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

Satsang Ideal: Mystical yet Better-worldly. {92.}
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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.
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Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.