MAN! KNOW THYSELF
Perhaps it will not be out of place
to explain here the meaning of the term ‘Spirituality’, which is often confused
with blind faith in sacred books, a display of miracles, psychic phenomena, or Yogic
powers. Spirituality is an inner experience and its alphabet begins where all philosophy
and Yoga practices end. It is the experience of the soul. When one says, “I am the
body”, it is a feeling based on the intellect and is defined as ignorance. When he
says, “I am not the body, I am an awakened soul”, it is learnt knowledge or
theory only; but when he gets an actual experience of the soul by self-analysis and
contacts the Overself, it is called Spirituality. The first practical lesson commences
when there is a complete withdrawal from the physical body through the kindness of a
practical Master. No one can withdraw and separate himself from the physical body unaided.
If anyone claims otherwise and thinks that he can, he but deceives himself. All attempts
without the assistance of a Master, who alone is qualified to impart this experience, will
end in failure. Masters come to distribute this treasure of Spirituality cannot be brought
nor taught, but it can be caught by contact with spiritual people. Moreover, Nature’s
gifts, such as air, water, light etc., are free. Spirituality is also Nature’s gift
and is also given free by the Masters. Likewise, Spirituality cannot be acquired from
books, which is a fact all sacred scriptures uphold. Books are a valuable record of the
inner experiences of others in Spirituality. They fill up gaps in history and contain
messages from past Masters, which help us to verify the facts revealed by a Living Master,
thus confirming our faith in the Science. Man is confused by the various translations,
interpretations and expositions, each different from the other, which instead of relieving
his mind, tend rather to bewilder and confuse him. His egoism too has created hundreds of
religious circles, whose aim is aloofness and narrow orthodoxy instead of love, and
insularity instead of integration. Torn between conflicting emotions, men develop hatred
and think of war.
For an understanding of the Science
of the Masters, we attend Sat sang, where the majority of our doubts are cleared. Direct
answers from the Master will help to remove any remaining doubts. All questions receive
the same calm consideration and no arguments are offered. Rich or poor, high or low, all
receive equal attention in the same manner, as a doctor should attend to the sick. A true
Master views a man’s rights and wrongs as clearly as one sees the contents of a glass
jar, but he reveals nothing. Sitting before him, even those who do not understand his
language are benefited, just as one in a perfumer’s shop enjoys the smell of sweet
scents. The Master showers blessings through his looks, which the eager ones catch. His
eyes are a wonderful spray of love.