Spiritual Awakening Radio

A few westerners over the years have voiced the opinion that, "Sant Mat is not a path that includes prayer." As a student, a bhakta (devotee) of the writings, the teachings of the classic Sants of the ages, I immediately know that such a view is utterly un-informed, but serves as yet another example in the world of religions and spiritual paths of what some have called "the Dunning–Kruger effect", defined as "a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a particular domain overestimate" what they understand, in this case, about the ancient ways of an advanced spiritual tradition existing for many generations in a Far Country (India). (See the Wikipedia entry for Dunning–Kruger effect.) I am quite happy to proclaim to all the four directions and beyond that indeed Sant Mat, this Path of the Masters, is a path of prayer, that in the rich spiritual, mystical literature of the great Saints of the East are countless examples of heartfelt bhakti prayers of love, devotion and companionship addressed to the Friend, the Beloved, the inner Master-Power working overhead on our behalf, the Supreme Being, The Lord of Love, The Ocean of All-Consciousness, Radhaswami, the Lord of the Soul. May we all be inspired in our own compositions of prayers as we today sample some of these great prayers of the Saints selected from across the centuries: prayers from the Sikh scriptures of India, prayers from Satguru Kabir and his followers, a prayer of Shiv Brat Lal from Light on Ananda Yoga, and we conclude with a prayer from Swami Ji Maharaj of the Radhasoami Faith from his spiritual classic, Sar Bachan Radhaswami Poetry, Volume One. (Volumes one and two of the Sar Bachan Poetry have been published in Agra.) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean A Satsang Without Walls Light and Sound on The Path Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

More from the unpublished letters of Sant Kirpal Singh on meditation practice *. These letters provide helpful guidance for the satsangi seeking to improve the quality of their meditation experience. (* Inner Light and Sound Meditation, Surat Shabd Yoga) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters James Bean A Satsang Without Walls Light and Sound on The Path Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"Gnostic" is such an abused word, hijacked and repurposed by content creators. It's important to know what Gnosticism IS as well as what it IS NOT. On the web is much, what I call, 'gnostic nonsense' (gnonsense). People call all sorts of subjects "gnostic". Apparently everything's gnostic except actual Gnosticism. THAT, most don't have time for. THAT, remains the forbidden topic, the mystery always concealed as souls prefer the shiny things of distraction. Time to rebel against the archon occupation! In this online world of clickbait sensationalism and exploitation can the teachings of gnostic spirituality along with their ancient texts be appreciated instead of distorted by influencers? My take is simply to let the gnostics be gnostic, treating them equally like any other world religion and understand just what exactly the original spiritual movements labeled "gnostic" actually taught based on what they themselves have to say about that, and not what other esoteric groups coming into being many centuries or millennia later assume they taught cooking in their own particular theological and cultic cultural cauldron of biases in Europe or the US. As I view the saga of the gnostics -- the treatment of the true classic Nag Hammadi gnostics of antiquity -- the only solution is to let the gnostics be gnostic, truly hear their voices embedded in the surviving texts that come directly from them, and allow them to speak for themselves, define their own beliefs, diet, and spiritual practices. Then others may truly benefit from their wisdom, and in that sense Gnosticism as a spiritual path can potentially reincarnate into the world again, or far more likely and best of all, help spiritual seekers of authenticity recognize those who already may be following a Living Gnosis Now in the modern age. (Spirit: πνεῦμα) Today we explore: The Gnostic Gospels: A History of the Destruction of Wisdom The Dry Canals Where Gnostic Waters Never Flow Recommended Reading - Free Books Online The Three Kinds of People There Are in the World According to the Valentinian Gnostics Hedonists and Gnostic Cave-dwellers Somewhere in Time Weird Christianities From Other Places and Timelines With Their Own Gospels and Unique Spiritualities -- I say "weird" Christianities. I mean in this a good way, as in fascinating, valuable sources of wisdom, mostly hidden, ignored and forgotten. The scriptures of the East and West I enjoy the most are books hardly anyone has ever heard of. (Lord of the Soul: राधास्वामी) Yes, Yes, Yes, Nag Hammadi is where they found the Gnostic Gospels but within you is where you will find the gnosis. What Spiritual Practice is About -- The Altered State of Meditation According to Gnostics, Masters, Saints and Mystics In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters James Bean A Satsang Without Walls Light and Sound on The Path Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"To the one who meditates on Him, there comes a perfect peace, and all pain and sorrows depart. Meditate on Him, who contains this universe, whose Holy Name is the whisper on the lips of the entire creation." (Book of Sukhmani) This podcast, as always, is about an in-depth exploration of the teachings of the Saints and Mystics, the Path of the Masters, unedited, unfiltered, and unaltered, as presented in their own words, from their spiritual discourses, poetry and prose, a satsang (spiritual gathering) without walls. (Sant Mat Satsang Podcast) References, Subjects, and Sources Include: Guru Arjan Dev, Book of Sukhmani, a section of the Adi Granth. "Sukhmani" literally means "Jewel of Happiness"; two verses from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas (sayings of Yeshua - Jesus) in rare translations you've probably never heard before: mystic verses of Sant Dariya Sahib of Bihar on the temple within the human body; Swami Ram Bihari Lal from The Way Out is IN, on freedom of soul, religions and finding the Kingdom of God, published by the Sant Garib Das group: Radhasoami Satsang Sarai Rohilla, Delhi, India; Bahadur Jagat Singh and Baba Ram Singh on having daily satsang and meditation; Carl Sagan quote; mystic verses (a bhajan) of Baba Somanath; The Light Of Ajaib, By Sant Ji on simran practice as well as about the Soundless/Wordless/Nameless State beyond the Light and Sound Currents; Kirpal Singh on Surat Shabd Yoga Meditation Practice; a satsang discourse by Baba Ram Singh titled, Once We Come To The Eye Center, The Progress Further In The Inner Planes Is Much Faster -- on the Four Stages of Concentration in Meditation: the Path of the Ant, the Path of the Fish, the Path of the Spider, and the Path of the Swan; and mystic verses of Kabir. (Songs of Kabir) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean A Satsang Without Walls Light and Sound on The Path Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"The fruits of accepting a true master are immense. Unfortunately, true teachers are few and difficult to find... A spiritual master who is wise, pure and a practitioner of the Yoga of Divine Sound gradually imparts his or her virtues to the student. The good will of the spiritual teacher cannot but help affecting the aspirant in a positive manner because one is affected by the power of a higher vibration." (Maharshi Mehi, The Philosophy of Liberation) My Ode to the Sant Satguru: In Praise of the Sant-soul of love who has reached the Spiritual Realm above, and merged in God. Hail to the Competent Living Master, the Qualified Teacher, rare to find in this world, so few and far between, the True One, a genuine mentor of souls, righteous and worthy Guide, a Fearless Being, Light-giver, leader of a spiritual community. With gratitude to the Competent Living One! In a Sea of Samsara -- illusion and world of changes, of falsehood and posing, there is a bright Light in the darkness. A silent Music becomes audible. At the feet of such a Loving, Radiant One, the soul can not help but find inner Light and slip into deep samadhi meditation. In the eyes of a Saint are love, wisdom, light, compassion, grace, a reflection of God in this realm of the material plane. The Master-Power connects the soul with the Supreme Lord of Love. (my Guru Purnima Ode to the Living One, The Sant Satguru) References, Subjects, and Sources Include: No Guru 'Bling' Factor - on Spiritual Not Worldly Wealth; Masks of Spirituality, commentary on Guru Nanak's Asa Di Vaar by Ajaib Singh from, In the Palace of Love; my Guru Purnima Ode to the Living One, The Sant Satguru; The Worth of Spiritual Satsang Discourses, mystic poetry by Sant Ramdas of Maharashtra; Buddha Mani-Christ: You Rescued Souls from Samsara Ignorance and Gave Wisdom, from the Great Song of the Gnostic Prophet Mani, some mystic poetry from Manichaeanism; Eavesdropping on Hathras, Teachings from the Hathras Tulsi Sahib Satsang on Complete Mahatmas, Genuine Saints; An Accomplished Living Teacher, by Shri Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj; On the Recognition of a True Spiritual Master, by Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj from, The Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha Darshan); Every Day is an Opportunity to Meditate and Study the Teachings of the Masters, by Baba Ram Singh; The Eye Through Which I See God is the Same Eye Through Which God Sees Me, by Meister Eckhart; The Third Eye in Meditation, by Sant Kirpal Singh; a Satsang Discourse by Baba Ram Singh; Loving God With His Own Love, from the Spiritual Letters of Hadewijch, a Beguine Mystic from Antwerp, Belgium; and, In Praise of the Name, mystic poetry by Sant Eknatha of Maharashtra (peace and blessings to all) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Encouraging Words of Light and Love for the Spiritual Journey from this Living School of Spirituality called Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters. Will the soul remain stuck in the programming that has been forced upon it after birth during this life or will it awaken and break free, choosing a higher path of spirituality this time through, during this incarnation? We get to decide. Today during this Sant Mat Satsang Podcast we explore the wisdom of the Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaean Gnostics, Baal Shem Tov of Kabbalah, the Sikh Scriptures (Adi Granth), the Earth as a Garden of Souls by Julian P. Johnson, Rumi, Kirpal Singh, Yeshua from the Gospel of Matthew, Buddha, Kabir, Sant Tukarama, Sant Ramdas of Maharashtra, There is No Spirituality Without Spirit from the Dayalpuri Radhasoami Spiritual Seekers Guide, the Sar Bachan Radhawami Poetry of Swami Ji Maharaj, the Padavali of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, the Ethical Precepts of Sant Mat, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, a Satsang Discourse by Baba Ram Singh on awakening from illusion, delusion and maya, followed by Bhajans (Mystic Poetry) of Baba Somanath, and we conclude with two prayers to the Ocean of Love. (Sat Purush Anami Radhasoami, the Lord of the Soul) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

In the Anurag Sagar, India's most Gnostic scripture, souls are depicted as being held captive inside the Palace of Kal, the lord of time and illusion (called "the Demiurge" by the Gnostics). The Satguru does battle with Kal to free the souls. The genuine Living Teacher, the Sant Satguru, guides his or her students through this internal struggle with the mind or ego (the agent of Kal in the matrix of mind), this labyrinth of self-sabotaging, limited belief-systems of the negative power (Kal Mat: the teachings of Kal), so that the initiates may experience Divine Love, Light and Sound within and follow the Path back to God (Dayal, the Merciful One), the Ocean of Love. Today we explore the following, a outline or playlist of what we're covering during this satsang podcast: mystic poems of Sant Dadu Dayal of Rajasthan: The Results of True Love, and, The Vision of the Beloved; a saying from the Gnostic Gospel of Judas which sounds a bit like a Rumi poem; definitions of the term "Demiurge" from Platonism, Gnostic Christianity, Judaism, and the Sant Tradition of India; definitions of the eastern term for the Demiurge: the Kal Niranjan: a false god, negative power, lord of time and illusion as described in footnotes by Russell Perkins in the English edition of a key Sant Mat spiritual classic, India's most Gnostic scripture: The Anurag Sagar (The Ocean of Love, about the teachings of Kabir and Sant Dharam Das); Kal Mat vs. Dayal Mat, Illusion vs. Truth, by Shiv Dayal Singh, also known as Swami Ji Maharaj of Agra from his collection of mystic verses called the Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry; also a description of Swami Ji's meditation room-within-a-room and on how we too can create our own meditation space at home; several mystic terms are defined based on the Glossary of Sant Mat and additional footnotes from, The Anurag Sagar; a satsang discourses by Hazur Baba Sawan Singh titled, What's Really Going On Here -- During This Life the Disciple or Devotee Contends With Mind as They Attempt to Merge into the Positive Power; a satsang discourse by Baba Ram Singh titled, If You Really Resolve To Have A Desire To Go Within And Transform To God Almighty, That Is Possible In This Human Form; and I conclude with mystic poetry verses from: Sant Ramdasa of Maharashtra, Maharshi Mehi Paramhans from his Padavali (Hymn 135); a reading from the Sukhmani of Guru Arjan Dev, also from Guru Ram Das (both from the Adi Granth, Sikh Scriptures). The Gnostic Demiurge vs. The God of Love (KAL Mat vs. Dayal Mat) - Anurag Sagar Studies on Spiritual Awakening Radio In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/anurag-sagar

Today I begin with a reading from the mystic verses of Sat Saheb, the initiating spiritual master of Sant Dariya Sahib. Sat Saheb was one of the earlier Sant Satgurus of the Sant Mat guru lineage living a couple of generations prior to the time of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. His mystic poetry is quite beautiful and composed in the style of the Anurag Sagar and other scriptures of the earlier Kabir-Sant Dharam Das line of masters. Then I share some letters from Sant Kirpal Singh on meditation practice. Those are quite wonderful, and helpful for the satsangi seeking to improve the quality of their meditation experience. Then there's a short discourse from Baba Somanath about becoming the "form of Truth" by focusing upon the teachings of the masters. In conclusion, two satsang discourses by Sant Ram Singh: having focused attention during simran practice that purifies the mind, and, about becoming a gurumukh following the instructions and guidance of the masters instead of being held captive by the limited thoughts of the mind, thus remaining a disciple controlled by the dictates of the mind, a manmukh. "Follow Their Teachings, overcome sorrow, and not only that, you will get the joy of going within. And you will also achieve the purpose for which you have been given this life." (Baba Ram Singh) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

As the podcast title suggests, a right-to-the-point, in this case fifteen-minute summary of the essential beliefs and heavenly goals of this spiritual path called Sant Mat, which is defined as the Path of the Masters and Teachings of the Saints (Sants). Also explored are the ethical precepts, the low karma peaceful lifestyle followed by initiates of this path (satsangis). And you'll learn about the spiritual practice called Surat Shabd Yoga, which means being yoked to, or to become one with, the Inner Light and Sound of God (the Positive Power) during meditation. This Sant Mat Satsang Podcast concludes with a mystic poem of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras on transcending the material realm and leaving the conventional world of religion behind, seeking and finding a living gnostic path during this life and experiencing communion with the Divine in the here and now (!) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami) James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Three Ways We Can Honor the Soul, the focus of today's Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast. References, Subjects, and Sources Mentioned or Commented Upon During Today's Podcast Include: a spiritual classic by the Spanish mystic Miguel de Molinos called, The Spiritual Guide on the bliss, tranquility, and happiness found as a result of following the Inward Path; mystic poetry from the Padavali of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans; a couple of my essays about spiritual seeking and finding something beyond the shallow spirituality of the typical bookstore shelves and social media realms: Not All Saints Are Dead, and, Living Students Have Living Teachers; a saying of Sant Kirpal Singh on transcending mind and matter by leaning the spiritual practice; Swami Bhagirath Baba on the Third Eye Center; The Bijak of Guru Kabir; discourses on the three ways we can honor the soul: 1) Satsang ("Where Two Or Three Are Gathered in My Name I Am In Their Midst"), being taught about the path, making the teachings of the masters one's primary focus, and then following the path, which can for some become like an NDE, near-death experience of ascending through the various heavenly realms; 2) Ahimsa Ethics: Good Thoughts, Words, and Deeds, The Supreme Soul Assuming Control: seeing God in others, the ethical wisdom of Sant Mahavira of Jainism, the meaning of "Namaste", "Bandagi Saheb" and "Radhaswami", and 3) Become Your Real Spiritual Self In Meditation, with Sant Mat Satsang Discourses from Baba Ram Singh on the transformational power of satsang, on karma and cleansing the mind, on the importance of daily Bhajan-Simran (Meditation Practice: Surat Shabd Yoga, the Sound Current), the wisdom of Huzur Maharaj Rai Saligram; and bhakti prayers from Swami Ji Maharaj (Seth Shiv Dayal Singh) from his Sar Bachan Poetry. (Radhasoami, Radhaswami) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Santmat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Everyone has their own third eye whether they realize it or not. Through the Divine Path of Initiation one will learn of the spiritual practices that make it possible to access the third eye center, the seat of the soul, within the temple of the human body. We will discover for ourselves the Mysteries of the Spirit. The Kingdom of the Heavens will open up before us on this inward journey of the soul as we travel through vast realms of Light, Sound and Love on our way back to God. Today we explore Initiation, East and West, at first making use of Marcion's Reconstructed New Testament Apostolicon featuring an amazing, rather old and Gnostic sounding, translation of Saint Paul's First Corinthians chapter two, verses 6 through nine complete with archons and aeons. This manuscript from antiquity actually uses the word "Initiation". The goal of this Initiation is seeing in a new way with another kind of inner spiritual vision, the eye of the soul, and inner hearing with the ear of the soul. This is where we leave the outer world of the five senses behind. This is where we progress from theory, religion or philosophy to the world of practice, of inner experience. This is where the spiritual path truly begins. Also explored: The Gospel of Thomas on what "Eye Has Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard"; the mystic poetry of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras on the ascension of the soul; The Inner Journey Of The Soul Back To Its Origin, by George Arnsby Jones, an initiate of Kirpal Singh; words of encouragement and satsang discourses from Sant Kirpal Singh on Initiation and Surat Shabd Yoga, Inner Light and Sound Meditation practice (sadhana of simran, dhyan and bhajan); recent satsang discourses by Baba Ram Singh also exploring this inward journey of the soul that takes place during meditation, the interior voyage back Home. The goal of this Path is not simply going TO the various inner planes or heavens of creation but to pass THROUGH them on our way back to the Most High Supreme Being given many names such as The Ocean of Love (Anurag Sagar), The Nameless One (Anami Purush, Sat Purush), and The Lord of the Soul (Radhasoami). (RadhaSwami) The Third Eye in Meditation: “Close your eyes as in sleep, and look sweetly, lovingly, intently into the middle of the darkness lying in front of you. You will see a dark veil. That which sees the dark veil within, without the help of your physical eyes, IS the inner eye.” (Kirpal Singh) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

With all the turmoil and injustice in the world, the soul cries out for peace and tranquility, ultimately seeking permanent spiritual repose in heavenly regions. Let us join the caravan of mystics, learn from them the ways of ahimsa: nonviolence in thought, word, and deed, and aspire to connect with the heavenly realms of God. If only the soul and it's heavenly abode can come to the forefront of our attention, we will soon discover that, "It is in Him that we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17 : 28, New Testament) "In the company of mystics wrongdoings wash away, the fever of passions is left behind and the mind collects in concentration. Attached to a mystic, we detach from all else. When the heart lives for meditation, a peace sets in - a tranquility. Being with mystics leads to devotion to God, to knowing God. Happiness in this world and liberation from it, both are found in their company." (Sant Niloba) "Carrying only the Name, begin the journey in the caravan of saints, shedding all else that is false and would bind you." (Guru Arjun Dev) "Live in mutual harmony and practice meditation." (Swami Santsevi Ji) "I pray to Sat Guru humbly to start Sant Mat openly. I wish that the whole humanity be redeemed, and I may witness this glory. Then I may enjoy great bliss and all may perform Thy Arti [worship]." (Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry of Soamiji Maharaj) "Satsang must go on. Satsang shall spread far and wide in future." (from, The Last Words of Soamiji Maharaj) "Just as it is important for us to eat food for the body, it is equally important for us to do our Bhajan Simran [meditation]. That is the food for our soul. The Bhajan Simran that we do is like food for the soul. And the Satsangs that we listen to, that is like giving water. So, the Bhajan Simran and Satsang, these are like food and water to the soul. And with that, the soul becomes stronger and it is able to gain prowess over the mind. So, we should have mercy on our soul. The soul, after having come into this world, is under the influence of the mind. And the mind has put it through a lot of torture. So, we have to have mercy on the soul. And, therefore, we have to do our Bhajan Simran. So, we have to always remember our purpose and do our Bhajan Simran." (Baba Ram Singh) References, Subjects, and Sources Mentioned in Today's Podcast Include: Book of Acts, New Testament, Guru Arjun Dev, Book of Sukmani, Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, Bhajan, Simran, Dhyan, Surat Shabd Yoga, Inner Light and Sound Meditation, Audible Life Stream, Shabd, Sound Current, Heavens, God, Radhasoami Faith, Huzur Maharaj Rai Saligram, Prem Patra, Sant Radhasoami Sahib, Seth Shiv Dayal Singh, Sar Bachan, Biography of Soamiji Maharaj, Hazur Baba Sawan Singh, Dayalbagh, Murar Declaration, Sant Mat Fellowship, Spircon, The Radha Soami Movement, Om Parkash Kaushal, Baba Teja Singh, Mastanaji, Santji, The Light of Ajaib, Ajaib Singh, Baba Ram Singh, Mystic Poetry, Sant Niloba. (Quotes, Readings) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth." (says Rumi) "You have ignored the Living One who is in your presence and you have spoken only of the dead." "Look to the Living One while you are alive, otherwise, you might die and seek to see him and will be unable to find him." "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become like me. I myself shall become that person, and the Hidden Things will be revealed to that one." "I will give to you what eye has not seen, what ear has not heard, what hand has not touched, and what has not occurred to the mind of man." (selections from the Gospel of Thomas) "It is the mercy of my Satguru that has made me to know the Unknown. I have learned from Him how to walk without feet, to see without eyes, to hear without ears, to drink without mouth, to fly without wings." (Kabir) Today I begin with some key verses from the Gospel of Thomas (making use of both Greek and Coptic translations) on the Need for a Living Master (a Living One), and not just solely relying upon old writings from the past focused on those who are no longer with us. With old writings of saints, mystics and scriptures, as wonderful as they might be, the danger and likelihood is we remain stuck, trapped in our cultural bias, blind spots and filters never seeing beyond the horizons of our limited understanding tethered to past learning only. If we have contact with a living teacher (a Living One) and spiritual community, we can have our beliefs challenged, our horizons expanded, spiritual breakthroughs, find out the vitally important things we've been missing out on as we interface with an ancient wisdom tradition communicating to us an Initiation into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of the Heavens, introducing to us the complete methods of spiritual practice we need to travel upon this Path of the Masters. We can experience for ourselves our own Living Gnosis Now, a 21st Century version of the spiritual path described in the Gospel of Thomas, Nag Hammadi Library, Adi Granth and countless other sacred texts of the ages. "Masters come here to give Their Satsang and awaken the soul and then They initiate the soul and help the soul go back to God Almighty. So, that is how They work towards the salvation of the soul. All other worldly people do things to tie themselves and entangle themselves into this world again. Therefore, we should have love and affection for the Master and we should follow His Teachings of doing our meditations on a daily basis. We should have compassion on ourselves and this is work that is given to us to do. It is not going to be done by anybody else." (Baba Ram Singh, from a recent spiritual discourse) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Sant Kirpal Singh: "There lived in India Swami Shiv Brat Lal, a disciple of Rai Saligram [successor of Swami Ji Maharaj], who was advanced in spirituality but he gave out all these things about which I am now referring, in story form. He would bring out these very teachings of the Master in some novel like form in the Urdu language, of course, not in English. He did a splendid work, having brought out two, three thousand books, I think. Somewhere he takes the soul as a prince so that he may bring out a story with all these teachings given here. He did a very wonderful work. He has now passed away. He loved me much. I loved him too. He loved Master too [Hazur Baba Sawan Singh]. In all love, you see, he wrote many stories like that. Novels -- very interesting -- in which all these teachings of the Saints were included -- given out. That will draw many people to the Truth." (The Light of Kirpal, Sant Bani Books) Today, a Sant Mat Satsang Podcast featuring readings from a rare Radhasoami (Radhaswami) spiritual classic, Light on Ananda Yoga - The Yoga of Happiness, by Baba Faqir Chand's spiritual master Shiv Brat Lal (also known as Sant Daata Dayal Ji). Light On Ananda Yoga, was published in English in 1982 by Sant Bani Ashram with some editing guidance from my good friend Steve Morrow. "Ananda" means bliss and happiness and is Shiv Bral Lal's description of Surat Shabd Yoga: the bhakti (love) of inner Light and Sound Meditation, the spiritual practice (sadhana) of Sant Mat (also known as the Radhaswami Faith.) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"Life is a progression. We progress from childhood to adulthood, from simplicity to complexity, from ignorance to knowledge, from innocence to wisdom and from birth to death. It is the law of life. But there is also a progression from the external life to the internal, from the hustle and bustle of material life to the serenity and silence of internal life. It is in the latter that we experience the beauty of the Self and its connection with Divinity." (Dr. Jagessar Das, Doctor by Chance - Mystic by Choice, also translator of, The Complete Bijak of Guru Kabir, and other translations of Kabir) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

Kabir, the "Rumi" of India, one of the greatest Saints, Poets, and Spiritual Masters in the history of the world! Selections: Says Kabir: "Kal (time, ego, limited mental perception) has entangled people in illusions to such an extent that they have totally forgotten their Real Home." "Meditation will remove all your burdens; meditation upon Ram's [God's] name will become your support." "One after another, many births I took; many paths I followed to escape this relentless cycle. Only when I made my mind still did I obtain the state of lasting repose." "Just as the lotus blooms after getting the light of the sun, in the same way the sufferings of the souls from ages and ages are finished after having darshan [vision] of Sat Purush [True Eternal Being, God]." The Bijak is a key scripture of the Kabir tradition: "Just as a coded document shows the way to a Hidden Treasure, just so this bijak shows the way to realize the soul; it teaches such words to the soul but there is seldom anyone to understand them." "Death enshrouds the whole world, including all the superstitious wise-men. Only those will be freed who find the Path of Love." (Satguru Kabir) References, Subjects, and Sources Today Include: Songs of Kabir culled by Rabindranath Tagore; Sakhis of Kabir (1008 Kabir Vani); The Bijak; Kabir in the Adi Granth; Kabir Parachai; The Story of Ants in a Burning Log -- The mysterious figure of Kabir made his entry into the life of Dharam Das; The Ethical Foundation of Sant Mat -- Ahimsa Values -- The Five Precepts -- Moral Requirements to Qualify For Initiation; Seven Key Practices of Sant Mat Mysticism; Selections from the mystic poetry of Kabir from several sources; Readings from the Anurag Sagar and Baba Kehar Singh's commentary on the Anurag Sagar (Ocean of Love), a spiritual classic of the Sant tradition of India: God is Just Behind Our Eyes at the Third Eye Center; Initiation Into Inner Light and Sound Meditation (Surat Shabd Yoga) and Protection from Above Following the Path of Sants; A Book of Sant Mat Ethics: "1008 Kabir Vani" -- One of the Most Important Books of Kabir, a review of the book followed by selections: the Guru Verification Process; the Kal Niranjan (Negative Power): "This mind is like an intoxicated elephant;" The Repetition of God's Name; Meditation, Prayers of Guru Kabir; and, closing thoughts. (Kabir's name in Arabic means "Great", "Powerful, "Magnificent".) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

On the web you'll find a lot of talk about spirituality, yet so few rise above body-consciousness and get to experience that Sacred Inner Space for themselves. Reliable information is quite rare. There's so much discussion about "gnostics", "mystics", "sages of philosophy", "masters of the east", or "ancient scriptures" but almost nothing is ever said about the spiritual practices of these gnostics and mystics of the ages. Only with a Living Mystic Path, a Living School of Spirituality is one close to the Inner Circle of Masters and Students where this sort of Divine Path can be made knowable to the genuine spiritual seeker by way of Initiation into the Mysteries. Today, an introduction to meditation for beginners that also provides a glimpse into the world of advanced practice, inner Light and Sound, the path of the masters, East and West, in the various schools of spirituality. "Darkness is no longer dark to me." "There is a Sound emanating from beyond the silence." (Spiritual masters allude to transcendental heavenly senses, eyes and ears of the soul able to see and hear spiritually.) "Light is always within us. When the mind is settled, we see that Light." (Sant Kirpal Singh, unpublished book on Sant Mat meditation) “It is impossible to confine love to the temporal and transient levels of life, and it is impossible to confine the grandeur and majesty of God to the dimensions of the mind... I had no fixed starting place in time and space, for I dwelt in a multi-verse that was co-extensive with all the ages. But my inner world was still limited by the boundaries of creation; I needed the guidance of a spiritual adept, within the physical world itself, to give me new birth into the freedom of eternity.” (George Arnsby Jones, disciple of Master Kirpal, author of, An Odyssey of Inner Space) References, Subjects, and Sources Include: passages about solitude, silence, and meditation from: 1) Thomas Merton, 2) Caroline Stephen, The Lord of Silence (a Quaker publication), 3) Thomas Kelly; 4) Saint Thomas - the Apostle to India; 5) The Gnostic Nag Hammadi Library: Apocryphon of John, Book of Allogenes, Trimorphic Protennoia, and Thunder: Perfect Mind; 6) The Book of Enoch, 7) Hebrew Bible: Psalm 46: 10 ("Be still and know that I Am God."); 8) The Acts of Peter; 9) The Jesus Sutras of China; 10) The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu; 11) Swamiji Maharaj from the Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry - also shared here: "Meditate: Sit still and you will reach your destination. Walk fast and you will go nowhere." 12) Introductory Meditation Instructions, a Convenient Method from Huzur Baba Sawan Singh; 13) Introductory Meditation Instructions from Sant Kirpal Singh (finding Jyoti or Inner Light at the Third Eye); 14) Guidance about Meditation Practice from: A Spiritual Seekers Guide (on how Love/Bhakti is the Key); 15) Maharshi Mehi Paramhans and Shri Bhagirath Baba (Seven Stages of Meditation described in, The Philosophy of Liberation, on correct posture, Brahma-Muhurta/The Hour of Elixir, Thrice-Daily Meditation, Meditation and the Dreamstate); 16) Couplets of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj; 17) Swami Achyutanand Baba (Yoga of Inner Light & Sound); and, 18) Huzur Maharaj Rai Saligram: The Gospel of Sant Mat in a Nutshell: The River of Sound That Connects Souls to the Ocean of Love (God). (Prem Patra Radhaswami) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

In Sant Mat spirituality meditation is successfully practiced when we keep the proper meditation posture, leave behind all our burdens, thoughts, worries, and worldly distractions behind, and focus all of our undivided attention on going within by way of the third eye center so that we may reach that Sacred Secret Place of the Most High where Divine Grace is flowing. Rising to THE PLACE WHERE GRACE IS FLOWING is a great way of describing the benefit of Surat Shabd Yoga - Inner Light and Sound Meditation - as being a kind of inner baptism or letting the waters of Divine Grace flow over the soul. (There is Light and Sound Within You) In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

The focus of the Sant Satgurus, the Saints of India (Santmat, RadhaSoami, The Path of the Masters) is not upon constructing earthly temples, building organizational structures, or temples of the mind. Rather, they guide their students into entering the Temple of the Spirit. The Portal or Doorway to this Temple is within, at the Third Eye Center. Masters say: "An intense longing to meet the Supreme Lord during one's lifetime is the first and foremost qualification for Initiation. 'Seek, and ye shall find', is the principle'" (Kirpal Singh). Being properly initiated into the secrets of meditation -- the Mysteries of the Kingdom of the Heavens (diksha/deeksha) -- by a living Master is the beginning of the Inward Journey. Then, go and do the meditation. (Radhaswami) "The tenth gate is the gathering point of consciousness. Therein lies the path for our return. The tenth gate is also known as the sixth chakra, the third eye, Bindu, the center located between the two eyebrows. This is the gateway through which we leave the sense organs' gates, enter the divine realms, and finally become established in the soul. We travel back from the Realm of Darkness to the Realm of Light, the Light to the Divine Sound, and the Realm of Sound to the Soundless State. This is called turning back to the Source." (Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj) "From time to time, great Saints come with the Grace of the Almighty, and They direct the lost souls and get them connected with the Almighty through the Sound, Surat Shabd, and guide them on the Path back. In India, there are several ways of worship. But the Saints have only three practices for getting back to the Almighty. They are Satsang *, Seva **, and Bhajan Simran ***." (Baba Ram Singh) Notes: Satsang: Association With Truth; Seva: Selfless Service; Bhajan Simran: The Meditation Practices of Sant Mat In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"Simran helps in the withdrawal of spirit-currents from the body. In Simran lies the seed that helps in the development of the soul." "Simran is a weapon against all dangers. It acts as a password to all spiritual planes. It gives strength and sustenance to the body and mind during trouble and affliction, and brings the soul near the Master." "The five holy Words are to be repeated mentally during meditation." (Sant Kirpal Singh) "I give you this advice only because if you will do Simran while you are doing any other work, when you sit for meditation you won’t have to sit for a long time repeating the Names to bring your attention to the seat of the soul. As soon as you sit for meditation, within a few minutes you will go up." (Santji - Ajaib Singh Ji) In Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters, simran is the art of repeating a name or names of God in one's mind (manas jap) for the purpose of Remembering the Divine -- Practicing the Presence of God. It is a way to remain spiritually awake in a world of slumber, a way to remain centered and focused instead of being thrown off-center by the influences of maya (illusion). In this Path of the Saints and Mystics this spiritual exercise of repeating or chanting spiritually charged Names of God is done not only in meditation practice, but as often as possible throughout the day as a way to spiritualize all aspects of life, inner and outer. In Sant Mat, the simran (remembrance) of worldly thoughts is controlled through the Simran (remembrance) of the Charged Names, repeated by a satsangi throughout the day and when sitting for meditation as a means of collecting the thought currents at the Third Eye Center; also used as a password to higher planes and protection from Negative Power influences. (Remembrance, Awakening to the Positive Power) References, Subjects, and Sources Include: Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, Baba Ram Singh Ji, Santji, Sant Kirpal Singh, The Sants of India, Mystics of the East, Path of the Masters, Radhasoami, satsang, Sant Namdev, Zikar in Sufism, Krishna, Bhagavad Gita, bhakti, Prayer of the Name, Jesus Prayer, Hesychasm, Mount Athos, Eastern Orthodoxy, Cloud of Unknowing, Tukaram, Tulsi Das, Dadu Dayal, Kabir (Guru Kabir), the Five Names (Panch Naam), Surat Shabd Yoga (Inner Light and Sound Meditation), third eye (seat of the soul), union with God, Lord of the Soul, Lord of Love, the Ocean of Love In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts Sant Mat Radhasoami A Satsang Without Walls Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com