****
Radhasoami!
There are Satsangis of all sorts.
There are Satsangis who obviously
look like they were Satsangis.
There are others who appear
to be less than Satsangis.
For a fledgling religious community
that is to soon start growing rapidly,
globally & phenomenally,
we can expect the Satsang “Kishti” or Ferry
to accommodate believers of various hues.
However, we must always bear in mind
that Radhasoami Dayal has Chosen
the different individuals
to become Satsangis.
We may well not like certain Satsangis,
but we ought to accept
them as part of the Satsang family.
In any case, one goes to Satsang,
not to like or dislike other Satsangis,
but to worship the Lord.
There are real differences
among the different Satsangis,
& we ought to be aware of these.
The Supreme Lord would Know best
which Satsangis are the more sincere,
or headed towards early salvation,
& which others have considerable
more cavorting around on earth
to do in future lifetimes.
We need not look down upon such others,
nor need we be influenced adversely
by relatively undeserving Satsangis.
If all others habitually reach late for Satsang
& you think you should reach before time,
then uphold your faith, values, beliefs,
without necessarily trying to
determine others’ behavior too.
Remember, Radhasoami Dayal is Omniscient,
always Keeping track of absolutely everything;
it will all matter & count
in the Final Durbaar or Court.
If marriages among Satsangis still involve
dowry in some form, however vestigial,
it is up to you to
not follow the herd.
The herd is not always security,
for all one knows, the majority
may have been earmarked
for substantially late salvation
by the Supreme Lord.
Choose your relationships & associations
your priorities & your decisions
with grave caution & care.
Doing something just because others do it
will lead you to a fate quite like theirs.
Remain & live true to
your faith in Radhasoami Dayal!
Radhasoami!
****
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Living True to One’s Self. {35.}
****
Radhasoami!
One ought to always live
true to one’s own self.
That’s easier said,
but difficult to quite understand,
& even harder to practice.
For starters, does everyone really
possess a concrete “self” worth the name,
other than the human ego?
I wonder, indeed, I doubt,
for I am quite sure,
the true “self”
is too lofty a term
for the base ego
& cluster of impulses & motives
that people normally represent.
So, it can still be concluded
that knowing about and understanding oneself
can perhaps enable one to even
really “be” one’s self.
It appears being & becoming
are rather intricate parallel processes.
What “living true to oneself” stresses
is one’s innate integrity.
If something doesn’t gel with one’s
fundamental values, tendencies,
aspirations, goals, purposes,
then one should avoid it,
or fight it, if required.
For the self is sacrosanct
& alien & hostile invasions
seek to corrupt or pervert
one’s core faith & beliefs.
Let the faith remain absolute
it is one’s only means to God.
The confused & indecisive fritter
all their abilities & opportunities
getting more distanced with time
from both themselves & God.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
One ought to always live
true to one’s own self.
That’s easier said,
but difficult to quite understand,
& even harder to practice.
For starters, does everyone really
possess a concrete “self” worth the name,
other than the human ego?
I wonder, indeed, I doubt,
for I am quite sure,
the true “self”
is too lofty a term
for the base ego
& cluster of impulses & motives
that people normally represent.
So, it can still be concluded
that knowing about and understanding oneself
can perhaps enable one to even
really “be” one’s self.
It appears being & becoming
are rather intricate parallel processes.
What “living true to oneself” stresses
is one’s innate integrity.
If something doesn’t gel with one’s
fundamental values, tendencies,
aspirations, goals, purposes,
then one should avoid it,
or fight it, if required.
For the self is sacrosanct
& alien & hostile invasions
seek to corrupt or pervert
one’s core faith & beliefs.
Let the faith remain absolute
it is one’s only means to God.
The confused & indecisive fritter
all their abilities & opportunities
getting more distanced with time
from both themselves & God.
Radhasoami!
****
Friday, April 23, 2010
Humility Alone Kills One's Ego. {34.}
****
Radhasoami!
The trait of humility has been stressed
ad infinitum in our religion.
What does humility really mean?
Why is humility so important?
Humility cannot mean pretending
to have no ego at all.
We all have our egos
& it serves various purposes.
Indeed, civilized life
would be virtually impossible
were ego to vanish altogether
from human society & life.
Imagine every person walking off
with another’s goods just because
nobody had any “ego” left.
Jungle law would prevail thereby,
leading to chaos, strife, misery.
Obviously, this cannot be meant by ego,
so, what is actually meant by it?
The ego is the gravest threat
to the soul’s quest for God & salvation.
It intrudes in one’s spiritual practices
& prevents a quicker & closer Darshan,
or beholding of the Divine Countenance.
The ego causes the human to succumb to the
other four “dooth” or demons of
kaam, krodha, lobha & moha,
or lust, anger, greed & attachment.
These five together combine to keep the soul
enmeshed in sensual & worldly quicksand
for years & decades & lifetimes & eons.
So, victory over these can occur only if
you first destroy their leader, or ego.
The ego gets destroyed by true humility.
True humility is realizing
one’s innate human imperfections & limitations.
This causes a dependence upon one’s Guru,
which in turn evokes His Grace.
When the ego is annihilated,
you become quite free from
the other four named baser tendencies.
You are then secure
& headed fast towards your salvation.
Therefore, one’s ego is one’s greatest enemy,
& cultivating true humility benefits
only one’s own self incalculably.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
The trait of humility has been stressed
ad infinitum in our religion.
What does humility really mean?
Why is humility so important?
Humility cannot mean pretending
to have no ego at all.
We all have our egos
& it serves various purposes.
Indeed, civilized life
would be virtually impossible
were ego to vanish altogether
from human society & life.
Imagine every person walking off
with another’s goods just because
nobody had any “ego” left.
Jungle law would prevail thereby,
leading to chaos, strife, misery.
Obviously, this cannot be meant by ego,
so, what is actually meant by it?
The ego is the gravest threat
to the soul’s quest for God & salvation.
It intrudes in one’s spiritual practices
& prevents a quicker & closer Darshan,
or beholding of the Divine Countenance.
The ego causes the human to succumb to the
other four “dooth” or demons of
kaam, krodha, lobha & moha,
or lust, anger, greed & attachment.
These five together combine to keep the soul
enmeshed in sensual & worldly quicksand
for years & decades & lifetimes & eons.
So, victory over these can occur only if
you first destroy their leader, or ego.
The ego gets destroyed by true humility.
True humility is realizing
one’s innate human imperfections & limitations.
This causes a dependence upon one’s Guru,
which in turn evokes His Grace.
When the ego is annihilated,
you become quite free from
the other four named baser tendencies.
You are then secure
& headed fast towards your salvation.
Therefore, one’s ego is one’s greatest enemy,
& cultivating true humility benefits
only one’s own self incalculably.
Radhasoami!
****
Remember Big B Is Watching. {33.}
****
Radhasoami!
Yeah, God may be regarded
as one’s big B also
& He is Omnipresent,
always watching,
but far from being irksome,
that’s jolly good news, indeed!
God, the elusive, the infinite
has invited the gamut of appellations,
such as the Supreme Father,
Mother Goddess, Guru, friend,
beloved, & the like.
In our Faith, the Revered Leaders
have often Expressed Themselves as being
an elder brother of the Satsangis.
So, the title of Big B for God
sounds quite right, albeit limited.
Well, so let’s never forget
that Big B is watching.
The sinners may wince at that
not wanting their sundry furtive misdeeds
to have been Observed by God.
But those sincere in faith
& the believing, devout, trusting
ought to be extremely happy
with a Caring & Omnipotent Big B.
As the soul prays
does God respond & satisfy accordingly,
as per innate principles of justice
that may not always be fathomed.
So, let’s really rejoice that there is
the Eternal Big B God
up there {rather, within ourselves!}
Who is always Loving, Watching,
Protecting, Caring, Fulfilling ....
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Yeah, God may be regarded
as one’s big B also
& He is Omnipresent,
always watching,
but far from being irksome,
that’s jolly good news, indeed!
God, the elusive, the infinite
has invited the gamut of appellations,
such as the Supreme Father,
Mother Goddess, Guru, friend,
beloved, & the like.
In our Faith, the Revered Leaders
have often Expressed Themselves as being
an elder brother of the Satsangis.
So, the title of Big B for God
sounds quite right, albeit limited.
Well, so let’s never forget
that Big B is watching.
The sinners may wince at that
not wanting their sundry furtive misdeeds
to have been Observed by God.
But those sincere in faith
& the believing, devout, trusting
ought to be extremely happy
with a Caring & Omnipotent Big B.
As the soul prays
does God respond & satisfy accordingly,
as per innate principles of justice
that may not always be fathomed.
So, let’s really rejoice that there is
the Eternal Big B God
up there {rather, within ourselves!}
Who is always Loving, Watching,
Protecting, Caring, Fulfilling ....
Radhasoami!
****
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Character Is All; Be Choosy. {32.}
****
Radhasoami!
Character is all.
Be choosy,
be very choosy,
be very, very choosy,
about your faith & beliefs,
about your thoughts & desires,
about your words & deeds,
about your associations & interactions,
about your experiences & reactions,
about absolutely everything,
whether obviously important or not.
Life is real,
things do matter,
Radhasoami Dayal Is always
Observing everything.
The purpose to life will be realized,
& justice shall finally be.
The one leads to the second,
& the second to the third,
until it becomes a habit,
& a necessity.
The one leads to lots of others.
The single lie, the one compromize,
the first weakness, the one sin,
the first crime, the single affair,
each leads to others.
Be, therefore, on your constant guard.
Nobody need be really bothered about you,
but you ought to matter to yourself.
Likewise,
the first memorable Arz {or supplication} to Gracious Huzur,
will inspire others,
the single Satsang,
the one Teerath or pilgrimage to Dayalbagh,
the single attendance at sacred Bhandara or congregation,
the first purchase of a holy scripture,
the one Kheth ki Seva or service in agricultural fields,
the single meditation,
the one Dhan ki Seva or monetary service,
will each cause & enable
the second, third, & next
until an entire chapter gets written,
& your destiny stands transformed
incalculably for the better.
So, develop & form your character.
Be clear about all your values
& goals in life.
Be extremely choosy in your entire living.
Perform good deeds of devotion & service,
that the one might lead
to an entire train of it all.
Living is quite like an investment,
& we all reap just as we sow.
True: “Jaisi karni, waisi bharni!”
There is no time to waste.
A single error & you risk
throwing back your spiritual progress
towards God & salvation by aeons altogether,
with all the entailed suffering
of several lifetimes as punishment!
Decide your next best investment
for your life & fate,
for love of God
& your own sake!
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Character is all.
Be choosy,
be very choosy,
be very, very choosy,
about your faith & beliefs,
about your thoughts & desires,
about your words & deeds,
about your associations & interactions,
about your experiences & reactions,
about absolutely everything,
whether obviously important or not.
Life is real,
things do matter,
Radhasoami Dayal Is always
Observing everything.
The purpose to life will be realized,
& justice shall finally be.
The one leads to the second,
& the second to the third,
until it becomes a habit,
& a necessity.
The one leads to lots of others.
The single lie, the one compromize,
the first weakness, the one sin,
the first crime, the single affair,
each leads to others.
Be, therefore, on your constant guard.
Nobody need be really bothered about you,
but you ought to matter to yourself.
Likewise,
the first memorable Arz {or supplication} to Gracious Huzur,
will inspire others,
the single Satsang,
the one Teerath or pilgrimage to Dayalbagh,
the single attendance at sacred Bhandara or congregation,
the first purchase of a holy scripture,
the one Kheth ki Seva or service in agricultural fields,
the single meditation,
the one Dhan ki Seva or monetary service,
will each cause & enable
the second, third, & next
until an entire chapter gets written,
& your destiny stands transformed
incalculably for the better.
So, develop & form your character.
Be clear about all your values
& goals in life.
Be extremely choosy in your entire living.
Perform good deeds of devotion & service,
that the one might lead
to an entire train of it all.
Living is quite like an investment,
& we all reap just as we sow.
True: “Jaisi karni, waisi bharni!”
There is no time to waste.
A single error & you risk
throwing back your spiritual progress
towards God & salvation by aeons altogether,
with all the entailed suffering
of several lifetimes as punishment!
Decide your next best investment
for your life & fate,
for love of God
& your own sake!
Radhasoami!
****
Salvation at One’s Own Initiative. {31.}
****
Radhasoami!
How often is an individual a prisoner
of her or his past & conditioning?
How invariably is a person a slave
of her or his circumstances?
It calls for considerable clarity,
vision, planning, will & courage
to fundamentally alter
the fabric that one finds oneself in.
People are too careless in matters
of their essential religious beliefs,
their very religion,
& quite indifferent at heart
to where their souls might be headed
in the afterlife.
Perhaps they don’t deeply, really
believe in God, the soul,
& the possibility of salvation.
Individual responsibility always remains final.
God judges & arbites on this basis.
The Guru can take you to God
{only the True Guru, & there is
presently only One on earth!}
only if you really believe
& want it intensely, passionately.
Anything short will fail;
nothing else will do!
So, earnestly care for your own salvation
& make the right, sustained
& persevering efforts for it!
You alone are responsible for yourself,
it can only be your individual act
to transfer your spiritual responsibility
to the Living Param Guru of Dayalbagh,
but you alone must decide,
& only you can personally do it.
So, what might you be waiting for?
Pralay or apocaplyse is but
a whisker's breath away
in the cosmic scale of things
& the brief human lifetime
flashes past in the twinkling
of an eye.
Go for your redemption: NOW!
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
How often is an individual a prisoner
of her or his past & conditioning?
How invariably is a person a slave
of her or his circumstances?
It calls for considerable clarity,
vision, planning, will & courage
to fundamentally alter
the fabric that one finds oneself in.
People are too careless in matters
of their essential religious beliefs,
their very religion,
& quite indifferent at heart
to where their souls might be headed
in the afterlife.
Perhaps they don’t deeply, really
believe in God, the soul,
& the possibility of salvation.
Individual responsibility always remains final.
God judges & arbites on this basis.
The Guru can take you to God
{only the True Guru, & there is
presently only One on earth!}
only if you really believe
& want it intensely, passionately.
Anything short will fail;
nothing else will do!
So, earnestly care for your own salvation
& make the right, sustained
& persevering efforts for it!
You alone are responsible for yourself,
it can only be your individual act
to transfer your spiritual responsibility
to the Living Param Guru of Dayalbagh,
but you alone must decide,
& only you can personally do it.
So, what might you be waiting for?
Pralay or apocaplyse is but
a whisker's breath away
in the cosmic scale of things
& the brief human lifetime
flashes past in the twinkling
of an eye.
Go for your redemption: NOW!
Radhasoami!
****
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Loving God; Abstraction or Personal. {30.}
****
Radhasoami!
God is love personified.
The Guru is God personified.
So, the Guru is love personified.
Perfectly logical & very true!
The Sant Math represents the way
of ‘Ishk-e-haqueeki’ or ‘love for the Real’
as opposed to love for ‘Maya’
or illusory reality.
Satsangis are, therefore, expected to
perceive, value & seek beyond
the merely unreal, false, superficial,
apparent or temporary,
in their lives.
Satsangis’ love ideally ought to be
only for the Supreme Lord Radhasoami.
However, if God has Personally
Chosen to Incarnate
as the Param Guru,
then we are to believe in
a perfect unity
between God & the Guru.
Hence, love for God
will naturally manifest itself as
love for the Guru.
Likewise, God’s love for the devotee
reflects in the Guru’s love
for her or him.
The Guru functions as the vital
link for the devotees with God.
The human actually does not
even have access to God,
& can reach God
only through the Guru.
Hence, the paramount importance
of the Param Guru
in the Sant Math
or the mystical Peer-Murid tradition.
Loving one’s Guru is proving
one’s love for God,
& the Guru’s love evoked
thereby enables & causes God’s love.
Loving the abstract principle
or force of Divinity
may be more difficult for most,
though love for the Guru
comes about naturally & easily.
However, as per Guru Bachan,
loving the abstraction of God
is in no way a lesser devotion
or a less effective mode to salvation.
Indeed, for certain exceptional souls,
love for the abstract God
rather than the Personal Form
of the Living Param Guru
may in certain ways prove more desirable.
After all, an abstraction is
elusive, complex, infinite & eternal,
while the Guru appears manifest
in the mortal human frame.
So, basically, what matters is
genuine love for God
or the Param Guru
as leads to one’s salvation.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
God is love personified.
The Guru is God personified.
So, the Guru is love personified.
Perfectly logical & very true!
The Sant Math represents the way
of ‘Ishk-e-haqueeki’ or ‘love for the Real’
as opposed to love for ‘Maya’
or illusory reality.
Satsangis are, therefore, expected to
perceive, value & seek beyond
the merely unreal, false, superficial,
apparent or temporary,
in their lives.
Satsangis’ love ideally ought to be
only for the Supreme Lord Radhasoami.
However, if God has Personally
Chosen to Incarnate
as the Param Guru,
then we are to believe in
a perfect unity
between God & the Guru.
Hence, love for God
will naturally manifest itself as
love for the Guru.
Likewise, God’s love for the devotee
reflects in the Guru’s love
for her or him.
The Guru functions as the vital
link for the devotees with God.
The human actually does not
even have access to God,
& can reach God
only through the Guru.
Hence, the paramount importance
of the Param Guru
in the Sant Math
or the mystical Peer-Murid tradition.
Loving one’s Guru is proving
one’s love for God,
& the Guru’s love evoked
thereby enables & causes God’s love.
Loving the abstract principle
or force of Divinity
may be more difficult for most,
though love for the Guru
comes about naturally & easily.
However, as per Guru Bachan,
loving the abstraction of God
is in no way a lesser devotion
or a less effective mode to salvation.
Indeed, for certain exceptional souls,
love for the abstract God
rather than the Personal Form
of the Living Param Guru
may in certain ways prove more desirable.
After all, an abstraction is
elusive, complex, infinite & eternal,
while the Guru appears manifest
in the mortal human frame.
So, basically, what matters is
genuine love for God
or the Param Guru
as leads to one’s salvation.
Radhasoami!
****
An Ounce of Practice Matters. {29.}
****
Radhasoami!
Several Guru Bachans have repeatedly
exhorted Satsangis to continue performing Seva,
with one's “tan, man, dhan & surat,”
or the whole of one’s body, mind, purse and soul.
The emphasis on Seva is understandable.
The many might idly praise an ideal,
but the few actually strive to realize it.
An ounce of practice remains far better
than tons of precept.
Let us, therefore, not be idle,
afraid, lazy, indifferent or lax,
in the performance of Seva.
Umpteen fortunate opportunities for Seva exist,
in Dayalbagh {both fields & otherwise},
our respective Satsang Branches,
among other Satsangi acquaintances,
or even one’s Satsangi
relatives or family members.
Anything done for a Satsangi is Seva
if it is done with the right motive
& in the right spirit,
because Radhasoami Dayal Wants that
Satsangis should care for one another.
We have to care to think,
to look around us,
and to actively seek more
avenues & chances of Seva.
It is true,
“Seva hee mewa hai,” or
“Service is its own reward.”
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Several Guru Bachans have repeatedly
exhorted Satsangis to continue performing Seva,
with one's “tan, man, dhan & surat,”
or the whole of one’s body, mind, purse and soul.
The emphasis on Seva is understandable.
The many might idly praise an ideal,
but the few actually strive to realize it.
An ounce of practice remains far better
than tons of precept.
Let us, therefore, not be idle,
afraid, lazy, indifferent or lax,
in the performance of Seva.
Umpteen fortunate opportunities for Seva exist,
in Dayalbagh {both fields & otherwise},
our respective Satsang Branches,
among other Satsangi acquaintances,
or even one’s Satsangi
relatives or family members.
Anything done for a Satsangi is Seva
if it is done with the right motive
& in the right spirit,
because Radhasoami Dayal Wants that
Satsangis should care for one another.
We have to care to think,
to look around us,
and to actively seek more
avenues & chances of Seva.
It is true,
“Seva hee mewa hai,” or
“Service is its own reward.”
Radhasoami!
****
Worship: Pure or With Motive. {28.}
****
Radhasoami!
Worship of God ought to be pure,
as an end in itself.
One shouldn’t seek anything from God,
beyond His Love & Grace.
It appears unfortunate
that God is generally viewed
as an avenue for the
fulfillment of one’s selfish desires.
People seem to be
conducting a ‘trade’ with God,
on the assumption
that their worship
obliges Him to
grant them their desired ends.
But the people’s assumption
of ‘trade’ with God
may not be shared by God.
Is it not likely that God
may have His Own
Criteria & Expectations
with regard to people’s
faith & prayers?
The Param Guru of Dayalbagh
Is here only to guide sincere devotees
in their striving for salvation.
All other worldly matters
are of lesser significance.
God’s worship should be sincere.
Worship of God corrupted
with one’s base desires
cannot be expected to
either please God,
or to grant one satisfaction
in the ends sought.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Worship of God ought to be pure,
as an end in itself.
One shouldn’t seek anything from God,
beyond His Love & Grace.
It appears unfortunate
that God is generally viewed
as an avenue for the
fulfillment of one’s selfish desires.
People seem to be
conducting a ‘trade’ with God,
on the assumption
that their worship
obliges Him to
grant them their desired ends.
But the people’s assumption
of ‘trade’ with God
may not be shared by God.
Is it not likely that God
may have His Own
Criteria & Expectations
with regard to people’s
faith & prayers?
The Param Guru of Dayalbagh
Is here only to guide sincere devotees
in their striving for salvation.
All other worldly matters
are of lesser significance.
God’s worship should be sincere.
Worship of God corrupted
with one’s base desires
cannot be expected to
either please God,
or to grant one satisfaction
in the ends sought.
Radhasoami!
****
God is Omnipresent; Keep Faith. {27.}
****
Radhasoami!
God is omnipresent.
Let us not doubt it.
Let us NEVER doubt it.
Regardless of the fact that
life may apparently contain much
that might disappoint a devotee
about God’s love & omnipotence,
God remains omnipresent,
loving and caring.
God’s ways are mysterious indeed
& His Plans work subtly,
but the truly devout shall
finally be adequately satisfactorily redeemed.
One’s faith may frequently be
put to test & trial,
& we should emerge therefrom
the purged, stronger, more resolved!
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
God is omnipresent.
Let us not doubt it.
Let us NEVER doubt it.
Regardless of the fact that
life may apparently contain much
that might disappoint a devotee
about God’s love & omnipotence,
God remains omnipresent,
loving and caring.
God’s ways are mysterious indeed
& His Plans work subtly,
but the truly devout shall
finally be adequately satisfactorily redeemed.
One’s faith may frequently be
put to test & trial,
& we should emerge therefrom
the purged, stronger, more resolved!
Radhasoami!
****
The Ego is a Cage. {26.}
****
Radhasoami!
The human ego
acts as a virtual cage,
imprisoning the soul
within the narrow confines
of a limited believed ‘self’.
The soul remains one with the SuperSoul.
The self is connected with all the other selves.
The human ego sets up
false differences, barriers, hostility, clashes ...
Sure, individuality is a fact,
as one’s own primary responsibility,
but the essential unity
between God & all beings
ought to be well realized.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
The human ego
acts as a virtual cage,
imprisoning the soul
within the narrow confines
of a limited believed ‘self’.
The soul remains one with the SuperSoul.
The self is connected with all the other selves.
The human ego sets up
false differences, barriers, hostility, clashes ...
Sure, individuality is a fact,
as one’s own primary responsibility,
but the essential unity
between God & all beings
ought to be well realized.
Radhasoami!
****
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Mere Existence & Presence Achieving. {25.}
****
Radhasoami!
The Nij Dhar or Incarnated Divine Current of Compassionate Radhasoami, the Supreme Godhead Residing in the loftiest paradise, has Been Functioning Its most glorious Mission of universal salvation ever since 12.30 am of August 24, 1818.
The mere Existence & Presence of the awesome & omnipotent Living Godly Force in our world-system is powerfully causing subtle & sweeping changes to occur throughout the world.
Despite the ongoing age of Kaliyuga, the whole world & creation is being charged spiritually.
People will prove this in their yearning for God, & in the proliferation of umpteen petty religious shops that seek to exploit their longings.
Gradually, all the good & deserving souls will be drawn towards the Redemptive Ferry of the living Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.
We are all blessed to be born in this fortunate period & capable of receiving His Grace & ensuring our ultimate spiritual welfare.
Let us all remain humbly grateful for the Supreme Godhead’s Current Being Present in this lowly world-system among us all.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
The Nij Dhar or Incarnated Divine Current of Compassionate Radhasoami, the Supreme Godhead Residing in the loftiest paradise, has Been Functioning Its most glorious Mission of universal salvation ever since 12.30 am of August 24, 1818.
The mere Existence & Presence of the awesome & omnipotent Living Godly Force in our world-system is powerfully causing subtle & sweeping changes to occur throughout the world.
Despite the ongoing age of Kaliyuga, the whole world & creation is being charged spiritually.
People will prove this in their yearning for God, & in the proliferation of umpteen petty religious shops that seek to exploit their longings.
Gradually, all the good & deserving souls will be drawn towards the Redemptive Ferry of the living Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.
We are all blessed to be born in this fortunate period & capable of receiving His Grace & ensuring our ultimate spiritual welfare.
Let us all remain humbly grateful for the Supreme Godhead’s Current Being Present in this lowly world-system among us all.
Radhasoami!
****
Daily Routine Ensures One’s Destiny. {24.}
****
Radhasoami!
People are generally alike in their fundamental nature.
It is character & values & morality that set them apart from each other.
One’s habits are crucial in the formation of one’s character.
You cannot aspire to a certain destination without striving to make some progress towards it, during the course of the 24 hours that comprise a single human day & night.
Hence, it is important that one frames & follows a daily routine that is indicative of one’s quest & objects.
One’s daily routine determines, leads to & ensures one’s destiny.
If you don't pray for your salvation to the Revered Leader of Dayalbagh today & right now, God cannot quite be expected to drop salvation into your lap from paradise.
Make your necessary efforts today, & beginning right now, if you care for your fate.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
People are generally alike in their fundamental nature.
It is character & values & morality that set them apart from each other.
One’s habits are crucial in the formation of one’s character.
You cannot aspire to a certain destination without striving to make some progress towards it, during the course of the 24 hours that comprise a single human day & night.
Hence, it is important that one frames & follows a daily routine that is indicative of one’s quest & objects.
One’s daily routine determines, leads to & ensures one’s destiny.
If you don't pray for your salvation to the Revered Leader of Dayalbagh today & right now, God cannot quite be expected to drop salvation into your lap from paradise.
Make your necessary efforts today, & beginning right now, if you care for your fate.
Radhasoami!
****
Monday, April 12, 2010
Where, Pray, After You Die? {23.}
****
Radhasoami!
Every human or other living being represents the effect of all one’s past impulses & deeds in all one’s earlier lifetimes.
You may believe you suddenly do something, but actually you have been preparing yourself for several lifetimes for doing it.
Besides, we are all essentially ignorant, imperfect and limited beings leading lives in an evil world.
Hence, one’s present karmas are extremely important.
Your present thoughts, desires, words & actions are preparatory to your future state of life, & to your ultimate spiritual end.
It is everyone’s individual responsibility to value, choose, decide, care, & actually make the proper efforts in striving to ensure one’s state of life &, far more importantly, one’s desserts & status in the afterlife.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE AFTER YOU DIE?
This is the key question that ought to determine your entire living.
It is surprising -- actually unbelievable -- that people care so tremendously for their worldly gains that can at the most last a few months, years or decades.
Human lifespan itself is so severely limited, in the cosmic timeframe.
However, spiritual benefits acquired by securing a berth in the redemptive Radhasoami Ferry & performing good deeds last one till eternity.
It behoves the sensible to care for their eventual spiritual welfare & destiny at least as much as they do for the next meal that they are to have, or for that splendid house that they so keenly wish to buy.
Haven’t we had enough of collective & continuing ignorance, wrong valuing and myopia?
What do you care more about: that petty & measly trinket, or sincerely persevering to deserve that your soul could rejoice in ineffable bliss in an eternal paradise?
It is only humans, among all the living beings, who might possibly ponder over such choices, because they are the only fortunate ones who actually possess these options.
Please don’t waste your priceless human birth!
Please don’t ignore my words, believing them not to contain truth, or as being irrelevant for you!
Please don’t forego this opportunity that you now have of seeking to really ensure your eventual redemption.
Please don't let the most vital decision, which will directly determine the state of your soul for an eternity, be made -- owing to your lack of responsibility, & your continuing desire to evade it --"by default". {You deserve better than that, don't you?}
None of the others, & nothing of the usual sort, matters.
Life is a fleeting illusory play, but God’s Grace will really work, if you take care to deserve it.
Just how truly, honestly and intensely do you really care for what happens to your soul in the afterlife?
That’s more important than absolutely anything else!
Yes, seek the truth, while you can, & it will, indeed, enable you your freedom, transcendence and salvation.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Every human or other living being represents the effect of all one’s past impulses & deeds in all one’s earlier lifetimes.
You may believe you suddenly do something, but actually you have been preparing yourself for several lifetimes for doing it.
Besides, we are all essentially ignorant, imperfect and limited beings leading lives in an evil world.
Hence, one’s present karmas are extremely important.
Your present thoughts, desires, words & actions are preparatory to your future state of life, & to your ultimate spiritual end.
It is everyone’s individual responsibility to value, choose, decide, care, & actually make the proper efforts in striving to ensure one’s state of life &, far more importantly, one’s desserts & status in the afterlife.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE AFTER YOU DIE?
This is the key question that ought to determine your entire living.
It is surprising -- actually unbelievable -- that people care so tremendously for their worldly gains that can at the most last a few months, years or decades.
Human lifespan itself is so severely limited, in the cosmic timeframe.
However, spiritual benefits acquired by securing a berth in the redemptive Radhasoami Ferry & performing good deeds last one till eternity.
It behoves the sensible to care for their eventual spiritual welfare & destiny at least as much as they do for the next meal that they are to have, or for that splendid house that they so keenly wish to buy.
Haven’t we had enough of collective & continuing ignorance, wrong valuing and myopia?
What do you care more about: that petty & measly trinket, or sincerely persevering to deserve that your soul could rejoice in ineffable bliss in an eternal paradise?
It is only humans, among all the living beings, who might possibly ponder over such choices, because they are the only fortunate ones who actually possess these options.
Please don’t waste your priceless human birth!
Please don’t ignore my words, believing them not to contain truth, or as being irrelevant for you!
Please don’t forego this opportunity that you now have of seeking to really ensure your eventual redemption.
Please don't let the most vital decision, which will directly determine the state of your soul for an eternity, be made -- owing to your lack of responsibility, & your continuing desire to evade it --"by default". {You deserve better than that, don't you?}
None of the others, & nothing of the usual sort, matters.
Life is a fleeting illusory play, but God’s Grace will really work, if you take care to deserve it.
Just how truly, honestly and intensely do you really care for what happens to your soul in the afterlife?
That’s more important than absolutely anything else!
Yes, seek the truth, while you can, & it will, indeed, enable you your freedom, transcendence and salvation.
Radhasoami!
****
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Deplorable Effects of Religious Divisions. {22.}
****
Radhasoami!
To begin with making a banal observation, there are several major religions in the world.
In addition, there are thousands of minor religions as well as millions of sects & branches of the existing religions.
Everyone remains free to believe in the god of her or his choice.
So far, so good.
However, I fail to fathom how religious diversity gradually gets converted into hatred among the followers of diverse religions.
I can never understand how apparent devotion to one’s religion can possibly take the form of violence against the believers of other religions.
Religious plurality is a fact of life, but it need not lead to dividing humanity against itself & in such deplorable manifestations & consequences as terrorism & wars.
You would agree with the essence -- if not all -- of this, wouldn’t you?
What might emerge as the only possible solution to this virtual collective failure of all the world’s existing religions?
The true goal of education and civilization ought to be a spiritually evolved human individual, with an enhanced consciousness, a nobler perspective, and a greater ability to love.
Can this reformed and ideal human be brought about by the present setup?
Not really, since the inadequacies of the status quo cannot be wished away, & they can only perpetuate & compound themselves ad nauseum.
So, only an entirely new religion altogether can inspire a better – more spiritually evolved -- human, and do it meaningfully, effectively, & on a global scale.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
To begin with making a banal observation, there are several major religions in the world.
In addition, there are thousands of minor religions as well as millions of sects & branches of the existing religions.
Everyone remains free to believe in the god of her or his choice.
So far, so good.
However, I fail to fathom how religious diversity gradually gets converted into hatred among the followers of diverse religions.
I can never understand how apparent devotion to one’s religion can possibly take the form of violence against the believers of other religions.
Religious plurality is a fact of life, but it need not lead to dividing humanity against itself & in such deplorable manifestations & consequences as terrorism & wars.
You would agree with the essence -- if not all -- of this, wouldn’t you?
What might emerge as the only possible solution to this virtual collective failure of all the world’s existing religions?
The true goal of education and civilization ought to be a spiritually evolved human individual, with an enhanced consciousness, a nobler perspective, and a greater ability to love.
Can this reformed and ideal human be brought about by the present setup?
Not really, since the inadequacies of the status quo cannot be wished away, & they can only perpetuate & compound themselves ad nauseum.
So, only an entirely new religion altogether can inspire a better – more spiritually evolved -- human, and do it meaningfully, effectively, & on a global scale.
Radhasoami!
****
Materialism: Its Purposes & Uses. {21.}
****
Radhasoami!
Satsangis have been enjoined to aim for & remain satisfied with merely a moderate degree of worldly success. Why is this so? What does the above injunction really mean, in practical terms?
There is, of course, no end to human desires. As the Buddha had very rightly described as his first Great Truth, desires are at the root of all human suffering. Hence, being extremely selective in one’s desires makes eminent sense, both practical and spiritual.
Moreover, globalization & consumerism subject the lay person to a virtual barrage of material products that are desirable and apparently necessary for one’s living. Under such circumstances, it is rather tempting for one to succumb to the craze for more & more material possessions.
This would naturally entail a greater focus on & efforts expended in amassing wealth. Not for nothing had the holy Bible also asserted that “The love of money is the root of all evil.”
So, if Satsangis were to recklessly seek money by hook or by crook, & determinedly rival others in the possession of worldly success & material possessions, then they would forget their real goal in life: that of ensuring their salvation.
Life in human form is precious, not because of the consumerist goods that we can buy while alive, but because it offers one the chance to mystically secure one's eternal seat in the loftiest paradise of Radhasoami Dham.
However, Satsangis are also mandated to live by one’s honest efforts, & not to have any loans pending against others. Thus, financial independence & integrity are central to the Satsangi lifestyle.
Further, various studies conducted around the world suggest that if a person’s material needs have been well taken care of, the person becomes naturally drawn towards religion & spirituality.
It is also an obvious truism that even the performance of one’s devotions & services by an individual requires money.
Besides, the spread and establishment of a new religion in the whole world will naturally entail finances of a mind-boggling order.
Hence, Satsangis should responsibly draw the line rightly on how to earn enough money for a comfortable & dignified living that enables one an adequate performance of their religious duties & aspirations, while taking care not to get caught up in the senseless vortex of naked pursuit of wealth or the acquisition of material possessions.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Satsangis have been enjoined to aim for & remain satisfied with merely a moderate degree of worldly success. Why is this so? What does the above injunction really mean, in practical terms?
There is, of course, no end to human desires. As the Buddha had very rightly described as his first Great Truth, desires are at the root of all human suffering. Hence, being extremely selective in one’s desires makes eminent sense, both practical and spiritual.
Moreover, globalization & consumerism subject the lay person to a virtual barrage of material products that are desirable and apparently necessary for one’s living. Under such circumstances, it is rather tempting for one to succumb to the craze for more & more material possessions.
This would naturally entail a greater focus on & efforts expended in amassing wealth. Not for nothing had the holy Bible also asserted that “The love of money is the root of all evil.”
So, if Satsangis were to recklessly seek money by hook or by crook, & determinedly rival others in the possession of worldly success & material possessions, then they would forget their real goal in life: that of ensuring their salvation.
Life in human form is precious, not because of the consumerist goods that we can buy while alive, but because it offers one the chance to mystically secure one's eternal seat in the loftiest paradise of Radhasoami Dham.
However, Satsangis are also mandated to live by one’s honest efforts, & not to have any loans pending against others. Thus, financial independence & integrity are central to the Satsangi lifestyle.
Further, various studies conducted around the world suggest that if a person’s material needs have been well taken care of, the person becomes naturally drawn towards religion & spirituality.
It is also an obvious truism that even the performance of one’s devotions & services by an individual requires money.
Besides, the spread and establishment of a new religion in the whole world will naturally entail finances of a mind-boggling order.
Hence, Satsangis should responsibly draw the line rightly on how to earn enough money for a comfortable & dignified living that enables one an adequate performance of their religious duties & aspirations, while taking care not to get caught up in the senseless vortex of naked pursuit of wealth or the acquisition of material possessions.
Radhasoami!
****
Terrorism: Grave Threat to Humanity. {20.}
****
Radhasoami!
So, while we have here been sending & reading daily quotes from all of humanity’s scriptures, there the terrorists continue on their brazen activities of senselessly holding hostage & brutally massacring innocents!
Right-thinking people all across the world must, irrespective of national or religious distinctions, unitedly condemn terrorism as a grave threat not just to human safety but to the very existence of human civilization.
The law of the jungle unfortunately appears to be coming to the fore in the world. Perhaps this is among the umpteen banes that are to mark the present & ongoing depraved age of Kaliyuga.
However, the devout must stick to their Dharma & right values & concerted efforts against all such divisive & disruptive forces of hatred, violence & destruction in any corner of the world.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
So, while we have here been sending & reading daily quotes from all of humanity’s scriptures, there the terrorists continue on their brazen activities of senselessly holding hostage & brutally massacring innocents!
Right-thinking people all across the world must, irrespective of national or religious distinctions, unitedly condemn terrorism as a grave threat not just to human safety but to the very existence of human civilization.
The law of the jungle unfortunately appears to be coming to the fore in the world. Perhaps this is among the umpteen banes that are to mark the present & ongoing depraved age of Kaliyuga.
However, the devout must stick to their Dharma & right values & concerted efforts against all such divisive & disruptive forces of hatred, violence & destruction in any corner of the world.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami: The Universal Salvation Religion. {19.}
****
Radhasoami!
Religions have traditionally been identified with truths & worldviews that exclude certain sections of humanity out from the possibility of Grace. To a great extent, this is logical & inevitable. For instance, how can Nirvana possibly be gifted by the Buddha to a person who has not practiced Buddhist meditation at all?
However, the end result of such partial groupings has been the segregation of humanity into several blocks, the one rather – or, intensely -- suspicious of & hostile to the others. At the end of the day, this leads to violence, terrorism & wars.
The Radhasoami religion’s unique glory lies in the fact that its declared purpose is the salvation of not just all humans but even all living beings {including animals} in this world-system.
Eventually, the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh will unite humanity with love & Grace, & usher in lasting peace here. The ideal of humanity living peacefully as a single huge family under the Reign of the Supreme Godhead will finally be realized.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Religions have traditionally been identified with truths & worldviews that exclude certain sections of humanity out from the possibility of Grace. To a great extent, this is logical & inevitable. For instance, how can Nirvana possibly be gifted by the Buddha to a person who has not practiced Buddhist meditation at all?
However, the end result of such partial groupings has been the segregation of humanity into several blocks, the one rather – or, intensely -- suspicious of & hostile to the others. At the end of the day, this leads to violence, terrorism & wars.
The Radhasoami religion’s unique glory lies in the fact that its declared purpose is the salvation of not just all humans but even all living beings {including animals} in this world-system.
Eventually, the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh will unite humanity with love & Grace, & usher in lasting peace here. The ideal of humanity living peacefully as a single huge family under the Reign of the Supreme Godhead will finally be realized.
Radhasoami!
****
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Unique Importance of Dayalbagh. {18.}
****
Radhasoami!
When God Compassionately Incarnates on earth, obviously He shall have only one sacred human Form.
When God decides that, for the sake of the uninterrupted & speedy progress of His most glorious Mission of universal salvation, He would Continue His Role through an intergenerational lineage of Param Gurus, even under such circumstances, obviously the Incarnated Divine Current can exist only in one blessed Form at the same time.
It has been the bane of almost every major religion down the ages to have been divided into sects; Hinayana & Mahayana Buddhism, Catholicism & Protestantism, Sunni & Shia Muslims, & others. The son of Guru Nanak Dev had set himself up as the next Guru after the quitting of mortal frame by his exalted father. Indeed, there are reported to be not merely a few, or even hundreds, but thousands and millions of splinter groups of several major religions. In such a bewildering scenario, a genuine seeker of God can well be expected to get thoroughly confused, and all but throw up her hands in perplexity, and in despair, give up seeking God altogether!
Unfortunately, the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh has also seen a few misguided, damned, sinful & punishable rival offshoots sprouting up. A few of these have already withered up & the others are headed that way.
Dayalbagh is the reservoir of love and Grace for all humanity and living beings. It is a pity that matters take courses that could neither have been ordained by the Supreme Lord, nor can possibly lead to people’s welfare. Dayalbagh has little need to rival any offshoot in attracting souls for salvation, and none at all to battle any part of God’s creation. Dayalbagh is in a class of its own and way beyond the petty and dirty shenanigans that any other religion or offshoot might need to resort to.
Indeed, let a thousand flowers {and cacti and weeds} bloom at the same time. Let those who choose to be misguided, follow the paths to their own virtual doom. And let the divine fragrance of the sacred Tree beckon all deserving souls into its redemptive shade!
Is it not obvious that a divine Incarnation can have only one human Form at any particular time? The one Param Guru of Dayalbagh is the true Grand Master of Radhasoami religion. It is Radhasoami Dayal’s incontrovertible Decree that only those devotees who seek Him through His Chosen Agency of the Param Guru of Dayalbagh can be permitted access to Him, & subsequently redemption.
All the other offshoots & their followers have made a grievous & suicidal error, committed the grave sin of rejecting Radhasoami Dayal’s Sent Avatar Swaroop or Incarnated Form, permanently injured their own chances & hopes of salvation, & earned divine punishment as their desserts.
Dayalbagh is today the exclusive repository of the most glorious Nij Dhar or the Incarnated Divine Current. No other religion or fake offshoot of even the Radhasoami religion can deliver. The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh does not require others’ belief per se, because it has Truth & Grace & Law & destiny on its side. However, any human soul really wishing her or his welfare & salvation will have to choose rightly.
No miracle will normally be performed as proof of the exclusive Divinity Functioning in Dayalbagh. You are to believe in the Param Guru of Dayalbagh. You are to want & need to believe in the Param Guru of Dayalbagh. This is the first crucial test that everyone has to pass.
That said, what might constitute a ‘miracle’ for a human, with her limited sense organs of perception, and restricted powers of comprehension, may be perfectly natural in the cosmic play of life. Miracles may perhaps be toffee to God!
Every divine Incarnation and Prophet has invariably been associated with miracles. I am not asserting that all such miracles were real, nor am I refuting the possibility of the occurrence of miracles altogether. My simple contention is that the divine is itself miraculous. It’s no big deal – to put it colloquially -- if miracles attend messiahs; indeed, it would be surprising if they did not. Hence, if sincere devotees expect miracles in their right faith, Grace can certainly cause miracles to occur!
It would perhaps be wonderful if God appeared on earth, claiming to be God, and humanity could say, “Prove yourself, Messiah!” If God were to cock a finger up at the sun and whisper, “Fade away, My created sun!”, causing instant solar eclipse, almost overnight humanity might be enabled belief, desire for redemption, and following of the new religion. However, that is not how things work out.
Yet, a cursory reflection on history ought to convince any objective person about the reality of the divine dimension to existence, the recurring descents from the heavens for humanity’s welfare, and the beneficial impact of such forces in the world. It is humbling to realize that we are today in the midst of just such an awesome and historical process, with the potential of incalculable welfare for all believing humans on earth.
So, it is vital that one conducts oneself with grave responsibility & caution, & choose rightly in one’s own self-interest, & for the sake of one’s own redemption. The point is not a juvenile quarrelling among one another over whose god is greater, or whose beliefs are right, but of earnestly seeking the truth, receiving it, and acting upon it rightly. Hasn’t humanity had enough of hatred and terrorism over religious matters by now?
Radhasoami!
When God Compassionately Incarnates on earth, obviously He shall have only one sacred human Form.
When God decides that, for the sake of the uninterrupted & speedy progress of His most glorious Mission of universal salvation, He would Continue His Role through an intergenerational lineage of Param Gurus, even under such circumstances, obviously the Incarnated Divine Current can exist only in one blessed Form at the same time.
It has been the bane of almost every major religion down the ages to have been divided into sects; Hinayana & Mahayana Buddhism, Catholicism & Protestantism, Sunni & Shia Muslims, & others. The son of Guru Nanak Dev had set himself up as the next Guru after the quitting of mortal frame by his exalted father. Indeed, there are reported to be not merely a few, or even hundreds, but thousands and millions of splinter groups of several major religions. In such a bewildering scenario, a genuine seeker of God can well be expected to get thoroughly confused, and all but throw up her hands in perplexity, and in despair, give up seeking God altogether!
Unfortunately, the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh has also seen a few misguided, damned, sinful & punishable rival offshoots sprouting up. A few of these have already withered up & the others are headed that way.
Dayalbagh is the reservoir of love and Grace for all humanity and living beings. It is a pity that matters take courses that could neither have been ordained by the Supreme Lord, nor can possibly lead to people’s welfare. Dayalbagh has little need to rival any offshoot in attracting souls for salvation, and none at all to battle any part of God’s creation. Dayalbagh is in a class of its own and way beyond the petty and dirty shenanigans that any other religion or offshoot might need to resort to.
Indeed, let a thousand flowers {and cacti and weeds} bloom at the same time. Let those who choose to be misguided, follow the paths to their own virtual doom. And let the divine fragrance of the sacred Tree beckon all deserving souls into its redemptive shade!
Is it not obvious that a divine Incarnation can have only one human Form at any particular time? The one Param Guru of Dayalbagh is the true Grand Master of Radhasoami religion. It is Radhasoami Dayal’s incontrovertible Decree that only those devotees who seek Him through His Chosen Agency of the Param Guru of Dayalbagh can be permitted access to Him, & subsequently redemption.
All the other offshoots & their followers have made a grievous & suicidal error, committed the grave sin of rejecting Radhasoami Dayal’s Sent Avatar Swaroop or Incarnated Form, permanently injured their own chances & hopes of salvation, & earned divine punishment as their desserts.
Dayalbagh is today the exclusive repository of the most glorious Nij Dhar or the Incarnated Divine Current. No other religion or fake offshoot of even the Radhasoami religion can deliver. The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh does not require others’ belief per se, because it has Truth & Grace & Law & destiny on its side. However, any human soul really wishing her or his welfare & salvation will have to choose rightly.
No miracle will normally be performed as proof of the exclusive Divinity Functioning in Dayalbagh. You are to believe in the Param Guru of Dayalbagh. You are to want & need to believe in the Param Guru of Dayalbagh. This is the first crucial test that everyone has to pass.
That said, what might constitute a ‘miracle’ for a human, with her limited sense organs of perception, and restricted powers of comprehension, may be perfectly natural in the cosmic play of life. Miracles may perhaps be toffee to God!
Every divine Incarnation and Prophet has invariably been associated with miracles. I am not asserting that all such miracles were real, nor am I refuting the possibility of the occurrence of miracles altogether. My simple contention is that the divine is itself miraculous. It’s no big deal – to put it colloquially -- if miracles attend messiahs; indeed, it would be surprising if they did not. Hence, if sincere devotees expect miracles in their right faith, Grace can certainly cause miracles to occur!
It would perhaps be wonderful if God appeared on earth, claiming to be God, and humanity could say, “Prove yourself, Messiah!” If God were to cock a finger up at the sun and whisper, “Fade away, My created sun!”, causing instant solar eclipse, almost overnight humanity might be enabled belief, desire for redemption, and following of the new religion. However, that is not how things work out.
Yet, a cursory reflection on history ought to convince any objective person about the reality of the divine dimension to existence, the recurring descents from the heavens for humanity’s welfare, and the beneficial impact of such forces in the world. It is humbling to realize that we are today in the midst of just such an awesome and historical process, with the potential of incalculable welfare for all believing humans on earth.
So, it is vital that one conducts oneself with grave responsibility & caution, & choose rightly in one’s own self-interest, & for the sake of one’s own redemption. The point is not a juvenile quarrelling among one another over whose god is greater, or whose beliefs are right, but of earnestly seeking the truth, receiving it, and acting upon it rightly. Hasn’t humanity had enough of hatred and terrorism over religious matters by now?
.
Let’s remember that the fundamental values involved are God, love, Grace, peace and redemption. Life doesn’t offer a “retake”! Remember that the Supreme Godhead Radhasoami Dayal Is every moment Aware of every living being’s every thought & deed, & it shall all finally count in how your destiny unfolds.
I may conclude this with the following apt and reassuring lines from Goethe's Faust:
“For he who is unceasing in his striving
Is ours for his redeeming.”
Radhasoami!
****
I may conclude this with the following apt and reassuring lines from Goethe's Faust:
“For he who is unceasing in his striving
Is ours for his redeeming.”
Radhasoami!
****
Soul’s Transmigration; 84 Lakh Life-forms. {17.}
****
Radhasoami!
The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh shares the traditional Hindu belief in the transmigration of the soul, & in the Chaurasi lakh or 84 lakh different life forms. {What is a lakh? It is 1, followed by five zeros, or 100,000; that’s one-tenth of a million.}
To elaborate, it is believed that an individual soul lives on, despite death in any one of its forms. The same soul gets reborn as some other animal or human. One’s good & bad deeds, as well as the strongest desires & impulses that one has, lead one to the next life form. In this way, destiny is determined by both one’s past & present deeds & influences. The soul becomes fit for salvation when the effects of one’s karmas have run their course, & there is ardent longing only for God & paradise.
There are believed to be 84 lakh different species or life forms that a soul has to acquire successive rebirths in. This is the cycle that represents the living creature’s bondage & punishment upon earth. The cow is regarded to be the form that a soul adopts prior to taking birth as a human.
The human form & life are, therefore, lucky as they can allow one the opportunity of seeking freedom from the cycle of Chaurasi or 84 lakh life forms, & of striving to ensure one’s salvation.
Only the Param Guru can grant release to the soul by gifting her or him initiation into the Radhasoami religion. The moment that initiation is granted, the individual’s soul gets formally connected to the highest paradise in existence. Such a Satsangi is blessed & stands already released from the onerous necessity of taking 84 lakh rebirths upon 84 lakh rebirths ad infinitum & hopelessly.
Indeed, the living Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh has promised its devotees that once they become Satsangis, their souls shall be granted eternal access to Radhasoami Dham within a maximum of four janams or lifetimes, since their having first got initiation.
Glory be to such nonpareil & boundless Grace of Radhasoami Dayal!
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh shares the traditional Hindu belief in the transmigration of the soul, & in the Chaurasi lakh or 84 lakh different life forms. {What is a lakh? It is 1, followed by five zeros, or 100,000; that’s one-tenth of a million.}
To elaborate, it is believed that an individual soul lives on, despite death in any one of its forms. The same soul gets reborn as some other animal or human. One’s good & bad deeds, as well as the strongest desires & impulses that one has, lead one to the next life form. In this way, destiny is determined by both one’s past & present deeds & influences. The soul becomes fit for salvation when the effects of one’s karmas have run their course, & there is ardent longing only for God & paradise.
There are believed to be 84 lakh different species or life forms that a soul has to acquire successive rebirths in. This is the cycle that represents the living creature’s bondage & punishment upon earth. The cow is regarded to be the form that a soul adopts prior to taking birth as a human.
The human form & life are, therefore, lucky as they can allow one the opportunity of seeking freedom from the cycle of Chaurasi or 84 lakh life forms, & of striving to ensure one’s salvation.
Only the Param Guru can grant release to the soul by gifting her or him initiation into the Radhasoami religion. The moment that initiation is granted, the individual’s soul gets formally connected to the highest paradise in existence. Such a Satsangi is blessed & stands already released from the onerous necessity of taking 84 lakh rebirths upon 84 lakh rebirths ad infinitum & hopelessly.
Indeed, the living Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh has promised its devotees that once they become Satsangis, their souls shall be granted eternal access to Radhasoami Dham within a maximum of four janams or lifetimes, since their having first got initiation.
Glory be to such nonpareil & boundless Grace of Radhasoami Dayal!
Radhasoami!
****
Sunday, April 4, 2010
God is Infinite Love Personified. {16.}
****
Radhasoami!
The essence of God is love, just as has been affirmed ad infinitum by all the scriptures of all the world's major religions.
The sole cause for Incarnations to descend upon earth is love.
The single inspiration for Grace is love.
The root motivation for the urges to devotion, service & quest for salvation is love.
The prime impulse for harmony, peace, help, goodness, compassion, philanthropy and charity is love.
To love is to be good.
To love is to worship & serve God.
To love is to inch forward along the path to one’s redemption.
The Omnipresent Radhasoami Dayal Is always Keeping a minute record of all the karmas or deeds of every being.
HE Will finally Reward or Punish Justly.
Let us never doubt this.
Let’s keep the Faith, under all circumstances.
Let’s love & do good, to the infinite glory of Radhasoami Dayal’s Avatar Swaroop or Incarnated Form, as the Param Guru of Dayalbagh, Actively Functioning & Showering His Grace for the real spiritual welfare of all living beings & the entire creation.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
The essence of God is love, just as has been affirmed ad infinitum by all the scriptures of all the world's major religions.
The sole cause for Incarnations to descend upon earth is love.
The single inspiration for Grace is love.
The root motivation for the urges to devotion, service & quest for salvation is love.
The prime impulse for harmony, peace, help, goodness, compassion, philanthropy and charity is love.
To love is to be good.
To love is to worship & serve God.
To love is to inch forward along the path to one’s redemption.
The Omnipresent Radhasoami Dayal Is always Keeping a minute record of all the karmas or deeds of every being.
HE Will finally Reward or Punish Justly.
Let us never doubt this.
Let’s keep the Faith, under all circumstances.
Let’s love & do good, to the infinite glory of Radhasoami Dayal’s Avatar Swaroop or Incarnated Form, as the Param Guru of Dayalbagh, Actively Functioning & Showering His Grace for the real spiritual welfare of all living beings & the entire creation.
Radhasoami!
****
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Sachhe Baadshah Ke Raaj Mein. {15.}
****
Radhasoami!
Power has long remained a universal obsession among people and in the world. However, power lies in none of the following: physical, intellectual, emotional, romantic, financial, sexual, societal, worldly, political, military, religious, philanthropic, & the like. Though among the preceding types, several have their positive aspects, particularly philanthropy, but it is only the “emotional” that can approximate the ideal. True power is only spiritual.
After all, God is love, the Sant Math is the religion of Ishq-e-haqueeki or love for reality, & the Peer-Murid mystical bond is one of pure & eternal love. The best worship & service of the Guru is constituted by loving Him. Even the Bhagavad Gita asserts that the Lord loves His loving devotees the most of all.
Power does not flow from the barrel of a gun. Power does not depend on how deep one’s pockets are. The heart that can love, & that does really love, attains access to the Guru; the Guru is God Incarnate, & this constitutes living redemption.
In Kaliyuga, true power is vested only in the Sant Satguru. Sachhe Baadshah ki huqumath har jagah hai. Har insaan ki athma par hai, har praani ke karmon par hai, rachna ke har zarre mein hai, wa jannath ki har oonchayi mein hai. Sachhe Baadshah ki Taaqathon ka kisi ke liye andaza lagana thak asambhav hai. That is, the Supreme Master’s suzerainty extends over the whole of creation, and is found in every shred of existence. The Param Guru’s writ runs in every heart, on the deeds of every creature, as well as in the sublime pinnacles of the heavens. It is impossible for anyone to fathom the extent of the Grand Master’s omnipotence.
Blessed are the Satsangis of Dayalbagh, who have a Living & Loving Guru to Guide them through this world’s trials & life’s plays of Maya or illusory reality, and to Help them to strive & progress
in returning to their true Abode!
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Power has long remained a universal obsession among people and in the world. However, power lies in none of the following: physical, intellectual, emotional, romantic, financial, sexual, societal, worldly, political, military, religious, philanthropic, & the like. Though among the preceding types, several have their positive aspects, particularly philanthropy, but it is only the “emotional” that can approximate the ideal. True power is only spiritual.
After all, God is love, the Sant Math is the religion of Ishq-e-haqueeki or love for reality, & the Peer-Murid mystical bond is one of pure & eternal love. The best worship & service of the Guru is constituted by loving Him. Even the Bhagavad Gita asserts that the Lord loves His loving devotees the most of all.
Power does not flow from the barrel of a gun. Power does not depend on how deep one’s pockets are. The heart that can love, & that does really love, attains access to the Guru; the Guru is God Incarnate, & this constitutes living redemption.
In Kaliyuga, true power is vested only in the Sant Satguru. Sachhe Baadshah ki huqumath har jagah hai. Har insaan ki athma par hai, har praani ke karmon par hai, rachna ke har zarre mein hai, wa jannath ki har oonchayi mein hai. Sachhe Baadshah ki Taaqathon ka kisi ke liye andaza lagana thak asambhav hai. That is, the Supreme Master’s suzerainty extends over the whole of creation, and is found in every shred of existence. The Param Guru’s writ runs in every heart, on the deeds of every creature, as well as in the sublime pinnacles of the heavens. It is impossible for anyone to fathom the extent of the Grand Master’s omnipotence.
Blessed are the Satsangis of Dayalbagh, who have a Living & Loving Guru to Guide them through this world’s trials & life’s plays of Maya or illusory reality, and to Help them to strive & progress
in returning to their true Abode!
Radhasoami!
****
Satsang Ideal: Mystical yet Better-worldly. {14.}
****
Radhasoami!
Classifying religions, cults, sects, faiths & denominations on various bases has been a favorite pastime of the many. Popular categorizations of a religion would include its being:
** Mystical or ritualistic; &
** Unworldly or worldly.
Buddhism may be regarded as having been initially at least essentially mystical, focusing on the practice of meditation. Mere external rituals mark most major religions. There may have been unworldly elements in certain major religions, but since no religion or its followers could have survived & expanded on such an ethereal basis for long, most chose to coyly adopt the worldly route.
Only fringe and offbeat sects can afford the luxury of being unabashedly unworldly, such as the one in Japan that even exhorts its followers to commit suicide en masse as a way of exiting the earth & ostensibly gaining paradise. Well, who hasn't heard that it's a crazy world?
The quest for paradise inevitably came to be regarded as not being in conflict with one’s acquisition of material possessions; indeed, worldly prosperity came to be viewed as an indication of one’s likely gains in the beyond as well. Hence, there has been a growth of capitalism worldwide, with the active involvement of Christians {particularly Protestants, as studied extensively by Max Weber}, Jews, Jains, Sikhs, Hindus & others.
So, how may the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh be described?
** Is it mystical or ritualistic?
** Is it unworldly, worldly or “better-worldly”?
Does being a Satsangi mean that one:
** Pray to the exclusion of all life, or merely superficially perform certain rituals timely?
** Scorn & shun the use of material trinkets, or actively rival with the Joneses -- or Kapoors, if you please! -- in the modern consumerist culture?
Or, is there a middle & optimal route instead that Satsangis are enjoined to practice?
The actual Satsang worldview regards the world as real, but perishable, & as headed for destruction at the end of Kaliyuga in the form of a MahaPralay. Life is an opportunity to progress spiritually, so that the soul attains access to higher divine realms, & ultimately achieves salvation by reaching Radhasoami Dham, the loftiest divine realm in existence.
Hence, Satsangis are NOT to confuse their essential worth or Grace merely with their stock of material possessions.
Satsangis are NOT to rival others over such trinkets.
Satsangis are NOT to fritter their lives -- or lose sight of their true goal in life -- in a blind, mad & never-ending chase of the numerous attractive products being thrown up by the present consumerist culture worldwide.
However, a dignified life requires a certain degree of material success. This is again treading on thin ice, because individual perceptions can vary considerably on what may constitute a "dignified life". Is it merely a couple of square meals a day, and minimal shelter, or does it include occasionally buying an exotic island in the middle of an ocean "far from the madding crowd", and perhaps a few acres on the moon? I confess I am now slightly digressing in a lighter vein, so let's resume the relatively more profound ruminations!
Radhasoami!
Classifying religions, cults, sects, faiths & denominations on various bases has been a favorite pastime of the many. Popular categorizations of a religion would include its being:
** Mystical or ritualistic; &
** Unworldly or worldly.
Buddhism may be regarded as having been initially at least essentially mystical, focusing on the practice of meditation. Mere external rituals mark most major religions. There may have been unworldly elements in certain major religions, but since no religion or its followers could have survived & expanded on such an ethereal basis for long, most chose to coyly adopt the worldly route.
Only fringe and offbeat sects can afford the luxury of being unabashedly unworldly, such as the one in Japan that even exhorts its followers to commit suicide en masse as a way of exiting the earth & ostensibly gaining paradise. Well, who hasn't heard that it's a crazy world?
The quest for paradise inevitably came to be regarded as not being in conflict with one’s acquisition of material possessions; indeed, worldly prosperity came to be viewed as an indication of one’s likely gains in the beyond as well. Hence, there has been a growth of capitalism worldwide, with the active involvement of Christians {particularly Protestants, as studied extensively by Max Weber}, Jews, Jains, Sikhs, Hindus & others.
So, how may the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh be described?
** Is it mystical or ritualistic?
** Is it unworldly, worldly or “better-worldly”?
Does being a Satsangi mean that one:
** Pray to the exclusion of all life, or merely superficially perform certain rituals timely?
** Scorn & shun the use of material trinkets, or actively rival with the Joneses -- or Kapoors, if you please! -- in the modern consumerist culture?
Or, is there a middle & optimal route instead that Satsangis are enjoined to practice?
The actual Satsang worldview regards the world as real, but perishable, & as headed for destruction at the end of Kaliyuga in the form of a MahaPralay. Life is an opportunity to progress spiritually, so that the soul attains access to higher divine realms, & ultimately achieves salvation by reaching Radhasoami Dham, the loftiest divine realm in existence.
Hence, Satsangis are NOT to confuse their essential worth or Grace merely with their stock of material possessions.
Satsangis are NOT to rival others over such trinkets.
Satsangis are NOT to fritter their lives -- or lose sight of their true goal in life -- in a blind, mad & never-ending chase of the numerous attractive products being thrown up by the present consumerist culture worldwide.
However, a dignified life requires a certain degree of material success. This is again treading on thin ice, because individual perceptions can vary considerably on what may constitute a "dignified life". Is it merely a couple of square meals a day, and minimal shelter, or does it include occasionally buying an exotic island in the middle of an ocean "far from the madding crowd", and perhaps a few acres on the moon? I confess I am now slightly digressing in a lighter vein, so let's resume the relatively more profound ruminations!
Certain “scientific research” {I am quite sceptical about what such words are supposed to exactly mean, but more on this perhaps later!} has even apparently confirmed that when someone’s material requirements have been adequately met, the person’s focus turns more towards God. Moreover, since Satsang is to spread in the world, we shall require finances on a mammoth scale.
.
The Satsang ideal exhorts Satsangis to aim for “ausath darje ki” or moderate degree of {& not “aala” or superior} material facilities. This is doubtlessly based on the expectation that any human who pursues wealth and possessions to a great degree gradually gets attached to them, & begins to crave them more. This effectively diverts her or him from the true goal of salvation.
.
Unlike several other peoples across the world, who have institutionalized the fine arts of begging, borrowing, stealing and plundering, Satsangis are enjoined to live by their own work, or by the sweat of their own brow. This promotes the traits of independence, integrity, morals, values and ethics. One cannot wallow in muck daylong to effectively quote the scriptures by the night. One cannot partake in the rampant corruption prevalent in most societies worldwide -- particularly, the Indian - and pretend to maintain the purity of one's soul.
Most importantly, for the Radhasoami religion to spread adequately in the world, as per the Paath lines,
“Badhath Satsang ab din din / aha ha ha oho ho ho.”,
phenomenal resources will be required. Hence, Satsangis may be excused a greater attempt at more earnings, if their focus on the true Abode remains foremost in their minds, & the striving is oriented towards Seva in some form or the other.
Paisa saath nahin jatha hai, sachi Bahkti aur Seva hee saath zarur jathe hain. That is, one doesn’t lug one’s lucre or bucks into the afterlife, only one’s devotions and services get carried forward into the beyond as one’s spiritual capital. More money is good, desirable & beneficial, to the extent that it enables more & better Bhakti & Seva, or devotion and service. The efforts for added riches become bad, undesirable & self-defeatist if they are at the expense of one’s faith, or distance oneself from one’s quest for salvation.
.
So, it would appear prudent to accept, albeit with certain qualifications, the biblical observation about the love of money being the root of all evil {Timothy 6:10}. However, the interested reader may also read what Ayn Rand says in her incisive and brilliant writing style on this topic, basically arguing that money is a mere tool and is the root of all good {Atlas Shrugged}.
.
Radhasoami!
****
****
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Satsangis Promised Two Priceless Boons. {13.}
****
Radhasoami!
Satsangis, or the followers of the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh, have been promised two priceless boons. Satsangis frequently do not realize how extremely fortunate they are. Hence, it would help to expressly restate them here briefly.
The first Priceless Boon that Satsangis have been promised by the Incarnation of Radhasoami Dayal & the Param Guru of Dayalbagh is that once an individual surat or soul has been mercifully granted initiation into the Radhasoami religion, it stands instantly freed from the cycle of “Chaurasi lakh yonis’ or 84 lakh different life species, to which the rest of living creatures are subject; & within a maximum of four successive janams or lifetimes, its entire process of eradication of Karmas shall be effected, & the surat shall be enabled a place in Radhasoami Dham, the loftiest divine realm in existence.
The second Priceless Boon is one for whom we must all be grateful to Param Guru Huzur Maharaj Ji. He had once prayed to our August Founder, & sought the categorical assurance that the Nij Dhar or Incarnated Divine Current may Be Pleased not to ever Return to Its original Abode until Its Mission of universal salvation in this world-system was fully achieved. Param Purush Puran Dhani Huzur Soami Ji Maharaj had thereupon mercifully granted this too. This naturally includes within it incalculable Grace for all non-Satsangis, & other living beings as well.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
Satsangis, or the followers of the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh, have been promised two priceless boons. Satsangis frequently do not realize how extremely fortunate they are. Hence, it would help to expressly restate them here briefly.
The first Priceless Boon that Satsangis have been promised by the Incarnation of Radhasoami Dayal & the Param Guru of Dayalbagh is that once an individual surat or soul has been mercifully granted initiation into the Radhasoami religion, it stands instantly freed from the cycle of “Chaurasi lakh yonis’ or 84 lakh different life species, to which the rest of living creatures are subject; & within a maximum of four successive janams or lifetimes, its entire process of eradication of Karmas shall be effected, & the surat shall be enabled a place in Radhasoami Dham, the loftiest divine realm in existence.
The second Priceless Boon is one for whom we must all be grateful to Param Guru Huzur Maharaj Ji. He had once prayed to our August Founder, & sought the categorical assurance that the Nij Dhar or Incarnated Divine Current may Be Pleased not to ever Return to Its original Abode until Its Mission of universal salvation in this world-system was fully achieved. Param Purush Puran Dhani Huzur Soami Ji Maharaj had thereupon mercifully granted this too. This naturally includes within it incalculable Grace for all non-Satsangis, & other living beings as well.
Radhasoami!
****
Procedure for Joining Radhasoami Religion. {12.}
****
Radhasoami!
What should a person seeking initiation into the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh practically do? Of course, this presupposes that the person has realized that s/he believes Radhasoami Dayal to be the Supreme Being, & believes in His Living Incarnation as the Param Guru of Dayalbagh, & also believes in the key tenets of the Radhasoami Faith of Dayalbagh. Secondly, this assumes that the seeker is both a vegetarian & a teetotaler, or is ready to turn so.
Such a genuine seeker should simply try to find out where Satsang is regularly conducted in a nearby colony / town / city under the aegis of a Satsang Branch duly affiliated to the Radhasoami Satsang Sabha of Dayalbagh. It may be added that at present Satsang is being regularly conducted in most towns / cities in India, & in various countries abroad, ranging from neighboring Nepal to the US. Having found the above out, one should go there & convey to the Branch Secretary one’s desire to register as a Seeker at the Branch, & be guided by her or his instructions.
I may add that registered Seekers are to attend Satsang regularly for over a year, besides reading three prescribed preliminary scriptures, after which formal proceedings are begun at the Branch for their getting initiation into this mystical and redemptive religion from the central headquarters of Dayalbagh.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
What should a person seeking initiation into the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh practically do? Of course, this presupposes that the person has realized that s/he believes Radhasoami Dayal to be the Supreme Being, & believes in His Living Incarnation as the Param Guru of Dayalbagh, & also believes in the key tenets of the Radhasoami Faith of Dayalbagh. Secondly, this assumes that the seeker is both a vegetarian & a teetotaler, or is ready to turn so.
Such a genuine seeker should simply try to find out where Satsang is regularly conducted in a nearby colony / town / city under the aegis of a Satsang Branch duly affiliated to the Radhasoami Satsang Sabha of Dayalbagh. It may be added that at present Satsang is being regularly conducted in most towns / cities in India, & in various countries abroad, ranging from neighboring Nepal to the US. Having found the above out, one should go there & convey to the Branch Secretary one’s desire to register as a Seeker at the Branch, & be guided by her or his instructions.
I may add that registered Seekers are to attend Satsang regularly for over a year, besides reading three prescribed preliminary scriptures, after which formal proceedings are begun at the Branch for their getting initiation into this mystical and redemptive religion from the central headquarters of Dayalbagh.
Radhasoami!
****
Mandatory Requirements for Seeking Initiation. {11.}
****
Radhasoami!
The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh is declaredly for universal salvation.
Hence, its doors are basically open to all sincere seekers of God & salvation.
However, certain mandatory requirements for those seeking to join this final humanity's religion may be listed as follows:
The devotional pre-essential of beliefs in:
* Radhasoami Dayal as representing the Name of the Supreme Godhead;
* Radhasoami Dayal’s Being the Presiding Deity of the most exalted paradise in existence {Radhasoami Dham};&
* The Param Guru of Dayalbagh Being the Living Incarnation on earth of Radhasoami Dayal.
Besides, anyone wishing to join the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh is compulsorily required to shun completely & for all time the consumption of:
* Nonvegetarian food in all forms {including egg}; &
* All intoxicants, such as liquor & drugs.
Radhasoami!
****
Radhasoami!
The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh is declaredly for universal salvation.
Hence, its doors are basically open to all sincere seekers of God & salvation.
However, certain mandatory requirements for those seeking to join this final humanity's religion may be listed as follows:
The devotional pre-essential of beliefs in:
* Radhasoami Dayal as representing the Name of the Supreme Godhead;
* Radhasoami Dayal’s Being the Presiding Deity of the most exalted paradise in existence {Radhasoami Dham};&
* The Param Guru of Dayalbagh Being the Living Incarnation on earth of Radhasoami Dayal.
Besides, anyone wishing to join the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh is compulsorily required to shun completely & for all time the consumption of:
* Nonvegetarian food in all forms {including egg}; &
* All intoxicants, such as liquor & drugs.
Radhasoami!
****
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)