Image: Baba Ram Singh
Light and Sound on the Path for November 25th, 2009 -- A Compilation of Recent Posts: Satsang Discourses, Mystic Poetry, Quotes, MP3's, and Videos
Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
https://SantMatRadhasoami.blogspot.com
Listen To Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Online:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqzXkcs_2TwAvbR6ev3goFSbDBj8FnRS8
Ahimsa (Non-Violence in Thought, Word, and Deed)
Eating Animals is Making US [The Earth] Sick:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/10/28/opinion.jonathan.foer/index.html
Non-violence and compassion towards all living beings are fundamental principals in a spiritual life. (Dr. Jagessar Das)
Do not keep any ill feelings in your mind. Kindly heed my request and shun such thoughts. (Kabir)
The heart where kindness dwells, has mindfulness of God. That heart is full of fragrance of flowers. (Sant Dariya Sahib)
ETHICS -- AHIMSA VALUES -- THE FIVE PRECEPTS
Moral requirements for Initiation
1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs;
2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including vegetarianism [abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs]);
3. Lead a truthful life;
4. Practice non-stealing -- an honest, ethical source of income;
5. Loyalty to ones spouse;
. Another Version of the Five Precepts
1) Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. [This precept requires strict adherence to a lacto-vegetarian diet: no meat, fish, poultry or eggs (fertilized or non-fertilized).]
2) Refrain from speaking what is not true.
3) Refrain from taking what is not yours.
4) Refrain from sexual misconduct.
5) Refrain from using intoxicants.
Meditation
Carry on the repetition [simran] of the true names, taking it to be your very life-breath. -- Sant Dariya Sahib
There is nothing more important than meditation. Increase this practice from day to day; never decrease it. (Baba Jaimal Singh)
Do not live even a single day without inner meditation. (Baba Devi Sahab)
Significant Health Benefits of Meditation New Medical Study Suggests: 47% reduction in deaths: - BBC News:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8363302.stm
Kabir
Celebrating Spiritual Freedom and the End of the Dark Ages: YouTube: Anurag Sagar Video: The Ocean of Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3aE-_q-uvU
Kabir Dohas: Bhakti Verses and Music: Short Film about Kabir -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8GQn2J9jAY
Sant Kabir Amrit Bani -- Devotional Sant Music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErAUX48L8aw
Huzur Baba Sawan Singh Video
Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj - The Great Master of Beas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hURgRfk_kVI
The Bubble Universes of Pinda Desh (The Physical or Material Plane)
From Sach Khand the whole creation looks like bubbles, forming and disappearing in the Spiritual Ocean. (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)
The bigness of the "known" cosmos keeps on getting bigger! Actually, it's our awareness that's growing, seeing That Which Is. I find astronomy and mysticism have much in common. This amazing program proclaims that, according to the latest: the universe has a minimum diameter of one hundred and fifty six billion lights years, and perhaps is much, much larger than that. It has a region of "visible universe" almost one hundred billion light-years across, and this is surrounded by a much larger area of dark void. This pinda desh (Sant Mat term for the physical plane) seems to be a dark sphere with a tiny light at the center made up of all the galactic filaments (the "visible universe"). This represents one particle or "bubble universe", perhaps one of many bubble universes of the physical plane/multi-verse.
Cosmic Journeys: How Large is the Universe
View Program at Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQouX5U0fc
Your Eye Will Expand to Contain the Entire Universe
There is no peace except in the Name of the Lord -- meditate on it with one-pointed attention. Experience the state of super-consciousness where the Lord's love surges, and you will see your own form in each particle of creation. O Nama, the Lord will make the pupil of your eye his home, and your eye will expand to contain the entire universe.
(Bhajan of Sant Namdev)
Mirabai, a short film about her life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIcxArV9uek
The Audible Life Stream
In the Beginning was the TAO.
In the beginning was the Logos.
In the beginning was the Word.
In the beginning was the Song of the Creator.
In the beginning was the AUM.
In the Beginning was the Shabad.
In the beginning was the Sound.
Indigenous cultures support the belief that the universe was brought into existence through sound. The Australian aborigines believe in "songlines," meaning the "way of the law," which sang the world, and everything in it, into existence. Native American traditions speak of the "Song of the Creator" that created life and sustains the universe. (my article on Sound in the world religions, The Yoga of Sound, Tuning the Cosmic Radio Dial)
"The escape is through the Sound Current." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)
Footnote from, The Anurag Sagar of Kabir: 'SHABDA': The Sound Current; also called Naam or Word. The projected Creative Force of the Positive Power or Sat Purush, ultimately responsible for the entire creation and present in each individual in the form of Light and Sound, which can be seen and heard, and which are the agency that pulls the individual back to his/her essence, Sat Purush [God].
Sushmana or sukhmana has been called "shah rag" or "royal vein" by the Masters. It is the Middle Way. It is central channel in the subtle realm. Ida is the current on the left side. Pingala is the current on the right side. It may seem like the inner Sounds are coming from the right side. That's good, as it's the ascending current, going upwards. Masters teach to never meditate on any sounds coming from the left side, the current that's coming down into the material plane. Sounds may eventually appear to be coming from the middle. That's best of all. The Glossary of Kirpal Singh, Ruhani Satsang USA Website: "SUKHMANA or SUSHMANA NADI--The subtle central nadi (the fire channel) in between the Ida and Pingla on either side of it, the one representing the moon-influence and the other the sun-influence. The way-in for the soul-currents when collected at the eye-focus lies through Sukhmana."
There are certain Sounds we're instructed (at initiation) to concentrate upon. There are many other sounds that can be heard, but certain Sounds lead upward, are more subtle and beneficial, associated with various inner, higher regions.
The attention of the soul (Surat) unites with (Yoga or yoked to) the Shabd, becomes one with the Sound Current, in meditation (Surat Shabd Yoga).
The Inner Sound in Buddhism
As you calm down, you can experience the Sound of silence in the mind. You hear it as a kind of high frequency Sound, a ringing Sound that's always there. It is just normally never noticed. Now when you begin to hear that Sound of silence, it's a sign of emptiness - of silence of the mind. It's something you can always turn to. As you concentrate on it and turn to it, it can make you quite peaceful and blissful. Meditating on that, you have a way of letting the conditions of the mind cease without suppressing them with another condition. Otherwise you just end up putting one condition over another. (Ajahn Sumedho, The Sound of Silence)
Through the Word the Worlds Converse
And the Highest One gave the Word to his worlds,
which interpret his own beauty,
recite his praise,
reveal his thought,
are instructors of his works.
For the swiftness of the Word is ineffable.
Its course knows no end,
it never fails, it stands.
Its decent and its Way are incomprehensible.
And through the Word the worlds converse.
The mouth of the Highest One spoke to them
and he was made clear by his Word.
The dwelling place of the Word is man
and Its Truth is Love.
-- Book of the Odes, Syriac/Aramaic, First Century AD Jewish-Gnostic-Christian Scripture
Many Millions are the Skies and Solar Systems - Skies Above Skies - Adi Granth
Many millions are the skies and solar systems.
Many millions are the moons, the suns and stars.
Many millions are the sources of creation and continents.
Many millions are the jewel containing oceans.
Many times has the universal expanse occurred.
The Lord has strung all the creation in His thread.
His limit no one knows.
Many millions go about in many existences.
Many millions have been the incarnations.
Many millions are the creatures of various descriptions.
Many millions of beings, the Lord has made of good many descriptions.
Many millions are the celestial singers.
Ever and ever, the Unique Lord remains the same.
From the Lord, they emanate and into the Lord they merge.
Nanak says, with whomsoever, the Lord is pleased, He emancipates.
The Lord is near all yet far from all.
Nanak says, Lord is pervasive in creation yet He, Himself remains away.
Many millions searching for the Lord, find The Supreme One within their mind.
Many million are thirsting for the sight of the Lord.
To them the Imperishable Lord meets.
They are imbued with the love of the Transcendent Lord.
In many ways the Lord has spread Himself.
Nanak says, the Lord is all by Himself.
Many millions are the devotees of Supreme Lord and their souls are enlightened.
Many millions have realized the essence and with their eyes they behold the One Lord.
Many millions drink the Name nectar.
They become immortal and live for ever and ever.
Many millions sing the praises of the Name.
They are spontaneously absorbed in Divine delight.
His servants, remember Him with every breath.
Nanak says, they are the beloveds of Supreme Lord.
The Lord alone is the doer of all deeds.
There is no other.
-- Adi Granth, The Gurbani or Psalms of the Saints of India
Countless are the Gospels, Sutras, Odes, Upanishads, Gathas, Quatrains, Abhangas, Gitas, Granths, Vanis and Vedas. As Guru Nanak says in his Morning Prayer (Jap Ji):
Endless are the harmonies played by the minstrels; the players prepare endless tunes and measures to sing to Thee, 0 bountiful Creator. Thy Light is within the beings and the beings are all within thy Light...countless are the countries, earths and spheres. Millions assign to Him ever new names, 0 Nanak.
Countless there are that remember Thee, and countless those that love Thee;
Countless there are that worship Thee, and countless those that seek Thee in austerity and penance;
Countless there are that recite from sacred books Thy praises; and
Countless those that, absorbed in Yoga, stand indifferent to the world;
Countless those Thy devotees who contemplate Thy attributes and wisdom; and
Countless those that practice truth and charity;
Countless are the heroes that boldly face the foeman's steel; and
Countless those who have vowed silence, meditate on Thee with unceasing love.
What power have I to conceive of Thy wonderful nature?
Too poor, am I, to make an offering of my life to Thee.
Whatever pleaseth Thee is good:
Thou art forevermore;
O, Formless One.
Countless Thy names and countless Thy places;
Unapproachable and inaccessible Thy innumerable
heavenly plateaux;
Even by the word countless, we fail to describe Thee;
By words we describe Thee and by words we praise Thee.
By words, we acquire Divine knowledge, and in words are sung
Thy hymns and attributes;
It is words we employ in speech and in writing;
In them is our fate ordained;
But He who ordains is above such writ.
As Thou ordaineth, so do we receive.
Thou art immanent in all;
And nothing is where Thy Word is not.
What power have I to conceive of Thy wonderful nature?
Too poor, am I, to make an offering of my life to Thee.
Whatever pleaseth Thee is good;
Thou art forevermore; O Formless One!
-- Jap Ji, The Morning Prayer of Guru Nanak, Translated by Master Kirpal Singh, Ruhani Satsang USA Website
Kirpal Singh's books are published in Urdu and many other languages. The Urdu word for 'man' or 'human' means: "one who is bubbling over with love". The title of Kirpal Singh's book, Man Know Thyself, therefore means: "One who is bubbling over with love, know thyself".
"The highest aim of humanity is to know one's self and to know God…..Every moment of our life is most precious. We should not fritter it away in useless pursuits, but devote it in the search of self and God." (Kirpal Singh)
Satsangs - MP3's
Satsang MP3's, Russell Perkins:
https://santbaniashram.org/sebastopol-satsangs/#
Hafiz
Stay with us tonight as we weave love -- Hafiz Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiNsaSnsZjM
Meet the Beloved Anadi Anami Sat Purush Radhaswami -- The Lord of the Soul -- The Ocean of Love
True bliss of meeting the Beloved Lord is such that its rapturous absorption does not diminish or wear out. There is continual intoxication of the Holy Name and nectar. -- Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram) in, Nij Updesh Radhasoami
The Vision Thing
Very near your heart are seekers of your Vision; Those who look at the surface are exiled from the Beloved's Light. What can I say of the grace He showers on me within? Darshan, the moment I close my eyes, the Beloved's Light begins. (Love's Last Madness, Darshan Singh, Hohm Press -- out of print)
Wisdom of the Masters
The souls are all bound by illusions and are rotating round the great wheel of birth and death. This state of the individual soul or souls is the root cause of all sufferings. In order to come out of these, the only remedy is devotion to God.
Repeating the name in mind, concentrating upon it in mind and with the help of 'Drishti Sadhan' and 'Surat-Shabda-Yoga' (Yoga of Sound). One has to pass or go beyond darkness, light and words to be at one with Him and get 'Moksha' or liberation.
Having unflinching faith in the Almighty and full dependence on Him and firm resolution to find Him within oneself, serving Guru selflessly, practicing Satsang and Dhyana Yoga –- all these be considered as the real steps for getting salvation in this world." (Maharishi Mehi)
Through association of Saints, the hearing of spiritual talks and study, wisdom can be acquired. Wisdom is essential in determining what is the right way to live your life. -- Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj
Consider the following as the requirements to attain liberation: Trust and belief in the Divine; commitment to seek the Divine within; devotion to a spiritual master; listening to the teaching of the spiritual discourse including study of the teachings of the saints and the scriptures; and diligent meditation practice. (Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, in the book, Harmony of All Religions)
Couplets of Swami Sant Sevi Ji
Begin meditation with internally chanting or repeating the Guru-mantra-incantation (the charged words given by the Guru). And then try to visualize the radiant form or image of the Satguru in the still darkness of the inner sky (with eyes closed).
Follow that with focusing your attention at the seat of the soul within, i.e. at the Third Eye or the Inner Eye or the Til Dwaar, by making the two streams of consciousness in your two eyes converge in a Point.
When the two currents of consciousness meet in a Point, Divine Light appears within. Then, practice Surat Shabd Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound) i.e., shift your attention to listening to the Divine Sounds or myriads of melodies (Anahad Naad) ringing inside. Listening to the Divine Sound destroys all the perversions, agitations and fickleness of the mind.
Ascending beyond or transcending myriads of sounds, try to identify and tune in to the Quintessential Unstruck Melody, called "Saar Shabd" or "Anaahat Naad" which alone is capable of taking you and merging you into oneness with the Supreme Lord; this is the ultimate liberation. (Couplets of Sant Sevi Ji translated by Pravesh Kumar Singh)
My Ode To Living Ones Now
For it is the ability to truly listen
that gives birth
to an awareness of a message,
and an appreciation
of a messenger.
An Infinite God
could never have
a limited number
of inspired words,
or be forever bound
by bookbinders.
If there is no inspiration now,
how could there ever have been
any inspiration
in days gone by?
There is also
no missing element
or trace mineral,
once present
in the water supply
during the middle ages
or earlier times but now gone,
that once caused
the appearance of prophets and saints,
and accounts for their absence now.
What was true then
is true now.
The same need
that brought great souls
into the world
during past centuries
is still with us.
My experience and belief is
that the age
of prophets, apostles, masters or saints
is still with us,
that there is a Living Gnosis Now.
There are living Masters
in the world today.
The reality
and not the illusion
of having a guru,
begins here,
with this openness
to the possibility
of Living Ones NOW.
(from one of my profiles on Sant Mat)
Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba
On closing eyes everyone sees the darkness inside no matter whether they belong to one creed, caste, country or another, be they young, old, male, female, scholar or illiterate. This darkness has not been created by humans or gods. This darkness has been created by the Supreme Sovereign God. There are three layers (coverings) over the Jeeva-atmaa (Individual Soul). Those are: darkness, Light and Sound. Darkness is the shadow of the Light. This darkness is the first layer that the Jeeva (Individual Soul) or all beings encounter. One who crosses this layer of darkness through a special kind of meditation sees the inner Light within oneself.
This inner Light is called Aatma-Aalok (Light of the Self) or Brahma-Prakash (Divine Light). On achieving this, the Divya-Drishti (Divine Eye, Third Eye) opens completely. While mentally gazing into the darkness that one sees with eyes closed, one should repeat the guru-instructed mantra. This process is called Maanas Jap.
If the Jaapak (practitioner of Jap) repeats the Jap while doing worldly work as well as practices Jap sitting in a secluded place with love and faith, he/she begins to see divine visions, or hear auditions in the inner sky (the region within where darkness normally appears when one's eyes are closed).
Rumi Video -- Looking For Your Face:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ1LrJI2U7w
Below From, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume 4 (Hymns of Love to the Lord of the Soul), by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram)
Infinite is the wealth of Love. Through Love one meets the Supreme Creator.
All Dhyan [meditation] is pretense without Love. All knowledge is shallow without Love.
All scriptures are sham without Love. Kal [the lord of time/lord of death] and Karma are overcome by Love.
Mana [mind] and Maya [illusion] are subdued by Love. Surat [the soul] ascends to higher regions by Love.
Love dispels all evils. One is detached from world by Love.
Refulgence within, one perceives by Love. Every heart overflows with Love.
Most exalted is the glory of Love. All endeavours are in vain without Love.
All activities are void without Love. One is redeemed by Love and Love alone.
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
Hafiz
Stay with us tonight as we weave love -- Hafiz Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiNsaSnsZjM
Meet the Beloved Anadi Anami Sat Purush Radhaswami -- The Lord of the Soul -- The Ocean of Love
True bliss of meeting the Beloved Lord is such that its rapturous absorption does not diminish or wear out. There is continual intoxication of the Holy Name and nectar. -- Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram) in, Nij Updesh Radhasoami
The Vision Thing
Very near your heart are seekers of your Vision; Those who look at the surface are exiled from the Beloved's Light. What can I say of the grace He showers on me within? Darshan, the moment I close my eyes, the Beloved's Light begins. (Love's Last Madness, Darshan Singh, Hohm Press -- out of print)
Wisdom of the Masters
The souls are all bound by illusions and are rotating round the great wheel of birth and death. This state of the individual soul or souls is the root cause of all sufferings. In order to come out of these, the only remedy is devotion to God.
Repeating the name in mind, concentrating upon it in mind and with the help of 'Drishti Sadhan' and 'Surat-Shabda-Yoga' (Yoga of Sound). One has to pass or go beyond darkness, light and words to be at one with Him and get 'Moksha' or liberation.
Having unflinching faith in the Almighty and full dependence on Him and firm resolution to find Him within oneself, serving Guru selflessly, practicing Satsang and Dhyana Yoga –- all these be considered as the real steps for getting salvation in this world." (Maharishi Mehi)
Through association of Saints, the hearing of spiritual talks and study, wisdom can be acquired. Wisdom is essential in determining what is the right way to live your life. -- Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj
Consider the following as the requirements to attain liberation: Trust and belief in the Divine; commitment to seek the Divine within; devotion to a spiritual master; listening to the teaching of the spiritual discourse including study of the teachings of the saints and the scriptures; and diligent meditation practice. (Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, in the book, Harmony of All Religions)
Couplets of Swami Sant Sevi Ji
Begin meditation with internally chanting or repeating the Guru-mantra-incantation (the charged words given by the Guru). And then try to visualize the radiant form or image of the Satguru in the still darkness of the inner sky (with eyes closed).
Follow that with focusing your attention at the seat of the soul within, i.e. at the Third Eye or the Inner Eye or the Til Dwaar, by making the two streams of consciousness in your two eyes converge in a Point.
When the two currents of consciousness meet in a Point, Divine Light appears within. Then, practice Surat Shabd Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound) i.e., shift your attention to listening to the Divine Sounds or myriads of melodies (Anahad Naad) ringing inside. Listening to the Divine Sound destroys all the perversions, agitations and fickleness of the mind.
Ascending beyond or transcending myriads of sounds, try to identify and tune in to the Quintessential Unstruck Melody, called "Saar Shabd" or "Anaahat Naad" which alone is capable of taking you and merging you into oneness with the Supreme Lord; this is the ultimate liberation. (Couplets of Sant Sevi Ji translated by Pravesh Kumar Singh)
My Ode To Living Ones Now
For it is the ability to truly listen
that gives birth
to an awareness of a message,
and an appreciation
of a messenger.
An Infinite God
could never have
a limited number
of inspired words,
or be forever bound
by bookbinders.
If there is no inspiration now,
how could there ever have been
any inspiration
in days gone by?
There is also
no missing element
or trace mineral,
once present
in the water supply
during the middle ages
or earlier times but now gone,
that once caused
the appearance of prophets and saints,
and accounts for their absence now.
What was true then
is true now.
The same need
that brought great souls
into the world
during past centuries
is still with us.
My experience and belief is
that the age
of prophets, apostles, masters or saints
is still with us,
that there is a Living Gnosis Now.
There are living Masters
in the world today.
The reality
and not the illusion
of having a guru,
begins here,
with this openness
to the possibility
of Living Ones NOW.
(from one of my profiles on Sant Mat)
Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba
On closing eyes everyone sees the darkness inside no matter whether they belong to one creed, caste, country or another, be they young, old, male, female, scholar or illiterate. This darkness has not been created by humans or gods. This darkness has been created by the Supreme Sovereign God. There are three layers (coverings) over the Jeeva-atmaa (Individual Soul). Those are: darkness, Light and Sound. Darkness is the shadow of the Light. This darkness is the first layer that the Jeeva (Individual Soul) or all beings encounter. One who crosses this layer of darkness through a special kind of meditation sees the inner Light within oneself.
This inner Light is called Aatma-Aalok (Light of the Self) or Brahma-Prakash (Divine Light). On achieving this, the Divya-Drishti (Divine Eye, Third Eye) opens completely. While mentally gazing into the darkness that one sees with eyes closed, one should repeat the guru-instructed mantra. This process is called Maanas Jap.
If the Jaapak (practitioner of Jap) repeats the Jap while doing worldly work as well as practices Jap sitting in a secluded place with love and faith, he/she begins to see divine visions, or hear auditions in the inner sky (the region within where darkness normally appears when one's eyes are closed).
Rumi Video -- Looking For Your Face:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ1LrJI2U7w
Below From, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume 4 (Hymns of Love to the Lord of the Soul), by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram)
Infinite is the wealth of Love. Through Love one meets the Supreme Creator.
All Dhyan [meditation] is pretense without Love. All knowledge is shallow without Love.
All scriptures are sham without Love. Kal [the lord of time/lord of death] and Karma are overcome by Love.
Mana [mind] and Maya [illusion] are subdued by Love. Surat [the soul] ascends to higher regions by Love.
Love dispels all evils. One is detached from world by Love.
Refulgence within, one perceives by Love. Every heart overflows with Love.
Most exalted is the glory of Love. All endeavours are in vain without Love.
All activities are void without Love. One is redeemed by Love and Love alone.
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
