7. SPIRITUAL
PRACTICES Spiritual practices form an essential part in the spiritual
aspirant's life and should, therefore, be a daily "must." The
repetition of the Five Sacred Charged Names conveyed at the time of Holy
Initiation, orally or mentally, is not a difficult task, and carries a deep
meaning. Although it looks so simple and easy at the outset to obtain
proficiency in it, one needs extra love and fortitude. You will appreciate that
the Holy Names carry the Life Impulse of the Master, which works wonders in
withdrawing the sensory currents from the body level up to the eye- focus, thus
preparing the soul for the eventual inner Journey on to the regions of bliss
and harmony. Certain hours for meditation should, therefore, be fixed, set
apart, and pursued regularly and earnestly for each such repast brings in
nourishment to the soul, and one is led within to the Divine Light which
dispels the Darkness of Ignorance. It is like purifying the receptive vessel
every day for receiving the Divine Grace. Daily meditations clear the gross
dross that one gets at the sensuous level. The second important part of
meditation is listening to the Holy Sound Current, the Audible Life-Stream,
coming from the right side. It is equally an important aspect of the spiritual practices
and should not be ignored or lost sight of. After Initiation, it is the
disciple's duty to enrich his spiritual experiences from day to day and he can
certainly extend his field with the grace of the Master to any length he may
like, opening up new vistas of sublime glory and beatitude. In short, self introspection helps in cutting the branches and
pruning all that is undesirable, while meditation (spiritual practices) strikes
at the very stem of the tree of worldly life. Before closing this paper, it may be worthwhile to say something
about the tremendous amount of correspondence with which the Master has to deal
from day to day and this work, as you will appreciate, is expanding limitlessly
with the passage of time. All the dear ones are, therefore, to be careful in
this behalf. It however does not mean that you should not write letters to the
Master. You are, on the contrary, most welcome to do so and particularly in all
matters of vital importance when you really feel that the local representatives
are unable to offer a satisfactory solution to your problems, or you wish to
have instructions covering inner mystical experiences on which the Master alone
is competent to give advice. But in all matters of a routine nature and guidance in daily life,
it may be easier and speedier to discuss matters of local interest directly
with the Master's representatives and they, too, have His instructions to refer
to Him all matters about which they may feel any hesitation to deal with
satisfactorily. With lots of love and deep affection for you all. Yours affectionately, Kirpal Singh
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