Requirements for Initiation
The Sant Mat Quote of the Day:
"You can’t read your way to enlightenment." -- Stephan Hoeller
The focus of the bhakti Sants of India is not on constructing earthly temples, building organizational structures, or temples of the mind. Rather, they guide their students into entering the Temple of the Spirit. The Portal or Doorway to this Temple is within, at the Third Eye Center.
"Do not cease seeking day or night until you find the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Light, which will purify you, make you into pure Light and lead you into the Kingdom of the Light." -- Yeshua, Book of Faith Wisdom (Pistis Sophia)
"What your own eyes cannot see, your human ears do not hear, your physical hands can not touch, and what is inconceivable to the human mind -- that I will give to you!" -- Yeshua, Gospel of Thomas, Lynn Bauman, White Cloud Press
Being properly initiated into the secrets of meditation by a living Master is the beginning of the Inward Journey. Then, go and do the meditation.
The Five Precepts of Sant Mat (a Spiritual Way of Life)
Masters say: "An intense longing to meet the Lord during one's lifetime is the first and foremost qualification for Initiation. 'Seek, and ye shall find', is the principle."
At the time of Initiation one vows to practice meditation each day. The spiritual path is a life-long commitment.
. Moral Requirements for Initiation
1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs;
2. Non-Violence (Ahimsa 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/life-partner;
. 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.
Initiation into Inner Light and Sound Meditation
In the Sant tradition the complete methods of meditation practice are communicated at the time of Initiation (Diksha) by a living Master (Sant Satguru) or by a representative of a Master. A living Teacher, being fully acquainted with the 'landscape' of Inner Space, is able to impart to initiate-candidates valuable guidance on how to safely make the journey of ascension to the Inner Regions during meditation practice within. This kind of spiritual transmission and the details of Surat Shabd Yoga practice are not found in books, old scriptures of the past, and are not for sale, but are given freely to seekers by a living Teacher.
Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj: "What is the place to be reached? When we close our eyes and see darkness, this is the realm of ignorance. When the Light dawns within you, then you understand that you reside in noble regions. In darkness resides ignorance and in Light resides Knowledge. For example, as we are sitting in light right now we are able to see one another. However, if the electric power goes out ensuing total darkness we will not be able to see others. We will not even be aware of other people, coming and going. In this analogy Light signifies knowledge and darkness signifies ignorance. In the same manner when we see darkness with our eyes closed, we are in the realm of death and re-birth [we are unaware of our true nature]. When we come out of the realm of darkness and enter into the realm of Light, we will at the same time transcend the web of death. It is not possible that we can remain in darkness and be free from the net of birth and death. Having achieved inner Light we can be liberated from the cycle of birth and death."
