Sat Sandesh

 

The Meaning of Christmas

 

 

December 1971                                                           volume four number twelve

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FROM THE MASTER

 

            The Master’s Talk:

               Never Dance to the World’s Tune

 

            The Meaning of Christmas:

               From the 1963 Christmas Message

 

            Before the Year Runs Out…

               The Circular Letters of December 28, 1967

 

OTHER FEATURES

 

            Maharaj Ji: The Superior One

                A Remembrance                               Kira Redeen

 

            In the Name of the Masters:

                A Letter to initiates                           T.S.Khanna

 

            Poem: Recognition                                L.Gurney Parrott

 

 

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THE MASTER’S TALK

 

Never Dance to the World’s Tune

 

When Masters come to the world and see its condition, great pity swells in their hearts. They wonder, “What is the world doing?” for they can stand aside from the activities of worldliness, and they see that truth is being ignored and untrue things are accepted as the truth. When a lie is repeated ten times or more, people begin to accept it as being true: men drift away into iniquity just through witnessing the bad actions of others.

 

There is a certain story, which is illustrative of how easily a man can be influenced and blindly follow the lead of other. A farmer was returning home from his fields with his head uncovered, perspiring, on account of the hot season. According to tradition in those days, going with one’s head uncovered showed that something tragic had happened, like a death, etc. So when the farmer’s family saw him approaching the house with a bare head, perspiring, and with dishelved hair, they jumped to the conclusion that someone had died, and immediately commenced lamenting and beating their breasts in the usual customary manner. The farmer saw his relatives mourning, and without hesitation joined in the demonstration of woe. But after a short time, his curiosity got better of him and he asked someone, “Can you tell me who has died?” The person was astounded and explained that, seeing his bare head, they had thought the farmer had brought news of death.

 

This story is very descriptive of the world’s condition. Man is easily influenced, and does not turn his head in the direction of the Truth. Farid Sahib says, The whole world is sounding, and you are also dancing with it. Without thinking for themselves, people agree or go along with anything. Do you know anyone who does not? He does not become the echo, on whom the hand of Allah rests. These are God’s children, who look to the truth, and can see what is really happening. They do not drift, nor do they echo along with the worldly people, but try to discover what the truth is behind everything. So who is wise in this world? He who searches for the why and the wherefore of things, thereby escaping the pitfalls. For those who play along with the world’s tune, and follow that tune, only unhappiness can result. The Masters have no selfish motives, so they speak the truth only---and that with love.

 

In India, Divali Day (the Indian festival of lights) is celebrated by lighting candles. The people usually gamble, and if you ask them why, they will tell you that by gambling on that day our births and deaths will cease. There is a kind of gambling that finishes up the incarnations, but what kind of gambling it is, very few really know. The true gambling lies in sacrificing all other things—body and its environments---for the purpose of enkindling the Light within. Being ignorant of the true gambling, they started outer gambling instead; and the people blindly follow them, without going into the truth of it. He who will see the Light within withdraws his attention from the outgoing faculties and outer objects. Even in the field of spiritual matters, everyone is singing the name of God on top notes—no one stops to think exactly what those names stand for. Every religion contains the same basic teachings in the various languages: that is, in the Naam, Word, etc., lies salvation, and not in any other teaching. But unfortunately people follow the outer practice of repetition of names of God and lighting candles, considering it to be the beginning and the end.

 

All religions encourage the reading of holy scriptures—that is to understand the subject, the theory; it is not necessary to make a lot of noise by singing and playing tunes to the words. The words are there to give thought to the subject. Very few will think on the words of the hymn, or what they denote. People imagine that merely reading out the words, parrot-like, is enough. Sometimes they shout the words at the tops of their voices, and even clap the hands and read—the more noise, the happier they are. But if the words were read like this for one hundred years without a pause, it would be of little avail. In the Shrimad Bhagavat it says that God cannot be realized just by reading the Vedas. Guru Nanak has said, To read year by year, month by month, with intense yearning while the breath lasts; O Nanak, this avails nothing unless the written word is lived. Reading alone is valueless; the teaching must be followed.

 

The greatest aspiration of human life is to realize God: the God which expressed Himself into Creation, the Maker of Khand and Brahmand (astral and casual planes), the Sustainer of all things. In the language of the Saints, that God expressed is called Naam, through which they say soul can gain salvation, irrespective of religion. The Ultimate or Absolute Lord is Nameless, but that which came into expression is called Naam, or Shabd, or Word—the God-into-Expression Power, which is not separate from His creation. World is the room of Truth, and Truth resides therein. If the scriptures are read for long enough, it may be possible to gain some power of concentration and there by perform small “miracles”; but there is no true awareness in this.

 

Read one hymn only try to understand it thoroughly. Get the full meaning of the words, for those words have been spoken by one who has realized the Truth. Listen to the Master’s true words; He speaks of what he sees. And to have the true import of what is written, one should get the interpretation from someone who has taken at least one step toward the Truth. Otherwise, the learned people will present the subject from an intellectual level, each with a different explanation. This is why so many different schools of thought have been established in the world. Reading the scriptures is like the mother’s lap to a child; just the beginning of understanding that which they give out.

 

I was born in a Sikh family, and as a small boy I would read the holy Granth Sahib. I would read only one hymn only, and write it down as a day’s lesson. All day I would think on the words, and try to discover their meaning. No doubt the reservoir of the heart must be emptied, but reading the holy words is good, though not doing anything; but to read, think, understand, and finally have contact with the God mentioned therein will bring salvation. Neither following customs nor the performance of rituals brings salvation—the Lord can only be realized by coming in contact with that for which these customs and rituals stand.

 

The Masters give accounts in the books of their experiences: the bliss they enjoyed when they came in contact with God, the things that helped them on the way, and what was detrimental. True understanding of the writings will naturally encourage one to discard those traits which are stopping progress, and to adopt those qualities which serve to increase it. Outer actions of devotion are not rewarding where the subject of Spirituality is concerned. There have been Masters of Truth in the world, who give some experience, a contact with the Truth, by withdrawing the attention and raising it above senses and outgoing faculties. While the senses are not controlled, the mind and intellect not stilled, the soul cannot open the inner eye to eye the Manifestation of God.

 

Now, what about prayer and rites? The purpose behind them is to develop faith and devotion. The rite must be performed with all respect in the heart. If one goes to a temple or church to wait upon the Lord, one should go all alone, and not think of others around: you should be alone with Him. God is one, and alone, and He desires that we should go to Him all alone, with intellect stilled.

 

Unfortunately, these prayers and rites are usually performed with the mind on other things. Something that is done daily becomes a habit, and habit turns into nature. Surdas Ji, a great devotee of God says, The steps are going forward but the mind is dragging backward. It is our habit to follow the mind, and if the mind is not on devotion, there will be no benefit derived there from. Have you ever seen the white stork, standing motionless, concentrating for fish, just as if in deep meditation? What a wonderful single-pointed attention! But upon what? To swallow a fish! Outwardly he shows the world he is a great mahatma, but his mind is on food.

 

I have nothing against customs and rites, for they prepare the ground for something higher: they beget good karmas, will bear good fruit. But by what means is salvation attained? By that process which all holy books give out to the world. The means to salvation is the very Soul of one’s soul; and it is called Naam. What indication is there that one has attained Naam? By repeating the Naam, the Light of millions of suns will manifest. In the Naam is the Light, and Light is the form of God, and in that Light there is Sound—Udgit, Nad, the Music of the Spheres, and so on. There is no benefit in nodding one’s head in pretense of intoxication and saying emptily, “There is Light, there is Sound” if one has never seen or heard them. Some people light a lamp and wave it around their heads. This outer ritual holds the meaning that there is God’s Light within, but they never see the Light. Do not lose sight of the true purpose for which they stand.

 

Divali day is celebrated in sweet remembrance of important past events: Mahavira Swami got Nirvana on this day, and Swami Dayanand got illuminated on this day. Lord Rama returned to his kingdom after fourteen years of banishment, and his people lit millions of lamps in celebration. Divali was the day that Guru Har Gobind returned to Amritsar after fourteen years of imprisonment in Gwalior. Swami Ram Tirath was born on Divali day and renounced the world on Divali day. This is all very auspicious, so brother should meet brother, and all differences in the heart should be ironed out. The true meaning behind the Festival of Lights should be practiced, and that is to enkindle the light, the true Light of the Lord, within. On this day the people clean the house, throw out all the worn-out unwanted things, whitewash the walls, and light the lamps and candles; but this is outer Divali. Truly speaking, Divali will be fruitful if the inner Light is lighted. When the Light is lit inside, that is an indication of the manifestation of God. This is achieved only when all the dirt and filth in the heart is washed away.

 

The heart is soiled with the dirt of the ages, and to remove the dirt, one should observe ahimsa (non-violence), so as not to add any more to it. Ahimsa is the greatest virtue.  It is the highest virtue never to think ill of any one, actually in thought, speech, and action. Secondly, one should avoid the company of those who have low traits. If a person has low traits, they will influence you; keeping his company will prevent the Light from shining within you. So one should imbibe first the virtues of Truth. Lies, cheating, deceit, hypocrisy, showing something different on the face than whatever is in the heart—these things increase the corruption inside. Keep these facts in mind, for he who has no ill will against anyone will say what is true. His tongue will be sweet because he has no intention to hurt anyone’s feelings, but rather speaks frankly for the sake of right understanding.

 

Who speaks the truth without fear? Either an established enemy or a true friend, although the enemy may make a mountain out of a molehill, because his intentions are dishonorable and he exaggerates. A true friend will never broadcast one’s shortcomings, but with love will try to explain where you are going wrong, with your interests at heart. Imbibe the virtues of truth, and with love encourage better understanding in others. And what is more important, do not fail in your own good intentions and principles because of hearsay or rumors. Some tongues are led by selfish motives with little respect for truth. There is purpose behind everything, which may be obvious or hidden. Do not therefore be a puppet to the tunes played by others; you will do harm to yourself.

 

His heart becomes clean who does not indulge in vice, bad habits, deceit, hypocrisy, etc., and leads a chaste life in thought, speech and actions. We aim to realize God, that God which is in all beings, whom all worship as One, though He may be given many different names. He is great Controlling Power which keeps all souls in the body; which, when He withdraws, we also must leave. When a person truly understands these facts, how can the question of hatred for others arise? Whom will one hate? Out of right understanding, true thoughts and actions develop and follow naturally. God is in everyone—if you know that someone is unhappy or in need, go and help them. If they are hungry or thirsty, share whatever you have. Because of God, do service to His children. This does not mean bondage, but rather it is a helping factor. Bondage lies in forgetting Him and tying oneself to the world and its environments. On the day of Divali you will find that the atmosphere in the home changes for the better, due to the increased devotion, the extra cleanliness, the added fragrance of incense and burning of lamps and candles—all done with devoted attitude of mind. There is some radiation in this, but the real remedy for cutting out all evil propensities from the mind is to enkindle the Light within you.

 

I have kept no sect here (in Sawan Ashram)—nor will any be started at any time. You should stay in your own social bodies and religions, speak your own languages, keep your own customs, apparel, emblems and identifying labels. All religions demand an ethical and righteous way of life. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.  It is also said, Clean the core of your heart for the Arrival; Sweep all impressions away so that He may sit there. That heart is truly clean in which no other thought remains save that of the Lord. You may ask, “ How can we do this while we are in the world?” It is written in the Gita, He who sees everyone in Me and Me in everyone, is my most loved one. If you have children, or father, mother, wife, husband, see the Light of God in them. He has united you in this relationship, not merely for an outer bond but to see and serve God in them. If you do so, there will be no bondage in your relationships. Bondage occurs only when the I-hood steps in and the Lord is forgotten. So you can do all the world’s work, but live like a compass whose needle always points in one direction. Keep your attention on the Lord, for if the direction changes, then? The Giver is forgotten, the gifts become loved, and miserable Man forgets the approaching death. Man is fully enwrapped in the world—he is all “me and mine,” and wherever “me and mine” are, there rules Illusion. “Me and mine” have some bearing on one’s life, but the Lord Himself has arranged it, and when everything is seen in the correct perspective there will be no binding effect. If the children make mistakes, appeal to their finer instincts, with love and careful understanding. Losing one’s temper, shouting, and taking violent action will only confuse them; they will not know what they have done wrong. Take time to explain, even three or four times, and it will eventually have effect.

 

This necessity of cleaning the heart has been advised in all religions. You will find in the Sermon on the Mount, in Buddha’s Eight-fold Path, and in other teachings. But we deceive ourselves by sprinkling a little fragrance on our pile of dirt; how will the smell leave like this? We would like to dye our filthy clothes, but how will the color take? Even with a little color, a clean cloth will dye beautifully. If a room is perfectly clean, a single flower will fill its atmosphere with refreshing fragrance. Even if the disciple has been given the experience and continues the practice but does not make good progress, you will find that this very thing is at the root of the trouble.

 

Lighting the lamp and ringing the bell as an empty religious custom, though performed up to one million years, will remain an empty religious custom. All religious rites remain in this category, though good actions may be earned which will bear the fruit of reward, if they are performed with sincerity of thought. But there is no salvation in this. Kabir Sahib says, In the palace of silence, light the lamp. The body itself is the true temple of the Lord, in which the Light of God is shimmering, and in that Light the Sound is vibrating. Masters speak of this in various terms: Intrinsic Hearing (Buddha), Truth clothed in Light (Pythagoras), the Unstruck Fire (Zoroaster), the Music of the Spheres, etc. So even if one could remember every known scripture by heart and could fill the memory with the words, but yet without lighting the Light inside and bearing the Sound, all this knowledge is bearing no real fruit.

 

Light and Sound are the direct way back to Absolute God. They are like two electric lifts which will take us to that place from whence they emanate. Learn the basic teaching of your own religion properly and you will find it all starts from here. It was due purely to climatic variations that different customs and rites were adopted, but basically it is all very simple and clear, so do not remain under any misapprehension. Blessed is each religion, and blessed is each emblem or symbol, so remain wherever God has placed you; He cannot be realized just by changing one’s outer form of religion. The garb was changed many times, resulting in misery to the body; You have to bear the brunt of all that!  It is man that must change, not the religion.

The Muslims do not commence their namaz (prayer) without doing vazu, which is washing the hands, feet and face with water or sand. There is a very definite meaning behind this, which is to wash oneself away from the world and its affairs; then one may stand in attendance at the court of the Lord. The Muslim prophets say that if you have not washed your hands of the world you have no right to sit in the remembrance of God. In such unwashed attitude there would be no true namaz. Mind was given elsewhere, body was in the Sadhu’s company; Kabir says, how can an unbleached cloth be dyed? The thoughts may not necessarily be bad, but do not forget your aim, which is to realize God. Relationships and property, etc., were given to man to help him to achieve this end. If the inner Light has not been lit and one has not seen that the Lord is Doer and Operator of all this machinery of body and world, then one’s main task has not been accomplished. While he thinks he is the doer, he will continue in the womb-cycle. Lord Krishna has said, Good and bad karmas both bind the soul, as chains of gold and iron. Salvation consists solely of the soul being rejoined to the Lord. To achieve this, the mind must be stilled. If the mind is not stilled, the attention constantly wanders outward and becomes the image of the body and the world; day and night this impregnation of sanskaras (impressions in the mind) continues. The heart’s reservoir overflows with these impressions—even the nightly dreams are full of them. The meeting with the Lord is very far from those who stay in such a condition.

 

The same Light of God is in all creatures—animals, birds, fish, etc—so one should love also all creation, for He is in all. This constitutes a true way of celebrating Divali. You may do it today, or tomorrow, or next year, in ten years’ time, or later on in life, or you can take millions of births to do it, but this very work will have to be done sooner or later. The learned and illiterate alike must be able to control the attention—if the attention is not feeding the senses, the senses remain out of action. This has been proved in an ordinary way by a person keeping his attention fully concentrated upon a certain thing or task; he will not be aware of anyone speaking to him or calling him. In truth, everything is within you, and you are the Light. He is the Greater Light, and you the smaller. After you have been cleaned from all dirt, you will see the Light, and ultimately be absorbed into the Greater Light, for this is the law of Nature: that everything is drawn to its own kind. In this way, you will become one—in Him. If on Divali day you enkindle the Light within you, then I congratulate you; otherwise your “house” is in darkness. As Kabir Sahib says, In the silent palace of the void, light the lamp.

 

When you close your eyes there is darkness, but when the Light is seen, then the inner journey starts; first to rise above the physical into the astral plane where the Light will become stronger.  In the causual plane it will be yet stronger, and from then onward the Light is so strong as to be incomparable with millions of suns and moons. A certain pandit (Vedic scholar) came here recently and read to me a section from the Yajur Veda which mentioned these very things I am now telling you about. Brothers, there is Light within you, and there is also Sound within. In the Gurbani, we have, There is Light within, and the Everlasting Music reverberating therefrom. The Chandogya Upanishad gives the same information. It is a real thing, and if you have received this gift—in any religion—know that you have received the means to salvation.

The Muslim Fakirs also say that within man the Kalam-I-Kadim is vibrating, but we are imprisoned in the body and alas do not hear it. Shamas Tabrez Sahib says, Every minute One Voice is coming to my soul from the Lord’s direction. What kind of Voice is this? It is said to be like an ordinary voice, but alas we cannot hear it. There is an inner eye, which when open can see the Light of God. Lord Krishna has said, You cannot see Me with these eyes of flesh and blood, but only through that Divine Eye with which I have blessed you. Guru Nanak Sahib said similarly says, O Nanak, that eye is different through which the Lord is seen. Everyone has got this eye—it is called the Third Eye, the Single Eye, the Shiv Netra. If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. And where is this eye? Fix your attention above the outgoing faculties, where even Mahesh is meditating. Even Lord Shiva (Mahesh) is meditating upon that same invisible place, and that is why we sometimes call it the Shiv Netra—Shiva’s Eye.

 

Excuse me, but performing customs and rites and distributing parshad is not a true way of celebrating a Divali festival. Our condition in this respect can be likened to the story of the camel which when thrust its nose into its master’s tent on a cold night. It gradually edged farther until its head and neck were inside, and then farther until half its body was in the tent. Finally through steadily inching its way, the camel took over the tent and its master had to go outside in the cold. Likewise, these customs and rituals of ours will throw out the Truth completely if we are not careful enough to find the right understanding. Right understanding is a noble factor –it prepares the ground for the Truth itself. Perform all rites, customs and prayers with right understanding and they will all be acceptable at the Lord’s feet. Even if you do it as a gymnastic exercise, yet at least there is hope for you in the future.

 

We cry every day that communism is increasing (atheism), but what is the condition of our own homes? We rise in the morning, drink tea, do this and that, read newspaper, and then we have to eat something. Someone goes to the office, someone else to the shop, etc. Is there a routine whereby all members of the family sit in remembrance of the Lord every morning, for even one hour, or half an hour? There is nothing like this. In Punjabi there is a saying that if the child is spoiled while in his diapers he will never right himself. Well, people are crying about the communists outside, but communists are being created in our own homes. Our children have knowledge of even the most basic teachings of spirituality—many of the parents do not know them. We worry about possessing things and being happy—we are concerned that our children should be educated—these things are all right, but we are ignoring the most useful part of their upbringing.

 

I told the people in the West also, that everyone at home should have a church—a temple, a gurudwara, or mosque—call it if you will; then morning and evening the whole family, big and small, should sit down in remembrance of God. The children’s lives will change, and yours also. Example is always better than precept, and seeing you doing what is right, the children will copy you. We are in fact responsible for the coming generation’s character, and if we will not change, how can we expect that character to be decent and upright? Stop for a while wherever you are, and review your own situation. Search for the true meanings hidden behind all things, and make sure you have got the right understanding. Up to now, most of our life has been lived in a very artificial manner, and if we have gained nothing real thereby, then what is the use? Farid Sahib has warned us that  The whole world is sounding, and you are also dancing with it. Do not go on blindly following what others do without knowing the reasons. What can be achieved from such actions? I am not trying to belittle anything, but rather am trying to help you understand from the right perspective.

 

Seeing Him, all our durmath (misconception) is finished; He is our True Friend. This is very true way to banish al wrong thinking and establish right understanding. The company of such a true friend is called Satsang. By searching the whole world you will find these true friends, which are very rare. So be wise, take in the Truth and throw out untruth. It is written in the Upanishads, Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light. It is no new teaching, and whatever company you keep, you will take on the same color. There are many formations in the world, but making formations is not the Master’s purpose or mission. They were made after the advent of each Master, without whom, as a matter of course, stagnation sets in, from which bad smells arose. The result of all this was misery upon misery. There is no exaggeration in a Master’s words—he will tell you exactly what is what.

 

From this lowly level, we cannot see the Absolute God, but that same God came into expression in creation and is permeating throughout, in the form of Light, in which the Akhand Kirtan (Perpetual Song), or Nad, or Udgit, is vibrating. All philosophy deals merely with theories, but mysticism deals with direct contact with Reality: the God-into-Expression Power. But that can only be contacted when one arises above the senses, which can only be done in the human form. Where does our attention finally reach? To that place from where the Sound is coming—the Ultimate Source. Some people practice the path of Light only, but on that path the soul finds itself surrounded and discover the way out. Here, the path of the Sound is most necessary. The various holy scriptures have been explained in detail countless times, but no one explain the sound; it is beyond description or explanation. Anything which is above intellect cannot be explained—it can be contacted only. Furthermore, it will be one thing; it has eternally been one, and cannot be made into two or more. That is why those realized souls who are in direct contact with the Sound all speak of it similarly.

 

So on this Divali Day I would like to impress upon you particularly to give up thinking ill of others. While you do not make the enemy you friend, you will have no peace within. Your sleep state will be full of restless dreams. If anyone speaks of you in an aggressive way, do not follow his example, otherwise his very thoughts will react upon you. If a wave of water hits a hard surface, it will bounce back, but if it strikes something resilient, it will be absorbed, like the action of a sponge, and there will be no violent reaction. One curse is given, but on its return becomes many. If this is not returned, then? It was one, and remained one. Again we remember Farid Sahib saying, The whole world is sounding, and you are dancing with it. It is better, with a cool head, to try and read between lines to discover why the person is acting so antagonistically, and then take action accordingly. You will save yourself from degradation this way. To think or speak of a person badly, to tell lies or cheat, to be hypocritical, indulging in backbiting and other ill-becoming traits—these are all degrading to the soul. Keep your hearts pure, and as God is in everyone, try to see only the best in all. Whatever duties have been given to you by God, perform them with love, and if others are shirking their duties, appeal to them with love, and pray for their better understanding. Then, leave them to the Lord. If we always remember that the God we worship is in all men, we would not even allow a single brother to go hungry.

 

There was once a devotee who worshiped the lord very faithfully, and one day he prayed,                              

“O God, please give me your darshan.” God replied to him, “All right, I will come to you.” The devotee started preparing for the lord’s arrival with great enthusiasm, cleaning his house spotlessly, making a specially comfortable seat decorated with flowers for Him to rest on, and preparing many different delicious delicacies for the Lord’s refreshment. When all was ready, he sat at the door awaiting God’s arrival. From morning until night he did not leave the door; but the Lord did not come. An old man in very ragged clothes passed by, and in passing, called out, “Brother, I am very hungry, could you give me just one piece of bread?” The devotee was so engrossed in expectantly awaiting the Lord’s arrival that he totally ignored the old man, who went away hungry. In the depth of night, the devotee spoke to the lord in meditation, asking Him why He had not come, as promised. God said, “Why, I came to you, and I asked you for food, but you gave me nothing.”

 

So we never know in what form God will visit us. Whatever our attitude in approaching the Lord, so will be our reward. Whatever the desire, that will be fulfilled. If, for instance, you think of this as a place of Truth (Satsang) then leave all worldly thoughts when entering. This more elevated attitude of mind will enable you to absorb the radiation therein, from which you will be greatly uplifted. When you fully understand what it is      you are receiving and also make it a part of your everyday life, most decidedly you will have salvation. However, If you see the satguru as the world sees him, there is no salvati                  on in this / If you do not love the Satguru’s Shabd.  There are various attitudes of regard toward the Satguru, and accordingly does each man receive. If he is met with faith and respect in the heart, receptivity develops, and the radiation is absorbed.

 

I have led a householder’s life. You also should live in the world, but there is no need to add to its degradation, and to your own. Women in the home should maintain it properly with cleanliness and tidy habits, look after the children with interest, and serve their husbands wholeheartedly.  This is also a dharma (principle of righteous living). To him whose home is heaven, the whole world is heaven. How can anyone hope to realize the lord if they serve Him and ignore the needs of others? Does it mean that we dislike God in some forms?

 

Those personalities who are Truth personified never advise the seekers to leave their hearths and homes to take up vigil in the jungles and lonely places. This is not at all necessary. When you meet a complete satguru, competent is his method; Laughing, playing, eating, wearing, you will gain salvation by following him. It is not a matter of leaving the condition wherein God has placed you; there is no need to change your  location, but simply change your angle of  vision.  Bow down to the satguru’s words, not his body only, or you will remain very far away-from him and from your aim.

There is a very explanatory example of obedience during the life of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. There was a Jat farmer by the name of Bela, who came to GuruGobind Singh and said, “I wish to serve you.” The Guru asked him what he could do, and Bela replied that he knew how to look after horses. The use of horses was extensive and common in those days, and so the Guru gave Bela the service. He worked diligently and with love, and even the Guru saw the difference in the horses’ condition, and he asked, “Who is taking care of the horses these days?” He was told that Bela was the groom, and the Guru sent for him, congratulated him, and told him how pleased he was with his service. In further token of his pleasure, the Guru said’ “Come to me daily, and I will give you one stanza from the Jap Ji Sahib, to learn and digest.” So each morning, Bela would go to the Master and receive his lesson, and then spend the whole day repeating the words with full concentration on his Master, while doing his work in the stables. One day Guru Gobind Singh decided to leave early on some urgent work, and was about to gallop away when Bela ran up to the Guru and cried, “But what about my lesson?” The Guru replied,  “O brother Bela, do you not see the time or opportunity?” and he galloped off. Brother Bela accepted what the Guru had said without question in his heart, and in all sincerity started learning the words with full attention- “O brother Bela, do you not see the time or opportunity?” Guru Gobind Singh’s attention had been so fierce when uttering these words that the full force of it went deep into them. The result was that on repeating them, Bela began to go into samadhi (began to leave the body). One of the senior disciples, who had long been chief reader of the Guru Granth  Sahib and was the Guru’s constant companion, even in the fighting during the war, was a very learned man and would not only read but explain the words and their meaning. On hearing that Bela had gone into samadhi, he went to the Master and said, “Maharaj, there is injustice in your court, for this Jat Bela who arrived here only a few days ago and who is an illiterate and understands nothing, has gone into deep samadhi; whereas we who are with you constantly even in the wars, have sacrificed our lives and lives under terrible conditions, and have studied the books for countless hours, and yet we cannot meditate as successfully as this man.”

 

Do you understand what this all means? It is a question of the person’s attitude of mind. If you do not absorb the teachings practically into your very lives, you will gain nothing. It is not achieved by dancing and jumping around (professing devotion outwardly). Some people go as far as to say, “The Master came from Sat Lok and gave me fruit as a parshad.” This type of people is not interested in impressing others- but this is how we can drift away from the Truth. See what us right with your own eyes, and do not be led astray by the prattling of others. This is what Farid Sahib means when he talks of the world dancing to its own tune. He saya further, He does not dance who takes the Lord’s protection. When you get something, be content with what you have received, and practice it properly so that it may increase. If you can find anything better than what you have been given, then I will also go with you. Our Hazur used to say, “Whatever I had, I have given you; If you find anything better, you are welcome to take it, and let me know that I may also benefit.”

 

So truly celebrating Divali does not lie in getting parshad or any outer action, but rather in taking the Truth of Divali into yourself and practicing it. You will see that your life will change in a matter of months. If up to now you have not done this, and are not going to do it, you will remain in darkness. If you have done something and have received a little Light, but do not devote your full attention and do not practice it daily in all expression of life, you will not increase whatever you have. I will now take a short hymn of Guru Ram Das Ji, on the subject of Divali-how to light the lamps of Divali within you.

To realize God, we have sold our body to a complete Master.

 

The words are very clear; but why a Complete Master? Because today the world is full of people who are not what they profess to be. Who in fact is the Guru? The God Himself is the Guru. When Guru Nanak Sahib was asked about this, he said, Shabd is the Guru, and the Surat (attention) is the disciple. In other words, that God Power which came into expression is my Guru. Kabir Sahib was asked where his Guru lived, and he replied, My Guru resides in the gaggan (seat of the soul), and the disciple in this body; When the surat and Shabd meet, there will be no separation. To come into contact with that, our attention must rise above the senses. Guru Gobind Singh has said, The Ultimate God is One, know Him to be our Guru. The Lord residing in each being is the Guru. My beloved is in each form, no place is without Him; I rejoice in that form where He is manifest. We should respect the form in which He has manifested-such a personality never declares himself to be the Guru, but always refers to the God in him. It is a very valuable criterion. Whoever says, “I am a Guru,” know him to be yet short of that very status. O Bheeka, the Incomprehensible (Agam) is beyond speaking of or hearing about; He who knows speaks not, he who speaks knows not. Kabir Sahiib describes a Master in this way: Kabir says we are the  knowers of the true home of your Father, and have brought the Lord’s orders. It is a beautiful description. He did not say, “I am the Guru.”

 

Who is the Complete Guru? Through the Complete Guru, Satsang orrurs (comes out). And what is the Complete Guru? He is one with the Shabd. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Also,He manifests Himself in the Guru, and distributes the Shabd. It is that manifested God which joins us to Himself- that is the Guru. No son of man can do it. Christ said, I am the light of the world, those that come to me shall never walk in darkness. It is another criterion: whoever has got the Light can give it to others. It cannot be given by teachers of the outer customs, or by intellectuals, or by any scripturist. But he who is one with the Light can give the Light. He who takes the veil from my eye and gives the glimpse-O sadhu, that satguru is to my liking.

 

When it says we have sold the body, it means that he has given himself over completely and has no further claim on himself. And he did this just to realize God. Someone should make me meet my Beloved Lord; To Him will I sell myself; I am in torment for darshan of my Lord. He does not make you a slave, but rejoins you to the Lord Himself. Another Master says the same thighs: Someone should come and join me back to god. And how is that done? A strong Guru drags the attention  (soul) out. He is full controller of his attention, and has become therefore the mouthpiece of God. By his single thought, ten, twenty, one hundred, one thousand, can be taken above the senses and shown the Light within.

 

There should be no misunderstanding of the term “selling the body.” Through the prarabdh or destiny karmas, children, friends; so this body belongs to them. But the Lord

Wishes us to make the best use of it, by being pure and chaste, doing meditation, living righteously, and keeping His commandments; this is the true meaning of giving the body. It does not mean leaving one’s home, family, and so on, Why has the body been given to us? The Feet of the Lord should reside in this body, and the tongue should repeat His Name; O Nanak, for this reason, take care of the body. Keep it clean and pure, for cleanliness is next to godliness, but there is no need to be constantly decorating it. Furthermore, cleaning outwardly and remaining dirty inside is useless, for no matter how much perfume is poured on a garbage heap, it will never impart a clean inside, he tells you that no sins should be committed through this body, and no bad thoughts should enter it. This is what it means to sell one’s body to Him.

 

Hazrat Ibrahim once bought a slave; it was the custom of those days. When he and the slave reached the house, Hazrat Ibrahim said, “What would you like to eat?” The slave replied, “whatever food you give, for I have been sold to you.” The next day, Ibrahim asked the slave what kind of clothes he wanted to wear, and the slave replied, “Whatever you give, for I have been sold.” He asked for nothing and claimed no choice, for he knew his body had been sold and surrendered himself to the fact, fully resigned.

 

Complete obedience is the essence of selling the body to the Guru-it means nothing more nor less. Christ told his disciples, If ye love me, keep my commandments. Those who do respect the Guru’s words will most decidedly receive salvation. Christ also said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Whatever words enter your heart, that much have you understood fully. The words the Guru uttered have I tied into my heart. But don’t just keep them there-they are not meant for repeating to others as a demonstration of knowledge; they should be lived  up to. And how can one reside in his heart? Keep someone on your heart, and you will reside in his. If you think of a person, there is always a reaction. When the disciple remembers his Guru, then Satguru gives protection his very life. His attention is his very life’s essence. Though he may be hundreds of miles away, yet he constantly cares for his children- through his attention. The more you remember him, the greater will be the reaction. As you think, so you think, so you become; and if he is truly a Guru, you will gain spiritual upliftment and salvation. When one can hear sound and voice through radio, across thousands of miles, and can see images through television, then surely the God Power which is all omnipotent, that same Power which is the Guru, surely that can manifest, if one’s needle is tuned in correctly. Just keep your thoughts toward him and you will benefit from the direct radiation.

 

This body, this wealth, this mind, I have given to the Master. It does not mean to give the body literally- that belongs to those with whom you are connected, as a reaction of the past. The Master guides your soul, so your soul should be surrendered to him, not the body. By giving the mind, you should think as he wants you to think, and your wealth used for good cause-not for misuse, or to harm the lives of others. Share with others, and then eat. Think of everything as being the Guru’s property given in yours safe-keeping, and use it in a like manner. If you do all this, what happens? You receive Par Brahm (God beyond Brahmand). O brothers, keep connection with the Satsang, and all your wrongs will be righted. Even your earthly life will be a success.

 

So Guru Ram Das Ji is giving out some of his own life’s experience. You should know that he was a great devotee of his Guru. Devotion therefore is the keynote to success, for as you think, so you become. If you obey his every wish, your success will be beyond words. If he puts his hands on your head (gives you his protection), then you have got his attention, and what more is wanted?

 

To realize God, we have sold our

body to a complete Master;

Satguru, the giver, intoned us

with the Naam, and our countenance

radiated with this transformation of destiny.

 

The True Forms, the Master, gives the experience of God within us, through which our whole destiny is awakened. After more than seventy years of searching, Guru Amar Das Ji said, I was very tired, performing all these karmas; Then, without effort, I met the Satguru. And what type of Guru is the Satguru? When the Satguru is met, the eye can see and realize the Truth within. It clearly indicates what the Satguru should be. But we must take our attention from outer things-give him our body, our mind, and our wealth.

 

When King Janak was given as experience by Maharishi Ashtavakra, he was also required to first give his body, mind and wealth. The king had announced that he wanted the experience, and it should be given in as short a time as it takes to mount a horse. A huge gathering of sages and holy men had been called, and a large stage set for the purpose. When the announcement was made, none of the wise men present had the courage to mount the stage and declare himself capable of giving the experience. Many could give fine talks, but only one who is in oneness with the Light can give experience of it. These are not words of pride- it is his daily work, or you may call it his vocation, and he has been commanded by God to this purpose. The Lord Himself works through him. So from all the great sages present, only Ashtavakra stepped forward and mounted the stage. His body was crippled and deformed in eight places (the name Ashtavakra means “eight humps” or deformities). When the rest of the holy men saw him come forward, they laughed and thought he must be mad. They considered his strange figure ridiculous, and his claim of knowledge pretentious, and were not impressed but amused. It was a rare thing, even in those days. Where can you find such a person today? Go into the world and search for one. Many will give ethical teachings and repeat what is written in books, but those who actually give an experience of the Beyond are very rare; there have always been only a few, and even now they are rare, but the world is not without them.

 

But the amusement died into an embarrassed silence when in a calm clear voice, Ashtavakra turned to the king and said, “If you want the knowledge of the beyond, then why are you sitting with a gathering of cobblers, whose eyes are only on my body?” All the audience was ashamed. Then he asked the king, “Do you really want this experience?” The king replied that he did. “Then, you will have to make an offering to me of your body, wealth, and mind.” The king agreed. In those days, the custom of sealing agreements between men was to pour a little clear water in the person’s hand, and the ceremony was finished. These days, special stamped paper is prepared and typed upon, and even then there remains some doubt as to whether the man is being cheated or not.

 

So the Rishi said, “You have given me your body-go and sit among the shoes at  the entrance of this court.” (By Indian custom, especially in those days, no one would dream of taking their shoes into a place of worship or respect.) One can imagine the depth of humiliation for the king to have to sit among the shoes, with his followers and subject in full view, sitting on carpets. But the king told himself that his body now belonged to the Guru, and in meek obedience went and sat among the shoes at the entrance. The Rishi called to him, “O king, where are you sitting now?” The king replied, “In the lowest place of all, with the shoes.” The Rishi’s purpose was for the king to admit his place. He then said, “As you have given all your wealth and possessions, then do not even think of them-they do not belong to you.” The king saw his court and palace before him, and his mind wandered from one thing to another, so he closed his eyes. Then he closed his ears so that he would hear no sound, but even then his mind wandered about the palace and his kingdom. He again and again reminded himself that he had given everything to the Rishi, but could not still his mind. The Rishi asked, “Where are you now?” The king said, “My condition is like that of a cow sitting on a ship’s mast. He flies in all directions but can see no land to alight on, and so returns to his perch on the mast, again and again.” The Maharishi told him, “You have given your mind to me, so do not flit around with my mind.” Then for a while the king’s mind was stilled. Ashtavakra then gave his attention, and he soul withdrew, rose above body-consciousness, and the Rishi connected it to the Light and Sound. The king was asked if he was satisfied, and he replied in the affirmative. Even now, when Naam is given, the instructions are the same: to withdraw one’s attentions from outer things and forget the body, etc., and then with a little attention the soul rises. The Maharishi then said, “All right, I am giving all these things back to you-body, wealth, and mind-as a parshad, so deal with them remembering that they are mine. Think of the body as mine; keep it clean and pure. Think of the wealth as mine; share with those in need, and use it only for good purpose. Do not entertain any bad thoughts; keep all thoughts pure.”

 

Do you all see the significance of this story? The same teaching is given now; it has not changed at all with the passing of time. It is true that the extent of our success depends upon how obedient we are to his words. If we can concentrate our scattered attention, we will become the controller of that attention, and in due course, the mouthpiece of the Greater Attention. What then will we not be able to do?! Though God is in us, we must become man-in-God and God-in-man; this is our aim. Whoever becomes that can then help others, that is, to see the manifestation of the Light of God in him. He who thinks of the Guru as a human being will come back, birth by birth. If the Guru seems to be a mere man to you, then what can you expect to receive from him? Each man sees through his own spectacles: whatever color the glass is, so will the vision be. In whatever manner you  regard the Guru, your benefit will measure accordingly.

 

     The Guru’s knowledge attached us to the all-pervading Lord.

 

A Guru’s single thought can accomplish vast tasks. Masters are not made in a day; every Saint has his past, and every sinner a future. We can also become Masters-with proper help and guidance. When I was in English, two small boys came to me and I asked them, “What do you want, boys?” They both said, “We want to become Masters.” You have all receive the gift-increase it- then you may be selected as a Master, by God. This is not an election by votes; the Lord Himself gives the commission. Furthermore, He manifests Himself in the Guru, and distributes the shabd. It is not the kind of work that can be done through the puny power of man. Each man sees only at his own level; he makes mistakes, and then falls. Then he dances to the world’s tune, and others follow his example. Who suffers? One’s own self. What does the Master lose? Does a mirror are if anyone looks into it or not? The Guru’s knowledge attaches us-so become one with God, this is the very essence of all this teaching. Light can only come from Light. Merely pressing or rubbing the eyes to bring sparks through friction within the physical vision, or trying to visualize Light, will not give anyone a connection with the Light. He who has that power in his attention can, in one sitting, reveal some Light in others-by withdrawing their attention from outside. This is the only method of connecting the soul with the Light, and that connection increases daily with practice.

 

In each living being the Lord is vibrating; Get connected to the Guru’s Shabd.

I would cut my mind and body as an offering to the Guru;

All my doubts are removed by his word.

 

I have explained that giving one’s body to the Guru does not mean that one loses it-and cutting the body and mind does not mean they are cut into pieces, but they should work only to obey the Guru’s commands. Why and how are the doubts removed by the Guru’s words? The Whole world is sleeping in attachment and illusion; When will the doubt be removed? Maya-illusion or forgetfulness-starts when we become identified with the body, for then we begin to see everything from the body’s is changing every moment. The world is also made of matter, changing at the same speed. When two things, namely body and the world, are made of matter, changing at the same speed, they both appear to be still. Those who are one with them are under a grand delusion. For a simple instance, the world appears to be still, but in actual fact it is moving. We have bound ourselves to this illusion and all it means, with all its effects. How can it be removed? Only by rising above body-consciousness. O Lord, some Master-soul should show me the easy way. Only then can the doubts be removed so that the Truth can be seen. The Master-soul’s vision is correct: he does not dance to anyone’s tune. He can never see anything inaccurately, so naturally he will never do anything wrong, like the depraved man with his smoky spectacles. This is how a man’s character changes from bad to good. But only through the Lord’s blessing. How? By being attached in love to him in whom the Lord Himself has manifested.

 

If you have good karmas from the Beyond, you get the connection to the Name of the Lord. The Guru never lives in an untrue way; he does not act and pose. When a person tells one lie, then one hundred more lies must be told subsequently, to cover up that one. This sort of thing results in part factions and other undesirable situations. It is not necessary for the Satguru to tell any lies; he will say what he has seen; and that is the Truth Kabir Sahib says, You cannot describe Him who is above all / But what the Guru gives becomes sweeter day by day. / Kabir says, My doubts have been removed by seeing the ever-lasting Lord It is a very clear statement which gives the situation exactly-if we are still in doubt as to what we should do, then what can be done? Having a lamp in the hand, still we fall in the well.

 

In the darkness He lights the lamp When we love the Guru’s knowledge.

 

Through getting attached by love to the Guru, the darkness is dispelled; thousands of suns shine forth with the repetition of Naam. Due to the difficulties of Kal Yuga, this blessing is being given freely. In the past, many restrictions were imposed before connection to Naam was given. After many years of service, the Master would then give the first part of the theory, and so on. But the darker the age, the more mercy does the Master extend, and today everyone receives an experience from the very beginning. This special concession is due to the bed condition of the world, which is drifting speedily into negativity. A Master would use any means to save the souls from such a terrible fate, but if the soul receives the gift and then wastes it-well, that is a tragic misfortune.

 

What is the Guru’s knowledge? The Guru’s knowledge reveals the true Light, and the darkness of ignorance is split asunder.  Light appears in the darkness-the God manifests in the form of Light, and he in whom the Complete Light is burning, is the true Khalsa (a true and pure disciple). Guru Gobind Singh Ji says, know a khalsa only when the fully light shines in his body. He also says, Khalsa is my true form. Also, In the khalsa I reside, and also, Khalsa is my Complete Satguru. Finally he declares, These are not words of imaginative lies; I take the par Brahm Guru Nanak as my witness. If you have done every other work but this, it will all be of little value; but if you do this work, all other efforts will be fruitful. When the Master recommend the company of Saints who can give contact with the True Naam, they do so with infinite purpose. It is gift which gives benefit both here and hereafter. Tie with the Gift of Life, which is with you here and there. In the Hindu religion, when a man is approaching death, His people say,”Quickly light a lamp and place it before him, or he may die without first seeing the light.” People do not realize that the light should be lit while living-within one, not outside. What is the use at the time of death, when even every-day consciousness is withdrawing?

 

At Hardwar in northern India, the pilgrims light a small wick in a boat of leaves and flowers, and set this afloat on the sacred River Ganges. If it gets extinguished by the water or a breeze, they light another and float it. The meaning behind this outer ritual is to show that to cross this ocean of life, one needs the auidance of the Light. But that Light is different; it has no wick, no oil; it cannot be overturned or sunk, and remains burning forever. If someone lights such a Light, O Nanak, he does not come round in transmigration. And ahead there is sound in this Light; it is the basic teaching of all true Masters, irrespective of religions

 

 

The darkness of ignorance is banished;

Through that Treasure lying in the house, the mind is awakened.

The mind is steep in illusion-a kind of sleep state-and can only be awakened by the connection to Naam.

 

The Lord of Death will take reckoning of those imprisoning themselves in illusion.

Illusion is like a guard with a bow and arrow, keeping the prison closely guarded so that those who have forgotten their freedom in the enjoyments may not escape. The Lord of Death’s toll for these prisoners is very heavy. When one enters a beautiful park, one is free to roam around, relax on the grass, enjoy the beauty of the flowers, plants and trees, but the gardener will deal very severely with anyone attempting to pluck the flowers or steal the plants. A true sadhu is he who lives in the garden of the word, but never thinks of claiming anything as his own. Those who live their lives according to their Guru’s commands and remember the Lord continuously will not be under the world’s influence with all its corruption. Those who have not the good fortune of knowing their Guru is with them, remain under the mind’s influence, and they eat, drink, and live according to the dictates of their minds. Even after meeting the Guru, there are those who remain under the influence of the mind. He is a mankukh (mouthpiece of the mind) who does not recognize the shabd, and knows not the fear of the Guru. Such a man has no awe or respect in his heart, and often thinks of the Guru as being on his own level. At times he considers the Guru to be lower than himself; so what can this type of person receive?  The words of a depraved man are like a scorpion’s sting, the pain of which is like the prick of a driving thorn, but it increases to an unbearable extent. So do not believe such people, as it will give unbearable pain in the long run. The worldly things were given with useful purpose-not for enjoyment’s sake. Those who go on enjoying will have to pay the price; he who plucks the flowers will get the fine.

 

     The unfortunates who have not sold their heads to the Satguru, will come and go in the world.

 

One will go on coming and going until one surrenders one’s whole being to the Guru; and this means living in accordance with his wishes, thinking as he advocates. The keeper of the intellect is the Guru. Maulana Rumi Sahib prays to God, saying. This intellect will turn my face from you; Keep Your control on it, and I am saved- otherwise I am lost. It does not take much time to spoil the milk! The intellect is like that. If your mind obeys the Guru one hundred per cent, you will know then who the God is. Don’t’ let your intellect interfere in the slightest fraction with what you know is right. He who is willing to obey him without a question will receive the treasure. Naam’s Perpetual Song, precious jewel of the Lord, is in the Sadhu’s keeping. You can also say that God has handed over His treasure to the Master. Then?  The Guru places it before him who takes His words as Truth. To find a Guru who can do this is the height of good fortune.

 

Without good fortune, the Satguru is not met.

Please, my Lord, listen to my appeal:

I wish only to be a Thy Feet.

To be at His Feet means to obey him-to surrender unto him. He would like to dye you in the same color as his own soul. In deep humility he has said I want to be at Your Feet. He is wearily acknowledging his defeat in the world; it is not a matter of force. It has also been said that by force you cannot get, and by force you cannot give. You can neither gain the inner knowledge by force, not can you learn to leave the body at will by force. Whoever feels that he can achieve anything through force is welcome to try and see. All is in the Lord’s hands; if He wants to give anything, then you will receive. He most definitely will give to one who will surrender to His Feet. Dwell only on the understanding that the Guru has given; imbibe the virtues therein, and as you think, so you will become. In this way you will absorb the radiation.

 

O Nanak, the Guru looks after my honor here and hereafter;

So I have sold my head to the Satguru.

 

Our protection and honor is all safe in the Master’s hands-we have sold our heads and our attention to him. It reminds me of my own life, about 1917. There is potential for searching out the Truth within all men, some more, some less, according to the sanskaras (back ground). I used to enjoy an intoxication within, but after two to three months it would cease, for as long as a week sometimes. Naturally I would feel very unhappy during those periods. I went to many Mahatmas for help, so that the intoxication would continue and not break. When I asked for the cure from a certain holy sage, he said, “Yes, but you will have to give your head.” In my heart I felt that the giving of one’s head should happen with one’s own free will, whenever one feels it right, and not by order. Once a person has given himself, there is then no question of rights. But there, whoever searches will one day find, and Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji started coming to me within, seven years before I ever met him physically. So giving the head must come with one’s own will and pleasure. You can be sure that he who asks for it, is hungry for it-and if he is in such a hungry conditions, what will he be able to give? When I finally came to Hazur’s feet, with his mercy I truly understood what is meant by giving one’s head.

 

Keep the Guru’s words always before you-they should become part and parcel of your life. You may ask why Hazur said I should do this spiritual work; It was His wish, that is all. The people are receiving the benefit, what better evidence is wanted? Property and other things can be given through official papers and man-made laws, but not spirituality. Fire is lighted from fire, and Light comes from Light. Those who are getting the Light are receiving with Hazur’s blessing-I have not earned it. What did he see in me? It might be that I was very open-I never hide anything from him. I used to see that He was seeing all my actions-that is really the truth of it. So, to have a clean heart is most necessary, for he who is one thing inside and tries to show he is something different will remain far from this true wealth. If he has a small part of it, it will stop further progress.

 

So let each of our days be a Divali day. Light the inner lamp. If you have any bad thoughts for anyone, stop them, and if anyone has wittingly or unwittingly harmed you, forgive and forget. There is no other cure. If you cannot forgive the misdemeanors of others, your progress will stop, for forgiveness and justice are different. Forget justice, and develop the virtue of forgiveness. Keep your heart clear; do not think badly of anyone, even if they have deliberately harmed you. And do not dance to the world’s tune. Protect yourself from lies and hypocrisy. Everyone has God within them, so have love for all men. Do selfless service, and regular meditation. As is also usual on Divali day, the houses and shops are cleaned and decorated. Man should also clean himself inside, decorate himself within with the inner Light, and sit in the Lord’s sweet remembrance. Then only can  Divali be truly beautiful.

 

 

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

 

This picture, taken in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Night, 1963, shows Master in his hotel room shortly after inviting all of us who were following him to join him. (Visible are marian ojeda,Lucille Gunn, and Mr. Khanna.) The bowl on the table was filled with big nuts, which Master was giving out as parshad-so generously that they were cascading from our filled-up hands onto the floor! The sweetness of that blessed time with him will never be forgotten by those of us lucky enough to be there.

 

That Christmas with Christ was highlighted by the beautiful Message given below, issued on that day.

 

THERE IS A tradition which tells us that Christmas symbolizes the birth of the Christ Child in the human heart. To be truly Christ-like, the disciple must become as a little child, a pure and unsullied vessel, receiving the nectar of the Holy Spirit as an upturned chalice. “If you love me, keep my commandments!”

 

Truth is above all, but true living is still above Truth. This requires leading a life of continence, humility, truthfulness, love and devotion to God and all creation.  To become a mouthpiece of Master, expressing Master’s will and purpose, you must surrender all to Master. This does not mean the giving up of employment, home, possessions, family and friends. It means simply: let the will of the Master work in you and through you, let your whole life be dedicated to service of the Master. Like a flute, be all vacant from within so that the Master may make sweet music of your life.

 

This is the Christ-like way, the true message, meaning and purpose of Christmas. Master brought the Christ Child to birth in your heart. You, in turn, must “become as a little child” and surrender yourselves to the ever-loving and merciful Father who watches over you, guides you, and cares for you. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year. My love goes to you all.

 

Kirpal Singh

 

 

MAHARAJ

        JI

 

 

The Superior One

 

A remembrance by Kira Redeen

 

MORNING AND EVENING are darshan times at Sawan Ashram.

 

The crowd starts collecting in advance. They meditate and wait in from of the house of Master Kirpal Singh Ji.

 

When the Satguru comes out everyone’s expression changes. You can see that these are the loving children who once again are sitting together with their beloved Father.

The Indian disciples come to talk to our Master in family groups, in pairs, or just by themselves. Each one brings his problem, be it mundane or spiritual, to the feet of the Master.

 

When everyone has been taken care of, Master goes to the portico of His house, often inviting the visiting disciples from the West to join Him there.

The Indian remain outside and you can hear them talking in a melodious foreign language which you do not understand. But one word chimes and rings without letup as a thrilling undertone: “Maharaj ji, Maharaj Ji, Maharaj Ji,” and you understand Whom they are talking about.

 

We heard that shortly before our arrival a little old woman who lives at the Ashram had approached Master at one of the darshans saying that she didn’t see anything inside.

 

Asking if she had kept her diary, Master was informed she couldn’t read or write but that she did have a candle. Master reportedly asked, “Why do you people need all these outward symbols, candle, flowers? Just go within and then see for yourself.”

 

 However, His comment apparently made little impression or was misinterpreted because a few days later at darshan she said that she had seen Master inside in all His glory.

Please, her Satguru inquired what she had done.

 

“I put candles and flowers around the dairy forms and you appeared to me,” she said.

Later, Master told us, “The simple folk get there so much faster than the pundits, the learned men, the intellectuals. You ask me, ‘Why do some disciples see much light and others very little?’ Ego is in the why, I tell you, and not before you become a conscious co-worker of the divine plan will the ego completely disappear. One pundit,” continued our Satguru Ji, “figures out this and that and works out a plan how to do it. But when it comes to really doing it, he comes running to me to find out whether it is really safe. He does not know. So learning does not help you, you see.”

Pundits, architects, magistrates, millionaires and paupers, a commodore, a princess from the Punjab, and the sister of the late Prime Minister Nehru, Madame Pandit, all were there paying their respects to the Master.

 

“They all come for one thing,” explained our Guru, “for the bread of life and the water of life.”

 

And to every one of them, including the Western disciples, Master gave His love in equal measure as there is only one measure of love for everyone-the utmost. It is there without letup all the time. Love flows from Master in an endless stream. And no matter when you come for it or what condition you are in “be rest assured” the flow is constant. No matter how Master feels physically, whether He is busy or not, the fountain of divine love is so big there is enough for everyone.

 

“You cannot drain the Master,” said Gianiji.

 

Sometimes Gianiji would come to our room at the ashram after the evening darshan to find out if we had understood everything Master had told us. And we would sit there on a red flowery rug in a circle, the fan going overhead mixing up the heat, the moon looking in through the opened window, the water from Master’s well dripping peacefully in the bathroom, a pink lizard motionless on the white wall and a gray frog hopping undisturbed in the middle of the rug. We sat there talking over what Master had said at the darshan:

 

“If you love someone, the time-you do not notice it. So in meditation sit there with the one you love. At attention! Alone!

“You want someone else there? No? And what do you do?

“Your body sits and you, you are not there. God alone should be enthroned in your heart. In meditation you find out how many other people and things you have put on the throne, too.

“You will have to leave everyone and everything behind you at the moment of death. I’m the only one that will be your companion till the very end. I’m already within you.

“Where love is, you are drawn this way. You think you love me, but the truth is I loved you first. Your love is a reflection of my love.

“So love God alone and for His sake love everyone else.

“Love knows service and sacrifice,” our Satguru said to us.

He amply proved this to us during our visit at Manav Kendra.

 

We stayed to begin with in Master’s guesthouse on Rajpur Road and Master Himself had moved to Manav Kendra, fourteen miles away. So in our loneliness we asked His permission to join Him. We did not know at the time that our beloved Master planned to be with us that very evening at His home on Rajpur Road.

 

“Is that what you want?” He asked us lovingly. “All right, then, move immediately. A car will come for you.”

Master remained at Manav Kendra and we proceeded to move out there. Rooms were assigned to us in the still uncompleted hospital. By Master’s orders the following was done for us:

 

Since there was no electricity in the hospital as yet, an electrician stretched a wire from the main cable to our rooms. The building debris was cleaned out; a plumber was summoned to make the bathroom and sink workable and to open the main waterline. Our cook Ramji was moved to Manav Kendra, his wife and baby also; the refrigerator was moved from Dehra Dun; the stove moved; a carload of food came in; four wooden beds arrived; spreads, pillows, blankets, quilts, all were moved to Manav Kendra. Rugs were brought in, a couch, two club chairs came via truck, an air conditioner, a fan, a dining room set appeared from somewhere, even a Western-type top was immediately created by the carpenter and put above the Indian bathroom’s opening in the floor.

 

And the next morning as we were blissfully meditating, we heard Master’s footsteps and cane on the Cement sidewalk of our portico.

 

Out we rushed and there He was, radiant and smiling.

I came here for your darshan,” He said.

 

Later, we sat at Master’s feet at His bungalow in Manav Kendra forming part of a half-circle around Him. Bending a little forward in His chair, He looked at us lovingly.

“Sir,” someone asked Him, “How do you manage to love us? We are so imperfect.”

“You are like a stone,” replied Maharaj Ji, “and I am chiseling out of it the precious thing that is within it.

 

“Be in life like a compass. Always point to the north. In the world you vacillate here and there, no aim. Point to God at all times. Watch your thoughts. Check your dreams. Do you see Master there?”

 

As the talk continued, the sun fell on one side of Master’s forehead and for the first time I suddenly saw the mark in God’s own handwriting there-the sign of Om.

 

It was so prominent, so outstanding, so thick, that a shadow from it fell on the other side of the forehead. I looked at it and could not take my eyes away. It is one thing to talk about the physical signs that every Saint possesses but it is quite another thing to see them for oneself.

 

Going back to our hospital headquarters, I peered at every forehead I saw and each one of them, compared with Master’s resembled a flat Indian chapatti.

Back at the hospital we found our dinner waiting for us.

 

A noble-looking Sikh in a maroon turban joined us. He was on his way to Kashmir and had stopped over at Manav Kendra for a few days to pay his respects to the Satguru. He stayed in the room next to ours with David Teed, the Dallas group leader, and Ed Handley from Toronto.

This gentleman told us the story of his brother who has three sons and one daughter. The daughter died and the grief-stricken parents begged Master Kirpal Singh to come immediately.

 

“Please,” pleaded the bereaved father when Master arrived, “please, Maharaj Ji, take the life of any one of my sons, but give me back my daughter.”

 

Master, however, did not do it, and got in His car for the trip to Delhi.

Halfway down the road Master ordered His driver to take Him back to the saddened family.

 

On His return, Maharaj Ji put His fingers on the forehead of the dead girl, pressed both of her eyes, and lo and behold, she was alive once again. And Master did not take the life of any of the three sons either. The Sikh gentleman had ended his story.

 

Master holds the power over life and death in His hands, we observed. And securely in His hands is our fate and salvation.

 

“ ‘I want to talk to the Saint,’ a man once accosted me,” Maharaj Ji told us.

“I asked him, ‘What do you want to talk about with the saint?’

“The man exclaimed in surprise, ‘Are you the Saint? But you look like a man.’

“ ‘A Saint is a man first,’ I explained to him.”

 

Our Master has a lot of human touches.

He likes to laugh although it is almost a soundless laugh which you see more than hear.

At times, moved by our human wretchedness, Master is so compassionate that His eyes fill with tears that trickle slowly down His cheeks.

 

When Taiji insists that Master change His clothes because they are crumpled and have spots on them, He will say, “The people do not come to see my clothes. They come to see me.” And he does not change them.

 

Master’s sense of humor is very gentle.

We bought a small toy for Ramji’s little daughter. We gave the present to our Master to give in turn to Ramji with His blessing.

Master asked, “Is that for me?”

“No, sir, it is for ramji.”

Master looked at the toy rubber dog, squeezed it slightly so that it whistled, and said, “I want a toy, too. Iam also a child-of God,” He added smilingly.

 

Once a very dear soul, Guru Parshad, the head of the Radhasoami group in Agra, came to Delhi to pay his respects to our Master. The Guru had walked ten miles and came in covered with dust. He is a little man. An ancient yellow turban adorned his head. His sweet, old face with its loving eyes had humility written in every wrinkle. Half sitting, half slipping off the couch next to Master, he related that once before he had returned to his congregation in Agra bringing them some sweet parshad from Maharaj Ji. They ate it with gratitude and asked him, “Now that we’ve eaten the sweet parshad, could we eat you, too, Guru Parshad?”

 

Master was pleased with the story and even took the pains to translate it to us.

A final personal darshan is given to each departing disciple. It was our turn now. Master’s silvery blue eyes rested on us with such love and compassionate understanding we were bathed in bliss.

 

“Maharaj Ji, what if a disciple wants to remain a disciple forever so He could stay in the Holy Presence of his Beloved, safe, secure and happy forever?”

“You become a Master,” replied Maharaj Ji, “as son as you become a true Gurmukh as at that time you will realize that you and the Master are one.”

The words of an India disciple who lives in Rajpur came immediately to mind: “When you go up there,” he said,

“you will see the Master’s body made out of light. You will see yourself coming out of His body as light. You and your Master are one, you know.”

We left in the dark of evening. As we sat in the back seat of a car waiting to go, Maharaj Ji stepped up to the window, looked at us once again, eyes to eyes, touched our hands with both of His Holy Hands and said warmly, “God bless you.”

 

 

Before the Year Runs Out . . .

 

The Master’s Circular Letters of December 28,1967

 

DEAR SOULS: Before the year runs out, I would like all the children of light to manifest that light in abundance, and take care that it is not darkened through any default. You have had an experience of this light, the light of God; the light that never is on sea or land, but burns day and night, unquenchably, in the human breast. Let this light be a lamp unto yours feet, and serve as a beacon light and signal fire to the world-weary traveler trudging on the sands of time in search of a haven of peace. All of you must know that you have voluntarily and joyously taken upon yourself a great trust and responsibility-an obligation which you have to discharge under the Law of Divine Dispensation, and it is your proud privilege and a sacred duty to serve the great Cause which is so very dear to the Master.

 

All the Initiates of the Master, wherever they be-in the East or in the West-form one great family of the Master and as such are equally dear to me, and nothing will give me greater pleasure than to see you all living in loving peace and harmony as His children, serving one another with love in your hearts. Love is the highest and the greatest attribute of God, and all other virtues flow on their own from it.

 

All of you have been put on the God-way, which of course is the same. It is now for you to hasten the advent of the Master within you, and thereby complete your Guru-bhakti, or single-hearted devotion to Him. The proof of this you can experience within you as the self-luminous form of the master appears, stays with you, talks to you face to face, and helps you within by instruction and experience, in the same way as he does without: Behold! I stand at the door and knock, and if any man hear my voice, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. From here begins Naam-bhakti, or devotion to the Holy Word, and it is the Master’s job to make you proficient in it, and lead you to perfection and make  you perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

Thus you see you have all been put on the Path leading to God. The proof of the pudding, however, lies in tasting it. The more you will taste of the Truth in you, the more your life in a work-a-day world will reflect the Light of God in all your dealings with one another, and you yourself will feel that each day sees you nobler than before as you tread Godward.

 

It is from amongst you that representatives, group leaders, and workers are chosen by the Master for administrative convenience, to carry on the work efficiently-to wit, to arrange spiritual get-togethers (Satsangs) for mutual help and benefit. My Master, Hazzur Sawan Singh Ji, used to say that Satsangs served a very useful purpose as a protective hedge around the field of Simran and Bhajan, so that these vital and life-giving processes continue to develop and thrive, in spite of the otherwise busy life in the family, in society, in your respective avocations, and the like.

 

I cannot help emphasizing that all the Satsangis, whatever their qualifications and the degrees of advancement, are equally dear to me. With all our seeming righteousnesses, we are yet far from righteousness, for none are righteous in the real sense of the word, and there is no ground for us to feel exalted simply because we had the good fortune to work in the vineyard of the Lord. On the contrary, this very thing-the work entrusted to us so graciously-casts upon us an added responsibility to make ourselves worthy of it.

 

I would very much like you to forge and strengthen loving links in the ever-expanding fraternity that is ours. The representatives should, in a missionary spirit, travel from center to center in their areas so as to see things for themselves at each centers in the spiritual fabric, and in a loving spirit, exchange their views with one another, and offer suitable suggestions for improving the position wherever necessary. To facilitate work at each center, we should set up small committees of three to four members with the idea of division of work as may make for more efficiency and better understanding, and also enthuse a spirit of good will and fellowship among all who are engaged in the holy work. It may be worthwhile to establish separate study circles for mutual discussion on one or the other spiritual subject, so that those participating in them get a training to give small inspiring talks on their own, and be able to keep the work going without any let or hindrance. A small lending library with essential literature on Sant Mat will be a great help to all, old and new Satsangis as well as fresh aspirants for and seekers after Truth.

 

 A tree is known by the fruit it bears, and so we should act and behave in a manner that glorifies God and is befitting to us a children of God. It will be a healthy beginning if representatives, group leaders, and workers invite each other for talks and addressing the Satsangis and others interest in the subject in their respective areas; and the invitees in their turn should give out their best to their listeners without in any way interfering with their susceptibilities and loyalties as may tend to estrange them from each other, and cause any to stumble on the way. This, it is hoped, will in a way help to expand the “Self” in you, and your hearts will go out to serve the Lord whenever and wherever you may get an opportunity to do so. This is the greatest service that one can do to oneself, and to the self-same Self in others around you, and those with whom you may come in contact from day to day.

 

Those going around in connection with Satsang work at different places should not accept any offerings whatsoever for their personal benefit. However, they are allowed to share lodging and simple food with the dear ones, if possible and necessary. The travel expenses and other allied charges incurred may be debited to Satsang funds. The non-acceptance of gifts for personal self is one of the prescriptions given by the ancient sages for persons living the spiritual life. It will be easy to see how this rule becomes more important for those who are in their service to God, and have been placed in a position of public authority. It is the duty of the spiritual leaders and counselors, whatever their capacity, to remain impersonal servants of all. Since the acceptance of gifts involves one, even against his/her will, in some measure of obligation to the giver, it may cause unwittingly a lowering of his/her ideals. This should be considered sufficient to avert serious difficulties that could arise from laxity in this principle.

 

In this respect it would be worth your while and profitable for you to read this, along with the previous circulars of June 6, 1967, and November 11, 1967, together with the Birthday Message of July, 1967, as all of these, including this one, present an integrated view of true living as enjoined by the Masters.

 

I would greatly appreciate it if you would chalk out the lines for yourself, and also send periodical reports on the progress made from time to time. The Master Power overhead, I am sure, will help us to achieve the desired results. My best wishes are with you.

With all love, and more of it,

              Yours affectionately,

                KIRPAL SINGH

                    *       *      *

                            

December 28, 1967

 

I HAVE OBSERVED that with the rapidly growing work of the Master, the load of correspondence has increase considerably. It is practically becoming difficult to handle the same during my short intervals between tours and multifarious Satsang engagements. It would be much better if the dear ones are requested to restrict their letters to the minimum length of purely spiritual nature, thereby avoiding detailed descriptions, and at three month intervals,* which will facilitate work. There are now several printed books which contain exhaustive explanations for the day-to-day life problems of an initiate, and the dear ones can safely refer to them. The diary forms should, however, be continued to be sent every three months,* with brief results, etc.

 

I know it for certain that every soul has certain personal problems which he/she is anxious to bring to the notice of the Master, so as to seek His blessings and guidance. You should please note that the life-plan of each of us has already been drawn by the Great Planner, and what actually we see and come by is nothing but an unfoldment of the Divine plan, which if rightly adjudged is being executed with fine exactitude. But it  should be taken as certain, that all things work to the good for them who love God; and since you are all directly linked with the God-into-Expression Power within you are under His Grace and not the Law, to the minutest detail, and so severity, intensity and duration of the trials and tribulations of life, whatever they be, are suitably and gracefully mitigated, softened, and toned down by the Master Power. Just have more of deep faith in that Supreme Power within you, for undoubtedly it will come to your aid, guide you aright, and eventually take you out of the seemingly impossible situations, in such a sublime manner which you cannot possibly imagine. So all such matters can reasonably be eliminated from the letters, making them concise and exact in their contents.

This may kindly be circulated among all the dear ones.

 

With all love and best wishes,

 

              Yours affectionately,

               KIRPAL SINGH

* The Master has since requested that the completed diaries be sent to him every four months.

 

 

In the Name of the Masters

 

A letter to initiates from T. S.  Khanna  

                              

November 21, 1971

 

DEAR ONES: In the Name of His Holiness Satguru Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj, the living Master of spiritual enlightenment, and in the Name of al His predecessors in the line of God-realized men, especially Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, the Beloved Master of the present Master and of mine, Who is daily appearing to many souls initiated and uninitiated, while being already ascended; I issue this serious and significant message to all initiates and near initiates of the Great Living Master Kirpal Singh Ji, to wit:

 

I have observed some wild propaganda set afloat by certain vested elements to deflect dear ones from the Holy path. Of late, news has spread about several teachers, swamis, yogis, preachers, masters and the like visiting abroad causing disruption in the unsophisticated minds of immature initiates, misleading and making these precious souls fall prey to their fantasies. I have love for all souls even though they work in their own chosen spheres on the basis of their own intelligence or comprehension.

 

Therefore, a word of caution is indeed essential for the initiates who have been accepted by the Master and granted inner conscious contact with Holy Naam-viz., Word, the Divine Light and Sound Principles-after rising above body or outer consciousness.

 

The sacred books published from the forum of Ruhani satsang discuss the theory in most lucid and illustrative terms, leaving little doubt whatsoever. A careful and unbiased study of these books would reveal that the most important aspect of the teachings is actually living a life full of spiritual discipline and beatitude. The dear ones who are putting in regular time for meditations are progressing gracefully on the path with the Grace of the Master.

 

However, easily misled folks among the Satsangis are cajoled by the shrewd and sophisticated preachers, et al, with flowery promises of quick access into the Beyond, coupled with some so-called elixir or nectar. Such allurements not only estrange the dear ones but entangle them in this network of negative power illusion, with the result that they suffer immeasurably. Although the Holy Seed of Initiation implanted by the Master can in no way be dimmed or destroyed by such heretofore mentioned deflection, the initiate’s inner receptivity and growth are considerably jeopardized and retarded. In addition, whatever inner contacts of Light and Sound Principles the initiates have been experiencing since the time of Initiation are ruined.

 

Some people have approached the very (Ruhani Satsang) representatives and group leaders with documents to deface the Master and mislead them from the Holy Path by confusing their minds with concocted stories and corroborations conjured up to suit their own causes. Faith is the root cause of all religion. Little do such people know about the immense harm they inflict on the dear ones who have been put on the path, and the huge Karmic debt they are causing for themselves. It is the most reverential and rewarding act to guide the sincere seekers after Truth to the living Master Contrarily, it is the gravest and most heinous sin to mislead and disrupt, by false propaganda, those who have already been accepted and put on the way.

 

I feel astonished and surprised when such sad events come to my notice as when some of the dear ones who have held responsible positions step down or resign without first going into the case and verifying the facts. This is Maya employing all of its fabulous and flabbergasting phenomena to bewilder the young and tender saplings.

 

I recall that as recently as 1948, when Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj left this physical plane, the Great Master Kirpal Singh wrote a brief life sketch of Hazur which contained all the facts. I also recall and can reproduce the ringing words that Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj told Master Kirpal Singh. They are as fresh and fruitful as when they were spoken:

 

“Baba Jaimal Singh brought Naam with Him from Swami Ji and meditated on the banks of Beas which eventually bloomed into the nucleus of spiritual guidance for erring humanity. Similarly,wherever you will sit, the sincere seekers after truth shall be guided to you by the Gracious Master Power.”

 

Your attention is invited to Circulars 55,56, and the pamphlet Truth Triumphats, which contain full facts of the case; copies of which can be had from me.

 

 It is through the abounding grace of Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj that the sacred forum of Ruhani Satsang, with a humble beginning, has spread over all the world, with about 125 centers functioning in various countries. All credit goes to Him, the God-man Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, Whose edict is bearing fruit through the blessed Satguru Kripal Singh Ji.

 

I would stress the great importance of regular, faithful and accurate mediations combined with utmost vigil against misleading elements.

 

Bhakti-loving faith and devotion-develops slowly. This world is full of Maya (illusion). Imitation is at times more alluring than Reality. Do not be led away by the eyes and ears of others until you see for yourself and hear with your own ears. It is not all gold that glitters. I therefore give you a word of caution: You should thoroughly investigate and get to the bottom of statements made by interested persons.

 

You can seldom imagine how much love I have for each one of you and how I wish you all to turn your faces to the Master within Who is awaiting more eagerly, by far, to greet you. The glow and glamour of this world is futile and momentary. You should earn your spiritual wealth right now and here while living in this world. One should attend to his mundane obligations and do everything for the sake of realizing the eternal Ringing Radiance, vibrant in all the Source of all life. He is a wise person who rests after reaching the destination.

With all best wishes.

         Yours affectionately,

                   T. S. KHANNA

 

 

 

 

                 Recognition

Into the Master’s presence I slowly went,

All unknowing Who and What was He,

My eyes unseeing for the tears unspent,

My ears not hearing the inner melody.

 

A strange delight into my hear upsurged,

That filled my inmost being with joy untold.

From wondrous eyes such holy power emerged,

Such love and gentle welcome made me bold.

 

But at His sacred feet I humbly fell,

Thrilling to His voice, all ecstasy.

The Living Perfect Master bade me tell

Something of my Soul’s past agony.

 

With loving words He gently eased the pain

And took away the burden from my heart.

With His grace such peace I did regain,

Drawing me to Him, never more to part.

 

On Christmas Day the Master set His seal

Upon my Soul, and in it the NAAM did sow,

And opening my inner eye He did reveal

The Light within and inner scenes did show.

 

Thou didst long years ago upon an inner plane

Place in my palm a lovely jeweled cross,

Guiding lower self to higher Self, and gain

The inner Way, all purged of dross.

 

O Satguru! Word made manifest,

Now I know thee, thou Who art all Love,

For long ago I knelt at thy behest

Before Thee in the spirit realm above.

 

Upon my forehead didst Thou place Thy mark;

I remember now the ecstasy of soul,

And here on earth the third time meeting Thee.