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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Success With Inner Light Meditation Requires Tenacity of Purpose and Focused Concentration

 
Success With Inner Light Meditation Requires Tenacity of Purpose and Focused Concentration, By Swami Achyutanand Baba, Maharshi Santsevi Dhyana Yoga Ashram, Kolkata, India


Sant Mat Quote of the Week/Quote of the Day:




Swami Achyutanand Baba


The practice of drishti yoga [meditation upon the Inner Light] calls for utmost devoutness and tenacity of purpose. The practitioner who assiduously and patiently practices this meditation will discover that the fickleness or unsteadiness of their concentration gradually ceases and their mind becomes tranquil. It is thus that they shall, with the piercing thrust of their focused gaze, be able to break open the 'tila dwara' (the Third Eye). 

This is why Gurudev (Maharshi Mehi Paramhans) said, "Drishi yoga abhyasa atihi karatahi karata, kampani sahajahi chhutai praudha hovai surat. Tila darvaza tutai nazar ke jora se. Are han re 'Mehi' lage takataki khuba, jora barajora se." 

Translation: "Through regular, rigorous practice of 'drishti yoga' (Meditation on the Divine Light within), one's attention no longer remains wavering or unsteady, as the surat [the attention-faculty of the soul] slowly matures (becomes absolutely fixed, stilled)." Tila dwara (the Tenth Door or the Third Eye) will break open by the thrust of the focused gaze…So continue gazing inside constantly with all of your attention, says Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj."

The practitioner of drishti yoga [meditation] has to stop seeing outside, and begin to look within. As one's vision gets steadied, the grand expanse of light comes into view. This has been exquisitely portrayed by Sant Gulal Sahab: "Ulati dekho ghata mein joti pasara. Bina baje tahan dhuni saba hovai. Vigasi kamala kachanar, paithi patala sura sasi bandhau, sadhau trikutI dwara. Ganga jamuna ke wara para bicha. Bharatu hai amiya karara, Ingala pingala sukhamana sodho. Bahat sikhara mukha dwara. Surati nirati le baitha gagan para, sahaja uthai jhanakara."

Translation: "Revert within [invert] and behold the stunning spectacles of light within the body. Numerous melodies play there without the aid of any instruments. Flower-like lotuses and Kachanar (Bauhinia Variegata) blossom there. Dive deep within, rein in the Sun (the Pingla nerve or the Yamuna) and the Moon (the Ida nerve or the Ganga), and train your attention at the doors of Trikuti. In the centre of the Ganga (Ida) and the Yamuna (Pingla) lies the repertoire of elixir. Merge the currents of Ida and Pingla in the Sushumna, and lo! The stream of elixir is down-pouring from atop. When the surat (Soul) rises above and gets lost in the inner sky, spontaneously resonating currents of sound are heard."

As a matter of fact, the art of drishti yoga or vindu-dhyana is confidential and has to be taught by an adept Guru [Living One, Living Master, Sant Satguru], without whom this would be but an extremely arduous task. 

(Based on an English translation provided by Pravesh K. Singh)



Swami Achyutanand Baba


Monday, June 28, 2010


A Snake Attends Satsang


Sant Mat Quote of the Day:


A Snake's Obeisance, from: "The Beloved Master, Some Glimpses from the Life of Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj", By Bhadra Sena, Published by Ruhani Satsang, Delhi, 1963

Once the Master was delivering a discourse in the Ashram, when a snake appeared in the huge gathering and sat near the dais with its hood all spread out, facing the Master. The panic-stricken devotees were alarmed and agitated. The Master said, "What is there if a snake has come. Leave him to himself." And he resumed his talk. The devotees kept quiet and sat down as ordered. The snake kept sitting there for about an hour and continued looking at the Master. When the talk was over, the snake quietly slithered away, without harming anyone.

 

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Rivulets of Sound Emptying Into the Ocean of God


Rivulets of Sound Emptying Into the Ocean of God


Sant Mat Quote of the Day:



In the beginning was the Tao.
All things issue from it;
all things return to it.

There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.
(Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu, S. Mitchell)


"My Master has taught me a lesson:
it repeats itself -- without me repeating it.
When I plug my ears with my fingers,
without hearing, I hear its Melodies." (Sultan Bahu)


"The waves or vibrations of Sound permeate the whole of the body...... It exists in the body in the form of vitality or Life-Current. It exists in the mental sky in the form of Light, while it exists as Sound in the void.... It is the highest duty of every individual to acquire experiential knowledge of this Sound and to investigate or explore the Origin or Source from where this Sound flows out." (Baba Devi Sahab)


"Understand the jiva [soul] as the drop, and the Naam of the Satguru as the Ocean...." (Anurag Sagar)


"Listening to the Sound Current is a separate practice. During the practice you need not repeat the Holy Names nor fix your inner gaze, but only listen attentively, while staying at the back of the eye-brows [third eye center] .... The Sound will draw closer, grow stronger and ultimately come from above, and pull your soul [surat] up to the higher regions." (Kirpal Singh, Spiritual Elixir, Volume One)


"When using this Mystical Sound as the basic support for his meditation, the seeker should also be very alert and attentive as to where the subtler aspects of this Sound are drawing him within himself. He will thus, little by little, gravitate to ever finer states of consciousness and will start to sense an out-of-the-ordinary inner continuity of being that is beyond description and that it is impossible for him to experience in his habitual state. As his meditation deepens, it will bring with it a most subtle, transparent, and luminous consciousness that he will finally become immersed in and one with. He will no longer sense himself in the same way as he did in the past. He will become mysteriously transformed into an unchanging and enigmatic 'Spectator', plunged in the vast silence of an eternal cosmic 'Nowness.'

"The aspirant should look upon this Nada [Mystic Sound] as a Divine Grace and rare opportunity, always turning to it with the utmost respect, revering it as the treasured means that can make his deliverance possible." (Edward Salim Michael, "The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance", Published by Inner Traditions, Vermont)


The World Is An Illusion -- Practice Meditation


When Satguru Baba Devi Sahib was nearing the time of his departure from this ephemeral world for his true destination, satsangis humbly requested him to bless them with his parting words. Responding, Baba Devi Sahab obliged by saying, "Duniyaa waham hai, abhyaas karo", meaning: "This world is an illusion. Practice meditation." (From the Preface to the, "Baal Kaa Aadi Aur Uttar Kaa Ant" of Sant Tulsi Sahab")

 



Friday, June 25, 2010

Happy Kabir Jayanti: Always, Always Meditate Day and Night - Kabir


Happy Kabir Jayanti: Always, Always Meditate Day and Night - Kabir

June 26th, 2010 Kabir Jayanti (Kabir's 612th Birthday) is being Celebrated: Sant Kabir Jayanti is observed on the Purnima or full moon day in the month of Jyeshta (May/June) as per traditional calendar. It is believed that Sant Kabir Das was born on this day. The birth anniversary of Sant Kabir is observed in India and around the world. Meetings, satsangs, and recital of Sant Kabir's poems are held on this day.

Sant Mat Quote of the Day:




Meditation leads to salvation's door:
Go to heaven --
why go back to the world?
In the house of the fearless One,
where music, unstruck, sounds,
you shall play trumpets.

Meditate upon Him in your heart.
Without meditation there is no salvation.

Unfettered meditation
brings salvation:
Your heavy load is taken off.
Welcome Him in your heart,
so you will not be born
again and again.

Blissful meditation
will light a lamp inside you
that does not need any oil.
This lamp will make you immortal;
this lamp will draw out the poison
of lust and anger.

Pierce this meditation
that gives you salvation,
and wear it around your neck.
Never take it off.
Meditate always:
Your guru's grace will get you across.

Meditation will free you
from dependence on others:
You will sleep on silken sheets at home.
Your heart will be at peace;
your life will blossom:
Deeply drink this meditation.

This meditation
will erase your blemishes;
you will be free from Maya's touch.
Meditate, meditate, and sing,
"Hari, Hari" [God, God]. You will obtain
this meditation from your true guru [Satguru].

Always, always meditate day and night:
When you rise, when you lie down,
when you breathe in, when you breathe out.
Waking or sleeping,
relish the taste of meditation --
meditation will bring union.

Meditation will remove all your burdens;
meditation upon Ram's name [God's name]
will become your support.
Kabir, says, "He is limitless."

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

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I am a free being in this world - Kabir


I am a free being in this world - Kabir

Sant Mat Quote of the Day:




I am intoxicated with love,
I have lost all need for cleverness.
I am a free being in this world,
I have lost all need for eliciting favors,
For the sake of friendship with the worldly.
Those who are separated from the Beloved,
Wander aimlessly from door to door.
My dearly Beloved is within me,
So why should I go searching for him?
The worldly struggle desperately for name and fame,
And endure intolerable sufferings.
I am replete with the Beloved's wisdom.
What need do I have for name and fame?
My Beloved never departs, not even for a moment,
I am never separated from him.
If such is the bliss of love I enjoy,
What need have I for restless longing?
Kabir has united with the Beloved,
And abandoned all duality from the heart.
The Path I walk is a delicate one,
Why should I add heavy bundles to my head?


Stones Of Simplicity (SOS)
 
 
 

Monday, June 21, 2010

Main Obstacles in the Practice of Meditation

 
 
Main Obstacles in the Practice of Meditation, By Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj

The Sant Mat Quote of the Day

The main hindrances to success in the practice of meditation are the following: procrastination and laziness, activity of thoughts during meditation (day dreaming, fanciful imagination, planning, the rising of any kinds of thoughts).

In addition, the lulling silence during meditation puts many practitioners to sleep. During meditation we should be vigilant and awake. Whatever is our point of focus, we should diligently keep our mind on that goal and we will not be bothered by sleep. 

Unless we overcome the magnanimous challenge of procrastination and curb the ever-rising tide of mental activity during meditation, we cannot reach our Noble (arya) destination (state of unity with God). The un-vigilant practitioners usually become engrossed in thoughts or fall sleep. These formidable passes must be crossed for success. 

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

Saint Kabir says: "In each house (heart) the light shines, but we are blind [ignorant of that divine Light of knowledge] so we cannot see it. If we keep looking, we will find the Light and will destroy the shackles of death."

Various forms of Dhyâna [Meditation Practices]

Without formless or subtle meditation, attainment of inner light is impossible. You must get yourself out of darkness. How will this happen? Prat-ya-hara—bringing the mind back—is followed by dha-rana, sustaining of focus for small periods. At first this will be for even a small time. Pratyanhara is the repeated practice of bringing the wandering mind to a focus. By repetitive practice of pratyahara we are able to focus for a little while on the object of meditation. This focusing for small periods is known as dharana. 

When this Dharana continues for extended periods, then the state of dhyâna or complete focus occurs. However, mere focus on a physical form or name is not the only type of dhyâna. [Emptiness of mind is also dhyâna.] 

As it is said in the Jnana Sankalni Tantra: "Dhyâna (focus on the physical forms) is not known as dhyâna; the empty mind is known (focus in empty mind) as dhyâna. By the grace of this [focus] meditation, one attains Moksha." 

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

Let us ponder on this subject. What vehicle did Mira Bai use to travel the skies? Was it an airplane, helicopter or a rocket? Mira Bai’s journey was not in the outer world but it was inside the inner realms. Her vehicles Divine Light (bindu), and Divine Sound.



Saturday, June 19, 2010

Masks of Spirituality


Masks of Spirituality - The Sant Mat Quote of the Day


"Those who are false from within but who outwardly show honor: They are only show-offs in the world." (Guru Nanak, from Asa Di Vaar) "Guru Nanak says, 'Such people may be able to impress the people of the world, but they cannot deceive God Almighty Who is sitting within them....Even if we are able to deceive other people, we can never deceive God Almighty, because He is sitting within us'". (from commentary on Asa Di Vaar by Ajaib Singh, "In the Palace of Love")

Hear Spiritual Awakening Radio and Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Online Anytime


Hear Spiritual Awakening Radio and Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Online Anytime -- A Library of Shows 


The Wisdom of Master Kirpal Singh, Part 1 [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# The Wisdom of Master Kirpal Singh, Part 2  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# The Wisdom of Master Kirpal Singh, Part 3  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# June Sant Mat Satsang PODcast 2010: Inner Sound According to Sufi, Buddhist and Sant Mat Sources [via Blog Talk Radio]

# March/February 2010 Sant Mat Satsang PODcast: Guru Nanak's Conversation with the Siddha Yogis [via Blog Talk Radio]

# January 2010 Sant Mat Satsang PODcast: Chand Mat [via Blog Talk Radio]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Mystic Poetry from India: Sant Dadu Dayal  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Mystic Poetry from India: Sant Namdev  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: The Yoga of Sound in the World Religions  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Christianity and the Vegetarian Diet  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Dr. Will Tuttle - The World Peace Diet (VEGAN)  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Reverend Guo Cheen: The SOUND of Silence in Buddhist Meditation Practice, Part 1  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Reverend Guo Cheen: The SOUND of Silence in Buddhist Meditation Practice, Part 2  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

# Spiritual Awakening Radio, with James Bean: Reverend Guo Cheen: The SOUND of Silence in Buddhist Meditation Practice, Part 3  [via HealthyLifeNet -- The Positive Talk Radio Network]

     

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Flee If the Focus of a Path is Not God-Bhakti


Flee If the Focus of a Path is Not God-Bhakti 

The Sant Mat Quote of the Day:
http://www.facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

Kabir Says: "Go thou to the company of the good, where the Beloved One has His dwelling place: Take all thy thoughts and love and instruction from thence. Let that assembly be burnt to ashes where His Name is not spoken! Tell me, how couldst thou hold a wedding-feast, if the Bridegroom himself were not there? Waver no more, think only of the Beloved." (Songs of Kabir, Tagore)
 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

True Masters Focus Your Attention On God: Sant Mat Quote of the Day



True Masters Focus Your Attention On God: 
The Sant Mat Quote of the Day:

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

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

There Are Five Kinds of Sight or Vision (Dristi)



There Are Five Kinds of Sight or Vision (Dristi)
By Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj,
from the new book, The Holy River


The Sant Mat Quote of the Day:
Sant Mat Radhasoami at Facebook:
Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:





The Art of Seeing

In the Katha Upanishad it is said that the Divine has created these senses to go outward and away from our true identity. Some patient and persevering practitioner desires the nectar of the inner world and brings the outward senses to the inward journey. If, after hearing about the possibilities of the inner journey, how do we behold and experience this? Seeing in this way is called Dristi -- that is, the art of seeing.

There are five kinds of Dristi [sight or vision]:

1. The sight of the waking state, that is, seeing things in the everyday world.

2. The sight of the dream state, in which we see dreams.

3. Manasi Dristi, which is seeing with the minds eye. This is the realm of the imagination, seeing while imagining.

4. Divya Dristi is divine sight, through which the vision of the celestial worlds is seen.

5. Atman Dristi is the state of seeing the Absolute Self.

In considering these five types of seeing, everyone in this mundane world experiences the first three. The last two are only developed through meditation.