Inward Journey of the Soul -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Digest of Spiritual Quotes, Satsang Discourses, and Announcements
Pictured Above: Stonehenge Marks Winter Solstice
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Contents Below -- In This Issue/Mailing/Blog/Digest
Holiday Greetings and Happy New Year;
Remembering Ravi Shankar;
Scientists Unveil Quantum Theory of Soul's Existence;
The Teachings of the Masters, by Huzur Baba Sawan Singh;
Passage from, The Inner Journey of the Soul back to its Origin, by George Arnsby Jones;
The Real Stairway to the Suns, Moons, and Stars is Within;
Seven Key Practices of Sant Mat Mysticism, by Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj and Maharshi Mehi;
Conversation between Soul and God, by Dr. Jagessar Das;
Reincarnation: Ages Have Passed Since the Soul Arrived Here in this World;
Your Beloved is Awaiting You There, by Swami Ji Maharaj;
Our Aim Is God, by Kirpal Singh;
Third Eye Door of Heaven -- True Peace Can Be Found Only in the Regions Above the Eye-centre;
A Journey to the Stars from, "The Beloved Master", by Bhadra Sena;
Also Mystic Verses from: Kabir, Namdev, Tukarama, Maharshi Mehi, Swami Ji Maharaj (Sar Bachan Poetry Volumes), Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram), Mirabai, Anurag Sagar of Dharamdas, Dariya Sahib of Bihar, and, The Teachings of Silvanus (Gnostic book from the Nag Hammadi Library);
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These Solstice-related holidays have the theme of the return of Light or miracles associated with the Renewal or Incarnation of the Light in the physical plane.
Happy Holidays of Light and May the New Year Bring Much Wisdom.
James,
Sant Mat Satsang Society
Sant Mat Fellowship
Spiritual Awakening Radio
"For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." (Carl Sagan)
In Remembrance of Ravi Shankar
"In our culture we have such respect for musical instruments, they are like part of God." (Ravi Shankar)
Once Shankar was amused after he and colleague Ustad Ali Akbar Khan were greeted with admiring applause when they opened the Concert for Bangladesh by tuning their sitar and sarod for a minute and a half. He said, "If you like our tuning so much, I hope you will enjoy the playing more."
"You can not just brush the surface of a culture and pretend that you've found an answer. We must turn inward to the deepest of our own roots to find the very best of who we are." (Ravi Shankar)
"I believe in Nada Brahma -- the Sound is God." (Ravi Shankar)
Scientists Unveil Quantum Theory of Soul's Existence
London: A near-death experience occurs when quantum substances which form the soul leave the nervous system and enter the universe at large, according to a ground-breaking theory proposed by two eminent scientists.
According to this idea, consciousness is a programme for a quantum computer in the brain which can persist in the universe even after death, explaining the perceptions of those who have near-death experiences.
Dr. Stuart Hameroff, Professor Emeritus at the Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychology and the Director of the Centre of Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona, has advanced the quasi-religious theory, the Daily Mail reported.
It is based on a quantum theory of consciousness he and British physicist Sir Roger Penrose have developed which holds that the essence of our soul is contained inside structures called micro-tubules within brain cells.
They have argued that our experience of consciousness is the result of quantum gravity effects in these micro-tubules, a theory which they dubbed orchestrated objective reduction.
Thus it is held that our souls are more than the interaction of neurons in the brain. They are in fact constructed from the very fabric of the universe -- and may have existed since the beginning of time.
The concept is similar to the Buddhist and Hindu belief that consciousness is an integral part of the universe -- and indeed that it is really all there may be, a position similar to Western philosophical idealism, the paper said.
With these beliefs, Hameroff holds that in a near-death experience the micro-tubules lose their quantum state, but the information within them is not destroyed. Instead it merely leaves the body and returns to the cosmos.
"Let's say the heart stops beating, the blood stops flowing, the micro-tubules lose their quantum state. The quantum information within the micro-tubules is not destroyed, it can't be destroyed, it just distributes and dissipates to the universe at large," Hameroff told the Science Channel's 'Through the Wormhole' documentary.
"If the patient is resuscitated, revived, this quantum information can go back into the micro-tubules and the patient says 'I had a near death experience'," Hameroff said.
"If they're not revived, and the patient dies, it's possible that this quantum information can exist outside the body, perhaps indefinitely, as a soul," Hameroff added.
O my heart! the Supreme Spirit, the great Master, is near you:
wake, oh wake!
Run to the feet of your Beloved: for your Lord stands near to your head.
You have slept for unnumbered ages; this morning will you not
wake? ("Songs of Kabir")
The Teachings of the Masters, by Huzur Baba Sawan Singh
"Radha (soul), Swami (Creator), Surat (soul), Shabd or Sound Current (Creator) -- mean that the soul is to merge with the Supreme Creator, just as a drop which joins the ocean becomes the ocean. Sant Mat is common to all the sages of the world who attain the highest region. It is a natural science. It is complete in every human being, no matter to what country, tribe or religion he belongs. When the Supreme Creator is One, and the structure of human beings is the same everywhere, then how is it possible that there should be a different way for Hindus, a different way for Mohammedans and a still different way for Christians? The sages who went to the highest region had the same ideal or goal and, although their writings were in different languages, yet they were not bound by any religion or creed. They come to the world under the orders of the Supreme Being and their mission is not to create a new religion. Their mission is only to release the prisoners (bound in the cycle of births and deaths) by means of Shabd or Sound Current, and take them to the highest region. If we read their teachings with care, then we shall find that they are above all religions; that they liberate us from the shackles of religion and give us everlasting Bliss. There is no doubt that the teachings are explained in some language or other, in their books, but the real Path on which they take their disciples is beyond speech and writing. As is said by Guru Nanak in the Holy Granth, "It is seeing without eyes, hearing without ears, walking without feet, working without hands and dying a living death after recognizing the Sound Current." This means that the Reality cannot be seen with these material eyes. It cannot be heard with these material ears. It cannot be explained with this physical tongue. It cannot be described.....
"The teaching of the Masters aims to release the souls which have been imprisoned for in numerable ages and births, to free them from the shackles of religion and castes, to take them to Everlasting Bliss and to merge them back in their Source, the Supreme Being." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)
According to the teachings of the mystic adepts, there are seven cosmic islands and nine immense divisions in our universe of universes. These divisions, "Mansions in the Father's House," maybe conveniently divided into four Grand Divisions of the cosmic scheme of creation:
1. The purely spiritual region;
2. The spirito-material region;
3. The materio-spiritual region;
4. The material region. The mystic adepts inform us that the exploration of the inner realms (consisting of the first three Grand Divisions) is the heritage of each soul, and if we do not go within and traverse these regions the fault is ours.
-- George Arnsby Jones, The Inner Journey of the Soul back to its Origin
The Real Stairway to the Suns, Moons, and Stars is Within
"The initiate rises on a pulsating star-studded path leading forward and upward and consisting of numerous suns, moons and stars that become visible and disappear again." (Sant Kirpal Singh, The Soul's Journey)
"On the natural way everyone will first see Light. This will first be stationary, then brighter and will burst to give way for one to pass through it and up. One may see scenes, figures, colours, etc., but to stay long with them will only delay spiritual progress. One usually has to cross the sun, moon or stars, but they give way in similar manner to allow one to pass onwards." (Sant Kirpal Singh, Spiritual Elixir)
Seven Key Practices of Sant Mat Mysticism, by Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj
In these four parts of Satsang Yoga there is an extensive elaboration of the following subjects: Jiva (individual soul), Braham (Supreme God), Prakrti (Nature) Bandha and Moksha (bondage and release), the realization of the Supreme Sovereign God and the importance of moral conduct of behavior, etc. God is realized in one's own self, therefore, the inner practice (meditation) is absolutely essential. Within the work is depicted the systematic practices of Manas Jap [Simran, Zikhr], Manas Dhyan, Drishti Yoga [Inner Vision/Light], and Surat-Shabda-Yoga [Inner Hearing/Sound] through which the Supreme Sovereign is realized. In addition, the work prescribes moral rectitude or leaving the acts of untruth, stealing, use of intoxicating drugs, violence, and adultery.
We can summarize the essence of this work in the words of our great Master Maharishi Mehi:
"In these four parts of Satsang-Yoga, the practice of devotion and striving for Liberation require seven means which are of paramount importance: 1) Satsang (association with the Saints which includes the study of their writings and Scriptures), 2) selfless service of the spiritual Master [seva], 3) extreme love for God [Bhakti], 4) moral rectitude, 5) purity of the heart, 6) Japa (repetition of the Divine name [simran]) and 7) Dhyana (meditation). In the practice of meditation -- both gross and subtle meditations are described. In subtle meditation -- the meditation of the bindu (point) -- the meditation of Light -- Drishti Yoga (the Yoga of vision) and Nadanusandhana (the meditation of Sound) -- Surat-Shabda-Yoga (the Yoga of Sound) are described."
"Pierce through the six chakras, and ascend upwards. Listen to the Melody Divine arising there. Through the Melody, the turbulent mind is quelled. Realize that only thus is thy practice made fruitful. Listen to the heavenly Music and attain liberation while still living. It is your Music I hear O Lord. The rhythm of Drums, Jantar, and Vina. The supreme moment has come." (Sant Namdev)
"This is a boundless hemisphere, unfathomable and endless. Rarely, through proper technique, can someone cross it. It is known only to the connoisseur Satguru, and to those to whom he reveals it. Gems, diamonds and all the Light are shown by him close by. It is only an intoxicated devotee, a lover of the Saint, who will practice such a discipline of the Sound Current, says Dariya." (Shabd of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar)
"Only the connoisseur, who will test the Shabda, and listen to the Teachings with full attention, and within whom these Teachings will dwell, only he will understand this. He within whom the Sun of Knowledge will manifest and remove the darkness of attachment -- only he will understand this. I am telling you this Anurag Sagar (Ocean of Love) -- only rare saints will understand." (Anurag Sagar of Kabir and Sant Dharamdas)
"Enduring pleasure and pain, drowned in the great ocean of doubt, you shall wander in numerous reincarnations. You have lost the jewel of human birth by forgetting God; when will you have such an opportunity again? You turn on the wheel of reincarnation, like an ox at the oil-press; the night of your life passes away without salvation. Says Kabir, without the Name of the Lord, you shall pound your head, and regret and repent."
Oh my mind! Be in love with God! You will not get a second chance like this, once it has gone. Do not be fooled by seeing this beautiful body; it is like a castle made of sand. Happiness and wealth of this world are transient, just as dewdrops on the grass. Earnestly do that by which you can obtain the Eternal goal. It is the guru's tradition that whoever comes to his refuge is liberated. Kabir says, "O brother sadhu, listen to me! You will be victorious over the cycle of births." (Kabir Bhajan Amritam, Devotional Bhajans of Satguru Kabir, translated by Dr. Jagessar Das, Kabir Association)
Conversation between Soul and God
Soul: I am in the world, God, and I feel lost.
God: But you are in My world!
Soul: How come I do not see you then?
God: You cannot see me because you are looking outside. I am in you.
Soul: How am I to find you? My senses can perceive outside only.
God: To find me you do not need your senses.
Soul: Then tell me what I need to do to find you.
God: Put all your senses to rest and go into deep silence.
Soul: How can silence help me to find you?
God: Silence is my language, and Spirit is my being.
Soul: How will I know that I have found you?
God: You are Spirit and I am Spirit. You will know me when you experience that you are Spirit. Then you will see that we are one.
Soul: Will that take away the feeling that I am lost in the world?
God: Certainly! You see, I am not lost. I am everywhere. You feel lost when you are busy in worldly pursuits only. Know me and we will always be together! (J. Das, Kabir Association)
Contemplating God In Meditation According to Sant Tukarama: "We must forget bodily consciousness like a deer which is infatuated by music. We must look up to God, as the young ones of a tortoise look up to their mother." "As a fountain rises upwards, even so must one's spirit rise to God. One should entertain no idea whatsoever, except that of God." (Tukaram, by R.D. Ranade)
"My mind, birth after birth,
lost in slumber,
Awoke on hearing the Sound
my Master gave."
-- Mira Bai
Reincarnation: Ages Have Passed Since the Soul Arrived Here in this World
The soul (jiva) as well as his Creator, both are in the human frame (pinda). The soul is not required to search for his Creator anywhere else. Ages have passed since the soul arrived here in this world. His attention having been diverted by the objects of Maya [illusion], he has lost all knowledge of his Creator. If he now gets the company of the Satguru, hears His discourses attentively, ruminates upon them, and performs the spiritual practices (abhyas) taught by Him, then, of course, he can have vision (darshan) of the Creator within himself.
(Huzur Maharaj, "Prem Updesh Radhaswami")
A disciple asks the Satguru:
When, according to the Saints, Shabd [the inner Light and Sound Current] is everywhere and is the Creator of all things, and even the soul itself is a part of the Shabd, why is it that the Surat (Soul) does not catch that Shabd?
The Satguru replies:
In reality, the Shabd is all-pervading; but since the soul's descent into Pinda (the physical realm), it has acquired an outward tendency and has become engrossed in external sounds. But for that, the work of the world could not go on. Now, the soul cannot get at the Shabd within until it comes in contact with a perfect Satguru and submits to Him. By depending on parents, the soul has become ensnared in this world. When it submits itself to the Satguru and Satsang, it will come out from the snares of this world.
-- Soami Ji Maharaj, "Sar Bachan Prose"
Without Shabd humanity has gone blind --
who will cut them free of their bonds of attachment?
Without Shabd all activity is futile;
deprived of Shabd the soul is shackled with chains.
Shabd has created the sun and the moon;
without the touch of Shabd the soul remains tainted.
Other than Shabd practice all counsel is bad counsel,
for Shabd itself is the best preacher, itself the best sermon.
If you practice Shabd, you will receive bliss;
without Shabd all are condemned.
So you should practice Shabd day and night,
and contemplate nothing but Shabd.
Obtain the secret of Shabd from the Master,
then merge yourself into that Shabd.
The Light of Shabd shines within --
look into the world of Shabd
through the window of your heart.
Shabd sustains all souls
and yet remains detached.
Know that Shabd is the essence of everything --
adopt the Path of Shabd and attain salvation.
My friend, apply yourself to the practice of Shabd
and defeat Kal with the might of Shabd.
Reach the harbor of Shabd in your own heart
and see your Beloved, whose real form is Shabd,
nothing but Shabd.
Shabd will repeal the decree of karma,
Guru's Shabd will unite you with the primal Shabd.
Without Shabd all knowledge is deception,
without Shabd all contemplation is fruitless.
Do not abandon the path of Shabd, 0 thoughtless one --
so Radhasoami explains to you.
-- Swami Ji Maharaj, "Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry", Volume One
Our Aim Is God
We must constantly
remember our aim
is God.
And we must
not be concerned
with anything
that makes us
forget Him.
-- Kirpal Singh
"O Humanity! Having assumed this human form, cultivate love for God. Reducing all your actions and virtuous deeds to ashes, the Lord will cause you to be delivered from the ocean of this world. You will go to that realm where the Lord is present. Then alone you shall experience love for Him. Without love there is no devotion, and so let there be true love.
"Through the central Point between the two eyebrows [third eye], enter within your body, going beyond gross, subtle, causal, and supra-causal spheres. And finally, reaching the very seat of Kaivalya [Oneness], get detached from all these five coverings of your body [and subtle bodies]. Seeking the assistance of the Light and Sound of God and the Quintessential Word, merge yourself with the Quintessential Sound to be at one with the Lord. Mehi says, Your efforts inside your body will make you so subtle that you will be able to go beyond these five bodies. This is called the real devotion, which you always must focus on as your ideal or goal." (Maharshi Mehi)
Third Eye Door of Heaven -- True Peace Can Be Found Only in the Regions Above the Eye-centre
"On the earth plane, our soul has three states of being -- wakefulness, dream and slumber. The tenth gateway, however, leads to a state of super-consciousness known as Turiya.* [*Turiyapad: another name for Sahansdal Kanwal. The state of superconsciousness, where the soul makes its first contact with the Real Shabd.] This lies beyond the experience and comprehension of ordinary mortals. So long as we are awake, the soul occupies a position in the middle of the forehead, between the two eyes. Thus even a blind man, if you call him, will answer by exerting pressure at this centre. In the dream state the soul lies at a point in the throat, while in slumber it falls to the navel. Just as the farther we are from light the darker does it appear, so also dreams, which come when the soul has fallen from its refulgent position in the forehead, are vague and incomplete. The spirit cannot function normally and our experiences are chaotic. One may see a head but no feet; or the feet may be visible and the head invisible. In the state of deep sleep, the soul drops still lower to the navel, and coarse covers envelop it. Those who practice pranayam (the science of breath control) do so at this low navel centre. True peace can be found only in the regions above the eye-centre. As you draw nearer this centre, you feel greater peace descending upon you, exactly as you begin to get a cooling sensation when you are climbing a mountain and begin to approach the summit. That is why the mind and soul must be fixed and made motionless at the eye centre. As soon as this is done, the current of consciousness in the entire physical body will withdraw and collect at that centre and the body will become senseless." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)
"Knock on yourself as upon a door, and walk upon yourself as on a straight road. For if you walk on the road, it is impossible for you to go astray. And if you knock with this one (Wisdom), you knock on hidden treasures..... My son, do not allow your mind to stare downward, but rather, let it look by means of the Light at things above. For the Light will always come from above. Even if it (the mind) is upon the earth, let it seek to pursue the things above. Enlighten your mind with the Light of heaven, so that you may turn to the Light of heaven." (The Teachings of Silvanus, in, The Nag Hammadi Library -- one of the Gnostic texts from Egypt)
"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." (Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj)
Your Beloved is Awaiting You There, by Swami Ji Maharaj
O friend! Raise your Surat to Gagan [mystic sky], and be free from all fears, doubts and misgivings.
Leave this house and go to the mosque at higher regions. Hear the Bang [inner Sound], and meditate upon the One who is undecaying and unconquered.
Enjoy the bliss of Naam. This is the gist of Guru's teachings. Sing wondrous songs to the accompaniment of music of Shabd.
Let your mind remain absorbed, adopting the ways of Guru. Cultivate love for Him.
Conquer and disperse the forces of Kal and Karam, and cast off delusions.
Hear the Sound in Sunn, free from Maya. Receive Prashad from Sants.
Adopt the Saran of Radhasoami. Make elixir of Naam internally.
O Sakhi (friend)! Come and take your seat in the palace. Your Beloved is awaiting you there.
Enjoy bliss. Run away from the world. Sit on the throne and reign.
Join the assembly of Hansas, and accomplish your task.
Give up all other considerations, and seize Guru's Holy Feet. Clean the mirror of your heart.
Sift and winnow the grain of Dhun (Sound), in the winnowing basket of Surat and Nirat.
Thank your great good fortune that you have got all the accoutrements. Sat Guru has bestowed on you the Crown and the Throne.
All the three worlds stand exposed before you. You will rise to the fourth Lok and enjoy the happiness of sovereignty.
As you are a recipient of this gift of Radhasoami, nothing detrimental can happen to you anymore. (Swami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Radhaswami Poetry, Volume One)
A Journey to the Stars
Once, Darshan, the son of S. Kirpal Singh, when five years old, went to Hazur and requested that he be blessed with Naam (initiation into the Path of Spirituality). Hazur said, "All right, I shall give a very sweet Naam." He then called for some sweets and gave the same to him. The child would not have any of them and said, "Sir, I do not want sweets. Kindly give me that Naam, which my father practices." Hazur agreed. In the afternoon, he asked the child to sit before him and bade him to close his eyes, and see within, and tell him what he saw. The child did as directed, and said, "I see Light in the firmament -- I am crossing the Sky..." As the child was proceeding on the inner plane, Hazur said, "What do you see now?" The child said, "Stars." Hazur smiled and said, "This is sufficient for you at this stage."
After the child had got this spiritual experience, he ran straight to his father, and said, "Father, father, I have got initiation up to the stars. How far have you got it?"
This is just one example of Hazur's unbounded grace. ("The Beloved Master", by Bhadra Sena)
"Don't let yourself be controlled by these three things: your past, people, and money." (Wilson Kanadi)
