The Satguru
"The one who has purity of character, who practices diligently the Yoga of Sound, and who can explain clearly Sant Mat [the complete Path of the Masters with nothing missing], can be accepted and trusted as Satguru/Teacher." (Maharshi Mehi)
"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." -- Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy Of Liberation
"Consider for a moment the nature of knowledge you wish to learn. After high school, the student thinks about his direction and chooses a field of study: liberal arts, commerce, or science. If, for example, the student wants to learn liberal arts but goes to a professor of science instead, will this teacher have much to offer? The student must choose a professor proficient in the knowledge he wishes to learn. In the same manner, if you want to learn spiritual knowledge, then you must go to a spiritually competent teacher.
"The appropriate spiritual teacher should be a person who has considered and discovered the realities of Atma and anatma (Spirit and matter, bondage and Liberation), and who practices a spiritual path. Such a teacher should have attained direct experience of Truth through spiritual disciplines. This is teacher you should take instruction from. The grace of teacher is also necessary for success in the spiritual pursuit. When you learn the methods for inner meditation, you should practice diligently. Moral rectitude [the Five Precepts: vegetarian diet, non-violence, truthfulness, no stealing, no intoxicants, etc..... ] is also very essential in this pursuit.]"
-- Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony of All Religions
"Cleanse the chamber of your heart, so that the Beloved may enter. Remove all the foreign impressions, so that He can take His seat there." (Param Sant Tulsi Sahib)
"The soul has three coverings: the material, the astral, and the causal. The soul employs these bodies in their respective regions, but its True Home is in the fourth realm, which is beyond these three." (Encyclopaedia of Saints of India, Volume 19: Radhasoami)
"The whole creation is sustained by God who is not a distant Deity but closer is He than anything else." (Kirpal Singh)
"Meditation on God rewards you with bliss and a tranquil mind. See yourself in all beings, and in all beings see only God." (Kabir and Dharamdas, Sandhya Path-Book of Prayers)
Many Hindus and ISKCON devotees are now becoming vegans: http://suite101.com/article/veganism-in-hare-krishna-culture-a252792
At least here in North America, the Sar Bachan Poetry volumes of Swami Ji Maharaj are what I call "the 'Nag Hammadi' or 'Lost Books' of Sant Mat". I mean by this, that few are aware of this important text. It's rarely quoted by anyone. Few actually publish it, so..........like the Gnostic Gospels or Lost Books of old, the Sar Bachan is a spiritual classic few are acquainted with these days. I highly recommend it however, and I have provided links to it online! All the books of Soami Ji Maharaj, the great Saint of Agra, are now available on the web. Updated Web Page: A book review of the, Sar Bachan Poetry (volumes one and two), of Soami Ji Maharaj -- The page now contains links to the Sar Bachan Poetry volumes, links to the Swami Ji Web Page, the Radhasoami E-Library, Banyen Books, and Nataraj Books:
