SANT MAT INTRODUCTION TO SANT MAT (PATH OF THE SAINTS) SURAT SHABD YOGA (YOGA OF ATTENTION TO THE SOUND CURRENT) Sant Mat is a spiritual movement that began on the Indian subcontinent during the 13th century. The name literally means "path of the saints". Sant Mat teaches meditation on the inner Light and Sound. This meditation leads to an awakening of our spiritual consciousness, bringing us inner peace that ultimately contributes to outer peace. In this current age the teachings are sponsored by Science of Spirituality, a spiritual organization with over three thousand centers worldwide, dedicated to transforming lives through meditation with a goal of leading a spiritually enriched life through meditation, ethical living, introspection, and service. FOUR GREAT MASTERS OF SANT MAT OF THE LAST CENTURY
Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj (1858 to 1948) Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj (1894 to 1974) Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj (1921 to 1989) Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj (1946 to pres.)
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj (1946 to pres., Author, Scientist, Mystic, Leader of Science of Spirituality and International Movements for World Peace) We often stress through words the need to “love all.� We tell others how important it is to love all, but do we actually live it in our own lives? As we examine ourselves to weed out any imperfections, one key area to look at is whether we act with respect and love for all. It is easy to say but difficult to do, since we are all brought up in our families, cultures, and societies that often have built in prejudices. We may have biases towards people of our own faiths, religions, or social status. If so, we tend to look down on others who are different from us. The saints have said that only those who love will find God. These are not just empty words, but the entire basis of creation. God brought creation into being through the power of love. Love is God, and God is love. As such, our soul being a part of God is also love. The way back to God is through love. If we were to take that one principal of the spiritual path and put it into practice, our entire progress would accelerate. For us to really believe that all people are worthy of the same love and respect, we need to go within through meditation. As we meditate, we see the inner Light of God and hear the celestial Music. We then rise on the current of Light and Sound to the inner spiritual realms. This journey leads us back to the Creator. At that stage of oneness with God, we truly know that the same Light within us is in all other souls. We see that Light in all people, irrespective of their religion or nationality or social status. We also see the same Light in all the animals, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects and in all particles of creation. Meditation is important to lead us to the realization that we are all one. In this way, we will lead our lives having love and respect for all and thus win the heart of the Lord.
How can we gain communion of our soul with God? Great Masters and saints come to show us the way. They teach a method of meditation on the inner Light and Sound. At the time of initiation, they give us a contact with the Inner Light and Sound. Through this contact, the soul can transcend the physical body, rise into higher planes of beauty, light, and love, and ultimately merge back in God. God is an ocean of all Light, all love, and all consciousness. The soul is a drop of that state. It is always discontented because it has been separated from the embrace of this ocean of bliss. It can only know true contentment and happiness when it merges back into the Ocean of God. Through meditation we can return to the state of union with the Lord. The more time we spend in meditation, the sooner we can realize ourselves and realize God.
~Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj (February 06, 1894 to August 21, 1974 Mystic Adept, Spiritual Teacher, Organizer of World Conference on Unity of Man, President of the World Fellowship of Religions, and Sant Satguru of Surat Shabd Yoga) When we sit still and keep our mind still, we have discovered the key to meditation. In that state of meditation, all prayers are answered. For what is it that we ultimately pray? The end result of our prayers is happiness, peace, and bliss. We may think we are praying for a car, a house, a partner, or wealth, but it is the happiness they bring that makes them appealing. We may think that the attainments of the world hold the answer to our search for happiness, but they are all illusions. The happiness we seek in worldly attainments is not real, but through meditation we attain permanent bliss— we are filled with waves of divine love, peace, and joy. In that state what is left for which we need to pray? Through mediation, the happiness we sought
in outer possessions is now ours; we have everything and require nothing more. Manifest truth, purity, love, selflessness, and righteousness in your life and activity. Give up all hatred. Eradicate egoism and anger. Eschew violence. Pledge yourself to love, sincerity, humility, forgiveness, and non-violence. Abandon war. Abandon lust for power. Fill the heart with compassion, mercy, and universal love. Let the law of love prevail amongst you, which should radiate to all nations and races. Let true religion of heart be the ruling factor of your lives. Love God. Love all, serve all, and have respect for all as God is Immanent in every form. Preach the gospel of oneness. Spread the message of oneness and live a life of oneness. There will be peace on earth.
~Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj (1921–1989, founder and head of Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission, Mystic Adept, Master Saint of Surat Shabd Yoga, Indian mystical Urdu poet) Love is the essence of religion. God is love, our soul, being of the same essence of God, is also love and the way back to God is through love. But love is not an abstraction. It can only be realized in its fullest sense by the spirit. That is why all saints have laid such great stress on personal spiritual experiences. We must transcend body-consciousness, rise above feelings, emotions, and inferences, and enter the realm of conscious perception. When we do so, our vision is transformed. We begin to see God’s Light in all creation. Then, love becomes the very center and pivot of our life. Our every word, deed, and breath becomes an expression of divine love.
This godly love is the source of such intense bliss and intoxication that words can only hint at the rapture of those whose hearts are open to it.
~Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj (1858-1948, Sant Satguru and Mystic Adept of Surat Shabd Yoga) The human body is a cage. Within it is imprisoned the spirit or soul, which is like a bird in a cage. The bird is in love with the cage and is always singing songs of attachment for the earth. If, however, the covers, or bodies, are cast off from the soul, the bird begins to taste the Truth, and the cage is shattered into fragments. The bird then flies away to its home, which is in the Realm of Truth. When the veils are torn, millions of enrapturing joys which constitute the "peace that passeth understanding," are all attained.