MAN! KNOW THYSELF
The Science
In the physical body, two main currents are working that control life, one a motor
current (breathing or prana), and the other a sensory current, which may also be called
‘attention’ or surat. The Masters ignore the former so that the breathing is not
interfered with and the life process goes on. The sensory current ramifies throughout the
entire body, but its main center lies between and behind the two eyebrows, along with the
mind. We have to withdraw the sensory current or the Spirit to Its center.
Initiation
The mind will not allow man to have
knowledge of the soul. Its nature is to seek pleasure and its constant fluctuations are
difficult to subdue. Attuning one’s self with the internal Sound Current is the best
way to calm the mind and practice concentration. It does not matter what school of thought
or society a man may belong to. He has not to convert himself and can remain where he is.
There are no hard and fast rules, no rituals, no ceremonies, no pomp and show, no offering
of gifts, not even of flowers. All that a disciple has to do is to enter inside and
henceforth consider the body as his laboratory. With regard to the theory, he has to
understand the following, which is briefly the pith of what he will hear at Satsangs:
(ii)
The Master is ‘Shabd’, ‘Word’, ‘Naad’, etc., all of
which refer to the God-into-Expression Power of Light and Sound Principle. By having a
contact with this Power, man is led back to his true Home.
(iii)
For the sake of those who are disillusioned with life, and who yearn for permanent
happiness and peace away from the world and its worries, the Word assumes a body to afford
them solace. Christ and, ‘Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us’. Once a
disciple contacts this Word (which is done at the time of Initiation by the Master), the
audible from of this Word resides within him every moment of the day and night and never
leaves him, and even after the end of man’s physical existence on earth. It will go
with him and stay with him until he achieves the final goal. The Word is also known as the
Voice of God or the Sound Current, and is the Life impulse given by the Master at the time
of Initiation. It may be heard as a sound coming from a distance and gradually develops
into such sweetness that no music on earth can excel it. It is the Water of Life, the
Spring of Immortality, the Elixir of Life, the Nectar of spirituality, etc., that are
spoken of in holy books.
(iv)
Man has an inner eye with which he can see within himself all the higher regions,
when the veil is rent as under by a competent living Master. In this state, he remains
perfectly conscious and undergoes amazing experiences. To ascend to the higher regions
without a competent Master is fraught with dangers.
Simran
The repetition of the holy names is given to the disciple at the time of Initiation
as a guard against all dangers. It acts also as a pass-word to all spiritual planes, gives
strength and sustenance to the body and mind during trouble and afflictions, brings the
soul nearer to the Master, is instrumental in achieving
concentration, and imparts many other diverse powers. Simran taught by a so-called
Master is merely a number of words. But these very words become electrified when charged
with the attention and grace of a real Master.
Initiation commences with the
explanation and description of the inner spiritual regions and the way in which the path
is to be pursued. The opening of the inner vision to see the inner regions, with their
distinct heavenly lights, together with the contact with the Divine Link or Sound
Principle, constitutes the practical side of Initiation. Daily practice of these combined
with Simran, is meditation. In addition to this, the Master gives instructions on pure and
simple living, the need of devoting regular time to the practices, and other words of
sound advice. The whole ceremony takes from two to three hours. Diaries of one’s
spiritual progress must be kept and the mistakes of old and new disciples are corrected
from time to time to ensure progress.
Miracles
Master-Saints never show any
miracles to a disciple except in rare cases due to special circumstances. Miracles are in
accordance with the laws of Nature but are nevertheless terribly entangling webs
detrimental to the highest ideals of man in his approach to Almighty God. It is a subject
that an ordinary that it requires immense self-control and training of the mind, with
restrictions that he would not like to tolerate or pursue. The miraculous powers achieved
after a lengthy period of time are instrumental in doing both good and harm, and as they
are utilized more for harm than anything else, they are termed as a disease by all truly
spiritual persons. The Masters are in possession of Supreme Power but their mission is
sacred. A disciple whose inner vision has been opened sees any number of miracles at each
step. To hesitate to believe in a Master with out seeing miracles is as foolish as our
refusal to believe that a certain person is a multi-millionaire unless he shows us his
money. He may have all his money deposited in a bank and like to spend it in the way that
he chooses, without caring for public applause or approval. Out of an audience of several
thousands watching a magician perform his tricks, only a very small number would thereby
be induced to learn the art. Those who are anxious to see miracles are not true seekers.
General
Today, the world is crying out of a
better understanding for peace and freedom from conflict. This Science of self-analysis
that reveals the Brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God, is the remedy which can
reconstruct a healthy culture and propagate harmony between man and man. He who claims to
love the invisible God but has no regard or love for his visible fellow man, is lost
indeed. To love, revere and feel grateful to our fellow man is to love and revere God. So
too, the love for the visible Master, our closest connecting link with God, is in reality
love for the Supreme father. We should therefore try to measure the depth of God’s
mercy and grace through a Master-Saint, who is God’s visible representative. It has
Spirituality as its end and is not idolatry. The atmosphere in which such a genuine Master
moves in charged with currents of peace and love which affect those who come into contact
with Him. Even letters written by or on behalf of Him carry currents of ecstasy that
influence the innermost recesses of the heart.
Guru precedes God. Such a person was Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, who
remained with his disciples for a great number of years and now, even after He has left
the body, still watches over his loved ones and also those who contacted Him once with
love and sincerity in their hearts. Love knows no law and He is still appearing in His
radiant form, even on lower spiritual planes, for their sake Not one, but hundreds can
testify to what ignorant people would call an illusion. On the physical plane, He is still
showering His blessings through His medium at Ruhani Satsang, Sawan Ashram, who now in
turn guides men in all spiritual matters. One bulb is fused and replaced by another. The
same Power works and the same Light now shines from a new bulb. All who approach the
Master get positive experiences and anybody who wishes to avail himself of such a golden
opportunity has only to contact the Master and his wishes will be fulfilled, his heart
will overflow with happiness, and his weary shoulders will be relieved of their burden of
cares and worries.