Brief Life Sketch – Kirpal Singh

Teachings

Since the beginning of Creation, when the first flicker of self-awakening dawned on man, his attention has been more and more concerned with the problem of his own worldly existence and the investigation into the cause and source of all Creation. For ages, he has probed and queried in vain, but now, at last, his increasing thirst for knowledge is turning him to study the results achieved by others in the field.

Ancient and modern sages asked,

What is that, the knowledge of which makes everything else known?

and in the same breath replied,

Knowledge of the Higher Self – the True Man.

So the Supreme Knowledge is that which deals, both in theory and practice, with man’s True Nature and his relation to God. It is, in fact, a natural science without a hypothesis, subject neither to change nor time.

In ancient India it was called Para Vidya – Science of Realised Truth or Science of the Beyond – and different denominations sprang up to interpret this knowledge. The term Apara Vidya, standing for preparation for achieving the knowledge of Para Vidya, was then introduced. This preparation consists of following an ethical and moral life, and the practice of concentration or meditation (in so many ways) both being indispensable for Spiritual Development.

Man is constantly changing or introducing new names and terminologies to describe this Science. The Masters were called Sants, and the nature of knowledge Mat, thus giving us the term Sant Mat, which is at present mostly used to name the Path of the Masters.

Other terms, such as Shabd Yoga, Surat Shabd Yoga, Sehaj Yoga, are also used to describe the same Science.

[…]

The Masters do not attach any importance to names, designations, or the fact that many religious sects, groups and circles, have claimed this Science as their own and named it after their leaders or founders. They look upon these groups as schools where man – the noblest being in Creation – can study with other men as children of one and the same Almighty Father. A Master – also called Sant Satguru –, has complete mastery of both the theory and practice, and is competent to impart both knowledge and experience to all sincere seekers after Truth, without any distinction whatsoever of colour, caste or creed.¹

Self-Analysis

Man is composed of body, mind, intellect, and soul. We are extremely careful to develop ourselves physically and mentally, but understand very little about the soul, which is the power ruling both the body and the mind. Physical joys are not lasting and there are limitations of body and mind that we cannot ignore, so we must search for the perennial source of joy and peace within ourselves. Self-analysis is the first step in this direction.

Many doubts assail our minds at this stage. There is an Omnipotent Power called God, believed in, worshipped and talked about by most people. Can we know more about Him? Can we see Him and talk to Him? There is a definite and clear reply to each one of these questions, but the most convincing one comes from a Master, Who in a few brief words explains,

Yes we can see and speak to Him, that is, if we become as exalted as He is said to be.

Masters say

Yes, and we do not have to wait until death comes, but we can experience it right now.

This is in consonance with Laws of Nature of which we have as yet, no knowledge worth the name. All around us, we see, we feel that everything from the tiny atom to the mighty Universe, is governed by a Law of Nature. So, to the profound thinker, there is nothing chaotic, haphazard or uncertain about this Universe and the laws which govern it. To gain any objective, there is a Law of Nature, a principle and method involved for checking, testing and weighing the result of our endeavours. So it is too in this Science of Nature, and similar methods can be traced in all religious scriptures by any careful student, though expressed in different words and various languages.

We wish to enter the Kingdom of God, but how? we ask ourselves.

With the help and guidance of One Who has Himself entered and can guide us there,

is the simple reply from the Masters.

Is it possible?

It is a knowledge which is as exact and as sure as two and two make four,

is again Their reply.

It is not enough to be content with Holy Books and the singing of praises and hymns. We must strive for the same degree of advancement as the authors of the talks and knowledge recorded in these books achieved. Their experience must become our experience, for, what a man has done, a man can do, of course with proper help and guidance. We should stop at nothing short of this.²

Man-Making

A man, according to the Science of Para Vidya, is not entitled to be called a man in the true sense of the word, unless he has full knowledge, both theoretical and practical, of his distinguished position in Creation, his several component parts – body, mind and soul – in order of comparative importance, and of his relationship to the Unseen Power, called God, Which is to be achieved while he is living on this earth.

He who does not understand this much has not even been introduced to the first lesson and is yet to begin the Alphabet of Man. The Saints, therefore, impress upon us the need for Man-making.³

Scholars of many religious schools dwell more and more upon theory alone. The decline of the Science then commences and man finds no solace. This is usually the case when a Master leaves the body.

Adequate provision, however, is made for the revival of this Science in every age, when both the positive and negative powers commence their rounds again; the former through the agency of Master-Souls, while the latter works through persons – so-called masters – who lack practical experience or are lost in theoretical disputations.

Master-Souls, though quite ordinary men in appearance, are a great deal more. Just as it is difficult for us to judge a scientist, a doctor or an engineer until they speak out or display their skill and knowledge, so too we cannot recognise the knowledge and authority of a Master until we have experienced the Divine Power working through Him.

[…]

Why this Power prefers to remain concealed from the human eye is a question to be asked directly by contacting the Human Pole through Whom this Power is working.

This is the only medium of approach to this Power. […] The Unseen Power may be called a Sea of Love.

Thus, to experience this Power and to derive benefit from it, we must go to the only source of contact – a Master-Saint.⁴

It is only through a Living Master that we can contact the Almighty God within us. In Sant Mat, contemplation of objects or images is not advised, as this is harmful to progress.

Photographs of the Masters are for remembrance and recognition only.⁵

Life beyond Death

Saints say that Nature has designed man to leave his physical body at will, transcend to higher Spiritual Planes, and then return to the body. They help each aspirant personally and each receives a practical experience, however little it may be, during the very first sitting at the time of initiation. A person Who is competent to give a man this personal experience of withdrawal or separation – temporary – from the body, and Who can thus put him on the Way back to God, is a Genuine Master, Saint or Satguru.

The first-hand experience we receive, through the kindness of a Real Saint, is in itself the solution to the problem of death.

[…]

So to be born anew is to leave one’s body and enter into the Beyond – a transition from the physical to the astral plane.

Some day we have to leave this temporary structure, which like a building of bricks and mortar, deteriorates with time. There is no appeal to the Laws of Nature against the 'Death Sentence.' We fear death because of the agony and suffering which it brings, and also about the uncertainty that lies ahead in the Beyond. We fear illness because it brings us near death’s door; so we struggle to live though we know that our end is certain.⁶

Remedy

What then is the remedy? There is only one way out of this abyss of despair, which is to adopt and accustom ourselves, during our lifetime, to Nature’s process of the withdrawal of the spirit current from the body, while still in a conscious state. This may be done with the help of a Master, and may be accomplished without any suffering or trouble whatsoever. This is not only a possibility but is a remarkable fact. Our joy will know no bounds when we come into possession of the secret that has baffled man for so many centuries. We become supermen, having possession of a key to peace and heaven, the life of which we had till then only read about in Sacred Scriptures.

Arise, therefore, and awake! before it is too late to put this Science into practice.

[…]

The mystery of life and death is solved easily with the help of a Master-Saint, Who will give you an experience of the process and put you on the highway to the Inner Realms.⁷

[...]

The benefit derived from this process cannot be described on paper.

At initiation the aspirant sees within Real Light which grows to the radiance of several suns put together as he advances on the Way. He now understands that the unceasing Internal Sound he contacts is the Divine Link called the Word, Kalma, Nida-i-Asmani, Nad, Udgit, Sraosha Naam or Shabd by different Master-Saints. He meets the Master within, talks to Him face to face, as He advances on the Path, and is henceforth certain of His Grace, guidance and protection wherever he may go even to the other end of earth. With evident proofs before him he is now confident of himself and of the Science. He has found a sure ingress through the doorway of heaven in this life and is on the threshold of viewing both internally and externally, the secrets of Nature. He is verily knocking at the door of heaving tapping inside. Words of opposition cannot shake his faith in the science as the Master guides him forward death becomes a voluntary process. Past, present and future merge into one, and he grasps the incontestable Truth.⁸

Preliminary Qualifications

Just as in any other science, certain preliminary qualifications are required before much progress can be made.  [...] Wherever he may be, a man must strive for nobility of character, self-control and purity of heart. Purity of heart in thought, word and deed is essential.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

An ethical life is a stepping-stone to Spirituality, but Spirituality is, however, not just ethical living. This we must always bear in mind.

[...]

Live and let live,

should be our [principle] in life.⁹

[...]

With regard to diet. Vegeterianism and teetotalism are essential. Our body is the temple of God we are neither to neglect it nor to abuse it. In our dealing with our family and the world at large, we should sow the seed of kindness.

Love and all blessing shall be added unto you.

To love God is to love all humanity.¹⁰

Karma – Action and Reaction

Each thought, each word and each deed has to be accounted and compensated for in Nature. Every cause has an effect and every action brings about a reaction. Uproot the cause and the effect disappears. This has been done by the Masters Who have transcended these laws, but all others are bound by the bonds of karma, which is the root-cause of physical existence and the clever device of Nature to maintain this existence. The law of karma sees to it that we are paid an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, in the shape of joy or suffering.

It is the goading whip in the hidden hands of Nature.

The mind contracts karma, puts a covering on the soul and rules the body through the organs and the senses. Although it is the soul that imparts strength to the mind, the latter has assumed sovereignty and is governing the soul instead. Control of the mind, therefore, is the first step to Spirituality.

Victory over the mind is victory over the world.

[...]

Karma is the cause of rebirth, and each birth is in turn followed by death. Thus the cycle of enjoyment and suffering, which are concomitants of birth and death, continues. [...] No amount of integrity or genius can absolve a man so long as there is the slightest trace of karma. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and though there may be some concession or relaxation with man-made laws under special circumstances, there is no such allowance made for this in Nature’s Laws. Prayer, confession and atonement may give temporary mental relief but they cannot overcome karma. All karma must be wiped out completely before permanent salvation can be had.

Disturbed by these facts, man seeks solace in deep pious doctrines, or when he comes to know that both good and bad deeds are fetters – one of gold, the other of iron – he turns to renunciation. Different faiths promise relief but he soon finds out that this is only temporary.

How then does a Master approach this problem?

At the time of initiation, the Master begins the process of winding up all karmas of the initiate.

He gives him a contact with the Sound Current, by practising which the Sanchit account is burnt away. The process is similar to putting a handful of seeds in a pan and placing them on a fire, which then causes the seeds to puff up and lose their property of growing again.

Then the Kriyaman account is dealt with. After warning his disciples to guard against opening any new account of bad deeds, the Master grants a general clemency in respect of past deeds, part of which the disciple has already settled in this life up to the time of initiation. He is enjoined to lead a clean life and to weed out all imperfections in him by self-introspection from day to day.

The Pralabdh Karma is not touched by Saints because this is the cause of the physical body, which would vanish due to the interference with Nature’s Laws. Thus a very small amount of karma now remains to be tolerated in the physical body for the remaining years of the disciple’s life, but even this is softened by the Grace of the Master. The law of Grace works wonders and a devotee, who out of loving devotion, reposes all his hopes in the Master, passes off unscathed from the pinching effects of the reactions of past karmas. In moments of misery, worry and trouble, the Master is our refuge. He acts unperceived at any distance. Just as a mother of a sick child holds the child securely in her lap during an operation so that it does not feel any pain, so too the Master holds us in His loving embrace.

Out of Their abundance of sympathy, Love and kindness, the Saints at times take upon Their own shoulders some karmic sufferings of Their disciples through the Law of Sympathy. There is no court of trial after death for a devoted disciple. The Master is all in all for him.

Why does a Master-Saint take all this on Himself?

Because He inherits His merciful nature from God above, Who commissions Him to personally distribute this treasure of Mercy. Thus, the Master is honoured like God. Sant Mat has volumes of books written in praise of the Masters, and if just as many more books were to be written, it would hardly do justice to the vastness of Their Love and kindness.¹¹

‘Deadly Five’

Time casts its heavy shadow over man. He has to toil hard to keep pace with the changing times. So deeply is he absorbed in his external needs and desires that he forgets all about contentment, sympathy and Love. Entangled and surrounded by the Deadly Five – lust, anger, greed, attachment and vanity – he stumbles and cries out to the Unseen for help. Heaven’s Mercy is stirred and as times stiffen, the Almighty extends His help through the Masters more and more lavishly. Such is the case in this Kali Yuga – the Iron Age.

It is indeed very hard to believe that anyone can be above the five passions mentioned above, and that he can enter the Kingdom of Heaven during his lifetime. All mankind is under the control of these five and only a Master can save a man from their clutches. We all demand reliable proof before committing ourselves, and this is given by a Master in the shape of an experience of the Life-Impulse, or Naam – the Word –, and some Inner Vision. Contact with a Master is essential. Those who keep aloof and depend on themselves or rely on tradition and priests – equally ignorant as themselves – are deprived of contact with this Power.¹²

What is Spirituality?

Perhaps it will not be out of place to explain here the meaning of the term Spirituality, which is often confused with blind faith in Sacred Books, a display of miracles, psychic phenomena, or yogic powers. Spirituality is an Inner Experience and its alphabet begins where all philosophy and Yoga practices end.

[...]

But when he gets an actual experience of the soul by self-analysis and contacts the Overself, it is called Spirituality.

[...]

The first practical lesson commences when there is a complete withdrawal from the physical body through the kindness of a practical Master. No one can withdraw and separate himself from the physical body unaided.  [...] Masters come to distribute this treasure of Spiritual Blessings to seekers after Truth. Spirituality cannot be bought nor taught, but it can be caught by contact with Spiritual People. Moreover, Nature’s gifts, such as air, water, light etc., are free. Spirituality is also Nature’s gift and is also given free by the Masters.¹³

In the physical body, two main currents are working that control life: one a motor current, breathing or prana, and the other a sensory current, which may also be called attention or surat.

The Masters ignore the former so that the breathing is not interfered with and the life process goes on. The sensory current ramifies throughout the entire body, but its main centre lies between and behind the two eyebrows, along with the mind.

We have to withdraw the sensory current or the spirit to its centre.¹⁴

Attuning one’s self with the Internal Sound Current is the best way to calm the mind and practise concentration. It does not matter what school of thought or society a man may belong to. He has not to convert himself and can remain where he is.

There are no hard and fast rules, no rituals, no ceremonies, no pomp and show, no offering of gifts, not even of flowers. All that a disciple has to do is to enter inside and henceforth consider the body as his laboratory. With regard to the theory, he has to understand the following, which is briefly the pith of what he will hear at Satsangs:

1. The Master is not the body, he is the Power functioning through the body and uses it to teach and guide man in much the same way as a spirit uses a medium. Only in bodily form will the disciple be able to recognise his Master in the higher regions and here on earth.
   
   
2. The Master is Shabd, Word, Nad, etc., all of which refer to the God-into-Expression-Power of Light and Sound Principle. By having a contact with this Power, man is led back to his True Home.
   
   
3. For the sake of those who are disillusioned with life, and who yearn for permanent happiness and peace away from the world and its worries, the Word assumes a body to afford them solace.
   
   Christ said,
   
   

   Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.

   
   Once a disciple contacts this Word – which is done at the time of initiation by the Master –, the audible form of this Word resides within never leaves him, and even after the end of man’s physical existence on earth. It will go with him and stay with him until he achieves the final goal.
   
   The Word is also known as the Voice of God or the Sound Current, and is the Life-Impulse given by the Master at the time of initiation. It may be heard as a sound coming from a distance and gradually develops into such sweetness that no music on earth can excel It.
   
   It is the Water of Life, the Spring of Immortality, the Elixir of Life, the Nectar of Spirituality, etc., that are spoken of in Holy Books.
   
   
4. Man has an Inner Eye with which he can see within himself all the higher regions, when the veil is rent asunder by a Competent Living Master. In this state, he remains perfectly conscious and undergoes amazing experiences. To ascend to the higher regions without a Competent Master is fraught with dangers.¹⁵

Simran

The repetition of the Holy Names is given to the disciple at the time of initiation as a guard against all dangers. It acts also as a password to all Spiritual Planes, gives strength and sustenance to the body and mind during trouble and afflictions, brings the soul nearer to the Master, is instrumental in achieving concentration, and imparts many other diverse powers.

Initiation commences with the explanation and description of the Inner Spiritual Regions and the way in which the Path is to be pursued. The opening of the Inner Vision to see the Inner Regions, with their distinct Heavenly Lights, together with the contact with the Divine Link or Sound Principle, constitutes the practical side of Initiation. Daily practice of these combined with Simran, is meditation.

The whole ceremony takes from two to three hours. Diaries of one’s Spiritual Progress must be kept and the mistakes of old and new disciples are corrected from time to time to ensure progress.¹⁶

Conclusion

This Science of self-analysis that reveals the Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God, is the remedy which can reconstruct a healthy culture and propagate harmony between man and man.

He who claims to love the invisible God but has no regard or Love for his visible fellow man, is lost indeed. To love, revere and feel grateful to our fellow man is to love and revere God.

So too, the Love for the visible Master, our closest connecting link with God, is in reality Love for the Supreme Father. We should therefore try to measure the depth of God’s Mercy and Grace through a Master-Saint, Who is God’s visible representative. It has Spirituality as its end and is not idolatry. The atmosphere in which such a Genuine Master moves is charged with currents of peace and Love which affect those who come into contact with Him. Even letters written by or on behalf of Him carry currents of ecstasy that influence the innermost recesses of the heart. Guru precedes God.

Such a person was Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj Who remained with His disciples for a great number of years and now, even after He has left the body, still watches over his loved ones and also those who contacted Him once with Love and sincerity in their hearts. Love knows no law and He is still appearing in His Radiant Form, even on lower Spiritual Planes, for their sake. Not one, but hundreds can testify to what ignorant people would call an illusion. On the physical plane, He is still showering His blessings through His medium at Ruhani Satsang, Sawan Ashram, (Shakti Nagar, Delhi – 110007) who now in turn guides men in all Spiritual Matters.

One bulb is fused and is replaced by another. The same Power works and the same Light now shines from a new bulb. All who approach the Master get positive experiences and anybody who wishes to avail himself of such a golden opportunity has only to contact the Master and his wishes will be fulfilled, his heart will overflow with happiness, and his weary shoulders will be relieved of their burden of cares and worries.¹⁷

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Note by the Editor, 2010: Most of these texts are excerpts from the booklet ‘Man, know thyself,’ by Kirpal Singh, 1894–1974. The respective chapters are indicated by the following footnotes: 1) Chapter I: Self-Knowledge is the Alphabet of God-Knowledge. 2) Chapter III: Self-Analysis. 3) Chapter IV: The Teachings of the Masters. 4) Chapter V: Satsang. 5) Chapter III: Self-Analysis. 6) Chapter VI: Life beyond Death. 7) Chapter VI: Life beyond Death. 8) No source. 9) Chapter VII: Preliminary Qualifications for an Aspirant on the Way. 10) No source. 11) Chapter VIII: Karmas – Actions and Deeds. 12) Chapter VIII: Karmas – Actions and Deeds. 13) Chapter IX: Spirituality. 14) Chapter XI: The Science. 15) Chapter XII: Initiation. 16) Chapter XIII: Simran. 17) Chapter XV: General.