1

the
message OF the as:
A wake
Arise
And stop not until the goal is reached.
THE UPANISHADS
 The
Master's
Message
ON T H E
BIRTH
ANNIVERSARY
OF
BABA
SAWAN SINGH JI '

July 17, 1970

H MAN! Thou hast come into the world to make a profitable business
0 of dealing with the merchandise of Naam which never fails. But alas,
thou art engaged in fruitless and bewildering things of life. The night of
earthly life is nearing its end. Those who d o not reach the shore now, how
can they cross when dead?
Hari Naam is the essence of all religions. All religions are deeply rooted
in the Naam. There is no religion higher than that of the Naam. Verily,
verily, the true study is the study of Naam, which is the Bread of Life.
He who knows how to die while living drinks Amrit, the Water of Life,
which gives everlasting life. Therefore learn to die while living at the feet
of a living Master. My Master, Baba Sawan Singh, instilled in me that we
do really live when we are in contact with Naam, the Word, which can be
given by one who is Word made flesh living on earth. Without that, there
is no life. Very great and all powerful is the Naam, controlling us in the
body. W e cannot live without its shelter even for a moment. Time and tide
wait for no man; please do hurry before it is too late.
Love,
KIRPAL SINGH
 Sat
August 1970 Volume three number eight

FROM THE MASTER

The Master's Message on the Birthday
of Baba Sawan Singh Ji
The Master's Talk:
The Unique Philosopher's Stone
Selections from Prayer
Circular 17
On Spiritual Healing and Other Matters

OTHER FEATURES
Book Review:
Prayer: Its Nature and Technique,
by Kirpal Singh 15
On Tour with the Master 27 Arran Stephens
Poem: Oh Lord, In Thy Mercy 23 Michael Raysson

SATSANDESH is published monthly in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu by Ruhani

Satsang, Sawan Ashram, Shakti Nagar, Delhi-7, India, for the purpose of dissemi-
nating the teachings of the great living Master, Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj, and the
Masters who preceded him. The English edition is published in the United States
of America at Sant Bani Ashram, Franklin, New Hampshire 03235. Editor Emer-
itus: Bhadra Sena; Editor: Russell Perkins; Circulation Manager: John R. Pearsall.
Subscription rates: U. S. $6.00, £ 2 Sterling, or Rs. 12 yearly. Single copy: 50
U. S. cents, 3/6d. Sterling, or Re. 1. All subscriptions, payments, and manuscripts
for publication should be addressed to SATSANDESH, Sant Bani Ashram, Franklin,
New Hampshire 03235, U. S. A. Checks and money orders should be made pay-
able to SATSANDESH. NO payment is made for contributions published. Views ex-
pressed in articles other than those written by the Master are not necessarily the
views of the journal.
 A
THE --MASTER'S\,*: TALK %

- ,_

I
b. Uniqne phi lo sop he^'^ Sto
iThe
1
I am not placing anything new Highly informative lectures l p e been
ODAY,
fore you, but the age-old truth given, and the number $.+~b"ooksavail-

T\
which s come to the world for cen- able for reading i s innumerable. Much
turies past. &never Masters came, they has been . l e a ~ e dabout the physical
brought the same &th: They come with form, and with the help of the intellect
a Light and they give this Light to many new discoveries have been made
everyone who so desires it, in fact they in various fields. The world can be en-
not only bring the Light but they are the circled in a matter of hours, rendering it
Light themselves . . . the Children of somewhat like a small town; the moon
Light. For how long? For as long as has been landed upon, and now the
they walk on the surface of the earth. heretofore hidden knowledge of the
However, that Light never dies, but is moon is gradually being opened up to
ever permanent, and when one bulb mankind. Is it not ironic and regrettable
"fuses" another is put in its place. When that with all this knowledge, we yet
the second fuses, the third is lighted, know nothing of who we truly are?
and so on. This Light or power is that Through systematically feeding the body
which we call God or Guru, and it is we have become physically strong and
ever permanent. we are intellectually strong because we
When the Masters come they bring have fed all kinds of knowledge into the
Light into the world which is in deep mind, but what food have we given to
darkness. By giving a little Light, the the soul?
darkness is dispelled. Unfortunately, When a man is born, is he at that
there is no right understanding, for the time a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian,
mists of delusion are disseminated so Buddhist or Jain etc.? He is just a human
densely that one hand cannot find the being-a member of mankind. Guru
other, though it be attached to the same Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the
body! The Masters have always said Sikhs, said, "The true religion of man is
very frankly, We bring no new thing, but only one." The outer and inner con-
that which has existed from the begin- struction of the physical form are the
ning-right understanding. What is right same. God has not sent man with a
understanding? In a simple manner of brand of a certain religion on him, but
speaking it is a matter of common sense, rather He sent him into the religion of
a case of knowing who one actually is. Mankind, and the different labels have
Have you ever given any thought to it? been attached afterwards by man him-
Man has acquired great knowledge- self.
has given birth to intellectual giants. When the world was created, there
were no religions existing. For instance years. That power is called Naam, or
Sikhism came into existence after Gum Word, and when it withdraws, dissolu-
Nanak, when later the tenth Guru organ- tion occurs, and in due course of the
ized the followers into a fold, and estab- Divine Plan, grand dissolution. Guru
lished the Khalsa. Fifteen hundred years Nanak Sahib says, "Naam is the con-
back there was no Muslim, and two troller of everything; he whose destiny
thousand years ago there were no Chris- is great will achieve it."
tians. If we trace back as far as five The ultimate Lord is nameless, but
thousand years we would find no Bud- He expressed Himself, and that expres-
dhists or Jains-all were made in the sion is called Naam which is permeated
course of time, after the great saviours through each atom-there is no place
who came to guide the child humanity. without it. If we search into this human
Though God has given all men equal form we will find the knowledge of it.
rights relating to the birth process and It is a profound subject worthy of deep
physical composition, as yet man is thought. To make anything one requires
ignorant to what he actually is. We have tools and machinery of some kind, but
all got a body, but we are not the body what tools are in the womb of the
-we are connected to it-we are the mother to create the child's eyes, ears,
indweller. All is well while the two com- nose, hands and feet etc? Have you ever
panions dwell together, but when one given any thought to this? There is some
leaves, the other turns to dust. The com- power which is in control, is there not?
panion of the physical form remains It is this Power which we must know-
alive in this world only for as long as the Sustainer of all life, both within the
we, the soul, are with it, but when we womb and without.
are separated-No one keeps it, even for We are all children of the same Lord.
half an hour; they send it out of the When the Life-Giver is one and the
house. When a person dies, everyone is same, though He may be known by
anxious to quickly prepare the body and different names, then where does the
send it away. So the Masters teach us question arise of fighting each other?
that we are actually conscious soul, and This is a great lesson repeatedly forgot-
the body is glorified only for as long as ten by mankind throughout the ages and
that conscious soul dwells in it. the Masters continue to come to remind
The physical form is a wonderful us. Hundreds of lovers, but the Beloved
house in which we live. It has nine out- is the same. Caste and religion are dif-
lets-eyes, nostrils, ears, mouth, genital ferent, but the work is the same. We
and excretory orifices, but the indweller also have, Everyone glories in his own
cannot leave through any of them. Some Friend; the target is one but the arrows
Power has tied it within the body and it ure many. This is the supreme mystery
is imprisoned. When that very Power is of life, which we must unravel. The
withdrawn, the indweller also has to Masters have realized it, and so have
leave the body. That same Power is con- those who came into contact with them.
trolling millions of worlds throughout In the desire to keep a particular Mas-
creation which abide in perfect rhythm ter's teachings alive that more and more
and do not clash with one another. people may realize the Truth, so the
There are stars which can be seen on religious formation was founded. So
their orbits only after five thousand long as the self-realized persons were
here to fufill those teachings, the forma- spiritual health depends the life of mind
tions prospered successfully, but on their and body, both. The Master fceds the
departure stagnation and deterioration soul with the Bread of Life. This is the
slowly reduced the performance of them basis of right understanding. They say
to mere forms and rituals. Our true friend is he, b y seeing whom
Who can realize God? He cannot be all wrong understanding ceases. This
realized through the mind, intellect or type of Master is found very rarely, and
senses, or through pranas involving the if one is fortunate enough to meet one,
breathing process. He can only be real- the worldly attractions diminish - all
ized through the soul, and as long as the narrow-mindedness fades away.
soul has not realized itself, it cannot When Guru Nanak Sahib and Kabir
realize God. For this very reason, all Sahib came, the two castes of Muslim
rishis, munis, Mahatmas and Masters and Hindu were strongly opposed. There
who ever came to the world up to the was like a shroud of dcnse darkness over
present, no matter to which country or India. Guru Nanak once described the
religion they belonged, stressed the same condition by saying that the Moon of
injunction-0 Man, know thyself! Even Truth had been eclipsed by a black
if by theory, through using the intellect, night. The princes had become butchers,
we have come to believe that we are the and all honorable conduct had taken
soul and we have got a body, is this a wings and flown. What teaching did he
truly scientific knowledge through actual give out? He said, "We are neither
self-analysis? Have we succeeded in Hindu nor Muslim-Allah and Ram are
rising above the senses, at will? When the breath of this body," meaning that
a true Master comes to the world he there is only one Power and we are the
gives the seekers a demonstration in full devotees of that-call it Allah or Ram
consciousness, how to rise above the -and that Power is the very breath of
body consciousness and still further our life. Hindus and Muslims were made
above the senses and mind-not from by us. Kabir Sahib voiced this in a sim-
the level of the intellect, but practically. ilar way, We are neither Hindu nor MLIS-
This can only be experienced through lim-think of us both as one. Whether
the help, and the mercy, of a self-real- we do puja or numaz,l both are for Him.
ized and God-realized man. Until this A Muslim maulvi or priest once chal-
happens, our soul remains in its deplor- lenged Guru Nanak by saying, "If you
able condition-surrounded by the mind think that the Hindus and Muslims are
and the senses so much so that it is just one and the same, then come and read
the image of the body and the world. It namaz with us!" Guru Nanak readily
has completely forgotten itself and the agreed, and accompanied him to the
Life-Sustainer, and has forgotten its way mosque. The Maulvi Sahib performed
back to the knowledge of all this. God the namaz, and the Kazi Sahib-nd all
dwells with us in the same body, but the others followed him, but Guru Nanak
tragedy is we do not talk to each other. did not do so. H e was afterwards asked
He whose soul is strong will find that why he had not prayed with the others,
his heart, mind and physical body re- and he said, "With whom should I have
main in good working order, because the
1. Hindu and Muslim methods of prayer,
body and the intellect derive their respectively.
strength from the soul, so upon the 2. Mohammedan judge.
5
prayed?" He was reminded that the really are. It is a common-sense matter,
Maulvi Sahib had been performing, but and no philosophy is required to under-
Guru Nanak replied, "But he was not stand that the unity already exists as
really doing so; his mind was on his calf man body, soul and the same power we
at his house and he was worried that it worship -but we have forgotten it, that
may fall into the well." The Maulvi is all. It is a subject of practical self-
Sahib was shocked into silence, but the analysis, during which the consciousness
Kazi Sahib promptly asked, "Why did has to be separated from the matter. In
you not pray with me?" Guru Nanak the past, the furtherance of this teaching
turned to him and smiled-"You?-you has always been the free work of self-
were buying horses in Kabul!" With fear realized souls, but in this day and age
and shame they whispered, "Who are it is a world of paid preachers and
you?" Guru Nanak said, "If I say I am material motives. If we go back in his-
a Hindu, you will kill me, and Muslim tory we find people like Maharaja Ranjit
I am not!" By this he meant that they Singh who was ordered by his priest,
would judge him by his outer Hindu ap- Akali Phula Singh, in the Holy Temple,
pearance, and not by his soul-and that to "Go back, you have committed a sin
he was not their idea of what a Muslim -you are not fit to enter." He was a
should be. king, but he obeyed implicitly-can any
The outer forms and rituals are all priest today order any man at all, and
right, but are superficial, like monograms hope for obedience? No, because each
to show which school a child is attend- is concerned with his own selfish mo-
ing. Obviously, only that school is tives. Kabir Sahib said, Everything is
praiseworthy from which many children forgotten when the stomach is in ques-
graduate, having achieved the purpose tion, meaning that all principles are cast
of their studies. So, they asked Guru aside in consideration of earning for the
Nanak once again, "Tell us, who are stomach. He also said, Some have used
you?" He replied, "If you want to know the holy scriptures and some have used
the truth, Nanak is a puppet made of donkeys (or any beast of burden) (to
five elements, in which the invisible earn their living). -i_,

plays-which is me." This means that 0 brother, when you get the human
the body is made up of five elements, jorm, it is your turn to meet God. No
and that invisible Power is playing actions will avail you-keep the com-
within that body -people called that pany of a Saint and repeat only the Holy
Nanak. When he went to Baghdad, Nanm. It is with great good fortune that
Guru Nanak made a statement, that, you have got this human form, and it is
"I have renounced all religions." People thy turn to meet God. In the Rig Veda,3
asked him, "Then, what is your belief?" this human form is called Brahmpuri-
He said, "Love God, and as He is in the place where God can be realized. It
every human being, love everybody." is also called the real Ayodyapuri' of
This is the true teaching given by all six centers and nine doors, where Ram
realized souls. resides. While living in this human
We have political troubles, countries form, the most important work we have
are fighting against each other, and there is to realize God. All other species of
is only one solution to this miserable 3. Section of the ancient Indian scriptures.
problem, and that is to find out who we 4. Lord Ram Chanda's birthplace.
creation live a life of the senses only- that the light of the sun is very strong.
they have no free will. Due to the ele- God's form is Light itself, but man has
ment of akash tatwa within man, he has not seen it. He is a true worshipper,
an awakenedness with which he can dif- who first sees it and then sings the
ferentiate the truth from untruth, and is praises of the Lord. When seen, and
thereby able to adopt the truth and pruises are sung, then the songs will bear
make use of the untruth or illusion. We fruit. And he who sees can make others
have all had this form for various num- see, for, No man knoweth the Father but
bers of years, but how far have we pro- the Son, and he to whom the Son will
gressed in reaching our aim? We must reveal Him. Those who have seen Him
give careful attention to those things have reached His lap. In the very last
which will help us. stanza of the Guru Granth Sahib, it is
We are advised to keep the company written, 0 God, may I be able to see
of a perfect Master, and repeat only the Thee. It is an appeal to the Lord to
Naam. Who is a perfect Master? Guru reveal Himself. Think with a cool head
Arjan Sahib has written pages upon -if you have got somewhere, then my
pages in describing a perfect Master. congratulations are with you, otherwise
A Master is a human being, born like go and seek someone's assistance.
all of us, but there is also a great dif- Today, we have an abundance of holy
ference, for he has freed his soul from scriptures by many Masters, so it is of
the mind and senses, and according to the utmost importance that one should
his own will he can work through the seek carefully and seriously for a true
senses. He is in constant contact with Master who is God-realized -whose
God-he sees Him as I am seeing you inner eye is open and who can open the
and you are seeing me. The Master has eyes of others that they may see the
taken the human form, and, There is effulgent Light of God. It is that God,
no difference between God and the that very Light which is working in all
Master, the Word made flesh. Master is humanity which opens the inner eye, but
not a name given to those who wear a which is shining in all fulness in the
particular mode of dress, but to one who perfect Master. In the Sikh religion there
is God-realized. And what does a God- is a prayer-To meet a Gurumukh-to
realized soul give? Through the company keep a Ma.ster's company - to be
of a Master you get the empyreal gift. drenched in the color of Naam - 0
He gives the connection with God Him- Lord, it is the most beloved meeting, in
self-he introduces you to the Holy u,hich Thy Name comes out of the
Naam. One may have traveled to many heart. Guru Nanak prays in this way,
places of pilgrimage, have sung the Nanak, thy servant, prays only for this
praises of the Lord constantly, but if happiness-that Thou wouldst bring me
one has never seen Him, of what value to a Saint. What is a Saint? My Beloved
is all that? is very awakened, and (without saying
Guru Amar Das Ji Sahib, who spent JO) he is known as a Saint. He is mani-
seventy years searching for the Truth, fested God in man. Nothing is bereft of
said, "How can a man whose inner eye Him. Full of joy, 1 prostrate myself
is not open, open the eyes of others?" before the one in whom He has mani-
Without seeing Him, singing God's fested Himself.
praises is just like a blind man declaring The Master does not insert anything
from outside, for God is already within In this Iron Age the way of salvation
-he only withdraws the outgoing at- for all living creatures lies only through
tention that it may see the Truth. With the Naam. Guru Nanak stresses the
the eye of his mercy he gives you a way point-Now that the Iron Age has come,
up, above the body and mind, and opens sow the seed of Naam, sow the seed of
your inner eye. To enjoy the company Naam. There is no other way-do not
of such a personage is called Satsang. waste your time in illusion. No matter
Live in any place, belong to any reli- what caste or religion you belong to,
gion, but keep the company of one who true freedom can only be attained
is illumined. Listen carefully to what through the Holy Naam, or Word. What
Brahmanand, a past Master, says: is the Naam? for God is nameless and
absolute. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs
Today, sakhi,"et us sit in Satsang,
says, I bow down to He who has no
and sing the praises of God.
name. However, when God wished to
We are all "sakhies" you see, One man become from one to many, He expressed
-the rest are females (God, and all Himself, and that God-into-Expression
souls). He says, 0 sakhi, we will all sit Power is called the Naam.
together at a Satsang and sing the praises 0 nzind, repeat the one Name-
of the Lord. A real Satsang is to have that treasure which the Satguru
the company of the Truth. God is Truth. has given.
When the soul releases itself from the
mind and senses and connects itself with The Naam is that expressed Power, and
the Truth and in fact becomes one with he who is that manifested Power can
the Truth, that can truly be called Sat- give you an experience of it. It is the
sang. If we have yet to reach that stage, form of the Truth, the Master, which
then the company of a person who is one gives you this experience in all con-
with the Truth and can connect us to the sciousness, and it is the only way for all
Truth, is also called Satsang. Guru Ar- souls in this age-there is no other way.
jan Sahib says, He who has realized the He who came in contact with the Naam
True Lord-his name is Satguru. A dis- went to his true home; 0 Nanak, his
ciple who keeps his company can truly countenance was radiant, and through
sing the Lord's praises. Salvation is him, many were released. One can get
achieved through such company. Why? a connection with the Naam, with a very
If you meet a Satguru, he will open your good karmic background and the over-
inner eye, that you may see the Truth. flowing Grace of God. How does one
Again he says, Only a Satguru can make know that one has got the Naam? Nanak
a Satsangat,Qnd Through the complete says, then only the eternal bliss pervades
Master, a Satsang is made. It is unfor- through that "house" where the Music
tunate that most people labor under of the Spheres is heard. Again he says,
misunderstanding of the word, and think Through the Naam, the Light seen is
that a Satsang is any kind of talk, brighter than millions of suns. There are
whether intellectual, or on the scriptures, two aspects of Naam-one is Light, the
or on the various forms of yoga. other, Sound-and to see and hear them
is to truly experience the Naam. Repeat-
5. A girl's close companion (female).
ing the holy charged words given by the
6. People who keep the company of the
Truth (collectively). Master (Simran) is the first step, for
through these words we can reach to Without the Saint's company,
the source of them. Jnana (knowledge) is not at-
tained;
Ram, Ram, everyone says- but
Without the knowledge, you cannot
by saying the word Ram, one
get salvation.
does not become Ram (God).
If the immanent Ram is manifested This is not academic knowledge,
within with the grace of the Satguru, acquired through the intellect and senses
the uttering of the word "Ram" would -it is the knowledge of realizing in full
bear fruit. You can say Ram, Allah, consciousness. Guru's knowledge is ob-
God or any name expressing God, but tained through the inner eye, which takes
unless you come in contact with the God away the dark veil of ignorance. The
Power which these words denote, how Guru's knowledge is something like a
can you enjoy Him? With due consid- spiritual medicine which when put into
eration, good or bad actions will bring the eyes, removes the dark veil and en-
reward or punishment, as you are the ables one to see the Light. If the soul
doer, and until you are able to both see does not leave the senses and withdraw
and know that He is the Doer and not from the outgoing faculties, the inner
you, the cycle of births and deaths will eye cannot be opened, so the Master,
continue. There are many known as by directing his attention reveals the
Mahatmas or Masters, who teach the hidden Light of God in others. Another
various practices at the level of the out- name for that Light is Jnana-Knowl-
going faculties, mind and intellect, but edge.
these do not elevate one above the The priceless jewel of the Song of
senses, and so one's coming and going God's Name is in the Master's
in the world cannot be eliminated. How keeping;
can he light the lamps of others, whose He will reveal it unto whosoever
own lamp is not already lighted? How takes his word as Truth-the
many Masters are there who are really Truth itself.
competent to perform this spiritual
operation? The true knowledge is inacessible with-
Guru Ram Das Sahib says that you out a perfect Master. Other teachings
can burn a huge pile of wood to ashes can be expounded with a little training,
with a tiny spark of fire. Correspond- but they will not lead to complete eman-
ingly, a little Light from a Master can cipation from birth and death. The I-
burn to ashes all one's sins from past hood will go only when one becomes
births. Naam purifies the impure. It is the conscious co-worker of the Divine
said, I f the hands, feet and body are Plan, and thereby sees clearly that He
covered in mud, water will wash it away; is doing everything.
if the clothes are full of filth, wash them All practices performed at the level
with soap; if the mind is sinful, only the of intellect and senses are good actions
color o f Naam can wash it clean. This and bring reward, but there is no deliv-
does not mean with words, but with the erance through them. One may light the
practical connection to Naam, given by candle and ring the bell, but these are
that Guru who is the Word made flesh only feeble imitations of the inner prac-
in whom God has manifested Himself. tice.

9
 Each one has the spark of awak- The true disciples of God do not
enedness within; even ask for salvation;
Recognize it, and do the everlast- They desire only a glimpse of the
ing concentration. Lord.
The everlasting Naam has an incompar- No king wants his son to be merely a
able sweetness, but you cannot taste it minister, but rather that he should be-
while under the influence of the senses. come a king. A Master desires that his
This message is for all mankind, regard- disciple should become as he is himself.
less of religion or way of life, and all People either want the happiness of
men should make the effort to realize it. heaven or the Beyond - or else the
worldly pleasures. Daily we pray to God
Brahmanand says, the Guru re- for the sake of children, daily needs,
moves all doubts, by showing us dead relatives, law suits etc., beseeching
the Truth within the body; the favors of this world or the next. We
Listen always to the Guru's Knowl- have to decide what is our true desire.
edge with which you can cross If we really want God, then most as-
the river of life. suredly we will get Him, for whatever
You have listened to all that I have said, we sincerely desire He fulfills from His
but is there really a Light within? If you vast abundance of everything. The mer-
do not see it, you cannot really believe ciful Father has ordered that the child
it. When you are the one who sees, all
will get whatever he desires. In the
your doubts will be removed, so having Koran it is said, Whatever a man wants
received the great blessing of a human from Me, most definitely I will give.
form, now go in search of a true Master So brothers, ask the question of your
and entreat him to carry you across the heart. The heart, tongue and mind-all
ocean of life. three-should desire the same thing.
Guru Ram Das Ji prays: The arrow which is drawn deep in the
bow will go straight to the target.
0 Lord, show me a Master who is If the Life-Giver, residing in the hu-
a philosopher's stone; man temple, sees that his child is in
Who can make me a philosopher's torment of yearning for a glimpse of
stone also. Him, He makes it possible for the child
I was not even a good metal, but to be brought to that human pole in
all rust; which He has manifested Himself. Who
Meeting my Guru, he changed me, are these most fortunate children? Those
Not into a philosopher's stone, but who have no guile or cunning, but desire
into himself. to serve; are humble and have love in
Understand the vast diflerence their hearts for all. When He sees a child
Betwen a philosopher's stone and like this, then-When Thou camest, the
a Master; Guru appeared. Otherwise, how can a
The former turns iron into gold- blind man search out one with sight?
The latter makes one like himself. We, the blind, lost in our blindness, how
Heaven, hell and heaven, are the can we walk as the Guru desires? Why
desires of all; are we the blindest of the blind? Because
Daily they live in this hope. the poison of illusion has submerged us
 The Master recently visited Srinagnr, Kashmir, where two public Satsangs were
held. Here he is seen in a shikara-the famous gondola o f Kasl~mir--on his
way to visit cr houseboat rented by Pushpa, daughter of Bibi Hardevi.

in its foulness, and he who has taken "Mother, d o you love me very much?"
poison is not clear in mind, nor in heart. The mother told him that indeed she
How can such a person walk in the did. In his simple way of thinking the
Guru's footsteps? child considered that it was very easy
For an cxample, therc is the story of to make his mother run to him. by just
a small child who was playing alone in calling her, and after a few days he tried
a room, whcn he fell and hurt himself. to get his mother's attention by shouting,
Full of fright, he tried to hold thc wall "Mother, oh mother," but she did not
and rise, but fcll again. H e clutched at comc. Disappointed, he went into the
the tablecloth, and thcn at a chair, kitchen and asked her, "Mother, what
which tumblcd over and again he fcll. are you doing'?" Shc said, "I am cooking
In helpless despair he cried, "0mothcr!" lentils" (a very inexpensive food). H e
His mothcr was in the kitchen boiling was amazed and said, "That day you
thc milk, but whcn she heard the des- left the milk to boil over and today you
perate cry she ran out, picked him up are only cooking lentils, and you did
and comforted him, returning with him not come to me- have you stopped
to the kitchen. By this time, the milk loving me?" She replied, "No, my child,
had boilcd over and more than half of but that day there was pain in your
it was lost. Seeing this, the child asked, voice." So, ask your heart what it wants.
11
and if you really want God, He will God will hear your sincere prayer, and
come. He does not reside beyond the will Himself bring you to that person
skies, but within your own self-He is in whom He is manifested.
your Life-Sustainer.
Maya (illusion) and attachment
Now the question arises, how can we
szwround everything;
increase this desire, or give birth to it,
The stain of them is indelible.
if it is not yet awakened? By keeping
company with he who has what you Illusion is another name for forgetful-
want. If you wish to be a wrestler, keep ness, and we forgot ourselves the day
the company of a wrestler, or if you are we were born into this world. No matter
interested in learning, then keep the how clever you are, you will get stained
company of a learned person. The radia- if shut in a room full of soot! Our eyes
tion absorbed whilst in the company of are open and the outer impressions are
a Saint will bring untold benefit. Keep being absorbed unwittingly-everyone
your own customs, and stay in your is on a material, physical plane, and all
own religion- there is no need to men think and view from that level.
change one's outer way of life, appear- How is it possible for a human being
ance or language. Hazrat Mussa7 was to remain unaffected by forgetfulness?
once going through a forest, when he One Muslim fakir expressed it this way
came across a shepherd boy, deeply -0 God, you have made us sit on a
absorbed in his prayer to the Lord. He narrow plank on a fast-flowing river,
was saying, "0 Lord, if you were a saying, "Be careful, do not get your
child I would give you milk from the clothes wet!" How is that possible? Our
sheep-if you were feeling cold, I would eyes, ears and all the doors of the senses
make woolen clothes for you, and if you are wide open to absorb everything-
had lice in your hair I would remove it seems like a hopeless situation-
them!" It was all his sincere expression appears impossible that we can be saved.
of love from his heart. On hearing it, But there is a solution.
Hazrat Mussa became very angry and
My Beloved's people are without
shouted, "You heathen, what are you
stain and are free;
saying? Your words are heresy--does
Like a duck whose wings do not
God ever drink milk?" The poor child
get wet.
who had uttered the words out of great
love, sobbed miserably, "Forgive me, The Lord's true disciples live in the f
forgive me." He was so shocked and world but do not accept its influence- \
unhappy that in this condition his atten- they control the attention. As they
tion withdrew, and he saw God within choose, they use their senses or ignore
who said, "Fear not, I will drink your them, living in the world but remaining
milk and wear your clothes." The Lord aloof from it. Like the lotus flower lives
also appeared to Hazrat Mussa and told in water but is untouched by it; like the
him, "I had sent you to join the souls duck who stays dry in the water.
back to me, and not to break away Through the attention and Sound you
those who love me." If the heart is pure can swim beyond the ocean of life,
and the desire is strong you might wor- praise be to the Naam, 0 Nanak. The
ship a stone idol or anything else, but attention when connected to God or
7. Known as Moses. Naam from within, will not be influ-
12
enced by the world and its affairs. When Light? He who is Light itself-the per-
you have come to know yourself-have manent effulgence of Naam-and this
become the controller-you will control is the criterion of a true Master. Others
whichever sense you choose, i.e., with are lecturers, propagandists, etc., and
eyes open you will not see and with there are many of them- but true
open ears you will not hear. It is but Masters are very rare. If one is given
natural that he who reaches this stage an experience of the Light, naturally it
will be unaffected by small worldly mat- will bring hope for further enlighten-
ters. It is true that his boat is in the ment.
water, but the water is not in his boat! A true Master is he in whom the
The sandalwood tree is surrounded Naam vibrates,
by deadly serpents- W h o joins others back to Him;
How can one approach it? The Master's people who are
Cut a way through with the blade touched by he who sees God,
o f the Guru's knowledge; will also see.
Cutting the poison aside, to drink
Iron, which is covered by mud, can-
the nectar.
not be drawn by a magnet, but if you
Illusion is snake-like, even by habits. clean it, though the magnet be some
When small snakes leave the eggs, they distance away it will draw the iron unto
are eaten up by the mother-very few itself. When only He remains, and even
escape. Illusion is like a snake which is the thought of your own body is gone,
enwrapped around the world; whoever then you will be drenched in His color.
feeds it, is eaten up by it. It is said that It is only necessary to withdraw your
a gurzimukh8 who, sitting beside a God- attention from outer things. A self-real-
realized person has become the mouth- ized man is the controller of his atten-
piece of him, whose eye is open that he tion; he can draw your soul upward.
can see God in each soul and all souls Bhai Nandlal Ji says, One glance from
in God, is the only one who can get out Thee is enough to fill m y life with Life.
of the illusion. So, to cut oneself free, There may be ten, one hundred or five
one requires the Sword of Knowledge. hundred present for the sitting, but with
There is a huge pile of wood, and a little attention from a perfect Master
in one second a small spark can all will experience their attention being
turn it to ashes; withdrawn upward above the body con-
Great are the sins committed by sciousness and their inner eyes opened
man-apply the spark that the to see the Light of God. The Master has
Master gives. presented me with a sample. This sample
is an expcrience of the soul-one only
Some people perform the outer symbolic needs to turn one's face toward him, no
ritual of setting afloat upon some holy matter if one is physically thousands of
river a small boat made of leaves and miles away.
filled with flowers, in which a small wick
is lighted. To be able to swim safely When cotton is full of tangles-
across the ocean of life, the inner Holy how can it be spun into thread?
Light is imperative. Who can give that N o good will come from this-
8. True disciple. spend no time on such.
13
Those who are far away from God are a year, his connection breaks." Baba
like cotton full of tangles. Without Sawan Singh Ji replied, "It was Kabir
thread there is no cloth, so beware of Sahib who said that, not I." 0 brothers,
those people in whom He has not mani- if a single glance from a God-realized
fested Himself, for they will fill you with person falls on anyone, that connection
further doubts. Though one may be al- can never be broken. Your face should
ready seeing a little truth, but through be turned toward him, that's all-near
association with such people doubt wili or far it makes no difference, you will
come and one will begin to wonder get the benefit in the same way-just be-
about it. Kabir Sahib says, Run away come receptive to it. Kabir says, "If
from these people. If you desire some the Master is overseas, and the disciple
company, find a good and truthful per- this side of the seas-direct the Surat
son--otherwise keep aloof and lead a (attention) to him." You will derive the
lone life. Each person's company has a benefit by receptivity. When you can
very big influence, and in the company hear what is being spoken and see who
of he whose attention is wandering, one is speaking through a television set, why
will go further adrift. The company of can you not have benefit through recep-
he who is the controller of his attention tivity?
will bring an exceptional stillness. My Hazur used to give the example
of the calf which comes from the fields
Those who accompany the Master
to drink his mother's milk, and the ticks
vibrate with the goodness of him,
which are clinging to the udder of the
Meeting such a Master in whom
cow night and day do not get this nectar,
God is vibrating.
but only suck the blood. There is a val-
The company of a person who has be- uable jewel within, but only with the
come Truth itself has a purity-an up- Master's mercy can it be reached. You
lifting impulse, for he is permeated with only need the Master's single, purposeful
God and so you will also become per- glance, to have a glimpse of that jewel
meated. His is the very best kind of -he will never tell you to do this or
company to have. Kabir Sahib says, In that and then you will get something.
one day, have his darshang many times; From the first sitting the Master will
if you cannot, then twice a day, and if start your experience, and then tell you
not that then twice a week, or once a to go ahead from there. This is the token
week-if not, in fifteen days, or once a or mark by which you can recognize his
month. If you are without his darshan competency. He who vanquishes the
for a year, your connection with him dark veil to reveal the Light within-a
will become weak. Such strong stress of true experience of the Beyond-is called
importance did Kabir Sahib lay upon the a Sadhu, Sant, Mahatma or Master. His
company of the Master. It once hap- company is called Satsang.
pened that a man who had been in Afri- God is the highest of the highest-
ca for six or seven years came to Baba beyond all time and space. Can we, who
Sawan Singh Ji. I was present that day are engrossed in the outgoing faculties,
and he said to the Master, "Maharaj, mind and intellect, approach Him? It is
Kabir Sahib has said that if a disciple through the grace of God manifested in
does not have his Master's darshan for man alone who can lift your soul into
9. The Master's glance. Him and make you perfect.
14
Book Review
PRAYER: ITS NATURE & TECHNIQUE, by Kirpal Singh. Delhi: Ruhani
Satsang, third edition 1970. 153 pp., hard cover, $4.
gentle compassionate book, by
T HIS
one whose existence is the fulfillment
of prayer, is both a careful examination
PRAYER
TABLE O F CONTENTS
of all forms and aspects of prayer, and
a highly charged devotional manual. It 1. Prayer Defined
traces prayer from the elementary dual- 2. Prayer: Instinctive in Man
ism of Turgeniev's comment, "Every 3. Whom to Address
prayer reduces itself to this: Great God, 4. A Direct Appeal to God Within
grant that twice two be not four," to 5. Prayer and Effort
that stage where life is prayer, where 6. The Essentials of Prayer
"prayer itself ceases to be a prayer and 7. Hurdles in the Way of Prayer
becomes a state of being." 8. How to Overcome Inner Diffi-
Very profound concepts are dealt culties
with in very simple language; the book 9. The Three Types of Prayer
abounds in short passages that sparkle 10. Loud Prayers
like jewels and stick in the memory. For 11. Individual and Public Prayers
example : 12. Congregational Prayers
Prayer is nothing but concentrated 13. Place for Prayer
will falling back upon its source, the 14. Prerequisites in Prayer
great reservoir of power . . . Great in- 15. Time for Prayer
deed is man. He lives in a God-made 16. Occasion for Prayer
temple along with God Himself. His 17. Prayer and Sin
very spirit is just a drop from the Ocean 18. Prayers for Others
of Divine Life. Between God and spirit 19. Acceptance of Prayers
there is no other obstacle but that of the 20. Need for Prayer
veil of the mind. If this veil were to stqp 21. The Advantages of Prayer
fluttering in the breeze of desires, as it 22. Gradations in Prayer
does at present, the spirit could take in 23. What to Ask from God
directly the Cosmic Energy from its very 24. Guru is the Greatest Gift of God
source. 25. What One Should Ask from the
Also included are an Appendix con- Godman
taining specimen prayers from all reli- APPENDIX: Specimen Prayers
gions, and two photos of the Master.
Based on a section of the Master's
great Punjabi classic, Gurmat Siddhant, charging and full impact of the con-
the book was revised, expanded and sciousness of the Saint who wrote it. To
clarified especially for English-speaking read it receptively is to move from read-
readers by the Master personally, so that ing about prayer to praying; such is the
the finished product is much more than power of the words of the living Master.
a translation; every word carries the Russell Perkins
15
 Selections from the
P RAYER is, in a strict sense, another name for collecting the outgoing
and wandering faculties of the mind, at the root of the mind. Like the
rays of the sun, these spread out into the world, and likewise these can be
withdrawn and collected at their source. . . .
* * *
In worldly matters, we do seek the help of persons who are more intelligent
and capable than we are. W e also offer prayers for aid to God-the greatest
power conceivable-and that, no doubt, is a correct approach to the difficult
and baffling problems which confront us every day in the course of our lives.
But to regard that Omnipotent Power as something separate and apart from
us, and to appeal to Him as to an outside benefactor, is assuredly a sorrow-
ful mistake which is made by us; for He is the very soul of our soul, and is
ever working within and without us, and we, in fact, live and have our very
being in Him. The secret of success lies in direct prayer and appeal to the
power within, as these bear sure fruit and in abundance. W e do a great in-
justice both to Him and to ourselves when we think of God residing on
snow-capped mountains, or under the depths of sacred rivers and water-
springs, or in temples and mosques, or in churches and synagogues, or in
this or that holy place. Limited as we are in time, space and causation, we
try to limit the Limitless within the narrow grooves that imagination can
conceive of. Such belief on our part and consequent frustrations that result
therefrom not infrequently tend to make us skeptical of Him.
When the reservoir of all power is in each one of us, we can, by a dip
therein, become spiritually great and powerful. As physical exercises make
us robust and strong physically, so do spiritual exercises awaken in us latent
spiritual powers. By means of these we can pull up the sluice-gates and thus
flood our very being with Divine Currents. When a person becomes Div-
inized or Divinity Personified, the very Nature, which is the handmaid of
God, begins to dance at his beck and call to fulfill all his needs and require-
ments.
* * *
As his angle of vision changes, so does the nature of his prayer. At first a
person prays for the fulfillment of his physical needs, but when one starts
on the spiritual Path he prays for the removal of such obstacles as come in
his way, e.g., sense-turmoil, mental chattering, ingrained karmic impressions.
This period is most critical in the life of a Sadhak. Until actual self-reali-
Master's book Pmyer
zation he is in a state of perpetual restlessness. tossing back and forth. H e
belongs wholly neither to the world nor to God. While in the eyes of
\\.orldly people he is a man of piety, yet in the heart of his heart he knows
he is full of iniquities.
Farid the sinful is still robed in black,
Though the people address him as Darvesh.
In thib st'lte of uncertainty the sadhak at times tries to snap nlvay and escape
from the struggle; but after n time the inner urse oncc again comes upon
him and he takes courage and starts Godward.
Should a traveler \vhile traveling fall down,
There is nothing to wonder and cavil at.
0 Kabir! one who sits and starts not on the journey,
Has an immeasurable distance yet to traverse.
This extraordinary circular letter, first issued in August 1961, is Master's
clearest explanation of the psychology of mysticism, including the impor-
tance of self-surrender as a means of transcending the limitations of the
ego, and the identity of love and concentration. Little known even among
initiates, it is one of the supreme mystical classics and should be read and
re-read by all those who are seriously interested in finding God in this life.

HEN one undertakes to reach a of repeated exhortations and persua-

W certain goal in any field of human
activity, it is necessary to take stock of
sions, I find growing and springing up
amidst us the weeds of discord and dis-
one's progress from time to time. It is harmony. Competition seems to have
only through such stock-taking that one taken the place of cooperation, rivalry
can become conscious of one's short- that of love, and distrust that of trust
comings and errors, eradicate and up- and good faith.
root them and plan out future progress. The emergence of such fissiparous
Having put our shoulders to the wheel tendencies has marked the beginning
of the Great Master's Cause, it is neces- of the decline of any great movement.
sary that we should, in like manner, re- Unless checked, they multiply and lead
view our activity and achievement, from ultimately to serious rifts and divisions.
time to time. Without such self-analysis The original goal is completely forgotten
and self-criticism, no real advancement in the heat of controversy and debate
is possible and it was to encourage this and the purpose we set out to achieve
practice and make it a daily habit that, lies wholy neglected. If we are to escape
in the case of individual initiates, I in- this fate we must zealously watch our-
sisted (and continue to insist) that they selves and rid ourselves of any undesir-
maintain a daily record of their thoughts, able traits that may be imperceptibly
words and deeds and of the period of developing in us.
meditation. What is necessary for us as Why such disharmony should keep
individual initiates is even more neces- up is not difficult to tell. The Master
sary for us as members of a large move- cannot be present in His physical person
ment. everywhere and at all times. His mission
Reviewing the work done in the past must be carricd on with the assistance
few years, there is much, I find, for of His disciples. These disciples are in-
which we may be grateful. Many have dividuals inspired by spiritual longings
shown remarkable capacity for selfless who have been put on the road, but who
service and others have made com- have not necessarily reached the goal.
mendable progress on the inner path. The ultimate end is not easy to attain
Nevertheless, while noting this with and very few indeed reach it within this
pleasure, I cannot help observing the lifetime. The Master's Cause must,
growth of tendencies which must be a therefore, be carried on with the aid of
matter of concern for all of us. In spite men and women who, in most cases, are
18
yet on the path and have not attained discord and that is Love. He who has
perfection. Their vision is individual, not mastered its secret, can never hope
not universal, and the viewpoint from to be received in the Court of the Lord.
which they see and judge is limited by It is the beginning and the end of spir-
the degree of spiritual development at- ituality. He who understands Love in
tained by them. When they are entrusted its true nature and who lives and moves
with any responsibility it is inevitable by its light shall, surely as two added to
that they should discharge it within the two makes four, attain the Lord.
terms of their own vision and insight.
And when in discharging this responsi- Love and all things shall be added
bility they have to collaborate with unto thee.
others like themselves, others whose CHRIST

viewpoint is equaly individual and dis- Listen! for I give you the very es-
tinct, the roots of discord begin. So long sence of truth :
as they work directly under the guidance Those who have loved have
of the Master, all is well, but the mo- reached the Lord.
ment they have also to work in collabor- GURU GOBIND SINGH
ating and cooperation, controversy be-
gins. They should understand that they Love knows selfless service, sacrifice,
are all laborers in the field of the and self-surrender. Let no one inter-
Master, working for promoting the Holy ested in spiritual advancement perform
Cause of leading the seekers to the Goal service for the sake of appreciation.
of Life. The man who could see, could Selfless service is a great reward in it-
resolve at a touch the contradictory self. It even sacrifices one's personal
statements regarding the elephant made interests for the cause one has sincerely
by the proverbial six blind men, but left taken up.
to themselves, they could only wrangle What is this love of which all mystics,
and debate: each considered that he Eastern and Western, have spoken so
was right and the others wrong and each insistently? Is it like the love of the
distrusted what the others had to say. earth that we know? If you study the
If six men lacking full vision could bonds of earthly love, you will find that
not agree about the nature of so limited at some point or another a trace of
and well-defined an object as an ele- self-assertion is present in every case.
phant, it is not surprising that those with Parent and child, friend and friend, man
limited vision should be unable to har- and wife; each is involved in a more or
monize completely on so vast and un- less strong drive for possession. It is a
limited a subject as spirituality. And love that can often rise to great heights
yet, while it is natural for those who of self-sacrifice and yet it is a love that
lack full vision not to agree fully on is not wholly selfless.
such matters, we must not allow this But the Love of which the mystics
limitation to create division and dissen- speak is a love that must be completely
tion. For if we fail to find a remedy, purified of the self. If one has not at-
we will ultimately have to sacrifice the tained complete purification in this res-
"Cause" which brought us together, and pect, one's love is still not perfect and
what a great loss that would be. not truly acceptable in the eyes of the
There is only one remedy for all such Lord. And so the love of mystics is one
in which one completely and unreserv- of self-surrender, one must not look up
edly surrenders one's self to one's love. to the Deity in Its Abstract form but in
The seeker who, having found a true Its Human form as the Master. For how
Master, has developed such absolute else is one to know God's Will directly,
love for him, steadily purifies himself in order to surrender one's self to it?
of all imperfections and makes himself What one may take as an intuition in-
a fit recipient of Divine Grace. You spired by the Divine may be really one's
may well ask why there is this insistent own self speaking in disguise, and sur-
stress on complete self-surrender on thc render to such seeming intentions may
mystic path. The answer is simple: be really surrender to the self, the ego.
without this absolute surrender of the However, if one has found a true Mas-
last vestiges of ego and selfhood and ter, who is attuned to the Lord and is
without such complete absorption in the His mouthpiece, and obeys Him in all
object of one's love, one cannot attain things completely and absolutely, he will
that unwavering concentration of all surely destroy the hydra-headed serpent
one's faculties which is the prerequisite of the ego and reach his heavenly home
of all inner progress. Absolute love and one day. There will be moments in the
self-surrender are only other aspects of course of such love when one, judging
complete and flawless concentration. from one's own limited understanding,
The moment the "self" enters into the doubts the validity of the Master's in-
picture and the question of "I-ness" structions, but such moments are only
arises, the single-pointedness of concen- tests to make our self-surrender more
tration is dissipated and inner advance- complete and more secure, and he who
ment is made impossible. Besides, the passes through these tests successfully,
goal of the spiritual aspirant lies far will one day radiate with the glory of
beyond the limits of individuality. His God. -
goal is union with the Absolute and such Such love and self-surrender to the
union must necessarily be a denial of Will of the Lord embodied in the Mas-
the limits that separate us from each ter, has been the keystone of the teach-
other. He who cannot rise above the ings of all mystics and especially so of
ego, the faculty which creates these very Sant Mat. Your main task as disciples,
limits, cannot hope to attain to that as initiates, is to cultivate these qualities
station which is the denial of all indi- to the very utmost and leave the rest to
viduality and a realization of the one- the Master. There will, of course, be
ness of all life. moments of doubt and of questioning,
Hence it is that mystics of all tradi- but if you can pass through them with
tions have been untiring in their stress your love and your faith unscathed, you
of the need for absolute self-surrender. will find the spiritual road within stead-
It was this cross of sacrifice of the self, ily unfolding itself before you and all
the ego. of which Jesus spoke when he things being added unto you. The path
exhorted his disciples to bear their cross is certainly not easy, but for one who
daily. For in every little act, word or has made such love the cornerstone of
thought, the ego is seeking to dominate his life, nothing could be easier or more
us and if the seeker is to triumph over certain. Jesus never promised the peace
it, he must be prepared to crucify it and comfort with which the world is
every moment. To achieve this degree familiar. It was the cross he offered. We
have to suffer; to reshape ourselves, to The science of spirituality as it has been
destroy the old and forge the new. taught by all Masters and as it has been
We have to face the ridicule of our given to you, is a perfect science. Its
fellows and the organized opposition of truth has been demonstrated by some
orthodox institutions. But if we have initial experience. The rest depends on
anchored ourselves in such a love of your effort. The Divine Grace is ever
complete self-surrender, nothing can dis- ready to pour itself into the vessel, but
turb the peace of our minds or distract the vessel must first be ready. The
the spiritual harmony that is ours. Ini- power to perform miracles is not very
tially, perhaps, it is easier in the East to difficult to acquire, but it is not to be
take to the mystic path than it is in the confused with true spirituality, which
West. There is in India for example, a must be paid for with complete self-
long standing tradition of seeking and transformation and self-surrender.
following a Living Master; a tradition This then is the task before you. If
that is foreign to those to whom religion you aspire for spiritual salvation, then
has been taught in terms of a closed do not lose a moment in seeking to
revelation. Nevertheless, this initial ad- reform yourselves. Man making is the
vantage is not as great as it might at most difficult part of spirituality and if
first appear. For the essential advantage you have perfected yourself in that field,
in the field of spirituality is to be found then God realization is not difficult. Let
not without but within. It lies not in the your love for the Master be absolute
absence of outer opposition but in one's and your obedience to His wishes un-
inner capacity for complete self-sur- compromising. Work for His Cause to
render and love; and outward obstacles the best of your abilities, but do not let
may in fact act as tests and stimuli for the individuality of your limited vision
the development of this capacity. This inculcate feelings of opposition and re-
ability to conquer the ego and to submit sentment for your fellows. So long as
oneself to the Higher Will is as rare in one has not attained universal con-
the East as in the West, and wherever sciousness, differences of opinion are
it can be found there you shall observe bound to exist. But if one has under-
the true grandmark of spirituality. stood their cause, one will not allow
It is this capacity that you must them to disturb one's peace of mind.
cultivate and develop if you really wish Whatever the outer opposition, whatever
to make substantial progress in the spir- the opinions of others, if one has sur-
itual field. I repeat that the path is not rendered oneself completeIy to one's
easy. You must crucify your ego and love, then nothing can ever disturb one's
lay your selfhood at the altar of love equanimity or obstruct one's spiritual
for your Master. Rome was not built in course. He who is upset by what others
a day and the True Abode of the Lord have to say is without question one who
is not to be attained with a few weeks' is still controlled by the ego and has yet
labor. Most seekers want quick results. to conquer his self. He has yet to learn
They want miracles and sudden trans- the rudiments of spirituality.
formations. But the seed generates rap- Let me therefore, command you as a
idly only in thin soil and then withers Father, exhort you as a Teacher, per-
away. The seed that must grow into the suade you as a Friend, to turn to the
life-giving tree must grow more slowly. reformation and conquest of the self if
21
you seek to progress on the inner path. nay even one, who can sacrifice their
Try to help others and do the best for ego on the spiritual altar and learn to
them, but be not concerned with the live by love, than millions who under-
fruits of what you do. That is some- stand not the value and meaning of
thing that you must leave to the Master. these virtues. I have suggested this be-
Make your love for Him so complete fore, and I emphasize this again that a
that, beholding His Hand in everything, seeker should be studied more carefully
you rise above all feelings of enmity, and his/her background learned more
rivalry and resentment. See Him present before being recommended for initia-
in all and remember that He is always tion. If, after understanding the basic
with you, ready to assist whenever you principles of the science. he is willing to
turn your thoughts to Him. And above undertake this complete remoulding of
all do not forget that H e is to be won himself that its practice requires, then
not by words but by deeds: "If you love and then alone can he become a fit
me follow my commandments." If you recipient of initiation. And how much
can do this; if you can conquer the self more is this need for self-transformation
and surrender it at the Feet of the to be stressed in the case of group
Master; if you can learn td see Him leaders and representatives. They are the
working through all things; if you can foundations of the movement, and if the
accept the fact of your own limited foundations are weak, how shall the
vision; if you can undertake a ceaseless superstructure stand firmly? Their re-
and zealous watch over your thoughts sponsibility is much greater and their
and deeds, weeding out all evils and effort must be much greater than that of
imperfections-then you shall not only the ordinary initiate. If they really loved
win salvation yourselves but enable me more than their little selves; if they
others to do likewise. Your example only know how deeply I suffer when I
shall shine like a torch in the darkness see them divided and wrangling, they
and men, even those who may first op- would never have permitted matters to
pose you, will turn to you for guidance come to such a pass. I am not happy to
and help. You will find a new sense of say this, but I am left no choice.
peace surging through you, a peace that The chief element that results in dis-
does not depend on the absence of outer harmony between the representatives,
disturbances, but is an inner state of group leaders and other initiates can
mind that stands unshaken even in the also be traced to the word "distrust" or
most tempestuous situations. And this some sort of fear that some of them
same quality shall enter not only your have acquired certain powers; viz.,
individual lives, but the larger life of thc mind-reading or seeing or listening in on
Great Spiritual movement of which you others at a distance, or psychic domi-
are a part. Instead of being disrupted nance over others, etc., which they mis-
and divided, it shall proceed single and use. If any one misuses such powers,
purposeful toward its goal. those are taken away by the Master
No true Master has ever been inter- immediately. Moreover they are armed
ested in attracting large numbers to with the repetition of five names by
Himself and quantity has never been which they have no cause to fear any-
my aim. It is quality that counts and I one.
would rather have a handful of disciples, Take it as an exhortation, take it as
a command, but from this day, this very no goals at all, but empty baubles and
moment, make love and self-surrender toys, at best half-way houses.
(and the two, as I have already said, are I know the initiates abroad are anx-
really one) the cornerstones of your life. ious to see me in person, and I also long
Do this and you will find your life be- to be amidst them. You can well imag-
coming daily a blessing. I am always ine how happy and jolly a father would
with you, waiting for you to turn away feel amidst his sons and daughters who
from yourselves and towards me. Let are all loving and amicable. I would,
not the light that has been planted in therefore, suggest that by the time I
you become darkness, but let it flame make a trip to America, all initiates,
forth into a blaze that shall illumine the including leaders and representatives,
world. The path is strait and narrow and make a special effort to live a pure,
difficult, very difficult and exacting, but Christly and Master-like life as is pos-
for one who is truly willing, every help sible so that all initiates will stand out
is promised, and he can attain the goal amongst other men and women shining
in this very life; a goal that sets all other with love in full bloom, and drenched
goals to shame, for beside it there are in the sweet remembrance of the Lord.

Oh Lord, In Thy Mercy

O h Lord, in Thy mercy
Thou hast placed us in the lap of Saints,
Thou hast covered us with the mantle of the T r u e Shabd.
In the peace of the silent way
May we set u p our hut,
And bathe in the everlasting stream,
Which flows freely at the tenth door.
T h e sun that rises over the glowing meadows of Thy Name
Does destroy all ignorance and passion.
Oh Beloved, we attest to Thine unattestable glories,
There is none else.
Michael Raysson
The Master on Spirhal Healhg
This complete, clear explanation of the dangers involved in spiritual healing
is taken from a letter to an initiate. T h e shorter extracts o n other matters
which follow are also taken from letters, most of which were published
originally by the N e w York Satsang.

healing is prohibited by the may be, conducting this service takes the
S PIRITUAL
Masters. It has reasons and deeper
significance behind it, which ordinarily
karma on his head, to be borne by him
at a later stage. Besides, the bit of spir-
people ignore, considering the face value itual attainment he has attained in
of the profits accrued and attributing it silencing his mind, is dissipated in such
as service to the suffering humanity. The gestures of a miracle healing. Moreover,
inexorable Law of Karma is supreme this process of healing is administered
and demands adjustment of each farth- on weaker minds, which usually fall a
ing. The human body is the highest rung prey to their sentiments. What can
in creation granted by Providence for ordinarily be cured by undergoing a bit
the spiritual perfection of soul during of suffering and medicine, is exchanged
this incarnation. The soul in man being for spiritual dissipation, and the debt
the essence of God Himself has the remains standing, awaiting adjustment
same attributes as those of God, but at a later stage. Again, this sort of heal-
having been environed by mind and ing becomes professional and at times
matter has lost its true heritage. Soul in encourages corruption and misery. It not
its present state is gravely enmeshed by only invites malpractices, but brings in
body and bodily attachments, which are more mental agony and wretchedness
more or less the reaction of past Karma, in multiplied form added with interest.
which it has been contracting all through This is a causal postponement of pay-
up to the present incarnation. The pres- ment for a future date, and adds strong
ent earth life is a passing phase in the fetters over the soul.
long journey of the soul from the lower Contrarily, the Masters advocate right
categories of creation on to the True living and right thinking. A disciplined
Home of the Father. Physical body is devotee of the Master is advised to lead
material but the soul is spiritual, but a pure, clean, chaste life thereby pursu-
when reaction of Karma occurs the man ing a spiritual goal under the protective
is bound to suffer pain and pleasure. guidance. The implicit obedience of the
Now the sufferings demanding spir- dietary regulations and leading a simple
itual healing fall mainly in the domain truthful life leads to happiness and joy.
of physical troubles, which may include If, however, some suffering due to the
even mental agonies such as nervous evolutions of past Karma comes, its
breakdown etc. These, being the reac- severity and duration is much toned
tions of the past Karma, must demand down by the intervention of the gracious
adjustment and as such are to be borne Master Power, like a penny for a pound,
by the victim. The healer, whoever he or a needle prick for the gallows, and
the disciplined child disciple comes out in the body. The Way back to God as
unscathed with the grace of the Master. offered by the Masters is one of devel-
The healing which is said to have been oping inner consciousness with the aid of
administered by Jesus or others was of Holy Naam (the WORD). All suchlike
a higher quality, as when you merge in outer aids rcsulting in temporary hallu-
the cosmic awareness, and lose your cinations, as stated by you, are certainly
identity, you become so spiritual that a mockery for the divine grace. You can
even thinking of a person or those well understand the vast difference be-
touching the hem of your garment will tween having a conscious and wide
get healed, as termed colloquially in the awake approach for proceeding within
Bible. You have not to exert on your and that which makes recourse to these
part to heal others. Yet above all, it is outer aids which are no less than opiates
the faith which cures, and the sincere creating sensational vibrations. You
initiates do not indulge in these things will recall that the observance of a strict
and rather aspire incessantly for the dietary by avoiding all flesh food, intox-
attainment of their spiritual perfection, icants and opiates, is a basic essential for
which is the highest goal of earth life. inner spiritual progress, for attaining a
The Soul which has to go far higher to refined state of mind. We have to devel-
merge into the Oversoul, is retarded by op consciousness, the divine attribute of
engaging herself in lower pursuits. The soul, and for the achievement of (inner)
initiates are, therefore, warned not to consciousness, inner and outer piety and
administer this spiritual healing in their chastity are very much needed. The
own larger interests, which would result drugs are equally harmful, and should
in spiritual dissipation and bankruptcy. be avoided, which dull the brain and
It will add strong fetters over the soul cloud the mind with vague feelings of
and karmic debt will be very heavy to distrust and confusion. You are advised
be repaid. to convey this piece of right understand-
ing to all the dear ones who are on the
Other Matters Holy Path and to others who seek your
counsel in this behalf.
* * *
I appreciate your kind sentiments for ASTROLOGY
your friends when you wish them to pro-
gress spiritually. The so-called spiritual The astrology is a regular science but
experiences had under the spell of drugs few there are who are really conversant
are misleading and are rather likely to with it. This requires a clear mind vision.
affect your inner progress. Spirituality is Moreover, it affects those who are under
a research into the realms of reality- the influence of the Stars; but those who
the consciousness. . . . transcend the starry sky, or are taken
under the care of Masters who trans-
cend thc starry sky, the predictions in
It is amusing to note about the Utopiates thcir cases do not stand correct.
(LSD, Marijuana, etc.) for producing * * *
hallucinations. You may please note that
spirituality is the science of the soul, THEMACROBIOTIC
DIET
which (the soul) is a conscious entity 1 have not discouraged those initiates
25
who have written to me saying that they itual. To allow other concepts to creep
find the macrobiotic diet congenial to in is to sully the Teachings and confuse
them. However, I never advocate ex- the initiates.
tremes, and the use of the macrobiotic If you believe that it will help others
diet appears to be extreme in its nature. to a correct understanding of the rela-
Nectar of one man may be poison to the tion of diet to the Path, you have my
other. It depends on various tempera- permission to publish this letter for gen-
ments. One should not impose his ideas eral distribution.
on other people.
* * *
The Masters have always stressed that
food is for man and not man for food. The book I CHING has been seen. . . .
They have therefore advised that pure Stop altogether asking questions of this
foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains book as these are not only misleading
and permitted dairy products such as but fraught with dire dangers. It is incor-
milk, butter and cheese be eaten in order rect to understand that Master speaks
to provide sustenance to the body. As through the book. You are invited to
you mentioned, the body being the tem- refer to Stanzas I and I1 of Jap Ji for
ple of the spirit, must be correctly main- understanding fully about the Divine
tained if the spirit is to manifest itself Will of the Lord. Please tell . . . others
in one's lifetime. accordingly who seek your advice in this
I do not advocate the macrobiotic behalf.
diet that is apparently being followed by
some of the initiates and advise all those
who are presently following this diet to QUESTION 1s group investigation of re-
eat in moderation a balanced diet con- incarnation and karmic relationships ad-
sisting of fresh fruits, vegetables and visable among initiates?
dairy products as referred to above. ANSWER YOU are kindly advised to
The best thing would be to follow the leave all such studies well alone and de-
diet (vegetarian) which suits one. vote your precious time in holy medita-
If the animals are permitted to eat tions and the study of the sacred books
fruit, at least man, who is the Roof and of the Master. The holy Path of the
Crown of all Creation, should also be Masters offers a direct conscious con-
permitted to eat it. tact with the divinity within after rising
Initiates should be guided by the above body consciousness. This sublime
Teachings of the Master only in all principle differentiates the holy Path
phases of life, whether material or spir- from all other schools of thought. . . .

Desire is the root cause of all disturbance and suffering. Y o u will become
desireless by regular listening to the holy Sound Current for some time. I t is
considered the tried panacea for that. I t is the mergence of the soul in the
Holy Shabd which grants such ineffable bliss and harmony, that the roots of
desire are crippled for g o o d .
KIRPAL S I N G H
On Tour with the Master
Arran Stephens

Maharaj Ji (the Master) and currents of expectancy and longing were

W HEN
his caravan left Delhi early in the
morning, bound toward Agra, Indore,
plainly visible, and as he had become so
much a part of me, I too yearned to
Baroda and Ajmer, I was unfortunately have his blessed darshan once again.
left behind due to weakness following a After the exhausting journey, Master
bout with dysentery. Just before leaving, was shown to his room where he was
Master unexpectedly called me to him expected to take rest; but several min-
and consoled me, saying, "If you feel utes later he emerged refreshed and re-
better by this afternoon, you may come charged from a brief dip in the reservoir
to Indore with Pratap Singh by train." of pure spirit. He buoyantly met the
(Pratap Singh is the Master's always loving crowds until late in the night, far
cheerful, long-bearded pothi, or chanter surpassing the endurance of those half
of the hymns. Because he is a Music or one-fourth his age. The following eve-
Master, he is affectionately known as ning the Great Master spoke before
Master Ji.) Then Master left for Agra. thousands of the citizens of Indore, in-
Against the advice of the Ashram doc- cluding many of her high-ranking offi-
tor and other well-wishing brothers, I cials, who sat alongside those of more
decided at a11 costs to be with my Be- humble rank on the ground. While the
loved, for the discomfort of illness was pothi chanted bhajans of Kabir and
mild against the agony of separation. Guru Arjan, the Master cast handfuls of
Right up to reaching the railway station, marigold flowers into the delighted au-
I was plagued with digestive disorders, dience, who eagerly picked up this par-
but from the very moment Pratap Singh shad.
and I boarded the train bound for In- In the presence of the Master, rnusi-
dore, some five hundred miles away, all cal silence reigns supreme. Except for
the troubles miraculously ceased. his deep, gentle voice, stillness prevails,
We traveled by Gandhi Class (Third even though thousands of listeners may
Class) which was an experience not easy be present. Everyone feels that the Mas-
to forget. Apart from being crammed ter is talking personally to him. The
with sixteen others into a compartment Master's every gesture and expression
meant for six, and getting covered with reacts upon his receptive audience as
soot and cinders from the smoke of the though they were part of him, similar to
steam engine, it was the most spiritually a master conductor before his orches-
uplifting train ride of my life. After tra, coaxing forth the sweetest and in-
twenty-five hours of journey through spiring tones of harmony and rhythm.
the timeless plains of Madhya Pradesh, Every evening, prior to the Satsang
we arrived in the beautiful city of In- at the Gandhi Ground, an elegant silk-
dore, to the hospitable greetings of the en cushion was placed on the platform
local Satsangis. As the Great Master for the Master to sit on. And every eve-
was expected to arrive very shortly, the ning he would gently place it to one side
before seating himself on the plain white painful, no doubt, but it is a necessary
sheet. Master has little regard for finery step. Eventually he will find the Master,
or comfort. provided there is sufficient earnestness
It was the remarkable experience of and humility.
nearly everyone in the congregation who Christ, in the Essene Gospel of John,
attentively observed the Holy One this said that his Lord was "a thousand times
evening, to witness him physically brighter than the brightness of a thou-
changing into the form of his Master sand suns." Similarly, other Masters
and back again. have spoken of the Lord Almighty in
While riding back from the Satsang such glowing terms: "Billions of suns
with Guru Dev, I asked him about this and moons cannot compare to the luster
wonderful noumenal manifestation. Self- of one of His hairs." The Masters, when
denyingly and humorously he replied, speaking of the intoxication they enjoy,
"What's that? There must have been state that "A single draught of the Water
something wrong with your eyes." Yes, of Life is more exhilarating than two
thank God! thousand barrels of wine!"
God is One, and His Saints are One We must practice honest self-intro-
in Him. No difference exists between spection to see how far we have trav-
one and another who have attained the eled on the inner path and attained mas-
Universal Lord. If we wish to meet the tery over the mind and senses. We can
great ones of the past, we can do so use the mystical experiences of past
through the living Master of the present. Masters in all religions, as well as les-
We have great respect for those who sons from their practical lives, to deter-
have come and gone, but the only way mine whether we have actually risen to
to complete at-one-ment with our un- such supreme heights. If not, then we
seen Maker is through the Living Fa- can humbly approach one who has, and
ther, who alone fathers the Light. Not accept his assistance.
only Father is he, but Mother too, and On the morning of departure from In-
he gives us milk. That Milk of Life is dose, over a hundred men and women
the pure White Light. were initiated into the practical experi-
Who can describe his magic? All cre- ence of Light and Sound and started on
ation is the raw material of the Master their homeward journey.
Saint. When he is one with the source
of all life, what is not possible for him?
Leaving Indore, Pratap Singh and I
boarded the crowded bus bound for Ba-
The true seeker must find his way roda, toward the southwest of India with
through the confusing maze of conflict- its famous midday heat. When we ar-
ing statements of friends, books, priests, rived in that large and populous city, it
false prophets, religious narrow-minded- was past nine in the sultry evening. We
ness, dietary fanaticism, psychic phe- discovered that we had neglected to take
nomena, fortune telling, and a whole le- the address where the Master would be
gion of other subtle meshes, before staying. But as the Master is within, we
reaching the feet of the Satgum and ac- felt no consternation and by rickshaw
cepting him as guide. Such searching is proceeded to a Sikh gurdwara where we
28
were put up for the night. (Five hundred enter our lives? There should be no
years ago Guru Nanak also spent the other thought except the constant sweet
night there.) In the morning while I remembrance of God. When performing
was being shown by the Sikh priest how any work in the world, do not forget the
to pick out a few notes on the stringed Lord.
vina, dear Pratap Singh returned with Philosophy deals with theories, while
Kartar Singh, a big, hefty, smiling Sikh, mysticism deals in contact with Reality
and old Satsangi, whom he had bumped direct.
into in the bazaar while out for a stroll. The Muster teaches us that this body
Kartar Singh kindly drove us straight to is the true temple of God. All the ex-
the palatial residence where Master was ternal temples are only imitations. God
accommodated. resides within this body. That is why it
As we were ushered into his bedroom, is the true temple of God. You are not
the Beloved sat up from a prone posi- the body, you only reside in it. God is
tion and swung his feet down to the outside and inside the body, but why
floor. It was impossible not to bow down can't we see Him? I-ness separates us
before the majesty of the Master. He from Him. Because we cannot see any-
asked after our welfare and said that in thing in the air, does it mean nothing is
his concern, he had sent people out to there? A microscope will reveal count-
look for us until after 1 A.M. He added less living organisms in the air. If we
with a smile, "I was not worried, you cannot see God, it does not mean there
see, but others were." is no God. Who can see God? A man
That evening, Satsang was held in the of Realization and a true disciple of the
city with about five thousand people in Master.
attendance. Below are given a few of We derive only false pleasures from
the Master's sublime thoughts.
material objects. The real pleasure
comes from within. The objects them-
selves have no pleasure.
During your lifetime you can raise On the morning of the Initiation, only
yourself so high that death will be over- one man out of sixty could not hear the
come and no fear of death will remain. Sound Current. Even when the Master
During your life you can see the Light, put him to one side to sit again, he could
but it comes as a gift of Grace through not catch the heavenly strains. Only
a Guru or Master. when the Master touched the man's
If n boat has holes in the bottom, head with his own hands could he hear
rhere is a great danger of its sinking. the sound of clear ringing bells from
Similarly, man has nine holes in his the right side.
body, and if he is not careful, he cannot It was nearly noon when we took
cross the ocean of the world nor reach leave of Baroda and set forth again up-
his goal. on the open road northward toward Aj-
The feeling of I-ness, ego, is what mer.
separates us from God. Only God or In the afternoon we stopped for a de-
Godman can unite you with God. lightful picnic lunch by the roadside. We
Unless we l e d a life of purity, how sat midst green wheat fields and sugar
can we expect God Who is all purity to cane, fenced by blooming cactus hedges,
under the cooling shade of a huge ban- of the Lord . . . Now I have gained much
yan tree which spread its protecting arms spiritual benefit from having your dar-
overhead. shan."
We sat near the Great Master and re- The Master lovingly concluded this
ceived cantaloupe cut and sliced by him. mystic tale with the words, "'This is the
There are no words to describe the won- outcome of true love for God. Such love
derful feeling of being physically near has great power, you see. Such love can
him. He is truly the fountain from which perform wonders!"
we drink the Water of Life.
DANTAL:VILLAGEOF INITIATES
CHITTOR,THE TOWNOF MIRABAI The Master was expected in a small
farming village named Dantal, some six-
In the evening our caravan paused ty miles from the highway across an in-
in the township of Chittor to have a re- conceivably tortuous dirt path through
freshing cup of tea, and as Master the farmland. The dust plumes picked
dropped parshad of sweets into my up along the old road by our rapidly
hands, he lovingly explained that Chit- moving car rose high into the air signal-
tor was the town in which the famous ing the countryside that the Master was
woman Saint, Mira Bai, had lived. Al- fast approaching. Dust covered the car
though Mira was the Princess of the and as it shook from the windows we
vast state of Rajasthan, she received had glimpses of the beautiful farmland.
complete enlightenment at the feet of New wheat covered the fields with a rich
her Master, Ravi Das, a lowly cobbler green. Hardy farmers could be seen be-
by profession. hind their plows, working their faithful
Mira's beautiful and soul-stirring oxen and camels, while other men and
hymns in praise of her Master and the women, dressed in vivid robes, toiled
spiritual life are today sung in every side by side. The deeper we plunged
province of India. Master explained that into the countryside, the more the peas-
because of her great spiritual devotion ant folk, seeing the Master's car, would
and indifference toward worldly affairs drop their plows in the fields and run as
many people in her court and family fast as their legs would carry them in
thought evil of her and sought to get rid his direction, as it dawned upon them
of her by any means, fair or foul. Her that at last he had come! Turning to
sister once put a fatally poisonous snake peer through the dust-covered rear win-
in a basket of flowers with the intention dow, we could see a whole flock of
of its biting Mira as she took the flowers. men, women and children running after
When the snake saw Mira it is said that the Master's car, great smiles on their
it bowed down, saying in its animal lan- healthy faces. After passing through sev-
guage, "How happy I am to meet a true eral hamlets, we arrived at a beautiful
lover of God." Her brother imprisoned village nestled at the foot of a timeless
and starved a vicious lion and let it mountain. Almost instantly, the car was
loose upon Mira as she was walking to surrounded by hundreds of eager ones
the temple for her daily devotions. But bowing low in reverence before the Mas-
when the lion saw Mira, instead of kill- ter. Mohan, Master's always cheerful
ing her, he laid his head at her feet say- driver, announced that the whole village,
ing, "At last I have found a true devotee except for a very few, were all initiates
of the Master-some five hundred. Ma- very learned in the ancient Hindu reli-
neuvering between the old brick build- gious lore and well known for his ex-
ings along the narrow streets, shaded by emplary humility and devotion, reveal-
banyan and mango trees, the car nar- ing his inner greatness. Before we took
rowly avoided collisions with inquisitive leave of our dear brother, lying there
villagers and occasional slow-moving physically helpless but spiritually awak-
white cows. Finally, the car came to a ened, Master said, "It is for his sake
halt where the narrowness and incline that I have come all the way here."
proved too difficult for further passage. We followed the Master as he des-
Master got out of the car to meet his cended the hill to the Satsang grounds.
beloved children, many of whom tried The dais was draped with vivid cloth
to take the dust from his feet, applying and garlands of flowers, and gathered
it to their foreheads. The crowds were before it were a thousand chanting devo-
so thick that it was necessary to push to tees.
keep up with the Master, in order not to The Master expounded on the devo-
be swept away by the river-like human tional hymns of Mira Bai, chanted in
mass. We followed in his footsteps up sweet refrains by the pothi. The bhaktas
the steep rocky lane between a narrow drank each word, each gesture, each
corridor of buildings, with the mountain glance with rapture. Sitting amongst the
towering directly overhead. A solitary Sangat, I too was swept away in the
whitewashed temple high up on one divine love between the Master and
crag caught my attention for a brief mo- these long-awaiting ones. One man was
ment. wholly lost in his inebriating vision.
At the summit of the foothill Master With his healthy countenance wreathed
paused and mounted a flight of dilapi- in a bright smile, he shook his head
dated stairs, entering a tiny, darkened back and forth in abandoned approval
dwelling. Leaving my shoes at the door, of his Beloved, tears streaming down his
I managed to squeeze through the com- cheeks. Glancing around, I saw and felt
pacted crowd into the cool dark room, the contagion of divine love and ecstacy
where Master was speaking endearingly sweeping through the crowd, more con-
to a man lying prone under a mosquito suming than wildfire.
netting. The veil was drawn back and Late in the day as we took leave of
the invalid smiled through his black the "village of Initiates," Master's car
beard with deep love for the Master was again pursued by the love-smitten
glistening in his eyes. Master turned villagers. Turning around in his front
and said in English, "See his rosy seat, Master said, "These people are
cheeks? See how robust he looks? You simple; God is simple; and he (the
would never suspect that he has been Master) is simple, too!"
bedridden for fourteen years. You see, As we drove along, I ventured to ask
he is paralyzed from the waist down." the Master how many of these simple
As a silent interchange of loving glances villagers saw the Radiant Form of the
passed amongst us, the man exclaimed Master at Initiation. He replied, "Nine-
in Hindi, "It is because of my bad kar- ty-nine out of a hundred. There was
ma that I am bedridden, but through my only one man who could not see." As-
good karma the Master has come!" tounded, I asked again, "The Radiant
This disciple, Pundit Danshan Das, is Form?" He answered, "Yes."
31
 In the life of these villagers, news- gan to collect, but unfortunately they
papers, cinemas, radios, lewd billboards, had to be turned away, as it was simply
rushing and pushing pace, are unknown. too late in the day. Time, which bears
Simple, honest living, healthy farm la- heavily on modern society, means little
bor, deeply ingrained moral life and de- to these folk of the simple and natural
votion to God since childhood had pre- life.
pared a fertile ground for the sowing of It had often been the practice of the
Naam. When the Great Master last came Masters of antiquity to give the sacred
to this village he conveyed the Initia- Initiation experience and competent in-
tion instructions to several hundred as- struction to a selected circle of disciples
pirants; meanwhile another group of who were first put through unimaginable
about seventy-five had accumulated and difficulties as tests of their sincerity and
begged to be initiated also. In his kind- faith in the Guru. But in the present age,
ness, the Master interrupted the Initia- Kali Yuga, man is very weak, and the
tion of the first group and had the new Master is all the more kind; he gives
group sit in a separate section, where- liberally to all who are thirsting for a
upon he began imparting the sacred in- glimpse of the Truth which liberates.
structions to them. Meanwhile, in a The Master says in a letter to a disci-
steady stream more villagers from outly- ple :
ing districts appeared and also begged
When morality deteriorates, Divine
to be initiated. Again interrupting the
grace grows in greater abundance for
Initiation, he had the third group sit for
instructions. Then he went to the first the general benefit of the masses. The
group and completed the first part of granting o f first hand inner experience
instructions and put them in meditation, is perhaps the only tried criterion for
and went on to the second group, and distinguishing the grain from the chaff;
the third, and so on. It so happened that the true from the imperfect Masters
a fourth group of considerable size be- which abound the earth.

T h e third edition of the Master's beautiful study in mystical prayer

ITS NATURE & TECHNIQUE

~ is now available at $4.00 from

SAT SANDESH BOOKS

Sant Bani Ashram, Franklin, New Hampshire 03235, U. S. A.
Everything will be given to you in due course of time if you follow
His behests and live up to what He says. Every day you are given
tasks which are intended to help your spiritual growth. Unfortu-
nately, most people look for a very special assignment to be given
to them by the Master personally before they accept it as a task
from the Master. They do not see that their day-to-day dealings
and behavior with other people in their work, the responsibilities
they have to assume in their other mundane duties and how well
they fulfill them, are all tasks given by the Master. If you watch
closely your reaction to situations that confront you in life you
cannot but be aware of how much you have grown spiritually. This
is the most important part of spirituality as far as the disciple is
concerned. He must first complete his course in MAN MAKING with
full honors before he can be given higher tasks to carry out.

From a letter by
KIRPAL SINGH