                                                   Before the Year Runs Out
                                                          December 28, 1967

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

          DEAR SOULS: Before the year runs out, I would like all the
          children of light to manifest that light in abundance, and take
          care that it is not darkened through any default. You have had an
          experience of this light, the light of God; the light that never
          is on sea or land, but burns day and night, unquenchably, in the
          human breast. Let this light be a lamp unto your feet, and serve
          as a beacon light and signal fire to the world-weary traveler
          trudging on the sands of time in search of a haven of peace. All
          of you must know that you have voluntarily and joyously taken
          upon yourself a great trust and responsibility--an obligation
          which you have to discharge under the Law of Divine Dispensation,
          and it is your proud privilege and a sacred duty to serve the
          great Cause which is so very dear to the Master.

          All the Initiates of the Master, wherever they be--in the East or
          in the West form one great family of the Master and as such are
          equally dear to me, and nothing will give me greater pleasure
          than to see you all living in loving peace and harmony as His
          children, serving one another with love in your hearts. Love is
          the highest and the greatest attribute of God, and all other
          virtues flow on their own from it.

          All of you have been put on the Godway, which of course is the
          same. It is now for you to hasten the advent of the Master within
          you, and thereby complete your Guru-bhakti, or single-hearted
          devotion to Him. The proof of this you can experience within you
          as the self-luminous form of the Master appears, stays with you,
          talks to you face to face, and helps you within by instruction
          and experience, in the same way as he does without: Behold! I
          stand at the door and knock, and if any man hear my voice, I will
          come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. From here
          begins Naam-bhakti, or devotion to the Holy Word, and it is the
          Master's job to make you proficient in it, and lead you to
          perfection and make you perfect as your Father in heaven is
          perfect.

          Thus you see you have all been put on the Path leading to God.
          The proof of the pudding, however, lies in tasting it. The more
          you will taste of the Truth in you, the more your life in a
          work-a-day world will reflect the Light of God in all your
          dealings with one another, and you yourself will feel that each
          day sees you nobler than before as you tread Godward.

          It is from amongst you that representatives, group leaders, and
          workers are chosen by the Master for administrative convenience,
          to carry on the work efficiently--to wit, to arrange spiritual
          get-togethers (Satsangs) for mutual help and benefit. My Master,
          Hazur Sawan Singh Ji, used to say that Satsangs served a very
          useful purpose as a protective hedge around the field of Simran
          and Bhajan, so that these vital and life-giving processes
          continue to develop and thrive, in spite of the otherwise busy
          life in the family, in society, in your respective avocations,
          and the like.

          I cannot help emphasizing that all Satsangis, whatever their
          qualifications and the degrees of advancement, are equally dear
          to me. With all our seeming righteousnesses, we are yet far from
          righteousness, for none are righteous in the real sense of the
          word, and there is no ground for us to feel exalted simply
          because we had the good fortune to work in the vineyard of the
          Lord. On the contrary, this very thing--the work entrusted to us
          so graciously--casts upon us an added responsibilty to make
          ourselves worthy of it.

          I would very much like you to forge and strengthen loving links
          in the ever-expanding fraternity that is ours. The
          representatives should, in a missionary spirit, travel from
          center to center in their areas so as to see things for
          themselves at each center, and strive to make them live centers
          in the spiritual fabric, and in a loving spirit, exchange their
          views with one another, and offer suitable suggestions for
          improving the position wherever necessary. To facilitate work at
          each center, we should set up small committees of three to four
          members with the idea of division of work as may make for more
          efficiency and better understanding, and also enthuse a spirit of
          good will and fellowship among all who are engaged in the holy
          work. It may be worthwhile to establish separate study circles
          for mutual discussions on one or the other spiritual subject, so
          that those participating in them get a training to give small
          inspiring talks on their own, and be able to keep the work going
          without any let or hindrance. A small lending library with
          essential literature on Sat Mat will be a great help to all, old
          and new Satsangis as well as fresh aspirants for and seekers
          after Truth.

          A tree is known by the fruit it bears, and so we should act and
          behave in a manner that glorifies God and is befitting to us as
          children of God. It will be a healthy beginning if
          representatives, group leaders, and workers invite each other for
          talks and addressing the Satsangis and others interested in the
          subject in their respective areas; and the invitees in their turn
          should give out their best to their listeners without in any way
          interfering with their susceptibilities and loyalties as may tend
          to estrange them from each other, and cause any to stumble on the
          way. This, it is hoped, will in a way help to expand the "Self"
          in you, and your hearts will go out to serve the Lord whenever
          and wherever you may get an opportunity to do so. This is the
          greatest service that one can do to oneself, and to the self-same
          Self in others around you, and those with whom you may come in
          contact from day to day.

          Those going around in connection with Satsang work at different
          places should not accept any offering whatsoever for their
          personal benefit. However, they are allowed to share lodging and
          simple food with the dear ones, if possible and necessary. The
          travel expenses and other allied charges incurred may be debited
          to Satsang funds. The non-acceptance of gifts for personal self
          is one of the prescriptions given by the ancient sages for
          persons living the spiritual life. It will be easy to see how
          this rule becomes more important for those who are in their
          service to God, and have been placed in a position of public
          authority. It is the duty of the spiritual leaders and
          counsellors, whatever their capacity, to remain impersonal
          servants of all. Since the acceptance of gifts involves one, even
          against his or her will, in some measure of obligation to the
          giver, it may cause unwittingly a lowering of his or her ideals.
          This should be considered sufficient to avert serious
          difficulties that could arise from laxity in this principle.

          In this respect it would be worth your while and profitable for
          you to read this, along with the previous circulars of June 6,
          1967 ("By Love, Serve One Another"),and November 11, 1967
          ("Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit"), together with the Birthday
          Message of July 1967("In My Heart I Have a Vision"), as all of
          these, including this one, present an integrated view of true
          living as enjoined by the Masters.

          I would also greatly appreciate it if you would chalk out the
          lines for yourself, and also send periodical reports on the
          progress made from time to time. The Master Power overhead, I am
          sure, will help us to achieve the desired results. My best wishes
          are with you.

          With all love, and more of it,

          Yours affectionately,

          KIRPAL SINGH

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

          Return to: Circular Letters Elixir  [Image]
