That Your Astral Eyes Are Not Bound by the Temporal Domains

That Your Astral Eyes Are Not Bound by the Temporal Domains






"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)

A Rare Inter-Faith Moment in Human History

A Rare Inter-Faith Moment in Human History

TheLibraryOfAlexandria.com! In antiquity, Greek became a universal language, and there was indeed some communication -- various religions, philosophies, and spiritual movements did influence each other: Platonic thought, Hermetic philosophy, Judaism including the Essenes, Jesus Movement, Pythagoreans, Gnostics, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Hindus, Mithras and followers the other mystery schools.

Now we have English as the universal language and the the worldwide web as a global communications system. The internet age does help to promote synthesis and will probably lead to some interesting new spiritual movements that incorporate elements from various world religions. I've noticed some of this already. An example of this. I remember reading about one group that has three holy books: Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Koran. A kind of unified Abramahamic faith seems to be their goal.

The following passage is from the, Recognitions of Clement, composed sometime during the second or third centuries AD, from chapter twenty. The author has very nice things to say about those in India who worship One God, follow peaceful customs and laws, and are vegetarian. IMAGINE! Clearly he sees parallels between his own religion and that of his brothers and sisters "in the Indian countries." This is one of the most amazing passages I know of in the extra-canonical scriptures, as it is a rare example of one religion (post-Essene Ebionite or Hebrew Christianity) recognising "Truth" in another religion (Hinduism), a rare inter-faith moment in human history, and one later stamped out by Orthodoxy when the Ebionites were declared to be "heretics". Recognitions of Clement, and, the Clementine Homilies, are surviving Jewish-Christian texts representing an Ebionite point of view.

"There are likewise amongst the Bactrians,
in the Indian countries,
immense multitudes of Brahmans,
who also themselves,
from the tradition of their ancestors,
and peaceful customs and laws,
neither commit murder nor adultery,
nor worship idols,
nor have the practice of eating animal food,
are never drunk,
never do anything maliciously,
but always fear God."

-- Recognitions of Clement,
Volume Eight, of the,
"Ante-Nicene Fathers"

OM Shanti,

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

Meeting an Enlightened Master

Meeting an Enlightened Master
 

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.

Mystic Poems from, The Name of My Beloved

 

 

Mystic Poems from, The Name of My Beloved

Mystic Verses of Guru Nanak: The Name of My Beloved

{"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."}

{"Do not live even a single day without inner
meditation." -- Baba Devi Sahab}

 

Guru Nanak

Mystic Poems from, The Name of My Beloved -- Verses of the Sikh Gurus -- Devotional Poetry from the Guru Granth and the Dasam Granth, translated by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, The Sacred Literature Trust Series

The sky is our platter, the sun and moon our lamps,
it is studded with pearls, the starry galaxies,
The wafting scent of sandal wood is our incense,
the gentle breeze, our whisk,
all vegetation, the bouquet of flowers we offer to You.

What an act of worship!
This truly is Your worship, You who sunder life from death.
The unstruck Sound within is the drum to which we chant.

You have a thousand eyes yet without eye are You,
You have a thousand faces yet without face are You,
You have a thousand feet yet without foot are You,
You have a thousand noses yet without nose are You,
I am enchanted by Your wonders.

There is a Light in all, and that Light is You,

By that Light we are all illumined. The Light is revealed through the Guru's teachings. Whatever pleases You is worship of You.
(Guru Nanak, Kirtan Sohila)

 

 

Guru Nanak

Hear me, my Beloved, I am bathed in Your Love,
My mind and body are immersed in You,
unable to forget You for an instant.
How can remembrance slip, I offer myself to You.
I live only to sing Your praise.
No one belongs to me and I belong to no one;
without the Divine One, I cannot live.
I seek Your support.
By living at Your feet, my body is purified.
Nanak says, through the Guru's Word
vision grows wide, comfort deep,
and the mind is centred.

The ambrosial drops are showering down.
The Beloved comes to her so naturally,
and the bride is so deeply in love.
The Divine One enters the bodily haven of the woman,
awake and virtuous, who pleases her Groom.
In every home the Lover revels in the true brides;
why then am I forsaken?
Clouds are cast low in the sky, and the showers are delightful,
my mind and body are rapturous in love.
Nanak says, with the shower of the ambrosial Word
the Divine One graciously enters our dwelling.

The month of Chet is glorious, the bumble-bees delight in spring,
Barren woods bloom, and I long for my Beloved to come home.
(Guru Nanak, Barah Maha) 

 

SANTS OF INDIA

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

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

 

{"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."}

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

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

 

 

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).

Strike a Balance Between the Spiritual Life and the Wordly Life

Strike a Balance Between the Spiritual Life and the Wordly Life

 

 

 

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."}

VEDAS AND The Santmat
By Maharshi Mehi Paramhans

(28.04.1885-08.06.1986)

Rig Veda Samhita

[Translated into English by Pravesh K. Singh]

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)

[O ignorant people! I like that person (or, such a person is dear to me) who brings such fellows back who had strayed away from their homes or had quit their homes. Practice of Yoga as well as enjoyment of objects both is possible or feasible while living at home [being a householder]. Therefore, one should not flee to forests deserting one's home, because where will he take refuge if he experiences sorrow even there in the forests? If Guru teaches the skill to see the unseeable, then liberation may be attained while remaining at the house itself. One should practice meditation to let the soul spontaneously rest in the void. If one shuns the fickleness of the mind, maintaining (mental) aloofness (from the world and the worldly activities), he/she can meditate upon the Quintessential Sound and thus identify or see the Brahma. With his surat deeply immersed in meditation, he can listen to "anahad naad" (myriads of sounds). He lives at home, the main thing (God) is also there at the home and thus it is possible to meet the main thing while staying at home and discharging all household responsibilities. Therefore Kabir Sahab's word of advice is: O Noble Man! Stay back at your homes the way you are.]

Baabaa jogee ek akelaa, jaake teerath vrat na mela.

Jholee patra vibhooti na batavaa, anahad ben bajaavai.
Maangi na khaai na bhookha sovai, ghar angana firi aavai.
Paanch janaa kee jamaati chalaavai, taas Guru main chelaa.
Kahai Kabir uni desi sidhaye, bahuri na ihi jag mela." (Sant Kabir Sahab)

[O Revered Being! A Yogi lives all alone. He does not have anything to do with pilgrimages, penitence, fast, or religious fairs. He does not have (or require) bag or begging-bowl or purse, does not apply bhasma (ashes or cinders) on his body. He blows or plays the pipe or flute of myriads of sounds (that is he practices the Yoga of Sound). He does not make his livelihood out of begging, nor does he sleep hungry. He earns his bread by truthful means living as a householder. He runs the family of five persons (i.e. keeps his body under rightful restraint). Kabir Sahab says that I am the disciple of the Guru of such a person (as described above in the poem). Such Yogis, says Kabir Sahab, have gone to the Mokshadhaam (the Liberated Kingdom) and won't come back again in the fair of this world.]

Jogu na khinthaa jogu na dandai Jogu na bhasam chadhaaeeai.
Jogu na mundee moondi mudaaiai jogu na singi vaaeeai.
Anjan maahi niranjani raheeai jog jugati iv paaeeai.
Galee jogu na hoee.
Ek drishati kari samsari jaanai jogee kaheeai soee.
Jogu na baahar madee masaanee jogu na taadee laaeeai.
Jogu na desi disantari bhaviai jogu na teerath naaeeai.
Anjan maahi niranjani raheeai jog jugati iv paaeeai.
Satiguru bhetai taa sahasaa tootai dhaavatu varaji rahaaeeai.
Nijharu jharai sahaj dhuni laagai ghar hee parachaa paaeeai.
Anjan maahi niranjani raheeai jogu jugati iv paaeeai.
Nanak jeevatiaa mari raheeai aisaa jogu kamaaeeai.
Baaje baajahu singi baaje tau nirbhau pada paaeeai.
Anjan maahi niranjani raheeai jogu jugati iv paaeeai." (Guru Nanak)

[Yoga does not consists in various tantrums, flaunting or show-offs such as wearing on a ragged garment, walking with a flagged stick, applying 'bhasma' (ashes or cinders) all over or part of the body, wearing coin-shaped ear rings (trying to look like sadhus of Gorakhpanthi Sect), clean shaving one's head, playing musical instruments such as those played by fakirs, living in a hut erected on or near the cremation ground or graveyard, mocking postures trying to be seen like a Yogi in trance, by doing hectic pilgrimages, or by taking dips in holy rivers or sacred water bodies at places of pilgrimages etc. God who is beyond all the domains & versions of 'Maya '(illusion) pervades the illusory creation and can be found by learning the right technique of Yoga. All the ties or bondages of confusion, doubts or apprehensions get broken or destroyed upon meeting a True Guru (Master or Teacher) and one begins to live properly abstaining from all the crazy acts as mentioned above, or running after illusory transient pleasures. Guru Nanak advises us to practice Yoga so sincerely that we die while we are still alive (i.e. walking within to move or rise beyond all the gross, astral, causal and supra-causal bodies and mastering all our organs by making these detached from their objects of senses). When we get to listen (in our inner sky) to the enchanting notes of the various musical instruments, we attain to the fearless state (free from the fear or risk of falling back into the unending traps of births & deaths). God who is above all sorts of illusions pervades & permeates all through the illusory world and can be found within by learning the right technique of Yoga.]

Satiguru kee aisee badiaaee, putra kalatra bichai gati paaee." (Guru Nanak)

[Such is the greatness of the Guru that (the disciple) attained to the perfect state of liberation even while living with the wife & sons (leading family life).]

Nanak satiguru bhetiye
Poori hovai jugatee.
Hansan diyaa, khelan diyaa, painan diyaa
Khaavan diyaa beechai hovai mukatee." (Guru Nanak)

[Nanak says meeting Sadguru (the disciple) masterfully learns the right technique of living, so that he attains Moksha even as he gets everything needed for enjoyment & playing, wearing (cloths), and eating.]

Vegetarian Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Vegetarian Prayer of Thanksgiving

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

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)

New Book: Kabir Bhajan Amritam - Devotional Bhajans of Kabir

New Book: Kabir Bhajan Amritam - Devotional Bhajans of Kabir

SantMat_Mystic_BLOG_at_Yahoo360
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KABIR:
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The New Book: Kabir Bhajan Amritam -- Devotional Bhajans of Satguru Kabir,
translated by Dr. Jagessar Das:
email address: dasj@shaw.ca
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 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."

Embrace Him Holding His Hands of Light & Sound

Embrace Him Holding His Hands of Light & Sound

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."}

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.]

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. God. Light is the left hand of 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.