The Sant Mat Family Tree or Lineage of Masters -- Light and Sound on the Path -- e-Newsletter/Blog/Booklet of Rare Spiritual Quotes & Satsang Discourses Most Spiritual Seekers Don't Normally Have Access To (My mission is to share the wisdom of the masters, mystics or lovers of the Beloved Supreme Being worldwide via the web and radio.)
'The Sant Mat Family Tree or Lineage of Masters' includes the writings of Guru Kabir, Sant Dharam Das (and related Anurag Sagar/Kabir Sagar materials), Sant Sat Saheb, Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar, Sant Tulsi Sahib, and more recent Masters, in an attempt to represent something of -- some inkling of -- the lineage, from the time of Kabir up to the living present, many generations of Sant Satgurus.
The One Giving Birth to Souls: "As oil is hidden in the lotus, in the same way Sat Purush [the Supreme Being] used to live, hidden. In His Will, He created the souls, and looking at them He felt very happy." -- Book of Anurag Sagar, The Ocean of Love
"Tulsi Sahib, a Sant of Hathras from the nineteenth century, recognized that Sants drew upon the teachings of other Sant figures as spiritual resources. Pointing out the common spiritual roots, he identified this movement as a coherent religious tradition, which he called Sant Mat, simply meaning a 'Sant Faith.' Tulsi Sahib comments:
"'The principles and tenets of Sant Mat are one and the same, only there is a difference in terminology. Since the same principles have been stated using different names, you become confused and do not understand them... Kabir explained Sant Mat in his way, other Sants in other ways. The religion of all those who have gained access within is one and the same.'" (From Andrea Lane's book, The Gnostic Mystery)
I've written a booklet about who I believe Sant Tulsi's guru was, and therefore identifying a specific family tree or lineage of past masters going back a few generations! The granth or literature of this line of masters includes the voluminous writings of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar (like the Dariya Sagar), Kabir Sagar, Anurag Sagar and other spiritual classics associated with Sant Dharam Das (a devotee of Kabir) and his successors.
To read it, go to: The Origins of Sant Mat, The Five Names, and the Identity of Tulsi Sahib's Guru @ Blogger/Blogspot:
"Those souls who remain in obedience
to these successors,
Shall cross the Ocean of the world.
How long will this line of succession continue?
Kindly relate it to us in your own words, asks Fakkar Das.
Listen mindfully, 0 Fakkar Das,
I explain this to you, says Dariya:
As long as the discipline of the Sound Current
is preserved unadulterated,
The line of succession will truly continue.
But when it is mixed with outer rituals
and display of external garbs,
My Sound Current will part company.
My Divine essence will depart,
And the souls will go into the mouth of Kal.
I shall then come to this world,
And shall proclaim the teaching
of the Sound Current again.
Proclaiming the teaching,
I shall found the line of succession.
And emancipating the souls,
I shall take them to my Abode.
For aeons I have been coming,
And imparting the teaching
of the true Sound Current."
(Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar)
Rumi: "If you seek to know God, sit at the feet of the Saints."
"May the shadow of a Master fall upon everyone who has devotion." (Rumi)
"It is very difficult to come in contact with a Satguru in this mortal world. If, fortunately, you come across a Satguru, see to it that you don't separate from him, because reunion of a separated lover is possible only when he is very lucky (when he has the radiating gem of fortune on his forehead)." (1008 Kabir Vani -- Saakhis of Guru Kabir)
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A Satsang Without Walls: This is the JUNE 4th, 2017 Sant Mat Spirituality and Meditation Satsang Newsletter (Blog, Digest, Document, E-Booklet,) of much poetry and prose -- words of light and love from various spiritual Masters, spiritual classics or scriptures. Enjoy all of the readings below. May they provide you with some helpful satsang reading material wherever you are in the world, near or far, and lead to a further in-depth exploration of the teachings of the Masters, including from lesser-known or newly translated material you may not have encountered before in English.
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, audio, videos, philosophy, cosmology, gnosticism, meditation, mysticism, and history of the Masters from a traditional Indian perspective that's non-sectarian, and might also include quotes from various world religions in harmony with the Way of the Saints, the Path of the Masters and Mystics.
NOTE: This newsletter is for educational purposes only. Fair Use of Quotations: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research..."
NOTE: This newsletter is supportive of, The Murar Declaration -- the universal principles of peace, affection, harmony and cooperation as outlined at the Sant Mat conclave known as Spircon 2010, a historic event held in Agra attended by the leadership and representatives of several branches of Sant Mat & Radhasoami lineages.
NOTE: The Usage of the Term "Sant Mat": "Sant Mat" means: "The Teachings ('Mat') of the Saints or Sages" or "Path of the Masters". In India it's common knowledge that the term "Sant Mat" was coined or adapted by Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras during the 19th Century. "Sant Mat" was adopted and popularized by Tulsi Sahib as a new name for this spiritual path or genre of mysticism, but the Sant tradition, with its many guru-lineages or branches, is a spiritual movement that dates back many centuries to ancient India.
"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)
* The ARCHIVE of all past posts/articles/blogs is located here, and includes a search engine:
NOTE: If you're reading this at Yahoo Groups and it's truncated, which sometimes happens, go to the blog archive linked above to read the contents of the post in full.
* For Daily Spiritual Quotes/Quote of the Day @ Facebook, See the Sant Mat Radhasoami Page:
"We usher in a new era, Sat Yuga -- the Age of Truth." (Universal Proclamation)
Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts -- Spiritual Awakening Radio @ Youtube and HealthyLife.Net -- the Positive Talk Radio Network
* ARCHIVE OF PODCASTS @ YOUTUBE (New Programs Are Added Each Week):
* SPIRITUAL AWAKENING RADIO -- Many Podcasts Free and Available Online -- A Satsang Without Walls -- Podcast MP3 Download Page -- Subscribe to Podcasts For Free Here, Stream and/or Download:
Subjects include: The Path of the Masters, Inner Light and Sound Meditation, Spirituality, Love (Bhakti), Compassion, Non-Violence (Ahimsa), Peace (Shanti), Being Vegan/Vegetarian, Gnostic Gospels, Rare Spiritual Classics, Saints and Mystics, World Scriptures, Sacred Texts, Poetry and Prose:
6/27/2017 (Upcoming) World Religions Going Vegan -- A History of Veganism, Part 4;
6/20/2017 (Upcoming) World Religions Going Vegan -- A History of Veganism, Part 3;
6/13/2017 (Upcoming) World Religions Going Vegan -- A History of Veganism, Part 2;
6/6/2017 (Upcoming) World Religions Going Vegan -- A History of Veganism, Part 1;
5/30/2017 The Spirituality and Wisdom of the Lost Books of the Bible (Secrets of the Gnostic Gospels);
5/23/2017 More Lost Books of the Bible (Genuine Gnostic Spirituality & the The Sermon on the Light);
5/16/2017 Lost Books of the Bible Continued;
5/9/2017 Lost Books of the Bible Revealed;
5/2/2017 The Mandaean Gnostic Scriptures
4/25/2017 The Yoga (Path) of Love (Bhakti), Sant Mat Satsang Series, Part 4;
4/18/2017 The Yoga (Path) of Love (Bhakti), Sant Mat Satsang Series, Part 3;
4/11/2017 The Yoga (Path) of Love (Bhakti), Sant Mat Satsang Series, Part 2;
4/4/2017 The Yoga (Path) of Love (Bhakti), Sant Mat Satsang Series, Part 1;
"We have more data at our fingertips than ever before, and yet data is not enough... Our computational powers are painting ever more intricate pictures of an increasingly dire situation. We have the most powerful divination tools known to human history. The question is whether we will choose to digest that data into wisdom." -- Sam Barlow, The Mystic In The Machine, The Tao of Computation
In This Delusion Village Don't Let Your Mind Be Occupied or Hijacked
I notice that in the world of social media the esoteric, gnostic, and spiritual seeking populations are often being eaten alive by the the peddlers of useless information, the alt-right, endless conspiracy theories, self-sabotaging thoughts that discourage one from developing a serious spiritual practice, outdated pro-meat notions about diet dating back to the 19th century, a gnosticism that's not about gnosis, meditation not about going within, corrupt and unethical paths, etc... So much ignorance, so little time. It's unfortunate that the archon-rulers of this matrix asylum of illusion seem to be so successful at OCCUPYING MINDS. "A man is what he thinks about all day long" (Ralph Waldo Emerson), therefore it's an important spiritual principle for us to be the guardians of our own thoughts and choose wisely those who would be major influences in our lives. Kabir said it best:
"Delusion filled the three worlds, delusion everywhere. Kabir says (and he’s thought about it), you live in Delusion Village."
"Jewels and stones fill the world; a rare one tests them. The tester is greater than the jewel -- so very rare!"
"The mind dwells in front of the eyes and runs with every blink. In the three worlds mind is king. Everyone worships mind. The mind, greedy for its own juice, splashes in sensual waves. Mind drives, body rides -- thus everything runs away."
"With its cliques and caucuses the world was stupefied. Be nonpartisan, worship Hari [God], join the good and wise."
“Kabir Saheb says that one should keep oneself in the sacred company of saints and sages all the time as it leaves a tremendous impact on one’s life. This will take ignorance away and one will be benefited by the true knowledge imparted by saints and sages, i.e. all the improper and impure deeds performed by someone due to his ignorance will be set right by the teachings imparted by saints.” (Saakhi of Guru Kabir)
The miracle is not the vision seen but the observer who does the seeing.
"Solitude is not something you must hope for in the future. Rather, it is a deepening of the present, and unless you look for it in the present you will never find it." (Thomas Merton)
Finding Solitude -- Spiritual Retreat: "Withdrawal from the world and repairing to the solitude would relieve your agony and tensions. You can find a most precious treasure on this earth itself but that is hidden in the secrecy of seclusion and solitude." (Sarmad the Sufi Saint)
“Be not intimidated by any fear. Hold fast to the Naam [the Light and Sound Current], which is always there to help.” (Sant Dariya Sahib)
Contemplate the Inner Light Often and Be Blessed: “This Inner Light is so wonderful that by beholding it, the darkness of delusion or attachment is destroyed; fortune begins to smile on him (the beholder [the observer]).” -- Swami Achyutanand Baba
"All satsangis should without fail, devote some of their time to the devotional practices at least once in twenty-four hours, so that their internal contact with the Sacred Feet of Huzur Radhasoami Dayal [Compassionate Lord of the Soul] may remain unbroken." (Writings and Speeches of Param Guru Huzur Sahabji Maharaj)
"Duniyaa waham hai, abhyaas karo", meaning, "This world is an illusion -- practice meditation." (Baba Devi Sahab)
"Do not live even a single day without inner meditation." (Baba Devi Sahab)
"Whatever little is possible, do meditation everyday. But never ever give up or discontinue meditation. You will definitely meet with success." (Swami Santsevi Ji)
"All of you please keep on practicing meditation regularly, everyday. Gurudev will bestow you with success!" (Swami Santsevi Ji)
Sant Mat History: Guru Kabir, Sant Dharam Das, and Sant Chura Mani Naam Sahib
"When it was time to awaken Dharam Das Ji, Kabir Saheb first met him in Mathura and, on the way, had talks with him, in course of which he denounced idol-worship, pilgrimage and fasting, and upheld the Religion of Sants. Sometime afterwards, Dharam Das Ji came on a visit to Kashi, when he had Kabir Saheb's Darshan again, and whatever doubts and delusions were still lurking in Dharam Das Ji's mind were completely dispelled by Kabir Saheb then. Thereafter, Kabir Saheb initiated Dharam Das Ji in Sant Mat and, by casting his benign glance on Dharam Das Ji, opened his inner eye.
"In Sant Tulsi Sahib's book, 'Ghat Ramayan', it is written that Kabir Saheb went to Dharam Das Ji's home in Kashi at a time when the latter was engaged in idol-worship and many pandits and priests had gathered there. Kabir Saheb asked, 'What is the good of worshipping an idol made of metal and a small round stones?' The pandits were very much infuriated at this and, hurling many abuses at Kabir Saheb, were about to drive him away from there, but Dharam Das Ji stopped them. He had prolonged discussions with pandits, as a result of which, they were somewhat pacified... When Dharam Das Ji... was fully convinced of the greatness of Kabir Saheb and he made his wife and sons also fall at Kabir Saheb's feet. His wife and elder son, Churamani, firmly adopted Kabir Saheb's Saran [protection] and accepted Him as their Guru...
"After having adopted Kabir Saheb's Saran, Dharam Das Ji gave away with utter abandon all his wealth and property and started living at the Guru's holy feet in Kashi. After Dharam Das Ji, his son, Churamani, too, attained the same high status...
"Kabir Saheb, after departure to His original abode in 1518 A. D., was succeeded by Dharam Das Ji who obtained possession of all His (Kabir Saheb's) books. Dharam Das Ji continued to awaken Jivas [souls] and impress the greatness of Sant Mat firmly upon them for many years. After his departure from this world, he was succeeded by Churamani Ji [Sant Chura Mani Naam Sahib]..." (excerpts from, Sants, Sadhs, Mahatmas, and Devotees of the Past, by S.D. Maheshwari, Agra)
"O Guru, God of gods! Grantest, Thou, the gift of Bhakti [love]. May I never be oblivious of Thy lotus feet, whose Seva [selfless service], may I always perform.
"I shall neither take to pilgrimage nor undertake fasts, nor even worship in temples. I shall keep my gaze fixed on Thee alone and shall not care for anybody else...
"O Lord ! Listen, Thou, to this the prayer of Dharam Das: Grantest, Thou, Thy Darshan [vision] after removing all the curtains between Thyself and me, and makest me Thy own.
"My Satguru has come to me today as my honoured guest. I shall sacrifice before Him my body, mind and life. On hearing that my Sat Guru is coming, I wander hither and thither elated, beside myself with joy."
-- Sant Dharam Das
Commentary: Scholars speak of early influences upon the Sant tradition: Sufism, Tantric Buddhism, and Vaishnava Bhakti. I sometimes speculate there might have been another influence as well. There used to Manichaean Gnostics living in India, followers of the Prophet Mani. I wonder if Dharam Das was in touch with a few of them -- if they were an influence in his life? Churamani was the name given to Dharam Das's son and spiritual successor. Dharam Das's son's name had the word "mani" in it. The Dharam Das/Kabir Sagar/Anurag Sagar material is the most Gnostic of any category of Sant Mat literature... the whole struggle between Sat Purush and Kal, the Positive and Negative Powers, the Good Light and the Darkness, the forces of the Timeless vs. the archons of time. One wonders.
In Praise of Mani, the Gnostic Prophet of the East
Unendingly submerged in the dust
of forgetting rebirths
and in a state of poisonous savage animals,
they were always mad.
When the passion of greed poisoned them
and they were dying,
you prepared a medicine for them
from the herb of meditation...
They raved in the passion of anger;
they lacked sense or coherent thought
and you assembled their thoughts,
and so they understood their origin
in the Realm of Light.
Those living beings in the five states of existence
you freed from ignorance
and gave them wisdom,
leading them to pari-nirvana.
We who are miserable and with no hope
would have stayed in the torture of samsara [world of changes],
not finding the end of your path.
You set up the ladder of wisdom,
you let us supersede the five forms of being,
and you delivered us.
We who were fettered in suffering
were rescued from rebirth...
For those confused by the six organs of perception
you showed the rising and falling states of being.
You revealed what is the suffering of those in the Avici,
the deepest Buddhist hell.
You let them be reborn in the blessed five-fold heaven of Light.
Look for the ways of salvation,
you crossed lands going to every side.
When you found humans needing salvation,
you rescued all.
-- excerpts from the Great ODE to Mani: translated by Hans-Joachim Klimkeit in, Gnosis on the Silk Road: Gnostic Texts from Central Asia
The Gospel According to the Anurag Sagar (Ocean of Love, a Kabir Panth Scripture)
Who can release us from Kal [the Negative Power]?
Brother, I don't see anyone who can release us at the end time,
Except One -- Whom I will describe -- loving Whom your purpose will be served.
The Satguru is the only one Who can get us released; believe this as true.
What does the Satguru do?
Defeating Kal, He takes the soul to the Motionless Plane, where Sat Purush is.
Reaching there, one finds infinite happiness and is freed from corning back to this world.
Who can reach the Motionless Plane?
HYMN
One who will climb the Path of Truth believing my words,
Like the warrior who marches ahead in battle and doesn't worry
about what is behind --
So become like the warrior and the Sati, and take the Knowledge of the Path from the Saint.
Take refuge in the Satguru and, developing Mritak, rid yourself of Kal's pain.
Rare are those who deserve it.
COUPLET
Kabir says this, after reflection: Only the brave one who does this can achieve the Beloved.
WHO IS A MRITAK?
[MRITAK: Literally, "dead while alive"; refers to being totally detached from the world and aware of God, as a dead person would be.]
Dharam Das said:
O my God, tell me the qualities of mritak, so that the fire which is
burning in my mind may be extinguished.
O cloud of nectar, explain to me-how can this life die?
Examples of Mritak
Kabir said:
Dharam Das, this is a complicated thing.
Only a few can learn this from a perfect Master.
Example of the Bhringi
Those who serve the Saints as Mritak, ultimately -- grasping the Shabda -- achieve the Path to God.
Just as the insect who, coming in contact with bhringi, develops its body.
Bhringi attacks the insect with its sound, and one who catches that
sound is taken by the bhringi to his home, where he turns it into his own form.
The insect who catches the sound of bhringi, itself becomes bhringi.
Rare are the insects who catch the sound of bhringi at the first attempt.
Some catch it at a second attempt, some at a third, and sacrificing
their body and mind they become the form of bhringi.
The insect who doesn't catch the sound of bhringi remains as an ordinary insect forever.
O Dharam Das, the disciple should receive the knowledge from the
Master as the insect receives the sound from bhringi.
How does one achieve the quality of bhringi?
One who is determined to accept the teachings, I make him My own form:
The jiva [soul] who has no duality realizes Me.
One who believes the words of the Masters, only he becomes the bhringi.
When the crow merges itself into Shabda and leaves all her desires,
she becomes a hansa [heavenly bird, soul-bird of heaven/Sach Khand].
[SHABDA: The Sound Current; also called Naam or Word. The projected Creative Force of the Positive Power or Sat Purush, ultimately responsible for the entire creation and present in each individual in the form of Light and Sound, which can be seen and heard, and which are the agency that pulls the individual back to his/her essence, Sat Purush.
[HANSA: A mythological swan which lives on pearls and is used by Masters as a symbol of the liberated human soul (as, for example, in the term paramhansa, which means literally "great swan")].
What is a hansa?
COUPLET
He who leaves the path of the crow and dwells on the true Shabda within, eating pearls --
Who gives his life to Sat Purush by following the Path shown by the
Masters -- is a hansa.
-- Verses of the Anurag Sagar (Ocean of Love, a volume of the Kabir Sagar literature of the Dharam Das Panth -- above is from the very fine English translation published by Santji, Sant Bani Ashram, who did a great service to humanity by making available this Sant Mat classic)
Rare Quotes From Sant Sat Sahib, the Satguru of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar
"The ultimate Realm is Akah* (Unspeakable)
Which is fully contained within the inner mirror.
The Akah* is the source of true Naam (the Sound Current)
This (Naam) is the truest spiritual technique."
(Sat Sahib)
[*The term "Akah" has been used by Kabir also as the ultimate Abode of Anami Purush.]
“You have been given the seal to imprint the souls,
And you know that the transaction is carried on
through the True Name (SATNAM).
“Whosoever comes, bearing the imprint of your hand
I will take him to the other shore.
“Priceless indeed, is my Name.
Let one hold fast to it with proper concentration.
Near such a person Kal [lord of time, death and illusion] shall not go.
While rising or sitting, let him fix his attention on it,
And let him develop love for the Divine Light within.
Let him abandon all deceptive worship
of the gods and the goddesses.
Let him be absorbed in his real Lord,
realizing Him to be the Truth.
While rising and sitting, the Supreme Lord
should be the center of his attention,
And let him remain merged into the Sound Current.
By taking refuge under the Truth in such a way,
he will certainly overcome Kal."
-- Sant Sat Sahib, the spiritual master of Sant Dariya Sahib
The Teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib can be summarized as these three:
1. Right Gahani (Understanding)
2. Right Rahani (Living)
3. Simran (Mindfulness, Remembrance, Meditation)
Sant Dariya Sahib has advocated two paths only for attainment of Nirvana:
1) The Path of Knowledge [Inner Experience], and,
2) The Path of Bhakti (Love and Devotion)
(Dariya Sahib Website)
The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.
Kabir: "I know myself by being absorbed in the colour of my real Self. When I realize myself being absorbed in the colour of love, the people say that Kabir is mad. Ignorant people do not recognize the colour of God’s love that has coloured the entire world. Kabir says: 'That colour never vanishes, and I am absorbed completely in that immortal colour of God’s love.'” (Kabir Bhajan Amritam)
Poetry Says It Best: Teaching Through the Right Side of the Brain: The Music and Poetry of the Mystics
Most of the great Saints, Sufis and Mystics of history have also been poets or composers of hymns, psalms, odes, banis, bhajans -- mystic songs of love and devotion. India's Saints of Love for thousands of years now have composed their own devotional hymns and poems. India's Mystics have left behind an immense treasure of devotional literature, the banis and bhajans of the Saints. If Westerners aren't able to sing these psalms in their original languages, reading translations of them is in itself a spiritual exercise of great benefit, for these beautiful words carry a loving spiritual charge that helps to keep one mindful of the spiritual Path, as well as it helps to prepare one for daily meditation practice.
"The Lord is my Beloved,
Who is close to the heart of the lover.
He is seen in each heart,
In each heart His palace is alike.
I have told you again and again,
He is seen close by, although seems far off.
The One who has built this house (body),
Dwells within it and is ever present there."
"Let your heart be the mirror,
Within it will be seen your unparalleled Home.
Your true Home is visible in this mirror,
And therein is seen a Refulgent Form."
-- Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar
Some Mystic Verses of Love from Kabir (Kabir Bhajan Amritam)
I was waiting for my Lover (Lord) for many births, and now I (soul) have found Him.
How fortunate I am that even as I sat at home He came to me.
I dyed my mind with auspicious actions, and I am relishing the delicious love of God.
The light of love has appeared in my temple (heart), and I slept there with my Beloved
Husband.
Like a queen I enjoyed the bliss and all the wealth of the palace, not of my own accord, but
by His grace.
Kabir says: "O my dear friends! Without my doing anything, my Lover bestowed upon me the
best of love."
Oh my Beloved God! Whether you like it or not, I will not let you go from my heart.
You were separated from me for a long time, and now I have found you. It is my good
fortune that you came, yourself, to my house.
I bow at your feet and I will keep you here without your consent. I will keep you bound to my
love.
O my Lord! You live happily and comfortably in the temple of my heart. Kabir says: "I do
not go there, where there is fraudulent love."
Now I have realized God, the Absolute.
I will reside blissfully with Him in easy union for limitless time.
When my compassionate guru showered his grace, my heart blossomed like a lotus.
All my doubts are removed and I see Him everywhere. The Supreme Light has manifested in
me.
The dead (liberated person) awoke with the bow of knowledge in his hands, and the hunter,
Kal (delusion) disappeared.
When I awakened from sleep, the sun of knowledge had risen, and the night of ignorance had
disappeared.
I experienced the Unknown, Unique and Absolute that is beyond description.
It is as a dumb person who has tasted sweet, and can smile as a sign of pleasure, but cannot
describe it.
The tree of realization, without blossoms, is loaded with fruits; and without hands and
trumpet, divine melody resounds.
It is as if the vessel is filled with water without the water woman. Just so, I realized God in
easy union.
When I realized God, this raw body turned into perfect gold. In silence I tasted the
indescribable nectar of bliss.
In realization the bird (mind) flew very high in the sky (of devotion), and lost itself, just as
water of the broken vessel mixes with the water of the ocean.
I worship the Supreme Lord, and will not worship any other. I bathed in the worldly ocean,
but now I will not bathe in it again.
All my doubts disappeared in a moment. I came but will not come again. I realize the
Absolute Self in me.
I converse with myself, as I realize that I am immersed in the Supreme Self.
With realization of perfect union, my "self" became absorbed in the Supreme Being.
Kabir says that he who thinks about his Real Nature will destroy the cycle of birth and death.
-- Kabir Bhajan Amritam, published by the Kabir Association of Canada
Selections from Kabir 1008 Vani
"Living in this world for a short period is good, but instead of wasting one’s life doing meaningless things, it is advisable to dedicate it to remembering God. What is the use of living for millions of years if one did not dedicate his time to self-introspection and remembering God, i.e. such life is a total waste; who will keep an account of it?"
"My real happiness lies in the supreme ‘Self.’ And the rest in this world is nothing but distress. With one’s mind, voice and deeds, one should remember Raam with a pious heart. Kabir Saheb says: 'The essence of life is in remembering God only.'"
"The mind is very unsteady. It is not the type that would remember God just like that. It will remember God only when it is poked with the goad of true Knowledge [Gnosis, direct experience]. Kabir Saheb says: '...and then know for sure that this mind will not deviate and will engage itself in remembering God.'"
"Concentrate your mind and remember the Supreme Being without saying anything. Close the outside doors, i.e. quieten your sensory organs and detach yourself from everything. Open the inside doors of your heart, i.e. open yourself internally and concentrate on meditating on God and remembering him."
"Remembering God is the simplest and easiest path which has already been shown by the Satguru. With the help of this device I remember God with each and every breath of mine, and I am sure this will enable me to see him one day, i.e. uttering the name of God continuously. Simply remembering God all the time is the easiest process (Sahaj) of leading a spiritual life which leads the devotee to his goal."
"You are remembering God in your heart. God resides in the same heart. You will get a huge store of true Knowledge in this very heart, i.e. you will find God and his transcendental Knowledge where you will find your supreme 'Self.'"
"Devotion through remembering God brings every happiness to life and removes every distress of mind. Kabir Saheb says: 'Remember God! It has a wonderfully powerful attraction. By continuously remembering God, a time comes when the devoted servant (devotee) and the master (God) become one, i.e. he attains self-realization."
"Utter the name of Raam (God) continuously. Kabir says, 'Only devotees can understand the Mystery of the fact that there is nothing as compared to remembering God.'"
"It is a bliss remembering God even for a moment. But only those, who practice it, know it. Remembering God is so easy that one does not have to spend a single penny on it. In fact one does not have to make any extra efforts to have the best results."
"One cannot become a true lover of God so long as he has fear of death in his mind. The Abode of Love is too far; it is not easy to reach there. One may be blessed with love only after he overcomes the fear of death."
"Like the breath remains the same whether awake or asleep, in the same manner a lover of God remains with his Beloved all the time. He does not separate from his Beloved under any circumstances. So wonderful is the meeting of lovers."
"One should love only those with whom he has mental harmony, i.e. those who are truthful, who have some depth, who are serious and possess self-confidence. And, if by any chance, one commits a mistake, the other one should ignore it and should give place in his heart to virtues only."
Prayers of Guru Kabir
"O Supreme Being! I have become like You by remembering You all the time. There are no more self-conceit, attachments and desires of the world in me. I sacrifice myself on the true Knowledge of Your name, remembering which enables me to see You all around. There is nothing that exists other than You."
"O the Eternal Raam of the temple of my heart! I lost 'my’ existence in remembering You continuously. I have become one with You. I exist not without You now. My mind does not wander about any more. I and You are one now, Raam."
-- Kabir 1008 Vani -- Nectar of Truth and Knowledge,
Essence of the Collection of Saakhis (the Saakhi Granth of Guru Kabir) in Simple Language and Style,
Compiled by Lalchand Doohan Jigyasu,
Translated into English by Kunwar Anil Kumar,
ISBN: 81-8133-515-5
Publisher: Manoj Publications
"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." (Maharshi Mehi)
"Those who have given up all desire, and whose actions are entirely free from the feelings of ‘I and mine’, realize the ultimate peace beyond which there is nothing to strive for and achieve." (Maharshi Mehi)
"We are not alive because we have a body but because we are a soul." (Maharshi Mehi)
Transcending All the Realms via Meditation
"Through the practice of meditation one can progressively move the consciousness inward within oneself. In the beginning, the practice of subtle meditation is difficult to accomplish owing to its unfamiliarity. Through the initial practice of Manas Japa (repetition of mantra [simran]), the mind begins to focus. Then one progresses to the subtler practice of Manas Dhyan (the form of deity) and prepares for the subtle meditation. Subsequently, through Drshti Yoga [inner Light meditation] one practices one-pointedness. Finally, through the practice of Surat-Shabda-Yoga (the Yoga of Sound [inner Sound meditation]) the transcending of all the realms is achieved." -- Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha Darshan)
"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. The ancient sages call this Original Supra-Cosmic Sound "Om". The literature of Indian saints speaks of the Original Sound as the Nirguna Ram Nam (Unqualified All-Pervading Sound), Satyanaam (the Eternal Sound), Adi-naam (Eternal Word, the Name or Sound of the beginning), and Sar Shabda (the Essential Sound). It is therefore useless to search the streams of the spiritual Sounds outside oneself. This task of holding Sounds will be accomplished through following the internal spiritual path under the guidance of a spiritual master.
"Through the practice of meditation one can progressively move the consciousness inward within oneself. In the beginning, the practice of subtle meditation is difficult to accomplish owing to its unfamiliarity. Through the initial practice of Manas Japa (repetition of mantra), the mind begins to focus. Then one progresses to the subtler practice of Manas Dhyan (the form of deity) and prepares for the subtle meditation. Subsequently, through Drshti Yoga [Inner Light, Inner Seeing] one practices one-pointedness. Finally, through the practice of Surat Shabda-Yoga (the Yoga of Sound, Inner Hearing) the transcending of all the realms is achieved."
-- Maharshi Mehi, Philosophy of Liberation
Within the Human Body is the True Temple of the Spirit
"Vedic dharma has its temples, Christianity its churches, and Islam its mosques, but the real temple is the heart. God is attained within: the path to God lies within one’s own Self, as all the Saints have taught with unanimity. The inner path begins in Sushumana, Ajana Chakra (the tenth gate between two eyebrows, [third eye center])." (Beloved Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj)
"The tenth gate is the gathering point of consciousness. Therein lies the path for our return. The tenth gate is also known as the sixth chakra, the third eye, bindu, the center located between the two eyebrows. This is the gateway through which we leave the gates of the sense organs and enter in the divine realms and finally become established in the soul. We travel back from the Realm of Darkness to the Realm of Light, from the Light to the Divine Sound, and from the Realm of Sound to the Soundless State. This is called turning back to the Source." (Swami Santsevi Ji)
The Essential Teaching of the Masters and Mystics
“The question arises: What is this essential teaching? The answer is: The Divine Reality is one and the path to realize that Reality is within each of us. The path is not found in the nine gates (i.e. through the sensory organs) of the body but only through the tenth gate (the third eye or the spiritual eye). The body cannot tread this path -- only the inner consciousness along with the mind, intellect, and ego principle can travel this path. However, during the last and final stages of the inner spiritual path, the conscious soul alone journeys and reaches the Divine. This path is very subtle. Sant Mehi described it as being, ‘more subtle than even the point of the needle.’ Sants unanimously agree that the path to the Divine can be taken up by any human being belonging to any caste, social status, gender, ethnicity or country." (Swami Vyasanand Ji Maharaj, The Inward Journey of the Soul)
Inner Suns, Inner Lights of Inner Space
Swami Vyasanand: "We described earlier the experience of moonlight, which should not be considered the complete experience of the Light State. The realm of pure Light, the center of infallible Divine Light, is far from the realm described thus far.
"There are two parts of the realm of the Divine Light: the Light of Night, and the Light of Day. From the Third Eye (Ajna Chakra) to the moonlight realm is known as the 'Night Realm of Light.' From the dawn-light to the full sun is known as the 'Daylight Realm.' There are three levels of the Daylight Realm: the Light of Dawn, the Red Light of the Rising Sun, and the Bright Light of the Noonday Sun. Some say since the sun is also outside why do Sants describe this Inner Sun? It is important to differentiate between the Inner Light experience and the common outer experience of sunlight. The outer sun in this material world rises in the morning and sets in the evening. The Sun of the Inner Divine Realms, however, once it rises never sets; it unceasingly shines. The practitioners who have experienced the vision of this Inner Divine sun will also never experience death. (In other words, they will not be subjected to the cycle of death and rebirth). Sant Kabir says: 'The practitioner becomes immortal and never dies.'
"Furthermore, the outer sun is warm and gives heat, whereas the Inner Sun is cool and pleasant. Sant Kabir says: 'In the Inner Divine Sun resides the coolness of the moon.' In other words, the rays of the Inner Divine Sun are imbued with the coolness similar to the moon. The outer sunlight awakens living beings and brings chatter and activity, but the Inner Sun is the precursor of Divine Sound. Outer sunlight awakens beings to yearnings and the Inner Sun removes afflictions. The outer sun renews the strength in the body and senses, while the Inner Sun removes the activity of the senses, which become subdued. People who see only the outer sun perform all kinds of actions, while those experiencing the Inner Sun are drawn to listen to the Soundless Sound (Nihshabda). With the outer sun ignorance increases (as humans indulge in mundane activities), but the Inner Sun removes ignorance and gives rise to Divine Knowledge [Gnosis]." (The Inward Journey of the Soul, Amazon Kindle e-book by Swami Vyasanand)
Sant Darshan Singh: Love's Last Madness
"Very near your heart are seekers of your Vision; Those who look at the surface are exiled from the Beloved’s Light. What can I say of the grace He showers on me within? Darshan, the moment I close my eyes, the Beloved’s Light begins." (Love’s Last Madness, Poetry of Darshan Singh)
Portrait of Soamiji Maharaj (Seth Shiv Dayal Singh, Sant Radhasoami Sahib) hanging on my wall.
Love and eagerness for paramartha [spirituality] are necessary for a devotee of the Radhasoami Faith [Sant Mat, Path of the Masters].
74. No worldly activity, whatever it may be, can be accomplished properly without earnestness and love, i.e. as long as the mind and senses do not engage in any such activity with full attention, it cannot be accomplished well. How can then the search for paramartha [spirituality] and Abhyasa [spiritual practice, meditation,] be carried out without giving full attention? Hence, it is necessary for a true paramarthi [spiritual devotee] of the Radhasoami Faith that he should attend the Satsang and perform the practices in an attitude of love, and it is only then that he would realize its benefit, otherwise, all his activities would be performed with indifference and he would feel no joy in them, nor would his love and faith increase.
75. Love which is accompanied by faith is more dependable and can last longer and one can get great benefit from it and the Grace of the Supreme Being Merciful Radhasoami would also be available in large measure. This faith can be developed by attending Satsang.
76. ‘Satsang’ is association with the Guru or a Sadh, and the Guru and Sadh should be a follower of the Religion of Saints, i.e. the Radhasoami Religion. In such a Satsang, there will be no mention of quarrels, disputes, stories, worldly entanglements and such other things and only the following matters will be dealt with:
(1) Glory of Sat Purush Merciful Radhasoami [Supreme Being, the Merciful Lord of the Soul], the secrets of the path, and of the various stages and the method of traversing the path;
(2) Method of developing love for and faith in the Feet of Merciful Radhasoami and the Guru [the master];
(3) Engendering, in one’s mind, of the condition of indifference to, and detachment from, the world and its enjoyments;
(4) Description of those obstacles which the mind and Maya [illusion] create to prevent an Abhyasi [practitioner] from proceeding on the path;
(5) Description of the experiences which an Abhaysi [practitioner] gets at the time of Satsang and his Abhyasa [spiritual practices, meditation techniques];
(6) Description of the ascent of the spirit to higher regions and the conditions therein.
-- Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Sandesh
Inner Light and Sound Meditation -- Exploring Inner Space
Mataji exuded a sense of joy and happiness. We talked for more than three hours about a variety of subjects, but I was most intrigued with Mataji's experiences on the inner spiritual planes. I asked her what it was like to leave the body. Mataji responded with a beautiful description of how consciousness can be released from the mortal frame by attaching itself to the stream of celestial music radiating from the top of the head and beyond. To do this, she said, one first must be initiated by a genuine mystic who has gained access to the higher realms. The practice itself, although it may take years to master, sounds relatively simple. The body should be kept perfectly still with one particular posture held for at least three hours. One may choose a cross-legged position (like the yogis in the lotus pose) or a more comfortable, relaxed position in a chair. Keeping the back erect and the mind alert, one continuously repeats God's name as given by his/her guru. This simran, as Mataji termed it, should be done with one's attention centered behind closed eyes. Coupled with this physical stillness and ceaseless repetition of God's name, the next step is to contemplate the light within.
At first, Mataji pointed out, there will be only darkness but eventually light will appear in the form of either small flashes or small star-like points. In any case, one should focus on the radiance, keeping one's simran intact and allowing the light to draw the soul inward. The third and most important step, Mataji said, is to listen to the sound that issues forth from the light. It is this internal music which will numb the body and allow the consciousness to leave its ordinary dwelling. By riding this current of light and sound, like a fish going upstream, the soul will be able to go back to its original home. On the journey within, however, the soul must be guided by a true master so as not to be detained in any of the lower illusory regions. According to Mataji, what near-death patients experience is only the beginning of a vast sojourn into great universes of light, love and beauty. (Enchanted Land, from a chapter about the teachings of Yogani Mataji of the Radhasoami Faith)
"These are the secret words which the Living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas wrote. And He said: Whoever finds the explanation of these words will not taste death."
Above is from the first English edition of the Gospel of Thomas to appear, in 1959, published by E.J. Brill, Leiden, Harper & Brothers, New York. The translators were A. Guillaumont, Henri-Charles Puech, G. Quispel, Walter Till, and Yassah 'Abd Al Masih.
The Ascension of the Soul via Meditation Practice
"Now therefore, while you are in the body, do not let matter rule over you: Arise! Let us go away from this place."
Commentary: We not only need sleep to rest and recharge the body and mind, but through meditation we can experience another level of rest, tranquility or heavenly repose. Above is a saying attributed to Jesus found in a Coptic book scholars call, "The Gospel of the Saviour", an orphan saying from an unknown, heavily damaged text found in Egypt. In the Gnostic Gospels are many descriptions of souls ascending through various heavenly realms. This was part of their contemplative practice and an important goal. Rather than remaining under the control of the "hand of fate", the archons (rulers), principalities and other negative powers of mind and matter, by ascension or "rising above body-consciousness" during meditation, the gnostic soul seeks to "rule over the All", in other words, gain mastery of their own Inner Space, the microcosm of the macrocosm universe within.
By Day the Sun Moves, the Moon Moves By Night, Billions of Stars Pass By; He is the One Perpetual Abode, O Nanak
"Serve the One, the very Divine Teacher of all. Know that His real nature is the only One: the One Light in all. He is, and ever shall be. He has not gone, nor will He disappear. Eternal is the Creator. Nanak, know that the Real is eternal -- everything else is false. The whole world is like a dream-drama; God causes the whole play of the drama to be enacted.
"What pleases Him, the Supreme Being -- THAT indeed takes place. This world is an illusion; this world is all a dream. For Nanak, only the Lord is true. The whole world must pass away in time. The Compassionate is the only permanent Abode. By day the sun moves, the moon moves by night, billions of stars pass by; He is the one perpetual Abode, 0 Nanak."
(Verses from the Adi Granth/Sikh Scriptures, "The Gospel of the Guru Granth", Duncan Greenlees, Theosophical Publishing House)
"Pure is the Word. Pure is the Master's teaching. Pure is the Lord's Light which pervades all, meditating on which, one washes one's dirt off."
"I would love to be a deer, abiding in the woods living on roots, if, by the Guru’s Grace, do I thus meet my Lord, unto whom I am a Sacrifice.
"I am the pedlar of my Lord, and deal only in the merchandise of His Name. [Pause]
"I would be a Koel-bird, sheltered in a mango grove, and dwell, in peace, on the Word, if thus do I meet my Lord of indescribable beauty, the natural way.
"I would be a fish, abiding in water, if thus do I remember the Lord who supports all. Hugging Him, in a close embrace, I see Him here, there and everywhere.
"I would be a serpent living under the ground, if thus would the Music of the Word charm me, making me fear-free.
"Nanak: he alone forever is blest whose soul merges into the All-Soul."
-- Verses from the Sikh Scriptures -- Adi Granth -- Guru Granth, Gopal Singh Translation, Volume One
