MAN, KNOW THYSELF! Since the beginning of Creation, when
the first flicker of self-awakening dawned on Man, his attention has been more
and more concerned with the problem of his own worldly existence and the
investigation into the cause and source of all Creation. For ages, he has
probed and queried in vain, but now, at last, his increasing thirst for
knowledge is turning him to study the results achieved by others in the field.
Ancient and modern sages asked, "What is that, the knowledge of which
makes everything else known ?" and in the same breath replied,
"Knowledge of the Higher Self—the True Man." So the Supreme Knowledge
is that which deals, both in theory and practice, with Man's true nature and
his relation to God. It is, in fact, a Natural Science without a hypothesis,
subject neither to change nor time. In ancient India it was called
'Para-Vidya' (Science of Realized Truth or Science of the Beyond) and different
denominations sprang up to interpret this knowledge. The term 'Apra-Vidya',
standing for preparation for achieving the knowledge of 'Para-Vidya', was then
introduced. This preparation consists of following an ethical and moral life,
and the practice of concentration or meditation (in so many ways) both being
indispensable for spiritual development. Man is constantly changing or
introducing new names and terminologies to describe this Science. The Masters
were called Sants, and the nature of knowledge Mat, thus giving us the term
'Sant-Mat', which is at present mostly used to name the Path of the Masters.
Other terms, such as Shabd Yoga, Surat Shabd Yoga, Sehaj Yoga, are also used to
describe the same Science. In the Sanskrit language, the word 'Sant' means
Master of the highest Order, and 'Mat' is a confirmed opinion or statement made
by an adept after personal experience. The foundation of this Science,
therefore, is the result of a critical study, minute investigation, and the
lifelong personal verification of facts based on practical experience of the
Self in man. This experience of the Self is something that a competent Master
is prepared to give to each individual who approaches him. Sant Mat, therefore,
is the teaching, system and path of the Saints. The Masters do not attach any importance
to names, designations, or the fact that many religious sects, groups and
circles, have claimed this Science as their own and named it after their
leaders or founders. They look upon these groups as schools where man—the
noblest being in Creation—can study with other men as children of one and the
same Almighty Father. A Master (also called Sant Satguru), has
complete mastery of both the theory and practice, and is competent to impart
both knowledge and experience to all sincere seekers after Truth, without any distinction
whatsoever of colour, caste or creed. Any man or woman, whether rich or poor,
young or old, sage or sinner, learned or unlearned, who is able to grasp the
theory of the Science, has a right to acquire this knowledge. Present Fate of
Various Beliefs and Faiths The dictionary defines 'Mat' as Wisdom,
but the colloquial meaning of the term is a sect or faith, a group of people
holding certain opinions or beliefs in common. Such beliefs and opinions,
however, based on stray knowledge and teachings, are not sufficient without the
support of personal experience, and therefore, the seeker is led astray by mere
empty words. Many societies, faiths and other religious circles have only a
legacy of books, beliefs and theories to offer to those who thirst after
Spirituality. They conceal their shortcomings and deficiencies behind a screen
of warm welcome, an outpouring of technique and terminology, and the liberal
use of spiced words, phrases, sayings and quotations from the enormous mass of
literature that we have on the market today. Propaganda, acting and posing,
have taken the place of practical Spirituality, with the result that the
deluded public is being repelled from sacred books and thought of God. Atheism,
therefore, is on the increase. To believe in a thing or fact without
troubling to investigate it, does not in any way do credit to an intelligent
man. On the contrary it reflects adversely on his ignorance or credulity. Any
belief not based on personal experience and verification of the facts, has
little value. The modern man wants a well-defined, clear-cut Science, capable
of verification by his own experience and giving concrete results. We should,
therefore, try to see and to hear with our own eyes and ears rather than with
the eyes and ears of others. Self-Analysis Man is composed of body, mind
(intellect) and soul. We are extremely careful to develop ourselves physically
and mentally, but understand very little about the soul, which is the Power
ruling both the body and the mind. Physical joys are not lasting and there are
limitations of body and mind that we cannot ignore, so we must search for the
perennial source of joy and peace within ourselves. Self-analyis is the first
step in this direction. Many doubts assail our minds at this stage. There is an
Omnipotent Power called God, believed in, worshipped and talked about by most
people. Can we know more about Him? Can we see
Him and talk to Him ? There is a definite and clear reply to each one of these
questions, but the most convincing one comes from a Master, who in a few brief
words exclaims, "Yes we can see and speak to Him, that is, if we become as
exalted as He is said to be." Masters say "yes", and we do not
have to wait until death comes, but we can experience it right now. This is in
consonance with Laws of Nature of which we have as yet, no knowledge worth the
name. All around us, we see, we feel that
everything from the tiny atom to the mighty Universe, is governed by a Law of
Nature. So, to the profound thinker, there is nothing chaotic, haphazard or
uncertain about this Universe and the laws which govern it. To gain any
objective, there is a Law of Nature, a principle and method involved for
checking, testing and weighing the result of our endeavours. So it is too in
this Science of Nature, and similar methods can be traced in all religious
scriptures by any careful student, though expressed in different words and
various languages. We wish to enter the Kingdom of God,
"but how?" we ask ourselves. "With the help and guidance of one
who has himself entered and can guide us there," is the simple reply from
the Masters. "Is it possible?" "It is a knowledge which is as
exact and as sure as two and two make four," is again their reply. It is
not enough to be content with Holy Books and the singing of praises and hymns.
We must strive for the same degree of advancement as the authors of the talks
and knowledge recorded in these books achieved. Their experience must become
our experience, for, 'what a man has done, a man can do', of course with proper
help and guidance. We should stop at nothing short of this. "We have hardly a dim spark of love
for Him will it help to cherish a hope?" is another question asked, to
which the Saints reply, "It is sufficient to make you eligible for the
Highest Science of approach to Him." This is a pleasing ray of hope. Oh!
if this small spark could be kindled into a flame. Again, we say, "Jesus
and other great Masters spoke so lovingly of Him, but we are sinners and there
may not be much hope for us in this age." The Masters' soothing reply is
"No matter if you are the worst of sinners, stop where you are. There is
hope for everybody, even in this crucial age." Ages ago, Nature provided
for us materially and spiritually. Today, the same unchangeable Law is
operating and will continue to do so in the future. There is food for the
hungry and water for the thirsty. Nature's inexorable and eternal Law of demand
and supply always works. It is only through a Living Master that
we can contact the Almighty God within us. In Sant-Mat, contemplation of objects or
images is not advised, as this is harmful to progress. Photographs of the
Masters are for remembrance and recognition only, and on no account should we
become attached to such external practices. The Teachings of the Masters (Man-making) A man, according to the Science of
Para-Vidya, is not entitled to be called a man in the true sense of the word,
unless he has full knowledge, both theoretical and practical, of his
distinguished position in Creation, his several component parts—body, mind and
soul—in order of comparative importance, and of his relationship to the Unseen
Power, called God, which is to be achieved while he is living on this earth. He
who does not understand this much has not even been introduced to the first
lesson and is yet to begin the Alphabet of Man The Saints, therefore, impress
upon us the need for 'Man-making'. Satsang When scientifically observed facts drawn
from practice and experiment are explained verbally to a gathering by a Master
Saint, it is called Satsang (external). This Satsang constitutes the
theoretical side of the teachings, whereas the actual demonstration given to
develop and achieve inner advancement is the practical part, called meditation
or Satsang (internal). Conscientious practice brings fruit within days or weeks
and it is not necessary to wait for years for results, though progress also
depends, to some extent, on one's past background. A true Master gives a
first-hand inner experience at the very first sitting. When the practical side
is neglected due to lack of firmness or determination, carelessness or pressure
of circumstances, scholars of many religious schools dwell more and more upon
theory alone. The decline of the Science then commences and man finds no
solace. This is usually the case when a Master leaves the body. Adequate
provision, however, is made for the revival of this Science in every age, when
both the Positive and Negative Powers commence their rounds again; the former
through the agency of Master-souls, while the latter works through
persons—so-called Masters— who lack practical experience or are lost in
theoretical disputations. Master-souls, though quite ordinary men in
appearance, are a great deal more. Just as it is difficult for us to judge a
scientist, a doctor or an engineer until they speak out or display their skill
and knowledge, so too we cannot recognize the knowledge and authority of a
Master until we have experienced the Divine Power working through Him. In this Science, there is no secrecy or
mystery. The objective is constructive and beneficial to all, and so the Saints
have torn aside the curtain of secrecy which usually covers mystic teachings,
to make them available to each and every one who calls. There is an Unseen
Power working through the Saints. Why this Power prefers to remain concealed
from the human eye is a question to be asked directly by contacting the human
pole through whom this Power is working. This is the only medium of approach to
this Power. If we wish to use electric energy we must go to a switch or pole
which will put us in contact with the powerhouse. The Unseen Power may be
called a 'Sea of love'. When we wish to bathe in the sea we go to the edge
where the shadow waters begin and then say that we have bathed in the sea.
Thus, to experience this Power and to derive benefit from it, we must go to the
only source of contact—a Master Saint. Life Beyond Death Saints say that Nature has designed man
to leave his physical body at will, transcend to higher spiritual planes, and
then return to the body. They help each aspirant personally and each receives a
practical experience, however little it may be, during the very first sitting
at the time of Initiation. A person who is competent to give a man this
Personal experience of withdrawal or separation (temporary) from the body, and
who can thus put him on the way back to God, is a genuine Master, Saint or
Satguru. The heads of different religious organizations were intended to do
just this, but we may judge for ourselves their efficacy today. The first-hand
experience we receive, through the kindness of a real Saint, is in itself the
solution to the problem of death. According to the Bible, 'Unless you are born
anew, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven'. So to be born anew is to
leave one's body and enter into the beyond—a transition from the physical to
the astral plane. Some day we have to leave this temporary structure, which
like a building of bricks and mortar, deteriorates with time. There is no appeal
to the Laws of Nature against the 'Death Sentence . We fear death because of
the agony and suffering which it brings, and also about the uncertainty that
lies ahead in the Beyond. We fear illness because it brings us near death's
door; so we struggle to live though we know that our end is certain. No
soothing words from doctors, friends, relatives or priests can bring peace and
comfort to our minds at the time that Nature's destructive process commences.
This is the natural course of things and we cannot deceive Nature. What then is the remedy? There is only
one way out of this abyss of despair, which is to adopt and accustom ourselves,
during our lifetime, to Nature's process of the withdrawal of the spirit
current from the body, while still in a conscious state. This may be done with
the help of a Master, and may be accomplished without any suffering or trouble
whatsoever. This is not only a possibility but is a
remarkable fact. Our joy will know no bounds when we come into possession of
the secret that has baffled man for so many centuries. We become Supermen,
having possession of a key to peace and heaven, the life of which we had till
then only read about in sacred scriptures. Arise, therefore, and awake ! before
it is too late to put this Science into practice. If we observe closely the
process of death in a dying man, we see the pupils of his eyes turn upwards a
little (afterwards they may return to normal), and then he becomes senseless.
But when they draw upwards too much, he dies. Life ebbs out via the root of the
eyes and becomes disconnected from the ties of the physical body and the sense
organs. Knowledge of this process and the method by which we may travel this
Way during our very lifetime, is the solution to the problem of death. No
physical exercises are necessary; there are no drugs to swallow and no blind
faith to cultivate. The mystery of life and death is solved easily with the
help of a Master-Saint, who will give you an experience of the process and put
you on the highway to the inner realms. Even when acting indirectly through an
authorized agent, he still remains the responsible power. Distance is
immaterial to the Masters. What is there to be gained by this
process ? This cannot be described in words. At the time of Initiation, the
aspirant sees the real Light within him, whereas normally the inner eye
iscovered by a thick veil of darkness. He then realizes that the tradition of
the lighted candle found in churches and temples is to remind him of the Divine
Light of Heaven within. This Light grows to the radiance of several suns put
together as he advances on the Way. He understands that the unceasing internal
Sound he contacts within is the Divine Link called 'Word' by Christ, 'Kalma'
and 'Nida-i-Asmani' in the Quran, 'Nad' in the Vedas, 'Udgit' in the
Upanishads, 'Sarosha' by the Zoroastrians and 'Naam and Shabd' by the Saints
and Masters. In time, he meets the Master within, talks to him face to face and
is henceforth certain of his grace, guidance and protection wherever he may go,
even to the other end of the world. With such evident proofs before him, he is
now confident of himself and of the Science. Only then can he be called a
theist in the true sense of the word and can smile at those who talk of
religion as a fool's paradise, a phantom conjured up by crafty priests, and the
opium of the masses. He has found a sure ingress through the doorway of heaven
in this life, and is on the threshold of viewing, both internally and
externally, the secrets of Nature. He is verily 'knocking at the door of
heaven' or 'tapping inside'. Words of opposition cannot shake his faith in the
Science as the Master guides him onward. Death becomes a voluntary process.
Past, present and future merge into one, and he grasps the incontestable Truth,
the essence of Being, in the palm of his hand. Liberated from the body, which now
appears as a husk without the kernel, he knows that he is 'Soul', an
inseparable part of the Eternal Spirit, and so he presses onwards to his
original source. The world appears as a dream to him, but under the
instructions from his Master, he returns to his mundane life, wise and fearless
in the discharge of his duties. Preliminary Qualifications for an Aspirant on the Way Just as in any other science, certain
preliminary qualifications are required before much progress can be made.
Married life, hard work or a poor environment are no bar. It does not count in
your favour that you may hold a high position or possess immense wealth.
Neither does membership of a particular faith serve as a recommendation.
Wherever he may be, a man must strive for nobility of character, self-control
and purity of heart. Purity of heart in thought, word and deed is essential.
'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God'. An ethical life is a
stepping-stone to Spirituality, but Spirituality is, however, not just ethical
living. This we must always bear in mind. We can divide man's life into (i) diets
and (ii) his dealings with others. With regard to diet, vegetarianism and
teetotalism are essential. 'Thou shalt not kill', and 'Live and let live',
should be our principles in life. The body is the temple of God and is a sacred
place. We are not to neglect or abuse it, but should take the best possible
care to properly maintain it. All intoxicants are also to be avoided as they
make us morbid and of shaky consciousness. With regard to our dealings with
others, we should sow the seed of kindness in order to reap its fruit. Love and
humility are most necessary. 'Do unto others as you would wish they should do
unto you'. 'Love, and all blessing shall be added unto you'. 'Love thine enemy
and do good to them that despitefully use you'. God is immanent in every form
and whoever loves God, must love God's Creation. To love God is to love all
humanity. We should also earn our living by the sweat of our brow and share
with others. These are not empty sayings, but very wise and sound advice. Karmas (Actions and Deeds) Each thought, each word and each deed
has to beaccounted and compensated for in Nature. Every cause has an effect and
every action brings about a reaction. Uproot the cause and the effect
disappears. This has been done by the Masters who have transcended these laws,
but all others are bound by the bonds of Karma, which is the root-cause of physical
existence and the clever device of Nature to maintain this existence. The law of Karma sees to it that we are
paid an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, in the shape of joy or
suffering. It is the goading whip in the hidden hands of Nature. The mind
contracts Karma, puts a covering on the soul and rules the body through the
organs and the senses. Although it is the soul that imparts strength to the
mind, the latter has assumed sovereignty and is governing the soul instead.
Control of the mind, therefore, is the first step to Spirituality. Victory over
the mind is victory over the world. Even accomplished Yogis and Mystics who can
transcend to high spiritual realms are not left untouched by the hand of Karma. Saints classify Karmas into three distinct
groups, as follows:— ·
Sanchit (stored): Good or bad deeds that stand to our account as
earned and contracted in all previous bodies of the order of Creation, counting
from the day of the first appearance of life on earth. Alas! Man knows nothing
about them or their extent. ·
Prarabdha (Fate or Destiny): The result and effect of which has
brought man into his present body and has to be paid off in this life. The
reactions of these Karmas come to us unexpectedly and unperceived and we have
no control over them whatsoever. Good or bad, we have to tolerate or bear this
Karma laughing or weeping, as it happens to suit us. ·
Kriyaman (Account of our actions and deeds in the present body):
This is distinct from the above mentioned two groups, as here, man is free to
do exactly as he pleases within certain limits. Knowingly or unknowingly, deeds
committed and coming under this heading bear fruit. The result of some of these
we reap before we die and the residue is transferred to the Sanchit storehouse.
Karma is the cause of rebirth, and each
birth is in turn followed by death. Thus the cycle of enjoyment and suffering,
which are concomitants of birth and death, continues. 'As you think, so you
become', is an unalterable Law of Nature, owing to which this Universe exists.
No amount of integrity or genius can absolve a man so long as there is the
slightest trace of Karma. Ignorance of the Law is no excuse, and though there
may be some concession or relaxation with man-made laws under special
circumstances, there is no such allowance made for this in Nature's Laws.
Prayer, confession and atonement may give temporary mental relief but they
cannot overcome Karma. All Karma must be wiped out completely before permanent
salvation can be had. Disturbed by these facts, Man seeks solace in deep pious
doctrines, or when he comes to know that both good and bad deeds are
fetters--one of gold, the other of iron—he turns to Renuciation. Different faiths promise relief but he
soon finds out that this is only temporary. How then does a Master approach
this problem ? At the time of Initiation, the Master begins the process of
winding up all Karmas of the initiate. He gives him a contact with the Sound
Current, by practising which the Sanchit account is burnt away. The process is
similar to putting a handful of seeds in a pan and placing them on a fire,
which then causes the seeds to puff up and lose their property of growing
again. Then the Kriyaman account is dealt with. After warning his disciples to
guard against opening any new account of bad deeds, the Master grants a general
clemency in respect of past deeds, part of which the disciple has already
settled in this life up to the time of Initiation. He is enjoined to lead a
clean life and to weed out all imperfections in him by self-introspection from
day to day. The Prarabdha Karma is not touched by Saints because this is the
cause of the physical body, which would vanish due to the interference with
Nature's Laws. Thus a very small amount of Karma now remains to be tolerated in
the physical body for the remaining years of the disciple's life, but even this
is softened bit the grace of the Master. The law of grace works wonders and a
devotee, who out of loving devotion, reposes all his hopes in the Master,
passes off unscathed from the pinching effects of the reactions of past Karmas.
In moments of misery, worry ancl trouble, the Master is our refuge. He acts
unperceived at any distance. Just as a mother of a sick child holds the child
securely in her lap during an operation so that it does not feel any pain, so
too the Master holds us in his loving embrace. Out of their abundance of
sympathy, love and kindness, the Saints at times take upon their own shoulders
some Karmic sufferings of their disciples through the Law of Sympathy. There is
no court of trial after death for a devoted disciple. Tllc Master is all in all
for him. Why does a Master-Saint take all this on
himself? Because he inherits his merciful nature frm God above, who commissions
him to personally distribute this treasure of rnercy. Thus, the Master is
honoured like God. Sant-Mat has volumes of books written in praise of the
Mastcrs, and if just as many more books were to be written, it would hardly do
justice to the vastness of their love and kindness. Time casts its heavy shadow over man. He
has to toil hard to keep pace with the changing times. So deeply is he absorbed
in his external needs and desires that he forgets all about contentment,
sympathy and love. Entangled and surrounded by the 'Deadly Five'—lust, anger,
greed, attachment and vanity—he stumbles and cries out to the Unseen for help.
Heaven's mercy is stirred and as times stiffen, the Almighty extends His help
through the Masters more and more lavishly. Such is the case in this Kali
Yuga—the Iron Age. It is indeed very hard to believe that
anyone can be above the five passions mentioned above, and that he can enter
the Kingdom of Heaven during his lifetime. All mankind is under the control of
these five and only a Master can save a man from their clutches. We all demand
reliable proof before committing ourselves, and this is given by a Master in
the shape of an experience of the life impulse, or Naam (the Word), and some
inner vision. Contact with a Master is essential. Those who keep aloof and depend
on themselves or rely on tradition and priests—equally ignorant as
themselves—are deprived of contact with this Power, and as the saying goes,
'When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch'. Indifference, non-acceptance or
disbelief will not be to our advantage when Nature enforces its Universal
Ordinance--Death. Our position will be that of a pigeon who, on seeing a cat
approaching, shuts its eyes and believes that the cat cannot then molest it,
but in a few seconds, the poor bird is in the powerful jaws of the cat. It is
then too late to think of escape. So be alert while there is yet time! Spirituality Perhaps it will not be out of place to
explain here the meaning of the term 'Spirituality', which is often confused
with blind faith in sacred books, a display of miracles, psychic phenomena, or
Yogic powers. Spirituality is an inner experience and its alphabet begins where
all philosophy and Yoga practices end. It is the experience of the soul. When
one says, "I am the body", it is a feeling based on the intellect and
is defined as ignorance. When he says "I am not the body, I am an awakened
soul", it is learnt knowledge or theory only; but when he gets an actual
experience of the soul by self-analysis and contacts the Overself, it is called
Spirituality. The first practical lesson commences when there is a complete
withdrawal from the physical body through the kindness of a practical Master.
No one can withdraw and separate himself from the physical body unaided. If
anyone claims otherwise and thinks that he can, he but deceives himself. All
attempts without the assistance of a Master, who alone is qualified to impart
this experience, will end in failure. Masters come to distribute this treasure
of spiritual blessings to seekers after Truth. Spirituality cannot be bought
nor taught, but it can be caught by contact with spiritual people. Moreover,
Nature's gifts, such as air, water, light etc., are free. Spirituality is also
Nature's gift and is also given free by the Masters. Likewise, Spirituality
cannot be acquired from books, which is a fact all sacred scriptures uphold.
Books are a valuable record of the inner experiences of others in Spirituality.
They fill up gaps in history and contain messages from past Masters, which help
us to verify the facts revealed by a Living Master, thus confirming our faith
in the Science. Man is confused by the various
translations, interpretations and expositions, each different from the other,
which instead of relieving his mind, tend rather to bewilder and confuse him.
His egoism too has created hundreds of religious circles, whose aim is
aloofness and narrow orthodoxy instead of love, and insularity instead of
integration. Torn between conflicting emotions, men develop hatred and think of
war. For an understanding of the Science of
the Masters, we attend Satsang, where the majority of our doubts are cleared.
Direct answers from the Master will help to remove any remaining doubts. All
questions receive the same calm consideration and no arguments are offered.
Rich or poor, high or low, all receive equal attention in the same manner as a
doctor should attend to the sick. A true Master views a man's rights and wrongs
as clearly as one sees the contents of a glass jar, but he reveals nothing.
Sitting before him, even those who do not understand his language are
benefitted, just as one in a perfumer's shop enjoys the smell of sweet scents.
The Master showers blessings through his looks, which the eager ones catch. His
eyes are a wonderful spray of love. Criterion to judge a Genuine Master Do not judge a Master by his external
appearance, genealogical descent, rich or poor attire, country of origin, how
he talks, eats, or the position he holds, the number of books that he is the
author of, or by what people say about him. First receive the inner experience
he promises and then judge from that elevated angle of vision. Self-experience
is the criterion for judging a genuine Master. Any living person who sees
things from a spiritual level - man and his embarrassments, difficulties and
helplessness—and who has studied the problems confronting humanity can provide
their solutions, and is also able to correct and guide man visibly and
invisibly, morally and spiritually, in theory as well as in practice. Only such
a person is fit to take the responsible position of a Master. Blessed are those
who experience a stirring emotion of happiness and longing in their hearts, on
hearing the news that such a Master exists and is near. Spirituality is a science simpler and
easier than other sciences. Man has not to exert except in moulding himself
ethically and morally to the climax of love, sincerity and humility, which will
produce the necessary state of receptivity in him. Everything else is in the
hands of the Master. Again, a movement, no matter how spiritual it may appear
to be on the surface, should not be judged by the number of followers that it
has. A good speaker can attract crowds anywhere, yet there may not be anything
material or convincing in his speech. Spirituality is not the exclusive
possession of any family or place, but it is like a scented flower that grows
wherever Nature has ordained, around which the bees gather from far and wide to
sip its nectar. Masters do not rush after glory of self, although they certainly
deserve such glory. Even in ordinary talks, they will be heard to say,
"Oh, it is all the grace of my Master. It is none of my doing. My Master
deserves all the praise and credit." This humility places them far above
the low level of egoism found in this world. Masters have come in all ages to offer
this Natural Science to man. Only those who are discontented with this world
rush to them. Others to whom worldly attractions, pleasures and luxuries are
dear, turn their backs. Those in whose hearts all noble sentiments are dead,
not only put all possible obstacles in the way of the Saints, but also subject
them to various kinds of tortures, as a study of the lives of Jesus, Guru
Nanak, Kabir and others will show. Masters have come in the past, are existing
today, and will continue to come in the future for the spiritual benefit of
rnan. To suppose and accept that Spirituality has become the sole prerogative
of any religion after the passing of the Master, on whose teachings it is
based, and that sacred books are the only guide, shows the thoughtlessness of
man. How can we distinguish between a genuine
and a false Master? There is in fact no such testing stone or magical formula
except that of self-experience, for discriminating right from wrong, truth from
falsehood, and reality from unreality. Even in the time of Emperor Janak (the
father of Sita of the Ramayana), who was prepared to pay a big fee for the
theoretical knowledge of this Science, only one, Yagyavalkya, out of all the
Rishis, Yogis and Munis in India, was able to do so and won the prize.
Yagyavalkya, however, had the moral courage to admit, "Gargi, I know the
theory only but have no personal experience of it." On a second occasion,
Emperor Janak proclaimed that he wanted a practical experience of this Science
on a certain date, and that in a very short time too, not exceeding the time
taken to straddle a horse and put each foot in its stirrup. Great Yogis and
Rishis throughout the length and breadth of India were invited, but at the
appointed time only one person stepped forward to accept the challenge. This
was a hunchback named Ashtavakra, who had eight humps in his body. The
audience, taking him for a maniac, laughed aloud at his appearance. Ashtavakra
said, "How can you expect to get a spiritual experience from these
cobblers you have collected, who have eyes only for the skin of the body but
cannot see within?" The experience was duly given to the Emperor within
the allotted time. The point to consider is that at the time when Spirituality
was thriving, only one person came forward to accept the challenge. In these
times then, when materialism is on the increase, we do not find competent
Masters growing like mushrooms. So search we must, not allowing false
propaganda, the testimony of others, blind faith, the promise of future
happiness, and our regard for position, wealth and pleasure, to lead us astray.
When such personalities come, they are competent to give life to millions of
people who go to them. They are the children of Light, and give Light to all
humanity. Blind faith is one of the main obstacles
to overcome. What we simply listen to, read or follow without investigating as
to what and where it will lead to, is blind faith. If one is careless to forget
the end while following the means, and does not see whether he is nearing the
end or not, it is still blind faith. When one goes to a Master and listens
attentively to the explanations given by Him on the subject of gaining
Self-knowledge by self-analysis, duly supported by one or more quotations from
the valuable sayings of various Saints, he is intellectually convinced to tread
the path as an experimental measure and act up to what the Master says with
faith for the time being. This is the first stepping-stone to learn about
Reality. When he has the first-hand experience, of whatever degree it may be,
he is convinced and progresses from day to day. Today, man listens to talks,
lectures and sermons, accepts and believes these all his life and takes for
granted that he has been placed firmly on the way to salvation. But when death
comes with all its sufferings, pangs of separation and fears of the unknown, he
realizes his mistake. Man's life-long habit of attachment to the body, occupies
all his thoughts, while friends, doctors, relatives and priests stand by
helpless and despairing. It is here that the Science of
Para-Vidya is of great help to us. The soul's withdrawal from the body is
greatly eased and the Master appears to receive and guide it further in the
Beyond. Death is to such a one the happiest of events, and like marriage, it is
the union with the Beloved. He has already visited and convinced himself of the
superiority of the higher regions and traverses the familiar territory without
fear. My Master, Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji, when impressing the need of
spiritual practices on his disciples, used to say to them, "Go to see a
disciple dying to become convinced." Saints believe in salvation during
one's lifetime and not in salvation after death. This is indeed a simple and
easy science, and the disciple should never rest content with his Initiation
without spiritual experience. He should then devote regular time to the
spiritual practices and the Master must be regularly informed of his progress.
He should constantly seek the guidance of his Master personally or by letter,
without entertaining thoughts that he is bothering him. The Master knows by
intuition how each disciple is faring and can remove most of his difficulties
by thought transference or other means, but he wishes any difficulties in
progress to be brought to his notice in writing. The ancient path of Surat Shabd Yoga or
Para Vidya, is one that can be followed by men, women and children of all ages
without any difficulty, unlike other ways, which involve complicated, strenuous
exercises, and control of the breath. These, at the most, lead to a slight
control over the self and a few paltry powers. The latter methods also require
a strong physique and a rich diet. As such, they are condemned by tte Masters
as unsuited to this age, and as involving physical dangers to the body. The Science In the physical body, two main currents
are working that control life, one a motor current (breathing or prana), and
the other a sensory current, which may also be called 'attention' or surat. The
Masters ignore the former so that the breathing is not interfered with and the
life process goes on. The sensory current ramifies throughout the entire body,
but its main centre lies between and behind the two eyebrows, along with the
mind. We have to withdraw the sensory current or the Spirit to Its centre. Initiation The mind will not allow man to have
knowledge of the soul. Its nature is to seek pleasure and its constant
fluctuations are difficult to subdue. Attuning one's self with the internal
Sound Current is the best way to calm the mind and practise concentration. It
does not matter what school of thought or society a man may belong to. He has
not to convert himself and can remain where he is. There are no hard and fast
rules, no rituals, no ceremonies, no pomp and show, no offering of gifts, not
even of flowers. All that a disciple has to do is to enter inside and
henceforth consider the body as his laboratory. With regard to the theory, he
has to understand the following, which is briefly the pith of what he will hear
at Satsangs: ·
The Master is not the body, he is the Power functioning through
the body and uses it to teach and guide man in much the same way as a spirit
uses a medium. Only in bodily form will the disciple be able to recognize his
Master in the higher regions and here on earth ·
The Master is 'Shabd', 'Word', 'Naad', etc., all of which refer to
the God-into-Expression Power of Light and Sound Principle. By having a contact
with this Power, man is led back to his true Home. ·
For the sake of those who are disillusioned with life, and who
yearn for permanent happiness and peace away from the world and its worries,
the Word assumes a body to afford them solace. Christ said, 'Word was made
flesh and dwelt amongst us'. Once a disciple contacts this Word (which is done
at the time of Initiation by the Master), the audible form of this Word resides
within never leaves him, and even after the end of man's physical existence on
earth. It will go with him and stay with him until he achieves the final goal.
The Word is also known as the Voice of God or the Sound Current, and is the
Life impulse given by the Master at the time of Initiation. It may be heard as
a sound coming from a distance and gradually develops into such sweetness that
no music on earth can excel it. It is the Water of Life, the Spring of
Immortality, the Elixir of Life, the Nectar of spirituality, etc., that are
spoken of in holy books. ·
Man has an inner eye with which he can see within himself all the
higher regions, when the veil is rent asunder by a competent living Master. In
this state, he remains perfectly conscious and undergoes amazing experiences.
To ascend to the higher regions without a competent Master is fraught with
dangers. Simran The repetition of the holy names is
given to the disciple at the time of Initiation as a guard against all dangers.
It acts also as a password to all spiritual planes, gives strength and
sustenance to the body and mind during trouble and afflictions, brings the soul
nearer to the Master, is instrumental in achieving concentration, and imparts
many other diverse powers. Simran taught by a so-called Msster is merely a
number of words. But these very words become electrified when charged with the
attention and grace of a real Master. Initiation commences with the
explanation and description of the inner spiritual regions and the way in which
the path is to be pursued. The opening of the inner vision to see the inner
regions, with their distinct heavenly lights, together with the contact with
the Divine Link or Sound Principle, constitutes the practical side of
Initiation. Daily practice of these combined with Simran, is meditation. In
addition to this, the Master gives instructions on pure and simple living, the
need of devoting regular time to the practices, and other words of sound
advice. The whole ceremony takes from two to three hours. Diaries of one's
spiritual progress must be kept and the mistakes of old and new disciples are
corrected from time to time to ensure progress. Miracles Master-Saints never show any miracles to
a disciple except in rare cases due to special circumstances. Miracles are in
accordance with the laws of Nature but are nevertheless terribly entangling
webs detrimental to the highest ideals of man in his approach to Almighty God.
It is a subject that an ordinary man would not care to study, for the simple
reason that it requires immense self-control and training of the mind, with
restrictions that he would not like to tolerate or pursue. The miraculous
powers achieved after a lengthy period of time are instrumental in doing both
good and harm, and as they are utilized more for harm than anything else, they
are termed as a disease by all truly spiritual persons. The Masters are in
possession of Supreme Power but their mission is sacred A disciple whose inner
vision has been opened, sees any number of miracles at each step. To hesitate
to believe in a Master without seeing miracles is as foolish as our refusal to
believe that a certain person is a multi-millionaire unless he shows us his
money. He may have all his money deposited in a bank and like to spend it in
the way that he chooses, without caring for public applause or approval. Out of
an audience of several thousands watching a magician perform his tricks, only a
very small number would thereby be induced to learn the art. Those who are
anxious to see miracles are not true seekers. General Today, the world is crying out for a
better understanding, for peace and freedom from conflict. This Science of
self-analysis that reveals the Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God, is
the remedy which can reconstruct a healthy culture and propagate harmony
between man and man. He who claims to love the invisible God but has no regard
or love for his visible fellow man, is lost indeed. To love, revere and feel
grateful to our fellow man is to love and revere God. So too, the love for the
visible Master, our closest connecting link with God, is in reality love for
the Supreme Father. We should therefore try to measure the depth of God's mercy
and grace through a Master-Saint, who is God's visible representative. It has
Spirituality as its end and is not idolatry. The atmosphere in which such a
genuine Master moves is charged with currents of peace and love which affect
those who come into contact with Him. Even letters written by or on behalf of
Him carry currents of ecstasy that influence the innermost recesses of the
heart. Guru precedes God. Such a person was
Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj who remained with his disciples for a
great number of years and now, even after He has left the body, still watches
over his loved ones and also those who contacted Him once with love and
sincerity in their hearts. Love knows no law and He is still appearing in His
radiant form, even on lower spiritual planes, for their sake. Not one, but
hundreds can testify to what ignorant people would call an illusion. On the
physical plane, He is still showering His blessings through His medium at
Ruhani Satsang, Sawan Ashram, who now in turn guides men in all spiritual
matters. One bulb is fused and is replaced by another. The same Power works and
the same Light now shines from a new bulb. All who approach the Master get
positive experiences and anybody who wishes to avail himself of such a golden
opportunity has only to contact the Master and his wishes will be fulfilled,
his heart will overflow with happiness, and his weary shoulders will be
relieved of their burden of cares and worries. Param Sant Kirpal Singh (Ek Onkar)
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