Recommended Reading -- Sant Mat Books in English

Sant Mat Fellowship Worldwide:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship  
{"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."}

Recommended Reading -- Sant Mat Books in English -- also Websites

An Introduction to Sant Mat

Surat Shabd Yoga, by Kirpal Singh, a free online book -- as a PDF file:
http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/pdf/SuratShabdYoga.pdf

The Path of the Masters (English)
by Dr. Julian P. Johnson   $9 postage paid
ISBN: 81-8256-019-5
website:
http://www.scienceofthesoul.org  

OR WRITE, on the East Coast:
Science of the Soul Study Center
Attn: RS BOOKS
4115 Gillespie Street,
Fayetteville, NC 28306

West Coast, OR outside the US, write:

Science of the Soul Study Center
Attn: RS BOOKS
BAV Department Petaluma
2415 East Washington Street
Petaluma, CA
94954-3945

Introduction to Sant Mat and Comparative Religion/Comparative Mysticism

NEW: The Harmony of All Religions, by Swami SantSevi Ji Maharaj, in English
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaeo-Christian, Islam, Sikh, Sant Mat,   
$12,  published by TheWayOfSages.com
http://www.thewayofsages.com
online sample as PDF file available on this webpage:
http://www.thewayofsages.com/new_page_7.htm

Inner Light and Sound Meditation Practice, Celestial Mechanics -- Esoteric Teachings

The Philosophy of Liberation by Sant Maharishi Mehi
$12,  published by TheWayOfSages.com
http://www.thewayofsages.com
online sample as PDF file available on this webpage:
http://www.thewayofsages.com/new_page_7.htm

A Sant Mat Dictionary of Mystic Terms

"Glossary of the Radhasoami Faith"
by S. D. Maheshwari of Soami Bagh, Agra
India Website:
http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Books_Frame.shtml
Can be ordered in North America via Banyen Books of Vancouver
Phone: 604-732-7912
Toll-free: 800-663-8442
or email:    thefolks@...
Website: 
http://www.banyenbooks.com  

Also see the glossary in the back of the book:
Sar Bachan Poetry -- Selections
ISBN: 81-8256-056-X      $9
RS Books -- see contact information for the RS Book Department below.
Sar Bachan Radhaswami Poetry is a very important book of mystic-poetry and instruction, by Swami Ji Maharaj of Agra

A Treasury of Mystic Terms (6 Volumes)
By John Davidson    $50  postage paid
Hardcover: 2,824 pages
ISBN: 81-901731-0-3
Can be ordered from the RS Book Department
Website:
http://www.scienceofthesoul.org  
OR WRITE

On the East Coast:

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

West Coast, OR outside the US, write:

Science of the Soul Study Center
Attn: RS BOOKS
BAV Department Petaluma
2415 East Washington Street
Petaluma, CA
94954-3945

Christianity and Sant Mat
 
The Stranger of Galilee, by Russell Perkins
Website:
http://www.santji.allegre.ca/books/galilee.html
ISBN 0-89142-047-9
$15, plus please add %20 to all orders to cover shipping, write:
Sant Bani Ashram Books, Sanbornton, N.H. 03269    USA  

The Gospel of Jesus
by John Davidson
ISBN: 81-901731-1-1
$18
and see related books by John Davidson from RS BOOK Dept:

The Odes of Solomon, also: The Song of Songs, and: The Prodigal Soul
John Davidson books available from RS Book Department/Science of the Soul:
http://www.scienceofthesoul.org

GNOSTIC-SANT MAT: "THE GNOSTIC MYSTERY" compares Gnostic and Sant Mat Mysticism -- free online book:
http://members.tripod.com/~andrea65/gnostictitle.html  

Eastern Gnosis, Mythology, Epic of Creation, Anurag Sagar of Sant Dharamdas and Guru Kabir:  $15
Available from Sant Bani Ashram of New Hampshire, as well as MediaSeva.com
website:
http://www.mediaseva.com
Anurag Sagar -- free online as 4 PDF Files:
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/anurag.html

Vegetarian Cookbooks

Cooking With Light, $15
http://www.mediaseva.com

More egg-free vegetarian cookbooks available from the
RS Book Department/Science of the Soul -- use search feature:
http://www.scienceofthesoul.org

Bhakti -- Love for the Beloved -- Mystic Poetry -- The Heart of Mysticism

Free book online, Songs of Kabir,
Translated by Rabindranath Tagore
100 Mystic-Poems of Guru Kabir:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sok/index.htm

Param Sant Tulsi Sahib, the Saint of Hathras
English anthology of his writings, by S. D. Maheshwari:
http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Books_Frame.shtml
(Also see contact info above for Banyen Books of Vancouver.)

Also see, The Mystics of the East Series, RS Book Dept. (Tulsi Sahib, Tukaram, Dadu, Kabir, Nanak, Dariya, Paltu, Mirabai, Bahu, Sarmad, Bullah Shah, Namdev, Ravidas)

Jap Ji -- the Morning Prayer of Guru Nanak -- online:
http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/jj/title.htm
in book form via MediaSeva.com:    http://www.mediaseva.com  

Ethics -- Ahimsa -- Good Thoughts, Words, and Deeds

"Kabir 1008 Vani",
compiled by Lalchand Doohan Jigyasu,
translated by Kunwar Anil Kumar,
Manoj Publications, Delhi, India.  
ISBN: 8181335155
http://www.amazon.com
Nataraj Books is a great source for Kabir books from
India:
http://users.erols.com/nataraj/HOME.html

New Thought/Ahimsa/Positive Inspiration/Life on Earth

Messages of Sree Sree Mentu Maharaj
http://www.United-Satsang.org        click  'Publications' tab

August 1st Satsang from Sant Mat Fellowship: The Mind

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{"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."}

Clicking on the library photo above will take you to the Spiritual Awakening online library.

Chart of the Gnostic Universe Parallels Sant Mat Cosmology

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{"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."}

Meditation Sangat:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MeditationSangat
{"Do not live even a single day without inner
meditation." -- Baba Devi Sahab}

The Gnostic Universe as presented by a Syrian Gnostic teacher by the name of Mar Sans

This chart (1 and 2) is courtesy of, The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, by Marvin Meyer, from the chapter featuring the book of Mar Sans.

The third chart is from the Sant Mat tradition of India and features roughly the same levels: physical, astral, causal, mental, some transitional realms between mind-planes and spiritual planes, with timeless heavens of pure spirit at the top, the Highest Being is in the Nameless (Anami)-Soundless (Anadi) Realm of Oneness (Kaivalya). Mar Sans also had at the top: The Unknown Silent One, an amazing example of how mystics, East and West, have reached similar conclusions based on their inner explorations.

Namaste',
James

Satsang Discourse: Set Your Goal Right

SantMat_Mystic_(James): http://profiles.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

(Excerpted from: "Set Your Goal Right")

[This is an English translation of discourse given by Param Poojya Shahi Swami ji Maharaj, sometime in 1982. Shahi Swami ji is one of the most important disciples of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj who would refer to Shah Swami ji as "his heart". Shahi Swami is, perhaps, the senior most disciple of Maharshi Mehi alive.- Translated by Pravesh K. Singh

Dear Devout Brothers & Sisters,

First of all I would recite a hymn of Kabir Sahab, and then, I would try to say something to you on that basis:
"Gagan kee ot nishaanaa hai,
 Dahine soor chandramaa baanye, tinke beech chhipaanaa hai.
Tan kee kamaan,  surat kaa rodaa, shabd baan le taanaa hai,
Maarat baan bindhyaa tan hee tan, satguru kaa parwaanaa hai.
Maaryo baan ghaav nahi tan mein, jin laagaa tin jaanaa hai,
Kahat Kabir suno bhaai saadho, jin jaanaa tin maanaa hai."
[The target is hidden behind the sky. To the left is the moon and to the right is the Sun; you have to aim between the two, as the support lies hidden between these two. Making the bow of your body, the bow-string of surat, pull and shoot the arrow of the Divine (Celestial) Sound. On practicing meditation, following the Satguru's commandments, the arrow of the Sound goes on piercing through bodies, one after the other. Quite surprisingly, no wounds are caused even though the arrow penetrates through the body. Incredible though it may sound, it is experienced by only those who have got hit by such an arrow. Kabir says, Listen O Noble People! Only those who have had this experience will testify to, or acknowledge, its veracity.]

In this poem, the first to find mention is "nishaanaa" which means `target', `aim', or the `objective'. Through this hymn, Kabir Sahab asks us to first fix our aim. One who has set a proper aim for himself will get everything right, while the one whose object is not right will get everything wrong. .......

Kabir Sahab preaches us to first select our target rightly, know about the target and the learn how to get at it.

What is our aim? What is it each one of us wants to attain? As we see, there is no end, as it were, to our cravings. Sant Tulsi Sahab has said, "Ek dil laakhon tamannaa, us pai aur jyaadaa hawas." [We have one heart but millions of wishes and yet there is no end to our lust.] However, a close analysis will show that every one of us longs for peace, because happiness is inherent in peace. Peace is the mother of bliss. In fact, true peace (or absolute stillness) is the real attribute of God, there is no pedestal or post higher than that. Our Gurudev (Maharshi Mehi Paramhans) wrote,

"Adhun ashabd sarveshwar kahiye, Shaanti swaroop yaahi ko lahiye"
[Supreme Sovereign Lord is soundless, vibration-less. He is absolute peace (stillness). Try to attain to Him.]

A similar reference to the form of God can be found in Kenopanishad:

"Yanmanasaa na manute, yenahurmanomatam.

Tadev Brahma tvam viddhi, nedam yadidamupaasate. "
[Treat that as God who can not be pondered over or unthinkable by the mind; rather, the mind derives its power to think from Him. All other forms (bound by time and space) of God that are worshipped in this world are not Brahma (God).]

Further, Kathopanishad says,

"Vaayur yathaiko bhuvanam pravishto, roopam roopam pratiroopobahoov
Ekastathaa sarvabhootaantaraat maa, roopam roopam pratiroopam bahisch."
[Just as on and the same air mass assumes a number of different forms or shapes according to the vessel or container or house it enters to fill in, the one and only God pervades all the objects of the universe to assume corresponding forms, and yet is able to retain His pure independent identity beyond everything.]

Sant Kabir Sahab describes God as:

"Alakh niranjan lakhai na koee, nirbhay niraakaar hai soee.
Sunni sthool roop nahi rekha, drishti adrishti, chhipyo nahi pekhaa.
Varan avaran kathyo nahi jaee, sakl ateet ghat rahyau samaaee.
Aadi ant taahi nahi madhe, kathyau na jaee aahi akathe.
Aparampaar upajai nahi binase, jugati na jaaniye, kathiye kaise.
Jas kathiye tas hot nahi, jas hai taisaa soee.
Kahat sunat such upaje, aru paramaarath hoee."
[He is invisible (to gross eyes), beyond all trappings of illusion (maya), fearless and can not be ascribed any shape. He is not gross, without any form or outlines and is hidden (to our organs, mind and intellect). He is without any beginning or end. He is beyond all description. He is infinitely expansive, does not get born or die. There is no way we can describe Him exactly, because He is not as we try to depict Him. Only He Himself is like Him. However, talking of Him and listening (about Him and His attributes) gives pleasure and also an act of utmost benevolence. ]

Guru Nanak Sahab also has similar views. He says,

"Alakh apaar agam agochari, naa tisu kaal na karma,
 Jaati ajaati ajoni sambhau, naa tisu bhav na bharmaa.
saache sachiyaar vitahu kurvaanu,
Na tisu roop, baranu nahi rekhiyaa, saache shabadi nishaanu.
Naa tisu maatu pitaa sut bandhap, naa tisu kaam na naari,
Akul niranjan, aparparamparu, sagalee joti tumaaree.
Gaht-ghat antari brahma lukaaiyaa, ghati-ghati joti sabaaee,
Bajar kapaat mukate gurmati, nirbhai taadi laaee.
Jant upaai kaalu sirijantaa, basgati jugati sabaaee,
Satiguru sebi padaarathu paavahi, chhootahi shabadu kamaaee.
Soochai Bhaadai saachu samaavai, birale soochaachaaree,
Tantai kau param tantu milaaiyaa, Nanak sharani tumaree."
[God is invisible (to these eyes of flesh & blood), infinitely vast, beyond (the reach of) mind & intellect, unperceivable (by our sense organs), beyond time & actions, unborn, sovereign, without any frailties of mind and mistakes. For sure He does exist (He is the only Truth) and sacrifice yourself onto Him. He has no form, colour or outline; the quintessential sound being the only pointer or guide to Him. He is without any lineage. He is beyond all the contraptions of maya (illusion), without any limits whatsoever. All light is His only. He is secretly permeating through all bodies, illuminating all of them. This robust door of darkness is broken open only by those perseverant and fearless practitioners who have learnt the right art of seeing from an adept Guru. He has created all the beings and time also, and has kept all the keys within his control. Those who pay a selfless service to an accomplished Guru are able to find Him and liberate themselves (from the jaws of birth & death) by practicing the Yoga of Sound. God manifests Himself only within a pure heart; such persons are very rare to find who have by relentless practice of meditation have merged their current of consciousness (surat) into the unstruck sound and thus, says Nanak, found the true Shelter.]

Goswami Tulsidasji writes in his Ramcharit Manas:

"Binu pad chalai, sunai binu kaanaa,
            Kar binu karm karai bidhi naanaa.
Aanan rahit sakal ras bhogee,
            Binu baanee bakta bad jogee.
Tan binu parasi nayan binu dekhaa,
            Grahai ghraan binu baas asekhaa.
Asi sab bhaanti alaukik karanee,
            Mahimaa jaasu jaai nahi baranee."
[He walks without legs, hears without ears, performs all sorts of acts without any hands, enjoys all kinds of recipes without mouth and can talk without tongue. He touches everything though being body-less, sees without eyes and possesses an extraordinary sense of smell without any nose. Thus he does all sorts of incredible feats all of which are impossible of description. ]

Soordas ji in a similar vein utters,

"Avigat gati jaani naa padai,
 Man vach karm agaadh agochar, kehi vidhi budhi sancharai."
[He is omnipresent and it is impossible to understand Him fully with our gross senses, mind & intellect]

We find several such similar convincing references in the Holy Scriptures and sayings of Sants. Kabir Sahab (through his poem I rendered a little ago) says that such a God is (hidden) behind the sky. Other Sants have used different other similes. Dadoo Dayal ji Maharaj describes Him to be "sunni sunna sunna ke paaraa"(beyond all voids and realms), while Goswami Tulsidasji Maharaj calls Him to be "prakriti paar prabhu sab ur waasee" (Beyond the universe or Nature, though living in all hearts), and our Gurudev, Maharshi Mehi Paramhansji says, "Peev nihshabd mein" (The Lord is in the Soundless State). As a matter of fact, all these sayings like "beyond all voids", "beyond the Universe" and "in Soundless State" refer to the same basic Truth. The fact of the matter is that because of being all-pervasive, He is to be found everywhere, but He is unknowable everywhere. Goswami Tulsidasji writes in Ramcharit Manas:

"Roop bisekh naam binu jaane. Kartal gat na paranhi pahichaane"
[He, though existing the closest to us, is not perceived without knowing His special form (through "vindu dhyaan"or Yoga of Divine Light) and word (by practicing "surat shabd yog", or "naadaanusandhaan" or the Yoga of Quintessential Celestial Sound).]

Our Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi) has also written,

"Piu vyaapak sarvatra parakh aavai nahi.
Gurumukh ghat hee maahi parakh paavai sahi"
[Lord, though present everywhere with same density, is not perceived (by our senses). Those initiated by an accomplished Guru can see Him within themselves only.]

God is perceivable through the soul only. But our individual soul has become surrounded or covered by several sheaths or bodies and organs. So long as it remains in the captivity of these various bodies and organs, it will be under the knowledge of these bodies and organs only, will be under illusory knowledge only (because these bodies themselves are illusory), and will not be able to realise the God. In order to know Him, the Jivatma or the individual soul shall have to liberate itself from these bondages. The one who is able to liberate himself from the body & organs, is able to lift himself beyond this world, too. Our Gurudev [Maharshi Mehi] has said, "There is a very strong relationship between our body and the world around us. The universe is formed of the very same elements of which our body is made. Just as there are gross, subtle, causal and supra-causal spheres or realms inside our body, these very spheres or realms are to be found in the universe, also. So, we (at any given point of time) are in the same realms of the universe as well as of the body. If we lift ourselves beyond a particular sphere of our body, we lift beyond the same sphere of the universe also. Thus, one who can raise himself beyond all the realms of the body will also rise or ascend beyond all realms of the universe. The one, who has freed himself fully from his body, has freed himself of the universe, also."And it is thus that all the above-mentioned "Behind the Sky" of Kabir, "Beyond all voids" of Dadu  Dayal ji, "Beyond the Universe or nature" of Tulsidas ji and "Soundless State" of Maharshi Mehi becomes fully realised, operationalised or fulfilled. Separating ourselves from our various bodies and organs, we first come to know our own soul and subsequently, the supra-soul i.e., God also. This realisation is not an intellectual knowledge; this is a realisation that springs out of direct, first-hand, experience, and leads to the end of all our afflictions, sorrows and grieves for ever. We attain perfect liberation even while we are alive, in this body itself.

To obtain such a state, what support should we seek? Sant Kabir says, "Dahine soor Chandramaa baanye, tinke beech chhipaanaa hai" that is, that support is hidden in the Centre of the two eyebrows. How will we, seeking this support, proceed ahead? Kabir says, "Make your body into a bow and your surat (current of consciousness) the bow-string.  Make the bow-string taut (by concentrating it at a point – the Seat of the Soul within the body, and release or shoot the arrow of the Celestial Vibration or Sound (here the hint is clearly to practice the "surat-shabd yoga"or "naadaanusandhaan" or the Yoga of Divine Sound). That arrow of sound will go on penetrating through all the four bodies or realms stated above taking the soul along with it and will finally push the soul into the Highest Soundless State, the true abode of God. This is the target, Kabir sahib says, hidden behind the sky. Thus our soul, seeking the help of Sound, will finally reach and merge into that Highest Entity i.e. God. Actually, the secret to such a practice can be learnt only from a proficient Guru who Himself has practiced it to perfection. When this arrow goes on piercing the various bodies, Kabir Sahab says, it is a unique, incredible experience; no wounds are caused, rather we experience a pleasure, bliss. That is why; we should learn the right technique and practice accordingly. (Shahi Swami ji)

hello,

I would like to happy a copy of the actual sar bachan poetry written
by radhasoami. Is it available on net? can anyone help me in this matter.

thanking you
manoj

--- In SantMatFellowship@yahoogroups.com, "manulak87" <manulak87@...>
wrote:
>
> hello,
>
> I would like to happy a copy of the actual sar bachan poetry written
> by radhasoami. Is it available on net? can anyone help me in this
matter.
>
> thanking you
> manoj
>

Greetings:

Am not aware of any of the Sar Bachan volumes
of Sant Radhaswami Sahib being made available online yet.
Just checked and did not see them listed at Google Books or
Archive.org

I do have a Yahoo group which often features quotes
from Soami Ji's Sar Bachan and other classic writings of
Radhaswami Santmat, a group known as Radhasoami Reality;
Go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Radhasoami-Reality

Blessings,

James
SantMatFellowship

The Role of the Master is to Bring Us Into the Experience of God

Those part of fundamentalist sects, competing new age or secularist ideologies, or those perhaps not fully acquainted with the nuances of Indian spirituality may have all sorts of misunderstandings about the role of the Living Master or Sant Satguru, imagining him or her to be seeking to divert attention away from God or eclipsing God by placing themselves between the soul and God. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The classic definition of the guru is "Light-giver". The Sant Satguru guides souls into a direct and personal experience of the Divine here and now by teaching students to adopt the necessary methods of meditation practice, ethical values, and by cultivating a receptive attitude of God-bhakti (love and devotion).

The Sants of India have produced some of the most eloquent, ecstatic, God-devoted poetry, prayers and hymns the world has ever known. Below are selections from the Adi Granth (Sikh scriptures) as well as the mystic-poetry of Guru Kabir.

Namaste',

James
http://profiles.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

The Role of the Satguru According to the Adi Granth

Adi Granth: By the Guru's instruction the mind of the disciple is rendered immaculate and she keeps God clasped to her heart. She keeps God enshrined in her mind, arranges her affairs, and by the Master's instruction knows her Lord.

"My Beloved has fascinated my soul
and I have obtained the Lord,
the scribe of destiny."

Serving the Satguru she attains eternal peace and God, the enemy of ego and pride, abides in her mind. 

By the Master's instruction the name of God is contemplated. By the guru's grace, soul and body are saturated with the Lord and the Lord's name seems sweet to the mortal. The Lord's name seems sweet to them. He liberates all their families. With their mouths they utter the Lord's name. Their comings and goings cease. They obtain bliss, and their attention remains absorbed the Home of Celestial Music.

The Lord's name is the Song of Joy. It is by the Guru's instruction that the name is contemplated.  

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib, English and Punjabi Translation, Volume 5, Manmohan Singh,     Publisher: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar)

The Sat-Guru-given Gnosis [direct experience] is lit up in the heart, with whose Light is dispelled the darkness of spiritual ignorance.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib, English and Punjabi Translation, Manmohan Singh, Volume 3, Publisher: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar)

Kabir's Ocean of God-Bhakti

Here the translator has preserved the numerous names for God that Kabir used in his mystic-verses. Guru Kabir:

The Remote, the Inaccessible
makes a fort for His dwelling,
which He illumines with His Light.
Lightning flashes---there is bliss
where the child Prabhu-Gobind plays.
 
My soul loves Ram's name:
Old age, death, doubt flee. (Rest)

They who care about castes
are forever singing praises about themselves.
But sweet melodies play unstruck
where the Lord Prabhu-Gopal dwells.

The remote, unknowable One,
who established the earth, the spheres,
the three worlds, and the three virtues,
lives in every heart: None knows Dharnidhar's secrets.

He reveals Himself in the blossom's fragrance.
He dwells in the nectar of a mud-flower.
His mantra is in the twelve-petalled heart,
where the Lord Kamlakant dwells.

His Light is visible above and below;
He illumines the infinite sphere of silence:
Neither sun nor moon are found there;
the primal Niranjan enjoys Himself.

He knows the universe and each heart.
He bathes in Lake Mansarowar.
His mantra is, "I am He";
He is not concerned with good deeds or bad.

He has no caste, nor is he casteless;
He knows neither pain nor solace. He is in
the guru's house. He cannot be avoided.
He knows, not birth or death: He is infinite silence.

Those who search for Him in their hearts,
and speak His words, will become Him.
They who place His mantra of Light in their hearts,
Kabir, say, "Those mortals will certainly swim across."

(Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth, Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)

IT is the mercy of my true Guru 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?
Kabîr says: "The Guru is great beyond words, and great is the good fortune of the disciple."

To Thee Thou hast drawn my love, O Fakir!
I was sleeping in my own chamber, and Thou didst awaken me; striking me with Thy voice, O Fakir!
I was drowning in the deeps of the ocean of this world, and Thou didst save me: upholding me with Thine arm, O Fakir!
Only one word and no second--and Thou hast made me tear off all my bonds, O Fakir!
Kabîr says, "Thou hast united Thy heart to my heart, O Fakir!"

MY Lord hides Himself, and my Lord wonderfully reveals Himself:
My Lord has encompassed me with hardness, and my Lord has cast down my limitations.
My Lord brings to me words of sorrow and words of joy, and He Himself heals their strife.
I will offer my body and mind to my Lord: I will give up my life, but never can I forget my Lord!

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?
Kabîr says: "As the river enters into the ocean, so my heart touches Thee."

(Songs of Kabir, Rabrinath Tagore: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sok       )

The Mystic-Journey According to J.L. Chaudhari and Mata Ji  

SantMat_Mystic_(James)

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{"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."}
Sant Mat Fellowship





The guru-lineage of Yogani Mata Ji: Swami Ji Maharaj (Sant Radhaswami Sahab) of Agra to Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram) to Shiv Brat Lal to Baba Faqir Chand to Yogani Mata Ji

The Path of Inner Light & Sound According to J.L. Chaudhari

An email I received a few years back from J.L. Chaudhari, an assistant and spiritual successor of Yogani MataJi, sums up the Path of the Masters (Santmat mysticism) quite well:

"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 in the Lotus feet of 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 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 worldly living 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 cause 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 with us.

"As a human being we have to survive in this world without caring for ourselves much, without looking to the ills of others rather looking towards ills of ourselves purifying ourselves first and then do something for the purification of others. This is the living of a "lotus" in a pond and that is why the Goddess Saraswati the Goddess for knowledge, wisdom and intellect sits on the Lotus. The Lotus flower blossoms in muddy pond, but any one looking at the flower exclaims wow! How beautiful the 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, the cast, the sect or any other identification for a person rather it looks into the true sense of service, sacrifice surrender, devotion, determination, trust, belief of person towards the Master and those who have these characteristics they may be belonging to any cast, race, country, direction or of any identification can join this Yoga, but for that a true spiritual Master is a must. I don't know whether you have adopted some spiritual Master or your 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 any one on this earth."

Yours in Him,

-- J.L. Chaudhari

THE MOTHER -------- Yogini Mataji
[from the book, Enchanted Land, published by the MSAC Philosophy Group]

Since Baba Faqir Chand's death in September of 1981 a number of his disciples serve as gurus. Outstanding among these is a middle-aged woman respectfully called Yogini Mataji who currently lives in a small room on the third floor of the Manavta Mandir ashram in Hoshiarpur.

On my second trip to India in the winter of 1981-82 I was not informed beforehand that Mataji was living within the temple compound. So it was a pleasant surprise when I arrived at Manavta Mandir to learn from Dr. J. L. Jaura, the present administrator of the ashram, that one of Faqir Chand's most advanced disciples was living only a few yards away across the courtyard. I could tell by Jaura's expression that he regarded her as a remarkable woman. Knowing that saints seldom talk about themselves, I asked Jaura to tell me her life story.

I learned that Mataji had shown saintly qualities even as a young child. Although she was married at an early age, as is the custom in India, she did not consummate the relationship because of her singular devotion to God. Nevertheless, as befits a genuinely good person, Mataji personally chose another wife for her husband, who desired to raise a family. When the second wife died several years later, Mataji, not forgetting her responsibility, sought out another wife for her husband.

During all this time Mataji applied herself to intense devotion to God. Her spiritual quest came to fruition when she visited Baba Faqir Chand, the renowned shabd yoga master. At their first meeting Baba Faqir Chand declared that the young woman was already a saint. And on that very day Faqir also appointed her a guru for a number of his women disciples. She has since then been affectionately addressed as Mataji ("Mother dear").

On the night of my arrival at Manavta Mandir, Dr. Jaura invited me to visit Mataji. I readily agreed to the Doctor's kind invitation and was startled when I first saw Mataji as she opened the door to her cloister. I had met her before! Her face also bore an expression of surprised recognition. We had met three years earlier in the home of our mutual friend Swami Yogeshwar, an elderly Christian monk. At that time I had not been informed of Mataji's exalted status but I clearly remembered her exuberant smile and loving eyes. Mataji immediately gave me a strong hug, welcoming me as if I were one of her children.

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

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

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

It was hard for me to leave Mataji that night after such a peaceful and delightful visit. I did, however, see the "dear mother" one more time before my departure. Early in the morning I was ushered into her room to pay my respects and also to thank her for the previous night's delightful conversation. However, I was a bit surprised when I saw Mataji. She was smoking a small Indian cigarette. Now I must confess that I didn't imagine that yogis, especially female yogis, smoked tobacco. But here was Mataji doing exactly that and puffing away nonchalantly, completely oblivious to my childlike notions of how gurus should behave. But, after a few moments I realized how stupid I was in being surprised by the simple act of Mataji's smoking. In the West we sometimes wrongly assume that masters and sages are non-human, as if they didn't get hungry, didn't get sleepy, or didn't urinate. This is not the case, of course, and every mystic I have met is thoroughly human. Each have their own peculiar tastes and dislikes. Each are very normal in their own way. What makes these individuals distinctive is their steadfast devotion to discover the truth within themselves. Instead of searching outside for peace, these mystics focus the majority of their energy to seek the truth within. Spend any time with such enlightened sages and you will automatically feel the pull to do the same.

I think this is perhaps what impressed me the most about Mataji. She put on absolutely no "airs" about her attainment. She was down to earth, personable, affectionate, and not self-conscious (in the bad sense of that term) in the least. She was simply delightful and I found myself won over by her graceful, natural charm. It was also at that moment when I realized the extent of Mataji's enlightenment. As I bowed my head to say good-bye to the "smoking" mother, Mataji said, with a smile, "You are my maharaj, my guru." At first I was a bit thrown off. I reflected to myself, "What could she possibly mean by that statement. I don't even know how to get train directions from Delhi to Hoshiarpur, much less know the inner secrets of the universe." Then it struck me and I understood her meaning. Instead of seeing God in only one form, Mataji sees God in every form, even in someone as completely ignorant as myself.

To Mataji, the beautiful saint of Manavta Mandir, there isn't just one God and many sinful creatures, or a God of Light and a World of Darkness; rather there is only one God manifesting throughout a myriad of forms.





Simran -- Repeating God's Name

Simran leads to happiness,
Through simran pain departs;
Says Kabir, do simran
And you will merge in the Lord. (Kabir)

Repeat the Name of your Beloved, day and night,
again and again. With care in thought, word and deed,
you will cross to the other shore. (Sant Dadu Sahib)

In the classic bhajans and banis of the classic Sants of India appear numerous names of God. One can read verses exhorting devotees to repeat many names of the Formless One:

"Repeat the Name of Raam".
"Repeat the Name of Radhaswami".
"Repeat the Name of Hari".
"Repeat the Name of Govinda".
"Repeat the Name of Vitthala".
"Repeat the Name of Allah".
"Repeat the Name of HOO (HU)".


Chanting the Name Radhasoami (RadhaSwami: "Ra-Dha-Swammmmm-e")

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-i, Radhasoami).

Radhaswami

Radhaswami

Radhaswami

Radhaswami

Radhaswami

Radhaswami

Radhaswami

Radhaswami


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'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'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

Radhaswami 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, Volume One)

Sayings of Baba Devi Sahab



[Following is an English rendering of sayings of Baba Devi Sahab of
Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India as published in Part II of the book (in
Hindi) titled "Satsanga Yog" written by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans
ji Maharaj, one of the all time greatest exponents of Santmat. Baba Devi
Sahab was the Guru of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj
                                                – Translated by
Pravesh K. Singh]

From the Preface to `Ghat Ramayan':
[`Ghat Ramayan' is the name of a book popularly believed to have
been authored by Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India. Baba
Devi Sahab got the hand-written manuscript of Sant Tulsi Sahab of
Hathras printed at Hathras itself in the year of 1896]

The pathway to the liberation of `jiv' (individual soul) already
exists within each one of us. Unless one treads onto this path
himself/herself, it is not possible for him/her either to attain freedom
(from the cycles of existence) which is the real fruit of any religion,
or to know the true wisdom inherent in others' religions, or to
understand the right meaning of the Scriptures belonging to his/her own
religion or sect, regardless of however great a `pundit',
`maulavi', or priest he/she might be. For such clerics/priests
(who have not themselves attained to the true deliverance from the
cycles of birth & death), religion or sect is either fun or a game show,
or a nice tool/ploy/principle to mislead the innocent people and to
incite communal violence and riots in the world; for it is verily
possible to test and realise the truth or crux of every religion or sect
or cult and the thermometer/barometer/yardstick that God has provided
for the purpose is one and the same, kept hidden inside all,
irrespective of whether he/she is prosperous, pauper, `pundit'
(Hindu priest), `maulavi' (Muslim cleric), `paadri'
(Christian priest), erudite, ignorant/stupid/unread, sinner, virtuous,
or of caste ranging from the highest to the lowest down the ladder of
social hierarchy. If a person, using the yardstick which indwells
him/her, is unable to know or test the veracity and greatness of his/her
own Guru or sect, how would he be able to judge others' religions,
cults or sects?

This thermometer, scale or yardstick is the inner pathway (present
within each one of us) which has been divided or classified into
fourteen levels/stages/categories:

…to be continued

For more of such similar posts you may also visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati>

Tulsi's Abode of the Beloved -- Tulsi Sahib's Sant Mat
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

Below are some Shabdavali: mystic verses of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib, the Great Saint of Hathras, India, Adi Guru of many if not most all contemporary Sant Mat guru-lineages, the grandfather or founding-father of modern-day Sant Mat. Since Tulsi serves as a connecting link between the classic Sants of India including earlier Masters in the Kabir lineage, and contemporary Sant Mat, any serious study of Sant Mat teachings must include the hymns and spiritual discourses of Sant Tulsi Sahib.

Some of the Shabdavali of Sant Tulsi Sahib was published in the Hindi edition of Volume Six of the book, Prem Patra Radhaswami, by Huzur Maharaj. In English this is made available in the book, Param Sant Tulsi Saheb, translated by S.D. Maheshwari, published by the Maheshwari family in Agra:
http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Books_Frame.shtml

I am hopeful that, between the various satsang centers: Hathras, Maharishi Mehi Ashram, or perhaps Radhaswami sources, more writings of Sant Tulsi Sahib will eventually become available in English including: Ghat Ramayana, Shabdavali, Ratan Sagar, and Padam Sagar, also commentary on those volumes.

In the Love, Light and Sound of the Beloved,

James
Sant Mat Fellowship
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship





Shabd 27: The ocean of existence is unfathomably vast and without any port of safety. It cannot be crossed. If you meet Sat Guru [True Eternal Light-giver], the boatman, then only will you get across and reach your Abode. The world is a net which Maya [illusion] has cast for the Jiva [unliberated soul]. Says Tulsi that, under the sway of greed and attachment, the Jiva wanders in the transmigratory cycle.

Shabd 28: Concentrating your Surat [attention-faculty of the soul] repeatedly, remain withdrawn towards the region of the eyes [third eye center]. Cleansing the mirror, as it were, of the body and mind, let your Surat proceed on. If you get the opportunity of looking beyond, you will find the truth. Says Tulsi, if you become the dust of the holy feet of Sants [Saints, souls who have reached the Fourth Lok -- fifth plane/heaven or above], you will see Refulgence.

Shabd 29: Whosoever took proper care of his Surat, did not have any fear of Kal [time, the lord of death]. His Surat ascended, and on rushing to Gagan [inner mystic sky] reached her Lord. She met her Beloved on repairing to the Abode of Agam Purush [Inaccessible Being]. Says Tulsi, the illusions, delusions and misery of innumerable lives were thus obliterated.

Shabd 30: Says Tulsi that He will now tell of the Abode, the whereabouts, the seat and the Region of the Beloved. That the Beloved resides beyond Brahm. The region of Sat Nam (who is the Beloved) is Amarpur (Imperishable Region), an Abode of All Happiness. Tulsi says that whoever attains the fourth Lok is called a Sant.





Shabd 31: All Sants say that Sat Nam [True, Eternal Name] is the beginning and the end of all. They enable Jivas to realize within themselves the secrets of the Vedas and the Shastras. There can be no escape without the help of Sants, for, who else can tell of the whereabouts of the Essence (Truth)? Says Tulsi that it is only when Surat ascends and pierces the Sky that it reaches the goal.

Shabd 32: Surat ascends and rushes within, as it beholds visions there. Taking its location at the bedstead of Sukhmana [Royal Vein, central energy current running from the third eye center into higher regions] it makes for the region of the Sunn [the Void]. He alone knows of this, who has had Darshan [Vision] of the Lord on the mirror within. Says Tulsi, the yearning oyster alone recognizes the drops of Swanti rain.





Shabd 33: 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.

Shabd 34: 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.

*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."

Sayings of Baba Devi Sahab – Part II



[Following is an English rendering of sayings of Baba Devi Sahab of
Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India as published in Part II of the book (in
Hindi) titled "Satsanga Yog" written by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans
ji Maharaj, one of the all time greatest exponents of Santmat. Baba Devi
Sahab was the Guru of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj
                                                 – Translated by
Pravesh K. Singh]

From the Preface to `Ghat Ramayan':
[`Ghat Ramayan' is the name of a book popularly believed to have
been authored by Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India. Baba
Devi Sahab got the hand-written manuscript of Sant Tulsi Sahab of
Hathras printed at Hathras itself in the year of 1896]

…contd. from the Part - I

This thermometer, scale or yardstick is the inner pathway (present
within each one of us) which has been divided or classified into
fourteen [Here word fourteen is printed whereas the descriptive table,
as given below includes fifteen layers. This, therefore, logically
appears to be a case of misprint – Translator]
levels/stages/categories:



[N.B.  The original text – those who have gone through the Satsang
Yog Part-II would probably agree with me – is in a typical style of
Hindi which is not only very old but also cryptic. I, with my
limitations of all sorts, found it extremely difficult to translate
these lines. This translation, to be accurate, calls for an elevated
soul who has himself journeyed through, and has had the direct
experience of, the fourteen spiritual planes described ahead. Therefore,
it is very much likely that the translation might consist of errors;
though I have made the best possible efforts, I humbly accept all the
blame for the possible errors in the translation and may kindly be
pardoned by the learned souls. - Translator]



Names & Descriptions of All the Levels/Planes/Spheres/Realms of Creation

No.

Name

Description

01

Anaam (Nameless/ Wordless)

Whatever it is, it can be realized but can not be described in words,
because all that the surat of the practitioner experiences here can not
reach the Level No. 13 from where words or sound, through (with the help
of) which we converse with each other, originate (this is because the
lower illusory places shroud or conceal it). This is called
`alaukik' (unearthly, supernatural or transcendental). Its lord
is `anaam' (soundless or nameless).

02

Agam

These two tell about or describe the First Level as to how is that and
what is that.

03

Alakh

04

Naam  (Name/ Sound/ Word)

The place which is the reservoir of truth, which is spoken of in glowing
terms by the whole world that it is indestructible, imperishable,
eternal. Here `moksha' (liberation) is attained - this level is
called sattalok/satalok and is referred to variously as
sattanaam/satanaam, sattapurush/satpurush, sattaguru/sataguru, waahguru,
sattasaahib by saints.

05

Bhanwar Gufaa

(Whirling or Spiralling Cave)

That place, from where creation began and coating of `jad' (that
which is devoid of consciousness) was superimposed upon `chetan'
(pure consciousness). From this very realm, jiva (unliberated individual
soul) came to be covered with kaaran (causal layer or body). Here surat
begins to evince hints or indications of the first four planes which
have been described above.

06

Mahaasunna

(Greater Void)

These two tell about or describe the Layer No. 5 above. This is the
realm of Nirgun Nirankaar–Akshar–Kaaran Shuddha (pure) Brahma.

07

Sunna or Shoonya (Void)

08

Trikuti

The place where three gunas (attributes, qualities) originated and
Kaaran was covered or draped with sookshma (astral or subtle layer).
This is called Brahmalok and its lord is Omkaar – Parabrahma,
Parameshwar, Allaah – Akbar. This is the seed of all divine and
heavenly Scriptures. This is also the realm of Sun.

09

Sahastradal Kamal (Thousand petalled lotus)

Here five elements of the nature came into existence and sthool (gross
realm) came to shroud the sookshma (astral or subtle layer). It is here
only that account of all the good and bad deeds (performed by the jiv)
is prepared & settled; and the jiva is sent back to the world from this
plane only. Its lord is Om – Brahma, Ishwar, Niranjan. This is also
called the Jyoti Lok (realm of light).

10

Shat Chakra or Ajnaa Chakra

The realm where frontiers or borders of pind and Brahmand meet. It is
called the sixth chakra because there are five chakras below this and
the sixth chakra ends here. Its lord is Pranav–Vindu, Nijman,
Nafasnaatakaa, Third Eye, Sukhamanaa (Sushumnaa), Akaltaai, the Eastern
star. This is the realm of star, mani (an effulgent precious stone
mythically believed to be found in the hood of a cobra), pearl, diamond.
This is the window or opening for ascending into the higher spheres and
also for descending down the lower regions.

11

Kantha Chakra

The region where all learning takes place. Its lord is Mother Saraswati
(Goddess of Learning).

12

Hridaya Chakra

The place where the power of destruction originates which performs all
sorts of editing or adjustments in roopa (form). Its lord is Mahesh or
Shiv.

13

Naabhi Chakra

The place where the power to create forms or shapes originates. Its lord
is Brahma (god of creation).

14

Indri Chakra

The place where the power to nurture or sustain the creation takes birth
which is responsible for sustenance of roop (form).

15

Guda Chakra

The place where the three gunas and five elements gathered or collected
together after forming pind (micro cosmos) and Brahmaand (macro cosmos)
and His powers were tied outwardly to this world. Its lord is Ganesh.




... to be contd.



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

We are all made in the image of God





SantMat_Mystic_(James)
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

"All life is one. The Gurbani* says, 'Who is not your child? Everyone is your very own. We have all been created from one Light.' We are all made in the image of God ..... everyone one of us, male, female, black, white, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist.... we are all made in the image of God.... If we keep the remembrance of God, the simran* that we have been given as an anchor, then it will happen by itself [we will be seeing God in others and living a life of love]. We will be able to tell whether we are doing that by how much love is proceeding from us.....The most important thing in terms of outer context for satsangis* to do is to be lovable. The more lovable we are, the easier we make it for other people to love us. We benefit them as well as have a good time. It's always nicer to be around people who love us than people who don't."

-- Russell Perkins, who once was a representative of Kirpal Singh, from a satsang talk in Sebastopol, California

*Notes

"Gurbani": The Sikh scriptures, also known as Adi Granth or Guru Granth

"Simran": a term for remembrance, identical to the Sufi word zikhr, referring to the mantra or repetition of a name of God as a spiritual technique for remembering God. Simran is the technique of verbally (jappa) or mentally (manas jappa) repeating God's name as a spiritual practice, not only during meditation, but at any place and any time, day or night, whenever we have (or create) the opportunity, in order to be centered on God. Simran is a way to re-center, to refocus again and again, to "practice the presence of God."

"Satsangis": disciples, initiates, devotees, followers of a living Master, those who attend his or her spiritual gatherings (satsangs)

Maharshi Mehi – The Bridge between Scriptures and the Santmat

by Pravesh K. Singh

Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India undoubtedly occupies the most pre-eminent position in the lineage of Santmat and can be said to be the First Saint in the glorious tradition of Modern Age Santmat. Mr. James Bean, who has made an intensive study of Santmat and runs several groups on Santmat very rightly depicts Sant Tulsi Sahab as the "Adi Guru of many if not most all contemporary Santmat guru-lineages, the grandfather or founding-father of modern-day Santmat" and as a "connecting link between the classic Sants of India including earlier Masters in the Kabir lineage, and contemporary Santmat", and advocates that "any serious study of Santmat teachings must include the hymns and spiritual discourses of Sant Tulsi Sahib".

My blogs may be seen at http://blog.yahoo.com/praveshksingh

Sayings of Baba Devi Sahab – Parts III, IV, and V

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{"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."}





Sayings of Baba Devi Sahab – Parts III, IV, and V
Translated by Pravesh K. Singh
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Mystic Poem of Baba Devi Sahab: Guru is Indispensable for Self-Realisation!

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Guru is Indispensable for Self-Realisation!

- Baba Devi Sahab

[Very little of what Baba Devi Sahab said is available in written form and the poems composed by him are still rarer to find. Given below is English translation of one such poem taken from the book "Satsang Bhajanaavali" compiled & edited by Swami Achyutanand ji. Swami Achyutanand ji is a direct disciple of Maharshi Mehi, still very actively involved in propagation of Santmat even at his ripe age of about 80 years. He was the founder editor of the spiritual monthly "Shanti Sandesh" started by Maharshi Mehi. ]

- poem translated by Pravesh K. Singh      

Phonetic Version (in English) of the Original Poem:

"Hamaaraa Maalik sabake maanhi.
Sabame hai aur sabate nyaaraa, aisaa adbhut saain.
Jo guru mile to bhed bataawe,bin guru daras na paaee.
Sabate badaa chhot sabahee te, ghat-ghat rahaa samaaee.
Jaa ghat me pargat hoy darase, taakee bali-bali jaahee.
Roop rang aakaar na jaake, ved netikar gaaee.
'Devi' kas-kas waahi bakhaane, kahan sunan me naahee."

Translation:

[Our Lord resides in all (of us).
He, our Lord, is so wonderful that though He pervades everything, (yet) He is separate from and transcends everything.
It is not possible to see Him (in His true form) without meeting, and learning the secrets from, (the accomplished) Guru.
He is blessed and adorable within whose body He reveals Himself (i.e. who can see His true form within himself).
He is without form, colour and shape, (so that) Vedas sing "neti neti" (meaning, 'nothing in this creation is like, or resembles Him') in His praise.
Baba Devi Sahab wonders as to how and in how many ways he should describe Him, as He (God) is indescribable, beyond the faculties of speaking & listening.]

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Sant Mat, Chapter Seven of the Book, The Harmony of All Religions, by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, is available online.

Click on the photo of the book to read the PDF File, which is an introduction to Sant Mat.

http://www.thewayofsages.com/12-Chapter%20Seven-santma.pdf

[Maharshi Mehi Paramhans (28.04.1885-08.06.1986) studied deeply the four Vedas and the Upanishads to churn out their essence and came out with the unambiguous conclusion that the quintessential wisdom of the Vedas is very much in consonance with the spiritual experiences and preaching of the sants. Thus, he played a harmonising role, acting as a bridge between the Scriptures and the Santmat. He published a book titled "Ved Darshan Yoga" (The Philosophy of Vedas) wherein he shortlisted some of the very important hymns of Vedas with their translation (by Pandit Shri Jayadev Sharma, Vidyalankar, Mimansateerth, published by Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd., Ajmer, Rajasthan, India) and put his own commentary buttressed by quotes from numerous sants, thus emphatically underscoring the harmony between the Vedas and Sants. Below is attempted a translation of the above book of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, which will be brought out in phases. It is important to make out here that translating the hymns or poems of sants, which is very cryptic at times, is an extremely difficult task (because of the esoteric knowledge they contain) which, to be honest, calls for experiential knowledge that comes only through elevated stages of spiritual meditation, a qualification that is totally lacking in me. In his original book (in Hindi), Maharshi Mehi has only produced the original verses of different sants and has not offered their translation, the presumption, presumably, being that it is not required for the readers who know Hindi (and hence can supposedly make out their essence). However, considering their unintelligibility to the English speaking readership, I have made a humble and petty attempt to translate (all such translations are enclosed in square brackets, such as […]) these verses, taking help of Maharshi Mehi's and Maharshi Santsewi's discourses I have gone through, an attempt which might very well be fraught with errors. All these errors (despite my best efforts not to let these creep in), it must be acknowledged plainly & honestly, are mine & mine alone, and I hope that the learned readers might generously pardon me for the same. Jai Guru!
– Pravesh K. Singh  http://blog.360.yahoo.com/praveshksingh]

Rig Veda Samhita

1. "Uduttamam varun paashamasmadavaadhamam vi madhyamam shrathaay. Athaa wayamaaditya vrate tavaanaagaso aditaye syaam." (Chap. 2, Varg 15|15 Sookta 24)

Translation:

O Highest (Absolute) Lord! You weaken or diminish the best quality or saattvik (sattva gun or satogun means the quality or attributes of purity or goodness – one of the three gunas or qualities constituting the nature or the universe) attachments by means of experiences or gratifications of highest quality. You exhaust or dull the lowliest or taamasik (tamas or tamogun means the quality or attributes of ignorance or darkness or error – one of the three gunas or qualities constituting the nature or the universe) ties by sending (us or jiv) to suffer in the lowest order of species, and you abate, dissipate or quell the attachments of the intermediate category – raajasik attachments (rajas or rajogun means the quality or attributes of activity or passion – one of the three gunas or qualities constituting the nature or the universe) by making to suffer the experiences in miscellaneous types of species. Having experienced all these bhogs (gratifications or sufferings or experiences) we pray to you, O Protector, Shelter-giver and Illuminator as-radiant-as-the-Sun, may we become sinless, pure & pristine by following the righteous path of duties as illumined by You and attain the eternal bliss and moksha (liberation from the cycles of birth & death)!

Commentary:
(By Maharshi Mehi Paramhans)

Eternal bliss can not be experienced if the liberation achieved is not for ever or permanent. Thus Vedas also accept or believe in the "liberation for ever", just as it is accepted by sants such as Kabir Sahab, Guru Nanak Sahab etc. For instance (consider the following sayings of some of the sants):

"Guru mili taake khule kapaat. Bahuri na aawe yonee baat." (Sant Kabir Sahab)

[Doors (of the Lord's Kingdom) open up for him (her) who has found a true Guru (and practises as instructed by the latter) so that he (she) has never to come back again in the cycle of birth & death.]

" Gadaa nissaan tanh sunna ke beech me,
Ulati ke surat fir nahi aawe.
Doodh ko matthi kari ghirt niyaaraa kiyaa,
bahuri fir tatta me naa samaawe.
Maadi matthaan tanh paanch ulataa kiyaa,
naam nauneeti le surati feree.
Kahai Kabir yon sant nirbhaya huaa,
janm au maran kee mitee feree." (Sant Kabir Sahab)

[That flag, sign, symbol or mark is etched in the Void (within us). He who reverts his surat (current of consciousness or attention) inwards (towards that symbol) does not have to come back again (in this world or trap of birth & death). Once ghee (clarified butter referring to jivatma here) has been separated out of milk (reference is to the composite of the gross body, mind along with ten organs, intellect, other subtler bodies etc.) by churning (meditation process) the latter i.e., milk, it (ghee) can not be converted back into its original element i.e. milk (the meaning being, once the liberation is attained by separating the soul from all the layers enveloping it, the soul can not again mingle with body). The practitioner turns the sense organs inwardly or withdraws the current of consciousness flowing out to the sense organs and thus reverts the surat with the help of butter of Divine word or sound. Practising thus, says Kabir, a sant severs the ties or knots of births & deaths and becomes fearless.]

"Jal tarang jiu jalahi samaaiaa,
tiu jotee sang jotee milaaiaa.
Kah Nanak bhram kate kiwaadaa,
bahuri na hoiai jaulaa jeeu." (Guru Nanak Sahab)

[Just as the waves (that rise on the surface of a water body) merge back into the water body itself, (the spiritual practitioner) merges the light (of individual soul) into the light (of the Ultimate Lord). Thus the doors of illusion, says Nanak, are cut open, and the jiv (unliberated individual soul) does not have to fall again into the bondage.]

Taji yog paawak deh haripad leen bhai janh nahi firai" (Goswami Tulsi Das)

[Lighting the fire of yoga, she (reference here is to Shabree, the great devotee of Lord Shri Ram) quit her body into it (lifted herself above body) and merged or reached herself into that place wherefrom one does not have to come back.]

"Koti jnaanee jnaan gaavanhi,
shabd bin sab baanchahee.
Shabd sajeevan mool aynak,
ajapaa daras dekhaawahee.
sattashabd santosh dhari dhari,
prem mangal gaavahee.
milahi satguru shabd paavahi,
pheri na bhavajal aavahee."
(Sant Dariya Sahab 'Bihari' from his book "Granth Dariya Sagar)

[True knowledge is not acquired without grasping the Divine Word, however much one may flaunt his learning, erudition or scholarship. The nectar of word is the mirror which reveals the ajapaa (one who can not be described in words or by chanting i.e. God). Having perceived the Divine Word which brings about complete & true contentment, (the practitioner) gratefully & lovingly keeps on singing His praise. He who has realised that Word with the grace of a true Guru never comes back to the ocean of existence.]

New Book: Kabir Bhajan Amritam - Devotional Bhajans of Kabir

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The New Book: Kabir Bhajan Amritam -- Devotional Bhajans of Satguru Kabir,
translated by Dr. Jagessar Das:
email address: dasj@...
published by:
The Kabir Association of Canada:   http://www.kabir.ca  





Dharam Das:

O my Satguru! I have become exhausted searching for you, but I have not found you.
I searched in the holy places of
Rameshwar; Jagdish, Dwarka, Badrinath,
Kedarnath, Kashi, Mathura, and Ayodhya. I even searched the Girnar mountain.
I searched East, West, North and South and wandered in the world.
I searched the sixty-eight places of pilgrimage trying to find you, and could not.
I have done prayers, austerities and fasting many times, and have practiced discipline and righteous living.
But I have not seen you even in my dreams, 0 Master! What sort of luck I have!
I do not have happiness in the day and can't sleep at night.
My whole body has become restless.
Please now give your Darshan [Vision] to
your servant Dharam Das and take him across this worldly ocean of rebirths.

Satguru Kabir:

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 is 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."


Four Other Translations of Kabir's Famous Poem: "Are You Searching for Me?"

"The Kabir Book -- Forty-Four of the Ecstatic Poems of Kabir", Robert Bly

Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
you will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine
rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding
around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but
vegetables.
When you really look for me, you will see me
instantly --
you will find me in the tiniest house of time.
Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God?
He is the breath inside the breath.


"Kabir -- Songs of the Divine"
Jagessar Das

Seeker! Why do you seek me?
I am already with you.
You will not find me in pilgrimages or idols,
Nor in isolated retreats and withdrawals.
You will not find me in temple or mosque,
Nor in what you call holy cities and sacred mountains.
You will not find me in recitations or austerities,
Nor in the observances of fasts and deprivations.
You will not find me in rites and rituals,
Nor in yoga and renunciations.
You will not find me in air or matter,
Nor in the vast expanse of space.
You will not find me,
Inside the void of meditation.
You will find me,
In the breath within all breaths.
Seek me there,
And you will find me instantly,
As immediately as the blink of an eye.
Kabir says, "Friends listen!
I am wherever you are."


This one is from "Says Kabir...
A Collection of One Hundred and Ten Poems of Kabir," Sushila Mahajan

Where do you look for me, dear?
I am closer than close to you.

Neither in temple-mosque am I,
nor in Kaba-Kailash,
nor in rituals, nor in yoga-ways.

Neither in goat-sheep am I,
nor in axe-knife,
nor in skin-tail,
nor in flesh and bone.

He who yearns, finds at once,
far from the crowd,
I live in a quiet refuge.

Listen to me in the void, says Kabir,
in between all the breaths.


"Songs of Kabir",
Rabindranath Tagore

O SERVANT, where dost thou seek Me?
Lo! I am beside thee.
I am neither in temple nor in mosque:
I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash:
Neither am I in rites and ceremonies,
nor in Yoga and renunciation.
If thou art a true seeker,
thou shalt at once see Me:
thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time.
Kabîr says, "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath."

Exploring the Higher Planes, the Wonders of Inner Space

By James Bean
Copyright, November 2007

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During his series Cosmos, Carl Sagan once took note of a significant parallel between the ancient Hindu tradition and science. Both teach that there have been vast epochs of time: ages lasting millions or even billions of years. In Hinduism these ages or great epochs of time are called "Yugas". These days it is in the area of M Theory and Quantum Physics that some are finding some parallels between the theories or observations of science and the intuitive or revelatory wisdom of certain schools of spirituality. For instance, Michio Kaku, in his book, Parallel Worlds -- A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, And the Future of the Cosmos, says: "How could it be that we live in a ten 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."  I believe since that was written the consensus has shifted slightly and there is now the view that there are a total of eleven dimensions, not ten!

The understanding that we are part of a vast multi-dimensional cosmos or multiverse containing possibly an infinite number of bubble universes or a cosmic foam of universes is not something new. Back in the 1920's a mystic and author by the name of Julian P. Johnson wrote about multiple dimensions and cosmic Music as being the First Cause of Creation "in the beginning." 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." Johnson's spiritual Master: Huzur Baba Sawan Singh, once described an experience of seeing the universe from above as a kind of cosmic "foam" or, in other words, many bubble universes.

Over the centuries contemplative souls have taught that the human body is a kind of temple, and that within this temple are portals that lead to other dimensions, that by looking within this microcosm we may access the macrocosm of the heavens. The Sufi mystic and philosopher Ibn Arabi wrote in his Bezels of Wisdom: "He [Allah] brought the Cosmos into being as constituting an Unseen Realm and a Sensory Realm, so that we might perceive the Inner though our unseen and the Outer through our sensory aspect." We are children of both worlds. We human beings are a Tree of Life with roots in the earth and branches rising into a mystic sky. "The planes of heaven are about us everywhere. One has only to know this simple truth consciously, and then we will be free." (George Arnsby Jones, disciple of Kirpal Singh)

For many centuries Hinduism, Shamanism, Buddhism, Kabbalah, Gnosticism, Christian Mysticism, Sufism, Santmat, and other schools of spirituality have described a multi-dimensional universe. Some even have their own symbols, diagrams or charts of the heavens. No doubt the Kabbalist Tree of Life is the most well-known of these.  In the West some of the oldest descriptions of the "Seven Heavens" that have been written down are to be found in the Book of First Enoch the Prophet, a Hebrew scripture composed sometime around two hundred BC. Copies of the Book of Enoch were found amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls. There are also many other manuscripts of Enoch in various languages, and the Book of Enoch is preserved as part of the canon of the Ethiopian Bible. Christian Orthodox mystics describe several "Noetic Heavens". The Gnostic Universe as well consisted of many different heavens. A chart illustrating these Gnostic Heavens was included in the recently published collection of Gnostic texts called, The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, edited by Marvin Meyer, published by Harper Collins. This is the Gnostic Universe as presented by a Syrian Gnostic teacher from the Second Century AD by the name of Mar Sans:




As you can see from this chart, the bottom-most plane represents the material universe, the visible cosmos that the Hubble Space Telescope has been revealing to us so beautifully in recent years. Above are more subtle regions, followed by middle planes or heavens, including Protophanes, which is apparently another name for the Universal Mind. Above the middle regions are more glorious and ethereal realms of Spirit. The Twelfth Heaven called "The Invisible Spirit" is a region beyond cosmic or mystical Light, and the Most High region, the Thirteenth Heaven in the Gnostic system of Mar Sans: "The Unknown Silent One", is at the very top. This name implies it is beyond cosmic or mystical Sound, and in many mystical texts is described as the Ultimate Reality, the State described as God or "The Nameless One" or "Soundless One" (Anadi Purush).

Note: there are some variations in the number of planes or heavens from system to system depending on how they are counted or divided, even amongst the various Gnostic schools of spirituality. One can divide planes as one wishes, for instance counting the astral plane as one region, or dividing into "lower" and "upper" and so on. Some do this with the top-most heaven of All-Spirit, either labeling it as one region of spirit, while others may provide more details, dividing the top region into three or four levels. There are levels where the soul maintains individuality. There is one stage of the spiritual plane called "Nearness" in Kabbalah and Agam Lok in Santmat mysticism. In this region the soul has the option to become one with God and then revert back to it's own state of individuality again. The "drop" merges into the "Divine Ocean" and then decides to become a "drop" again. Imagine! Freedom of choice even at that exalted level. Generally, the top-most region is considered to be the State far beyond all illusion of separateness. It is described as Nonduality, Oneness, and is given by some the name Kaivalya, the Ocean of Oneness or Pure Consciousness. Others have described it as Anurag Sagar, the Ocean of Love.

As you can see, this next chart is quite similar to the first, but rather than illustrating the multidimensional universe of an Aramaic-speaking Gnostic school of spirituality from Syria dating back to the time of the Second Century AD, this is a chart illustrating the Inner Regions or Heavens according to a contemporary Hindi-speaking tradition from India known as Surat Shabd Yoga.



As with the Gnostic Universe, the cosmos of the Shabd Yoga tradition has the lowest or outermost plane being the realm of matter and dark matter, followed by progressively more subtle and luminous astral and akashic or causal regions, also a Universal Mind or Demiurgical (pronounced "Demi-urge-ah-KAL") plane. Above these lower and middle regions of mind and matter are levels of pure spirit, eternal, above time and space, and these are considered to be the True Home or Paradise of the soul, where we prodical souls came from and, full-circle, where we will return to again, as we awaken from the soul-slumber of the ages. "We have come from the Light and will return there again." As Kabir once said, "For millions of years you have slept. This morning, will you not wake?"

Here is another helpful chart of the heavens, also from the Surat Shabd Yoga tradition. I especially like this one as it includes the chakra system as well as the subtle bodies: astral body-astral plane, causal body-causal plane, etc....



The Way Out Is Within

As you can see, it is the Ajna Chakra, the Third Eye Center, that is the central focus in the Shabd Yoga system of meditation. The Third Eye or Seat of the Soul, for some during meditation, is a Portal to the subtle planes and heavenly regions above the Crown Chakra. The Sufi poet Rumi once said, "Open a window to God." This is the function of the Third Eye Center according to the Path of the Masters. Those studying under the guidance of living Masters get to learn various meditation techniques that make it possible to rise above body-consciousness, still the always-agitated "monkey-mind" with all of its distracting thoughts, and make this amazing transition in awareness from the outer world of the five senses, passing through several inner stages or regions along the way, with the final destination being Kaivalya or Nirvana, the Ocean of Pure Consciousness.

Mystics teach that our birthright as human beings not only includes access to the outer material world of the five senses, but also the "Unseen" or subtle dimensions. The Catholic mystic Saint Teresa of Avila spoke about "the seven rooms of the interior castle". The human body is a castle or temple with many "rooms" inside available for us to explore. This is "the Kingdom of God within."  A great poet-mystic and musician from India by the name of Kabir once sang:

Within this body are bowers and groves, and within it is the Creator:
Within this body 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.
Kabîr says: "Listen to me, my Friend! My Beloved Lord is within."

Param Poojya Shahi Swami ji Maharaj, a Shabd Yoga Guru, says: "God is perceivable through the soul only. But our individual soul has become surrounded or covered by several sheaths or bodies and organs. So long as it remains in the captivity of these various bodies and organs, it will be under the knowledge of these bodies and organs only, will be under illusory knowledge only (because these bodies themselves are illusory), and will not be able to realise the God. In order to know Him, the Jivatma or the individual soul shall have to liberate itself from these bondages. The one who is able to liberate himself from the body & organs, is able to lift himself beyond this world, too. Our Gurudev [Maharshi Mehi] has said, 'There is a very strong relationship between our body and the world around us. The universe is formed of the very same elements of which our body is made. Just as there are gross, subtle, causal and supra-causal spheres or realms inside our body, these very spheres or realms are to be found in the universe, also. So, we (at any given point of time) are in the same realms of the universe as well as of the body. If we lift ourselves beyond a particular sphere of our body, we lift beyond the same sphere of the universe also. Thus, one who can raise himself beyond all the realms of the body will also rise or ascend beyond all realms of the universe. The one, who has freed himself fully from his body, has freed himself of the universe, also.'" (Pravesh K. Singh translation)

The following is from a spiritual satsang discourse by Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, also quoting Maharishi Mehi Paramhans:

Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji says,

"Guru jaap maanas dhyaan maanas, keejiye dridha saadhakar.
Inakaa pratham abhyaas kar, shrut shuddha karanaa chaahiye."
[The right way to meditate first consists of purifying our surat (meaning our individual soul here) by rigorously or firmly practicing the 'maanas jap' (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 the 'maanas dhyaan' (fixedly gazing at the imagined form of the Guru within us, keeping our eyes closed)]

At another place (Maharshi Mehi says),

"Prathamahi dhaaro Guru ko dhyaan.
Ho shruti nirmal, ho Vindu jnaan."
[Focus your attention, in the first place, on your Guru's image. This purifies the 'surat' and takes us to experience the 'Bindu' (the primeval perfect refulgent point from which all the grossly & subtly visible creation has come to be formed.]

So, firmly practice attentively chanting of the holy name or mantra of the Guru and meditating upon the Guru's form. Thus the 'surat' will be pure and you will get prepared for practicing 'Bindu Dhyaan' (Yoga of Divine Light). Maturing in or becoming adept at 'Bindu Dhyaan', you would move from Darkness into Light, from the Gross (Realm) into the Astral (Realm). There are three layers, namely the Layers of Darkness, Light and Sound, which keep shrouding our soul. Therefore, our Gurudev said further,

"Ghat tam prakash va shabd pat traya, jeev par hain chhaa rahe.
Kar drishti aru dhvani yoga saadhan, ye hataanaa chaahiye."
[The 'jiva' (the individual soul) is enveloped by three layers of Darkness, Light and Sound. To remove these shells hiding the soul, we should practice 'Drishti Yoga' (Yoga of Divine Light) and 'Dhvani Yoga or Shabda Yoga or Naad Yoga' (The Yoga of Divine Sound).]

Practice 'Drishti Yoga' (Yoga of Light) and 'Naadaanusandhaan' (Yoga of Sound). This will enable remove the layers of Darkness, Light and Sound (that conceal your Soul from the Supreme Sovereign Soul i.e. God). You will, thus, get to know "Who You Are." And, when you know yourself, you will also know God. Therefore walk within yourself, not without.

And for this, there is no need to quit your household, family or job. Living in your house with your family members and making an honest, truthful earning, you can attain to Him by meditation. This meditation can be done by all alike – rich or poor, learned or illiterate, male or female, young or old. (Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji says,)

"Jitane manush tan dhaari hain, prabhu bhakti kar sakate sabhee.
Antar va baahar bhakti kar, ghat – pat hataanaa chaahiye."
[All the human beings are capable of performing devotion to the God. One should do inner or internal meditation (by practicing the 'Maanas Jap', 'Maanas Dhyaan', 'Drishti Saadhan' and 'Naadaanusandhaan' as discussed before) as well as outer or external meditation (seek the company of sants and reading and/or listening to Sacred Scriptures).]

Believe in One God. Have firm, unwavering, indefatigable faith in that He shall be found within (us)." (Pravesh K. Singh translation)

Says Rumi, To Him We Shall Return

I died as mineral and became a plant;
I died as plant and rose to animal,
I died as animal and I was a man.
Then why fear disappearance through death?
When was I less by dying?
Next time I shall die
To soar -- with angels blessed,
But even from angelhood
I must pass on;
All except God doth perish.
When I have sacrificed my angel soul,
I shall become what no mind ever conceived.
What you cannot imagine,
I shall be that.
Oh! let me not exist, for non-existence
Proclaims in organ-tones,
'To Him we shall return.'

Naad Throbs in Vindu

by Shri Shahi Swami ji Maharaj

[A translated discourse of Parampoojya Shri Shahi Swami ji Maharaj, the seniormost disciple alive of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji alive, delivered at the Satsang Hall of Maharshi Mehi Ashram at Kuppaghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India on 27.05.1979 on the occasion of the Weekly Satsang. The original Hindi version of the discourse provided by Ms. Pooja Rani, the moderator of the yahoo group "santmat_parivar" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/santmat_parivar  

         – Translation by Pravesh K. Singh]

Here Weekly Satsang is held on every Sunday. Those who attend (this weekly satsang) regularly know that here sants' wisdom is propagated or disseminated through Satsang. What is its need? The knowledge of sants is the `amrit' (nectar – imagined mythical drink which imparts immortality). We read about `amrit' , we read about `kalpavriksha' (the famed mythical tree said to be capable of fulfilling all the wishes made or thought by the person sitting under it) and `kaamdhenu' (the mythical divine cow again capable of fulfilling all the wishes prayed for) in Puranas (ancient Hindu Scriptures). However, in my view, sants' knowledge itself is all these things in reality. That who abides by, live by the preaching of sants attains auspicious results. He transcends himself beyond the cycle of `aawaagaman' (birth & death) and merges into the God. Great is the glory of sants' wisdom:
 

"Satsangati mud mangal moolaa. Soi fal sidhi sab saadhan foolaa."
                                                        – Goswami Tulsi Das

[The company of the Truth (sants are living embodiments of the Truth) is at the root of all the bliss and happiness. Various meditation techniques and the (supernatural) attainments are the flowers and fruits respectively.]

He who lives in Satsang attains greatness. Sant Sundardas ji has said,

"Taat milai puni maat milai, bhraat milai yuvatee sukhadaayee.
 Raaj milai gajbaaj milai, sab saaj milai manavaanchhit paaee.
 Lok milai suralok milai, vidhi lok milai baikunthahu jaaee.
 Sundar aur milai sabahee sukh, sant samaagam durlabh paaee."

[No matter you get a father, mother, brother and good wife, too. You also might very well be endowed with a kingdom, and all the coveted means of luxury. You might also attain to the Kingdom of Indra, Brahma and Vishnu. All these lofty-looking states might be realized. Nonetheless, it is very difficult to find or get into the company of a sant.]

What do we find in sants' preachings? We get to know of our duties. It is very important to know about our obligations, as to which acts we should perform.

Lives of all the creatures in this world are spent in eating, sleeping, apprehensions or fears and reproduction. If this human life, too, is frittered away in these very activities, what then remains so special about it? It is alright if we perform the duties that are expected of a human being. But, if we keep ourselves removed from these virtues then let us just think of what or who we are! The (noblest) task of ridding oneself of the cycle of `aawaagaman' (birth & death) is possible of fulfillment only with this human body. Maharshi Mehi has said :

"aawagaman sam dukh doojaa, hai nahee jag me koee.

  Isake niwaaran ke liye, prabhu bhakti karanee chaahiye"

[There is no misery as grave in this world as `aawaagaman'. To overcome this, we ought to practice devotion.]

If someone has stockpiled huge riches, has earned great respect, will he get freed from the cycle of `aawaagaman'? Sahajo Bai has very rightly said,

"Chouraasee bhugatee ghanee, bahut sahee jam maar.

Bharami firai tinhu lok me, tahoon na maanee haar.

Tahoon na maanee haar, mukti ko chaah na keenhee.

Heeraa dehee pay, mol maatee ke keenhee.

Moorakh nar samajhai nahee, samajhaayaa bahu baar.

Charandaas kahai Sahajiyaa, sumirego karataar."

[Despite having suffered miserably through the wanderings in 8.4 million species, grievous blows given repeatedly by the death-god, we have not learnt the lesson yet. Still we do not yearn for the liberation and, instead, keep wasting this diamond-like body as that of clay. The ignorant one does not understand the lesson despite several efforts to make him grasp the reality. Charandas (Guru of Sahajo Bai) exhorts Sahajo bai to remember and concentrate on the Supreme Lord.]

Having loitered in numerous different bodies for so long, we have now been given this human body. Even now if we do not wake up, be alert, then it is as if we are squandering in objects of senses our valuable life which is as precious as diamond. Listen to a short story. There was a shepherd. He used to rear & graze sheep and goats. One day he saw a beautiful stone (which was, in fact, a diamond) half stuck in the ground. He tried first to knock it out with the kick of his foot, but did not succeed. He then dug it out by using his stick and tied it with a thread around the neck of one of his goats. One day, one `jauhari' (the jeweler or the appraiser of precious stones & metals) happened to notice the stone. He said to the shepherd, "O brother, would you please sell this stone to me?" The (innocent) shepherd told him, "Take it for free, if you so like it." The `jauhari' said, "No, no! You must charge a price for it." "OK! Give whatever you deem it to be fit." The `jauhari' paid five Rupees (Indian currency note) to the shepherd, and as soon as he untied the diamond, it burst into pieces and a sound came out of it, "The shepherd kicked me with his feet, but I did not mind. Then he struck me with his baton, even then I did not mind. That was because the shepherd did not know me or my value. But you are a `jauhari'. You are very well aware of my price. Yet when you valued me at five rupees, I couldn't bear it, my heart broke and I was shattered into pieces." Likewise, the man is the most evolved of all the species in this world, has been blessed with wisdom. He who has not understood his duties well, is bound to land in trouble, is bound to fall back into the trap of the 8.4 million, to fall back in the vicious cycle of `aawaagaman'.

There are five bodies – `sthool' (gross), `sookshma' (astral or subtle), `kaaran' (causal), `mahaakaaran' (supra-causal) and `kaivalya' (conscious). In the event of death, only the `sthool' body is left behind, while all the other four bodies carry on acting as the seed for further future gross bodies. If, along with this `sthool' body, even the `sookshma', `kaaran', `mahaakaaran' and `kaivalya' bodies can also be discarded, the freedom from `aawaagaman' would be accomplished. When none of these bodies will remain, man would transform into the Supreme Soul, God Himself. "Jaanat tumhanhi tumhai hoi jaaee." (The Knower knowing You (God) becomes You (God) only)  The (indivisible) part of the God would be liberated from the coverings of the body and its organs. How will this happen? Whatever all is to be done for this is, in fact, called `bhakti' (devotion). Call it `bhakti', call it `saadhanaa', it is all the same. It is impossible to be freed of the body & its organs by walking (and trying) in the outside world. Body and organs would always be with you, wherever you go and move outside. Kabir Sahab has said,

"Door door doondhai man lobhee, chhootai na garbh taraasaa"

[The greedy mind loiters far & wide (outside), but is not cured of the pain of womb (referring to the painful process of birth which surely leads to excruciating death resulting in rebirth & so on)]

It is possible to be free of body & organs and to become `aatmajnaanee' (knower of the Self) by attaining the `kaivalya' (conscious) state only by starting within the body. In that state of `aatmajnaan' (Self Realisation) only shall we identify God.

When Swami Ramteerth went to America, some people proposed, "If you permit, we wish to distribute pamphlets informing of your arrival here." Swami Ramteerth answered, "No, advertisement hoardings are not needed. You invite the renowned doctors over here." They followed his order.  When the doctors arrived, Swami ji asked them to inspect him physically. Doctors were astounded to find that though they were not able to find his pulse, he was able to talk to them. Swami Ramteerth told them, "You see! This is the wisdom of India. Now you people will become my advertisers." Swami Ramteerth became famous in America. This power comes by inner meditation.

How do we walk within? You see, we walk within and come out of our body every day. Had it not been like this, there would have been no states of dream and deep sleep.  `Jiva' (unliberated individual soul) resides in the eyes in the (physically) woken state. When we descend from eyes to the throat, it becomes the dream state. When we move down further to the heart, the deep sleep state results. But this journey (through these three states) is associated with ignorance. Then where is knowledge or awareness? Brain is the storehouse of knowledge. Swami Vivekanand had remarked, "Man's brain is endless reservoir of information, boundless library" If you invert your power to see, you would find yourself in darkness. Accurate or true knowledge is gathered while ascending inside. As we journey inside ourselves, we move beyond darkness into the realm of light. Transcending darkness, we transcend the gross universe. The sins or unwanted actions that used to be performed in the gross world will not be committed now. Goswami Tulsidas ji Maharaj has written that when this divine Light appears within, all the frailties & diseases of mind are cured:

"Jabate Ram pratap khagesa. Udit bhayau ati prabal dinesha.

Poori prakaash raheu tihu lokaa. Bahutenh sukh bahutenh man sokaa.

Jinhahi sok te kahaun bakhaanee. Pratham abidyaa nisaa nashaanee.

Agh ulook janh tanhaan lukaane. Kaam krodh kairav sakuchaane.

Matsar maan moh mad choraa. Inhkar hunar na kavnihu oraa."

[O, King of the Birds (Garud, the Vehicle of Lord Vishnu)! Since the Refulgent Sun of Ram's glory rose, all the three worlds (the Earth, the Subterranean Region called `Paataal' and the Heaven have been referred to as the three worlds in some of the Hindu mythological literature) were brightly illuminated. While this Sun gave rise to grief in some hearts, it filled some others with happiness. I would begin with describing those whose hearts became full of sorrow. First of all, the night/darkness of ignorance got destroyed. Owls of sin began to run helter-skelter seeking shelter to hide. Water lilies of lust and anger shrank or wilted. Partridges of diverse varieties of actions, properties, time and nature/ character never felt happy. Thieves of jealousy, prestige, attachment born out of ignorance and ego had no havens left for themselves.]

Then what happens? Goswami ji says,

"Dharam tadaag jnaan bijnaanaa. Ye pankaj bikase bidhi naanaa.

Sukh santosh biraag bibekaa. Bigat sok ye kok anekaa.

Yah prataap rabi jaake, ur jab karai prakaas.

Pachhile baadhahi pratham je, kahe te paavanhi naash."

[On the other hand, lotuses of diverse types of wisdom and knowledge went into full blossom. The Sheldrake or the Brahminy Duck (traditionally believed to be separated from its mate at night) in the form of bliss, contentment & detachment (from things worldly) became freed from all grief. When this radiant Sun of Ram illumines the hearts (of the practitioner) then all the negative tendencies, as described earlier, meet with destruction and the positive desirable attributes begin to reign supreme.]

<span lang="EN-US">Upward movement during inner meditation takes us into the realm of light. That light is of God Himself. He alone, who walks within, gets that light. It is not so that he receives merely light; he perceives sound, too. Taking support of light & sound, the soul attains to its origin i.e. the God. Light is the left hand of the God, while sound is His right hand. The practitioner, who gets hold of both these hands, can not be separated from Him even if such a person is bombarded with hand grenades and bombs. These two – light & sound – are obtained by walking within. This, in fact, is the true `bhakti' (devotion or worship) of God. In this bhakti, one has to practice to concentrate, to shrink. For practicing shrinking, Sant Kabir Sahab has said,

"Naino kee kari kotharee, putalee palang bithaaya.

Palako kee chik daari ke, piy ko liyaa rijhaay."

[Making the eyes into a room and the pupils into the cot, I hung the curtain of the eyelids (i.e. closed the eyes) and thus pleased, delighted or charmed my Lord. (This, in fact, is a clear hint for practicing the Yoga of Light.)]

That is, we should make a room of our eyes, and should hang or drop down the curtain of our eyelids to still the pupil. In short, the Lord has to be enchanted by closing down our eyes (and gazing fixedly as taught by the Master). But when (& how) the pupil will become still or stationary? It is when you focus or concentrate it over a point (an entity which occupies no space or has no expanse). It is for this very reason that `Vindu Dhyaan' has been taught. This very thing has been referred to as firm practice of one element (`ek tattva dridhaabhyaas') in Muktikopnishad:

"Ekatatvadridhaabhyaasaaddyaavanna vijitam manah.
  Praksheenchittadarpasya nigriheetendriyadvishah.
  Padminya iva ksheeyante bhoga vaasanaah."

That means that unless the mind has been conquered completely, one should try to control one's senses overcoming the chitta and ego completely by firm and rigorous practice of (concentration over) one element. Once this happens, all the indulgences and lust & cravings get destroyed in the same way as the lotus gets destroyed in the Hemant Season (cold season normally spanning from Mid November to Mid January in the Indian Subcontinent). Attain single pointedness (complete unwavering concentration, or fixed gazing at a perfect point), and you will transcend beyond cravings for the sensual pleasures, luxurious life or licentiousness. Goswami Tulsidas ji has written in his book "Vinay Patrika" :

" Jab lagi nahi nij hridi prakaash, aru Vishay aas man maahi.
  Tulsidas tab lagi jag joni, bhramat sapanehu sukh naahi."

[So long as our own heart is not illuminated, and yearning for objects of senses linger in us, opines Tulsidas, the `jiv' (individual soul) shall have to wander in the various species in this world and shall never attain true bliss even in its dreams.]

Kabir Sahab says in a similar context:

"Baas surat le aavaee, shabd surat lai jay.
  Parichay shruti hai sthire, so guru daee bataay."

[Cravings bring or drag the surat (un-liberated individual soul) into this world, while the Sound (the Quintessential Unstruck Melody) takes us beyond or back to its true or original home. The surat becomes still (becomes free from movement into endless cycles of birth & death) as it gets acquainted with or meets Him. Guru has taught me (says Kabir) the technique required or the art for this (making the surat still).]

When our sight becomes fixed, the World or Domain of Light opens up, spotless Sun is seen. And, thus, "rain andheree mit gayee, baajai anahad toor" (The dark night has come to an end, and countless varieties of enchanting sounds are heard reverberating.), as described by Sant Kabir, is realized in practice. The art to this practice is secret (has to be learnt from an adept master or Guru). However, obstinacy won't help here (It is to be noted here that obstinacy is distinct from tenacity of purpose – Translator). For this, one has to begin with `Maanas Jap' (also, Manas Jap) – reciting, with full concentration, the holy mantra given by the Guru – and then has to internally visualize the gross form of the Guru (known as `Maanas Dhyaan' or Manas Dhyan). Maanas Jap puts a brake on the restlessness, flirtatiousness or naughtiness of the mind, whereas Maanas Dhyaan orients the mind in one particular direction, and, thus, one becomes introverted. `Drishti Saadhan'  or Drishti Sadhan (The Yoga of Light, which has to be practiced after Maanas Dhyaan) helps accomplishing the single – mindedness and one can testify to the veracity of the sants' claim "Vindu me tanh naad bolai" (Naad or Sound reverberates in the Light or Vindu). `Naad Dhyaan' enables to realize the Supreme Sovereign Soul. This is what Sants and Great Souls teach.

The Vegetarian Prayer of Thanksgiving

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This is a Coptic Gnostic prayer from one
of the Gnostic gospels found in Egypt included
in the Nag Hammadi Library:
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/prat.html
Translated by James Brashler,
Peter A. Dirkse and Douglas M. Parrott

This the prayer that they spoke:

"We give thanks to You!
Every soul and heart is lifted up to You,
undisturbed name, honored with the name 'God'
and praised with the name 'Father',
for to everyone and everything (comes) the fatherly kindness
and affection and love,
and any teaching there may be that is sweet and plain,
giving us mind, speech, (and) knowledge:
mind, so that we may understand You,
speech, so that we may expound You,
knowledge, so that we may know You.
We rejoice, having been illuminated by Your knowledge.
We rejoice because You have shown us Yourself.
We rejoice because while we are in (the) body,
You have made us divine through Your knowledge.

"The thanksgiving of the man who attains to You is one thing:
that we know You.
We have known You, intellectual Light.
Life of life, we have known You.
Womb of every creature, we have known You.
Womb pregnant with the nature of the Father,
we have known You.
Eternal permanence of the begetting Father,
thus have we worshiped Your goodness.

There is one petition that we ask:
we would be preserved in knowledge.
And there is one protection that we desire:
that we not stumble in this kind of life."

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 is also found in the Epilogue of Asclepius, in "HERMETICA," translated by Sir Walter Scott:

"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 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)

Strike a Balance Between the Spiritual Life and the Wordly Life

VEDAS AND The Santmat
By Maharshi Mehi Paramhans

(28.04.1885-08.06.1986)

Rig Veda Samhita

[Translated into English by Pravesh K. Singh]

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2. "Indrasya sakhyamribhavah samaanashurmanornapaato apaso dadhanvire.
Saudhanvanaaso amritatvamerire vishtvee shameebhih sukritah sukrityayaa."

TRANSLATION:
May the learned persons, illuminated and rendered more capable owing to acquiring the true knowledge and true justice, attain to the company of the Majestic Supreme Lord or the Most Prosperous Emperor (i.e. God). May the reflective men take on the highest or supreme actions which do not allow their mind to decline or fall down into abominable-despicable-avoidable acts, or, may the reflective and thoughtful people be conscientious, righteous in their actions! May those persons of the highest wisdom attain to the ultimate immortality (freedom from rebirth) reaching into the highest realm of the Supreme Lord by being the best sons or disciples and displaying righteous peace-yielding conduct! Further, may the adept and learned people perform wise actions and being equipped with the best of means perform the highest actions in the most artistic or sublime way! May with their (rightful worldly) actions they make a name for themselves in their country and earn their livelihood!

COMMENTARY (by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans):
This sacred verse counsels one to accept the disciple-hood of a Guru possessing the highest knowledge, and to be righteous in one's conduct so as to attain to immortality by ascending oneself into the loftiest of realms, the realm of God, and also to make worldly progress by being learned, conscientious and adept-at-work thus getting proximity and attracting the attention of the King, the rulers, or the higher authorities. Vedas do not command to devote all the time and resources at one's disposal only to efforts for attaining Moksha (liberation) forsaking the duties towards the nation (and other worldly & household assignments). It instructs to make a balanced progress on both the fronts. That who performs actions as ordained by true knowledge is a Karmayogi; he, having attained the state of equipoise and equanimity, also keeps discharging his worldly duties. But the learning and initiation into the right methodology or way for attaining such a sublime state cannot be possible without humbly seeking the noble company of, and reverence for a Sadguru. Verse 34 of chapter 4, verse 6 of chapter 13 and verse 14 of chapter 16 of the sacred book "Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta" underline the necessity of serving the Guru. Sants have very firmly stressed this need (of serving a Guru). When Vedas, as is obvious from this Veda-mantra, have so clearly laid out the necessity (of serving a Guru), how can any other Holy Scripture speak to the contrary? This mantra orders to progress by harmoniously balancing the two paths - those of this world and the Supreme Cause. Therefore, this hymn can be said to be the primary formula or mantra of Karmayoga (Yoga of action). Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta is mainly a scripture primarily devoted to the Karmayoga.

Karmayoga consists of progressing or marching ahead on the aforementioned courses. Karmayoga can not be accomplished by sacrificing any one of these two. It is absolutely essential that the seeker of Moksha lives and acts in this world adopting the real way of Karmayoga in order to attain his Ultimate goal. That is why, very frequent allusions can be found in Sant Vaani (sayings of Sants) to this golden principle.

Kabir Sahab and Guru Nanak Sahab, in fact, appeared as the most radiant Suns of Karmayoga and taught to the world by setting the loftiest heights of model conduct by their own actions in the world. These Sants, their followers and the Sants who came up subsequently put up with lots of hardships while discharging their spiritual, ethical, social and political duties. Occasionally, as ordained by the need of the hour, they even sacrificed their lives, too, as offerings to the sacred fire of service and thereby attained immortality. Some of their verses are included here:

"Avadhoo bhoole ko ghar laavai, so jan hamako bhaavai.
Ghar mein jog bhog ghar mein hi, ghar taji van nahin jaavai.

Van ke gae kalapanaa upjai, tab dhoun kahaan samaavai.
Ghar mein jukti mukti ghar hi mein, jo Guru alakh lakhaavai.

Sahaj sunn mein rahai samaana, sahaj samaadhi lagaavai.

Unmuni rahai Brahma ko cheenhe, param tatt ko dhyaavai.

Surat nirat son mela karike, anahad naad bajaavai.

Ghar mein basat vastu bhi ghar hai, ghar hi vastu milaavai.

Kahai Kabir suno ho avadhoo, jyon kaa tyon thahraavai." (Sant Kabir Sahab)                                                                

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

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

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

The Translation:

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

Extracts from the Letters of Huzur Maharaj to Satsangis

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

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

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from the Letters of Huzur Maharaj to Satsangis


Go on with your practice as much as you can and the Supreme Father, through His mercy, will gradually help you in the purification of the mind; and the devotional practice will then become easy and pleasant; but this cannot be accomplished soon and therefore patience and trust should be adhered to.


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


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


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


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


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


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


The morning time will be the best for you to practice Bhajan [listening to the Sound Current].


From the Prem Bani Radhasoami of Huzur Maharaj

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

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

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

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

Listen to the reverberations of Anhad Shabd within you.

Radhasoami in His grace and mercy will take you across.

Make His holy feet your prop and support.


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

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

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

I heard the sounds of the Bell and the Conch.

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


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

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

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

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

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

That Your Astral Eyes Are Not Bound by the Temporal Domains





SantMat_Mystic_Blog_at_Yahoo360 http://blog.360.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

"Is this path difficult?" I questioned haltingly.

"It can be difficult if your attention is in the wrong place," answered the holy man. "If you constantly focus your attention downwards into the manifold attributes of the world, you will become identified with matter. But if you focus your love aspect constantly upwards into the Being of God, you will eventually become merged with the all-embracing love of the Supreme Lord. Love is an inherent quality of the human heart; and it is through love that the most potent truths of all creation are apprehended."

(The Pilgrimage of James, An Odyssey of Inner Space, by George Arnsby Jones, Peacehaven Press)


Oh, you, that your astral eyes, are not bound by the temporal domains,
And even the sun in the sky becomes insignificant when it faces you.

In all the visions, there is nothing but his Light,
And that is why I have sought the company of the sublime beings.

We remain alive eternally by recollecting the Almighty,
As we are, for ever, indebted to his compassion.

To recollect the Beloved day and night, should be your only motive.
One must not remain without his remembrance, even for a moment.

The one who attains solidarity through the recollection of God,
He attains eternity along the celestial existence.

(Kalaam-e-Goya, gazals and quatrains of Bhai Nand Lal)


Your conscious heart is brimful with godly brilliance.
You were just a flower but have turned into a flower-garden.  

Roam around in this landscape of yours,
And, like a virtuous bird, soar through.

There exist in each corner of that (landscape), thousands of celestial gardens,
And both these domains are the grains from the same ear.

Celestial recollection is the food for that pious bird,
His remembrance is its recollection, and its reminiscence.

Whosoever is imbued with the recollection of the Almighty,
The dust of his avenues is collyrium for our eyes.

If you gain the celestial remembrance,
Then, 0 My Mind, consider, all your adversities eliminated.

(Kalaam-e-Goya, gazals and quatrains of Bhai Nand Lal)

Meeting an Enlightened Master

SantMat_Mystic_Blog_at_Yahoo360
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{"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."}

Rishikesh, Sanctuary of Sadhus, Sages and the occasional enlightened Master

by Meggan Brummer
Sydney, Australia
http://www.megganbrummer.com/index.php?p=2_21

(Meeting an Enlightened Master -- Note: This is the section of the article describing an encounter with Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj at the Maharishi Mehi Ashram, Kuppa Ghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar District, India.)





Passing on by the temple entrance I eventually come across a middle-aged American dressed in orange robes peeing behind a rock. His ablutions complete, we engage in the kind of brief conversation designed to assess mutual spiritual worthiness! It transpires he had arrived in Rishikesh some months previously, dipped in the Ganga and prayed fervently for a Master and for spiritual guidance. His prayers were answered by Swarmiji, a holy man who took him on as a pupil and even allowed him to share his dwellings. It is one of those 'coincidences' as it is Swarmiji I am seeking, being fortunate enough to have been previously granted an interview with him.

I am soon led through the simple entrance to Swamiji's living quarters. Swamiji, speaking only Hindi, translated by his American disciple, invites me to sit down on the earthy clay floor besides a beautiful Shrine on which revered pictures of some of the greatest Masters of all time are lovingly displayed - Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Guru Nath (a great 12th century yogi) and Hanuman, aspired to by many as the perfect devotee, with unparalleled strength and commitment.

The 7th of the 8 Limbs of Yoga - Dhyana

My experience with Swarmiji enforces the emphasis I have noted that Masters place on the practice of dhyana (meditation). Dhyana, Patanjali's 7th limb of Yoga, (as described in the Yoga Sutras), is an integral part of any authentic yoga practice. In fact, the purpose of practicing yoga asanas is considered by many great yogis to be the foundation of one's preparation for dhyana. Through the practice of asanas the body and mind are prepared for the state of inner stillness which would otherwise be illusive to attain.

Swamiji





Swarmiji was devoted to his guru, Maharishi Mehi, who, at aged 90, could no longer walk. Swarmiji would carry him around to give his talks and lectures.





Maharishi Mehi was a disciple of Baba Devi Sahab, whose belief in the importance of yoga can be seen in his words "You may remain Hindu, Muslim, Christian or a follower of any other religion. But while living the pleasures and pains of human life, do not live even a single day without inner meditation." Mahatma Ghandi, one of mother India's most beloved children, was an equally strong advocate of the benefits of meditation, once saying "today I have so much to do, I will need to meditate for two hours instead of one."

Consistent Daily Practice

According to Swami Satyananda Saraswati, even a day's break in one's meditation practice lessens the accumulated benefits, as the everyday impressions which gather in the chitta, (memory) will be more difficult to go beyond. An irregular sadhaka (practicing yogi) either sleeps in meditation or is lost in his samskaras (impressions)."A regular sadhaka is able to overcome sleep and dream states, and experiences are seen on the subtle planes."

Devoted to Meditation Swamiji obviously adopted this dedicated attitude to the practice of meditation. His routine has him in bed by 9 PM and then up at 1AM to meditate. For 45 years he has been practicing the meditation taught by Maharishi Mehi, a method which has been handed down from Guru to disciple for over 3000 yrs. "Get up early and do your meditation," says Swamji, "5 hours sleep is enough if you have deep meditation, deep meditation."

According to his new American 'cave-mate', Swarmiji starts his day meditating for 3 hours, seemingly entering a state of Samadhi, (a transcended state of Self-realized awareness). He then silently goes about his morning chores - chopping wood, cleaning, carrying water, before taking his daily bathe in the Ganga. "Even though he is walking around and doing his chores he is very introverted and meditative. But in the afternoon he becomes very playful."

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.

Singing the Ancient Wisdom

Quite spontaneously Swamiji picks up a strange looking string instrument which he begins to play. He sings centuries old songs revering enlightened Masters, their spiritual teachings and methods of meditation. Later he tells me that for thousands of years, great yogis have handed down certain teachings through these simple folk songs.

The Purpose of Life

With Swarmiji there is no such thing as idle chatter; he talks of the impermanence of the body and the purpose of life – attaining spiritual enlightenment to avoid samsara (endless rebirth). He reminds me that when I die nothing will go with me; I will have to leave everything behind, except the accumulated spiritual wealth of my personal sadhana.

What is the Path of the Masters? See These Two Great Online Books



To come to an accurate understanding of Sant Mat (The Path of the Masters), these two online books are extremely helpful. For the bhakti element, the Path of Love for the Beloved, see, Songs of Kabir:
www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sok/index.htm
Bhakti-Love-Devotion

For the esoteric teachings, the detailed, clear and complete explanation of the goals of Sant Mat Mysticism --- Inner Light and Sound Meditation, see the following:
http://www.thewayofsages.com/The%20Philosophy%20of%20Liberation-abreviated.pdf
Sant Mat: The Philosophy of Liberation