Mystic Poems from, The Name of My Beloved

 

 

Mystic Poems from, The Name of My Beloved

Mystic Verses of Guru Nanak: The Name of My Beloved

{"This mysterious path is described in the holy books, but it cannot be found simply by the study of sacred texts. It is found by the grace and guidance of an accomplished teacher."}

{"Do not live even a single day without inner
meditation." -- Baba Devi Sahab}

 

Guru Nanak

Mystic Poems from, The Name of My Beloved -- Verses of the Sikh Gurus -- Devotional Poetry from the Guru Granth and the Dasam Granth, translated by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, The Sacred Literature Trust Series

The sky is our platter, the sun and moon our lamps,
it is studded with pearls, the starry galaxies,
The wafting scent of sandal wood is our incense,
the gentle breeze, our whisk,
all vegetation, the bouquet of flowers we offer to You.

What an act of worship!
This truly is Your worship, You who sunder life from death.
The unstruck Sound within is the drum to which we chant.

You have a thousand eyes yet without eye are You,
You have a thousand faces yet without face are You,
You have a thousand feet yet without foot are You,
You have a thousand noses yet without nose are You,
I am enchanted by Your wonders.

There is a Light in all, and that Light is You,

By that Light we are all illumined. The Light is revealed through the Guru's teachings. Whatever pleases You is worship of You.
(Guru Nanak, Kirtan Sohila)

 

 

Guru Nanak

Hear me, my Beloved, I am bathed in Your Love,
My mind and body are immersed in You,
unable to forget You for an instant.
How can remembrance slip, I offer myself to You.
I live only to sing Your praise.
No one belongs to me and I belong to no one;
without the Divine One, I cannot live.
I seek Your support.
By living at Your feet, my body is purified.
Nanak says, through the Guru's Word
vision grows wide, comfort deep,
and the mind is centred.

The ambrosial drops are showering down.
The Beloved comes to her so naturally,
and the bride is so deeply in love.
The Divine One enters the bodily haven of the woman,
awake and virtuous, who pleases her Groom.
In every home the Lover revels in the true brides;
why then am I forsaken?
Clouds are cast low in the sky, and the showers are delightful,
my mind and body are rapturous in love.
Nanak says, with the shower of the ambrosial Word
the Divine One graciously enters our dwelling.

The month of Chet is glorious, the bumble-bees delight in spring,
Barren woods bloom, and I long for my Beloved to come home.
(Guru Nanak, Barah Maha) 

 

SANTS OF INDIA

Embrace Him Holding His Hands of Light & Sound

Embrace Him Holding His Hands of Light & Sound

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{"This mysterious path is described in the holy books,
but it cannot be found simply by the study of sacred texts.
It is found by the grace and guidance of an accomplished teacher."}

Naad Throbs in Vindu

by Shri Shahi Swami ji Maharaj

 

[A translated discourse of Parampoojya Shri Shahi Swami ji Maharaj, the seniormost disciple alive of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji alive, delivered at the Satsang Hall of Maharshi Mehi Ashram at Kuppaghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India on 27.05.1979 on the occasion of the Weekly Satsang. The original Hindi version of the discourse provided by Ms. Pooja Rani, the moderator of the yahoo group "santmat_parivar" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/santmat_parivar

– Translation by Pravesh K. Singh]

Here Weekly Satsang is held on every Sunday. Those who attend (this weekly satsang) regularly know that here sants' wisdom is propagated or disseminated through Satsang. What is its need? The knowledge of sants is the `amrit' (nectar – imagined mythical drink which imparts immortality). We read about `amrit' , we read about `kalpavriksha' (the famed mythical tree said to be capable of fulfilling all the wishes made or thought by the person sitting under it) and `kaamdhenu' (the mythical divine cow again capable of fulfilling all the wishes prayed for) in Puranas (ancient Hindu Scriptures). However, in my view, sants' knowledge itself is all these things in reality. That who abides by, live by the preaching of sants attains auspicious results. He transcends himself beyond the cycle of `aawaagaman' (birth & death) and merges into the God. Great is the glory of sants' wisdom:

"Satsangati mud mangal moolaa. Soi fal sidhi sab saadhan foolaa."
– Goswami Tulsi Das

[The company of the Truth (sants are living embodiments of the Truth) is at the root of all the bliss and happiness. Various meditation techniques and the (supernatural) attainments are the flowers and fruits respectively.]

He who lives in Satsang attains greatness. Sant Sundardas ji has said,

"Taat milai puni maat milai, bhraat milai yuvatee sukhadaayee.
Raaj milai gajbaaj milai, sab saaj milai manavaanchhit paaee.
Lok milai suralok milai, vidhi lok milai baikunthahu jaaee.
Sundar aur milai sabahee sukh, sant samaagam durlabh paaee."

[No matter you get a father, mother, brother and good wife, too. You also might very well be endowed with a kingdom, and all the coveted means of luxury. You might also attain to the Kingdom of Indra, Brahma and Vishnu. All these lofty-looking states might be realized. Nonetheless, it is very difficult to find or get into the company of a sant.]

What do we find in sants' preachings? We get to know of our duties. It is very important to know about our obligations, as to which acts we should perform.

Lives of all the creatures in this world are spent in eating, sleeping, apprehensions or fears and reproduction. If this human life, too, is frittered away in these very activities, what then remains so special about it? It is alright if we perform the duties that are expected of a human being. But, if we keep ourselves removed from these virtues then let us just think of what or who we are! The (noblest) task of ridding oneself of the cycle of `aawaagaman' (birth & death) is possible of fulfillment only with this human body. Maharshi Mehi has said :

"aawagaman sam dukh doojaa, hai nahee jag me koee.

Isake niwaaran ke liye, prabhu bhakti karanee chaahiye"

[There is no misery as grave in this world as `aawaagaman'. To overcome this, we ought to practice devotion.]

If someone has stockpiled huge riches, has earned great respect, will he get freed from the cycle of `aawaagaman'? Sahajo Bai has very rightly said,

"Chouraasee bhugatee ghanee, bahut sahee jam maar.

Bharami firai tinhu lok me, tahoon na maanee haar.

Tahoon na maanee haar, mukti ko chaah na keenhee.

Heeraa dehee pay, mol maatee ke keenhee.

Moorakh nar samajhai nahee, samajhaayaa bahu baar.

Charandaas kahai Sahajiyaa, sumirego karataar."

[Despite having suffered miserably through the wanderings in 8.4 million species, grievous blows given repeatedly by the death-god, we have not learnt the lesson yet. Still we do not yearn for the liberation and, instead, keep wasting this diamond-like body as that of clay. The ignorant one does not understand the lesson despite several efforts to make him grasp the reality. Charandas (Guru of Sahajo Bai) exhorts Sahajo bai to remember and concentrate on the Supreme Lord.]

Having loitered in numerous different bodies for so long, we have now been given this human body. Even now if we do not wake up, be alert, then it is as if we are squandering in objects of senses our valuable life which is as precious as diamond. Listen to a short story. There was a shepherd. He used to rear & graze sheep and goats. One day he saw a beautiful stone (which was, in fact, a diamond) half stuck in the ground. He tried first to knock it out with the kick of his foot, but did not succeed. He then dug it out by using his stick and tied it with a thread around the neck of one of his goats. One day, one `jauhari' (the jeweler or the appraiser of precious stones & metals) happened to notice the stone. He said to the shepherd, "O brother, would you please sell this stone to me?" The (innocent) shepherd told him, "Take it for free, if you so like it." The `jauhari' said, "No, no! You must charge a price for it." "OK! Give whatever you deem it to be fit." The `jauhari' paid five Rupees (Indian currency note) to the shepherd, and as soon as he untied the diamond, it burst into pieces and a sound came out of it, "The shepherd kicked me with his feet, but I did not mind. Then he struck me with his baton, even then I did not mind. That was because the shepherd did not know me or my value. But you are a `jauhari'. You are very well aware of my price. Yet when you valued me at five rupees, I couldn't bear it, my heart broke and I was shattered into pieces." Likewise, the man is the most evolved of all the species in this world, has been blessed with wisdom. He who has not understood his duties well, is bound to land in trouble, is bound to fall back into the trap of the 8.4 million, to fall back in the vicious cycle of `aawaagaman'.

There are five bodies – `sthool' (gross), `sookshma' (astral or subtle), `kaaran' (causal), `mahaakaaran' (supra-causal) and `kaivalya' (conscious). In the event of death, only the `sthool' body is left behind, while all the other four bodies carry on acting as the seed for further future gross bodies. If, along with this `sthool' body, even the `sookshma', `kaaran', `mahaakaaran' and `kaivalya' bodies can also be discarded, the freedom from `aawaagaman' would be accomplished. When none of these bodies will remain, man would transform into the Supreme Soul, God Himself. "Jaanat tumhanhi tumhai hoi jaaee." (The Knower knowing You (God) becomes You (God) only) The (indivisible) part of the God would be liberated from the coverings of the body and its organs. How will this happen? Whatever all is to be done for this is, in fact, called `bhakti' (devotion). Call it `bhakti', call it `saadhanaa', it is all the same. It is impossible to be freed of the body & its organs by walking (and trying) in the outside world. Body and organs would always be with you, wherever you go and move outside. Kabir Sahab has said,

"Door door doondhai man lobhee, chhootai na garbh taraasaa"

[The greedy mind loiters far & wide (outside), but is not cured of the pain of womb (referring to the painful process of birth which surely leads to excruciating death resulting in rebirth & so on)]

It is possible to be free of body & organs and to become `aatmajnaanee' (knower of the Self) by attaining the `kaivalya' (conscious) state only by starting within the body. In that state of `aatmajnaan' (Self Realisation) only shall we identify God.

When Swami Ramteerth went to America, some people proposed, "If you permit, we wish to distribute pamphlets informing of your arrival here." Swami Ramteerth answered, "No, advertisement hoardings are not needed. You invite the renowned doctors over here." They followed his order. When the doctors arrived, Swami ji asked them to inspect him physically. Doctors were astounded to find that though they were not able to find his pulse, he was able to talk to them. Swami Ramteerth told them, "You see! This is the wisdom of India. Now you people will become my advertisers." Swami Ramteerth became famous in America. This power comes by inner meditation.

How do we walk within? You see, we walk within and come out of our body every day. Had it not been like this, there would have been no states of dream and deep sleep. `Jiva' (unliberated individual soul) resides in the eyes in the (physically) woken state. When we descend from eyes to the throat, it becomes the dream state. When we move down further to the heart, the deep sleep state results. But this journey (through these three states) is associated with ignorance. Then where is knowledge or awareness? Brain is the storehouse of knowledge. Swami Vivekanand had remarked, "Man's brain is endless reservoir of information, boundless library" If you invert your power to see, you would find yourself in darkness. Accurate or true knowledge is gathered while ascending inside. As we journey inside ourselves, we move beyond darkness into the realm of light. Transcending darkness, we transcend the gross universe. The sins or unwanted actions that used to be performed in the gross world will not be committed now. Goswami Tulsidas ji Maharaj has written that when this divine Light appears within, all the frailties & diseases of mind are cured:

"Jabate Ram pratap khagesa. Udit bhayau ati prabal dinesha.

Poori prakaash raheu tihu lokaa. Bahutenh sukh bahutenh man sokaa.

Jinhahi sok te kahaun bakhaanee. Pratham abidyaa nisaa nashaanee.

Agh ulook janh tanhaan lukaane. Kaam krodh kairav sakuchaane.

Matsar maan moh mad choraa. Inhkar hunar na kavnihu oraa."

[O, King of the Birds (Garud, the Vehicle of Lord Vishnu)! Since the Refulgent Sun of Ram's glory rose, all the three worlds (the Earth, the Subterranean Region called `Paataal' and the Heaven have been referred to as the three worlds in some of the Hindu mythological literature) were brightly illuminated. While this Sun gave rise to grief in some hearts, it filled some others with happiness. I would begin with describing those whose hearts became full of sorrow. First of all, the night/darkness of ignorance got destroyed. Owls of sin began to run helter-skelter seeking shelter to hide. Water lilies of lust and anger shrank or wilted. Partridges of diverse varieties of actions, properties, time and nature/ character never felt happy. Thieves of jealousy, prestige, attachment born out of ignorance and ego had no havens left for themselves.]

Then what happens? Goswami ji says,

"Dharam tadaag jnaan bijnaanaa. Ye pankaj bikase bidhi naanaa.

Sukh santosh biraag bibekaa. Bigat sok ye kok anekaa.

Yah prataap rabi jaake, ur jab karai prakaas.

Pachhile baadhahi pratham je, kahe te paavanhi naash."

[On the other hand, lotuses of diverse types of wisdom and knowledge went into full blossom. The Sheldrake or the Brahminy Duck (traditionally believed to be separated from its mate at night) in the form of bliss, contentment & detachment (from things worldly) became freed from all grief. When this radiant Sun of Ram illumines the hearts (of the practitioner) then all the negative tendencies, as described earlier, meet with destruction and the positive desirable attributes begin to reign supreme.]

Upward movement during inner meditation takes us into the realm of light. That light is of God Himself. He alone, who walks within, gets that light. It is not so that he receives merely light; he perceives sound, too. Taking support of light & sound, the soul attains to its origin i.e. God. Light is the left hand of God, while sound is His right hand. The practitioner, who gets hold of both these hands, can not be separated from Him even if such a person is bombarded with hand grenades and bombs. These two – light & sound – are obtained by walking within. This, in fact, is the true `bhakti' (devotion or worship) of God. In this bhakti, one has to practice to concentrate, to shrink. For practicing shrinking, Sant Kabir Sahab has said,

"Naino kee kari kotharee, putalee palang bithaaya.

Palako kee chik daari ke, piy ko liyaa rijhaay."

[Making the eyes into a room and the pupils into the cot, I hung the curtain of the eyelids (i.e. closed the eyes) and thus pleased, delighted or charmed my Lord. (This, in fact, is a clear hint for practicing the Yoga of Light.)]

That is, we should make a room of our eyes, and should hang or drop down the curtain of our eyelids to still the pupil. In short, the Lord has to be enchanted by closing down our eyes (and gazing fixedly as taught by the Master). But when (& how) the pupil will become still or stationary? It is when you focus or concentrate it over a point (an entity which occupies no space or has no expanse). It is for this very reason that `Vindu Dhyaan' has been taught. This very thing has been referred to as firm practice of one element (`ek tattva dridhaabhyaas') in Muktikopnishad:

"Ekatatvadridhaabhyaasaaddyaavanna vijitam manah.
Praksheenchittadarpasya nigriheetendriyadvishah.
Padminya iva ksheeyante bhoga vaasanaah."

That means that unless the mind has been conquered completely, one should try to control one's senses overcoming the chitta and ego completely by firm and rigorous practice of (concentration over) one element. Once this happens, all the indulgences and lust & cravings get destroyed in the same way as the lotus gets destroyed in the Hemant Season (cold season normally spanning from Mid November to Mid January in the Indian Subcontinent). Attain single pointedness (complete unwavering concentration, or fixed gazing at a perfect point), and you will transcend beyond cravings for the sensual pleasures, luxurious life or licentiousness. Goswami Tulsidas ji has written in his book "Vinay Patrika" :

" Jab lagi nahi nij hridi prakaash, aru Vishay aas man maahi.
Tulsidas tab lagi jag joni, bhramat sapanehu sukh naahi."

[So long as our own heart is not illuminated, and yearning for objects of senses linger in us, opines Tulsidas, the `jiv' (individual soul) shall have to wander in the various species in this world and shall never attain true bliss even in its dreams.]

Kabir Sahab says in a similar context:

"Baas surat le aavaee, shabd surat lai jay.
Parichay shruti hai sthire, so guru daee bataay."

[Cravings bring or drag the surat (un-liberated individual soul) into this world, while the Sound (the Quintessential Unstruck Melody) takes us beyond or back to its true or original home. The surat becomes still (becomes free from movement into endless cycles of birth & death) as it gets acquainted with or meets Him. Guru has taught me (says Kabir) the technique required or the art for this (making the surat still).]

When our sight becomes fixed, the World or Domain of Light opens up, spotless Sun is seen. And, thus, "rain andheree mit gayee, baajai anahad toor" (The dark night has come to an end, and countless varieties of enchanting sounds are heard reverberating.), as described by Sant Kabir, is realized in practice. The art to this practice is secret (has to be learnt from an adept master or Guru). However, obstinacy won't help here (It is to be noted here that obstinacy is distinct from tenacity of purpose – Translator). For this, one has to begin with `Maanas Jap' (also, Manas Jap) – reciting, with full concentration, the holy mantra given by the Guru – and then has to internally visualize the gross form of the Guru (known as `Maanas Dhyaan' or Manas Dhyan). Maanas Jap puts a brake on the restlessness, flirtatiousness or naughtiness of the mind, whereas Maanas Dhyaan orients the mind in one particular direction, and, thus, one becomes introverted. `Drishti Saadhan' or Drishti Sadhan (The Yoga of Light, which has to be practiced after Maanas Dhyaan) helps accomplishing the single – mindedness and one can testify to the veracity of the sants' claim "Vindu me tanh naad bolai" (Naad or Sound reverberates in the Light or Vindu). `Naad Dhyaan' enables to realize the Supreme Sovereign Soul. This is what Sants and Great Souls teach.

The Teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib and Sant Mat, The Path of the Masters

The Teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib and Sant Mat, The Path of the Masters
 
{"This mysterious path is described in the holy books, but it cannot be found simply by the study of sacred texts. It is found by the grace and guidance of an accomplished teacher." -- Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj}

The Teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib and Sant Mat, The Path of the Masters


Brief Background

Sant Dariya Sahib was born in 1674 and supposedly passed on in 1780. Both he and Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, Sant Mat Master and author of the "Ghat Ramayana", would have been alive at the same time, and Dariya passed on perhaps only 38 years before the birth of Swami Ji Maharaj, the Saint of Agra.

Some in the Dariya Panth or branch of Santmat believe that Sant Dariya was the reincarnation of Guru Kabir. Indeed, the style and vocabulary of Dariya's hymns and mystic poems do remind me very much of the Anurag Sagar and other literature used in the Guru Kabir-Dharamdasi lineages.

As far as I know, the translation into English by K. N. Upadhyaya: "Dariya Sahib -- Saint of Bihar", in the Mystics of the East Series, RS Book Department, is currently the only major book in the English language featuring the teachings of Sant Dariya. There is also one English site online: The Sant Dariya Sahib Website:
https://web.archive.org/web/20030711210812/http://www.geocities.com/santdariya/teachings.html


Selections from the Sant Dariya Sahib Website -- Teachings of the Dariya Branch of Santmat

Satpurush [God, True Eternal Being] sends his son to the world to save the living beings from the clutches of Kal [universal mind, lord of time]. Sant Dariya Saheb came to the world under the instructions of the Lord to save Jivas [souls]. Satpurush came to Dharkandha (a village in Bihar, India) to instruct Dariya Saheb. The Lord enthroned Sant Dariya and assured him to save the souls that followed his teachings [he became a Sant Satguru].

Sant Dariya preached ahimsa (non-violence) against all living beings. According to him, unless the lamp of kindness is lighted, the soul cannot find the path that leads to the Lord.

The teaching of Dariya Saheb is above sects, castes and religions. People belonging to any race, religion and caste can be benefited from His teaching. According to the teachings of this Sant [saint], all the men and women are the creation of the Satpurush. One should love and respect others as one expects love and respect from others. Harsh words should not be spoken. One should see his own image in others. Sant Dariya preached love and devotion to Satpurush only. According to Him no purpose is served by visiting places of pilgrimage if true devotion to the Lord is missing. Sant Dariya preached against ritualism. The human body has all the sixty eight tirthas (places of pilgrimage). It is the true mandir/masjid [temple of God] in which the Lord could be discovered and worshipped.

Satpurush [God, the True, Eternal Being] is unborn, eternal, all-powerful, creator of everything. He does not take birth and meet death. He is beyond description. The soul [jiva] is the resident of Satlok [the True, Eternal Realm]. It has got entangled into the snare of Kal and is wandering in samsara (material universe, world of changes) in different forms. Satpurush sends Satgurus to the world of samsara to teach the misguided souls. Only the Satguru knows the path that liberates souls from the snares of Kal. The soul by following the teachings of the Satguru, gets liberated and goes to his permanent abode, that is Satlok.

Devotion to Satpurush alone can free the souls from the clutches of Kal. Worship to poly-gods, ghosts and other celestial objects have been discouraged by the Sants (saints). Observance of rituals and wandering in places of pilgrimage without true devotion to the Lord serve no purpose. One should take vegetarian food only. Eating of meat is completely prohibited in his order [the order of Sant Dariya Sahib].


Sant Dariya has advocated two paths only for attainment of nirvana:

1. The Path of Knowledge (Gnosis, Mystical Experience Within)

2. The Path of Bhakti (Devotion, Love)

This human birth is most precious and it should not be lost in mere satisfaction of sensuous pleasures, accumulation of wealth and wielding power. Human birth should be utilised for the realisation of Pad-Nirvan (God). If this opportunity is lost, none can say when one would be fortunate to get the human birth again. The getting of human birth is rare. One does not become high or low from his origin of birth. By acquiring virtues and doing good deeds only, one becomes high.

Like all other saints of Nirguna School [devotees of the Formless Lord of Love], Dariya Saheb discarded Avatarbad (belief in incarnations). He did not believe in the theory of Divine creation of four classes of people as Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra.

The soul and God are two different entities. The soul takes different forms (Rupas) in Samsara whereas God [Anadi Satpurush] is beyond Samsara. God is one while souls are many. Souls get tainted by the load of deeds and reaps the fruits of his actions [karma]. God is nirlep (beyond getting tainted).


The Teachings of the Saints [Sant Mat] could be summarised in the following three:

1. Right Gahani (Understanding)
2. Right Rahani (Living)
3. Simran (Mindfulness, Repeating God's Name, Meditation)

A Shabd of Sant Dariya Sahib (from the Sant Daria Website)

Budh Jan Chalahu Agam Panth Bhari

Budha jan chalahu agam panth bhari
tumse kaho samajhu jab aabe, abari ke bar sambhari
kat na kush paahan nahi tahava, nahi bitap van jhari
ved kiteb pandit nahi tahaba,binu masi ank sambari
nahi taha ganapati phanipati gyata, nahi taha sristri sambari
nahi taha sarita samundra na ganga, gyan ki gami ujiyari
swarg patal mirtyu lok ke bahar, taha purush mathadhari
kahe Dariya taha darsan sat hai, sant jana lehu vichari.

(Darya invites people to accompany him to Amarpur, the place of the Lord. He further, says that when you understand the message, let the opportunity be not wasted in trifles. In subsequent verses, Dariya describes the details of the place, which is beyond description. That Lok is fully illuminated by the Light of jnana.One sees the Truth with his own eyes.)


Selections from the Mystic Vereses of the Dariya Sagar


The Boundless Supreme Lord who

is in the beginning and the end,

Has descended to this earth.

Aeon after aeon He has been coming to impart wisdom to you.

Understand His teachings

And be immersed in His wisdom.

When one looks within one's heart,

being awakened,

One is pulled up by a magnet-like Divine Sound.

Without that Sound, a living being

comprises mere of bones and blood,

Covered with skin on the outside.

In a moment life comes to an end,

And all our kith and kin are left behind.

But if the disciple follows

the instructions imparted by the Guru,

And takes to heart the words from the Satguru's tongue,

Then one's inner eye is illumined

And one finds the Source,

Laden with blooming flowers of immortality.

One then attains the pure-swan state,

And is rid of the vices of the wicked crow.

Such a one joins the family of the pure swans,

And is never lost in the ocean of the world, says Dariya.

Hold fast to the Sound Current,

And offer your body and mind to it.

Have love and endearment for Naam,

And you will not be lost in the ocean of the world.

There can be no devotion without love.

The inner lotus will wither without the water of love.

So long as the technique of love is not gained,

Whatever one talks of knowledge is in vain.

But when one is merged

into the Satguru's tranquil Sound Current,

One automatically obtains the taste of the nectar of love.

Just as the bee is allured by the lotus flower,

And being unable to bear the agony of separation unites with the flower;

Or just as the moon-bird's heart is absorbed in the moon;

So should one be in love with the Sound Current

without ever being forgetful.

(Dariya Sahib -- Saint of Bihar)

 

 

If there were no living Masters there would be no Students

If there were no living Masters there would be no Students
By James Bean

SantMat_Mystic_(James)
Copyright April 2007

Books falling from the sky did not create the world religions. Before there was "The Book", there was the author or authors of "The Book." Without living teachers in history there would be no Torah, no Buddhism, no Christianity, no Sermon on the Mount, no Golden Rule or Gospel of Thomas, no Suras of the Quran, no ahimsa message of Lord Maharvira in Jainism, no sages to compose the Upanishads, no Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita, no Jap Ji of Guru Nanak, no Tao Te Ching of Lau Tzu, no Golden Verses of Pythagoras. If there was no Master by the name of Shams of Tabriz, there would have been no disciple by the name of Rumi -- no Rumi poetry. If there was no Swami Ji Maharaj, no Tukaram, no Tulsi Sahib, no Dadu, no Ravidas, no Mirabai, no Maharishi Mehi, no Sawan Singh, no Guru Kabir, no Sant Dariya Sahib, no living Masters, there would be no Sant Mat Fellowship on the worldwide web, no students, no initiates, no satsangs to attend, no clear and organized system of inner Light and Sound Meditation called surat shabd yoga to be initiated into, nobody to give the initiation, and no one expanding their awareness due to the sweet influence of the Saints.

On the Path of the Masters, being influenced by a competent living teacher who has spent many successful years in meditation, and who has been honestly approved (accredited) by his teacher, is the goal. The essential reason for having a spiritual teacher is not to worship the personality of the teacher, but to learn from them the Methods of spiritual practice. The living teacher preserves the Methods of meditation and passes that Knowledge and Experience on to the next generation. A good spiritual master also motivates his or her students to practice meditation and lead an ethical life in the context of a spiritual community or group of people (satsang). Books alone isolated from a community of others would not be enough to sustain spiritual practice, especially inner mystical experiences. Satsang inspires, teaches, motivates, and group meditation helps to accelerate one's own inner experience. "Where two or three are gathered in My Name, I Am in their midst."

"Rumi says, 'If you seek to know God, sit at the feet of the Saints'".

A great description of what living Masters do for their students is found in the Gospel of Thomas unearthed in Egypt. Variations of this saying have also turned up in the Hebrew Bible, Greek New Testament, other apocryphal gospels, the Quran, Gnostic texts, Mandaean scriptures of Iraq, Buddhist sutras, the sacred texts of the Mandaeans of Iran, in the bhajans of Kabir, Nanak, and other Sants of the East:

The Master said,
"I will give you
what no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
what no hand has touched,
and what has never occurred
to the human mind."
(Egypt: Coptic Gospel of Thomas, 17)

There is an axiom of wisdom found in many world scriptures about exploring Inner Space, the Kingdom of God, spiritually or mystically with new eyes, and hearing spiritually with new ears. This saying about ........

"seeing what no physical eye has seen and
what no material ear has heard"

appears in many ancient scriptures of the West and East. Visionary mysticism, inner seeing and hearing are universal experiences of contemplative souls in the various world religions.

In the Ethiopian Bible is preserved a Jewish apocryphal text that reminds me of an NDE (Near Death Experience): And this angel said to me, Isaiah, son of Amoz, I set you free; for you have seen what no mortal man has ever seen before. Yet you must return to your garments of flesh until your days are completed. Then will you come up here again. (Ascension of Isaiah 11: 34)

Jesus-Yeshua: How privileged are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. I swear to you, many prophets and righteous ones have longed to see what you see and didn't see it, and to hear what you hear and didn't hear. (Matthew 13: 16-17 = Q/Luke 10: 23 - 24 -- New Testament and Sayings Gospel Q)

His power will be given to them,
which no eye has seen nor ear heard.
And they will rejoice in My Kingdom.
(Jesus, apocryphal "Testament of the Lord in Galilee")

A Manichaean scripture from Central Asia:
....that I may redeem you from death and annihilation, I will give you what you have not seen with the eye nor heard with the ears nor grasped with the hand. (Turfan fragments, translated in "Gnosis On The Silk Road,")

The tenth century Persian Sufi Master Abd al-Qadir al-Jalani quotes an interesting passage from the Quran: I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has ever seen, of which no ear has ever heard,
and of which has never occurred to the heart of man. ("Concerning the Affirmation of Divine Oneness", Al-Baz Publishing)

From a prayer found in the Mandaean scriptures of Iraq:
Thou hast showed us that which the eye has not seen, and caused us to hear that which the human ear has not heard. Thou has freed us from death and united us with Life, released us from darkness, and united us with Light....... Thou hast shown us that which the eye has not seen, and caused us to hear that which the human ear has not heard.
("Canonical Prayer Book of the Mandaeans", E.S. Drower)

The Divine Eye According to the Buddha:
With the Divine Eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, a bhikkhu surveys a thousand worlds. Just as a man with good sight when he has ascended to the upper palace chamber, might survey a thousand wheel-rims, so too, with the Divine Eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, a bhikkhu surveys a thousand worlds.

The Divine Ear According to the Buddha:
I have proclaimed to my disciples the way whereby with the Divine Ear element, which is purified and surpasses the human, they hear both kinds of sounds, the divine and the human, those that are far as well as near. Just as a vigorous trumpeter might make himself heard without difficulty in the four quarters; so too, I have proclaimed to my disciples the way whereby with the Divine Ear element....far as well as near. And thereby many disciples of mine abide having reached the consummation and Perfection of Direct Knowledge. ("The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha -- A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya," Teachings of the Buddha, translated by Bhakkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi, Wisdom Publications)

From India, Guru Nanak:
We speak without tongue,
we see without eyes,
we hear without ears,
we walk without feet, and
we work without hands.

Sant Kabir:
May I see You with my eyes,
hear Your Sound
with my own ears.
Speak Your Name
in my own words, O Lord;
rest Your flower-like feet
on my heart.
("Songs of Kabir From the Adi Granth",
translated by Nirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)

Perform Bhakti (Love, Worship, Devotion) -- Live Fearlessly

Perform Bhakti (Love, Worship, Devotion) -- Live Fearlessly

Perform Bhakti (Love, Worship, Devotion) -- Live Fearlessly


SantMat_Mystic_(James)
http://profiles.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

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

 

 

 

Swami Ji Maharaj from, Importance of Devotion, Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry:

Give up the sense of prestige of the world. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Banish fear and regard for caste and colour. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Fear not foe or friend. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Forsake fear of your parents. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Do not be afraid of your wife and children. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Do not be afraid of your brothers and nephews. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Have no fear of your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Fear not your daughter-in-law and son-in-law. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Cast off fear of your friends and acquaintances. Heed what I say, perform Bhakti.

Have no fear of kith and kin. Engage in Bhakti.

When you have resolved to apply yourself to Bhakti, have no fear of them. You should perform Bhakti.

Should you fear the ignorant and foolish who are unaware of the secrets? Perform Bhakti.

Let your mind be free from fear of all these people. Listen to me, my dear, perform Bhakti.

An anchorite of one sect feels ashamed of that of another. Such people are imperfect. They should perform Bhakti.

So long as you are not free from fear of all, you are imperfect. So, perform Bhakti.

Honor, dishonour whatever befalls you, consider such to be the Mauj [divine will or plan], and keep on performing Bhakti.

Derive strength from Guru, to face all sorts of situations. I tell you, my dear, perform Bhakti.

Nobody can cause you any harm. Why do you fear? Perform Bhakti.

Nothing happens without the Mauj (divine will or plan, ordainment) of Guru. I tell you my, dear, perform Bhakti.

You are imperfect in your Bhakti; That is why you falter. What more am I to tell you? Go on performing Bhakti.

Slowly and gradually you will gain stability. There is no other remedy but to perform Bhakti.

One day your imperfect Bhakti will become perfect. Give up hypocrisy; perform Bhakti.

Insincere and hypocritical Bhakti will be of no avail. It does not matter if your Bhakti is imperfect. Perform Bhakti.

Radhasoami graciously declares that you should perform Bhakti in whichever way you can. (Soami Ji Maharaj)

From the English Glossary of the Radhasomi Faith, Bhajan and Bhakti:

Bhajan - Practice of listening intently and internally to inner Sounds coming from the heavenly spheres above. Sound Practice. Surat Shabd Yoga. Internal devotion. Internal devotional practices.

Bhajan Dhyan - Internal devotional practices.

Bhakt, Bhakta - A worshipper, adorer, devotee, faithful attendant.

Bhakti - (1) Devotion. (2) Reverence, service, worship, homage. (3) Humility, love, service. (4) Faith, belief, pious faith. (5) Mode of devotion.

Bhakti Bhao - Love and devotion, feelings of devotion.

Bhakti Phal - Fruit or reward of Bhakti or devotion and love. Advancement in devotion.

Bhakti Marg - Path of devotion. Devotional method.

Bhakti Rit - Way of devotion.

Bhakt Jan - Devotees.