A Spiritual Seekers Guide -- Light and Sound on the Path -- Newsletter of Spiritual Quotes & Sant Mat Satsang Discourses
"So long as you do not experience the withdrawal of spirit within you [during meditation], the spiritual path is a myth for you. To attain this experience, you have to perform the spiritual practices with full zest and fervour every day as prescribed by a living master." (A Spiritual Seekers Guide)
God Should Be Sought Within, Beyond the Realm of the Five Senses
52. To move spiritually upward within one’s self, through and beyond the realms, is to progress towards union with the Supreme Sovereign [God]. 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. (Maharshi Mehi Paramahans, Philosophy of Liberation -- Moksha Darshan)
"Thoughts of spirituality are sprouting in you. They are the indication of good sanskaras*. For the upliftment and enrichment of your life there is no other way except the path of spirituality. The Supreme Power is certain to help the seeker. There is no doubt about this." (A Spiritual Seekers Guide)
*NOTE: Sanskaras mean the 'impressions' left behind when doing any good or bad action. Even a thought creates a sanskara.
All meditation is pretense without Love. All knowledge is shallow without Love.
Infinite is the wealth of Love. Through Love one meets the Supreme Creator.
All Dhyan [meditation] is pretense without Love. All knowledge is shallow without Love.
All scriptures are sham without Love. Kal [the lord of time/lord of death] and karma are overcome by Love.
Mana [mind] and maya [illusion] are subdued by Love. Surat [the soul] ascends to higher regions by Love.
Love dispels all evils. One is detached from world by Love.
Refulgence within, one perceives by Love. Every heart overflows with Love.
Most exalted is the glory of Love. All endeavours are in vain without Love.
All activities are void without Love. One is redeemed by Love and Love alone.
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
-- Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume 4 (Hymns of Love to the Lord of the Soul), by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Salig Ram, 19th Century Mystic and Spiritual Master of Agra)
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This Sant Mat Radhasoami E-Newsletter is dedicated to the Path of the Masters (Sant Satgurus of the Past, the Living Present, and Future), and to the Supreme Being, the Lord of the Soul Who is the Ocean of Love and All-Consciousness, and explores the poetry, prose, spiritual discourses, books, scriptures, letters, prayers, ahimsa ethics, podcasts, videos, philosophy, cosmology, and history of the Masters from a traditional Indian perspective, and might also include quotes from various world religions in harmony with the Way of the Saints, the Path of the Masters and Mystics.
"What's the use of receiving this human form if we do not serve others in thought, word, and deed. If we hold our thoughts only on worldly material things and refuse to think of that which is higher and more subtle, then our faith in the Transcendental will inevitably diminish." ("Quintessence of Yoga: Secret of All Success", a Sant Mat publication)
Sant Mat Links -- Online Resources
* Spiritual Awakening Radio and Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts, Free and Available Online -- Hear Podcasts On Demand For Free Anytime 24/7:
Recently Added Radio Podcasts-On-Demand Include:
*The Mandaean Gnostic Scriptures, Gospel of Thomas and Other Documents
*The Non-Sectarian Approach of the Nag Hammadi Monks -- The Examples of Kirpal Singh and the Gnostic Gospels
* Melanie Joy, vegan author of, "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, An Introduction to Carnism"
* Mystic Poetry, Music & Teachings of Sant Dadu Dayal
* Mystic Poetry, Music & Teachings of Sant Tulsi Sahib
* Sound Current Mysticism in the World Religions
* The Ups & Downs of Searching For A Spiritual Path
* Leaving the Matrix: The Wisdom of Various Mystics
* Three Ways We Can Honor Our Soul
* The Spiritual Journey According to Guru Nanak
* Sant Mat E Library -- Hundreds of Books Online -- Recommended Reading:
Recently Added E Documents Include:
*The Parting Instructions -- Last Words or Commandments of Soami Ji Maharaj (Shiv Dayal Seth, Sant Radhasoami Sahib) (in the RADHASOAMI section)
* A Spiritual Seekers Guide: Dayalpuri Radhasoami 'Prem Prabhakar' Magazine, English Section, and Satsang Discourses (in the RADHASOAMI section)
* Daily Spiritual Quotes/Quote of the Day/Social Media
@ Facebook: Sant Mat Radhasoami:
* Introductory Page: Sant Mat 101, Introduction to the Path of the Masters:
13. Seth Sudarshan Singh then asked whom should they look to for guidance after Him. Soamiji Maharaj said: "Whoever needs spiritual [parmarthi] guidance should seek it from Salig Ram (Huzur Maharaj)".
14. Addressing Lala Seth Pratap Singh, Soamiji Maharaj observed: "The Faith I had given out was that of Sat Naam and Anami. The Radhasoami Faith has been introduced by Salig Ram (Huzur Maharaj). You should let it also continue. Satsang must go on. Satsang shall spread far and wide in future." (from, The Parting Instructions -- Last Words or Commandments of Soami Ji Maharaj -- Shiv Dayal Seth -- Sant Radhasoami Sahib)
The blessing you crave for will be conferred on your behalf by the Supreme Father provided you trust in Him fully and think of Him or remember Him now and then by repeating His Holy Name [Radhasoami] and thinking of His holy charan [lotus feet].... Do not be disheartened. The affection or love (attraction) is reciprocal. The more you would love the Supreme Father, the more His compassion and grace will attend you in all your work." (Huzur Maharaj -- Rai Salig Ram, Pilgrim's Path, A Collection of Extracts From Letters)
"When man realizes that his life will not be free from sorrow, disaster and troubles without sat-karni [genuine spiritual endeavours] and that his life will be unhappy without knowing the secret of emancipation, then only he will be very keen to know the key to truth. He will not rest until he knows the path to truth. He is conversant with the anomalies and bankruptcy of religions which are prevalent now and knows that truth cannot be attained by those outdated methods. Such a person gets contact with True Association [satsang or association with a living master] sooner or later. He views the True Association as a vehicle which lifts one from this burning world to a very cool and peaceful place." (A Spiritual Seekers Guide)
"Merely attending satsang, listening to the holy hymns and eating 'prasad' are ineffective, if the resolve to achieve the highest aim in life-realization of the Ultimate Truth, redemption from the cycle of birth and death is absent in your life. Remind turbulent mind about this again and again. Life without spirituality is meaningless. Life becomes meaningful only with 'Parmartha' [spirituality]. Whatever may be your status in society and the family, there is no option to repetition of the Holy Name and contemplation of the Holy Form. This will bring about the necessary preparation for spirituality in you." (A Spiritual Seekers Guide)
HH Huzur Maharaj Rai Bahadur Salig Ram Sahab (1829-1898), from, The Spiritual Love Discourses of the Lord of the Soul, (Prem Patra Radhasoami) Volume One
Every follower of the Radhasoami Faith should properly consider and understand three things and should have full faith and belief in them in his mind. Only then can he surrender himself mentally, intellectually and spiritually to the True Supreme Being Merciful Radhasoami to some extent. Only then will he be able to perform the practices of Simran [Repeating God's Name], Dhyan [visualizing the form of the Satguru, then contemplating the inner Light], and Bhajan [the soul (surat) worshipfully meditating upon the Internal Music or Sound Current (Shabd), becoming one with it (Yoga)] with sincerity. The object of his life would thereby be attained one day.
Those three things are:
(1) First of all, he should have belief in the fact that Merciful Radhasoami is the True Supreme Being and is Omnipotent and is always present in every individual.
(2) Secondly, the soul is a particle or wave (ansa) of the Supreme Being just as the ray (ansa) of the Sun is an emanation of the Sun.
(3) Thirdly, there is no way, excepting the practice of the Surat Shabd Yoga, which could lead one easily and without any obstruction to the Original Abode, nor has any other path superior to this been discovered so far.
When one has full faith in these three things in his mind and has no doubts or misgivings about their being true, only then can the spiritual practices be performed with some success and only then can their benefit be experienced internally. It is only then that some genuine faith and reverence for the True Supreme Being would be engendered in the mind to some extent, and to the same extent would the conduct and way of life of the soul, both internally and externally, improve. Love, and faith in the Feet of the Satguru will go on increasing day by day. Gradually, thereafter perfect love will be achieved. (Huzur Maharaj -- Salig Ram)
Instruction on Daily Meditation Practice in Sant Mat
The practitioner, if he sits for meditation, always must keep his/her head, neck and spinal cord (back) completely straight. The respiration process will naturally become slowed if one sits straight, and thus it is a helping factor in meditation and Jap [simran]...
Meditation Done Three Times Per-Day, Plus Before Sleep
Sants/yogis have fixed times of meditation. Those times are: 1) in the pre-dawn, i.e. three hours before sunrise, 2) after taking a bath during the day [mid day], and 3) during the evening (after the sun sets). Meditation done at these three time is called Trayakaal Sandhyaa (thrice-daily meditation). A practitioner must sit for meditation in these three times, and also should do Maanas Jap (repeating the Guru-instructed mantra [simran]), or Maanas Dhyaan (involving mind in visualizing or seeing the Master's radiant form inside), while doing worldly work.
In the evening just before going to bed, the practitioner should sit in meditation for two to four minutes and then go to sleep. A practitioner can continue Maanas Jap or Maanas Dhyaan or keep his/her vision straight inside with closed eyes laying in bed.
This practice protects one from terrible, unpleasant dreams, and on the other hand the practitioner can be benefited with the appearance of sages/sants or Satsang in the dream state. The appearance (seeing) of sants/sages in the dream state is an indication of spiritual-upwardness (progress). A meditation practitioner who does meditation in pre-dawn very carefully, should not take a heavy meal in the night. Meals should not be hard-to-digest. Easily digestible meals and that also are light in amount should be taken in the night so that the practitioner can get up early at the pre-dawn time. This habit keeps the body sound and healthy. Most reverent Guru Maharaj (Maharshi Mehi) says, "Sound mind lives in sound body and worship is done only by the sound mind." So, a practitioner should control his/her meals.
A practitioner should close both eyes and mouth at the time of meditation. If he/she would be speaking and seeing the outer world with open eyes, he/she could not do the practice of meditation. Upon closing the eyes one sees darkness inside, whether he/she belongs to a certain creed, caste, country, or one is young, child, old, male, female, scholar or illiterate. This darkness has not been created by human beings or gods. This darkness has been created by the Supreme Sovereign God.
There are three layers (coverings) over the Jeeva atmaa (Individual Soul). Those are: darkness, light and sound. Darkness is the shadow of the light. This darkness is the first layer on the Jeeva (individual soul) whom all beings see. One who crosses this layer of darkness through a special form of meditation sees the inner light within oneself. This inner light is called Aatma-Aalok (Light of the Self) or Brahma-Prakash (Divine Light). On achieving it, the Divya-Drishti (Divine Eye, Third Eye) opens completely. While mentally gazing into the darkness that one sees with eyes closed, one should repeat the guru-instructed mantra [simran]. This process is called Maanas Jap [simran]. While doing this, neither the lips nor the tongue are oscillated. Instead, the mantra (an alphabetical name given by Guru) is repeated within by the mind. This Jap is actually a kind of meditation. Repeating the mantra through the mind is for the purpose of calling the Ishta ([one's Ideal], tutelary deity, Most Beloved, Satguru) near oneself. So, Jaapak (the practitioner who does Jap) should perform Jap with great love. He (Ishta, Guru) becomes happy and merciful if one does Jap with immense love and devotion, and he appears at his desire.
The practitioner who does Jap [simran] sitting in a secluded place with the right method and immense love, becomes the excellent devotee. (Shri Bhagirath Baba, From A Spiritual Discourse on the Bhakti of the Inner Light and Sound of God, Maharshi Mehi Ashram)
Seven Teachings of Sant Mat
1) God is Real.
2) God is Love, the Ocean of Love and Compassion.
3) All of the world scriptures teach about the same manifestation of God as inner mystical Light and Sound.
4) Our true identity is soul, the Self. Soul is part of God and therefore is, like God, pure love.
5) During this human existence we have an opportunity to experience God.
6) As we experience communing with God's love during meditation -- Surat Shabd Yoga, we can rise above body-consciousness and explore Inner Space, the "Kingdom of the Heavens" that are within us. "We travel back from the realm of Darkness to the realm of Light, from the Light to divine Sound, and from the realm of Sound to the Soundless State [Anami, Radhaswami, Anadi Purush, Satya Raam, the Formless God]." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj) The drop merges back into the Ocean of Love.
7) As we get initiated into the Mysteries of the Spirit by a Living Teacher (Master, Sant Satguru), the purpose of our life is fulfilled. Reuniting with God is our reason to be here: "It was for the sake of the God-conscious beings that our True Lord created this earth, and began this play of death and birth". (Adi Granth) Kabir says: "For millions of years you have slept. This morning, will you not wake?"
Seven Principles of Sant Mat
The Following Principles Below are Recited Daily by Some in India.
1. Ultimate Reality is beyond any beginning or end, infinite, beyond birth, beyond the senses, all-pervading yet even beyond pervasiveness. It must, therefore, be understood as the Supreme Being. This Essential Element is known in Santmat [the Teachings of the Saints] as the Lord of All and is the foundation of all things. This Being is beyond both the inanimate and animate aspects of nature. It is without qualities and beyond qualities. Its nature is infinite, imperishable, all-powerful. It is beyond time and space, beyond sound and beyond form -- Nirguna). It is the One without a second. The Supreme Being is beyond the scope of the mind, the intellect and the senses. This entire universe is powered by the energy of this Being. This Being is not human. It is not manifested in physical form. It has existence beyond the illusion of maya [illusion], and there is nothing that exists outside of it. It is the Being which is eternal and is in existence from the beginning. Santmat considers this Being to be the Divine Reality, and this [knowing or merging with] this Being is the goal of all spirituality.
2. The individual soul is an inseparable part of the Supreme Being.
3. The physical world of nature was created. It has an origin and an end.
4. The individual soul (jiva), bound by illusion (maya), remains in the cycle of death and birth. This is the cause of one's suffering. In order to escape from this cycle of death and birth we must experience realization of this Supreme Being.
5. By practicing devotion through these four techniques -- Manas Japa (Simran, recitation of the divine name), Manas Dhyana (Dhyan, focus on the divine form), Dristi Sadhana (Yoga of Inner Light, Inner Seeing, Inner Light Meditation, focus on the Infinitesimal Point), and Nada-nusandhana Yoga (Surat Shabd Yoga, concentration on the inner divine Sounds) -- the practitioner consecutively transcends the realms of darkness, Light, and Sound which cloak the Supreme Truth -- the Divine Reality. Only in a human body an individual soul is able to achieve unity with the Divine. [In other forms of existence, animal, etc..., it is not possible to tread the spiritual path.]
6. Lying, stealing, intake of intoxicating substances, adultery, and violence (including harming other beings) are the five sins to be avoided. Eating meat or fish is also considered to be a form of violence and should be avoided. The aspirants of Santmat must abstain from these vices.*
(*NOTE: In Buddhism these five abstinences are known as the Panch Shila (the Five Precepts -- see below).
7. The following are considered to be the requirements for the attainment liberation: (A) Trust and belief in God; (B) Commitment to seek God within; (C) Devotion and service to a satguru -- spiritual master; (D) Satsang, listening to the teaching and spiritual discourse including study of the Teaching of the Saints and the scriptures; and (E) Dhyana, diligent meditation practice. (Maharshi Mehi, The Padavali of Maharshi Mehi, also quoted in the book, Harmony Of All Religions)
Ethical Foundation of Sant Mat -- Ahimsa Values -- The Five Precepts
(NOTE: This includes both the newer vegan and older, traditional lacto-vegetarian versions of the ahimsa diet.)
Moral requirements for Initiation Into Sant Mat Meditation
1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs (intoxicants);
2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including in the area of diet, as in following a vegan (abstinence from animal products) or vegetarian diet (abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs);
3. Leading a truthful life;
4. Practicing non-stealing: an honest, ethical source of income;
5. Loyalty to one's spouse/life-partner;
Another Version of the Five Precepts
1) Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. This precept also requires strict adherence to a vegan (no animal products) or lacto-vegetarian diet (no meat, fish, poultry nor 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 Surat Shabd Yoga -- Inner Light and Sound Meditation, the Spiritual Practice of Sant Mat
In the Sant tradition, the complete methods and secrets of meditation practice are communicated at the time of Initiation (Diksha) by a living Master (Sant Satguru, Competent, Qualified Teacher) or 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 through 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. Initiation into Sant Mat Meditation is available at various locations around the world.
At the time of Initiation one vows to practice meditation each day. The spiritual path is a life-long commitment.
The Practice of Surat Shabd Yoga -- Audible Life Stream, from, Radhasoami Mat Sandesh (The Lord of the Soul's Message to Humanity), by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Salig Ram)
68. This practice is known as the Surat Shabd Yoga, i.e., raising the spirit by uniting it with Shabd. Shabd does not mean only the sound. It refers to the spirit current. Where a current is in action, it is accompanied by sound. The current is not visible, but its presence is felt by its sound. For instance, the real form of man, i.e., the spirit residing in him is not seen, but when he speaks, it is known that the spirit is present in him and is functioning. Shabd is the motive force for the functioning of the whole creation, and predicates the presence of the spirit. Where there is no Shabd, there is no spirit action; the spirit is in a potential or hidden form there.
69. What is meant by 'uniting spirit with Shabd’ is that the spirit, which is the current of Shabd should be inverted towards its abode by catching hold of the thread of Shabd. There is nothing like Shabd to illuminate darkness and to guide in it. When a man has lost his way in a forest on a dark night and due to clouds, there is no light of heavenly bodies and there is no torch or other light, he can reach a nearby village or habitation by listening to and following the sound coming from there.
70. The Anhad Shabd which is, resounding of itself in the innermost recesses of everybody, without the help of tongue or any instrument, is coming from the highest sphere, i.e., the region of the Supreme Being. It has taken location at every intervening region, and has again emanated, with some changes along the current issuing from there. Thus the current of Shabd is flowing continuously from the highest region to the lowest, and is diffused in the whole body and the, whole creation. One should, therefore, learn the secrets of Shabd of all the regions from an adept and commence the practice of rising high by the path of the eyes listening to the Shabd with his mind and spirit. He will thus daily go on getting nearer and nearer to the spot from where the first Shabd is coming. From there, he should catch hold of the next higher Shabd and rise still higher. Thus crossing all the intermediate stages, he will, one day, reach the region of the Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal.
71. The Supreme Being is formless and bodiless. As such, no one can perform His Dhyan (contemplation). But an Abhysi (a practitioner) can reach, and merge into, His Feet by contemplating the Shabd which has emanated from Him. Shabd is the first manifestation of the Supreme Being and like Him it is formless. But it is of great help in the performance of Dhyan, i.e. it takes the devotee to his Isht (Beloved [Goal, Ideal,]). It is in this manner that one can approach the Formless by contemplating the formless Shabd. No other mode of devotion is equally easy of performance and without any risk or danger, which may lead to the goal by a sure and straight path. This is because in the entire creation there is no other current superior to the current of spirit, which is the current of Shabd. This current is the creator and sustainer of all the currents. Even the current of Pran or breath itself receives vitality from the current of spirit. Hence there can be no mode of practice superior to the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga.
"Whoever takes refuge in Radhasoami
sets out on a voyage across the ocean of existence."
"Radhaswami ki leenhi sarni,
so jeev lage bhau tarni."
Soami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Poetry
