("Practical Spirituality - Chapter 1: Befriend Your Mind" - Forthcoming)
I hope you are having a lovely day,
Dancing in the LightSong of Eternal Love,
Michael
http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org
"I want to take a moment to point out that the idea that you’re going to find a way to immortalize your physical body and live forever – or “ascend to a higher vibrational frequency with this planet” – is an illusion. It’s an illusion foisted by Kal to give us the sense of not having to find soul and God-realization because, “We’ll just take this planet to a higher vibrational frequency”. If that even actually worked, all it would mean would be that you will change your vibratory frequency to a sub-astral level where there is still space, time, duality, and anger, and hope, and all these things. It’s just another way of distracting you from the true goal of being one with the Spiritual Current and attaining self-realization, God-realization and spiritual freedom in this life."
("Practical Spirituality - Chapter 1: Befriend Your Mind" - Forthcoming) I hope you are having a lovely day, Dancing in the LightSong of Eternal Love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org
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“You are not a drop in the ocean.
You are the entire ocean in a drop” - Rumi Thank you . . . with love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org "Precognition is just remembering backwards"
- The Doctor SHABDA TEACHERS FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THE SPIRITUAL CURRENT & GOD
38. “An image was originally meant as an aid to concentration and meditation. Afterwards, it became only a matter of going to the temple and offering water and flowers to the idol. Priests wanted to make a living out of it, so they organized shows, plays, dances and decorations in the temples. Satsang, which was the real aim, was completely ignored. In order to please their followers, the priests provided fresh items of entertainment and decorations in the temples. Thus there has been a complete reversal of what had been aimed at, so much so that if a man does not go on pilgrimages and does not even utter the name of the Lord at home, he escapes many sins and evil deeds. He is far better than those who go on pilgrimages and indulge in vices there, eat rich and delicious food, occupy themselves in seeing various shows and waste their time in useless engagements and yet take pride in having been on pilgrimage. Observing this sorry state of affairs of the present times, Sants were moved to pity. Although there were very few real seekers and spiritually minded people, yet out of sheer grace and mercy, they gave out the secrets of the highest regions, though discourses and writings. Whoever in their times listened to and understood them, believed in them and took to performing the spiritual practices, attained to the Supreme Abode. For others they have left their writings, so that those who would read them intelligently will know the greatness of Sants and start in quest of a perfect Sat Guru with a view to finding the Supreme Being and would discard Karam (aka Karma - mt) and Bharam (that is the worship of idols, waters, animals, plants, gods and incarnations), and devote themselves with staunch faith and love to the worship of the Holy Feet of the True Lord who is the highest and the creator of all and will get His Darshan. 39. The names of some of the perfect and true Sants, Sadhs and Faqirs who manifested themselves during the past seven hundred years are Kabir Saheb, Tulsi Saheb, Jagjiwan Saheb, Garib Das, Paltu Saheb, Guru Nanak, Dadu Saheb, Tulsi Das, Dabhaji, Swami Hari Das, Sur Das and Rai Das. And some of the Muslim names are Shams Tabrez (Shamus i Tabriz), Maulvi Rum(Rumi), Hafiz, Sarmad and Mujaddid Alif Sani. A perusal of their writings would give an idea of their spiritual attainments.” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Sections 38 & 39") In Section 38, Shiv Dayal Singh raises an interesting dichotomy. He essentially says that activities that used to have significant spiritual import have so been reduced to rote rituals and social gatherings, that one stands a better chance of finding spiritual illumination by doing nothing at home than going on pilgrimages, fasting or focusing their attention on idols or worshiping various lower species or inanimate objects. Talk about cosmic irony! Then Soamiji goes on to say that it is because of this mire that people have found themselves in that Sants have brought the teachings of Surat Shabda out into the open. By openly teaching this path, and leaving their writings as guideposts, Sants clearly teach us the key to finding true awakening – i.e., by finding a living Sant or Awakened Soul. By coming to a Sant, receiving initiation and following their guidance as we practice Surat Shabda, we come into harmony with Shabda. And by immersing ourselves in Shabda, the Current will wash away our daily karmic debris, bring to the surface more deep-rooted karma, and guide us to living a karma-free (neh karma) life. One other thing to quickly comment on is the term “Holy Feet”. In the West this might sound a bit odd. A good way to view it is to think of the head of God being in the uppermost reaches of the Pure Positive God Worlds (Anami Lok), and the Lord’s feet being His manifestation here in this physical world. In other words, God’s Holy Feet are God expressing Himself in this world, in our daily lives. And worshipping His Holy Feet can be seen as devoting yourself to bringing spirituality into every aspect of your human lives – until your entire existence is one of being an instrument of the Divine in expression. One thing that can be helpful is, as you begin your meditation, visualizing yourself bowing at the feet of the Lord and touching your forehead to His feet. In this act of inner supplication, humility and reverence, you will generate a feeling of receptivity that will improve your contact with Naam and the Guru Dev (the “Radiant Form of the Master” or “Inner Master”). Finally, in Section 39, Soamiji briefly lists a number of great souls since the 13th Century who have been instruments of God and Naam in expression. Some of them – like Guru Nanak, Kabir and Rumi – we may be fairly well familiar with. Others, perhaps not so much. But highly recommend that you take this list and do a search on some of the names and read what they had to say. You will be amazed. And your amazement will be amazed. In the LightSong of Eternal Love, Have a Beautiful Friday! Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org REGARDING PILGRIMAGES & FASTING
“The same remarks apply to pilgrimages also. The sages of the past had intended these places for religious congregations, charitable acts and temporary retreats away from home. Now they have been turned into rendezvous for fairs and festivities. Everybody goes there for pleasure and recreation, for meeting friends and marketing. There is no question of prayer and worship. Such people should pause and reflect, how could in these circumstances pilgrimages conduce to emancipation? More or less the same applies to fasts. They have degenerated into festivals. The Mahatmas of ancient times had enjoined fasts as a means of subduing the mind and controlling the senses and for vigil, worship and Satsang, whereas now, the days of fasts are spent in playing chess and draughts, sleeping most of the time and eating sumptuous means of various kinds of fruits, sweets, etc.” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Section 37") In this section, Soamiji basically continues the theme of Section 36. He is illustrating how – over time – the original intent of pilgrimages, fasts, etc. has been lost, and many of these religious activities have essentially become social gatherings. Now, while social gatherings in a religious or spiritual context can be quite wonderful events, they should not be construed as having spiritual import in and of themselves, or something that will, as Soamiji says, produce emancipation – or spiritual freedom. They’re just a nice way to spend time with like-minded friends. Have a beautiful day, my friends. In the LightSong of Eternal Love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org GURUS TEACHING SPIRITUAL MATERIALISM
“If a person meets a perfect Sat Guru, that is, one who is in communion with the Supreme Being, or even a true Sadh (one with access to the spiritual-material region: Brahmand) or Faqir (one who leads a true spiritual life – a Sant), and obtains His grace and gaze of mercy, spiritual progress will get an easy start. But even in regard to this, there is a snag. He may take Him to be like other selfish, deceitful and greedy persons and may refuse to accept His guidance. This is due to the fact that many persons, who are in reality pleasure-seekers and the slaves of this world, taking advantage of the ignorance of the masses, have set themselves up as gurus and are carrying on this money-making business briskly. They did all they could to lead innocent and ignorant people astray by giving them baits of health, wealth, wife, children and fame, craving for which was in fact also inherent in their own hearts. For their selfish ends they make people worship stones, water, trees and animals and mislead them into undertaking pilgrimages, fasts, hom and yagya (performing rituals and non-animal sacrifices - mt). They proclaim at the top of their voice that emancipation is possible through fasts and pilgrimages alone. Insofar as it is concerned the question of their livelihood, one may not mind it, but when they should at least show to these ignorant persons the right path that would do them some good. But how can they do so when they are themselves ignorant of this path and mode of worship? They are all experts in superficial reading, preaching and reciting. From the teachings of Shri Krisha Maharaj, it is abundantly clear that although Udhoji was for years in his company and service, he (Krishna Maharaj) could not take him along with himself to His abode. So he told him that he must practice Yoga before he could be fit for entering into the kingdom of his heaven. When a devotee like Udhoji, who had been in the service and company of the real Krishna Maharaj, could not be eligible for attaining the supreme abode without performing spiritual practices, how can then this be attained by those who waste their time in worshipping the mere images of Krishna Maharaj in metals and stone and have no inkling of the practices of Sahaj Yogaand devotion to the Sat Guru. Moreover, there are hardly any among the priests, devotees and the pilgrims who have real faith even in the idols. In reality, everyone worships the world and its belongings and preaches the same to others.” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Section 36") Soamiji starts off here telling us how important it is to keep the company of a Sant (one who dwells in Sat Lok and above), or even a Faqir or a Sadh (so long as they are devoted to Shabda). But then he immediately cautions us to not be jaded by this world, look at a Sant with skeptical – even hostile – eyes, and think them to be just another spiritual grifter. He says this with love and understanding – knowing how easy it can be to become cynical – so cynical that some come to believe that all spiritual teachers are con men in it for themselves. From here he jumps right into the issue of so many religious leaders using their influence to make themselves rich – sometimes under the guise of teaching some sort of “spiritual prosperity” program. Soamiji here is clear, matter of fact and to the point. He is telling us that many religious leaders – and, I would add, from any faith – are focused more on the attractions of this world than the True Heavenly Realm. They teach us secrets for being happy here, rather than offering the key of spiritual awakening. And Soamiji is not so much criticizing them as just saying, “This is how it is. Be careful. If someone is saying their path will provide you prosperity, etc. – and your goal is spiritual awakening, walk away.” He is also saying that even those who associate with spiritual giants still need to do spiritual practices. They need to be initiated, practice Surat Shabda Meditation and commune with the Word on a regular basis. So instead of following these advocates of spiritual materialism, you need to find and keep the company with Sants – those awakened souls who those who are focused on and dwell in Sat Lok, Radhasoami Dham and Shabda (that is, Soul, God and the Audible Life Stream). Heed their counsel and do your meditation on a daily basis. Through this association and practice of Surat Shabda Meditation, you will keep our attention focused upon what important and proceed along the path of Soul Realization, God Realization and Spiritual Freedom. What you will find in the process is that you become more in harmony with the Eternal Music, more at peace with yourself and living a happier life. In the LightSong of Eternal Love, Have a Wonderful Day! Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org REGARDING THE WORSHIP OF OBJECTS & ANIMALS
“The Khat Chakras or the six centres in the body are reckoned from the Guda Chakra right up to the centre below Sahas-dal-Kanwal. It is indeed a great pity that people should worship and seek in idols made of mental and stone and in the waters of Ganga, Yanuma and Narbada and in trees like Pipal and Tulsi and in animals like cows, monkeys and snakes that the Supreme Being, who in His great mercy and grace, created the whole universe with its numerous varieties of things and forms and endowed man with such noble faculties. Obviously, the sun, the moon, and man himself are superior to all these. Is it not sheer ignorance and negligence that instead of seeking earnestly the real Supreme Being, people should worship as God and Creator the things created by Him and even go to the length of worshipping various images carved out by man himself? All this is nothing but a waste of the noble human existence and can only result in ultimate descent into the lower forms and stygian regions. What sin can be greater than this? If a man knows the real Creator, he is bound to develop in his heart His love and fear. How can love and awe be felt for what has been made by man himself?” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Section 35") This section may rub some people the wrong way. After all, shouldn’t we revere all creation and respect all faiths (including pagan and Gaia-based beliefs which encourage worshipping the earth itself). Of course. So why is Soamiji apparently denouncing other belief systems? When reading Shiv Dayal Singh’s writings, it’s important to understand that he is speaking to his culture in his time – a culture which had a longstanding tradition of venerating man-made idols and certain animals. So it’s these people he is speaking to. It’s also important to understand that he says what’s on his mind without pulling any punches. He’s kind of like Kabir in this way (Kabir once dragged a dead cow into his guru’s home and asked him if a stone idol could give any more blessings than a dead cow could give milk). He had no problem with pushing people’s buttons. In fact, I would hazard a guess that he liked it. So Soamiji took out his rhetorical sword and told his people that worshipping idols and animals was a waste of time. It would not lead them to the Eternal God. As I see it, it boils down to a question of what your spiritual goals and expectations are. If you want to focus your attention on a physical object, or an animal, that’s fine. But what is your goal in doing so? There are some things this kind of outer focus and devotion can accomplish. But Soul Realization, God Realization and Spiritual Freedom are not among them. Even more basically, if you want to raise your attention above human and body consciousness, you will not accomplish it by directing it towards lower life forms or inanimate objects. This is corollary to Soamiji and Sant Mat’s message about the human chakras. Why lower your consciousness to the root chakra and spend years raising it up to the eye center when you can start at the eye center and move up and in from there. One other quick point. Near the end Soamiji talks about love for and fear of God. In the next sentence he changes this to ”love and awe”. The latter, I feel, is the right understanding to have. We need to have total love and devotion for our Creator. And we need to be in awe of IT. We need to realize we are the tiniest particles in that vast Ocean of Love and Mercy. And our Creator, in ITs boundless love, has given us – these particles – the gift of self-awareness. We need to be in awe of that incomprehensible vastness, and we need to love IT and be undyingly grateful to IT for the gift of life. In going into meditation, take this lesson with you. Allow the cultural language fall away, and reflect upon the truth Soamiji is saying. Various points of focus can provide various results. If you want to know and directly experience Soul and God, you need to do what it takes to accomplish this. And that is tapping inside and communing with the Eternal Word – Shabda – Divine Spirit. This is Surat Shabda Meditation. Yours in the LightSong of Eternal Love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org YOU MUST KNOW SOMETHING EXISTS IN ORDER TO ATTAIN IT
“Now just consider how far off from the real abode are those who concentrate at the ganglion situate at the navel or the heart. Even if these centres are conquered, what will be attained will only be a reflection or shadow of the higher stages, although the attainment even of these centres has become very difficult nowadays, because people have not the capacity to perform correctly Pranayam or Mudra. Those who have no knowledge of the higher stages and consider the lower ones as final and the goal, cannot reach the highest stage and have access into the region of the Supreme Being. For this reason Sants, who have access to the highest and the purest regions of Sat Nam and Radhasoami, say that people in general are laboring under mistaken notions. They do not know which is the real abode of the Lord and seek Him where He is not. This statement applies to those who are engaged in some sort of internal worship and meditation or are performing practices to penetrate into the six centres. And those who are given to externalities only, such as pilgrimages, fasts and idol worships, do not count at all. They are in utter darkness and delusion and if they would persist in their present ways and not seek the real Creator, they will never realize Him.” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Section 34") Here we have another hugely important point in understanding Sant Mat. Soamiji is telling us that being stuck in the lower chakra centers – or lower planes – is not necessarily a matter of preference. It’s because most people and religious teachers don’t know any better. More than not attaining the higher regions, they do not even know they exist! So how can you seek that which is not even in the realm of awareness, much less possibility. I’m reminded of a discussion I had with a friend some years ago. He was studying a discipline that encouraged creating good karma, which said that if you create good karma, you will have a much happier and more successful life in this one and the next. After listening to him talk about this for awhile, I asked him, “Why create karma at all? Why not lead a karma-less (neh karma) existence?” He was completely taken aback by my suggestion, and returned to his argument that you need to create good karma. The very idea of not creating any karma at all – and working off the karma you have so you can get off the wheel of transmigration once and for all – had never entered the realm of possibility for him, much less be something he had pondered. I’ve encountered the same thing playing music and talking to musicians. I’m a big believer in letting go of ego and will, and allowing the Wave of Eternal Sound to play through me. It’s something I picked up from the Grateful Dead – letting the music play the band. I know what it feels like to step back and feel the Current flow through me and my fingers to play the strings of my bass. There is no longer trying or thinking or effort. My fingers just move of their own accord propelled by the Current, and the outer music appears. This is something I have loved for years, and I have spent more time than I care to thinking about telling other musicians about it – encouraging them to let go and let it flow. But the vast majority of musicians I have met are into controlling the music they create – there’s a lot of ego involved. And for them, the very concept of backing off and letting the Music play through them is something they have not even remotely considered, much less discussed or attempted to practice. So the point here is, how can you seek something you don’t even know exists? How can you seek something that even your spiritual or religious leaders and mentors do not know exists? Most teachers of any faith do not even know about the true nature of the Holy Spirit – the Eternal Light and Sound Current. This is why Sants are such an incredible gift to us. These great human beings know the Sound Current and have learned to let IT lift them above physical, emotional and mental body consciousness and carry them Home to the Eternal Regions of Soul and God. They have established themselves there while still operating a human form here, and are here to help anyone who sincerely wants to come Home. This is why it is so important to keep the company of a Sant. This is why it is also important to study the outer teachings of Surat Shabda Meditation – so our human mind can grasp that there are realms above the chakras, that there are realms above astral, causal and mental planes. We need to make the study of the outer teachings a part of our daily lives – so the essence of Surat Shabda becomes as matter fact as putting on our shoes or brushing our teeth. With this building the foundation of our spiritual education, we then bring that understanding into our daily meditation so that awareness – along with Shabda and Gurudev (the Radiant Form of the Teacher) – is a continuity of our entire being. A couple of other thoughts on this theme. An image that keeps resonating is: you need to know something exists before you can want it, and you also need to know some place exists before you can want to go there - or try to go there. For instance, let’s say you’ve never heard of the Truckee Meadows in northern Nevada. You’ve probably heard of Las Vegas, but not the Truckee Meadows. You’ve been perfectly fine throughout your life not knowing about it. You’ve enjoyed life in your town or city and your state. Maybe you’ve even traveled to some other states. You have friends who have traveled around and told you about states and areas, but never the Truckee Meadows. You may have even watched travel shows and never seen anything about this area. Does that mean it doesn’t exist? Of course not. Now, the Truckee Meadows is my home. It’s a beautiful mountain valley through which the Truckee River flows and which encompasses Reno, Sun Valley and Sparks, Nevada. Yet without me having told you, you may not have been aware that it exists. The same thing is true of Sach Khand and the Pure Positive God Worlds. Were it not for the Sants who have traversed the dual worlds and reached this region, we would not know IT exists. Further, Sants are invaluable in reaching this region. This is not because we need to support some sort of guru fraternity. It’s because without their help, we could not make it through the dualistic, temporal regions of the Astral, Causal and Mental Planes. Without the aid of someone who knows better, it is easy to mistake the Astral Plane (Sahas-dal-Kanwal) for heaven. After all, it is far more vivid and beautiful than earth. You are transported by thought and are able to manifest anything you can imagine. What could possibly be better? And yet that is only the first stage within. Beyond this lies the Causal Plane, which is more refined and rarified than the Astral Plane, and the Mental Plane that is more rarified still. Getting from the Astral Plane to the Causal takes great dedication, and from the Causal to the Mental even greater. And then, when you get to the top of the Mental Plane, the light is so intensely brilliant that – if you do not know otherwise – you cannot tell the difference between that light and the light of the Soul Plane. This is because the upper part of the Mental Plane acts as a mirror reflecting light of the Soul Plane (Sat Lok). It is that mirror of mind that the Pure Light of God hits and refracts, bifurcating and becoming a binary current for the first time. And when you’re right next to that mirror, the light is blinding. How can you possibly differentiate that from the light of Sat Lok? Through the aid of one who has made the journey and has their attention established and anchored there: a Sant. A Sant can guide you Home, and then show you around – in the same way that I can guide you to where I live in the Truckee Meadows, and show you not only how to get to the valley, but also how to get to my home, and avoid detours and bad neighborhoods. As I am a sure guide to my home in the Truckee Meadows, so are Sants sure guides to the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven. When you are with a Sant, because they are anchored in Sat Lok, you are in the presence of Sat Lok. When you are with a Sant, you are Home. Yours in the LightSong of Eternal Love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org SAHAJ YOGA: THE NATURAL WAY
“There can be no doubt about the merciful mission of Sants, inasmuch as they have given out for the benefit of humanity the essentials of the true faith and the correct and easy way of realizing the Supreme Being. In olden days, initiates commenced practice from the Mula Chakra, that is, the ganglion at the rectum. After long and arduous practices, a few of them reached the sixth centre and exceptionally few from amongst them reached up to Sahas-dal-Kanwal or Trikuti, attaining the rank of Yogis and Yogeshwars. Now, Sants enjoin upon the devotees to start spiritual practice from Sahas-dal-kanwal. Instead of Ashtang Yoga or Pranayam, in which breath has to be controlled, they have introduced the Sahaj Yoga of Surat Shabd. This can be practiced by all. Its advantages are much greater than those of Pranayam, Mudra, Hatha Yoga, etc. Not only that, but the Surat Shabd Margi (practitioner) achieves also the results of these other practices in the course of his upward journey. A detailed account of this will be given hereafter.” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Section 33") The key to this section is twofold. First, Soamiji tells us that we do not need to start our spiritual journey from the root center and – through breathing and physical exercises – gradually work our way up the chakras over a great period of time until we finally reach the eye center and Sahas-dal-kanwal. Instead, he says we can forgo all that and make Sahas-dal-Kanwal our starting point and continue our spiritual journey from there. In other words, we can start where other yogic disciplines leave off. The other point Soamiji makes is that pranayama (breath control) and hatha yoga (physical positions and exercises) take effort and are not something that everybody can do. People who are sick, injured or possibly in advanced age – or extremely busy with work and family – may well lack the physical stamina or find the time to perform these exercises as prescribed. Surat Shabd on the other hand is a “Sahaj” yoga (i.e., a relaxed, natural, easy process – and something Kirpal Singh discussed extensively as well). No difficult breathing or postures are required. All you need to do is take some time every day – preferably at the same time – and place your attention within at the eye center. Close your eyes, sing HU or the Holy Names, and your attention will come into harmony with Shabda – the Spiritual Current. From here, the inner door will open and the River of Love will lift you up and in and carry you back to ITs – and your – Source. You will be gently carried back Home to Soul and God. What could be easier, or more natural? Yours in the LightSong of Eternal Love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org PUNDITS & PREACHERS CAN'T SHOW US THE WAY HOME
“Pandits, Sanyasis, Sadhus and Maulvis (indeed, religious leaders in most faiths – mt) who used to be the leaders of Veda Mat and Quran (and the other great holy books - mt), are now bereft of spiritual wealth and are themselves in the forefront in the pursuit of worldly pleasures, wealth and fame. Then who is there to show them their error and guide and direct them and all others on to the right path? It is Sants alone who can do this. Whoever in these times will thoroughly understand Their teachings and devote himself to the internal practices taught by Them, shall undoubtedly escape the wiles and snares of Mana and Maya (mind and illusion). Otherwise, everybody is free to do as he pleases; no undue pressure can be applied in this matter.” (Shiv Dayal Singh. "Sar Bachan Prose: Part 1, Section 32") Soamiji makes two important points here. Initially he points out how most religious leaders in his culture (I would say this applies in all major faiths) had become more focused upon success (personal and/or their respective churches) its status symbols than the eternal teachings. On first glance it may read like an indictment (perhaps well-deserved) of materiality and hypocrisy by the religious leaders of his area. But it’s really more than that. The important thing Soamiji is saying is that – if we want to return to the pure spiritual regions, we cannot be taught by someone who has only book knowledge or incomplete inner exploration that has only led them to the astral or mental planes. Someone who has not made it all the way back – by their very lack of direct, first-hand experience – cannot show us the way Home. We need to be taught – and shown – by someone who has made the journey themselves all the way back to the True Eternal Kingdom of Heaven – the realms of Soul and God – the Pure Positive Worlds Soul and God. These great souls are expressions of – and teach from – the dimensions of Soul and God. Shiv Dayal Singh calls them “Satgurus” or “Sants”. Through their direct personal experience, they link us to the return flow of the Sound Current and help us learn to do what they have done. Have a beautiful day, Dancing in the LightSong of Eternal Love, Michael http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org |
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