Ocean, Wave, and the Drop, also, Right-Hearted Seva (Selfless Service)

Ocean, Wave, and the Drop, also, Right-Hearted Seva (Selfless Service)

 

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Below: 1) from, Petals of Love, and 2) from, The Discourses of Maharaj Saheb Ocean (God), Wave (the Living Master/Sant Satguru) and Drop (the Soul)

 

 

The relationship between the Supreme Being, the Guru and the jivas [souls] has been well compared with ocean, its wave and the drop. The Supreme Being is the ocean of all bliss, light, life, sound and truth. The Guru is the wave which is always in union with the ocean and not different from it and the jiva [soul] with the same attributes is a drop far away from the ocean. This contact between the drop and the wave is the true Bhakti [path of love]. Therefore, emphasis has been laid upon establishing contact between the Guru and the disciples at all levels, that is, physical, mental and spiritual. This contact would be developed through the company of the Guru, both external and internal. The external company of the Guru is called the 'external satsang' and the internal company of the Shabd form of the Guru is called the 'internal satsang'. There are four essentials on which this faith bases its tenets:

1. Sat-guru

2. Sat-sang

3. Sat-anurag (True Bhakti)

4. Sat-nam (the true name, that is, Radhasoami Nam) or Sat-shabd

By the Seva [service] and the Satsang [true association] of the Guru the spirit entity would slowly and slowly shake off the coverings [sheaths, subtle bodies] and would be able to catch the Sound Currents and one day reach the Ultimate Abode. The whole process may take a period of four lives which may be shortened in the case of more ardent devotees.

For the attainment of perfect salvation, the Radhasoami Faith like all other Sant sects, shuns all other paraphernalia and external observances and rituals. It has emphasized upon the pure love in the holy feet of the Supreme Being and the Guru. As such it denounces hatred and discrimination among the human beings. All are the children of one Father and as such there is no place for such a discrimination in point of caste, creed or color and thus cannot check one to adopt this faith. According to the Radhasoami Faith, women are entitled to enjoy the same privileges as men. They also can practice Surat Shabd Yoga and gain high spiritual attainments. The champions of this enlightened faith, advocated in the social set up of the nineteenth century the removal of the purdah system for the ladies and urged them to come out of the narrow social restrictions and respond to the call of the time. Moreover, their preachings strengthened the disintegrating Hindu society by effacing the false barriers of caste prejudices.

In a nut-shell, Radhasoami Faith is a gospel of love. Love towards the holy feet of Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul], love towards the Guru of the time and love with all the human beings is its cardinal message.

-- Prof. Agam Prasad Mathur, Petals of Love

Ego-based Seva vs. Right-Hearted Seva (Selfless Service)

The strengthening of the outward tendency or inclination, be it even in Parmarthi [spiritual] activities, is harmful and injurious. For example, to cherish a desire for power and authority in the Seva [service, activity] of Satsang or some such other work one is entrusted with, or to become totally engrossed in the Seva of the Head of Satsang or in the personal or special Seva of the Perfect Guru, which may fortunately be allotted to one, if He is present, and to forget the real object, constitutes ignorance. The object of Parmarth [spirituality] is that Surat [soul] and the mind, which are at present getting diffused outside, should withdraw and ascend within. The modes and methods to achieve this end, are Satsang and Abhyas [meditation practices]. Along with these, Seva is also prescribed. If this object is achieved by performing Seva, then it is all right, otherwise, the real purpose will be defeated. But, from this it should not be inferred that performing Seva is of no avail. According as one's grade is, Seva is also necessary and beneficial, but to consider this alone to be the be-all and end-all of Parmarth, and to remain engrossed in outward activities day and night, without giving importance to the withdrawal and ascension of Surat and mind is a gross misunderstanding on one's part.

Some keep their own Swarth (self-interest) uppermost in Seva. Great jealousy also finds a place amongst one another. Changes in the allotment of acts of Seva or taking away of any Seva lead to antagonism and quarrels. That by which one wins the pleasure of the Lord is really Seva. Be it reproof, rebuke or humiliation, one should bear it cheerfully and not try to show off one's cleverness at all.

-- Maharaj Saheb 

 

 

 

 

Petals of Love: The Holy Name of Beloved Lord Radhasoami, and Conduct According to the Radhasoami Faith

 

Petals of Love: The Holy Name of Beloved Lord Radhasoami, and Conduct According to the Radhasoami Faith
 

Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"

The Concept and the Name of the Supreme Being in the Radhasoami Faith, by Agam Prasad Mathur (Dada Ji), in the book, Petals of Love:

The Radhasoami Faith is essentially a faith of love. Great stress has been laid by its founder leaders on the generation of love for the Supreme Creator, the Supreme Master who is all love. Love is the prime source of boundless energy. Love is bliss, and thus the Supreme Being is Supreme Bliss. Love is Light and Truth and from them emanates intelligence. Thus the Supreme Being is an infinite ocean of bliss, intelligence, energy, truth and light. He is eternal and unchangeable and the sole director of the whole creation. Such a Supreme Being is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. He is all-pervading. The entire universe is the creation of His own current and as such He is present at every stage in the creation. All the religions of the world believe the Supreme Being to be omnipresent and all-pervading that is Sarva Vyapak and Sarva Deshi but Radhasoami Faith like all other Sant sects of the past believes the Supreme Being to be both Sarva Deshi, that is, omnipresent and Ekdeshi, that is, confined to one region. Laying great emphasis upon this point, the second Guru of Radhasoami Faith, Hazur Maharaj says that without accepting Him to be Ekdeshi, it is not possible to translate and elaborate the spirit and to cross the limits of maya and it would be difficult to get admission to His abode which is pure bliss, love and energy......

Radhasoami signifies both the Supreme Being and the original spirit or sound current which emanates from His Holy feet and which is the fundamental factor in the whole creation. The Supreme Being who has manifested Himself as the Creator can be compared with an ocean of bliss, love, truth, energy and sound (shabd). A creative ocean cannot be perceived without commotion or wave. A single wave tends to produce a cumulative effect which results in the continuous flow of waves. The ocean can thus be called the master creator that is Soami and the first original wave as Radha. With the commotion or rise of the wave, a sound also reverberates. That sound is Radhasoami. So it is equivalent to an announcement from the Supreme Being of His own name.

The Radhasoami Faith stands for love. Love has two components -- the lover and the beloved. The Supreme Being is all love and in Him the two components -- the lover and the beloved are manifested in all excellence. The first wave which emanated from the Prime Source is the lover, that is, Radha and the beloved is Prime Source itself, that is, Soami. But as the wave is the chief component of the ocean so Radha is identical and one with Soami.

As has already been explained, Radhasoami is the spiritual resonance reverberating incessantly in the highest region of creation where no mind and matter exist. The original resonance or adi-shabd (first sound) is Soami. Radha is the creative force which emanated from adi-shabd. Radha, being the first creative force, having its source in adi-shabd, and completely identical with it, is known as adi-surat. Radhasoami together signifies the store house of Shabd which is sound and energy both.


Prem Bani (Hymn) from Huzur Maharaj:

Have firm faith in, and reliance on RADHASWAMI.
Radhasoami will accomplish all your tasks.

The Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal [Merciful Lord of the Soul]
loves you dearly.
He will redeem you in a moment.
Believe what I say is true.

Know that Radhasoami is your True Beloved.
His heart is overflowing with compassion for souls.
He imparts them his own strength and redeems them.

Have no anxiety or worry in your mind now.

Utter

'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'
'RADHASOAMI'

........ every moment.

Always utter 'RADHASOAMI',
the Name of the Merciful Supreme Being.
Then only will mind and Kal become powerless against you.

Radhasoami is my most Beloved Lord.


Conduct, By Agam Prasad Mathur, in the Book, Petals of Love:

A true satsangi should in all faith and sincerity adhere to the following edicts:

1. Radhasoami faith is the true religion and Radhasoami is the name of the true Supreme Being.

2. The Sant-satguru of the time is the Supreme Being incarnate. With all love and humility, the devotee should serve him with body, mind and soul. His satsang should be attended with full faith and attention.

3. The true name revealed by the Satguru is Radhasoami. It is Dhunyatmak naam or the supreme resonance of the highest division of creation; all others who have manifested themselves at lower spheres are subordinate to it. Radhasoami as such is the all-pervading spiritual resonance that harmonizes the sounds of different lower regions; hence Radhasoami is the sat-shabd or true holy name.

4. By implanting this true name within one's own self with all love and faith, the sumiran, dhyan and bhajan should be practiced [sumiran/simran: repeating God's Name (Radhasoami), dhyan: visualising the form of one's Sant-satguru/teacher and seeing inner Light; bhajan: meditating upon the inner Sound]. Bhajan or surat-shabd-yoga should be practiced in a secluded place regularly and with all reliance in the grace and mercy of Radhasoami Dayal [the Compassionate Lord of the Soul] and Satguru; whatever is observed and heard should be kept secret and should not be divulged to others under any circumstances.

5. A true satsangi should surrender himself entirely to the mauj [will] of the Satguru. Whatever comes to pass in his life, he should not complain; rather he should take it to be for his good.

6. Animal diet and intoxicants should be totally avoided. Use of rich food and over-eating should also be avoided. The period of sleep should be gradually reduced to six hours a day.

7. Attachment to the worldly people and the material objects should be reduced to the minimum. Worldly thoughts should not be allowed to overpower the mind. The mind and senses should be kept under control. Public and private duties should be performed with mental equanimity.

8. Feeling of pride and vanity in matters of caste, wealth, position and personal qualifications should not be allowed to grow. Love and humility are true virtues or real personal ornaments which should be adopted.

9. Jealousy, antagonism and anger should not be entertained. Time should not be wasted in useless pursuits and gossip. A habit of forgiveness and tolerance should be inculcated.

10. Feeling of love, affection and brotherhood for fellow satsangis should be cultivated. A true desire to fulfill the ideals of bhakti [love and devotion] should be nurtured.

11. Attention should in no case be diverted to activities, customs and functions detrimental to true spiritual pursuits. Fear of worldly gain should not distract the mind from fulfilling the requirements of the faith.

12. Benevolence and charity should be adhered to and a certain portion of the earnings should be spent in parmarthi activities.

13. One should deal with others in the same manner as one would wish others to behave with him. If one is not in a position to do good to others, he should under no circumstances cause any harm to them. Nothing should be done with the motive of gaining name and fame in the world.

14. The spiritual realization, inner secrets of the practice of surat-shabd-yoga [meditation upon the inner Sound of God (Radhasoami)], and inner revelations of His grace and mercy should at no cost be disclosed by a devotee to anybody except the Satguru.

15. Truth should be the guideline in the performance of all activities, spiritual or temporal, for a satsangi. Nothing that falls short of truth should be acceptable to him.

 

 

 

 

The Supreme Being, a Boundless Ocean of Spirit and Love

The Supreme Being, a Boundless Ocean of Spirit and Love

Radhasoami Reality:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Radhasoami-Reality
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:
"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

48. Love for Supreme Being

108. This practice can be conducted easily and comfortably if the devotee has a little love for the Supreme Being. Without love it will be too hard and difficult to practice Surat-Shabd-Yoga [Yoga of the Audible Life Stream, Inner Sound] with any good result to be obtained within a short time.

1. The Supreme Being, being a boundless ocean of spirit or love; and, human being, being a drop or current of spirit or love from this ocean; and, love being the very essence and means of existence of the whole creation, it follows that no effort in any direction, temporal or spiritual, unless actuated by love or affectionate regard, can be crowned with success, and, the work or labour rendered easy, sweet and harmonious.

2. Love is most sublime, having its origin in the highest region, the abode of the Supreme Being. In whatever heart it sprang up, it will gradually raise and carry the fortunate possessor of this lofty and noble passion to the highest region.

3. All good qualities and goodness itself will gradually find their home in the heart in which love dwells and all bad qualities will be rooted out by and by.

4. Whatever a human being, full of pure love thinks or does, is all wisdom; while the thoughts and works of worldly wise persons are full of selfishness and folly.

5. Knowledge without love for the Supreme Being is futile and tends towards untruth or darkness or materialism, while love turns everything to good use and leads to enlightenment and truth. Even worldly love, such as filial and conjugal, is attended with goodness, happiness and comfort to all concerned. How much more good would then result to mankind in general if the same loves become spiritual, and be directed towards the Supreme Being, the merciful and Kind Parent of the whole creation.

6. Self-love brings on egotism or pride, and sows the seed of hatred, jealousy and disregard in the minds of kindred, associates and neighbours; while pure and sacred love for the Supreme Being creates in the heart humility, meekness and an affectionate regard for kindred, neighbours and humanity in general.

7. Pure and holy love is always ready to spend (regardlessly) whatever it has for the sake of its beloved, the Supreme Father, and the benefit of mankind without any distinction; whereas self-love or love of world always tries to appropriate everything to itself, even at the risk and loss of others.

8. Pure and holy love is always ready to sacrifice anything whatever to gain admission into the presence of the beloved, the Supreme Being; whereas, self-love will never part with anything except for the sake of its own aggrandizement and indulgence in sensual pleasures.

9. The noble passion of love is most powerful and strong. It removes all obstacles and thorns in its way and discards all superstitions, doubts and skepticism.

10. Where pure love dwells there sheds the light of Grace, as it forms a link with the spirit or love current from its source, the Supreme Being.

11. Such is the strength and effect of affection and kind treatment that it subdues ferocity and other injurious and dangerous characteristics in beasts and other animals, that is to say, they begin to love and have an affectionate regard for their keepers and trainers.

12. A heart devoid of love or affection is as hard as stone, and does not form a suitable receptacle for light of Heavenly Grace and Mercy.

13. Sincere love is reciprocal, so if one has a heart full of love for the Supreme Being, one is sure to be attracted towards Him by Grace, Mercy and Holy Light which will gradually illumine his inner-self, and then all menial and worldly affections and desires will gradually disappear.

14. Love or the power of attraction is the basis of the whole creation and the cause of its sustenance and preservation.

15. The Supreme Being loves and takes special care of those who love Him with all their heart and soul, and gradually draws them towards Himself, the Grand Centre of Pure Light and Attraction; while those whose hearts are imbued with worldly love and passions recede from this centre, or in other words, they of themselves fly away towards the circumference or darkness and untruth.

16. Every wave of love rising in a lover's heart brings tidings of goodness and joy from the beloved, and every thought springing up in such a heart is a harbinger of good works and good services for the sake of the beloved.

17. Love has no bounds, knows no restrictions, and is not limited by conditions, and like its source is extensive and far reaching in its beneficial results.

--- RADHASOAMI MAT PRAKASH - A Brief View of Radhasoami Faith ---
Being a message of Eternal Peace and Joy to all nations ---
Originally written by Hazur Maharaj in english and published in the year 1897A.D.
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/radhasoami/rsmatpra/rsmatprakash_7.htm

Emphasis on Love and Devotion. Reviving the bhakti traditions of Medieval India, the founders of Radhasoami faith emphasize the devotional aspect of religion. According to them bhakti alone would bring salvation to the suffering humanity. One should engender true love for the formless Supreme Being and take shelter (saran) in his divine will (mauj). Hazur Maharaj says that "a heart devoid of love or affection is as hard as stone and does not form a suitable receptacle for the light of Heavenly Grace and Mercy…The Supreme Being loves and takes special care of those who love Him with all their heart and soul and gradually draws them towards Himself – the Centre of Pure Light and Attraction." Love, therefore, is the keynote of Radhasoami faith.


A practical Religion – Blending of Bhakti and Yoga. The founders of the faith have essentially made it a faith of actual practice and behaviour. The philosophical moorings and thought-processes are subsidiary elements in it. It is through practice alone that teachings would prove efficacious. The founders of the faith set the motto: "Practice and observe the results yourself." They introduces a mode of spiritual exercise – surat-shabd-yoga – and claimed to have based it on scientific lines. The practitioner of this yoga would derive practical benefits in the world and feel no pain at the time of death. An abhyasi [meditation practitioner] dies while living. He gets absorbed in the bliss and ecstasy of higher and spiritual life and attains the status of a sthitpragya [state of stabilized cognition, tranquility, peace]. Hardly does he feel the joys and sorrows of the world. The founders assert that surat-shabd-yoga is the easiest and best of all modes of yoga ever practiced in the country in the past or present. It can be practiced by all alike – men, women, old, young, rich and poor. A person leading a family life with all his temporal preoccupation can practise it as effectively as a recluse.

The faith also presents a harmonious blending of yoga and bhakti. The key to surat-shabd-yoga lies with the guru of the time. A practitioner must, therefore, practise bhakti of the guru as a prerequisite to successful performance of yoga. When the practitioner serves the guru with body, mind and soul and with all love and humanity dissolves his ego, he himself witnesses a transformation of his life within and without, and achieves remarkable progress in spiritual pursuit. The founders have, thus, delivered the message of love on practical grounds. They have affirmed that the path of love excels everything. True and selfless love is itself the yoga. Surat-shabd-yoga is the devotional mode of self-realization.

--- RADHASOAMI FAITH - A HISTORICAL STUDY
by Prof. A.P. Mathur
M.A., PhD, F.I.H.S., F.R.A.S. (London)
Former Vice-Chancellor, Agra University, Agra, India
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/radhasoami/rsfaith/radhasoamifaith.htm