Kirpal Singh

The Master on Satsang

These are some of the comments Master has made from time to time on the proper way to conduct Satsang. They are taken from a variety of sources: ‘How to Develop Receptivity,’ the Master’s Talk in the February 1971 issue of Sat Sandesh, Circular 49, and letters previously published by the New York Satsang.

The dear ones should also be regular in attending Satsang, which is where the theoretical side of the teachings are given, to enable them to increase their understanding of what the books and circular letters written by the Master contain. When you have right understanding, you will have right thoughts, and from right thoughts will automatically flow right words and right action. Satsang is not a place for gossip or social get-togethers. It is a Sacred Forum where all meet to sit in sweet remembrance of the Master as well as to increase their understanding. While I have permitted meditations also to be held at Satsang in the past, generally after the Satsang, I would now suggest that those dear ones who would like to meditate together, do so before the Satsang commences. This will avoid the incidence of social chitchat that has, in many cases, been reported to me as going on at the beginning and end of Satsang. It will also avoid the participation of non-initiates in the meditation period, which is not desirable, except in cases of sincere seekers after Truth who are desirous of initiation. When Satsang is finished, everyone should leave. Those non-initiates who are interested in the teachings should be advised to first thoroughly study the books and other literature available, before asking any questions. If after such a thorough study of the Teachings, they still have some questions, these may be answered by the group leader. By attending Satsang in the right spirit, the Master-Power within each initiate will radiate, and the resultant charging of the atmosphere will give a boost to all. At times like these, the Master-Power is given the right environment to do Its work, which is to prepare the dear ones for their second birth into the beyond.

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Satsang is purely meant to discuss and explain the subject of contacting the Naam Power – it is not a place where the social and political matters are taken up. It is a place of righteousness, and we should regard and respect it as such. When we visit any religious temple, do we not enter with respectful humility? Where our attitude is not so, we surely expect to gain little from our attendance there. To talk of worldly affairs in Sacred Places is considered to be a sacrilege. So your purpose in coming to Satsang is to imbibe the Love of God, to sit in His sweet remembrance, to unite with Him. All things past and future, all irrelevant matters can be dealt with in your own place of residence. Come, but come with the very best of intentions. Bring the remembrance of the Lord with you, and take it with you when you leave. Do not listen to others’ conversations and do not talk to anyone unless it be about the Truth. You will thereby gain full benefit from Satsang – otherwise the years will pass by without any real advancement.

Even though you may not understand all that is said, yet if you sit with full attention you will profit by it. If your thoughts are somewhere else, not only will you lose, but other people will also be affected by the impure atmosphere you are creating, for thoughts are living and possess great power. Regard the Satsang as a place of purity; do not talk or think of anything but God, and whosoever attends will be blessed by the uplifting atmosphere. We do not go to Satsang to meet our friends or to socialise.

Attending Satsang

(Master is commenting on Christ’s parable of the sower.)

Concerning those seeds that fall on the rocks and beneath which there is little or no underlying soil, after initiation that seed should be fed by Satsang before if those seeds are not watered by Satsangs, you see, naturally they fade away – they also don’t grow – they come for a few days, then leave it. So that is why I tell the people, ‘Leave hundreds of urgent works to attend the Satsangs.’

Content

The books written by the Master should be read in the Satsangs, as these give a clear-cut view of the subject, as also carry the Life-Impulse of the Master and as such will bless the dear ones with right understanding of the Holy Path. Relevant portions of the books of other Masters, viz., Kabir, Nanak, Christ, etc., dealing with Sant Mat, Surat Shabd Yoga, may also be referred to where necessary. Books written by other writers on these may be studied by you if necessary individually at home, and not at Satsangs. – Please follow this scrupulously.

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In this regard, group leaders and representatives should be thoroughly familiar with the teachings. They will greatly reduce their own workload if they read out at Satsang the Circular Letters already referred to – i.e., 13^th June and 5^th November, 1969 – in addition to selections from the books written by me. The new book ‘Morning Talks’ will provide them with invaluable material for this purpose. But most of all, they should set an example to others in their actions.

Children at Satsang

You may please politely request all the dear ones coming to Satsang that the young children who cannot be kept quiet during the course of Satsang should not be brought by them. Besides, mothers of the very young ones in laps who are likely to cry or cause disturbance should also be requested to remain outside the hall especially during meditation period when their young children will receive all the blessing of the Master-Power even if they do not attend the Satsang for the reasons discussed above. And after meditation sitting, if they ensure complete silence, only then should they be allowed to attend Satsang, or they remain outside. However, if you can manage to have all the young children kept together at some place outside the hall under the supervision of somebody, there is no objection to it. The silence and serenity of the house must be maintained carefully. I hope everybody will cooperate lovingly. Please convey my Love to all Satsangis over there.