead the soul back to its Original Home.

* One must surrender one's entire being to the Ocean of Love of which we are a part, instead of limiting ourselves to sensual pleasures which leave us unhappy and discontented.

* This can be done by the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga [Inner Light and Sound Meditation].

* By attuning oneself to the Life Current which proceeds from the Heart of Anami Purush [God, The Nameless One/Radhasoami] in the form of Light and Sound, one can finally achieve union with the True Self, finding the joy one is seeking. (R.S. White Paper on Religion of Sants and Radhasoami Faith)

Above: "Tree of Life", by Benny Andersson

Tree of Life

No longer am I

The man I used to be;

For I have plucked the fruit

Of this precious tree of life.

As the river flows down the hills

And becomes one with the sea,

So has this weaver's love flowed

To become one with the Lord of Love.

Go deeper and deeper in meditation

To reach the seabed of consciousness.

Through the blessing of my teacher

I have passed beyond the land of death.

Says Kabir: Listen to me, friends,

And cast away all your doubts.

Make your faith unshakable in the Lord,

And pass beyond the land of death.

-- Guru Kabir, Rendering by Eknath Easwaran

Tulsi Sahib says that "the Saints have explained the secret of Shabad [the Sound Current] in detail in the verses of their banis [hymns, mystic verses or poetry]. A rare person will follow it. Those who follow after it acquiring the understanding, will get merged in Shabad and become one with God." (Ghat Ramayan)

Authenticity

"Learn to offer all your work unto God and grow in humility. Such bands of worshipers are needed for the service of mankind. What is needed is not numbers but 'quality' and 'character' of the workers.

"I want group Satsangs of individuals who become centers of life, the new life of the Spirit and not organization of power which imprisions the fundamental values and stifles the living inspiration." (Kirpal Singh)

Non-Attachment, Even to One's "Own" Spiritual Path

"Aparigraha" is the Eastern concept of non-possessiveness. Non-possessiveness and non-attachment are quite liberating, and to the ears it might sound strange to say this perhaps but, one of the greatest gifts is to be non-attached even to one's "own" spiritual path in order to truly be an authentic devotee of it. It's essentially like saying, 'give up Christianity in order to follow Christ'. There is wisdom in remaining aloof from organizational politics, intrigue in the palace court and institutions in order to be a sincere lover of the Beloved. Good to be on guard about overbearing mental impulses and attachments. No "putting on airs". In simplicity there is genuineness.

The Buddha was once asked: "To what extent can a person be a speaker of the Way?" He answered: "If a person teaches the Way in order to transcend the tyranny of material things and to teach how to transcend feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness�--�teaching non-attachment with regard to these�--�then that person can be called a speaker of the Way. If he is himself trying to transcend the pull of the material world and to feel non-attachment toward it, then it is fitting to say he is living in accordance with the Way. If he is liberated by this transcendence and non-attachment, then you can say he has found Nirvana here and now." (Samyutta Nikaya, a Buddhist Scripture)

"When he first arrived in Hathras, Tulsi Sahib at night slept in the hollow of a banyan tree that was located about a mile out of town. In that spot he also spent much time in meditation."

The Heart of Mysticism, By James Bean

"Whosoever amongst us believes in this auspicious Gospel of Narada and has faith in it, becomes a lover of God, and attains the highest beatitude and goal of life." (Narada Bhakti Sutras, the Book of Love)

Cultivating love is one of the central teachings of mysticism, East and West. In India, masters often use the term "Bhakti," which means love and devotion. Students of spirituality are instructed how to develop love for the Supreme Soul and for all souls. They're taught that approaching spiritual exercises and meditation with an attitude of love will lead to a much more successful spiritual practice. An ascetic attitude of discipline can achieve some results, but love concentrates the mind much more effectively. Love takes the difficulty out of one's practice. Instead of meditation being thought of as a dry "duty" or "chore" to be slogged through, going through the motions, it's transformed into joy, a divine love affair!

"Enchanted Land," a book by David Lane published by the MSAC Philosophy Group, features encounters with several Indian mystics and spiritual masters. I remain in awe of this particular quote from Yogani MataJi, a Radhaswami Guru who now lives in Mumbai. I often use the following quote in my meditation classes, satsang gatherings, online satsangs, and at my network of spiritual social networking sites.

The author asked Mataji: "How can one sit so still, repeat only holy names and think of God constantly?" Mataji serenely replied: "By falling in love, because when one is truly in love nothing but the Beloved can enter one's mind. So the secret of Surat Shabda Yoga and of mysticism 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 [The Teachings of the Masters]."

The reason why love is so effective is, as many saints have revealed, the universe was created by love, is sustained by love, and is returning back to love. Love is the essence of everything including our soul. Our true nature is love. Kirpal Singh, an Indian master popular in the 1960's put it this way, "Love is innate in our souls. God is love and our souls are the drops of the ocean of all Love, which is also love personified." �The great 19th Century mystic Shiv Dayal Singh, the founder of the Radhaswami movement said, "The essence of Spirit (Atma) and God (Paratma) is love (Prem). Bhakti and the Supreme Being are one. A genuine master is the embodiment of love. You are also love in essence, so are all souls." (Sar Bachan Radhaswami Poetry, Volume One)

Spiritual practices like silent meditation can gradually transform the practitioner in profound ways. Meditation is the method used throughout the ages to re-identify with our soul, the spark of love within. Instead of perceiving ourselves as being merely five dollars-worth of chemicals plus H2O, or a collection of neurons firing and molecules, we perceive who we really are: SOUL. This process of self-realization, re-identifying with the love-essence of our soul is viewed as one of the most important steps of our spiritual evolution. "Who we think we are" will determine the course of our lives, both inwardly and outwardly.

Rather orthodox-sounding academic voices sometimes portray our identity as solely materialistic: the "five dollars worth of chemicals and neurons firing."

Other rigid or closed "fundamentalist" belief-systems portray human beings as "ugly sinners" and "ugly saints" perpetually unworthy of partaking of divine mysteries, and that only after death will the meaning of life be revealed? This appears in the context of mysticism to be -- too little -- too late.

Fortunately, other alternatives exist! The approach of the contemplative mystical tradition transcends blind faith in limited belief-systems and encourages individuals to directly verify the existence of the soul, higher spiritual realities and God through personal contact with them. For mystics, the human body is a kind of "laboratory" where spiritual claims can tested and verified for oneself.

My favorite quote from, "The Nag Hammadi Library", is found in, The Book of Thomas the Spiritual Athlete, one of the Gnostic gospels: "Examine yourself that you may understand who you are, in what way you exist, and how you will come to be." How logical! We're advised to examine who we are and how we have come to exist in this body of ours. This admonition implies that human beings have the potential to access to higher intuitions and senses through which we are able to make new spiritual discoveries -- that is, IF we are willing to make use of them.

Contemplatives seek spiritual knowledge through meditation. This focuses all of one's attention upon the soul, that life force which makes us alive. The Eastern and Gnostic way of self-knowledge is one in which the soul increasingly learns of it's true nature. The "drop" seeks to discover the "divine ocean" from whence it came -- the Ocean of God or Ocean of Love. Mystics call this looking within process, "inversion." In this way, souls learn to know themselves as well as to gain perception of the Supreme Being.

To communicate about this soul-God relationship, the enlightened masters and mystics have resorted to various analogies. Yeshua spoke of it in terms of "father and son." Ramakrishna described it as "mother and child." Mira Bai sang of it in terms of "husband and wife." Mystics, Saints, Sufis, and Bhakta-devotees throughout the world depict the relationship of the soul and God as that of "lover and the Beloved", of "bride and bridegroom". As the relationship develops, the lover awakens to his or her Beloved and is transformed into love!

Many mystics have used the language of romance to describe the ineffable joy of divine love and union. The ultimate goal of mysticism is the union of the soul with the oversoul. In, "The Narada Bhakti Sutras", a 12th Century Hindu scripture and manual of Bhakti Yoga, it describes this union as intoxicating. The soul "is completely immersed in the enjoyment of the bliss of the Atman, the truest and highest Self." Meditation and other devotional practices are done with an attitude of sincere love or a strong fervent desire and perseverance to approach the Supreme Being. Love removes all obstacles and forms a direct connection with the Creator.

The medieval Indian mystic Dadu Dayal from Rajasthan composed many odes to this divine state of being: "When the heart merges into the Merciful One, then no difference remains. Like ice dissolved in water, in God is merged the lover. God has become the anguished lover, and the anguished lover has become God."

One of my favorite books of Eastern love poetry is, "Songs of Kabir". The translator, Rabindranath Tagore, was himself a great spiritual poet. Kabir asks: "How could the love between thee and me sever? As the leaf of the lotus abides on the water: so thou art my Lord, and I am thy servant. As the night-bird Chakor gazes all night at the moon: so thou art my Lord and I am thy servant. From the beginning until the ending of time, there is love between thee and me; and how shall such love be extinguished? Kabir says: 'As the river enters into the ocean, so my heart touches thee.'"

Further to the west, the medieval Christian mystics of Europe also used the language of love to describe spiritual union with their heavenly Beloved. The Spanish mystic known as Saint John of the Cross spoke of "the touch of the Beloved as setting the heart on fire with love; as if a spark had fallen upon it." Christian mystics also agreed with their Eastern counterparts that the soul, through mystical union, becomes deified -- becomes divine. Said Saint John of the Cross: "And to make the soul perfect and to raise it above the flesh more and more, He assails it divinely and gloriously, and these assaults are really encounters wherein God penetrates the soul, deifies the very substance of it, and renders it godlike divine." After reaching this exalted state he said, "The soul beholds itself as one immense sea of fire." ("Living Flame")

Another example of love-consciousness or Prem-Bhakti manifesting itself in the west is the 14th Century English mystic Richard Rolle, who said: "Among these delights which he tastes, moreover, he experiences in love so sweet, the secret sent into him from heaven, which no one here knows unless he receives it, and bears within himself the potion which intoxicates lovers rejoicing in Christ. .... The love of God takes up to itself with marvelous rejoicing the soul of the one whom it perfectly penetrates and sets it truly ablaze by the fire of the Holy Spirit, and does not permit it to stray for a moment from the memory of so great a love." ("The Fire of Love") �////////

0 my dear devotee, where are you searching for me? I am already with you.�

I am not�in the places of pilgrimage or in deities, or in an isolated dwelling.�

I am not in the temples and mosques, and I am not in the holy city of Kashi or Mount Kailash.�

I am not in the recitation of prayers or in austerities, or in ritual fasting.�

I do not dwell in rituals or in yoga, or in renunciation.�

I am not in the breath or in the material body, or in the expanse of space.�

I am not in the cave of the trikuti, but I am in the breath of the breath.�

If you search for me you'll find me immediately, even in a moment.�

Kabir says, 'Dear brothers, listen to me! I dwell in your faith.'�

(Kabir Bhajan Amritam, Devotional Bhajans of Satguru Kabir, Jagessar Das, Kabir Association)

Third Eye Sky

The invisible world is contained within the third eye,

So say and describe all souls of inner knowledge.

Behold Brahmand within, through your astral eye;

When that eye is opened, everything stands revealed.

The soul in Sunn will hear resounding peals of Sound,

She will uncover and know the essence of Shabd.

They alone, O Tulsi, will know that perfect state,

Who have seen and experienced it

themselves.

-- Sant Tulsi Sahib, Saint of Hathras, Book of Shabdavali

"Like a dream and a show,

so is this world, you must know.

None of this is true, O Nanak, without God.

Listen, O my friend!

As the bubbles in the water well up

and disappear again,

so is the universe created, says Nanak."

(Adi Granth, Page 633)

Bubble Universes of Pinda Desh (the Multiverse, Physical or Material Plane): "From Sach Khand [the True, Timeless, Spiritual Realm] the whole creation looks like bubbles, forming and disappearing in the Spiritual Ocean." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)

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#630

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:09 pm
Subject: Podcasts of Spiritual Awakening Radio Available

santmat_mystic

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Podcasts of Spiritual Awakening Radio Available for Streaming and Downloading

Podcasts � Spiritual Awakening Radio � Stream or Download:

GO TO:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/current.html

http://hosted.EarthChannel.com/HealthyLife/spa-od.html

* Going Beyond the Universe (Eclectic Readings: Sant Namdev, The Upanishads, Rumi, Kabir, Dadu, Maharshi Mehi, Gnostic�Gospel of Judas, Kirpal Singh, Gospel of Thomas, Mandaean Gnostic Prayer, Anurag Sagar)

* Pravesh K. Singh � Sant Mat Meditation

* Betska K-Burr � The God In Coaching

* Pravin K. Shah, Vegan Jainism

* Teachings of Sree Sree Thakur Anukul Chandra Pt 3

* Teachings of Sree Sree Thakur Anukul Chandra, Pt 2

* The Teachings of Sree Sree Thakur Anukul Chandra, Pt 1

* Andrea Zucchi, Follower of Satguru Sirio Carrapa

* Saeed Fardzadeh on the Mandaean Religion

* Eastern Spiritual Classics and Scriptures

* Ethical Foundation of Inner Light & Sound Masters

* Organic Vegan Way: From Crisis To Peace, PT 2

* Organic Vegan Way: From Crisis To Peace, PT 1

* Audible Life Stream: Ancient Secret of Dying While Living, PT 2

* Audible Life Stream: Ancient Secret of Dying While Living, PT 1

GO TO:

http://www.HealthyLife.net/RadioShow/archiveSPA.htm

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

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#631

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sat May 12, 2012 8:58 pm
Subject: Starve the Ego. Feed the Soul. Explore Inner Space.

santmat_mystic

Send Email

Starve the Ego. Feed the Soul. Explore Inner Space. Change Your World -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat Satsang Discourse

NOTE: As always, to enjoy all the photos, art and icons accompanying the various spiritual quotes below, if you're viewing this via email, click: "Display Images", or "Show Images".

Links Page of All Things Sant Mat, Radhasoami, Much More:

http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship/links

Guru Lineage�Charts�of Sant Mat, Surat Shabd Yoga,

Kabir Panth, and Radhasoami Faith -- From Kabir to 2012:

http://bit.ly/HfDHvu

Sant Mat Online Library -- Recommended Reading:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

Mailing List/Email -- Yahoo Groups:

http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship

Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality:

http://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat.html

Main Sant Mat Radhasoami Blog:

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

Daily Spiritual Quotes -- Social Networking --

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Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts -- Spiritual Awakening Radio

* May 2012 Sant Mat Satsang Podcast: About the Sant Mat Family Tree from the time of Kabir up to the present, based on the New Web Page Featuring Many Guru Lineage Charts of Sant Mat;

* Pravesh K. Singh, speaking about Inner Light and Sound Meditation, Maharshi Mehi, and Other Spiritual Masters in the Sant Mat Tradition;

* The Heart of Mysticism -- Yoga of Love -- on the Bhakti Aspect of Sant Mat;

* Going Beyond the Universe: Eclectic Readings: Sant Namdev, The Upanishads, Rumi, Kabir, Dadu, Maharshi Mehi, Gnostic Gospel of Judas, Kirpal Singh, Gospel of Thomas, Mandaean Gnostic Prayer, Anurag Sagar;

Access the Complete Library of Podcasts Here:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

Jiva-Soul: "Similar to energy, the soul is invisible. An infinite number of souls exist in the universe. In its pure form (a soul without attached karma particles), each soul possesses infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite energy and power, and unobstructed bliss." (from a Jain Sutra)

"Spirituality is very simple indeed. You only take away your attention from the world and instead direct it to God. Spirituality is just as simple as that." (Lars Jensen)

"Only from the heart can you touch the sky." (Rumi)

"Tulsi Sahib says that everything will be seen inside the body. When we concentrate and come behind the eyes [to the Third Eye], the soul will retrace and rise to the higher realms." (Baba Kehar Singh, commentary on the Ghat Ramayan)

The Human Form is Made of Star-stuff

"All embodied spirit-entities living here having left their original home from time immemorial, and having passed through various material spheres in their descent to the corporeal body in the third grand division, have become so firmly attached to their present dwelling, viz., the body and its surroundings in this world, that it is difficult, nay, impossible, for anyone to effect a change in the present condition and abode without the aid and instruction from one (Sant Satguru) who is a resident of that sphere and holds communion with the Supreme Father, because He alone can be expected to know all the secrets of the descent of the spirit current to the lower regions and the means of liberating it from the bondage of matter to enable it to rise and return to its Original Source." (Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash)

From Light to Sound, From Sound to Soundlessness: Inner Sound Meditation Transports the Soul to the Soundless, Nameless State (Anadi, Anami Purush)

67. Although the practice of the Yoga of Vision is more difficult than the Yoga of Sound, nevertheless it is necessary to practice initially the Yoga of Light (Vision) to attain one-pointedness. It is unnecessary to continue practicing the Drshti Yoga (Yoga of inner Light, Vision) once one is steadfast in one-pointedness. In fact it is undesirable as it will require more time and offers a more difficult path than the Surat-Shabda Yoga (Yoga of Sound).

68. Having attained one-pointedness, the consciousness should be focused on the internal Sounds. The consciousness will be drawn toward internal Sounds, and at this time bindu (the point) will be left behind. Owing to the extreme delight experienced when hearing the internal Sounds, the consciousness naturally will be engaged in the internal Sounds. This leaving of the point and grasping of the internal Sound is the meditation process and is highly desirable.

69. It is not possible to attain the Essential Divine Sound exclusively through the Yoga of Light or Vision. Through the Yoga of Vision, one can reach some realm of the Non-Conscious Nature; however, without the meditation of other internal Sounds, the Original Sound is unattainable. By employing the Yoga of Sound, it is possible to reach the Essential Sound. The realms of Non-Conscious Nature to varying degrees obstruct direct knowledge of Divine Sound; nevertheless, the internal Sounds lead the consciousness through the various realms to the Essential Divine Sound. The Original or Primordial Sound was manifested before the creation of the original Non-Conscious Nature. Therefore, the Current of Essential Sound is the Pure Conscious flow.

70. Through constant practice of the Meditation of Sound, the practitioner also experiences the Divine Light. Just as upon attending a concert, one cannot help but notice the beautiful setting, so also the scenes of the Non-Conscious Realms are observed inevitably when engaged in the practice of the Yoga of Sound. Therefore, it is said "Dhvanerantargatam Jyoti" ("the Light is within the Sound"). Not surprisingly, the meditation of Sound can transport the practitioner into the Divine Realm of Light. The Sound, however, is the essence of the practice, and the greatest loss would be in not achieving the Sound.

71. The Essential Divine Sound, the Supra Cosmic Sound, takes its origin from the Supreme Sovereign. It came into existence before the creation of the microcosm and the macrocosm.....

(part of 60.)...... In summary, one grasps the central Sounds of the lower realms and progressively is drawn upward to the Sounds of the higher realms. Ultimately, one reaches the center of the Original Sound, the Essential Divine Sound, and thereafter attains the Ultimate State, Sabdatita [Sabtatit] Pad (the State beyond the Sound). The Yoga of Sound must be practiced in order to attain the Nameless State. This is fully elaborated and described in the Upanishads and literature of the saints. The Yoga of Sound is the only medium to reach this State, no other. The greatest good is in the attainment of the Ultimate State, the Nameless State......

(part of 62.) The practice of being in one-pointedness or attaining the subtlest form is devotion to the Subtle Qualified Manifest Form. The practice of focusing on all other internal sounds except the Essential Divine Sound is devotion to the Subtle Qualified Unmanifest Form of Causal and Supra-Causal form. The meditation on the Essential Divine Sound is devotion to the Unqualified Unmanifest Form. All devotional practices end here. When all devotional practices are completed, then and only then does one reach the Nameless State or the Supreme Sovereign and thus attains Moksha (liberation) or final Peace.

63. As the Sound originates from the Soundless or Nameless State, by grasping the Sound, one is drawn naturally to the Soundless State (the Supreme Sovereign, God). (Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy Of Liberation)

I once gave a tape to a friend containing some of my readings from the poetry of Rumi, Kabir, Dadu, Tukarama, Hafiz, and several other great souls. After listening to this recording they said, "it was as if it is the same voice or person speaking through all these Masters of history" even though they are often separated by many centuries, great distances, and spoke many different languages. I pondered this for awhile and it struck me that she was indeed correct; there really is one voice speaking through all these devotees of Bhakti. Lovers of the Beloved all speak with the same "accent" of love. When we encounter outpourings of the heart of such magnitude, we really are hearing the Voice of the soul in it's blissful communion with the Beloved, the Oversoul.

I know a thousand "Rumis" the world needs to hear, to be soothed by the Voice of the Soul that speaks through them all. Hafiz, Shams of Tabriz, Sarmad, Kabir, Rabia, Mira Bai, Daya Bai, Sahjo Bai, Tukaram, Hazrat Sultan Bahu, Baba Farid, Guru Nanak, Dariya Sahib, Tulsi Sahib, Surdas, Namdev, Ravidas, Paltu, Sant Radhaswami Sahib, Maharshi Mehi, and many more besides, up to the living present -- countless are lovers of the Beloved.

"It does not matter if your bhakti is imperfect. Perform bhakti [love, devotion to spiritual practice]! 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." (Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Poetry, Vol. II)

"Do not feel lonely; the entire universe is inside of you." (Rumi)

We can see less than 1% of the electromagnetic spectrum.

"The Supreme Being has created everything from one drop, out of which have emerged millions of fathomless oceans." (Swami Ji Maharaj)

An Urdu poet has said, "Wherever I look, I find you there. In each and every thing, I see Your Presence." Tulsi Sahib explains: "Guru Nanak Dev Ji says that God permeates everything. He is Omnipresent, but we can not see Him with our physical eyes." Christ also says to open the third eye: "If thine eye be single, thy whole body will be full of Light." (Gospel of John) The center of the two eyes is called shiv netra, tenth gate, third eye, nukta-e-svaida, eye of gaib, divya chakshu, divya drishti, single eye, etc.... (Baba Kehar Singh's commentary and satsangs based upon Tulsi Sahib's Ghat Ramayan, from a section featuring a dialogue between a Nanak Panthi by the name of Palak Ram and Sant Tulsi)

"My eyes got fixed at the central point between the two eyebrows [third eye center]. The Light of God appears within and darkness of the night vanishes. The Sun, with its extraordinary rays, ascends with so many sparkles. Consciousness finally gets immersed in the Quintessential Sound. Baba Sahib tells Mehi to remain absorbed day and night in such applications." �(Maharshi Mehi)

Chakras, Subtle Bodies, Inner Regions -- The World of 'Within'

Different Chakras and/or Levels in Our Body and Universe/Creation according to Santmat based on the teacings of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans and Maharshi Santsevi Paramhans:

-Pravesh K Singh

1. Pind or Micro-Cosmos:

i) Mooladhar or Root Chakra

ii) Swadhishthan or Sacral Chakra

iii) Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus)

iv) Anahat or Heart Chakra

v) Vishuddha or Throat Chakra

2. Junction/Confluence of Pind (Micro-Cosmos) and Brahmand (Macro-Cosmos):

Ajna Chakra/ Third Eye/ Tenth Door/ Sushumna/Lamp of Body/Sixth Chakra/Yoga Hriday (Yogic Heart)/Shahrag of Sufis

3. Brahmand (Macro-Cosmos):

i) Sahasrar Chakra or Jyoti Niranjan or Region of Thousand Petalled Lotus (Here Moon is sighted within by the one who meditates) - Malkoot of Sufis

ii) Trikuti (Here Sun is seen) or Maya Brahma - Zabroot of Sufis

iii) Shunya or Void - Lahoot of the Sufis

iii) Mahashunya or Greater Void, Raram Brahma - Hahoot of the Sufis

iv) Bhanwar Gufa or Spiralling/ Whirling Cave, Mahakaran or Supra-Causal Region or Soham Brahma (This is the realm of equilibrial Nature having all the three attributes namely, Sat, Raj and Tam in perfect mutual balance or equilibrium and as such no creation takes place here) - Hootal Hoot of the Sufis

v) Chetan/Kaivalya/Nirgun Mandal or the Realm of Pure Consciousness, Primordial or Quintessential Word/Sound/Vibration, Sat Shabda, Hiranyagarbha, Samashti Praan, Akshar Purush or Para Prakriti (Conscious Nature - all the above-mentioned four spheres or regions are called Apara Prakriti or Non-Conscious Nature) - Hoot of Sufis

vi) Kaivalyateet (Beyond Kaivalya) or Shabdateet (Beyond Sound or Soundless) or Turiyateet (Beyond Turiya - Regions spanning from Ajna Chakra or Third Eye to the Kaivalya Mandal or Region of Pure Consciousness are collectively called Turiya State) Region or Param Nirvaan Pad (State of Absolute Salvation) - this is the state or Realm of God in His purest state. It is here that the complete merger or unification of the atma (Soul or Spirit) and the parmatma (the Supreme Soul or the God) takes place and the absolute freedom is verily effected.

This region has also been sub-divided into Alakh (Invisible), Agam (Unintelligible) and Anami (Nameless) realms by some.

Seeing Without Eyes -- Hearing Without Ears -- Walking Without Feet

Kabir says, "It is the mercy of my Satguru that has made me to know the unknown. I have learned from Him how to walk without feet, to see without eyes, to hear without ears, to drink without mouth, to fly without wings. I have brought my love and my meditation into the land where there is no sun and moon, nor day and night. Without eating, I have tasted of the sweetness of nectar; and without water, I have quenched my thirst. Where there is the response of delight, there is the fullness of joy. Before whom can that joy be uttered? Kabir says: 'The Guru is great beyond words, and great is the good fortune of the disciple.'" (Songs of Kabir, satgur soi daya kar dinha)

"Seeing without eyes

Hearing without ears

Walking without feet

Working without hands

Uttering His Name without tongue

And dying while living

Is accepting His Will."

-- Guru Angad

The Master said,

"I will give you

what no eye has seen,

what no ear has heard,

what no hand has touched,

and what has never occurred

to the human mind."

(Coptic Gospel of Thomas, 17)

Quran: "I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has ever seen, of which no ear has ever heard, and of which has never occurred to the heart of man."

"O devotee! There is a wonderful display within this body. In the darkness of this body is the sky studded with the stars, the Moon and the Sun. There is the subtle body within the physical one and in that subtle body is the causal one. And yet there is the fourth one, that is, the supra-causal body. The fifth body, that is, Kaivalya (Oneness) is without attributes and full of knowledge. Mehi says, the Quintessential Word along with the Absolute, is present within one's body." (Padavali of Maharshi Mehi)

From a prayer found in the Mandaean scriptures of Iraq: "Thou hast showed us that which the eye has not seen, and caused us to hear that which the human ear has not heard. Thou has freed us from death and united us with Life, released us from darkness, and united us with Light��. Thou hast shown us that which the eye has not seen, and caused us to hear that which the human ear has not heard." (Canonical Prayer Book of the Mandaeans, E.S. Drower)

The Divine Eye According to the Buddha

"With the Divine Eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, a bhikkhu surveys a thousand worlds. Just as a man with good sight when he has ascended to the upper palace chamber, might survey a thousand wheel-rims, so too, with the Divine Eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, a bhikkhu surveys a thousand worlds."

The Divine Ear According to the Buddha

"I have proclaimed to my disciples the way whereby with the Divine Ear element, which is purified and surpasses the human, they hear both kinds of sounds, the divine and the human, those that are far as well as near. Just as a vigorous trumpeter might make himself heard without difficulty in the four quarters; so too, I have proclaimed to my disciples the way whereby with the Divine Ear element�.far as well as near. And thereby many disciples of mine abide having reached the consummation and Perfection of Direct Knowledge." (The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha -- A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, Teachings of the Buddha, translated by Bhakkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi, Wisdom Publications)

Kabir:

"May I see You with my eyes,

hear Your Sound

with my own ears.

Speak Your Name

in my own words, O Lord;

rest Your flower-like feet

on my heart."

(Songs of Kabir From the Adi Granth,

translated by Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)

The Practice of Meditation in Sant Mat is taught by a living Master at the time of Initiation

Sant Tulsi Sahab: Unravel the Fourteen Inner Levels Within You�

English rendering of Hindi translation, by Maharshi Santsewi ji Paramhans, of a verse composed by Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras, founder of Modern Lineage of Santmat, excerpted from the October 2004 edition of the Hindi Monthly "Shanti Sandesh" (Message of Peace) published by Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Kuppa Ghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India - 812003.

- English Translation by Pravesh K. Singh:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati

Once a Muslim gentleman, named Taki, called on Sant Tulsi Sahab. He submitted to his (Tulsi Sahab's) kind attention, "You are the Guru to Hindus and Pir to Muslims. I have come to you to learn some divine secrets from you. It would be a great favor, if you could enlighten me." Sant Tulsi Sahab said, "Ask! What's it you wish to know?" Taki asked, "Where does Khuda [God] live? What is the way to find Him?" What Sant Tulsi Sahab said in reply in verse form is presented below:

Original Verse:

"Sun ay Taki na jaaio jinahaar dekhanaa | Apane mein aap jalawaye diladaar dekhanaa || Putalee mein til hai til mein bharaa raaj kul kaa kul | Is paradaye siyah ke jaraa paar dekhanaa || Chaudah tabak kaa haal ayaan ho tujhe zaroor | Gaafil na ho khayaal se hushiyaar dekhana || Sun laamakaan pay panhuch ke teree pukaar hai | Hai aa rahee sadaa se sadaa yaar dekhanaa || Milanaa to yaar kaa naheen mushkil magar Taki | Dushawaar to ye hai ki dushawaar dekhanaa || Tulsi binaa karam kisee murshad raseedaa ke | Raahe nizaat door hai us paar dekhanaa" ||

Translation:

O Taki! Listen! Never look or search outside to find God | He is within you; behold His Light which is illuminating your inside (the Inner Sky) ||

All the secrets of God�Realization are hidden inside the black 'til' (Point) that is located within your pupils |However, those secrets will be revealed to you only if you learnt to see beyond the dark curtain (that is, beyond the empire of darkness that is seen on closing our eyes) ||

Rigorous practice of inner meditation would unravel the fourteen levels (including the seven levels of 'pind' or body and the seven levels of 'brahmaand' or the macro-cosmos (namely, ajnaa chakra, sahasradal kamal, shoonya, maha-shoonya, bhanwar gufaa, and sat lok) | But for that to happen, you will have to alert focus your attention at the place prescribed by the Guru ||

On reaching into the 'shoonya' or void, you would listen to the Sound or Word� | ...The sound (primeval or Quintessential Sound) through which God has been calling you right since you separated from Him ||

It is not difficult to find the dearest (God), but O Taki...|

...it is difficult to look beyond that difficult curtain of darkness ||

Tulsi Sahab says, but for the merciful grace of an accomplished Guru... |

It is almost impossible to find the way out beyond the three coverings or veils of darkness, Light and Sound, and to meet the Supreme Lord! ||

"The escape is through the Sound Current." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)

A Hopi Prayer (Native American)

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there

I do not sleep.

I am the soft stars that shine at night

I am the thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in a circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry:

I am not there.

I did not die.

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#632

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Jun 3, 2012 12:27 am
Subject: Philosophy of Liberation -- Light and Sound on the Path

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Philosophy of Liberation -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat Satsang Quotes, Discourses, Podcasts, and Online Books -- Words of Light and Love for the Spiritual Journey

NOTE: As always, to enjoy all the photos, art and icons accompanying the various spiritual quotes below, if you're viewing this via email, click: "Display Images", or "Show Images".

Announcements

New Book Online

New Sant Mat Book Online: Philosophy Of Liberation (Moksha-Darshan): A Manuel of Sant Mat Mysticism, by Maharishi Mehi -- The Goals and Practices of the Sant Tradition of India -- Translation by Veena Howard -- PDF File:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Philosophy_Of_Liberation_Sant_Mat.pdf

For Links To Many More Books Online, See the Sant Mat Library:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts -- Spiritual Awakening Radio

* PODCAST: Leaving the Matrix -- Mystic Poetry of the Sants with Sitar, Flutes, Tablas, and Tambura --Mysteries of Inner Light and Sound -- Click to Stream or Download: �http://bit.ly/L0yxXI

* PODCAST: The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India -- These poetry readings, based on translations of Tulsi's poems from Agra, Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Pravesh K. Singh, and the SadGuruMehi website, are musically accompanied with Indian classical ragas -- Click to Stream or Download: �http://bit.ly/JCAP1q

More Recent Podcasts Include:

* Interview with Pravesh K. Singh on Teachings of Maharshi Mehi;

* The Sant Mat Family Tree -- New Guru Lineage Charts of Sant Mat;

* The Heart of Mysticism -- on the Bhakti Element of the Sants of India;

*Going Beyond the Universe: Eclectic Readings from Sants and Gnostics;

Access the Complete Library of Podcasts Here:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

"Contrary to what they tell you... you are not a limited material being". (Amit Goswami)

"Without love,

all worship is a burden,

all dancing is a chore,

all music is mere noise.

All the rain of heaven may fall into the sea.

Without love,

not one drop could become a pearl."

-- Rumi

"Sublime is the Satguru and the Society of Saints, meeting and associating with whom, God is meditated upon." (Adi Granth)

"The place where people are always talking about the secrets of the path of Surat Shabd Yoga, is true Satsang." (Huzur Maharaj)

"Yesterday I was clever,

So I wanted to change the world.

Today I am wise,

So I am changing myself..."

-- Rumi

(From my website)

�

Book Review: Philosophy of Liberation

by James Bean

Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha-Darshan)

By Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj

Translated by Veena Howard

Published by the Sant Mat Society of North America

(This book is now online as a PDF File. See link at the top of the page.)

This is the first book in English featuring the teachings of Maharshi Mehi, in the lineage of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib, the famous Saint of Hathras, India. The lineage began with Tulsi. After him were several Gurus, including Baba Devi Sahib. Mehi was the chief disciple and spiritual successor of Baba Devi Sahab. Veena Howard, who was initiated into meditation practice by Mehi, tells me that more writings from this lineage of Masters will soon be published and made available to spiritual seekers in the West. She sometimes gives public talks with an inter-faith perspective, mentioning the parallels between Sant Mat teachings and the mystic schools in the other world religions. Veena is also aware of other Sant Mat and Radhasoami lineages of Masters and seeks to cultivate friendly relations with one and all. I notice the book quotes Soami Ji Maharaj (Shiv Dayal Singh) several times, respectfully referring to him as "Sant Radhaswami Sahib."

Philosophy of Liberation is a intriguing book, providing some surprisingly technical details on the Yoga of Sound -- Surat Shabd Yoga Meditation ("Nadanu Sandhana"), as well as the Yoga of Light, referred to in their terminology as "Drshti Yoga", Yoga of Vision). The book is a bit more Upanishadic than I would have expected, rich with quotes from Hindu scriptures as well as the Sants of India, including from the Ghat Ramayana of Tulsi Sahib. Anyone interested in developing their own successful daily meditation practice will greatly benefit from the wisdom and depth of, "Philosophy of Liberation", as it systematically covers all aspects of the philosophy of the path and the technical details of spiritual practice rarely ever seen in print from any source outside of India. It is not light reading, and that is precisely what I like about it! It is quite literally,�THE MANUAL of Sant Mat�-- one of the best books ever written about Sant Mat Mysticism.�

From the Book.....

One Should Practice Meditation Regularly and Daily

52. To move spiritually upward within one's self, through and beyond the realms, is to progress towards union with the Supreme Sovereign. This practice is devotion to the Supreme Sovereign and is unfailing. This spiritual practice is for attaining the perfect Knowledge of the Self and is also called the Antarik Satsanga (inner effort to meet the Supreme Sovereign).

53. Listening to and study of the discourses on this sacred knowledge is an important step in the Sant Mat tradition. Listening to satsang (spiritual discourses) is prescribed as an essential activity.

54. The personal and private instruction in the art of this spiritual practice should be received from a Satguru (an accomplished spiritual master). Once the technique has been learned, one should practice it regularly and daily according to the instructions given by the master.

55. The transition from the waking state to the dreaming state is automatic and results in mental cares being left with an ensuing sense of relaxation. Similarly, in concentrating the mind and positioning it toward one-pointedness (intense internal transition), mental cares are left behind and a sense of ease pervades.

Concerning this, Kabir Sahab said:

"Hai kucha rahani gahani ki Bata,

Baitha rahe cala puni jata."

"There is something mysterious in such

activity in that in sitting, one walks."

Sant Radhaswami Sahab said:

"Baithe ne rasta kata, calate ne bata na pai"

"He who sat finished the journey; he

who walked could not find the way."

(Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy of Liberation)

Brahmamuhurta - The Best Time For Meditation

In conversation with Swarmiji, he suddenly bursts out enthusiastically with "Brahmamuhurta!" This, I learn, is the time between 3.00 AM and 6.00 AM known as the most favourable time for Sadhana (one's spiritual practices). During Brahmamuhurta, so called as it is considered the most auspicious time for meditating on Brahman (God), the mind is calm and less engaged with worldly thoughts, worries and anxieties. Also the atmospheric energy during this time is more charged with sattva (purity), increasing the likelihood one's practice will go deeper, with the corresponding health and well-being benefits. (From: Glimpses Into Sant Mat Ashram Life: Rishikesh, Sanctuary of Sadhus, Sages and the Occasional Enlightened Master)

"Begin meditation with internally chanting or repeating the Guru-mantra-incantation. And then try to visualize the radiant form or image of the Satguru in the still darkness of the inner sky (with eyes closed).�

"Follow that with focusing your attention at the seat of the soul within, i.e. at the Third Eye or the Inner Eye, by making the two streams of consciousness in your two eyes converge in a Point.�

"When the two currents of consciousness meet in a Point, Divine Light appears within.�

"Then, practice Surat Shabd Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound) i.e., try to shift your attention to listening to the Divine Sounds or myriads of melodies (Anahad Naad) ringing inside. Listening to the Divine Sound destroys all the perversions, agitations and fickleness of the mind.

"Ascending beyond or transcending myriads of sounds, try to identify and tune in to the Quintessential Unstruck Melody, called 'Saar Shabd' or 'Anaahat Naad' which alone is capable of taking you and merging you into oneness with the Supreme Lord; this is the ultimate deliverance, emancipation or liberation." (Couplets of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

"The Original Divine Sound, which originated from the Supreme Sovereign, continuously without break reverberates throughout the hearts of the entire macrocosm and microcosm. The Sound will inherently go on for the duration of creation because the evolution of creation depends upon the existence of Sound. Should the Sound cease so would creation." (Maharshi Mehi)

Kabir,

Ram [God] is a beautiful spreading tree;

its fruit is renunciation.

The sage, who has overcome all worries,

is the shade.

Kabir,

plant the seed

that will bear fruit

twelve months a year.

This tree's shade will be cool;

it will burgeon with fruit;

and in it birds will play.

Kabir,

the Giver is a tree,

mercy its fruit,

which blesses all.

When the birds fly away from it,

they say,

"O Tree, may Your Fruit

be ever sweet."

(Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth,

Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)

Ethics and Ahimsa Values

From the Principals of Kabir (and Kabir Panth) Published in the Ahmad Shah Translation of, The Bijak of Kabir

To believe in One Avagat, Satya Purush [One God]. His bhakti should be practiced.

Have faith in the Guru and in his teaching.

True Sadhus should be served.

Show mercy and love towards all Jivas [souls].

To abstain from all kinds of meats.

To abstain from all kinds of intoxicating things.

To abstain from adultery.

No visible object in this world should be worshipped.

Anything offered to images should not be eaten. Everything you get to eat, offer it first to the true God, then eat it.

Do not tell lies.

Do not steal.

Do not gamble.

Do not curse anyone.

Repeat Satya Nam.

Practice bhakti of Satya Purush and preach him.

Do not believe in charms, amulets and other superstitious things (Jantr, Mantr, and Tantras).

Hindus, Muslims and any other sect can join Kabir's religion.

Without the knowledge of Sar Shabd no one can attain salvation.

Abuse, deceit and jealousy are enemies of jiva mukti (salvation, liberation).

Humility is a great virtue.

Whatever troubles you have to face do not ask help from another god, but from God.

Give thanks for the gift of Sat Guru.

Without true love of God the practice of bhakti is fruitless.

To read Sat Guru's words is a great virtue.

One should know the Supreme Spirit.

Living A Spiritual Life This Time Through

"Do the repetition of God [simran of God's Name] and forget Him not. Fulfill the purpose of thy birth by practicing 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." (Sant Dadu Dayal)

"When a Master initiates a soul he brings to that soul, at that moment, the ability to become conscious of this Sound Current. During all the millions of years we have been wandering around, lost and blind, we have forgotten our true selves and our Maker; we have lost the way (the Sound Current). Now it will be different. We are to meet our Creator through the Sound Current, which keeps creation in being." ("Encyclopaedia of Saints of India, Volume 19: Radhasoami", By Dr. S.R. Bakshi and Dr. Sangh Mittra)

Sitting at the Feet of Sages

Kabir,

you will befriend sages

if that's your fate.

You will receive the fruit of salvation

and there will be no hindrance

on the high and hazardous road.

Kabir,

even if for a minute,

half a minute,

a quarter of a minute,

you talk with sages --

it is all profit.

(Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth,

Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)

It's wood, my friend, nothing but wood.

Take a look, it's all a show of wood.

When you left the womb and entered the world,

The cradle that rocked you was made of wood.

By the time that you reached the age of five,

The toy in your hand was made of wood.

It's wood, my friend, nothing but wood.

Take a look, it's all a show of wood.

By the time you reached the age of twenty,

Your only worry was getting married.

The wedding palanquin was tulasi wood.

By the time you reached the age of forty,

Your only worry was getting old.

By the time you reached the age of sixty,

The cane in your hand was made of wood.

By the time you reached the age of eighty,

Your only worry was leaving this life.

When the men arrived to lift up the stretcher,

The funeral carriage was made of wood.

When they gave you a bath in Ganges' water

And brought your body to the Yamuna's bank,

They put wood below and wood above.

The pyre they built was made of wood.

It burned like the fires that light up Holi,

As they broke your skull with a pole of wood.

Says Kabir: Listen, brother sadhu.

All this play is a show of wood.

It's wood, my friend, nothing but wood.

Take a look, it's all a show of wood.

-- Kabir Poem ("He lakari tu ban lakari"),

Translated by Professor David Lorenzen in,

Praises to a Formless God, SUNY Press, NY

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#633

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:31 pm
Subject: Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality -- Light and Sound

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Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality -- Light and Sound on the Path

NOTE: As always, to enjoy all the photos, art and icons accompanying the various spiritual quotes below, if you're viewing this via email, click: "Display Images", or "Show Images".

Contents Below -- In This Issue

Newly Added Sant Mat E-Books and Podcasts;

Mystic Poetry: Tulsi Sahib's Ode to His Satguru and the Mysteries Within;

A Summary of the Teachings of Sant Mat;

The Seven Teachings of Sant Mat;

The Seven Principles of Sant Mat;

The Ethical Foundation of Sant Mat, Including the Five Precepts and Ahimsa-based Diet -- Moral Requirements for Initiation;

On Initiation Into Inner Light and Sound Meditation Practice;

Article: Changing Your Destiny By Contemplating the Divine Light Within;

Some Sant Mat History and Research: On the Origins and Usage of the Term "Sant Mat", especially by Tulsi Sahib.

Also: who was Tulsi Sahib's Guru? One Observation based on a passage in the Ghat Ramayan.

And......

(Links to Sant Mat Blogs, Web Pages, and Daily Spiritual Quotes via Social Networking Sites are Listed at the Bottom.)

Above: Swami Ji Maharaj of Agra

Newly Added Sant Mat Books Online

* Soami Ji Maharaj's Letters To Huzur Maharaj;

* Elucidation on the Jap Ji: Soami Ji Maharaj's Commentary on Guru Nanak's Morning Prayer;

* Last Words of Soami Ji Maharaj;

* Philosophy Of Liberation (Salvation, Moksha-Darshan): A Manuel of Sant Mat Mysticism, by Maharishi Mehi -- The Goals and Practices of the Sant Tradition, the Veena Howard Translation;

* The Teachings of Kirpal Singh -- A Complete Set of Five Books Combined Into One Volume: Book One: The Holy Path; Book Two: Self-Introspection; Book Three: Meditation; Book Four: New Life in the World; and, Book Five: The New Life in God.(Published By Ruhani Satsang);

* Light On Ananda Yoga, By Shiv Brat Lal (Data Dayal);

* Various Translations of, Radhasoami Mat Prakash, by Huzur Maharaj;

+++ To Access These and Many Other Online Books, GO TO the Sant Mat Library:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

Pictured Above: Sant Tulsi Sahib, and Baba Girdhari Sahib

during his younger days (shown holding a fan)

Podcasts Related To Sant Mat and Satsang You Can Stream Or Download

* There is No 'Vatican' of the Spirit -- A Reflection on the Impermanence of Spiritual Movements in a World of Samsara (Changes) -- The World Needs More Satsangs -- On the Format of Satsangs;

* Visions of Allah -- Rumi, Sufi Poetry and Mysticism;

* Leaving the Matrix -- Mysteries of Inner Light and Sound;

* Poetry and the Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras;

* Sant Mat Satsang Podcast: The Sant Mat Family Tree: Guru Lineage Charts of Sant Mat, from the Time of Kabir Through 2012;

* Pravesh K. Singh, speaking about Inner Light and Sound Meditation and the Spiritual Masters of India;

+++ To Hear These and Many Other Podcasts, Go To the Archive Page:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

One of Several Tulsi Sahib Icons

The Goal of the Practice of Surat Shabd Yoga (Inner Sound Meditation): "Upon merging the mind with the Sound, there remains only the consciousness, free of the association with the mind. The consciousness free of the mind will be drawn to the flow of Sounds, ultimately merging in Soundlessness or the Supreme Sovereign God [Anadi, Anami]." (Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy of Liberation)

"The Divine Sound is the Original Unspoken Word-Sound of the beginning. It is the special Name of the Supreme Sovereign. This Name makes apparent Its reality to the person who perceives it. By this Divine Sound the direct knowledge of the Essential existence of the Supreme Sovereign may be attained."(Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy of Liberation)

"In all higher regions, Heaven's Music is the spiritual food." ("The Way Out is IN", by Swami Ram Bihari Lal)

Tulsi Sahib's Ode to His Satguru and the Mysteries Within

"How can I describe the greatness of my Satguru?

He has given my soul the key to the Inaccessible.

The vision of the Invisible has enchanted my soul,

Through the grace of the Saints I have recognized the Master.

Piercing the granite wall, (1) my soul enjoys bliss divine;

Intoxicated with joy, I dwell forever at his lotus feet.

The indigent Tulsi knows naught else,

In the thought of his Master, he remains absorbed.

My Satguru has given to me knowledge of the self;

Time and again my soul ascends to celestial regions.

Traversing the regions within, I beheld the

Cosmos; (2)

The beginning and the end of Time stand revealed to me.

The beginning and the end of creation that he sees within,

Verily, of that experience does Tulsi give a description.

The Universe is contained within the human frame,

Tulsi has himself seen what to others is beyond reach.

Not only the macrocosm within the microcosm did I behold,

But, piercing the veil, I also perceived the One pervading all.

Within the body, Tulsi has seen the Invisible Being;

Knowing the unfathomable One, he narrates the wondrous tale.

The Universe is contained within the human body,

Tulsi has revealed this truth to all seekers.

Within my own body have I seen the universe;

In the Light of the lotus feet of my Master,

I have bathed in the true Prayag. (3)

Only a rare one, who has known the Primordial, will bear me out;

One who has tasted the Divine Nectar within,

Will alone know the effulgence of the Supreme Lord.

-- Param Sant Tulsi Saheb, Ghat Ramayan

(1): Seeing within via the Third Eye, Singleness of Vision

(2): Pinda/Material Universe, Anand/Astral Plane, and Bramanand/Causal

(3): The place where the three mystical rivers meet: Ganga, Jamuna and the Saraswati. Tulsi Sahib here esoterically is referring to the inner region known as Triveni.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TEACHINGS OF SANT MAT, THE PATH OF THE MASTERS

* All souls (jivas) are in essence drops of love from the Ocean of God.

* The attachment and association with mind and body makes the soul lose sight of the real Self.

* God assumes the form of a Saint to lead the soul back to its Original Home.

* One must surrender one's entire being to the Ocean of Love of which we are a part, instead of limiting ourselves to sensual pleasures which leave us unhappy and discontented.

* This can be done by the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga [Inner Light and Sound Meditation].

* By attuning oneself to the Life Current which proceeds from the Heart of Anami Purush [God, The Nameless One] in the form of Light and Sound, one can finally achieve union with the True Self, finding the joy one is seeking. (R.S. White Paper on Religion of Sants and Radhasoami Faith, Agra)

SEVEN TEACHINGS OF SANT MAT

1) God is Real.

2) God is Love, the Ocean of Love and Compassion.

3) All of the world scriptures teach about the same manifestation of God as inner mystical Light and Sound.

4) Our true identity is soul, the Self. Soul is part of God and therefore is, like God, pure love.

5) During this human existence we have an opportunity to experience God.

6) As we experience communing with God's love during meditation -- Surat Shabd Yoga, we can rise above body-consciousness and explore Inner Space, the "Kingdom of the Heavens" that are within us. "We travel back from the realm of Darkness to the realm of Light, from the Light to divine Sound, and from the realm of Sound to the Soundless State [Anami, Radhaswami, Anadi Purush, Ram, the Formless God]." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj) The drop merges back into the Ocean of Love.

7) As we get initiated into the Mysteries of the Spirit by a Living Teacher (Master, Sant Satguru), the purpose of our life is fulfilled. Reuniting with God is our reason to be here: "It was for the sake of the God-conscious beings that our True Lord created this earth, and began this play of death and birth". (Adi Granth) Kabir says: "For millions of years you have slept. This morning, will you not wake?".

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF SANT MAT

The Following Principles Below are Recited Daily by Some in India.

1. Ultimate Reality is beyond any beginning or end, infinite, beyond birth, beyond the senses, all-pervading yet even beyond pervasiveness. It must, therefore, be understood as the Supreme Being. This Essential Element is known in Santmat [the Teachings of the Saints] as the Lord of All and is the foundation of all things. This Being is beyond both the inanimate and animate aspects of nature. It is without qualities and beyond qualities. Its nature is infinite, imperishable, all-powerful. It is beyond time and space, beyond sound and beyond form -- Nirguna). It is the One without a second. The Supreme Being is beyond the scope of the mind, the intellect and the senses. This entire universe is powered by the energy of this Being. This Being is not human. It is not manifested in physical form. It has existence beyond the illusion of maya [illusion], and there is nothing that exists outside of it. It is the Being which is eternal and is in existence from the beginning. Santmat considers this Being to be the Divine Reality, and this [knowing or merging with] this Being is the goal of all spirituality.

2. The individual soul is an inseparable part of the Supreme Being.

3. The physical world of nature was created. It has an origin and an end.

4. The individual soul (jiva), bound by illusion (maya), remains in the cycle of death and birth. This is the cause of one's suffering. In order to escape from this cycle of death and birth we must experience realization of this Supreme Being.

5. By practicing devotion through these four techniques -- Manas Japa (Simran, recitation of the divine name), Manas Dhyana (Dhyan, focus on the divine form), Dristi Sadhana (Yoga of Inner Light, Inner Seeing, Inner Light Meditation, focus on the Infinitesimal Point), and Nadanusandhana Yoga (Surat Shabd Yoga, concentration on the inner divine Sounds) -- the practitioner consecutively transcends the realms of darkness, Light, and Sound which cloak the Supreme Truth -- the Divine Reality. Only in a human body an individual soul is able to achieve unity with the Divine. [In other forms of existence, animal, etc..., it is not possible to tread the spiritual path.]

6. Lying, stealing, intake of intoxicating substances, adultery, and violence (including harming other beings) are the five sins to be avoided. Eating meat or fish is also considered to be a form of violence and should be avoided. The aspirants of Santmat must abstain from these vices.*

(*Note: In Buddhism these five abstinences are known as the Panch Shila (the Five Precepts -- see below).

7. The following are considered to be the requirements for the attainment liberation: (A) Trust and belief in God; (B) Commitment to seek God within; (C) Devotion and service to a satguru -- spiritual Master; (D) Satsang, listening to the teaching and spiritual discourse including study of the Teaching of the Saints and the scriptures; and (E) Dhyana, diligent meditation practice. (Maharshi Mehi, from, The Padavali of Maharshi Mehi, also quoted in the book, Harmony of All Religions)

THE ETHICAL FOUNDATION OF SANT MAT -- AHIMSA VALUES -- THE FIVE PRECEPTS

(Note: This includes both vegan and lacto-vegetarian versions of the ahimsa diet. What is vegan, and why is the vegetarian community transitioning to it? At the Sant Mat Library -- linked above -- scroll down and see: "Vegan Diet and Sant Mat: The Book of Compassion -- Reverence For All Life".)

Moral requirements for Initiation

1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs (intoxicants);

2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including in the area of diet, as in following a vegan (abstinence from animal products) or vegetarian diet (abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs);

3. Leading a truthful life;

4. Practicing non-stealing: an honest, ethical source of income;

5. Loyalty to ones spouse;

Another Version of the Five Precepts

2) Refrain from speaking what is not true.

3) Refrain from taking what is not yours.

4) Refrain from sexual misconduct.

5) Refrain from using intoxicants.

INITIATION INTO SURAT SHABD YOGA -- INNER LIGHT AND SOUND MEDITATION

In the Sant tradition, the complete methods and secrets of meditation practice are communicated at the time of Initiation (Diksha) by a living Master (Sant Satguru, Competent, Qualified Teacher) or a representative of a Master. A Living Teacher, being fully acquainted with the 'landscape' of Inner Space, is able to impart to initiate-candidates valuable guidance on how to safely make the journey of ascension through the Inner Regions during meditation practice within. This kind of spiritual transmission and the details of Surat Shabd Yoga practice are not found in books, old scriptures of the past, and are not for sale, but are given freely to seekers by a Living Teacher. Initiation into Sant Mat Meditation is available at various locations around the world.

At the time of Initiation one vows to practice meditation each day. The spiritual path is a life-long commitment.

Changing Your Destiny By Contemplating the Divine Light Within -- Exploring the World Religions

By James Bean

Accumulated Thoughts Cause Births and Deaths Again and Again

"With our thoughts we make the world." (Buddha)

"Having been blessed with this human form, one must make proper use of their 'Pradhan Buddhi' or Supreme intellect by utilizing it for the attainment of Self-Realization and thus make fruitful or productive this human birth." (The Shri Paramhans Advait Mat Granth)

"Desire for anything assumes the form of a thought. The moment a desire to attain something or the other, arises in the mind, that very moment, man is thrown into an ocean of thoughts. These very thoughts become the basis of resolutions and options which cause one to enter into different forms after death [transmigration, reincarnation]. Whatever the nature of thought at the time of death is determines the next form or birth for that soul.

"All the doubts and desires should be made to merge with the Shabd Naam or Word [the Divine Current of Light and Sound], to get rid of the consequences of innumerable births and transmigration. Except for the desire to recite Naam, no other desire should take hold of the mind...... By remembering the Lord, one attains God-realization and when this stage is reached, then there is no need to resort to any other means of attaining moksha (liberation)." (The Shri Paramhans Advait Mat Granth)

"Whatever man thinketh, that he obtaineth. If he were to dwell on the Absolute -- he would become immortal!" (Namdev)

Below is from, Harmony of All Religions. It's a free online book in the Library Section of my website.

Below contains a very useful presentation about successful meditation practice. It's so easy to fall asleep during meditation, to discover our attempt at meditation turning into a 'sleep-itation'. The focus can also be lost as the mind resumes thinking during that period we call meditation, gets caught up in daydreaming, fantasies, remembering past events, worries, planning for future events, etc.... We can hear our thoughts so well in the silence. The running commentary of the "monkey-mind" is like a sportscaster constantly giving us the play-by-play and never wants to stop. Discipline is most definitely required, along with good techniques, spiritual exercises that are effective.

Below, Sant Sevi Ji uses the term "Pratyahara", meaning, "the repeated practice of bringing the wandering mind to a focus", bringing our attention back to the Seat of the Soul, Third Eye Center. We sit ourselves down and focus at the Third Eye with eyes closed. That shifting from the outer waking state to the meditative state, in this particular Sant tradition of mysticism from India, is called pratyahara. "Dharana" is a term for the "sustaining of focus for small periods" of time -- quality meditation time, in other words. I am so glad someone has identified terms for these meditative states so that we may better communicate and examine the quality of our own meditations, and seek to develop a stronger, more sustained, focus within.

For those of you who are new to meditation practice, I should mention that at the beginning of one's meditation each day, to help overcome the running commentary of the mind, one can mentally repeat a sacred name or names of God within ones self as one gazes into the darkness ahead with eyes closed. This mental repetition is called "Manas Jap". Sufis call it "Zikhr". Others may call it "Simran", which is a term that also means, "Remembrance". It is, in other words, the repetition of this sacred name is a way to remember who we are, and call upon the Positive Power for aid and assistance. It is the "Prayer of God's Name". The answer to this prayer is the manifestation of God within us during our experience of meditation. Those of you who have not been given a mantra by a living Master to repeat, can, for now -- to try this out and get somewhat of a sense of what this practice is like, adopt your own sacred word to use during practice -- a name you're comfortable with already, like perhaps: Allah, Ram, Radhaswami, Yeshua, AUM, HU, Great Spirit, etc..... Any name of God can work. Whichever name symbolizes for you the highest truth and the Lord of Love is a very good name, a natural mantra. (Note: Formal Initiation into Sant Mat Meditation, a much more advanced and complete version of meditation practice is available at various locations around the world.)

As we remain focused and mentally repeat our sacred word or words, we may notice the appearance or manifestation of inner Light. We may see sparks of Light that look something like fireflies, stars, various colors or other visions of Light. "If thine eye be Single, thy whole body shall be full of Light," say many Masters of the past and present. In the Gospel of Thomas, Yeshua says, "if one is (whole), one will be filled with Light, but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness." If the energy of our attention is scattered and dissipated into the outer world of the five senses, we see darkness, but if our attention returns to the Single Eye Focus -- the seat of the soul -- Light shall appear. Or, in other words, we will discover the Light that is already there.

Masters say it is a good idea to meditate everyday to lighten the load of karma. The inner Currents of Sound and Light wash away karma and give us more divine grace, thus uplifting our destiny to the highest good. The Force known as Shabd Naam (Divine Sound and Light) coming from above, busts into the world of time and space, freeing souls from the law of karma. We become what we see. If we contemplate the Light of God -- we become That.

Returning to the Source Through the Inward Journey is Dharma, by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

"The individual soul has descended from the higher worlds [realm of the Divine] to this city of illusion [bodily existence]. It has descended from the Soundless State [the God State, Nirvana] to the essence of Sound, from that Sound to Light, and finally from the realm of Light to the realm of Darkness. The qualities (dharmas, natural tendencies) of the sense organs draw us downward and away from our true nature. The nature of the soul (atman) draws us upwards and inwards and establishes us in our own true nature.

"To go back to our origin means returning: withdrawal from the sense organs to go upward (by withdrawing consciousness) from the darkness to the realms of Light and Sound. In other words, to go inward from the external sense organs to the depth of the inner self (both of these expressions are exact special metaphors describing the same movement). The natural tendencies of the soul (atman) are to move from outward to inward. The current of consciousness which is dispersed in the nine gates of the body and the nine senses must be collected at the Third Eye Center between the eyebrows. Therein lies the path for our return. This is the act of leaving the gates of the sense organs and becoming established in the soul. We travel back from the realm of Darkness to the realm of Light, from the Light to divine Sound, and from the realm of Sound to the Soundless State. This is turning back. This is what dharma or religion really intends to teach us and it is the essence of dharma.

The Inward Journey Involves Reversing the Consciousness Current

"The mind must go inward, which is the reverse of its usual and easy outward path. Just as the fish struggles against the current, so an equal effort must be made to go against the current of the mind. By going inward against the current of the mind, we experience divine joy.

"But how exactly is this concentration accomplished? It is accomplished by withdrawal within with intense focus. When collected, consciousness is of unimaginable speed. This is the force of the soul which is capable of reaching God.

"What is the place to be reached? When we close our eyes and see darkness, this is the realm of ignorance. When the Light dawns within you, then you understand that you reside in noble regions. In darkness resides ignorance and in Light resides Knowledge. For example as we are sitting in light right now we are able to see one another. However, if the electric power goes out ensuing total darkness we will not be able to see others. We will not even be aware of other people, coming and going. In this analogy light signifies knowledge and darkness signifies ignorance. In the same manner when we see darkness with our eyes closed we are in the realm of death and re-birth [we are unaware of our true nature.]. When we come out of the realm of darkness and enter into the realm of Light, we will at the same time transcend the web of death. It is not possible that we can remain in darkness and be free from the net of birth and death. Having achieved inner Light we can be liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

"Some one asked Saint Mira Bai, "What kind of practice did you do to control your mind -- our mind wanders far away during meditation?" Mira replied, "Through my consciousness I traveled the skies and then my mind came under control and agreed to be still."

"Let us ponder on this subject. What vehicle did Mira Bai use to travel the skies? Was it an airplane, helicopter or a rocket? Mira Bai's journey was not in the outer world but it was inside the inner realms. Her vehicles were divine Light and divine Sound." (Harmony Of All Religions) ////////

SANT MAT HISTORY: On the Usage of the Term "Sant Mat"

"Sant Mat" means: "The Teachings of the Saints" or "Path of the Masters". It's common knowledge that the term "Sant Mat" was coined or adapted by Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India during the 19th Century. "Sant Mat" was adopted and popularized by Tulsi Sahib as a new name for this spiritual path or genre of mysticism, but the Sant tradition, with its many guru-lineages or branches, is a spiritual movement that dates back many centuries to ancient India. Tulsi Sahib was of the opinion that the Sant movement goes back to the time of Krishna thousands of years ago, that Krishna knew of Sants or Rishis during his day, the age of the Bhagavad Gita.

Commonly used words like "Sant", "Sat", and "Mat", with their roots in Sanskrit, are found in the literature of many spiritual paths originating in India. "Santmat", as a single word referring to the efficacy of following the teachings of Sants does turn up on a couple of occasions in Sant literature during the centuries prior to the time of Tulsi Sahib. It could be present in a few verses of Kabir, and is in at least one verse of a poem of Sant Tulsi Das. Clearly however, "Sant Mat" as the universal name or label for this school of spirituality or Sant tradition begins with Tulsi Sahib during the 19th Century in Hathras, and now has been embraced by millions of souls and scores of spiritual paths based in India.

"While the title of Sant Mat (translated as 'Teachings of the Sants') was not coined until the late 19th century by Tulsi Sahib, the philosophical mindset was indeed prevalent for many centuries." (Andrea Grace Diem, Ph.D., "Lions in the Punjab: An Introduction to the Sikh Religion", from Chapter One, The Sikh--Sant Connection)

Param Tulsi Sahib of Hathras originated the term "Sant Mat" as recorded in the Ghat Ramayan also according to the scholar Parashuram Chaturvedi in his book "Sant Parampara". (See footnote 23, in the chapter titled, "The Radhasoami Revival", by Mark Juergensmeyer, on page 337 in, "The Sants, Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India", Edited by Karine Schomer and W.H. McLeod, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1987, page 783)

"One thing that all factions agree upon, though, is that Tulsi Sahib consolidated the teachings of nirguna bhakti, expounded the path of surat shabd yoga, and was largely responsible for the popular usage of the term Sant mat. His teachings are embodied in Ghat Ramayana, Ratan Sagar, and Shabdavali." (David C. Lane, "The Radhasoami Tradition, A Critical History of Guru Successorship", Garland Publishing, 1992 edition, page 39)

"Tulsi Sahib, for the first time, used the expression 'Sant Mat' or 'teachings of Saints' to stress the basic unity of the teachings of all Saints. Swami Ji later adopted the same expression, 'Sant Mat', in his works." (Janak Raj Puri and V. K. Sethi, "Tulsi Sahib, Saint of Hathras", 1981 edition, Mystics of the East Series, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Book Department, page 18)

"For all the religious traditions of India, the nineteenth century was an age of rationalistic reform, during which the attempt was made to systematize beliefs and make practices consistent with doctrines. Tulsi Sahib of Hathras (ca 1760 - 1843) was at once heir to certain esoteric tendencies in later Sant tradition and a precursor of the new spirit. Stressing the unity of the Sants as a parampara, he taught what he believed to be the common core of doctrines implicit in all the Sants ('sant mat'), and tried to reverse the spread of saguna beliefs and practices among the followers of nirguna panths. Heavily indebted to him was Shiv Dayal Singh (1818 - 1878), founder of the modern Radhasoami movement." (Karine Schomer, "The Sants", Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, page 7)

"Tulsi Sahib, a Sant of Hathras from the nineteenth century, recognized that Sants drew upon the teachings of other Sant figures as spiritual resources. Pointing out the common spiritual roots, he identified this movement as a coherent religious tradition, which he called 'Sant Mat', simply meaning a 'Sant faith'." (Dr. Andrea Diem, "The Gnostic Mystery, a Connection Between Ancient and Modern Mysticism", Mount San Antonio College Press, Walnut, CA, 1992 edition, page, 29)

Examples of "Sant Mat" and "Sat Mat" in the Teachings of Tulsi Sahib

Sant Tulsi Sahib refers to the term 'Santmat' in his poem: "Santmata hai sar aur sab jal pasara." ["Santmat is the essence of wisdom, all else is a snare to spread misconceptions."] (translated by Pravesh K. Singh)

"The principles and tenets of Sant Mat are one and the same, only there is a difference in terminology. Since the same principles have been stated using different names, you become confused and do not understand them. Sat Saheb, that is, Sat Purush, has been described as Sat Nam. And Sar Shabd (True Shabd) has been called A-Nam. The name Nirgun has been given to Niranjan and it is the mind which has been called Ram. What Kabir had said, has been said by other Sants, too. Kabir explained Sant Mat in his own way, other Sants in other ways. The religion of all those who have gained access within is one and the same. Those who lack true understanding, adhere to dogmas and blind beliefs. Those who have spoken on the basis of inner experiences, have sung of the same Panth or path for reaching the Lord."(Ghat Ramayan)

On following the dictates of mind or ego: "Kal has devoured all. None knows of the path prescribed in Sant Mat. All follow Kal's methods and obey him alone." (Ghat Ramayan)

"Saints know not renunciation, not acquisition..... In acquisition the entire world is enslaved. In these two the world remains entangled. Sant Mat is quite distinct from both." (Ghat Ramayan)

"Worldly people drift in the current of the ocean of existence. Sant Mat (Religion of Sants), on the other hand, is beyond the ocean of worldly existence." (Ghat Ramayan)

"In Sant Mat all Masters have decried killing and meat-eating." (Ghat Ramayan)

"Few know of the secrets of Sant Mat, and it is Sant-Surat that ascends to the sky, reaches the Inaccessible Region and attains the Original Abode. He, whose Surat [soul] has met the Supreme Being, is a Sant."

"It is only through the grace and mercy of Sants [Saints, Satgurus] that some rare Jivas [souls] will seek and find Sant Mat, the diamond. That diamond will come within the grasp of a Jiva only when th Sant enables him to recognize it." (Ghat Ramayan)

"Ghee (butter) cannot be obtained without making coagulated milk and then churning it. Likewise, if you perform the spiritual practices of Sant Mat, you can experience a bit of the intoxicating bliss of the Darshan [Vision] of the Beloved." (Ghat Ramayan)

Said Tulsi Sahib said, "Listen, I will now explain what I mean by Sant. To mention a few Sants, I pick up the names of Dadu, Mira, Nabha, Nanak, Dariya Saheb and Soor Das. Kabir's name, I mention again. And there have been many other Sants. Sants, who have reached the Eternal Region, have given to the world invaluable couplets and hymns in the form of their poetical compositions. I, Tulsi Das, who am only the dust of the holy feet of Sants, also said something about the bliss of the Inaccessible Region. Though I have had the good fortune to be associated with Sants, my understanding bears no comparison with Theirs. Let me reiterate the greatness of the holy feet of Sants. I place my head at Their holy feet. Listen, O Phool Das, I shall now tell you, as one who is the slave of the holy feet of Sants, of the Shabds (hymns) composed by Them." (Ghat Ramayan)

"I (Tulsi Saheb) have described the status of Sants and sung of hymns composed by them. Sants have traversed the path to the Inaccessible Region and their Surat has attained the Truth or Essence.

"Nanak, Dadu, Dariya Saheb, Mira Bai, Soor Das, Kabir and Nabhaji have all reached the Nabh (sky, high region) and have given out the secrets. Their Surats have got across and merged there.

"Though their teachings are one and the same, their ways of teaching are different. Indeed, all Sants have proceeded along the same path. All of them ascended along the same Current of Shabd, and got across. They saw Gagan and proceeded ahead. Tulsi Saheb says with the beat of drums that he who doubts this is a great fool." (Ghat Ramayan)

"And know ye, Phool Das, I have given out, as hints, the secrets of the beginning and the end, which is precisely the religion of Kabir Saheb and which also constitutes the essence of what other Sants have said. This, indeed, is the essence of the religion of Sants, who had Darshan [Vision] of the exalted Supreme Being within. They tasted the bliss of the purely spiritual region of Surat and also came to know of the secrets of the beginning and the end. He alone, who ponders over and realizes what I have said, and also takes his Surat across, will be able to reach the Unfathomable Region."

The Term "Sat Mat" or "Teachings of God" is About Seeking Truth Within

"What Sants have said about Sat Mat is what they saw with their own eyes. They have sung of it in the form of Sakhis (couplets) and Shabds (hymns)." (Ghat Ramayan)

"Listen, O Phool Das, I have given out the same true secrets which Sants like Kabir Saheb, Dadu Saheb, Rai Das Ji, Darya Saheb, Guru Nanak, Soor Das Ji, Nabha Ji and Mira Bai have spoken of. They, too, have composed similar hymns describing the bliss of the highest spiritual region, whose glory I also have sung, blessed by the grace and the dust of the holy feet of Sants". (Ghat Ramayan)

"I have described in detail Sat Mat with which worldly ways are incompatible. I have tasted of the bliss of the Original Abode which alone is true. The world, on the other hand, is only a fleeting show, and only if one ponders over this, one will be able to realize the essence of Sat Mat. Then alone will one's boat of life be able to cross the ocean of worldly existence. Great reverberation of Shabd is going on within. One should fix one's attention on it and dance with joy." [This is a reference to Surat Shabd Yoga, Meditation on the Audible Life Stream.] (Ghat Ramayan)

"They [the Jivas, souls] should know that Surat alone, by adopting Naam, can proceed beyond the Fourth Lok or Region. They should take a vow to hold fast to this very method which, really, is the unique religion of Sants. They should know that worldly rites and rituals are debased and worthless activities, and should keep away from them. They should worship Sat [literally "Truth", the Eternal] by means of Surat, and this will enable them to reach the regions beyond the sky. They should accept the teachings of Sants and also realize the Sant Mat is distinct and separate from all." (Ghat Ramayan)

Anami Reality -- The Nameless One -- God

"Sants frequently visit the Inaccessible Region, and after actually observing, describe the conditions. It is said that Kal and Niranjan who have both the seen and unseen forms have created the Vedas out of Nada or Shabd and that Atma is invisible. This is what Kal has made known to the world. But Sant Mat reveals something more. According to it, the Abode of Atma is Mansarovar, and Parmatma remains beyond Sunn [the Void]. This is what the Sants describe after having seen. Higher up is Sat Lok, which is the fourth Stage or Region of the creation. Its Deity is Indescribable and is called Sat Purush.... Beyond the Fourth Lok dwells the Nameless Being [Anami Purush] who has no trace of Maya." (Shabdavali)

Sant Tulsi Sahib as the Reincarnation of Sant Tulsi Das

Goswami Tulsidas Ji has made a clear mention of the term "Santmat": "Ihaan na achchhapaat kachhu raakhaun. Ved puran santmat bhaakhaun." (passage provided by Pravesh K. Singh)

Ram Charit Manas is a spiritual classic authored by Sant Tulsi Das (1532 -- 1623).

Ghat Ramayan was authored by Sant Tulsi Sahib (1763 --1843). According to Tulsi Sahib in his Ghat Ramayan, in a past life he was Tulsi Das and the author of the Ramayana of Tulsi Das. His mission was to complete the spiritual work of Tulsi Das and share the Esoteric Teachings of the Sants with humanity, which many were not ready to receive during his previous incarnation: "Had I told them of the secret of the Supreme Being, it would not have been possible for me to survive in this world. That is why I did not give out the unique secret and kept Sant Mat back from the Jivas [souls]. I made only indirect references to the inner secrets in my book and that is why they did not attract the attention of anybody." (Ghat Ramayan)

"I wrote the book 'Ghat Ramayan' and I give here the date on which it was brought out and other details.

"Feeling an urge to write the book, I completed it in 1618 Vikram, having decided to start writing it on a Tuesday which was the eleventh day of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadon.

"People of Kashi were surprised on reading my book and there was much tumult and agitation in the city.

"Pandits, Jains, Mohammedans and the general public of Kashi started a bitter quarrel.

"Pandits, anchorites and the world at large decried "Ghat Ramayan".

"Hence, I hid the book and stopped its circulation.

"And accordingly, worldly people who know no love, remained' ignorant of the modes and methods of Sant Mat." (Ghat Ramayan)

"In Ghat Ramayan there are references to things and events which occurred after Tulsi Das Ji's demise. From this, one should not think that Tulsi Saheb made unnecessary additions to the original "Ghat Ramayan" written by Tulsi Das Ji. The original Ghat Ramayan had undoubtedly disappeared from this world and, quite obviously, Tulsi Saheb did not just bring it out of His bag. Rather, He re-wrote the book Himself. It is common experience that a new edition of a book, in case it comes out during the life-time of the author, is made up-to-date. Tulsi Saheb did the same thing for, Tulsi Das and Tulsi Saheb were really one and the same, person. Indeed, Tulsi Saheb, and not Tulsi Das, is the author of "Ghat Ramayan" in its present form in which most of the biographical sketch given by Tulsi Saheb relates to His previous life." (S.D. Maheshwari, "Sants, Sadhas, Mahatmas, and Devotees of the Past")

"Ghat Ramayan means the Ramayan of what is happening within the Ghat, i.e., the microcosm, the human body. That which is in the Pind [body] is also present in the Brahmand or the cosmos..... The Ghat Ramayan is the Ramayan of the inner Self -- it contains all the inner secrets." ( S. D. Maheshwari, "The Esoteric Meaning of the Ramayan")

Baba Devi Sahab was in possession of a hand-written manuscript of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras printed at Hathras itself in the year of 1896, and had it published, sharing the teachings of the great Saint of Hathras with spiritual seekers everywhere: "The book Ghat Ramayan is said to be the work of Tulsi Saheb of Hathras. The first edition of this book was published by one Munshi Devi Prasad Saheb alias Devi Sahib. Subsequently, an edition was brought out in the year 1911 from Belvedere Press....." (S.D. Maheshwari, "The Esoteric Meaning of the Ramayan", Agra, page 169)

"He [Maharshi Mehi] managed [to acquire] copies of three books [editions] of Ghat Ramayan published at different times by different sources -- one published from Belvedere Press, Allahabad, second the commentary work by Baba Devi Sahab on Ghat Ramayan -- Baba Devi Sahab selected some important hymns from then available book of Ghat Ramayan and interpreted its meaning -- and the third is the book available in the Satsang Mandir of Hathras [Sant Tulsi Sahib Ashram, Hathras, India]." (Sadgurumehi website, section on, Bhawarth Sahit Ghat Ramayan Ke Mukhya Aur Paramopayogi Vishay Ki Padaawali)

Not Everyone Agrees That Sants Tulsi Sahib and Das Were the Same Person

Maharshi Mehi, sounding almost like a modern-day scholar doing textual criticism apparently was of the view that parts of the Ghat Ramayan mentioning that Tulsi Sahib was the reincarnation of Tulsi Das represents later apocryphal additions or interpolations: "That Sant Tulsi Sahab was Goswami Tulsi Das in a former life can not be accepted. In fact, both were not the same person." "Ghat Ramayan has been altered by persons for some unwanted advantages in the course of time. There are many such poems present in Ghat Ramayan which can not be accepted as the creation of such a great Sant as Tulsi Sahab."

Who Was Sant Tulsi Sahib's Guru?

There are a couple of different theories regarding this. After debating and writing about this question over the years, I think it's important to state that any honest history is always evidence-based and not faith-based.

It is written: "A Marathi scholar in one of his articles observed that Tulsi Sahib 'was initiated by a Guru in the town of Hathras, and under the instruction of his Guru he did intense meditation.'" (from an article by Pandit Pandurang Sharma in the June 1931 issue of "Vividh Gyan Vistar", a Marathi magazine devoted to cultural studies, page 202, cited by Janak Raj Puri and V. K. Sethi in their book, "Tulsi Sahib, Saint of Hathras", 1981 edition, Mystics of the East Series, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Book Department, page 4)

Soami Ji Maharaj's List of All-Time Great Saints: The names of some of the perfect and true Sants, Sadhs and Faqirs who manifested themselves during the past seven hundred years are Kabir Saheb, TULSI SAHIB*, Jagjiwan Saheb, Garib This, Paltu Saheb, Guru Nanak, Dadu Saheb, Tulsi Das, Nabhaji, Swami Hari Das, Sur Das and Rai Das, and some of the Muslim names are Shams Tabrez, Maulvi Rum, Hafiz, Sarmad and Mujaddid Alif Sani. A perusal of their writings would give an idea of their spiritual attainments. (Sar Bachan Prose)

*Tulsi Sahib of Hathras was not widely known and recognized back then like the other names on the list. Tulsi and Soami Ji were contemporaries, for a time, alive at the same time. Out of all the Guru names listed above, only one name is that of a contemporary or recent Master in the life of Soami Ji Maharaj: Tulsi Sahib. Thus, this list reveals a very "Tulsi Sahibi" view of Sant Mat. And we do know Tulsi was Soami Ji's Guru and the Guru of his whole family. They were all part of the Hathras Satsang.

Going back further in time, Tulsi Sahib's List of All-Time Great Saints: "Listen, O Phool Das, I have given out the same true secrets which Sants like Kabir Saheb, Dadu Saheb, Rai Das Ji, DARIYA SAHIB*, Guru Nanak, Soor Das Ji, Nabha Ji and Mira Bai have spoken of. They, too, have composed similar hymns describing the bliss of the highest spiritual region, whose glory I also have sung, blessed by the grace and the dust of the holy feet of Sants. (Ghat Ramayan)

*Dariya Sahib of Bihar was not widely known and recognized back then like the other names on the list. Dariya and Tulsi Sahib were contemporaries, for a time, alive at the same time. Out of all the Guru names listed above, only one name is that of a contemporary or recent Master in the life of Tulsi Sahib: Dariya. Thus, this list reveals a very "Dariya Panthi" view of Sant Mat, which for me strongly suggests a significant clue about the spiritual affiliation of Tulsi Sahib.

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#635

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Jul 8, 2012 4:43 am
Subject: Merging with the Nameless, Soundless God (Anami)

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Merging with the Nameless, Soundless God (Anami) -- Light and Sound on the Path

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Sant Mat Library, Recommended Reading

Kabir, Anurag Sagar, Adi Granth, Radhasoami, Kirpal Singh, Maharshi Mehi, Gnostic, Vegetarian, Vegan Books:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

The Charts of the Heavens

Inner Regions --�

Spheres of Creation According to Sant Mat Mysticism, Radhasoami, and Surat Shabd Yoga:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Charts_of_the_Heavens.html

In the course of his missionary activity Nanak often visited foreign countries. According to local folklore, he is said to have visited Mecca in the guise of a Muslim devotee. But his not paying heed to Mohammedan etiquette nearly cost him his life. On his first night at Mecca he slept with his feet towards the Kaaba. He was rudely awakened by an Arab clergyman who said, "Who is this sleeping Kaafir (infidel) who lies with his feet towards God?" To this Guru Nanak replied, "Turn my feet in the direction where God is not".

"Lighting oil lamps in the temples, churches, and mosques, ringing bells, singing, praying out loud to extend our voice to God -- these are all outer symbols of the inner experiences of divine Light and Sound." -- Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions

"The soul-explorer is not alone, for there are those who have traveled the highways of the inner cosmos; far more than one may at first realize." (George Arnsby Jones)

"Masters have come in the past, are existing today, and will continue to come in the future for the spiritual benefit of man." (Kirpal Singh)

"That Supreme Being has created everything from one drop, out of which have emerged millions of fathomless oceans." (Soami Ji Maharaj's Commentary on the Morning Prayer of Guru Nanak)

Kabir Says...

satya purush chowthe pad basa, santan ka wahan sada nivasa,

so ghar darsaya guru pure, bin baje tahan achraj ture --

God dwells in the fourth state (superconscious), and that is where the liberated saints always dwell through meditation. The perfect guru has shown that abode where, without musical instruments, the miraculous divine Music (Anahad Nad) plays.

age alakh purush darbara, dekha jaye surat se nyara,

tis par agam lok ek nyara, sant surati koi karat vichara --

As you advance, there is the invisible God's royal court that can be seen in unique meditation. There is the unfathomable and marvelous abode that saints in meditation can contemplate.

tahan se darse atal atari, adbhut satguru mahal sawari,

surat hui sat karman gami, purush anami jai samani --

From there you will see the immovable palace, where the immortal Satguru dwells. When your karmas and meditation harmonize, then you will merge with the Nameless God [Anami Purush]." (Book of Prayers)

"The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand." -- Rumi

Names Leading to the Nameless One (Anami) -- All About Transcendental Hearing of Divine Sounds and Merging with the Soundless God

Rumi: "O lovers, lovers it is time to set out from the world. I hear a drum in my souls ear coming from the depths of the stars."

Hatha Yoga Pradipika: "The practitioner may hear sounds like the sound of the Ocean, a Rain Cloud, a Drum, a Kettledrum, a Conch, a Bell, a Horn, a Flute, a Lute, or a bee [Hum]."

Peter Fripp: "The Music of the Shabd is distant and unsteady when first heard, but as it deepens, it lifts the listeners into a hitherto unknown peace.... The Sound of the Shabd is like a constant theme with variations on all levels [planes or heavens]. These variations are described as the rushing of a mighty wind, the sound of a lute, the deep resonance of a bell or conch, or the tinkling of glass in the wind. There are also wonderful lights and radiance to accompany the sounds...The sounds and lights progress in a definite order, corresponding to each stage of the journey inwards, and they clearly indicate the disciples progress."

Hazrat Khan: "It sounds like Thunder, the roaring of the Sea, the jingling of Bells, running the Water, the Buzzing of bees, the Twittering of sparrows, the Vina, the Whistle, or the sound of Shankha." (The Mysticism of Sound)

Padavali of Sant Namdev: "Pierce through the six chakras, and ascend upwards. Listen to the Melody Divine arising there. Through the Melody, the turbulent mind is quelled. Realize that only thus is thy practice made fruitful."

Padavali of Sant Namdev: "Listen to the heavenly Music and attain liberation while still living."

Maharshi Mehi: "The Original Divine Sound, which originated from the Supreme Sovereign, continuously without break reverberates throughout the hearts of the entire macrocosm and microcosm. The Sound will inherently go on for the duration of creation because the evolution of creation depends upon the existence of Sound. Should the Sound cease so would creation."

Maharshi Mehi: "Sound by its nature has the quality to draw one to its point of origin......... No other means is better than the Sound for transcending the concealments (realms) of creation."

Padavali of Sant Namdev: "It is your Music I hear O Lord. The rhythm of drums, jantar [a three stringed musical instrument], and Vina. The supreme moment has come."

Maharishi Mehi: "They are similar to the sounds of the Veena (stringed instrument similar to the lyre), the Murali (flute), the Nafeeri (horn instrument), the drum, the Mrdal (cymbals), the Singi (a horn), the Sitar (stringed instrument), or the Sarangi (similar to a lute). Other descriptions compare these Sounds to a peal of Thunder and a roar of a Lion."

Rumi: "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."

On Surat Shabd Meditation, The Yoga of Sound, by Maharshi Mehi

"The Existence of the Supreme Sovereign is only realized by going beyond the Non-Conscious Realm of coverings. There are four Non-Conscious Realms:

* Sthula (Gross -- Material World)

* Suksma (Subtle -- astral plane. This and the following Realms are perceived through refinement of consciousness in the state of meditation.)

* Karana (Causal)

* Mahakarana (Supra-Causal).

"The ultimate human achievement is the realization (attainment) of the Supreme Sovereign God.

"The individual soul perceives according to that realm in which he is living. Just as yellow colored glasses make the world appear yellow, so also that realm in which the individual soul lives makes all of creation appear as that particular realm, owing to the shadow of the Non-Conscious Realms (coverings). The reality of the Supreme Sovereign is as though nonexistent.

"Any forms containing gunas (attributes) have a beginning and are finite. They cannot be the Ultimate Reality nor the Supreme Sovereign in Its entirety.

"Smell, touch, taste as well as the spoken and unspoken Sounds of the realms of the three attributes (sattva, rajas, tamas) can be called Saguna Nirakara (Qualified-Unmanifest). No matter how subtle or how great these attributes of the realms may be, they can never reflect the Supreme Sovereign.

"Pure Consciousness and the Original Word emanated from the center of Pure-Consciousness which is devoid of sattva, rajas, and tamas (three attributes). They can be called Nirguna Nirakara (Unqualified Unmanifest). However, Nirguna Prakrti (Unqualified-Nature, Pure-Consciousness) does not exceed the Supreme Sovereign. This is only logical, as nothing which is finite can encompass that which is infinite.

"Non-Conscious Nature with qualities or Lower Nature transforms itself into various forms. It is therefore called perishable and non-eternal.

"Pure-Conscious Unqualified Nature is unchangeable. Therefore, it is known as aksara (imperishable) and is sat (true). The Supreme Sovereign is beyond the true and untrue as well as beyond the perishable and

imperishable.

"Creation comes into existence through the Divine Vibration (Wave) brought forth in the Supreme Sovereign by Itself (not otherwise).

"An integral and inseparable aspect of the spiritual vibration is Shabda (Sound). The vibration must accompany Sound and the Sound must accompany the vibration.

"Before the creation of the Unqualified-Nature (Upper Nature) and before the creation of the Qualified-Nature (Lower Nature) there must have been manifested Adi Dhvanyatmaka Shabda (the Original Inarticulate Sound). This Sound is called Om, Satya Shabda (True Word), Sar Shabda (Essential Word), Satya Nam (True Name), Rama Nam (all pervading Sound), Adi Shabda (the Word of the beginning).

"The creation could not come into being without Vibration and Sound. Necessarily, Vibration and Sound pervade all of the creations.

"From the beginning, within the inner heart of creation, Shabda (the Sound) was vibrating ceaselessly. The Sound, all pervasive and true, is the essential basis of creation. Concerning this, there is no doubt.

"Out of the Unmanifest emerged the manifest; from the subtle came forth the gross. Naturally, the subtle pervades the gross. And it follows that the Original Sound is all-pervasive.

"Through the medium of Shabda (Sound), the Yogis attain the direct knowledge of the Supreme Sovereign, that is, realization of the Supreme Sovereign. This sound is called Rama Nama (all-pervading Sound). This Sound is the essence of all and is unchanging. It is also called the Sar Shabda (Essential Word), the Satya Shabda (the True Word), and Satya Nam (True Name).

"The natural tendency of the Word (Sound) is to draw the attention or mind towards its center. Sound carries the qualities which correspond with the center of the respective realm. For one who focuses on specific Sounds of the specific realms, Sound transmits Its subtler and subtler qualities.

"There are two major spheres of Creation:

*Para Prakrti Mandala (the sphere of Upper Nature), Saccidanada-pada (the State of Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss), the State of Oneness, the State of Pure Consciousness.

*Apara Prakrti Mandala (the sphere of Lower Nature), the domain of Non-Conscious Nature.

"The Non-Conscious or Lower Nature is divided into four realms: Supra Causal, Causal, Subtle and Gross. In its original intrinsic form, the Lower nature is an amalgam of the three gunas (sattva, rajas and tamas). In the beginning of creation, the gunas were equally balanced. That is the gunas were equally present throughout the Lower Nature domain. When all the gunas are in equilibrium, this state of balance is called Mahakarana (Supra Causal). However, whenever there is any movement among the gunas, an unbalanced situation occurs. The gunas are no longer in equilibrium. This imbalance causes the creation of the universe. In the original existence of Jaratmaka Mul Prakrti (Non-conscious Nature) this imbalance is the cause of so many Universes. Therefore, Non-Conscious Nature in its original form can be called the 'Ocean of Causes'. This imbalance of Nature in the form of 'Cause' flows downward and first takes the form of the subtle and then the gross. Thus the four realms of Non-Conscious or Lower Nature come into existence.

"In total there are five Realms in the whole of creation. There are four Realms of Non-Conscious Nature: Supra-Causal, Causal, Subtle and Gross and one realm of Upper Conscious Nature: the realm of Oneness (Pure Consciousness).

"As the whole of creation, the brahmanda (universe, macrocosm), is filled with the five realms of Nature mentioned above, so also is the pinda (body of an individual soul, the microcosm) filled with the same realms. When an individual soul lives in a particular realm of the microcosm, that same individual at the same time lives in the corresponding realm in the macrocosm. And when an individual leaves a particular realm of the microcosm, that individual simultaneously leaves the corresponding realm of the macrocosm. This is true just as we experience the states of dreaming and waking. Furthermore, if the Surat (consciousness-force, individual soul) will go beyond the five spheres of the microcosm, it will in the same instant go beyond the five spheres of the macrocosm.

"The existence of a realm is dependent upon its center becoming established. Otherwise, a realm cannot come into existence.

"The inescapable logic dictates that there must be five centers for the corresponding five realms.

"The center of the realm of Kaivalya (Oneness or Pure Consciousness) is the Supreme Sovereign Itself. The center of the Mahakarana (Supra-Causal) realm is the junction point of the Mahakarana and Kaivalya (Supra-Causal Realm and Oneness of Upper Nature). The center of the Karana (Causal) realm is the junction point of the Mahakarana and Karana (Supra-Causal and the Causal) Realms. The center of the Suksma (Subtle) Realm is the junction point of the Karana and Suksma (Causal and the Subtle) Realms. And finally the center of the sthula (Gross) Realm is the junction point of the Suksma and sthula (Subtle and the Gross) Realms.

"Creation comes into being through an outward flowing vibration from the Center. This outward flowing vibration is accompanied by Sound. Each of the five realms has its individual central Sound. The central Sounds of the five Realms naturally move from above to below, as that is their tendency. That is, the Sound moves downward from the center of the realm toward the realm beneath its own position. For example, the Sound moves from the Supra-Causal to the Causal. Each of the Sounds of the centers of the five realms possesses an attribute to draw surat (the consciousness) upward to its center. The Essential Sound or Pure Spiritual Sound has the attribute to draw one's consciousness up to the Supreme Sovereign. The other mayavi sounds (material Sounds mentioned above) of each of the respective five realms have the attribute to attract the person who hears it (or focuses on it) and to draw that person's surat (consciousness) to the�Sound of the realm directly above. Further, for the practitioner, the realization of the Essential Divine Sound is impossible without first attaining the Sounds of the lower realms. Sar Shabda (the Essential Divine Sound) beckons a return to the Supreme Sovereign. The progression of Sound in all centers of the realms is upward, carrying one's consciousness from the lower centers to the higher centers ultimately reaching the Supreme Sovereign God.

"The Sound of the higher realm naturally reaches to the lower realms. And the Gross is pervaded by the Subtle. Further, the Sounds of the higher realms are more pervading (powerful) than the Sounds of the lower realms. The sounds of different realms are each distinctive. The Sound of the center of a specific realm above is perceived from the center of the next lower realm. This is a logical fact. Once the Consciousness experiences the Sound of higher realms, it will not fall back to the lower realms.

"The Upanishads and various saints of India elucidate the practice of Surat Shabda Yoga (Yoga of Sound). Through the progressive experience of all the Sounds, one realizes the Supreme Sovereign. All the Sounds of the realms draw surat (consciousness) upward. As it progresses, the consciousness goes beyond all the realms of creation where the Supreme Sovereign is found; that is, it achieves the direct experience of the Supreme.

"In summary, one grasps the central Sounds of the lower realms and progressively is drawn upward to the Sounds of the higher realms. Ultimately, one reaches the center of the Original Sound, the Essential Divine Sound, and thereafter attains the Ultimate State, Sabdatet Pad (the State beyond the Sound). The Yoga of Sound must be practiced in order to attain the Nameless State. This is fully elaborated and described in the Upanishads and literature of the saints. The Yoga of Sound is the only medium to reach this State, no other. The greatest good is in the attainment of the Ultimate State, the Nameless State..

"It should be understood that in this Yoga, one should first be devoted to the Gross Qualified Manifest Form, and then to the Subtle Qualified Manifest Form, and then to the Qualified Unmanifest Form and finally to the Unqualified Unmanifest Form.

"Manas Japa [simran] and Manas Dhyan are the practices of devotion to the Gross Qualified Manifest Form.

"The practice of being in one-pointedness or attaining the subtlest form is devotion to the Subtle Qualified Manifest Form. The practice of focusing on all other internal sounds except the Essential Divine Sound is devotion to the Subtle Qualified Unmanifest Form of Causal and Supra-Causal form. The meditation on the Essential Divine Sound is devotion to the Unqualified Unmanifest Form. All devotional practices end here. When all devotional practices are completed, then and only then does one reach the Nameless State or the Supreme Sovereign and thus attains Moksha (liberation) or final Peace."

"As the Sound originates from the Soundless or Nameless State, by grasping the Sound, one is drawn naturally to the Soundless State (the Supreme Sovereign, God).

"To move spiritually upward within one's self, through and beyond the realms, is to progress towards union with the Supreme Sovereign. This practice is devotion to the Supreme Sovereign and is unfailing. This spiritual practice is for attaining the perfect Knowledge of the Self and is also called the Antarik Satsang (inner effort to meet the Supreme Sovereign)."

-- Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy Of Liberation:

http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Philosophy_Of_Liberation_Sant_Mat.pdf

When Sadguru Baba Devi Sahib was nearing the time of his departure from this ephemeral world for his true destination, satsangis humbly requested him to bless with his parting words. To their request, Baba Devi Sahab had obliged by saying, "This world is an illusion -- practice meditation."

Our Path Back to the Source -- The Inward Journey Back to God -- The Essence of Dharma

"Sant Mat (the path and teachings as taught and practiced by saints) delineates the path of union of soul with the Divine. The teachings of the saints explain the re-uniting as follows:

"The individual soul has descended from the higher worlds [the Realm of the Divine] to this city of illusion, bodily existence. It has descended from the Soundless state to the essence of Sound, from that Sound to Light, and finally from the realm of Light to the realm of Darkness. The qualities (dharmas, natural tendencies) of the sense organs draw us downward and away from our true nature.

"The nature of the soul (atman) draws us upwards and inwards and establishes us in our own true nature. Returning to our origins involves turning inward: withdrawal of consciousness from the senses and the sense objects in order to go upward from the darkness to the realms of Light and Sound. [We experience this phenomenon of withdrawal as we pass from waking consciousness to deep sleep.] Another way to express this is to go inward from the external sense organs to the depth of the inner self. (Both of these expressions are the metaphors that signify the same movement). The natural tendencies of the soul (atman) are to move from outward to inward. The current of consciousness which is dispersed in the nine gates of the body and the senses, must be collected at the tenth gate.

"The tenth gate is the gathering point of consciousness. Therein lies the path for our return. The tenth gate is also known as the sixth chakra, the third eye, bindu, the center located between the two eyebrows. This is the gateway through which we leave the gates of the sense organs and enter in the divine realms and finally become established in the soul. We travel back from the Realm of Darkness to the Realm of Light, from the Light to the Divine Sound, and from the Realm of Sound to the Soundless State. This is called turning back to the Source.

"This is what dharma or religion really intends to teach us. This is the essence of dharma."

-- Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions

Rumi says: "Listen with ears of tolerance! See through the eyes of compassion! Speak with the language of love!"

"Love rests on no foundation. It is an Endless Ocean, with no beginning or end." (Rumi)

"Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death." -- Rumi

"Because of love, I have become the giver of Light." - Rumi

Wisdom and Meditation Practice: "Can the knowledge devoid of yoga afford salvation? Never. It is definite. So yoga without knowledge can't be helpful in the attainment of salvation, therefore an aspirant is required to firmly practise both knowledge and yoga." (Guruprasad Baba)

Recently In India It Was Guru Purnima (Commemorating Satgurus)

In Praise of Competent Masters

With gratitude to the Competent

Qualified Teacher,

The Living One.

In a Sea of Samsara,

of falsehood,

illusion

and posing,

there is a bright Light in the darkness.

A silent Music becomes audible.

Jai Guru. Hail to the One

Who takes the darkness away.

Hail to the Competent Living Master,

Qualified Teacher, a True One,

Genuine Mentor of souls,

Righteous and Worthy Guide,

Fearless Being,

Light-giver,

Leader of a spiritual community.

Praise of the Sant-soul of Love

Who has reached the fifth plane or above,

Merging in God.

At the feet of such a loving, Radiant One,

the soul can not help but find inner Light

and slip into deep samadhi meditation.

In the eyes of the Sant are love, wisdom, light, compassion, grace, a reflection of God. (JB)

"I like that relative who prevents me from going into evil ways, and guides me into the righteous path;

He is wise who remains on the righteous path;

he makes others search,

and never forgets himself;

He is a false guru if he does not show the real path to his disciple.

If the disciple gets the grace of Satguru then he will worship God." (Kabir)

"Go thou to the company of the good, where the Beloved One has His dwelling place:

Take all thy thoughts and love and instruction from thence.

Let that assembly be burnt to ashes where His Name is not spoken!

Tell me, how couldst thou hold a wedding-feast, if the bridegroom himself were not there?

Waver no more, think only of the Beloved;

Set not thy heart on the worship of other gods, there is no worth in the worship of other masters.

Kabir deliberates and says: 'Thus thou shalt never find the Beloved!'" (Kabir)

Dedicated to the Sant Satguru

Rumi Says...

"You come to us

from another world

From beyond the stars

and void of space.

Transcendent, Pure,

Of unimaginable beauty,

Bringing with you

the essence of love.

You transform all

who are touched by you.

Mundane concerns,

troubles, and sorrows

dissolve in your presence,

Bringing joy

to ruler and ruled

To peasant and King.

You bewilder us

with your grace.

All evils

transform into

goodness.

You are the master alchemist.

You light the fire of love

in earth and sky

in heart and soul

of every being.

Through your loving

existence and nonexistence erge.

All opposites unite.

All that is profane

becomes sacred again."

Current Podcasts of Spiritual Awakening Radio

GO TO:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

Near-Death Experiences Through Meditation;

There is No 'Vatican' of the Spirit -- A Reflection on the Impermanence of Spiritual Movements in a World of Samsara (Changes) -- The World Needs More Satsangs;

The Sirio Carrapa Interview (Sant Bani Ashram, Ribolla, Italy);

Visions of Allah -- Rumi, Sufi Poetry and Mysticism;

Leaving the Matrix -- Mysteries of Inner Light and Sound;

The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India;

The Heart of Mysticism;

Going Beyond the Universe: Eclectic Readings: Sant Namdev, The Upanishads, Rumi, Kabir, Dadu, Maharshi Mehi, Gnostic Gospel of Judas, Kirpal Singh, Gospel of Thomas, Mandaean Gnostic Prayer, Anurag Sagar;

Pravesh K. Singh, speaking about Inner Light and Sound Meditation and the Spiritual Masters of India;

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#636

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Jul 29, 2012 3:08 am
Subject: God and You, the Observer -- Light and Sound on the Path

santmat_mystic

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God and You, the Observer -- Light and Sound on the Path

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"Despite all we've gained in this scientific age, we've lost something important. Even in a roomful of neighbors, it's highly unlikely that everyone will have the same mental picture of large-scale reality and even more unlikely that any of their pictures is based on real evidence. We're divided on the most fundamental question of any society: what universe are we living in? With no consensus on this question and no way even to think constructively about how we humans might fit into the big picture, we have no big picture. Without a big picture we are very small people."

"Scientific cosmology, unlike traditional cosmologies, makes no attempt to link the story of the cosmos to how human beings should behave. It is the job of scholars, artists, and other creative people to try to understand the scientific picture and to perceive and express human meanings in it. A living cosmology for 21st-century culture will emerge when the scientific nature of the universe becomes enlightening for human beings."

"To the extent that people around the world accept scientific reality, they argue, we have grounds for agreement for the first time on a shared creation story based on modern cosmology and biology." (images and quotes above are from�New-Universe�'dot'�org)

* PODCAST: Sant Mat Satsang Edition -- Various Readings Accompanied with Sitar, Flute, and Tablas: Upanishads, Guru Nanak in the Sikh Scriptures, Kirpal Singh, Some Thoughts About Thought (Manas/Mind). Readings from the Buddha, Dhammapada, Dadu, and Namdev. Readings from Rumi, Kabir, and Radhasoami on the nature of God (the Ocean of Love) -- Spiritual Awakening Radio -- Program Length: 60 Minutes. Click to Stream or Download. At the following page, right-click on link to save MP3 file:

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSLAO.aspx?indexSessionSKU=ecwT4diwiur8yc8YkpieEQ%3D%3D

* Library of Many More Podcasts: Spiritual Awakening Radio:�http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/archive.html

* Sant Mat Library Online -- New Books Added, also includes links to Charts of Inner Regions, and Guru Lineage Charts:�http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

"In the religion of the Saints [Sant Mat] the relationship between the Supreme Being and the soul is that of Ansi and Ansa*." (Saying of Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Prose, Book Two) *NOTE: An 'Ansa' is an emanation. 'Ansi' means the Source of 'Ansas'. As with other schools of spirituality, in Sant Mat Mysticism souls are drops from the Ocean of Love, or described as God-particles: sparks or rays of the One Light. Souls are part of the One.

"The One is the foundation of all other things and gives them, at one and the same time, existence and location." (Plotinus, the Father of Western Mysticism)

"It is by The One that all beings are beings." (Plotinus)

"Souls are responsive one to another because they all come from the same soul �- The Soul." (Plotinus)

Rumi says: "I am merely a guest born in this world, to know the secrets that lie beyond it."

The Many and The One

We may conceive of a complicated multi-verse of bubble universes and big bangs, higher planes, trillions of light-years of space and time, vast epochs or yugas, multiple realities or dimensions, lokas, lotuses, and khands, yet there is a Simplicity behind and beyond the multiplicity. There is a Formlessness behind and beyond all forms. There is the Lord of the Soul (Sat Purush Anami, Radhasoami). No matter where you perceive yourself to be in the physical realm, heavens, hells, dream states, astral, causal, universal mind, etheric or some other level of inner space -- wherever you may be, know that you are the observer (attention faculty of the soul, surat, atman) and know the Supreme Soul is there with you. Remember this! This is the message of remembrance, awakening, simran. This is the message of the Masters, the Sants, Sufis and Gnostics.

Rumi: "I once had a thousand desires, but in my one desire to know you, all else melted away."

"Look within your heart, for there you will find both Karim and Ram; All the men and women of the world are His living forms. Kabir is the child of Allah and of Ram: He is my Guru, He is my Pir." (Kabir)

"You are pervading and permeating all places and inter-spaces, O Creator. You made all that has been made. You created the entire universe, with all its colors and shades; in so many ways and means and forms You formed it. You are the support of the unsupported. In all places and inter-spaces you are the Giver, the Great Giver. Everywhere I look, You are. Lord, You have no end or limitation. You are pervading and permeating all places and inter-spaces; reflecting upon the Word of the Guru's Shabad, You are found." (Adi Granth, Sikh Scriptures, Gurbani)

"Beneath the great umbrella of my King millions of suns and moons

� and stars are shining!

He is the Mind within my mind: He is the Eye within mine eye.

Ah, could my mind and eyes be one! Could my love but reach to my

� Lover! Could but the fiery heat of my heart be cooled!

Kabir says: 'When you unite love with the Lover, then you have

� love's perfection.'" (Kabir)

Meditate. It's bigger on the inside!

"Shut your eyes and change to and wake another way of seeing, which everyone has but few use." (Plotinus)

"It is now time, leaving every object of sense far behind, to contemplate, by a certain ascent, a beauty of a much higher order; a beauty not visible to the corporeal eye, but alone manifest to the brighter eye of the soul, independent of all corporeal aid." (Plotinus)

"The Masters say that two things are essential for success on the spiritual path: first a genuine urge, a passion for it; and second, regular practice. If either one of these is lacking, our efforts will not be fruitful." (Kirpal Singh)

"Those who meditate on the Eternal, like the great ones have done, will discover the Eternal Teacher, residing in their own hearts." (Kabir)

Within this earthen vessel are bowers and groves, and within it

� is the Creator:

Within this vessel are the seven oceans and the unnumbered stars.

The touchstone and the jewel-appraiser are within;

And within this vessel the Eternal soundeth, and the spring wells

� up.

Kabir says: "Listen to me, my Friend! My Beloved Lord is within."

"The One does not strive to encircle us, but we strive to encircle it. We always move round the One, but we do not always fix our gaze upon it: we are like a choir of singers who stand around the conductor, but do not always sing in time because their attention is diverted to some external object; when they look at the conductor they sing well and are really with him. So we always move round the One; if we did not, we should be dissolved and no longer exist; but we do not always look towards the One. When we do, we attain the end of our existence, and our Repose, and we no longer sing out of tune, but form in very truth a divine chorus round the One. In this choral dance the soul sees the fountain of life and the fountain of Spirit, the source of being, the cause of good, the root of soul." (Plotinus)

"Unless we overcome the magnanimous challenge of procrastination and curb the ever-rising tide of mental activity during meditation, we cannot reach our Noble (arya) destination (state of unity with God). The un-vigilant practitioners usually become engrossed in thoughts or fall sleep. These formidable passes must be crossed for success." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji)

From Darkness to Light, by Swami Bhagirath Baba

On closing eyes everyone sees the darkness inside no matter whether they belong to one creed, caste, country or another, be they young, old, male, female, scholar or illiterate. This darkness has not been created by humans or gods. This darkness has been created by the Supreme Sovereign God. There are three layers (coverings) over the Jeeva-atmaa (Individual Soul). Those are: darkness, Light and Sound. Darkness is the shadow of the Light. This darkness is the first layer that the Jeeva (Individual Soul) or all beings encounter. One who crosses this layer of darkness through a special kind of meditation sees the inner Light within oneself.

If the Jaapak (practitioner of Jap [simran]) repeats the Jap while doing worldly work as well as practices Jap sitting in a secluded place with love and faith, he/she begins to see divine visions, or hear auditions in the inner sky (the region within where darkness normally appears when one's eyes are closed). (Swami Bhagirath Baba)

One Love!

The Lord is in me, the Lord is in you, as life is in every seed.

� O servant! put false pride away, and seek for Him within you.

A million suns are ablaze with light,

The sea of blue spreads in the sky,

The fever of life is stilled, and all stains are washed away;

� when I sit in the midst of that world.

Hark to the unstruck bells and drums! Take your delight in love!

Rains pour down without water, and the rivers are streams of

� light.

One Love it is that pervades the whole world, few there are who

� know it fully:

They are blind who hope to see it by the light of reason, that

� reason which is the cause of separation --

The House of Reason is very far away!

How blessed is Kabir, that amidst this great joy he sings within

� his own vessel.

It is the music of the meeting of soul with soul;

It is the music of the forgetting of sorrows;

It is the music that transcends all coming in and all going

� forth. (Kabir)

When I am parted from my Beloved, my heart is full of misery: I

� have no comfort in the day, I have no sleep in the night. To

� whom shall I tell my sorrow?

The night is dark; the hours slip by. Because my Lord is absent,

� I start up and tremble with fear.

Kabir says: "Listen, my friend! there is no other satisfaction,

� save in the encounter with the Beloved." (Kabir)

bhai koi satguru sant kahawai

He is the real Sadhu, who can reveal the form of the Formless to

� the vision of these eyes:

Who teaches the simple way of attaining Him, that is other than

� rites or ceremonies:

Who does not make you close the doors, and hold the breath, and

� renounce the world:

Who makes you perceive the Supreme Spirit wherever the mind

� attaches itself:

Who teaches you to be still in the midst of all your activities.

Ever immersed in bliss, having no fear in his mind, he keeps the

� spirit of union in the midst of all enjoyments.

The infinite dwelling of the Infinite Being is everywhere: in

� earth, water, sky, and air:

Firm as the thunderbolt, the seat of the seeker is established

� above the void.

He who is within is without: I see Him and none else.

In the beginning was He alone, sufficient unto Himself: the

� Formless, colourless, and unconditioned Being.

Then was there neither beginning, middle, nor end;

Then were no eyes, no darkness, no light;

Then were no ground, air, nor sky; no fire, water, nor earth; no

� rivers like the Ganges and the Jumna, no seas, oceans, and waves.

Then was neither vice nor virtue; scriptures there were not, as

� the Vedas and Puranas, nor as the Koran.

Kabir ponders in his mind and says, "Then was there no activity:

� the Supreme Being remained merged in the unknown depths of His

� own self."

The Guru neither eats nor drinks, neither lives nor dies:

Neither has He form, line, colour, nor vesture.

He who has neither caste nor clan nor anything else -- how may I

� describe His glory?

He has neither form nor Formlessness,

He has no name,

He has neither colour nor colourlessness,

He has no dwelling-place.

Kabir ponders and says: "He who has neither caste nor country,

� who is Formless and without quality, fills all space."

The Creator brought into being the Game of Joy: and from the word

� Om the Creation sprang.

The earth is His joy; His joy is the sky;

His joy is the flashing of the sun and the moon;

His joy is the beginning, the middle, and the end;

His joy is eyes, darkness, and light.

Oceans and waves are His joy: His joy the Sarasvati, the Jumna,

� and the Ganges.

The Guru is One: and life and death, union and separation, are

� all His plays of joy!

His play the land and water, the whole universe!

His play the earth and the sky!

In play is the Creation spread out, in play it is established.

� The whole world, says Kabir, rests in His play, yet still the

� Player remains unknown.

"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.'

"O man, if thou dost not know thine own Lord, whereof art thou so

� proud?

Put thy cleverness away: mere words shall never unite thee to

� Him." (Kabir)

"He who is within is without: I see Him and none else," says Kabir.

There is a strange tree, which stands without roots and bears

� fruits without blossoming;

It has no branches and no leaves, it is lotus all over.

Two birds sing there; one is the Guru, and the other the

� disciple:

The disciple chooses the manifold fruits of life and tastes them,

� and the Guru beholds him in joy.

What Kabir says is hard to understand: "The bird is beyond

� seeking, yet it is most clearly visible. The Formless is in

� the midst of all forms. I sing the glory of forms." (Kabir)

On Sant Mat Meditation Practice, Including Pratyahara, by Swami Achyutanand Baba

The practitioner should sit in a comfortable posture holding his [or her] body, neck and head motionless in a straight line, closing mouth and eyes. First practice manas japa ([simran] -- mentally reciting or chanting -- without using or moving the lips or the tongue -- the sacred mantra given by the Guru, repeatedly with the fullest attention and alertness). This should be followed by manas dhyana ([dhyan] fixedly gazing at the visualized form of the Guru within us, keeping our eyes closed). Practicing thus regularly and with sincere love, the mind gets purified.

Pratyahara: Bringing the Wandering Mind Back to Focus During Meditation

The mind is, by its very nature, fickle and prone to frequently straying from manas japa and manas dhyan. If that happens while meditating, it should be immediately brought back to focus on its due target. Thus perseveringly practicing pratyahara (the process of applying the mind back, again and again every time it drifts away, to the selected target), the mind slowly gains in strength and is able to hold or stick to its goal. With the mind getting focused thus, the inner Current, the Current of Light, is subsequently easy to grasp, facilitating the journey ahead. (Swami Achyutanand Baba, Yoga of Inner Light and Sound)

Swami Bhagirath Baba on Spiritual Practice

The practitioner, if he sits for meditation, always must keep his/her head, neck and spinal cord (back) completely straight. The respiration process will naturally become slowed if one sits straight, and thus it is a helping factor in meditation and Jap......

Sants/yogis have fixed times of meditation. Those times are: 1) in the pre-dawn, i.e. three hours before sun rise, 2) after taking a bath during the day [mid day], and 3) during the evening (after the sun sets). Meditation done in these three time is called Trayakaal Sandhyaa (thrice-daily meditation). A practitioner must sit for meditation in these three times, and also should do Maanas Jap (repeating the Guru-instructed mantra), or Maanas Dhyaan (involving mind in visualizing Guru's form inside), while doing worldly work.

In the evening just before going to bed, the practitioner should sit in meditation for two to four minutes and then go to sleep. A practitioner can continue Maanas Jap or Maanas Dhyaan or keep his/her vision straight inside with closed eyes laying in bed.

This practice protects one from terrible, unpleasant dreams, and on the other hand the practitioner can be benefited with the appearance of sages/sants or Satsang in the dream state. The appearance (seeing) of sants/sages in the dream state is an indication of spiritual-upwardness (progress). A meditation practitioner who does meditation in pre-dawn very carefully, should not take a heavy meal in the night. Meals should not be hard-to-digest. Easily digestible meals and that also are light in amount should be taken in the night so that the practitioner can get up early at the pre-dawn time. This habit keeps the body sound and healthy. Most reverent Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi) says, "Sound mind lives in Sound body and worship is done only by the sound mind." So, a practitioner should control his/her meals.

A practitioner should close both eyes and mouth at the time of meditation. If he/she would be speaking and seeing the outer world with open eyes, he/she could not do the practice of meditation. On closing eyes everyone sees the darkness inside no matter whether they belong to one creed, caste, country or another, be they young, old, male, female, scholar or illiterate. This darkness has not been created by humans or gods. This darkness has been created by the Supreme Sovereign God. There are three layers (coverings) over the Jeeva-atmaa (Individual Soul). Those are: darkness, light and sound. Darkness is the shadow of the Light. This darkness is the first layer that the Jeeva (Individual Soul) or all beings encounter. One who crosses this layer of darkness through a special kind of meditation sees the inner Light within oneself.

This inner Light is called Aatma-Aalok (Light of the Self) or Brahma-Prakash (Divine Light). On achieving this, the Divya-Drishti (Divine Eye, Third Eye) opens completely. While mentally gazing into the darkness that one sees with eyes closed, one should repeat the guru-instructed mantra. This process is called Maanas Jap. While doing this, neither the lips nor the tongue are oscillated. Instead, the mantra (an alphabetical name given by Guru) is repeated within by the mind. This Jap is actually a kind of meditation. Repeating the mantra through the mind is for the purpose of calling the Ishta ([one's Ideal], tutelary deity, most beloved, Sadguru) near oneself. So, Jaapak (the practitioner who does Jap) should perform Jap with great love. He (Ishta, Guru) becomes happy and merciful if one does Jap with immense love and devotion, and he appears at his desire.

The practitioner who does Jap sitting in a secluded place with the right method and immense love, becomes the excellent devotee. Sant Charan Das says:

"Sakal shiromani naam hai, sab dharman ke maahi |

Ananya bhakta wah jaaniye, sumiran bhoolai naahi ||"

[Name (Jap) is the crown of all and has been described in all creeds. Know that person as the superior devotee who never forgets Jap. ]

By doing Jap, the mind and heart become devotionally pure, morale is uplifted. One gets strength in inner meditation -- Japaat Siddhi (divine power after getting perfection in Jap) is obtained. By doing Jap, so much sanctity begins to flow within the body and mind of the practitioner (Jaapak) that the note or wave of Jap (mantra the practitioner chants) penetrates whatever the practitioner touches.....

If the Jaapak (practitioner of Jap) repeats the Jap while doing worldly work as well as practices Jap sitting in a secluded place with love and faith, he/she begins to see divine visions, or hear auditions in the inner sky (the region within where darkness normally appears when one's eyes are closed). We see fire-flies (glow-worms: a kind of insect which glows at intervals in the darkness) in the bushes or under a tree. Similar to that, the Jaapak (practitioner) glimpses other visions at the time of Jap. Sometimes the vibration of the mantra which the practitioner repeats, is heard emitting from each small hair of his or her body. The practitioner gets such feelings only when he/she does Jap with strong concentration being dejected from the world. It has been cited in Aranya Kand of Maanas Peeyush (a holy book):

"Mano madhye sthito mantro mantram madhye sthitam manah |

Mano mantram samaayogo jap ityabhidheeyate ||"

[When mantra be merged in the mind, and mind be merged in mantra, such fusion of mind and mantra is called Jap. Most revered Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi) says regarding Jap:

"sarva kshan guru man jaun 'Mehi' rahai ho |

nischay nirvaana hoy sant sab kahai ho ||"

[Maharshi Mehi says, "When the mind remains attached with Guru all the time, he/she gets salvation with certainty -- all the Sants say this. ] Jap should be incessant like the flow of mustard oil. When a person falls in distress, no one is helpful in the world; even his/her own relatives leave them in that grim situation. If he/she does Jap with great devotion and faith, then calamity (adversity) runs away like fire removes the shivering cold! The practitioner inclines towards asceticism and achieves Japaat Siddhi (power of perfection in Jap). Jap rectifies the erred deeds. Goswami Tulsi Das writes in Ram Charit Maanas, Baal Kand:

"japahi naam jan aarat bhaaree |

Mitahin kusankat hohin sukhaaree ||"

[If the person repeats the name in Jap with love, distress is destroyed and one lives in happiness.]

Jap is capable of accomplishing all desires. Jap purifies the heart infected by lust, greed, anger, affection (illusion), etc... That's why the Guru-instructed mantra is very holy. The practitioner gets purification of heart naturally by practicing Jap. The mantra instructed by Guru is very short in alphabet, but if the practitioner gets perfection in Jap, all the gods and goddesses are bewitched by the power of the practitioner -- Goswami Tulsi Das says:

"mantra param laghu jaasu vash, vidhi hari har sur sarva |

Mahaamatta gajraaj kahan, bas kar ankush kharva ||"

The mantra has the characteristic of attraction. If the practitioner repeats the mantra, and the related form of that mantra is imagined in the mind, then that which is visualized assumes a vague form. Eventually the practitioner comes to see that real form quite clearly in the inner sky during meditation. (Swami Bhagirath Baba)

Hidayatnama (Esoteric Instructions, Bachan 21 of Sar Bachan Poetry, Volume One) by Swami Ji Maharaj (Sant Radhasoami Sahib)

Note: There is a link to the GLOSSARY of Radhasoami terms at the Sant Mat Library, which is always useful to consult whenever reading the Sar Bachan volumes, Prem Patra, Prem Bani or other spiritual classics of Agra Radhasoami. See link to the library above.

REVELATION GIVEN OUT IN THE COURSE OF TEACHINGS IMPARTED ABOUT THE VALUE OF ASSOCIATION WITH, AND SERVICE OF, THE PERFECT GUIDE, AND ABOUT THE DIFFERENT GRADES OF ADEPTS, AND INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF SHABD, AND THE SECRETS OF SHABD MARG (YOGA), WITH DETAILS OF THE STAGES ON THE JOURNEY TO THE HIGHEST REGION.

This discourse is meant for those who are desirous of finding the Supreme Being, and who are true seekers and want to know which religion is the highest and which path is the most sure and direct. They should minimise their worldly attachments. In other words, leaving the care for wealth, wife and children to fate they should give paramount importance to the company of saintly persons. And out of saintly persons, the company of that Adept should be adopted, who is a practitioner of Surat Shabd or of� Drishti (sight), that is to say, who is conversant with the technique of the Yoga of Surat Shabd, has perfected the practice of withdrawing the spirit currents from the pupils of the two eyes, and of uniting them, and who performs the practice of raising the spirit, by hearing, internally, celestial sounds. In case an Adept of this class is not available, they should search out one who performs the practice of 'striking the solar plexus with Name' (repeating the Holy Name in a particular manner at the heart centre), or one who performs the practice of 'breath control'. The company of such a person would also purify the heart, curb evil propensities and confer some inner joy. But the ascension of the spirit can be achieved through the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga alone. It behoves the seeker to develop love and devotion for such a personage, to perform His service with zeal, to solicit His attention and kindness by rendering service of all kinds with body, mind and wealth, and to gaze at His eyes continuously for an hour or two, without letting the eye-lids close, as long as possible. The duration of this practice should be prolonged day by day. Whenever He casts His benign gaze on you, your heart will be purified. When, in His grace, He initiates you into the secrets and methods of the practice referred to above, your spirit will begin to catch hold of the celestial sounds. You should perform this practice daily, twice, four times or as many times as you find time. If your mind gives rise to delusions and wanderings, prayers should be offered to Sant Sat Guru and the practice should be performed with greater effort. Guru's kindness and your application would certainly result in progress day by day. It is not proper to be hasty or impatient, because haste makes waste, and is characteristic of the devil.

Whatever is achieved gradually is beneficial, and whatever is acquired pronto does not last, because such an acquisition is the gift of Satan. Whatever is obtained from the Merciful Guru endures. All this refers to external modes of devotion. The inner state and the stages to which Sants have access are described below.

When your eye turns inward in the brain and you see the firmament within, and your spirit leaves the body and rises upward, you will see the Akash in which is located Sahas-dal-kanwal, the thousand petals of which perform the various functions pertaining to the three worlds. Its effulgence will exhilarate your spirit. You will at that stage, witness Niranjan, the lord of three worlds. Several religions which attained this stage and took the deity hereof to be the lord of all, were duped. Seeing the light and refulgence of this region they felt satiated. Their progress was stopped.

They did not find the guide to higher regions. Hence they could not proceed further.

At the apex of this Akash, there is a passage which is very small like the eye of a needle. Your Surat (spirit) should penetrate this eye. Further on, there is Banknal, the crooked path, which goes straight and then downward and again upwards. Beyond this passage comes the second stage.

Trikuti (region having three prominences) is situated here. It is one Lakh Yojan in length and one Lakh Yojan in width. There are numerous varieties of glories and spectacles at that plane which are difficult to describe. Thousands of suns and moons look pale in comparison to the light there. All the time, melodious sounds of Ong Ong and HOO HOO [HU], and the sounds resembling thunder of clouds, reverberate there. On attaining this region, the spirit becomes very happy, and purified and subtle. From here onward, it becomes cognizant of the spiritual regions.

After having enjoyed the bliss of this region for some time, the spirit goes up one crore Yojans and reaches Sunn, the third stage. Mohammedan Faqirs (Saints) have called it "Lahoot." It is indescribable. Here, the spirits enjoy great beatitude. The refulgence of this region is twelve times that of Trikuti. Pure pools of ambrosia, called� "Mansarovar", abound here. There are innumerable flower pots and gardens.

Spirits, like beauties, dance at various places. There are pleasing and sweet victuals, all savoury and fresh, and sonorous and musical strains can be heard everywhere. All this bliss can be experienced by the spirit only when it reaches there. It cannot be described. At every place, fountains of nectar are at play, in other words, pools of nectar are overflowing and streams of nectar are gushing out. How can one describe the splendour and decoration of this region? There are platforms of diamonds, beds of emeralds� According to some it is equal to one thousand Kos or two thousand miles and plants of jewels, all studded with rubies and precious stones. Bejewelled fish, swimming in pools there, display their beauty and ornamentation and their glitter and sheen attract attention. Beyond this, there are innumerable palaces of crystals and mirrors, in which spirit entities reside at their respective spots, as allocated by the Lord. They witness and exhibit ever changing revels. In Hindi, they have been described�"Hansa Mandlies". The decoration and embellishment of these regions can be appreciated only by seeing them. The entire creation there is purely spiritual. It is free from material constituents. The denizens, there, are spiritual and free from physical taints. Full particulars of these regions are known only to Sants. It is not meet to describe them in greater detail.

Having sojourned there and having enjoyed the glory thereof for a very long time, the spirit of this Faqir moved on, in accordance with the instructions of the Guides. After traversing five arab and seventy five crore yojans upward, the spirit entity effected ingress into the bounds Hahoot and witnessed the panorama of that region. There an expanse of ten Neel is enveloped in darkness. The depth of this dark region cannot be fathomed. The spirit went down one kharab yojans, still the bottom was nowhere to be found. Then the spirit turned upward and proceeded on the path chalked out by Guru. It was not considered advisable to go down right to the bottom of this region This region is calledra�Maha-sunn. There are four extremely subtle sub-regions there, the secrets whereof have not been revealed by any Sant. There are prison cells for the condemned spirits ejected from the court of the True Supreme Being. Although these spirits are not subjected to any trouble and they perform their functions by their own light, yet, as they do not get Darshan of the Lord, they are restless. However, there is a way of their remission also. Whenever Sants happen to pass that way with spirits reclaimed from the lower regions, some of these spirits fortunately get Their Darshan. Such spirits go along with the Sants who very gladly take them to the court of the Lord and get them pardoned.

The spirit, thereafter, went to� Hootal Hoot, which, in Hindi, has been described as Bhanwargupha. There is a rotating swing here which is all the time in subtle motion, and the spirits ever swing on it. All round, there are innumerable spiritual islands from which the sounds of "Sohang Sohang" and "AnaHOO AnaHOO" rise all the time. Spirit entities playfully and rapturously enjoy these sounds. Other characteristics of this region cannot be reduced to writing, as they can be realized by the spirit only when it reaches there by performing Abhyas [the meditation practices]. Hence it is necessary to continue the practice of this mode of devotion and it is called the Shabd (sound) practice. Do not give it up.

Having witnessed spectacle of this region, the spirit entity proceeded upward and went on ascending. Whiffs of scents of various kinds and sweet fragrance of sandal were enjoyed by the spirit and the melodies of flutes were heard, while it proceeded onward. On crossing this plane, the spirit entity reached the outpost of Sat Lok, where melodious sounds of "Sat Sat" and "Haq Haq" were heard coming out of the Bin. On hearing this, the spirit penetrated further rapturously. There rose to view silver and golden streams full of nectar, and vast gardens, each tree thereof being one crore-Yojans in height. Crores of suns and moons hang from them as flowers and fruits. Innumerable spirits and Hansas sing, chatter and play on those trees like birds. The wondrous beauty of this region is ineffable. While enjoying it, the spirit entered Sat Lok and came into the presence of Sat Purush.

Now as regards the glory of the person of Sat Purush, each hair of His is so brilliant that crores of suns and moons look pale in comparison. When such is the refulgence of each hair, how is it possible to describe the glory of all His hair, and where are the words to describe the beauty and glory of His entire person? How can one describe His eyes, nose, ears, face, hands and feet? They are all nothing but refulgence, even to describe them as oceans of refulgence does not give even the remotest idea.

The expanse of Sat Lok is one padam Palang, a Palang being equal to Triloki in vastness. Hence it is difficult to imagine the stupendous vastness of Sat Lok. There dwell spirit entities called Hansas who enjoy the Darshan of Sat Purush, hear the music of the Bin and partake of ambrosial food.

After witnessing the glory of this region, the spirit proceeded to Alakh Lok and got Darshan of Alakh Purush. The expanse of this region is one sankh and each hair of Alakh Purush has the effulgence of arab kharab suns.

Thereafter the spirit entity went on and attained Agam Lok, which is Maha Sankh Palang in expanse and the magnitude of the person of Agam Purush equals a crore Sankhs. The forms of Hansas of this region are amazingly wondrous, and the state of esctasy and bliss that obtains there passes description. The spirit entity sojourned there for a long time and, on going beyond, it got the Darshan of Radhasoami, that is, Anami Purush, and merged in Him. Radhasoami Dham is boundless, infinite, endless and immeasurable. It is the Nij Sthan, the special resting place of Sants (Faqirs). That region is the Ultima Thule of all Sants and all speech and description end here. I also conclude here.

So great and exalted is the status of Sants (Faqirs). Hence, how can the followers of all those who stopped at the very first stage, calling it limitless and boundless, be convinced of the existence of these higher regions? No one but Sants and perfect Faqirs knows them. Only those who have met Sants and Faqirs can be convinced about the existence of these regions, provided that they have faith in Their words. Neither the Prophet nor Vyas and Vashishtha knew of these regions. Hence no Hindu or Muslim can believe in their existence. It is not desirable to tell them about this, because they are faltered by the teachings of the prophet and Quran, and Hindus are slaves of Vyas, Vashishtha and the Vedas. They cannot even tolerate hearing these words. As such, communication of this revelation will do good only to those persons who have faith and belief in the words of Sants and who accept that the status of Sants is exalted above all and that Sants are, in�fact, the creators of Khuda and Parmeshwar (God). For this reason, this secret should not be divulged to any one until and unless his faith and conviction have been ascertained as conforming to what has been stated above. (Soami Ji Maharaj)

Michio Kaku: "How could it be that we live in an eleven dimensional universe? Well the skeptics hardly laugh anymore. Around the world, the nation's leading physicists are scrambling to learn this bizarre theory that may allow us to read the mind of God, called string theory, which says that music resonating through hyperspace may be the mind of God." ("Parallel Worlds -- A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, And the Future of the Cosmos")

Julian Johnson, in, Path of the Masters: "Try now to get a picture of that luminous reality, the grand orchestra of the universe. Its heavenly strains are not only filling all interstellar space but they are ringing with far more enchanting Music through all the higher worlds beyond the utmost bounds of the physical. The higher we go, the more enchanting the Music. In those higher worlds the Music is less mixed with matter, and so it is not dulled. After passing the Third Region on the Path of the Masters, this sublime chorus becomes so overwhelmingly attractive that the soul grows impatient to go on up. It is absorbed in it. It lives in it day and night. It is its life, its joy, its spiritual food. There is not a cubic millimeter of space in existence which is not filled with this Music. Sweeter and sweeter its heavenly strains vibrate through every living being, great or small, from world to world, and from universe to universe. Its life-giving

�melodies may not be consciously heard by those who are not trained to catch them, but there is not one living being in all creation which does not derive its life from this Current."

Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash: "The Sound heard internally is a Current which has originally emanated from the Supreme Being and is the means not only of concentrating the will but also of raising the spirit to the Source from which it emanates. At the time of initiation, a novice receives instructions as regards the particulars of the Shabd [Sound] of each sub-division by means of which he has to raise his spirit upwards."

Beyond the Universe

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#637

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Mon Aug 6, 2012 3:39 pm
Subject: Podcast at Youtube: Mystic Poetry of Sant Tulsi Sahib

santmat_mystic

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Podcast at Youtube: Mystic Poetry of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India -- Spiritual Awakening Radio:

�

http://youtu.be/CSGNRtpodNw

These poetry readings, based on translations of Tulsi's poems from Agra, Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Pravesh K. Singh, and the SadGuruMehi website, are musically accompanied with Indian classical ragas. These are unlicensed recordings donated to the program by my good friend P.A. John.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSGNRtpodNw

Any serious study of Sant Mat teachings must include the hymns and spiritual discourses of Sant Tulsi Sahib". Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India was the Adi Guru of many if not most all contemporary Sant Mat guru-lineages, the "grandfather" or "founding-father" of modern-day Sant Mat. He serves as a connecting link between the classic Sants of India including earlier Masters in the Kabir lineage, and contemporary Sant Mat Mysticism. "Sant Mat" means: "The Way of the Saints" or "Path of the Masters".

It's common knowledge that the term "Sant Mat" was coined by Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India during the 19th Century. The term "Sant Mat" was coined by Tulsi Sahib, but the Sant tradition, with its many guru-lineages or branches, is a spiritual movement that dates back many centuries to ancient India. Tulsi Sahib was of the opinion that the Sant movement goes back to the time of Krishna thousands of years ago, that Krishna knew of Sants or Rishis during his day, the age of the Bhagavad Gita.

All for the love of wisdom and radio,

James

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

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#638

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:24 am
Subject: Practicing Sant Mat -- Love, Light and Sound on the Path

santmat_mystic

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��

Practicing Sant Mat -- Love, Light and Sound on the Path

Mirabai -- Bhakti Hymn by Karnamrita Devi Dasi:

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Contents Below -- In This Issue/Digest

Newly Added Books and Articles at the Sant Mat Library Online;

New Podcasts Now Available: Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts, and, Spiritual Awakening Radio;

Also Below

John Lennon Quote

Buddha

Kabir

Wisdom from the Prakash Mani Gita, Introduction to Sant Mat Ethics, Meditation, and the Goal of Inner Sound Meditation Practice;

A Rather Sufi-like Poem by a Sant: Ghazal of Sant Tulsi Sahib;

Seven Stages of Mystic Ascension to Heaven; From Inner Light To Sound; Three Important Requirements: Praise, Prayer, Meditation; and, Communion or Meditation Practice -- All Satsang Discourses By Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

The Infinitesimal Point -- Opening To Realms of Inner Light, Satsang Discourse By Swami Achyutanand Baba;

Meditation Practice (Sadhana) According to Sant Mat Mysticism

Article -- Evidence that Jesus and the Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians

More Books Added to the Sant Mat Library of Online Books -- GO TO:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

Kabir in the Adi Granth; Prakash Mani Gita: On Surat Shabd Yoga; The Way Out Is IN, a Radhasoami classic; The Secret of Realization, by Dr. H.N. Saksena; The Science and Philosophy of Spirituality, by R. K. Gupta; Divine Melodies (rare book of Kirpal Singh poetry); Spiritual Elixir (Letters To Initiates); Satyanusaran (The Pursuit of Truth), by Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra; Messages of Sree Sree Mentu Maharaj;

Western Plagiarisms of India's Sant Mat Tradition -- Links to Several Books and Articles Added Including: "The Making of a Spiritual Movement -- The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar", authored by David C. Lane; Offshoots of Offshoots, Offshoots of Offshoots of Offshoots -- a chapter on "Virtual Gurus" authored by Andrea Lane; Undoing the Damage of Rogue Light and Sound Gurus -- Deviations from The Path, Parts 1, 2, and 3;

Vegan Diet and Sant Mat: Article: Evidence that Jesus and the Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians; Teachers in the "western neo light and sound" type groups and various offshoots almost always rationalize that the vegetarian dietary practices of the Sant tradition are merely "cultural" rather than spiritual and ethical, that the vegetarian teachings of the Masters and Mystics are not to be taken seriously. New age neo "light and sound" authors sometimes attempt to make propaganda by citing passages from the New Testament about eating meat. They argue that, in their view Jesus was a Master and ate meat, therefore we should eat meat too. This flawed Sunday school logic is dealt with rather thoroughly.

PODCASTS Recently Added -- GO TO:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/archive.html

Sant Mat Satsang PODcast 8-23-12: Evidence that Jesus and the Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians or Vegans. Research into the Ebionite Gospels and Other Ancient Texts;

Veena Howard speaking about the Spiritual Masters of India (Sant Mat), Parts 1 and 2;

The Sikh Religion of India: Background, Spirituality, Mystic Poetry of Namdev and Kabir -- Readings, Music and Chant, Parts 1 and 2;

Love's Last Madness -- Mystic Poetry of Sant Darshan Singh (in English and Urdu), Parts One and Two;

There is No 'Vatican' of the Spirit -- A Reflection on the Impermanence of Spiritual Movements in a World of Samsara (Changes);

Near-Death Experiences Through Meditation;

John Lennon: "I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It�s just that the translations have gone wrong."

"My heart is coloured with the colour of love." -- Kabir

"Sant Mat, the Way of Sages, is also referred to as the path of saints, the teachings of saints, and as the conviction of saints and sages. Sant Mat is a pure spiritual tradition. The teachings of Sant Mat integrate devotion of God [Bhakti] with inner subtle knowledge and yoga disciplines [Surat Shabd Yoga]." -- Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

A Very Sufi-like Poem by a Sant: Ghazal of Sant Tulsi Sahib

Hear my words O Taqi, stay focused on the Satguru who has assisted you.

Do not succumb to negligence for this path if you desire to see the splendor of your Beloved.

His grace will guide you into His very presence, free of all dangers or fears along the way.

Go directly to your destination, for the Master has revealed to you his instructions.

Rumi, Shams, Mansur and Sarmad arrived. By this very path, and with firm resolve, they reached their goal.

Arduous is the way to the destination of love, but reaching there is not difficult. The one who resolves difficulties is with you and has given you his hand.

Says Tulsi, Hear me O Taqi, the inner secret is unlike anything you have known before. Keep it safe in your heart, for it focuses you on the Most High [God].

From the Prakash Mani Gita on Sant Mat Ethics, Meditation, and the Goal of Inner Sound Meditation Practice (Surat Shabd Yoga Sadhana)

"The one who imparts knowledge that removes your ignorance becomes your Satguru...."

"For meditation, the devotee has to observe the rules of Yama and Niyama. He also has to sit in a proper and comfortable posture for a certain length of time. The sahaj asan or easy posture is practical, and it should be perfected by regular practice.

"The yamas* are: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-hoarding of possessions, and control of all the senses and passions. The niyamas* are: cleanliness of mind and body, contentment, austerity, study of scriptures, and intense desire for God realization.�

[*NOTE: For more on "Yamas" (morality) and "Niyamas" (personal observances), see the Eight Limbs of Yoga in, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.]

"The devotee must control his mind and then meditate on the Word. This is called Surat Dharana or Surat Shabda Dharana which means to control the mind with the Anahad Nada or the Internal Mystical Sound Current. This is the way for the beginner to get control of the mind. When the mind is fixed on the Word (the Inner Sound) and does not waver from it, then it comes under proper control. After control of the mind, the devotee has to meditate. In meditation the meditator realizes 'oneness' with the object of meditation. Meditation is just like pouring honey from a bottle: the stickiness of the honey makes every drop stick to the others. In the same way the thought waves maintain a continuous flow towards a single object. The devotee will then attain samadhi or Self-realization. Though there are different kinds of samadhi, he will try to reach Nirvikalpa Samadhi. There is the Savikalpa Samadhi in which the devotee retains a sense of differences. He cannot stay in Savikalpa Samadhi for a long time. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi, all differences disappear and the devotee can remain in it for a long time. In this state there is a constant realization of Oneness. The meditator, the meditation and the object of meditation merge into unity. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi the soul, God and the meditator become one. By achieving this state the devotee obtains immense bliss. The attainment of this state of Samadhi (Sahaj Samadhi) is also called Jivan-Mukti (liberation during this lifetime). The meditator realizes oneness with God during his lifetime. His actions, words and thoughts become harmonious, and he enjoys bliss."

How does the soul merge into God?

Devotee: O Satguru, please tell me how does the union of Surat [attention of the soul] and Shabda [the Sound Current] come to a person? How can the Surat be pure and how can it love the Shabda? (Surati has different meanings -- mind, soul, and consciousness). When the soul merges into the universal Word, Sat Purush (God), then how do all the differences become abolished?

Satguru: When all the thought waves merge into the Divine Sound, they become Sound. There are no more thoughts. Only Word remains. The Surat and Shabda cannot then be differentiated. When the Surat unites with Shabda, it is just as when water mixes with milk and become one. Surat gives up its own identity and merges into the Word. Although Surat and Shabda appear different, they are not really separate. Once the union has occurred, and the thought waves are silenced, bliss is experienced. When the waters of two rivers such as the Ganges and the Yamuna unite at Prayag, one cannot differentiate the waters, just so, when Surat and Shabda unite, they are indistinguishable. However, for this to occur one has to meditate before that Oneness can be realized. The Yamuna merges into the Ganges and loses itself, and only the Ganges remains. In the same way, when Surat merges into Shabda, then only Shabda remains. No one can then identify any separation or differences. When one attains unity with Shabda, his surati becomes pure. All the passions of lust, anger, attachment, greed and ego are removed. He becomes a true devotee."

-- Shri Prakash Mani, From the "Prakash Mani Gita", on Surat Shabd Yoga Sadhana (Inner Light and Sound Meditation Practice)

From Inner Light To Sound

"The path leading to God is within your heart. Enter into Ajna Chakra [Third Eye] and you will find your Beloved. God is not found in a manmade Ka�ba (Muslim pilgrimage place), but in natural Ka�ba (holy place), within your own heart or self. Turn your attention within.

You should listen attentively to the reverberating divine Sound. The celestial Sound is coming to take you back to the Source. Remember you cannot hear this with the physical ears. When you focus your gaze within Ajna Chakra and the consciousness is inverted inward, your physical ears automatically will close and the inner ears will open. By that power with inner ears you can hear the celestial Sounds. The original Sound of the creation comes from the abode of God and it will take you to God.

"The Nadabindu Upanishad sings the praise of [inner] Sound Yoga and offers this image:

'When a mad (in rut) elephant goes to a banana orchard and destroys and eats the orchard, and the elephant keeper comes and pierces the elephant with a prong, the elephant is brought under control. In the same manner, our mind is like the mad elephant that is wandering in the garden of sense objects and is disciplined by the practice of [inner] Sound Yoga.'

"This teaches us that when the mind withdraws from the sense objects and goes towards a state that is beyond worldly desires; the mind automatically turns toward God."

-- Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions

Seven Stages of Mystic Ascension to Heaven

By Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

1) Praise or Bhakti,

2) Prayer,

3) Manas japa (simran, praying without ceasing, repeating the name of God -- mantra, the first stage of meditation),

4) Manas dhyana (contemplating the form of the Master, second stage of meditation),

5) Dristi sadhana (seeing Inner Light at the Third Eye Center, third stage of meditation),

6) Nadanusandhana (Nada Sadhana: hearing the Inner Sounds -- Surat Shabd Yoga, fourth stage of meditation),

7) Reaching Kaivalya (Oneness with Soundlessness, the Nameless One, Formless Supreme Being, the Supreme State, The Ocean of Love -- the Goal)

[The ultimate goal of Sant Mat Mysticism is to merge into the upper level of Kaivalya known as Sabdatita [Sabtatit] Pad -- the State beyond the Sound, the Ultimate Reality of God in the Nirguna or Formless State, also described with terms such as Anami (Nameless), Anadi (Soundlessness), and Ocean of Love.]

Three Important Requirements: Praise, Prayer, Meditation

There are three important requirements to be met in the practice of a person who pursues devotion to the Divine and seeks to attain liberation. First is praise; second is prayer; and third is meditation. We know that when we are indebted to someone, we should express our gratitude and appreciation. God has blessed us bountifully.

Although we are unable to repay God for his generous blessings, we can acknowledge this goodness by chanting praises about the Divine Being. When we exalt God through song, we declare the glories of the Divine. In doing this, we remember the grandeur of God. As a natural result, our faith in God increases. Unless we acknowledge someone's qualities, it is impossible to be faithful to that person.

Tulsi Das Sahab says:

"Without having the knowledge of the nature of God it is impossible to know him. And without understanding his qualities we can not have love for God. Without love we cannot have devotion and true faith. This is as unattainable as the mixing of water and oil [which is impossible]."

Therefore, in order to have devotion and faith in God it is necessary to know the grandeur of God. Once the glory of God is known, our heart is attracted to God. This is a great way to keep your heart in devotion to God. Thus, it is through praise that we extol the divine powers of God and draw our mind toward God.

After singing praises to God we, then, pray. Prayer is supplication with deep humility. In general, people have desires and make demands. Only the great sages do not have wants.

Kabir Sahab said:

"My desires are gone, as are my worries. My mind is filled with detachment. One who does not want anything is the king of kings."

Sant Tulsi Das says:

"People desire sons, wealth and fame in this world. Why do people desire that which taints the mind?"

Why do we desire these things? Sant Tulsi Das considers this:

"[Fleeting] pleasures come to us without asking, whether we are in heaven, hell, house, or forest. Why then do people work so hard to get these pleasures while they ignore the advice of the sages [to seek permanent joy?]"

Why do we invest so much effort in acquiring these worldly pleasures which come to us naturally? And let us consider as well that there is always pain involved in acquiring worldly objects, and that an even greater exertion is required to sustain them. And further, when these very same insidious sensory pleasures leave us, the distress is even more intense. This is why, the wise do not ask for things which are transitory. The truth is that our desires should only be for something which would eliminate the desire [for worldly pleasures] itself. In reality, the only thing we should be asking God for is to achieve union with the divine. After realizing the Divine, there is nothing left to be achieved. This is the end of all wants.

Prayer and invocation are not merely concerned with the mindless muttering of requests, but rather, prayer should be the voice of our heart. God always listens to the one who calls out with a pure heart.

In the Yajur Veda (chapter 20) it is said:

"Oh God, even as we unknowingly commit various sins, day and night, please forgive these offenses and ill desires. You are omnipresent, like the pervasive wind."

We have previously spoken about prayer in both Christianity and Islam [chapters of, The Harmony of All Religions]. Christians refer to this practice as prayer, and Muslims call it ibadat. We see that in all theistic religions there is a great emphasis on prayer.

Communion or Meditation Practice

The practices of praise and prayer-glorification and invocation-are followed by communion through the practices of contemplation and meditation. The Sanskrit word upasana literally means sitting near God. The saints distinguish four categories of upasana. The four basic practices are:

1) Manas japa,

2) Manas dhyana,

3) Dristi sadhana and

4) Nadanusandhana.

-- Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony of All Religions

The Infinitesimal Point -- Opening To Realms of Inner Light

"This calls for a motionless, still gazing ahead right in front of the center of the two eyes in the inner dark void that is seen upon closing our eyes gently. The art of gazing in the inner dark vastness that the currents of consciousness present in the two eyes, meet at a Point, so the gaze gets fixed in a Point, has to be learnt from an accomplished Guru and practiced regularly with utmost faith and sincerity. It must be noted here that Sants warn strictly against any kind of imagining of the presence of a Point within. Whenever the two currents meet, a bright Point is automatically seen -- it does not have to be imagined or visualized. Whenever this happens, breathing adjusts automatically. Awareness of own body and surroundings is lost even as the meditator is fully alert and conscious internally. Ascension or transcendence is a direct corollary of concentrationMore Wisdom from the East, collection of attention. As a result, thus, of awareness shrinking completely into an absolute Point, the 'jiva' or 'Surat' (non-liberated individual soul that is combined with the mind, etc...) pierces through or transcends the gross sphere, and ascends into the astral sphere where countless varieties of Sounds called Anahad ('ana' meaning 'no', and 'had' meaning limit or boundary) Nada (Sounds) are heard. Brilliant lights, innumerable worlds, stars, moon, sun, advanced souls, etc...., etc.... are seen by the practitioner, who has become completely oblivious of, or has left behind the gross universe (that his physical body exists in) behind. The soul keeps flying in the inner sky like a bird, sighting all the magnificent scenes. Hence Bindu Dhyan or the Yoga of Light is also known as the 'vihangam marg' (vihangam means 'bird', and marg means 'path'). The perceiver becomes indescribably enthralled, ecstatic by the mesmerising sights. But he has to move on, resisting these temptations, and rise still further to accomplish his ultimate Goal, which is Self-Realization or God-Realization."

-- From the Preamble of, Yoga of Inner Light and Sound, by Swami Achyutanand, translated by Pravesh K. Singh

Meditation Practice (Sadhana) According to Sant Mat Mysticism

There are several meditation practices in Sant Mat. There are several techniques described, the specific details of which are taught to students at the time of their deeksha (initiation) into the practice:

1) developing a daily routine, the habit of meditating at the same time or times each day;

2) proper posture with back straight so that one is truly focused at the Third Eye and remains alert and awake;

3) Manas Japa (Simran), a mantra repetition of a sacred word or words chanted mentally;

4) Manas Dhyan, the technique of mentally visualising or seeing a form of God or one's teacher;

5) Drshti Yoga (Yoga of inner Light), the technique of focusing upon an Infinitesimal Point. This Point will eventually blossom into inner Light or visions of Light. One gazes into the middle of the darkness or the Light one sees while in meditation. Think of the Infinitesimal Point as being like a laser pointer or cursor keeping one focused. One passes from scene to scene and vision to vision always looking toward the center;

6) Nadanusandhana (Yoga of inner Sound or Bhajan), the practice of inner spiritual hearing (also know as Surat Shabd Yoga); and,

7) Reaching the State of Kaivalya: Oneness with the Supreme Being in the Pure Conscious Realm. The ultimate goal is to merge into the upper level of Kaivalya known as the Ocean of Love and Compassion, the Ultimate Reality of God in the Nirguna or Formless State, also described with terms such as Radhasoami (Lord of the Soul), Anami (The Nameless One) and Anadi (The Soundless State beyond Light and Sound, Sabdatita [Sabtatit] Pad).

Evidence that Jesus and the Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians

A Western Master of the Sound Current by the name of Pythagoras once said, "Our Earth has abundance of such pure and harmless foods and there is no need for us to partake of meals for which blood has to be shed and innocent life sacrificed."

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." (Albert Einstein)

In the Case of Jesus, "What About the Loaves and Fishes?"

The first question people always ask is, "What about 'fish' and the 'Passover lamb'?" They could also cite the passage about John the Baptist eating bugs (locusts). This of course is based on a couple of verses from the Orthodox New Testament that people are familiar with.

For those not acquainted with early Christian history and the various collections of writings or scriptures from that period that have survived, at first glance it appears as if Jesus ate fish and that John the Baptist dined on locusts. Certainly the well-known writings of European Christianity portray it that way. But not so fast! Those gospels represent writings used by a religious sect following the Apostle Paul's Western version of Christianity. Paul did advocate eating meat as did his followers generally, but he himself supplies us with evidence in his own letters (epistles) dating back to the early decades of the First Century AD (around 50 AD) that others in early Christianity disagreed with him about diet and many other issues. It turns out that Paul dropped the vegetarian requirement as part of his attempt to make converts around the Roman Empire. If you read his New Testament "Book of Galatians" closely you can notice there was quite a bit of tension between Paul and the original Jesus Movement based in Jerusalem. Paul gives them 'left-handed compliments', calls them "weak", "of the circumcision", and even "judaizers,". Given their solid credibility and affiliation with the historic Jesus, Paul couldn't completely denounce them, but he does greatly marginalize them. They are barely mentioned at all in the New Testament. Relations with the earlier group were rather frosty, and this is always a serious red flag in these cases when you have one group or schism breaking away from an earlier spiritual movement.

Those in Jerusalem -- Jesus's own family and spiritual successors headed by the Apostle James -- the brother of Jesus and next leader of the Aramaic-speaking Jerusalem Community -- were all vegetarian. They disagreed with Paul's sect about diet. "The consumption of animal flesh was unknown up until the great flood. But since the great flood, we have had the fibers and the stinking fluids of animal flesh stuffed into our mouths...Jesus, the Christ, who appeared when the time was fulfilled, again joined the end to the beginning, so that we are now no longer allowed to eat animal flesh." (Hieronymus)

How could it be that Jesus's own family, the actual group of direct spiritual successors and disciples would have it all wrong about diet, and Paul, who never physically met Jesus and never was directly affiliated with the original disciples, had it right? The truth of the matter is the Hebrew gospels did not portray Jesus as eating fish or Passover lamb, and in those gospels, John the Baptist did not eat any insects. Paul's group had their literature, but so did the Ebionites. There were pro-meat gospels, as we all know, but there were also vegetarian gospels: The Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, The Gospel of the Hebrews, Gospel of the Nazarenes, Gospel of the Ebionites, other Ebionite literature including, "The Clementine Homilies", and, "The Recognitions of Clement". These are not channeled or recently composed writings, but scriptures that have been known to scholars, and used by other branches of Christianity from the Middle East in antiquity. Sometimes these books are called "extra-canonical writings" or "lost books of the Bible". These are books of someone else's Bible, in other words, sacred texts once used by other forms of Apostolic Christianity long ago in Israel, Syria (Mesopotamia), Turkey (Asia Minor), Egypt, Ethiopia, around the Mediterranean, etc....

The Jewish Christians called themselves "Ebionites". "Ebionite" is a word derived from Hebrew meaning "the Poor." They traced their vow of poverty back to the first Christian community described in the New Testament "Book of Acts" 4:32-35, a spiritual community which shared all of their possessions in common.

Epiphanius quotes their gospel, the Ebionite or Hebrew Gospel, as ascribing the words to Jesus, 'I have come to destroy the sacrifices' (Panarion 30.16.5), and as ascribing to Jesus rejection of the Passover meat (Panarion 30.22.4), and analogous to numerous passages found in the "Recognitions" and "Homilies" (e.g. "Recognitions" 1.36, 1.54, Homilies 3.45, 7.4, 7.8).

The Ebionite or Hebrew Gospel quotes Jesus as saying, "I have come to abolish the sacrifices, and if you cease not from sacrificing, my wrath will not cease from you". (Panarion 30.16.5)

One of the earliest Ebionite Christian documents is, "The Clementine Homilies", a work based on the teachings of Saint Peter. Homily XII states, "The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils".

Paul was OK with the practice of eating meat sacrificed to idols that came from various temples, but the original Jesus Movement categorically rejected this. The author of the "Book of Revelation" in the New Testament also denounced this practice. See "Book of Revelation" 2:12-17. The passage from Revelation actually contradicts other verses in the New Testament authored by Paul!

The first Christians, also known as Ebionites or Nazoreans were not only kosher, but strictly adhered to a vegetarian diet. The largest surviving collection of Ebionite scriptures are, "The Clementine Homilies", and, "The Recognitions of Clement". Those are vegetarian gospels and condemn animal sacrifice in any form. It says in the "Book of Homilies" that God does not want animals killed at all (3.45), and condemns those who eat meat (7.4, 7.8). And these passages below also show their diet was vegan (no eggs, no dairy, no animal products, period).

Peter said, "I live on olives and bread to which I rarely only add vegetables." ("Clementine Homilies" 12,6; also see, Recognitions 7,6)

"And happiness is found in the practice of virtue. Accordingly, the Apostle Matthew partook of seeds, and nuts, hard-shelled fruits, and vegetables, without flesh." (Clement of Alexandria, "The Instructor", book 2, chapter 1)

"John never ate meat." (Church historian Hegesipp according to Eusebius, "History of the Church" II 2:3)

"James, the brother of the Lord, lived on seeds and plants and touched neither meat nor wine." ("Epistulae ad Faustum" XXII, 3)

"James, the brother of the Lord was holy from his mothers womb; and he drank no wine nor strong drink, nor did he eat flesh." (Hegesippus, quoted in, "The Church History of Eusebius", book 2, chapter 23)

And James became the successor of Christ and next leader of the Jesus Movement! The Gospel of Thomas, Saying 12: "The disciples said to Jesus, 'We are aware that you will depart from us. Who will be our leader?' Jesus said to him, 'No matter where you come, it is to James the Just that you shall go, for whose sake heaven and earth have come to exist.'" (Bently Layton's translation)

Though never seeing eye-to-eye with the original Jerusalem community on many things, including the issue of meat-eating, in his letters (New Testament epistles) even Paul the rogue Apostle confirms this leadership role of James the Just, "the Lord's brother" in Jerusalem, and he himself went to visit him to seek his blessings on a couple of occasions.

Inter-Faith Love Instead of Hate

The following passage is from the "Recognitions of Clement". This Ebionite Christian author has very nice things to say about those in India who worship One God, follow peaceful customs and laws, and are vegetarian or vegan. Imagine! Clearly he sees parallels between his own religion and that of his brothers and sisters "in the Indian countries." This is one of the most amazing passages I know of in the extra-canonical scriptures, as it is a rare example of one religion (Ebionite, Hebrew Christianity) recognizing "Truth" in another religion (Hinduism), a rare inter-faith moment in human history. "Recognitions of Clement", and, the "Clementine Homilies", are surviving Jewish-Christian texts representing an Ebionite vegetarian Christian point of view:

"There are likewise amongst the Bactrians,

in the Indian countries,

immense multitudes of Brahmans,

who also themselves,

from the tradition of their ancestors,

and peaceful customs and laws,

neither commit murder nor adultery,

nor worship idols,

nor have the practice of eating animal food,

are never drunk,

never do anything maliciously,

but always fear God."

-- "Recognitions of Clement", Book 9, Chapter 22, "Brahmans" Volume Eight, of the, "Ante-Nicene Fathers", page 187, T & T Clark Eerdmans edition

More Wisdom from the East

Sant Kirpal Singh: "Those who take up the practices concerning the lower centers in the body, do take meat ........ but those who are anxious to rise above body consciousness and go into the Beyond have of necessity to eschew all that. This is the Path I have put before you. Liberation or salvation is something which starts only when you rise above body consciousness. For that reason, vegetarianism is the first essential." ("The Night is a Jungle", published by Sant Bani Ashram of New Hampshire)

The harshest words that Guru Kabir, a great Master from Northern India (loved by Sufis, Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus alike), ever spoke were directed against the slaughter or consumption of innocent animals. Kabir says, "The man who eats meat is a demon in human form. Keep away from him -- his company will ruin your meditation."

The following passage, on the reason why many practitioners of various spiritual paths advocate following the Satvik or vegetarian diet, is from the book, "Harmony of All Religions", published by Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Bihar, India:

"The saints have addressed violence with particular attention to the foods which are eaten. Foods which are produced by killing living beings, as well as foods which are not pure and fresh, are considered Tamsik. Consumption of these is prohibited by the teachings of the Saints. This includes animal products such as meat, fish, and eggs. These foods inhibit the clarity of mind and the health of the body."

"Further, Kabir Sahab says: "The kind of food and drink which we consume directly influences how our mind will become. Even the quality of water which we drink will influence our speech." (Maharishi Sant Sevi Ji Paramahans)

"In Sant Mat all Masters have decried killing and meat-eating." (Sant Tulsi Sahib, Ghat Ramayan)

The Vegetarian Prayer of Thanksgiving -- One of the "Lost Books of the Bible" Unearthed at Nag Hammadi: "When they had said these things in the prayer, they embraced each other and they went to eat their holy food, which has no blood in it."*

* A vegetarian meal. This passage also turns up in the Epilogue of Asclepius, in "HERMETICA," translated by Sir Walter Scott, published by Shambhala:

"Having prayed thus, let us betake ourselves to a meal unpolluted by flesh [animalia] of living things."

The G.R.S. Mead translation of the same passage in, Hermetica (Samuel Weiser Books) says: "With this desire we now betake us to our pure and fleshless meal."

"With such hopes we turn to a pure meal that includes no living thing." (Asclepius, translated in "Hermetica", Brian Copenhaver, Cambridge University Press)

To read further, and to get scores and scores of footnotes with references, see pages 913-953 of the Radhasoami book, "The Gospel of Jesus -- In Search of His Original Teachings", by John Davidson, Clear Press UK. ////////

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From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Sep 9, 2012 12:07 am
Subject: Mystics of the East -- Love, Light and Sound on the Path

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Mystics of the East -- Love, Light and Sound on the Path

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Contents Below -- In This Issue/Mailing/Blog/Digest: an introduction to Sant Mat: a new podcast at Youtube; a program about the Sikh Religion and scriptures; podcast on vegetarianism in early Christianity; quotes from: the Ebionite Gospel on the reincarnating Christ of the ages -- appearing in different cultures; John Lennon on Gnosticism; the German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg on seeing the inner Light from her spiritual classic, 'Flowing Light of the Godhead'; 'static' of the Big Bang (according to NASA); a letter from Kirpal Singh; Tulsi Sahib's and Maharshi Mehi's Ode to the Classic Sants of India; on the great 19th Century Master Baba Devi Saheb; excerpt from a clearer translation from Dayal Bagh of 'The Last Words of Soami Ji Maharaj', shedding new light on his appointment of Huzur Maharaj in Agra; Soami Ji Maharaj on early morning meditation from his 'Commentary on the Jap Ji'; guidance about inner Sound Meditation (Surat Shabd Yoga) from Shiv Brat Lal, Maharshi Mehi, and Swami Achyutanand Baba ("Not Just Any Sound"); and we conclude with a message of compassion and non-violence.

New Sant Mat Satsang and Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Now Available On Demand

* Sant Mat Satsang Podcast at Youtube -- September 2012: An Introduction to Sant Mat, The Path of the Masters, Mystics of the East -- This recording serves as an introduction to a school of spirituality from India known as Sant Mat. Hear: The Seven Teachings of Sant Mat, A Brief Summary of the Path, Seven Principals of Sant Mat, The Ethical Foundation or Ahimsa Values -- Moral Requirements for Initiation, also shared is a rare Satsang Discourse in English about Meditation Practice by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj given at the Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Kuppaghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar District, INDIA. Program Length: 43 Minutes. Click to Stream [via Youtube]:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnkOEaFfEPc

* The Sikh Religion of India -- I was inspired to help educate the public after the recent Sikh Temple incident in Wisconsin. It's a pleasure to share as well, since it consists of the poetry, music, chant, and teachings of great enlightened Inner Light and Sound Masters such as Guru Nanak, Kabir, and several others: Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast -- Program Length: 60 Minutes. Click to Stream or Download [via HealthyLifeNet]:�http://bit.ly/TBFkv2

* Sant Mat Satsang Podcast 8-23-12: Evidence that Jesus and the Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians or Vegans -- Research into the question of the vegetarian diet, Jesus and the original Christian movement of Palestine is presented. The first Christians, also known as Ebionites or Nazoreans were not only kosher, but strictly adhered to a vegetarian diet, and some of their writings have survived. Program Length: 27 Minutes. Click to Stream [via Blog Talk Radio]:�http://bit.ly/Q6jMFW

According to the Ebionite Gospel (from the original Hebrew Christians) Christ has appeared in different ages: "....has changed his forms and his names from the beginning of the world, and so reappeared again and again...." (The Clementine Homilies, from Homily III, Chapter XX, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume VIII)

John Lennon: "It seems to me that the only true Christians were the Gnostics, who believe in self knowledge, i.e. becoming Christ themselves, reaching the Christ within, the Light is the truth."

For countless ages, souls around the world have described their experience of God's Light. This is a passage from the medieval German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg on the wonders of contemplation and spiritual perception from her spiritual classic "Flowing Light of the Godhead":

"A Light of utmost splendor glows on the eyes of my soul. Therein have I seen the inexpressible ordering of all things, and recognized God's unspeakable glory -- that incomprehensible wonder -- the tender caress between God and the soul...the unmingled joy of union, the living love of eternity as it now is and evermore shall be."

The oldest program in the universe: "Turn your television to an 'in between' channel, and part of the static you'll see (and hear) is the afterglow of the big bang." (NASA website)

Dear Children of Light,

Be good and do good. These five words contain in them the essence of all religions of the world. My work shall be amply repaid if you live up to them.

If we could only still our intellect and remain embedded with love and trust in him, then we could reach our true Home without any exertion on our part.

God is love. When our soul comes in contact with his overflowing love, we are saturated with his love through and through, which washes away all dirt of sins of the past and merges us in oneness with the Father.

Peep and continue peeping within your self with overflowing love to see and contact the Master Power residing in you, who will then manifest to you and guide you step by step on to the path of Truth that your love will open for you.

Stand on your belief on solid ground. Let not others' wayward opinions deflect you from the true path you are on. Let not promises of glory by anyone waylay you. Do not come to hurried conclusions, but use discrimination in all your undertakings. Stick to what is Real. With an ethical and loving background your spiritual success is definitely assured. My love and best wishes are always with you in all your noble efforts and holy journey to your Home.

You have been put on the way to God that is the most natural and easiest of all. Do not be led away from the path. Transcend the body to have a flight in the higher regions to know thyself and see that you are a drop of the great ocean of consciousness. Radiate love toall creation. The grace of the Master Power is working over your head bountifully. Let us breathe out through every pore of our body: "Love and peace be unto all the world over."

You are protected by the Master Power working overhead. Depend on him. You will have all the necessary inner help. The Master Power is waiting for his dear children to come to him within.

With all love to each one of you,

Kirpal Singh

"The Saints of India" -- Can you identify some of the great Sants, Mystics and Masters in this jpg icon? I see Buddha and Mahavira next to each other, in the back. In front of them, Mira Bai. In the center, with a white beard and turban, is Guru Nanak. To his right, also with a white beard, is Guru Kabir. In front, pictured as bald with a white beard, is Baba Devi Sahab, disciple of Tulsi. To his left, with afro hair and black beard, is Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. You may be able to recognize others in the crowd as well, Tulsi Das, Ramakrishna, Tukaram, Namdev, perhaps more.

The Classic Sants -- The Nirguna Bhakti Saints of India -- Sant Mat (Path of the Masters, The Way of the Saints, Mystics of the East)

Hail all Sants!

Oh, too mean is our intellect

to extol the Sants!

Hail all Sants!

Smashers of sorrows,

breakers of worldly fetters

Treasure of wisdom,

they are the world's benefactors!

Yoga of Light,

Yoga of Sound,

In an easy way everywhere they propound!

Hail all Sants!

Great are all the Sages, great was Lord Buddha

Foes of sins, great were Shankara and Ramananda.

Glory to Sant Kabir who was so great

Glory to Guru Nanak who was so great!

Hail all Sants!

Goswami Shri Tulsidas Ji

Great benefactor Sahab Tulsi

Dadu, Sundar, Sura, Svapach,

Ravi the great seer

Jagjeevan, Paltu -- they robbed us of all fears!

Hail all Sants!

Satguru Devi (Sahab) and all those who have been, are

And who ever will be! Prostrate at their feet we are!

I, Mehi, sing their glory, express my appreciation

And place at their lotus-feet all my expectation!

Hail all Sants!

O Hail all Sants!

(Prayer of Maharshi Mehi,

Translated into English

by Pravesh K. Singh)

"I (Tulsi Saheb) have described the status of Sants and sung of hymns composed by them. Sants have traversed the path to the Inaccessible Region and their Surat has attained the Truth or Essence.

"Nanak, Dadu, Dariya Saheb, Mira Bai, Soor Das, Kabir and Nabhaji have all reached the Nabh (sky, high region) and have given out the secrets. Their Surats have got across and merged there.

"Though their teachings are one and the same, their ways of teaching are different. Indeed, all Sants have proceeded along the same path. All of them ascended along the same Current of Shabd, and got across. They saw Gagan and pro�ceeded ahead. Tulsi Saheb says with the beat of drums that he who doubts this is a great fool." (Tulsi Sahib, Ghat Ramayan)

Sant Mat History: From the Last Words or Parting Instructions of Soami Ji Maharaj of Agra: "Then Seth Sundarshan Singh then asked whom should they look to for guidance after Him. Swami Ji Maharaj said, 'Whoever needs spiritual guidance, should seek it from Salig Ram (Huzur Maharaj).'" See the Sant Mat Library Online for books by Huzur Maharaj, including several editions of Radhasoami Mat Prakash, and the Prem Patra Radhasoami volumes. �Scroll down the page here:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/library.html

Hail Baba Devi Saheb, one of my favorite Sants of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries: Blessed by Sant Tulsi Sahib, part of the Hathras Sangat, friend of Huzur Maharaj (the great disciple of Sant Radhasoami Sahib), Proponent of Sant Mat, and lover of the Beloved.

"Perform SIMRAN and DHYAN of that true NAAM in the last quarter of the night. At that time, there is NO noise and disturbance, and the mind can be concentrated and attention directed towards Him. This will bring you as a reward the robe of honour. In other words, you will know the secrets of the human microcosm and be on your way to redemption. You will realize that all that exists is SAT PURUSH." (Soami Ji Maharaj, Commentary on the Jap Ji)

Not Just Any Sound During Sound Current Meditation

Shiv Brat Lal: "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."

There are inner Sounds that one receives guidance from a true Master about at the time of initiation into Surat Shabd Yoga (Inner Sound Meditation, Yoga of the Audible Life Stream). These Sounds appear to come from the right side or center and represent the Ascending Current. Sounds that appear to be coming from the left side are of the descending current flowing downward into the material creation. One is instructed to focus on the Sounds of the Ascending Current or Audible Life Stream -- certain Sounds. There are of course many other sounds one might hear, but one has to focus on certain Sound Currents. The reason for this is these Sounds, if focused upon during meditation practice, will keep pulling the soul's attention up to ever higher and higher levels. These are coming from regions above. Other sounds, though interesting, miraculous or mystical, will not help the Surat-soul to ascend or make spiritual progress.

Another passage from Shiv Brat Lal: "Various sorts of Sound Currents reverberate in the human system 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."

Maharshi Mehi in, Philosophy of Liberation: "Each of the Sounds of the centers of the five realms possesses an attribute to draw Surat (the consciousness) upward to its center. The Essential Sound or Pure Spiritual Sound has the attribute to draw one's consciousness up to the Supreme Sovereign [God]. The other mayavi sounds (material Sounds mentioned above) of each of the respective five realms have the attribute to attract the person who hears it (or focuses on it) and to draw that person's Surat (consciousness) to the Sound of the realm directly above. Further, for the practitioner, the realization of the Essential Divine Sound is impossible without first attaining the Sounds of the lower realms. Sar Shabda (the Essential Divine Sound) beckons a return to the Supreme Sovereign. The progression of Sound in all centers of the realms is upward, carrying one's consciousness from the lower centers to the higher centers ultimately reaching the Supreme

�Sovereign God." -- Philosophy Of Liberation:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/96106920/Philosophy-of-Liberation

Hail to the Competent Living Masters,

Qualified Teachers, True Ones,

Genuine Mentors of souls,

Righteous and Worthy Guides,

Within and Without.

Jai Guru.

"The Sat Guru reunites the separated ones with God. He implants the Mantra of God's Name, and eradicates the illness of egotism. O Nanak, he alone meets the Sat Guru, who has such union pre-ordained." (Adi Granth, Sikh Scriptures)

Let the Sound Take You Away

"The soul has to concentrate on the Sounds that are heard ricocheting within by practicing nada dhyan/surat shabd yoga/nadanusandhana [Inner Sound Meditation]. Countless varieties of Sounds including the ocean's roar, thunder of clouds, melodies resembling those of musical instruments like drums, sitar, lute, flute, etc.... are heard. These Sounds are so captivating and pleasing that the soul forgets everything else. These Sounds become more and more melodious as one moves into higher and higher realms. By receiving the complete spiritual guidance of a true Guru one can grasp the Five Central Sounds, as described above, one after another and go on rising further and further. All these words or Sounds are flowing from the higher realms and by merging with them it is very much possible for the perceiving soul to keep ascending, just as a fish can swim against the stream or current." -- Swami Achyutanand Baba, Yoga of Inner Light and Sound, a new book on Sant Mat.

Our founders, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, Swami Ji Maharaj, etc.... and their successors have all instructed initiates of Surat Shabd Yoga (Inner Light and Sound Meditation) to adhere to a peaceful ethical foundation that includes the vegetarian diet.

"Countless are the cutthroats who trade in violence. Countless are the impious who live on unwholesome food." (Jap Ji of Guru Nanak)

"In Sant Mat ALL Masters have decried killing and meat-eating." (Sant Tulsi Sahib, Ghat Ramayan)

"If you could take a pill that would reduce your risk of getting cancer, having a stroke, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, large bowel disorders, dementia, gallstones and many other illnesses, would you?"

Vegan!

Killing is not a right.

KILLING IS NOT A FREEDOM.

Killing is not a choice.

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#640

From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:45 am
Subject: Close Your Eyes And See -- Light and Sound on the Path

santmat_mystic

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Close Your Eyes And See -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Digest of Spiritual Quotes, Satsang Discourses, and Announcements

NOTE: To enjoy all the photos, art and icons accompanying the various spiritual quotes below, (as always) if you're viewing this via email, always click: "Display Images", or "Show Images" for nice fonts and the full color/HTML experience.

* What's New at the Sant Mat Library Online? Recommended Reading -- �Several New Books Added: Harmony Of All Religions (Evidence For Inner Light and Sound Mysticism in the Great World Religions), Kirpal Singh's Nirvana Notes About Buddhism, Kirpal Singh: The Coming Spiritual Revolution, Kirpal Singh Poetry: Divine Melodies at Scribd, Kirpal Singh: Naam Or Word (Books 1 Through 10) -- An In-Depth Study of the Celestial Sound Current or God-Into-Expression Power Called Variously: Naam, Word, Music of the Spheres, Shabd, etc...., Anurag Sagar is now a Talking Book, Kabir in the Adi Granth, Sakhis of Guru Kabir, Western Plagiarisms of India's Sant Mat Tradition, and Guru -- Dispeller of Darkness. GO TO:�http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/library.html

* A Library of Podcasts-On-Demand: Spiritual Awakening Radio, and, Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

* Sant Mat Blog With Extensive Archive and Search Engine:

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

* Daily Spiritual Quotes via Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr:

http://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

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* Email/Mailing Lists and RSS Feeds via Yahoo Groups:

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Also, Sant_Santati, Spiritual Awakening at Yahoo, etc.....

* For An Introduction to Sant Mat -- GO TO:

http://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat.html

New Book Added to the Internet Library @ Archive.org -- Free Download: "Harmony Of All Religions", Exploring Inner Light and Sound Meditation in the Great World Religions: Vedic Tradition -- Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and the Sant Mat tradition -- Several Format Options: Read Online, Audio/Talking Book, PDF, Kindle, Daisy, DjVu, and Plain Text:�http://archive.org/details/HarmonyOfAllReligions

"Countless the Siddhas, the Buddhas, the Naths, and countless the gods and goddesses. Countless the Demigods and the Sages, and countless the bejewelled oceans. Countless the sources of creation, countless the harmonies, countless those that listen unto them, and countless the devotees of the Word, endless and unending, O Nanak!"�(Guru Nanak, from the Jap Ji)

According to the Ebionite Gospel (from the original Hebrew Christians) Christ has appeared in different ages: "....has changed his forms and his names from the beginning of the world, and so reappeared again and again...."�(The Clementine Homilies, from Homily III, Chapter XX, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume VIII)

"Many millions go about in many existences.

Many millions have been the incarnations.

Many millions are the creatures of various descriptions.

Many millions of beings, the Lord has made of good many descriptions.

Many millions are the celestial singers.

Ever and ever, the Unique Lord remains the same.

From the Lord, they emanate and into the Lord they merge."�(Adi Granth, Sikh Scriptures)

"Love is too big for just one nation, and God is too big for just one religion." (Michael Franti)

"Neither inherited beliefs nor those taken on hearsay can advance a seeker on the path of divine revelation." (Note from the Darshan Singh poetry book, Love's Last Madness)

"Just as a coded document shows the way to a Hidden Treasure, just so this bijak shows the way to realize the soul;

It teaches such words to the soul but there is seldom anyone to understand them." (Sakhi of Kabir)

"Death enshrouds the whole world, including all the superstitious wisemen. Kabir says, 'Only those will be freed who find the Path of Love.'" (Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth, by Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press)

"If your spiritual guides say to you,

'Look, the divine Realm is

in the sky,'

well then the birds

will get there ahead of you.

If they say,

'It is in the sea,'

then the fish will precede you.

"No, divine Reality exists

inside and all around you.

Only when you have come to know your

true Self will you be fully known --

realizing at last that you

are a child of the Living One.

If, however, you never come to know

who you truly are,

you are a poverty-stricken being,

and it is your 'self'

which lies impoverished."

(Yeshua, Saying Three, The Gospel of Thomas --

Wisdom of the Twin, Lynn Bauman translation)

Kabir says,

Search nearby -- why go so far?

Your soul wearied in the long search.

You even climbed Mount Sumeru.

When you returned,

you found God in your own house [body]."

(Songs of Kabir in the Adi Granth,

Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press)

"There are many people who want something from God, but those people are rare who want GOD." (Swami Ashutosh Baba)

Oystein Sevag:�"Close Your Eyes and See"

"Meditation will remove all your burdens; meditation upon Ram's [God's] name will become your support." -- Guru Kabir

"It is with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." -- Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Close all three: eyes, ears and mouth,

then listen to the limitless Music.

Nanak says, in meditation

there is no evening or dawn.

-- Guru Nanak

"Vedic dharma has its temples, Christianity its churches, and Islam its mosques. But the real temple is the heart. God is attained within: the path to God lies within one's own self, as all the saints have taught this with unanimity. The inner path begins in Sushumana, ajana chakra (the tenth gate between the two eyebrows [Third Eye Center])." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions)

"Just as the lotus blooms

after getting the light of the sun,

in the same way the sufferings of the souls

from ages and ages are finished

after having darshan [vision]

of Sat Purush [True Eternal Being, God]."

-- Anurag Sagar

"One can see that the body is more like a radio, more like a conscious entity in the universe that picks up things. Being born as a separate entity in the universe, we are a Point of Light, a conscious being in a separate form. We tend to assume we are a fixed, solid, physical person, but we are something greater than that -- not so limited, heavy, and fixed as our cultural conditioning makes it sound, or as we tend to perceive."�(Ajahn Sumedho, The Sound of Silence)

Spiritual Consciousness and the Supreme Spirit

"Science and humanity seek to achieve ultimate truth with their limited knowledge of mind and matter i.e. the ordinary consciousness: states of waking and sleep. Ultimate truth is not matter nor it is material -- it is Spirit, Pure Spirit and nothing but Spirit. It can only be realized by entering into higher states of consciousness. Transformation to higher states of consciousness is the path traversed towards ultimate truth -- God realization. Sant Mat -- the Religion of Sants -- describes such a path leading to the Portal of spiritual consciousness and the mansion of the Supreme Spirit." (Gurdeep Singh, Scholar, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India, from Abstract of Presentation Papers in, "Spiritual Consciousness Studies, Spircon 2010", Agra)

"When we receive initiation from a Saint, practice Naam simran to retrace our consciousness from toes to a spot behind the eyes [Third Eye Center], only then something is accomplished." (Baba Kehar Singh)

God is Just Behind Our Eyes at the Third Eye Center

"God is just behind our eyes. How may we contact Him? Emerging from Sach Khand [the True, Eternal, Timeless, Spiritual Realm], the True, Eternal Name or Positive Power is flowing down and is behind our eyes. How may we contact it? On the outside we meet the Satguru. We receive instruction from him or her about the Naam, the Word, withdraw our consciousness from toe to the Eye level, and merge our consciousness into the Word or Sound Current which is resounding there [behind the eyes at the Third Eye Center]." (Baba Kehar Singh's Commentary on the Anurag Sagar, Volume Three)

For aeons I have been coming,

And imparting the teaching

of the true Sound Current."

(Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar)

"I was being crushed

like seeds in an oil-press --

but the True Guru set me free.

Love, old as all my births,

flickered once again."

(Songs of Kabir

in the Adi Granth,

Nirmal Dass,

SUNY Press, NY)

Harmony Of All Religions (Sarvadharma Samanvy) -- Exploring Inner Light and Sound Meditation in the Great World Religions and the Sant Mat Tradition, by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj -- The Whole Book As One PDF File at Scribd.com:�http://bit.ly/PxBIba

Book Review: Harmony of All Religions

By James Bean

Harmony Of All Religions (Sarvadharma Samanvy), by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, explores inner Light and Sound Mysticism in the great world religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikh, Islam, the Judeo-Christian tradition, and there is a chapter dedicated to Sant Mat.

Veena Howard translated the English edition of this book from India. In the Editor's Note at the beginning she writes: "From this day onward our whole world has changed. The "shock and awe" witnessed by the destruction of the towers has sent shock waves through all the established value systems. The feelings of fear and distrust have numbed the hearts of people worldwide and have paralyzed the sense of clear vision. But time of despair must be taken as an opportunity, an opening to search for new horizons, to re-assess our values, and to understand other cultures and religions. This is exactly what the great Sant, Maharishi Shri Santsevi Ji, has sought to accomplish by his book, Harmony of All Religions. Shri Santsevi Ji Maharaj has been teaching the path of mysticism for many decades and believes in the underlying principles of all prominent world religions."

One of the most impressive books I've ever read on comparative religion and mysticism is, Harmony of All Religions, taking this study to a whole new level. This newly translated book contains chapters on the Vedic Tradition (Krishna, Gita, Hinduism, bhakti, yoga), Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam-Sufism, Sikhism, and Santmat: the Way of Sages, also known as The Path of the Masters. There is also a biography of the author, as well as an editor's note, which affirms the need for a greater, more in-depth understanding of the great world religions and mysticism in an age of increased global travel and communication.

'Depth' is a word I often find myself using to describe the writings, teachings, and spiritual guidance of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, who resides at the Maharishi Mehi Ashram in Bhagalpur, Bihar District, India.

His spiritual discourses on each of the world religions are very scholarly, accurately and eloquently communicating all these "gospels": beautiful and charming accounts of the childhood of Jesus, the enlightenment of Guru Nanak hearing the voice of the One God (Ek Ong Kaar Sat Naam) as he was bathing in the river Bein, Siddhartha leaving the palace, Muhammad's experiences with Allah in the cave of Ghar-e Hira, etc.... providing an in-depth analysis of the sacred texts of these above-mentioned faith-communities, brimming with quotes and footnotes, from not only the well-known world scriptures but lesser-known sacred texts and spiritual classics of the mystics and saints at the heart of these traditions.

The chapter on Lord Mahavira and Jainism for instance breaks new ground in the study of a major world religion that has received very little attention in the West. The same can really be said for each of the chapters of this new book on inter-faith studies. The author displays an intimate knowledge of the history, terminology, esoteric writings, and meditation practices used by the various schools of mystics within each of the world religions, often pointing out the shared vision, the common goals and common threads along the way, such as similar ethical principals of ahimsa or non-violence in thought, word, and deed (like the Golden Rule), the Vegetarian Diet of Light and Sound Mystics, Dharma, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, chakras, subtle bodies, meditation techniques including the use of mantras, mystical stages of transcendence, Sound-mysticism (Nada Yoga or Yoga of Sound), Light-mysticism (Dristi Yoga or Yoga of�Light), the inward journey or ascension to other realms/heavens, jivan mukti or moksha (salvation, liberation of the soul), self (atma) and God (Paramatma) realization.

The final paragraph of the book summarises the universalist spirit of peace and harmony (as in the harmony of all religions) in the following way: "In different times and different places Saints appear and their followers name their religion according to the Sage or Saint who propounded that tradition. The appearance of differences can be attributed to time, place, and language. This gives rise to various labels for the common views held by all religions. Likewise, due to excessively zealous followers, these seeming differences are often amplified. When all sectarianism and the temporal and linguistic aspects are removed, the basic principles of all the Saints are in accord and the voices of the Saints are in harmony." ////////

Guru Verification Process

"Satguru Kabir warns everyone and says: 'One should make someone his Guru only after thorough verification about him. One should drink water only after filtering it in order to save oneself from contamination. One who adopts a Guru without making proper verification about him has to remain continuing in the eighty-four lakh modes of existence of living beings in this world [transmigration]. If someone makes someone his Guru without any verification about him and that Guru turns out to be false and cunning, how could that unqualified teacher bring fulfillment to the ultimate aim of his disciple's life?'"�

-- Kabir, "1008 Kabir Vani" -- 1008 Saakhis of Guru Kabir, Manoj Publications, New Delhi

"I like that relative who prevents me from going into evil ways, and guides me into the righteous path;�

He is wise who remains on the righteous path; he makes others search,

and never forgets himself;

He is a false guru if he does not show the real path to his disciple.

If the disciple gets the grace of Satguru then he will worship God."�(Kabir, The Bijak, Volume One: Ramainis)

What use is prayer,

penance, worship,

when your heart

loves another?

Friend, tie yourself to God;

you can not meet God through wisdom alone.

Toss aside greed

and people-pleasing;

throw away lust,

anger, and pride.

Religious practices

tie people down with self-pride:

They all get together

and worship a stone.

Kabir says,

'I have found God through devotion;

by becoming simple-hearted

I met God.'

(Songs of Kabir in the Adi Granth,

translated by Nirmal Dass,

SUNY Press, NY)

"We have to draw our attention inward with the help of Simran [repetition of names]. Then only can we hear the Unstruck Music within." (Baba Kehar Singh, Guru -- Dispeller of Darkness)

"Kabir said, Recognise me and manifest the Guru in the form of the Sound Current behind the eyes [at the Third Eye Center]. Then you will have no doubts left. If you want to be free from anxiety, then catch the Sound Current. When ever you are in trouble, sit down for doing simran. When you reach the state of concentration, then you are surrounded by a protective aura automatically." (Anurag Sagar)

"The deeper one goes in meditation, and the loftier the spiritual states one touches, the more the motion and feeling of time will alter and take on an entirely different aspect. The greater the merger into one's higher state of consciousness, the slower and less perceptible will time become until, in the still more exalted mystical states, it will feel as if it stops altogether." (Edward Salim Michael, "The Law of Attraction -- Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance")

On Ascending Beyond the Light of Kal -- Also On Initiation and Protection by the Positive Power

(Note about the term "Kal" used below: "Kal" literally meaning "Time", a dark blue current that created lower realms of creation. Kal also refers to mind, limited perception or illusion. Kal Niranjan ("Lord of Time") is personified as a cosmic entity, "the architect", a metaphor for Universal Mind, and is synonymous with the "the Demiurge" of Gnosticism.)

Anurag Sagar of Sant Dharam Das:

"Oh Dharam Das! The soul which is a part of God has been imprisoned in this human body. This soul has fallen in love with mind which is a negative power and it (soul) has forgotten its own Home and Supreme Master."

"KAL is very clever. He knows many methods to trap the souls. He deceives them and swallows them."

"Under the influence of KAL a human being has forgotten his own identity. KAL has put him under illusion and entangled him in worldly pleasures. So he does all bad deeds. Though he was given this human life to drink the nectar of 'Naam', instead he is drinking poison."

"Kal has entangled people in illusions to such an extent that they have totally forgotten their real Home. Kal has woven such a net that now it is difficult to get released from it. These traps are rituals and rites, scripture reading and worship, and performing Yagyas (oblations). These have nothing to do with realisation of God."

Kabir Sahib said, "If a person understands the tricks of KAL and realizes that mind is the real enemy, then after getting initiation he can conquer mind and come out of the cycle of 84."

"Illusion is like a deep well where there is all darkness. The mind (Kal) throws the souls in that deep well and eats them up."

Internal Illusion of Kal -- Lower Kal-Light -- False Light

"When we collect the scattered thought and focus it behind the eyes, we first see a light called 'Sakha Jot' and then at that very place appears 'Jhilmil Jyoti'. Showing these lights, Kaal arrests the souls (Jeevas) there. The third 'Jagmag Jyoti' or the Twinkling Light is in the Thousand Petal Lotus region. Only the saints see this Light. This is above the eyes and below the "Turiya Pad". This real Light is known only to the saints." (Anurag Sagar)

Dharam Das: "Oh My Master, during meditation, some persons see Jhilmil Jyoti (flickering light). Which is that stage of meditation where this 'Jhilmil Jyoti' is visible? Kindly explain to me about that". Kindly tell me about the stage where this 'Jhilmil Jyoti' appears as well as about the god who manifests there."

Kabir: "Dharam Das, mind is the agent of Niranjan and performs in our body just like Ashtangi (the primordial power) doing work of Niranjan. This secret is revealed only through a Guru."

"Light at the region of Sunn is due to mind and various doubts arising within are due to mind."

"Mind, created by KAL, rules over the three regions (Bhulok, Pata Lok and Akash Lok). It has full control over them. It is not under any other power. Only Naam (Word) can control it."

"Mind, created by KAL, rules over the three regions (Bhulok, Pata Lok and Akash Lok). It has full control over them. It is not I under any other power. Only Naam (Word) can control it."

"In reality there is only one Naam or Word or power but due to the confusion created by mind, we recite various names during worship. Since we have not recognised/realised our SELF, we are deceived."

"People worship various gods and goddesses to fulfill their wishes. But to come out of the cycle of 84, we require the help of SATNAM (True Name, Word)." (Anurag Sagar)

Initiation and Protection from Above, Following the Path of Sants

Kabir Sahib said, "If Naam or Word given during initiation is manifested within and the Light emanating from It is seen, then all ignorance goes and KAL cannot come near that soul since Word manifested Guru is the Master of the whole creation. Till one hears the unstruck Sound (Word) within, Kal in the form of a snake, does not leave the soul. Caught in the illusions, the soul has forgotten the Real Home. It is difficult to escape from the powerful KAL. Naam (Word) is the only Power to control him. Just as a snake charmer controls a snake by reciting a mantra, similarly Word given by Guru can control KAL."

"Naam" is the remedy for all ailments."

Kabir Sahib said, "Kal cannot come near the power of Word and Simran Bhajan."

"If a person adopts a Master and having faith in him, gets himself initiated, does meditation with devotion then he can become a hans (pure soul). Such an attainment is priceless. His Master (the personification of Word) will take him step by step to Sahansdal Kamal, Trikuti, Daswan Dwar, Bhawar Gupha, Sach Khand and after a short stay, to Alakh, Agam and Anami Desh which is the highest eternal Region, the Ultimate Abode."

"Oh Dharam Das! If a person gives up all doubts, meditates regularly on Naam imparted by the Master, and behaves in the manner the saints behave and follows in their footsteps, that is, he listens to the Sound Current within himself, then he can tread the path of saints in search of the Highest Truth. There is a Sound Current coming from the Final Abode and calling you to come. So if you listen to that Call, then you can ascend like saints." (Anurag Sagar, Book Two)

"You should listen attentively to the reverberating divine Sound. The Celestial Sound is coming to take you back to the Source." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji)

Hearing the Heavenly Word of Gnosis Within You is How to Bring Heaven to Earth and Earth to Heaven

"The apostles answered, saying: 'Jesus, thou Living One, Lord interpret for us how we may bring heaven down, for we have followed thee in order that thou shouldst teach us the True Light.' The Living Jesus answered and said: 'The Word which existed in heaven before the earth came into existence -- this which is called the world -- but you, when you know my Word, you will bring heaven down, and it (the Word) will dwell in you. Heaven is the invisible Word of the Father; but when you know these things you will bring heaven down. As to sending the earth up to heaven, I will show you what it is, that you may know it: to send the earth to heaven is that he who hears the Word of Gnosis has ceased to have the understanding (mind) of a man of earth, but has become a man of heaven. His understanding (mind) has ceased to be earthly, but it has become heavenly.'"�(Sayings of "the Living Jesus" from, The Book of the Knowledge of the Invisible God, a Coptic dialogues gospel unearthed in Egypt consisting of four chapters found at the beginning of, "The Books of Jeu and the Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex", Edited by Carl Schmidt, published by E.J. Brill books)

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From: SantMatMysticism <santmat_mystic@...>
Date: Sun Oct 14, 2012 12:41 am
Subject: Spircon -- Light and Sound on the Path

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Spircon -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Digest of Spiritual Quotes, Satsang Discourses, and Announcements

Sant Mat recognizes the great Sages, and Saints of the different traditions who are accomplished in the spiritual goal of human life. Sant Mat respects the Saints, Prophets, and Sages of all traditions: Buddha, Mahavira, Jesus Christ, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Rumi, Baha'u'llah, Mira Bai, etc... Furthermore, Sant Mat believes in the uninterrupted continuation of the emergence of Saints (Masters, Sant Satgurus) on this Earth.

NOTE: To enjoy all the spiritual quotes, articles, photos, art and icons below, if you're viewing this via email, always click: "Display Images", or "Show Images" for full HTML colors, fonts, and images.

Contents Below -- In This Issue/Mailing/Blog/Digest:

* Spircon 2013 Agra Announcement -- Toward a Science of Consciousness;

* Focus On What Matters;

* Various Links to Podcasts, Online Books, Blogs and Websites;

* Behold the Universes Within You;

* Excerpts from Swami Ji's Letters -- From Master To Disciple;

* A Tree of Sant Mat: The Murar Declaration and the Inter-Faith Spircon 2010, A Historic Event Held in Agra -- A Basis For Fellowship -- Those Who Attended;

* Article: An Inclusive Rather Than Exclusive Spirituality: Kirpal Singh and the Lesson of Nag Hammadi (Gnostic Scriptures Found in Egypt);

* Kabbalah and Inner Light & Sound Mysticism;

* The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah (Prophet and Mystic of the Bahai Faith);

* A Radhasoami Prayer by Shiv Brat Lal; and,

* The Cave of Hands.

Links

PODCAST: Inner Space: Close Your Eyes And See: Spiritual Awakening Radio -- Program Length: 60 Minutes. Click to Stream or Download MP3:

http://bit.ly/T0nLaj

* Many More Podcasts-On-Demand: Spiritual Awakening Radio, and, Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts via Youtube, HealthyLifeNet, and Blog Talk Radio -- GO TO:

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/archive.html

* Background: An Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality -- GO TO:

http://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami/info

* Sant Mat Library Online -- Recommended Reading -- GO TO:�http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/library.html

* Sant Mat Blog With Extensive Archive and Search Engine:

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

* Daily Spiritual Quotes via Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr:

http://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

http://Twitter.com/SantMat

http://SantMat.Tumblr.com

* Email/Mailing Lists and RSS Feeds via Yahoo Groups:

http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship

Also, Sant_Santati, Spiritual Awakening at Yahoo, etc.....

Major Inter-Faith Sant Mat and Radhasoami Event: Toward Science of Consciousness: Spircon 2013: March 3rd Through the 9th, to be Held in Agra -- For More Information, GO TO:

http://bit.ly/Oxy9U9

Focus On What Matters:

"The essence of life is in remembering God." (Kabir)

"We are all pilgrims treading the same path and desirous of reaching the same destination ultimately."(Huzur Maharaj)

"Come up, O lions, and shake off the delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits free, blest and eternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies; matter is your servant, not you the servant of matter." (Swami Vivekananda)

"The desire of an individual to be free from sufferings and to attain the happiness of absolute peace is naturally present in the hearts of all. The purpose of Sant Mat is to provide a system which fulfills the desires of attaining absolute peace." (Maharshi Mehi)

"Be regular and lovingly devoted to your holy meditations, as that is the central pivot around which the whole sacred teaching revolves and therein an all around development of the soul is granted." (Kirpal Singh, Spiritual Elixir)

"What matters is the bead that only bows to the Beloved,

And the tongue that only speaks in adoration of God."

(Sant Namdev)

"Be ready at all times for the gifts of God, and always for new ones." (Meister Eckhart, German Mystic)

Be at peace with your own soul,

Then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.

Enter eagerly into the treasure

house that is within you,

And you will see the things that are in heaven;

For there is but one single entry to them both.

The ladder that leads to the Kingdom in hidden within your soul...

Dive into yourself and

in your soul you will discover

The stairs by which to ascend.

-- Saint Isaac of Nineveh

From Master to Disciple -- Excerpts from Swami Ji's Letters

"Always remember the Lord. My blessings to you are that with a sincere mind, sincere spirit, sincere love, sincere devotion, sincere yearning and sincere attention in the contemplation of the Guru, you may peruse this letter."

"He is present with you all the time in Shabd Form. Therefore, banish all worry, and look with sincere attention and spirit, and you will get His vision."

"Always remember the Lord, and, knowing that He is always with you, imbue yourself with His love."

"Lord in Shabd Form is always with you and is never far. Have patience, and you will get a glimpse of True Light."

"Be saturated with His love and yearning. Keep away from evil tendencies and leanings. Combating with mind and its forces, remain absorbed in Shabd."

"Rest assur

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