Part II / I – III
Social Conduct and Ethical Life
The Master's strong and protective arms and His loving vigilant eyes are always on His fold. He is for their progress.
When outer difficulties seem hard, His inner grace increases. If someone says something unpleasant about you, consider it calmly. If what has been said is correct, partly or in the main, try to remove those defects and thank the person for his kindness in pointing out those truths. If, on the other hand, those things are incorrect, accept the fact that the person is not fully informed and has spoken through a misconception. Excuse him for it and forget it. Should an opportunity occur to remove this misunderstanding, remove it lovingly and with an open heart. This will hasten spiritual progress and help to clean the vessel which is destined to be filled with the ever-ready and over-flowing Grace of the Master.
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Changing over from material to spiritual man is the most difficult part of spirituality and when you learn to perfect yourself in that field, then God-realization is not difficult.
Let your love for the Master be absolute and your obedience to His wishes uncompromising. Work lovingly for His holy cause to the best of your ability. This then is the task before you if you aspire for Spiritual Salvation. Do not lose a moment in seeking to reform yourself.
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Inner loving devotion and deep faith help the disciple to achieve Divine bliss and harmony from Beyond.
Spirituality means over-all development and gratitude and prayer are akin. Implicit obedience and reverential humility are two of the most helpful factors in spiritual progress.
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Satsangs should not be used as a debating club. Initiates are advised to avoid any controversial type of questions. It, however, does not prohibit the privilege of elucidation on any particular point regarding the holy Path if such is asked for. All criticism or open discussions, as well as showing one low and another high, should be politely avoided.
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I have noted your remarks in regard to your dear husband. He is so dear to me and I wish him all spiritual success. Your attitude toward him should be one of service and kindness. You must not lose your temper, but be patient and considerate. All spiritual aspirants should inculcate and exhibit rare tolerance and humility in their behaviour so that others may know that you belong to the Living Master. The balanced mind never becomes irritated or annoyed at the slightest provocation. One learns swimming in water and our daily living should be fashioned in such a manner that we make it a point to learn something new every day. Patience, humility and a sense of self-abnegation are the ennobling virtues which should figure prominently in the lives of the initiates. You will progress in this field in due course.
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A True Master always insists on maintaining a record of daily lapses in thought, word and deed, from non-injury, truth, chastity, universal love and selfless service. Of all the five cardinal virtues that pave the way for Spirituality, it is only the knowledge of our faults that can make us weed out the same, and strive in the right direction.
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One who permits himself or herself to be disturbed by what others say and do, is without question one who is still controlled by the ego and has yet to conquer the self, and learn the rudiments of Spirituality.
Make love and self-surrender the corner-stones of your life. Do this and you will find your life becoming daily a blessing.
The Path is straight, narrow, difficult – very difficult and exacting, but for one who is truly living, every help is promised to achieve the Goal.
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The difficulties in ethical living should be weeded out by careful vigilance, and by inculcating a deep desire for the corresponding virtues with patience and fortitude.
Please also avoid looking into the eyes of the opposite sex. A truly humble and obedient spiritual aspirant will tide over the situation by reposing his or her efforts in the gracious Masters-Power working overhead.
Always seek His Divine guidance by invoking His mercy in humble supplication and inner intense longing for His darshan.
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We must constantly remember that our aim is God. And we must not be concerned with anything that makes us forget Him.
Our whole life must be built upon love and humility which are inseparable. If we make any spiritual progress, we must guard against pride.
Instead of looking down upon our fellow-beings we must thank God for His Grace and repay It by humbly helping our brethren in their material and spiritual need. If there are those who do not understand or who do not wish to understand the Truth, we must not feel irritated with them. They are all God's children as we are and must be won over by love and persuasion.
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Service is considered an ornament to a beautiful person that adorns and elevates his or her soul to become a clean vessel for His Grace. Service of any type granted at the holy Feet of the Master is beneficial and should be cherished as whatever one does must bring its fruit in accordance with the Law of Karma.
The secret of selfless service is to deny the reward or recognition of any type and on the contrary consider one’s self as a humble instrument in the Divine hands which are the sustainers and protectors of all. All credit goes to the Master, yet the media of love are blessed with the superb Divine intoxication which is of supreme magnitude.
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Happiness is the willing adjustment of ourselves to our environment. If you could devote time to spiritual practices at stated hours, it would be better. But you should be sure that no day goes by without it.
The best way to have a calm atmosphere is to work amicably. You should remain devoted and loving to your husband always. Love begets love. In this way, your husband will become a helping factor in all your affairs.
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I know the initiates abroad are anxious to see me in person, and I also long to be amidst them. You can well imagine how happy and jolly a father would feel amidst his sons and daughters who are all loving and amiable.
I would, therefore, suggest that by the time I make a trip to America, all initiates, including leaders and representatives, make a special effort to live a pure, Christly and Master-like life as is possible so that all initiates will stand out amongst other men and women shining with love in full bloom, and drenched in the sweet remembrance of the Lord.
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Honesty, strength, courage and kindness are the rare virtues and may prove very useful for spiritual development provided these are used properly in your daily life. I am pleased to know that you have given up the habit of smoking. The observance of strict dietary regulations is very essential for steady progress on the holy Path and any transgression is liable to affect your progress. These rules should never be violated even for the consideration of guests.
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Satsang is a great helping factor. This disciple imbibes the sacred teachings in their proper perspective and it fosters inner loving devotion for the gracious Master-Power working overhead. Besides, you will be able to enjoy the overwhelming radiation from the Master-Power in such a holy congregation.
I appreciate your deep gratitude and loving adoration for the gracious Master-Power through whose grace you have been blessed with the holy boon of initiation into the mysteries of the Beyond.
Man is the highest in all creation. Those who love God, should love all of His creation. He is immanent in every form. There are sermons in stones and books in rivulets. We should live in fellowship with all creatures and with all life. All Rishis and Saints had the vision of cosmic unity and loved Nature.
Nanak tells us:
The whole creation is the house of God and He resideth in it.
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You should become a source of help and inspiration to your less gifted brethren who may better their lot by following your example. Please note – an ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. The world is fed up with preaching and the child humanity is looking urgently for Life and Light. You can be the harbinger of peace and prosperity by living a life as enjoined by the Master. One developed soul will be helpful to many others. Spirituality cannot be taught, it must be caught like an infection which is passed on to others, who are receptive.
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Love and all things shall be added unto you. First of all, Satsang is connecting of soul with God and getting absorbed in Him. Then comes the Satsang presided over by the Master, who is Word-made-flesh. In the absence of this all brothers and sisters should sit together in meditation and in sweet remembrance of the Master and God. The Satsang receives the Grace of the Master if it is conducted selflessly and with loving devotion to the Master. If it is considered to be anyone's 'personal' Satsang, it will lose all the Grace of the Master.
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I am glad that you attend the group meetings every month and help the holy cause. One receives loving life-impulses from the charged atmosphere of the holy congregations. I appreciate your commendations for the great cause and the gracious Master who has done you substantial good during the past ten years. His Grace is eternal, and fortunate are the selected few who bear testimony and are grateful.
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I have appreciation for the loving service that you all are doing for the cause of the Master in helping all the struggling humanity tread on the Path. This is the highest service that one can do for mankind and is in fact a service of the Lord Himself.
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It is a rare privilege to gather together in His name to invoke His gracious mercy and to imbibe the sacred teachings.
The basis for perfect harmony and happiness is the right understanding which is the gracious gift of Master-Power; and we should consider ourselves to be the true brothers in faith working simultaneously for our mutual emancipation under the protective guidance of the Living Master.
Trustworthiness and tolerance bring loving co-operation, and selfless efforts bless the child disciple with reverent humility which is the most helpful factor on the holy Path.