From jamesjs@unixg.ubc.ca Mon Feb 22 02:50:59 1999
Newsgroups: alt.meditation.shabda
Subject: Excerpts from Letters of Kirpal Singh - Part 6
From: jamesjs@unixg.ubc.ca (James Shannon)
Date: 22 Feb 1999 10:50:59 GMT






                     EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS OF MASTER

                     KIRPAL SINGH JI TO HIS INITIATES

                        IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA


                               [Part Six]
         
                                 *  *  *


             THE FOLLOWING AM EXCERPTS FROM TALKS GIVEN
                       BY THE MASTER IN INDIA.

        (14th September, 1967) - Delhi, India

        "Be looking at yourself, not others. Ask yourself
        where you are. Just having a perfect Master is not
        enough. You must have love and devotion and faith.
        You must put in time and keep diary. Don't be
        criticizing others. Don't be showing off and talking.
        Do your job. Don't think about others. Don't think
        about the past. Just begin today. If everyone here began
        today, in two or three months he would be changed.
        Don't get involved with others. Keep your mind
        on the Master. Don't let your mind be all over. When
        you see or hear the Master, you get charging. Don't
        disperse this by talking, etc. Do your meditation."


        (15th September, Delhi, India; Morning in the Shed).

        "Thieves do their work at night; we should also
        use the night. Be very accurate in your meditations.
        People come to me and say they are not making progress,
        but they are not really giving everything. Fix the
        gaze in the middle. Have no worldly thoughts. You must
        give your attachments and ego. You have only an
        inch to go to the seat of the soul at the back of
        the eyes and still you have so much trouble. Those
        who have seen the Master only once in all loving
        devotion, they are greatly blessed. Love the Master
        and nothing else. If your attachments are with the
        Master you will not come back. Take notes and
        act on what the Master says. If you put yourself
        completely in the hands of God, surely He will
        take care of you. One man went to the jungle for
        12 years and hung himself upside down in a well
        by iron chains. A farmer came by and asked 'What
        are you doing?' 'Waiting for God.' The farmer
        said, 'Oh, this is what one must do to find God,'
        and he quickly ran to make a rope out of grass.
        Although the rope was so weak he hung himself in
        a nearby well. In ten minutes the farmer asked
        of the other, 'Has your God come yet?' 'No.'
        'Oh', said the farmer, 'Mine has.' 'What' 
        said the other, 'how can this be after only
        ten minutes?' 'I have been here twelve years.'
        The farmer had no iron chains but put his
        faith completely in God, once he knew the
        way to God, not caring for his life.

        Kabir says, "whoever has found God has done
        so by crying the whole night. When you sit
        for meditation, you should just have tears in
        your eyes of devotion and longing. Always
        have such a remembrance of God."

                                *  *  *

        Additional excerpts from letters

        Answer to a question regarding the accuracy of
        prophets such as Edgar Cayce:

        "Please do not bother about prophecies as
        these are more apprehensions caused by certain
        brains out of their sophistication. The
        destiny of child humanity is being controlled
        by the gracious Master Power. The dear ones
        accepted and put on the way back to God by
        virtue of their Holy initiation into the
        mysteries of the Beyond, need not have any fears
        in this behalf. All feasible gracious protection
        will be extended to them in case of any
        eventualities whatsoever. You may convey
        this piece of right understanding to those
        who seek your counsel in this behalf."

                                *  *  *

		        SATSANG AFFAIRS

        Donations from non-initiates are not to be
        accepted. Howsoever, if they insist, the
        sacred books should be given in return which
        will enable them to benefit spiritually.
        Voluntary contributions from the initiates
        should be recorded carefully for accounting
        purposes.

        It is unfortunate that the dear ones put forth
        their own pleas for attending Satsang late.
        Please have more of patience for them and
        continue your efforts in a still sober manner.

        Please have more patience with the late comers
        and radiate loving thoughts and good will for
        their spiritual welfare. All the dear ones
        should know it for certain that it becomes
        obligatory on their part to maintain the dignity
        of the house by sitting silently in all serenity,
        which will bless them with more of inner peace
        and divine grace of the Master.
                                
                                *  *  *

        PHILOSOPHY, INTELLECTUALISM, AND RATIONALISM -
        PURE BHAKTI AND SPIRITUALITY

        Philosophies deal with theories but mysticism
        deals with reality. The Masters do not relish
        its advocacy as it is simply a speculation
        within the domain of mind whereas spirituality
        is the science of the soul.

        I have noted your comments for the Satsang talks
        when you do not find any nourishing food
        intellectually in these meetings. You will please
        note that spiritual progress by inner development
        of your consciousness far excels intellectual
        attainments. There is a great difference between
        head and heart. Love of God is the essence of
        higher spiritual life, and it evolves in the
        heart full of ennobling virtues.

        The Path of the Masters, known as Surat Shabd Yoga
        is not to be confused with Bhakti Yoga, as limited
        to the emotions. Inferences, feelings, and emotions.
        Inferences, feelings, and emotions are all subject
        to error; seeing is above all. This path is a
        practical one. Unless you live a pure, chaste life
        -- as enjoined in the booklet "Seven Paths to
        Perfection" -- you will not unfold the spiritual
        side of your nature that is at present lying dormant
        within you. I hope you take it in the right spirit
        when I say that you should first ascertain the full
        potential of the teachings of the path that
        you have been put on before looking elsewhere.

        Once you live the spiritual life in the practical
        way, rise above the body consciousness and
        meet the radiant form of the Master within,
        you will then begin to appreciate that pure
        Bhakti only begins when one has surrendered
        one's mind and intellect to the Master, and
        gives implicit obedience to His commandments.
        "If ye love me, keep my commandments", Christ
        said. God is love and we can only truly worship
        Him in love. But this love is not of the emotions.
        It is a love of complete self-surrender and as
        such demands discipline and obedience. I hope you
        now understand what is meant by Bhakti in its
        pure and pristine form.

        You are correct in your assumption that the
        Path of the Masters is the path of pure Bhakti.
        The pearl of divine knowledge can be preserved
        securely in the casket of bhakti, or loving
        devotion. Bhakti in its pure and pristine
        form is Love Divine.

                                *  *  *

                        PAIN AND SUFFERING

        Physical and mental disturbances are caused
        as a reaction of past Karma which should be
        met with in a spirit of forebearance. Loving
        devotion and deep humility surmounts all
        troubles. The trials and tribulations of
        earth life are simply passing phases in the
        draw of life. Please be rest assured my
        love and blessings are always with you both.

                                *  *  *

        I am sorry for your physical suffering and
        hardships which you had to undergo during these
        several past months. Such like hazards crop
        up as a reaction of past Karma. Howsoever,
        their severity and duration is considerably
        toned down by the gracious Master Power. Your
        sense of endurance and deep gratitude for
        enjoying the gracious protection is appreciated.
        He is ever with you extending all feasible help
        and protection.

        I am glad to find that you could detach yourself
        from the physical pain and have allowed the
        healing processes to go on unhampered with the
        grace of the Master. It is indeed a great
        solace to find that most of the pains have
        diminished and you are on way to recovery though
        at a slow speed. The severe accident resulting
        in serious injuries does require some longer
        time to heal.

        Pain and pleasure are the varying conceptions
        of mind. The initiates are privileged to
        repose their all in the ever present gracious
        Master Power and await cheerfully for the
        results, which are invariably flavoured with
        divine mercy. Your inner awakening for this
        accidental fall being a Karmic liquidation is
        auspicious. You should be glad to know that
        much of the severity and duration of physical
        suffering is toned down by the Master Power for
        the dear ones.

        You need not harbour any feelings of strain for
        probing into the past Karma which has resulted
        in this agony, as it is not within the ken of
        human comprehension. The good sense of Vairagya
        evolved for you will bless you still more of
        divine bliss and harmony. My best wishes are
        with you.

        Suffering strengthens character. The seeming
        troubles sometime prove blessings in disguise
        for spiritual progress when forced seclusion
        and solitude is obtained, which is very much
        helpful for deep thinking and contemplation.
        You are advised to keep your thoughts immersed
        in the loving remembrance of the Master, or
        listening to the holy sound current if it is
        audible and coming from the right side, or
        repeating the charged names. Such a schedule
        will bless you with more of fortitude and
        inner strength, with the grace of the Master.

        I am sorry for dear _________ who is 
        experiencing much pain and discomfort. Please
        convey my love to her and request her to absorb
        her attention in the sound current which
        will be helpful for assuaging her suffering.
        My blessings are with you both.

                                *  *  *

                                DREAMS

        There is a difference between dreams and vision.
        The one narrated by you was a vision when you
        were blessed with the manifestation of Master's
        Form in sleep. One remains vividly conscious
        in visions whereas in dream state you have only
        hazy impression on awakening. It does happen
        that the dear ones who cannot rise above body
        consciousness completely during meditations
        and have intense longing to meet the Master
        are blessed with similar gestures of divine
        grace. This shows His rare loving protection
        to you.

        Dreams are the results of sub-conscious thinking
        which manifest during sleep. A rarified mind
        is often led to correct revelations otherwise
        these are mainly distorted versions of past,
        present or future based on one's thought pattern.
        Masters do not attach much importance to dreams,
        owning to the fact that it is a state where
        inner consciousness is rather dulled, whereas
        they exclaim that inner consciousness should
        be developed by contact with the God-into-
        Expression Power, the Holy Naam, which is All
        Consciousness.

        Dreams are the result of past thinking, hearing,
        seeing, etc., which result in distorted visions
        during sleep state. Howsoever, at times the
        gracious Master Power blesses the child disciple
        with visions in sleep which are distinct than
        the dreams and you remain consciously aware of
        the events which are usually blessed with the
        Form of the Master. You may refer to "Spiritual
        Elixir Vol. I" since published. Its study will
        enrich your spiritual understanding when you
        will find interesting answers to your several
        questions relating to the Holy Path.

                                *  *  *

                        NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY

        Lottery means the distribution of money by
        chance among purchasers of tickets. You will
        please appreciate that chance money seldom
        proves fruitful and such an action of purchasing
        lottery tickets creates some vague expectations
        which cause mental chaos and confusion more
        than harmony. Howsoever, it is up to the personal
        discretion of the Satsangis who desire to go in
        for it. The dear ones may be told that should
        they relish to contribute voluntarily towards
        the funds being raised for education purposes,
        with least expectations of reward, they my do
        so. However, I would advise you not to bring
        in business affairs in the Satsang.

                                *  *  *

                        STOCK MARKET INVESTING

        This is a personal affair. Masters do not
        advocate gambling, stakes or chance money. If
        you consider that buying stocks instead of
        putting money in saving bank would yield
        greater profits, there is no objection in your
        doing so.


                                *  *  *

                     SELFLESS SERVICE -- THE DIARY

        Failures in selfless service are to be noted
        only in the diary form.

        If there is a chance for selfless service and
        you fail to undertake it intentionally, this
        should be reckoned as a failure.

        The column under "Selfless Service" in the
        diary form refers to the failures to be
        recorded. It may be understood in this
        manner that suppose there is a chance coming
        to your notice when you could do some selfless
        service, but you have failed to attempt it
        or render it; this will constitute as a
        failure and should be recorded.

        The maintenance of self introspection diary
        is very much helpful for inner progress. It
        serves as a sweet reminder for one's spiritual
        obligations and you cannot slacken your efforts
        in this behalf.

        The question marks in the diaries show that you
        do not follow exactly as to how the diary is
        filled. Please note that under columns of
        spiritual practices the time spent for
        repetition of names and listening to the sound
        should be stated regularly, and in other columns
        failures in daily living are to be inserted
        for check and replacement with opposite virtues.


        (Following refers to white lies told to avoid
        hurting somebody; or turning down an invitations,
        etc., etc.):

        Telling a lie in one form or the other has a
        purpose behind it which may be personal or
        impersonal, but the effect varies according
        to the circumstances in which told. Truthfulness
        is a divine virtue and should be practiced
        carefully by avoiding all loose talk, gossip,
        and in case you consider that somebody's
        sentiment are likely to be injured by speaking
        truth, silence should be observed than speaking
        untruth.


        (Following refers to when asked for a contribution
        to an organization or cause of which one
        does not approve):

        Failure in selfless service means when you can
        afford but refuse to do so.


        (Following refers to responding or being stimulated
        by seeing posters or movies or improperly
        attired people):

        Failure in thought caused by one or the other
        factor when unchaste ideas intrude is a failure
        and should be reckoned as such.


        (Following refers to exterminating cockroaches,
        vermin, etc.):

        Inadvertent mortality caused during sanitation,
        etc., need not be noted in diary form.

                                *  *  *

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