Eine Sammlung von Rundschreiben von Sant Kirpal Singh, die in fünf Teilen zwischen 1969 und 1973 herausgegeben wurde.
Die letzten vier Teile wurden in der Zeitschrift “Sat Sandesh” veröffentlicht. Die ersten drei Teile wurden in der Form einer
Broschüre im Februar 1970 veröffentlicht, die letzten zwei wurden getrennt davon herausgegeben.
Alle fünf Rundschreiben wurden auch im Buch “The Way of the Saints” veröffentlicht.
Weitere Literatur zu diesem wichtigen Thema gibt es im Buch “Morgengespräche” und im Vortrag “Wie man Empfänglichkeit entwickelt (Hindi)”
You can also read more about this important topic in the book “Morning Talks” (chapter “How To Develop Receptivity I” + “How To Develop Receptivity II”) and in the talk “How To Develop Receptivity (from Hindi)”
Direkte Links auf die Rundschreiben 1–5 über Empfänglichkeit
- Empfänglichkeit ist notwendig
- On Sadachar, the Righteous Life
- To Succeed in Man-Making
- To Change the Mind’s Habits
- Turn to the Master Within
1. Empfänglichkeit ist notwendig
Delhi, den 13. Juni 1969
Meine Lieben,
im Laufe der vergangenen zwei Jahre hat sich die Auslandskorrespondenz beinahe verdoppelt; und die Zeit, die ich dafür aufzuwenden habe, hat sich entsprechend erhöht. In derselben Zeitspanne sind auch meine Verpflichtungen hier in Indien sehr angewachsen.
Viel Zeit, die ich für die Auslandskorrespondenz aufwende, könnte gespart werden, wenn die Repräsentanten und Gruppenbeauftragten in größerem Maße nach ihren Gebieten und einzelnen Satsangs sehen würden, für die sie verantwortlich sind. Wenn sie ihren Verantwortlichkeiten die gebührende Aufmerksamkeit schenkten und wenn sie ein gutes Beispiel gäben, würde die Veranlassung, der zufolge mir die Lieben unzählige Briefe über die laufenden Satsang–Angelegenheiten schreiben, vermieden.
Außerdem könnten und sollten die meisten grundlegenden Fragen, die von Nichtinitiierten, die an den Lehren des Meisters interessiert sind, gestellt werden und ebenso Fragen von Initiierten durch die Gruppenbeauftragten beantwortet werden, die dies von ihrer Warte aus tun können oder indem sie auf die Bücher, die ich geschrieben habe, verweisen.
In meinen Büchern ist über fast alle Phasen der Spiritualität geschrieben und sie enthalten die Antworten auf die meisten Anfragen, die Nichtinitiierte oder solche, die bereits auf den Weg gestellt sind, stellen; aber laufend kommen Briefe mit Fragen, die beantwortet werden könnten, wenn die Bücher und Schriften genau studiert würden.
Für alle Gruppenbeauftragten und Repräsentanten ist die Zeit gekommen, ihre Stellung auszuwerten und bereit zu sein, größere Verantwortlichkeit auf sich zu nehmen, als sie es bisher taten. Sie sollten eine ausreichende Kenntnis der Lehren haben, um in der Lage zu sein, die meisten Fragen über den Pfad zu beantworten und sollten auch solche Fragen behandeln können, die die vergleichenden Religionen betreffen, mit spezieller Bezugnahme auf die Bibel, wenn mit dem Surat Shabd Yoga verglichen wird. Wenn ein Gruppenbeauftragter glaubt, dass er/sie auf eine besondere Frage nicht antworten oder eine bestimmte Situation nicht lösen kann, mag die Angelegenheit zur Beantwortung dem Repräsentanten zugeleitet werden. Und wenn ein Repräsentant glaubt, dass er/sie diese nicht richtig beantworten kann, mag sie nur in diesem Falle an mich verwiesen werden.
Ich möchte auch gerne ein paar Worte über die zahllosen persönlichen Probleme sagen, die die Lieben mir vorbringen zwecks Lösung ihrer Schwierigkeiten. Indes ich gerne die rechte Führung gebe, sollte auch daran gedacht werden, dass die gnädige Meisterkraft, die oben wirkt, nach jenen sieht, die durch mich initiiert worden sind und dass sie immer mit ihren Kindern ist und alle ihre Probleme lösen kann, wenn sie sich für sie aufnahmefähig machen. In dieser Hinsicht kann ein Gebrauch des gesunden Menschenverstandes zusammen mit ruhiger Überlegung der Tatsachen Wunder tun bei der Entwicklung der Empfänglichkeit für die Meisterkraft.
Empfänglichkeit ist der Schlüssel, der nicht nur eure materiellen Schwierigkeiten löst,
sondern auch das Reich Gottes in euch erschließt.
Bei der Initiation überträgt der Meister seinen eigenen Lebensimpuls. Wenn wir an Ihn denken, denkt Er an uns mit ganzem Herzen und mit ganzer Seele. Er ist nicht der Körper. Er ist das personifizierte Wort, das fleischgewordene Wort.
Um den vollen Nutzen aus der Meisterkraft zu ziehen,
muss jeder Schüler Empfänglichkeit entwickeln.
Es ist unmöglich, diese Empfänglichkeit zu entwickeln, solange nicht unbedingter Gehorsam gegenüber den Geboten des Meisters geleistet wird. Wenn ihr den Worten des Meisters Achtung zollt, dann ist das ein Zeichen, dass in euch die Liebe für Ihn zunimmt; und je mehr in euch die Liebe für Ihn zunimmt, desto mehr Empfänglichkeit werdet ihr entwickeln.
Hier möchte ich auch noch gewisse Missverständnisse im Hinblick auf die Initiation klären. Eine Erfahrung von Licht und Ton wird immer gegeben, sei sie klein oder groß, was vom Hintergrund desjenigen abhängt, der initiiert wird. Es ergibt sich zuweilen, dass einer zu der Zeit angespannt ist, was seine Empfänglichkeit gegenüber der gnädigen Meisterkraft, die oben wirkt, verringert. Die besten Ergebnisse werden erzielt, wenn einer bei der Initiation entspannt und ganz frisch und munter ist. Es wird jedoch zu viel Nachdruck auf die Anfangserfahrung bei der heiligen Initiation gelegt.
Das erste Zeichen dafür, dass Gottes Gnade auf eine Seele herabkam, ist, dass sie durch einen lebenden Meister die Initiation erhält. Menschen, die mit dem Wort oder der Kraft von Naam verbunden werden, sind sehr begünstigt. Es ist allein durch Gottes Gnade, dass einer initiiert wird.
Der größte Dienst, den ein Schüler dem Meister leisten kann, ist,
ein geeignetes Gefäß zu werden, damit er auf die Kraft von Naam
abgestimmt werden kann, mit der er verbunden worden ist.
Dies braucht jedoch Zeit. Der spirituelle Pfad ist schwierig und verlangt eine strenge Selbstdisziplin. Wir müssen immer auf der Hut sein vor allem, was uns vom Pfad abzieht. Wir müssen des Meisters Weisungen buchstäblich ausführen und regelmäßige Zeit den Meditationen widmen. Wir müssen lernen, die Eigenliebe zu überwinden, die ein Feuer ist, das verzehrt und zerstört, und müssen stattdessen die Liebe zu Gott entwickeln, die ein Feuer ist, das läutert und reinigt.
Initiation bedeutet auch, dass einer durch den Meister angenommen ist, in die Schule der Spiritualität einzutreten. Es ist in keinem Fall eine Graduierung. Um ein weltliches Beispiel zu geben: Wenn ein Student von einer Universität zum Studium angenommen worden ist, ist er für gewöhnlich hoch erfreut über die bloße Aufnahme. Er geht nicht sofort zum Rektor und verlangt sein Graduierungszeugnis. Er weiß, dass er fleißig lernen muss, um die Zwischen– und Abschlussprüfungen zu bestehen, ehe er ein Graduierter genannt werden kann. So er sich nicht darauf verlegt, braucht er nicht verwundert zu sein, wenn er in seinen Prüfungen versagt. Nachdem er seine Abschlussprüfungen bestanden hat, wird der Student mit einem Grad belohnt, der ihn berechtigt, sich höheren Studien zuzuwenden.
Wenn man schon so viel und so schwer arbeiten muss, um weltliches Wissen zu erwerben, um wie viel mehr sollte einer dann arbeiten und sich zur Disziplin erziehen, um für das, was der Meister ihm geben will, würdig zu sein.
Bis der Schüler anfängt, sich innerlich zu entwickeln und sich der Verbindung mit dem inneren Meister zu erfreuen, muss er notgedrungen fest an den äußeren Meister glauben. Der Meister enthüllt seine ganze Größe nicht sofort, sondern nur in dem Verhältnis wie der Aspirant seinen Eifer zeigt und Fortschritte macht auf dem Pfad. Es ist genau wie bei einem Studenten, der, wenn er in seinen Studien vorankommt, nach und nach immer mehr von der Fähigkeit seines Lehrers erkennt. Ähnlich beginnt der Meister wie ein gewöhnlicher Lehrer und gibt Weisungen, wie es jeder Freund und Gönner tun würde.
Zu gegebener Zeit beweist er die Autorität eines Meisters, und zuletzt sieht man ihn als Satguru in Sat oder der Wahrheit eingebettet. Auf dieser Stufe erscheinen er und Gott ineinander verschmolzen, und es gibt keinen Unterschied zwischen ihnen.
Initiation bedeutet schließlich nicht, dass das Leben für den Schüler ein Bett aus Rosen sein wird. Bei dieser Aufgabe der Selbstläuterung spielt das physische und mentale Leiden eine Rolle. Wen gibt es, der nicht zu irgendeiner Zeit seines Lebens leidet?
Nach der Initiation beginnt der Prozess, die Bürde der Seele, die sie in Knechtschaft hält, zu erleichtern. Dieser Prozess kann rasch und glücklich durchgestanden werden, wenn der Schüler das liebevolle Denken an den Meister im Herzen aufrecht erhält und sich bemüht, guten Mutes zu sein. Sowie der Schüler auf dem Pfad fortschreitet, erhält er spirituelle Kraft und die äußeren Widerwärtigkeiten verlieren ihre drückende Wirkung.
Ich wünsche euch allen raschen Fortschritt auf dem Pfad. Lasst in Einklang mit eurer spirituellen Entwicklung das Licht, welches in jedem von euch scheint, eine Quelle der Inspiration für eure Mitmenschen sein.
Ich hoffe, dass dieses Rundschreiben euch alle zu größerem Bemühen anspornen wird, damit bis dahin, wo ich, so Gott will, unter euch bin, ihr größeren Nutzen von der physischen Gegenwart des Meisters ableiten werdet.
Mit aller Liebe und besten Wünschen
Herzlich Euer
Kirpal Singh
❊ ❊ ❊
2. On Sadachar, the Righteous Life
November 5, 1969
Also published as “The God-like Life” in English Sat Sandesh 1970-1
Dear ones: In my Circular Letter of June 13, it was explained in detail what is the responsibility of each and every initiate, the true meaning of Initiation, and the life to be led by one who wishes to progress on the Path.
In continuation, I should like to say a few words on Sadachar or the righteous life, without which one cannot sit in the quiet of his own self and, with concentrated attention, pierce through the inner darkness.
To achieve true spiritual progress, one must lead “the good life,” I may even say a “God-like life,” before much inner progress can be made. At the same time, one must be fully dutiful to regular meditations, as both are essential. To lead a good life without devoting time to one’s spiritual practices will not raise the attention to the seat of the soul. Similarly, devoting hours to meditation without eliminating bad habits and cultivating good ones in their place will not get one anywhere.
Purity of life is essential for fruitful meditations.
What is “the good life?” It is to have good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Sadachar is a life of continued rightness from beginning to end. It is for each initiate to occasionally pause and introspect as to how far he has succeeded in molding his life in accordance with the commandments of the Master.
We talk of God, hear of God, and read of God,
but we seldom practice God in our daily life.
It is the practice of the Presence of God that matters and we can only have the awareness of this Presence by leading a God-like life; there are no short cuts on the way back to God.
Truth is higher than everything but higher still is true living.
Truth and true living are not exclusive of each other but go together; one supplements the other and their combination forms the God-like life.
One who practices true living will always earn his living by the sweat of his brow and feed himself and his family on rightly procured foods consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts, cereals and permitted dairy products.
Furthermore, he will be honest and above-board in his dealings with others.
These three aspects of conduct are indispensable aids to true living. One can gauge his or her spiritual progress by the measure of conscious control that he or she has over their thought pattern. One who has in some measure achieved this control will not be swayed or upset by outer conditions, stresses and strains that his environment may place on him. If one cannot rise above, be in full control of, and handle with ease, the circumstances of his outer environment, he will never be able to succeed in the way of Spirituality.
So the important thing is to first learn to handle your outer environment, consisting of your home and/or work life. We are to be judged by our actions and not by our words.
It is from the abundance of our heart that all actions result,
whether physical, emotional or intellectual.
The mind is an index and reflecting mirror
and it truly depicts one’s inner state.
A measure of success in how well you are succeeding in handling your outer environment will be a gradual awareness that you are becoming the master of your own thoughts. It is to achieve this success that I introduced the self introspective diaries.
How many really keep their diaries properly?
Very few, if any, I am sorry to say. If the diaries were to be taken advantage of, you would see a change in your behavior, your mode of thinking, and consequently, you would progress spiritually by leaps and bounds. The purpose of the diary is to reflect your own inner state, so that you know where you stand. It is a tool which, if used properly, will chisel you into a receptacle fit for the manifestation of the Master within you. You should put just as much devotion and attention into keeping your diary as you put into your meditations. The following points will give you the right understanding on the sublime purpose behind and benefits to be had from keeping the diary:
- When, at the end of the day, you recall your failures in thought, word and deed, in which direction will your mind be turned? Naturally, it will go to the One who has asked you to keep it. So keeping the diary is also remembrance of the Master; you are saying something to Him. If you remember Him, well, He remembers you, and in time, you will develop receptivity to Him wherever you may be. There can be no true spiritual progress without receptivity, and the daily maintenance of the diary with full attention and a true yearning to be freed from the lapses which are recorded therein goes a long way to developing this receptivity.
- In the Christian religion, I understand that those who wish may make a confession of their lapses before a priest. They may go once a month or weekly, but generally not more often than once a week. But by keeping the diaries, you are making a confession every day. Let your confessions be honestly and openly recorded in the various columns, so that you know where you stand and can take rectifying action. The best and easiest way to cure your ills is to yearn to be free of them and, as mentioned above, to have sweet remembrance of the Master at the time you are filling in your diary.
- Last and just as important as the foregoing, keeping the diary should not be allowed to stagnate into a mere recording of failures, which tends to become mechanical if done with little or no attention. The true purpose of putting these failures down in front of you is to make yourself aware of them so that they may be weeded out. To weed them out, it is not sufficient to cut off one or two branches, you must uproot the cause. Once you become aware of a failure, you should be able to trace it to a certain situation, and this situation will help you to identify the cause of the weakness in you that has to be strengthened. By and by, the very cause of the failure will drop off by itself.
Another important aspect of “the good life” concerns outer behavior, which should be natural to the society into which one is born; no acting or posing is required. There are some dear ones who believe that they should adopt the outer symbols of dress and name that characterize the society into which the Master is born, in the belief that this is pleasing to Him. The life of the spirit does not call for conversion to outer modes of living in name, appearance or apparel.
The Masters do not come to make or unmake social orders.
Their Mission is just to fulfill the Law of God,
which is to redeem His lost children.
They simply ask us to convert ourselves inwardly, to be poor in spirit and pure at heart.
We should cultivate true humility, which is neither servile nor assertive. These are the things that will please the Master and make us receptive to the gracious Master Power working overhead. If you live a life of humility and simplicity, you will have peace of mind.
After all, what is there on earth that belongs to you? Why be attached to the vanities of the world when the treasures of divinity lie within you?
If you live for God, all things shall work out in your best interests, not only spiritually but also materially. This is the fundamental Law of God and can be realized by all who will practice true living.
The reward of true living will be that you will become receptive to the Master Power working over your head. No real progress can be had unless this receptivity is developed. By receptivity a disciple is cast into the same mold as the Master, but before one can become receptive, he must have right understanding. This is given either by word of mouth by the Master at the Satsangs conducted personally by Him or through His writings in the form of the many books and circular letters to those who live afar. Right understanding by word of mouth or through His writings constitutes only one third of the teachings of the Master; the other two thirds are achieved through developing receptivity.
Christ said,
“I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:5
The first sign that a branch is receptive to the life-giving sap that rises in the body of the vine will be blossoms, and the second, the fruit that it will bear. If a branch cuts itself off from the sap, then…? It will become but a dead piece of wood, fit only for the pruning shears of the gardener.
The vine gets its food through its roots which are intertwined and embedded in the nutriment-giving soil. Therefore, the branch that is receptive or attached to the body of the vine gets the same food.
Similarly, the Master’s roots are embedded and intertwined in the Godhead. So the disciple who is attached to, or becomes receptive to the Master can not only be fed by the life-giving sap of the Master but can actually pass through His roots until he too becomes embedded or intertwined in the Godhead, and this can only be done by developing receptivity. To attempt to gain the Godhead without being receptive to the Master Power is fraught with danger.
Maulana Rumi says,
“Do not go within without the Master,
as there are many dangers inside.”
If one should happen to rise above body consciousness without being receptive to the Master Power, he will become hopelessly lost in the lower astral planes and runs a great risk of being deceived by the many manifestations of the negative power. There have been instances where even great Rishis have fallen because they relied on their own power to carry them over the dangers that abound in the inner regions.
So receptivity is important for success in all phases of life, both mundane and spiritual, and it can be achieved by following the right understanding given above.
First, one must lead a God-like life;
second, the spiritual diaries must be maintained
in the accurate way as already explained, and
third, you must learn to develop receptivity.
If you succeed in the first two, the third will follow of itself.
With all love and best wishes,
Yours affectionately,
Kirpal Singh
❊ ❊ ❊
3. To Succeed in Man-Making
January 27, 1970
Dear ones: The recent increase in correspondence received here indicates that the many books written by me, in addition to the Circular Letters issued over the past two years, especially those dated June 13 and November 5, 1969, have not been read, appreciated and digested by the dear ones. This is confirmed by the contents of the letters written to me by most of the initiates, which bring up the same questions and problems which had been answered in previous letters, or could have been answered by a proper study of the books and circulars already referred to.
My Circular Letters should be read again and again, both at Satsangs and individually. Again, I should like to stress that the Circular Letters, dated June 13 and November 5, give the right understanding and guidance for all situations, and any problems or difficulties that may be encountered in the day to day living of the initiates.
You must put this right understanding into actual practice if you wish to succeed in the task of man-making, which you alone can do. The more you succeed in this way, the more receptivity you will develop to the Master Power within you.
The Circular Letters mentioned above should be given to every new initiate, to give impetus to their Initiation. To give further help and encouragement on the Way, my new book Morning Talks will soon be available for general distribution. This book, which covers most aspects of Spirituality, is a God-given spiritual textbook to which all initiates should constantly refer to see how they are measuring up to the standards required for success in their man-making. I cannot stress sufficiently the importance of reading this book, digesting its contents, and then living up to what it contains.
The dear ones should also be regular in attending Satsang, which is where the theoretical side of the Teachings are given, to enable them to increase their understanding of what the books and Circular Letters written by the Master contain. When you have right understanding, you will have right thoughts, and from right thoughts will automatically flow right words and right action.
Satsang is not a place for gossip or social get-togethers.
It is a sacred forum where all meet to sit
in sweet remembrance of the Master
as well as to increase their understanding.
While I permitted meditations also to be held at Satsang in the past, generally after the Satsang, I would now suggest that those dear ones who would like to meditate together, do so before the Satsang commences. This will avoid the incidence of social chitchat that has, in many cases, been reported to me as going on at the beginning and end of Satsang. It will also avoid the participation of non-initiates in the meditation period, which is not desirable, except in cases of sincere seekers after Truth, who are desirous of Initiation. When Satsang is finished, everyone should leave.
Those non-initiates who are interested in the Teachings should be advised to first thoroughly study the books and other literature available, before asking any questions.
If after such a thorough study of the Teachings, they still have some questions, these may be answered by the Group Leader. By attending Satsang in the right spirit, the Master Power within each initiate will radiate, and the resultant charging of the atmosphere will give a boost to all. At times like these, the Master Power is given the right environment to do Its work, which is to prepare the dear ones for their second birth into the Beyond.
If all the initiates give a proper study to the books and Circular Letters and also attend the Satsang in the way described above, there should be no need for them to write to the Master with any question or problem, the solution of which already lies at hand. Every initiate should understand that to write to me on any problem or with any questions is to limit the Master Power working within them. It but delays the answer, which could otherwise be known within a short time by following the advice given above.
In my Circular of June 13, I advised the initiate who had some problem or question to which he required an answer, to sit quietly in a receptive mood, thereby attuning himself to the gracious Master Power within him. Then he would surely receive his answer and have full confidence as to what course of action he should take.
For example, there is one story from the life of Lord Krishna. One of his disciples, a lady, was attacked by some men in a lonely place. So naturally, she cried out to Lord Krishna for help, but thought of him as being in the place where his physical body resided, which was many miles away. Just when her condition was becoming desperate, Lord Krishna appeared and she was saved. When she remonstrated with Lord Krishna for taking so long to come to her aid, he replied,
“Well, you thought of me as being miles away from you,
so it took some time for me to come to help you.
But if you had realized that I am always with you,
am in fact your constant companion,
I would have appeared instantaneously.”
The diary forms on which you record your spiritual progress should of course continue to be sent to me, so that I can give further guidance on inner, spiritual progress. If any initiate feels that he must have some outer guidance on the Teachings, he should discuss his questions and/or problems with the Group Leader or Representative of his area.
In this regard, Group Leaders and Representatives should be thoroughly familiar with the Teachings. They will greatly reduce their own workload if they read out at Satsang the Circular Letters already referred to, in addition to selections from the books written by me. The new book “Morning Talks” will provide them with invaluable material for this purpose.
But most of all, they should set an example to others in their actions.
“Example is better than precept.”
If they carry out their responsibilities in a loving and humble manner, they will become more receptive channels for the Master Power to work through. Their very radiation will benefit others without them uttering one word.
However, there is one very important point that must be borne in mind by all, whether initiates, group leaders, or representatives. This is, that group leaders and representatives are there purely for the purpose of giving out the theoretical side of the Teachings and in arranging facilities whereby the initiates of their group or area can meet together for Satsang.
Group Leaders and representatives are not to be used as crutches for the other initiates to lean upon. Nor should the initiates look to them for any purpose but to help them in understanding the Teachings. In other words, initiates should not look to them for spiritual guidance in any shape or form, as this is the function of the Master.
If an initiate looks to a group leader or representative for spiritual guidance he automatically places a blockage in between himself and the Master and his spiritual progress will suffer in consequence. Similarly if a group leader or representative allows himself to be used in this way, he too stands to lose.
So, to summarize, group leaders and representatives are there only to help others to have right understanding of the Teachings (which they can do only if they are thoroughly conversant with them), and to provide a healthy example of the life to be led. It should be remembered that the Master Power is within each initiate and that each one should be an inspiration to his fellow, whether initiate or non-initiate.
Those who have developed more receptivity than others can by their very example and radiation give a boost to their less developed brothers, without exerting any sort of superiority over them.
I always used to pray to my Master that if any goodness went out of me to the benefit of my fellow man, then I should not know about it.
With all love and best wishes,
Yours affectionately,
Kirpal Singh
❊ ❊ ❊
4. To Change the Mind’s Habits
February 20, 1971
Over the past year, I have observed from the spiritual diaries sent in by the dear ones, that they report little or no inner progress, some even mentioning that they have made no headway since the time of their holy Initiation. Because there appears to be a lack of right understanding as to why steady progress has not been made, I should like to clarify the process by which such progress can be achieved.
If the dear ones were to do their spiritual practices correctly, with due regard to self introspection, they would, as sure as two and two make four, rise above body consciousness and transcend into the Beyond, where the Inner Master is patiently waiting to greet His children at the threshold of the astral plane. But because they are unable to do this, even for a short while, they erroneously believe their meditations to be barren of all concrete results.
If you were able to follow the Master’s instructions accurately, you would be sure to agree with St. Paul, who tells us in the Bible: “I die daily.” Therefore, what is it that prevents you from following the Master’s instructions?
It is your own mind, which you have not yet been able to coax away from the outer attachments of the world to the bliss that awaits it inside.
What the Master tells you to do is not really difficult if you could but comprehend the simplicity of it. He tells you to sit in a position most comfortable to you, one in which you can sit the longest without moving; that while sitting in this position, you are to remain wide awake with your attention directed at the seat of the soul behind and between the two eyebrows; that you are to look sweetly and serenely into the middle of the darkness in front of you, repeating the Simran of five charged names slowly and at intervals.
Some succeed in performing their spiritual disciplines in the prescribed manner in a short period, others do not for want of the conscious control of the mind and the outgoing faculties. This is why it has always been stressed to weed out all undesirable traits and habits, and to replace them by the opposite ennobling virtues; and for this, the maintenance of the monthly self introspection diary is mandatory.
The more you progress in man-making, the more
your mind and senses will come under your conscious control.
This has already been dealt with very thoroughly, as well as other aspects of spiritual development, in my previous Circular Letters which together with “Morning Talks” constitute the yardsticks which you may apply to measure how far you have succeeded in your disciplines, both outer and inner.
So what is meant by “not doing the practices properly” is simply another way of saying that the one-pointed concentration preluding complete withdrawal to the eye focus has not yet been achieved by the dear ones.
You are the indweller of your own body, but are not yet its Master. Your servants, the mind and five senses, have usurped the throne on which your soul should sit. Until they are dispossessed and placed in their rightful place as servants, they will not allow you to withdraw and go in.
The Master within, like any loving father,
is eagerly awaiting the day when you have set your house in order.
He only requires one opportunity to snatch you from the prison-house of the body, and like an expert angler, once He has successfully hooked His fish, He will not allow it to escape until He has it safely in His basket.
Man is so constituted that he cannot for long remain at one level.
He either progresses or slips back.
You may judge for yourselves which way you are going by seeing how far your mind and senses are coming under your conscious control.
This is achieved not only by ethical living, but also by the inner help and strength you get every time you sit for your meditations. So, if no apparent inner headway is achieved, know it for sure that the ground is being watered.
Every time you sit, you are creating a habit which one day the mind will accept as in its best interest, as opposed to its present habit of seeking enjoyment in outside things. Habit strengthens into nature, and this is the reason for the present difficulties experienced by the dear ones in their routine meditations. The habit of the mind in running after outside enjoyments has become natural to it. Therefore, it resents sitting in the quiet. By creating a new habit, you will, in time, change the nature of the mind from one seeking pleasure in things external to one thirsting for the bliss and sweetness to be had from things internal.
“Thy restless mind continually goes astray;
how can it ever be brought to heel?
Only by giving the heart and soul
to the Word or Name (Naam) of God;
no other way has ever been found
or ever will be found”
— Swami Ji
So I wish for you to tread the Path having full faith and confidence in the Master, and above all, be grateful that you have been accepted for Initiation in this difficult age we are living in. Persevere, persevere, and persevere again. Perseverance combined with full faith in the gracious Master Power working overhead will one day remove all obstacles, and your cherished goal will be achieved.
With all love and best wishes,
Yours affectionately,
Kirpal Singh
❊ ❊ ❊
5. Turn to the Master Within
July 6, 1973
Dear Children of Light, Representatives, Group leaders, Initiates, Seekers of God and Aspirants: It is a pleasure to see that the Vineyard of Hazur is in full bloom and His family is growing from strength to strength with the passage of time. Along with this, there is a corresponding increase in the work load, especially in the incoming mail that is growing in bulk each day.
In this connection, I have already issued three detailed Circular Letters – dated June 13 and November 5, 1969, and January 27, 1970, as printed in “Receptivity” — followed by another on February 20, 1971. The main purpose of issuing these Circular Letters was to provide useful and practical guidelines to the dear ones on the Path and consequently to streamline and cut down the unnecessary and avoidable correspondence.
But it appears that the instructions contained therein have not been read, appreciated and followed in the spirit in which they were issued. It is evident from the incessant inflow of numerous routine and stereotype letters/communications received over here in large numbers.
You would please realize that it takes a lot of time to dispose of it by working late hours in the night – many times beyond midnight. It is, therefore, once again desired to limit the correspondence work and to keep it within rational bounds. For this purpose it is suggested that every one must strive to do his or her mite to achieve the desired results positively so as to leave ample time for the Master to attend to more important matters of policy, planning and projects in hand, relating to Man-making and spiritual upliftment all around.
I have, time and again, emphasized that each one should make oneself thoroughly conversant with:
(a) the guidelines provided in the various books published so far, and
(b) the contents of the various Circular Letters issued heretofore.
It is all the more important that the Group Leaders and the Representatives should, by careful reading and reverent study of the books and circular letters, make themselves thoroughly conversant with the basic tenets of the Science Spiritual and induce those in the fold, both old and new, to do likewise so as to have a clear and correct insight into the day to day problems of life which are, more or less, alike in their nature and are of a routine type. In this way, there would be a division of labor and each one would learn to stand on one’s own legs and will also be able to help his or her brethren.
By helping others you are, in fact, helping your own self in so many different forms. Selfless service has its own reward and being born of innate love for all, embraces the totality of His being.
Until now, it was suggested that the self introspection diaries should come directly to the Master for obtaining instructions and guidance, but it is now felt that in the overall interest of the entire work and to lessen the strain on the Master, this work can safely be decentralized and left to the sagacious care of the Representatives and Group Leaders. The two things to be carefully observed in the diaries are:
- Regular and accurate meditations from day to day and as a corollary, therefore, experiences will be gained in Vision and Audition;
- Lapses in cardinal virtues, especially in thought, for mind is the greatest foe and has to be turned into a useful friend and ally by coaxing, cajoling and gradual restraint, by a careful watch over its antics.
Victory over the mind means victory over the world.
One who can contain himself by controlling the mind
is the greatest hero and the bravest of the brave.
If this is achieved, lapses in words and deeds will take care of themselves and will automatically go down.
Another thing worth noting is difficulties and obstacles met with by the practitioners. These are, in the main, due to lack of carefree relaxation in practice, and consciousness of pranas (respiration), which supply a fulcrum to the mind and set it to woolgathering. Ignore the pranas as we ignore them in all our bodily activities.
Again, most of the dear souls crave for spectacular results and complain of slow progress. But, be it known that the time factor is an essential element and it differs with different individuals, depending on so many factors: each one’s background, mental development, present environments and the degree of receptivity acquired. The spiritual Path is an arduous up-hill journey and requires steadfast patience and perseverance.
“Slow and steady wins the race in the long run.”
The Master Power is more anxious to pull us up than we are prepared to repose in Him. He knows our needs more than we do and is ever ready to extend His helping hand to us if we care to grasp it. Instead of completely giving ourselves to the healthier, higher and holier influence coming from above, we remain, for the most part, hide-bound or mind-ridden and thus we stand in the way of the Divine Power which comes down like a gentle dove if we are but ready to receive Him. On the contrary, we stand between God and ourselves and keep surveying the process of withdrawal instead of engaging in the spiritual practices with all our heart, mind and soul.
Next, there are three types of common ailments which usually haunt and afflict our footsteps: physical or bodily, emotional or mental, and those caused by Vis-Major or the Divine Power.
The major events in life are, for the most part,
charted out beforehand and the rest too
are the effects of causes set going in the past,
and there is no escape therefrom.
It is better to accept them smilingly and take them sportively than to rue over them and keep a long face all the time. Being in the flesh it is not wise to expect wholeness all the time. We have to adjust ourselves to the surroundings, conditions and circumstances and then the storms and stresses will just blow over like a gentle breeze. The initiates have, however, the added advantage of the long and strong arm of the Master Power which always works to their good, even in seemingly adverse situations.
These are some of the problems which, at one stage or another, crop up in the life of everyone, and most of the correspondence is of a stereotype nature and as such can easily be handled and disposed of locally, by explaining matters sweetly and gently and putting things in their right perspective. In this way you can relieve the Master to a great extent. It would be better to read the instructions carefully, and an attempt should be made to make each realize the importance of minimizing the work load at this end.
These are just a few tips. All these matters are, as said above, fully explained in the various publications and circular letters, which cover a wider range of subjects and situations, and can easily be pressed into service to meet.
Last but not least, there is a cardinal need for developing inner receptivity. The Master Power, as you all know, is not confined to any particular place. It is working in and around you. You have but to turn your face towards Him inwardly to get the required help and guidance wherever necessary. Learn to sit still and be mentally still, and the silence thus generated will be more vocal than words spoken and written; and you will have an instantaneous solution not only to your personal problems but to the problems of others as well. This is the greatest secret of success.
I am always there to help you, both within and without. I shall welcome all the references that are really of an important nature which cannot be easily resolved over there by the Group Leaders and Representatives.
My Love and good wishes are always with each one of you.
You cannot imagine with what longing the Master Power
awaits you at the eye focus ready to receive you with open arms.
I wish you the best of luck and pluck in all your endeavors.
With all Love and kind thoughts,
Yours affectionately,
Kirpal Singh