Living A Spiritual Way of Life According to the Kabir Book of Prayers

Living A Spiritual Way of Life According to the Kabir Book of Prayers

Love bestirs the heart of the separated lover for God, and God responds by enlightening him. He then realizes that the soul and God are one.

Whoever seeks, finds that God is known through His Name. When that form of God (Name) is in the heart, no other hunger remains.

Meditation on God rewards you with bliss and a tranquil mind. See yourself in all beings, and in all beings see only God.

See God in all beings. As one essence He is present in all forms.

Always avoid quarrel as it produces evil consequences. It creates suffering, consumes you with worries, and destroys your home.

Speak sweetly with everyone and happiness will spring up all around. It is the charm that wins the hearts of others. Give up harsh words.

The welfare of others is your greatest duty, the highest of all virtues. Have mercy for all beings, even as taught in the vedas and puranas.

Know him to be patient and wise who understands, and is not disturbed by people's ways. Their evil ways do not affect him.

Always be strong and steadfast in your dharma. If you sincerely follow your dharma, your life will be easily and pleasantly rewarding.

Always take part in satsangs and remove all worldly obstacles. You may not have this opportunity again, as human birth is difficult to obtain.

-- tisu tantra (thirty gems of Kabir) section of, Sandhya Path/Book of Prayers:

https://archive.org/details/KabirBookOfPrayersSandhyaPath/mode/1up

On the Usage of the Term "Sant Mat"

Could a Buddhist sect.... let's say hypothetically....the New Kadampa Tradition – legally trademark the word "Buddhism" and unilaterally declare it to be the unique name of their group and attempt to prevent other Buddhist religions from using it? "Sorry Mahayana. Sorry Zen. Sorry Theravada. Sorry Buddhist library dot com. Sorry Tibetans, you can't call yourself Buddhists anymore. Only we are the true Buddhists"?

Sectarian partisans are often known for not exactly being fond of research or being very aware of their own past history. With that in mind, to dispel some ignorance over the usage of an obscure term not as well known to some as words like 'Hinduism' or 'Buddhism', a few years ago I made sure this below would forever be circulating on the Internet and made known to guard against the term Sant Mat from being hijacked and privatized by some sect, pointing out the history -- how, like Buddhism it's a universal term used in the public domain by many over a long period of time for certain categories of spiritual paths (plural) in India.

On the Usage of the Term "Sant Mat", and the Sant Tulsi Sahib Connection

IMAGE: Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India

  

“Sant Mat” means: “The Teachings of the Saints” 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. Tulsi Sahib was of the opinion that the Sant movement goes back to the time of Krishna thousands of years ago, that Krishna knew of Sants or Rishis during his day, the age of the Bhagavad Gita.

Commonly used words like “Sant”, “Sat”, and “Mat”, with their roots in Sanskrit, are found in the literature of many spiritual paths originating in India. “Santmat”, as a single word referring to the efficacy of following the teachings of Sants does turn up on a couple of occasions in Sant literature during the centuries prior to the time of Tulsi Sahib. It could be present in a few verses of Kabir, and is in at least one verse of a poem of Sant Tulsi Das. Clearly however, “Sant Mat” as the universal name or label for this school of spirituality or Sant tradition begins with Tulsi Sahib during the 19th Century in Hathras, and now has been embraced by millions of souls and scores of spiritual paths based in India.

“The teachings of all Saints are essentially the same. They speak of the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ which is within. They show the path and impart instructions to attain it. They do not claim to teach something new or different from what other Saints have taught. Tulsi Sahab declared that he was giving the same teachings as those of Kabir Sahab, Nanak Sahab, Dadu Sahab and other Saints. Tulsi Sahab, for the first time, used the expression ‘Sant Mat’ or ‘the teachings of Saints’ to stress the basic unity of the teachings of all Saints.” (From the entry for Sant Tulsi Sahib in, RadhaSoami White Paper on the Religion of Sants and RadhaSoami Faith, published by Dayal Bagh in Agra)

“While the title of Sant Mat (translated as ‘Teachings of the Sants’) was not coined until the late 19th century by Tulsi Sahib, the philosophical mindset was indeed prevalent for many centuries.” (Andrea Grace Diem, Ph.D., “Lions in the Punjab: An Introduction to the Sikh Religion”, from Chapter One, The Sikh — Sant Connection)

Param Tulsi Sahib of Hathras originated the term “Sant Mat” as recorded in the Ghat Ramayan also according to the scholar Parashuram Chaturvedi in his book “Sant Parampara”. (See footnote 23, in the chapter titled, “The Radhasoami Revival”, by Mark Juergensmeyer, on page 337 in, “The Sants, Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India”, Edited by Karine Schomer and W.H. McLeod, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1987, page 783)

“One thing that all factions agree upon, though, is that Tulsi Sahib consolidated the teachings of nirguna bhakti, expounded the path of surat shabd yoga, and was largely responsible for the popular usage of the term Sant mat. His teachings are embodied in Ghat Ramayana, Ratan Sagar, and Shabdavali.” (David C. Lane, “The Radhasoami Tradition, A Critical History of Guru Successorship”, Garland Publishing, 1992 edition, page 39)

“Tulsi Sahib, for the first time, used the expression ‘Sant Mat’ or ‘teachings of Saints’ to stress the basic unity of the teachings of all Saints. Swami Ji later adopted the same expression, ‘Sant Mat’, in his works.” (Janak Raj Puri and V. K. Sethi, “Tulsi Sahib, Saint of Hathras”, 1981 edition, Mystics of the East Series, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Book Department, page 18)

“For all the religious traditions of India, the nineteenth century was an age of rationalistic reform, during which the attempt was made to systematize beliefs and make practices consistent with doctrines. Tulsi Sahib of Hathras (ca 1760–1843) was at once heir to certain esoteric tendencies in later Sant tradition and a precursor of the new spirit. Stressing the unity of the Sants as a parampara, he taught what he believed to be the common core of doctrines implicit in all the Sants (‘sant mat’), and tried to reverse the spread of saguna beliefs and practices among the followers of nirguna panths. Heavily indebted to him was Shiv Dayal Singh (1818–1878), founder of the modern Radhasoami movement.” (Karine Schomer, “The Sants”, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, page 7)

“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’.” (Dr. Andrea Diem, “The Gnostic Mystery, a Connection Between Ancient and Modern Mysticism”, Mount San Antonio College Press, Walnut, CA, 1992 edition, page, 29)

“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. Sat Saheb, that is, Sat Purush, has been described as Sat Nam. And Sar Shabd (True Shabd) has been called A-Nam. The name Nirgun has been given to Niranjan and it is the mind which has been called Ram. What Kabir had said, has been said by other Sants, too. Kabir explained Sant Mat in his own way, other Sants in other ways. The religion of all those who have gained access within is one and the same. Those who lack true understanding, adhere to dogmas and blind beliefs. Those who have spoken on the basis of inner experiences, have sung of the same Panth or path for reaching the Lord.”(Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, Ghat Ramayan)

“Listen, O Phool Das, I have given out the same true secrets which Sants like Kabir Saheb, Dadu Saheb, Rai Das Ji, Darya Saheb, Guru Nanak, Soor Das Ji, Nabha Ji and Mira Bai have spoken of. They, too, have composed similar hymns describing the bliss of the highest spiritual region, whose glory I also have sung, blessed by the grace and the dust of the holy feet of Sants”. (Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, Ghat Ramayan)

There's a somewhat more detailed version of the above at the beginning of my article on the Origins of Sant Mat: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/the-origins-of-sant-mat-the-five-names-and-the-identity-of-tulsi-sahib-s-guru-by-james-bean-eaa516deccf9#.z3lajdf42

Satsang: When the Surat-disciple Meets the Shabd-Guru, the Path will be Traversed

Satsang: When the Surat-disciple Meets the Shabd-Guru, the Path will be Traversed

 

 

Light and Sound on the Path - August 13:

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/sant-mat

https://www.Facebook.com/SantMatRadhasoami

https://santmatradhasoami.blogspot.com

https://www.Twitter.com/SantMat

The Path of the Sants: Sant Mat

"He alone is the Adept, the Holy and the Gnostic, who is in rapport with the Divine. Says Namdev, he alone has obtained peace in whom God's Name has taken abode." (Hindi Padavali of Sant Namdev)

Maharshi Mehi has clearly stated that Sant Mat is not a new creed. It is a union of all the Sants (God-realized souls). We respect all the Sants. We study the speeches of all the Saints and remember them, and follow them. If we dive into the opinions of Sants (Saints) like Buddha, Sant Kabir, Guru Nanak, Dadu, Sant Tulsi Das, Sant Paltu, Swami Ramkrishna, Sant Tulsi Sahab, Baba Devi, etc. you will get one and only one way to attain salvation. There will never be a little bit difference among their views on Drishti Yoga (the Yoga of Vision) and Surat-Shabda Yoga (the Yoga of Sound) for self-realization and God-realization. (TheSantMat.com)

"Without the Saints, O Tulsi, we are tossed about endlessly. Without the merciful, compassionate Master, aeon after aeon we rove." (Shabdavali of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

Meditate

The individual soul (jiva), bound by illusion (maya), remains in the cycle of death and birth. This is the cause of one's suffering. In order to escape from this cycle of death and rebirth we must experience realization of the Supreme Being. (Maharshi Mehi, The Principles of Sant Mat)

"The individual soul is an inseparable part of the Supreme Being." (Maharshi Mehi, The Principles of Sant Mat)

Sant Namdev: "Whatever man thinketh, that he obtaineth. If he were to dwell on the Absolute........he would become immortal." (Adi Granth)

Tulsi Sahib said: "When the Surat-disciple meets the Shabd-guru, the path will be traversed."

O Guru ! You let my consciousness ascend the sky.

Kindly let me catch the current of seven melodies that is the Quintessential One,

After allowing me to catch the support of your Radiant Being,

Let me have a glimpse of your highly resplendent Vision.

(Padavali of Maharshi Mehi)

"One who is called the disciple of a True Guru should get up early in the morning and meditate on the Guru's Nam. He should put in efforts to bathe in the Pond of Nectar early in the morning." (Adi Granth)

Surat -- Attention

The term "Surat" means: Attention or individual consciousness, the attention of the Soul, the ability of the Soul to concentrate within, and experience the bliss of inner regions, Self-absorbed intelligent Energy, Spirit.

Surat Shabd Yoga: Surat refers to spirit and Shabd to the Sound Current; hence, it is the union the soul with Shabd; the spiritual exercise by which the Current of Consciousness is applied to the hearing of the Sound within; joining the mind and the Attention to the Sound Current. Surat Shabd Yoga: Union (Yoga) of the Soul (Surat) with the Inner Light and Sound of God (Shabd).

"A human being's attention is the most precious treasure he possesses." (Edward Salim Michael, "The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance")

Quality of Concentration in Meditation: "Single-pointedness results in absolute concentration, which causes ascension (vertical rise) enabling one to move onto a higher level or stage. This way it would be possible to transcend all illusory sheaths [subtle bodies, astral, causal, etc...]." (Maharshi Mehi Paramahans, The Way of Liberation)

Sant Ravidas [Raidas]: When the soul (surat) mergeth into the Sound (Shabd) and becometh one with it, then one obtaineth the supreme Bliss. The lamp burneth inside, 0 Ravidas, and Divine Bliss ariseth within. Steeped in meditation with one-pointed attention, practice devotion to God, 0 Ravidas. Let the automatic repetition be continued within, Reverberating the True Naam.

"From the Source of the Ocean opens a Window of Light. Awaken that resplendent Light within thee....Repeat the name of the Lord and secure Him." (Shabdavali of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

"Moment by moment gather thy soul and hold it at the Eye Center. Cleanse thou the mirror of thy mind, and catch the Divine Melody with thy soul. If thy longing is keen, thou shalt pierce the veil and attain the Quintessence." (Shabdavali of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

"Within thine own self, behold the splendor of thy Beloved. In the pupil of thine eye is a mole, wherein is hidden the entire mystery. Peep within and behold thou what lieth beyond this dark curtain. The secret of the fourteen realms will, for certain, be disclosed to thee. Let thy attention not slip, see that thou art ever vigilant." (Shabdavali of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

"I beheld in the firmament an inverted well, and was filled with resplendence of Light within." (Shabdavali of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras)

Tulsi Sahib: "The disciple sees within himself the Akash (sky) which is like an inverted well, and merges his Surat [soul's attention] in it."

The glittering point between the two eyebrows is visible, O brothers! Closing your eyelids, try to see. Let the two currents of light converge at the central point of the eyebrows. Fix your gaze and cross your bodily sphere. Enter the egg of the universe. The sky, studded with stars, looks so wonderful. Light, like the earthern lamp, is visible that eliminates the darkness of the closed eyes. The incomparable Moonlight, unique in itself is spread in all corners. And the light of the young Sun also radiates beautifully. Surat, with its spiritual vision, catches the multiple Sounds without being impaired. O individual souls! Catching these Sounds with a Surat-like rope, traverse the final abode, which is the real home. Mehi has revealed this mystery, the Quintessential One. One who serves Guru without any cleverness, has no difficulty in reaching the real home. (Padavali of Maharshi Mehi)

The Quintessential One along with Surat at the final stage disappears. The very stage of Soundlessness, Wordlessness or Namelessness is entirely different. According to Mehi that stage is devoid of dualism. Surat [soul], merging with the Absolute, never returns to the physical world. (Padavali of Maharshi Mehi)

Kabir: I went looking for Him, and lost myself;

The drop merged with the Sea.

Who can find it now?

Looking and looking for Him, I lost myself;

The Sea merged with the drop.

Who can find it now?

"The drop merges in the Ocean and becomes one with IT." (Param Sant Tulsi Sahib)

YouTube: Anurag Sagar Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3aE-_q-uvU

YouTube: The Light-Bearers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-XF6uG2pZM