THE MASTER’S TALK
Is Your Destiny Awakened? No matter which hymn you study from the great Masters,
you will find that the subject is the same. Bite on any part of a sugar toy, and it will be sweet! The
theme of all the Masters is the Naam or Shabd – the God-into-expression power.
There is a hymn of Guru Ramdas, which is worth giving considerable thought to,
for when the subject is unfolded clearly, it is easier to understand. So listen
with love and full concentration: If the fortunate one’s destiny is great, He will then meditate upon God’s Naam. To be given the human birth is a great good fortune,
for it is the highest of all the eighty four hundred thousand (8,400, 000)
species of creation. All species are born to serve you. Yours is the highest
birth. O man, all the earths species were created to serve you. Having gained
the human birth, your destiny should awaken and become great; otherwise the
life is wasted away in enjoyments along with the rest of mankind. Having been
born a human being, then what does he do if his destiny is awakened? He will
then meditate upon God Naam. What is God’s name? It is that which all the
saints have spoken of – God’s name is the greatest – that which created all.
Nothing can be greater than the Naam of the Lord, which gave birth to every
thing. It is not just a mere word in any language, it is the very power of God
which created and which continues to sustain all creation. And he who meditates
upon that power has the very highest destiny. So much praise has been sung of those who meditate on
Naam. Those who meditate upon the Naam had all worries erased; O Nanak, their
countenances were radiant, and those in their company gained freedom. Whoever
meditated upon the Naam fully, made a complete success of life; all life’s burdens
and difficulties faded away. Not only were their faces radiant, but others too
got salvation through them. the Gurumukh gives salvation to millions with a
little ray of Naam. So when the Masters come, millions who enjoy their
company are carried across the ocean of life. Guru Ramdas Ji also recommended a
daily program for the disciple of the Satguru / should rise early and meditate
upon the Naam. Anyone who calls himself a disciple of that personality who is
the truth personified – the daily routine of such a disciple should be to rise
before the dawn every day, and contact the Naam and to repeat the word Naam are
two entirely different things. Repetitions of the word is merely to get one
started. It is said also, rise before sunrise; take a bath in
Amritsar. Now what is the meaning of this? – for those people who live in Kabul
(in Afghanistan) for instance, would not be able to travel to Amritsar every
day for a bath! – for Amritsar is in Punjab, India. It is the city which was
started by guru Ramdas Ji and completed by Guru Arjan Sahib, and we have great
regard in our hearts for this sacred place, the residence of the great Masters.
It is not surprising that it is a famous pilgrimage. But to which Amritsar does
Guru Amar Das here refer? The true Amritsar is within the physical form, /
tasting which purifies the mind. The true Amritsar, which has the precious
nectar, lies within the human form. Whereabouts? Beyond Pind, and, Brahmand –
through physical, astral and causal planes. It is also referred to as Desam
Dwar. Sometimes it is called the Sarovar (pool) of Amrit, and the Muslim fakirs
spoke of it as Hauz-I-Kauzar, and the Hindus rishis named it Prag Raj. When
bathing in this Sarovar, the soul becomes immortal – free from all dross. So
this is why that soul who call himself a disciple of him who is
truth-personified should rise early, meditate upon the Naam, and take a bath in
Amritsar, daily. He should get that far at least, with Pind, and, and Brahmand
left far behind. What else does Guru Amar Das say? After rising, sing the
Gurbani (words of the Masters). Having been in communion with Naam, we are then
fit to read the Masters words; but we have long forgotten that meditation upon
Naam means to rejoin it. Where is Naam? The giver of the nine varieties of
happiness is the Lord’s Naam, which can be found within the human form. It
actually exists within us, it is not merely a spoken word. Ultimate, beyond the
senses – naam is limitless. It is not an outer practice, for one only contact
it when above the senses. Very sweet is the beloved Naam. He says there is a
great sweetness in the Naam, and those fortunate ones who meditate upon it are
the highest souls – those who meditate with full concentration. What is gained by such meditation? Why are those who
meditate upon it so fortunate? Who gets connection with it? The answers to
those questions are found in the Gurbani. Those with good karmas from ages past
got connected to the Lord’s naam. Only those soul can receive naam upon whom. O
Lord, thy merciful hand has rested. The whole world may be engaged in the
verbal form of Naam, but connection with Naam only comes with the shower of
God’s mercy. And what is gained? Nanak says happiness rules in that home where
the Anhad (unstruck sound) resounds. Happiness and peace is realized through
meditating upon the Naam. A man gets tranquility and complete satisfaction when
the Anhad sound is awakened within him. The Jap Ji Sahib gives clear details of
the advantages in contacting the Naam: By communion with the Naam one can attain the status
of a Siddha, a Pir, a Sura or a Nath; By communion with the Naam one can understand the
mysteries of the earth, the supporting bull and the heavens; By communion with the Naam the earthly regions, the
heavenly plateaux and the nether worlds stand revealed; By communion with the Naam we can escape unscathed
through the portals of death; O Nanak, his devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for
the Naam washes away all sin and sorrow. These are some of the benefits afforded to those who
meditate upon the Naam. Communion with Naam (sound principle) is like a blind
man’s guiding stick; through communion with the Naam the spiritually blind find
their way to realization. It is the only true way to reach beyond the hand of
man. God is really nameless, but through Naam we can reach to him. This is why
all Masters have sung the high praises of Naam all through all ages, in various
languages. So Guru Ramdas asks: after gaining the human birth,
then whose destiny is highest? Those who destiny has come to fruition get to
meditate upon the Naam. Meditation upon the Naam, he gains all happiness; Repeating God’s Naam, he becomes as one. This is how the soul can realize the Lord, and the
very sweetness of contact with Naam has been described by many way: sugar,
golden sugar, raw sugar, sugar cane juice; honey, milk; all are sweet, but the
beloved’s sweetness is incomparable. It is very difficult to describe the
sweetness of God’s Naam for it holds a special kind of intoxication. The
intoxication of Naam, O Nanak, inebriates day and night. It makes a man forget
the intoxicants of the world, for it is the only intoxicant that brings true
happiness and lasting peace. So contacting the Naam is the means to bring true
happiness and lasting peace. So contacting the Naam is the means to the end;
blending with the precious treasure, the Nameless. God is Nameless. But when he expressed himself, that
expression was described as Naam or name. The lowest divine link of that Naam
is within each being, but conscious contact with it can only be experienced
when the soul above the senses. If one then gets a connection to Naam and hold
on to that string, naturally one will travel back to the source from whence it
comes the Nameless God head. It is a true and direct way back to him, a true
method of becoming one with him. Hafiz sahib gives some indication when he
says, no one knows on which story my beloved resides; but the sound of the
bells comes from there. If the soul hears that sound and starts following it,
naturally it will eventually arrive as its source. So this lowest link exists
in each and every one of us, and in that link is light and the sound. You may
also call it Udgit, Nad, Akash-bani, the music of the spheres – whatever term
you prefer. The work of the Sant, mahatma, or Master is to elevate the soul
above the senses, and give the connection. This is then increased by daily
practice. The nameless state is the aim of all Masters, and Naam
is the means to realize it. I bow down to the nameless. But the difficulty is
that people do not understand what Naam is – some do not even know it exists.
They think the outer practices are all in all, but this is wrong. Outer
practices are useful; they are like a nursemaid or governess, and the best use
should be made of their training for this helps one along the way toward
spirituality. But if one desires true and lasting happiness and peace of heart
and mind, and the release from births and deaths, al this can only be gained
through regular contact with Naam. If you remain enamored of the body and the
surroundings environments you will not be able to enjoy the Naam for to
experience it fully one must rise above the body, through self-analysis. The
secret of this spiritual science can only be learned in the company of a
realized soul. While in his presence one receives a little experience which is
then increased by daily meditation, and one progress farther. One will oneself
admit to experiencing this. It is not like an unproved promise of gaining
something after death. logically there is hope of more if one gets a little
start with. Always do the Gurumukh Bhakti – O all living beings! Everyone should do bhakti (devotion) through the
Gurumukh. This indicates that there is another kind of bhakti, done at the
level of the outgoing faculties the Gurumukh
as, he who is the mouthpiece of the guru. Then he says, in further
praise of the Gurumukh: through Gurumukh bhakti the sound becomes audible; then
immortality is assured. There are nine different kinds of devotion, and all
are meant for preparing the ground for spirituality. Tulsidas said in his
Ramayana, if you want the light to be lit within and without, then meditate on
the Naam power with your life. All the nine types of devotion are at the level
of the senses, and although they help to prepare the way, yet you cannot get
release from coming and going as long as the doership stands. As you sow, so
shall you reap. For complete release it is necessary to follow Gurumukh bhakti,
which starts above the senses. This is the Naam contact. This is why it is said
that where the world’s philosophies end, there religion (re means back and
ligio means to bind) really starts. How to win over the senses – that is true
knowledge. Outer knowledge does help, just as the midwife helps in bringing the
child into the world, but she does not give birth to it. To realize the truth, you must get a higher contact than
the outer knowledge; and this is received above the senses. Your heart will be flooded with light, if devotion is
there; Through the Guru’s knowledge, God’s Naam will be
yours. It is very clear; there can be no misunderstanding.
The devoted heart – that is full of devotion. The devoted heart – that is full of devotion to the Gurumukh – will
be full of light. By meditating upon Naam, the light of millions of suns
becomes apparent; the darkness of illusion is dispelled. In this way, true love
for the Lord is born. meditation on God’s Naam comes with the guru’s knowledge.
It means that everything depends upon the Guru bestowing his knowledge upon
one. If one does not get that knowledge – the connection – then secret which
came hidden with us at birth will remain hidden and never be realized. Only the
attention or soul above the body and senses. So Guru Ramdas says that we cannot
gain that without gain that without the Guru’s help; this is a fundamental
principle. So take this principle into the heart. In one section of the Gurbani, guru Amar Das says, the
beloved orders have come from the beyond: that without the Satguru there is no realization.
It is a statement that the Lord himself has declared: until the soul meets the
realized soul who is the truth personality, the Lord will not come into that
soul consciousness. Only one who is not governed by or under the control of the
senses can perform this spiritual task.
Otherwise, how is it possible that one who is under the control of the senses can do it himself? The
light cannot be revealed by one’s own effort, or by any other practice, save
that of devotion to the Gurumukh. If through some previous background one has
already some experience, it is well and good; but without further help one
cannot go ahead, and will remain in the same position. You can only love something you can see – how can love
develop otherwise? There is outer knowledge and inner knowledge. Outer
knowledge comes in the form of scriptures of the different religions man lives
in, according to his birth, but this does not give any inner knowledge. Inner
knowledge comes only with the Guru’s knowledge; and that is Naam. In the
Gurbani we have: O Nanak, the Guru’s knowledge lies in the fact that our
attention is absorbed in the Naam that vibrates everywhere. This guru’s
knowledge is mentioned in all religions, but the peace does not come until the
knowledge is fulfilled – from within. Why otherwise do all Masters sing the
praise of Naam? Naam vibrates in every atom, yet we ask “Where is it?” the
Master describes this very beautifully: The diamond, gem, jewel, Overflows in all creations ocean. One inestimable Existence is overflowing in the whole
of creation – there is no place without it. Whatever is created is all Naam. To
be connected to such power is priceless gift. Whoever is greatly blessed with good fortune Will bring out the truth with the guru’s knowledge. If one does not meet the Satguru, the knowledge
remains hidden. No one is beggarly or hungry, for each had ruby in his bundle;
but it is never opened, the ruby never seen, and he is penniless. Most people
are not interested in highest knowledge, and so never meet the Guru and the
priceless treasure remains burden and unknown. It is not a question of religion
or a matter of caste. Drunkards never consider each other’s birth or character:
they all drink together. So in the name of Naam, all are equal whether born a
Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, etc. Simply, whoever has the higher
destiny or good fortune to learn how to bring out the truth from within is
greatly blessed. Otherwise he leaves this world in ignorance: he became hungry,
lives in hunger, and will leave hungry. That jeweled ruby is the Naam, Which the guru brings forth and places in the hand. It lies in everyone but, when the Satguru is met, you
see with your own eyes and realize the truth within the house. Whoever gives a
little experience of the truth is a true guru indeed. He will not say, “Go on
doing what I tell you, and you will get salvation after death.” the true
teaching of the Master is to give salvation while living in this world, for
whatever you have learned here will remain with you when you leave at death. do
you think that an illiterate man will become a learned teacher just be going
through that change which we call death? the Master believe in salvation –
freedom from the wheel of births and deaths – during one’s lifetime. Namdev very frankly declares, if salvation comes after
death, then this type of salvation is valued less than coal. What value can it
have? The whole life is spent in sorrow and misery, and one dies unhappy too –
what is the use of salvation when the life is endured and finished? If we can
get some peace and contentment during life, our whole outlook and actions
change. It is another criterion of judging whether one has got the contact with
Naam. A man must change. If one sits near a block of fire one will enjoy its
warmth, and if one sits near a block of ice he will feel the chill. When one
enters a salt mine, everything seems salty. Is the Lord’s Naam so, that even
after contacting it no change has occurred in you? Rather it means that you
have not had the true contact. We go on saying Naam, Naam, but the fact is that
we do not know what Naam is. If you
meet a truly realized soul, he will give you the experience of Naam - do not accept anything less than this
criterion. If you listen to propaganda you will be misled, for anyone can speak
fine words with a little training. One can pick up a stone these days and find
a guru of some kind or other. Gurus, you will find many – but disciples, none.
An actual inner experience does not really need any words of support. When Maharishi Ashtavakra asked king Janak, “Have you
received the knowledge?” the king replied, “Yes, Maharaj.” The receiver should
freely admit of his own accord that he has achieved something. He can only do
this if he gets the experience: it is not a question of mere praise for an
individual – “he is a very big Master” – etc., etc. what proof is there that he
is by a mere flood of praise? If the seeker gets some experience that he can
acknowledge, then there is a definite indication that more can be had; but if
he receives nothing, what indication can he judge by? So the teaching of the Masters is very free from the bondage, and it makes others free.
Service to a free person brings freedom. What can he who is bound do for
another? In the Gurubani it is written, if the master is hungry and naked, how
can his servant eat his fill? After al, we are healthy enough to take our food
– we are very clever about many things; but when it comes to our spiritual wok
we are suddenly very naïve – almost ignorant, you might say. Is this an
intelligent attitude? An awakened seeker will never be satisfied until he gets
something substantial – an experience – be it but little: to give the prospect
of greater things ahead. So if you seek employment from one who is himself
starving – just tell me, what will you have to eat and drink? The world is
blind and works blindly; without the guru the way is not found; when the Satguru comes, the eye can see; and within
the house the truth is realized. How clear these words are! Why is it that
those who read so avidly the words of the Masters allow themselves to be so
easily mislead? One id mislead when one does not fully understand the meaning
of the words. Socially we must live in some religion or other, but
the real work must be done. True
Masters have always been very rarely found. In the days of king Janak, only one
Master could be found capable of giving the knowledge; a first hand experience.
Why expect there to be hundreds available today? The more there are, naturally
the happier the world will be. It is not the
case of choosing a certain religion or sect; a moth will rush toward any
light, be it in the house of a cobbler, a merchant – any class or caste.
Spirituality is a matter of life – and life comes from life. The unfortunate manmukh received nothing; The ruby was hidden behind the point. Those without the special good fortune – the manmukh –
remain empty of the spiritual wealth. Guru Amar Das says this of the Manmukh:
he is a manmukh who does not know the shabd; he knows not the fear of jymthe Guru. The manmukh is ignorant
of the value of Naam – he has not met a realized soul; or he has met one and
yet his mind has no awareness of him (the guru) being the knower of all things,
and so he has no fear. Excuse me, but even after meeting the Satguru, we can
still remain manmukh, for if his love has not entered our heart, we have not
faith that he knows everything. This faith is the things upon which
spirituality is founded. Faith is actually the root cause of all religion. How
can a strong house be built without proper foundations? Get you heart in tune
with the heart of any truly realized
soul, and daily you will progress spiritually. Those who remain the mouthpiece
of the senses, whose attention is scattered in outer attractions, remain
manmukh, even though they may follow the Guru they will never become Gurumukh.
Such people remain in the ignorance of the real truth and the wealth of Naam. The ruby was hidden behind the point. Now, if even a
small object is held in front of the eyes pupil, it can see nothing beyond that
object. So the curtain of ignorance must be removed, and when the Guru gives a
sitting and removes that curtain even a little, the light of God is seen. The
more he removes that curtain even a little, the light of God is seen. The
wealth already exists behind that curtain, but it cannot be removed by one’s
own efforts. If anyone thinks he is capable of such a task, then let him try.
But if we can rely on the words of the Masters who all say the same thing in their own ways, no one
receives without the perfect Guru, even if one earned millions of good karma. The inner eye must be opened. Even though we can open
the physical eyes, yet the spiritual eye remains closed; and while having
everything within, yet we cannot see: there is only darkness. Guru Nanak says
in the beginning of Asa Dewar, if hundreds of moons and thousands of suns
shone, yet with all this light is dense darkness without a Guru. All Masters
have declared that Guru. All Masters have declared that God is light. By
meditating upon Naam, the light of millions of suns becomes apparent. The sun
be risen, and yet if a person is blind and cannot see it, all is darkness for
him. So the matter of greatest importance is to first have the inner eye opened
by the realized soul, who opens the eyes of thousands. Maulana Shamas Tabrez
says that we have blessed thousands with eyes who were born blind. He is
speaking of the inner or spiritual
sight. Even if a physically blind man is given a sitting he will see the
light of God within, for he will see with the inner eye. Those are not blind, O
Nanak, who do not see the beloved. In the opinion of Guru Nanak the blind are
not those without physical sight, but rather, are those who have broken away
from God and who have not developed the eye with which to see the Lord. In such
cases, the literate and illiterate alike are blind if their inner eye is not
open. Hazur Swami Ji says, The Guru says that the whole world is blind, for
they have not seen the inner world. It is a very sweeping remark – the whole
world is blind. Why? Because most of the world’s population never see this
inner or spiritual path which goes across the physical, astral, and causal
planes. In the gurubani it states, O blind man, you did not know of the path.
This is the hidden pathaway which takes the soul beyond all planes and leads it
to the Lord. Guru Ramdas has clearly told us: The unfortunate manmukh received nothing; The ruby was hidden behind the point. It is a very minute curtain behind which an
immeasurable wealth is hidden, and the removal of this curtain is the work of a God-realized Master. When the
Satguru comes, the eye can see; within the house the truth is realized. One
then needs no confirmation from other for he will see for himself. Maya (illusion) and Brahm (the Lord of creation) are
not separate, for illusion is the reflection of Brahm. Brahm expression is
Maya, so see Brahm in it and do not forget him. Gifts are loved, but the giver
is forgotten; one knows not and thinks not of death. If our angle of vision is
turned toward the truth then illusion cannot affect us. But these who serve
illusion are eaten up by it. The worldly people throw themselves, nay, give
their very lives up to the torments of illusion, and never gives an angle of
thought to the truth. The whole of mans life goes to waste like this. If the destiny is written on the forehead form beyond, Then the Satguru gives the services. One can meet a Satguru only if that special destiny is
written on his forehead. And what is the Satguru? Satguru is the image of
truth. Satguru is one who can bring his soul above the mind and senses at will:
one who has become one with the truth. His name is Satguru who realizes the sat
purush; in his company the disciple is uplifted – O Nanak, the sing the praises
of God truly when the company of a God-realized soul. So Guru Ramdas has told us that great destiny is
awakened, then he meets a Satguru and one has the double good fortune of
serving him. The third good fortune is gained by those who keep his
commandments. He who sacrifices everything will decorate the altar of the
Guru’s commands with flowers. The heart should be receptive to the heart. It is
God’s special grace then to be able to meet the Satguru; it is a grace thing.
When you meet him, you can be connected to the Naam and from then on enjoy the
daily contact, through meditation. In this way both devotion and faith will
develop. When the disciple becomes receptive, all the earnings of the Guru will
descend upon him. The saddest part is that even after meeting the Guru
we do not become obedient; this is why we remain empty. The Satguru can only be
served through devotion, faith, and receptivity. Without the development of
receptivity the full benefit is not derived. Guru Amar Das says, the Lord is
realized through devotion to the Guru; then easily he resides in the heart. O Nanak, the gems are received; Praise be to the Gurumukh which attracted us to the
Lord. All praise be to the Guru’s knowledge (Gurumuk – the
teachings of the Guru) through which God was realized. And with his knowledge,
what is received? The invaluable jewel, the treasure of Naam, through which the
Lord is realized. With great good fortune one receives contact with Naam, and
then one works hard for it. In his hymn, Guru Ram Das has explained which, among all souls who have got the
human form, have the highest destiny and meditate upon the Naam. With such
awakened destiny, he develops all round, giving his physical form in service,
increasing the scope of his intellect, and along with these he meditates upon
the Naam. Such a person truly makes his whole life a success and thereby
finishes the succession of births and deaths. This is the teachings of the
Masters. |