From jamesjs@unixg.ubc.ca Wed Feb 24 23:40:48 1999
Newsgroups: alt.meditation.shabda
Subject: Excerpts from Letters of Kirpal Singh - Part 9
From: jamesjs@unixg.ubc.ca (James Shannon)
Date: 25 Feb 1999 07:40:48 GMT






                     EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS OF MASTER

                     KIRPAL SINGH JI TO HIS INITIATES

                        IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA


                               [Part Nine]
         
                                 *  *  *


                                  MIND

        Now as to the lapses or departures from the right way,
        as you call them. The mind, as you know, works in subtle
        ways -- too subtle for an ordinary man to detect and
        then to detect rightly and in time before the mischief
        is done. It is from the abundance of heart that all
        actions, oral as well as physical, proceed. We have
        therefore, to be mentally alert about our thought-waves,
        so as to be able in time to mark their ebb and flow
        and then by-pass them by the process of concentration,
        forgetting all about the mind and the mental states,
        including even the pure mind essence which gossamer-
        like envelops the soul...it is the memory of our
        experiences in the distant past and in the living
        present that constantly and irresistably follows us
        at our heels and since we have not yet learned to keep
        aloof and above them the lapses occur in spite of us.
        The enumeration process is just the first step to be
        cognizant of our doings, which we are likely to
        overlook in our self-righteous assertiveness. 

                                *  *  *

        Thoughts are to be watched which precede actions. It is
        a slow yet steady process of gradual improvement for
        which an all out effort is necessary. A well disciplined
        and spiritually regulated life is very much essential.
        You are not to look up to the humans or even Satsangis
        for emulating their qualities. No one is perfect under
        the sky, yet perfection is our goal. The more you are
        advanced, more of reverential humility will dawn at
        you and in due course you will find yourself as a humble
        tool in the divine hands of the gracious Master Power.
        It is the climax and zenith of spiritual attainment.

                                *  *  *

        Verbiage is simply a vehicle of expression when you
        try to put forth your inner-most feelings seeking
        solution for the confusion created by your mind. Each
        question carries a rational answer in its bosom. The
        human intelligence baffles at times at surface but if
        you endeavour to delve deep into the inner most recesses
        of silence of the heart, you will find ineffable divine
        bliss gushes forth from the fount of Godhead. Divinity
        dawns in deep silence - the seer becomes dumb and mute
        with overwhelming divine intoxication and relishes to
        absorb his little self in Him - the Light and Sound
        Principles.

                                *  *  *

        I would advise you not to dwell too much on ratiocination,
        for it tends to scatter the mind. This thinking-self
        continues to be with us for quite a long time, its range
        extending from the physical to causal states and until all
        these states which constitute the mind zone, are
        successfully crossed, it does not drop off. ---- until
        this point is gained, neither the thought of self will go
        nor your actions be purely selfless ---- it is the ego in
        us that is assuming to itself the credit of all actions
        and hence it is the cause of bondage. Be egoless and you
        become free from the binding effect of Karma.

                                *  *  *

        You will please appreciate that it is the constant thought
        of worldly pursuits which has been the cause of present
        human birth, and for attaining liberation from the cycle
        of birth and death, the very thought pattern is to be
        revolutionized by replacing it with divine thoughts.
        Loving remembrance of the Master and repetition of names
        serve as very helpful factors for having the withdrawal
        of sensory currents from the body below, when the inner
        process of contemplation on the divine lights and
        eventually the charming Radiant Form of the Master
        commences. The vision practice consists of this repetition
        and looking intently into the middle of whatever you see
        within. The light will sprout forth and further way will
        be up with the grace of the Master.

                                *  *  *

        Mind is accustomed from ages to hop about and live on
        things of the outer world. The more it goes out the more
        it is scattered and the less peaceful it is. Peace comes
        from within and not from without. One must invert within
        to get it. You have been given the way for inversion and
        staying on within to enjoy peace and bliss in the Higher
        Planes. Outer life and inner progress go hand in hand.
        No spiritual progress can be made without ethical living
        - great stress is, therefore, laid on the latter. You need
        not be frustrated. Everything will come in due time by the
        Grace of the Master. Time factor is necessary. Please do
        not be impatient, but carry on your job steadfastly and
        lovingly with faith in the Master Power. The inner
        experiences will increase from day to day. Work is worship.
        During the day when you are busy in your outer worldly
        advocation, please be fully devoted to then, with diligence
        so that your mind is fully absorbed in the work you do.
        Should, however, there be any moments when your mind is
        free, those moments should be utilized in repeating the
        five Holy Names or sweetly thinking of the Master or
        listening to the Sound Current, if that has developed.
        All this may seem difficult in the beginning, but slowly
        and slowly the mind gets into the habit and soon it begins
        to like and enjoy the meditations and this sort of truthful
        and straight life. The outer failings are to be viewed with
        a keen eye and the failures are to be removed from day to
        day.

                                *  *  *

        Thoughts are more potent than deeds. You can eschew
        negative thoughts of worldliness and entertain godly
        thoughts by cultivating a keen sense of continued loving
        remembrance of the Master. You will please appreciate
        that it is like an armour with the initiate against the
        onslaughts of mind and matter when you are mercilessly
        exposed to their attacks. It is the inborn ego which
        distracts the mind from the receptivity of positive
        thoughts of goodness. The watch of thoughts comprises a
        vigilant attitude of the mind against the several vices
        known to you. It is a gradual process of replacement of
        vices with ennobling virtues.

                                *  *  *

        You must not feel disheartened and try to regain your
        inner happiness by doing your very best and leaving the
        rest to the gracious Master Power working overhead. Even
        the darkest cloud has a silver lining somewhere. He is
        fully aware of your distress and awaiting more eagerly to
        receive you within in faithful meditations. You are to be
        on the guard lest your sub-conscious mind is fed with
        thoughts of gloom and morbidity. It makes no distinction
        between constructive and destructive thought impulses.
        It works with the material you feed it with through your
        thought impulses. The sub-conscious mind will translate
        into reality a thought driven by fear just as readily as
        a thought driven by courage or faith. Just as electricity
        will turn the wheels of industry and render useful service
        if used constructively or snuff out life if wrongly used.
        You are free to a great extent in this respect to be
        receptive to the thought impulses of faith, loving devotion,
        humility and self surrender; which will in turn bless you
        with peace and harmony. You must not dwell much on your
        confusion but meet every situation with courage. My love
        and blessings are with you -

                                *  *  *

        Mind has the tendency to roam about since ages past and
        it resents stillness and calmness. Yet it is to be chained
        and attuned with the holy Light and Sound current. You are
        right that one or the other excuse is always forthcoming
        to evade the sacred process of inversion. A sweet will and
        sincere efforts are the basis for successful results. It is
        a slow but sure process. Persisting efforts with deep faith
        and religious fervor bring peace and harmony. The Simran of
        charged words at all hours is beneficial, as the mind is
        not let loose to entertain negative thoughts, and eventually
        helps concentration and inversion. When you are at work, be
        fully at work - as work is worship. when you are free, let
        the mind not be vacant, as a vacant mind is the home of the
        devil. Let the mind be either engaged in Simran with sweet
        remembrance of the Master or listening to the Sound current
        if It has become audible at all times of the day. If you
        repeat the Names mentally, with no thought of the eyes or
        forehead, etc., the knocking feelings will be eliminated.
        Please try to learn the technique of complete relaxation with
        no tension in the body. The Master Power will unfold the
        celestial light within.

                                *  *  *


                                MEDITATION

        If you have noise in your own place, you my find some
        monastery or church nearby where you can have more peace
        and quiet to carry on your meditations.

                                *  *  *

        The teachings of the Masters are accurate and definite
        beyond any doubt. One experiences the Divine Light and
        the Heavenly Music within and sees and hears them with
        one's own inner eyes and ears by the Grace of the Master
        and develops from day to day if one only abides by the
        instructions of the Master. This Science is positive and
        factual and so is scientific and exact. We have not to
        depend on the hearsay or others testimony; Christ said,
        'If you love me keep my commandments.' I There is nothing
        wrong in adoring the Master who helpfully lets us enjoy
        the inner experiences day by day. He is all in love with
        the lord and love Personified. Love and adoration for him
        lies in living up to His commandments which will flare up
        love and adoration of the Lord. Without the Master's love,
        there can be in us no love for the Lord.

                                *  *  *

        Refuge in the holy meditations is the panacea for all
        ills of life and these should be pursued vigorously and
        steadfastly. You have been granted the celestial links
        within to work upon them when all shall fall to your lot
        whatever you desire. You can set apart regular and fixed
        hours for your meditations both morning and evening and
        get tapped inside to receive grace of the Master Power
        so generously flown to you. You have to simply take a
        resolve and stick to it with single-minded devotion coupled
        with faith and humility. You will see that the overwhelming
        sublime effulgence shall engulf you with bliss and serenity.

                                *  *  *

        The sleep during meditations should be avoided by looking
        intently into the middle of whatever you see within light
        or darkness, as it is during the slackening of the inner
        gaze that sleep and outside stray thoughts intrude.
        Besides, meditations should be undertaken when you are
        quite afresh and buoyant after normal sleep and rest.
        You may take some physical exercise for shaking off sloth.

                                *  *  *

        The time for meditations should be increased gradually so
        as to achieve the target of two hours a day, which will
        ensure more of inner bliss and harmony. The inner attention
        should be absorbed in the divine light or sound current
        completely which will ensure steady progress. The intense
        longing for having darshan of the Master within is good,
        but there should be no visualising from your side as in
        that way the intellect continues to interfere and unless
        it is silenced completely inner form will not manifest. The
        mind of the initiate should be trained in such a manner
        that it dwells on the loving remembrance of the Master all
        along the waking moments and such a sacred schedule will
        enable you to have better and successful meditations. You
        are to completely repose your all aspirations, and await
        patiently. All else will came of itself.

                                *  *  *

        Your tension in the face and around the eyes can best be
        eliminated by sweetly rivetting your attention at the eye
        center, with no clutching to have one thing or the other,
        reposing your hopes entirely in the gracious Master Power
        to grant and bless you with whatever is deemed best for you.
        You know it that it is with the repetition of sacred
        charged names that the sensory currents from the body below
        are withdrawn to the eye focus with the grace of the Master,
        and the distracted attention on various parts of the body
        below do create such disturbance. You have not stated about
        the sound current as to what sound you listen within. The
        hearing of the sound current is equally important and as
        such equal time should be devoted for this practice as well.
        The holy meditations if undertaken in an accurate way are
        efficacious in granting much of serene bliss and harmony.
        I enclose a copy of brief instructions for doing
        meditations in an accurate way. Please read them carefully
        and then act accordingly.

                                *  *  *

        The manifestation of Master in dream state carries some
        spiritual significance. The correct interpretation of your
        dream might be relating to your mundane affairs when you are
        doing some work. If you could do Simran, you would have
        enjoyed some more instructions from the Master.

                                *  *  *

        The longer time you devote to each practice the more you
        will become absorbed in the inner revelations of light and
        sound, with the grace of the Master. It is the attention that
        sees the outside world - through the physical eyes. It is
        the same attention which sees within through the inner eye.
        You should simply close your eyes as in sleep and forget about
        them. In this way, you will be able to concentrate your
        attention within and there will be no strain on the outer
        eyes. The inner gaze will adjust of itself.

                                *  *  *

        ---- If you could relax completely at the eye centre you will
        find that the soul will be dragged like a hair out of the
        butter with no inconvenience to you, with the grace of the
        Master. The inner phenomena is very well controlled and you
        should not apprehend any fears whatsoever of leaving the
        physical body, as you will not die, as the silver link is not
        broken. You should listen to the sound current with
        rapturous attention which will bless you with ineffable peace
        and harmony.

                                *  *  *

        As regards your meditations, you have not to use your
        physical eyes and ears. You simply leave them as one does
        when going to sleep, and without putting any pressure on
        your eyes, forehead or eyebrows, see with your inner eye
        the light that appears to you within. Please do not depend
        on your own power to gaze penetratingly into the inner
        strong light and pierce through the same but repose sweetly
        in the Master Power overhead to help you in such a gaze
        and piercing. There is no question, therefore, of shifting
        the focus. You have to be absolutely forgetful of your body
        and environments for thoughts going back to the body produce
        cramping pains, and unpleasant feelings, etc.

                                *  *  *

        You should try to develop the habit of looking constantly,
        and sweetly into the middle of inner darkness by fixing
        your inner gaze there without any clutching tendency on your
        part to have one thing or the other. Your difficulty of
        eliminating outer seeing shows that you cannot successfully
        silence your intellect which is the last nail in the coffin
        and for attaining proficiency in this behalf, you are to
        practice with accuracy and patience. It seems to be simple,
        yet demands an arduous and strenuous effort. It is very
        much rewarding and worth undertaking. You will progress
        gradually with His grace.

                                *  *  *

        You should recite some prayer or devotional hymn before
        sitting for meditations which will create an aura of
        receptivity and your meditations will become more easy,
        interesting and fruitful.

                                *  *  *

        Divine wisdom dawns gradually when you get attuned and
        absorbed within in the Beyond with holy Naam. The more
        you are receptive, reposed, and resigned to the Divine
        Will of the Master, more of divine grace will fall to
        your share.

                                *  *  *

        (In reference to increased meditation). Such a sublime
        routine coupled with kind thoughts and sweet words
        imbued with humility, will in time bless you with more
        of inner receptivity which brings in better results.

                                *  *  *

        It is the inner complete absorption of your attention
        in this heavenly melody which will eventually transport
        your soul on to the Holy Feet of the Master.

                                *  *  *

        Even if the lights change (which as a matter of fact
        shows the vacillation of your mind), you should continue
        looking lovingly into the middle. It will become steady,
        brighter, and ultimately burst.

                                *  *  *

        You have, of course, not to strain or exert in any way,
        nor is there any need to visualize or imagine anything,
        for whatever is inside, will automatically reveal itself
        gradually as you learn to get into and sit at the
        eye-focus.

                                *  *  *

        I am glad to find that you are blessed with the celestial
        manifestations of much light and hear the holy sound
        current of bells, violins, guitars, etc., as coming from
        the right side with the grace of the Master. Please look
        lovingly into the middle of this light and do mental Simran
        of charged names, very, very slowly, maybe at intervals,
        so that the inner gaze is not disturbed. It will become
        more brighter and ultimately burst to give you further way
        up. The sound current as coming from the right side should
        be listened with rapt attention. It will draw closer, grow
        louder and ultimately come from above.

                                *  *  *

        ---- You should not pay any heed to the movements at the
        pituitary centre and instead keep your attention absorbed
        in the listening to the holy sound current as coming from
        the right side with rapt attention. It will bless you
        with more of ineffable bliss and harmony.

                                *  *  *

        You see the divine lights of mostly gold and sometimes blue
        color, which is good. You are advised to look intently and
        constantly into the middle of this light and repeat the
        charged names, mentally, very, very slowly, maybe at
        intervals, so that the inner gaze is not disturbed. It will
        grow brighter and ultimately burst to give you further way
        up. The absence of perceptible sound current as coming from
        the right side might be attributed to some inaccuracy in
        doing the exercise, as otherwise it is hundred percent
        possible to have it. You will recall that on your
        initiation you were privileged to hear the violin sound as
        coming from the right side. Besides you do not devote any
        time for this practice, for which are you advised to give
        equal time for this exercise, as it is of equal importance.

                                *  *  *

        I am pleased for your regular and devoted meditations when
        you are blessed with the inner celestial revelations of
        various colored lights and melodies as coming from the
        right side, with the grace of the Master. These are the
        precious gifts of the Master which should be developed
        from day to day with steadfast and accurate meditations
        as explained to you from time to time. Try and gradually
        increase the period to enable you to become more
        absorbed in these inner revelations and make greater
        inner progress, with His grace.

                                *  *  *

        The holy sound current of chimes, thunder, flute and
        heavy hammer sound (listen to this sound more intently
        to hear if it is the sound of bell) as coming from the
        right side, are higher sounds and should be listened to
        with rapt attention. They will draw closer, grow louder
        and ultimately come from above to drag you into the
        Beyond.

                                *  *  *

        In your vision exercise you are blessed with the
        celestial manifestations of light in various colors and
        the Eye of the Master. These are the cardinal revelations
        of divinity granted to the child disciple for proceeding
        on the true home of the Master. You should look intently
        and lovingly into the Eye and Master will appear in His
        radiant full form and you will be able to talk to him.

                                *  *  *

        The holy sound current of chimes, violin, conch and
        piano as coming from the right side are of high order.
        Its listening with rapt attention will fill you with
        ineffable bliss and harmony which falls to the lot of
        devoted and disciplined initiates.

                                *  *  *

        The manifestation of charming Radiant Form of the
        Master is the climax of divine grace. Please look
        lovingly into His lustrous eyes and forehead so much
        so that you forget yourself entirely, and repeat the
        charged names to test Its genuineness; you will
        develop receptivity and He will speak to you to your
        gratuitous joy. The sounds of violin and bell,
        chimes as coming from the right side are all right
        and should be listened with rapt attention. It will
        draw closer, grow louder and ultimately come from
        above.

                                *  *  *

        It is the inevitable result of your loving and
        regular meditations when you are blessed with
        ineffable joy and exhilaration. Your deep gratitude
        in this behalf is appreciated. A grateful heart
        becomes the abode of all virtues.

                                *  *  *

        You need not feel sceptic over your restricted inner
        progress but try to be more accurate and earnest. It
        is inner longing of the soul and intense loving devotion
        which blesses the child disciple with fruitful
        meditations. You will grow gradually in due course.

                                *  *  *

        The main difficulty with you seem to be that quite
        often your attention slips down from the eye-focus
        and you find yourself wandering into thoughts of one
        kind or the other. We have, for ages, been accustomed
        to use our mental apparatus, in the world outside
        and hence acquired a tendency to flow outwards
        and downward. We have now to change its course inwards
        and upwards, by means of Dhyan (concentration at the
        eye-focus. Whenever you sit for Simran (repetition)
        sit with a calm and collected mind, leaving aside all
        your cares for the time being. The main thing is to
        gaze within between the eyes, without straining
        yourself. Make it a habit to sit at ease with a
        loving longing and gradually you would find an all
        around improvement. The more this inward gazing
        would develop, the more you will feel a kind of
        pleasant quiescence. And then the slow mental Simran
        of the charged words will do its work of withdrawing
        the sensory currents in the body. You have in fact
        not to do much, but to quietly give yourself up to
        the Master Power.

                                *  *  *

        You have not to make any images nor visualize anything
        for whatever there is behind the iron curtain, will
        reveal itself automatically if you sit quietly like
        a child without any expectation.

                                *  *  *

        ----Your experiences while repeating the charged
        names even at work shows His gracious protection
        being extended to you at all times. You are fortunate
        enough to be privileged to enjoy these serene
        experiences of spiritual beatitude with His grace.

                                *  *  *

        You must not entertain any apprehensions for similar
        happenings as experienced by you some time earlier.
        Just go jolly by the repetition of the charged names
        and loving remembrance of the Master. It seems to be
        a feeling of rare calmness when you feel the cold wind
        moving around you during deeper meditations.

                                *  *  *

        I am glad that you heard the sound of the Conch
        and after a couple of days were blessed with a
        vivid experience of traveling on a road inside.
        Please be rest assured that these experiences
        are achieved only when one rises above body
        consciousness and by regular devotion to the
        spiritual practices in an accurate way. With
        loving faith and earnestness, these (inner
        experiences) will further grow and you will have
        day to day progress.... at night, after the
        meditations, so long as you do not go to sleep,
        it is quite good and refreshing to lie down on
        your back and relax completely while keeping your
        attention at the eye focus with sweet remembrances
        of the Master. You will see that thereby the
        complete sensory current of the body will be
        withdrawn to the eye center and, occasionally,
        beautiful inner experiences fall to the lot of
        the devoted disciple. But this should not be
        counted as the time devoted to regular
        practices in the sitting posture.

                                *  *  *

        You must listen to the Conch sound with rapt
        attention and with your ears plugged with your
        thumbs, as It (the Conch sound) has a far-reaching
        significance. You need not worry about the thumbs
        getting numb but be sweetly absorbed into the
        hearing of the Sound Current. It cleans the mind,
        purifies the heart and elevates the soul.

                                *  *  *

        The scenes that you see (within) have to be
        left behind and you have to go ahead. You can
        listen to the Sound Current anytime. There is
        no hard and fast rule. All that you have to do
        is be loving and devoted to have good results.
        Let no impatience stand in your way. The
        time devoted to the spiritual practices should
        be increased to about two hours daily so as to
        give you more progress.

                                *  *  *

        You are not to close your eyes with hands during
        meditations, but simply close them softly just as
        one does while going to sleep, but you should
        remain fully conscious and wide awake within for
        enjoying the divine visions. For eliminating any
        difficulty after meditations, you are advised to
        resume body consciousness slowly, or if
        meditations are done before retiring for sleep,
        you should fix your inner gaze at the eye centre
        lovingly and retire cheerfully, by repeating the
        charged names. It does happen sometime that the
        initiates are transported into the Beyond in this
        state, with the grace of the Master. The time for
        meditations should be increased gradually so as to
        have the target of two hours a day.

                                *  *  *

        Once you are able to rise above the body consciousness
        you enter into an awareness of the higher order,
        which lies behind the reach of all philosophies and
        psychologies, for then you are on your way to the
        Causeless Cause, the Mother of all Causes, knowing
        which everything else becomes known of itself, like
        an open book. This then is the Alpha and the Omega
        of the Religion of soul, which begins where all
        religious philosophies and polemics end. Here all
        thinking, planning, imagining and fantasy, as mentioned
        in your diaries, fall off like autumn leaves.

                                *  *  *

        At the time of initiation, you would have been
        warned and clearly told about the things that
        tend to help the progress in meditation and the
        things that stand in the way and retard spiritual
        progress. They are recapitulated below for your
        guidance:

            "Disclosing inner experiences to anyone
            other than the Master, neglect from
            abstaining from prohibited diet (i.e. all
            meat, fowl, eggs or intoxicants), gaps
            and defaults in any part of meditation,
            retard the Progress."

        You could not keep within yourself the new joy
        and beauty that the Master had given you and
        erred gravely in speaking about the same to______.
        The reaction of _______'s mind caused doubts to
	creep in your mind. Be rest assured. The Master is
        always with you from the time of initiation,
        seeing and reacting to everything that an
        initiate does. St. Luke said, "Take heed that the
        Light which is within you is not darkened." So
        now again with love and devotion, pray to the
        Master Power within to open your way. He will
        listen. He is not away from you. Your meditations
        will again become sweet. Great opportunities will
        open up.


                                *  *  *

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