Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Terrorism: Grave Threat to Humanism. {134.}

Terrorism: Grave Threat to Humanism. {134.}
****

So, while we have here been sending & reading daily quotes from all of humanity’s scriptures, there the terrorists continue with 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 & make concerted efforts against all such divisive & disruptive forces of hatred, violence & destruction in any corner of the world.
****

Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Wishing Well to All Others. {133.}

Wishing Well to All Others. {133.}
****

Kabira Khada bazaar mein maange sub ki khair
Na kahu say dosti na kahu say bair
.”

---- Param Sant Kabir.
****

Note: That is,
“Kabir stands in the central marketplace,
Praying for the welfare of all,
He has none for a friend
Nor is he foe to any.”

Kill Doubt; Act with Discipline. {132.}

Kill Doubt; Act with Discipline. {132.}
****

“Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart
with the sword of self-knowledge.
Observe your discipline. Arise.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Service of Guru is All. {131.}

Service of Guru is All. {131.}
****

“Serve your True Lord and Master,
and you shall be blessed with true greatness.
By Guru’s Grace, He abides in the mind,
and egotism is driven out.
This wandering mind comes to rest,
when the Lord casts His Glance of Grace.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Worship Only One God Totally. {130.}

Worship Only One God Totally. {130.}
****

“And of humankind are some
who take {for worship} others
besides Allah as rivals {to Allah}.
They love them as they love Allah.
But those who believe,
love Allah more {than anything else}.
If only, those who do wrong could see,
then they will see the torment,
that all power belongs to Allah
and that Allah is Severe in punishment.

---- The Quran; Surah Al-Baqara; Verse 165.
****

Remain Courageous and Become Strong. {129.}

Remain Courageous and Become Strong. {129.}
****

“Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All ye that hope in the Lord.”

---- The Bible; Psalm: 31:24.
****

Saturday, June 26, 2010

No Such Thing as “Try”. {128.}

No Such Thing as “Try”. {128.}
****

“Do, or do not. There is no ‘try’.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Radhasoami: The Universal Salvation Religion. {127.}

Radhasoami: The Universal Salvation Religion. {127.}
****

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.
****

Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Self-respect Evokes Respect from Others. {126.}

Self-respect Evokes Respect from Others. {126.}
****

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”

---- Confucius {551 BC - 479 BC},
Chinese philosopher & reformer.
****

Realized Soul: Wholity, Independence, Satisfaction. {125.}

Realized Soul: Wholity, Independence, Satisfaction. {125.}
****

“The soul who meditates on the Self
is content to serve the Self
and rests satisfied within the Self;
there remains nothing more
for such a one to accomplish.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Evil is a Weighty Karma. {124.}

Evil is a Weighty Karma. {124.}
****

“Sin is a stone that doesn’t float on water.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

The Creator and His Creation. {123.}

The Creator and His Creation. {123.}
****

“He it is Who created for you all that is on earth.
Then He Istawa {rose over} towards the heaven
and made them seven heavens
and He is the All-Knower of everything.”

---- The Quran; Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 29.
****

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Following God and His Words. {122.}

Following God and His Words. {122.}
****

“If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you,
You can ask what you desire, and it shall be given to you.”

---- The Bible; John 15: 7.
****

Happiness Increases by Sharing It. {121.}

Happiness Increases by Sharing It. {121.}
****

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Monday, June 21, 2010

The Unique Importance of Dayalbagh. {120.}

****

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. 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 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 wave a finger up at the sun and whisper, “Fade away, 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 Goethe’s following lines from Faust:

“For he who is unceasing in his striving
Is ours for his redeeming.”
****

Note: This is drawn from and inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings of the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Traits of the True Sufi. {119.}

Traits of the True Sufi. {119.}
****

“What makes the Sufi? Purity of heart;
Not the patched mantle and the lust perverse
Of those vile earth-bound men who steal his name.
He in all dregs discerns the essence pure:
In hardship ease, in tribulation joy.
The phantom sentries, who with batons drawn
Guard Beauty’s place-gate and curtained bower,
Give way before him, unafraid he passes,
And showing the King’s arrow, enters in.”

---- Jalaluddin Rumi.
****

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Death: Like Changing One’s Clothes. {118.}

Death: Like Changing One’s Clothes. {118.}
****

“There has never been a time
when you and I have not existed,
nor will there be a time
when we will cease to exist.
As the same person inhabits the body
through childhood, youth, and old age,
so too at the time of death
one attains another body.
The wise are not deluded
by these changes.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Perform Pilgrimage to Soul Within. {117.}

Perform Pilgrimage to Soul Within. {117.}
****

“For the sake of it, you journey
to sacred shrines and holy rivers;
but this priceless jewel
is within your own heart.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

The Righteous Shall Not Grieve. {116.}

The Righteous Shall Not Grieve. {116.}
****

“Verily! Those who believe ...
in Allah and the Last Day
and do righteous good deeds
shall have their reward with their Lord;
on them shall be no fear,
nor shall they grieve.”

---- The Quran; Surah: Al-Baqara, Verse 62.
****

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Key to Success and Glory. {115.}

Key to Success and Glory. {115.}
****

“Humility and the fear of the Lord
bring wealth and honor and life.”

---- The Bible; Proverbs 22:4.
****

Knowledge Results from Ceaseless Zeal. {114.}

Knowledge Results from Ceaseless Zeal. {114.}
****

“Through zeal, knowledge is gotten,
through lack of zeal, knowledge is lost;
let a man who knows the double path of gain and loss
thus place himself that knowledge may grow.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Friday, June 18, 2010

Soul’s Transmigration; 84 Lakh Life-forms. {113.}

Soul’s Transmigration; 84 Lakh Life-forms. {113.}
****

The Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh shares the traditional Hindu belief in the transmigration of the soul, & in the 84 lakh different life forms. {What is a lakh? It is 1, followed by 5 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 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 formally gets linked 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!
****

Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Accepting One's Mistakes is Beneficial. {112.}

Accepting One's Mistakes is Beneficial. {112.}
****

“Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.”

---- Confucius.
****

Cowardice & Escapism Aren't Perfection. {111.}

Cowardice & Escapism Aren't Perfection. {111.}
****

“Not by refraining from action does man attain freedom from action.
Not by mere renunciation does he attain supreme perfection.”
---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Stop Squandering Soul for Rubbish. {110.}

Stop Squandering Soul for Rubbish. {110.}
****

“The jewel of the soul is priceless,
and yet it is being squandered like this,
in exchange for a mere shell.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Pray with Patience and Trust. {109.}

Pray with Patience and Trust. {109.}
****

“And seek help in patience and As-Salat {the prayer}
and truly it is extremely heavy and hard
except for Al-Khashioon
{i.e. the true believers in Allah;
those who obey Allah with full submission,
fear much from His Punishment,
and believe in His Promise (Paradise, etc.)
and in His Warnings (Hell, etc.)}.”

---- The Quran; Surah: Al-Baqara, Verse 45.
****

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

God Caused Creation through Word. {108.}

God Caused Creation through Word. {108.}
****

“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not.”

---- The Bible; John: 1: 1-5.
****

Beware of These Base Impulses. {107.}

Beware of These Base Impulses. {107.}
****

“There is no fire like passion,
there is no shark like hatred,
there is no snare like folly,
there is no torrent like greed.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

God is Infinite Love Personified. {106.}

God is Infinite Love Personified. {106.}
****
Radhasoami!

The essence of God is love. 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.
****

Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Key to Morality and Character. {105.}

Key to Morality and Character. {105.}
****

“To see what is right, and not to do it,
is want of courage or of principle.”
---- Confucius.
****

Yoga as Work and Peace. {104.}

Yoga as Work and Peace. {104.}
****

“When the sage climbs the heights of Yoga,
he follows the path of work;
but when he reaches the heights of Yoga,
he is in the land of peace.”
---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Service of Guru is Greatness. {103.}

Service of Guru is Greatness. {103.}
****

“Serve your True Lord and Master,
and you shall be blessed with true greatness.
By Guru’s Grace, He abides in the mind,
and egotism is driven out.
This wandering mind comes to rest,
when the Lord casts His Glance of Grace.”
---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Nobly Wage Battle for God. {102.}

Nobly Wage Battle for God. {102.}
****

“Fight in the cause of God
those who fight you,
but do not transgress limits;
for God loveth not transgressors."

---- The Quran; Sura 2:190.
****

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Move from Darkness to Light. {101.}

Move from Darkness to Light. {101.}
****

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them.
For it is shameful even to mention
what the disobedient do in secret.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for it is light that makes everything visible.
This is why it is said:
‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’”

---- The Bible; Ephesians 5:11-14.
****

Be Open, Expansive and Inclusive. {100.}

Be Open, Expansive and Inclusive. {100.}
****

“Let yourself be open and life will be easier.
A spoon of salt in a glass of water
makes the water undrinkable.
A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Friday, June 11, 2010

Sachhe Baadshah Ke Raaj Mein. {99.}

Sachhe Baadshah Ke Raaj Mein. {99.}
****

True power lies in none of the following: physical, intellectual, emotional, romantic, financial, sexual, societal, worldly, political, military, 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.

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 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 heights 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 to strive & progress to return to one’s true Abode!
****

Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Responsible Awareness, Caution, & Security. {98.}

Responsible Awareness, Caution, & Security. {98.}
****

“The superior person, when resting in safety,
does not forget that danger may come.
When in a state of security,
she does not forget the possibility of ruin.
When all is orderly,
she does not forget that disorder may come.
Thus, her person is not endangered,
and her states and all their clans preserved.”
---- Confucius, Chinese philosopher, 551 B.C. to 479 B.C.
****

Being and Beliefs: Causally Related. {97.}

Being and Beliefs: Causally Related. {97.}
****

“The human is made by her or his belief.
As one believes, so one becomes.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Shun Selfishness to Attain God. {96.}

Shun Selfishness to Attain God. {96.}
****

“Give up your selfishness,
and you shall find peace;
like water mingling with water,
you shall merge in absorption.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Keep Praying Always; It Counts. {95.}

Keep Praying Always; It Counts. {95.}
****

“Narrated Abdul Rahman: Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri told my father,
‘I see you liking sheep and the wilderness.
So whenever you are with your sheep or in the wilderness
and you want to pronounce Adhan for the prayer,
raise your voice in doing so, for whoever hears the Adhan,
whether a human being, a jinn or any other creature,
will be a witness for you on the Day of Resurrection.’
Abu Sa'id added, ‘I heard it {this narration} from Allah's Apostle.’”

---- The Hadith; Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book: Call to Prayers {Adhaan}, Hadith 583.
****

God: the Creator & Sustainer. {94.}

God: the Creator & Sustainer. {94.}
****

“For by Him all things were created,
both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities –
all things have been created by Him and for Him.
And He is before all things,
and in Him all things hold together.”

---- The Bible; Colossians 1:16-17.
****

Love Always Prevails over Hatred. {93.}

Love Always Prevails over Hatred. {93.}
****

“Hatred does not cease by hatred,
but only by love;
this is the eternal rule.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Satsang Ideal: Mystical yet Better-worldly. {92.}

Satsang Ideal: Mystical yet Better-worldly. {92.}
****

Religions, cults, sects & denominations are normally categorized as:
** Mystical or ritualistic; &
** Unworldly or worldly.

Buddhism may be regarded as having been initially at least essentially mystical, focusing on the practice of meditation. 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 & spread on such a basis for long, most chose to adopt the worldly route.
Only minor sects can afford to be unabashedly unworldly, & even exhort their followers to commit suicide as a way of exiting from the earth & gaining heaven, as one in Japan does.
The quest for paradise 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 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.
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 lose their lives or lose sight of their true goal in life by 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. Certain “scientific research” {I really do not know what such words are exactly supposed to 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 in mammoth quantities.

The Satsang ideal exhorts Satsangis to aim for “ausath darje ki” or moderate degree {& not “aala” or superior} material facilities. Perhaps this was based on the expectation that any human who pursues wealth and possessions to a great degree gradually gets attached to them, & begins to greed them more. This effectively diverts her or him from the true goal of salvation.

Yet Satsangis are not to beg, borrow or steal to subsist, but are to live by their own work, or by the sweat of one’s own brow. However, several Satsangis are in dire straits and amelioration of their state may be regarded in certain ways to be the responsibility of others.

Most importantly, for Satsang to adequately spread in the world
{“Badhath Satsang ab din din / aha ha ha oho ho ho.”},
phenomenal finances 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 cash 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. 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.
****


Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

If God Were to Manifest. {91.}

If God Were to Manifest. {91.}
****

“If the flowers of His face, from the garden they are in, burst into laughter;
The spring of life would be renewed, the tree of body would burst into laughter.
If that essence of the essence of life appeared all by Himself;
My body would come to life with the Grace, my soul would burst into laughter.
If that speaker par excellence opened His mouth to speak;
The dead body would gain the power of speech,
the stuttering heart would burst into laughter.
If that master of all beauty revealed the beauty of His face;
All the robes of beauty would {be torn apart and } burst into laughter.”

---- “Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi.”
Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz; Divan 2525:1-2, 4-5, 7.
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Still Yourself for Divine Union. {90.}

Still Yourself for Divine Union. {90.}
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“Still your mind in me,
still yourself in me,
and without a doubt
you shall be united with me,
Lord of Love,
dwelling in your heart.”
---- The Bhagavad Gita.
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Stay Content; Shun Idle Gossip. {89.}

Stay Content; Shun Idle Gossip. {89.}
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“Faith, contentment and tolerance
are the food and provisions of the angels.
They obtain the Perfect Vision of the Lord,
while those who gossip find no place of rest.”
---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
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Death Inevitable for All Living. {88.}

Death Inevitable for All Living. {88.}
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“Every soul shall have a taste of death:
And only on the Day of Judgment
shall you be paid your full recompense.
Only he who is saved far from the Fire
and admitted to the Garden
will have attained the object {of Life}:
For the life of this world
is but goods and chattels of deception.”

---- The Quran; Surah 3:185.
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Friday, June 4, 2010

The Best Motivation for Action. {87.}

The Best Motivation for Action. {87.}
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“Do everything in love.”

---- The Bible; Corinthians, 16:14.
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Choose Words Carefully for Effect. {86.}

Choose Words Carefully for Effect. {86.}
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“Whatever words we utter
should be chosen with care,
for people will hear them
and be influenced by them
for good or ill.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
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Satsangis Promised Two Priceless Boons. {85.}

Satsangis Promised Two Priceless Boons. {85.}
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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 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.
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Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Uncontrollable Mystical Love for God. {84.}

Uncontrollable Mystical Love for God. {84.}
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“Again I am raging, I am in such a state, by your soul
that every bond you bind, I break, by your soul.
I am like heaven, like the moon, like a candle by your glow;
I am all reason, all love, all soul, by your soul.
My joy is of your doing, my hangover of your thorn;
whatever side you turn your face, I turn mine, by your soul.
I spoke in error; it is not surprising to speak in error in this state,
for this moment I cannot tell cup from wine, by your soul.
I am that madman in bonds who binds the “divs”;
I, the madman, am a Solomon with the “divs”, by your soul.
Whatever form other than love raises up its head from my heart,
forthwith I drive it out of the court of my heart, by your soul.
Come, you who have departed, for the thing that departs comes back;
neither you are that, by my soul, nor I am that, by your soul.
Disbeliever, do not conceal disbelief in your soul,
for I will recite the secret of your destiny, by your soul.
Out of love of Sham-e-Tabrizi, through wakefulness or nightrising,
like a spinning mote I am distraught, by your soul.

---- “Mystical Poems of {Jalaluddin} Rumi 2”; translated by A. J. Arberry.
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Immortal Soul Continues Beyond Death. {83.}

Immortal Soul Continues Beyond Death. {83.}
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“There has never been a time
when you and I have not existed,
nor will there be a time
when we will cease to exist.
As the same person inhabits the body
through childhood, youth, and old age,
so too at the time of death,
he attains another body.
The wise are not deluded by these changes.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
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