radha-soami

[radha-soami]

Observations About Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India, by James Bean (Sant Mat History Explored)

Sant Das Maheshwari mentioned in the book, Param Sant Tulsi Sahib: "Tulsi Saheb, too, has not written anything by way of himself introducing himself and his family. It is said that he was born in the Peshwa family in the city of Poona."

One may wonder just where exactly "IT IS SAID". The whole basis for that story came not from Tulsi himself but what others eventually said about him or came to believe after his death, in other words, the lore and legend that developed around Tulsi many years later. Where IS IT SAID? This business of associating Tulsi Sahib with Peshwas of Poona goes back to an introduction to Tulsi Sahib to be found in the edition of the Ghat Ramayan first published by Belvedere Press in 1911. I do hope those who contributed to that book did good research.

Everyone has been repeating this Peshwas of Poona back-story regarding Tulsi ever since as if it's true, but I don't know that it necessarily is true. I notice Mark Juergensmeyer in, Radhasoami Reality, used rather careful language regarding this back-story.

"The common account of Tulsi Sahib’s life is that he was born into a family of Maharashtrian royalty and renounced his status to wander in search of truth." (page 25) "The common account".   

It occurs to me that the whole archetypal Prince Siddhartha-like story of Tulsi Sahib belonging to the royal lineage of the Peshwas, and then his running away from the royal court might simply be viewed as an apocryphal story composed by others after-the-fact without necessarily there being any actual historically verifiable basis for it. To do a Tulsi Sahibism here, in Tulsi Sahib parlance, only when I see with my own eyes some references by Tulsi himself will I believe Tulsi Sahib had some connection to the royal Peshwas of Poona.

The only real evidence we have for Tulsi Sahib's past associations and possible guru connections is provided internally in the books Tulsi authored: Shabdavali; Ratan Sagar, Ghat Ramayan and Padma Sagar. Examining the internal evidence in spiritual classics is the approach which is used, for instance, by Nag Hammadi scholars to analyse the textual, theological and spiritual influences upon the authors of those Gnostic gospels. This same critical analysis should also be applied to the writings of Tulsi Sahib. In other words, we can learn much about Tulsi's influences and affiliations by closely examining what he said about himself, what clues he left that we can notice, what writings he quoted from, what gurus he mentioned most frequently, what groups he was most critical of, the mystical terminology present in his writings and hymns, and what guru and Sant Mat lineage best matches or most closely resembles Tulsi's own Sant Mat path.

Shabdavali is a collection of the hymns of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. "Shabdavali ('shabds or poems') is a compilation of miscellaneous hymns and poems composed in different ragas, and it expresses different aspects of Sant Mat."  (page 27, Tulsi Sahib - Saint of Hathras, 2017 edition)

Padma Sagar: "Padma Sagar means 'Ocean of Flowers'. It is a complete composition by Tulsi Sahib, in which he provides answers to spiritual questions posed by his disciple Hriday. In addition, he also explains the technique of uniting with the Shabd within." (page 28)

Ghat Ramayan: "Ghat Ramayan... is the story of the Lord within the body -- the inner spiritual journey." (page 20) The book is organized into two parts. The first section explores the treasure of spirituality within each human being, the mysteries of creation and the inner regions. The format of the second part of Ghat Ramayan consists of questions and answers, many discussions in the form of numerous dialogues between Tulsi and followers of various spiritual paths.

Ratan Sagar: "Like Ghat Ramayan, Tulsi Sahib's Ratan Sagar ('Ocean of Jewels') is a fathomless ocean of spiritual knowledge. In this composition he describes the state of existence before the universe was created, how this universe was created, the relationship of every soul with the Lord, how the soul became a part of this creation, the reasons why the soul continually wanders through the four khanis (modes of birth) and the cycle of transmigration, and the means of the souls emancipation." (pages 23 and 24)

Ratan Sagar and Anurag Sagar: "From a spiritual perspective, there is a significant similarity between Tulsi Sahib's Ratan Sagar and Kabir Sahib's Anurag Sagar ('Ocean of Love'). This similarity is most apparent in the various sections on spirituality and the manner in which they are presented. In Anurag Sagar, Kabir Sahib's disciple Dharamdas asks questions, and Kabir Sahib answers them. Similarly, in Ratan Sagar Tulsi Sahib's disciple Hriday asks the questions, and Tulsi Sahib answers. Both books are entirely based on a question-and-answer style." (page 25)

Tulsi Sahib's Q & A dialogues format, though rare in most Sant Mat publications, is the standard approach in much of the Sant Dharamdas Kabir panth literature known as the Kabir Sagar ('Ocean of Kabir'), a collection of around forty books attributed to, or written in the name of, "Guru Kabir". The Anurag Sagar that Tulsi Sahib comments on in his Ghat Ramayan is one of the volumes of this Kabir Sagar. Tulsi Sahib's understanding that Sant Dharamdas was the true "spiritual successor of Kabir", Tulsi's usage of the Five Names (Panch Naam) Guru Mantra (originating earlier in the Dharamamdasi branch of Sant Mat, in other words, in use prior to the time of Tulsi Sahib), his reverence for the Anurag Sagar, along with scores of references to a contemporary Satguru of his day from the Dharamdasi region of Bihar by the name of Sant Dariya Sahib are all suggestive of the primary spiritual influences upon Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras.

Here in the west, Mark Juergensmeyer was actually the first one to observe this connection between Tulsi Sahib and Dariya Sahib of Bihar to the Dharamdasis, the Kabir line of gurus going back to Sant Dharam Das (the People of the Anurag Sagar, the People of the Five Names) in his 1991 book, Radhasoami Reality.

"Although not considered normative sant teachings by those outside Radhasoami, the Radhasoami complex of sant-related concepts bears a coherent and distinctive stamp. Those within the Radhasoami community have not given it a specific name, but it might be called 'esoteric santism.' It is santism because the concepts are roughly comparable to those taught by the medieval sants, yet it is esoteric, since it makes each of the sant concepts part of a special system of interior spirituality. When and where did this esoteric santism arise?" (Mark Juergensmeyer, Radhasoami Reality — The Logic of a Modern Faith, Princeton University Press, 1991, page 24)

"This connection between Dharamdasis, to which the Anurag Sagar has lead us, is confirmed by another set of writings venerated by Radhasoami leaders but little known outside of Radhasoami and Dharamdasi circles: the poetry of Dariya Sahib. Dariya Sahib was an eighteenth-century poet who lived in a Dharamdasi region of Bihar and referred to both Kabir and Dharam Das as his predecessors." (page 29)

[radha-soami]

Sant Tulsi Sahib: "External practices and formalism are worth nothing. The real sadhana [spiritual or meditation practice] is within one's own self."

Maharshi Mehi Paramhans, Philosophy of Liberation * : "One must go beyond the senses and Non-Conscious nature in order to realize the Supreme. For this reason, the outward practices of devotion are of not much use in attaining direct knowledge of the Supreme. The attainment of the state of Oneness is impossible by outer means. The state of Oneness is attained by going beyond all the realms of the nonconscious nature and by moving upward within the body. Waking and dreaming are the evidence that various states exist and can be altered."

"Within This Body" - Mystic Poem of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras

Within this body

breathes the secret essence.

Within this body

beats the heart of the Vedas.

Within this body

shines the entire Universe,

so the saints reveal.

Hermits, ascetics, celibates

- all are lost

seeking Him

in endless guises.

Seers and sages perfectly parrot

the scriptures and holy books,

blinded by knowledge.

Their pilgrimage,

and fasting,

and striving

but delude

Despite their perfect practice,

they discover no destination.

Only the saints

who know the body's heart

have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi.

Realize this, and you've found your freedom

(while teachers trapped in tradition

know only the mirage

in the mirror).

* NOTE: The Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha Darshan) is a "Sar Bachan Prose" of the Tulsi Sahib branch of Santmat one might say. In other words, it serves as a central text in the same way the Sar Bachan Prose of Swami Ji Maharaj has traditionally been regarded as a key text in the various Radhasoami Satsangs.  Both of these are available for free online as texts, ebooks, and audio books!

Philosophy of Liberation:  https://archive.org/details/PhilosophyOfLiberationAManualOfSantMatMysticism/page/n1/mode/2up

Sar Bachan Prose (Dayalbagh translation): https://archive.org/details/SarBachanRadhasoamiProseDayalBaghTranslation/page/n13/mode/2up

[radha-soami]

The Blessings of a Living Master: a new satsang spiritual retreat is underway in India at Radhaswami Ashram, Channasandra with Baba Ram Singh. For many satsangs with English translation provided, see more videos at this channel: https://youtu.be/PY0u0ropSsg?t=953

[radha-soami]

Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, the Great Scholar Sant, on the Occasion of His Jayanti — Birthday Commemoration

We Remember Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj (12–20–1920 — 6–4–2007)

The Goal of Sant Mat Spirituality and Meditation: Our Path Back to the Source — The Inward Journey Back to God

“Sant Mat (the path and teachings as taught and practiced by Saints [Sant Satgurus]) delineates the path of union of soul with God. The teachings of the saints explain the re-uniting as follows:

“The individual soul has descended from the higher worlds [the Realm of the Divine] to this city of illusion, bodily existence. It has descended from the Soundless State to the essence of Sound, from that Sound to Light, and finally from the realm of Light to the realm of Darkness. The qualities (dharmas, natural tendencies) of the sense organs draw us downward and away from our true nature.

“The nature of the soul (atman) draws us upwards and inwards and establishes us in our own true nature. Returning to our origins involves turning inward: withdrawal of consciousness from the senses and the sense objects in order to go upward from the darkness to the realms of Light and Sound. [We experience this phenomenon of withdrawal as we pass from waking consciousness to deep sleep.] Another way to express this is to go inward from the external sense organs to the depth of the inner self. (Both of these expressions are the metaphors that signify the same movement). The natural tendencies of the soul (atman) are to move from outward to inward. The current of consciousness which is dispersed in the nine gates of the body and the senses, must be collected at the tenth gate.

“The tenth gate is the gathering point of consciousness. Therein lies the path for our return. The tenth gate is also known as the sixth chakra, the third eye, bindu, the center located between the two eyebrows. This is the gateway through which we leave the gates of the sense organs and enter in the divine realms and finally become established in the soul. We travel back from the Realm of Darkness to the Realm of Light, from the Light to the Divine Sound, and from the Realm of Sound to the Soundless State. This is called turning back to the Source.

“This is what dharma or religion really intends to teach us. This is the essence of dharma.” (Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, “Harmony Of All Religions”).

Know Yourself and Know God: “Practice ‘Drishti Yoga’ (Yoga of Inner Light) and ‘Nadaanusandhana’ (Yoga of Inner Sound, Surat Shabd Yoga). This will remove the layers of Darkness, Light and Sound (that conceal your Soul from the Supreme Sovereign Soul, i.e. God). You will, thus, get to know ‘Who You Are’. And, when you know yourself, you will also know God.” (Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj)

Satsang Video: Santsevi Speaks about Qualification of the Guru -- Hindi With English Subtitles: 

https://youtu.be/XD69XRKIGq0?si=OZW-_IXChz2fbMVs

For a Biography of Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, See:  

https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/biography-of-swami-santsevi-ji-maharaj-the-great-scholar-sant-on-the-occasion-of-his-96th-jayanti-d47efe871de0

[radha-soami]

The Human Body is the True Temple of the Spirit -- Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast @ Youtube. This Life is a Golden Opportunity for the Liberation of the Soul; also, the Seven Stages of Mystic Ascension to Heaven; Ingredients of a Living Spiritual Path: Seven Gnostic-Sant Mat Parallels; Quotes from the Sikh Scriptures; The "Womb of Meditation" that gives birth to the realized soul according to the Gospel of Thomas & Syriac Mystics; and Satsang Spiritual Discourses by Baba Ram Singh on this rare Path of Simran and Meditation Practice;

[radha-soami]

Rumi says, "We are stars wrapped in skin -- The light you are seeking … has always been … within."

[radha-soami]

 What is that flute whose music thrills me with joy?

The flame burns without a lamp;

The lotus blossoms without a root;

Flowers bloom in clusters;

The moon-bird is devoted to the moon;

With all its heart the rain-bird longs for the shower of rain;

But upon whose love does the Lover concentrate His entire life?

- Mystic poem of Kabir from, Songs of Kabir, culled by Rabindranath Tagore

Raga Bhairavi by Manish Vyas & Bikramjit Singh - album: Healing Ragas: 

https://youtu.be/SuNEIYlw9z0?si=j2W3gTTjjQxF4q29

[radha-soami]

Rumi says, "We are stars wrapped in skin -- The light you are seeking … has always been … within."

[radha-soami]

if the simpsons would not drag me for five minutes

[radha-soami]

"Not scanning the diverse literature of the Sants but restricting yourself to the works of one Sant only, you will become sectarian embroiled in mutual bickerings and quarrels." - Satguru Maharshi Mehi Paramhans

[radha-soami]

My latest podcast via Youtube:

A Genuine Spiritual Master, The Competent Qualified Teacher (Sant Satguru)

[radha-soami]

          Don’t Hate – Meditate.

[radha-soami]

A Genuine Spiritual Master, The Competent Qualified Teacher (Sant Satguru) - Spiritual Awakening Radio, A Sant Mat Satsang Podcast

"The fruits of accepting a true master are immense. Unfortunately, true teachers are few and difficult to find... A spiritual master who is wise, pure and a practitioner of the Yoga of Divine Sound gradually imparts his or her virtues to the student. The good will of the spiritual teacher cannot but help affecting the aspirant in a positive manner because one is affected by the power of a higher vibration." (Maharshi Mehi, The Philosophy of Liberation)

A Genuine Spiritual Master, The Competent Qualified Teacher (Sant Satguru) - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast @ YouTube:

https://youtu.be/V_GGyrcFAD0

@ Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-genuine-spiritual-master-the-competent/id1477577384?i=1000674417623

@ Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7u4sofV7RsGjQp6eC3w5qK

@ Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - Play or Direct Download MP3: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/spiritualawakeningradio/The_Genuine_Spiritual_Master.mp3

@ the Podcast Website - Permalink URL - With Buttons That Take You To the Popular Podcast APPS - Wherever You Follow Podcasts:

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.libsyn.com/a-genuine-spiritual-master-the-competent-qualified-teacher-sant-satguru

@ LinkTree -- Wherever You Follow Podcasts - At Your Favorite Podcast APP Just Do a Search for "Spiritual Awakening Radio" (Youtube, Youtube Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I Heart Radio, Audible/Amazon Music and Podcasts, Pocketcasts, Overcast, PodBean, Jio Saavan, etc...)

https://linktr.ee/SpiritualAwakeningRadio

My Ode to the Sant Satguru

In Praise of the Sant-soul of love

who has reached the Spiritual Realm above,

and merged in God.

Hail to the Competent Living Master,

the Qualified Teacher,

rare to find in this world,

so few and far between,

the True One,

a genuine mentor of souls,

righteous and worthy Guide,

a Fearless Being,

Light-giver,

leader of a spiritual community.

With gratitude to the Competent Living One!

In a Sea of Samsara -- illusion and world of changes,

of falsehood and posing,

there is a bright Light in the darkness.

A silent Music becomes audible.

At the feet of such a Loving, Radiant One,

the soul can not help but find inner Light and

slip into deep samadhi meditation.

In the eyes of a Saint are

love, wisdom, light, compassion, grace,

a reflection of God in this realm of the material plane.

The Master-Power connects the soul with the

Supreme Lord of Love.

-- my Guru Purnima Ode to the Living One, The Sant Satguru

References, Subjects, and Sources Include:

No Guru 'Bling' Factor - on Spiritual Not Worldly Wealth;

Masks of Spirituality, commentary on Guru Nanak's Asa Di Vaar by Ajaib Singh from, In the Palace of Love;

my Guru Purnima Ode to the Living One, The Sant Satguru;

The Worth of Spiritual Satsang Discourses, mystic poetry by Sant Ramdas of Maharashtra;

Buddha Mani-Christ: You Rescued Souls from Samsara Ignorance and Gave Wisdom, from the Great Song of the Gnostic Prophet Mani, some mystic poetry from Manichaeanism;

Eavesdropping on Hathras, Teachings from the Hathras Tulsi Sahib Satsang on Complete Mahatmas, Genuine Saints;

An Accomplished Living Teacher, by Shri Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj;

On the Recognition of a True Spiritual Master, by Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj from, The Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha Darshan);

Every Day is an Opportunity to Meditate and Study the Teachings of the Masters, by Baba Ram Singh;

The Eye Through Which I See God is the Same Eye Through Which God Sees Me, by Meister Eckhart;

The Third Eye in Meditation, by Sant Kirpal Singh;

Satsang Discourse by Baba Ram Singh;

Loving God With His Own Love, from the Spiritual Letters of Hadewijch, a Beguine Mystic from Antwerp, Belgium; and,

In Praise of the Name, mystic poetry by Sant Eknatha of Maharashtra;

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami),

James Bean

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

Santmat Satsang Podcasts

Sant Mat Radhasoami

A Satsang Without Walls

Spiritual Awakening Radio Website:

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

[radha-soami]

A Genuine Spiritual Master, The Competent Qualified Teacher (Sant Satguru) - Spiritual Awakening Radio, A Sant Mat Satsang Podcast

"The fruits of accepting a true master are immense. Unfortunately, true teachers are few and difficult to find... A spiritual master who is wise, pure and a practitioner of the Yoga of Divine Sound gradually imparts his or her virtues to the student. The good will of the spiritual teacher cannot but help affecting the aspirant in a positive manner because one is affected by the power of a higher vibration." (Maharshi Mehi, The Philosophy of Liberation)

A Genuine Spiritual Master, The Competent Qualified Teacher (Sant Satguru) - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast @ YouTube:

https://youtu.be/V_GGyrcFAD0

@ Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-genuine-spiritual-master-the-competent/id1477577384?i=1000674417623

@ Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7u4sofV7RsGjQp6eC3w5qK

@ Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - Play or Direct Download MP3: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/spiritualawakeningradio/The_Genuine_Spiritual_Master.mp3

@ the Podcast Website - Permalink URL - With Buttons That Take You To the Popular Podcast APPS - Wherever You Follow Podcasts:

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.libsyn.com/a-genuine-spiritual-master-the-competent-qualified-teacher-sant-satguru

@ LinkTree -- Wherever You Follow Podcasts - At Your Favorite Podcast APP Just Do a Search for "Spiritual Awakening Radio" (Youtube, Youtube Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I Heart Radio, Audible/Amazon Music and Podcasts, Pocketcasts, Overcast, PodBean, Jio Saavan, etc...)

https://linktr.ee/SpiritualAwakeningRadio

My Ode to the Sant Satguru

In Praise of the Sant-soul of love

who has reached the Spiritual Realm above,

and merged in God.

Hail to the Competent Living Master,

the Qualified Teacher,

rare to find in this world,

so few and far between,

the True One,

a genuine mentor of souls,

righteous and worthy Guide,

a Fearless Being,

Light-giver,

leader of a spiritual community.

With gratitude to the Competent Living One!

In a Sea of Samsara -- illusion and world of changes,

of falsehood and posing,

there is a bright Light in the darkness.

A silent Music becomes audible.

At the feet of such a Loving, Radiant One,

the soul can not help but find inner Light and

slip into deep samadhi meditation.

In the eyes of a Saint are

love, wisdom, light, compassion, grace,

a reflection of God in this realm of the material plane.

The Master-Power connects the soul with the

Supreme Lord of Love.

-- my Guru Purnima Ode to the Living One, The Sant Satguru

References, Subjects, and Sources Include:

No Guru 'Bling' Factor - on Spiritual Not Worldly Wealth;

Masks of Spirituality, commentary on Guru Nanak's Asa Di Vaar by Ajaib Singh from, In the Palace of Love;

my Guru Purnima Ode to the Living One, The Sant Satguru;

The Worth of Spiritual Satsang Discourses, mystic poetry by Sant Ramdas of Maharashtra;

Buddha Mani-Christ: You Rescued Souls from Samsara Ignorance and Gave Wisdom, from the Great Song of the Gnostic Prophet Mani, some mystic poetry from Manichaeanism;

Eavesdropping on Hathras, Teachings from the Hathras Tulsi Sahib Satsang on Complete Mahatmas, Genuine Saints;

An Accomplished Living Teacher, by Shri Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj;

On the Recognition of a True Spiritual Master, by Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj from, The Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha Darshan);

Every Day is an Opportunity to Meditate and Study the Teachings of the Masters, by Baba Ram Singh;

The Eye Through Which I See God is the Same Eye Through Which God Sees Me, by Meister Eckhart;

The Third Eye in Meditation, by Sant Kirpal Singh;

Satsang Discourse by Baba Ram Singh;

Loving God With His Own Love, from the Spiritual Letters of Hadewijch, a Beguine Mystic from Antwerp, Belgium; and,

In Praise of the Name, mystic poetry by Sant Eknatha of Maharashtra;

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami (Radhaswami),

James Bean

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

Santmat Satsang Podcasts

Sant Mat Radhasoami

A Satsang Without Walls

Spiritual Awakening Radio Website:

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

[radha-soami]

Behold Your Beloved Within

This is one of the few ghazals^ written by Sant Tulsi Sahib. This ghazal was written to explain the esoteric secrets of the spiritual path to a Muslim divine, Sheikh Taqi, who happened to pitch his tent in the neighborhood of Tulsi Sahib’s residence. The Saint impresses upon Taqi to seek God within his own self and not in the world outside. Much of the mystery of the inner realms becomes resolved at the eye center, from where the aspirant commences his spiritual journey.

Listen, O Taqi, seek not thy Beloved in the world outside;

Within thine own self, behold the splendor of thy Beloved

In the pupil of thine eye is a mole, wherein is hidden the entire mystery;

Peep within and behold thou what lieth beyond this dark curtain.

The secret of the fourteen realms will, for certain, be disclosed to thee;

Let thy attention not slip, see that thou art ever vigilant.

Listen! Thou art constantly being called from the Most High.

There ever beckons thee the voice of thy Beloved.

It is not meeting with the Beloved that is arduous;

What is difficult, O Taqi, is that it is hard to behold Him.

Without the grace of some realized Guide, says Tulsi,

The path of salvation is distant, beyond thy reach.

^ A ghazal is a form of lyrical poetry, originating from the Persian literary tradition, which generally deals with the subject of love. Every two lines of a ghazal are usually complete in themselves.

Cosmic Flight Through the Sound Current

Whose soul is attached to the Word, revels ever in cosmic flight;

Revels ever in cosmic flight, and realizing the Lord, plays with Him.

The mystery of the inaccessible and the secret of the scriptures he unravels.

He reaches his Home within and its essence he comes to know;

In the lotus feet of the Beloved he sees his true destination.

The happily married woman rejoices with her Spouse every moment, O Tulsi,

For her soul is attached to the Word, and revels ever in cosmic flight.

(Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India, Book of Shabdavali)

[radha-soami]

My E-Library of Spiritual Books: Sant Mat Mysticism, Charts of the Heavens, Gnostic, Mystic Christianity, Sikh, Sufism, also Vegan/Veg sections:

[radha-soami]

Behold Your Beloved Within

This is one of the few ghazals^ written by Sant Tulsi Sahib. This ghazal was written to explain the esoteric secrets of the spiritual path to a Muslim divine, Sheikh Taqi, who happened to pitch his tent in the neighborhood of Tulsi Sahib’s residence. The Saint impresses upon Taqi to seek God within his own self and not in the world outside. Much of the mystery of the inner realms becomes resolved at the eye center, from where the aspirant commences his spiritual journey.

Listen, O Taqi, seek not thy Beloved in the world outside;

Within thine own self, behold the splendor of thy Beloved

In the pupil of thine eye is a mole, wherein is hidden the entire mystery;

Peep within and behold thou what lieth beyond this dark curtain.

The secret of the fourteen realms will, for certain, be disclosed to thee;

Let thy attention not slip, see that thou art ever vigilant.

Listen! Thou art constantly being called from the Most High.

There ever beckons thee the voice of thy Beloved.

It is not meeting with the Beloved that is arduous;

What is difficult, O Taqi, is that it is hard to behold Him.

Without the grace of some realized Guide, says Tulsi,

The path of salvation is distant, beyond thy reach.

^ A ghazal is a form of lyrical poetry, originating from the Persian literary tradition, which generally deals with the subject of love. Every two lines of a ghazal are usually complete in themselves.

Cosmic Flight Through the Sound Current

Whose soul is attached to the Word, revels ever in cosmic flight;

Revels ever in cosmic flight, and realizing the Lord, plays with Him.

The mystery of the inaccessible and the secret of the scriptures he unravels.

He reaches his Home within and its essence he comes to know;

In the lotus feet of the Beloved he sees his true destination.

The happily married woman rejoices with her Spouse every moment, O Tulsi,

For her soul is attached to the Word, and revels ever in cosmic flight.

(Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India, Book of Shabdavali)