SANTBANI The Voice of the Saints September 1989
Sant Ji Visits Bangalore PHOTOCREDITS front cover - Sant Ji in Italy, Carlo Mas- sarini; pp. 2 (Italy), 9, Gurmel Singh; pp. 11, 16, 19, Richard Shannon; back cover - Sant Ji at Sant Bani Ashram, Sanbornton, N.H., Peter Blakey; others un- known. SANTBANI volume fourteen numbe The Voice of the Saints September 19
FROM THE MASTERS
To Become A True Disciple 3 Sant Ajaib Singh Ji a Satsang from Italy, May 25, 1989
Sant Ji's Visit to Bangalore: I two talks about children The Welcome Talk 9 Sant Ajaib Singh Ji July 23, 1989 Take the Master's Example 14 Sant Ajaib Singh Ji I July24, 1989 The Jewel of Infinite Value 21 Sant Kirpal Singh Ji from SATSANDESH October 1970
SANT BANIlThe Voice of the Saints is published periodically by Sant Bani As
Master, Sant Ajaib Singh Ji, of His Master, Param Sant Kirpal Singh Ji, who preceded them. Editor Emeritus: Russell Perkins. Editor: Richard S assistance from: Christine Gerard, Susan Shannon, and Mary Swan.
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To Become A True Disciple Sant Ajaib Singh Ji
BANI of Bhai Gurdas is presented We can get the Naam only from the Per- A to you. Bhai Gurdas got the oppor- fect Masters because They come into this tunity to be in the company of four of world to connect us with the Naam. God the Sikh Masters. He was successful in Almighty Himself comes into this world the Path and had reached Sach Khand. and He brings those upon whom He Once some dear one asked Master Sawan wants to shower grace to the Perfect Singh, "In the writings of Master Garib Master and He connects them with the Das it says that a person becomes a Shabd Naam. sadhu when he reaches Daswan Dwar, so Those dear ones who came here with should a disciple who has reached the desire of getting the Naam Initiation Daswan Dwar give out the Naam Initia- have got it today. Now it becomes our tion to other people?" Master Sawan responsibility to do the devotion of the Singh Ji replied, "What to talk about Shabd Naam and become the true disci- reaching Daswan Dwar, even if a disciple ples of the Master. So in this bani Bhai has reached Sach Khand, he should not Gurdas will tell us about those things give the Initiation until the Master gives which are helpful and beneficial for us LO the order, 'You initiate on my behalf and become a good disciple. whoever you initiate I will be responsible I sacrifice myself on those disciples for those souls.' So a person should not of the Master who had the dar- give the Initiation even if he has become shan of the Master. successful in reaching Sach Khand." Even though Bhai Gurdas was success- Our Satguru, Master Kirpal, used to ful in his practices and had reached Sach say that if a disciple takes one step to- Khand he was always like a disciple in wards the Master, the Master comes front of the four Masters. He was one of down hundreds of steps to meet him. If the leading sevadars in the times of those Bhai Gurdas had so much love and four Masters. He earned his livelihood yearning for the Masters, the Master also by honest means, and from his writings had a lot of love for him. When the end it is very clear that he had reached Sach time of Bhai Gurdas came, Guru Har Khand. Gobind (the sixth Guru) Himself gave a For the past few days I have been talk- shoulder to carry the dead body of Bhai ing about the glory of the Naam, and the Gurdas to the cremation ground. benefits of doing the Naam. I have also Only one who has eaten the rock been telling you that Naam is the source candy has appreciation for its sweetness. of all happiness and peace. But unfor- As a hungry person appreciates food, tunately we have turned our back on it. and as a thirsty person appreciates wa- ter, in the same way, only those disciples This discourse was given on May 25, within whom the love of the Master is 1989, at Sant Bani Ashram, Ribolla, overwhelming have the appreciation for Italy. the darshan of the Master. Bhai Gurdas September 1989 3 had appreciation and love for the Master Now He says, "He who loves the Master within him. That is why he says, "I sacri- also loves the sangat. I sacrifice myself fice myself for those disciples who, after on those satsangis who love the sangat, getting the human body, got the oppor- the other disciples of the Master, as their tunity to have the Master's darshan, and brothers and sisters. If they are younger who bow down to the Masters." than them, they understand them as I sacrifice myself on those disciples their sons and daughters. of the Master who bowed at the I sacrifice myself on those disciples Master's feet and sat in His con- of the Master who do the seva gregation. wholeheartedly. He says, "I sacrifice myself on those dis- Now He says, "I sacrifice myself on ciples, those initiates of the Master, who those disciples of the Master who serve got the opportunity of going in the Sat- the Master with all love and humility." sang of the Masters." Dear ones, those who have love for the Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj said, "Do Master will also have love for the chil- not understand Satguru as a human be- dren of the Master, and they will serve ing. He is God Almighty Himself work- Him with all their love and humility. ing through that human pole." Often I have told you the story of I sacrifice myself on those disciples Mana, a disciple of Guru Arjan Dev Ji of the Master who follow the Maharaj. He would never do any seva in Path of the Master and speak the sangat and he would never listen to sweetly. anyone in the sangat. Even though he Now he says, "I sacrifice myself on those came there, ate food from the langar and disciples of the Master who give up their slept there, he would not do any seva, own path and follow the Path of the and he would not listen to any of the Masters." Masters always come into this leading sevadars. Whenever anyone world to connect us with the Almighty would ask him to do something he would Lord. They always give us good advice. say, "Why should I obey you? I do not They say, "Always speak sweetly; speak want to obey my equals. I will do only sweet words; always be humble." what my Master tells me. I will only obey How much pain and sympathy did the order of my Master and not any Master Kirpal have for the people in His equal." So the responsible people then heart? You can imagine how much care complained to Guru Arjan. They said, and sympathy was there in the words "Mana comes into the sangat, eats food which He spoke, when He said that man in the langar and he sleeps in our quar- does not love the men whom he sees and ters, but he does not do any seva. When- with whom he lives every day, but he ever we tell him that he should do some claims to be the lover of God whom he seva he says, 'I will not take any work has never seen. So the claims of all those from my equals. I will do the work only people who say that they love God, but if my Master tells me.' " do not love human beings, those claims So Guru Arjan Dev called Mana and have no basis; they are bogus. asked him why he was not obeying his I sacrifice myself on those disciples brothers and sisters, and why he was not of the Master who love their doing seva. He replied, "Master, I will gurubhais as their sons and obey only You; I will not do anything if friends. anybody else tells me." Guru Arjan Dev
SANT BANI told him, "You know that whatever the convince the police that he was not the responsible people tell you is on behalf thief and that the thief had died in the of the Master; you should follow them fire. But you know that one who has and help them do the seva." Guru Arjan stolen goods in his possession is consid- Dev also told him that it is very difficult ered to be a thief. So the police gave him to obey the commandments, the orders, a very severe punishment which they of the Master. But Mana insisted that he used to give thieves in those days. would obey and do only what Guru Ar- Many people came here and did physi- jan Dev told him. Then Guru Arjan Dev cal seva which benefited the dear ones said, "If you insist that I give you some who came here. They made their body order to do-then go out in the wilder- useful, they made their body holy. Many ness, make a fire and burn yourself in dear ones did seva with their money. that fire." They contributed money for this pro- Mana said, "Okay Master, I will do gram, and in that way they made their that." He went out in the wilderness and earnings holy and successful. And many made a fire; but he loved his life and he dear ones who came here did the Sim- did not want to die. So he just walked ran, the meditation; they served the around the fire thinking what he should Master through their minds. do next. Since he understood his life as All the sevas which the dear ones did more valuable than the orders of the here- whether it was physical, financial, Master, his mind told him that he should or mental - doing Bhajan or Simran - it not obey it. So he decided in his mind was all the seva of the Master. Master that he would not even obey the order of Sawan Singh Ji used to say that those the Master. who contribute do the seva with their Just then a thief came to where Mana money. The rich people give the dona- was in the forest. He was being chased tions which are used by all the people in by the police because he had stolen some the sangat, and the poor ones do the very valuable things from some rich per- meditation. And the people who have son's home. He asked Mana what he was donated get some part of the meditation doing, walking around and around the of the people who have benefited from fire. Mana told him the whole story. The their seva. thief was a sincere person and he said, So here Bhai Gurdas says, "I sacrifice "If you make the determination in your myself on those dear ones who go to the mind and if you give me the order of sangat and with their mind, body, and your Master, I will give you all the their wealth do the seva. I am always wealth I have. If you want to trade, I am sacrificing myself on those who make ready to do that." Mana already wanted their mind, body and wealth successful." to get rid of that order of the Master, so I sacrifce myself on those disciples he exchanged it for the stolen goods and of the Master who achieve libera- that thief happily jumped into the fire. tion themselves and liberate the Obeying the orders of the Master he got whole of the creation. the liberation, because the Master pro- tects the one who obeys His order. Now he says, "I sacrifice myself on those Sometime later the police came there disciples of the Master, who follow the and, since Mana had all the stolen Path of the Masters, giving up their own goods, they thought that he was the thief intellect and their own wisdom. And who had stolen the things. Mana tried to those who, after rising above the physi- September 1989 cal, astral and causal planes, go back to I sacrifice myself on those disciples their Real Home. Those who become lib- of the Master who wake up and erated themselves and who liberate many sit in the later part of the night. others, I sacrifice myself on such disci- Now he lovingly says, "I sacrifice myself ples of the Master." on those disciples of the Master who give Masters tell us that the sangat of the up sleep in the later part of the night and Master is the family of the Master, be- who get connected with the Naam in cause out of the sangat of the Master their meditation." someone has to work in His place. The family members can only become the Baba Bishan Das used to tell a very heirs, or the successors to the worldly short story from the Sikh history. He property of the Master. used to say, "Once Guru Nanak Sahib met with Laziness. Laziness was sewing By meeting with the disciples of the a small blanket which had many holes in Master, the sins are washed it. So Guru Nanak asked, 'Who are you, away. and what are you doing?' He replied, 'I Dear Ones, it is very difficult to become am Laziness and every morning I put a disciple of the Master because the glory this blanket on the people so they won't of the disciple of the Master is very high get up and do the devotion of God, but it and he has many good qualities. Guru is a pity that those people who get Initia- Arjan Dev says, "He who is called a tion from You, they tear my blanket and disciple of the Master gets up early in the make so many holes. I have to sew this morning and works very hard. He medi- blanket every day, because they don't ac- tates on the Naam of the Lord. Making cept me and they throw my blanket all his efforts he goes to Amritsar, the away.' " pool of nectar, and bathes in it. When So that is why Bhai Gurdas Ji says the day starts he sings the bani or the here, "I sacrifice myself on those disci- praises of the Master." He says, "I seek ples of the Master who get up in the the dust of the feet of that disciple who second part of the night and do the devo- himself meditates on the Naam and who tion of the Lord." Who will get up in the makes other dear ones also meditate on second part of the night and do the devo- the Naam." tion of the Lord? Only those who do not What Amritsar or pool of nectar is accept Laziness. Guru Arjan Dev talking about? That I sacrifice myself on those disciples pool of nectar is within us in Daswan of the Master who at the ambro- Dwar. So one who, after rising above sial hour, bow down their head. and removing the physical, astral, and causal covers from his soul, goes to He says, "I sacrifice myself on those dis- Daswan Dwar and bathes his soul in that ciples of the Master who get up in the pool of nectar, he is the real disciple. ambrosial hour at three o'clock in the He says that our sins from many past morning and who, turning their face to- births are finished just by having the wards the Master, bow down their head darshan of such a disciple of the Mas- in front of Him." Dear Ones, only those ter- the disciple who meditates on the people will bow down their head to the Naam himself and makes other people Master in the ambrosial hour who would meditate on Naam. We get the darshan get up early. of such a disciple of the Master only if Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj says, we are very fortunate. "For doing the bad deed you always
SANT BANI wake up, but when the time comes for Surat and Shabd are also still, even one doing the meditation of Naam you al- moment of the meditation of such a dis- ways sleep." ciple is accepted by God." Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj said, I sacrifice myself on those disciples "One who meditates upon His Naam, or of the Master who with one mind who remembers Him, with all his atten- do the meditation of the Master. tion even for one moment, does not fall He says, "I sacrifice myself on those dis- into the trap of the Negative Power." ciples of the Master who, when they sit I sacrifice myself on those disciples for the meditation of Naam, have no of the Master who go to and join worldly thoughts, and who do the work the company of the Sadh Sangat. for which they are sitting in the medita- tion." Often I have said, "Suppose there Now he says, "I sacrifice myself on those is a five-year-old child guarding some disciples of the Master who lovingly go place; we would not dare to go there and to the Satsangs of the Master and atten- pick up even a small thing, because we tively listen to His discourses." The Sat- are afraid someone is watching us. But sang of the Perfect Master is like the God Almighty is within us and He is pool of Naam; only after going to the watching every single one of our feelings Satsangs do we learn about our short- and thoughts, but we don't even have as comings and only through the Satsang much fear of Him as we have of that does Master give us the boost and inspi- child. You know that when we sit in ration to do the devotion of the Lord. meditation, our beloved Master, Who is Kabir Sahib says, "Your mind is some- sitting within us, is also watching us. where else and your body is with the And at that time if we have worldly Master. How can an unbleached cloth be thoughts, if we collect all the worldly dyed?" How can the disciple be dyed in garbage over there, are we not being dis- the color of Naam when his mind is not respectful or insulting our Master? Not present there. We came here to attend only do we lose by having the worldly the Satsang, but we slept in the Satsang. thoughts during the meditation, but also If there is a veil between the iron and the we are insulting the Master. He is sitting philosophers stone, how can that iron be there looking at us, and instead of doing turned into gold? the work which we should do, we are I sacrifice myself on those disciples collecting the garbage of the worldly of the Master who sing and hear thoughts. the bani of the Masters everyday. Our Beloved Master advised us to keep the diary. The diary is one of the Lovingly he says, "I sacrifice myself on best things to make our life. We put those disciples of the Master who, after down in the diary that we meditated for going in the company of the Master, sing one or two hours, but in that one or two the hymns or shabds written by the Mas- hours we never think, "How many times ter." By singing the bhajans our mind did we come in contact with the Master, gets the habit of becoming still and the and how much time did we spend in love of the Master is created within us. contacting and thinking about the I sacrifice myself on those disciples world?" of the Master who meet their fel- Kabir Sahib said, "The disciple whose low Satsangis, attuning their body is still, whose mind is still, whose minds with them. September 1989 Now He says, "I sacrifice myself on Master Kirpal Singh Ji used to say that those disciples who, whenever they meet Saints are never very happy celebrating with the other disciples, listen to the the birthdays, because the day which we talks or the words of the Masters." If the call our birthday is the day when our other disciples have something to say, soul was imprisoned in this body. The they listen to them, or if they want to real birthday happens when our soul listen to anything about the Master, they rises above this body, becomes free from talk about the Master. Who would talk the clutches of the Negative Power and, about the Master? Only one who is con- becoming one with the Shabd, goes back nected with the Master will talk about to the Real Home - that is our real birth- Him. And who would like to hear the day. talks of the Master? Only one who is Dear Ones, the mirror has no need for connected with Him, because for a dear anyone to look into it. But if we want to one the talks of the Beloved are always see our image, we have to look into the loving. mirror. In the same way, Masters do not Mahatma Chattar Das was an initiate need to celebrate Their birthdays, but of Master Sawan Singh and he said that the disciples need to do that very much. it is not worth going to such a meeting The day when a Master came into this where they don't talk about the Master. world is a most auspicious day, because on that day God Almighty showered so I sacrifice myself on those disciples much grace upon this world - on that of the Master who lovingly and day He Himself came down into the hu- devotedly celebrate the days of man body. So for the disciples the birth- the Master. days of the Masters mean a lot and those Now He says, "Who will celebrate the days are the most auspicious days. days of the Masters? Only those who Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj said that have love for the Master, within whom blessed is the family in which the Master the love of the Master is full." So He is born. Blessed are the parents who got says, "I sacrifice myself on those disci- this blessing of becoming the parents of ples of the Master who celebrate the days the Satguru. Blessed is the mother who connected with the Masters. gave birth to such a Satguru Who did the devotion of Naam and Who Himself be- By serving the Master they get the came the liberated one. Those who saw fruit and become successful. Him also got the liberation. They understand the celebration of the So Bhai Gurdas lovingly told us about days of the Master as the devotion of the the disciples of the Master: how one can Master. Because when we celebrate the become the disciples of the Master, and days of the Master we get the yearning to after reaching which place one becomes do His devotion, we get the love of the the disciple of the Master. He also told Master awakened within us. Those who us why it is important for us to become celebrate the days of the Master get the the disciple of the Master. So, according opportunity to do the seva: they do phys- to the instructions of the Master, we ical seva, financial seva, as well as the should also do our devotion and become seva with their mind. They get the op- the disciple of the Master. And very hap- portunity to be in the remembrance of pily, with all our sincerity and honesty the Master and to meditate. we should do the devotion of the Master.
8 SANT BANI Sant Ji's Visit to Bangalore
The Welcome Talk
This talk was given to the westemers on July 23, 1989.
N THE NAME of Hazur Sawan and Kirpal, all of you are welcome I here. I appreciate this very much and I am very grateful to all of you who have brought your children here. It is all due to the grace of Lord Sawan and Kirpal. The seed was sown by them; these are the saplings planted by Them. All these innocent souls belong to great Masters Sawan and Kirpal. I appreciate that you all have travelled so far and have made a lot of effort in order to bring your children here. I hope that with the feeling which you have come here, you will be able to benefit and take advantage of coming to this program. You should teach the children how to maintain the discipline, how to sit in the Satsang, and I hope that you will make the grown-up children understand the importance of the Satsang. I also hope that you will be able to fulfill the purpose for which you have taken this long journey, I hope that you will be able to do your devotion for which you have come here. continued on next page Rishis and Munis gave many instruc- come to the Master, come to the Path, tions about having children. They even and do the meditation of Naam. So that wrote down what kind of thoughts the is why Masters always tell us how we parents should have while conceiving the have to take good care of the children. children: at that time, they should re- Since we have the responsibility of mak- member the Form of their Master. They ing them good and making them do the should have good thoughts, because all devotion of Naam, we have to take good these things have an impact, an effect, care of them. We can do that only if we on the coming soul. live our lives according to the instruc- The Masters and all the great Rishis tions of the Rishis and Munis, and ac- and Munis have said that while the child cording to what the Masters have told is in the womb the mother should have us. very pure and loving thoughts, and also Nowadays the parents work very hard she should eat good kinds of food, be- in giving their children a good worldly cause all these things have an effect on education and in helping them to build the soul. And the mother should do the up their career in this world. They put Simran given to her by the Perfect Mas- them in good schools and they make a ter. The parents should have a very pa- lot of effort to give them a good educa- tient kind of life. They should be very tion, but they do not pay any attention, loving and affectionate toward each they are not careful, and they don't other, because all the thoughts and feel- teach them anything which would make ings the parents have, and the things their character good, which could teach they do, have an effect on the child- the them about spirituality. When those child also becomes like that. That is children grow up, even though they be- why the Rishis and Munis instructed that come very successful in achieving what the mother should eat good food, she they want in the world, they have not should be very careful, she should not been given the teachings of spirituality have any violent thoughts, she should and about the reality of life. They don't have good thoughts, and she should do even know what spirituality is and why the Simran. they have been given the human birth, After the baby is born, again the Mas- why the human birth is so important. ters have told how we have to take care They don't even know whether God ex- of them, how we have to bring them up. ists or not, or whether they have any We should always teach them good responsibility towards their parents. things. We should be loving with them; It is always from the parents that the we should always have loving thoughts. children learn. So if, along with giving So it is our responsibility to take good them the worldly education, the parents care of the children even before the baby would teach them about spirituality, is born, but after the baby is born, our about their responsibilities, and about responsibility is increased. the Master and the Path, then when the So we have to take good care of them, children grow up that would help not especially the children of the satsangis, only the children, but also the parents. because the satsangi children are very Then the parents will realize how good special souls, because they are chosen by that has been for the children. God Almighty. They are given this op- I have often said that my mother had portunity to take birth in a satsangi fam- a Master, and I don't know whether he ily because eventually they are going to was a Perfect Master or not, but she was
SANT BANI very sincere, very honest, and she would human birth. And it was only because of do the practices given by her Master. her devotion for her Master that I was And it was only because of looking at able to get the inclination for doing the her that I also got this inspiration to do devotion of God. So it is always from the devotion of God. As I grew up I the parents that the children learn about understood more about my responsi- God and about the Path. bility and about the importance of the In India people have many children. September 1989 11 In the beginning when the dear ones to the Satsang place and when you are in started coming to 77 RB ashram, they your rooms take good care of your chil- would meet the dear ones there and ask dren. Don't let them go out on the them how many children they had. streets. The driving here is different than Somebody would report that they have the driving in America. People say that ten children, someone would say twelve in India not many people die from epi- children, and so on. Those dear ones demics or disease, many more people die were very amazed to know that these in traffic accidents. That is why you all people had so many children. So I told should be very careful when you walk on them, "What is the point of asking them the roads and cross the streets on your how many children they have, because in way to the Satsangs. India almost everyone has many chil- The sevadars are here to help you; if dren." The important thing is how they you need anything they can get it for have had their children, and how they you. are looking after them. If they would The other very important thing, which have their children according to what the all the dear ones should consider and Masters have said, and if they would remember, is this: You know that I wish take good care of them, then the number that all of you will have good health. doesn't matter. And the children would You know that the dear ones who are give due respect to the parents and take doctors have come here to attend the care of them. In India, even though the program, to do the meditation, and to families have many children, they are do their devotion, they are here like the very obedient and they look after their other dear ones. So if anyone gets sick or parents when they grow old. They al- if anyone really needs the help of the ways feel the responsibility of taking doctors, only then should he bother the care of their parents. doctors, otherwise you should not just During the last tour of Colombia I unnecessarily go to the doctors and ask met with two dear ones: one of them had for a massage or ask for a check-up and 24 children-out of two or three mar- things like that. Because if you make riages-and that poor person com- anyone work for you, you will have to plained that his children were beating pay to him in one way or another. Mas- him. So I told him, "Dear one, if you ter Sawan Singh Ji used to say, "If you had had less children, and if you had accept one penny from anyone, even un- taken good care of them, at least they knowingly, then you will have to pay would have taken good care of you and him back. Either in this lifetime or in the not given you a beating." Kabir Sahib next lifetime, you will have to come back also said, "If the mother wants to have a into this world again just to settle that child, she should bear either a donor, or account." So if anyone is doing any seva a warrior, or a saint. If she cannot give to you, you should know that you will birth to one of these, then it is better have to pay for it through your medita- for such a woman to remain without a tion. That is why you should preserve child." your meditation here. If you become So once again I welcome all of you sick, or if you really need the doctor here, and I appreciate all of you who then it is all right, otherwise, just be- have brought your children. I hope you cause the doctors are here and you will understand your responsibility to would like a massage or you would like a your children. Especially when you walk check-up, don't do that. You should let
SANT BANI the doctors do the meditation here; like They were worried because many people you they have come here to meditate. had become sick during the program. And you should preserve your medita- They were wondering if they were doing tion by not allowing other people to do the seva wrong-why did everyone be- such sevas for you without any reason come sick during the program? So I for it. lovingly wrote them and I said that in- About the food, you know that the stead of writing in the letter I will ex- dear ones who make the food at the plain to you in the next Bangalore pro- ashram are here to do all the cooking. gram. You see it is not the fault of the Don't eat too much; you should eat leav- sevadars that the dear ones become sick. ing some appetite. If you will do that, I It depends on how much we cooperate am sure that no one will become sick with the sevadars; if we do not overeat because of the food. In the last program, and if we are careful, if we keep things many people became sick because they clean, then we can remain free of all the did not control their eating, they ate too sickness and disease. So we have to co- much. So if you will control your eating, operate with the sevadars, we have to if you will eat, leaving some appetite, keep things clean and we should take then you will not get sick. The same good care of our health. thing applies for the children also, you There is a lot which I can talk about should give the children only that much but I think that you will understand and food which they can easily digest. you will maintain the discipline here. You know that if one person catches You will do your Bhajan and Simran. cold, it can spread to all the dear ones. Just as you have been maintaining the Also if one person has diarrhea and if he discipline in the past, this time also you is not keeping things clean, then that can should maintain the discipline, you also spread through the whole group. should do your meditation and take ad- Once when I went to America, the same vantage of your coming here. thing happened; one person caught a Kabir Sahib said, "You have given cold and he spread it to many other dear your body to the Master, but your mind ones. People started coughing and ev- is wandering all over the world. How erybody was suffering from the cold. can an unbleached piece of cloth be The same thing happened here last time dyed? How can such a soul be dyed in in Bangalore, one person caught cold the color of Naam, if only the body is and he spread that to everybody; it af- sitting with the Master but the mind is fected me and also Pappu. When I called wandering all over in the world." Just as Dr. Bob, he said that I had gotten this you have kept your body here, you from one of the dear ones. So if any should also keep your mind here. Don't person gets such a kind of sickness always go on thinking about shopping which can be spread to other people he and bazaars and the city and things like should be very careful; he should try to that while you are sitting here. Even keep away from the other dear ones. If though I have told you that you should we keep things clean and if we are care- not go out to do the shopping, just like ful, I am sure that no such thing will you have kept your body here, at the happen. same time you should also keep your Some dear ones who had done the mind present here and only then you will seva in the last Bangalore program wrote be able to take the full advantage of me a letter after the program was over. your coming here. September 1989 13 Take the Master's Example an important talk on raking children Sant Ajaib Singh Ji
s IT EVER appropriate to spank your If you spank the children or if you get I children ? upset with them, then whatever good qualities they have in their head will go I have said a lot regarding the children, I away; then they become obstinate ones, am sorry that you are not reading the and it becomes their habit - whatever Sant Bani magazine carefully. If you you tell them to do, they won't do it were reading Sant Bani magazine care- unless you spank them. fully you would have gotten the answer Many times we can see that at the time to this question, because I have said a lot when the children are doing something regarding this subject. wrong the parents do not tell the chil- Often I have said that children are dren that they should not do that, they innocent souls. They understand both do not explain to them at that time; and the fire and the ice as alike; they under- later when the parents do get upset with stand a snake and a rope as alike-they the children, it is really because they are don't know which is bad for them. They upset with each other. In Rajasthan would not play with a snake or put their there is a very humorous saying that a hand in a fire if they understood any person fell down from a donkey, but he difference between fire and ice. They are got upset with the owner of the donkey. without deceit, they are without enmity, So if the children are made to under- they are very holy, very pure and very stand-"Dear ones, this is not good for innocent. you; you are not supposed to do thisn- Think about this patiently. The things then I think that will work better. It is we see our children do-it is possible the responsibility of the parents to make that we might have done even worse the lives of the children. things than that when we were children. If the parents constantly remember When you spank the children, when you the faults of the children then they can- get upset with them, at that time they are not bring them up. Guru Nanak Sahib developing an inferiority complex. The says, "No matter how many faults the child is confused and feels very bad children make, the mother never remem- when you spank or get upset with him. bers them." Master Sawan Singh Ji used to say, Dear ones, we should take the Master's "Those who want to make their children example. In the Path of Spirituality we good, first they should become good are also like children in front of our then the children will imitate them." Beloved Master; He is our Father. You know how many faults we have, how This question and answer session was many times we make mistakes. And given in Bangalore, July 24, 1989. sometimes our mistakes, our faults, are
SANT BANI unpardonable -they are very bad. But life the result of your influence on your still the Master does not remember all children." Master Sawan Singh Ji used to this, and He always goes on forgiving us. say that during his army service he got Many times we ourselves feel embar- many opportunities to meet with that rassed to come in front of the Master family. When the children grew up, one because we have done very bad things of the daughters became very bad and but still Master goes on forgiving us. one of the sons also became bad; then Because if He were not to forget and the parents realized that their influence forgive our faults, He could never take on the children had not been good, and us back to Sach Khand. Guru Nanak that now it was affecting even them- Sahib says, "0 my Beloved Lord, I am selves. So Master Sawan Singh Ji used to like a child of yours, why don't you for- say, "If you are rebuking your children, get my faults." Even after reaching Sach if you are spanking them, if you are Khand, the Masters behave in such a way bringing them up with that kind of be- and understand themselves as a child of havior, you will see its result in your own forty days old in front of their Master, lifetime. When such children grow up because They know that only the chil- they have so much hatred in them that dren are the innocent souls. Children are they don't even take care of their par- the only ones who know to forgive and ents." they are the only innocent ones. We can learn a lot from the children. Master Sawan Singh Ji used to talk You know that when the child is born, he about His own life when He was in the is no more than just a piece of flesh. army. There was a family that lived Even though he has a tongue he cannot downstairs in the house in which Master talk; he cannot tell us what he needs. Sawan Singh and his family lived. Mas- Even though he has legs and he has a ter Sawan Singh's children had a very body, but still he is like a cripple; he good influence on the people who lived cannot walk or move himself. He cannot downstairs. Whenever his children went tell us about his pains, about his needs downstairs they were encouraged to eat and desires. We can learn a lot from meat and whatever else the neighbors them because we also have gone through were eating. But Master Sawan Singh's the same condition, once we were also children were so strict in following the like that. diet that they would never even look at Further, when the child grows up, and any meat or anything like that. One day he has to go to school, the parents who when Sawan Singh came downstairs the are very patient, those who are very man who lived downstairs said, "I don't quiet-minded, they lovingly explain to know what kind of children you have. the children, "It is good for you to go to They do not even look at the meat or the the school and learn from your teachers, other things, even though we try our best because that will make your future to encourage them to eat the meat. We good." Those who are very quiet-minded don't know from where they have and patient explain to their children in a learned not to eat the meat. Even though very patient way and that has a very we tell them that the meat is very good good effect on the children. They love still they don't eat it." going to school and they love learning Master Sawan Singh Ji said, "This is from their teachers. Whereas on the only because of the influence of their other side, most of those children are parents. You will also see in your own already intimidated and just by knowing September 1989 that they have to go to school and learn, In the Silver Age in India, there was a they feel terrified, they feel afraid of the husband and wife named Andwa and teachers. And if on top of that you re- Andli; they were blind and they had a buke the children, you spank them and son whose name was Sirvan. Even make them go school and learn from the though they were blind, they took such teachers with that kind of attitude, you good care of him that they created the can imagine what kind of influence it desire in him to do the devotion of God, will have. They wid not learn. Instead if and they brought him up in a very good you were quiet-minded and patient with way. So when their son grew up he them, and if you lovingly explain that it thought, "My parents have done so is good for them to go to school, they much for me, how can I do anything for would go there and learn from the them?" In the Hindu religion it is consid- teachers. ered a good thing to go on a pilgrimage Once I saw a drama: I was standing on to all the holy places. So he thought, the terrace and I saw that one mother "Maybe I can take my parents on a pil- was beating her child with a stick. The grimage to all the holy places." But they only fault of that child was that he spoke could not walk that far, and moreover one line of a bhajan, and the mother did they were blind. So he made a type of not want him to do that so she started sedan chair, and in that he carried both beating him. And when I saw that poor of them all over India to all the places of child - he had only spoken one line of a pilgrimage, and in that way he expressed bhajan and his mother started spanking his gratitude to his parents. Sirvan was him-afterwards she came to me com- born in the Silver Age, but even now in plaining that her son did not respect her. India, if somebody's son is very good, So I told her, "This is because you did respectful, obedient, and cares for his not respect him. He had not made any parents, people call him Sirvan, and they mistake but you were spanking him, so how can you expect him to give you any recall this story. respect?" The boy is still here and when I So you see that if we also bring up our tell this, he is smiling. Because we know children well, they will also care for us. what the parents do. But what is the condition of most of the In the Hindu Shastras it is written that parents nowadays. They do not under- for the first five years the children need a stand the feelings of their children, they lot of attention, and afterwards you can do not appreciate what the children's de- explain things to them. And even when sires are, and they do not even try to find we explain things to them, we should be out what the children's interest are. In- very careful, very patient. We should not stead they just go on imposing their ourselves become confused and irritated, ideas on them, and afterward when the we should lovingly explain things to children grow up they expect a lot from them. their parents. If the parents were very When the child grows up and comes to loving, and if they had taken good care the age of fifteen years old, then you of them, only then when the children should treat him like your brother or grow up would they care for and take sister. And then you can only give him care of the parents. suggestions. If you will impose your In my own family I had an aunt who ideas on him instead of suggesting things was of very bad temper. She would al- to him, then he will go away from you ways rebuke her children. Every day she and will not listen to you. would go on saying that she has worked September 1989 17 so hard in taking care of her children, "I have done this thing for you . . . I and things like that. She would always have done that thing for you." And when try to make her children feel that she had the relatives or friends come, you go on done a lot for them. She would always complaining about your children. You say things like: "I have worked so hard say, "He does not go to school, he does taking care of you children, that even not obey me . . ." and things like that. now there is dirt under my fingernails." So you always go on making your chil- Many times when she would say that, her dren feel like they are nothing, and they son would say, "Mother, get me the scis- are always doing the wrong things. So sors, and I will cut not only your nails, that creates the inferiority complex but also your fingers." Because he knew within them, and that makes them de- what kind of care she had taken of him. pressed. She did not bring him up in a good way. Instead of that if you would always On the other side, I often talk about praise and encourage your children, and my mother. I have told you many stories not always criticize them in front of about her. She was a very devoted lady, others, that would have a very good ef- and it was only because of her that I got fect on them. Even if they may not be [as the inspiration to do the devotion of good as] what you are telling them that God. She filled me with the desire to do they are, still if you would always en- the devotion of God. She was very good, courage and not criticize them in front of and one day I asked her, "Mother, you other people, they will try to become like have done so much for me, how can I that. That will have a very good effect on pay you back for all that you have done them. for me?" She said, "No, dear son, I have The life of the Saint is full of experi- not done anything for you. It was all due ences. The Bagga family is sitting here to the grace of God Almighty. I just got and Pappu is also sitting here. You know the opportunity to take care of you, and that sometimes the children make mis- I have just done my responsibility. I have takes. Once Babalu (Pappu's younger not done any favor to you. And I am brother) did something wrong, and the very fortunate that I became your family members were all set to give him a mother." beating, when suddenly I arrived in She was such a good lady, she would Delhi. There was no schedule, there was always say this even though I would say, no program arranged for me, I just went "Mother you have done so much for there. When I blew the horn of my car, me." She would never try to make me all the family members came out to meet think that she had done anything for me. me. So what they had planned to do - to So you can see the difference between give the beating to Babalu - did not ma- my mother and my aunt. It was only terialize at that time. And then Babalu because of the good quality of my said, "It seems like the prayer of the mother that I got the desire to do the devotee has been heard. You came and I devotion of the Lord. am saved from the beating." The next So this is the thing: if we also have day Babalu told me that I should talk to such an attitude [of selfless service] to- his father, Mr. Bagga, and I should tell ward our children, then our children will him, "If he wants to spank me or if he also become good. Usually what is seen gets upset with me, he should not do is that if some mother does anything for it in front of the servants, because if the her children, she always goes on saying servants see that the father is spanking
18 SANT BANI the son, then they will not obey me, and take good care of the children. Once we it will be hard for me to make them were not able to express our feelings and work." our desires to our parents. We were not So you see that we people do not real- able to tell about a pain in our stomach ize, we do not consider, the feelings of or other things to our parents. So if we the children. The children know every- would remember all of that, and when it thing, and that is why he said, "If my comes to the children if we would place father wants to beat me or if he wants to ourselves in their position, then I think spank me he should not do it in front of we can learn a lot from the children. the servants." So you see, when it comes You know that after every death there to spanking or getting upset at the chil- is a birth, no matter in which body the dren, we people do not think what influ- soul goes, but childhood is always there. ence it is going to have on the children, Everybody has to go through the same we just want to maintain our own pres- thing again and again. That is why, if we tige. If we were to discipline the child in ourselves would do Simran and also in- a separate place, not in front of other spire the children to do the Simran and people, the children will also understand inspire them to do the devotion of the what their mistake is, and it will not have Lord, then we can easily get rid of this a bad effect on them. problem. If we do the devotion of the There are many things which I can say Lord we can easily encourage our chil- on this subject, because I have seen what dren to do the same. So the only advice happens to the children. The only advice which I would like to give you is that we which I would like to give to all of you is, should take good care of our children. whenever it comes to the question of The satsangis should think about this bringing up the children, you should al- and they should have an open heart. ways consider that we ourselves were They should try to figure out why they once children and we also went through have problems with their children. Many the same phase of life and through the times we do things without thinking, same experience; so if we were to re- without considering, and that is why member and to consider all that we our- many disputes and problems are unnec- selves have gone through then I think essarily created in our home life. that we will be very careful and we will September 1989 19
The Jewel of Infinite Value Sant Kirpal Singh Ji
reprinted from SAT SANDESHOctober 1970
F YOU wanted to acquire academic have said that this life everlasting is at- I knowledge, where would you go? To tainable only in the human form, and schools or colleges which have the com- in no other species. Listen to the Mas- plement of staff to teach the various ter's true words, for he speaks of what subjects. To learn about the physical he has seen. However, those who are form - what it comprises and how it intoxicated with the influence of their decays - you would go to a medical own mind and thoughts, who have nev- college. To become an engineer you er seen God and merely imagine that would need to attend an engineering God is omnipresent, are like a woman college, and so on. Where would you who acts as married, but has never met go to realize God? Into a Satsang, her husband. They just talk of the ever- where the Teacher, Sant or Master has lasting marriage but cannot perform himself realized the Truth and is com- the ceremony. Even if you travel the petent to impart this wisdom to those four corners of the earth, you cannot present. Actually Satsang is the medi- have this marriage without a Satguru. cine for that disease and pain which He is the Truth in physical form, and comes from ignorance of the truth, from only he can unite you with the Lord. searching for the answer to: Is there a Mira Bai got a permanent marriage God and how does one realize Him? through the Imperishable Bridegroom. In anatomy, physiology, pathology, I want you to understand the true mean- etc., the subject is demonstrated to the ing of Satsang - for the question these students by means of dissection, per- days is: Where and how can we expe- formed and taught by those with spe- rience the Truth? icalized knowledge. In the company of The common man derives some kind those who have realized the Truth we of intoxication by singing hymns and can learn how to realize it, also by playing instruments, or through belief means of demonstration. It is this com- in God by reading the scriptures. The petency which determines who is select- Masters have given two statements: ed as a Guru, Sadhu, Sant or Master - that there is a God, for they themselves not the mere acting of a part, or a par- have seen Him, and also that God can- ticular mode of outer appearance. He not be seen. Both statements are correct who has the knowledge of the Bcpond from their own level. God Absolute, teaches that within us is a mine of ever- which has not come into expression, is lasting life, and that we should realize nameless, formless and soundless, and this fact in truth. All the great Masters therefore cannot be seen. This is the September 1989 21 stage where one must become absorbed The soul is of the same essence as into Him. But, when He wished to be- God, and the glory of the body remains come from One to many, that Power only as long as we are in it; but we are came into expression, and that true imprisoned within it. There are open- Lord we can see - we can experience. ings at the eyes, ears, etc., but the in- When the expression came forth from dweller (the soul) cannot run out. The God Absolute, there was vibration, and breath goes out, but does not stay out; two things were created - Light and some power is pulling it back into the Sound. Both denote the same Truth, body. Within this human form lies the and we can experience both, through the Amrit (a never-ending spring which is company of a True Master: one who the Water of Life) but we are searching has seen and heard for himself, and can for it among outer things. Here. in our demonstrate it by giving the experience country (India), people do not under- to others. stand the difference between spiritism, Guru Nanak Sahib said, "Nanak's which is belief in the existence of disem- Lord can be seen clearly." Jesus said, bodied spirits; spiritualism, which is "Behold, the Lord." Kabir Sahib said, contacting those spirits who are on a "0 Kabir, my doubts were allayed when little higher level; and spirituality, which I saw the Truth in the True Form." Sri is knowing oneself by self-analysis and Ramakrishna told Vivekananda, "My knowing the Overself. The spiritualists, child, I see Him as I am seeing you - who contact spirits, can only reach the even more clearly than that." Dadu Sa- wandering spirits from the astral region, hib said, "What I say is from seeing, not very near the earthly atmosphere. This like others who talk from hearsay." So, is not hypnotism or mesmerism, through if you want to know God, go to he who which a man's mind can be controlled, has seen Him. What can a man know of but it is also not spirituality. Spirituality the Truth who wags his head in a trance is a science by which the soul can be of feelings, or theorizes from books? freed from the mind and senses, and If a person meditates upon the Absolute realize itself and the Controller of the God, the very finest image will appear. physical form. So, to know yourself and I am saying in very clear and simple to know God is spirituality. words, that who has not seen can- Kabir Sahib says, He can be called a not show. It is a matter of revelation; as Satguru who can reveal the Ever-per- Christ said, No man knoweth the Fa- manent Being. Go and search for a Mas- ther but the Son, and he to whom the ter who can teach you to rise above the Son will reveal Him. This means that body consciousness - above the physi- the child actually sees his Father. The cal and astral bodies. See how many Son is he who sees God, who has ac- such Masters you can find. There are quired the knowledge of the Beyond and many who will teach you through the can reveal it to others. To reveal is to senses, by reading, writing, thinking, uncover something which is already devotional rituals, customary rites, pil- there - there is no question of insert- grimages, fasting, giving alms to the ing something from outside. That which poor, fire worship, and intellectual is to be revealed is within each being; wrangling to arrive at a conclusion; but the only difference is that in some it is all these methods come under the head- hidden and in some, manifest. ing of apra vidya, or outer knowledge.
SANT BANI They can all be taught by anyone who will receive a particle of that which is has had a little training. But one who called Truth. In the company of the will free the soul from mind and senses, Saint, the Lord is seen within. Only giving an inner experience by separat- then will one realize how sweet is the ing the consciousness from the matter name of God. The Naam is something to bring the soul above the astral form, to be enjoyed, like nectar; to derive hap- and who will open that Eye through piness from its association. Only then which the Inner Light or God's own will true love develop. form in Radiance can be seen, is called How many people can you find who a True Master or Satguru - and the can see? It is very well to say "this book company of such a Master is called says this, that book says that" but what Satsang. have you seen? Dadu Sahib tells us with As such, Satsang is very rare. Self- authority, I have seen it - others speak realized people have always been and from hearsay. It is not a subect of even now are rare, but because of the words alone. Kabir Sahib says, Through law of demand and supply, the world is words alone you cannot become a devo- not without them. Therefore there is tee - leave this hypocrisy. SO, do you food for the hungry and water for the understand what Satsang is? What can thirsty. Some people waste the whole of the poor wooden puppet do? The Pup- their precious life in searching for the peteer knows what He is doing. As long Truth outwardly, through outward ob- as this level is not reached, your com- servances or drawing intellectual infer- ing and going will not cease. Satsang is ences. They don't see anything, and the school where the experiences of the therefore do not get anything. The out- great Masters are retold, and where er practices do set up a yearning and some experience is given to the student, give birth to some desire for God, but that he may see a little of the Truth this is only preparing the ground, just himself and develop further. as clouds come before the rain. They Forgive me, Dadu Sahib was an illit- are good actions and bring the fruit of erate person - he had not acquired a reward, but do not end one's coming degree of any kind. In which college and going in the world. Until man can did Guru Nanak study? What school see that He is the Doer and not "I," the did Kabir Sahib attend? Hazrat Mo- I-hood will remain and so therefore will hammed Sahib (the Prophet) used to the birth and rebirth, for all actions be called Umi, which means "illiterate." whether good or bad will effect reaction. Did Christ learn his wisdom in any But when one becomes the seer of the school? The knowledge that these great Truth - the conscious co-worker of people had was the free knowledge of the Divine Plan - the situation as it the Beyond. truly stands becomes apparent. I can At the time of Kabir Sahib there do nothing; whatever God wills, hup- was a certain pundit or religious teach- pens. er. His story is written in the scriptures, From the day that one realizes God and it tells of how he studied the holy is the Doer, one will cease to come and and other books extensively and became go in the realm of action, and will no the most learned man for many miles longer be tied up by the sanchit karmas. around, so he called himself Sarbajeet, So, in the company of he who sees, you meaning one who has won above all September 1989 others. On completion of his studies, he If one does not listen even then. they returned to his mother's house. She was will go to the extent of operating, like a a follower of Kabir Sahib, and when he doctor who will do his very best to cure said to her, "Mother, I have become a tumor, even if it means resorting to Sarbajeet; you should call me that from surgery. So, with great kindness, Kabir now on," she replied, "I will, if you Sahib pointed out to the pundit, "How can beat Kabir Sahib in knowledge." can your mind and mine become one? Worldly knowledge often encourages I say what I have seen, and you say pride, and carelessly picking up his what you have read from printed mat- books he said, "Oh, that is nothing," ter." and went off to Kabir Sahib's humble Even then, there are very few who dwelling. understand the scriptures. For exam- Kabir Sahib said to the young man, ple, if four men went to Kashmir. and "Well, Punditji, what has brought you visited the same places there. when here?" The proud pundit replied, "I asked to write a description of what am Sarbajeet, and I have come to beat they had seen, each would write about you in knowledge." Kabir Sahib smiled whatever impressed him the most - at him and said, "I do not want to ar- so all the accounts would be different, gue over this, so you just write down though they would all be accurate. A that Sarbajeet has won and Kabir has person who had never been to Kashmir lost; and I will sign it." The pundit was would think that the writings referred very pleased that Kabir had given in to different places. but one who had so easily; he quickly wrote the words been there would say, "Yes, all four are and got Kabir to sign it. He went correct, for I have seen these places." home, and flourishing the paper at his Through seeing for himself, the latter mother, he said, "Now you will have would be the one qualified to explain to call me Sarbajeet, for Kabir Sahib the descriptions to others. You can only has acknowledged it." She took the pa- get Spirituality and pure perception per and read aloud, "Sarbajeet has lost from those who have seen the Truth. and Kabir has won." Unbelieving, he A group of learned priests once went read it for himself, and said, "How is to Maulana Rumi Sahib, similarly to this possible? There must be some mis- test his knowledge. He also explained take - I will go back to Kabir Sahib." that the subject could not be discussed On arriving at the Saint's house, he between them, for their learning was blurted out, "Maharaj, I made a slight from prose and writings. whereas his mistake, so I want to rewrite the pa- was simply knowledge from the Be- per." Kabir Sahib amiably agreed, and yond-something full of sweetness. signed the new declaration. When the Kabir Sahib continues the subject by pundit reached home, his mother read saying, I speak to untangle, but you are the paper and said, "But it is still writ- entangled. He is making it very clear ten, 'Sarbajeet has lost and Kabir has that there is a wide gap of difference won."' In frustration he shouted, "I between bookish learning and actual ex- will go again to Kabir!" and hurried off. perience. In other words, when I speak It is a rule with all great Masters that to people, the mysteries are solved and they never belittle a person, but with the knots untangle themselves, but your love they make the people understand. words only serve to keep them in bond-
24 SANT BANI
age. For another example, one lights a Some worship spirits, some worship candle and rings a bell in the holy tombs - going adrift in whichever di- places, but I say that the Light and rection they are led by the selfish-mind- Sound is within you; hear that Sound ed people. Kabir Sahib says, I say, be through which you will get salvation. detached; you are going along in attach- Everything has its own value - outer ment. Whatever life's give and take may knowledge included - but it is only be comes through the prarabdh (fate) the preparation of the ground. When karmas, so accept the ups and downs you meet a Satguru, the darkness is dis- cheerfully. God's pen writes according to pelled. our own karmic reactions. I was once in If after hearing these sayings of the a court when the judge was passing sen- great Masters, there are still some who tence on a murderer, and his words are not convinced, then what can be were, "In view of the facts before me, I done for these poor people? Within you decide that he should be hanged by the is the Nectar of Life - go inside. You neck until dead." According to your and God are both residing in the same own karmas, some people are your temple. Search it out from where it lies, brothers, sisters, wife, husband, etc., not outwardly, wasting your whole life and the joys and burdens of life should through. Kabir Sahib says, I tell them be accepted cheerfully. Wife and hus- to awake, but you yourself are sleep- band should have the joint aim in life ing. The words of the Master are clear to help each other to realize God. Oth- and at the same time free; there is no erwise, wherever your attention is, you compulsion there. He is telling us to will go to that. awake, but we are going into further Kabir Sahib says, For age after age I forgetfulness. The whole world is sleep- have tried to make people understand; ing in illusionary attachment. We are but no one listens. Very few people ac- sleeping, having completely forgotten cept the truth. When the Masters come who we are. We have got a body, but and see the condition of the world, they have become the body and though it is awaken them to the truth, and warn changing, just like the whole world is them as to what they are doing. The les- changing, yet we think it is all station- sons they give always have deeply pro- ary. The Masters tell us to awake, krzow found meanings, but they are always thyself, and become the seer of God. In corrupted. Prayers were started that the Vedas we are told to Awake, arise God should be remembered. but after and stop not until the goal is reached. a while people began to keep symbols Kabir Sahib says, Awake, beloved, why of God and start worshiping them, are you sleeping? The night has passed, saying this is God. The soul, which is a do you want to lose the day also? All conscious entity, should only worship great Masters have exhorted man to the All-consciousness. Otherwise, if the awake, but the so-called masters are conscious being starts worshiping mat- putting two extra quilts on him, saying ter it will retrogress to lower species of "Sleep, child, sleep; what you do at the life. A certain Master said, It was level of physical body, outgoing facul- through very high destiny that you got ties or intellect is all sufficient." If we this physical form. If you do not get do not awake while we have got the connection with the Naam, you are a human form, when will we do so? murderer of your soul. Christ called it
SANT BANI the death of the soul. Ironically, we God expresses Himself through it. Ka- have become so much entangled in low- bir Sahib also tells us that if we do what er things, that to give even a single the Satguru wants, we will become his thought to something higher seems like image. a sin - we feel guilty. Guru Nanak says When you meet a Kabir Sahib continues: You are like perfect Master, you get the highest jew- an early widow, who never got to know eled thoughts. On meeting a Satguru, her husband, and who is losing all her he gives the seeker an invaluable jewel wealth. You are not only wasting your which is of the highest and purest qual- own life, but others' also. If you had ity. Are not the outer rituals performed even a little connection with God - in order that one may come to realize your husband - it would be all right, God? There are various roads, but only but you have never even seen Him. one destination. The perfect Master will These people who pose and say, "Yes, not only tell you the true way, but will we have seen and will show you" waste give an experience of it, which, if you the seekers' precious years in outer practice daily, will steadily increase. practices. If by chance a seeker requests Guru Nanak continues, Oh, bewildered to be given some experience, he is usu- and forgetful mind, surrender at the ally told, "Should it be given haphaz- G~iru'sfeet. 0 lost Man, you are roam- ardly? First do this, and then do that, ing on this earth like a madman; go and etc." Wherein lies the true Master's sit at the feet of one who has the knowl- greatness? In that he gives you the in- edge of the Beyond, a Guru of the ner experience of the Light and Sound highest order who will dispel the dark- Principle; this is true Spirituality. If you ness. The Guru did not tell us to go to do not get this, then how can you ad- a person who is intellectually qualified. vance? How can one who is under the Every being has the everlasting Nectar control of the senses rise above those of Life within him, but only he who is very senses by his own efforts? If a true in constant contact can give you a con- Master takes pity, he will give you the tact. Many say that to reach the Goal, way up. As long as I do not see with a Guru is not necessary. Forgive me, my own eyes, I cannot believe even the but such people desire to be Gurus words of my Guru. themselves, and expect others to listen There is a profusion of black market- to their words. The practical meaning of ing in the world, but none to compare Guru is "one who has the inner knowl- with that which is done in the name of edge and can reveal the Light to oth- God. But, The gentle stream of Pence ers." Christ told us, As long as I am in which flows from the Satguru, washes the world, I am the Light of the world. mind and matter. God is everywhere - He said As long as I am in the world there is no place without Him - but but the Christ lives even now. How can He flows through a certain human pole he who has met a true Master continue in His fullness. Wash your sins away in to walk in darkness? that cleansing stream. Remember al- The holy books cannot be accurate- ways that the Satguru is not a physical ly explained by those who have not form; he is the Word made flesh. He seen what is mentioned therein. There is manifested God in man, and we are learned people who can expertly should honor that human form because expound their own theories, but a wise September 1989 27 seeker will not follow a mere philoso- afraid of death, but true seekers go to phy, but will seek to have the darkness the Master and request him to teach within dispelled. Who can give Light? them how to die. Why? Because one He who hasn't got, cannot give; but re- must learn to die before one can truly member that a true Master actually begin to live. How does the Master re- gives a portion of his life, just as a lease one from the fear of death? When mother gives her blood to the child and the soul leaves the body, there is a finer nourishes it on her milk. The Master body inside, called the astral body. Fur- does the same thing, spiritually, and ther ahead, there is the causal body. and asks for nothing in return. He never when one rises from the physical body, asks for money, in pretense of devo- one begins to get some indication of the tional practice. Spirituality is a gift of Oversoul. This is the order of the soul's nature, given freely to everyone. Some experience within, having which, all people in the West once wrote to my fears will leave. This is why the Mas- Master saying, "We have got wealth, so ters stress again and again that one please give us Spirituality in exchange should truly know oneself. for it." My Master replied, "I do not Trying to achieve self-knowledge want your wealth, and what I have got through feelings, emotions or through will be given free, being a gift of na- inference is accompanied by doubt of ture." Even today, through His grace, error, for nothing is seen. Realization the world is receiving this gift. does not come until the soul has risen The Lord of Death runs in fear from above the physical and astral forms, and he who meditates upon the Holy Naam. this one can only do through the help It is also said, Through the Naam comes of a Guru. With the Guru's blessing, the Light of millions of suns. There is you come to know yourself. By going the Light and there is the Sound, the into the astral plane you get some self- Music of the Spheres - the wealth at- awareness, then beyond that, in cosmic tained by a true Gurumukh. There are awareness, you see that I and my Fa- two kinds of bhakti: one through the ther are one. Go then, to the person mind and senses, and the other is that who will lighten your darkness and give which you get through the Guru. you real life insurance. Death is no bugbear; it is the name Just after I was initiated, an insur- given to a change which comes when ance agent approached me in the hope one leaves the coarse atmosphere of of selling some life insurance. I told him the earth and enters a finer one of that my life had already been insured in Light. Something like the sun setting in Hazur Maharaj Ji's hands. "You have one place and rising in another. We in fact come to insure my death, for have to leave the body one day, and at only if I die before ten years will some- the very first sitting. the Master raises one receive full amount of the policy the consciousness above the body and insured; is that not so?" After all, each gives an experience of the Light and one must give up his life one day. In- Sound Principle. Then, through daily stead of handing yourself over to the practice this is increased. The fear of Lord of Death, why not repose in the death will leave. He who is afraid of care of a God-realized man who will birth and death should sit at the feet of show you the way up by teaching how a Perfect Master. The whole world is to rise above the body while living?
SANT BAN1 When you get such an opportunity and inner eye is not open, 0 Nanak, how you reject it, naturally we delay our can he see God? So we have, When the going to our True Home. blind lends the way, only the blind will The last words of the Guru Granth follow. If he had eyes, he would not be Sahib are: 0 God, give me Your Dar- in this predicament. Those who follow shun. What is the value of a fruit tree the one who does not see, are obviously which never bears fruit, no matter how blind themselves. They get nothing and much it is tended and watered? The waste their whole lives obeying blindly. Guru's work is to connect the soul with How many Masters can you find who God, and the company of such a Guru will give something practical? If the is called Satsang, which one gets with master is hungry and naked, how can great good fortune. He who has good the servant be well fed? When the blind karmas from very far back will get con- leads the blind, both will fall in the nection with Naam. Nanak says, only ditch. then will you have perpetual happiness: Just like today, there were many so- when in this abode the Sound is struck. called gurus in the days of Guru Nanak. Oh brother, I have no other place to Without being invited, he would visit go. It means that there is no other place the sadhus, sants and rishis, and sitting than the Guru to get what I want. And down quietly with them, with great love in gratitude: The Guru has given me and patience he would explain what such wealth, I am overcome with grati- they were doing. Transport and travel tude. It is also written, All glory to the was difficult in those days, but he went teachings of the Master; I wish to never to the Himalayas to see the yogis there, be separated from him. Guru Nanak he went to Burma, China, Arabia and has expressed many profound thoughts many other far-distant countries, for the on separation. I cannot live for one sec- sole purpose of awakening the souls to ond without the Naam, for that is death the Truth. Without the human pole in to me. Also: I am blind without the which God has expressed Himself, it is Naam, through which is the only means impossible to achieve the Truth. In past of reaching my true home. It will take history, many have tried to reach God, us back to the Source, from whence the through many and varied types of prac- Light and Sound started; it is the true tices, some even who withered away into road to God. dust in the attempt, but all in vain of Philosophical paths are built upon having a glimpse of the Lord. hypotheses, though they do have some Those who come into the world and connection with the teachings of the do not get a true Guru can be likened true Masters. But to be connected to to a crow who flew into an empty house the Truth, to experience the Controller calling "caw, caw, caw" but had to fly or God, and to further realize Him - away without being fed. The people this is the true teaching in practice. who have not experienced God inside What a great blessing it is! Outer prac- them will always be unhappy. True hap- tices and theories are well enough in piness will always remain just out of their own sphere, for all have the same reach. There is great bliss in the soul, aim in view, but If the guru is blind, which will only be realized when it is what is the disciple's destination? Who connected back to the Oversoul which is a blind man? A blind man is he whose is Sat, Chit and Anand - ever-existent, September I989 29 all wisdom, and eternal bliss. If one Some time back. I gave a talk on Gan- has got the Nectar of Naam, then each dhiji, and described that he was success- pore of his body will be intoxicated. ful in his mission because he had no Even the blood circulation in the physi- particular preference for any religion. cal system will become rhythmical, When the people sat before him, pray- and many diseases will go. If the soul ers were sung in different languages: is strong, the body and mind will derive Arabic, Sanskrit, and others. The lan- strength, coolness and peaceful serenity. guage or religion made no difference to Many years ago in Peshawar, I was him. To learn to sit with one another sitting one day in the surgery of a doc- is the first lesson; then search for a Mas- tor whom I knew very well. I observed ter to give you an experience of the that a certain prescription he gave the Truth. The single means back to the compounder to be made up was very Source is the path of Nad, the Sound lengthy, comprising many ingredients, Principle, which is vibrating in each but he prepared the prescription by put- being. ting only one or two in the bottle. When Creation, then dissolution, comes I remarked on this, the doctor replied, through the Shabd; then through the "Oh, actually I just give something to Shabd, creation again. The Lord is clean the stomach. Only the soul has Soundless, but when He expressed Him- the power of curing physical ills." Many self, the expression resulted in vibration diseases today are worsened, simply be- and came into being. That Power is sus- cause at the advent of a slight indispo- taining the world, and through that sition, people run to the doctors for Power the world falls into dissolution. medicine, which means that too many Then again, through the same Power, it drugs get absorbed into the body and is created. It has many names: Shabd, cause trouble. Simple sicknesses can be Kalma, Nanm, Word, etc. A Persian helped by eating less or taking only prophet said, 0 Khuda (Lord), show water for two or three days. me that place wherein, without words, The thing is in one place, and you the Kalma is proceeding. Fourteen search elsewhere, clutching at anything; planes were made through this Kalma. Kabir says, you will only find it when It is not the name which is important; you take the Knower with you. Only but the Power itself which the name one who knows can show you where portends, is the very Lord. He who your desire lies; it was the work of becomes saturated with the Shabd or many lives to come, but he took you Naam will experience such intoxication there at once. Masters are similarly de- that through it he will go into the scribed in the Ved Shastras (ancient Soundless (Ashabd) or Wordless state. Hindu scriptures). But this does not This is the only way you can go apply to the common gurudom which back. You will then realize that which is becoming notorious these days, where is beyond illusion, with its three stages: followers are fighting amongst them- prakrili, maya and pradhan. I only obey selves and even killing each other in my Guru's words and nothing else. How the name of religion. All religions be- clear are these words! Always we should long to God, so join back to Him. do as he commands, but we prefer to A Satguru is he who makes all chil- obey our own minds. Dwell in the dren of God to sit on one platform. Shabd, through which the devastating I-
SANT BANI hood will burn itself out. When your the Guru's blessing, you die whilst liv- I-hood is finished, you will be the seer ing and fully understand his commands. of the Lord. A gurumukh who sits at Nanak says, he who dies thus, lives the the feet of the Guru will get the Pure true life. Light. Within you is the Sound of the Outer religious music and song has a Naam and the radiance of Light. If you great attraction, but it takes you to the experience this and know that God is verge of matter and does not transcend doing everything and not yourself, then you; so the soul remains in the matter. where will be the place for I-hood? The Shabd (the Sound Principle or Then, as the Guru says: With ease, the Nad) begins when you rise above the meeting with Truth will take place. It five elements of body, and is vibrating will be like entering a lift, pressing the inside and outside, and is food for the button for the desired floor and reach- soul. This illustrates again the difference ing there without any effort on your between outer and inner practice. Only part. You will meet the true God with through the Shabd will you learn to ease. truly love God. If you want to reach the The work ahead of us is to earn the sun, follow its rays. Through the com- Naam. It should dwell in our hearts, so pany of the Saint, God can be seen much in evidence that it becomes appar- within; then the Name of God will be- ent in us. We should be moulded in it. come sweet. How can one develop love It should be manifested inside and out- for something one has never seen? side. The outcome of this will be: When When praises are sung through seeing, you become as the Shabd, humility will such singing will gain benefit. If you banish all lust, anger and ego. Having sing the praises of that which another the Nectar of Life, all taste for small has seen, then forgive me, but you can things will fade away. Renounce this liken it to attempting to find some poisonous forest, 0 friend; drink the scraps of food from someone else's Nectar of Life. Without tasting this, empty plate. Earn something for your- there will be no peace and happiness. self. Do not keep the picture of anoth- This boat we are in-the image of our er's beloved over your heart. Would you lie-is meaningless without the Naam. hurt him? Have a Beloved of your own By pride or force it is impossible. Only and rejoin God yourself. When you by giving yourself to a Perfect Master drink deeply from the Nectar of Life, will you get it. This Nectar which out- even those around you become intoxi- shines all others is beyond the domin- cated. ions of wealth, intellect or worldly pow- Without the Shabd, the world is in er. Go where it is being distributed. forgetfulness. Death and birth come How can it be abandoned-that which again and again. This labyrinthine loss is the Preserver of all life? When He is of memory continues until we taste the the very life of our life and of the whole Water of Life. In actual fact we go wher- creation, how can we forget Him? We ever our attention is. You all live for are living on this very Nectar. He who self-greatness. Whosoever comes into dies absorbed in the Shabd will never the world thinks there is no one like die again. If the soul is connected to himself. Some say "I am the greatest God, how can it return to the world? mahatma" and others say "I am this, I The coming and going is finished. With am that," etc. A Mahatma is not made September 1989 by his own efforts, but by the blessing creased the mountains begin to look like and grace of a higher power. It is not small mounds, and the large rivers and the work of man, but of the True Lord, lakes appear like thin threads and pud- who manifests Himself in some human dles. So all the seeming greatness of form or pole. No true Mahatma has the world will not leave your heart un- ever said, "I am doing all this," but til you have risen above the body and always acknowledges the Lord or his senses. Guru as the Doer. Bheeka says that the Those who have risen above and have Beyond is far from all description and realized the Truth admonish us with understanding. He who knows, speaks the words, Oh brothers, you are sacri- not; he who speaks, knows not. It is ficing a valuable jewel for a worthless impossible for one who sees the Truth seashell. You are building castles out to say that he is doing anything. of sand. You can only meet a true Mas- No experience comes without the ter with very good karmic background, G:w. Of what benefit are mere words? and his blessing. Unfortunately, when You can say a million times, "I am not we do get a Master we do not value the body, I am not the mind, the intel- what we have received and therefore lect, the pranas; I am the soul, the derive very little benefit, by compari- atma," but this is just talk. I say, "This son. Obey the commands of the Guru is my watch," and I put it aside. I one hundred per cent, then you will say, "This is my coat," and I can take know what God is. The company of a it off when I wish. This is my body, true Master is called Satsang, and if but can I take it off when I choose? you are fortunate to have such compa- This is my intellect, but can I rise above ny, then obey him. When he gives you it? I have got senses, but am I compe- something increase it through daily med- tent to work through them or stop do- itations. We do not like to do it and ing so, just whenever I like? When the say we haven't got the time, but remem- Guru takes you above into the higher ber you have to die for yourself: no one planes and shows you the inner path to else will do it for you. the regions of radiance, you will see The Masters do not come here to for yourself that the body, intellect and fight, though it is true that they openly mind gain strength from you: the soul. give out the facts of life. Their purpose As this awareness becomes stronger, is not to belittle, but to explain the true your condition will be such that you value of things. If you have understood will be in control of your senses and what I have told you today, then try able to work through any one of them and achieve it. If you have been given you choose. You will see the world even the smallest knowledge of the Be- through the inner eye of knowledge. At yond, then increase it. When you meet present we are under a false impression a true Master, you will get his jeweled and our conclusions come through in- thoughts. All the essence of thought, tellect and thought; we have not seen which is like an invaluable jewel, is the Truth. For example, when we rise in being given to you, in addition to an an airplane, at first the mountains, etc., experience of the Beyond. Derive from look huge, but as the altitude is in- this the utmost benefit.
SANT BANI Sant Bani Ashram Publications by Sant Ajaib Singh Ji The Two Ways: the Gauri Vars of Guru Ramdas $10.00 The Jewel of Happiness: the Sukhmani of Guru Arjan 15.00 The Ocean of Love: the Anurag Sagar of Kabir 15.00 Streams in the Desert: Discourses & Conversations 1976-1980 12.00 by Sant Kirpal Singh Ji The Light of Kirpal 12.00 The Way of the Saints: Sant Mat 10.00 Life and Death: (The Wheel of Life & The Mystery of Death) 8.50 The Crown of Life: A Study in Yoga 7.00 Naam or Word (a study of the Sound Current) 5.50 The Jap Ji: The Message of Guru Nanak 3.50 Baba Jaimal Singh: the story of a great Saint 3 .OO Prayer 3.95 Godman 3.95 Morning Talks 7.50 Spirituality: What It Is 3.95 The Night is a Jungle 10.00 The Teachings of Kirpal Singh (selected writings by subject matter) 10.00 Seven Paths to Perfection (pamphlet) 1.OO How to Develop Receptivity (pamphlet) out of print by Ajaib, Kirpal and other Masters Songs of the Masters (combined, revised, spiral bound edition) The Message of Love: An Introduction to Sant Mat Light on Ananda Yoga, by Shiv Brat La1 New Book The Self-Introspection Diary (featuring selections from the writings of Ajaib Singh, Kirpal Singh, & Sawan Singh) by other authors Support for the Shaken Sangat, by A. S. Oberoi The Impact of a Saint, by Russell Perkins Sant Ajaib Singh: A Brief Life Sketch Servants of God: Lives of the Sikh Gurus, by Jon Engle The Third World Tour of Kirpal Singh Cooking with Light: Favorite Vegetarian Recipes A Nutrition Compendium (pamphlet) The Book of Jonah: Bible text illustrated by Sant Bani School students Allison's Shadow, by Tracy Leddy October on Nantucket, by Tracy Leddy A New Beginning, by Gretchen Foy Tape Catalog - Sant Bani Tape Service Please add 10% to all orders to cover postage and handling costs. Minimum $1.50 Books and information are available from: Sant Bani Ashram Aug . '89 Franklin, N. H. 03235, U.S.A.