Upanishads: Third Eye Center: Worship, and, All Life is One

Arati and Santmat

Special on the Auspicious Day of Guru Purnima!

 

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

 

Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras

Arati and Santmat

- Pravesh K. Singh

(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati, http://blog.360.yahoo.com/praveshksingh )

Most of the Hindu religious ceremonies end by performing a ritual called 'arati/aaratee' (a ceremony performed in adoration of a deity or a deeply respected religious figure of highest spiritual accomplishments by circular movement of a lighted lamp accompanied by ringing of bells, blowing of conches, beating of drums and gong etc.). The lighted lamp is usually placed in the centre of a large flat metallic plate or platter which is decorated with 'akshat' (whole unbroken rice grains), camphor, flowers, fruits, sandalwood paste/powder, betel leaves, confectionery sweet dishes, incense sticks, camphor etc. Use of light and sound in some form or the other are found to be generally associated with most of religions worldwide. In a mosque, for instance, 'chirag' (lamp or some other source of light; as 'namaz' is not offered in darkness) is kindled and 'namaz' (prayer) is rendered by the 'Imam' (priest) through microphone. Candle and bell can be found in churches. While, in the Buddhist temples a lamp is kept lit and a gong is hung.

Therefore, it emerges that light and sound are central to almost versions of worship. Sants say that this emphasis on worship of light & sound is, in fact, a hint at the fact that the true worship consists in worshipping (focusing one's undivided attention on) the divine Light and the divine Word which are pervading the whole of universe/creation - gross or astral. Even our own life depends on the presence of these two – Light and Sound. Absence of Light (indicated by the complete loss of body warmth; light and heat are mutually inter-related to each other essentially) and sound (manifested in the pulse-rate and heart beat) implies our bodily death. So, sants explain that these outer light and sound are symptomatic or suggestive of the more important inner Light and inner Sound. God has made the creation with the help of these two. Maharshi Mehi Paramhansji Maharaj, one of the all-time greatest exponents of Santmat, would say that Light and Sound are like the two arms of God so that if we wished God to embrace us with all His love and affection, we must try to catch hold of these two limbs of His. Thus, a different notion of 'arati' is found in Santmat. The 'arati' of Santmat is an internal activity and should be accordingly performed within the temple that is, our own body. Sants like Tulsi Sahab of Hathras (U.P.), Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj etc. have composed wonderful verses exhorting seekers to perform 'arati' (signifying meditation on inner Light & Sound) within. Below is presented essence in English of one such 'arati' by composed by Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras, based on its Hindi Translations by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj and his worthy disciple & successor Maharshi Santsevi ji Paramhans. This 'arati' is sung at the end of Akhil Bharatiya Santmat (the branch of Santmat started by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj) Satsangs (spiritual gatherings):

"Perform 'arati' (within you) in the company of the True Guru, and behold the Light that keeps illuminating the inner sky. ||1||

Manifest Divine Fire within this body, made of five elements, (this may also be construed as to make the five characteristic colours of the five elements forming the gross universe around us including our own body appear within the body) and spread light by lighting lamp from this fire. ||2||

Placing (decorating) the Sun and the Moon as fruits & flowers on the plate or platter of the inner sky, install the pitcher of camphor i.e. the white luminous Point, in the beginning of 'arati'.||3||

Make 'akshat' (whole, unbroken grains of rice used in arati and other religious ceremonies) of stars and wear the garland of pearls visualized in the inner sky.||4||

[N.B. The spiritual practitioner comes to visualize stars, the Moon and the Sun in the inner sky in the course of meditation. These celestial bodies may be thought of as resembling small grains, flower, fruit etc. (articles used in the ritual of 'arati' performed outside in the gross world) kept on the plate or platter that is, the inner sky itself.]

Different forms of bright light seen within are like the betel leaves, sweets, sandal, incense sticks, lamps etc. used in 'arati'.||5||

While visualizing the refulgent Light within, melodious Sounds of various musical wind and percussion instruments are heard by the mind-fish (just as the fish can swim upstream against even very strong currents of water, mind also ascends in the inner sky and, therefore, has been likened to tiny fish by Sants. Thus the method of 'Surat Shabd Yoga' or 'Naadaanu-sandhaan' – meditation on the inner divine Sound - is also referred to as the 'meen-maarg' or the path of the fish).||6||

Just as the black bee is lost completely in the sweet fragrance of, and gets willingly trapped within, a lotus flower, focused surat plays in the inner sky joyfully, captivated by the fragrance of divine Sound.||7||

The pure Light that appears within destroys all the sins of the beholder.||8||

In the inner void or sky the currents of Light and Sound keep pouring. The spiritual seeker who can ascend himself unto this gateway (of divine kingdom) merrily drenches or soaks himself in this rain.||9||

The surat drinking the nectar (of Divine Light & Sound) gets intoxicated with the resultant joy, and thus marches jubilantly forward.||10||

Brilliance of Light seen within is comparable to the luminance of crores of Suns taken together. Connect yourself (to God) by seeing (ascending) beyond the Unseeable (Quintessential Sound) ||11||

Every moment keeping your surat focused in the inner sky, sip the rare Imperceptible juice by the Guru's grace.||12||

The path to Guru's abode is illuminated with sparkling Lights and reverberates with divine Sound. Sant Tulsi Sahab advises us to forsake the body (rise above the body) by reverting inwards just as the bird 'alal' does. ||13||

[N.B. In Hindu Scriptures there is a mention of a bird named 'alal' which is said to live pretty high above in the sky. This bird never comes down to the earth. The eggs laid by the 'alal' begin to fall down towards the earth. However, these eggs are laid at such great heights that before these can reach the earth's surface, their hatching period is over and the young kids come out of them and fly back towards their homes high above in the sky. Using the allegory of the 'alal' Sant Tulsi Sahab advises our individual souls to climb back, through meditation, to the great heights, our own true Native Abode i.e. the Realm of God.]

Kabir Satsang: Words Can Be Deceiving

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog at:
http://SantMat.Gaia.Com

Writing in Greek sometime during the Second Century AD probably in Syria, the author of the Gnostic Nag Hammadi book called the Gospel of Philip reflected on the inadequacy of words, how that earthly language rather than being an avenue to mystical Truth, instead can easily end up being for us just another way we are held captive by the powers of illusion:

'The names of worldly things are utterly deceptive, for they turn the heart from what is real to what is unreal. Whoever hears the word "god" thinks not of what is real but rather of what is unreal. So also with the words "father,"  "son," "holy spirit," "life," "light," "resurrection," "church," and all the rest, people do not think of what is real but of what is unreal, [though] the words refer to what is real. The words that are heard belong to this world. Do not be deceived. If words belonged to the eternal realm,
they would never be pronounced in this world, nor would they designate worldly things. They would refer to what is in the eternal realm.' (The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, Marvin Meyer)

Below is a satsang discourse about "Words" from one of my favorite books on the teachings of Guru Kabir, and the Sant Dharamdas line of Masters. This is a book from the same lineage that first used the Anurag Sagar of Kabir and other books of the Kabir Sagar (Ocean of Kabir). I believe it also is the same lineage that Sant Dariya Sahib and Sant Tulsi Sahib ultimately connects to, and therefore modern-day Radhasoami and Sant Mat as well. According to the Bijak, Anurag Sagar and other texts of Kabir Panth, Kabir is not only the Adi Guru or founding Sant Satguru of the Path of Sat Purush in this Kali Yuga of time, but also founded the Path during previous yugas or epochs also.

This book is most definitely on my list of top ten most important wisdom-books for devotees to both own and contemplate. 1008 Kabir Vani is a valuable collection of ethical or ahimsa teachings and admonitions about living a spiritual life in this human form as we cross this ocean of life.

From, 1008 Kabir Vani, a divine collection of incomparable 1008 nectarous Saakhis collected from the Saakhi Compilation of Satya Purush Sadguru Kabir Saheb, Compiled by Lalchand Doohan Jigyasu, Translated bu Kunwar Anil Kumar, Published by Manoj Publications:

The Chapter Titled, "Words"

Introduction

It is words which form part of didactic preachings. Words and deeds have a special relationship with each other. Words have a meaning only when they are practised in one's deeds. No matter how much we talk about the virtues of truth, love, non-violence and conscience, but these will bear no meaning unless we practise them in our lives. Anything said bearing true knowledge becomes a thing without substance, if not brought into practice. There are many in this world who would be talking big, but there are very few who practise what they say. Such persons tend to be rather didactic by way of singing in praise of God, preachings and spiritual speeches, but they and their audience never practise as preached. There is no improvement in their lives. Why? Because, so long as the words and deeds of the speaker do not harmonize with each other, the preachings will leave no lasting impact on the audience.

If our own minds are restless and we preach to others to be quiet, if we ourselves speak lies and preach others to cling to truth, if we cause pain to others stealthily and preach non-violence during our speech, it sure will yield no benefits. It will be entirely meaningless. And so, we have to remove the gap between words and deeds; and then only there will be an overall improvement in the life, of everyone. Even if there are no 'words', it wouldn't matter, but performance of sacred deeds in one's life is very important. In this context Kabir Saheb has instructed to practise true knowledge and devotion above articulation of words.

Kabir Saakhis:

What is the use of talking wise unless one brings it into practice? Like, a palace made of papers falls within the twinkling of an eye, in the same manner, a person without character, also meets his downfall within no time.

If what one says is not observed in one's own life, it becomes meaningless. And thus, so many foolish speakers and hearers, led by such ostentatious behaviour, met their doom.

One should be alert with such impostors whose speech is as sweet as sugar but what they do is as harmful as poison. If one observes what he says, his poison-like deed, too, will be converted into nectar (and such low kind of person, too, becomes praiseworthy).

Get rid of the ego of delivering speeches only and concentrate on your deeds (duties). A thirsty person's thirst cannot be quenched unless he is given water to drink, i.e. deed is more important than mere speech.

One led by his ego, feels proud of his speech and says that he allows sweet and beautiful words to come out of his mouth. But such ignorant people do not understand the aspect of devotion (they only make others happy by their speeches).

Speech, in this world, is considered something very ordinary and deed something great and beneficial. Kabir Saheb says: 'Deed is great and is something which helps one cross the ocean-like world'.

There are many brave persons who only talk big and keep moving about without bringing down their own speeches into their own lives; this can be likened to moving about with blunt arrows (delivering speeches only). But those, who have been hit by the arrow of devotion, are restless, physically and mentally (i.e. they, instead of delivering speeches, bring down true knowledge for observance in their lives).

Talking big without observing it in one's own life is like beating husk without rice. This can be likened to shooting false bullet from a gun which produces only sound and does not kill anyone (and so, do what you say).

Preach to others only when you are in a position to do what you say. It is only then that your audience will listen to your knowledgeable speech and get impressed. It is useless talking big unnecessarily. It is the same as beating husk without rice and getting nothing (time and labour both are wasted).

One began rhyming and saying Saakhis but his endeavours in this regard remained dry. He does not drink the clean and pure water already drawn from the well; he wants to draw the water himself and drink, i.e. he does not want to observe the sacred knowledge imparted by Saints; he wishes to follow his own wisdom.

(Pretending oneself to be a poet for honour and status) one composed Saakhis by changing a few words of others' compositions. Kabir Saheb says-'How would one survive by licking someone else's leftovers?' i.e. one shall not be able to survive for long by plagiarizing others' compositions and having no knowledge of his own. It is proper only when one makes a composition with one's own experiences.

The minds of such people remain restless who are themselves characterless and preach others by reading treatises and other religious books. Kabir Saheb says that such people remain worried about assuaging their hunger.

One himself does not get water to drink and gives milk to others (one who himself is leading a life of scarcity, how will he provide happiness to others). He himself does not have his mind in his control and tries to bring endurance in others by delivering speeches of wisdom

The wisdom of those who, without bringing in practice in their own lives, talk big in a cunning manner, may burn into ashes. Even one's knowledge-ability is wasted if it is devoid of devotion (for the stability of true knowledge it is necessary to have devotion and spiritual endeavour).   ////////

They asked Nanak: Where are you going? What is your Path?

From Sidh Gosht, Guru Nanak's Conversation with the Siddha Yogis, translated in:  Peace Lagoon -- Sacred Songs of the Sikhs, the Collected Hymns of Guru Nanak, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Argun Dev, and Guru Gobind Singh (Dasam Granth), by Sardarni Premka Kaur, published by G.T. International

The yogis asked Guru Nanak:
Who are you? What is your name? What is your sect? What is your goal? We pray that you give us your true answers, for we are a sacrifice to the truthful ones. Where is your seat? Where do you live? From where have you come? Where are you going? The non-attached siddhas wait to hear your reply. 0 tell us, what is your path?

Answered the Master:
The Lord is in every heart, and within Him is my seat and my home. I walk in the will of the Sat Guru [True Guru], and this is my only caste. I have come from God and I shall go wherever His will guides me. Nanak is my name, and I live to obey His command. My way is to sit in contemplation of the Imperishable Lord, and the attainment of such an all-encompassing vision is my life's goal. By the Guru's grace I have come to know and recognize myself, and have merged with the truest of the true.

Maharshi Santsevi Ji Paramhans: The Legendary Spiritual Preceptor

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

Maharshi Santsevi Ji Paramhans: The Light That Shone the Way to Millions

-By Pravesh K. Singh

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

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

The second half of the nineteenth century was marked by a spiritual renaissance in India that saw the incarnation of a number of Sants like Swami Ramkrishna Paramhans, Baba Devi Sahab, Sant Radhaswami (Radhasoami) Sahab, Maharshi Mehi Paramhans etc. Maharshi Mehi Paramhans (28.04.1885 – 08.06.1986) made the Kuppaghat Ashram (Hermitage), Bhagalpur, situated on the banks of the Holy River Ganges, in the state of Bihar, India into the base camp for his sacred mission of spreading the precepts of Santmat far & wide.

Maharshi Mehi Paramhans stood apart, shining brilliantly as a unique star amidst the galaxy of Sants, in that he built a bridge across the gulf that separated the age-old pillars of Hindu culture, the traditional religious scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, The Ramayan, The Ramcharit Manas, etc. on the one hand and the literature and sayings of Sants on the other.

He made an herculean effort to undertake a deep & detailed study of the scriptures and authored a number of books such as "Veda Darshan Yoga" (Gist of Vedas), "Ramcharit Manas Sar Sateek" (A Commentary on the Ramcharit Manas), "Shri Gita Yoga Prakash" (Essence of Gita), "Satsang Yoga"(A Compendium on Satsang or Spiritual Association), "Vinay Patrika Sar Sateek" (A Commentary on Vinaya Patrika), "Santwani Sateek" (Commentary on Selected Verses of Sants), "Bhavarth Sahit Ghat Ramayan" (Gist of Ghat Ramayan), etc.

Through these wonderful books he showed beyond doubt that the basic premises laid out in the religious scriptures are in full conformity with sayings of Sants and that there is no essential contradiction or confrontation between the two.

Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, in preparing all these brilliant books, was quite capably assisted by his chief disciple, Maharshi Santsewi Ji Paramhans (20.12.1920 – 04.06.2007) who inherited and enriched the legacy of Santmat he received from his Guru.

Maharshi Santsewi ji Paramhans took Santmat to still greater heights amidst yet larger populace. His modest disposition, magnetic persona, sweet charming voice, flawless pronunciation, melodious rendition of verses/ hymns, captivating scholarly discourses punctuated with prolific quotations from the scriptures and sayings of Sants, and, above all, his living in absolute conformity with his preaching cast a magical spell on whoever came in his contact even for a short duration. No wonder then that more than two lakh persons from India and abroad made their lives blessed by getting initiation from him.

Maharshi Santsevi Ji was born as the third son of his parents on the 20^th December 1920 in Gamharia village of the current Madhepura District of the state of Bihar, India. His childhood name was Mahavir Das. He had three brothers and a sister. His father, Mr. Baldev Das Ji was a farmer by profession, while his mother Mrs. Radha Devi was a deeply devout lady. Mahavir Das Ji was a very sharp and obedient student; he always stood either first or second in his class. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Hanuman in his childhood. However, the premature death of two of his brothers must have given him a strong jolt, and made him realise the transitory nature of life on this earth. As if this was not enough, the sudden untimely death of his father threw his life into complete disarray forcing him to discontinue his formal studies; he could complete his formal education up to Class VII only. To support his family he had to take to tuition. He taught students of his locality. With full faith in his sharp intellect & capabilities as a teacher that they had, the parents had no hesitation whatsoever in handing over their wards to his sweet care.

Once, as the fateful coincidence would have it, he had gone to Saidabad in the district of Purnia in Bihar. There he came to know that at Kankhudia, a place quite nearby, a month-long meditation camp was to be organised which was to be graced by Maharshi Mehi Paramhans Ji Maharaj. The seed of devotion that lay dormant within him began to stir, growing impatient to burst out. He became restless to have `darshan' (glimpse) of Maharshi Mehi and set out, driven by an invisible force, to see Maharshi ji.

Sensing the genuinely acute thirst in him for spiritual pursuits Maharshi Mehi gladly initiated him into Santmat by teaching him `Manas Jap' (Internally chanting the sacred mantra given by Guru), `Manas Dhyan' (Meditating upon the form of Guru within) and `Drishti Yoga' (Meditation upon the Infinitesimal, Absolute Point or `Bindu' within). That was in 1939. The Guru had found the true shishya (disciple) in him. Mahavir Das ji was so deeply influenced by Maharshi Mehi that he wished to be kept in his personal service, but the latter's clear & categorical reply was, "Continue, for the time being, with whatever you are doing. You will be called when the time comes" (the obvious hint of Maharshi Mehi – he said so also to one of his disciples - was that Santsevi ji's services were more needed by his widow mother).

Subsequently, when Santsevi ji's mother left this world in 1946 for her heavenly abode, he was called by Gurudev Maharshi Mehi to live with him. Santsevi ji would accompany (even when his mother was alive) Gurudev whenever he went on his mission of propagating Santmat. Gurudev would ask him to recite from scriptures and verses of sants. His chaste, melodious rendition of hymns & verses had a powerful impact on the audience.

Santsevi ji received fatherly love & affection from Gurudev, Maharshi Mehi. He was deputed for a few years to manage affairs at the Ashramas of Dharahara and Manihari in the state of Bihar itself. He was called back to Kuppaghat Ashram in 1949 to live permanently with Gurudev Maharshi Mehi. He dedicated everything at his disposal to the selfless, ungrudging, whole-hearted service of his Guru till the latter lived in his physical cloak on this earth. It is because of his exemplary service that Maharshi Mehi gave him the name "Santsevi" (one who serves Sants). Serving his Guru for four decades (1946-1986) is a feat which is perhaps unmatched in the Guru-Shishya tradition of modern times. Gurudev personally guided him into studying different scriptures and learning different languages, nurtured right virtues in him, and trained him into becoming a perfect, truly deserving heir to him.

Maharshi Mehi himself voluntarily initiated him, in view of his spiritual progress, into `shabda yoga' or `nAdAnusandhAn' (Meditation on the Divine Word /Sound) in 1952 and admitted him into monkhood by bestowing upon him the saffron robes and asking him to get his hair & beards removed.

Maharshi ji's confidence in Santsevi ji had grown so much that he sent him as his representative to the All India Conference of Sadhus (sages) held at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Santsevi ji won the hearts of all the sages & scholars who attended the Conference by his lucid and detailed presentation which was lauded by one & all. The extent of faith that Maharshi Mehi had in him could be gauged by the fact that he would frequently refer to Santsevi ji as his brain and gave clear approval to him to give discourses during Satsang from 1960. Santsevi ji's discourses began to be published as a regular column in the monthly magazine `Shanti Sandesh' (Message of Peace) published by Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Kuppaghat, Bhagalpur.

From 1970 he was given independent authority to initiate seekers into Santmat. Entrusting him with these responsibilities Gurudev Maharshi Mehi felt completely relieved that he had been able to finally handover his mission of propagating Santmat in safe, responsible & competent hands. Maharshi Mehi would often remark, "He (Santsevi ji) knows more than I". "I remained a `gud' (jiggery) while Santsevi ji grew to become sugar (sugar is a better refined product than gud)". "You (Santsevi ji) have rendered remarkable service to me. Your service itself is your `tap' (penance)." "The relationship between me and Santsevi ji is like that between letters `Q' and `U' (implying that just as Q always appears together with U in an English word, Maharshi Mehi and Maharshi Santsevi ji always live and exist together), "You (Santsevi ji) can't live without me and I can't live without you. I will be wherever you will be" etc... etc...

After Maharshi Mehi Paramhans departed this world on the 8^th June 1986 at the age of 101 years, Maharshi Santsevi ji continued to lend an extremely capable, dynamic, visionary & charismatic leadership to the movement called Santmat. His magic pull was amply visible in that all the Annual & special Conventions of Santmat were thickly attended, by several lakhs of people, and that more than two lakh persons made their lives blessed by taking initiation from him. Even on the fateful day, 4^th June 2007, he departed he had initiated two ladies.

He had a cheerful yet reflective disposition. Anyone who had the fortune to be in his company, to sit at his lotus feet could feel his aura, was touched by the profound love he emanated for all alike. His discipline was immaculate. He never questioned a single word that was uttered by his Guru and imbibed all his advice in Toto with a heart full of gratitude. He had perfect control over his food habits; the meagre quantity & sattvic quality (having no spices, oil or salt) of diet that he had everyday was baffling for a common man. The routine he followed in getting up, meditating, going for walks, meeting visitors, giving initiation, attending satsang, having food, going to sleep etc. was impeccable regardless of wherever he stayed. He taught everyone to conserve natural resources like water. He did not allow even a single piece of empty paper go waste and utilised it for writing replies to his devotees. He took utmost care of the guests staying at the Ashram. His heart bled for even birds and animals. He cared so much for the dogs and cattle that lived on the Ashram campus. In his early years at the Ashram he had a pet cat that lived in perfect harmony with a dog as well as a parrot (though a parrot is the favourite sport for a cat that, in turn, is afraid of being hunted by a dog). People from all walks of life, all religions & sects would throng his corridors for mental solace and useful guidance in worldly as also spiritual matters. Several of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains etc. had even taken initiation from him. His life serves as a role model to anyone who aspires to be a sincere spiritual seeker.

There are numerous accounts of his devotees who were miraculously helped or rescued, directly or in directly, at different points of their lives by him. I, too, so fondly cherish many of such unforgettable experiences in my own life, which have left a deep indelible imprint on me. Great was He and great was his grace.

He was a litterateur of the highest calibre. He was not only an orator par excellence, but also a prolific writer. He was a polyglot having good knowledge of several languages & dialects such as Bharati (Hindi), Sanskrit, English, Bengali, Marwari, Maithili, Angika, Nepali, Punjabi (Gurumukhi), Persian etc.

He has a number of books to his credit such as "Om Vivechan" (Analytical Interpretation of Om), "Yoga MAhAtmya" (Significance of Yoga), "Jag Mein Aise RahanA" (Thus to Live in The World), "Sukh – Dukh" (Joys & Sorrows), "Satya KyA" (What is Truth?), "Lok Parlok UpakArI" (To Excel in This As Well As the Other World), "SAdhanA Mein SafalatA Kaise" (The Right Art of Meditation), etc. In order to emphatically underline the essential unity of all religions of the world, a cause he espoused so dearly all his life, he authored a great book "Sarva Dharma SamabhAv", a book which has been wonderfully translated into English as "Harmony of Religions" by Mrs. Veena Howard, Santmat Society. Several of his articles were compiled in the form of a compendium titled "Maharshi Santsewi GyAn GangA" (The Holy River of Knowledge of Maharshi Santsevi).

In the course of his tours he got to meet a number of eminent personalities. They were, to name a few, Shri Bhupendranath Sanyal, Shri Jain Muni Dhanaraj, Buddhist Monk Jagdish Kashyap, Father Kamil Bulke, Shri Jayadayal Goyandaka, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Shri Ramsukhdas, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Acharya Sushil Muni, Shri Pramukh Swami ji, Swami Harinarayan, Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, Swami Satyanand, Shri Asharam Bapu, Shri Morari Bapu, Pandit Parashuram Chaturvedi etc. This must have provided him ample opportunity to enrich his experience. He toured India widely to propagate the precepts of Santmat – from Assam in the east to Ahmedabad (Gujarat) & Amritsar (Punjab) in the west and from Kashmir in the north to Tamilnadu in the south. He addressed special conferences at Darbar Sahab of Amritsar, Dayal Bagh & Swami Bagh of Agra, Pushkar of Ajmer in Rajasthan, Rishikesh & Haridwar of the Himalayan State of Uttaranchal, Delhi, Rajgir etc. and various other places in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, West Bengal etc. It was during one such conference, the 86^th Annual General Convention of Santmat in the Himalayan town of Rishikesh that he was conferred the highest spiritual title or honour of "Maharshi…Paramhans" by the most eminent sages and Mahamandaleshwars of the region. Since then he was called Maharshi Santsevi ji Paramhans.

Maharshi Santsevi ji Paramhans sacrificed his whole life, every moment of his life for the welfare of the highest order of people. He quietly discarded his earthly body around 9:45 PM Indian Standard Time (GMT + 5:30 Hours) on the 4th June 2007. Such was his greatness that even in his passing he could be so humble. The legendary Guru Maharshi Santsevi ji raised his right hand from his funeral pyre in his farewell blessing (in the afternoon of the 6th June 2008), just as his Guru Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj had done while on his funeral pyre, as if he was passing the reassuring message that he & his blessings would always remain with those who love him and have faith in him.

Though this great charismatic soul is no more with us in his physical form, he will ever live on in the memories of his devotees the world over, and his words continue to illumine the right path of millions & millions of people for generations to come.

Jai Guru!

Sweet Melodies Which Attract the Soul -- Surat Shabd Yoga


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






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

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

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

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

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

-- Shri Shivbrat Lal, from the book, "Dayal Yoga"

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."

Maharshi Mehi – The Bridge between Hindu Scriptures and Santmat

by  Pravesh K. Singh

Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India undoubtedly occupies the most pre-eminent position in the lineage of Sant mat and can be said to be the First Saint in the glorious tradition of Modern Age Sant mat. Mr. James Bean, who has made an intensive study of Sant mat 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

Guru-Pooja, By Swami Shri Bhagirath Ji Maharaj

Posted on Jan 24th, 2009 by SantMat_Mystic_(James)

Transcend All the Veils of Ignorance & Consciousness

Posted on Apr 13th, 2009 by SantMat_Mystic_(James)

May Sant Mat Radio Satsang Podcast - Click To Listen

Posted on Apr 30th, 2009 by SantMat_Mystic_(James)

Satsang Discourse: Tulsi, Devi, Mehi, SantSevi, Bhagirath Baba

Posted on May 2nd, 2009 by SantMat_Mystic_(James)

Soami Ji Maharaj's Letters to Huzur Maharaj - Document

Posted on May 8th, 2009 by SantMat_Mystic_(James)

Soami Ji Maharaj's Letters to Huzur Maharaj - Document