From jamesjs@unixg.ubc.ca Sun Feb 21 02:25:29 1999
Newsgroups: alt.meditation.shabda
Subject: Excerpts from Letters of Kirpal Singh - Part 4
From: jamesjs@unixg.ubc.ca (James Shannon)
Date: 21 Feb 1999 10:25:29 GMT






                     EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS OF MASTER

                     KIRPAL SINGH JI TO HIS INITIATES

                        IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA


                               [Part Four]
         
                                 *  *  *


                   CHASTITY, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE.

        Marriage means to take a companion in life who will keep
        one another together in weal or woe during the earthly
        sojourn, and both of them meet the Lord. One duty way
        be of begetting children for which the scriptures lay down
        that this power should be used for begetting the children
        and rest from any such communion during the conception
        period and also thereafter the child is taking milk of
        the mother. In this way, the child, the mother and the
        father will all be healthy. Most of the diseases the
        people are suffering, will be eliminated. The Saints say
        that if the children are to be given birth, let them
        become either Saints, a donor to all poor and the service
        of the needy or being valiant ones who can protect the
        forlorn and the weak.

        The Masters do lead an ideal married life and when they
        take up such a role, they adopt such a course. So, married
        life is no bar to spirituality if led in accordance with
        the scriptures. The partners in life are advised in their
        best spiritual interests to observe chastity by leading
        a moderate life by mutual cooperation. The check marks
        on the diary forms are essential for the people seeking
        improvement gradually. One learns by self-introspection
        and careful living. The dear ones are not forbidden to
        marry or have homes. But, they should have ideal family
        life flavored with the divine grace of the Master.

                                *  *  *

        The young before marriage, should be asked to lead a
        chaste life, as chastity is life and sexuality is death.
        A lamp burns splendidly when it has oil within, but if
        all the oil is leaked away, how can there be light? A
        life of self-restraint goes to make body and brain strong.

        Similarly, education cannot be ruled out as it helps one
        to develop inner faculties for having a right approach to
        life's problem.

        Learning is a garland of flowers round the neck of a
        practical man; he will explain many things from the
        vocabulary at his command. A man of learning without a
        practical life, is like a beast of burden, who has loads
        of books over the head. Bookish knowledge is all a
        wilderness and gives no way out. A learned man revels
        in the pudding and gives it to others but is unaware of
        the taste thereof. An unlearned man with a practical life
        does enjoy the taste of the pudding and gives examples
        from the daily, with the vocabulary at his own command.
        Both the learned and the unlearned have to tread the
        same way of withdrawing from outside and rise above body~
        consciousness to see the Light of God and become the
        conscious co-worker of the Divine Plan.

                                *  *  *

        An impersonal deviated approach or slight relaxation in
        the observance of ethical code of morality in accordance
        with the sacred tenets of the Holy Path is likely to cause
        harm. Normal association and company breeds attachment.
        But when this is flavored with divine fragrance and
        relished in the Name of the Master, this is bound to have
        much deeper impact. Opposite sex has much strong hold
        amongst one another when the charm and attraction
        involved is too much to be resisted. This results in
        gradual infatuation and bondage. A slight slip can cause
        much of havoc when the dear ones are hurled down in the
        abysmal of sensual gratification. Divine love and sex
        are quite opposing poles. Sex is not only sinful, but
        a serious impediment on the Holy Path. It is by long
        cultivation when one can expect some degree of success
        in living a clean chaste life. This aspect of life
        should please be kept in view by the senior members of
        Satsang when they can guide the 'young buds' in their
        larger interests of spiritual progress.

                                *  *  *

        I have noted about your lovely children...the raising
        of children is a virtuous duty. The young ones imitate
        their parents, who should reflect peace, harmony and
        sobriety by leading a disciplined life full of spiritual
        beatitude. The assertive attitude of dear ______ shows
        the greatness of his soul. Self assertion is the innate
        attribute of soul which is all divine in miniature scale.
        This kind sentiment is mostly predominant in promising
        personalities who inherit congenial environments most
        helpful for their spiritual progress. You need not worry
        over his learning late about dressing or talking. It is
        the inner maturity which is well defined and controlled
        by nature. So far his demands are concerned these should
        be met with lovingly as far as possible so far as these
        are legitimate and within the scope of his raising. The
        young sentiments should not in any way be injured. It is
        the unbounded love of the parents for the children
        which make them bold, brave and adventurous in their
        lives. You must be an affectionate and bravely stern
        mother so far as your love and discipline is concerned
        towards your children. Your good action of sitting with
        them regularly for listening to the sound current is
        appreciated, which will be helpful for their spiritual
        growth. Please convey my love to them.

                                *  *  *

        Mother's affection for the child is innate and should
        not be misconstrued as unchaste. Your recurring desire
        to hug her is a natural human instinct. You should
        know that mother's love is an inner impulse and goes a
        long way in the healthy breeding of child. Every soul
        coming to this world relishes such loving care and
        affection which creates an inner sense of bravery and
        boldness. Your sacred instincts are injected in the
        child which will enable him to grow gradually and the
        child will come out a healthy stalwart with the grace
        of the Master.

                                *  *  *

        .....you may please try to lavish the things for her
        which she is prone to steal. You will find that when
        everything is procured for her, the tendency to obtain
        them by stealing will be overcome in due course.
        Simultaneously you can ingrain in her mind that anything
        and everything she is desirous of having will be
        provided for her. I hope she will improve with the grace
        of the Master.

                                *  *  *

        The screaming in terror of dear ___ during sleep may be
        rid of by resorting to Simran of charged names. Besides
        you may look up to his digestion if he gets good
        evacuation, as sometimes the stomach troubles lead to such
        like terrorizing dreams...

                                *  *  *

        Marriage is a sacrament. It is the selecting of a
        companion for life to stand by in weal or woe. It is a
        sacred institution against social vice and sin. It fills
        the gap. It is not a contract but a holy alliance under
        the divine Will when two souls are brought together for
        attaining the highest object of spiritual perfection.
        Sex impulse is a sacred instinct meant for procreation
        and it can be transmuted carefully by living a life full
        of moderation. The serene love between the partners of
        life starts from flesh and dissolves in the souls. It is
        an attachment for the achievement of some higher goal of
        life and ultimate liberation from the Wheel. It is rather
        a life full of spiritual beatitude and dedication, serving
        as a sure sheet anchor against the injustices of society.

                                *  *  *

        I am glad to find that you married and your family
        affairs are improved with the grace of the Master. You
        are advised to be careful about your physical health for
        which you should seek casual medical check up.

                                *  *  *

        Your memory is quite fresh with me and I recall dear ____
        with her glowing innocent eyes, sparkling with spiritual
        glow.....(a child).

        It is so good that dear (child) is walking with the grace
        of the Master. She is very dear and lovely soul. Her
        smiling eyes are still fresh with me. Please convey my love
        to her and dear ____________.


                                *  *  *

        The fake allurements of sensual gratification usually
        end in frustration. Carnal desires are seldom satiated
        by indulgence. Spiritual discipline and renunciation of
        stumbling impediments by careful consideration, preceded
        by repentance, is helpful for spiritual progress.
        Infatuation breeds indulgence, whereas abstinence and
        renunciation bring in serenity and sobriety. You should
        know it for certain that mind is a very useful servant but
        a very bad master. It is the good grace of the Master that
        child disciple is reminded by the gracious Master Power
        working overhead to follow the right course and those who
        abide by His instructions are blessed with success in
        evading the temptations, and this monkey mind cooperates
        with them for their spiritual progress. Contrarily, who
        fall a prey to the allurements and unheed the divine
        counsel are hurled down into the abysmal of degradation,
        and the same mind runs wild in that direction. So you
        understand the basic necessity of following the sacred
        impulse from the gracious Master Power in entertaining
        sublime thoughts.

                                *  *  *

        'Penny wise pound foolish' is a useful adage. One should
        keep a strict vigil over the thoughts which usually creep
        in surreptitiously and cause disturbance in passions
        flaring up at the slightest provocation. Spiritual discipline
        demands austere living with a higher aim in view, and
        working wholeheartedly for its accomplishment.

                                *  *  *

                               MEDITATION

        Ordinarily mind should be fully devoted in to the work
        one does as work is worship. But when mind is vacant,
        it should not remain vacant as a vacant mind is the home
        of devil. It should be kept busy either in repeating the
        Five Holy Names or in sweet remembrance of the Master
        or listening to the Sound-Current if it has developed so
        much as to be audible and reverberating all the times.
        But regular time in meditations has to be given. If due
        to your busy life, you cannot devote full time, devote as
        much maximum time as you can, but in a correct, devoted
        and attentive unsleeping state. This is necessary to have
        actual inner regular progress.

        So please carry on as best as you can. Master-Power over
        your head will be extending all the necessary help and
        protection.

                                *  *  *

        It is beyond the ken of human comprehension to gauge
        the grandeur and limitless of divinity. Your questioning
        is within the domain of intellect, whereas spirituality
        dawns when the intellect is silenced by loving devotion
        and reverential humility. It is during the silent and
        sublime moments of holy meditations when the child
        disciple is nearer to the fountainhead of bliss and
        harmony, and the rare boon of right understanding is
        granted with the grace of the Master. Regular feeds of
        Holy Naam will manifest to you divine glory in its
        pristine beauty. The initiates are invariably advised to
        practice the divine virtues which are helpful for regular
        progress on the Holy Path. It is a slow but sure process.

                                *  *  *

        As already instructed, the inner gaze is to be kept fixed
        steadily in the middle of lights or scenes whatever you
        see within, and do the repetition mentally at intervals,
        all else will come of itself with the grace of the Master
        in due course of time. If you see faces, just repeat the
        five names, the negative apparitions will flee away. The
        inner celestial manifestations are the astral expressions
        of the gracious Master and with their eventual stability,
        the radiant form is manifested. In the beginning the form
        appears now and then and later on you have the same all
        along in due course of time. The big lustrous eye that
        you see within is that of the Master and may please be
        lovingly penetrated. The inner experiences are had only
        when one forgets the body for a while. The various
        melodies which you hear within as coming from the right
        side should be listened with rapt attention while
        preferably sitting on your feet. You will be able to
        locate the sound current of big bell, conch, roaring
        thunder or drum beat and violin or flute or other
        higher sounds which would draw closer, grow stronger and
        ultimately come from above. All other sounds are lower
        sounds which may please be ignored. Regularity and
        accuracy is the keynote for spiritually successful
        practices.

                                *  *  *

        You state to having heard some words or sentences in
        your meditations which you cannot adequately distinguish
        as their source of origin. Sometime some negative
        apparition does intervene and create such disturbing
        phenomena, but the sacred charged names are the sure
        sheet anchor against all eventualities. If you hear
        next such voices, you challenge to come before you, and
        when he appears to you, repeat the names mentally. If
        that form stands before repetition, that will be genuine
        one. You can follow and act up to what be says. If that
        is of the negative power or of any lower planes, that
        will go away, as no such power can stand before Simran,
        as the names carry the life impulse of the Master, who
        is the Lord over all.

                                *  *  *

        The repetition of names at intervals has a significance
        as stated above, it is a safeguard against the untoward
        and impeding factors, which beset the Path and help the
        sensory currents from the body below to withdraw to
        the eye centre without any strain on the part of the
        child disciple. The attention should be riveted
        penetratingly into the middle of what you see before you.
        If the repetition of the names mentally is done constantly,
        the attention will be divided. The gaze should be fixed
        constantly and repetition done at intervals, simply to
        guard against any negative effect and help the process of
        withdrawal from the body. I hope this will be clear to you
        now.

                                *  *  *            

        Both the practices of seeing and listening within have
        their own singular significance. The functions of Simran,
        Dhyan and the Sound principle are their own. By the
        repetition practice, the soul currents are withdrawn to
        the eye focus and the light sprouts forth. Dhyan, or
        constant fixing the gaze into the middle of light, enables
        the sound to remain there and the function of the holy sound
        current is to drag the soul into the Beyond. The holy Shabad
        has a ravishing effect and can absorb the soul in it, thereby
        leading it to the inner regions, with the grace of the Master.

                                *  *  *

        Spiritual meditations are the food for the soul and
        should not be missed. A day off puts back your progress
        considerably. These practices should please therefore be
        performed faithfully, regularly and sweetly. They are
        designed as a first step to take your soul up above your
        body inwardly to the Radiant Form of the Master, who will
        then guide you and take you further up, step by step, till
        your goal is reached. Thus you will see the difference
        between the rituals performed within the domain of body and
        senses and those that take you above the body consciousness.

                                *  *  *

        As explained in my previous letter, you have to get out
        of your physical body and travel in the higher planes. So
        whenever you get a chance, you should neither be frightened
        nor try not to get up. The Master-Power is constantly with
        you and it is His Grace that works to take you up. You
        should feel assured that you are protected and helped by
        Master-Power and given the armor of Five Charged Names which
        you should repeat and no power can harm you. During
        meditations, you should not think of outside environments,
        nor your body. But see within penetratingly into the
        middle of whatever you see within. When thoughts come
        to the body, itching etc., is felt. Sit in any comfortable,
        posture to avoid cramping.

                                *  *  *

        I am glad to find that you are devoting some time for
        your holy meditations with the grace of the Master. The
        casual spells of dryness or vague feelings do intervene
        as a result of reaction of past Karma, when the child
        disciple should muster more of courage and determination
        in sticking to the sacred schedule of regularity. It may
        be pointed out for your information that during such periods
        the loving protection of the Master becomes more strong
        as you have felt with His Grace. The holy meditations when
        undertaken in a spirit of dedication to the Master become
        more fruitful with His grace. Your earnest prayer for having
        regularity is appreciated. You should stick to your
        resolutions carefully irrespective of mind's protests, you
        will succeed with His grace. Please note that mind relishes
        the grooves of habit having formed out of its indulgence in
        acts of repetitive nature through senses. You are to change
        its attitude from downward to upward, and all else will come
        of itself. You are to lay the line track carefully and the
        powerful engine will run on it with the same speed and
        velocity. Let your mind be attuned to the holy feet of the
        Master - the Supreme Guide, and try your level best to abide
        by His Holy Commandments.

                                *  *  *

        You should try and have more days of retreat when you kept
        constant remembrance of the Master and meditated for long
        hours with the result that you were blessed with hearing the
        holy sound current as coming from the right side, with the
        grace of the Master. Keep your inner gaze fixed lovingly
        and penetratingly into the middle of the darkness lying
        before you, so much so that you forget everything else
        except Him. If your whole attention is rivetted at one
        place, then naturally your devotion, your practices, will
        bear fruit and you will develop from day to day. Such like
        disciplined practices and devotion will also strengthen
        and protect you against all emotional outbursts and mischief
        with the grace of the Master.

                                *  *  *

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