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  Post #2 - Indian Gurus

 

Post #2:

Part one - Among the Indian gurus in the text who were your three favorites and why? Explain in depth (one paragraph for each).

Part two - in your own words describe surat shabd yoga and your reflection on it.

Answer:

Of the assigned reading, I found the Yogini Mataji, Sri Pratap Singh, and Baba Faqir Chand to be the most interesting.

     For Yogini Mataji, or "The Mother", she showed a deep love or devotion to God.  At young age she was married, however, because of her devotion to God decided to not consummate her marriage.  Thus in a loving fashion and to serve her husband, she assisted him in obtaining two new wives.  I appreciated most that Mataji showed normal human characteristics, as evidenced in smoking a cigarette.  Like the author writes, we often assign super-human status to those considered highly esteemed in their religious beliefs. It was refreshing to know that she was human enough to have a worldly habit such as smoking that she enjoyed.  I also appreciated her comfortable nature, which allowed to her to be approachable, or as the author described being delightful and graceful to be around.  I also respected her reverence for God as evidenced in her ability to focus her meditation because as she put it, it is easy to focus since "falling in love with God" makes it easy for her to concentrate on her love.  Amongst her traits, she was devoted to seeking the truth, a characteristic which becomes easily contagious for those around her.  She appeared to be one of those people who infuse energy into her relationships making them enjoyable.

     For Sri Pratap Singh, or "The Wrestler", I appreciated most his inquisitress, especially as it related to a simple item such as a watch.  The author's description of Sri Pratrap Singh's humor intrigued me the most.  Like in the case of Mataji, we tend to assign super-human status or character to people of this type.  It was refreshing to find Sri Pratap Singh kidding around with one who was close to him.  I found the most likable trait to be his ability to limit his focus on the external realm or world with all of its glimmering attractions.  Limiting himself in this realm made it easier for he to focus on his meditations, so as to not be pulled away in thought as he meditated.  I also appreciated the four characteristics explained by the author of a genuine guru.  These showed the genuine humility of Sri Pratap Singh as he did not take money for the benefit he provided, did not boast about his abilities or beg for material thing, and to sub stain from performing miracles that would draw attention to him for the wrong reasons.

     Baba Faqir Chand sought a higher and more permanent attainment in his search.  He could easily “leave his body at will and experience exalted states of awareness.”  I appreciated how he was not afraid to question or expose other gurus, masters, prophets and mystics who felt that they were all-knowing especially as it related to their meditation experiences and what they felt was ultimate spiritual realization.  Like Sri Pratrap Singh, I found his humility to be a strong and likable characteristic, as Faqir was up-front about his own admissions of ignorance surrounding the mystic mysteries surrounding himself or the secret of reality.  Even more appealing to me was his willingness to change his beliefs as explained by the author during the later part of life in which he broke tradition with the "Surat Shabd Yoga", and grew closer to other philosophies and principles. 

     Surat Shabd Yoga is method/technique used to get one closer to the real self, Truth or closer to God.  The term "surat" involves the soul, "shabd" involves following a sound current, and "yoga" with relates to union with something, thus the soul following a sound current to have a closer union with God/Truth/Realization.  The technique takes many years for one to perfect.  Unlike other methods it only uses a state in which meditation is used to clear ones mind and thus focus on an internal point, referred to by it's follower's as a third eye.  One begins to lose senses or feel numbness in the body, starting in the feet and then rising slowly through the lower body working its way up until a voluntary paralysis occurs.  Then the mediator can then journey into more inner realms until what is thought to be a feeling of merging directly to God.  Through the process one transcends one's own physical body and consciousness and enters into different consciousnesses that are said to be closer to one’s real self. 

     For me, I feel it is comparable to hypnosis, (either self or lead hypnosis.)  In hypnosis as in Surat Shabd Yoga you are relaxing the conscious mind in order to reflect or infuse thoughts into the sub-conscious mind.  Personally I believe both are very dangerous practices in light of the spiritual realities of this world.  There are numerous spirits of this world who are opposed to God's ways (fallen angels.)  Putting your self in this state allows one of these numerous spirits to enter (especially if there is previous un-confessed sins which allow the spirit authorization to enter.)   For me, God meant for us to have personal relationship with him, one-on-one just like we would have with any friend.  This friendship does not require us to transverse mental states to get there.  Therefor searching outside of this misses the intent of what he meant for our relationship.