Light and Sound on the Path for October 25th, 2009

 

Light and Sound on the Path for October 25th, 2009


Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog


Enjoy the wisdom, also the audio and video links below -- there are many!


Guru Kabir

Kabir: All entities in the Universe are the Manifestations of the Same Soul:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati/message/522

Beautiful Short YouTube Video -- Words of Kabir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V27TJr2eSQ


"Meditation will remove all your burdens; meditation upon Ram's [God's] name will become your support." -- Guru Kabir

Kabir says: "If you merge your life in the Ocean of Life, you will find your life in the Supreme Land of Bliss."

Guru Kabir: "O my brother, surrender everything and recite the Name." Here Kabir is saying that through the technique of repeating/reciting God's Name every day we will reach the ultimate state. We have to catch the root first, and the root of devotion is simran, the repetition of the sacred words imparted by the Master. If we remember God this way during the day, when we sit down to meditate, it's much easier to reach the Light at the Third Eye Center.


My Sweet Lord -- George Harrison -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abo_U09wmE8


"There is no other God like compassion on living beings and worship of the Supreme Self."
-- Kabir, in the Bijak, published by Shri Kabir Ashram, Jamnagar, India


The Soul, A Drop from the Divine Ocean

Supreme Self or Atman is a Hindu term for God. I'm also attracted to the Jainist term "Supreme Soul".

It occurs to me that the definition of "soul" for most is really atman or Spirit combined with the astral and mental subtle bodies/coverings. Those are generally lumped together and called "the soul." That's understandable of course, as it represents "us" as separate individual or individualized "drops" of the Divine Ocean. Kirpal Singh's axiom is: "God plus mind [manas] is man, and man minus mind [manas] is God."

"Each spirit entity [soul] is a pure spark or atom of divine consciousness and is of the same essence as God. Yet though these sparks are ontologically united with the Divine, they are existentially separated from it. This separation needs to be undone, for as a mystic once expressed it, 'our hearts are ever restless until they find their rest.'" -- Stephan Hoeller, Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition

This passage from Gnostic Bishop Stephan Hoeller above is very much in harmony with the Path of the Masters, which teaches that the soul is already is Sat Lok, the True Eternal Timeless Spiritual Realm, but doesn't realize it. The outer world via the five senses comes pouring in -- we are outwardly gazing all the time and dominated by mind and matter. We have accepted our own reflections (bodies) as the only reality. Thus the need for meditation, and not just any form of meditation, but an initiation into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God or Inner Space within, that we might know, see and hear spiritually, and explore those realms we inhabit that are beyond mind and matter.

Sage Sanathumara in the Chandogya Upanishad said, "The Self is one, though it appears to be many. Those who meditate upon the Self and realize the Self go beyond decay and death, beyond separateness and sorrow." "Know the Self as Lord of the chariot, the body as the chariot itself, the discriminating intellect as the charioteer, and the mind as the reins." (Katha Upanishad)


The term Bandagi Saheb in Kabir Panth: Bandagi is from the Sanskrit 'vandana' - a salutation, and saheb is master. Bandagi saheb thus means: "I offer salutation or greeting to the master dwelling in you". Bandagi Saheb! Bandagi Saheb reminded me of the word "Namaste'", which means: "The God in me bows to the God in you."


Rumi: Travel Not the Road Alone

A friend is needed; travel not the road alone,
Take not thy own way through this desert!
Whoso travels this road alone
Only does so by aid of the might of holy men.
The hand of the Director is not weaker than theirs;
His hand is none other than the grasp of Allah!
If absent saints can confer such protection,
Doubtless present saints are more powerful than absent.
If such food be bestowed on the absent,
What dainties may not the guest who is present expect? -- RUMI


Wishbone Ash: You Rescue Me

Among the stars on this side of heaven
I lay broken and destroyed.
When people on the earth have cut you down
The sky's the only place to hide.
And as I floated in the moonlit night
You arrived to take me home.
I kissed your hand and I came back to life
And all the wrong became all right.

In all of my dreams
You rescue me
It always seems you rescue me

I was wandering down endless roads
A fallen angel in the cold
You appeared before me like a vision
To whisper love I used to know
So easily you gave to me secret promises
Like only magic words can flow

In all of my dreams
You rescue me
It always seems you rescue me

Wishbone Ash: You Rescue Me -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrsYxSrkGfE


Rumi Poetry: The Masnavi, Book One, By Rumi -- PDF:
http://elearn.mtsac.edu/dlane/masnavi5.pdf

Rumi and Other Sufi Books Online -- Great Sufi Website:
http://www.thesufi.com


Sant Darshan Singh: tujhey kya khabar: ghulam ali -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quUC13ajEMs


Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar

Am a fan of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar, a great Satguru who lived in Bihar a couple centuries back. Sant Dariya Kabir, the Son of Sat Purush and Adi-Guru who incarnates from time to time to restart the spiritual path of Inner Light and Sound on the Earth during this present Kali Yuga age, starting a lineage of Masters, so that over the generations souls may be initiated. He said: "As long as the discipline of the Sound Current is preserved unadulterated, the line of succession will continue. But when it is mixed with outer rituals and external garbs, My Sound Current will part company...I shall come to this world, and shall again proclaim the teaching of the Sound Current. Proclaiming the teaching, I shall again found the line of succession, and emancipating the souls, I shall take them to my Abode. For aeons I have been coming, and emparting the teaching of the true Sound Current."

Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar: "Be not intimidated by any fear. Hold fast to the Naam (the Positive Power of inner Light and Sound of God) which is always there to help." "Reflect thoughtfully and hold fast to my technique of the Sound Current. Then having realized the True Sound, cross the Ocean of this World (Samsara)."

"So long as love is not obtained, fondness for the Beloved cannot arise. When nectar-like true love takes abode within oneself, only then can one contact the loving Sound." (Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar)


George Harrison on the Soul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrkQOMsSYaE

What Is Life - George Harrison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSwYfG--QGY

The Beatles - Inner Light -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhHm-5lKkZ0


Lord Mahavira, Divali, and the Inner Sound in Jainism

While Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". (Wikipedia)

Until the last moments of his life Lord Mahavira inspired many to seek world peace through the attainment of inner peace, and he encouraged people to realize their divine nature. For 30 years he traveled throughout India to spread his message. At the age of 72, on the day of Divali in the town of Pawa Puri, Mahavira ended his worldly journey. In the state of deep meditation he attained nirvana. (Swami Sant Sevi Ji)

The Inner Sound in Jainism: Acharya Tulsi says: "From the infinitesimal point and the divine sound the subtlest waves (vibrations) reverberate." In his book, The Method of Using Preksha Dhyāna, Acharya, Mahapragya writes: "Close both ears with your hands and listen to the inner sounds." Swami Jnananada says in the Pandita Puja: "In the divine sound of God (Bhagawan) all the mysteries are revealed." Shri Jinendravarni states: "What does one hear with these ears? It is a sweet sound. . . Closing my eyes, as if I were united with God, I was away from this world. Only my Peace incarnate and dispassionate Lord (Mahavira) and I existed [ego and worldly concerns had vanished in the state of complete tranquility]." (The Harmony of All Religions, Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

The book, Harmony of All Religions, by Swami Sant Sevi Ji, on the inner Light and Sound teachings in all the major world religions. The Jainism chapter - PDF:
https://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Harmony7-ChapterTwo.pdf

Video of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Giving a Satsang Talk, Part One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY-II8TTt5Q


The WORD

Moodly Blues: "The Word"

This garden universe vibrates complete.
Some we get a sound so sweet.
Vibrations reach on up to become light,
And then thru gamma, out of sight.
Between the eyes and ears there lay,
The sounds of colour and the light of a sigh.
And to hear the sun, what a thing to believe.
But its all around if we could but perceive.
To know ultra-violet, infra-red and x-rays,
Beauty to find in so many ways.
Two notes of the chord, thats our fluoroscope.
But to reach the chord is our life's hope.
And to name the chord is important to some.
So they give a word, and the word is om.


Moodly Blues: "Om"

The rain is on the roof
Hurry high butterfly
As clouds roll past my head
I know why the skys all cry
OM, OM, Heaven, OM

The Earth turns slowly round
Far away the distant Sound
Is with us everyday
Can you hear what it say
...OM, OM, Heaven, OM

The rain is on the roof
Hurry high butterfly
As clouds roll past my head
I know why the skys all cry
OM, OM, Heaven, OM

YouTube: Moody Blues: The Word, and, OM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfkUfarjVO8


"The Sound Current: Sweeter and sweeter its heavenly strains vibrate through every living being, great or small, from world to world, and from universe to universe. Its life-giving melodies may not be consciously heard by those who are not trained to catch them, but there is not one living being in all creation which does not derive its life from this Current". (Julian Johnson, Path of the Masters)

Nada Dhyana (Yoga of Sound) - Swami Achyutanand Ji Maharaj:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati/message/521


Baba Sawan Singh Maharaj Ji - part 1 -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKzXu1z5TTs


Leaving the Matrix--A variety of negative thought-beliefs prevent souls from success in meditation:
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/leavematrix.html


An amazing YouTube video: The Morning Prayer (Jap Ji) of Guru Nanak, in English, with Chant in Gurmuki and text in both English and Gurmuki:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpPJUjebWo8


A Living Mystic Path

Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba: "Moving down from the middle of the two eyes is going towards ignorance, and moving up from the middle of two eyes is going towards Knowledge." "The beginning of the Turiyaa state has been said be the Aajnaa-chakra (the Guru instructs about the Point in between the two eyes where the vision of both unites), and the destination of this is in Kaivalya-the State of Oneness-Pure Consciousness."

Sant Mat means: "The Way of the Saints" or "Path of the Masters." Inner Light and Sound Meditation works best when practiced with a spirit of Love and Devotion for God, the Beloved Lord of Love. Divine Currents of Love, Light, and Sound to All.

Sant Mat: Awakening to the Light:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHvJaoylVmU

Seeking a spiritual path, meetings (satsangs) in your area, Initiation into Inner Light and Sound Meditation? What city are you in or near? Reply back and I can send you contact info.


In the Love, Light and Sound of the Beloved,
James
https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/sant-mat

Happy Divali! The Festival of Lights!

 

Happy Divali!

While Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

The gunas are the underlying forces or tendencies which one needs to have unaffected, direct relation with in order to find effectiveness and righteousness in life: they are lines of potential and illuminate thought and action, thus the inner meaning of Diwali being the festival of lights.

Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman). (Wikipedia)

 

 

Gita Krishna Gnostic Jesus Parallels

Gita-Krishna Gnostic Parallels

 

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog


The following is from the Bhagavad Gita along with some parallel passages I found: quotes from the Gospel of Thomas and other Gnostic scriptures I was reminded of when reading this section of the Gita.

Jai Guru,
James


Bhagavad Gita, from Chapters 7 and 8, along with some Gnostic Quotes

The Great Life

1 Hear now, Arjuna, how thou shalt have the full vision of me, if thy heart is set on me and if, striving for Yoga, I am thy refuge supreme.
2 And I will speak to thee of that wisdom and vision which, when known, there is nothing else for thee to know.
3 Among thousands of men perhaps one strives for perfection; and among thousands of those who strive perhaps one knows me in truth.
4 The visible forms of my nature are eight: earth, water, fire, air, ether; the mind, reason, and the sense of 'I'.
5 But beyond my visible nature is my invisible Spirit. This is the fountain of life whereby this universe has its being.

6 All things have their life in this Life, and I am their beginning and end.

__________________________

__________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: In the Gospel of Thomas, Saying # 23, Jesus said, "I shall choose you, one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they will stand as a single one."

Mandaean scriptures:

I lifted mine eyes to heaven

and my soul waited on the House of Life.

And the Life (God) who heard my cry

sent toward me a deliverer.

Life supported life,

Life found its own.

Its own self did Life find,

and my soul found that for which it had looked.

Renowned is Life and victorious.

In the Name of the Great Life,

Sublime Light be praised. *****
__________________________ __________________________________________

Rest In Me

7 In this whole vast universe there is nothing higher than I. All the worlds have their rest in me. as many pearls upon a string.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: Gospel of Thomas 90: Jesus said, "Come to me, for my yoke is comfortable and my lordship is gentle, and you
will find rest for yourselves." *****
__________________________ __________________________________________

"I AM That I Am"

8 I am the taste of living waters and the light of the sun and the moon. I am 0M, the sacred word of the Vedas. sound in silence. heroism in men.
9 I am the pure fragrance that comes from the earth and the brightness of fire I am. I am the life of all living beings. and the austere life of those who train their souls.
10 And I am from everlasting the seed of eternal life. I am the intelligence of the intelligent. I am the beauty of the beautiful.
11 I am the power of those who are strong, when this power is free from passions and selfish desires. I am desire when this is pure, when this desire is not against righteousness.
12 And know that the three Gunas, the three states of the soul, come from me: peaceful light, restless life, and lifeless darkness. But I am not in them: they are in me.
13 How the whole world is under the delusion of these shadows of the soul, and knows not me though for ever I am!

14 My mysterious cloud of appearance is hard to pass beyond; but those who in truth come to me go beyond the world of shadows........

24 The unwise think that I am that form of my lower nature which is seen by mortal eyes: they know not my higher nature, imperishable and supreme.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: Gospel of Thomas 77: Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there." Nag Hammadi, Thunder Perfect Mind:

I am the one who is honored,

and who is praised,

and who is despised scornfully.

I am peace,

and war has come because of me.

And I am an alien and a citizen.

I am the substance

and the one who has no substance.

Those who are without association with me

are ignorant of me,

and those who are in my substance

are the ones who know me.

Those who are close to me

have been ignorant of me,

and those who are far away from me

are the ones who have known me.

On the day when I am close to you,

you are far away from me,

and on the day when I am far away from you,

I am close to you.
__________________________ __________________________________________

The Mystery of the Kingdom

25 For my glory is not seen by all: I am hidden by my veil of mystery; and in its delusion the world knows me not, who was never born and for ever I am.
26 I know all that was and is and is to come, Arjuna; but no one in truth knows me.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: Gospel of Thomas 62: Jesus said, "I disclose my Mysteries to those [who are worthy] of [my] Mysteries." Pistis Sophia: "And may my song of praise, O Light, please thee, like an excellent Mystery which is received into the gates of light, which those who will repent, will recite, and whose light they will purify."

Pistis Sophia: "Seek the light, all of you, so that the power of your souls, which is within you, may live". *****
__________________________ __________________________________________

27 All beings are born in delusion, the delusion of division which comes from desire and hate.
28 But there are men who do what is good, and whose sins have come to an end. They are free from the delusion of division, and they worship me with all their soul.
29 For those who take refuge in me and strive to be free from age and death, they know Brahman, they know Atman, and they know what Karma is.

Chapter Eight

ARJUNA's Questions: The Kingdom of the Light

I Who is Brahman? Who is Atman? And what is Karma, Spirit Supreme? What is the kingdom of the earth? And what is the kingdom of Light?
2 Who offers the sacrifice in the body? How is the offering made? And when the time to go comes, how do those whose soul is in harmony know thee?

KRISHNA Replies

3 Brahman is the Supreme, the Eternal. Atman is his Spirit in man. Karma is the force of creation, where from all things have their life.
4 Matter is the kingdom of the earth, which in time passes away; but the Spirit is the kingdom of Light. In this body I offer sacrifice, and my body is a sacrifice.
5 And he who at the end of his time leaves his body thinking of me, he in truth comes to my being: he in truth comes unto me.
6 For on whomsoever one thinks at the last moment of life, unto him in truth he goes, through sympathy with his nature.
7 Think of me therefore at all times; remember thou me and fight. And with mind and reason on me, thou shalt in truth come to me.
8 For if a man thinks of the Spirit Supreme with a mind that wanders not, because it has been trained in Yoga, he goes to that Spirit of Light.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: Pistis Sophia: "Do not cease seeking day or night, and do not let yourselves relax until you have found all the
Mysteries of the Kingdom of Light, which will purify you and make you into Pure Light and lead you into the Kingdom of Light."

Manda-d-Hiya -- Gnosis of the Great Life (God) -- the great heavenly redeemer in the Mandaean Scriptures says:

From the Place of Light I came forth,

from you, Bright Habitation.

I come to touch hearts,

to measure and try all minds,

to see in whose heart I dwell.

Whoever thinks of me, of him I think;

whoever calls my Name,

his name I will call.

Whosoever prays my prayer from the earth,

his prayer I will offer from the Place of Light.

I came and found the truthful and believing hearts.

When I was not dwelling among them,

yet my Name was on their lips.

I took them and guided them up to the World of Light.

I became the Illuminator of the Worlds of Light.

I became a king to the Nazoreans,

who receive praise and stability through my Name.

And by my Name they ascend to the Place of the Light.

As for the elect righteous who put me on as a garment,

their eyes were filled with Light,

and Manda-d-Hiya [Knowledge of Life]

was established in their hearts.
__________________________ __________________________________________

The Power Between the Eye-brows -- Third Eye -- The Seat of the Soul

9 He who remembers the Poet. the Creator, who rules all
10 things from all time, smaller than the smallest atom, but upholding this vast universe, who shines like the sun beyond darkness, far far beyond human thought; and at the time of his departure is in union of love and the power of Yoga and, with a mind that wanders not, keeps the power of his life between his eye-brows, he goes to that Spirit Supreme, the Supreme Spirit of light.

11 Hear now of that Path which the seers of the Veda call the Eternal, and which is reached by those who, in peace from earthly passions, live a life of holiness and strive for perfection.
12 If when a man leaves his earthly body he is in the silence of Yoga and, closing the doors of the soul, he keeps the mind in his heart, and places in the head the breath of life.

Sound -- The Word

13 And remembering me he utters OM, the eternal WORD of Brahman, he goes to the Path Supreme.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Acts of John: "Who else is Christ but the Sound of God?"

Gospel of Thomas 108: Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become like me; I myself shall become that person, and the hidden things will be revealed to him." *****
__________________________ __________________________________________

14 Those who in the devotion of Yoga rest all their soul ever on me, very soon come unto me.
15 And when those great spirits are in me, the Abode of joy supreme, they never return again to this world of human sorrow.
16 For all the worlds pass away, even the world of Brahma. the Creator: they pass away and return. But he who comes unto me goes no more from death to death.

The Day and Night of Brahma

17 They who know that the vast day of Brahma, the god of creation, ever lasts a thousand ages; and that his night lasts also a thousand ages - they know in truth day and night.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallels: Saint Paul, Second Peter 3: 8: "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day".*****
__________________________ __________________________________________

18 When that day comes, all the visible creation arises from the Invisible; and all creation disappears into the Invisible when the night of darkness comes.
19 Thus the infinity of beings which live again and again all powerlessly disappear when the night of darkness comes; and they all return again at the rising of the day.
20 But beyond this creation, visible and invisible, there is an Invisible, higher, Eternal; and when all things pass away this remains for ever and ever.
21 This Invisible is called the Everlasting and is the highest End supreme. Those who reach him never return. This is my supreme abode.
22 This Spirit Supreme, Arjuna, is attained by an ever-living love. In him all things have their life, and from him all things have come.
23 Hear now of a time of light when Yogis go to eternal Life; and hear of a time of darkness when they return to death on earth.
24 If they depart in the flame, the light, the day, the bright weeks of the moon and the months of increasing light of the sun, those who know Brahman go unto Brahman.
25 But if they depart in the smoke, the night, the dark weeks of the moon and the months of decreasing days of the sun, they enter the lunar light, and return to the world of death.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: Pistis Sophia: "Then Jesus rose or ascended to the height, giving light exceedingly, with (a) light to which there was no measure". *****
__________________________ __________________________________________

The "Two Paths" or "Two Ways"

26 These are the two paths that are for ever: the path of light and the path of darkness. The one leads to the land of never-returning: the other returns to sorrow.

27 The Yogi who knows these two paths lives nevermore in delusion. Therefore ever and for ever be thou one in Yoga, Arjuna.
28 There is a reward that comes from the Vedas, or from sacrifice, from an austere life or from holy gifts. But a far greater reward is attained by the Yogi who knows the truth of Light and darkness: he attains his Everlasting Home.
__________________________ __________________________________________

***** Parallel Passages: Letter of Barnabas: "There are two Ways of teaching and power, one of Light and one of Darkness". Gospel of Thomas 49: Jesus said, "Congratulations to those who are alone and chosen, for you will find the kingdom. For you have come from it, and you will return there again."
__________________________ __________________________________________

Gnostic Strangers in a Strange Land -- Allogenes -- Deep Purple

Gnostic Strangers in a Strange Land -- Allogenes -- Music By Deep Purple: "Perfect Strangers"

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

"The Gnostics had the term "Alogenes," which meant "stranger" or "foreigner."

-- Elaine Pagels



Most people are like the "Philistine" Kierkegaard speaks of, who "tranquilizes himself with the trivial," but the Gnostic cannot pursue such a course. The exile may indeed find himself in a dark land, but his very awareness of the darkness can also reveal a Light on the Path to freedom. So also, awareness of our alienness and recognition of our place of exile for what it is are the first great steps on the path of return. We begin to rise as soon as we realize that we have fallen".

-- Stephan A. Hoeller, "Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing



"There was within me a stillness of silence, and I heard the Blessedness whereby I knew my real self.....And I turned to myself and saw the Light that surrounded me and the Good that was in me, I became divine."

-- Allogenes, "The Stranger" or "Foreigner" -- a passage from the book of Allogenes in, Nag Hammadi Library of Egypt

Lyrics - "Perfect Strangers", By Deep Purple

Can you remember remember my name
As I flow through your life
A thousand oceans I have flown
And cold spirits of ice
All my life
I am the echo of your past

I am returning the echo of a point in time
Distant faces shine
A thousand warriors I have known
And laughing as the spirits appear
All your life
Shadows of another day

And if you hear me talking on the wind
You've got to understand
We must remain
Perfect strangers

I know I must remain inside this silent well of sorrow

A strand of silver hanging through the sky
Touching more than you see
The voice of ages in your mind
Is aching with the dead of the night
Precious life (your tears are lost in
Falling rain)

And if you hear me talking on the wind
You've got to understand
We must remain
Perfect strangers


YouTube Music Video -- Deep Purple: "Perfect Strangers":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEVkcd3tBDY

Petals of Love: The Holy Name of Beloved Lord Radhasoami, and Conduct According to the Radhasoami Faith

 

Petals of Love: The Holy Name of Beloved Lord Radhasoami, and Conduct According to the Radhasoami Faith
 

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

The Concept and the Name of the Supreme Being in the Radhasoami Faith, by Agam Prasad Mathur (Dada Ji), in the book, Petals of Love:

The Radhasoami Faith is essentially a faith of love. Great stress has been laid by its founder leaders on the generation of love for the Supreme Creator, the Supreme Master who is all love. Love is the prime source of boundless energy. Love is bliss, and thus the Supreme Being is Supreme Bliss. Love is Light and Truth and from them emanates intelligence. Thus the Supreme Being is an infinite ocean of bliss, intelligence, energy, truth and light. He is eternal and unchangeable and the sole director of the whole creation. Such a Supreme Being is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. He is all-pervading. The entire universe is the creation of His own current and as such He is present at every stage in the creation. All the religions of the world believe the Supreme Being to be omnipresent and all-pervading that is Sarva Vyapak and Sarva Deshi but Radhasoami Faith like all other Sant sects of the past believes the Supreme Being to be both Sarva Deshi, that is, omnipresent and Ekdeshi, that is, confined to one region. Laying great emphasis upon this point, the second Guru of Radhasoami Faith, Hazur Maharaj says that without accepting Him to be Ekdeshi, it is not possible to translate and elaborate the spirit and to cross the limits of maya and it would be difficult to get admission to His abode which is pure bliss, love and energy......

Radhasoami signifies both the Supreme Being and the original spirit or sound current which emanates from His Holy feet and which is the fundamental factor in the whole creation. The Supreme Being who has manifested Himself as the Creator can be compared with an ocean of bliss, love, truth, energy and sound (shabd). A creative ocean cannot be perceived without commotion or wave. A single wave tends to produce a cumulative effect which results in the continuous flow of waves. The ocean can thus be called the master creator that is Soami and the first original wave as Radha. With the commotion or rise of the wave, a sound also reverberates. That sound is Radhasoami. So it is equivalent to an announcement from the Supreme Being of His own name.

The Radhasoami Faith stands for love. Love has two components -- the lover and the beloved. The Supreme Being is all love and in Him the two components -- the lover and the beloved are manifested in all excellence. The first wave which emanated from the Prime Source is the lover, that is, Radha and the beloved is Prime Source itself, that is, Soami. But as the wave is the chief component of the ocean so Radha is identical and one with Soami.

As has already been explained, Radhasoami is the spiritual resonance reverberating incessantly in the highest region of creation where no mind and matter exist. The original resonance or adi-shabd (first sound) is Soami. Radha is the creative force which emanated from adi-shabd. Radha, being the first creative force, having its source in adi-shabd, and completely identical with it, is known as adi-surat. Radhasoami together signifies the store house of Shabd which is sound and energy both.


Prem Bani (Hymn) from Huzur Maharaj:

Have firm faith in, and reliance on RADHASWAMI.
Radhasoami will accomplish all your tasks.

The Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul]
loves you dearly.
He will redeem you in a moment.
Believe what I say is true.

Know that Radhasoami is your True Beloved.
His heart is overflowing with compassion for souls.
He imparts them his own strength and redeems them.

Have no anxiety or worry in your mind now.

Utter

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

........ every moment.

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

Radhasoami is my most Beloved Lord.


Conduct, By Agam Prasad Mathur, in the Book, Petals of Love:

A true satsangi should in all faith and sincerity adhere to the following edicts:

1. Radhasoami faith is the true religion and Radhasoami is the name of the true Supreme Being.

2. The Sant-satguru of the time is the Supreme Being incarnate. With all love and humility, the devotee should serve him with body, mind and soul. His satsang should be attended with full faith and attention.

3. The true name revealed by the Satguru is Radhasoami. It is Dhunyatmak naam or the supreme resonance of the highest division of creation; all others who have manifested themselves at lower spheres are subordinate to it. Radhasoami as such is the all-pervading spiritual resonance that harmonizes the sounds of different lower regions; hence Radhasoami is the sat-shabd or true holy name.

4. By implanting this true name within one's own self with all love and faith, the sumiran, dhyan and bhajan should be practiced [sumiran/simran: repeating God's Name (Radhasoami), dhyan: visualising the form of one's Sant-satguru/teacher and seeing inner Light; bhajan: meditating upon the inner Sound]. Bhajan or surat-shabd-yoga should be practiced in a secluded place regularly and with all reliance in the grace and mercy of Radhasoami Dayal [the Compassionate Lord of the Soul] and Satguru; whatever is observed and heard should be kept secret and should not be divulged to others under any circumstances.

5. A true satsangi should surrender himself entirely to the mauj [will] of the Satguru. Whatever comes to pass in his life, he should not complain; rather he should take it to be for his good.

6. Animal diet and intoxicants should be totally avoided. Use of rich food and over-eating should also be avoided. The period of sleep should be gradually reduced to six hours a day.

7. Attachment to the worldly people and the material objects should be reduced to the minimum. Worldly thoughts should not be allowed to overpower the mind. The mind and senses should be kept under control. Public and private duties should be performed with mental equanimity.

8. Feeling of pride and vanity in matters of caste, wealth, position and personal qualifications should not be allowed to grow. Love and humility are true virtues or real personal ornaments which should be adopted.

9. Jealousy, antagonism and anger should not be entertained. Time should not be wasted in useless pursuits and gossip. A habit of forgiveness and tolerance should be inculcated.

10. Feeling of love, affection and brotherhood for fellow satsangis should be cultivated. A true desire to fulfill the ideals of bhakti [love and devotion] should be nurtured.

11. Attention should in no case be diverted to activities, customs and functions detrimental to true spiritual pursuits. Fear of worldly gain should not distract the mind from fulfilling the requirements of the faith.

12. Benevolence and charity should be adhered to and a certain portion of the earnings should be spent in parmarthi activities.

13. One should deal with others in the same manner as one would wish others to behave with him. If one is not in a position to do good to others, he should under no circumstances cause any harm to them. Nothing should be done with the motive of gaining name and fame in the world.

14. The spiritual realization, inner secrets of the practice of surat-shabd-yoga [meditation upon the inner Sound of God (Radhasoami)], and inner revelations of His grace and mercy should at no cost be disclosed by a devotee to anybody except the Satguru.

15. Truth should be the guideline in the performance of all activities, spiritual or temporal, for a satsangi. Nothing that falls short of truth should be acceptable to him.

 

 

 

 

A Spiritual Discourse by Shri Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba, Sant Mat Tradition (Bhakti of the Inner Light and Sound of God)

A Spiritual Discourse by Shri Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba, Sant Mat Tradition (Bhakti of the Inner Light and Sound of God)

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

The Sant Mat Society -- A Sant Mat Satsang Discourse

"Shri Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba was very special to Maharishi Mehi and he said many very great things about him. His level is extremely advanced and one certainly can trust his guidance. Maharishi Mehi had his room between Santsevi Ji's room and Bagirath Baba's room. Both tended to him constantly. Bhagirath Baba told us many fascinating stories about his relationship to his Guru. Santsevi Ji and he were good friends." (Spoken by a devotee of Sant Mat)

The following is from the Biography Of Gurusevi Swami Bhagirath Ji Maharaj: Once Gurudev [Maharshi Mehi] had gracefully blessed him saying, "May you live long! Your devotion will be completed in this very birth. People would take you overseas as well. I have given everything to you… etc." One day when Shri Shivanand Baba, a resident of the Ashram came to offer his pranam, Gurudev asked him, "Who would propagate Santmat after me?" With folded hands Shivanand Baba answered, "Whomever would you select for the job, Lord!" Then pointing towards Bhagirath Baba Gurudev said, "He will do it."

.....After the departure of Maharshi Mehi from this world, Bhagirath Baba started his long and hard meditation in the holy cave of Kuppaghat in which Maharshi Mehi had realized the Self and achieved salvation. That continued for about three years. He got some disturbance because of visiting the cave by the devotees. He tolerated it and built a small cave on the bank of river Ganga in the premise of Kuppaghat Aashram. In that cave he started his continuous and unceasing meditation...... After that he started propagation of Santmat on the kind request of Satsangis (Santmat-devotees).

Bhagirath Baba began to initiate seekers since 31st May, 1987. More than 22,000 persons have taken initiation from him so far. His speeches directly touch the hearts of the audience, casts a magical influence upon them. The turban he puts on presents a striking resemblance to Swami Vivekananda who had incarnated to keep the flag of his Guru Swami Ramkrishna Paramahansji Maharaj flying all over the globe. Similarly, Bhagirath Baba, too, is the flag-bearer of Santmat, which was nurtured and propagated by his Guru, Maharshi Mehi Paramhansji Maharaj.

Shri Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba has authored four books that are full of spiritual insight, namely, "Maharshi Mehi ke Dincharya Updesh" (Life and Teachings of Maharshi Mehi) , "Santmat Tatva-Jnaan Bodhini" (Quintessence of Santmat), "Maharshi Mehi Leelamrit", and "Maharshi Mehi Chaitanya Chintan". These all books are in the Bharati language.


NOTE: CHIT OR CHITTA: Lake of the mind wherein are stored all kinds of impressions in the form of memories, it is one of the four facets of manas (mind): Chit, Mana, Buddhi and Ahankar.


Excerpts Below from a Chapter Titled, "Know the Self Through the Self", by Shri Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba

Jeeva-atmaa (the Individual Self or Soul) is the indivisible part of the Supreme Being (i.e. the Universal Soul). In the bondage state it is called the Jeeva. It is also called soul, an indivisible part of the Supreme Sovereign God. Only the individual soul (Jeeva-atmaa) is capable of recognizing itself. When the Self will be realized, only then it will be merged into the Supreme Sovereign God. Then it can be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Besides knowing itself, no other method has been articulated in the holy books and scriptures.

Now the question arises: why this Jeeva-atmaa (individual soul) does not realize itself? What is the reason? For the answer, it can be said that until this Jeeva-atmaa lives no longer dominated by the five organs of actions: hands, feet, mouth, anus, and urethra, and five organs of senses: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin, and four inner organs: Man (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta and Ahamkaar (ego), it can not realize the Self. In other words, until the Jeeva-atmaa transcends these fourteen organs, it is not able to recognize the Self and so it can not realize the Supreme Sovereign God.

The Vedas say: "Om sayojat urugaayasya jootim vrithaa kreedantam mimite na gaavah |
Pareenasam krinute tigma shringo diva harirdadrishe naktamrijrah ||"
English translation: Through this mantra (hymn), the Vedas teach: O people! doing efforts to realize God by the organs like hands, feet, anus, urethra, tongue, ears, eyes, skin, nose, or mind, intellect, etc... is child's-play (deceptive). Because He (the Supreme Sovereign God) can not be realized through those. He is insensible (beyond the reach of organs or senses).

Now it is utmost in importance to know just how does this Jeeva-atmaa leave the thirteen organs out of fourteen organs -- which organ does not leave Jeeva-atmaa, and why it does not leave? For, due to that, the Jeeva-atmaa does not recognize itself and nor does it recognize the Supreme Sovereign God. You see, when we sleep we feel that the hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, etc.... all the organs, are ceasing their works. If any person sitting close by talks to another person [who is falling asleep at the time] they do not hear all the words. They may catch a few words and miss the rest. It means, at that time the power of the organs is converging (accumulating inside), i.e. the organs are stopping their works. This is the initial step of Tandraavasthaa (the state of falling asleep). In Jaagrataavasthaa (the waking state), the Jeeva-atmaa resides between the two eyes [seat of the soul] with all aforesaid fourteen organs. When the Jeeva-atmaa begins to drift down from the middle position of the two eyes [falls asleep, in other words], then organs of action, and organs of senses are left behind. This Jeeva-atmaa comes to the Kantha (throat center) with four inner organs, and until it leaves the throat center again, we visualize the scenes of dreams [in the dream state]. Then when this Jeeva-atmaa begins to drift from the dream state to the deep-sleep state (Sushupti Avasthaa), three more inner organs are left behind. Only one inner organ, Chitta, remains attached with the Jeeva-atmaa in the deep-sleep state. When the Jeeva-atmaa returns back to the Jaagrataavasthaa (waking state) from the Sushupti Avasthaa (deep-sleep state), then we can say that last night we slept soundly.

Brothers! At the time we were in the deep sleep state, we did not have any conscious awareness, so how did we come to know that we slept very soundly? We know it through Chitta, because only this organ alone was with Jeeva-atmaa at that time. This Chitta does not detach from the Jeeva-atmaa because this is the individual (Vayashti) form of the Conscious (Chetan). If it (Chitta) detaches from the Jeeva-atmaa, this Jeeva-atmaa will give up this physical body. That's why Chitta always accompanies the Jeeva-atmaa even in the deep-sleep state. Thus Jeeva-atmaa is habituated to leave company of these thirteen organs routinely. It does indicate that no sooner the Jeeva-atmaa starts to come down from the middle position of two eyes to the dream state, to the deep-sleep state; the organs start to detach gradually and at last, thirteen organs are left behind before entering the deep-sleep state. Only one organ: Chitta, lives with Jeeva-atmaa and this is the reason that Jeeva-atmaa does not recognize itself nor does it realize Supreme Sovereign God.

Moving down from the middle of the two eyes is going towards ignorance, and moving up from the middle of two eyes is going towards Knowledge. Our physical body is divided into two parts, one below the eyes, called Pinda (microcosm), and other is above the eyes, called Brahmaanda (Macrocosm). The Jeeva-atmaa resides with all fourteen organs in the middle of two eyes [seat of the soul] in the 'awakening-state' (Jaagrataavastha). If the Jeeva (also called Jeeva-atmaa) had detached from all these (fourteen organs) it would have realized the Self and then it would have realized the Supreme Sovereign God. For it, it is of the greatest need to reach into the Turiyaa state above the middle of the two eyes. The beginning of the Turiyaa state has been said be the Aajnaa-chakra (the Guru instructs about the Point in between the two eyes where the vision of both unites), and the destination of this is in Kaivalya: the State of Oneness, Pure Consciousness. To enter in this Turiyaa state one needs the highest degree of concentration, because there is rising of consciousness (surat, i.e. khyaal) in concentration and the rising of consciousness causes the breaking of bondages.

[In this world] Jeeva-atmaa is entangled among five material (illusory) objects viz. form, taste, smell, touch and sound or word). These five material objects permeate the world uniformly. But this Jeeva-atmaa does not permeate these five material objects uniformly. It is pervaded in "visible" objects by 83%. For example, if we want to see an object, the mind starts to think naturally of its shape and size. Jeeva-atmaa infiltrates the (material) "hearing" by 14% and 1 and a half percent each of "smell" and "touch" illusory objects. For the concentration of the awareness, one should take the support of a material word, i.e. the alphabetical name of God, i.e. one should do Jap (chanting a mantra of holy name/word). Then one should practice Maanas Dhyaan of a physical divine form related to that alphabetical name/word of God [simran, Manas Jappa]. [Maanas Dhyaan is the process of mentally visualizing the form of Guru or any Divine form of God with eyes closed in meditation as instructed by the Guru.] This practice is done because the nature of this world is that of names and forms.

There are many names of God. Sant Dadu Dayal says:
Original verse in Bharati language:
"Dadu sirjanhaar ke kete naam anant."
English translation: "There is innumerable names of God, the Creator."
Though in truth, God is beyond names. Lord Sadguru Maharshi Mehi speaks,
"Prabhu akath Anaami" (God is Inexpressible and Nameless.)

People have given God many names. This has been articulated by the sants, sages and seers. One name among of the numerous names, which the Guru instructs, should be repeated continuously with great devotion and faith. There are three ways to do Jap. One way is through uttering the word with audible voice, that other persons also hear. This is called "Vaachik Jap". The second way is repeating a name (mantra) in such manner that only we can hear it and others do not. This is called "Upaansu Jap". The third way is repeating a name in such manner that neither our own ears hear nor do others hear it. It is repeated only in the mind without moving the lips, tongue and teeth. This is called Maanas Jap....

Maharshi Mehi has instructed to do Maanas Jap in His prose and poetry composition of 'The Principle Of Santmat'. E.g.: "Every human being is within his or her right to transcend all the layers of nature: darkness, light and sound, through devotion to God by taking recourse to spiritual practices such as Maanas Jap (mentally repeating with eyes closed some holy word instructed secretly by the spiritual preceptor), Maanas Dhyaan (concentration and meditation over some holy figure with eyes closed as instructed secretly by one's spiritual preceptor), Dristi Saadhan (the yoga of inner seeing or Light), and Surat Shabda-Yoga [the yoga of inner hearing or Sound], and to attain salvation through re-identifying with the Supreme. (From, Principles of Santmat, excerpted from Maharshi Mehi's "Padaavali")

The following lines from various poems of Maharshi Mehi's Padaawali shows the noteworthiness of Maanas Jap: "Do the firm constant practice of Maanas Jap instructed by Guru, and do Maanas Dhyaan of the form of Guru." (poem no. 7)
"Do Maanas Jap of the mantra given by Guru and do Maanas Dhyaan of the form of Guru." (poem no. 47)
"Do the practice of Maanas Jap and Maanas Dhyaan of Guru only, i.e. repeat the mantra given by Guru and do the practice of Maanas Dhyaan of Guru's form. Then do the practice of uniting the vision, i.e. do the practice of Bindu Dhyaan (Drishti Yoga or the Yoga of Vision)." (poem no. 94)
"Repeat the very holy mantra in mind and then do Maanas Dhyaan of the form of Guru, the benefactor." (poem no. 97)

The discussion on Maanas Jap has been found in Shri Hariram Das Ji of the Ramsnehi sect, Sant Charan Das Ji, Baba Maluk Das Ji and Sahajo Bai also. For example:
"Man maalaa ghat bheetare, hariya fere koy |
Ferat hi hari paayaye, agam ujaalaa hoy ||"
(-- Shri Hariram Das Ji)
[If one does Maanas Jap within one's body, he gets God, and he receives divine Light within.]

"Man hi man me jaap karee, darapan ujjawal hoy |
Darasan howe raam kaa, timir jay sab khoy ||"
(-- Sant Charan Das Ji)
[When jap is done through mind, Light appears. Then Ram (God) is seen and all the darkness disappears.]

Shri Bhagirath Baba on Spiritual Practice

The practitioner, if he sits for meditation, always must keep his/her head, neck and spinal cord (back) completely straight. The respiration process will naturally become slowed if one sits straight, and thus it is a helping factor in meditation and Jap......

Sants/yogis have fixed times of meditation. Those times are: 1) in the pre-dawn, i.e. three hours before sun rise, 2) after taking a bath during the day [mid day], and 3) during the evening (after the sun sets). Meditation done in these three time is called Trayakaal Sandhyaa (thrice-daily meditation). A practitioner must sit for meditation in these three times, and also should do Maanas Jap (repeating the Guru-instructed mantra), or Maanas Dhyaan (involving mind in visualizing Guru's form inside), while doing worldly work.

In the evening just before going to bed, the practitioner should sit in meditation for two to four minutes and then go to sleep. A practitioner can continue Maanas Jap or Maanas Dhyaan or keep his/her vision straight inside with closed eyes laying in bed.

This practice protects one from terrible, unpleasant dreams, and on the other hand the practitioner can be benefited with the appearance of sages/sants or Satsang in the dream state. The appearance (seeing) of sants/sages in the dream state is an indication of spiritual-upwardness (progress). A meditation practitioner who does meditation in pre-dawn very carefully, should not take a heavy meal in the night. Meals should not be hard-to-digest. Easily digestible meals and that also are light in amount should be taken in the night so that the practitioner can get up early at the pre-dawn time. This habit keeps the body sound and healthy. Most reverent Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi) says, "Sound mind lives in Sound body and worship is done only by the sound mind." So, a practitioner should control his/her meals.

A practitioner should close both eyes and mouth at the time of meditation. If he/she would be speaking and seeing the outer world with open eyes, he/she could not do the practice of meditation. 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. While doing this, neither the lips nor the tongue are oscillated. Instead, the mantra (an alphabetical name given by Guru) is repeated within by the mind. This Jap is actually a kind of meditation. Repeating the mantra through the mind is for the purpose of calling the Ishta ([one's Ideal], tutelary deity, most beloved, Sadguru) near oneself. So, Jaapak (the practitioner who does Jap) should perform Jap with great love. He (Ishta, Guru) becomes happy and merciful if one does Jap with immense love and devotion, and he appears at his desire.

The practitioner who does Jap sitting in a secluded place with the right method and immense love, becomes the excellent devotee. Sant Charan Das says:
"Sakal shiromani naam hai, sab dharman ke maahi |
Ananya bhakta wah jaaniye, sumiran bhoolai naahi ||"

[Name (Jap) is the crown of all and has been described in all creeds. Know that person as the superior devotee who never forgets Jap. ]

By doing Jap, the mind and heart become devotionally pure, morale is uplifted. One gets strength in inner meditation -- Japaat Siddhi (divine power after getting perfection in Jap) is obtained. By doing Jap, so much sanctity begins to flow within the body and mind of the practitioner (Jaapak) that the note or wave of Jap (mantra the practitioner chants) penetrates whatever the practitioner touches.....

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). We see fire-flies (glow-worms: a kind of insect which glows at intervals in the darkness) in the bushes or under a tree. Similar to that, the Jaapak (practitioner) glimpses other visions at the time of Jap. Sometimes the vibration of the mantra which the practitioner repeats, is heard emitting from each small hair of his or her body. The practitioner gets such feelings only when he/she does Jap with strong concentration being dejected from the world. It has been cited in Aranya Kand of Maanas Peeyush (a holy book):

"Mano madhye sthito mantro mantram madhye sthitam manah |
Mano mantram samaayogo jap ityabhidheeyate ||"

[When mantra be merged in the mind, and mind be merged in mantra, such fusion of mind and mantra is called Jap. Most revered Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi) says regarding Jap:
"sarva kshan guru man jaun 'Mehi' rahai ho |
nischay nirvaana hoy sant sab kahai ho ||"

[Maharshi Mehi says, "When the mind remains attached with Guru all the time, he/she gets salvation with certainty -- all the Sants say this. ]
Jap should be incessant like the flow of mustard oil. When a person falls in distress, no one is helpful in the world; even his/her own relatives leave them in that grim situation. If he/she does Jap with great devotion and faith, then calamity (adversity) runs away like fire removes the shivering cold! The practitioner inclines towards asceticism and achieves Japaat Siddhi (power of perfection in Jap). Jap rectifies the erred deeds. Goswami Tulsi Das writes in Ram Charit Maanas, Baal Kand :
"japahi naam jan aarat bhaaree |
Mitahin kusankat hohin sukhaaree ||"

[If the person repeats the name in Jap with love, distress is destroyed and one lives in happiness.]

Jap is capable of accomplishing all desires. Jap purifies the heart infected by lust, greed, anger, affection (illusion), etc... That's why the Guru-instructed mantra is very holy. The practitioner gets purification of heart naturally by practicing Jap. The mantra instructed by Guru is very short in alphabet, but if the practitioner gets perfection in Jap, all the gods and goddesses are bewitched by the power of the practitioner -- Goswami Tulsi Das says:
"mantra param laghu jaasu vash, vidhi hari har sur sarva |
Mahaamatta gajraaj kahan, bas kar ankush kharva ||"

The mantra has the characteristic of attraction. If the practitioner repeats the mantra, and the related form of that mantra is imagined in the mind, then that which is visualized assumes a vague form. Eventually the practitioner comes to see that real form quite clearly in the inner sky during meditation.

--- Shri Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba