Whenoneundertakesto reachacertaingoalinany fieldofhumanactivity,itis necessarytotakestockof one’sprogressfromtimeto time.Itisonlythrough suchstocktakingthatone canbecomeconsciousof one’sshortcomings.
Imprint:
UNITYOFMAN – SantKirpalSingh
Steinklüftstraße34
5340St.Gilgen–Austria/Europe
Thirdediton2021
Nocopyright
Humanbirthisthehighestrunginallcreation. Itisreallyarareblessingwhichyouhavegot. Thishasbeengiventoyouforattaining divinerealisationandspiritualperfection.
Itisasupremeopportunityforstriving andobtainingasublimeexperience ofAll-Consciousness.
Toattainthisgoalpurifyyournature bylivingagoodlife.
Manifesttruth,purity,love,selflessness andrighteousnessinyourlifeandactivity.
SantKirpalSingh
Therearebasicallytwostagestobegonethrough beforethestruggling disciplerisesabovebody-consciousnessandbeginstoenjoythespiritual disciplinesandtofirmlytreadthepathofspirituality.Thefirststageis wherethedisciplehaslittleornoknowledgeofself-introspectionandisin astateofabysmalignorance.Thesecondstageiswhenthedisciplebegins torealizethathehasinnumerablefaultsandfailingswhichmustbecor‐rectedbeforehecanhopetoriseabovebody-consciousness,atwhichstate thispathreallybegins.
Thissecondstage,whichisformostalongdrawn-outstrugglewithlow‐ertendenciesofthemind,isknownas“man-making”.Spirituality,orrising fromthelowerrealmsofexistencetohigherrealmsofuntoldblissandhar‐mony,isnotdifficult.Itisthe“manmaking”whichisdifficult.Thereisno specifictimelimitforthissecondstage.Italldependsuponthedisciple’s aptitudeforself-discipline,obediencetothecommandmentsoftheMaster, anddevelopingaloveforHim.
Itistheself-assertiveegowhichisthelastobstacletobeconquered,and thiscannotbedoneuntilthesoulbeginstocomeintoitsown,hassome glimmeringsofitstruenature,whichhastheresultofdevelopinginthe discipleanaturalhumility.Thisisnottobeconfusedwithanattitudeof servility,notself-assertive.
AlthoughthegraciousMasterpoweriseverathandtohelpthedisciple inthisstruggle,itissomethingwhichthedisciplemustgothroughhimself. Nobodyelsecandothisforhim.Youhavebeenputonthewayandhave beengivensomecapitaltostartwith,whichstillexistswithyou.Aseedhas beenplantedinyouwhichonedaymustsurelyfructifyandyouhaveas yourconstantcompaniontheMasterinHissubtleformofLightand Sound.HeisalsoquitecapableofmanifestingtoyouinHischarmingradi‐antformwhenyouhavelearnttoriseabovebody-consciousness.
Itisnotreasonabletoexpecttoattaintothehigherplaneswithoutfirst perfectingyourselftoagreatdegree.Asinworldlystudies,inwhichitisnot unusualtospendtwentyyearsormoretoobtainthenecessaryqualifica‐tionstofityourselfforacareer,soevengreateristhetimeandeffortthat mustbeputinbythedisciplebeforehecanbemadeafitvesseltoreceive thetruthsofhisownsoulandofGod.Itisaveryoddoutlookthatsome have:toexpectself-andGod-realizationinashorttimeandwithlittlela‐bour,whilethesamepeoplearewillingtotoilforyearstoobtainthepotof porridgethatisallthisworldhastooffer.
InnootherexpressionbutthehumanformcanasoulrealizeGod.The godsandgoddessesareanxioustogetthehumanform,anditmeansonly thatthehumanformisthehighestinallcreationduetoitsgreatspiritual possibilities.
Iwouldstresstheimportanceofself-introspection,forwhichthemain‐tenanceofthediaryhasbeenprescribed.Akeenvigilandcarefullivingis anessentialhelpingfactorforinnerprogress.Adisciplinedlifebyhaving completecontroloverthesenses,whichfeedthemind,whichinturnover‐powersthesoul,shouldbecherished.
TheinnerdivinelinksofLightandSoundaremosthelpfulforcontrol‐lingthesenses.Ifyouwillfollowthesedivineprinciples,theinnerchange oflifewillfollowautomatically.Truthisaboveall,buthigherstillistrueliv‐ing.
Adoptarighteouswayoflifeandbecontent. Youmayhavecertainde‐sires,butstopthere;don’tincreasethem.Thenreconsiderthedesiresand wheretheywilltakeyou.Whatliesahead,andwhatwillyoutakewithyou? Wearehurrying,scurryingthroughthelife;wearenotevenconsciousof whatwearedoingmostofthetime.SotheGuruadvisesustohandleallour affairswithtranquilserenity.Whenoneundertakestoreachacertaingoal inanyfieldofhumanactivity,itisnecessarytotakestockofone’sprogress fromtimetotime.Itisonlythroughsuchstock-takingthatonecanbecome consciousofone’sshortcomingsanderrors,eradicateanduprootthemand planoutfutureprogress.Havingputourshoulderstothewheelofthegreat
Master’scause,itisnecessarythatweshould,inlikemanner,reviewourac‐tivityandachievement,fromtimetotime.Withoutsuchself-analysisand self-criticism,norealadvancementispossibleanditwastoencouragethis practiceandmakeitadailyhabitthat,inthecaseofindividualinitiates,I insisted(andcontinuetoinsist)thattheymaintainadailyrecordoftheir thoughts,wordsanddeedsandoftheperiodofmeditation.Whatisneces‐saryforusasindividualinitiatesisevenmorenecessaryforusasmembers ofalargemovement.
Onemustfirstthinkoftheresultbeforedoing orevencontemplating anydeed.
EverythingwillbegiventoyouinduecourseoftimeifyoufollowHis behestsandliveuptowhatHesays.Everydayyouaregiventaskswhichare intendedtohelpyourspiritualgrowth.Unfortunately,mostpeoplelookfor averyspecialassignmenttobegiventothembytheMasterpersonallybe‐foretheyacceptitasataskfromtheMaster.Theydonotseethattheirdayto-daydealingsandbehaviourwithotherpeopleintheirwork,therespon‐sibilitiestheyhavetoassumeintheirothermundanedutiesandhowwell theyfulfilthem,arealltasksgivenbytheMaster.Ifyouwatchcloselyyour reactiontosituationsthatconfrontyouinlifeyoucannotbutbeawareof howmuchyouhavegrownspiritually.Thisisthemostimportantpartof spiritualityasfarasthediscipleisconcerned.Hemustfirstcompletehis coursein“man-making”withfullhonoursbeforehecanbegivenhigher taskstocarryout.
Everythought,everywordandeverydeed,goodorbad,leavesanindeli‐bleimprintonthemindandhastobeaccountedfor.Hencethenecessity forrightthoughts,rightaspirationsandrightconduct,allofwhichconsti‐tutethehedgearoundthetendersaplingofspirituality.
Whatconstitutesdesire? Allconceptionsinthemindaredesires.So,be desireless.Youwillhavenoticedthatwhenanobstacleblockstheachieve‐mentofone’sdesire,angerarises.Thenthereispride–“Imusthavethis(or dothis),otherwiseIwillbebelittledintheeyesofothers.”Onecanaccept prideasbeingthebasisofallsins,foritturnsintoI-hood.Herecommends
ustoleaveoffperversity,orstopbeingobstinate.Alwaysbesuretolistento theotherperson’spointofview–youmayfindthatwhatheissayingiscor‐rect.Perversityjustbindsapersonmore;thereisnoroomforexpansion. Dogmaticknowledgeofbooks,forinstance,whichmightberightor wrong,shouldbediscarded.Itgoeswithoutsayingthatallattachments shouldbebrokenaway – youmustfinishupthegiveandtake – youmust leavethebodyandallitsenvironments.Ifanobstaclecomesbetweenyou andyourdesire,itgrowsevenstronger.
Justputalargerockinthemiddleofafastflowingstreamandyouwill createtwothings:frothandnoise.Whenamanisangryhecannotspeak softly,andfinallyhefrothsatthemouth.Ifyoudogetthethingyoudesire, itturnsintoattachment.Thereisonlyonecureforallthis:Onlyaftersee‐ingyourtrueselfyoucanrealizetheLord.
Millionaireswillleavetheirmillionsbehind,thosewhohavemudhuts willleavethem,thisbodydidnotcomewithyouandwillnotaccompany youwhenyoureturn.Yes,youwilltakeyouractionswithyou.
IsanythingelserequiredtobecomereunitedwiththeLord? Sadachar (righteousliving)ismostessential.Themindthatisrunningamuckinbad outerinfluencesmustbebroughttoheel;onlythencananyrealprogress beachieved.Ourgreatestobstacleisthatthesoulisunderthemind’scon‐trol,andmindinturnisunderthesenses’control.Soreleasefromthis bondageishastenedbylivingrighteously.Wereceiveimpressionsfrom outsidethroughtheeyes,ears,thetongue,bysmellingandbytouch.Sowe musthaveselfrestraint.Suchamanonlycanprogressfromdaytoday,by regularityandalsobyselfintrospection.Thisismostimportant.Yourvery soul,theouterexpressionofwhichiscalledattentionorsurat,ifengaged outside,makesitimpossibleforyoutoseewithin.
Withallthisrightunderstanding,whatdevelops? Rightthought,and furthermorerightspeech,andoutofthatrightactionswillfollow.Ifyou candothis;ifyoucanconquertheselfandsurrenderitatthefeetofthe Master;ifyoucanlearntoseeHimworkingthroughallthings;ifyoucan acceptthefactofyourownlimitedvision;ifyoucanundertakeaceaseless
andzealouswatchoveryourthoughtsanddeeds,weedingoutallevilsand imperfections – thenyoushallnotonlywinsalvationyourselvesbutenable otherstodolikewise.
Yourexampleshallshinelikeatorchinthedarkness, andmen,even thosewhomayfirstopposeyou,willturntoyouforguidanceandhelp.You willfindanewsenseofpeacesurgingthroughyou,apeacethatdoesnot dependontheabsenceofouterdisturbances,butisaninnerstateofmind thatstandsunshakeneveninthemosttempestuoussituations.Andthis samequalityshallenternotonlyyourindividuallives,butthelargerlifeof thegreatspiritualmovementofwhichyouareapart.1
Sotheimportantthingis tofirstlearntohandleyourouterenvironment, consistingofourdomesticandworkinglife.Wearetobejudgedbyour actionsandnotbyourwords.Itisfromtheabundanceofourheartthatall actionsresult,whetherphysical,emotionalorintellectual.Themindisan indexandreflectingmirrorandittrulydepictsone’sinnerstate.Ameasure ofsuccessofhowwellyouaresucceedinginhandlingyourouterenviron‐mentwillbeagradualawarenessthatyouarebecomingthemasterofyour ownthoughts.ItistoachievethissuccessthatIintroducedtheself-intro‐spectivediaries.
Unfortunately,few,ifanyhaveanyideaofwhatkeepingthediaryreally means.Astimepasses,theirentriesbecomeamerematterofform,andthe wholepurposebehindkeepingthediaryislost.Weareaskedtomaintain thediaryinthought,wordanddeed.Howmanyofusreallydoso?Thema‐jorityjustreactinthought,wordanddeedtothestimulusofthemoment, inotherwords,instinctively.Thetruthofthematteristhatwemustbe‐comeconsciouslyawareofeverythoughtthatpassesthroughthemind;we mustweighourwordsbeforewespeakandnotspeakidlewordsasamere reactiontothesituationthatconfrontsus.
Ifweareabletomakesomeprogressinthisregard,thenwewillbefar onthewaytocontrollingourself.Onlywhenwehaveadvancedfarinthe practiceoflivingthelifedemandedofus(asimpliedinthekeepingofthe diary),willwebecomefitenoughtoreapthefruitsofthepracticesofthe SuratShabdYoga.
Onecangaugehisorherspiritualprogressbythemeasureofconscious controlthatheorshehasoverhisorherthoughtpatterns.Onewhohasin somemeasureachievedthiscontrolwillnotbeswayedorupsetbyouter conditions,stressandstrainsthathisenvironmentmayplaceonhim.Ifone cannotriseabove,beinfullcontrolof,andhandlewitheasethecircum‐
stancesofhisouterenvironment,hewillneverbeabletosucceedinthe wayofspirituality.
Togaincontrolofone’sbeing,tobringone’swholelifeunderthatperfect control,tohelponeselftocutawayfromouterattractions,requiresself-in‐trospection.Startbyconsciouslycontrollingasmallfractionofyourlife. Youwillbeabletosucceedifyouarealsoenjoyingalittleinnerintoxication ofNaam.AllMasterssaythereisnosuccesswithoutmeditation.
Itiswewhogivepowertothemind. Itiswewhogivepowertotheout‐goingfaculties(ofseeing,hearing,etc.).Itiswewhoseegoodorbadout‐side.Ifwebecomeself-centred,wemaymakethebestuseofouroutgoing facultieshoweverwelike.Unlessyoubecomeself-centred,youcannot avoidtheinfluenceofothers.Wederiveeffectsfromoutsideandwherever ourattentiongoes,weareaffectedbytheradiationofthosewithwhomwe comeincontact.Iftheyarepure,that’sallright.Ifnot,yougettheirradia‐tion.
Victoryoverthemindisvictoryovertheworld. Youhavebeengranted theyardstickformeasuringyourspiritualattainmentsintheformofanin‐trospectivediary,andyoucansurelyjudgethingsforyourselfandseehow faryouhaveadvancedonthepath.Man-makingprecedesspirituality.Un‐lessanduntilyoubecomethemasterofallthefivesenses,appreciableinner progresscannotbemade.ControlallKama(desire),anger,greed,attach‐ment;ThisplayislovedbytheLord.Kam(lust)attacksthroughtheeyes, angerthroughtheears.Attachmentcomesthroughembracing.Riseabove allthese,andyouwillgainconnectionwiththetruth.
Therecurringfailuresinvariouscolumnsofthediaryshowthatyou remaintoomuchengrossedinworldlyaffairs,whichshouldbereducedby keepingyourselfimmersedinthedivinegrace.Silence,solitudeandseren‐ityshouldbecultivatedbylivingalifefullofspiritualdisciplineasenjoined bytheMaster.Youcancutshortunnecessaryengagementsandwildpur‐suitsbykeepingyourspiritualgoalintheforefront.Awellregulatedlife earnsrichdividends.
Everyactionhasareaction.Everyactofomissionorcommissionhasan appropriatepenalty.Wecannotescapefromsinaslongasweconsiderour‐selvesasbornoftheflesh,forfleshistherootcauseofallevilsintheworld. Untilaspiritlearnstoleavethesensualplaneatwill,enjoymentsanddis‐tractionsdothrivelikeabaytree.
Everydaybringsinanewlifefullofvastopportunities. Youmustnot apprehendanyfearswhatsoeverandinsteadtrytoharnessyourfaculties forattainingthegoalofspiritualperfection.Takeandacceptlifewithallits vicissitudesineasytermsofjoyandbuoyancy.Justfacethesituationbrave‐lywithmentalequipoiseandstability.Thetreeofliferearedinstorms yieldsmoreofcoolshadeandrichfruit.Failuresshouldserveassteppingstonestosuccess.Itispersistenteffortwhichovercomesalldifficulties.2
2Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page13-16
Thepurposeofthediaryistoreflectyourinnerstate, sothatyouknow whereyoustand.Itisatool,whichifusedproperly,willchiselyouintoa receptaclefitforthemanifestationoftheMasterwithinyou.
Itmaybethathe(thedisciple)knowshiscondition;hereads,hethinks, heattendsSatsang,hemakesresolutions,butalwaysfallsbackintotheold habitsagainandagain.ThisiswhyIhaveadvisedkeepingadailyspiritual diary.Itisamethodofself-introspectionwhichIhaveintroducedafter muchdeepthoughtonthesubject.
Thebenefitofthisisamoralupliftment–thisisaverysweetwayofex‐plainingit.
Withtimemethodschange.Inoldendays,clotheswerewashedby thrashingthemagainstrocks,andnowadayswehavegottothestageofdry cleaning,withouttheuseofwater.Mastershaveusedmanywaysthrough theages,tryingtoinduceanawarenessinmenoftheirwayoflife.Those whoarenotfollowingthissciencecorrectlyneverkeepdiaries.
Spiritualdiarieshavebeenprescribedaftercarefulthought, andwith deeppurpose.Dailyself-introspectionmustbekeptup,andthroughthis youwillbeabletoseeforyourselfhowfaryouarecomingoutofthesenses’ influence.
Thediaryismeantforone’spersonaluseandhelpstobringoutmanyof thehiddenunderlyingweaknessestothesurfacesothatonemaybeginto seethemandtrytoremovethemonebyone,andwiththeirremovallife becomespleasantandspiritualprogressisaccelerated.
Thediariesshowhowmuchtimeyouputin(yourmeditation)andhow manyplacesyourheartisattachedtoouterthingsinoneformortheother.
Devotionrequirespurityofheart. Purityofheartrequiresthatnoother thoughtshouldstrikeinyourheartotherthanoftheOnewhomyoulove. Ifthereisnootherthoughtinyourheartforanybodyelseanditisvacant
fromoutwardattachments,thenGodisthere.Devotionstartswhenyou detachyourheartfromtheoutwardthingsandattachittoGodortothe God-in-man.ThisisdevelopedbycomingintoconstantcontactwithHim. TheABCstartsbyregularityofdevotiontoyourspiritualpractices.
Thosewhodonotmaintainthediarywilllosevaluablegroundinmak‐ingsteadyspiritualprogress.Intime,theywillceasetoapplythemselvesto theirspiritualpracticesandinconsequencethevirtuesstressedonthe diaryformwillbeobservedlessandless.
Thosewhoarenotmaintainingdiarieswillfailconstantly.Induecourse oftime,theirwholeheartwillbeattachedtotheworld.Outwardlythey mightappeartobeverydevoted,buttheyarereallydevotedtotheworld.
Ifsomeofthedearonesdesiretomaintainthediaryforself-introspec‐tion(beforeinitiation),suchlikedearoneswilleventuallybenefitfromthe holypath.3
3Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page3-5
Whenattheendoftheday, yourecallyourfailuresinthought,wordand deed,inwhichdirectionwillyourmindbeturned?Naturally,itwillgoto theOnewhohasaskedyoutokeepit.Sokeepingthediaryisalsoremem‐branceoftheMaster;youaresayingsomethingtoHim.Ifyouremember Him,thenHeremembersyou,and,intime,youwilldevelopreceptivityto Himwhereveryoumaybe.Therecanbenotruespiritualprogresswithout receptivity,andthedailymaintenanceofthediarywithfullattentionanda trueyearningtobefreedfromthelapseswhicharerecordedthereingoesa longwaytodevelopingthisreceptivity.
IntheChristianreligion,Iunderstandthatthosewhowishmaymakea confessionoftheirlapsesbeforeapriest.Theymaygoonceamonthor weekly,butgenerallynotmoreoftenthanonceaweek.Butbykeepingthe diaries,youaremakingaconfessioneveryday.Letyourconfessionsbe honestlyandopenlyrecordedinthevariouscolumns,sothatyouknow whereyoustandandcantakerectifyingaction.
Thebestandeasiestwaytocureyourills istoyearntobefreeofthem and,asmentionedabove,tohavesweetremembranceoftheMasteratthe timeyouarefillinginyourdiary.
Lastandjustasimportantastheforegoing,keepingthediaryshouldnot beallowedtostagnateintoamererecordingoffailures,whichtendstobe‐comemechanicalifdonewithlittleornoattention.Thetruepurposeof puttingthesefailuresdowninfrontofyouistomakeyourselfawareof themsothattheymaybeweededout.Toweedthemout,itisnotsufficient tocutoffoneortwobranches;youmustuprootthecause.Onceyoube‐comeawareofafailure,youshouldbeabletotraceittoacertainsituation, andthissituationwillhelpyoutoidentifythecauseoftheweaknessinyou whichhastobeeliminated.Byandby,theverycauseofthefailurewilldrop offbyitself.
Personalawareness
andimmediateconfessionbywayofinnerrepentanceareallhelpfulmeas‐uresforinnergrowthandreceptivity.However,recallingandcounting suchlapsesatthecloseofthedayandjottingthemdownonthediaryforms hasitsownbenefitwhenyouregretsuchdeedsandfeelinspiredtowork forimprovement.Prideandegodonotletusprogress-whenwemakemis‐takeswewillnotadmitthem.
Thediaryformsaredividedintosevencategories.Thefirstsixcategories dealwiththefailurestoobservethevirtuesindicatedbytheheadingof thesecategories,whilecategorynumbersevenisarecordofthetimespent inspiritualpractices.Inthefirstsixcategories,youaretoenterthenumber oftimesthatyoufailtoobservethevirtuesindicated,inthought,wordand deed.Forexample,ifyoufailin“non-violence”inthought,wordanddeed, fourtimesinoneday,youaretoenterthisfigureinthecolumnprovided underthedayonwhichthefailuresoccurred.
Thediaryformsshouldbeatruereflectionofyourowninnerstate. Thefailuresmadeshouldbeasanopenself-confessionoftheshortcomings whichstandbetweenyouandtheMaster.Similarly,devotingregulartime tothespiritualpracticesisanindicationofthepositivegrowth.Ifyoulive uptothesublimepurposebehindthekeepingofthediary,youwill progressfromdaytoday,andachieveyourgoalinthislifetime. ⁴
4Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”–Vol.II,page27-31
Atinyseedcontainsamightyoakinitsheart whichcanblossomforth intofullnessbypropernourishmentandprotection.Allyoungandtender saplingsdoneedhand-watering,periodicalweeding,fertilizingandprotec‐tivehedgingagainstthestraywaysidecattlesothatthesaplingsarenot harmed.
Induecourseoftimethetreegrowsintofullmaturity,providingshadeand sheltertothewaysidetravellersandbecomingasourceofhelpandinspira‐tiontoothers.
Exactlyinthesamemanner,theholyseedofinitiationthrivesbestinarich andfertilesoilformedofhighethicalvaluesandlovingcompassion.Adi‐vinestirbythelivingMasterofthesoulinmanisahappystartforthelong spiritualjourneyahead.
Seekershavebeenthereforeadvisedtodoself-introspectionwhichhelpsin developingfertilityandingerminatingthedivinitytofullbloom.Thesev‐enbasicrequisitesenumeratedintheprescribedself-introspectivediary aidimmeasurablyincoveringtheentirefieldofethics,andhelpalottoin‐vokethedivinemercy.
SawanAshram,Delhi1962,KirpalSinghThehumanbodyisthetempleofGod. Inordertoattainsuper-conscious‐ness,onehastowithdrawfromallthephysicalattachments.Solongaswe remainidentifiedwithexternalobjects,wecannotassumeasubtleform. AllMasterssaythatwhenyouhavegotamanbody,thehighestthingisto attachyourselftoGod.Whereveryouwillbeattached,therewillyougo. Youhavebeencomingtotheworldagainandagain.Thereasonisbecause youarenotattachedtoGod,otherwiseyouwouldhavegonetoGod.So keepyourdiariesandeliminateallforeignthoughtsfromyourheart.Our heartisatpresentdivided.ItshouldhavenootherthoughtexceptofHim towhomyouwanttobedevoted.
Sogenerally,whatdowedo?Wegetsomethingtostartwithandfritter itawaybybeingattachedtooutside.Thefatherwillbepleasedwiththe childwhohasmadethebestuseofwhathasbeengiventohim.Ifhebe‐comesanhonestmantobereliedon,hewillbegivenmoreandmore.We findpeoplewhosay,“Wewereverywelloffbefore,butnotnow.”Butwhy notnow?Wehavemadebeggarsoutofourownselves.Sowehavetobe careful.Self-introspectionismostnecessary.Thosewhodonotkeepit, theircapitalwillbedwindledaway.
Nowyouseehowimportantitistomaintainselfrestraint.Makeuseof somethingwhenyouwantit.Nowyouaredraggedirresistiblytooutside things.Youhavetoliveintheworldquitedetached.Whenyouwanttouse onefaculty,useit.Whenyouwanttoleaveit,leaveit.Itisnotsowithyou now.Forthatpurpose,youaregivenacontactwiththeLightandSound principlewithinyou.Whenyougetmoreblissthere,youroutwardattach‐mentswillbecutoff.Amanwhoisreallydetachedfromtheworldisnot affectedbyit.Renunciationtrulyliesinthefactthatwearenottiedtothe world,toanythingoutside.Amanwhohasgotlovewithinhim,loveof God,isattachedtoGodsomuchthatallotherthingsleavehismind,heis notattractedbyanythingelse.Aheartthatisnotattachedtotheworldnev‐erthinksofworldlythings.Onewhodoesnotshowfailuresunderthedif‐ferentheadingsandwhohasapureheart,thenGodmustsitinit.Heis alreadythere,butHewillbecomemanifest. ⁵
Ahimsaornon-injurytoalllivingcreatures, andmoresotofellowbeings, bythoughts,wordsanddeeds – theinjunctioninthisbehalfbeing:“Injure notahumanheartforitistheseatofGod.”Itisanennoblingvirtuethat bringseachonetoparwithhisorherfellowbeingsandultimatelyleadsto theprincipleofthebrotherhoodofmanandtheFatherhoodofGod.The cultivationofthisvirtuedemandsabroaddevelopmentoftolerationto‐wardsall,irrespectiveoftheirshortcomingsandfailures.Toradiatethe grandprincipleofthefamilyofmanonthedivinegroundoflovingand compassionatedesireforthewell-beingofall,costsverylittlebutcounts verymuch.Aheartfullofdivinecompassionistheabodeofallvirtues.
Iwouldliketoimpressuponyouparticularlytogiveupthinkingillof others.Whileyoudonotmaketheenemyyourfriend,youwillhaveno peacewithin.Yoursleepstatewillbefullofrestlessdreams.Ifanyone thinksorspeaksofyouinanaggressiveway,donotfollowhisexample, otherwisehisthoughtswillreactuponyou.Ifawaveofwaterhitsahard surface,itwillbounceback,butifitstrikessomethingresilient,itwillbe absorbed,liketheactionofasponge,andtherewillbenoviolentreaction. Onecurseisgiven,butonitsreturnbecomesmany.Ifitisnotreturned, then?Itwasone,andremainedone.Again,werememberFaridSahibsay‐ing,“Thewholeworldissounding,andyouarealsodancingwithit.”Itis better,withacoolhead,totryandreadbetweenthelinestodiscoverwhy thepersonisactingsoantagonistically,andthentakeactionaccordingly. Youwillsaveyourselffromdegradationthisway.Tothinkorspeakofa personbadly,totellliesorcheat,tobehypocritical,indulginginbackbiting andotherill-becomingtraits-thesearealldegradingtothesoul.Keepyour heartspure,andasGodisineveryone,trytoseeonlythebestinall.
Jesusalwayspreachedthetwocardinalvirtues: “LoveThyNeighbouras Thyself” and “LoveThineEnemies.” Doesthatmeanthatitisoutoftimidity orweaknessthatoneshouldloveandforbearone’senemies?No,thereis
somethingmoralanddivinethatliesattherootofsuchanattitude.Solove thesinner,buthatethesin.
Thereisnoevilintheworld. Ifitappearstobeevil,itisduetothe smokyorcolouredglassesthatyouarewearingonyourheartormind.You willfindthatifyouthinkinthewaythatIhavejusttoldyou,thennaturally youwillhaverespectandloveforall,evenforyourenemies.Theymight thinkotherwiseofyou,butifyouhavethrashedouteveryevilthought withinyouforeverybody,youwillseewiththatangleofvision,whichthe Mastergivesyou,thatitisallthemanifestationofGod;thennaturally,eve‐rybodywillbebeautiful.Youwillseethisbeautyeveninyourenemy.A pervertedviewisonlyonaccountofsmokyglasses.
Weshouldlearntoforgiveandforget whichisagoldenprincipleoflife forattainingpeaceandharmonysoverymuchhelpfulforhavingacalm andcontemplativemood,which,inturn,willblessuswithsuccessfulmedi‐tations.Hewhoforgivesistwiceblessed.Takingrevengeiscowardice,but forgivingthelapsesofothersisanactofvirtuousnobility.
Ifsomeonemakesamistake,forgivehim.Butpeoplepreferjusticeto forgiveness.Rememberthis,thatwithjustice,theheartisnevercleansed. Outwardlyapersonmaybeemphaticthatheforgives;butinhishearthe wantstostrikeoutattheoffenderandcuttheveryrootsofhim.Ifyouhave nocompassioninthemind,howcanyouhonestlysayyouforgive?Tofor‐giveandforgetiswhatonemustpractiseinthoughts,inwords,andin deedssothattheymaybecomeapartandparcelofdailylivingfromdayto day.Loveknowsnocriticism,noimposition,noboasting,noreflectionson others’shortcomings,butworksinaconstructivewaytocementallinone lovingfoldoftheMaster.Lovebeautifieseverything.
Wemustalllearntolookwithinandnotwithout. Itisfareasiertosee amoteinanother’seyethantoseeabeaminone’sown.Wemustreform ourselvesbeforewecanreformothers,butunfortunatelywearealways anxioustoreformothers.Weshouldweedoutallimperfectionsonebyone byself-introspectionandthiswillbringpeaceallaround.Lovebeautifies everythingandifwelearntoloveeveryone,allourimperfectionscanbe
Loveiseverything,yousee!Ifwebutlove. Developlove,itisalreadywithinus. Putinanounceofloveinyourhomeaffairs,thereispeace. Putitinallyourrapports,outwardandinward,youareatpeace. Putinanounceoflovebetweencountries,thereispeace.
SantKirpalSingh
washedaway,especiallybylovingkindwords.Kindwordsimbuedwithhu‐militydon’tcostanything.Ifyouhavethatattitudeinlife,Ithinkninety percentofyourtroubleswillbeavoided.
Youwillgraduallyhavegreatercontroloveryourfeelingsandemotions, suchasvanity,greedandlust,anddevelopinsteadvirtuesofhumility,con‐tentment,chastityandlove.Youwillgiveupyourhabitofjudgingothers andstartadjustingyourselftotheirweaknessesandshortcomings,either byoverlookingoraffordingconstructivehelptothem.Bythisadjustment, youwillbringmuchsunshineandhappinessforyourselfaswellasforall thosearoundyou.Ifyouthinkwithallcalmandcoolmind,youwillrealize thatmostofushavenotbecomeperfectasyet.
Inthisvastcreation,everyoneisgiftedwithanindividualperception. Theheredity,theenvironmentandtheteachingsinculcated,allcombineto makeonewhatheis.Wecannotblameanyoneforthinkingdifferentlyin hisownway.Everyonehashisowntemperamentandhisownwayofthink‐ing.Theymustdifferandtheydodiffervehemently.Thereisnohelpforit. Itis,ontheotherhand,thesignofsentientlife.Wemustnotthereforeon thataccountcrossswordswiththem.Evenifintheirignorancethey,at times,maytalkillofthespiritualteachingsanduseharshwords,theycan‐nothelpit.Butthatshouldnotdisturbthetrueseekersaftertruth.Wemust
bepoliteandgentleandevenhumbleinourconduct.Bandyingofwords doesnothelp.Wemaytrytoremovemisunderstandings,ifany,sweetly andgently,butnotinanantagonisticspirit.
Acloseviewoftheproblemwouldshowthatordinarilyweareneither worriednorirritatedwheneverythinggoesinaccordancewithourwishes. Nosoonerdowefancythatourinterestsarethwartedorfeelingsarein‐jured,thenachainofreactionsstarts,resultinginviolenceinthought, wordordeed,accordingtoone’sphysical,mentalormoralmake-up.
WeaimtorealizeGod,thatGodwhichisinallbeings, whomallwor‐shipasOne,thoughHemaybegivenmanydifferentnames.Heisthegreat controllingPowerwhichkeepsallsoulsinthebody;whenHewithdraws, wealsomustleave.Whenapersontrulyunderstandsthesefacts,howcan thequestionofhatredforothersarise?
Wherethereiscompassion,thereisreligion. Wherethereisgreed, thereissin.Wherethereisanger,thereisnegation.Wherethereisforgive‐ness,thereistheLordHimself. ⁶
5Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page11-13
6Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page32-39
Tocrownallthesevirtues,cometruthandgoodliving. Oneshouldinthe firstinstancebetruetoone’sself.Thetroublewithmostofusisthatour mind,tongue,andactionsdonotmoveinunison.Wehaveonethinginthe mind,anotheronourtongueandstillanotheronourhands.Youareinthe body;God,thecontrollingPower,isalsointhebody.Ifyouaretruetoyour ownself,youhavetofearnone.OnewhodoesnotdeceivetheGodinhim‐selfwillsurelynotdeceiveotherseither.Beforewecandeceiveothers,we firstdeceiveourselves,anditmeansthatwedonotbelieveinHisomni‐presence,otherwisewewouldnotdothesethings.Truthisthegreatestof allvirtues,truelivingisgreaterstill.
Sooneshouldimbibefirstthevirtuesoftruth. Lies,cheating,deceit, hypocrisy,showingsomethingdifferentonthefacefromwhateverisinthe heart – thesethingsincreasethecorruptioninside.Keepthesefactsin mind,forhewhohasnoillwillagainstanyonewillsaywhatistrue.His tonguewillbesweetbecausehehasnointentiontohurtanyone’sfeelings, butratherspeaksfranklyforthesakeofrightunderstanding.Whospeaks thetruthwithoutfear?Eitheranestablishedenemyoratruefriend,al‐thoughtheenemymaymakeamountainoutofamolehillbecausehisin‐tentionsaredishonourableandheexaggerates.Atruefriendwillnever broadcastone’sshortcomings,butwithlovewilltrytoexplainwhereyou aregoingwrong,withyourinterestsatheart.
Imbibethevirtuesoftruthandwithloveencouragebetterunderstand‐inginothers.Andwhatismoreimportant,donotfailinyourowngoodin‐tentionsandprinciplesbecauseofhearsayorrumours.Sometonguesare ledbyselfishmotiveswithlittlerespectfortruth.Thereisapurposebehind everythingwhichmaybeobviousorhidden.Donotthereforebeapuppet tothetunesplayedbyothers;youwilldoharmtoyourself.Whenaperson tellsonelie,thenonehundredmoreliesmustbetoldsubsequently,tocover upthatone. Truthdoesnotmeansimplyspeakingtruthbutitisaright‐eousmodeoflife.
Truthisaboveall,buthigherstillistrueliving. Ouractionsshouldbe exemplarysothattheyshowanddenotethatwebelongtoanobleschool ofthought,basedontruth,pietyandlove.AsGodistruth,wemustprac‐ticetruthinallourdealings.Iftruthresidesineveryheart,itmustmanifest itselfinlifeandaction.Rememberthatactionsspeaklouderthanwords.
Ifyoucultivatethehabitofspeakingthetruth,peoplearoundyouwill actlikewise.Thoughtsaremorepotentthanwordsandevenstrongerthan action.
Thetruthoftruthsresidesintheinnermostrecessesofthehumansoul andneedstobedugout,unearthedandfreelypractisedinallourdealings. ThetrueSound-Principleisthesourceofalllifeanditisonlybycontacting itonthedivinegroundthatwebecometrulytruthfulandourlifecanbe mouldedonthepatternoftruth.
Bypractisingtruthandlivingintruth, onegetsclothedintheloveof theLordandfreelyextendslovetoallandsundry.⁷
7Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page39-41
Brahmcharyaorlifeofchastity: Itincludescontinenceinthoughts,words anddeeds.Wemustnotcastcovetouseyesonothersnorentertainimpure thoughtswithin,for“Chastityislifeandsexualityisdeath.”Ifwewantto treadthepathoflifeeternal,wemustbechasteandcleanbothwithinand without.Throughpassion,thesoulcanfallverylow.Theseatofthesoulis high,betweentheeyebrows.Andtheseatofpassion?Well,everyoneknows wherethatis.
Lustattacksuseightypercentthroughtheeyes,fourteenpercent throughtheearsandtheremainingsixpercentmainlythroughtouch.So howtomaintainchastity?That’sthepoint.Youhavejusttocontrolyour attention.Themindandoutgoingfacultiesderivetheirpowerfromthe soul,andtheoutwardexpressionofthesoulistheattention.Soifouratten‐tionisrivetedatthecentreofthesoulinthebodyandwemakethebestuse oftheoutgoingfaculties,wewillnotbeaffectedbywhatweseeorhear.You mightbelookingatsomebodybutyouneednotbedoingsowithyourfull consciousness,evenwithyouropeneyes.Somebodymightberelatinglong storiesofviciousthingstoyou.Ifyoucontrolyourattention,evenwith youropenearsyouwon’thear.
Whenyoulookintotheeyesofsomebodywhodragsyouup andhelps youtoforgetyourbody,thatisacriterionofwhatloveis.ThatiswhyIal‐waysadvise,“Don’tlookintotheeyesofothersexcepttheMaster’s.”Thisis thewayinwhichlustattacksus.Weareattackedbylustthroughtheeyes. Ifyoulookintotheeyesofotherswhoareimbuedwithlustorotherlower things,youwillhavethesameeffectbyradiation.Lookonlyintotheeyes ofaGod-manifestedmanandyouwillbebenefitted.
BytheobservanceofBrahmcharya(celibacy),wenotonlypreservethe vitalfluidoflife(whichisaninvaluableassetinthephysicalbodyandcan innowaybeunderrated)butitpositivelyhelpsoneinattuningtothedi‐vinity,alreadywovenintotheverypatternofourlifebutlostinthemighty swirloftheworld.
Onewillnotsuppressallsexualdesires,forrepressioncanonlybreed neurosisandpreparethewayfordownfall,buthewillbeeverseekingto sublimateit.Hewillunderstandthatnature’spurposeinthisinstinctisto preservetheraceandwillchannelitsoastofulfillthatpurpose,nevermak‐ingitanendinitself,asourceofphysicalpleasure,forwhenitbecomes that,itturnsintoadrugthatanaesthetizesthespiritandbeginstodefeat nature’spurposeofprocreationbyencouragingtheinventionanduseof contraceptives.Besides,isitpsychologicallypossibleforthehumanmind todetachitselfcompletelyfromitsnormalfieldofexperiencewithoutfirst anchoringitselfinanotherandhigherone?Itisauniversalcharacteristic ofmanthatheseekskinshipwithsomethingotherthanhimself.Thisisthe lawofhislifeandsourceofallhisgreatachievements.Thechildisbound tohistoys,andtheadulttofamilyandsociety.Asinthecaseofachild,you maynotwithoutharmdeprivehimofhisplaythingsuntilhehasoutgrown thempsychologically,likewisetoexpectthesadhak(disciple)togiveuphis socialandfamilyattachmentswithoutfirstoutgrowingthembydiscover‐ingsomethinggreaterandlarger,istocutattherootoflife.Itwillnotbring progressbutregressionforthemanwhoundertakesit,asanenforceddisci‐plineonlysucceedsinrepressinghisnaturaldesires.Theresultisnotthe enhancementofconsciousnessbutitsnumbingandatrophy,notdetach‐mentbutindifference.
Marriedlifeisnobartospirituality ifledinaccordancewiththescrip‐tures.Thepartnersinlifeareadvisedintheirbestspiritualintereststoob‐servechastitybyleadingamoderatelifebymutualco-operation.Thecheck marksonthediaryformsareessentialforthepeopleseekingimprovement gradually.Onelearnsbyself-introspectionandcarefulliving.
Thedearonesarenotforbiddentomarryorhavehomes.But,they shouldhaveidealfamilylifeflavouredwiththedivinegraceoftheMaster‐power.Theyoungbeforemarriage,shouldbeaskedtoleadchastelives,as chastityislifeandsexualityisdeath.Alampburnssplendidlywhenithas oilwithin,butifalltheoilisleakedaway,howcantherebelight?
Itwouldnotbeadvisabletolivetogetherashusbandandwifebythein‐itiatesunlesstheyarelegallymarried.Itamountstoadultery.Youwillap‐preciatethatincloseassociationitisnotpossibletocurbsensualdesires andobservealifeofcontinenceandself-restraint,whichinturnwillaffect yourspiritualprogress.Ifamancomesoutofatavernwhilereadingthe Bible,whatdoyouthinkthepeopleatlargewillthinkofthat?
Ifyoualwaysthinkofthebody,naturallyyouwillthinkoftheopposite sex.ChristsaidthathusbandsshouldlovetheirwivesasChristlovedthe church.Evenhusbandsandwivesshouldnotthinkofoneanotherasaman andawoman.Theymayhaveonedutyofbegettingchildrenbutthatisnot everything.Itismainlytohaveacompanioninlifeforthepurposethat bothofthemshouldreachGod.
Unfortunately,veryfewpeoplehavetherightunderstanding astothe importanceofmaintainingthechastityoflife.Itisbecausemanisnot chastethatheisunderthedominationofothervicessuchasanger,greed andattachment.Ifheweretocontrolhissensualappetite,theothervices wouldgraduallydropaway.Sochastityisthekeynotonlytothespiritual lifebutalsotosuccessineveryotherfieldofendeavor.
Semenistheessenceofourbody.Itisthedrivingforce,avitalfluid.The moreofitwehaveinourbody,themorehealthywewillbe.Onewhoprac‐tisescelibacyisgreatandcourageousenoughtofacehundredsofpeople single-handed.Ifsuchamanhasspiritualunderstanding,heisagreatsoul indeed.
Whocanriseabovebody-consciousness? Onewhoisunattachedandis notengrossedinsensualpleasurescandoit.Onlysuchapersoncaneasily tapinside.Ethicalandchastelifeis,therefore,veryessential.Evenifthe MasterbyHisowngraceliftssomeone,whoselifeisnotpure,abovebodyconsciousness,thelatterwillnotbeabletowithstandit.Itiscrystalclear thattherearetwomainobstaclesintheway:passionatedesiresandanger. Toleadachastelifeisnotenough.Wehavetoovercomealldesires.Inanger thesoulflowsout.Self-indulgenceandangerleadtovariousothervices. Unlessthesetwoenemiesaredisciplinedfirst,others – greed,attachment
andegotism – cannotbecontrolled.Onewhosucceedsinconqueringall thesefiveenemiesisfreefromsuffering.Thesensesderivetheirpower fromthemindandthemindfromthesoul.Ifourattentionisconcentrated attheseatofthesoul,thesensesbecomepowerless.
BetruetoHimwhoisdwellingwithinyou. Ifyoupractisethetwovir‐tues – chastityandforgiveness – youwillfindthat,withoutmucheffort, youwillattainhigherconsciousness,completeawakeningandaperfect peaceofmind.Thus,youwillbegintoradiatepeace,harmony,andtran‐quillitytothosearoundyou.
Whoarewe?WehavetheGodinus.Weareallmicro-gods.Itisonlybe‐causeofour(soul’s)outflowattheplaneofthemindandsensesthatwe havebecomedegenerated.Ifwewithdrawfromsensualpleasuresanddi‐vertourattentiontowardsourcontrollingpower,wewouldsurelybecome itsmouthpiece.
Chastityandforgivenessarethetwobasicandnoblevirtuesofall.Ifwe acquirethesevirtues,wewillbesuccessfulinourmeditation.Nowletus listentowhatSantKabirhastosayaboutpurityoflife:“Whenchastityand forgivenesssproutinone’sheart,theinvisibleLordbecomesvisible.With‐outchastityonecannotreachHim.Emptywordsareofnoavail.”
Acelibatecanreachhisrealgoalwithoutmakingmucheffort.Onewho practisesbothforgivenessandchastityhasnothingtoworryaboutandwill realizeGod.⁸
Loveisthepanaceaformostoftheillsoftheworld.Itisthecoreofalloth‐ervirtues.Wherethereislove,thereispeace.Love,andalltheblessings shallbeaddeduntothee,isthecentralideaoftheteachingsofChrist.Lov‐ingandselflessservicetohumanityisthecornerstoneofallreligiousphi‐losophiesandnomancanmakeanyprogressonthespiritualpathwithout cultivatinglovewithinhim.TheseedofspiritualitythattheMastersolov‐inglysowsinthearidsoilofourhearts,hastobenurturedwiththewaters oflove,ifquickresultsaredesired.Wemusttransformthedesertofour heartintoaveritablegardenoflovefulloflovelyblossomsandluscious fruits.Fromourheartshouldspringaneternalfountainoflove,sothat whosoevercomesincontactwithitisdrenchedwithlovetotheverycore ofhisheart.
Onecanacceptprideasbeingthebasisofallsins,foritturnsintoIhood.Falseprideofworldlypossessionorpelf,assumedsuperioritybe‐causeofspiritualknowledgeorintellectualattainments,vanityofearthly thingsandstatusmayturnastraythemindofthespiritualaspirant,yetin courseoftimeallthesevanishintothinair.Ontheotherhand,aheartfull ofreverentialhumilityisafitreceptacleforHisGrace,areceptaclewhich, whenfilledtooverflowing,runnethoveronitsowntoothers.Forahumble personnosacrificeistoogreatinthelargeinterestsofspiritualdevelop‐ment,whereasaproudpersonwouldendlesslyawaitandevenmissthe chancewhenoffered.Timeandtidewaitfornoman.Humanbirthisa pricelessassetgrantedbyprovidenceintheascendingscaleofevolution anditshighestobjectisspiritualperfection,forwhichallofusarehere.
Loveisthatwhichoverflowswithinandyouforgetyourself. Thisisa criteriontodifferentiatelovefromattachment.Iflovekeepsyouinthe body,attachedtothebody,thatisnolove,butiscalledattachment.Thisis theveryfinedifferencebetweenthetwo.
Sothedifferencebetweentrueloveandlustisthattruelovecannotbe brokenevenafterleavingthebody.Thisloveisdevelopedinthebodybut
absorbedinthesoul,notinthebodyanditsenvironments.Sothisiscalled trueloveorcharity.Theotheriscalledlustorattachmentandthereisavast differencebetweenthetwo.LoveofGodmakesusfree,makesusalljoy,all happiness,allbliss.Lustorattachmentenslavesus,itmakesusverynar‐row-minded.Intheworldlyway,ifyoulovesomebody,youwillbeenvious ifanotherpersonsharesthatlove,butthosewholoveGodwillalsobeloved byyou,becausetheyloveGod.SotheloveofGodgivesyouloveforallthe worldover.Loveoftheoutsidethingswillonlymakeyounarrow-minded, close-fisted,andtheresultis,onelivesforGod,theotherlivesforthe world.
LoveoneanotherforthesakeoftheMaster. Ifyouloveforthesakeof themanconcerned,thiswillstandinthewayofyourlovefortheMaster. SoloveGodandasGodresidesineveryheart,loveallforthesakeofthe soulandthecontrollingPowerthatkeepsthesoulinthebody,notthebody itself.Thenyouaresaved.Ifyouserveothersfromthesamelevel,thenthat istheserviceofGod.
Onelessonwecanderivefromthisisthat,ifwearedevotedtoGodorto theGod-in-man,thenwemustloveeachother.Thisisbutnatural.Butany lovewhichiscolouredwithyourpersonalinterestorselfishmotivesmakes younarrowminded.Youwouldlikethatthepersonwhomyouloveshould belovedbyyouandnobodyelse.ButifyouhavetrueloveforGod,then naturallyallwholoveGodwillbelovedbyyou.Thisisthevastdifference betweenthetwo.
Whilewearewalkingonthepathofrighteousness, wediscoverthatwe arefarfrombeingperfect.Perfectioncomesslowlyandrequiresthehand oftime.Itdoesnotmattertowhatfaithonebelongs,solongasweloveGod andourfellow-men,forourpassporttothekingdomofGodisthelovewe haveinourhearts.Ifwearestudentsofpsychologyormetaphysicsandare wellversedinthelawsofmind,andlackloveandcompassionforourfel‐low-men,weareoutsidethekingdomofGod.Itiswhatwearethatopens thedoorofoursoultoGodandmakesusHischannelofblessingtohelp others.
Thereisonlyoneremedyforalldiscordandinharmonyandthatislove. Hewhohasnotmastereditssecret,canneverhopetobereceivedinthe courtoftheLord.Itisthebeginningandtheendofspirituality.Hewhoun‐derstandsloveanditstruenatureandwholivesandmovesbyitslight, shall,astwoaddedtotwomakefour,attaintheLord.
Somepeoplehopeforaheaveninfardistantskies,butheavenisastate ofconsciousnessinthislife.Ifweaspiretoliveandlovedivinely,weare alreadycitizensoftheheaventocomeinthehereafter.Forthekingdomof GodisastateofconsciousnesswhereinweworshipGodwithallourheart, andwithallourmindandwithallourstrengthandloveourneighbouras ourselves.Religionis,therefore,amatterbetweensoulandGod,andall otherformsofworshipandreligiousobservationsareinvainunlessween‐thronedivineloveinourhearts.Itisthetempleoftheheartinwhichweal‐wayskeepthelightoftruthandloveburning.
WehavebeenputonthewaytoGodbecauseofourloveforGod.Learn ye,therefore,toloveallcreaturesasyourself.Liveinandfortheloveofall andtheLordofLoveshallrewardyoumanifoldinreturnforthesakeofHis owndivinelove.ThatisHislaw,eternalandimmutable.Trytocultivatea lovingandalivingfaithinHisgoodnessandnothingshallstandinyour wayonthepath.⁹
9Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page55-59
Whatweeatgoestoconstitutethebodyandthemind. “Soundmindina soundbody”isawellknownaphorism.Wecanhaveneitheronenorthe otherwithunwholesomediet.Astrictlyvegetariandietconsistingofvege‐tablesandfruits,bothfreshanddried,cereals,dairyproductslikemilk, cream,butter,cheese,yoghurt,etc.,isessentialforallaspirantsfortruth. Wemustthereforeavoidmeat,meatjuices,fish,fowl,eggsbothfertileand infertile,oranythingcontaininganyoftheseingredientsinanyformorin anydegree.Everyactionhasareactionandflesh-eatinginvolvescontract‐ingfreshkarmasandthushelpstokeeptheinexorablekarmicwheelinmo‐tionforwehavetoreapwhatwesow.Wecannothaverosesifwesowthis‐tles.
Theaboveprohibitionsapplyequallytoallkindsofalcoholicdrinks,in‐toxicants,opiatesandnarcoticdrugs,astheytendtodullourconsciousness andmakeusmorbid.
“ThebodyisthetempleofthelivingGod”anditmustthereforebekept scrupulouslyclean.Anyprospectivecandidateforinitiationshouldthere‐foretrythevegetariandietforatleastthreetosixmonths,toensurethathe orshecanadheretoitwhenputonthepath.
Theobservanceofstrictdietaryregulationsisveryessentialforsteady progressontheholypathandanytransgressionisliabletoaffectyour progress.Theserulesshouldneverbeviolatedevenfortheconsiderationof guests.
Allprohibitedfoodsanddrinksshouldbescrupulouslyeschewedeven inthefaceofmedicaladvice,asnoneofthesecanlengthenthescheduled life-spannorare,infact,conducivetonourishment.Itiscertainlyawrong notionthatfleshoreggsgiveextravigourorstrength;onthecontrary, thesethingsflareupthecarnalappetiteswhichinthelongrunresultin grossdissipationofenergy.
Theseareverysmallthingsbuttheyhavemucheffect.Soasimplediet, astrictvegetariandietwithnospices,shouldbeadheredto.Eatonlyas muchasyouneedandleavethetablestillalittlehungry.Thesearethe thingstobefollowedwhichwillmakeyouactiveinallyouraffairs,whether inmeditation,physicalworkoranythingelse.
Thesoul,asIhavesaidbefore,iseternal,allwisdomandbliss. Ifitis allwisdomandfullofbliss,thenhowisitpossibleforittohaveanyunhap‐pinessinthisworld?Forhowlongwillitenjoytheoutertastes?Wethink thatweareenjoyingtheenjoyments,butinfacttheenjoymentsareenjoy‐ingus.ThegodoffoodoncewenttoLordVishnu(partofthetriuneLord ofCreation:Brahma,Vishnu,andShiva:theCreator,SustainerandDe‐stroyer,respectively)andcomplained,“Thepeopleareeatingmeupbrutal‐ly,withoutanysympathyforme!”LordVishnusaid,“Allright,ifanyone eatsyoubeyondhisneeds,thenyoueathimup.”
Justthink;whatisthecauseofalldisease? Indigestion.Weenjoy,and enjoy,andenjoyuntilwearenolongercapableofenjoyinganything.Then theenjoymentsstartenjoyingus.
Lethalfofthestomachbefullwithfood,onefourthwithwaterandlet onefourthremainvacant,sothatdigestionwillnotbedifficult.Themore yourstomachisclear,themoreconcentrationyouwillhave.Ifyourstom‐achisupset,thennaturallyyoucannotsit,youcannotconcentrate.Soto helpyouinyourmeditations,thestomachshouldbeset.Nooverfeeding shouldbeindulgedin.Eatwhenyoureallyfeelhungry,noteverytimeput‐tinginsomething.Twomealsadayareenough,thoughyoumayhavea littlebreakfastinthemorning.SometimestheMasterssaythatthosewho wouldliketoprogressmoreshouldhaveonlyonemealaday.Ifyourfood isregularizedyouwillriseuppunctuallyinthemorning.Letthestomach remainpartlyempty.Ifyouputmorefoodinitthancanbedigested,natu‐rallythethingswhicharenotdigestedwillcreatedisease.Eatasmuchas youcandigest.Givesomeresttoyourpoorstomach.Ittakesatleastfour tofivehourstodigestanything.Ifyoueattoomuchtoooftenyourstomach
willrevolt.Eatinghabitscanbecorrectedbycarefulliving.Youcanim‐provebygradualadaptationandmoderation.
Itisverynecessarytodistinguishclearlytheendsfromthemeans.Tolay toomuchstressonthemeansislikelytomakeusgraduallyforgetourob‐jectiveandtobecomefossilized.Onceweknow,forexample,thatabsti‐nencefromallkindsofmeatdietandspirituousliquorshelpsusonthe spiritualpath,itisenoughthatweavoidthem.Buttotakeitasanendin itselfistomissthegoal.
Youshouldbecarefulforyourhealth asitisequallyimportanttobefit andhealthyformeetingwithyourmundaneandspiritualobligations. Physicalbodymustnotbedeniedadequatenourishment.
Ifoneadherestoastrictvegetariandiet,thatwillhelp agooddealin havingnormallife,butdoesnotnecessarilyresultinbettertempers,con‐trolledsexlifeordetachmentfromgrossthoughts,desiresandactions, worldlyambitions,possessiveness,lustorgreed.Kabirsays,“Ifyouleave hearthandhomeandretiretoasecludedplaceandliveonpurevegetarian diet,eventhentheminddoesnotleaveoffitsbasehabits.”Alongsidesuch essentialandpositiveaids,wemustreligiouslydevoteregulartimetothe spiritualpracticesofcontactingtheLightandSoundsoastocutdownthe ramificationsofmind,whichissoverynecessaryforself-realizationand God-realization.1⁰
10Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page60-63
ItisamusingtonoteabouttheOpiates(LSD,Marijuana,etc.)forpro‐ducinghallucinations.
Youmaypleasenotethatspiritualityisthescienceofthesoul, andthe soulisaconsciousentityinthebody.ThewaybacktoGodasofferedbythe MastersisoneofdevelopinginnerconsciousnesswiththeaidofHoly Naam(theWord).Allsuchlikeouteraids,resultingintemporaryhalluci‐nationsarecertainlyamockeryfortheDivineGrace.Youcanwellunder‐standthevastdifferencebetweenhavingaconsciousandwide-awakeap‐proachforproceedingwithinandthatwhichmakesrecoursetotheseouter aids,whicharenolessthanopiatescreatingsensationalvibrations.Youwill recallthattheobservanceofastrictdietbyavoidingallfleshfood,intoxi‐cantsandopiates,isabasicessentialforinnerspiritualprogress,forattain‐ingarefinedstateofmind.
Wehavetodevelopconsciousness,thedivineattributeofsoul, andfor theachievementof(inner)consciousness,innerandouterpietyandchas‐tityareverymuchneeded.Thedrugsareequallyharmful,andshouldbe avoided,whichdullthebrainandcloudthemindwithvaguefeelingsof distrustandconfusion.Youareadvisedtoconveythispieceofrightunder‐standingtoallthedearoneswhoareontheholyPathandtootherswho seekyourcounselinthisbehalf.
Question:DothosewhotakedrugsasLSDandhavecertainexperiences –aretheyvalidexperiences?
SantKirpalSingh: No,no,theyarehallucinations.That’sthedeathof thesoul,youfollowme?Theconsciousnessislessened,naturallytheywill havetogotothelowerplanes.Thatisallthisintoxicationstarts,itisstill moredeathtothesoul.Itisdeterioration.Definitelygoingdowntobeast‐lihood.
Evenasnakeisconsciousbuttherearedifferentdegrees.Man’scon‐sciousnessismore.Ifyouusesuchlikethingsyourconsciousnessisaffect‐ed.Youwillhavetogotothelowerplanes.
Theso-called“spiritualexperiences”hadunderthespellofdrugs are misleadingandareratherlikelytoaffectyourinnerprogress.Spiritualityis aresearchintotherealmsofreality – theconsciousness.Drugs,opiatesand intoxicantsshouldnotbepartakenasthesewillnotonlyaffectyourhealth adverselybutshallbedetrimentalforyourspiritualprogress.
Youshouldpleaseleaveoffallsuchdrugsandlearntolivewithouttheir use.11
11Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page64-65
NishkamSevaorselflessservicetoalllivingcreatures insorrowanddis‐tress:Ifonelimbofthebodyisintorture,theotherlimbscanhavenorest. “Servicebeforeself”shouldthereforebeourmottoinlife.Serviceiscon‐sideredanornamenttoabeautifulpersonthatadornsandelevateshisor hersoultobecomeacleanvesselforHisgrace.Serviceofanytypegranted attheholyfeetoftheMasterisbeneficialandshouldbecherishedaswhat‐everonedoesmustbringitsfruitinaccordancewiththelawofkarma.The secretofselflessserviceistodenyarewardorrecognitionofanytypeand onthecontraryconsiderone’sselfasahumbleinstrumentinthedivine handswhicharethesustainersandprotectorsofall.Allcreditgoestothe Master,yetthemediaofloveareblessedwiththesuperbdivineintoxication whichisofsuprememagnitude.
SelflessservicefortheholycauseoftheMastershouldserveasabeacon lightforinnerprogress.Itshouldnotbeasourceofbrightorfakeego whichdefinitelybecomestumblingimpedimentsandhurdlesonthepath divine.
Theclimaxofselflessserviceistheannihilationoftheego, considering oneselftobeahumbleservantoftheMaster,entrustedwithcertainduties tobecarriedoutthroughhimorheranddeemingittobeafortuneofthe highestorder.Thelittleselforegowithinhastobeeliminatedbydissolving itintoserviceofhumanity.ForallarechildrenofoneGod,nomatterhow andwheresituated,orinwhatinhibitionsandlimitationsofonekindor anothertheymightbeliving.
Noonecanbesaidtohavebeenbornforhimselfalone, fornonecan beanislanduntohimself.Toservetheneedy,sickandstarving,isalsoa sideline,moreeffectivethanmerepreaching.“Servicebeforeself”stirsand kindlesembersofsympathy,kindnessandlove.Thesevirtueshaveagreat purifyingeffect,andcleanapersonofallhisdross,andentitlehimtothe highestknowledgeofDivinity.Selflessserviceisagreatrewardinitself. Themoreoneservessilently,unostentatiously,withloveandhumilityina
smiling,eager,andspiritualmood,themorequicklydoesheearnthepleas‐ureoftheMaster.
Whenyouserveothers,youareservingHim.
Ifyouattendasickpersonorstandbyanafflictedone,youservethe divinecause.Certainlyyoudonotandcannottakeawaythesicknessor afflictionbutsurelyyoucanhelpinassuagingthesufferingsbyyourkind wordsanddeeds.Everysweetwordutteredorhelpinghandextendedto thoseindistressgoesalongwayinpurifyingthemindandthebody.Alov‐ingheartisafitreceptacleforthedivineGrace,forGodisLove.Service donetosincereseekersofthedivinePathisoffargreatervaluethanany otherservice.
Insofarasyoucan,trytodonoinjurytoanyone.Begoodtoallandyou willbeatpeacewithyourselfandbearadiatingcentreoflovinggrace aroundyou.Theprayersofotherstowhomyoumayhavedonegoodwill helpyou.Thegoodthoughtsofotherswillswarmaroundyouwithabene‐diction.Theveryideaofdoinggoodwillfirstaffectyouandwilldrawall goodvibrationsfromthesurroundingatmosphere.
Atruemanisonewhoistruthful,leadsalifeofcontinence,radiateslove toallothersforthesakeofGodresidinginthem,andknowsgiving,giving, andalwaysgiving.Weneverloseanythingwhenwegive.Whenyougive love,doyoufindthatyouhavelessloveinyourheart?Onthecontrary,you areconsciousofanevergreaterpowerofloving,butnoonecanbecon‐vincedofthesethingstillhehasappliedtheminapracticalway.Anounce ofpracticeisworthtonsoftheories.
Sobysharingwithothers,ourselfexpands. Attheverymomentofgiv‐ingyoufeelalittlejoywithin.Thatisthecompensationyouget,direct.But wheneveryougive,don’tgivewiththehopethatyouwillhaveareturn. Giveforthesakeofsharingwithothers.Sometimeswegiveforthereward thatwewillgetinheaven.Thisisnottheway;selflessgivingiswhatis needed.
Understand,themeaningandthepurposeofknowledgeinonesingle thoughtisservicetoallcreation:men,beasts,andbirds,etc.Themeaning oftruelifeisserviceandsacrifice.Solongasyouwant,firstandforemost, tobeblessedyourselvesandyouexpectotherstoministertoyou,youwill remainstrangerstothewayofspirituality.
Whenyouwillwishotherstobeblessed, youwillbegintospeedon yourwaybacktoGod.12
12Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page65-70
Sothegeneralruleistoearnyourownlivelihoodhonestly, inwhich nobody’sbloodissqueezed,inwhichunduethingshavenotbeenusurped byyou.Godseeswhatyouaredoing.Theotherruleisthatyourearnings shouldbetomaintainyourselves,andsharewithothers.Somepartofyour earningsmustbegivenawayforthegoodofothers.Historyshowsthatone tenthoftheirincomeusedtobegivenawaybytheoldChristians,Hindus andothers.Why?Becausesomepartofourincomemightbeduetoournot havingdoneourdutyveryhonestly,evenforhalfanhourortenminutes. Supposeforexample,youarepaidforsixhoursworkandyouhavenotput insixhoursforthejobbuthavewastedhalfanhour.Sowhateveryouhave beenpaidforinthathalfhourisnotyours.Ithasnotbeenearnedbyyou. ThishasbeenthecustomwithallMasters.
Butofferingsshouldbefreeandvoluntaryandshouldnotbeinspiredby anythoughtofrewardorbetheoutcomeofimpositionsfromwithout,for then,insteadofbeingasourceofliberation,theybecomethesourceof bondage.Again,charityshouldnotbemisplacedbutitshouldbegivento alleviatethesufferingsofthedistressedintheworld.
Thenoblestserviceonecanrenderinthisworld istohelppeopletread ontheirwaytotheirtrueeternalhome.Nofinancialservicewouldbetoo greatforassistingsuchanoblecause.Butitshouldalwaysbelovingand spontaneous.Nocompulsion,notaxation,noimpositions.
SotheGuruwillloveHisdisciples,becauseitisHewhohasgivenbirth tothemintheinnerway.AsHelovesus,soshouldweloveall.Hewon’tlet anybodysufferandyoushouldnotletanybodysuffer.Youmustsharewith others.Unlesstherichessecuredbyfairmeansareutilizedwiselyandwell, oneislikelytogoastrayandbecomeegocentricandaslavetohisill-gotten wealthandisunknowinglycaughtinthegoldenchainsthatkeephimin bondage.
Youbendyourelbows. That’sthebasiccauseoftheworldtroubles. Ifyoulearntogive,give,give,thenwhereisthetrouble?
Ifyouwon’tletanybodyremainhungry, canyouremainhungry?
Ifyouwon’tsufferanybodytoremainunclothed, youcannotremainunclothed. Ifyoumakeeverybodyhappy–then?
SantKirpalSingh
Sobygivingaway,youdon’tlose.Attheendoftheyear,youwillseethat moneyhasbeensavedinsomeotherway,byfreedomfromsicknessorany othertroublesthatarisegenerallyandwhichinvolveexpenditure.Our Masterusedtosay,“Allright,yougiveawayonetenthandattheendofthe yearjustcount.Theverymoneyyouhavegivenhasbeensavedwhereyou hadnosickness.13
13Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page70-71
Spiritualpracticesformanessentialpart inthespiritualaspirant’slifeand should,therefore,beadaily“must”.Therepetitionofthefivesacred chargednamesconveyedatthetimeofholyinitiation,orallyormentally,is notadifficulttaskandcarriesadeepmeaning.Althoughitlookssosimple andeasyattheoutset,toobtainproficiencyinitoneneedsextraloveand fortitude.YouwillappreciatethattheholyNamescarrythelifeimpulseof theMasterwhichworkswondersinwithdrawingthesensorycurrentsfrom thebodyleveluptotheeye-focus,thuspreparingthesoulfortheeventual innerjourneyontotheregionsofblissandharmony.Certainhoursfor meditationshould,therefore,befixed,setapartandpursuedregularlyand earnestly,foreachsuchrepastbringsinnourishmenttothesoul,andone isledwithintotheDivineLightwhichdispelsthedarknessofignorance.It islikepurifyingthereceptivevesseleverydayforreceivingtheDivine Grace.Dailymeditationsclearthegrossdrossthatonegetsatthesensuous level.
Thesecondimportantpartofmeditation islisteningtotheholySound Current,theaudibleLifeStreamcomingfromtherightside.Itisequallyan importantaspectofthespiritualpracticesandshouldnotbeignoredorlost sightof.Afterinitiation,itisthedisciple’sdutytoenrichhisspiritualexpe‐riencesfromdaytodayandhecancertainlyextendhisfieldwiththeGrace oftheMastertoanylengthhemaylike,openingupnewvistasofsublime gloryandbeatitude.
Inshort,selfintrospectionhelpsincuttingthebranchesandpruningall thatisundesirablewhilemeditation(spiritualpractices)strikesatthevery stemofthetreeofworldlylife.
Godiseverywhere,butHeisnotmanifestedeverywhere. Why?Be‐causeoursoul – thatsparkoftheAllConsciousness – isunderthecontrol ofthemindandsenses,andthroughitssojournincreationhasbecomethe imageofthebodyandtheimageoftheworld,therebyforgettingitstrue self.Itmustjustknowitself,thenitcanhavetheexperienceoftheOverself;
Whilesittingformeditation, wehavetofreethemindofallthoughts, andtheintellectofallreasoning. Thiscanbeachievedbyamentalrevolution.
SantKirpalSingh
ifitdoesnotriseabovebody-consciousness,howcanGodbemanifested? Doyouunderstandthis?
Heresideswithyou.ThebodyisthetruetempleofGod.Whenyouhave understoodthis,thenwheredoyougotofindHim?Firstwithinyourown Self.Withdrawfromoutside.Withdrawfromthemindandoutgoingfacul‐tiesandcomeuptotheseatofthesoulatthebackoftheeyes.Whenyou concentratethere,yourinnereyewillbeopenedtoseeGodwithinyou.
TheMasterexhortsustorealizeHiminoursouls,toriseinHim,losing allsenseofthelittleegointhelivingtemplesofourbodies.Thekingdom ofGodiswithinus.Wehavetorecognizetheinnermanastheimageof God,thephysicalbodyasthetempleofGod,thetabernacleoftheHoly Ghost,inwhichtheLordmakesHisappearance.Intheselivingtempleswe havetoattuneoursoulswithGodandliveinclosercommunionwithHim.
Manydosaythattheyaresoul – aconsciousentity – indwellerofthehu‐manform – buthavetheycometoproveitandtherebyknowitintruth? Thisismywatch,Icanplaceithere.Thesearemyspectacles,Icantake themoffandputthemhere.Icantakeoffmyclothes,wheneverIwishto. ButcanIbecomeseparatefrommybody?CanItakemybodyoff?Itisa questionofhowtoriseabovebyself-analysis;andwhocangiveademon‐strationofthisscientificmethod?BytheGuru’sgrace,youcometoknow yourself.Onlythencanithappen,andnotbefore.Whenyouknowyour‐
self,thenlikeknowsthelike,andGod-realizationisthenextstep.SoGod cannotbeknownbythesenses,intellect,orPranas – onlysoulcanexperi‐encetheLord,andthiscanhappenonlyafterithascometoknowitself.
ToknowourSelfisnotamatteroffeelings, emotionsordrawinginfer‐ences.Itisreallyoneofrisingabovebody-consciousnessbyself-analysisto knowpracticallywhoweare.WhenweknowourSelfandcomeincontact withall-consciousGod,thatistheBreadandWaterofLifeforthesoul.All worldlyinformationandoutersciences – thelibrariesarefullofthem.If ourbrainbecomesfullofthem,well,itisnotbreadtothesoul.Itisbread andwaterfortheintellecttogrowon.SotheBreadandWaterofLifeforthe soulistheconsciouscontactwithGodortheOverself.Thesethingsareto beunderstoodandthenlived.
Byspeakingaboutbread,yourhungercannotbeappeasedbutyoumust havebreadtoeat.ThatiswhyChristsaid,“IamtheBreadofLife.This BreadofLifehascomedownfromHeaven.Whoeverpartakethofitshall haveeverlastinglife.”Partakethofit – HeistheBreadofLife,ofcourse.He alsosays,“Eatmeanddrinkme.”Whattoeat?HeisWordmadeflesh.The moreyoucomeincontactwithanddevourthatWord,theLightandSound withinyou,themoreyouwillbeeatingoftheBreadofLife.
Allimperfectionswillleaveyou, justaswhenyousitbyafire,allcold leavesyou.ByhearingtheSoundCurrentyoubecometheabodeofallvir‐tues.Byhearing,youcandeterminethedirectioninwhichyouhavetogo. Byseeing,yourinnereyeisopenedtoseewhereyouaregoing.Pityitisthat wegivelittletimetothesethingsandonlywasteawayourtimeintrifling things,Iwouldsay.Soputinmoretime,please,toyourpractices.Develop loveforGodwithinyou.Youwillbeblessed.Youwillhavemadethebest useofyourlife.1⁴
Mindisaslavetohabit,andisforciblyledastraybyit. Findforyourself whathabitsareobstaclesinthewayoftruth.Getridofthembyandbyand filltheirplacebygoodones.Forinstance,angershouldgivewaytocalm‐nessandavaricetocontentment,andsoon.Bycontinuedapplication, mindwillgiveupbadhabits.Butnotethatmeretheoryofathingdoesnot help,unlessathingisactuallydone.Mindisverypowerful.Atthetimeof deliberation,itmakespromisesbutdoesnotcaretofulfillthemwhenthe occasionarises.
Tocontrolitisnottheworkofhaste; itrequiresyearsofpatientperse‐verance.Solongasitdoesnottakepleasureintheinternalmusic,itmust flyouttoworldlypleasure.
Applyyourmindwithloveandkeeninteresttothespiritualexercises, withoutanyfalseapprehensions.Onedayyouwillgetcompletecontrol overyourmindandsensesandfinditisagreatblessing.Butthetimefactor isanecessity.Itwillnothappeninoneday.
15Excerptsfrom“TheTeachingsofKirpalSingh”-Vol.II,page21-22
Oman,itisthetimenow todiscardyourold,disreputablehabitsand adoptnewones.Habitsareformedbyrepeatedlydoingthesamethings,so weshouldfirstunravelallthebadactions:lies,hypocrisy,cheating,criti‐cismofothers,enmity,avarice,malice,backbiting,andvariousothers.If youdonotintendtochangetheseways,whatistheuseofattendingSat‐sang?Yourstepsareforward,butyourmindisretrogressing.Satsangisthe meansofmakingusintosomethingbeautiful,butnotbymerelyrepeating God’sname.Changeyourhabitsnowintogoodones,forhabitturnsinto naturewithtime.Castawayallnegativethoughts,andinstilpositiveones intheirplace.Ifapersondoeswrong,forgivehim,andheinturnshould forgiveyourmisdeeds.
IntheKoran,itiswritten,evenGodhasnothoughtforhimwhohasno inclinationtochange.Howcanweexpectotherpeopletoshowexcellent examples?Ifweourselveswouldchange,thewholeworldwouldchange withus.Itisamessageforall.
Oneoftheworsthabitsisthatofcriticizingothers.Allvirtuesexercised inrighteouslivingaregood,butthatofahimsa-parmo-dharam(non-vio‐lenceofthought)isthehighest.Itcanbecomeadailyhabit,foritliesinher‐entwithinusall,andalthoughotherthoughtsarethere,yetconsciouslyor unconsciouslyitisworkingandwillrisetothesurfaceoneday.Thatiswhy youaretoldfrequentlyinSatsangthatthepastispast,forgiveandforget, anddonotmakeafoundationofbadthoughtsortherewillundoubtedly bereactions.Youwillbetheloser,foragainyouwillrevolveonthecycleof birthsanddeaths.SowithlovetheMastersencouragetheirchildrento changetheirhabitswhilethereisstilltime.
Youshouldknowitforcertainthatyouaredivineinallrespects and arethemasterofyourdestinywhichisfullofhigherpotentialities.Youare simplytomakeexertiontochangeforthebetter,andfirmlysticktoyour resolutions.Allelseistofollowofitself,asthegraciousMasterpowerisat yoursidetoextendallfeasiblehelp,graceandprotection.
Masteristhepotter,disciplethepot; TheMasterputshimonthewheel AndremoveshisroughcornersHerapsthepotontheoutside ButinsidekeepsHishandofsupport
Kabir
Themoreoneaspirestoweedouttheimperfectionsbydailyintrospec‐tion,themoresereneblissandgracecomefromabove.Patienceandself‐lessnessareennoblingvirtues.Rightunderstandingisthebasisofallhappi‐ness.Youshouldnotworryaboutpastornewkarmas.Ifateverymoment youareconsciouslywatchingyourbehaviour,acalmconsiderationwillre‐placeablindinstinctivereactiontocertainsituationsinlifewherethe choiceliesbetweencommittingalapseinbehaviouroravoidingit.
Theyshouldguardagainstthefivedeadlysinsofdesire,anger,greed,in‐fatuationandvanity,anddevelopinsteadthevirtuesoftruth,chastity,noninjury,universallove,andselflessservice.
ThepathsleadingtoworldlyenrichmentandtoGodliefarapart. One cantakeeitherofthetwo,asonemaylike.Themindisasingleentitylink‐ingthebodywiththesoulatoneendandthebodywiththeworldand worldlyrichesattheother.Thusonehasofnecessitytochoosebetweenthe twoalternatives.Oncethedieiscast,onehasperforcetoapplyoneself steadilytoreachthegoalwhateveritbe.
Inshort,thesincereandconscientiousaspirantwillreorienthisentire modeoflife,ineatinganddrinking,thinking,acting,feeling,etc.Hewill graduallyweedoutofhismindallirrelevantandunhealthydesires,untilhe graduallyattainsthestateofpurityandsimplicitythatmarksthechild.
Make a wave of receptivity from heart to heart – thisisthewaytoreal‐izetheLord.BecomeevenalittlereceptiveandtheMasterinyouwillre‐strainyouwhenyouareindangerofgoingwrong.Thedearonesshould havetheirliveswelldisciplinedandcarefullyregulatedinthelargerinter‐estsoftheirspiritualprogress.Onethingatatimeandthat,too,withsin‐gle-mindedattentionanddevotion.Thatiskeepingthehouseinorder.
Akindthoughtwillattractallthekindnessoftheuniverse,andcontra‐rily,aviciousideawillcreateaviciouscirclebyacceptingallviceintheuni‐verse.Amangosaplingwillattractallthesweetnessofthesoilwhereas,ifa pepperseedissownalittleapart,itwillattractallitsbitterness;boththe plantswillflourishwiththevaryingelementsofmothernature,yetonthe samesoil.Oneisfullofallsweetnessandtheotherofallbitterness.Thatis theeternallaw.Humanheartisthesoilinwhichgoodandbadthoughtsare theseeds,whichwhensowncarefullyaresuretobegrowngraduallyby honestandcorrectcultivation.
Youaretochoosethebestvirtues foracceptanceandinculcatingin yourlife,whenyoucanexpectabumpercropinduecourse.Youarefreeto someextentandcanbenefitfromthislimitedlibertybyhardwork,right livingandregulateddiscipline.Justlearntoimplantloftyideasinyoursub‐consciousmindandfeedthemwiththewatersofself-confidence,determi‐nation,diligenceandadaptability.
Sticktoyourguns.Neverstooplow,neverandstillnever. Standaloof withyoursublimeprinciplesoflifewhichwillstandbyyouinthehourof need.
Henceitis,thatmysticsofalltraditionshavebeenuntiringintheirstress oftheneedforabsoluteself-surrender.Itwasthiscrossofsacrificeofthe self,theego,ofwhichJesusspokewhenheexhortedhisdisciplestobear theircrossdaily.Forineverylittleact,word,orthought,theegoisseeking
todominateusandiftheseekeristotriumphoverit,hemustbeprepared tocrucifyiteverymoment.
Tofallinsinismanly,buttoremainthereisdevilish.Onefallsoften,no doubt,butonebecomesagoodrideronlyaftermanyafall.Butdon’tlie downandremainwhereveryoufall;thatisbad!IntheKoranitiswritten thatGodwillnotchangeanypeoplewhohavenothoughttochangethem‐selves.Wherethereisawill,thereisaway.Keepyouraimbeforeyoual‐ways,andworkforit;thenyouwillbesureofsuccess.
Successinspiritualityisnotthedifficulttask whichmostofustakeit tobeormakeittobe;butitdoesrequirepatientself-purification,awatch‐fulintrospection,acarefulweedingoutofallundesirableelementspresent andapruningofoutspreadingramifications;andaboveall,timelytending andnurturingofthetenderspiritualsaplingasitsproutsfromthesoilof thehumanmind.
ThisworkhangsontheshouldersofeveryoneofyouandIamsurethat youarefullyalivetoyourresponsibilitiesandobligationsinthisbehalf.Un‐tilonecanlove,obeyandtransformone’slife,thegiftoftheMasterremains asaseedlockedawayinasteelvaultthatcannotsproutandgrowtofrui‐tion.1⁶
Forfurtherinformationpleasecontact:
UNITYOFMAN–SantKirpalSingh Steinklüftstraße34
5340St.Gilgen–Austria/Europe
Phone:+43-6227-7577
Mail:mail@unity-of-man.org
Headquarters:
UNITYOFMAN(Regd.)
KirpalSagar,NearRahon144517
Distt.Nawanshar,Punjab/INDIA
Phone:+91-1823-240064,+91-1823-242434e
Mail:office@kirpal-sagar.org
Websites: www.unity-of-man.org
www.kirpalsingh-mission.org
www.kirpalsingh-teachings.org
www.sant-kirpal-singh.org
www.kirpal-sagar.org
www.kirpal-sagar.co.in
Whenyouintrospectyourlives, don'tspareyourself. Criticizeyourselfas youwouldcriticizeothers.
Andwhateveristhere,weedout. Simplysaying,"Iamasinner, Iamasinner,"thatwon'tdo. Sothefirststepislikethat.
Youwantspirituality, youwanttomeetGod,isitnot?
SantKirpalSingh
