How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life

Transcription

1 Science of Spirituality Satsang How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life This satsang explores ways in which we can pursue our spiritual goals while fulfilling our daily responsibilities.

2 Welcome Every satsang should begin with the reading or reciting of an introduction to Science of Spirituality, which briefly welcomes everyone, explains the purpose of Science of Spirituality and Satsang, and gives a brief introduction to Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj. Here is a sample Welcome message: Welcome to our Satsang, or spiritual program, which is sponsored by Science of Spirituality, a non-denominational organization dedicated to Love, Unity and Peace. This program is held under the direction of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, a spiritual Master who teaches the Sant Mat method of meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God. Each week our group gathers to meditate together, reflect on the words of the great spiritual Masters, and spend some time with others who share the goal of leading a spiritually enriched and fulfilling life. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 2 of 14

3 Introduction to the Theme This segment introduces the satsang theme and sub-themes and sets up the readings and other features that follow. The introduction is spoken by the presenter using his/her own words. Leading a balanced life, fulfilling our worldly obligations while pursuing our spiritual commitments, is the supreme ideal and challenge for us all. The paradox remains that we as individuals and as a society cannot achieve outer peace and outer fulfilment unless we first attain inner peace and inner, spiritual fulfilment. In this brief excerpt, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj distinguishes between the life of the body and the life of the soul: Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj: Many people spend their lives glorifying their body, while some of us just spend time taking care of the body to make it fit and fine and in the best shape. While it is important to keep the body in good shape what is also required is to make the soul fit and fine, to keep the soul in good shape, and to nourish it properly. Just like food is needed to nourish the body, the soul also needs nourishment. Its nourishment comes when it contacts the Light and Sound of God. Whether we call the Light and Sound the holy Word, Naam, Shabd, Kalma, or the Sonorous Light, it is still the same Light and Sound of God, which is food for the soul. We will realize that we need to be conscious of the soul s full strength, its glory, and that only will be achieved by contacting the divinity within. We will realize that the body is just a vehicle for the soul, and what is important is to realize our self, nourish our soul, and achieve enlightenment, thus fulfilling the purpose for which we have been born into this world. Sat Sandesh, February/March 1999 Continuation by Satsang Coordinator: The subject for today s satsang is How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life. We will hear about the importance of maintaining our spiritual focus through the ups and downs of daily living. In our first reading, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj describes how meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God leads to a balanced life. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 3 of 14

4 The Healing Power of Meditation Source: Sat Sandesh July 1996 excerpts by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj: In this hectic world, our mind is often agitated by stress and pressures. Life has become so complicated that people seem to have too much to do and not enough time to do it. Some people hold jobs that require long hours and too much responsibility. Other people work two jobs and raise a family. Too much pressure often causes people to seem to snap they become irritable, off-balance, and stressed-out. They begin to act in ways that are not themselves. Sometimes they take out their frustrations on their loved ones, hurting those they should love the most. Meditation is a way to eliminate the lack of balance caused by the mental stresses of life. By spending time in meditation, we create a calm haven in which we restore equilibrium and peace to our mental functioning. Researchers have recorded that the brain activity in people who meditate functions at 4-10 hertz, a state of deep relaxation. Their mind becomes calm, and it also calms the body. If we could spend some time each day in meditation, we would find our stress levels would be reduced. Besides reducing stress during meditation, there is a carry-over effect. We will find that we can maintain more peace of mind as we continue our activities throughout the day. As we perfect our meditations, we can maintain that calm state of mind even in the midst of turmoil and strife. We will find ourselves more in control of our reactions and we will maintain an even keel in the face of other people s conflicts. Another benefit of meditation is the change in our angle of vision. As we rise above bodyconsciousness, we find there is more to our existence than what goes on in the physical world. We become more detached from events and problems that might have bothered us in the past. We see the larger picture and realize the higher values of life. Those who had near-death experiences report that what is important is being loving and helpful to others. The petty trifles of life no longer bother them because they realize that when they leave the world nothing else matters but how loving and giving one is in life. Meditation gives us that same angle of vision. Thus, we do not become embroiled in all the petty trifles of life but stay focused on higher goals. Through meditation, we can bring about a healing of our mental state and can, over time, develop the equilibrium of mind to function more effectively and more peacefully in this world. *** Even more poignant than the pain of the physical body, the mind, and the emotions, is spiritual pain. The hunger for God causes a pain deeper than any other kind of anguish. St. John of the Cross refers to it as the dark night of the soul. We want to see our Maker, we want to know the ultimate truth, and we want to unravel the mystery of our existence, yet we do not find the answers. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji once said, Once the question of the mystery of life and death enters our heart, we cannot rest until we find the answer. In fact, he himself would shed tears day and night for God to lead him to someone who could provide the answers to these mysteries. When spiritual hunger grips us, we begin our search. This is our spiritual awakening. We may search for the answers in our religions. We may read the scriptures, attend our places of worship, and perform rites and rituals. If we do not find the answer there, we may Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 4 of 14

5 explore other religions and faiths. If we do not find the answer there, we may take up a form of yoga or spiritual discipline. Ultimately, when we analyze the path tread by those who found the answers, the saints, mystics, religious founders, and spiritual teachers, we come to the same conclusion; we come to the same still point the way lies within and we can reach it through meditation. Meditation can uplift our soul to realms in which we can find the answers to all our spiritual questions. We can journey to the regions that await us when we leave our physical body at the time of death. The burning question, Where do we go after we die? will be answered because we will have already journeyed there through meditation. Death no longer fills us with fear for we see for ourselves it holds more bliss, joy, and love than we can ever imagine. We see ourselves as soul, as a light of God, and know that we are drops of the Oversoul. Ultimately, we reach the stage of merger with God and become all-conscious. It is at that stage of unification that our spiritual thirst is quenched. We no longer yearn for love we become love itself. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 5 of 14

6 Video Feature Video instructions Show the following video at this point in the program. The video can be found on Science of Spirituality Satsang Themes DVD series. Introduction to the video (to be spoken by the Satsang Coordinator) In our first video today, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj speaks at the dawning of the new millennium about the kind of life we should strive to live. Satsang Themes DVD Master Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Volume 12 Satsang on this volume 3 Chapter 1 Length 10:06 Original DVD Title n/a Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 6 of 14

7 Love for God Source: Sat Sandesh August 1997 excerpts by Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj Introduction by Satsang Coordinator: In the video we just saw, Maharaj Ji discussed simran or sweet remembrance of God as one way to remain centered in spirituality as we go about our day. In the following reading, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj elaborates on the devotional aspect of remembrance of God and our spiritual Master. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj: What is the criterion of love of God? Whom you love, He is always in your heart. You never forget Him. If you want to love God, then what should you do? You should remember Him every second of your life, never forget Him. When you love somebody, naturally constant remembrance of that person remains in your heart. You wish to have love for that person and naturally, if you have constant remembrance of him and keep him in your heart, that will result in love. So this is the human body, in which you see what you are doing and how far you have succeeded. If by hearing about God, by reading scriptures, or by meeting somebody in whose society your sweet remembrance of God develops more, that is good. But best of all, even better than reading of scriptures, just have the society of someone who is overflowing with the love of God. By radiation you will have it. If you go to somebody who sells perfumes, even if he does not sell you anything, you will still get perfume by radiation. If he gives you a phial of scent, then...? The best way to develop the sweet remembrance of God is to have the company of those who are overflowing with the love of God. You have got the human body and this is the place where you can go back to the Father. You cannot go back until you develop sweet remembrance of God. This, as I have told you, can be developed first by reading scriptures, by performing certain rituals, but first rate success will be had when second, you come across somebody who is overflowing with the love and devotion of God. The company of such a person is called satsang. He is the mouthpiece of God. He will be able to open your inner eye to see the Light of God. True love arises only when you see Him. Until you see Him for yourself, you must have the society of somebody who is Word made flesh. That comes first and precedes God. So the best way to develop love is to meet somebody who is overflowing with the love of God. The Masters say that you have got the human body, which is the highest rung in all creation, in which you can turn your love from the world to God. Now we have to see how far we have developed. Have we really got love for God? If so, God will meet you, sure and certain. But if you have got at heart of hearts the love of the world, which is called attachment, then you will come back again and again, that's all. We have to develop love of God. Only the question remains, where are we now attached? If we are attached to the physical body and environments, then we will come back again and again. If that very love is developed for God, naturally where will we go? We will go to God. We cannot have love for anybody, but we can have sweet remembrance and that can be developed. We cannot have true love for God unless we see Him. To see God, we need somebody who can open our inner eye to see the Light of God and the inner ear to hear the Voice of God. The human body is the only opportunity in which we can do it, and we have got it fortunately for so many years. We have joined some school of thought and we have been doing Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 7 of 14

8 something, but how far have we developed? When rain comes the clouds precede. If there are no clouds, there is no rain. If a fruit bearing tree has blossoms, there is hope for fruit. If there are no blossoms, then there is no hope for fruit. The blossom and the rain clouds are the foreshadow of the fruits and the rain. Similarly, in feeling separation, crying for God, your heart becomes full. Tears rain down like anything. This is a foreshadow to show that you are nearing God God is coming to you. A Muslim saint was asked whether he first saw God and then said his prayers or whether God came after his prayers. He said, "God comes first, then I pray." He was asked how he knew that God had come. He said, "When my heart becomes full, my eyes begin to shed tears. I then think that He has come, that He is dragging me from within, then I pray." So this is the foreshadow of the coming of God. Now, just introspect your life and see where you stand. Are you always keeping sweet remembrance of God? Just as if a man has been stabbed and feels pain, so should you feel pain for God. If that is not developed we are nowhere. We are wasting our human life. Remain in whatever society you are, that makes no difference. We are meant for it. You have joined certain schools of thought only for the love of God. If you have got love for God in your heart, all your reading of scriptures, your outward practices, have borne fruit. If you have read everything and have learned it by heart and there is not a speck of love in your heart for God, then it is no use. It is better to burn them away. So the main thing is to have love of God. The criterion of love for God is sweet remembrance of God. You never forget Him, even while eating, sleeping, coming, or going. If that is developed, then naturally you will go to God. So delve deep down in your hearts and see how you stand. Love is developed by reading of scriptures and outward practices. But the best of all is to meet somebody who is overflowing with the love of God. He gives you this by radiation in his Society. I gave you an example of going to somebody who is selling perfumes. If he does not give you anything, you still have the sweet smell of perfume. If he gives you one phial of scent, then...? You can have this even by sitting thousands of miles away, by directing your attention to the Master. Kabir Sahib says, "If your Master lives across the ocean and you live this side, just direct your attention to him." From radio and television you can hear somebody's voice, you can see their face. Similarly, the Master is Word-made-flesh and you can see and hear him from thousands of miles away. So this is the criterion, now you decide where you stand. Do you remember God always and never forget Him? Do you feel a pain in your heart? Does your heart become full and your eyes shed tears? These are symptoms to show that you have got love for God. Such a one who has got that love within cannot speak. The tongue of love is mute and dumb. Only tears from the eyes show that one has got that love. So this is the thing that we have to develop in our lives. We have got this human body for so many years. Most of our life has already gone. In the little time that is left, we should hurry up and develop this love as soon as possible, so that we may have that ruling passion in us for God; then naturally we cannot come back to the world. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 8 of 14

9 Video Feature Video instructions Show the following video at this point in the program. The video can be found on Science of Spirituality Satsang Themes DVD series. Introduction to the video (to be spoken by the Satsang Coordinator) In our next video segments, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj describes how our inner and outer lives can become more integrated and spiritualized by changing the direction of our thoughts specifically by learning to live in the current moment. Satsang Themes DVD Master Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Volume 12 Satsang on this volume 3 Chapter 2 Length 7:47 Original DVD Title 131 Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 9 of 14

10 Be One Source: Sat Sandesh July / August 2002 excerpts by Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj Introduction by Satsang Coordinator: The following excerpt was taken from a talk given by Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj in Delhi, India. A disciple asked the Master to explain the meaning of the expression Be One, a phrase that Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj often used. This is his reply. Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj: Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj s vision was cosmic, and so we have to understand his message, be one, on the universal and cosmic scale. This message, epitomized in these two simple words, has the widest possible connotation. To start with, we all know that we are embodied souls. We are a trinity soul, mind and body and first we have to attain unity by separating our soul from our body and our mind. *** After bringing us to his lotus feet, he bestowed upon us the divine and lasting blessings of Naam or Word, giving us direct experience of the Light of God and the Music of the Spheres on the very day of initiation. And then he taught us the art of living. The art of living is the art of becoming one one with our fellow beings, one with the entire creation, and ultimately one with God. It is only through his grace that he is helping us to learn the art of living, and this art is in reality the art of dying while living. Learn to die so that you may begin to live. It is the art of becoming immortal, the art of attaining eternal salvation, the art of losing our identity completely and merging ourselves with Absolute God, thereby attaining the be-all and end-all of the human life. Be one means that we should expand ourselves. Now we are self-centered. The Beloved Master often used to tell us that we have to rise above our own selfishness. From our own self, we have to expand to our family, from our family to our society, from our society to our state, from our state to our nationality, from our nationality to an international sphere, and from an international sphere to a universal sphere, finally attaining the same expanse as that of God. So be one means consciously believing in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity when we have learned the art of dying while living. We can attain this stage only by coming above bodyconsciousness through the help of the Light of God and the Music of the Spheres, going across the stars, the moon, and the sun, and coming face to face with the effulgent, radiant, scintillating, and enrapturing form of our Beloved Master. It is only when we reach this stage that we become so completely lost in the beauty of our Master that we merge ourselves completely in him. And there we attain the first stage of mysticism that is known to be fana-fil-sheikh, complete merger with the Master. It is only when we merge in our Master that we are able to see his image in everything in this world. We see the image of our Master in all forms of creation; we see his image in the leaves, in the blooming flowers, in the insects, in the birds, in the quadrupeds, and in all human beings. It is only at that stage that we can claim, to an elementary degree, that we believe in the oneness of God. And until we have achieved that stage, all our professions, all our claims, all our statements in this respect are just empty slogans; they have no reality about them. Once we become one with our Master, then our Master takes us through the higher stages under his own protective Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 10 of 14

11 wings and takes us through the first three regions. In the second region we have the astral and causal mind with us, and in the third region we have only the causal mind. After crossing the third region, we reach the fourth region and dip into the pool of immortality, into the Water of Life. Then we are able to shake off the shackles of our mind both astral as well as causal. There we see our soul in its pristine glory. * * * The expression be one, has many facets, and once we have achieved this ultimate facet, then we have truly attained oneness. It is only after passing the first three regions that our soul realizes that it is of the same essence as God, and cries out, Sohang, which means, I am of the same essence as You. So to attain oneness, our soul must expand to the universal level. It is only by achieving this stage that we become real benefactors, real well-wishers of all the creation of the plants, reptiles, birds, sea animals, earth animals, and human beings. And we become well-wishers of the angels also, because a human being is superior to the angels. Even the angels have to come in the form of a human in order to achieve their eternal salvation. Angels have only devotion in them; they don t have the godly attribute of compassion. A human being was created only to practice universal compassion compassion for the entire humanity, nay for the entire creation. The principle be one is as vast as God Himself; if it contracts it becomes the devotee s or the lover s heart, and if it expands it becomes God Absolute. It is only at this supreme stage that we lose our identity and achieve the ultimate state of oneness becoming one with the Almighty. This is what is meant by the expression, be one. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 11 of 14

12 Video Feature Video instructions Show the following video at this point in the program. The video can be found on Science of Spirituality Satsang Themes DVD series. Introduction to the video (to be spoken by the Satsang Coordinator) We will now see a music video entitled, Give Me the Strength. Satsang Themes DVD Master Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Volume 12 Satsang on this volume 3 Chapter 3 Length 3:43 Original DVD Title n/a Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 12 of 14

13 Closing Meditation Close satsang with ten minutes of meditation. Start the sitting by reading Maharaj Ji s Jyoti meditation instructions below. by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Meditation is a process whereby we withdraw our attention from the outer world and concentrate it at the seat of the soul. Through this method of concentration, we can transcend physical consciousness, experience ourselves as soul, and explore higher spiritual regions. To practice meditation, we sit in any pose that we find most comfortable in which we can sit for a long time without moving. We should sit with enough distance between us so that no part of our body touches anyone, as this would disturb our concentration. We should close our eyes gently and look straight ahead, focusing our attention in the middle of the darkness lying in front of us. That which sees the darkness is not our physical eyes, but is the third or single eye located between and behind the eyebrows. Continue to gaze into the middle of whatever lies in front of you. Those of you who are initiated should mentally repeat the five Charged Names given to you at the time of initiation. Repeat those names slowly, with the tongue of thought. For those of you who are new here, please repeat any name of God with which you feel comfortable. Mentally repeat the name slowly while gazing in front of you. This repetition will keep the mind occupied and prevent it from wandering. When light or inner vistas appear, continue focusing your attention into the middle of what you see and continue repeating the Names of God. We hope you enjoy this meditation sitting. It will be for 10 minutes. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 13 of 14

14 Closing Closing comments, reading, etc. Re place this text with a brief closing. A closing generally includes: Thank everyone for coming Restate the mission of Science of Spirituality (Love, Unity, Peace) Explain other local programs Announcements Invite everyone to next meeting Share the topic of the next meeting: Spirit of Giving To be read before or after announcements, at the Satsang Coordinator s discretion: Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj has written: Unless a man of God imparts Naam to us, our boat of life cannot survive. God is within us, closer than anything else; He is, as the Sufi poets say, nearer than the jugular vein. I have expressed this thought in one of my verses: God will definitely meet you. With grace your soul rises in heavenly flight. He is very close to you; Just call Him, entreatingly, and the rendezvous will begin. Satsang: How to Balance Spiritual Living & Outer Life Page 14 of 14