Philosophy of Liberation -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat Satsang Quotes, Discourses, Podcasts, and Online Books -- Words of Light and Love for the Spiritual Journey
Announcements
New Book Online
New Sant Mat Book Online: Philosophy Of Liberation (Moksha-Darshan): A Manuel of Sant Mat Mysticism, by Maharishi Mehi -- The Goals and Practices of the Sant Tradition of India -- Translation by Veena Howard -- PDF File:
For Links To Many More Books Online, See the Sant Mat Library:
Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts -- Spiritual Awakening Radio
* PODCAST: Leaving the Matrix -- Mystic Poetry of the Sants with Sitar, Flutes, Tablas, and Tambura --Mysteries of Inner Light and Sound
* PODCAST: The Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India -- These poetry readings, based on translations of Tulsi's poems from Agra, Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Pravesh K. Singh, and the SadGuruMehi website, are musically accompanied with Indian classical ragas
More Recent Podcasts Include:
* Interview with Pravesh K. Singh on Teachings of Maharshi Mehi;
* The Sant Mat Family Tree -- New Guru Lineage Charts of Sant Mat;
* The Heart of Mysticism -- on the Bhakti Element of the Sants of India;
*Going Beyond the Universe: Eclectic Readings from Sants and Gnostics;
Access the Complete Library of Podcasts Here:
"Contrary to what they tell you... you are not a limited material being". (Amit Goswami)
"Without love,
all worship is a burden,
all dancing is a chore,
all music is mere noise.
All the rain of heaven may fall into the sea.
Without love,
not one drop could become a pearl."
-- Rumi
"Sublime is the Satguru and the Society of Saints, meeting and associating with whom, God is meditated upon." (Adi Granth)
"The place where people are always talking about the secrets of the path of Surat Shabd Yoga, is true Satsang." (Huzur Maharaj)
"Yesterday I was clever,
So I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise,
So I am changing myself..."
-- Rumi
(From my website)
Book Review: Philosophy of Liberation
by James Bean
Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha-Darshan)
By Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj
Translated by Veena Howard
Published by the Sant Mat Society of North America
(This book is now online as a PDF File. See link at the top of the page.)
This is the first book in English featuring the teachings of Maharshi Mehi, in the lineage of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib, the famous Saint of Hathras, India. The lineage began with Tulsi. After him were several Gurus, including Baba Devi Sahib. Mehi was the chief disciple and spiritual successor of Baba Devi Sahab. Veena Howard, who was initiated into meditation practice by Mehi, tells me that more writings from this lineage of Masters will soon be published and made available to spiritual seekers in the West. She sometimes gives public talks with an inter-faith perspective, mentioning the parallels between Sant Mat teachings and the mystic schools in the other world religions. Veena is also aware of other Sant Mat and Radhasoami lineages of Masters and seeks to cultivate friendly relations with one and all. I notice the book quotes Soami Ji Maharaj (Shiv Dayal Singh) several times, respectfully referring to him as "Sant Radhaswami Sahib."
Philosophy of Liberation is a intriguing book, providing some surprisingly technical details on the Yoga of Sound -- Surat Shabd Yoga Meditation ("Nadanu Sandhana"), as well as the Yoga of Light, referred to in their terminology as "Drshti Yoga", Yoga of Vision). The book is a bit more Upanishadic than I would have expected, rich with quotes from Hindu scriptures as well as the Sants of India, including from the Ghat Ramayana of Tulsi Sahib. Anyone interested in developing their own successful daily meditation practice will greatly benefit from the wisdom and depth of, "Philosophy of Liberation", as it systematically covers all aspects of the philosophy of the path and the technical details of spiritual practice rarely ever seen in print from any source outside of India. It is not light reading, and that is precisely what I like about it! It is quite literally, THE MANUAL of Sant Mat -- one of the best books ever written about Sant Mat Mysticism.
From the Book.....
One Should Practice Meditation Regularly and Daily
52. To move spiritually upward within one's self, through and beyond the realms, is to progress towards union with the Supreme Sovereign. This practice is devotion to the Supreme Sovereign and is unfailing. This spiritual practice is for attaining the perfect Knowledge of the Self and is also called the Antarik Satsanga (inner effort to meet the Supreme Sovereign).
53. Listening to and study of the discourses on this sacred knowledge is an important step in the Sant Mat tradition. Listening to satsang (spiritual discourses) is prescribed as an essential activity.
54. The personal and private instruction in the art of this spiritual practice should be received from a Satguru (an accomplished spiritual master). Once the technique has been learned, one should practice it regularly and daily according to the instructions given by the master.
55. The transition from the waking state to the dreaming state is automatic and results in mental cares being left with an ensuing sense of relaxation. Similarly, in concentrating the mind and positioning it toward one-pointedness (intense internal transition), mental cares are left behind and a sense of ease pervades.
Concerning this, Kabir Sahab said:
"Hai kucha rahani gahani ki Bata,
Baitha rahe cala puni jata."
"There is something mysterious in such
activity in that in sitting, one walks."
Sant Radhaswami Sahab said:
"Baithe ne rasta kata, calate ne bata na pai"
"He who sat finished the journey; he
who walked could not find the way."
(Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy of Liberation)
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. (From: Glimpses Into Sant Mat Ashram Life: Rishikesh, Sanctuary of Sadhus, Sages and the Occasional Enlightened Master)
"Begin meditation with internally chanting or repeating the Guru-mantra-incantation. 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, 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., try to 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 deliverance, emancipation or liberation." (Couplets of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)
"It is easiest to hear this Sound when it is quiet, particularly at night-time. Once you have identified this Sound, then you place your awareness on it without wavering. Resting your mind in the Sound, you continue to listen, going further and further into the Sound itself." (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Mind Beyond Death)
"The Original Divine Sound, which originated from the Supreme Sovereign, continuously without break reverberates throughout the hearts of the entire macrocosm and microcosm. The Sound will inherently go on for the duration of creation because the evolution of creation depends upon the existence of Sound. Should the Sound cease so would creation." (Maharshi Mehi)
Kabir,
Ram [God] is a beautiful spreading tree;
its fruit is renunciation.
The sage, who has overcome all worries,
is the shade.
Kabir,
plant the seed
that will bear fruit
twelve months a year.
This tree's shade will be cool;
it will burgeon with fruit;
and in it birds will play.
Kabir,
the Giver is a tree,
mercy its fruit,
which blesses all.
When the birds fly away from it,
they say,
"O Tree, may Your Fruit
be ever sweet."
(Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth,
Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)
Ethics and Ahimsa Values
From the Principals of Kabir (and Kabir Panth) Published in the Ahmad Shah Translation of, The Bijak of Kabir
To believe in One Avagat, Satya Purush [One God]. His bhakti should be practiced.
Have faith in the Guru and in his teaching.
True Sadhus should be served.
Show mercy and love towards all Jivas [souls].
To abstain from all kinds of meats.
To abstain from all kinds of intoxicating things.
To abstain from adultery.
No visible object in this world should be worshipped.
Anything offered to images should not be eaten. Everything you get to eat, offer it first to the true God, then eat it.
Do not tell lies.
Do not steal.
Do not gamble.
Do not curse anyone.
Repeat Satya Nam.
Practice bhakti of Satya Purush and preach him.
Do not believe in charms, amulets and other superstitious things (Jantr, Mantr, and Tantras).
Hindus, Muslims and any other sect can join Kabir's religion.
Without the knowledge of Sar Shabd no one can attain salvation.
Abuse, deceit and jealousy are enemies of jiva mukti (salvation, liberation).
Humility is a great virtue.
Whatever troubles you have to face do not ask help from another god, but from God.
Give thanks for the gift of Sat Guru.
Without true love of God the practice of bhakti is fruitless.
To read Sat Guru's words is a great virtue.
One should know the Supreme Spirit.
Living A Spiritual Life This Time Through
"Do the repetition of God [simran of God's Name] and forget Him not. Fulfill the purpose of thy birth by practicing concentration. Be steadfast in the remembrance of God. Practice meditation with love, and sing the glory of God. The human body is the door to salvation. Do the repetitions of God, the Creator of the universe." (Sant Dadu Dayal)
"When a Master initiates a soul he brings to that soul, at that moment, the ability to become conscious of this Sound Current. During all the millions of years we have been wandering around, lost and blind, we have forgotten our true selves and our Maker; we have lost the way (the Sound Current). Now it will be different. We are to meet our Creator through the Sound Current, which keeps creation in being." ("Encyclopaedia of Saints of India, Volume 19: Radhasoami", By Dr. S.R. Bakshi and Dr. Sangh Mittra)
Sitting at the Feet of Sages
Kabir,
you will befriend sages
if that's your fate.
You will receive the fruit of salvation
and there will be no hindrance
on the high and hazardous road.
Kabir,
even if for a minute,
half a minute,
a quarter of a minute,
you talk with sages --
it is all profit.
(Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth,
Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)
It's wood, my friend, nothing but wood.
Take a look, it's all a show of wood.
When you left the womb and entered the world,
The cradle that rocked you was made of wood.
By the time that you reached the age of five,
The toy in your hand was made of wood.
It's wood, my friend, nothing but wood.
Take a look, it's all a show of wood.
By the time you reached the age of twenty,
Your only worry was getting married.
The wedding palanquin was tulasi wood.
By the time you reached the age of forty,
Your only worry was getting old.
By the time you reached the age of sixty,
The cane in your hand was made of wood.
By the time you reached the age of eighty,
Your only worry was leaving this life.
When the men arrived to lift up the stretcher,
The funeral carriage was made of wood.
When they gave you a bath in Ganges' water
And brought your body to the Yamuna's bank,
They put wood below and wood above.
The pyre they built was made of wood.
It burned like the fires that light up Holi,
As they broke your skull with a pole of wood.
Says Kabir: Listen, brother sadhu.
All this play is a show of wood.
It's wood, my friend, nothing but wood.
Take a look, it's all a show of wood.
-- Kabir Poem ("He lakari tu ban lakari"),
Translated by Professor David Lorenzen in,
Praises to a Formless God, SUNY Press, NY
