What help us to know ourselves, what things are not helping factors, and how we can analyse ourselves from the outgoing faculties and intellect is a practical subject. This is truly called Spirituality. Sant Kirpal Singh |
| Instructions for seekers after truth |
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I. To cultivate and develop the five cardinal virtues which constitute the bedrock of spirituality. These are:
II. To practice these three purities – in diet, livelihood and conduct
III. Satsang or association with truth The guidance of the living Master is of supreme importance. A Master is a Master indeed, a Master in all three phases of life: A Guru or Master on the physical plane, sharing our joys and sorrows, guiding affectionately each one of us in our worldly affairs, and above all imparting spiritual instructions; a Guru Dev or Radiant Form of the Master in astral and causal regions helping the spirit in meditation at each plane, and Satguru or Master of Truth or Truth itself in the Beyond. The importance of attending Satsangs or spiritual gatherings cannot be overemphasized. Theory always precede practice. It is but necessary to understand clearly the teachings of the Master in all their bearings before starting spiritual practice. The Master is the be-all and end-all of the spiritual path. He does not ask for blind faith, however, though experimental faith is necessary for the purpose, to start with. He emphatically says: "Believe not the words of the Master unless you see the Reality yourself," or at least have some experience of it yourself. IV. Spirituality It is a path of love, discipline and self-control. After the initial spiritual experience given at the time of Initiation the rest depends on relentless regular practice as enjoined by the Master. Daily practice with loving faith, in all sincerity and humility, is the cornerstone round which each disciple must turn, so as to make progress on the Path. Love for the Master means implicit obedience to His commandments. V. To eschew all symbolism and rituals The observance of religious practices, rites and rituals keeping fasts and vigils, going on pilgrimages, etc., and doing breathing exercises are the elementary steps only which go to create in you a desire for turning to or meeting God. You have made the best use of them when you are put on the way back to God, which is the science of the Word or the Sound Current and is one for all humanity. A devotee of this science need not indulge in the elementary-steps. In short, all acts involving physical labour belong to the realm of the physical world while we have to rise above the body and bodily consciousness to get contact with the primal manifestations of the Godhead: Light and Sound. You cannot pray God with hands. "God is Spirit and can only be worshipped in spirit." Vl. Record of conduct and progress Every seeker after God is enjoined to maintain a strictly impartial record of his daily conduct, so as to find out his weaknesses and try to weed them out one by one; to note his/her progress on the Path and the various difficulties and shortcomings in the way. The diary so maintained is to be sent to the Master every four months for further guidance. For this purpose regular forms are available and can be obtained from the nearest centre. Vll. Application for initiation Every true aspirant for spiritual science, who can adhere to the above, after preliminary abstinence in diet for about three to six months, can put in an application on the form prescribed for the purpose, giving his brief life sketch, age, marital status and the like along with a copy of his or her photograph. All applications for initiation are to be forwarded to the nearest representative of the Master for His approval, and instructions in Initiation are given only after the Master authorizes them. The place and time of Initiation are communicated in each case by the representative. VlIl. Ruhani Satsang or path of the Masters The science of the living Masters is the most ancient and the most perfect science the world has ever seen, it is the most natural and the easiest to follow, and can be followed by men of all ages. Married life, avocation, caste and creed, social and religious beliefs, poverty or illiteracy, etc., are no bars. It is an inner science of the soul and consists in contacting the soul with the Oversoul, with the help and guidance of the spiritual adept, well versed in the theory and the practice of Para Vidya or the Science of the Beyond and capable of granting some first-hand spiritual experience at the very first sitting. Nothing is to be taken on trust or make-believe. Miracles, spiritual healings, psychic phenomena, fortune-telling, akashic records and worldly desires are all to be left aside, for these are positive hindrances on the Path. The entire energy is to be conserved for internal progress. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all things shall be added unto you. This is the highest Truth that has been taught from hoary antiquity by sages and seers since the day of creation. It is unalterable and shall remain so. God, Godway, and Godman can never suffer any change and shall ever remain eternal. |