December 1956 Instructions for
Holding Satsang by Param Sant Kirpal Singh (Ek Onkar) SATSANG,
as the term implies, is association with Sat or Truth. Satsang meetings should therefore be exclusively devoted
to the discourses on Sat, which
in its broader connotation includes talks on God, Soul, Word, the relation
between Soul and God on the one hand, and Soul and the Universe on the other,
the God-Way or the path of God-realization, and the Godman or Spiritual Master,
what He is, His need and importance, and His teachings. It also includes
discourses on allied topics like ethical life, love, faith, compassion, and all
that which makes way for the healthy and progressive development of Divine Life
leading to efflorescence of spirit in cosmic awareness. THE PURPOSE
OF SATSANG It must always be borne in mind that the actual awakening of the spirit
is the work of the Master Power overhead. The talks and discourses are just
like refresher courses which may help in the proper understanding of Sant Mat,
or the teachings of the Master, on the intellectual level; for theory precedes
practice. Both the initiates and non-initiates derive immense benefit from such
talks. In these congregations, universal truths are brought home to all alike.
A spirit of universal brotherhood on the broad basis of human beings as the
children of one Supreme Father is inculcated, so as to link all with the silken
bonds of love and amity. For the initiates, these talks serve as cementing
factors on the Path, clarify doubts and misapprehensions, if any; and for the
non-initiates, ground is prepared for an inner search which may stimulate the
inquisitive mind and help the individuals in their innate craving for a Way
out. The Highway of the Masters has been, is, and ever shall remain the same
for one and all. It is secular in character and everyone, whosoever, can tread
it. There are no turnpike gates of religion, faith, caste, color, creed,
nationality or avocation. All are welcome to it, even though retaining their
distinctive religious organizations, social modes of life, and use of national
language, etc., for the spirit or soul in man is above them all and remains
unaffected by outer pursuits. SATSANG
APART FROM RITUALS The "Science of Soul" is just like any other science, but more
exact, more natural, more lasting, and the oldest of all the sciences. It is
the Science of Realized Truth directly connected with the soul in man, and
should therefore be kept distinct and apart from rites and rituals, forms and
ceremonials; the performance or observance of which keeps one tied down to the
plane of the senses, and as such must be strictly eschewed. Our discourses and
talks in Satsang should be confined only to explaining the Science itself in
lucid terms, without any outer embellishment like lighting of candles, burning
of incense, offering of flowers, tinkling of bells, exhibiting photographs and
the like. Even though these may appear innocent and harmless in themselves, yet
the seekers after Truth are likely to go astray by such symbolisms and forms,
and may get entangled and lost. SUBJECT
AND SCOPE OF SATSANG For the subject of a talk, we may take up the hymns from any scripture,
preferably from the Masters of the Sound Current. It may be supplemented by apt
quotations from the parallel writings of other Master Saints. The Holy Gospels
themselves are full of such material as may fit in with such a context. The
illustrations from various Masters are essential so as to bring out the
essential unity in the teachings of all the Saints. We should not, however,
discuss the practical part of the Science. Again, the subject itself should be of a non-controversial type. It must
strictly refer to the Spiritual Science. Its exposition should be couched in
terms that are loving and create a fragrant atmosphere which may have a
universal appeal to the audience, without hurting the feelings of anyone. At
the conclusion of the talk there should be no questions and answers in the open
congregations. It should not form a debating club. If anyone has to inquire
anything or wants elucidation on any particular point, that can be done more
happily in private. The thistles of doubt and misapprehensions, if any, have to
be weeded out with a tender hand, and nobody should be allowed to remain in
suspense, for clearing of the mental ground is absolutely necessary before
sowing the seed of Naam. The Satsang should end with meditation for some time, say half an hour,
in which all should take part, except for an urgent and unavoidable reason. LOVE AND
SERVICE THE BASIS OF SATSANG The work of Satsang should be conducted in a dignified spirit of love
and service. Our thoughts, words and deeds should radiate nothing but love and
sweetness. As "Service'' precedes the "Science," our motto should be
"Service before self." We cannot adequately advance the interests of
any science, far less that of the Science of Realized Truth, unless we are
prepared to devote our heart and soul in its service, like a worshipful votary.
The Science will make headway of itself if we are true to ourselves and truly
offer to serve it. In case of disagreement on any important issue among the
workers themselves, it is better to immediately refer the matter to the Master
for his decision, instead of indulging in controversies that ruffle the feelings,
cause unnecessary tensions, and lead to unpleasant rifts. It is all the
Master's work and he knows best how to guide and straighten out things. With
friendly love, we can win over even the dissidents to the Great Cause, and
avoid defections. Love can surmount all obstacles and is a veritable cure for
all the ills of the world. The necessity for love cannot therefore be
over-emphasized in the service of the Master's Cause. EXTRACTS
FROM HAZUR'S LETTERS "It is very beneficial for the Satsangis to meet with each other;
it promotes their love and faith towards each other and the Holy Master; it
also gives stimulus to the spiritual exercises. It helps to clear the doubts
and difficulties of other Satsangis. Combined Satsang serves a useful purpose.
It gives an opportunity for exchange of ideas. The Satsang time is especially
valuable in this: that it increases love for the Master. In a large Satsang
there are some advanced Satsangis also who speak from their personal
experiences, and this helps in developing faith in others who may come into
contact with them. "Karmas may be physical as well as mental. The gross karmas are
washed out by means of external methods such as Satsang, reading of good books,
as well as by the company o/ the Master; while subtle karmas are removed by
internal Sound Practice. Initiation is sowing of the seed, which needs the
water of Satsang and concentration for sprouting, while love and faith are
necessary/or its growth. "Meetings with the members will benefit them greatly. Meet them all
with love and affection, such that even a dry, withered heart takes courage and
flourishes." INDIVIDUAL
MEDITATION A few words about individual meditation will not be amiss here. A daily
and regular practice of the three Sadhnas
or disciplines--viz., Simran, Dhyan, and
Bhajan--as enjoined by the Master, is
of the utmost importance to achieve results. A disciple must do his or her part
of the job and the Master does his. It is for him or her to sit and do the Sadhnas in an atmosphere
conducive to progress, with a sweet remembrance of the Master. He or she is not
to presuppose things or visualize results, for those will follow of their own
accord. We have but to sit in loving remembrance, with steady gaze fixed in
between and behind the two eyebrows, and do mental repetition of the Five Holy
Words, without any exertion or strain on the eyes or on the forehead. Ours is
to be an attitude of passivity, for the Doer is One and only One: the Master,
who is the best judge of the time and measure and manner of each step on the
Path. INITIATION--RECORDING
OF INNER EXPERIENCES Last but not least, I may add that the human memory is very short-lived
and in moments of weakness one, under the pressure of ever-assertive ego, is
prone to forget the invaluable boon the Master confers, and perhaps begins to
think that the spiritual results achieved are of one's own doing, or due to
over-zealousness and over-active imagination. At times one, for lack of
practice, either does not make progress or, in the mighty and irresistible
whirl of the world, loses contact with the WORD and begins to forget the great
benefit conferred upon him or her at the time of Initiation. To guard against
all such lapses, it is considered necessary that, in the future, each of the
initiates should, at the time of Initiation, be required to record in his or
her own hand, the actual inner experience gained, both as to Light and Sound
principles. The manifestation from within of these principles, by helping the
individual spirit to rise above body consciousness, is the task of the Master;
and it is the paramount duty of the disciples to develop the same by day to day
practice--the injunction in this behalf being, "Take heed therefore that
the Light which is in thee be not darkness!" The disciples should therefore be encouraged to wholeheartedly devote
some time to the practice of spiritual disciplines; maintain regular diaries
for introspection, showing lapses in daily life and conduct, the endeavors made
and the results gained thereby; and they should be sent regularly, after every
three months, for the inspection of the Master so that he may extend all
feasible help and guide us on the Path. If an initiate has any difficulty or
doubts, he or she should refer them directly to the Master, as and when needed,
instead of discussing with others who are as ignorant as he or she is, and
making the confusion worse confounded. Standing at the crossroads of Time, we must make a firm resolve to do
better from day to day; at least from the New Year's Day that beckons us on
with a promise of rosy dawn. As there are landmarks on earth, so there are
landmarks in Time. The past and future are like sealed books to us: the one is
in the limbo of oblivion, while the other is in the womb of uncertainty. It is
only the LIVING PRESENT that is ours, and we must make the best use of it, ere
it slips away through the fingers and is lost forever. Human birth is a great
privilege and offers us a golden opportunity. It is for us to make or mar the
same, for it is given to each individual to forge his or her own destiny as
best he may. With lots of love and hearty best wishes to you all for a bright and
Happy New Year. INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOLDING SATSANG was issued in December
1956 as Circular No. 4, under this title, and includes the
basic guidelines laid down by the Master for conducting Satsang meetings. Many
of the specific injunctions, however, have been modified or clarified by the
Master in later writings, particularly „how to develop receptivity“ which
should be studied carefully in connection with this circular. Param Sant Kirpal Singh
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