The Porch

Arran Stephens

Adjoining the Master's dwelling is what is known as “The Porch”, where devotees assemble nightly for his darshan and words of wisdom. While speaking form his simple wicker chair on the porch, the benevolent Father often distributes sweets and puffed rice as parshad among the disciples seated at his feet. Whatever the Master touches or castes his gaze upon becomes parshad, or divinely blessed. Having received the direct spiritual emanation form the Satgurus touch, parshad, a vehicle for grace, has been known to have a quickening effect on one’s inner progress; hence all are most eager for it. however, the Master teaches that by inverting within the hidden Door, between and behind the eyebrows – the Gateway into the Beyond – we partake of the Bread and Water of Life, which is the omnipresent and everlasting parshad.

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Maharaj Ji was bestowing His loving his loving affection on a little Sikh child, satnam Singh, when twenty young college student disciples filed in, humbly asking for guidance and blessing on their forthcoming final examination. Master told them, “Hard work is another name for genius.” He walked over tohis chair, sat down, and began distributing puffed rice parshad. I too, bashfully came forward with folded hands to receive. With a loving twinkle in his eyes, he exclaimed, “What? You are going for examination too?”

I have often witnessed the Master open his wallet to the poor and destitute who come seeking his mercy, just as he gives from his spiritual wallet to all those who come as beggars seeking the alms of spiritual grace.

Master never accepts food offerings; but once it so happened that a poor ragged old woman, very devoted, brought some sweets to the Master as a love offering. Overwhelmed with feelings of unworthiness, she could not bring herself to approach him. Out of hundreds present, the Master saw the pure flame of devotion smoldering in her heart. He got down from his seat, rushed into the audience, and took the bag of sweets form her, asking, “Please, may I have some?” as he ate one or two pieces!

Every gesture, every act, every word, every glance of the Master is carried out with the highest understanding, tolerance, and common sense. In his infinite aspect he knows what goes on within the hearts of each of his disciples, wherever they may be, yet seldom does he reveal what he knows, and appears to pass his time as an ordinary man.

Once some concerned devotees asked the Master why he never spared himself, why he was rushing here and there, giving Satsang s, never resting or caring for his personal health or comfort. Master replied, “I am simply carrying out the will of my Master. He has assigned to me certain tasks to accomplish, and as long as even a single breath remains, it is my duty to complete them.”

Earlier on this day the Master's son, Darshan Singh, related to me that as a young university student he used to have a photograph of the Master on his wall, taken while the Master was employed in government service, which he had captioned My Father. Now he has another recent picture of the Master which he has entitled, “Universal Father.”

Darshan recalled that as a youth he would return home from his studis at college to find his Father either working late into the night on the manuscript of Gurmat Siddhant, or sitting cross-legged, immersed in deep samadhi. When Darshan would arise at five in the morning for his own meditation, the Master would still be up writing or sitting in meditation. During the day the Master worked durifully at a responsible government post and after working hours he went to serve the sick and the poor. It was not until he retired that he devoted full time to his spiritual mission. 

This same evening I asked the great Master, “if we as disciples attempt to meditate all night, would we be sustained in our worldly activities during the daytime?”

Satguru Ji explained, “This is Bread of Life, you see.” I persisted, “But this would only be possible with your grace.” Master replied, “Grace is already there. It is up to your steadfast efforts. A strong man revels his strength, a weak man wonders how he got it. this strength cannot be attained in one day. you have got to work for it, you see.”

The question of stigmata was brought up before Master. A few devotees of Jesus Christ have received the painful wounds of the cross in their hands and feet, a fact which has baffled modern science and medicine. Master's answer was most amusing and revealing: “As you think, so you become.” And he continued, “Once a seeker went to a Master . the Master asked him, “Who do you love most?” He replied, “I love my buffalo most.” The Master told to go into a room and think only about his buffalo. Two days later the Guru returned and told this fellow, “All right, come out of the room now.” He answered, “I can’t – my horns are too wide for the doorway.”

“But you see, this degree of identification and concentration is very rare.”

The question was brought to the Master's attention: “How can we be rid of the ever-asserting ego?” Scrutinizing us with his soul-piercing eyes, he replied, “it is only when you rise above the three planes – physical, astral and causal – by becoming one with the controlling Power of the universe.”

There is one important point that must be borne in mind by all……….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 of 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.

KIRPAL SINGH.

Benediction