Gaia Community: SantMat_Mystic_(James)'s Blog

Gospel of Mary Magdalene - This Week on Spiritual Awakening Radio

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:02:51 GMT

This Week on Spiritual Awakening Radio: All About the Gospel of Mary Magdalene

As Streaming Audio via HealthyLife.Net's Channel - All Positive Talk Radio

Friday, 1 PM Eastern/10 AM Pacific Time/6 PM in the UK,

Repeated Sunday at Noon Eastern Time/9 AM Pacific/5 PM UK Time

Streaming Online via http://www.HealthyLife.net

At the radio website click the blue "Listen Live" button.

Archived Editions of Spiritual Awakening: Shows-On-Demand

Usually by Friday evening each week, the latest show gets archived by HealthyLife.net, added to my list of shows-on-demand. All editions of Spiritual Awakening Radio are archived and available online for 13 weeks at my archive page. Whether you catch the show live or not, you can always hear them at my archive page along with all the other recent shows. Go to:
http://www.healthylife.net/RadioShow/archiveSPA.htm

Podcasts

In addition to hearing shows live, or clicking and listening to an archived show, podcasts are also available from HealthyLife.net. Scroll down the page for a list of Spiritual Awakening Radio podcasts:
http://www.healthylife.net/RadioShow/Podcasts.htm#SPA

The Mary Magdalene Branch of Mystical or Gnostic Christianity

"Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brethren, Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for His grace will be entirely with you and will protect you....Mary answered and said, What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you." (Gospel of Mary Magdalene)

A few copies of the Gospel of Mary have been found in Egypt. The preeminence of Mary Magdalene in this Gospel gives one excellent example of the leadership roles of women in early Christianity. Mary is described as an apostle, equal in every way to the twelve apostles and part of the inner circle of Jesus. But more than that, Mary was a kind of spiritual successor to Christ, taking over His role as the spiritual teacher of the other disciples. In every way, the text affirms that her leadership of the other disciples is based upon superior spiritual understanding.

As a recipient of the secret teachings of the resurrected Christ, Mary, in her Gospel teaches the other disciples spiritual knowledge and gives detailed accounts of her visions and travels through the higher planes or heavens accompanied by the Radiant Form of her Master, the resurrected Christ. She relays to the other disciples the spiritual instructions, the words of Christ that she heard during these encounters, which probably took place during times of deep prayer - long periods of meditation. (from my article, Lost Books of the Bible)

All for the Love of Wisdom and Radio,
James
http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com
Spiritual Awakening Radio Productions

Tags: mary magdalene, gnostic, christmas, jesus, yeshua, women, equal rights, spiritual awakening radio, james bean, podcasts

Music and Bhakti Poetry of Saint Namdev

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:49:38 GMT

Music and Bhakti Poetry of Saint Namdev

Vitthala Aawadi - Naamdev Maharaj विठ्ठल आवडी - Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvwytphVbYM

Why wander deluded my heart? Meditate at the feet of Ram [God], All-awareness.

Chant Ram, the great mantra. These are the days of Kali and death is in a hurry. You waste the day in worldly things and dark comes the night. The goal is far and the path is wild. How can you cross it alone? Yes, the Lord is the path in the wilderness. Call out his name or even half of it. He will come to your assistance, says Namdev.

Rejoice in Ram. Sing his name joyfully. Do not let these brutes make you feel ashamed. I love such fortunate mortals who sing the praises of the Supreme Brahma. Such is the glory of being mortal: never forget Ram, says Namdev.

The body is false says Sant Namdev. And yet it is real if God is your lover.

You have been my lover since childhood O Govind. Do not leave me now. My heart lies with you. There is no one for me but you.

-- Sant Namdev, The Hindi Padavali of Namdev, Winand M. Callewaert, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi

Tags: namdev, bhakti, poetry, india, santmat, youtube, bhajans, banis, praise, God

Necessity of Sincere Love and Prayer -- Radhasoami Reality

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:17:20 GMT

Necessity of Sincere Love and Prayer

Radhasoami Reality:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Radhasoami-Reality
{Radhaswami Dayal ki Daya Radhaswami Sahai:"Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace and Protection"}

Necessity of Sincere Love for the Supreme Being

By Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash

Great stress is laid in the Radhasoami Faith on engendering love for the Supreme Being. This can only be done when all worldly desires are gradually eradicated from the mind, and it becomes impressed to the inmost core, with the unbounded bliss that might be attained approaching the Supreme Being, Radhasoami. Love being attraction, it is quite plain that the devotional practice for approaching the Supreme Being will become very easy indeed, if there is true love for Him, and devotion, instead of being a thing of duty, will be the highest and most blissful work in this world.

Necessity of Sincere Prayer

By Huzur Maharaj, Radhasoami Mat Prakash

Prayer is necessary to obtain blessing and mercy to help human being’s perfect salvation, but it must be offered from the innermost of heart and not confined to mere utterance. It must also be backed up by works of faith and charity performed through love and affection for the Supreme Being.

An Example of Prayer

By Huzur Maharaj, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume Two

O Merciful One! Take me across. Great is the glory of your mercy. I have been wasting my life in this world, going astray all the time in this desolate region. Extend your compassion towards me. Transport me to your holy feet. Reveal to me the secrets of the Sound Current. This mind gives rise to troubles everyday. Transform it completely so that getting purified and drenched in the color of love, it may proceed to the abode of Trikuti [Causal Plane]. When you bestow immense mercy upon me, my surat [soul] will proceed on the path to the Inaccessible Region [Agam Lok]. O Beloved Radhasoami! Show your grace and compassion on me now. Most sublime and exalted is your status. Ferry me across in an instant. I dedicate my body, mind, wealth, and everything to you. Beloved Radhasoami, the perfect Satguru has liberated me.

Tags: radhasoami, agra, hazur maharaj, rai saligram, prayer, prem bani, radhasoami mat prakash, bhakti, God

Tuning the Cosmic Radio Dial - Sound and the World Religions

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:55:10 GMT

Tuning the Cosmic Radio Dial - Heavenly Sound and the World Religions - Spiritual Awakening Radio

Click to Hear Archived Edition of Spiritual Awakening:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=j%2fq82nFRT7wnAPG4fYjv%2bA%3d%3d

(Clicking the link above should activate your Windows Media Player or default audio player for .ASX files -- streaming audio.)

No doubt, years ago many of you saw the movie Contact, based upon the book with that same title authored by the late Dr. Carl Sagan. The story was about SETI - the search of extraterrestrial intelligence. In this film scientists intercepted radio signal emanating from another part of the galaxy. These broadcasts were being beamed directly at the earth by an alien civilization trying to get our attention. After many years they finally succeeded. Their message was eventually deciphered; it contained schematics for constructing a transportation device which would allow humans to travel to the distant world where the signals were coming from. After viewing this philosophical film, I couldn't help comparing the parallels between this SETI scenario and one of the world's oldest forms of yoga-meditation: Shabd Meditation, the Yoga of the Sound Current. Shabda is an ancient Sanskrit word for divine or cosmic Sound, heavenly music. For thousands of years, human beings around the world have been tuning into a Sound which comes from beyond the stars. For the practitioners of the Yoga of Sound, this heavenly music is also a means of transportation. By becoming one with the Holy Stream of Sound, souls during their meditation practice find themselves ascending in spirit toward the place where the Sound emanates.

Hear readings from the scriptures and spiritual classics of most all the world religions, based on my article, Tuning the Cosmic Radio Dial, the Yoga of Sound, Parts 1-5:

http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/cosmicdial1.html
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/cosmicdial2.html
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/cosmicdial3.html
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/cosmicdial4.html
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/cosmicdial5.html

All for the love of Wisdom and Radio,
James

Tags: spiritual awakening radio with james bean, hindu, gnostic, islam, seti, buddhist, bahai, native american, christian, taoism

Leaving the Matrix: Religion vs. Mysticism - Download and Listen

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:38:09 GMT

Leaving the Matrix: Religion vs. Mysticism - Spiritual Awakening Radio

Click to Hear Archived Edition of Spiritual Awakening:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=LnhNt6%2fHap38AdGT9aH3YA%3d%3d

(Clicking the link above should activate your Windows Media Player or default audio player for .ASX files -- streaming audio.)

Hear readings from the mystic-poetry of Saint Namdev, a prayer from the Hindu Upanishads, Kabir, Rumi, the Gnostic Gospel of Judas, Yeshua in the Gospel of Thomas, Tao Te Ching of Lao Tsu, Sant Dariya Sahib, Kirpal Singh, Guru Nanak, The Bezels of Wisdom by Sufi philosopher 'Ibn Al' Arabi, the Prayerbook of the Mandaeans, and my article, "Leaving the Matrix, Religion vs. Mysticism":
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/leavematrix.html

All for the love of Wisdom and Radio,
James
Spiritual Awakening Radio Productions

Tags: matrix, spiritual awakening radio, james bean, spirituality, gnostic, hindu, sikh, rumi, mysticism, tao

Fixing One's Attention on the Music of the Inner Sound

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:33:41 GMT

Fixing One's Attention on the Music of the Inner Sound

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog: http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

"Some train themselves to hear the Saut-i Sarmad in the solitude on the sea shore, on the river bank, and in the hills and dales; others attain it while sitting in the caves of the mountains, or when wandering constantly through forests and deserts, keeping themselves in the wilderness apart from the haunts of men. Yogis and ascetics blow Sing (a horn) or Shankha (a shell), which awakens in them this inner tone. Dervishes play Nai or Algosa (a double flute) for the same purpose. The bells and gongs in the churches and temples are meant to suggest to the thinker the same sacred Sound, and thus lead him towards the inner life.

"This Sound develops through ten different aspects because of its manifestation through ten different tubes of the body; it sounds like thunder, the roaring of the sea, the jingling of bells, running the water, the buzzing of bees [humming], the twittering of sparrows, the Vina, the whistle, or the sound of Shankha [conch shell or sea shell] until it finally becomes HU, the most sacred of all sounds." (Inayat Khan, The Mysticism of Sound)

Shiv Brat Lal: "The devotee in his spiritual journey upwards hears sweet melodies which attract him. The melodies are a powerful magnetic force which draws the attention inwards and makes it fully attuned to proceed up and up. We hear external instrumental music like the sitar, sarangi, violin, harmonium, fiddle, flute and veena. We become attracted by them and almost acquire a semi-rapturous condition. One can well imagine how charming the Dhun-Atmic Shabda (internal Music) emanating from both subtle and causal regions can be. It is a thousand times more enchanting and absorbing! All one needs is to get the know-how of this simple method of the Saints."

Whatever we put our attention on will grow stronger in our life. This principal is also true within during meditation, as we focus on certain inner Lights or Sounds. It says in the Adi Granth: "The one who fixes their attention on the Nectar-Word, in them rings the Music of the Word."

Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj: "The Sound possesses a quality that attracts the attention of the listener. Every central Sound flows from the highest realm downward to the lower realm and then directly connects to the center of that realm. The aspirant enters the process by attending to the Sound of the gross realm, centering, and then following
that Sound as it leads to the realm above, which is the subtle realm. Upon reaching the subtle realm, the Sound of the causal realm is experienced. This Sound will eventually draw the practitioner from the subtle to the causal realm. And so the aspirant proceeds until reaching the Highest realm. Thus, the practitioner progressively grasps increasingly subtler and more powerful inner Sounds and thereby progresses to the realm immediately higher.

"In the final stages of this practice, the aspirant goes beyond the veil of material creation and reaches the realm of Kaivalya (a State of absolute freedom from conditioned existence). This is where the soul comes to experience God. But even in this realm there is a thin veil, and complete union with God is not yet possible. Upon acquiring the final essential Sound in Kaivalya, the soul ascends upward to the Nihshabad (Soundless State of Absolute Unity). There the soul becomes one with God." (The Harmony of All Religions, Chapter Seven, on Sant Mat)

Kabir: "From the firmament, someone has uttered the authoritative Word. From that Word, all things have arisen. In every heart, it dances its dance.... The Word is the root of all worlds, and of the sun, the moon, and stars. Kabir says, 'Know the speaker of the Word -- and he will ferry you across the ocean of this world.'" (Kabir -- Songs of the Divine, Jagessar Das, Kabir Association, Urban Mystic Books)

Tags: kabir, nanak, adi granth, harmony of all religions, santsevi, shabd yoga, hazrat khan, hu, inner sound meditation

Happy Vegetarian Thanksgiving

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:15:04 GMT

Happy Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Look closely at the image and you'll see a plant-based veg "Turkey."

A Vegetarian Thanksgiving Prayer, By Greg Lawson

Spirit of Creation,
As we see the birds flying together across the sky,
we are glad they are there.
As we see the fish swimming in the sea,
we are glad they are there.
When we see... a deer or an elk or a rabbit or a squirrel in the woods,
we are glad they are there,
and not on our dinner tables here tonight.
Amen

The Prayer of Thanksgiving Found in the Nag Hammadi Library

This the prayer that they spoke:

"We give thanks to You! Every soul and heart is lifted up to You, undisturbed name, honored with the name 'God' and praised with the name 'Father', for to everyone and everything (comes) the fatherly kindness and affection and love, and any teaching there may be that is sweet and plain, giving us mind, speech, (and) knowledge: mind, so that we may understand You, speech, so that we may expound You, knowledge, so that we may know You. We rejoice, having been illuminated by Your knowledge. We rejoice because You have shown us Yourself. We rejoice because while we are in (the) body, You have made us divine through Your knowledge.

"The thanksgiving of the one who attains to You is one thing: that we know You. We have known You, intellectual Light. Life of life, we have known You. Womb of every creature, we have known You. Womb pregnant with the nature of the Father, we have known You. Eternal permanence of the begetting Father, thus have we worshiped Your goodness.

"There is one petition that we ask: we would be preserved in knowledge.

"And there is one protection that we desire: that we not stumble in this kind of life."

"When they had said these things in the prayer, they embraced each other and they went to eat their holy food, which has no blood in it.*

*A vegetarian meal. This passage is also found in the Epilogue of Asclepius, in "HERMETICA," translated by Sir Walter Scott, published by Shambhala: "Having prayed thus, let us betake ourselves to a meal unpolluted by flesh [animalia] of living things." The G.R.S. Mead translation of the same passage in, Hermetica (Samuel Weiser Books, York Beach, Maine) says: "With this desire we now betake us to our pure and fleshless meal." And, "With such hopes we turn to a pure meal that includes no living thing." (Asclepius, translated in "Hermetica", Brian Copenhaver, Cambridge University Press)

A Western Master of the Music of the Spheres by the name of Pythagoras once said, "Our Earth has abundance of such pure and harmless foods and there is no need for us to partake of meals for which blood has to be shed and innocent life sacrificed."

Tags: vegan, vegetarian, thanksgiving, gnostic, life, creation, compassion, going green, be veg

Light and Sound on the Path for November 25th, 2009 - Compilation

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:16:19 GMT

Light and Sound on the Path for November 25th, 2009 -- A Compilation of Recent Posts: Satsang Discourses, Mystic Poetry, Quotes, MP3's, and Videos

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

Listen To Several MP3 Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Online @ Blog Talk Radio:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/santmatfellowship

Ahimsa (Non-Violence in Thought, Word, and Deed)

Eating Animals is Making US [The Earth] Sick:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/10/28/opinion.jonathan.foer/index.html

Non-violence and compassion towards all living beings are fundamental principals in a spiritual life. (Dr. Jagessar Das)

Do not keep any ill feelings in your mind. Kindly heed my request and shun such thoughts. (Kabir)

The heart where kindness dwells, has mindfulness of God. That heart is full of fragrance of flowers. (Sant Dariya Sahib)

ETHICS -- AHIMSA VALUES -- THE FIVE PRECEPTS

Moral requirements for Initiation

1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs;

2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including vegetarianism [abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs]);

3. Lead a truthful life;

4. Practice non-stealing -- an honest, ethical source of income;

5. Loyalty to ones spouse;

. Another Version of the Five Precepts

1) Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. [This precept requires strict adherence to a lacto-vegetarian diet: no meat, fish, poultry or eggs (fertilized or non-fertilized).]

2) Refrain from speaking what is not true.

3) Refrain from taking what is not yours.

4) Refrain from sexual misconduct.

5) Refrain from using intoxicants.

Meditation

Carry on the repetition [simran] of the true names, taking it to be your very life-breath. -- Sant Dariya Sahib

There is nothing more important than meditation. Increase this practice from day to day; never decrease it. (Baba Jaimal Singh)

Do not live even a single day without inner meditation. (Baba Devi Sahab)

Significant Health Benefits of Meditation New Medical Study Suggests: 47% reduction in deaths: - BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8363302.stm

Kabir

Celebrating Spiritual Freedom and the End of the Dark Ages: YouTube: Anurag Sagar Video: The Ocean of Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3aE-_q-uvU

Kabir Dohas: Bhakti Verses and Music: Short Film about Kabir -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8GQn2J9jAY

Sant Kabir Amrit Bani -- Devotional Sant Music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErAUX48L8aw

Huzur Baba Sawan Singh Video

Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj - The Great Master of Beas: Video shows rare photo of Baba Jaimal Singh at 13:00 minutes in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYL-AqIcJm0

The Bubble Universes of Pinda Desh (The Physical or Material Plane)

From Sach Khand the whole creation looks like bubbles, forming and disappearing in the Spiritual Ocean. (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)

The bigness of the "known" cosmos keeps on getting bigger! Actually, it's our awareness that's growing, seeing That Which Is. I find astronomy and mysticism have much in common. This amazing program proclaims that, according to the latest: the universe has a minimum diameter of one hundred and fifty six billion lights years, and perhaps is much, much larger than that. It has a region of "visible universe" almost one hundred billion light-years across, and this is surrounded by a much larger area of dark void. This pinda desh (Sant Mat term for the physical plane) seems to be a dark sphere with a tiny light at the center made up of all the galactic filaments (the "visible universe"). This represents one particle or "bubble universe", perhaps one of many bubble universes of the physical plane/multi-verse.

Cosmic Journeys: How Large is the Universe
View Program at Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQouX5U0fc

View the Same Program at Hulu:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/103661/cosmic-journeys-how-large-is-the-universe#s-p1-so-i0

Your Eye Will Expand to Contain the Entire Universe

There is no peace except in the Name of the Lord -- meditate on it with one-pointed attention. Experience the state of super-consciousness where the Lord's love surges, and you will see your own form in each particle of creation. O Nama, the Lord will make the pupil of your eye his home, and your eye will expand to contain the entire universe.
(Bhajan of Sant Namdev)

Mirabai, a short film about her life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2V_tK1LAcg

The Audible Life Stream

In the Beginning was the TAO.
In the beginning was the Logos.
In the beginning was the Word.
In the beginning was the Song of the Creator.
In the beginning was the AUM.
In the Beginning was the Shabad.
In the beginning was the Sound.

Indigenous cultures support the belief that the universe was brought into existence through sound. The Australian aborigines believe in "songlines," meaning the "way of the law," which sang the world, and everything in it, into existence. Native American traditions speak of the "Song of the Creator" that created life and sustains the universe. (my article on Sound in the world religions, The Yoga of Sound, Tuning the Cosmic Radio Dial)

"The escape is through the Sound Current." (Huzur Baba Sawan Singh)

Footnote from, The Anurag Sagar of Kabir: 'SHABDA': The Sound Current; also called Naam or Word. The projected Creative Force of the Positive Power or Sat Purush, ultimately responsible for the entire creation and present in each individual in the form of Light and Sound, which can be seen and heard, and which are the agency that pulls the individual back to his/her essence, Sat Purush [God].

Sushmana or sukhmana has been called "shah rag" or "royal vein" by the Masters. It is the Middle Way. It is central channel in the subtle realm. Ida is the current on the left side. Pingala is the current on the right side. It may seem like the inner Sounds are coming from the right side. That's good, as it's the ascending current, going upwards. Masters teach to never meditate on any sounds coming from the left side, the current that's coming down into the material plane. Sounds may eventually appear to be coming from the middle. That's best of all. The Glossary of Kirpal Singh, Ruhani Satsang USA Website: "SUKHMANA or SUSHMANA NADI--The subtle central nadi (the fire channel) in between the Ida and Pingla on either side of it, the one representing the moon-influence and the other the sun-influence. The way-in for the soul-currents when collected at the eye-focus lies through Sukhmana."

There are certain Sounds we're instructed (at initiation) to concentrate upon. There are many other sounds that can be heard, but certain Sounds lead upward, are more subtle and beneficial, associated with various inner, higher regions.

The attention of the soul (Surat) unites with (Yoga or yoked to) the Shabd, becomes one with the Sound Current, in meditation (Surat Shabd Yoga).

The Inner Sound in Buddhism

As you calm down, you can experience the Sound of silence in the mind. You hear it as a kind of high frequency Sound, a ringing Sound that's always there. It is just normally never noticed. Now when you begin to hear that Sound of silence, it's a sign of emptiness - of silence of the mind. It's something you can always turn to. As you concentrate on it and turn to it, it can make you quite peaceful and blissful. Meditating on that, you have a way of letting the conditions of the mind cease without suppressing them with another condition. Otherwise you just end up putting one condition over another. (Ajahn Sumedho, The Sound of Silence)

Through the Word the Worlds Converse

And the Highest One gave the Word to his worlds,
which interpret his own beauty,
recite his praise,
reveal his thought,
are instructors of his works.

For the swiftness of the Word is ineffable.

Its course knows no end,
it never fails, it stands.
Its decent and its Way are incomprehensible.

And through the Word the worlds converse.

The mouth of the Highest One spoke to them
and he was made clear by his Word.

The dwelling place of the Word is man
and Its Truth is Love.

-- Book of the Odes, Syriac/Aramaic, First Century AD Jewish-Gnostic-Christian Scripture

Many Millions are the Skies and Solar Systems - Skies Above Skies - Adi Granth

Many millions are the skies and solar systems.
Many millions are the moons, the suns and stars.
Many millions are the sources of creation and continents.
Many millions are the jewel containing oceans.
Many times has the universal expanse occurred.
The Lord has strung all the creation in His thread.
His limit no one knows.

Many millions go about in many existences.
Many millions have been the incarnations.
Many millions are the creatures of various descriptions.
Many millions of beings, the Lord has made of good many descriptions.
Many millions are the celestial singers.
Ever and ever, the Unique Lord remains the same.
From the Lord, they emanate and into the Lord they merge.
Nanak says, with whomsoever, the Lord is pleased, He emancipates.
The Lord is near all yet far from all.
Nanak says, Lord is pervasive in creation yet He, Himself remains away.

Many millions searching for the Lord, find The Supreme One within their mind.
Many million are thirsting for the sight of the Lord.
To them the Imperishable Lord meets.
They are imbued with the love of the Transcendent Lord.

In many ways the Lord has spread Himself.
Nanak says, the Lord is all by Himself.
Many millions are the devotees of Supreme Lord and their souls are enlightened.
Many millions have realized the essence and with their eyes they behold the One Lord.
Many millions drink the Name nectar.
They become immortal and live for ever and ever.
Many millions sing the praises of the Name.
They are spontaneously absorbed in Divine delight.
His servants, remember Him with every breath.
Nanak says, they are the beloveds of Supreme Lord.

The Lord alone is the doer of all deeds.
There is no other.

-- Adi Granth, The Gurbani or Psalms of the Saints of India

Countless are the Gospels, Sutras, Odes, Upanishads, Gathas, Quatrains, Abhangas, Gitas, Granths, Vanis and Vedas. As Guru Nanak says in his Morning Prayer (Jap Ji):

Endless are the harmonies played by the minstrels; the players prepare endless tunes and measures to sing to Thee, 0 bountiful Creator. Thy Light is within the beings and the beings are all within thy Light...countless are the countries, earths and spheres. Millions assign to Him ever new names, 0 Nanak.

Countless there are that remember Thee, and countless those that love Thee;
Countless there are that worship Thee, and countless those that seek Thee in austerity and penance;
Countless there are that recite from sacred books Thy praises; and
Countless those that, absorbed in Yoga, stand indifferent to the world;
Countless those Thy devotees who contemplate Thy attributes and wisdom; and
Countless those that practice truth and charity;
Countless are the heroes that boldly face the foeman's steel; and
Countless those who have vowed silence, meditate on Thee with unceasing love.
What power have I to conceive of Thy wonderful nature?
Too poor, am I, to make an offering of my life to Thee.
Whatever pleaseth Thee is good:
Thou art forevermore;
O, Formless One.

Countless Thy names and countless Thy places;
Unapproachable and inaccessible Thy innumerable
heavenly plateaux;
Even by the word countless, we fail to describe Thee;
By words we describe Thee and by words we praise Thee.
By words, we acquire Divine knowledge, and in words are sung
Thy hymns and attributes;
It is words we employ in speech and in writing;
In them is our fate ordained;
But He who ordains is above such writ.
As Thou ordaineth, so do we receive.
Thou art immanent in all;
And nothing is where Thy Word is not.
What power have I to conceive of Thy wonderful nature?
Too poor, am I, to make an offering of my life to Thee.
Whatever pleaseth Thee is good;
Thou art forevermore; O Formless One!

-- Jap Ji, The Morning Prayer of Guru Nanak, Translated by Master Kirpal Singh, Ruhani Satsang USA Website

Kirpal Singh's books are published in Urdu and many other languages. The Urdu word for 'man' or 'human' means: "one who is bubbling over with love". The title of Kirpal Singh's book, Man Know Thyself, therefore means: "One who is bubbling over with love, know thyself".

"The highest aim of humanity is to know one's self and to know God…..Every moment of our life is most precious. We should not fritter it away in useless pursuits, but devote it in the search of self and God." (Kirpal Singh)

Satsang MP3

Satsang MP3 Recorded July 5th, 2009: A couple of hymns (bhajans) are sung. Following that -- 22 minutes in, Russell Perkins reads a document and letter of Huzur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj on Karma and other aspects of the spiritual journey according to Sant Mat. As always, a valuable talk on the Path of the Masters with great insightful commentary by Russell Perkins. I've enjoyed listening to his satsang talks for many years. This talk goes into detail about the inward journey and inner regions of Light and Sound experienced during meditation:
http://www.santbaniashram.org/Recordings/2009_07_05.mp3

Kirpal Bhajan Video

Bhajan: Ruh Malik To Hui Dur: The Soul Has Gone Far Away From the Lord:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tSqA12sczw

Hafiz

Stay with us tonight as we weave love -- Hafiz Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiNsaSnsZjM

Islamic Gnosis

The blessed rid themselves of clay as their hearts cling to heavenly lights. You are born again, into the heavens this time, into the Light from which you came:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFZVyMsXOkE

Meet the Beloved Anadi Anami Sat Purush Radhaswami -- The Lord of the Soul -- The Ocean of Love

True bliss of meeting the Beloved Lord is such that its rapturous absorption does not diminish or wear out. There is continual intoxication of the Holy Name and nectar. -- Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram) in, Nij Updesh Radhasoami

The Vision Thing

Very near your heart are seekers of your Vision; Those who look at the surface are exiled from the Beloved's Light. What can I say of the grace He showers on me within? Darshan, the moment I close my eyes, the Beloved's Light begins. (Love's Last Madness, Darshan Singh, Hohm Press -- out of print)

Hindu Prayer and Video

“From the unreal, lead us to the Real [from asat to Sat]; from darkness, lead us unto Light; from death, lead us to Immortality. Om peace, peace, peace.” (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad — I.iii.28) Sanskrit Vedic Mantra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SDUmRKDHv0

Wisdom of the Masters

The souls are all bound by illusions and are rotating round the great wheel of birth and death. This state of the individual soul or souls is the root cause of all sufferings. In order to come out of these, the only remedy is devotion to God.

Repeating the name in mind, concentrating upon it in mind and with the help of 'Drishti Sadhan' and 'Surat-Shabda-Yoga' (Yoga of Sound). One has to pass or go beyond darkness, light and words to be at one with Him and get 'Moksha' or liberation.

Having unflinching faith in the Almighty and full dependence on Him and firm resolution to find Him within oneself, serving Guru selflessly, practicing Satsang and Dhyana Yoga –- all these be considered as the real steps for getting salvation in this world." (Maharishi Mehi)

Through association of Saints, the hearing of spiritual talks and study, wisdom can be acquired. Wisdom is essential in determining what is the right way to live your life. -- Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj

Consider the following as the requirements to attain liberation: Trust and belief in the Divine; commitment to seek the Divine within; devotion to a spiritual master; listening to the teaching of the spiritual discourse including study of the teachings of the saints and the scriptures; and diligent meditation practice. (Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, in the book, Harmony of All Religions)

Couplets of Swami Sant Sevi Ji

Begin meditation with internally chanting or repeating the Guru-mantra-incantation (the charged words given by the Guru). And then try to visualize the radiant form or image of the Satguru in the still darkness of the inner sky (with eyes closed).

Follow that with focusing your attention at the seat of the soul within, i.e. at the Third Eye or the Inner Eye or the Til Dwaar, by making the two streams of consciousness in your two eyes converge in a Point.

When the two currents of consciousness meet in a Point, Divine Light appears within. Then, practice Surat Shabd Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound) i.e., shift your attention to listening to the Divine Sounds or myriads of melodies (Anahad Naad) ringing inside. Listening to the Divine Sound destroys all the perversions, agitations and fickleness of the mind.

Ascending beyond or transcending myriads of sounds, try to identify and tune in to the Quintessential Unstruck Melody, called "Saar Shabd" or "Anaahat Naad" which alone is capable of taking you and merging you into oneness with the Supreme Lord; this is the ultimate liberation. (Couplets of Sant Sevi Ji translated by Pravesh Kumar Singh)

My Ode To Living Ones Now

For it is the ability to truly listen
that gives birth
to an awareness of a message,
and an appreciation
of a messenger.
An Infinite God
could never have
a limited number
of inspired words,
or be forever bound
by bookbinders.
If there is no inspiration now,
how could there ever have been
any inspiration
in days gone by?
There is also
no missing element
or trace mineral,
once present
in the water supply
during the middle ages
or earlier times but now gone,
that once caused
the appearance of prophets and saints,
and accounts for their absence now.
What was true then
is true now.
The same need
that brought great souls
into the world
during past centuries
is still with us.
My experience and belief is
that the age
of prophets, apostles, masters or saints
is still with us,
that there is a Living Gnosis Now.
There are living Masters
in the world today.
The reality
and not the illusion
of having a guru,
begins here,
with this openness
to the possibility
of Living Ones NOW.
(from one of my profiles on Sant Mat)

Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba

On closing eyes everyone sees the darkness inside no matter whether they belong to one creed, caste, country or another, be they young, old, male, female, scholar or illiterate. This darkness has not been created by humans or gods. This darkness has been created by the Supreme Sovereign God. There are three layers (coverings) over the Jeeva-atmaa (Individual Soul). Those are: darkness, Light and Sound. Darkness is the shadow of the Light. This darkness is the first layer that the Jeeva (Individual Soul) or all beings encounter. One who crosses this layer of darkness through a special kind of meditation sees the inner Light within oneself.

This inner Light is called Aatma-Aalok (Light of the Self) or Brahma-Prakash (Divine Light). On achieving this, the Divya-Drishti (Divine Eye, Third Eye) opens completely. While mentally gazing into the darkness that one sees with eyes closed, one should repeat the guru-instructed mantra. This process is called Maanas Jap.

If the Jaapak (practitioner of Jap) repeats the Jap while doing worldly work as well as practices Jap sitting in a secluded place with love and faith, he/she begins to see divine visions, or hear auditions in the inner sky (the region within where darkness normally appears when one's eyes are closed).

Rumi Video -- Looking For Your Face:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ1LrJI2U7w

Below From, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume 4 (Hymns of Love to the Lord of the Soul), by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram)

Infinite is the wealth of Love. Through Love one meets the Supreme Creator.

All Dhyan [meditation] is pretense without Love. All knowledge is shallow without Love.

All scriptures are sham without Love. Kal [the lord of time/lord of death] and Karma are overcome by Love.

Mana [mind] and Maya [illusion] are subdued by Love. Surat [the soul] ascends to higher regions by Love.

Love dispels all evils. One is detached from world by Love.

Refulgence within, one perceives by Love. Every heart overflows with Love.

Most exalted is the glory of Love. All endeavours are in vain without Love.

All activities are void without Love. One is redeemed by Love and Love alone.

May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!

Tags: sant mat, radhasoami, surat shabd yoga, newsletter, inner light and sound meditation, salvation, enlightenment, vegetarian, ahimsa

A Vegan Conversation with Sunny Mueller of Loving Hut

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:52:15 GMT

A Conversation with Sunny Mueller of Loving Hut on Compassion, Climate Change, and the Vegan Diet, on Spiritual Awakening Radio, Parts 1 and 2

* Part One: Click to Listen to Archived Show On Demand:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=E0IGHeQvLm5u0hsQsDriNQ%3d%3d

** Part Two: Click to Listen to Archived Show On Demand:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=cCwR2vuv%2fW%2fZmaeQx3pD3g%3d%3d

(NOTE: Clicking the links above should activate your Windows Media Player or default audio player for .ASX files -- streaming audio.)

All for the love of Wisdom and Radio,
James Bean
Spiritual Awakening Radio Productions
http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat

Tags: vegan, loving hut, supreme master ching hai, climate change, supreme master television, james bean, spiritual awakening radio, quan yin method, going green, vegetarian

Perseverance Pays - Never Ever Give Up or Discontinue Meditation.

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:10:35 GMT

Perseverance Pays - Never Ever Give Up or Discontinue Meditation. You Will Definitely Meet With Success.

DhIraj dharay to kAraj saray. Jaldi karay to kAraj bigare" [Patience and Perseverance pays, while haste makes waste.]

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

Below was translated by Pravesh K. Singh, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India, and is excerpted from the last satsang prawachan (discourse) given by Maharshi Santsevi Paramhans jee Mahaaraaj, just one day before he departed this world. This public discourse was given by him on Sunday, 3rd of June, 2007 in the Satsang Hall of Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Kuppaghat, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India on the occasion of the weekly afternoon satsang.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati
http://profiles.yahoo.com/praveshksingh
http://groups.zorpia.com/group/santmatFraternity

Jagjivan Sahab has said: "KAraj dhIre hot hai, kAhe hot adhIr. Samay pAy taruwar falay, ketak sIncho nIr." [Any work takes its own due time, why do you forsake patience? Trees come to fruition only at the right time, however hard you may try and water them!]

Santsevi Ji: We sit in meditation, fail to concentrate, and get upset or fed up. A pessimistic thinking sets in as to whether or not "I would be able to do it." No, we should not get nervous, or anxious. Nor should we nurture any doubts in our minds. We must go on trying, with persistence and perseverance.

Jagjivan Sahab: "SAdho sumiran bhajan karo. Man manh duvidhA Anahu nAhi, sahajahi dhyAn dharo. dhIraj dhari sanshay nahi rAkhahu, nAm bharose raho. JagjIvan satguru ko bheto, bhavjal pAr karo." [O noble souls! Practice mediation. Have no doubts in your minds, and do meditation in a natural, unforced, simple state of mind. Have patience - give no room to any sort of apprehensions, and have full faith in the Divine Sound. For this, meet a true Guru, says Jagjivan, and learning the right art/method of meditation, swim across the ocean of existence or the cycle of births and deaths.]

Swami Santsevi Ji: Whatever little is possible, do meditation everyday. But never ever give up or discontinue meditation. You will definitely meet with success. Gurudev (Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj) used to say, "If it so happens that you don't get one of three meals any day, not much harm is done; not as much harm or loss as is incurred if you skip a single-time of meditation on any given day." If the situation is such that a meal has to be skipped in a day, let it be so, no big deal; but never ever skip meditation. All of you please keep on practicing meditation regularly, everyday. Gurudev will bestow you with success!

Tags: meditation, perseverance, success, never give up, sant mat mysticism blog, james bean, pravesh k singh, santmat, santsevi ji

All knowledge is shallow without Love

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:34:04 GMT

All knowledge is shallow without Love. Through Love one meets the Supreme Creator -- Radhaswami

Sant Mat at Gaia Blog:

http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

From, Prem Bani Radhasoami, Volume Four
(Hymns of Love to the Lord of the Soul),
by Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram)

Infinite is the wealth of Love. Through Love one meets the Supreme Creator.

All Dhyan [meditation] is pretense without Love. All knowledge is shallow without Love.

All scriptures are sham without Love. Kal [the lord of time/lord of death] and Karma are overcome by Love.

Mana [mind] and Maya [illusion] are subdued by Love. Surat [the soul] ascends to higher regions by Love.

Love dispels all evils. One is detached from world by Love.

Refulgence within, one perceives by Love. Every heart overflows with Love.

Most exalted is the glory of Love. All endeavors are in vain without Love.

All activities are void without Love. One is redeemed by Love and Love alone.

May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!
May Radhasoami grant the gift of Love!

Tags: lord of the soul, radhasoami, radhaswami, prem bani, huzur maharaj, saligram, soami ji maharaj, agra, india

Article and Podcast: Three Ways We Can Honor the Soul

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:37:07 GMT

Article and Podcast: Three Ways We Can Honor the Soul ---- Learn New Things --- Ascend and Discover A New World! By James Bean, Copyright November 2009, All Rights Reserved http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Spiritual Awakening Radio 11-6-09: My Talk, "Three Ways We Can Honor the Soul" -- CLICK TO LISTEN to Archived Show Available Online 24/7:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=2/Al/EGxGrYyyiWgCQ1klA==

There are unexplored "rooms" within the "interior castle" of the human body, the true temple of the Spirit. What ultimately is to be uncovered along this mystic-journey of inner soul travel exploration is our true identity, which has been given various names: the True Self, Higher Self, New Nature, New Adam, "Christ in you -- your hope of glory", Atman, Supreme Soul, Drop from the Divine Ocean, the Pearl, Spark of the Light, Nuri Sarup (Light-Body or Radiant Form), Spirit Entity, or Surat (the attention-faculty of the soul). Eventually the observer will observe it's own Self.

It occurs to me that the definition of "soul" for most is really atman or Spirit combined with the astral and mental subtle bodies or coverings. Those are generally lumped together and called "the soul." That's understandable of course, as it represents "us" as separate individual or individualized "drops" of the Divine Ocean.

There are Realities that we do not see, many things we do not hear, and a vast treasure-trove of wisdom we are not paying attention to. The outer world via the five senses comes pouring in -- we are outwardly gazing all the time and dominated by impressions of mind and matter. We have accepted our own reflections (bodies) as the only reality. Thus the need for meditation, and not just any form of meditation, but an initiation into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Inner Space, so that we may see and hear spiritually, know and explore those realms we inhabit: the astral plane, the causal and mental regions, and ultimately beyond mind and matter, to the purely spiritual region, until there is Oneness. Kirpal Singh's axiom is: "God plus mind [manas] is man, and man minus mind [manas] is God."

Swami Bhagirath Baba, a Master from Bihar, India, said recently: "Moving down from the middle of the two eyes is going towards ignorance, and moving up from the middle of two eyes is going towards Knowledge." "The beginning of the Turiyaa state has been said to be the Aajnaa-chakra [Third Eye Center] (the Guru instructs about the Point in between the two eyes where the vision of both unites), and the destination of this is in Kaivalya--the State of Oneness--Pure Consciousness." Swami Bhagirath Baba describes as ignorance or spiritual poverty a situation of only being aware of the world below the Third Eye Center, the material world of the fives senses but cut off from awareness of the reality that exists above and beyond the Third Eye Center. For Bhagirath Baba and other mystics, above the Third Eye is a kind of tunnel that ultimately quite literally leads to God. Those who have had NDE's or Near Death Experiences have described this same tunnel. The observer passes through certain visions, sights and sounds, perhaps stars, moons, and suns, inner regions or heavens, then bright Light, from Light to Sound, and from Sound to Soundlessness and Formlessness. I even know of several helpful "charts of the heavens", illustrating the various levels, or regions of Inner Space, this Kingdom of the Heavens that are within. Email me and I will gladly send some Shabd Yoga as well as Gnostic charts to you!

Three Ways We Can Honor the Soul

Kabir once said, "There is no other God like compassion on living beings and worship of the Supreme Self." (The Bijak of Guru Kabir, published by Shri Kabir Ashram, Jamnagar, India) There are three major ways (no doubt many more) we can honor the soul, the divine within ourselves and others.

1) A Sociable God: Where Two or Three Gather in My Name, I Am in Their Midst

The first way we can honor or acknowledge the soul is through spiritual community, by connecting with other souls. The Eastern term for this is "Satsangha" or "Satsang" (Associating with the Eternal Truth or God), referring to people getting together to meditate as a group, discuss spiritual principals of truth, sing hymns (bhajans, kirtans, bhajans), and focus on the Wisdom of one's spiritual teacher, path, mystic order, or tradition. It's also easy to recognize parallels to this in various world religions and paths, East and West: synagogue, church, mass, message board, chat room, book discussion group, class, tele-seminar, friends meditating together, meeting together, including over the phone, or via the web. These all, to varying degrees, could be viewed as containing elements of Satsang.

As we develop our meditation practice and ethical foundation, one of the fruits of this is the bhakta principal of seeing God in everyone. Eastern cultures are quite advanced in this area. I really like the salutation used by an Eastern religion known as the Kabir Panth, the Path of Guru Kabir: "Bandagi Saheb!" Bandagi is from the Sanskrit 'vandana' - a salutation, and saheb is a word for master. Bandagi saheb thus means: "I offer salutation or greeting to the master dwelling in you". Bandagi Saheb also reminds me of the greeting "Namaste'", which means: "The God in me bows to the God in you." Also, in the Radhasoami tradition of India, satsangis greet each other with "Radhaswami", meaning, Lord of the Soul. The principals of this art of seeing God in others is quite eloquently articulated in a holy book of the East known as, The Narada Bhakti Sutras, which I highly recommend. One can find translations of it online, as well as can order it via any good bookstore or library.

2) The Supreme Soul Assuming Control

The second way we can honor souls is by adhering to ahimsa values. Ahimsa is an Eastern term for the Golden Rule meaning, cultivating non-violence in one's thoughts, words, and deeds, to, more and more with each passing day, become truly peaceful in all aspects of life. This means being inspired, not by vague platitudes about inner and outer peace, but by specific ethical principals to be guided by in every aspect of life and living. As of late, rich sources of inspiration for me have been the Bijak of Guru Kabir, the Saakhi Granth of Guru Kabir, and countless Jainist Sutras. The religion from India founded by Lord Mahavira known as Jainism has a vast amount of wisdom to offer about ahimsa ethics, the values of the Supreme Soul.

3) Become Your Real Self In Meditation

The third way we can directly honor the soul is by BEING the soul in meditation. When we first start practicing meditation, we may believe that we HAVE a soul. If our meditation becomes deep and successful however, over time we will realize that we ARE soul. It is the soul that is inhabiting this body and mind. We don't merely have a soul hidden away someplace -- WE ARE THAT.

Not All Saints Are Dead

When it comes to spirituality, there are two basic approaches that most have. The most common one is finding a book on spirituality. Many begin the learning process this way. Of course, rather than the pursuit of knowledge leading to mystical experience, it could be the other way around for some. One may begin the spiritual search as a result of something acting as a catalyst. People may begin seeking answers as a result of having an experience that opens them up to new possibilities. In any case, most with a spiritual curiosity may get ideas from certain books, perhaps a book from a popular author with a best seller. This could be described as an eclectic do-it-yourself spirituality. One is not necessarily tethered to any specific spiritual path, tradition or direction, just some of "this" and some of "that." Most of us begin this way. There is however another approach. Some go from being an eclectic spiritual seeker perpetually in seek-mode to someone who has "found" a certain path or contemporary spiritual movement they resonate with, that feeds their soul like none other thus far in their experience. One may join a living school of spirituality, a mystic order or lineage. Perhaps this lineage or path has been in existence for many centuries. One may find that the wisdom of mystical paths such as Kabbalah, Sufism or Sant Mat is not solely based on ancient scriptures, scrolls, or holy parchments from the past, with a focus of looking back to an earlier time of prophets and saints, like we usually find in the mainstream exoteric religions. Rather -- what's especially noteworthy about mystic paths is, they may have Living Buddhas, Living Christs, Living Rumis, Living Hildegards, Living Kabirs, a Living Master or Meister Eckhart, a Living One: a living mystic or saint with us now, here on Terra firma in the Twenty First Century.

Living Students Have Living Teachers

For it is the ability to truly listen that gives birth to an awareness of a message, and an appreciation of a messenger. An Infinite God could never have a limited number of inspired words, or be forever bound by bookbinders. If there is no inspiration now, how could there ever have been any inspiration in days gone by? There is also no missing element or trace mineral, once present in the water supply during the middle ages or earlier times but now gone, that once caused the appearance of prophets and saints, and accounts for their absence now. What was true then is true now. The same need that brought great souls into the world during past centuries is still with us. My experience and belief is that the age of prophets, apostles, masters or saints is still with us, that there is a Living Gnosis Now. There are living Masters in the world today. The reality and not the illusion of having a guru, begins here, with this openness to the possibility of Living Ones Now. ////////

Tags: namaste, soul, compassion, jainism, hinduism, gnostic, santmat, meditation, podcasts, spiritualawakeningradio

Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar, and the Path of the Masters

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:23:40 GMT

Mystic Poetry and Teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar, A Great Master in the Lineage of Inner Light and Sound Mysticism

"Those who develop interest in simran are really fortunate and are making a good use of their human birth." (Domain Singh of the Sant Dariya Mission Website)

The Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

Below the mystic verses of Sant Dariya is a discourse by Domain Singh of the Sant Dariya Mission of Bihar, on the practice of Simran (Manas Jap): repeating God's Name or Holy Names with love and devotion, a bhakti practice of remembering God, done during available moments throughout the day and night, as well as simran is a technique used during meditation practice.

Before We Get to the Poetry and Spirituality, Some Sant Mat History: Background on Sant Dariya Sahib (1674--1780)

Sant Dariya was born in 1674 in the Rohtas District of Bihar, India. He was brought up and remained at that place for most of his life. Dariya was apparently given his name by the family Guru. Dariya's birth was celebrated with great festivity. After the baby was one month old, a holy man visited his place and the mother brought the baby before him. This holy man carefully looked at the baby from head to foot, asked the mother to take very good care of the baby and named him Dariya, to be so recognized later. Dariya never looked upon him as a human being, and always referred to him as the Lord or Sat Purush. Sant Dariya got enlightenment at the age of twenty years. He was initiated into Inner Light and Sound Meditation, Shabd Naam, by the same Satguru mentioned above, that had been a major influence on Dariya's life.

In 1674, Dariya's Guru would have BEEN, or at least would have been contemporary WITH, one of the early Dharamdasi Kabir Panth Gurus, the "People of the Anurag Sagar", that is to say, a distinct branch of Sant Mat related to Kabir that used a text called, The Anurag Sagar, along with, The Bijak, Saakhi Granth, and other writings attributed to Guru Kabir. Another signature teaching that early on was unique to the Dharamdasi group was the view that Sant Dharam Das was the primary gurmukh successor of Kabir. It is recorded that Dariya's Satguru, mentioned above, eventually appointed Dariya Sahib to be his spiritual successor.

Dariya became one of the great Saints of the Sant tradition of India, a towering figure occupying some of that space in history between the time of Kabir and that of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. In fact, for awhile, Dariya and Tulsi Sahib were alive at the same time. Dariya passed on when Tulsi was around seventeen years of age. Dariya Sahib appointed several Saints to be his spiritual successors: Fakkar Das, Basti Das, Sant Tika Das, and, Sant Guna Das, also contemporaries with Tulsi Sahib, who likely spent some time in Bihar. Bihar was, and remains, home-base of the Satsang of Sant Dariya Sahib. "He [Tulsi Sahib] has freely used words of Braj, Avadhi, Rajasthani (Marwari), Gujrati, Punjabi and Maithili, which leads one to conclude that, like many other Saints, he must have traveled widely in V.P., Rajasthan, Gujrat, Punjab and Bihar." (Tulsi Sahib, Saint of Hathras, J.R. Puri, and V.K. Sethi, RS Books)

Tulsi Sahib said he was initiated by a living Satguru, but knowledge of the name of that particular Guru is lost, or at least not necessarily clear to us these many years later. The name of that Guru is not recorded in the writings that have survived. Or is it, and we simply aren't noticing? During those days, Sant Dariya has the distinction of being the only living or recently departed Sant Mat Master Tulsi mentions in his writings! Furthermore, Tulsi Sahib, in a hymn of praise, a shabd, included Dariya on his list of the greatest Saints in the history of India. Says Tulsi: "Nanak, Dadu, Dariya Saheb, Mira Bai, Soor Das, Kabir and Nabbaji have all reached the Mystic Sky and have given out the secrets. Their souls have got across and merged there." My suspicion is that the unknown Guru of Tulsi Sahib was either Dariya Sahib, or one of Dariya's successors in Bihar. Thus, contemporary Inner Light and Sound Meditation or Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters as it is known, associated with Sant Tulsi Sahib and Soami Ji Maharaj or Sant Radhasoami Sahib, is directly connected to the Dharam Das branch of the Path of Kabir by way of Dariya's Guru and Dariya Sahib of Bihar.

Masters such as Dariya Sahib and Tulsi Sahib represented mystical hardcore reformist voices somewhat critical of the overall direction the older Sant Panths were headed in. Sufis, the followers of Guru Gobind Singh (Ratnagar Rao?) or Sikhism, the Kabir Chaura or other branches of Kabir Panth (other than the Dharamdasis), and the Dadu Panth of Rajasthan, do not recognize Dharam Das as the gurumukh successor of Kabir, and they do not use or recognize a key sacred text important to Tulsi Sahib known as the Anurag Sagar. Those Panths or Paths do not seem to be the the primary influences upon Tulsi Sahib. For the Dharamdasi Kabir Panth group and the Dariya Sahib Panth however, the Anurag Sagar is a major scripture, central to their teachings, history, and view of the cosmos during this age of Kali Yuga. Therefore, these writings and teachings unique to the Dharamdasi and Dariya branches of Sant Mat, being shared by Tulsi Sahib are significant clues. Tulsi's views about Sant Mat Spirituality, Kabir, Dharam Das, Panch Naam, the Anurag Sagar, a critical stance against Kabir Panth as it had become during his day, etc..., would most likely suggest an association with the Dariya Satsang of Bihar. In my view, the teachings of Tulsi Sahib most resemble those of Dariya Sahib, to the degree that it's safe to say that, based on a close examination of the internal evidence provided in the writings of Tulsi Sahib: theology, vocabulary, style, imagery, quoted materials including the Anurag Sagar, stance towards the Kabir Panth and other Sant Panths, that the primary influence upon Tulsi was Dariya Sahib and the Dariya School of Sant Mat.

Back to Sant Dariya Sahib. "In one of his books, Dariya claimed himself to be Saint Kabir in his previous birth." (Dr. Dharmendra Brahmachari Shastri, who published a research paper on the Sant for his Doctor of Philosophy thesis called Sant Dariya Kabir of Bihar) Certainly, many believe the great sage Sant Dariya Sahib was the reincarnation of Guru Kabir. In any case, it can be said that the teachings of Sant Dariya Sahib and his Satguru successors do indeed represent a continued living mystic-expression of this Path of Guru Kabir in this current Kali Yuga Age. Says Sant Dariya Sahib:

"Sat Purush is the living Lord
And His own son serves as the ladder.
That ladder is continued through me, says Dariya.
Fakkar Das, Basti Das, and Guna Das,
Are the ladders proceeding from me.
Whomsoever they appoint as their successors
Would also be known as ladders.
Thus will my line of succession continue.....

"Those souls who remain in obedience
to these successors,
Shall cross the Ocean of the world.
How long will this line of succession continue?
Kindly relate it to us in your own words, asks Fakkar Das.
Listen mindfully, 0 Fakkar Das,
I explain this to you, says Dariya:
As long as the discipline of the Sound Current
is preserved unadulterated,
The line of succession will truly continue.
But when it is mixed with outer rituals
and display of external garbs,
My Sound Current will part company.
My Divine essence will depart,
And the souls will go into the mouth of Kal.
I shall then come to this world,
And shall proclaim the teaching
of the Sound Current again.
Proclaiming the teaching,
I shall found the line of succession.
And emancipating the souls,
I shall take them to my Abode.
For aeons I have been coming,
And imparting the teaching
of the true Sound Current."

Above is based on 1) information found at the Sant Dariya Mission website; 2) the one book in English featuring excerpts from the many writings of Dariya Sahib, by K.N. Upadhyaya; and, 3) my own articles reflecting about Sant Mat history, the Kabir line of Masters, Dharam Das, Dharam Das's son and spiritual successor: Churamani Nam, Dariya's Guru, Dariya Sahib, and Tulsi Sahib. Note: Domain Singh of the Sant Dariya Mission website really likes Upadhyaya's book on Sant Dariya, thinks it's a wonderful and scholarly publication.

Spirituality: Mystic-Verses/Shabds of Sant Dariya Sahib

Let the practitioner be brave like a lion, and let him not forget the holy repetition even for a moment! Let him be on alert with his drawn-out bow and arrow! The thief (Kal) can never come near such a one. (Sahasrani, M., p. 37)

Keep on repeating the holy names with tenacity, and remove the impurities by repeated rubbings. With the impurities removed, one becomes pure, and wisdom dawns upon such a one in full. Sahasrani. M., p. 61)

Sumiru Sat Nam niju kam hai jahi te

Practice the repetition of the true Names which alone is of value, abandon the taste for worldly enjoyment, and attain thereby the inner bliss. Have kindness in your heart, look with compassion, give up all family rites and worldly concern.

Being detached, brush aside all worldly delusions, And take refuge under the Satguru's holy feet, which is the kingdom of eternal bliss. Disregarding sufferings and afflictions, cut off worldly snares, and be firmly absorbed in contemplation which alone is of value.

Thereby the inner lotus will blossom, nectar will flow, and the inner sky will resound with melody hearing which, Kal will flee away.

There the dazzling Light will shine and the true Sound will resound, which will destroy heavy sins, and place a divine canopy over your head. (Shabd 318, M,.pp. 103-104, D.G. Vol. I. p. 86)

Sumirahu satpad pran adhar

Carry on the repetition of the true names, taking it to be your very life-breath. Obtain thereby the true Sound, and go across the ocean of the world. When a disciple receives the holy names from the Guru, the disciple is sure to attain the Unchangeable, Eternal and Immortal Abode.

The soul attains union with the Creator, and never again comes to this world. That Abode is different from the three worlds. There resides the Primeval Lord along with a multitude of pure souls.

A disciple who takes the Guru's word to his heart, is destined to go to the True Abode, and is never to fall into hell. Having obtained the Authentic Passport (Naam), he certainly goes to the Hidden Realm, and never comes back here again, says Dariya. (Shabd 9I, M., p.40, D.G. Vol. I, p. 64)

Light and Sound arise from the Primal Shabd. Let one make one's attention one-pointed, and let the Surat catch the Sound Current with rapt attention! This is the only way to rise to the Primal Shabd. One should fix one's attention at that point where the sun and the moon meet (at the eye-center).

One will find a resounding melody emanating from the Primal Shabd. One should merge oneself into that melody. There the Thousand-petalled Lotus blossoms, although the Primal Source is above the Akah Lotus. There arises a unique fragrance from the Thousand-petalled Lotus, enjoying which the souls are thrilled with great delight.

When one becomes a devotee of the Satguru, then alone love and devotion are manifested through his service. The further journey is extremely subtle. It can be crossed only by merging the Surat in the Sound Current. Experiencing the refulgent Light and incomparable Sound (of higher Regions) one is filled with bliss.

Reaching the Inaccessible (Agam) Region, one finds an exceedingly dazzling Light. It is hard for the mind to stand that Light. Stepping on the ladder of the Satguru, one tastes there the fruit of Immortality. (Dariya Sagar, chaupai 165-171 & chhand 5, D.G. Vol II, pp. 17-18)

When one sees with one's inner wisdom,
An eternal Light comes to one's sight.
One is absorbed in the Unstruck Divine Melody,
And the Lord is seen in the refulgence of Light.
(Dariya Sagar, chaupai 376-377, D.G. Vol. II, p. 38)

The Unstruck Divine Music is played every moment. And seeing the Divine Form the soul is absorbed within. Only he who finds a wise Guru, can attain the true Abode of Sat Nam.
(Dariya Sagar, chaupai 382-383, D.G. Vol II, p. 39)

(Sant Dariya Sahib -- Saint of Bihar, RS Books)

A Satsang Discourse: Sumiran for God-Realization, An Article by Domain Singh of the Sant Dariya Mission, the Sangat Founded by Sant Dariya Sahib, a Sant Mat Community in Bihar, INDIA

http://theholysound.com/sant-dariya-saheb-bihar/Sumiran-for-God-Realisation.html

There are many kinds of Sadhana [spiritual practices] to realise God. The question is which is the simplest and most suitable for the average person. Many have realised God by repeating the name of the Lord. The Guru gives the Name at the time of initiation. Lord Shiva achieved immortality by repeating the holy name of the Lord. Savage Balmiki became Brahma-like by repeating the holy name. The power of the holy name is beyond description. In the Ramayana, Saint Tulsi Das has said that the holy name of the Lord is more powerful than the Lord Himself. In the Gita, Lord Krishna has said that amongst all the Yagyas, Jap Yagya is the greatest.

The Name of the Lord has the capacity to reveal God. As the practice progresses, the mind becomes subtler and subtler. Ultimately the mind ceases and merges into the Transcendental. In this method of meditation, one sits down, closes the eyes, maintains an easy and comfortable posture, and without moving the lips or tongue repeats the name given by the Guru. As the process progresses, the breathing becomes calm and even. One's mind becomes quiescent. When the mind becomes quiescent, God speaks. If we listen to the inner voice, we find solutions to all our problems and frustrations.

By constant repetition of the Nam [Name] one can conquer lust and passion. To face the ups and downs which is natural in human life, there is no remedy better than ceaseless remembrance of God [simran or sumiran: mentally repeating God's Name: manas jap, as a way to remember God]. Saints of the Nirguna School of Spirituality [devotees or bhaktas of the Formless God] right from the time of Kabir have praised the power of sumiran. Gandhi jee was a great proponent of Nam-Bhakti.

Sant Dariya has described the importance of Nam- Bhakti in the following verses:

"Nam pratap yug yug chali aaye,
sakal sant gun mahima gaye"
jyo tarani jal jat taraee,
Nam sumiru jal bohit payee"

Dariya Sahib in the above verses says that the importance of Nam has been recognized for aeons. Saints have praised its glory. A boat floats on the water and whosoever has to cross a river rides a boat. To sail through the ocean of life which is so difficult, one needs a boat of sumiran to cross the ocean of life. God [at the highest level] is Formless and very few get an opportunity to see him in a form (body [or in the form of Satguru]: Sagun rup birla jan pave). The holy name of the Lord which is Nirguna (beyond attributes) easily leads to the realization of the Lord. According to Sant Dariya, akshar Nam (alphabetical name) leads to nihakshar (Lord who is beyond kshar and akshar). Here ksar and akshar denote perishable and non-perishable and the Lord is beyond these dualities, whom Dariya Sahib calls nihakshar.

Nam is a great medicine to cure all kinds of ills in this samsara [this world of changes]. Sumiran of the holy name subdues the mind and leads to concentration. The mind at ease and peace cures many of physical and mental diseases. It improves the immune system.

To sum up, the benefits of sumiran is immense for this life and life beyond. Those who develop interest in sumiran are really fortunate and are making a good use of their human birth. ////////

Tags: sant dariya mission, dariya saheb of bihar, sant dariya sahib, sant mat, tulsi sahib, sahab, saheb, kabir, dharam das

Self-Analysis, From, Man! Know Thyself, By Kirpal Singh

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:55:34 GMT

Self-Analysis, From, Man! Know Thyself, By Kirpal Singh
http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/knowthy.htm

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-analysis 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.

Tags: kirpal singh, man, know thyself, santmat, ruhani satsang, radhasoami, science of the soul, science of spirituality, masters

Dr. Jagessar Das: Kabir, Part 4 - Spiritual Awakening Radio

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:57 GMT

Newly Archived Edition of Spiritual Awakening Radio: 10/30/09 Dr. Jagessar Das: Kabir, Part 4

"Non-violence and compassion towards all living beings are fundamental principals in a spiritual life. Thus killing is forbidden." A Pro-Vegetarian, Vegan comment made by Dr. Jagessar Das of the KABIR Association, my recent guest on Spiritual Awakening Radio.

A conversation with Dr. Jagessar Das of the Kabir Association about the teachings of the Kabir Panth (Path of Guru Kabir), various writings of Kabir, the path of ahimsa (non-violence in thought, word, and deed), the health benefits following the vegetarian and vegan diets. Kabir as Peacemaker Between Hindus & Muslims: The last segment features an excerpt from a few years back, in honor of the late Mahant Shree Jagdish Das Shastri Sahib of the Kabir Panth, an interview still quite relevant today about the need to cultivate more peace in the world.

Click to listen to one-hour program - streaming audio:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=4JIrBco43zeQz2kUwX3xgg%3d%3d

And if you missed the earlier announcements about the Kabir Series with Dr. Das, here are the links to those audio streams online:

Spiritual Awakening Radio: Dr. Jagessar Das: An Introduction to the Path of Kabir: Part 1 - New Archived Show Available Online: CLICK TO LISTEN:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=a9TYEjm7uw4ELitWZEDV%2fQ%3d%3d

Spiritual Awakening Radio: Dr. Jagessar Das: An Introduction to the Path of Kabir: Part 2 - New Archived Show Available Online: CLICK TO LISTEN:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=M2oxoMdDfYxJPuZEuC42og==

Spiritual Awakening Radio: Dr. Jagessar Das: An Introduction to the Path of Kabir: Part 3 - New Archived Show Available Online: CLICK TO LISTEN:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=6sTnckN4tFo%2fDPvCY5MRSA%3d%3d

All for the Love of Wisdom and Radio,
James
http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Tags: peacemakers, hindus, muslims, kabir, james bean, spiritual awakening radio, podcasts, Jagessar Das, vegetarian

Philosophy of the Radhasoami Faith -- An Introduction

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:12:28 GMT

Philosophy of the Radhasoami Faith -- An Introduction

Sant Mat at Gaia Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

The basic philosophy of this sect (panth) is to traverse the spiritual journey to reach the Ultimate Goal by way of the Sound Current, i.e. Surat Shabd Yoga. The Royal Master or Guru traverses this spiritual path and guides the genuine seekers, their disciples, from earth upwards through kingdom after kingdom, from station after station, each one more splendid than the previous one in advancing stages until the traveler reaches his final destination at the feet of the Supreme Lord. It is truly a highway over which the seeker, the traveler, the disciple, travels along with Gurus -- the Saints, through vast regions. They may be stopping at different stations en-route. The Saint: Param Purush Sant Satguru, is the captain leading the soul from victory to victory over different stations en-route as they have traversed this path countless times and He is the Master of all, Lord of all intervening regions through which this highway passes.

Definite Internal Sounds are audible at each station. The seeker, by meditation, concentration, catches this Sound Current as per the guidance of the Sant Satguru. Param Purush Pooran Dhani Huzur Data Dayal: "When the disciple is ready, the Guru, i.e. the true mentor appears" is an age old saying. Param Purush Sant Satgurus are manifestations of the Supreme Lord and incarnate from time to time for the salvation of deserving souls. The spiritual path is long and thorny and full of pitfalls, and 'Kal-chakra' plays its role to distract the seeker by innumerable distractions. By the grace, guidance and benevolence of a true Guru alone seeker can march forward and win over the distractions, to reach the Ultimate Goal. The Living Guru who has traversed this path, numerous times is the only Power capable of taking the soul successfully to the Highest Abode, at the sacred feet of the Supreme Lord. The Guru only can help the disciple merge with Him for eternal peace, tranquility and supreme bliss, and thus liberate him from this mortal coil.

-- Philosophy of the Radhasoami Faith,

Shabd Pratap Ashram, (Huzur Chachaji Maharaj), Gwalior, M.P., India,

ShabdPratapAshram.com

Tags: Shabd Pratap Ashram, radhasoami faith, radhasoami reality, Huzur Chacha Ji Maharaj, surat shabd yoga, union with God

Satsang Discourse from the Bijak of Kabir With Commentary

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:58:41 GMT

Satsang Discourse from the Bijak of Kabir With Commentary

Satsang Discourse: Shabd 16 of Kabir's Bijak, Volume Two: Shabdas

Hindi (English Translation Below)

ramura jhijhi jantar bajai, kar charan bihuna nachai;
kar bihuna bajai sunai shravan binu, shravan shrota soi;
patan subas sabha binu awsar, bujhahu muni jan loi;
indra binu bhog svad jibhya binu, akshai pind bihuna;
jagat chor mandir tahan musai, khasam achhat ghar suna;
bij binu ankur ped binu tariwar, binu phule phal phariya;
banjh ki kokh putra avtariya, binu pag tariwar chadhiya;
masi binu davat kalam binu kagad, binu akshar sudhi hoi;
sudhi binu sahaj gyan binu gyata, kahahi kabir jan soi.

Meaning

O Soul! The musical instrument plays softly, and (the mind) dances without hands and feet; The music is played without hands, and is heard without ears; The listener and the listening merge into one; The mind is controlled, and listens to the divine melody always playing in the master's court; O intelligent people! Try to understand this; In that state there is enjoyment without senses, and tasting without tongue; There is immortality without the body; The thieves (maya) plunder the temple (body) and though the master is immortal, the house is empty; In that state there is shoot without seed, and tree without stem; And fruit bears without flowers; In the barren womb (empty mind) a son (meditation) is born; And without feet it climbs the tree (God realization) The ink pot is full without ink, and paper written without pen; Without any writing all is known; Without recollection there is intuitive knowledge in the soul, and it knows all without pursuing knowledge; Kabir says He is the real devotee who understands this.

Commentary

This shabd is full of incompatibilities when seen superficially. How can there be dancing without hands and feet, and enjoyment without any sense organ. What does it mean when the listener and the listening merge into one? What is the thief that plunders the house when the master is right there, and the house is empty? How can the shoot grow without seed, or a tree without stem; and fruit bearing when there are no flowers. In order to try to understand this shabd, it is important to realize that when the knowledge of God is obtained, all incompatibilities disappear; all dualities disappear.

The soft music is the divine melody which is heard when one is in meditation. There is no need for hands and feet that make the mind dance in ecstasy. There is no need for hands to play such music for the divine melody resounds eternally. In that exhalted state of unity, there is no listener or listening. In that state there is no need for any of the sense organs in order to enjoy the bliss that is obtained in God realization. The soul is immortal, and that immortality is realized knowing that the body itself is mortal.

Ordinarily, there is a thief which is called maya or illusion which plunders the temple of this body. It creates various desires and attachments, and robs the mind of its tranquility which is needed for meditation. The immortal soul resides there, but because of the illusive power of maya, the house or the body appears to be abandoned.

In that state of God realization, there is only a state of consciousness in which there is no direction such as up and down, front or back, good or bad, etc. In such an 'empty mind' occupied in God realization, the state is called meditation. In meditation divine knowledge dawns into the consciousness, and divine knowledge encompasses every other type of knowledge available to man. Guru Kabir thus states the ink pot has ink and the paper is written, though no ink or pen are used. There is no language, yet all is known. Without learning and remembering anything, intuitive knowledge appears. This knowledge is supreme, and supersedes all other knowledge. Guru Kabir is stating that the person who understands this is a true devotee of God.

Satsang Discourse: Ramaini 47 -- Bijak of Guru Kabir, with Commentary

Hindi (English Translation Below)

jarasindhu sishupal sanghara, sahasrarjun chhal so mara;
bad chhal ravan so gow bita, lanka rahal kanchan ki bhita;
duryodhan abhimane gayau, pandav ker marm nahi payau;
maya ke bimb gayal sab raja, utam madhyam bajan baja;
chhow chakave biti dharani samana, ekow jiv pratit na ana
kahan low kahown achetahi gayau, chet achet jhagara ek bhayau;

Sakhi: i maya jag mohini, mohini sab jag jhari,
harichand sat ke karane, ghar ghar sog bikai.

Meaning

Jarasandh and Sishupal were slain; Sahasrarjun was killed deceitfully;
The great deceiver Ravan, who lived in walls of gold in Lanka, was also finished;
Duryodhan got killed because of his pride; no one knows even the whereabouts of the Pandavas;
All the kings, sons of maya, playing the best or mediocre music, also died;
The six emperors died and mingled with the earth; none of them believed in his own mortality;
How much more can I say? Everyone went without attaining realization; yet the wise and the ignorant are busy with their arguments.

Sakhi: This maya is fascinating to the world; the whole world is allured by her;
For the sake of truth Harischandra, in sorrow, sold himself from house to house.

Commentary

The theme of this ramaini is the power of maya and the perishability of the world. Guru Kabir refers to several ancient kings and emperors, who met their death because of their own ego, greed and deceitfulness. They felt invincible. Maya, with its great power of delusion, defeated them all. These rulers were prominent characters in the two great epics of India - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. (It is beyond the scope of this commentary to go into details about them.) Modern equivalents can be found in some of the dictators of today, (such as President Marcos of Philippines, Chairman Mao Tsetung of China, Baby Doc Duvalier of Haiti, Khomeini the religious dictator of Iran, and several others), who in spite of their assumed power and invincibility have been, or will be, defeated by revolts against them and by death. They are all perishable.

Guru Kabir is teaching here that we should uphold truth at all costs and obtain liberation from this world. We should not become victims of maya and be fooled by her allurements. She arouses the passions, cravings and desires, and these keep us in bondage. We become slaves to them. We should see the Reality of the Divine Being manifesting everywhere and live in thought, word and deed in truth and in purity. He refers to Harischandra who was a king, but in order to uphold the truth, he lost his kingdom and even sold his family and himself to fulfill his word. But what do we see in this world? People are engaged in quarrels, whether they belong to high castes or low castes. They quarrel whether they are intellectual or ignorant. People quarrel on the basis of religious beliefs, races and artificial classes. They are all motivated by their own ego and vanity. They do not think that all of their wrangling is entirely useless, as it will not help them to obtain Self-realization and liberation from this world. They will all die and leave everything behind. Our daily activities should be motivated by the Eternal issues which eventually govern our lives.

Tags: kabir, bijak, kabir association, kabir panth, shabdas, jagessar das, ramainis

Light and Sound on the Path for October 25th, 2009

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:14:28 GMT

Light and Sound on the Path for October 25th, 2009

Sant Mat Mysticism Blog:
http://santmat.gaia.com/blog

Enjoy the wisdom, also the audio and video links below -- there are many!

Sant Mat Radio

October Sant Mat Satsang PODcast at Blog Talk Radio: Go To:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/SantMatFellowship

Spiritual Awakening Radio: Dr. Jagessar Das: An Introduction to the Path of Kabir: Part 1 - New Archived Show Available Online: CLICK TO LISTEN:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=a9TYEjm7uw4ELitWZEDV%2fQ%3d%3d

Spiritual Awakening Radio: Dr. Jagessar Das: An Introduction to the Path of Kabir: Part 2 - New Archived Show Available Online: CLICK TO LISTEN:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=M2oxoMdDfYxJPuZEuC42og==

Spiritual Awakening Radio: Dr. Jagessar Das: An Introduction to the Path of Kabir: Part 3 - New Archived Show Available Online: CLICK TO LISTEN:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=6sTnckN4tFo%2fDPvCY5MRSA%3d%3d

Guru Kabir

Kabir: All entities in the Universe are the Manifestations of the Same Soul:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati/message/522

Beautiful Short YouTube Video -- Words of Kabir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V27TJr2eSQ

"Meditation will remove all your burdens; meditation upon Ram's [God's] name will become your support." -- Guru Kabir

Kabir says: "If you merge your life in the Ocean of Life, you will find your life in the Supreme Land of Bliss."

Guru Kabir: "O my brother, surrender everything and recite the Name." Here Kabir is saying that through the technique of repeating/reciting God's Name every day we will reach the ultimate state. We have to catch the root first, and the root of devotion is simran, the repetition of the sacred words imparted by the Master. If we remember God this way during the day, when we sit down to meditate, it's much easier to reach the Light at the Third Eye Center.

My Sweet Lord -- George Harrison -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abo_U09wmE8

"There is no other God like compassion on living beings and worship of the Supreme Self."
-- Kabir, in the Bijak, published by Shri Kabir Ashram, Jamnagar, India

The Soul, A Drop from the Divine Ocean

Supreme Self or Atman is a Hindu term for God. I'm also attracted to the Jainist term "Supreme Soul".

It occurs to me that the definition of "soul" for most is really atman or Spirit combined with the astral and mental subtle bodies/coverings. Those are generally lumped together and called "the soul." That's understandable of course, as it represents "us" as separate individual or individualized "drops" of the Divine Ocean. Kirpal Singh's axiom is: "God plus mind [manas] is man, and man minus mind [manas] is God."

"Each spirit entity [soul] is a pure spark or atom of divine consciousness and is of the same essence as God. Yet though these sparks are ontologically united with the Divine, they are existentially separated from it. This separation needs to be undone, for as a mystic once expressed it, 'our hearts are ever restless until they find their rest.'" -- Stephan Hoeller, Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition

This passage from Gnostic Bishop Stephan Hoeller above is very much in harmony with the Path of the Masters, which teaches that the soul is already is Sat Lok, the True Eternal Timeless Spiritual Realm, but doesn't realize it. The outer world via the five senses comes pouring in -- we are outwardly gazing all the time and dominated by mind and matter. We have accepted our own reflections (bodies) as the only reality. Thus the need for meditation, and not just any form of meditation, but an initiation into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God or Inner Space within, that we might know, see and hear spiritually, and explore those realms we inhabit that are beyond mind and matter.

Sage Sanathumara in the Chandogya Upanishad said, "The Self is one, though it appears to be many. Those who meditate upon the Self and realize the Self go beyond decay and death, beyond separateness and sorrow." "Know the Self as Lord of the chariot, the body as the chariot itself, the discriminating intellect as the charioteer, and the mind as the reins." (Katha Upanishad)

The term Bandagi Saheb in Kabir Panth: Bandagi is from the Sanskrit 'vandana' - a salutation, and saheb is master. Bandagi saheb thus means: "I offer salutation or greeting to the master dwelling in you". Bandagi Saheb! Bandagi Saheb reminded me of the word "Namaste'", which means: "The God in me bows to the God in you."

Rumi: Travel Not the Road Alone

A friend is needed; travel not the road alone,
Take not thy own way through this desert!
Whoso travels this road alone
Only does so by aid of the might of holy men.
The hand of the Director is not weaker than theirs;
His hand is none other than the grasp of Allah!
If absent saints can confer such protection,
Doubtless present saints are more powerful than absent.
If such food be bestowed on the absent,
What dainties may not the guest who is present expect? -- RUMI

Wishbone Ash: You Rescue Me

Among the stars on this side of heaven
I lay broken and destroyed.
When people on the earth have cut you down
The sky's the only place to hide.
And as I floated in the moonlit night
You arrived to take me home.
I kissed your hand and I came back to life
And all the wrong became all right.

In all of my dreams
You rescue me
It always seems you rescue me

I was wandering down endless roads
A fallen angel in the cold
You appeared before me like a vision
To whisper love I used to know
So easily you gave to me secret promises
Like only magic words can flow

In all of my dreams
You rescue me
It always seems you rescue me

Wishbone Ash: You Rescue Me -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrsYxSrkGfE

Rumi Poetry: The Masnavi, Book One, By Rumi -- PDF:
http://elearn.mtsac.edu/dlane/masnavi5.pdf

Rumi and Other Sufi Books Online -- Great Sufi Website:
http://www.thesufi.com

Sant Darshan Singh: tujhey kya khabar: ghulam ali -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quUC13ajEMs

Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar

Am a fan of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar, a great Satguru who lived in Bihar a couple centuries back. Sant Dariya Kabir, the Son of Sat Purush and Adi-Guru who incarnates from time to time to restart the spiritual path of Inner Light and Sound on the Earth during this present Kali Yuga age, starting a lineage of Masters, so that over the generations souls may be initiated. He said: "As long as the discipline of the Sound Current is preserved unadulterated, the line of succession will continue. But when it is mixed with outer rituals and external garbs, My Sound Current will part company...I shall come to this world, and shall again proclaim the teaching of the Sound Current. Proclaiming the teaching, I shall again found the line of succession, and emancipating the souls, I shall take them to my Abode. For aeons I have been coming, and emparting the teaching of the true Sound Current."

Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar: "Be not intimidated by any fear. Hold fast to the Naam (the Positive Power of inner Light and Sound of God) which is always there to help." "Reflect thoughtfully and hold fast to my technique of the Sound Current. Then having realized the True Sound, cross the Ocean of this World (Samsara)."

"So long as love is not obtained, fondness for the Beloved cannot arise. When nectar-like true love takes abode within oneself, only then can one contact the loving Sound." (Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar)

George Harrison on the Soul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrkQOMsSYaE

What Is Life - George Harrison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSwYfG--QGY

The Beatles - Inner Light -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhHm-5lKkZ0

Lord Mahavira, Divali, and the Inner Sound in Jainism

While Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". (Wikipedia)

Until the last moments of his life Lord Mahavira inspired many to seek world peace through the attainment of inner peace, and he encouraged people to realize their divine nature. For 30 years he traveled throughout India to spread his message. At the age of 72, on the day of Divali in the town of Pawa Puri, Mahavira ended his worldly journey. In the state of deep meditation he attained nirvana. (Swami Sant Sevi Ji)

The Inner Sound in Jainism: Acharya Tulsi says: "From the infinitesimal point and the divine sound the subtlest waves (vibrations) reverberate." In his book, The Method of Using Preksha Dhyāna, Acharya, Mahapragya writes: "Close both ears with your hands and listen to the inner sounds." Swami Jnananada says in the Pandita Puja: "In the divine sound of God (Bhagawan) all the mysteries are revealed." Shri Jinendravarni states: "What does one hear with these ears? It is a sweet sound. . . Closing my eyes, as if I were united with God, I was away from this world. Only my Peace incarnate and dispassionate Lord (Mahavira) and I existed [ego and worldly concerns had vanished in the state of complete tranquility]." (The Harmony of All Religions, Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj)

The book, Harmony of All Religions, by Swami Sant Sevi Ji, on the inner Light and Sound teachings in all the major world religions. The Jainism chapter - PDF:
http://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Harmony7-ChapterTwo.pdf

Video of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Giving a Satsang Talk, Part One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY-II8TTt5Q

The WORD

Moodly Blues: "The Word"

This garden universe vibrates complete.
Some we get a sound so sweet.
Vibrations reach on up to become light,
And then thru gamma, out of sight.
Between the eyes and ears there lay,
The sounds of colour and the light of a sigh.
And to hear the sun, what a thing to believe.
But its all around if we could but perceive.
To know ultra-violet, infra-red and x-rays,
Beauty to find in so many ways.
Two notes of the chord, thats our fluoroscope.
But to reach the chord is our lifes hope.
And to name the chord is important to some.
So they give a word, and the word is om.

Moodly Blues: "Om"

The rain is on the roof
Hurry high butterfly
As clouds roll past my head
I know why the skys all cry
OM, OM, Heaven, OM

The Earth turns slowly round
Far away the distant Sound
Is with us everyday
Can you hear what it say
...OM, OM, Heaven, OM

The rain is on the roof
Hurry high butterfly
As clouds roll past my head
I know why the skys all cry
OM, OM, Heaven, OM

YouTube: Moody Blues: The Word, and, OM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfkUfarjVO8

"The Sound Current: Sweeter and sweeter its heavenly strains vibrate through every living being, great or small, from world to world, and from universe to universe. Its life-giving melodies may not be consciously heard by those who are not trained to catch them, but there is not one living being in all creation which does not derive its life from this Current". (Julian Johnson, Path of the Masters)

Nada Dhyana (Yoga of Sound) - Swami Achyutanand Ji Maharaj:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sant_santati/message/521

Baba Sawan Singh Maharaj Ji - part 1 -- YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKzXu1z5TTs

Leaving the Matrix--A variety of negative thought-beliefs prevent souls from success in meditation:
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/leavematrix.html

An amazing YouTube video: The Morning Prayer (Jap Ji) of Guru Nanak, in English, with Chant in Gurmuki and text in both English and Gurmuki:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpPJUjebWo8

A Living Mystic Path

Swami Sant Bhagirath Baba: "Moving down from the middle of the two eyes is going towards ignorance, and moving up from the middle of two eyes is going towards Knowledge." "The beginning of the Turiyaa state has been said be the Aajnaa-chakra (the Guru instructs about the Point in between the two eyes where the vision of both unites), and the destination of this is in Kaivalya-the State of Oneness-Pure Consciousness."

Sant Mat means: "The Way of the Saints" or "Path of the Masters." Inner Light and Sound Meditation works best when practiced with a spirit of Love and Devotion for God, the Beloved Lord of Love. Divine Currents of Love, Light, and Sound to All.

Sant Mat: Awakening to the Light:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHvJaoylVmU

Seeking a spiritual path, meetings (satsangs) in your area, Initiation into Inner Light and Sound Meditation? What city are you in or near? Reply back and I can send you contact info.

In the Love, Light and Sound of the Beloved,
James
http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat

Tags: blog, newsletter, sant mat, radha soami, surat shabd, God, salvation, soul, satsang, James Bean

Kabir, PT 2: Spiritual Awakening Radio: New Show Available

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:50:25 GMT

Kabir Poetry, Wisdom, and Mysticism, Part Two: October 16th Spiritual Awakening Radio - New Archived Show Available Online: More of My Conversation with Dr. Jagessar Das of the Kabir Association

CLICK TO LISTEN:

http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=M2oxoMdDfYxJPuZEuC42og==

Sat Guru Kabir Sahib

Part Two in the Kabir Series: A program of Kabir poetry from the Bijak, Robert Bly's Kabir Book, Songs of Kabir, by Rabindranath Tagore, and more conversation with Dr. Das, translator of the Bijak of Guru Kabir and other writings published by the Kabir Association. Dr. Jagessar Das is the President of the Kabir Association of Canada, affiliated with the Dharamdasi Branch of Kabir Panth (The Path of Kabir): http://www.Kabir.ca

The Dharamdasis are the "People of the Anurag Sagar". That is to say, the Anurag Sagar: Kabir's Ocean of Love, was a sacred text composed, published, has been read in satsangs, and contemplated for centuries by: the Dharamdasis, the Branch of Kabir Panth founded by Sant Dharamdas Sahib. Anurag Sagar (The Ocean of Love) online:
http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/anurag.html

All for the Love of Wisdom and Radio,
James
Producer and Host
Spiritual Awakening Radio Productions

Tags: kabir, kabir poetry, robert bly, rabindranath tagore, santmat, james bean, spiritual awakening radio, podcasts, archived shows, spiriutal radio

Happy Divali! The Festival of Lights

http://SantMat.gaia.com — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:37:37 GMT

Happy Divali!

While Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

The gunas are the underlying forces or tendencies which one needs to have unaffected, direct relation with in order to find effectiveness and righteousness in life: they are lines of potential and illuminate thought and action, thus the inner meaning of Diwali being the festival of lights.

Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman). (Wikipedia)

Tags: divali, happy divali, festival of lights, mahavira, jainism, hinduism, inner light