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HOW TO DEVELOP RECEPTIVITY "How to Develop Receptivity" was issued as five 'circular
letters' between 1969 and 1973. The first three were published as a pamphlet
called "Receptivity,"
in February 1970, and the last two were issued separately. I The Need for Receptivity June 13, 1969 Dear ones: Over the past two years, the foreign correspondence has
almost doubled and the time which I have to take to attend to it has increased
correspondingly. Over the same period of time, my commitments here in India
have also greatly increased. Much of the time that I spend in doing the foreign correspondence could
be saved if the Representatives and Group Leaders played a greater part in
looking after the areas and individual Satsangs for which they are responsible.
By giving due consideration to their responsibilities and by setting a good
example, the causes that prompt the dear ones to write numerous letters to me
on routine matters concerning the running of Satsang affairs would be avoided.
In addition, the majority of the basic questions asked by those non-initiates
who are interested in the Teachings of the Masters as well as by initiates
could and should be dealt with by the Group Leaders, who can answer from their
own level or by referring the questioner to one or the other of the books
written by me. I have written books on almost all phases of Spirituality, which
contain the answers to most of the questions that non-initiates or those
already put on the Way may care to ask, but still letters keep coming in asking
questions which could be answered by giving a proper study to the books. The time has come for all Group Leaders and Representatives to evaluate
their position and be ready to assume larger responsibilities than they have
hitherto carried out. They should have sufficient knowledge of the Teachings to
be able to answer most questions on the Path and also deal with questions asked
on comparative religions, with special reference to the Bible, when compared to
the Surat Shabd Yoga. If a Group Leader believes that he/she cannot answer a
particular question or solve a particular situation, the matter may be referred
to the Representative for reply. If a Representative believes that he/she
cannot deal with it honestly, only then should it be referred to me. I should also like to say a few words about the numerous personal
problems which the dear ones refer to me for a solution to their difficulties.
While I am happy to give the right guidance, it should also be remembered that
those initiated by me are looked after by the gracious Master Power working
overhead, Who is ever with His children and can solve all of their problems if
they but put themselves in a receptive mood. In this regard an application of
sound common sense together with a calm consideration of the facts can work
wonders in developing receptivity to the Master Power. Receptivity is the key
which can not only solve your material difficulties, but also unlock the
Kingdom of Heaven within you. At the time of Initiation, the Master imparts His own life impulse. When
we remember Him, He remembers us, with all His heart and soul. He is not the
body. He is the Word made flesh. To get the full benefit of the Master Power,
the disciple must develop receptivity. It is impossible to develop receptivity
until implicit obedience is given to the commandments of the Master. When you
pay heed to the Master's Words, then that is a sign that you are growing in
love for Him, and the more you grow in love for Him, the more receptivity you
will develop. At this time, I should also like to clarify certain misunderstandings on
Initiation. Some experience of the Light and Sound is always given, whether
little or great, depending on the background of the person being initiated. It
sometimes happens that a man is tense at this time and so reduces his
receptivity to the gracious Master Power working overhead. The best results are
achieved when the person being initiated is relaxed and quite fresh and
buoyant. However, too much emphasis is placed on the initial experience
received at the time of holy Initiation. It is the first sign that God's grace
has descended on a soul when that person receives Initiation from a Living
Master. Such-like people who are connected to the Word or Naam
Power are most fortunate. It is through the grace of God alone that one is
initiated. The greatest service that a disciple can render to the Master is to
become a fit receptacle so that he can be attuned to the Naam Power to which he
has been connected. However, this takes time. The spiritual Path is a difficult
one and requires a rigorous self-discipline. We must forever be on the alert
against anything that draws us away from the Path. We must carry out the
Master's instructions to the very letter and devote regular time to meditation.
We must learn to overcome self-love, which is a fire that consumes and
destroys, and learn to cultivate love for God, which is a fire that purges and
purifies. Initiation also means that one is accepted by the Master to enter the
College of Spirituality. It is not by any means a graduation. To give you a
worldly example, when a student is accepted by a university for a course of
study, he is generally overjoyed at the mere acceptance. He does not
immediately go to the President and demand his graduation certificate. He knows
that he must work hard at his studies in order to pass the intermediate and
final examinations before he can be called a graduate. If he does not apply
himself, then he should not be surprised if he fails in his examinations. After
passing his final examination, the student is then rewarded with a degree which
entitles him to undertake post-graduate studies. If one has to put in so much hard work to obtain worldly knowledge, then
how much harder should he expect to work and discipline himself in order to
make himself worthy to receive that which the Master wishes to bestow on him. Until such time as the disciple begins to develop within and enjoy
contact with the Inner Master, he must of necessity have firm faith in the
Outer Master. The Master does not disclose all of His greatness at once, but
only in proportion as an aspirant shows his keenness and makes progress on the
Path, just as a student, when he advances in his studies, gets to know little
by little something of the ability of his teacher. Similarly, the Master starts
just like an ordinary teacher and imparts instructions as any friend or
well-wisher would do. In the course of time, He demonstrates the authority of a
Master and is finally seen to be embedded in Sat or Truth as Satguru.
At this stage, He and God appear to be merged in one another and there is no
difference between them. Finally, Initiation does not mean that life will be a bed of roses for
the disciple. In the task of self purification, physical and mental suffering
play their part. Who is there that does not suffer at some time of his life?
After Initiation, the process of lightening the load holding the soul in
bondage is started. This process can be gone through speedily and happily if
the disciple keeps sweet remembrance of the Master in his heart and endeavors
to remain jolly in his spirits. As the disciple advances on the Path, he is
given spiritual strength, and outer adversities lose their pinching effect. I wish you all speedy progress on the Way and, side by side with your
own spiritual development, let the Light shining in each one of you be a source
of inspiration to your fellow man. I hope that this Circular Letter will inspire you all to greater effort,
so that by the time I come among you, God willing, you will derive greater
benefit from the Physical Presence of the Master. With all love and best wishes, Yours affectionately, KIRPAL SINGH II On Sadachar, the Righteous
Life November 5, 1969 Dear ones: In my Circular Letter of June 13, it was explained in detail
what is the responsibility of each and every initiate, the true meaning of
Initiation, and the life to be led by one who wishes to progress on the Path. In continuation, I should like to say a few words on Sadachar
or the righteous life, without which one cannot sit in the quiet of his
own self and, with concentrated attention, pierce through the inner darkness. To achieve true spiritual progress, one must lead "the good
life," I may even say a "God-like life," before much inner
progress can be made. At the same time, one must be fully dutiful to regular
meditations, as both are essential. To lead a good life without devoting time
to one's spiritual practices will not raise the attention to the seat of the
soul. Similarly, devoting hours to meditation without eliminating bad habits
and cultivating good ones in their place will not get one anywhere. Purity of
life is essential for fruitful meditations. What is "the good life?" It is to have good thoughts, good
words and good deeds. Sadachar is a life of continued rightness from beginning
to end. It is for each initiate to occasionally pause and introspect as to how
far he has succeeded in molding his life in accordance with the commandments of
the Master. We talk of God, hear of God, and read of God, but we seldom
practice God in our daily life. It is the practice of the Presence of God that
matters and we can only have the awareness of this Presence by leading a
God-like life; there are no short cuts on the way back to God. Truth is higher than everything but higher still is true living. Truth
and true living are not exclusive of each other but go together; one
supplements the other and their combination forms the God-like life. One who
practices true living will always earn his living by the sweat of his brow and
feed himself and his family on rightly procured foods consisting of fruits,
vegetables, nuts, cereals and permitted dairy products. Furthermore, he will be
honest and above-board in his dealings with others. These three aspects of
conduct are indispensable aids to true living. One can gauge his or her
spiritual progress by the measure of conscious
control that he or she has over their thought pattern. One who has in
some measure achieved this control will not be swayed or upset by outer
conditions, stresses and strains that his environment may place on him. If
one cannot rise above, be in full control of, and handle with ease, the
circumstances of his outer environment, he will never be able to succeed in the
way of spirituality. So the important thing is to first learn to handle your outer
environment, consisting of your home and/or work life. We are to be judged by
our actions and not by our words. It is from the abundance of our heart that
all actions result, whether physical, emotional or intellectual. The mind is an
index and reflecting mirror and it truly depicts one's inner state. A measure
of success in how well you are succeeding in handling your outer environment
will be a gradual awareness that you are becoming the master of your own
thoughts. It is to achieve this success that I introduced the self
introspective diaries. How many really keep their diaries properly? Very few,
if any, I am sorry to say. If the diaries were to be taken advantage of, you
would see a change in your behavior, your mode of thinking, and consequently,
you would progress spiritually by leaps and bounds. The purpose of the diary is
to reflect your own inner state, so that you know where you stand. It is a tool
which, if used properly, will chisel you into a receptacle fit for the
manifestation of the Master within you. You should put just as much devotion
and attention into keeping your diary as you put into your meditations. The
following points will give you the right understanding on the sublime purpose
behind and benefits to be had from keeping the diary: (1) When, at the end of the day, you recall your failures in thought,
word and deed, in which direction will your mind be turned? Naturally, it will
go to the One who has asked you to keep it. So keeping the diary is also
remembrance of the Master; you are saying something to Him. If you remember
Him, well, He remembers you, and in time, you will develop receptivity to Him
wherever you may be. There can be no true spiritual progress without receptivity,
and the daily maintenance of the diary with full attention and a true yearning
to be freed from the lapses which are recorded therein goes a long way to
developing this receptivity. (2) In the Christian religion, I understand that those who wish may make
a confession of their lapses before a priest. They may go once a month or
weekly, but generally not more often than once a week. But by keeping the
diaries, you are making a confession every day. Let your confessions be
honestly and openly recorded in the various columns, so that you know where you
stand and can take rectifying action. The best and easiest way to cure your
ills is to yearn to be free of them and, as mentioned above, to have sweet
remembrance of the Master at the time you are filling in your diary. (3) Last and just as important as the foregoing, keeping the diary
should not be allowed to stagnate into a mere recording of failures, which
tends to become mechanical if done with little or no attention. The true
purpose of putting these failures down in front of you is to make yourself
aware of them so that they may be weeded out. To weed them out, it is not
sufficient to cut off one or two branches, you must uproot the cause. Once you
become aware of a failure, you should be able to trace it to a certain
situation, and this situation will help you to identify the cause of the
weakness in you that has to be strengthened. By and by, the very cause of the
failure will drop off by itself. Another important aspect of "the good life" concerns outer
behavior, which should be natural to the society into which one is born; no
acting or posing is required. There are some dear ones who believe that they
should adopt the outer symbols of dress and name that characterize the society
into which the Master is born, in the belief that this is pleasing to Him. The
life of the spirit does not call for conversion to outer modes of living in
name, appearance or apparel. The Masters do not come to make or unmake social
orders. Their mission is just to fulfill the law of God, which is to redeem His
lost children. They simply ask us to convert ourselves inwardly, to be poor in
spirit and pure at heart. We should cultivate true humility, which is neither
servile nor assertive. These are the things that will please the Master and
make us receptive to the gracious Master Power working overhead. If you live a
life of humility and simplicity, you will have peace of mind. After all, what
is there on earth that belongs to you? Why be attached to the vanities of the world
when the treasures of divinity lie within you? If you live for God, all things
shall work out in your best interests, not only spiritually but also
materially. This is the fundamental law of God and can be realized by all who
will practice true living. The reward of true living will be that you will become receptive to the
Master Power working over your head. No real progress can be had unless this
receptivity is developed. By receptivity a disciple is cast into the same mold
as the Master, but before one can become receptive, he must have right
understanding. This is given either by word of mouth by the Master at the
Satsangs conducted personally by Him or through His writings in the form of the
many books and circular letters to those who live afar. Right understanding by
word of mouth or through His writings constitutes only one third of the
teachings of the Master; the other two thirds are achieved through developing
receptivity. Christ said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me
ye can do nothing." The first sign that a branch is receptive to the life-giving sap that
rises in the body of the vine will be blossoms, and the second, the fruit that
it will bear. If a branch cuts itself off from the sap, then...? It will become
but a dead piece of wood, fit only for the pruning shears of the gardener. The
vine gets its food through its roots which are intertwined and embedded in the
nutriment-giving soil. Therefore, the branch that is receptive or attached to
the body of the vine gets the same food. Similarly, the Master's roots are
embedded and intertwined in the Godhead. So the disciple who is attached to, or
becomes receptive to, the Master can not only be fed by the life-giving sap of
the Master but can actually pass through His roots until he too becomes
embedded or intertwined in the Godhead, and this can only be done by developing
receptivity. To attempt to gain the Godhead without being receptive to the
Master Power is fraught with danger. Maulana Rumi says, "Do not go within
without the Master, as there are many dangers inside." If one should
happen to rise above body consciousness without being receptive to the Master
Power, he will become hopelessly lost in the lower astral planes and runs a
great risk of being deceived by the many manifestations of the Negative Power.
There have been instances where even great Rishis have fallen because they
relied on their own power to carry them over the dangers that abound in the
inner regions. So receptivity is important for success in all phases of life, both
mundane and spiritual, and it can be achieved by following the right
understanding given above. First, one must lead a God-like life; second, the
spiritual diaries must be maintained in the accurate way as already explained,
and third, you must learn to develop receptivity. If you succeed in the first
two, the third will follow of itself. With all love and best wishes, Yours affectionately, KIRPAL SINGH III To Succeed in Man-Making January 27, 1970 Dear ones: The recent increase in correspondence received here indicates
that the many books written by me, in addition to the Circular Letters issued
over the past two years, especially those dated June 13 and November 5, 1969, have
not been read, appreciated and digested by the dear ones. This is confirmed by
the contents of the letters written to me by most of the initiates, which bring
up the same questions and problems which had been answered in previous letters,
or could have been answered by a proper study of the books and circulars
already referred to. My Circular Letters should be read again and again, both at Satsangs and
individually. Again, I should like to stress that the Circular Letters, dated
June 13 and November 5, give the right understanding and guidance for all
situations, and any problems or difficulties that may be encountered in the day
to day living of the initiates. You must put this right understanding into
actual practice if you wish to succeed in the task of man-making, which you
alone can do. The more you succeed in this way, the more receptivity you will
develop to the Master Power within you. The Circular Letters mentioned above
should be given to every new initiate, to give impetus to their Initiation. To
give further help and encouragement on the Way, my new book Morning Talks will soon be available for general distribution. This book, which
covers most aspects of Spirituality, is a God-given spiritual textbook to which
all initiates should constantly refer to see how they are measuring up to the
standards required for success in their man-making. I cannot stress
sufficiently the importance of reading this book, digesting its contents, and
then living up to what it contains. The dear ones should also be regular in attending Satsang, which is
where the theoretical side of the Teachings are given, to enable them to
increase their understanding of what the books and Circular Letters written by
the Master contain. When you have right understanding, you will have right
thoughts, and from right thoughts will automatically flow right words and right
action. Satsang is not a place for gossip or social get-togethers. It is a
sacred forum where all meet to sit in sweet remembrance of the Master as well
as to increase their understanding. While I permitted meditations also to be
held at Satsang in the past, generally after the Satsang, I would now suggest
that those dear ones who would like to meditate together, do so before the
Satsang commences. This will avoid the incidence of social chitchat that has,
in many cases, been reported to me as going on at the beginning and end of
Satsang. It will also avoid the participation of non-initiates in the
meditation period, which is not desirable, except in cases of sincere seekers
after Truth, who are desirous of initiation. When Satsang is finished, everyone
should leave. Those non-initiates who are interested in the Teachings should be
advised to first thoroughly study the books and other literature available,
before asking any questions. If after such a thorough study of the Teachings,
they still have some questions, these may be answered by the Group Leader. By
attending Satsang in the right spirit, the Master Power within each initiate
will radiate, and the resultant charging of the atmosphere will give a boost to
all. At times like these, the Master Power is given the right environment to do
Its work, which is to prepare the dear ones for their second birth into the
Beyond. If all the initiates give a proper study to the books and Circular
Letters and also attend the Satsang in the way described above, there should be
no need for them to write to the Master with any question or problem, the
solution of which already lies at hand. Every initiate should understand that
to write to me on any problem or with any questions is to limit the Master
Power working within them. It but delays the answer, which could otherwise be
known within a short time by following the advice given above. In my Circular
of June 13, I advised the initiate who had some problem or question to which he
required an answer, to sit quietly in a receptive mood, thereby attuning
himself to the gracious Master Power within him. Then he would surely receive
his answer and have full confidence as to what course of action he should take.
For example, there is one story from the life of Lord Krishna. One of his
disciples, a lady, was attacked by some men in a lonely place. So naturally,
she cried out to Lord Krishna for help, but thought of him as being in the
place where his physical body resided, which was many miles away. Just when her
condition was becoming desperate, Lord Krishna appeared and she was saved. When
she remonstrated with Lord Krishna for taking so long to come to her aid, he
replied, "Well, you thought of me as being miles away from you, so it took
some time for me to come to help you. But if you had realized that I am always
with you, am in fact your constant companion, I would have appeared instantaneously."
The diary forms on which you record your spiritual progress should of course
continue to be sent to me, so that I can give further guidance on inner,
spiritual progress. If any initiate feels that he must have some outer guidance
on the Teachings, he should discuss his questions and/or problems with the
Group Leader or Representative of his area. In this regard, Group Leaders and
Representatives should be thoroughly familiar with the Teachings. They will
greatly reduce their own workload if they read out at Satsang the Circular
Letters already referred to, in addition to selections from the books written
by me. The new book "Morning Talks" will provide them with invaluable
material for this purpose. But most of all, they should set an example to
others in their actions. Example is better than precept. If they carry out
their responsibilities in a loving and humble manner, they will become more
receptive channels for the Master Power to work through. Their very radiation
will benefit others without them uttering one word. However, there is one very important point that must be borne in mind by
all, whether initiates, group leaders, or representatives. This is, that group
leaders and representatives are there purely for the purpose of giving out the
theoretical side of the Teachings and in arranging facilities whereby the
initiates of their group or area can meet together for Satsang. Group Leaders
and representatives are not to be used as crutches for the other initiates to
lean upon. Nor should the initiates look to them for any purpose but to help
them in understanding the Teachings. In other words, initiates should not look
to them for spiritual guidance in any shape or form, as this is the function of
the Master. If an initiate looks to a group leader or representative for
spiritual guidance he automatically places a blockage in between himself and
the Master and his spiritual progress will suffer in consequence. Similarly if
a group leader or representative allows himself to be used in this way, he too stands
to lose. So, to summarize, group leaders and representatives are there only to
help others to have right understanding of the Teachings (which they can do
only if they are thoroughly conversant with them), and to provide a healthy
example of the life to be led. It should be remembered that the Master Power is
within each initiate and that each one should be an inspiration to his fellow,
whether initiate or non-initiate. Those who have developed more receptivity
than others can by their very example and radiation give a boost to their less
developed brothers, without exerting any sort of superiority over them. I
always used to pray to my Master that if any goodness went out of me to the
benefit of my fellow man, then I should not know about it. With all love and best wishes, Yours affectionately, KIRPAL SINGH IV To Change the Mind's Habits February 20, 1971 Over the past year, I have observed from the spiritual diaries sent in
by the dear ones, that they report little or no inner progress, some even mentioning
that they have made no headway since the time of their holy Initiation. Because
there appears to be a lack of right understanding as to why steady progress has
not been made, I should like to clarify the process by which such progress can
be achieved. If the dear ones were to do their spiritual practices correctly, with
due regard to self introspection, they would, as sure as two and two make four,
rise above body consciousness and transcend into the Beyond, where the Inner
Master is patiently waiting to greet His children at the threshold of the
astral plane. But because they are unable to do this, even for a short while,
they erroneously believe their meditations to be barren of all concrete
results. If you were able to follow the Master's instructions accurately, you
would be sure to agree with St. Paul, who tells us in the Bible: "I die
daily." Therefore, what is it that prevents you from following the
Master's instructions? It is your own mind, which you have not yet been able to
coax away from the outer attachments of the world to the bliss that awaits it
inside. What the Master tells you to do is not really difficult if you could but
comprehend the simplicity of it.
He tells you to sit in a position most comfortable to you, one in which you can
sit the longest without moving; that while sitting in this position, you are to
remain wide awake with your attention directed at the seat of the soul behind
and between the two eyebrows; that you are to look sweetly and serenely into
the middle of the darkness in front of you, repeating the Simran of five
charged names slowly and at intervals. Some succeed in performing their spiritual disciplines in the prescribed
manner in a short period, others do not for want of the conscious control of
the mind and the outgoing faculties. This is why it has always been stressed to
weed out all undesirable traits and habits, and to replace them by the opposite
ennobling virtues; and for this, the maintenance of the monthly self
introspection diary is mandatory. The more you progress in man-making, the more
your mind and senses will come under your conscious control. This has already
been dealt with very thoroughly, as well as other aspects of spiritual
development, in my previous Circular Letters which together with "Morning
Talks" constitute the yardsticks which you may apply to measure how far
you have succeeded in your disciplines, both outer and inner. So what is meant by "not doing the practices properly" is
simply another way of saying that the one-pointed concentration preluding
complete withdrawal to the eye focus has not yet been achieved by the dear
ones. You are the indweller of your own body, but are not yet its Master. Your
servants, the mind and five senses, have usurped the throne on which your soul
should sit. Until they are dispossessed and placed in their rightful place as
servants, they will not allow you to withdraw and go in. The Master within,
like any loving father, is eagerly awaiting the day when you have set your
house in order. He only requires one opportunity to snatch you from the
prison-house of the body, and like an expert angler, once He has successfully
hooked His fish, He will not allow it to escape until He has it safely in His
basket. Man is so constituted that he cannot for long remain at one level. He
either progresses or slips back. You may judge for yourselves which way you are
going by seeing how far your mind and senses are coming under your conscious
control. This is achieved not only by ethical living, but also by the inner help
and strength you get every time you sit for your meditations. So, if no
apparent inner headway is achieved, know it for sure that the ground is being
watered. Every time you sit, you are creating a habit which one day the mind
will accept as in its best interest, as opposed to its present habit of seeking
enjoyment in outside things. Habit strengthens into nature, and this is the
reason for the present difficulties experienced by the dear ones in their
routine meditations. The habit of the mind in running after outside enjoyments
has become natural to it. Therefore, it resents sitting in the quiet. By
creating a new habit, you will, in time, change the nature of the mind from one
seeking pleasure in things external to one thirsting for the bliss and
sweetness to be had from things internal. "Thy restless mind
continually goes astray; how can it ever be brought to heel? Only by giving the
heart and soul to the Word or Name of God; no other way has ever been found or
ever will be found " (Swami Ji) So I wish for you to tread the Path having full faith and confidence in
the Master, and above all, be grateful that you have been accepted for
Initiation in this difficult age we are living in. Persevere, persevere, and
persevere again. Perseverance combined with full faith in the gracious Master
Power working overhead will one day remove all obstacles, and your cherished
goal will be achieved. With all love and best wishes, Yours affectionately, KIRPAL SINGH V Turn to the Master Within July 6, 1973 Dear Children of Light, Representatives, Group leaders, Initiates,
Seekers of God and Aspirants: It is a pleasure to see that the Vineyard of
Hazur is in full bloom and His family is growing from strength to strength with
the passage of time. Along with this, there is a corresponding increase in the
work load, especially in the incoming mail that is growing in bulk each day. In this connection, I have already issued three detailed Circular
Letters - dated June 13 and November 5, 1969, and January 27, 1970, as printed
in "Receptivity"
- followed by another on February 20, 1971. The main purpose of issuing these
Circular Letters was to provide useful and practical guidelines to the dear
ones on the Path and consequently to streamline and cut down the unnecessary
and avoidable correspondence. But it appears that the instructions contained
therein have not been read, appreciated and followed in the spirit in which
they were issued. It is evident from the incessant inflow of numerous routine
and stereotype letters/communications received over here in large numbers. You would please realize that it takes a lot of time to dispose of it by
working late hours in the night - many times beyond midnight. It is, therefore,
once again desired to limit the correspondence work and to keep it within
rational bounds. For this purpose it is suggested that every one must strive to
do his or her mite to achieve the desired results positively so as to leave
ample time for the Master to attend to more important matters of policy,
planning and projects in hand, relating to Man-making and spiritual upliftment
all around. I have, time and again, emphasized that each one should make oneself
thoroughly conversant with: (a) the guidelines provided in the various books
published so far, and (b) the contents of the various Circular Letters issued
heretofore. It is all the more important that the Group Leaders and the
Representatives should, by careful reading and reverent study of the books and
circular letters, make themselves thoroughly conversant with the basic tenets
of the Science Spiritual and induce those in the fold, both old and new, to do
likewise so as to have a clear and correct insight into the day to day problems
of life which are, more or less, alike in their nature and are of a routine
type. In this way, there would be a division of labor and each one would learn
to stand on one's own legs and will also be able to help his or her brethren.
By helping others you are, in fact, helping your own self in so many different
forms. Selfless service has its own reward and being born of innate love for
all, embraces the totality of His being. Until now, it was suggested that the self introspection diaries should
come directly to the Master for obtaining instructions and guidance, but it is
now felt that in the overall interest of the entire work and to lessen the
strain on the Master, this work can safely be decentralized and left to the
sagacious care of the Representatives and Group Leaders. The two things to be
carefully observed in the diaries are: (1) Regular and accurate meditations from day to day and as a corollary,
therefore, experiences will be gained in Vision and Audition; (2) Lapses in cardinal virtues, especially in thought, for mind is the
greatest foe and has to be turned into a useful friend and ally by coaxing,
cajoling and gradual restraint, by a careful watch over its antics. Victory over the mind means victory over the world. One who can contain
himself by controlling the mind is the greatest hero and the bravest of the
brave. If this is achieved, lapses in words and deeds will take care of
themselves and will automatically go down. Another thing worth noting is difficulties and obstacles met with by the
practitioners. These are, in the main, due to lack of carefree relaxation in
practice, and consciousness of pranas (respiration), which supply a
fulcrum to the mind and set it to woolgathering. Ignore the pranas as we ignore
them in all our bodily activities. Again, most of the dear souls crave for spectacular results and complain
of slow progress. But, be it known that the time factor is an essential element
and it differs with different individuals, depending on so many factors: each
one's background, mental development, present environments and the degree of
receptivity acquired. The spiritual Path is an arduous up-hill journey and
requires steadfast patience and perseverance. Slow and steady wins the race in
the long run. The Master Power is more anxious to pull us up than we are
prepared to repose in Him. He knows our needs more than we do and is ever ready
to extend His helping hand to us if we care to grasp it. Instead of completely
giving ourselves to the healthier, higher and holier influence coming from
above, we remain, for the most part, hide-bound or mind-ridden and thus we
stand in the way of the Divine Power which comes down like a gentle dove if we
are but ready to receive Him. On the contrary, we stand between God and
ourselves and keep surveying the process of withdrawal instead of engaging in the
spiritual practices with all our heart, mind and soul. Next, there are three types of common ailments which usually haunt and
afflict our footsteps: physical or bodily, emotional or mental, and those
caused by Vis-Major or the Divine Power. The major events in life are,
for the most part, charted out beforehand and the rest too are the effects of
causes set going in the past, and there is no escape therefrom. It is better to
accept them smilingly and take them sportively than to rue over them and keep a
long face all the time. Being in the flesh it is not wise to expect wholeness
all the time. We have to adjust ourselves to the surroundings, conditions and
circumstances and then the storms and stresses will just blow over like a
gentle breeze. The initiates have, however, the added advantage of the LONG and
STRONG arm of the Master Power which always works to their good, even in
seemingly adverse situations. These are some of the problems which, at one stage or another, crop up
in the life of everyone, and most of the correspondence is of a stereotype
nature and as such can easily be handled and disposed of locally, by explaining
matters sweetly and gently and putting things in their right perspective. In
this way you can relieve the Master to a great extent. It would be better to
read the instructions carefully, and an attempt should be made to make each
realize the importance of minimizing the work load at this end. These are just a few tips. All these matters are, as said above, fully
explained in the various publications and circular letters, which cover a wider
range of subjects and situations, and can easily be pressed into service to
meet. Last but not least, there is a cardinal need for developing inner
receptivity. The Master Power, as you all know, is not confined to any
particular place. It is working in and around you. You have but to turn your
face towards Him inwardly to get the required help and guidance wherever
necessary. Learn to sit still and be mentally still, and the silence thus
generated will be more vocal than words spoken and written; and you will have
an instantaneous solution not only to your personal problems but to the
problems of others as well. This is the greatest secret of success. I am always there to help you, both within and without. I shall welcome
all the references that are really of an important nature which cannot be
easily resolved over there by the Group Leaders and Representatives. My Love and good wishes are always with each one of you. You cannot
imagine with what longing the Master Power awaits you at the eye focus ready to
receive you with open arms. I wish you the best of luck and pluck in all your
endeavors. With all Love and kind thoughts, Yours affectionately, KIRPAL SINGH |