About / Practice
The Teaching and Meditation
To learn any significant skill, trade, or profession one undertakes training from a qualified training source. In the same way the Way of sages, which to be sure is a most subtle and detailed practice, requires precise training from an accomplished spiritual teacher who has himself/herself experienced the highest state of Peace (shanti).
As Tulsi Sahib says:
“Without the blessings (help) of a true master, the path of God realization and the experience of going beyond the realms are out of reach.”
The great sages of past and present require of the seeker a life of moral rectitude which includes the practice of the following: truthfulness, non- stealing, faithfulness to one’s spouse, and non-violence (except in self-defense). Abstinence from alcohol and intoxicating drugs is required as well as vegetarianism.
The practice involves a specific meditation taught by a qualified teacher. Dhyana (the meditation) has four levels of practice each building on the preceding practice:
| The first stage is manas japa (repetition of sacred name meditation). This is a simple technique and has been widely taught and practiced in the East as well as the West. It has the effect of calming the “resteless mind” and preparing for the following stages of meditation. |
| The second stage is the manas dhyana—practice of focusing on a specific image. |
| The third stage is known as drishti yoga—uninterrupted concentration of an infinitesimal point. |
| The fourth stage surat shabad yoga (the meditation of divine sound) is focus on celestial inarticulate sounds within, which ultimately leads to the final goal. |
Each stage of meditation has specific hallmarks to indicate progress. Although the above techniques may sound complex, this path is extremely simple to practice as is evidenced by the great numbers of people who have been practicing this meditation since ancient times.
Santmat recognizes all the great teachers, sages, and saints of the different traditions who are accomplished in the spiritual goal of human life. The teachings of these teachers remain as the beacon of light for their followers. Santmat reveres the saints and prophets of all traditions: Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Meister Eckhart, Ramkrishna Parmhansa, Bahaullah and Mira Bai, etc. Furthermore, Santmat believes in the uninterrupted continuation of the emergence of sages on this earth.
Owing to the many variations of personal experiences the path requires a teacher. The spiritual guide has tread the entire path and can assist the student as obstacles arise. There are many accomplished spiritual teachers, however in this particular teaching we are instructed by Santsevi Ji Maharaj of Bhagalpur, India. Santsevi Ji is the most recent teacher in a tradition of masters who date back over 200 years.
The Purpose of Satsang (Spiritual Gathering):
The word satsang literally means “association with Truth.” This definition of the word satsang encompasses a two- fold process: inner satsang and outer satsang. The inner satsang is contemplation on the Truth and the outer satsang consists of reading the texts of sacred teachings and associating with wise and saintly men and women.
Satsang fosters the idea of “right association.” That is, we become like the people with whom we associate. The Buddha says in the Dhammapada:
“…Association with fools as with an enemy is always (productive of pain)….Therefore, even as the moon follows the path of the constellations one should follow the wise, the intelligent, the learned, the much enduring, the dutiful, the noble…(Sukkhavaggo: 11&12)”
By associating with those holding similar spiritual values we reinforce those values and persist on this spiritual path. Satsang, therefore is a meeting of individuals of similar spiritual intent, goals and practices.
Traditionally, but not always, an accomplished teacher presides over satsang.