Since the beginning of Creation, when the first flicker of
self-awakening dawned on Man, his attention has been more
and more concerned with the problem of his own worldly
existence and the investigation into the cause and source of
all Creation. For ages, he has probed and queried in vain,
but now, at last, his increasing thirst for knowledge is
turning him to study the results achieved by others in the
field.
Ancient and modern sages
asked, "What is that, the knowledge of which makes
everything else known ?" and in the same breath replied,
"Knowledge of the Higher Self?the True Man." So the Supreme
Knowledge is that which deals, both in theory and practice,
with Man's true nature and his relation to God. It is, in
fact, a Natural Science without a hypothesis, subject
neither to change nor time.
In ancient India it was
called 'Para-Vidya' (Science of Realized Truth or Science of
the Beyond) and different denominations sprang up to
interpret this knowledge. The term 'Apra-Vidya', standing
for preparation for achieving the knowledge of 'Para-Vidya',
was then introduced. This preparation consists of following
an ethical and moral life, and the practice of concentration
or meditation (in so many ways) both being indispensable for
spiritual development.
Man is constantly changing or
introducing new names and terminologies to describe this
Science. The Masters were called Sants, and the nature of
knowledge Mat, thus giving us the term 'Sant-Mat', which is
at present mostly used to name the Path of the Masters.
Other terms, such as Shabd Yoga, Surat Shabd Yoga, Sehaj
Yoga, are also used to describe the same Science. In the
Sanskrit language, the word 'Sant' means Master of the
highest Order, and 'Mat' is a confirmed opinion or statement
made by an adept after personal experience. The foundation
of this Science, therefore, is the result of a critical
study, minute investigation, and the lifelong personal
verification of facts based on practical experience of the
Self in man. This experience of the Self is something that a
competent Master is prepared to give to each individual who
approaches him. Sant Mat, therefore, is the teaching, system
and path of the Saints.
The Masters do not attach any
importance to names, designations, or the fact that many
religious sects, groups and circles, have claimed this
Science as their own and named it after their leaders or
founders. They look upon these groups as schools where
man?the noblest being in Creation?can study with other men
as children of one and the same Almighty Father. A Master
(also called Sant Satguru), has complete mastery of both the
theory and practice, and is competent to impart both
knowledge and experience to all sincere seekers after Truth,
without any distinction whatsoever of colour, caste or
creed. Any man or woman, whether rich or poor, young or old,
sage or sinner, learned or unlearned, who is able to grasp
the theory of the Science, has a right to acquire this
knowledge.
Present Fate of Various
Beliefs and Faiths
The dictionary defines 'Mat'
as Wisdom, but the colloquial meaning of the term is a sect
or faith, a group of people holding certain opinions or
beliefs in common. Such beliefs and opinions, however, based
on stray knowledge and teachings, are not sufficient without
the support of personal experience, and therefore, the
seeker is led astray by mere empty words. Many societies,
faiths and other religious circles have only a legacy of
books, beliefs and theories to offer to those who thirst
after Spirituality. They conceal their shortcomings and
deficiencies behind a screen of warm welcome, an outpouring
of technique and terminology, and the liberal use of spiced
words, phrases, sayings and quotations from the enormous
mass of literature that we have on the market today.
Propaganda, acting and posing, have taken the place of
practical Spirituality, with the result that the deluded
public is being repelled from sacred books and thought of
God. Atheism, therefore, is on the increase.
To believe in a thing or fact
without troubling to investigate it, does not in any way do
credit to an intelligent man. On the contrary it reflects
adversely on his ignorance or credulity. Any belief not
based on personal experience and verification of the facts,
has little value. The modern man wants a well-defined,
clear-cut Science, capable of verification by his own
experience and giving concrete results. We should,
therefore, try to see and to hear with our own eyes and ears
rather than with the eyes and ears of others.
Self-Analysis
Man is composed of body, mind
(intellect) and soul. We are extremely careful to develop
ourselves physically and mentally, but understand very
little about the soul, which is the Power ruling both the
body and the mind. Physical joys are not lasting and there
are limitations of body and mind that we cannot ignore, so
we must search for the perennial source of joy and peace
within ourselves. Self-analyis is the first step in this
direction.
Many doubts assail our minds
at this stage. There is an Omnipotent Power called God,
believed in, worshipped and talked about by most people. Can
we know more about Him ? Can we see Him and talk to Him ?
There is a definite and clear reply to each one of these
questions, but the most convincing one comes from a Master,
who in a few brief words exclaims, "Yes we can see and speak
to Him, that is, if we become as exalted as He is said to
be." Masters say "yes", and we do not have to wait until
death comes, but we can experience it right now. This is in
consonance with Laws of Nature of which we have as yet, no
knowledge worth the name.
All around us, we see, we
feel that everything from the tiny atom to the mighty
Universe, is governed by a Law of Nature. So, to the
profound thinker, there is nothing chaotic, haphazard or
uncertain about this Universe and the laws which govern it.
To gain any objective, there is a Law of Nature, a principle
and method involved for checking, testing and weighing the
result of our endeavours. So it is too in this Science of
Nature, and similar methods can be traced in all religious
scriptures by any careful student, though expressed in
different words and various languages.
We wish to enter the Kingdom
of God, "but how?" we ask ourselves. "With the help and
guidance of one who has himself entered and can guide us
there," is the simple reply from the Masters. "Is it
possible?" "It is a knowledge which is as exact and as sure
as two and two make four," is again their reply. It is not
enough to be content with Holy Books and the singing of
praises and hymns. We must strive for the same degree of
advancement as the authors of the talks and knowledge
recorded in these books achieved. Their experience must
become our experience, for, 'what a man has done, a man can
do', of course with proper help and guidance. We should stop
at nothing short of this.
"We have hardly a dim spark
of love for Him will it help to cherish a hope?" is another
question asked, to which the Saints reply, "It is sufficient
to make you eligible for the Highest Science of approach to
Him." This is a pleasing ray of hope. Oh! if this small
spark could be kindled into a flame. Again, we say, "Jesus
and other great Masters spoke so lovingly of Him, but we are
sinners and there may not be much hope for us in this age."
The Masters' soothing reply is "No matter if you are the
worst of sinners, stop where you are. There is hope for
everybody, even in this crucial age." Ages ago, Nature
provided for us materially and spiritually. Today, the same
unchangeable Law is operating and will continue to do so in
the future. There is food for the hungry and water for the
thirsty. Nature's inexorable and eternal Law of demand and
supply always works.
It is only through a Living
Master that we can contact the Almighty God within us. In
Sant-Mat, contemplation of objects or images is not advised,
as this is harmful to progress. Photographs of the Masters
are for remembrance and recognition only, and on no account
should we become attached to such external practices.
The Teachings of the Masters
(Man-making)
A man, according to the
Science of Para-Vidya, is not entitled to be called a man in
the true sense of the word, unless he has full knowledge,
both theoretical and practical, of his distinguished
position in Creation, his several component parts?body, mind
and soul?in order of comparative importance, and of his
relationship to the Unseen Power, called God, which is to be
achieved while he is living on this earth. He who does not
understand this much has not even been introduced to the
first lesson and is yet to begin the Alphabet of Man The
Saints, therefore, impress upon us the need for
'Man-making'.
Satsang
When scientifically observed
facts drawn from practice and experiment are explained
verbally to a gathering by a Master Saint, it is called
Satsang (external). This Satsang constitutes the theoretical
side of the teachings, whereas the actual demonstration
given to develop and achieve inner advancement is the
practical part, called meditation or Satsang (internal).
Conscientious practice brings fruit within days or weeks and
it is not necessary to wait for years for results, though
progress also depends, to some extent, on one's past
background. A true Master gives a first-hand inner
experience at the very first sitting. When the practical
side is neglected due to lack of firmness or determination,
carelessness or pressure of circumstances, scholars of many
religious schools dwell more and more upon theory alone. The
decline of the Science then commences and man finds no
solace. This is usually the case when a Master leaves the
body. Adequate provision, however, is made for the revival
of this Science in every age, when both the Positive and
Negative Powers commence their rounds again; the former
through the agency of Master-souls, while the latter works
through persons?so-called Masters? who lack practical
experience or are lost in theoretical disputations.
Master-souls, though quite ordinary men in appearance, are a
great deal more. Just as it is difficult for us to judge a
scientist, a doctor or an engineer until they speak out or
display their skill and knowledge, so too we cannot
recognize the knowledge and authority of a Master until we
have experienced the Divine Power working through Him.
In this Science, there is no
secrecy or mystery. The objective is constructive and
beneficial to all, and so the Saints have torn aside the
curtain of secrecy which usually covers mystic teachings, to
make them available to each and every one who calls. There
is an Unseen Power working through the Saints. Why this
Power prefers to remain concealed from the human eye is a
question to be asked directly by contacting the human pole
through whom this Power is working. This is the only medium
of approach to this Power. If we wish to use electric energy
we must go to a switch or pole which will put us in contact
with the powerhouse. The Unseen Power may be called a 'Sea
of love'. When we wish to bathe in the sea we go to the edge
where the shadow waters begin and then say that we have
bathed in the sea. Thus, to experience this Power and to
derive benefit from it, we must go to the only source of
contact?a Master Saint.
Life Beyond Death
Saints say that Nature has
designed man to leave his physical body at will, transcend
to higher spiritual planes, and then return to the body.
They help each aspirant personally and each receives a
practical experience, however little it may be, during the
very first sitting at the time of Initiation. A person who
is competent to give a man this Personal experience of
withdrawal or separation (temporary) from the body, and who
can thus put him on the way back to God, is a genuine
Master, Saint or Satguru. The heads of different religious
organizations were intended to do just this, but we may
judge for ourselves their efficacy today. The first-hand
experience we receive, through the kindness of a real Saint,
is in itself the solution to the problem of death. According
to the Bible, 'Unless you are born anew, you cannot enter
into the Kingdom of Heaven'. So to be born anew is to leave
one's body and enter into the beyond?a transition from the
physical to the astral plane. Some day we have to leave this
temporary structure, which like a building of bricks and
mortar, deteriorates with time. There is no appeal to the
Laws of Nature against the 'Death Sentence . We fear death
because of the agony and suffering which it brings, and also
about the uncertainty that lies ahead in the Beyond. We fear
illness because it brings us near death's door; so we
struggle to live though we know that our end is certain. No
soothing words from doctors, friends, relatives or priests
can bring peace and comfort to our minds at the time that
Nature's destructive process commences. This is the natural
course of things and we cannot deceive Nature.
What then is the remedy ?
There is only one way out of this abyss of despair, which is
to adopt and accustom ourselves, during our lifetime, to
Nature's process of the withdrawal of the spirit current
from the body, while still in a conscious state. This may be
done with the help of a Master, and may be accomplished
without any suffering or trouble whatsoever. This is not
only a possibility but is a remarkable fact. Our joy will
know no bounds when we come into possession of the secret
that has baffled man for so many centuries. We become
Supermen, having possession of a key to peace and heaven,
the life of which we had till then only read about in sacred
scriptures. Arise, therefore, and awake ! before it is too
late to put this Science into practice. If we observe
closely the process of death in a dying man, we see the
pupils of his eyes turn upwards a little (afterwards they
may return to normal), and then he becomes senseless. But
when they draw upwards too much, he dies. Life ebbs out via
the root of the eyes and becomes disconnected from the ties
of the physical body and the sense organs. Knowledge of this
process and the method by which we may travel this Way
during our very lifetime, is the solution to the problem of
death. No physical exercises are necessary; there are no
drugs to swallow and no blind faith to cultivate. The
mystery of life and death is solved easily with the help of
a Master-Saint, who will give you an experience of the
process and put you on the highway to the inner realms. Even
when acting indirectly through an authorized agent, he still
remains the responsible power. Distance is immaterial to the
Masters.
What is there to be gained by
this process ? This cannot be described in words. At the
time of Initiation, the aspirant sees the real Light within
him, whereas normally the inner eye is covered by a thick
veil of darkness. He then realizes that the tradition of the
lighted candle found in churches and temples is to remind
him of the Divine Light of Heaven within. This Light grows
to the radiance of several suns put together as he advances
on the Way. He understands that the unceasing internal Sound
he contacts within is the Divine Link called 'Word' by
Christ, 'Kalma' and 'Nida-i-Asmani' in the Quran, 'Nad' in
the Vedas, 'Udgit' in the Upanishads, 'Sarosha' by the
Zoroastrians and 'Naam and Shabd' by the Saints and Masters.
In time, he meets the Master within, talks to him face to
face and is henceforth certain of his grace, guidance and
protection wherever he may go, even to the other end of the
world. With such evident proofs before him, he is now
confident of himself and of the Science. Only then can he be
called a theist in the true sense of the word and can smile
at those who talk of religion as a fool's paradise, a
phantom conjured up by crafty priests, and the opium of the
masses. He has found a sure ingress through the doorway of
heaven in this life, and is on the threshold of viewing,
both internally and externally, the secrets of Nature. He is
verily 'knocking at the door of heaven' or 'tapping inside'.
Words of opposition cannot shake his faith in the Science as
the Master guides him onward. Death becomes a voluntary
process. Past, present and future merge into one, and he
grasps the incontestable Truth, the essence of Being, in the
palm of his hand. Liberated from the body, which now appears
as a husk without the kernel, he knows that he is 'Soul', an
inseparable part of the Eternal Spirit, and so he presses
onwards to his original source. The world appears as a dream
to him, but under the instructions from his Master, he
returns to his mundane life, wise and fearless in the
discharge of his duties.
Preliminary Qualifications
for an Aspirant on the Way
Just as in any other science,
certain preliminary qualifications are required before much
progress can be made. Married life, hard work or a poor
environment are no bar. It does not count in your favour
that you may hold a high position or possess immense wealth.
Neither does membership of a particular faith serve as a
recommendation. Wherever he may be, a man must strive for
nobility of character, self-control and purity of heart.
Purity of heart in thought, word and deed is essential.
'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God'. An
ethical life is a stepping-stone to Spirituality, but
Spirituality is, however, not just ethical living. This we
must always bear in mind.
We can divide man's life into
(i) diets and (ii) his dealings with others. With regard to
diet, vegetarianism and teetotalism are essential. 'Thou
shalt not kill', and 'Live and let live', should be our
principles in life. The body is the temple of God and is a
sacred place. We are not to neglect or abuse it, but should
take the best possible care to properly maintain it. All
intoxicants are also to be avoided as they make us morbid
and of shaky consciousness. With regard to our dealings with
others, we should sow the seed of kindness in order to reap
its fruit. Love and humility are most necessary. 'Do unto
others as you would wish they should do unto you'. 'Love,
and all blessing shall be added unto you'. 'Love thine enemy
and do good to them that despitefully use you'. God is
immanent in every form and whoever loves God, must love
God's Creation. To love God is to love all humanity. We
should also earn our living by the sweat of our brow and
share with others. These are not empty sayings, but very
wise and sound advice.
Karmas (Actions and Deeds)
Each thought, each word and
each deed has to be accounted and compensated for in Nature.
Every cause has an effect and every action brings about a
reaction. Uproot the cause and the effect disappears. This
has been done by the Masters who have transcended these
laws, but all others are bound by the bonds of Karma, which
is the root-cause of physical existence and the clever
device of Nature to maintain this existence. The law of
Karma sees to it that we are paid an eye for an eye, and a
tooth for a tooth, in the shape of joy or suffering. It is
the goading whip in the hidden hands of Nature. The mind
contracts Karma, puts a covering on the soul and rules the
body through the organs and the senses. Although it is the
soul that imparts strength to the mind, the latter has
assumed sovereignty and is governing the soul instead.
Control of the mind, therefore, is the first step to
Spirituality. Victory over the mind is victory over the
world. Even accomplished Yogis and Mystics who can transcend
to high spiritual realms are not left untouched by the hand
of Karma.
Saints classify Karmas into
three distinct groups, as follows:
-
Sanchit (stored): Good or
bad deeds that stand to our account as earned and
contracted in all previous bodies of the order of
Creation, counting from the day of the first appearance
of life on earth. Alas! Man knows nothing about them or
their extent.
-
Prarabdha (Fate or
Destiny): The result and effect of which has brought man
into his present body and has to be paid off in this
life. The reactions of these Karmas come to us
unexpectedly and unperceived and we have no control over
them whatsoever. Good or bad, we have to tolerate or
bear this Karma laughing or weeping, as it happens to
suit us.
-
Kriyaman (Account of our
actions and deeds in the present body): This is distinct
from the above mentioned two groups, as here, man is
free to do exactly as he pleases within certain limits.
Knowingly or unknowingly, deeds committed and coming
under this heading bear fruit. The result of some of
these we reap before we die and the residue is
transferred to the Sanchit storehouse.
Karma is the cause of
rebirth, and each birth is in turn followed by death. Thus
the cycle of enjoyment and suffering, which are concomitants
of birth and death, continues. 'As you think, so you
become', is an unalterable Law of Nature, owing to which
this Universe exists. No amount of integrity or genius can
absolve a man so long as there is the slightest trace of
Karma. Ignorance of the Law is no excuse, and though there
may be some concession or relaxation with man-made laws
under special circumstances, there is no such allowance made
for this in Nature's Laws. Prayer, confession and atonement
may give temporary mental relief but they cannot overcome
Karma. All Karma must be wiped out completely before
permanent salvation can be had.
Disturbed by these facts, Man
seeks solace in deep pious doctrines, or when he comes to
know that both good and bad deeds are fetters--one of gold,
the other of iron?he turns to Renunciation. Different faiths
promise relief but he soon finds out that this is only
temporary. How then does a Master approach this problem ? At
the time of Initiation, the Master begins the process of
winding up all Karmas of the initiate. He gives him a
contact with the Sound Current, by practising which the
Sanchit account is burnt away. The process is similar to
putting a handful of seeds in a pan and placing them on a
fire, which then causes the seeds to puff up and lose their
property of growing again. Then the Kriyaman account is
dealt with. After warning his disciples to guard against
opening any new account of bad deeds, the Master grants a
general clemency in respect of past deeds, part of which the
disciple has already settled in this life up to the time of
Initiation. He is enjoined to lead a clean life and to weed
out all imperfections in him by self-introspection from day
to day. The Prarabdha Karma is not touched by Saints because
this is the cause of the physical body, which would vanish
due to the interference with Nature's Laws. Thus a very
small amount of Karma now remains to be tolerated in the
physical body for the remaining years of the disciple's
life, but even this is softened bit the grace of the Master.
The law of grace works wonders and a devotee, who out of
loving devotion, reposes all his hopes in the Master, passes
off unscathed from the pinching effects of the reactions of
past Karmas. In moments of misery, worry and trouble, the
Master is our refuge. He acts unperceived at any distance.
Just as a mother of a sick child holds the child securely in
her lap during an operation so that it does not feel any
pain, so too the Master holds us in his loving embrace. Out
of their abundance of sympathy, love and kindness, the
Saints at times take upon their own shoulders some Karmic
sufferings of their disciples through the Law of Sympathy.
There is no court of trial after death for a devoted
disciple. The Master is all in all for him.
Why does a Master-Saint take
all this on himself? Because he inherits his merciful nature
from God above, who commissions him to personally distribute
this treasure of mercy. Thus, the Master is honoured like
God. Sant-Mat has volumes of books written in praise of the
Masters, and if just as many more books were to be written,
it would hardly do justice to the vastness of their love and
kindness.
Time casts its heavy shadow
over man. He has to toil hard to keep pace with the changing
times. So deeply is he absorbed in his external needs and
desires that he forgets all about contentment, sympathy and
love. Entangled and surrounded by the 'Deadly Five'?lust,
anger, greed, attachment and vanity?he stumbles and cries
out to the Unseen for help. Heaven's mercy is stirred and as
times stiffen, the Almighty extends His help through the
Masters more and more lavishly. Such is the case in this
Kali Yuga?the Iron Age.
It is indeed very hard to
believe that anyone can be above the five passions mentioned
above, and that he can enter the Kingdom of Heaven during
his lifetime. All mankind is under the control of these five
and only a Master can save a man from their clutches. We all
demand reliable proof before committing ourselves, and this
is given by a Master in the shape of an experience of the
life impulse, or Naam (the Word), and some inner vision.
Contact with a Master is essential. Those who keep aloof and
depend on themselves or rely on tradition and
priests?equally ignorant as themselves?are deprived of
contact with this Power, and as the saying goes, 'When the
blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch'.
Indifference, non-acceptance
or disbelief will not be to our advantage when Nature
enforces its Universal Ordinance--Death. Our position will
be that of a pigeon who, on seeing a cat approaching, shuts
its eyes and believes that the cat cannot then molest it,
but in a few seconds, the poor bird is in the powerful jaws
of the cat. It is then too late to think of escape. So be
alert while there is yet time!
Spirituality
Perhaps it will not be out of
place to explain here the meaning of the term
'Spirituality', which is often confused with blind faith in
sacred books, a display of miracles, psychic phenomena, or
Yogic powers. Spirituality is an inner experience and its
alphabet begins where all philosophy and Yoga practices end.
It is the experience of the soul. When one says, "I am the
body", it is a feeling based on the intellect and is defined
as ignorance. When he says "I am not the body, I am an
awakened soul", it is learnt knowledge or theory only; but
when he gets an actual experience of the soul by
self-analysis and contacts the Overself, it is called
Spirituality. The first practical lesson commences when
there is a complete withdrawal from the physical body
through the kindness of a practical Master. No one can
withdraw and separate himself from the physical body
unaided. If anyone claims otherwise and thinks that he can,
he but deceives himself. All attempts without the assistance
of a Master, who alone is qualified to impart this
experience, will end in failure. Masters come to distribute
this treasure of spiritual blessings to seekers after Truth.
Spirituality cannot be bought nor taught, but it can be
caught by contact with spiritual people. Moreover, Nature's
gifts, such as air, water, light etc., are free.
Spirituality is also Nature's gift and is also given free by
the Masters. Likewise, Spirituality cannot be acquired from
books, which is a fact all sacred scriptures uphold. Books
are a valuable record of the inner experiences of others in
Spirituality. They fill up gaps in history and contain
messages from past Masters, which help us to verify the
facts revealed by a Living Master, thus confirming our faith
in the Science. Man is confused by the various translations,
interpretations and expositions, each different from the
other, which instead of relieving his mind, tend rather to
bewilder and confuse him. His egoism too has created
hundreds of religious circles, whose aim is aloofness and
narrow orthodoxy instead of love, and insularity instead of
integration. Torn between conflicting emotions, men develop
hatred and think of war.
For an understanding of the
Science of the Masters, we attend Satsang, where the
majority of our doubts are cleared. Direct answers from the
Master will help to remove any remaining doubts. All
questions receive the same calm consideration and no
arguments are offered. Rich or poor, high or low, all
receive equal attention in the same manner as a doctor
should attend to the sick. A true Master views a man's
rights and wrongs as clearly as one sees the contents of a
glass jar, but he reveals nothing. Sitting before him, even
those who do not understand his language are benefited, just
as one in a perfumer's shop enjoys the smell of sweet
scents. The Master showers blessings through his looks,
which the eager ones catch. His eyes are a wonderful spray
of love.
Criterion to judge a Genuine
Master
Do not judge a Master by his
external appearance, genealogical descent, rich or poor
attire, country of origin, how he talks, eats, or the
position he holds, the number of books that he is the author
of, or by what people say about him. First receive the inner
experience he promises and then judge from that elevated
angle of vision. Self-experience is the criterion for
judging a genuine Master. Any living person who sees things
from a spiritual level - man and his embarrassments,
difficulties and helplessness?and who has studied the
problems confronting humanity can provide their solutions,
and is also able to correct and guide man visibly and
invisibly, morally and spiritually, in theory as well as in
practice. Only such a person is fit to take the responsible
position of a Master. Blessed are those who experience a
stirring emotion of happiness and longing in their hearts,
on hearing the news that such a Master exists and is near.
Spirituality is a science
simpler and easier than other sciences. Man has not to exert
except in moulding himself ethically and morally to the
climax of love, sincerity and humility, which will produce
the necessary state of receptivity in him. Everything else
is in the hands of the Master. Again, a movement, no matter
how spiritual it may appear to be on the surface, should not
be judged by the number of followers that it has. A good
speaker can attract crowds anywhere, yet there may not be
anything material or convincing in his speech. Spirituality
is not the exclusive possession of any family or place, but
it is like a scented flower that grows wherever Nature has
ordained, around which the bees gather from far and wide to
sip its nectar. Masters do not rush after glory of self,
although they certainly deserve such glory. Even in ordinary
talks, they will be heard to say, "Oh, it is all the grace
of my Master. It is none of my doing. My Master deserves all
the praise and credit." This humility places them far above
the low level of egoism found in this world.
Masters have come in all ages
to offer this Natural Science to man. Only those who are
discontented with this world rush to them. Others to whom
worldly attractions, pleasures and luxuries are dear, turn
their backs. Those in whose hearts all noble sentiments are
dead, not only put all possible obstacles in the way of the
Saints, but also subject them to various kinds of tortures,
as a study of the lives of Jesus, Guru Nanak, Kabir and
others will show. Masters have come in the past, are
existing today, and will continue to come in the future for
the spiritual benefit of man. To suppose and accept that
Spirituality has become the sole prerogative of any religion
after the passing of the Master, on whose teachings it is
based, and that sacred books are the only guide, shows the
thoughtlessness of man.
How can we distinguish
between a genuine and a false Master ? There is in fact no
such testing stone or magical formula except that of
self-experience, for discriminating right from wrong, truth
from falsehood, and reality from unreality. Even in the time
of Emperor Janak (the father of Sita of the Ramayana), who
was prepared to pay a big fee for the theoretical knowledge
of this Science, only one, Yagyavalkya, out of all the
Rishis, Yogis and Munis in India, was able to do so and won
the prize. Yagyavalkya, however, had the moral courage to
admit, "Gargi, I know the theory only but have no personal
experience of it." On a second occasion, Emperor Janak
proclaimed that he wanted a practical experience of this
Science on a certain date, and that in a very short time
too, not exceeding the time taken to straddle a horse and
put each foot in its stirrup. Great Yogis and Rishis
throughout the length and breadth of India were invited, but
at the appointed time only one person stepped forward to
accept the challenge. This was a hunchback named Ashtavakra,
who had eight humps in his body. The audience, taking him
for a maniac, laughed aloud at his appearance. Ashtavakra
said, "How can you expect to get a spiritual experience from
these cobblers you have collected, who have eyes only for
the skin of the body but cannot see within ?" The experience
was duly given to the Emperor within the allotted time. The
point to consider is that at the time when Spirituality was
thriving, only one person came forward to accept the
challenge. In these times then, when materialism is on the
increase, we do not find competent Masters growing like
mushrooms. So search we must, not allowing false propaganda,
the testimony of others, blind faith, the promise of future
happiness, and our regard for position, wealth and pleasure,
to lead us astray. When such personalities come, they are
competent to give life to millions of people who go to them.
They are the children of Light, and give Light to all
humanity.
Blind faith is one of the
main obstacles to overcome. What we simply listen to, read
or follow without investigating as to what and where it will
lead to, is blind faith. If one is careless to forget the
end while following the means, and does not see whether he
is nearing the end or not, it is still blind faith. When one
goes to a Master and listens attentively to the explanations
given by Him on the subject of gaining Self-knowledge by
self-analysis, duly supported by one or more quotations from
the valuable sayings of various Saints, he is intellectually
convinced to tread the path as an experimental measure and
act up to what the Master says with faith for the time
being. This is the first stepping-stone to learn about
Reality. When he has the first-hand experience, of whatever
degree it may be, he is convinced and progresses from day to
day. Today, man listens to talks, lectures and sermons,
accepts and believes these all his life and takes for
granted that he has been placed firmly on the way to
salvation. But when death comes with all its sufferings,
pangs of separation and fears of the unknown, he realizes
his mistake. Man's life-long habit of attachment to the
body, occupies all his thoughts, while friends, doctors,
relatives and priests stand by helpless and despairing.
It is here that the Science
of Para-Vidya is of great help to us. The soul's withdrawal
from the body is greatly eased and the Master appears to
receive and guide it further in the Beyond. Death is to such
a one the happiest of events, and like marriage, it is the
union with the Beloved. He has already visited and convinced
himself of the superiority of the higher regions and
traverses the familiar territory without fear. My Master,
Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji, when impressing the need of
spiritual practices on his disciples, used to say to them,
"Go to see a disciple dying to become convinced." Saints
believe in salvation during one's lifetime and not in
salvation after death. This is indeed a simple and easy
science, and the disciple should never rest content with his
Initiation without spiritual experience. He should then
devote regular time to the spiritual practices and the
Master must be regularly informed of his progress. He should
constantly seek the guidance of his Master personally or by
letter, without entertaining thoughts that he is bothering
him. The Master knows by intuition how each disciple is
faring and can remove most of his difficulties by thought
transference or other means, but he wishes any difficulties
in progress to be brought to his notice in writing.
The ancient path of Surat
Shabd Yoga or Para Vidya, is one that can be followed by
men, women and children of all ages without any difficulty,
unlike other ways, which involve complicated, strenuous
exercises, and control of the breath. These, at the most,
lead to a slight control over the self and a few paltry
powers. The latter methods also require a strong physique
and a rich diet. As such, they are condemned by the Masters
as unsuited to this age, and as involving physical dangers
to the body.
The Science
In the physical body, two
main currents are working that control life, one a motor
current (breathing or prana), and the other a sensory
current, which may also be called 'attention' or surat. The
Masters ignore the former so that the breathing is not
interfered with and the life process goes on. The sensory
current ramifies throughout the entire body, but its main
centre lies between and behind the two eyebrows, along with
the mind. We have to withdraw the sensory current or the
Spirit to Its centre.
Initiation
The mind will not allow man
to have knowledge of the soul. Its nature is to seek
pleasure and its constant fluctuations are difficult to
subdue. Attuning one's self with the internal Sound Current
is the best way to calm the mind and practise concentration.
It does not matter what school of thought or society a man
may belong to. He has not to convert himself and can remain
where he is. There are no hard and fast rules, no rituals,
no ceremonies, no pomp and show, no offering of gifts, not
even of flowers. All that a disciple has to do is to enter
inside and henceforth consider the body as his laboratory.
With regard to the theory, he has to understand the
following, which is briefly the pith of what he will hear at
Satsangs:
-
The Master is not the
body, he is the Power functioning through the body and
uses it to teach and guide man in much the same way as a
spirit uses a medium. Only in bodily form will the
disciple be able to recognize his Master in the higher
regions and here on earth.
-
The Master is 'Shabd',
'Word', 'Naad', etc., all of which refer to the
God-into-Expression Power of Light and Sound Principle.
By having a contact with this Power, man is led back to
his true Home.
-
For the sake of those who
are disillusioned with life, and who yearn for permanent
happiness and peace away from the world and its worries,
the Word assumes a body to afford them solace. Christ
said, 'Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us'. Once a
disciple contacts this Word (which is done at the time
of Initiation by the Master), the audible form of this
Word resides within never leaves him, and even after the
end of man's physical existence on earth. It will go
with him and stay with him until he achieves the final
goal. The Word is also known as the Voice of God or the
Sound Current, and is the Life impulse given by the
Master at the time of Initiation. It may be heard as a
sound coming from a distance and gradually develops into
such sweetness that no music on earth can excel it. It
is the Water of Life, the Spring of Immortality, the
Elixir of Life, the Nectar of spirituality, etc., that
are spoken of in holy books.
-
Man has an inner eye with
which he can see within himself all the higher regions,
when the veil is rent asunder by a competent living
Master. In this state, he remains perfectly conscious
and undergoes amazing experiences. To ascend to the
higher regions without a competent Master is fraught
with dangers.
Simran
The repetition of the holy
names is given to the disciple at the time of Initiation as
a guard against all dangers. It acts also as a password to
all spiritual planes, gives strength and sustenance to the
body and mind during trouble and afflictions, brings the
soul nearer to the Master, is instrumental in achieving
concentration, and imparts many other diverse powers. Simran
taught by a so-called Master is merely a number of words.
But these very words become electrified when charged with
the attention and grace of a real Master.
Initiation commences with the
explanation and description of the inner spiritual regions
and the way in which the path is to be pursued. The opening
of the inner vision to see the inner regions, with their
distinct heavenly lights, together with the contact with the
Divine Link or Sound Principle, constitutes the practical
side of Initiation. Daily practice of these combined with
Simran, is meditation. In addition to this, the Master gives
instructions on pure and simple living, the need of devoting
regular time to the practices, and other words of sound
advice. The whole ceremony takes from two to three hours.
Diaries of one's spiritual progress must be kept and the
mistakes of old and new disciples are corrected from time to
time to ensure progress.
Miracles
Master-Saints never show any
miracles to a disciple except in rare cases due to special
circumstances. Miracles are in accordance with the laws of
Nature but are nevertheless terribly entangling webs
detrimental to the highest ideals of man in his approach to
Almighty God. It is a subject that an ordinary man would not
care to study, for the simple reason that it requires
immense self-control and training of the mind, with
restrictions that he would not like to tolerate or pursue.
The miraculous powers achieved after a lengthy period of
time are instrumental in doing both good and harm, and as
they are utilized more for harm than anything else, they are
termed as a disease by all truly spiritual persons. The
Masters are in possession of Supreme Power but their mission
is sacred A disciple whose inner vision has been opened,
sees any number of miracles at each step. To hesitate to
believe in a Master without seeing miracles is as foolish as
our refusal to believe that a certain person is a
multi-millionaire unless he shows us his money. He may have
all his money deposited in a bank and like to spend it in
the way that he chooses, without caring for public applause
or approval. Out of an audience of several thousands
watching a magician perform his tricks, only a very small
number would thereby be induced to learn the art. Those who
are anxious to see miracles are not true seekers.
General
Today, the world is crying
out for a better understanding, for peace and freedom from
conflict. This Science of self-analysis that reveals the
Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God, is the remedy
which can reconstruct a healthy culture and propagate
harmony between man and man. He who claims to love the
invisible God but has no regard or love for his visible
fellow man, is lost indeed. To love, revere and feel
grateful to our fellow man is to love and revere God. So
too, the love for the visible Master, our closest connecting
link with God, is in reality love for the Supreme Father. We
should therefore try to measure the depth of God's mercy and
grace through a Master-Saint, who is God's visible
representative. It has Spirituality as its end and is not
idolatry. The atmosphere in which such a genuine Master
moves is charged with currents of peace and love which
affect those who come into contact with Him. Even letters
written by or on behalf of Him carry currents of ecstasy
that influence the innermost recesses of the heart.
Guru precedes God. Such a
person was Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj who
remained with his disciples for a great number of years and
now, even after He has left the body, still watches over his
loved ones and also those who contacted Him once with love
and sincerity in their hearts. Love knows no law and He is
still appearing in His radiant form, even on lower spiritual
planes, for their sake. Not one, but hundreds can testify to
what ignorant people would call an illusion. On the physical
plane, He is still showering His blessings through His
medium at Ruhani Satsang, Sawan Ashram, who now in turn
guides men in all spiritual matters. One bulb is fused and
is replaced by another. The same Power works and the same
Light now shines from a new bulb. All who approach the
Master get positive experiences and anybody who wishes to
avail himself of such a golden opportunity has only to
contact the Master and his wishes will be fulfilled, his
heart will overflow with happiness, and his weary shoulders
will be relieved of their burden of cares and worries.
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