THE MASTER’S TALK
Masters come to fulfill
I am a son of
a man, not a lecturer. I can give you only a heart to heart talk, which comes
form the heart and goes to the heart – very simple and to the point. First of
all, ii convey my hearty love to you all, one and all. You see, you are, truly
speaking, my own relations. Once, you remember Christ was sitting in a
gathering and him mother came up from behind and people told him, “Here comes
your mother.” He said, “Who is my mother? These are all my brothers and sisters
here, who are on the Path.” So there is a real relation with which God has
united us; from the level of the physical body and also from the soul’s point
of view.
As a man we are all one. God
made man. Is there any doubt about it? He made man, and of course man has the
highest rung in the creation. So we are all fortunate. Born in the same way, no
high, no low, with the same outer construction and the same inner construction:
two eyes, two hands, two nostrils, two ears, and also, every man has his heart,
lungs, stomach. Every morning, the house is cleaned, is it not? But this is not
a house of filth; it is the house of God.
So as the physical body we
are all one, a real relation. After that we took up different labels of
religions called by different names. We forgot our manhood also. Eventually we
discover that we are not the physical bodies only; we are having the physical
body. We are conscious entities, spirit in man, of the same essence as God. So
we are all children of God, brothers and sisters; this is the true relationship
we have got even as soul and of this power whom we worship, call him by any
name you like. He is the same whether you call him God, father, Allah,
anything. So as man we are all one; that is our real nature. These labels have
formed hedges between man and man. Masters have come from time to time to
remove this understanding in a very clear, simple way, through heart to heart
talks. So you see, these true relations we have got already, which we forget,
and Masters come so that we may realize that the unity is already there. So
Masters come from time to time to remove this bigotry and narrow-mindedness,
ever since the world began. As I just related to you, Christ said, “Who is my
mother? Who are my brothers? They are all my brothers and sisters.” These very
words, the tenth Guru said; those who come from God all say the same thing.
They don’t say, “We are Gods”; they say, “We are sent by God.”
So at the time when Kabir
and Guru Nanak came on the scene, there were two parties – Hindus and
Mohammedans – very strong in their own way, very bigoted, very narrowminded;
they would not suffer each other’s faith, what to speak of mixing with them and
sharing their views. So Kabir came at the time and he gave out as his first
slogan, I am neither Hindu nor Mohammedan; I take both as one. That is
what Kabir gave out. Guru Nanak was contemporary of Kabir. He says further, I
am neither a Hindu nor a Mohammedan; God whom we worship is the same. Naturally
the Mohammedans asked Guru Nanak, “who are you?” He said, “I am bearing the
label of a Hindu, but I am not a Hindu in that sense. I am not such a Hindu.
And you also, a Mohammedan, you simply bear the badge of Mohammedan. You are
really man. I am not such a Mohammedan either.” So they asked him, “What are
you then?” he very clearly gave our in a simply way, “This body is made of five
elements. The power which drives this man body – that is conscious – that I am.
That is my religion.” So he met all men of different labels and told them, “If
you want to be a true Hindu or a true Mohammedan, you must become a man first
and know that you are a man.”
Further, you are a conscious
man, conscious entity, you see, and still further, you are controlled by some
power within the body. The body is such a wonderful house we live in. it is God
who made it so wonderful, with its apertures of eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc.
with all that the indweller cannot run away out of it. Can you? No. body, but
you are controlled in the body. That controlling power we have to know, and
that is called God-into-expression power or word. In the beginning was the
word, the word was with the God and the word was God. The whole creation
came into being after that. It is also called Naam……. So that Power is
controlling us in the body. When that power is withdrawn, we have to leave the
body. So it is a wonderful house we have got, in which we reside and in which
that other power which controls us in the body also resides. So the man body is
considered to be the highest in all creation, which is had by great good
fortune, in which we can know God controlling the whole universe; and in no
other species of creation is this possible.
All scriptures speak very
highly about the body. So God, for whom we are all searching, Whom we are
really after, he also resides in the man body along with us. So the body is
true temple of God. You will find in scriptures it is given: God does not
reside in temples made of stone. I gave a talk in England on my last tour.
One Bishop stood up and said, “You have thrown an atom bomb on all our
Churchianity.” I told him, “My dear friend, this fact remains: Churches we have
made, temples we have made, mosques we have made, all after the model of the
man-body.” Is it not? Dome shaped, temples; nose shaped, churches; forehead
shaped, mosques, we have made… so the true temple or church of God is the man
body. That is the house which he has built himself. This house which he has
built himself. This house was built in the womb of the mother, in the hands of
God and nature it is not?
So that man body is the true
temple of God, in which we reside. If you take a small child, three years old
or four, and ask him, “who are you?”, he simply opens his eyes and mouth wide.
You see, there is something there (points to forehead). He knows a little of
this thing. As he grows in years and impressions are received from outside, he
will begin to answer, “I am Joe Smith, Mr. Singh,” etc. and as time passes,
impressions are so much more that he will reply, “I am a Christian, I am a
Sikh, I am a handy.” These are the outer impressions. But in the course of tine
we have to withdraw from the body- which we have taken to be the body –which we
have taken to be the be all and end all.
So all the scriptures say that the man
body is the temple of God, is the church of God, is the true mosque within. We
live in the there and he whom we seek also lives in there, so why seek Him,
outside? Guru Nanak went to Persia, where a Muslim Fakir asked him, “Have you
seen God?” he said, “Yes, look here. There are 52 minarets (32 teeth and 20
nails) and two windows (the eyes). God is in that.” He speaks from above and
the poor fellow does not understand. God is calling them back, and the poor
people have forgotten themselves so much that they do not hear what he is
saying. Masters do come from time to time, and reminds us, well, you are man,
you are conscious entities –drop in the ocean of all consciousness. We are all
brothers and sisters in God. We worship the same Power called by different
names. Where is the difference? The light and sound symbols are middles made
just like the inner to tell us: such is the man body, the light of God and the
voice of God is found therein. Outer temples are made only to show God lives in
the church which you are. We have given so much thought to the outer formations
–excuse me now –that we have forgotten the true thing which lies within.
So Masters come to fulfill and not to
destroy. Man is a social being. He must have some social body to live in. if
you break one, you will have to form another. It is but natural. So stay where
you are –the first step is all right. The next step is to know yourself –on
account of which the body is working, and the Power is controlling you in the
body. Make the best use of the body. This is the teaching of all the Masters in
the past.
So we reside in the same house –the
house that God has made, not us. We are afraid for the outer structures. Don’t
be misled. They were made as models of the man body, which is the true temple
of God. Those who have got awakened eyes, they respect the rites of everybody.
This is the illusion we are all in.
Masters come to revive the truth. When I came for the first time in 1955, I
sent out one pamphlet, man! Know Thyself, and the world invited me
without seeing me on the basis of that small pamphlet. Many simple things
appeal to everybody, I think. They are facts. It does not mean that we are
against “isms” – they came into being for a purpose. Do you know what history
shows? Islam came into being 1500 years ago, after Mohammed. Christianity came
into being after Christ, Sikhism came up after Guru Nanak, Buddhism came only
after Lord Buddha. So today let me only say why they came into being: those who
met the Masters themselves solved the mystery of life. They realized the very
unity I am putting before you in words. But when they left the scene these
schools of thought were formed, the labels of which we are carrying, to keep
their teachings alive. That school is better which turns out perfect men, is it
not? The buildings may be very good buildings, a very big playground might be
there, and good dress also. But with all that, if no student passes the exams
of the school, then? It is a credit to the society to which you belong if you
know those things for which it was formed.
So you see, Masters have love for all.
They do not come to destroy but to fulfill. The first step in social being. You
must have a social body to live in, which you are already having. Why make a
new one? When Kabir came, there were only two bodies. Now there are more than
700. is it not right to come to somebody who teaches the very truth we have
forgotten? It is no new thing. I think it makes common sense to everybody.
These are hard facts.
So the main purpose before us is to know
God. First of all, we are one. Last time when I cam here I gave talks free in churches
and everywhere, and open talks too. Generally, you see, where talks are given,
fees are charged. Sometimes a donation basket is there. So I removed them. they
asked me, “what are you after?” I told them: Body is the temple of God, which
we have forgotten. I have come to revive this.
Last time when I left America, people
offered me a lakh of dollars. I refused. They said, “Why? For spreading the
mission here.” Then they said, “it would have been much better if you had taken
away dollars – you are taking away our hearts.” As a result of that, people
came like wildfire. It appeals to everybody. Basic teachings of all Masters
have been the same. Social bodies are there, and different customs and rituals.
These change according to the climates and other facts of the different
physical areas or customs prevailing there. But the purpose is the same.
So Masters love everybody. How to find
God, where to find God – there are ways and means to do so. It is very natural.
Even a child can do it. With no or little knowledge you are able to see; and
that language is the natural language which is unspoken and unwritten. If we
have forgotten – that’s all right.
Last time I came in 1963. it is nine
years now that I have been away from you physically. Some of you have been kind
enough to pay a visit in India to see the Ashram. I was happy, you see, to see
my friends, brothers, children – any number that come, you see, are all quite
at home. The main purpose of being in India was to improve their progress in
spirituality. So all come back with a little better understanding and better
progress. Some of you have come up there; but you all were always on my mind
through correspondence. No child can get forgotten by the father or mother, can
it? There may be hundreds….
So we are all brothers and sisters in
God. Last year I had a mind to come – a very strong mind. I made my effort to
pay it, flying to different stations in India so that they could keep going for
six months or so while I was away here; but that hard work brought me down
because I broke the laws of nature. So mother nature sent me a bill and I had
not expected it. You see, I would have come last year. The strings of love are
very strong – from your side too, and my side. So I made up my mind to come
now, even though there were many hurdles on the way, Satsang affairs and
others, and for that reason I got delayed. But Taiji Hardevi said, “you had
better go, I wil stay for a month or so and set it straight.” So it is her
sacrifice; she had never been alone for even a day. now she has sacrificed
coming here with me, only for the love of you people. She conveys her love to
you all. Love cannot be expressed in words. No words can express it. Yes – you
can see from the Light which dances in the loving eyes – by radiation – I send
you my hearty love, you see. Two days I am here. I hope you will be enjoying,
and all will sit together in the sweet remembrance of God. You have put on the
way; the main reason for my coming here now is that you may progress on the
way, and have better understanding. What is right understanding. What is right
understanding? Now you will come to know. And right understanding will result
in right thoughts, and right thoughts will result in right words, and that will
result in right actions.
So today go away with the firm
conviction that you are all one. We are all brothers and sisters in God. We
have got the same work ahead, the same ideal, the same one whom we worship.
There is no high, no low. Basic teachings are the same everywhere; for the first
part, social bodies arise with the same purpose: to prepare the ground for the
higher teaching.
I wish you all progress, you see. I
address my loving words to you, and also the love which as driven me here
despite all the hurdles on the way; I give thanks to Taiji who has sent me
here. And we will meet again tomorrow. There will be another heart to heart
talk, which is the best thing. And anyone new who wants anything special can
have it during the day. in the meantime I get to feast on you and you get to
feast on me.
Oh come let us go to the pool oh His eyes
Dive deep, we can never reach the end
Dive and dive again
Never, never can we reach the end.
Michael Raysson
DARSHANS IN NORTH CAROLINA
At Charles Fulcher’s home in Charlotte, October 4, 1972
Master asked, “May I put question to
you? You have put so many questions to me.” Everyone replied, yes. “if time
runs short, what do you do to lengthen it? Put chains on the legs of time. Have
the sweet remembrances with you not to forget it; that will lengthen the time.”
Question: “Jesus said, blessed are those
who believe without seeing, so why is it necessary to have a living Master?”
The Master: “Blessed are those who can
believe due to their past actions. Have you read the Gospel of John? Jesus said,
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5).
God is the only Guru. If they have faith it is due to reactions of the past.
What I understand from the scriptures is, shabd is the only Guru. Guru Nanak
was asked, “who is you Guru?” he said, “Shabd is my Guru.” My Master said,
“Take me as you brother. Do what I say, and then when you meet me inside, call
me what you like.” You too are micro-Gods.
“Moreover, some people are sent to the
world with a mission to punish the wicked and reward the righteous. Master also
come, to lead the people back to God and help them become the conscious
co-workers with God.
“Take a prison house where the prisoners
are in bad condition. One man comes and sees the condition and wants to help,
so he brings them some good food. Another man comes and brings them good
clothing. Still another builds them good house to live in. the purpose of all
three was to do good. Another man with the keys to the prison comes and let all
the prisoners out. all did good; but what do you think of the fourth one? You
see, Masters are the last. When Masters come, they cry, with their hands up,
“come on – lets go home!” God makes the arrangements. You have been long in
exile. Why don’t you come back and enjoy your true home? Fortunate are those
who are to come back home. Even when the door is opened, we don’t like to go.
Udho, a follower of Lord Krishna, once said to him, “Well, if they want to stay
in all this misery, why not let them stay?” you see, we don’t really want to go.
If you really want it, you will have it, sure and certain. What comes out of
your heart, brain, and tongue – all three – is true. Pray and wait.
“In the most cases we deceive ourselves.
That is why I request you to be true to your own selves. The God power is
within you. I ask everybody to keep the diary. One lady at the Ashram kept the
diary by placing flowers on it. She could not read or write, but she had
self-introspection anyway. I told one man that if his diary was true he must be
going to the third plane; but he says he sees no light. Take seriously what I
am telling you. Be truthful with you diary.
“In school it takes one year to pass
from one grade to the next. If you put in four hours in school and two hours at
home for one year – 365 days, six hours a day – what is that? 2,190 hours. You
must go up one plane. Every Saint has his past and every sinner a future. A
strong man revels in his strength and a weak man wonders how he got it. Can you
become a professor in one day?
“Those who are initiated are not to be
judged by the Lord of death, but by the Master himself. Those who are sincere
to the Master will not come back; if they are to come back, they will be in a
high family. It is a great blessing to be put on the other way. You should work
for it. When I went to my Master, I was a family man, I had two children, I
earned my livelihood. I said, “how much time should I put in?” He replied,
“five to six hours at least, and the more you can do the better.” Man is in the
make. Some come with good background. Those who have good background see light
and hear sound. Even with this background we are dilly-dallying. Even if you
have no background, if you put in your time and do you self-introspection you
could rise above the others. I tell you these things from a common sense point
of view. Make the best use of what you have got. Why prolong you life? From
heart to heart: you must work for it. I would advise you to keep the diary, I
went to the woods five or six months and asked what I could do to help people
live up to what I did all the time I was a student, I kept a diary. Criticize
yourself as you would criticize others, to say, “I am a sinner, I am a sinner’
– that wont do. Weed out!
‘Procrastination is the thief of time.
Who knows if you will live until that time, if you put things off. Do it now
while your body is fit. If you have misused your life, your eyesight will
lessen, your hearing will lessen. While you are young you can put in more time.
Don’t spare yourself. Criticize yourself. Have pity on yourself. I am not
telling you anything new. All of you could give a good talk; but it must be
sincere, true. Don’t think God is dead; he is everywhere.
“We have got no aim in life. Sometimes
we want one thing. Sometimes we want another thing. Decide what you want and
then stick to it. I had ambition too. Decide once and for all and all things
will be added unto you. Don’t you want to go Home? God is waiting for you. Have
an aim set up. A child takes one step and mother lends her hand. Similarly, if you
want to go back to God, I will give you a hand. If you had seven children, you
would remember all of them, you don’t leave any behind.
“It is up to you to live up to what is
said. You benefit by it. This should appeal to each one of you. Live up to it. It
is high time. Kabir says, ‘don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.’
When we leave the body we go crying, ‘I have not done it.’ Why not go jolly? –
‘I am going home!’
“I wish to be with you all through
physically, but it is not possible. You must develop receptivity, where nothing
remains between you and him. It is all up to you. I am a man like you. So many
of you could be messengers. Don’t say try, that is half-hearted. Do it!
“Sweet remembrance of the Master means
constantly, every time you fail. Start today and in a month you will find
wonderful progress. I tell you this from my heart. I wish you real progress, to
make the best use of your man body. The God power is within you. Once a Master
initiates you, he says, “I now reside in you. I am watching your every action.”
When you do your own work, you make the Master happy.
“if you keep you diary and put in time,
you could see the Master every 24 hours of the day and night. I remember him
who remembers me. God is with you always. Simply turn your face to him.
“Please remain in touch. Without asking
for anything, you will find your problems solved.”
From Zurich to London
B.S. Gyani Ji continues his detailed account of the Master’s tour
through Switzerland, Italy, France and England.
Zurich
The Master arrived in Zurich from
Stuttgart on September 3 at 10:30 a.m. and drove to the Nava Part Hotel where
arrangements for his stay had been made.
Albert Paliwoda, the manager of a large
yoga ashram in Zurich, called on the Master and had a heart to heart talk. He
said that thousands come to his ashram to learn physical yoga practices, and
many of them ask for guidance on the inner way. He had been in touch with the various
centers but was hesitant to recommend anyone to the seekers, because he was not
sure if any of the people he had been in touch with could grant inner spiritual
experience. The Master explained to him briefly the teachings of the Saints and
how beginning on the path could be made after the grant of some first-hand
experience of light and sound by a competent Master.
Although Zurich is one of the smaller
Ruhani Satsang centers there was a large attendance in the conference hall of
the hotel when the Master gave a talk at 4 p.m. He spoke on solving the mystery
of life, saying that man has three aspects: physical body, intellect, and
conscious entity, which we are. We have very much advanced physically and
intellectually, but we have ignored the enlivening force of the body which is
the same essence as God. We are identified with the mind and outer environments
so much so that we have forgotten who we are, what we are. This subject has
been very much neglected by man. But whenever Masters come they stress the need
and importance of knowing the God-power, which can only be done while in the
man body. Masters take pity on suffering humanity and come to guide us. They
urge us to know ourselves and to know God or over self. The Master told how in
1912 he spent ten days in quiet and serious thinking in order to determine his
goal in life, and reached the conclusion that God is first and world next.
The Master reminded the dear ones that
every moment is bringing us nearer to death. every one of us has to die one
day; no exception to the rule. Are we prepared for this? The Master told the
story of Lord Buddha, how he was affected by seeing a sick man, an old man, and
a dead body, so that he left his home in search of enlightenment. So we also
should give serious consideration to this aspect of our life.
The Master said that God is love and we
should develop love and affection for everyone, whether man, beast, bird or
reptile. There is no high, no low. The Masters give their teachings to all
mankind alike. Al human beings despite their different labels, are men first,
conscious entities and micro Gods. We are all brothers and sisters in God.
Whenever Masters come, they give us a practical demonstration of divinity.
Those who do what they say, develop the spiritually. Maulana Rumi said that if
you have an opportunity to spend one hour in the physical presence of a Master
who is radiating love, you bathe in it from head to foot; and this benefit you
cannot get form a hundred years of doing penances. The Master gave an example,
that if one sits near the fire, he automatically gets warmth.
He repeated that we have to develop love
for everyone; only after this is achieved can we love God. But the Master helps
us with this, out of his love and sympathy.
The dear ones again requested a silent
blessing from the Master, which they enjoyed very much. He kindly gave his
loving glances for a few minutes before the crowd dispersed.
In the night meditation sitting was
given to all at the conference hall of the hotel, with the Master explaining
how the spiritual exercises should be done. About 100 persons took part and had
an inner experience, including Mr. Paliwoda of the yoga ashram, who had a
wonderful experience of the Godly Light within.
The next morning at 9, the dear ones assembled
in the conference hall to ask the Master questions.
One person said that although he is
having spiritual experiences, he is not loving and kind in his daily life. The
Master wished him more inner progress and strongly recommended that he stand on
his own legs and be of help to others. As God resides in every heart, we must
be polite. Even if somebody calls us names, we should not return them. the
Master advised him to read biographies of great men, especially Saints, for his
right understanding.
Another man said that he didn’t believe
that a living Master is always necessary, as some people do hear the voice of
God without the guidance of a Master. But the Master explained that it was
absolutely necessary to have guidance from a living Master, because even in
cases where some experience is being had, the Master is necessary for further
guidance and development within.
Then someone asked if it was possible to
reach the true home of our father by following the instructions given in the
holy books. The Master said that the scriptures are indeed a rich treasure
house, but we cannot fully grasp their real significance unless we meet someone
who is aware of the inner kingdom.
Someone commented that the Master says
death is painful, but they had sees people die peacefully. The Master told him
that there are sometimes exceptions, due to the background of an individual,
but generally the process is very difficult as the scriptures say. He added
that those who rise above body consciousness have a very calm, quiet and happy
parting.
A question was asked about Manav Kendra.
The Master explained that this institution was created to further the
activities of Ruhani Satsang, which had been teaching spiritual development all
the world over. Side by side with this, man has to develop physically and
socially. The main object of Manav Kendra is to render man service and land
service. To help the poor, a free hospital has started functioning. Free homes
will be provided for old people who have no one to look after them. a humble
beginning has been made in opening a school. Development and breeding of
animals, and establishment of a library having books from all the religions of
the world, are the next steps. But the central and basic purpose of Manav
Kendra is man making.
Finally it was asked, why, if we have to
transcend the body, is it necessary to have a body at all? The Master said that
the question was based on intellectual wrestling. In this body, the highest of
all, we have to pay off karmic action and reaction. Only on the human pole can
spiritual experiences be had.
The dear ones again asked if they could
sit in silence with the Master for some time. The Master agreed, saying,
“Silence speaks more, if we know the right technique. Are we not all one?”
A meditation sitting was given at 4 p.m.
at which about 150 persons had experience of light within.
In the public meeting at Kaufleuten,
Zurich, at 8 p.m., the Master gave a detailed presentation of the teachings of
the Masters. He mentioned that history shows that Masters come from time to
time for the guidance of the child humanity. They always bring love for us, and
teach us that the way back to God is only through love. We are all creation of
one God, whom we ultimately have to reach. At present our soul is under control
of mind, mind is under the control of senses, and senses are under the control
of the outgoing faculties. In this kind of life, the law of action and reaction
operates. This wheel of birth and rebirth can be stopped if we tap inside and
are born anew through self-analysis. Masters have the key to this prison house
and liberate us from the bondage of mind and matter.
Before the Master left Zurich on
September 5, a few people came to see him and discussed their personal
difficulties. Accompanied by many initiates from Western countries, the Master
arrived in Milan, Italy, at 11:45 a.m. by air.
MILAN
A few satsangis were at the airport to
receive the Master, and followed him to the Hotel Bristol, where he was to
stay.
At 4 p.m. about 30 people assembled in
the meeting hall of the hotel to hear the Master. Since this was his first
visit to Milan, all the dear ones present were introduced to him. The Master
said that he was glad to meet them all and asked them what they would like him
to speak on. The dear ones humbly requested the Master to give them any message
he liked. So he told them that we all have the man body, which is the highest
in all creation and next to God; that to know God, we must know the self first;
that it is essential that we still the mind and intellect, so we can rise above
body consciousness. To do this we must see the inner light of God, which we
cannot do unless our inner eye is opened. Master always advocate that seeing is
above all, and give you some demonstration to start with which we must develop
from day to day.
The Master spoke at the Yoga Institute,
Milan, at 9 p.m. to a large gathering. The audience seemed to be impressed by
the personality of the Master and took many photos and movies. The Master began
his talk by saying that we are all brothers and sister in God – that all
mankind is one, and that is our turn to meet God. For this, we must control the
mind, which at present is drawn outside, to beautiful sights and music. He gave
the example of Lord Krishna jumping into the river Jumna and controlling the
serpent-mind by playing the flute, which is parable pointing the way to control
of the mind by means of the inner sound.
The Master mentioned briefly various
yoga systems, such as Bhakti yoga, Jnana Yoga, Hatha yoga, etc., and said that
they all have their place but are limited in scope and time consuming. The
Surat Shabd yoga as taught by the Masters is comparatively easy and is natural
way, being suited for all men.
After the talk, some people expressed
unhappiness about the way in which various yogis had extracted money from
seekers. The Master told them that he had nothing to do with that, and that the
gift of Naam is being given free like other gifts of nature.
Later that evening, the Milan group
leader and others requested the Master to give Initiation on the following day
to those who really wanted it. The Master kindly agreed and fixed the time at
10 a.m. so the aspirants began to gather in the conference hall of the hotel,
and by 10 O’clock the hall was full and
many people were sitting cross-legged on the carpet as there was no room for
chairs. Some of the people had not yet fully grasped the reasons for the
vegetarian diet and abstinence form intoxicants. The Master lovingly explained
that use of meat, etc., and intoxicants retards the progress into higher
planes, and that it was therefore necessary to adhere to the strict vegetarian
diet. After about 45 minutes, the Master started initiation and began to
explain the inner theory. One man still had some doubts, however, and began
asking questions on the same subjects. As initiation had already been delayed,
the other people suggested to this gentleman that if he was not satisfied, he
should first have heart to heart talk with the Master and remove his doubts,
rather than wasting the time of everyone. The Master told him that he would
talk to him later and clarify anything he wanted, but now he should not stand
in the way of so many. So the man left.
There were 62 person initiated,
including two priests, and many of them saw the radiant form of the Master.
Only one man was not receptive during the sitting, and when the Master touched
his forehead he also saw. Everyone was connected with the sound current within,
and the Master explained to them that it was God’s grace that they had been
blessed with these experiences and they must maintain that by being regular,
devoted and accurate in meditations so they can progress day to day. he
instructed them all to keep spiritual diaries and send them to him for further
guidance and removal of any difficulties.
In the meantime the man who had doubts
and left sat outside the conference hall for about two hours and had undergone
a change within, so that he had become very receptive. The Master was told that
he gentleman refused to move until he talked to the Master. When they met, the
man begged for forgiveness and asked for initiation, saying that he could not
go to his home. The Master was kind to him, and told him to go to his work and
grasp the theory of the path, and the God power would help him be put on the
way in due course. The man thanked the Master, and was so filled with the joy
that he kissed the garment.
That afternoon, the initiates again
assembled in the conference hall at 3 p.m. the Master reminded the dear ones
that they must put in regular time for their meditations every day and maintain
the self-introspection diaries. He said that he who develops receptivity will
derive benefit from thousands of miles. He emphasized strongly the need to
attend local Satsang without fail, wince they serve as a protective hedge
around the young sapling of initiation.
One final meditation sitting was
arranged for those who could attend – about 50 persons, the majority of whom
had inner experience with his grace.
PARIS
The Master left Milan for Paris on
September 7, arriving at 11:45 a.m. As usual, many disciples flew in the same
plane and many others drove or took the train and were waiting at the airport
when he arrived.
The dear ones gathered in the conference
hall at the St. James Hotel on the following morning at 9 O’clock for
meditation and questions. A new comer
asked about Masters promise that he will give an experience at the time of
Initiation. The Master said, as you have seen just now, many people do get
inner experience, which is to be developed more and more.
Another person asked if one can share
someone’s sufferings by showing sympathy. The Master said that selfless service
is noble and brings in humility , but one should not use supernatural powers. According
to the law of sympathy, it is possible that disease can be reduced.
During the questioning a lady was
weeping bitterly, and someone asked the Master why. He explained that it was
because of her love for the Master.
Another person asked why Master does not
like us to think of the breathing while meditating. The Master told him that
the path of breath control or pranayam is much longer way, taking years and
years and we are not fit for it. The saints advocate the Surat Yoga or
controlling the attention only without touching the breathing, and give a first
hand experience of rising above boy consciousness, which must be developed
further.
The initiates and many interested
persons assembled in the conference hall at 4:30 p.m. to hear the Master explain
the teachings of the Saint. He said we will take up a very important subject,
which relates directly to our own self. In the present day world scientists
have accomplished wonderful research on the physical and intellectual level,
but they have been able to solve the mystery of life. God is eternal; so are we
all eternal. But we are identified with the body so much so that we have
forgotten ourselves. God is all consciousness, all wisdom, all joy. We can
share this joy if we see and realize that we are a drop of the ocean of all joy
and wisdom. For this, purity and heart is essential. How can we expect the Lord
of lords to manifest in dirty hearts? We wash to clean our bodies, but inside
we are still dirty. What steps have we taken to remove the dirt? So the first
thing is we must put in all efforts to be pure within. Everyone is under the
influence of the five senses; the jives who are ruled by the senses either meet
with the death or spend their life in prison. How can a man who is being ruled
by the five senses think of peace and salvation? If you have ruling passion,
you will surely do everything to meet God. You must decide what you want to
become. As long as a child is happily playing with toys, the mother does not
worry; but when he starts crying, she will immediately run and take him in her
arms. The voice crying out for God should come form the inner most heart, and
for this we have to learn to invert and go within. This becomes when our inner
eye is opened by a competent Master.
On September 9, the group leader told
the Master that there were people waiting for initiation who had fulfilled the
requisite condition. Thus the Master gave Naam to 13 persons, all of whom
received inner experience.
At 4:30 p.m. the Master gave a brief
talk, and then asked for questions. A newcomer who had heard one of the Masters
talks earlier, asked about the meaning of the phrase “informing all about the
inner revelations from the housetops”, which had been used by the Master. He
explained that, while we should not give out our inner experience to anyone but
the Master, we should let people know that the reality can be seen, so that
they may also benefit. He said that we can see the God-into-expression power
inside, and this hidden secret is not known to all. During my last world tour,
I visited a temple in America with nine doors. I asked them if they understood
the significance of those nine doors, and they did not. They suggested I ask at
the head temple in London.
Then the dear ones requested the Master
to sit in silence for a while to which the Master kindly agreed, remarking that
this is the ultimate thing for which we are here.
That same night the Master gave a talk
at the famous Mosque of Paris at 8:30 p.m. the director of Mosque, his holiness
H. Boubakeur, received the Master with affection at the main gate and escorted
him to the dias. Welcoming the Master, he said that he was very pleased to have
the Master among them and that it was a great honor and even in the history of
the Mosque. He said that the Master has been working as a pioneer of modern
spirituality for reconciliation, friendship and solidarity of all the world
religions. Rev. Boubakeur said that he had visited Sawan Ashram, Delhi, many
years back and that he remembered well the sanctity, spirituality and
venerability he found in the Master. He said the Master was welcomed on behalf
of muftis, imams, and all others, and that his presence in Paris will give
everyone an opportunity to be in contact with one of the greatest poles of
modern spirituality.
The Master thanked Rev. Boubakeur for
his hearty welcome and said that we are all children of the same God. We all
should work together and know our true Home – for which we have to work hard.
All mankind is just like so many limbs of the body. God is love, and love is
innate in our soul, and is the way back to him. Nanak says, There is a hidden treasure house search in
you. Rumi said that we should
research in our own man body, because it is the Kaaba made by God. The Kaaba in
Mecca was made by Khalil, but this Kaaba of the man body was made by God. But
the pity of it is that we have no experience of God. We must learn to go
inside, or “die daily”. Prophet Mohammed says that such a death takes us from
darkness to light. God is light and sound, Kalam-I-Qadim. If we control our
mind, the next step will be entrance in the mansion of our Lord. Temples,
mosques, churches, all have been made on the model of the man body. We have to
delve deep into it by developing love for God and for all humanity. This will give
us a boost to tread within, and will bring in desired results when we go ahead
under the guidance of the competent Master.
After
the Masters talk, Rev. Boubakeur said that he was convinced of the efficacy of
the philosophy advocated by the Sheik (the Saint). Divine knowledge is not only
a matter of reasoning but also of experience, given by the grace of a guide who
raises us, step by step, until we become one with God. Divine knowledge is not
a matter of social conditions or metaphysical speculations. He said that it is
better not to have any Master than to have any Master than to have one who is
not fully competent. He added that it was a great event that the Master had
come to Paris, which is a center of cultural, traditional and intellectual
reputation. He prayed for the long life of the Master. He said that he hoped to
go to Sawan Ashram, Delhi, where he had learnt so much, again. “by grace of God
when I visit the Ashram, I will knock at the door of the Master to get peace
and liberation.”
Rev.
Boubakeur showed the Master around the magnificent Mosque, and thanked him
again for his visit before bidding him farewell.
Next
day, September 10, at 9 a.m. the Master gave a meditation sitting at the
conference hall of the hotel, and then answered questions of the dear ones.
An
initiate said that sometimes he sees Masters face within but it is not clear.
The Master advised him to look into the face more attentively and lovingly and
repeat the charged names. To another person, the Master said that the dark blue
color he is seeing within is the inner sky, in which stars will be seen in due
course.
A
dear one asked why he saw the Master and his Master within as far back as 1956,
whereas he was not initiated until 1963. the Master told him that sometimes
this is due to an individual background, and mentioned that he also saw his
Masters form within seven years before his initiation.
Someone
asked if the charging grace of the Master varies from person to person. The
Master said that the grace is the same but the regularity, sincerity, devotion
and self-introspection are required for enjoying it.
That
evening the Master spoke to the dear ones about the necessity of having purity
of heart. Just as no one would pack dirty clothes in suitcases, similarly God
will manifest only if the heart is pure. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. We cannot wash clothes in dirty
water. Our earnings should be honest, and our food should be prepared while
remembering God. The Master told us an incident from his own life. In the war
of 1920, the Master was attached to a regiment and was given an orderly to cook
his food. He instructed the cook not to let anyone come into the kitchen and
talk of this and that, and to prepare the food while remembering God sweetly.
One day the Master sat for meditation and realized that something was wrong. He
asked the cook if anyone had come into the kitchen and talked to him; at first,
the cook denied it, but later admitted it. It did affect the food. So the
Master emphasized that purity is most essential. He knows very well what is
inside the disciple, just as we can see if it is pickles or candy inside a
glass jar. The Master washes us clean and we should obey his commandments in
our own interest.
The
Master said that every day we wash ourselves to keep clean. But again the bad
odor comes. If our heart is clean, then others can smell jasmine coming from
us. From evil thoughts, we get an evil smell.
Both
good and bad thoughts are binding, because the doer ship remains. So we should put
in sincere efforts and leave the rest to the Master power working overhead.
At a
public meeting later that night, the Master spoke on self-realization and
God-realization. How can we realize our own self and God? Holy scriptures tell
us that God manifest in every heart. We have therefore to search for him within
and not without. We have to delve deep inside. Those who have got the man body
have the birthright to know God. But somebody is required to give us a boost.
LONDON
After
four days in Paris, the Master was scheduled to visit London. Many of the dear
ones came to the airport to say goodbye, and seven traveled with the Master,
who was waiting in the departure lounge at the airport along with all the other
passengers. But when the British European Airways (with whom the flight was
booked) realized that the Master was there, the pilot came to the lounge and
personally escorted him to the plane a few minutes before the other passengers.
By this gesture, the airline honored the Master.
The
plane reached London at 12:30 p.m. on
Monday, September, 11, 1972. on arrival a senior officer of the airline
received the Master and escorted him through customs. The public relations
officer of the Indian High Commission received the Master and assisted in completing
the customs formalities. Then the Master came to the VIP lounge where a large
number of initiates, including a number of Indian families with children were
waiting very eagerly for the Master. All were smiling. The Master spoke to each
one and then driven to the apartment earnmarked for him during his stay in
England. Immediately, many dear ones started coming. A little later the
gathering became so big that they were accommodated in two separate rooms. The
Master met first with the Indian families and spoke to them in Hindi; then he
went to the Western initiates in the second room. He told them how happy he was
to be among them after a number of years. He emphasized the importance of
spiritual progress, pointing out that we all have to die some day. are we
prepared? He reminded us that it was not too late. Even now it is possible to
solve the mystery of life. Even after doing our daily work, there is time for
at least two hours of meditation. He gave the example of a man who thought he
saw a blanket floating down the river, and jumped in to get it. When he reached
it, he found it was a bear, which overpowered him. The people on the bank
shouted at him to come back, but the man had to shout back that even though he
would like to come, the blanket bear wouldn’t let him. He compared the
conditions of that man with our daily life, and brought home that we are under
the influence of mind, and even if we want to get rid of it, we cannot. That is
why we have to sit at the feet of One who has done this, and allow him to help
us. We are not to leave our families, but serve them to liquidate our give and
take, along with maintaining our self-introspection diaries and weeding out
failures, which will create a strong foundation for the seed of Naam.
Then
the Master gave some personal interviews.
That
evening at 6:30 p.m. the Master gave a public talk at the packed hall of
Polytechnic of Central London. He emphasized again the urgency and importance
of unraveling the mystery of life. He explained that the value of our body is
only because of the consciousness in it, which is the controlling power we call
God. That same power is controlling stars, planets running in their orbits,
etc. that is all Wisdom, all Joy, all Eternity. Our soul is of that same
Essence. We are also all joy, all happiness, but we do not know it because we
are totally immersed in the senses. Everybody wants joy, but it is possible
only by knowing our self.
When
people ask the Masters, “Have you seen God?”, they reply that the
God-into-expression power can be seen in the form of Divine Light and sound,
which are its vibrations. When the single or third eye is opened, you can see
the light of God. But you have to fix your whole attention on one point so that
you forget everything else. The Master gave an example of Newton who was so
engrossed in solving certain mathematical problems by the roadside that he did
not notice a band which passed by playing. But this question purity of heart.
The
Master told of the man who thanked God after his horse was stolen. When he was
asked why, he said that he was glad that he was not riding on the horse, or he
would have been stolen too. It is not a matter of laughing, Master said: he
saved himself by letting go of the horse. We are in a worse position. We are sticking
to the body (horse) and forgetting about the self.
A
meditation sitting was given the following morning at the Polytechnic Hall at
9:30. Not only initiates but many newcomers as well reported seeing the inner
light after meditating as Master instructed them. thereafter, questions were
invited, and the Master said that nobody should have any reservation in opening
their hearts so that all doubts could be removed.
A
lady who had seen the light during the sitting asked what she should do further
as she was not initiated. The Master advised her to grasp the theory, attend
Satsang, and then apply for initiation if she was satisfied with the teachings.
Other
questions relating to spiritual progress were asked, and the Master explained
that the science of the soul is accurate, and inner results must be enjoyed if
the practices are carried on lovingly, regularly and sincerely, with a strict
watch over day to day living. Purity of mind is essential.
At 3
p.m. the Western initiates sat with the Master again. The Master mentioned that
Baba Sawan Singh Ji told him, despite the fact that he was a family man and had
full time job, to devote at least four hours daily for meditation and the more
the better. When someone asked how we can develop for God, Master pointed our
that we cannot love what we cannot see. So we have see the God-into-expression
power and that will develop more love in our hearts. And that we can do with
the assistance of someone who has done it.
The
Master spoke again at the Polytechnic Hall, which was full to capacity, at 6:30
p.m. He said that unless we improve inwardly we cannot enter the kingdom of
God, because the omnipotent God is well aware of our activities and the trend
of our mind. We must change our habits and become pure in thought, word and deed. Outer cleanliness is not enough.
The fish lives in Ganges water, but still has a bad smell. It is a question of
inner cleanliness.
Since
our ultimate goal is to reach God, the question arises, How? At present we are
observing rituals on the level of
senses, but unless we rise above the physical, astral, and causal planes we
cannot have full inner development. When the child yearns for God, he contacts
him with that God man where he is manifested so that he can get some inner
experience to start with.
The
following morning the Master gave a meditation sitting and answered a few
questions. He told them that it is most important to snatch regular time for
meditation, and it is also necessary to attend the Satsang and sit together in
the name of God.
That
evening the Master spoke at the chamber of commerce, south hall, Middlesex,
London, at 6:30 p.m., in Hindi. So many came that all the chairs had to be
removed in order to accommodate everybody. The Master gave a beautiful talk on
the verse of Guru Ramdas, Rama Ham Darsan das karija, and explained its
meanings, pointing our that we should derive maximum benefit from the golden
opportunity that we had. In the Satsang Sardar Puran Singh Ji of Jethiwal,
India a Sikh religious leader, came and met the Master.
At
the request of the Eastbourne Satsang the Master went there on September 14 by
car. Mrs. Margaret Waterfield, the group leader had arranged lunch for everyone
and about 100 brothers and sisters enjoyed it. Then everyone took a drive to
the seashore.
In
the evening the Master spoke at the Library Hall. He explained that there is a
hidden treasure of divinity in everyone. But how to dig it our is the question.
It is only possible by inverting within, which is so difficult that it cannot
be done by rituals on the physical level. But a competent adept can give us a
first hand experience and connect us with the inner power. When we withdraw
from outside, we see the inner mysteries. We can control the senses only when
we are linked with the God power.
The
Rev. James McWhirter, who had been a delegate to the Third world religious
conference in 1965, came to know that Master was in Eastbourne and attended
Satsang. Afterwards he inquired if the west was progressing or deteriorating.
The Master made it clear that the west was awakening gradually.
After
the talk, the Master drove back to London, reaching there late at night.
The
London schedule was very crowded but a day had to be found to visit a dear
Satsangi who was lying ill away in the south of Wales and was in much pain. So
readjustments were made. It was about a 14 hour drive from London and the
Master set out at 11 a.m. when he arrived he found that the dear one could not
concentrate due to severe pain. The Master touched his forehead and closed his
ears with his thumbs. He was intoned within with both sound and light and
became very happy and peaceful. The Master advised him to pay attention to the
light and be ready to leave the earth plane. We later learned that he died the
next day, peacefully.
From
the hospital the Master drove to Liverpool, reaching there at 1 a.m. on the 16th
covering a total of more than 500 miles. Many dear ones were waiting at Adelphi
Hotel, where Master was to stay to have Darshan before retiring.
Meditation
was held at Lord Krishna Temple, Liverpool, at 9 a.m. at 1 p.m. the Master gave
a talk at the Liverpool Methodist Church and explained how they mystery of life
could be solved. We have to be born anew and taste the spiritual elixir, Amrit
or the water of life. For this we must have yearning for God. At present we are
overpowered by our ten servants in the body. We must liberate ourselves from
this bondage as instructed by some Master Saint who is well aware of the inner
intricacies and is competent to guide us.
The
Master reached Birmingham at about 4 p.m. by car and addressed a large
gathering at the Gurudwara Ravidas at 7 p.m. in Punjabi. He took the hymn, Ram
gur paras paras karije, from Gurbani, and explained its correct meaning
beautifully. After this, the Master paid a brief visit to a big Sikh temple and
was warmly received by the organizers.
After
spending the night in the Stathallan Hotel, Birmingham, the Master left for
Bedford on the following morning, September 17. many Indian families were
waiting to have Darshan and hear him to speak in a school where Satsang had
been arranged. The Master spoke there in Punjabi at 11 a.m. and took up a hymn
of Guru Arjan. He gave illustration to show that we are building houses made of
straw. We must take immediate steps to be on the right path before it is too
late.
Then
he drove back to London, reaching there at 3:30 p.m., and gave a talk that
evening in the Polytechnic Hall on “spirituality” What it is.” The Hall was
full as usual.
On
the specific request of many dear ones, the Master imparted Initiation to 28
persons, all of whom received first hand experience, on September 18. in the
afternoon, on request he gave another talk in south hall, in Hindi. He gave a
digest of spiritual theory, quoting from scriptures to demonstrate that the Surat Shabd Yoga is an age old science
taught by Guru Nanak, Kabir, Tulsi Sahib, Christ, and others. It had a great
impact on the listeners.
The
following day the Master left London for the United States. An account of the
first part of his American tour, and the very large crowds that awaited him in
Virginia, will appear in next months issue.