(Recent shows include the Mystic Poetry of Darshan Singh: Love's Last Madness, Parts 1 and 2; in December, a Five-part series devoted to the poetry of Rumi and other Sufi poet mystics; and there are programs focused on Kabir, Sawan Singh, Tulsi Sahib, Dariya Sahib, Dadu Dayal, Guru Nanak, Namdev, Jesus/Yeshua, Gnostic Gospels, Vegetarianism-Vegan Diet, Surat Shabd Yoga/Inner Light and Sound Meditation including in the various world scriptures and schools of mystics.)
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2014 is Going to be a Great Year For Rare Books From India Becoming Available in English
The term "Satsang" means Association ("Sang") with the Eternal Truth or God ("Sat"). In this Path of the Masters -- the Way of the Lover and the Beloved -- there are three levels of Satsang:
(1) The First Level of Satsang is Association with God. This refers to experiencing union with God directly via meditation.
(2) The Second Level of Satsang is Association with the Saints: meditating at the feet of a Living Master-Teacher, receiving instruction and guidance from them, and generally, associating with other devotees or initiates on the Path.
(3) The Third Level of Satsang is Association with the Writings of Sages and Saints. This refers to the study of the writings of living, recent, and past enlightened Masters, and their disciples. Nowadays, this not only refers to the study of "hard copy" books, but also e-books, videos, MP3 recordings of Masters, and excerpts from the writings of Master-Souls posted online.
Not that we have to be "bookish" or read large amounts, but it is good to read something each day -- prose and poetry from spiritual Masters, even if it's only a few paragraphs. It's a good practice to read something and then meditate. This is our daily spiritual time or home satsang.
Am looking forward to sharing these great writings of Masters (Sant Satgurus) that are becoming available.
Swami Vyasanand Ji Maharaj has a new book called Inner Journey of the Soul, which is extremely impressive. Have heard so many good things about this book, which has been in Hindi for some time, and now those of us in the English world get to finally see it. It's currently in the editing and proof-reading stage. Those who have studied the teachings of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj and the others associated with Maharshi Mehi Ashram and related ashrams will no doubt greatly value the wisdom about meditation practice and Sant Mat to be found in this book, a collection of living satsang discourses.
I noticed a collection of newly translated articles in English the other day at the Sant Dariya Mission website, and those are very very nice, providing much valuable instruction and guidance. Like Kirpal Singh, Sawan Singh, Soami Ji Maharaj, Huzur Maharaj Rai Saligram, Tulsi Sahib, and Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, Dariya Sahib was a major figure in this Path of Inner Light and Sound meditation and a prolific writer. We can, in a sense, travel time by way of the written word and soak in the wisdom of these great enlightened souls of past generations.
Pravesh K. Singh has slowly been translating into English the Padavali of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, which is a great collection of hymns somewhat similar to the Sar Bachan Radhasoami poetry of Soami Ji, reading like other-worldly mystical poems relating to experiences one may encounter in the various inner regions or levels during meditation practice.
Agra is a great center for Sant Mat and the Radhasoami Faith, holding not only one but several treasure-troves of Master-books and libraries, all very impressive and becoming more available these days, including the many amazing volumes of M.G. Gupta.
For classic Sant material, including mystic poetry, there is a new section of Tulsi Sahib's Ghat Ramayan that has been published, also the complete Brahmn Nirupan of Guru Kabir, and hopefully soon the final volume of the Bijak of Kabir will become available. The Bijak is a major text and true satsang template used in satsangs for centuries in India, a valuable instruction manual covering ethical precepts and living a spiritual life.
2014 is looking like a great year for new books for the serious spiritual seeker. These are not light reading, and that is precisely what I like about them! Stay tuned.
Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Jai Guru, SatyaRaam, Jai Sat Naam, Radhasoami,
James
"The Seeker after Truth in search of Truth visits many places, but after finding those places to be completely devoid of any worth, he sees the world as devoid of charm and dry. When he finds the True Master he feels like a hungry man when he gets food and a thirsty person when he gets water." (Dayal Sahab, Prem Prabhakar Magazine)
"Many lifetimes of good karmas lead to satsang (spiritual teaching). Many lifetimes of satsang results in the attainment of a Sat Guru (an accomplished teacher), and many lifetimes of serving a Sant leads to attaining the world-fear-dispelling mantra of such a true teacher." (Swami Vyasanand Ji Maharaj, "Inner Journey of the Soul")
"During meditation a practitioner experiences various obstacles, many imaginary experiences, as well as many mental sensations and thoughts, all of which give rise to doubts. The practitioner is unable to determine the validity of these experiences, and, therefore, seeks the help of the teacher. The false inexperienced guru won't be able to remove these doubts of the student but in fact may create even more confusion in the student. The false teachers themselves do not know the inner path nor understand the students’ dilemma. They cannot tell if the student is making progress or going backward. The untrue guru has no way of knowing. In this way the student becomes unsure and confused on the path of meditation. This is fully the responsibility of the 'guru' to assist when the student begins to stray from the path of meditation.
"To show the students the correct path, to help them increase their inner strength, to give them good advice, to keep them on the right path, to assist them when in need, to protect them from obstacles, to bring them to the right path even using sternness or harsh treatment, these are the responsibilities of a true teacher. It is the teachers' responsibility to see the student' success in the journey from the beginning to the end. Therefore, a student needs to seek the teachers’ advice throughout his life." (Swami Vyasanand Ji Maharaj, "Inner Journey of the Soul")
"Meditation is the key for opening the doors of Mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves." -- 'Abdu'l-Baha'
"It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the Light breaks forth and the reality is revealed." -- 'Abdu'l-Baha'
"Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit -- the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation." -- 'Abdu'l-Baha'
"Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light-years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual...The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both." -- Carl Sagan
Spiritual Consciousness Studies: A Scientific Essay of Structural Changes in the Brain During Meditation, by Prema Verma (Summarized Below)
"Meditation is the process of uniting the Spirit-force with the spiritual Sound Current. Meditation alters electric key impulses in the brain and can change the workings and structure of our brain. Scientists have embraced the concept of ongoing brain development and "neuroplasticity". The working of the brain can be seen through an electroencephalogram and structure of the brain can be observed through a MRI. A calm mind alone can be directed to meditation and through meditation we attain spiritual enlightenment. When the mind is focused in single-pointed concentration, upon a mantra (words symbol), then thought ultimately dissolves into silence, and then into the enlightened state of thoughtlessness. There are twelve apertures in the brain, which provide the means for communion with the six sub-divisions of Brahmand and with the six sub-divisions of the purely spiritual region. The apertures pertaining to Brahmand are found in the grey matter, and apertures pertaining to the purely spiritual region are found in white matter. The study was made on ten volunteers -- five control and five meditating persons who regularly practice meditation for a duration of six hours per week for at least four months. The effect of meditation is observed on the respiratory and heart rates. Both tend to decrease with meditation. The thickness of grey matter is higher in the meditating persons vis-a'-vis the non-meditating persons." (Spircon 2010 Radhasoami Book, Agra)
Quantum Consciousness & Inner Light and Sound Meditation
"Quantum neuro-physicists also believe that the several layers of the brain can host quantum processes, whose quantum properties can effectively explain the dynamics of cognitive consciousness. They conceptualize the human brain as a macroscopic quantum system made up of sub-atomic structures such as microtubules which lie inside the neuron, and which contain quasi-crystalline water molecules that again lend themselves to quantum effects.
"In the discipline of theology (Science of religion) too, following the architect and biomechanics of human brain, one can easily acknowledge the dynamic possibility of exciting, inducing or setting kinetic these quantum conscious neurons through the performance of concentration meditation practices, prescribed as 'SURAT-SHABDA' yoga in the religion of saints (more precisely in Sant Mat: Radhasoami Faith) for the awakening of a fairly dormant conscious-spiritual dynamics inside a human mind/brain and transforming it into an enlightened quantum brain."
-- Quantum Consciousness: A Scientific Theological Perspective of Sant Mat (Religion of Saints: Radhasoami Faith), by Sanjay Bhushan and Saurabh Mani
Sant Mat: The Path to Spiritual Consciousness, By Anand Rao
"Consciousness is the quality or state of being aware of an external object or something within one’s self. It is a person’s subjective experience of the world and the mind. Earlier scientists worked with external experience in physical space and this consciousness developed concepts of external objects and processes. Mind is a parameter of the inner worlds and Consciousness of inner worlds leads to Eternal Happiness. This paper, starting with simple explanations of Religion and Sant Mat, attempts to show that the consciousness of the matters of the inner world/worlds depend upon the spiritual advancement and with proper meditational practices one may achieve Ultimate Spiritual Consciousness and enjoy everlasting Supreme Bliss, Supreme Energy, Supreme Intelligence, and Supreme Refulgence of the Supreme Being. Sant Mat teaches simple and easy Meditational Practices within the easy reach of all human beings, to achieve Ultimate Spiritual Consciousness." -- Spircon 2013 Book of Abstracts:
Scientists Offer Quantum Theory of Soul's Existence
World-renowned quantum scientists say they can prove the existence of the soul.
American Dr. Stuart Hameroff and British physicist Sir Roger Penrose developed a quantum theory of consciousness asserting that our souls are contained inside structures called microtubules which live within our brain cells.
Their idea stems from the notion of the brain as a biological computer, "with 100 billion neurons and their axonal firings and synaptic connections acting as information networks".
Dr. Hameroff, Professor Emeritus at the Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychology and Director of the Centre of Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona, and Sir Roger have been working on the theory since 1996.
They argue that our experience of consciousness is the result of quantum gravity effects inside these microtubules -- a process they call orchestrated objective reduction (Orch-OR).
In a near-death experience the microtubules lose their quantum state, but the information within them is not destroyed. Or in layman's terms, the soul does not die but returns to the universe.
Dr. Hameroff explained the theory at length in the Morgan Freeman-narrated documentary Through the Wormhole, which aired in the US by the Science Channel.
"'Let's say the heart stops beating, the blood stops flowing, the microtubules lose their quantum state," Dr. Hameroff said.
"The quantum information within the microtubules is not destroyed, it can't be destroyed, it just distributes and dissipates to the universe at large.
'If the patient is resuscitated, revived, this quantum information can go back into the microtubules and the patient says, "I had a near death experience".'
In the event of the patient's death, it was "possible that this quantum information can exist outside the body indefinitely -- as a soul".
Dr. Hameroff believes new findings about the role quantum physics plays in biological processes, such as the navigation of birds, adds weight to the theory.
Scientists Unveil Quantum Theory of Soul's Existence (More)
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 microtubules within brain cells.
They have argued that our experience of consciousness is the result of quantum gravity effects in these microtubules, a theory which they dubbed orchestrated objective reduction (Orch-OR).
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 microtubules 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 microtubules lose their quantum state. The quantum information within the microtubules 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 microtubules 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.
"My prophet (the Divine Light) lives in my eyes. When I focus between my eyebrows [third eye center] I see the Light of God. I live in this Inner Space of my heart. Therein resounds the Celestial Music of the stringed instrument. My Beloved is always with me and takes me to the Palace of the Divine Sound." (Kabir)
The Benefits of Simran Are Immense for This Life and in the Life Beyond -- Naam Simran, the Practice of Remembering God by Mentally Repeating/Chanting A Sacred Name or Names of God
((((("Naam is a great medicine to cure all kinds of ills in this samsara [world of changes]. Sumiran (Simran) of the holy name subdues the mind and leads to concentration. Putting the mind at ease and and cultivating peace cures many physical and mental diseases.")))))
(The following is a spiritual discourse from the Satsang of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar courtesy of the Sant Dariya Mission website, a great website of the Sant Mat tradition of India offering much wisdom about this Path of the Masters.)
"There are many kinds of Sadhana (spiritual practices) to realize God. The question is which is the simplest and most suitable for the average person. Many have realized God by repeating the name of the Lord. The Master gives the Name at the time of initiation. Lord Shiva has achieved immortality by repeating the holy name of the Lord. Savage Balmiki has become god-like by repeating the holy name. The power of the holy name is beyond description. In the Ramayan, Saint Tulsi Das has said that holy name of the Lord is more powerful than the Lord Himself. In the Gita Lord Krishna has said that amongst all the Yagyas, Jap Yagya is the greatest.
"The Name of the Lord has the capacity to reveal God to us. As the practice progresses, the mind becomes subtler and subtler. Ultimately, the mind ceases and merges in the Transcendental. In this method of meditation, one sits down, closes the eyes, maintains an easy and comfortable posture, and without moving the lips or tongue repeats the name given by the Guru. As the process progresses, the breathing becomes calm and even. Mind becomes quiescent. When the mind becomes quiescent, God speaks. If we listen to the Inner Voice, we find solutions to all our problems and frustrations.
"By constant repetition of the Naam one can conquer lust and passion. To face the ups and downs which is natural in human life, there is no remedy better than ceaseless remembrance of God [Simran]. Saints of the Nirguna School [devotees of the Formless God] right from the time of Kabir have praised the power of Simran. Gandhi Ji was a great proponent of Naam-Bhakti [following the way of love and devotion by repeating a name of God].
"Sant Dariya has described the importance of Naam-Bhakti in the following verses:
"Naam pratap yug yug chali aaye, sakal sant gun mahima gaye
jyo tarani jal jat taraee, Naam sumiru jal bohit payee"
"Dariya Sahib in the above verses says that the importance of Naam has been recognised for aeons. Saints have praised its glory. A boat floats on the water and whosoever has to cross a river rides in a boat. To sail through the ocean of life which is so difficult, one needs a 'boat of Simran' to cross the ocean of life. God is Formless and very few get an opportunity to see him in form (body). (Sagun rup birla jan pave.) The holy name of the Lord which is Nirguna (beyond attributes) easily leads to the realization of the Lord. According to Sant Dariya, akshar Naam (an alphabetical name) leads to the Nihakshar Lord who is beyond kshar and akshar. Here ksar and akshar denote perishable and non-perishable, and the Lord is beyond these dualities, whom Dariya Sahib calls 'Nihakshar'.
"Naam is a great medicine to cure all kinds of ills in this samsara [world of changes]. Sumiran (Simran) of the holy name subdues the mind and leads to concentration. Putting the mind at ease and and cultivating peace cures many physical and mental diseases. It improves the immune system.
"To sum up, the benefits of Simran are immense for this life and life beyond. Those who develop interest in Simran are really fortunate and making a good use of their human birth."
"Perform Sumiran [Simran: repeating God's Name], Dhyan [inner seeing, contemplating inner Light or the Form of the Master], Bhajan [inner hearing, meditating upon the Sound Current] and the recitation of the holy books as much as possible, daily in the morning and evening. Greater emphasis should be laid on Sumiran (Simran). Thoughts and reveries and disturbances of the mind cannot be stopped all at once. But if one continues to apply oneself to the aforesaid practices, the mind will, bye and bye, be vanquished and Parmarthi (devotional) activities performed with greater ease and facility." (Babuji Maharaj)
What Is Carnism? The "Religion" or "Orthodoxy" of Eating Meat
"Carnism is the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions people to eat certain animals. Carnism is essentially the opposite of veganism; 'carn' means 'flesh' or 'of the flesh' and 'ism' denotes a belief system. Most people view eating animals as a *given*, rather than a choice; in meat-eating cultures around the world people typically don’t think about why they find the flesh of some animals disgusting and the flesh of other animals appetizing, or why they eat any animals at all. But when eating animals is not a necessity for survival, as is the case in much of the world today, it is a choice -- and choices always stem from beliefs." -- Carnism.org
"When we are growing up, forming our identity and values, nobody asks us whether we want to eat animals, how we feel about eating animals, whether we believe in eating animals. We are never asked to reflect upon this daily practice that has such profound ethical dimensions and personal implications. Eating animals is just a *given*; it’s just the way things are. Because carnism operates outside of our awareness, it robs us of our ability to make our choices freely -- because without awareness, there is no free choice.
"Carnism, like other oppressive, or violent, ideologies whose tenets run counter to core human values, must use a set of social and psychological defense mechanisms that disconnect us, psychologically and emotionally, from the truth of our experience. In so doing, carnism enables us to support unnecessary violence toward others without the moral discomfort we would otherwise feel. In short, because we naturally feel empathy toward animals and don't want them to suffer, and yet we nonetheless eat animals, carnism must provide us with a set of tools to override our conscience so that we support an oppressive system that we would likely otherwise oppose."
Why Eating Animals is a Social Justice Issue
The invisibility of carnism makes eating animals appear to be simply a matter of personal ethics, rather than what it actually is: the inevitable end result of a deeply entrenched, oppressive system. Carnism is structured like other “isms,” such as racism, sexism, and heterosexism, which are organized around the oppression of certain groups of “others.” And while the experience of each set of victims will always be somewhat unique, the ideologies themselves are structurally similar, as the mentality which enables such oppression is the same.
Eating meat is a kind of religion, "Carnism", deeply ingrained for countless generations is still a prevailing ideology, and we vegans are the 'heretics', so to speak. Vegans are standing up and saying "no" to Carnism.
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill.
I will choose a path that's clear.
I will choose freewill."
-- RUSH, lyrics from the song, "Freewill"
Sant Tulsi Sahib, in the section of his Ghat Ramayan devoted to a dialogue with "Palak Ram of the Nanak Panth" spent quite a bit of time condemning eating meat and those false gurus who mislead their disciples into following an unhealthy, disease-promoting, violence based diet. See the Sant Mat book, "Ghat Ramayan -- The Words of Tulsi Sahib", translation and commentary by Baba Kehar Singh, linked in the Sant Mat E Library. Scroll down this section of the library:
"Your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing." (Rumi)
