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