Professional Documents
Culture Documents
inner peace meditation human unity ethical values vegetarianism regular meetings seminars youth
LIVERPOOL
Please contact Rajan Chibb for information regarding satsang meetings in Liverpool
Tel : Rajan Chibb : 0151 727 4426
GLASGOW
Every Thursday between 7.30 - 9pm, at ROKPA
Glasgow, 7 Ashley Street, Glasgow, G3 6DR, Rosemary MacAllister : 0156 383 0485
Ethical Life
Details are regularly updated on
www.scienceofspirituality.org.uk
Dedicated to Human Unity and Peace through Meditation
“Love beautifies everything
and if we learn to love everyone,
all our imperfections can be
washed away, especially by
loving, kind words.”
By Sant Kirpal
Singh Ji Maharaj
21
January 1, 2012
I pray that this holiday season and the New Year shower you with an abundance
of spiritual gifts. May each of you enjoy the delicious sweet nectar of the Light
and Sound within. During this holiday season and in the New Year ahead, may
you all be blessed with divine love and the bliss of joyous union with the Lord.
Generally, people consider devotion to God to be the performance of outer forms and Write down your New Year’s Resolution for 2012, in the circle below.....!
rituals or the saying of prayers. But all these are the steps to true devotion. True
devotion arises when you see Him. If there is somebody you like or are fond of, that
creates an interest in you to see him; and when your remembrance grows strong you
have a yearning to see him. But all this is only a forerunner to the coming of the person
you want to meet. Likewise, there is the preparation of the ground on which we can
have contact with God. Just as clouds are forerunners of the coming rain, similarly, true
devotion and sweet remembrance of the Lord are the preparation of the ground.
19
2
Life Means Adjustment
The following talk was given by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji maharaj on December 10,
1996, to the Children’s Satsang at the Science of Spirituality Center in Naperville,
Illinois.
So devotion to God as defined by the Masters
We live in an age in which people have different points of view. This is a is when your inner eye is opened and you see
global society. As we go to school we meet people with different ways of life, Him! The real fruit of devotion will come only
different languages, and different ways of thinking. It is nice to be able to get when you begin to see Him pervading
everywhere. We may then ask, “What can we
together with people and talk about differences and problems and find a
do to qualify for that?” The Hindus have the
happy solution. word dharma, which means living a life of
righteousness. When Zoroaster was asked
Life means adjustment. Adjustment means becoming used to what is these same questions, he replied, “Join the
happening and adapting or changing the way we think and do things so that army of God, to be in contact with God, is the
we can live with the new situation in a way that does not disturb our peace of aim before us. And they asked Zoroaster, “What qualification is required?” He said,
mind. We need to understand that all human beings face many problems. We “Righteousness.” When the people asked him to define righteousness, he replied,
need to adjust to situations, talk together to find solutions to problems, pass “Good thoughts, good words and good deeds.” This is the ethical life defined in a few
through life in a way to reach our goals, and to be filled with happiness and words.
joy.
Guru Arjan was asked the same question, “What is the highest religion in the world,
Taken from Sat Sandesh, March 1996 the true religion?” He said, “True religion is coming in contact with the God-in-action
power. And for that we must lead an ethical life.” The word dharma means
righteousness, but of what does it consist? The Hindus scriptures define it elaborately.
First they say righteousness consists in having compassion for all humans, animals,
and the entire creation. This is the first thing. We have compassion for our own
children but not for those of our neighbour. Some are dying of hunger or for want of
clothing. So true compassion lies in being compassionate towards all. Those who are
needy and hungry should be fed. Those who have no clothing should be given their
basic needs. Whether person or animal, have pity on all. This is the first thing. You
should have such a loving heart that you feel the difficulties of others; you should have
tender hearts. That is the first qualification to become righteous, and only such a
person can know God.
18 3
Practicing the Path
Unfortunately we have developed ugly blemishes and are covered with the dirt and
dust of the sins we have accumulated while passing through the wheel of
transmigration. How many times have we gone wrong in matters of non-violence? We
injure the feelings of so many people, we think ill of so many others, and we are even
violent to some. And because of our grievous lack of patience, we are prone to speak
harshly. Just count how many scars and blemishes we put on our face each day
because of lapses in the area of non-violence alone!
On the path of love we have to walk with great sensitivity, with great caution, so we do
not trample on the delicate hearts of other living beings. This care that we take not to
injure others is called ahimsa or non-violence. If we criticize other people in our
minds, injure their feeling in thought, or wish them harm, these are failures in non-
violence in thought. If instead of applying balm on lacerated hearts, our words open up
wounds or add salt to them, we have failed to follow the path of non-violence in word.
And if we strike someone or kill any living creature, that is a failure in non-violence in
deed.
If we analyze why we criticize and hurt others we find it stems from our ego. If we are
filled with our own sense of importance and superiority, that is a lack of humility. But if
added to that we also wish harm to another person, that is a failure in non-violence.
17
4
Ethical Living The Masters or Adept teaches
us those practices which will
help us clean off the grime of
In the realm of non-violence, it is not only what we say, but how we say it. We should
keep in mind that it is out of the abundance of the heart that a person speaks. If a
person who is full of jealousy or anger speaks, it appears that he or she is not
ages. There are two things which will help to purify us faster: the cleansing Water of uttering words but that he or she is letting loose scorpions which sting the listeners
Naam and ethical living. and injure their feelings. Our words should not inject resentfulness in the listeners nor
denigrate them from the position they are occupying. A person who is upset is in
Once we are taught the method of meditation and are given a contact with the Light search of soothing words, but if one hears critical and harsh words one will be more
and Sound of God, we need to engage in the inner practices every day. The irritated and restless. Instead of our words causing the person’s mind to become
Masters advise us to daily set aside some time from our workaday life to commune concentrated and at peace, they cause the person to send out restless waves in all
with the Naam within. The more we listen to the holy Sound Current, the more it directions. And these waves often become storms which can induce a state of mind
cleanses the soul, washing away the worldly impressions. bordering on lunacy. When we speak, we should utter only those words which soothe
the hearts of those listening, which ennoble and elevate their spirits, which permeate
The second helping factor they teach us is to lead an ethical life. In order to their very being and help them know themselves and know God. If hearts are
progress on our spiritual journey within, we need to overcome anger, lust, greed, bubbling with love for our Master and for God, and we have love and compassion for
attachment, and ego. These are the five pollutants that cover the purity of the soul. the entire creation, then whatever we utter will be full of love. If God’s love permeates
They drag our attention into the world. If we analyze these five negative traits, we every pore of our being, then those who come in contact with us, those who listen to
find they are all motivated by our desire for transitory and worldly pleasures. For our words, those who are in tune with our vibrations, will benefit.
example, we become angry when anything interferes with attaining our worldly
desires. Lust is caused by the desire to gratify our senses. Greed results from our
insatiable desire to amass either possessions, riches, power, or name and fame.
When we attain any of these we become attached to them and forget the spiritual Let us not judge others; let us judge ourselves. This is what Christ said. We should
values and our spiritual nature. Ego arises from pride of our transitory attainments: not sit in judgment on others. Our trouble is that if we take an overall view of our daily
pride of wealth, worldly knowledge, and power. life, we spend most of our time in thinking about others, criticizing others, and finding
fault with others. We hardly spend any time thinking about ourselves. We hardly
To help us overcome these five negative qualities, the Master prescribes an spend any time thinking how we can improve our own lot and how we can accelerate
introspection diary. Throughout history, many great people have analyzed their our progress on the spiritual path. If we do real self-introspection, if we examine
actions daily to see how they could improve the next day. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji ourselves in a mirror very closely, we will invariably come to the conclusion that most
devised such a along scientific lines. By performing introspection, we can become of our time has been spent in thinking about others, in talking about others, in
aware of our daily thoughts, words, and deeds, and weed out those aspects which criticizing others, in wishing ill will to others, and injecting the poison of anger into our
hinder us on our spiritual path. The diary contains columns for the virtues of non- own blood instead of filling it with love for the Master and emitting waves of love
violence, truthfulness, purity, humility, and selfless service. Some of the columns which would help soothe lacerated hearts. Instead of this, we send out waves of
are further divided into thought, word, and deed. Each evening, before retiring, we hatred, waves of criticism, waves of sarcasm which inflict wounds on the hearts of
are to review our thoughts, words, and deeds, and enter the number of times we others rather than apply balm, and we contaminate the atmosphere.
failed in each category. This gives us a realistic picture of the pollutants which defile
the soul. We can then resolve to improve the following day. So the Beloved Master always emphasized self-reformation rather than reforming
others. Let us mind our own business, and the earlier we learn to do so, the better.
Saints lay great emphasis on ethical living and speak of it as a stepping-stone to To the extent to which we learn it, lies our own welfare and salvation.
spirituality.
Answer: Yes, these are the cardinal virtues of a disciplined initiate which should be
inculcated and assimilated in a state of loving humility. Taken from Sat Sandesh August 1994
Answer: Well, as initiates, we have taken on a duty. And with duty there is a definite
responsibility.
A member of the Ruhani Satsang takes upon himself the most important and the most
difficult task in the world i.e. enabling himself and his fellow beings to attain Self-
knowledge of the Beyond.
‘Science of the Soul’ seeks to make the human soul One with God by transcending the
Physical, the Astral and Causal planes of existence. It is therefore quite independent.
Outer forms and ceremonies, rites, rituals, sacrifices, fasts, vigils or pilgrimages, these
are outer practices called Apara Vidya. In our Satsangs we should not mix up the
Science of the Beyond with any other kind of movement which deals with something
other than this Science. So our main aim of life is to know ourselves and to know God.
We must never waver from this and in every action we do, we must consider whether
it takes us nearer to or farther away from our ideal, and our responsibility is to set a
good example for all.
14 7
These are excerpts from a talk that was given
by Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj.
Social Conduct And Ethical Life
To be an integrated human being, there must be a Question: To what extent is outer behaviour indicative of inner spiritual growth?
harmonious blending of the spiritual, ethical Answer: A keen sense of self-abnegation and self-naughting is the outward
and intellectual awareness in the individual. expression of one’s spiritual progress. It is not exhibited to hide our weaknesses but to
actually make one feel in the heart of hearts that one is nothing but a mere tiny cog in
This is the key to a complete education. the vast machinery of Divine purposes. One who becomes a conscious co-worker of
the Divine Plan, never asserts but humbly describes in third person. He never
despises any one but always relishes to offer loving help and assistance to others. He
True Education
Whoever lives an ethical life—a life of purity and love for all living things—is does not criticise, but narrates the facts of life in a selfless manner for our spiritual
at least firmly treading the path of the “religion of man.” Ethics must be there. benefit. He lives sincerely up to the Holy Commandments, irrespective of the results.
It is the first stage of the spiritual journey. Living a moral life is not the He does not yield to the environments but adjusts himself cheerfully knowing it fully
exclusive right of a sadhu, a monk, or a renunciate. To love the God shining well that he is always under the Gracious Protection of the Master Power. He is never
in every human heart is not the exclusive right of a saint, a mystic, or a Sufi. gloomy and in his hearts is always cheerful, even in the face of misfortunes. He does
There are no laws saying that an intellectual or an artist cannot live a moral not blame others for their shortcomings but seeks to weed them out by careful living
life. Are there any laws saying that businessmen or politicians cannot love and adaptation. He does not attribute his spiritual progress to his own single-handed
and serve their fellow human beings without charging a fee for it? Ethical earnest endeavours but consider it as a Holy Gift from the Master. He is well-balanced
living cannot be divorced from mundane life. Ethical living transforms in failure and success. He can forgive and forget easily. He is seldom provocative and
mundane life into a life of inner peace and contentment. It enriches and is rather blessed with a keen sense of loving co-operation for the spiritual welfare of
transforms mundane life; it lifts it into the first stage of the spiritual life. others.
How many times did our Master tell us that an ethical life is a stepping-stone He does not assert his authority nor claims any superiority over the less developed
to spirituality? If we have that, plus some intellectual attainments, so much souls, but behaves like a friend or brother and inwardly prays for their redemption. He
the better; we have started the spiritual journey. Of course, if we wish to never feels burdened with the worries of others and can offer sublime solutions with
progress on the path, to cross into the second stage, or the third stage, or the much ease. He is ever compassionate in his heart and wishes the welfare of all men,
fourth stage where the real spiritual work begins, then we must seek the help animals, birds or insects. He is always full of deep gratitude, and seldom complains
of an awakened soul who has crossed those stages and is also competent to about his difficulties whatsoever. He is chaste and kind but hides his virtues under the
help others cross them. That knowledge can only be imparted by a Master cloak of studied science. He never boasts of his valour or intelligence but seeks to
saint who gives us an insight into the inner education. help others surreptitiously. He dislikes lime-light. He shuns publicity and feels shy in
large crowds. He does not like acting and posing, but is always unassuming and
But for living a contented mundane life, ethics cannot be over-looked. Ethics natural in his behaviour.
precedes spirituality. If we live a life of sadachar— righteous living—we
automatically enter adhyatmic jivan—the spiritual life. So if we learn to live He can silence his thoughts at will by attuning with the Holy Naam within and by
the “religion of man,” we become integrated men and women. That is the first turning his attention to the Holy Feet of the Master. He is ever protected by Him and is
qualification by which we can enter the next stage, the spiritual life. hourly fed-nay rather every moment is blessed with the loving Life-Impulses from the
Master-Power. He knows it fully well that this physical life is but a passing phase of the
When I was recently touring the Indian satsang centers, we went to Kanpur. soul from the lower categories of creation in the long drama of human existence, and
13
8
properly, and if we realize how many times we go wrong during the day, naturally we As I arrived at the hall which held a huge gathering, I was told that the subject for
will try to reduce our faults. Another advantage of the diary is that we realize that our the satsang would be on the human unity. I started my talk by saying, “My dear
own house is on fire. If my house is on fire, then I do not think of the houses of others. brothers and sisters, I am addressing you in this manner not in a conventional way,
I do not criticize anyone else; I immediately think about how I can save my own house. not in the usual polite manner by which a speaker addresses an audience, but I am
The biggest advantage of keeping the diary is that when we look at our own selves we addressing you all as my brothers and sisters because I see the Light of God
have no time to judge others. If we look at our own situation, we will naturally develop shining in each one of you. It is because I see the unity of the human relationship
more humility, more love, and more compassion. Ultimately, this compassion is also binding us all together that I address you as brothers and sisters.”
another form of seeing your reflection in others. When we are able to see that the
same Light functions in us as it functions in other human beings, and in all other forms This is what our Beloved Master has taught us. But to know something is one thing,
of creation, we will develop true compassion. The great mystic poet Saadi has said, and to practice it is another. So let us start with learning to live our daily lives with
“The entire humanity is like a body. If we have an earache or a pain in the eye, the love for everyone with whom we come in contact, to have patience, tolerance, and
entire body feels it.” Similarly, if somebody suffers, we also undergo pain. And when goodwill. All religions have encouraged this. If we live by these simple rules we will
we experience the pain, we develop compassion in the true sense of the word. pass our final examination with honours. What is that examination? What is the
reward? The examination is in selflessness. The reward, humility, which allows us
This can be experienced only by moulding our lives according to the commandments to enter the court of the Lord.
of the Master. If we do so, we will develop all the other virtues including non-violence,
truthfulness, chastity, humility, and selfless service. Anyone who progresses on the path of the “religion of man” passes on to the path
of pure spirituality, which is the science of all sciences, which has been neglected
Taken from Sat Sandesh, September 1998
by our professors and teachers simply because they have not had a practical
experience of it. Spirituality is the science of the soul. And although it can be
explained in books, it can never be acquired through any amount of reading or
study. Realized souls have their own way of looking at things. They do not follow
the conventional rules when they teach. They are usually unconventional. There
may be chairs for the study of comparative religions, but there are none for self-
realization, the science of the soul.
The biggest advantage of keeping But anyway, let us be content with becoming integrated men and women first, to
follow the basic principles of the “religion of man” which can be practiced by anyone
the diary is that when we look at any time once he or she has understood the precepts: love for all, service to all.
This will go a long way to develop a higher consciousness and ensure a fuller
education. If we wish to progress further, and that burning desire for self-realization
at our own selves we have no is there, God Himself will draw us to the human pole where that living Light and Life
is pouring out the real treasures of the inner knowledge. That is the way our
What must be made crystal clear is that humans are not merely physical beings
with a mind, intellect, and senses. They are embodied souls. They are souls with a
physical body, mind, intellect, and senses as their instruments to work in the
material plane.
12 9
One other thing I can tell you is that spirituality is very simple. It can be expressed in
a few words. If it cannot be expressed in a few words then it is not spirituality, it is
something else. God is love. Love is purity. Purity is simplicity. So anything
connected with real religion will be an expression of love, purity, and simplicity. The following are excerpts from a question and answer session that took place with
Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj in 1984 at Kirpal Ashram, Delhi, India.
When hearts are full, words are few. Things of the spirit have to be expressed in
few words. Brevity is the soul of wit, but it is also the soul of spirituality. Question: Master, would you please say a few words on the importance of
Taken from Sat Sandesh November 1996 having compassion and understanding for one’s fellow beings, and what might be
the best way to develop these virtues?
Sant Darshan Singh Ji: Having fellow feelings is the basic reason for which
humans were created. One of the mystic poets has said that humans were created
to endure pain and affliction for their fellow beings. Otherwise, if it were only a
question of devotion, the angles were already there. If humans have an edge over
the angels, it is only because they have fellow feelings. Devotion without
compassion does not lead us to our ultimate goal. Actually, devotion in its truest
sense implies compassion. So compassion is an integral part of the mystic’s life.
When hearts
aspect of love. Love is the whole, and compassion is one aspect of it. And for
developing love, we have to live according to the commandments of the Master. If
we love someone, we are prepared to dance to his or her tune. Of course, we have
to develop our love for God. But since we have not seen God, we are not able to
communicate with Him directly. We communicate with God only through the Master
who is Word-made-flesh. If we claim that we love our Master, or we love God, then
are full,
we must live up to the commandments of the Master. Christ said, “If you love me
keep my commandments.”
When we are initiated, the Master asks us to sit in meditation for at least two and a
half hours daily. That means one tenth of the twenty-four hours we have at our
disposal. If you divide twenty-four hours by ten, it comes to about two and half
hours. Then we are asked to keep a self-introspection diary. Keeping a diary is very
words are few. important, because the diary contains all the virtues that we have to develop and
inculcate to insure smooth sailing on the spiritual path. When we are able to keep
the diary, we start to realize how many wrong things we do in life, and this
realization will be a great help for us to change. Generally, we do not realize what
wrong things we do. Our mind always justifies whatever we do. But if are able to
have self-introspection in its true perspective, if we are able to fill in the diary
11
10