Past gurus and the sant-mat method
Sant Mat | Radhasoami | Baba Sawan Singh
Baba Sawan Singh is the second Satguru of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (after Baba Jaimal Singh Ji), but the one responsible for its rapid expansion. Born into Sikhism, he continued the linage of Sant Mat (Path of the saints) practising a method known as Shabd yoga (Light and Sound meditation). Terminology can get a little confusing because the heritage goes back to the 13th century with many gurus. Sant Mat has been around since then but was re-awaken by the Jaimal and Sawan Singh. Radhasoami Satsang Beas (RSSB) refers to the group’s reawakening when Baba Jaimal Singh Ji settled in 1891 near the town of Beas (India) at an isolated rural site, which later came to be called Dera Baba Jaimal Singh.
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Name: |
Sant Mat, Radhasoami, Baba Sawan Singh |
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Birth, Age, Death: |
Radha Soami 1891 -currentSant Mat 1300 – currentBaba Sawan Singh 1858-1948 |
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Nationality: |
Indian |
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Method/Religion started: |
Sant Mat (re-started), Radhasoami |
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Holy book/teachings: |
Sant Mat books |
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Followers: |
100,000’s |
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Lifestyle requirements: |
Simple life, precepts, vegetarian diet & devote part of every day to practice |
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Form of practice: |
Surat Shabd yoga (inner sound vibration). Requires an in-depth initiation and sincere daily meditation along with studying the master’s teachings. |
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Wiki (encyclopedia) link: |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Mat |
Shabd (also known as celestial or Heavenly music) refers to a spiritual current which can be heard during meditation as inner light and sound. It is the same as the “Word” as mentioned in the Christian Bible. The Yoga is the uniting of our real essence (soul) through listening with intent from the wisdom-eye (also known as the seat of the soul), and focused mental concentration (surat) upon an inner vibrational stream (shabd). This Shabd is God and is the origin of creation, so when we connect with it we connect to the Supreme Being, to the almighty. It purifies us, uplifts us, liberates us and after consistent practice will enlighten us.
The silent meditation method taught requires initiation by a living master who has reached some attainment, and then continued guidance until the student is self-aware. The student should dedicate 10% of their time to God each time. It works similar to a pension plan, what we put in during life we get back after death.
The masters say: “An intense longing to meet the Lord during one’s lifetime is the first and foremost qualification for Initiation. ‘Seek, and ye shall find’, is the principle.” At the time of Initiation one vows to practice meditation each day. The spiritual path is a life-long commitment.
The moral precepts are:
Abstinence from ;
- Non-Violence (Ahimsa in thought, word, and deed) including vegetarianism (abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs);
- Lead a truthful life;
- Practice non-stealing — an honest and ethical source of income;
- Loyalty to our spouse or life-partner;
- Refrain from using intoxicants – alcohol, Tobacco, drugs, etc (these affect our mind)
Shabd is practised by current groups (Sant Mat & Quan Yin method of meditation) and was also mentioned by all 10 of the Sikh satgurus. It requires the disciples spends 10% of their time contemplating on the almighty through inner meditation, and strictly adhering to the above moral precepts.
