Materialism: Its Purposes and Uses. {141.}

Materialism: Its Purposes and Uses. {141.}
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Satsangis have been enjoined to aim for and 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 and 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, and 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 and 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.
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Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Sachhe Baadshah Ke Raaj Mein. {99.}

Sachhe Baadshah Ke Raaj Mein. {99.}
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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!
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Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

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.