                          CHASTITY AND FORGIVENESS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The supreme idea of human life is the realization of God. Religions were
made to perpetuate the teachings of great Souls Who had attained
enlightenment. They have left an account of their personal experiences for
the guidance of posterity. They have all said that God is omnipresent.
Whatever we see around us is undoubtedly His manifestation, but the
question is how to see Him?

     The Lord 's Word is all pervading;
     There is no place where His Word does not exist. - Jap Ji

     We #have see the glimpse of God. - Gurbani

One can experience God only by rising to His level of super- consciousness.
Although the atmosphere is full of microbes, nothing is visible to the
naked eye. Does that mean that there is nothing in the air? We can see
thousands of tiny objects through a microscope. Now, there are two
possibilities. Either whatever is present in the air is made to magnify so
as to correspond to the visual level of our eyes, or our vision should
become so subtle as to see these tiny germs clearly. So, it is impossible
for us to see the highly subtle and indescribable Lord with our physical
eyes. When we are able to develop super-consciousness and subtlety of His
level, we can have some experience of Him. The question is one of
developing the Third Eye. Who can open the inner eye? Only the Master's
Grace can do it.

     Through the Grace of a Godman,
     You will see the temple of the Lord within. - Gurbani

The human body is the temple of God. In order to attain super-consciousness
one has to withdraw from #a the physical attachments. So long as we remain
identified with external objects, we cannnot assume a subtle form. Tulsi
Sahib says: "The Lord dwells within us, but we remain ignorant. Cursed is
such a life." Even after getting human life, if He is not manifested
within, it is a great curse because we can accomplish this task only in
human life. #"0 Tulsi! The whole world is suffering from cataract.#"

Doctors do not give vision to cataract patients. They only remove the thin
membrane covering the pupil of the eye. Similarly, the Lord is within us.
He is our Controlling Power. The entire universe is His manifestation. He
can be realized within, but not before our subtle eye is able to pierce
through the darkness within.

Tulsi Sahib and Shams-e-Tabrez both have said the same thing: "See the Lord
with your own eyes and hear His Eternal Music with your own ears".

If we see through the darkness inside, we can experience the Divine Light.
Tulsi Sahib says that you will not be able to penetrate through the
darkness without the help of a perfect Master. In this lies the greatness
of a Master Soul, Who can dispel our darkness and give us the inner
experience of Divine Light. This is possible when our attention is
withdrawn from outside and we rise above body-consiousness. This is not
easy. Despite years of meditation, past sages and seers could not always
get this experience (of Divine Light). They used to practice Kumbhak (Hatha
Yogic exercise), and after passing through the six ganglionic centers, got
a little inner experience in the center of the two eyebrows. This practice
takes hundreds of years.

     Only the all powerful Master can pull the soul up;
     He alone can free us from the prison of oblivion. - Swamiji

Who can rise above body-consciousness? One who is unattached and is not
engrossed in sensual pleasures can do it. Only such a person can easily tap
inside. Ethical and chaste life is, therefore, very essential. Even if the
Master, by His own Grace, lifts someone whese life is not pure above body
consciousness, the latter win not be able to withstand it. It is crystal
clear that there are two main obstacles in the way: passionate desires and
anger. To lead a Chaste life is not enough. We have to overcome #an desires.
In anger the soul flows out. Self-indulgence and anger lead to various
other vices. Unless these two enemies are disciplined first, others- greed,
attachment, and egotism- cannot be controlled. One who succeeds in
conquering all these five enemies is free from suffering. The senses derive
their power from the mind and the mind from the soul. If our attention is
concentrated at the seat of the soul, the senses become powerless.

Saints show us the way back to God through Surat Shabd Yoga. Where is the
seat of the soul in the body? At the time of death, the soul withdraws
behind the two eyebrows after leaving the lower regions. Anyone who is able
to withdraw his sensory currents at this point in his lifetime can open his
inner eye. But, this can be done only through the Grace of a perfect living
Master. First, the Master helps us in withdrawing our attention from
external worldly objects with which it is identified. In this body - the
temple of God - dwell both our Controlling Power and we. The Master has
great power to pull the soul above the plane of senses to the seat of the
soul. He opens the inner eye. Thus, the spiritual aspirant has a firsthand
experience and does not require any other evidence.

     Until I see the Truth with my own eyes,
     I cannot be fully convinced of what the Master says. - Gurbani

Unless the senses are controlled, the mind is stilled, and the intellect
too is equipoised, the soul cannot realize itself. Gyan Yoga will not be of
much help. We draw inferences only to acquire knowledge. But, the true
knowledge has to be experienced. Only an adept who has had a firsthand
experience can give you a taste of it. Similarly, only One in Whom the
Divine Light is manifest can show you Light. Intellectuals and religious
preachers cannot do this work. True inner experience can be given only by
the Grace of a truly competent Master. By infusing His own life-impulse, He
puts us on the Spiritual Path and then unites us with the Power of God. One
who has subdued the senses qualifies for the Divine Grace.

Cravings and anger can be controlled by cultivating chastity and
forgiveness. If you go into details, you will find that these are our main
hurdles. If you were to listen to someone silently, you will find that he
talks of his passionate desires, petty jealousies, factions, enmities,
recriminations, etc. He will overrate some and underrate others. These
vices must be dispensed with. Prophet Mohammel has said: "If you can
control the two sense-organs; namely, one between the two lips and the
other between the two thighs, I shall stand surety for you in the Lord's
Court." We simply read or hear these words but never go deeper into their
meaning. If these two virtues were cultivated, it would be a great
blessing. In the absence of these virtues, meditation is hampered. This is
the main object of my laying stress on keeping a diary. The first column in
the diary is for ahmsa (non-violence) and forgiveness. Even if someone
harms you, forgive him. Do not injure anybody's feelings. One who practices
ahimsa, would not tell a lie, cheat others, or have ill-gotten gains. Now,
let us see what Saints have said on the subject.

Chastity and forgiveness are the two basic and noble virtues of all. If we
acquire these virtues, we will be successful in our meditation. Christ
says: "Suffer little children to come unto me, for theirs is the Kingdom of
God." Children are endowed with these two qualities. They are totally
indifferent to sex. They never mind even if they are naked. If they go
astray, we (parents) are to blame. If they fight with each other, they soon
reconcile their differences. Let us become like little children and we will
be successful in our meditation. A competent Master, by virtue of the God
Power working in Him, turns away your attention from outer pursuits, pulls
it above the plane of senses, and opens the inner eye. He gives to the
spiritual aspirant some capital of inner experience which is His Grace, but
it is our responsibility to preserve it.

Ibrahim Adham, King of Bukhara, once went to Sant Kabir. He served his
Master (Kabir) day and night. Mother Loi, one of Kabir's disciples, one day
praised Ibrahim for his selfless service to the Master and felt that
Ibrahim had become a deserving devote for the spiritual gift. Kabir
remarked that lbrahim had not yet attained maturity. To prove this, Kabir
asked her to throw rubbish on Ibrahim's head from the top of the house and
then listen to what he had to say. She did so. At this, Ibrahim said that
he would have dealt with the mischief-monger properly had he been in
Bukhara. When Kabir came to know of Ibrahim's reaction, He said that the
latter had not got over his pride of kingship and egotism and, as such, he
was not mature enough for initiation. After some time, Kabir told Loi that
Ibrahim had become ripe for the gift of Spirituality. As she had not
noticed any appreciable change in Ibrahim, she wanted to know the criterion
for this verdict. This time, Kabir asked her to throw night-soil on
Ibrahim. She did so. To her surprise, Dorabim said: "O God! I am even worse
than this." Remember, one whose heart is full of compassion for others, who
wishes well after having been hurt, and prays even for his enemies is known
as a Mahatma (great soul).

Christ was asked as to what should be the code of conduct in life. On
inquiring about the injunction of Moses in this regard, He was told: "An
eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." At this Christ remarked: "It was
because your hearts were hardened that he gave you this injunction." When
asked to express His own opinion, Christ said: "Love thy neighbor as
thyself." When further asked how enemies should be dealt with, He replied:
"Love thy enemies." Jealousy, malice, calumny, backbiting, falsehood, and
fraud can be overcome by love. Unless these vices are given up, there is no
way out. Even good preachers and reformers are found wanting in chastity
and forgiveness. They indulge in recrimination, falsehood, fraud,
hypocrisy, etc. What is wanted is cultivation of forgiveness. If we develop
child-like qualities, we can reach our goal. Now let us listen to what Sant
Kabir has to say about purity of life: "When chastity and forgiveness
sprout in one's heart, the invisible Lord becomes visible. Without chastity
one cannot reach Him. Empty words are of no avail."

Kabir says in very clear words that chastity and forgiveness are the two
prerequisites for God-realization. Without purity of life, all sermons or
learning are of no use. Chastity means purity of thoughts, words, and
deeds. Chastity is life and self-indulgence is death. Forgiveness is
difficult to practice. Outwardly we pose to be humble, but inwardly we do
not hesitate to harm others.

I remember an incident in my life. Long ago, my wife was relieved of her
purse at a railway station. The police caught the thief and the purse was
recovered from him. I was asked to lodge a report at the police station. I
told the police it was unnecessary as the purse had been found. But on
their insistence, I had to go to the police station, perhaps for the first
time. I told the officer on duty that I was not interested in reporting the
matter, but he would not agree and the report was ultimately lodged. Later,
I had to go to the court as a witness. The police officer talked to me on
this issue. He felt that justice must be done; but I contended that there
were two aspects of the law, one justice and the other compassion or mercy.
I emphasized that even after justice had been done bitterness would remain;
whereas, through mercy he could be forgiven. Compassion leads to mercy
which, in turn, leads to non-violence in thoughts, words, and deeds.
Anyway, when I appeared in the court, I requested the magistrate that if he
could let the accused off on some ground, I would have no objection. The
magistrate, after satisfying himself that there was no record of previous
conviction against the accused, ordered his discharge with a warning. As a
result, the accused and his relatives always remained grateful to me. What
a tremendous effect forgiveness has! Justice could never produce this
effect. Forgiveness is the greatest of all virtues. So is purity of
thought. But alas, all our time is spent in tensions and petty squabbles.
We find it difficult to pardon others. Remember, only a brave man can
forgive others, not a weak person. Indirectly, we remain busy in condemning
our opponents. Such persons can never realize God.

All learning and religious pursuits are of little significance unless the
qualities of chastity and forgiveness are thoroughly understood and
cultivated in life. Because of these two virtues in children, Saints always
have a great love for them. God does not dwell in the skies, but is within
us. Unless proper background is developed, spiritual advancement is not
possible. Kabir now explains in greater detail what chastity is: "One who
is chaste is greatest of all and is a storehouse of all virtues "

#Chastity is the main source of all virtues. It is rare to come across a
really chaste person. Nearness to such a pure soul produces a soothing
effect and even his reflection causes awakening. It is not an exaggeration.
By virtue of ethical life, the body of a celibate is charged with the
Divine Grace, tranquillity, and fragrance. Chastity is thus a great
blessing. "Chastdy brings all the treasures of the three worlds (physical,
astral, and causal)."

You may ask as to what should married persons do. In olden days (in India),
people used to observe continence for the first 25 years. Thereafter,
having assimilated religious scriptures, they would settle down as
householders for another 25 years. Having got one or t vo children, they
would leave their homes to enter "Vanaprastha Ashrams" for another period
of 25 years, during which they would devote themselves to achieve the
ultimate Goal of life - Realization of self and God. After reaching the
Goal (in Vanaprastha Ashram), they would become Sanyasisthose who renounce
the world completely and wander from place to place to preach religion.

The real significance of marriage is to have a life partner who could stand
by you under all circumstances in pleasure and pain, in riches and poverty.
Both should cooperate in striving to realize God. To go on producing
children is not our aim. "If a woman has to give birth, she should bear a
saint or a philanthropist or a great warrior. Otherwise, it is better if
she remains barren and does not waste the Divine Light."

Our forefathers generally used to lead more disciplined lives, but now
there is little restraint. I have to say this because of the deplorable
condition in which we are. The world population is increasing at an
alarming rate of 90 a minute. We can well imagine the population problem
after 20 or 30 years. So, it is all the more necessary for us to cultivate
continence. Christ has said: "Husbands should love their wives as Christ
loved the church." Swami Ram Tirath has also emphasized "Unless husbands
and wives love each other as brothers and sisters, there is no hope for
India." Those who are awakened say so. The solution thus lies in leading a
life of self-restraint. Even if a person is able to find a perfect Saint
Who can give the disciple a firsthand spiritual experience, progress on the
Spiritual Path is impossible unless we practice chastity and forgiveness.
We should, therefore, forget the past and start leading a clean life from
now on.

"There is no dearth of scholars, religious and disciplined people; but we
seldom come across a really chaste person." Kabir says that there are
countless learned men, those who meditate and achieve concentration, and
those who are benevolant and disciplined; but a celibate is rarely to be
found. I have come into contact with the heads of almost all religions, but
only a few lead a life of celibacy. A celibate can reach his real Goal
without making much effort. One who practices both forgiveness and chastity
has nothing to worry about and will realize God. Let me give my
grandfathers example. He was a clean-hearted man. He would not nurse any
grievance against anyone. He became a widower at the age of 25. He never
married again, although he lived for more than 100 years. A day before his
death, he told some people that he would be leaving the world the next day;
and if they wanted to convey any message to their dear ones in Heaven, they
might let him know. Just before his end, some of his relations asked him to
utter the name of God; but he said that "God is permeating throughout my
body and I am going straight to Him." I am talking of chaste ones. Such
people have an innate feeling about the presence of God.

     Those who have complete faith in God,
     They enjoy the quintessence of true knowledge. - Gurbani

You may go on meditating all through your life; but unless ycu practice
chastity and forgiveness, it will not bear any fruit. Anger causes
excitement. Most of the ills are psychosomatic, being tire result of
emotional disturbances caused by hatred, animosity, and

"Chastity is the ocean of happiness; none can fathom its depth. Without the
Word none can be called a Sadhu (disciplined soul); without capital there
cannot be a money-lender." Kabir says that chastity is the ocean of
happiness. It is so deep that none can measure its depth. But only the
Word-personified Saints can realize it. The Word would become manifest
where there is a life of continence.

     One Who loses semen, loses everything. - Nanak

A person who practices celibacy and forgiveness can realize God and can
truly be called a sadhu. These two virtues are of prime importance; and
wherever these exist, other virtues come in of their own accord. Such a
person by constant contact with the inner Sound Current (Shabd) becomes a
storehouse of all virtues.

One who has found a Mater, but hs not become His mouthpiece (Gurumukh), has
not yet freed himself from lusts of the flesh. After having found a Master,
one must develop receptvity towards Him. Who is a Gurumukh? One who has no
wish of his own and lives in the will of the Master. Such a person is
automatically relieved of all sorts of passions. As the Master is an
embodiment of chastity, chastity radiates from Him and penetrates into the
disciple the moment he thinks of Him. He is full of compassion and forgives
all. Only a Gurumukh can escape from all kinds of indulgences since He
abides in the Word of the Master.

     If ye love me, keep my commandments. - Christ

Hazur Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj used to say: "We hesitate to commit an impious
act in the presence of a child. How dare we ever do so if we realize that
God within us is All-Seeing."

The Master is an embodiment of the Word and gives us a contact with it. By
listening to the Eternal Music and seeing the Divine Light, one gets inner
peace.

     Mind gets docile by communion with Naam. - Gurbani

Upanishads state that by attaining the Word, we attain all.

"So long as man has animal passions, he cannot be a Gurumakh. When the
Satguru resides within, the disciple is free from lusts." As you think, so
you become. If your mind constantly dwells on a chaste person, you will
unconsciously attract and imbibe chastity. Kabir says that one who becomes
a Satguru incarnate would automatically rid himself of all desires. In the
first place comes #Ellis sweet remembrance. The next is His manifestation
within. One should, therefore, exacise great caution in adopting a Master.
If He is really an Adept in the Science of Soul, you can achieve salvation.
Otherwise if you concentrate on the form of a so called guru, you may at
the most become like him.

You might have heard of Dadu Sahib. One day He was going bareheaded.
Someone, knocking Him on the head, inquired: "Where is Dadu's house?" He
replied: "Go this way and you will find him inside the house." To his
consternation, he found the same man (Dadu) sitting in the house. The
visitor felt ashamed when he realized that he had insulted the Saint. Dadu
Sahib said it did not matter since even an earthen pot of insignificant
value is purchased after the buyer has made sure of its serviceability by
knocking it all over.

     A Master should be chosen after thoughtful consideration just as water
     should be taken after filtration.

A perfect Master is a rarity. The world is full of so called gurus, while
there are only a few really competent Masters. Such Masters alone are
described in the Vedas and other scriptures as Sages, Saints, and great
Souls for They are Word-personified.

     Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us. - Christ

He Who can give you a firsthand experience of the Divine -Light and
celestial Sound is a True Master.

     Through association with a Saint,
     the power of God becomes manifest within.

     A Saint bestows the essence of esoteric science. - Gurbani

Anyone can lecture, sermonize, or give a religious talk; but a practical
inner experience can be given only by an awakened soal.

     Only an alert and wide-awake person can practice chastity.
     The thieves of sensual desires cannot rob such a person.

It is only an alert and conscious person who can cultivate chastity and can
attain higher consciousness. By practicing chastity one gradually rises
into cosmic consciousness. When consciousness dawns within, one is not
troubled by the sensual thieves - we are being robbed by five deadly
passions. In the absence of chastity and forgiveness, a thick wall of
darkness comes over the soul and we are not our own. Christ has described
this state as "death of the soul." What is death of the soul? It is the
bedimming of the Light - consciousness in us. Attachment to material
comforts lowers our consciousness. Consciousness increases with increasing
awareness. From where does this awareness come? It comes by cultivating
compassion and chastity. See how important these virtues are, but we do not
pay attention to them. We have already been blessed with His Grace and also
with the capital of Holy Naam. Is it not our duty then to safeguard our
capital? We should keep His commandment instead of doing mere lip service
to Him.

"One who is courteous to one's guests is a great soul; one who offers them
a seat is a Saint. One who lacks these courtesies is either a heretic or a
pagan." Now, all this is about our external conduct. One who is endowed
with the two virtues of chastity and compassion would welcome even an enemy
courteously. A Mahatma (great soul) has this great virtue. He welcomes
anyone who calls on Him even in the dead of night. Such a person remains
cheerful even in the face of death. To observe celibacy in youth is a great
thing. People usually postpone it for the old age.

"Those who do not meditate while young, would not be able to do so in old
age." As in old age physical disabilities appear one by one, we cannot
engage in meditation. One should, therefore, make a start while young.
Saints have said that one who practices celibacy while young is a prophet.
This is not a child's play. We simply read these things and forget about
them.

We do not forgive others. In the absence of forgiveness, anger, jealousy,
hatred, backbiting, etc. emerge. Our hearts and minds are contaminated with
all such thoughts. We talk of these things and do not hesitate to slander
those with whom we are angry. My Master used to say: "All sensual appetites
have some taste in them, but what taste comes from slandering others? If
there is any, is it sweet, sour, salty, or insipid?" Still every family,
society, and country is afflicted with this malady. A devotee, who is an
embodiment of forgiveness, has nothing to fear. He will always greet others
with love. If someone thinks in of you, let him do that. In what way does
it affect you? Instead, the former harms himself by being angry and
jealous. If you retaliate, you will be afflicted likewise. One who
considers that the Lord is omnipresent and is dedicated to Him is not
carried away by what others may speak of him. These are the shortcomings in
our way to self-realization and God-realization.

"Forgiveness extinguishes the fire of anger." Great Souls go to the extent
of welcoming those who find fault with Them. Once a man went to Lord Buddha
and started abusing Him. When he was about to leave, Lord Buddha remarked:
"Brother, listen to me, if the receiver refuses to accept the gift offered
to him it would remain with the giver. I refuse to accept the gift you have
brought for me. "

     If one abuses and the other retaliates, there would be a shower of
          abuses.
     But, in case of non-retaliation, the matter would end. - Kabir

"Where there is compassion, there is religion. Where there is greed, there
is sin. Where there is anger, there is negation. Where there is
forgiveness, there is the Lord Himself."

Compassion leads to forgiveness and greed leads to sin. Greed and
attachment mean desire for name or fame. For the fulfillment of one's
desires, one becomes jealous of others. One neither becomes good nor bad by
other's opinion. Those who indulge in slandering others are unpaid
apprentices of the C.I.D. of God. God and the Master are both within you.
One who is true to the Master has nothing to fear, for his heart is pure
and purity of heart gives added strength. One cannot realize God unless the
mind is equipoised. Anger, jealousy, malice and ill will, even in thought,
fan the flames of invisible fire all around. Kabir says that at a place
like this you will find nothing but Negative Power; but where there is
forgiveness, there is God Himself. Forgiveness washes clear all inner
defilement and leads to peace of mind. Otherwise, anger would provoke anger
and accusations counter-accusations, vitiating the entire atmosphere.

"All quarrels and strife emanate from abuse." Kabir says that bad language
is the root cause of all quarrels. You know how the great Mahabharata war
started? Just by sarcastic words. One single sarcastic remark of Draupadi
led to the destruction of Indian culture and civilization.

     No power on earth can harm one who is protected by the Guru
          - Gurbani

If someone harbors in him thoughts of jealousy and hatred, they react
doubly on him. This is the natural law. One noble thought gives rise to
thousartds of noble sentiments, and one evil thought to thousands of
miseries. If you sow a single seed in the soil, the plant that sprouts
would bear hundreds of similar seeds. Likewise, if you plant a mango seed,
you would get hundreds of mangoes from it. One thought may produce a
soothing effect, while the other may excite you. Every action, even a
thought, has its reaction.

"The words of a vicious person are like so many arrows, but Saints alone
can tolerate them. If lightening falls into the sea, what damage would it
do?" Kabir says that malicious words are like poisoned darts. But a
forgiver is like an ocean that is not affected even by lightening. So,
forgiveness is a great blessing. Kabir says that a man becomes tough by
bearing external hardships. He who has prepared his ground can listen to
the Music of the Spheres all the time.

"The earth can tolerate digging and the forest cutting. Only a Saint can
bear harsh and malicious words and none else." You may dig the land or cut
a forest to any extent without any reaction. Similarly, only a Saint is
endowed with forgiveness and chastity. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
You can reap only what you sow.

Actions, good or bad, bear their own fruits. We must understand these
principles and implement them in life. First, a perfect Master, capable of
imparting the experience of inner Light, is hard to find. Even if you find
one, you cannot reach the Goal without purity of life and forgiveness. If
you follow and act on what I have just said, you will be liberated from the
bondage of matter and mind. These virtues will bring to you higher
consciousness and you will develop faith in the existence of God. After
all, what is the purpose of worship? It is to develop firm faith in the
existence of God. By self-introspection, you can see what your condition
is. Learned people, moralists, and theologians generally preach to others.
What is their own plight? It is well said: "Wanted reformers, not of others
but of themselves." We preach to others what we do not practice ourselves.
The result is that all exhortations produce little effect on others.

Be true to He Who is dwelling within you. If you practice the two
virtueschastity and forgivenessyou will find that, without much effort,
you will attain higher consciousness, complete awakening, and perfect peace
of mind. Thus, you will begim to radiate peace, harmony, and tranquillity
to those around you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return to: Elixir  [Image]

This talk is also part of the book: "The Night is a Jungle"
