Teachings
The teachings are often referred to as Sant Mat, "Teaching of the Saints." The Radha Soami teaching lays down a method for self-realization leading to realization of God through the means of Surat Shabd Yoga. Surat refers to the individual "Soul," Shabd refers to the "Divine Spirit," and Yoga means "Union." Hence, Surat Shabd Yoga can be translated as "merger of the Soul with the Lord". The technique of the yoga/meditation is imparted under the instructions of a Master, or his personally selected representatives. It is through this union of the Soul with the Audible Life Stream that gives this meditation practice its name – Surat Shabd Yoga.
To assist in the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga, one must be a vegan or lacto vegetarian (no eggs, shellfish, fish, fowl, meat, and products of these), abstain from recreational drugs and alcohol, and lead a moral life (including among other things confining sexuality to a legal marriage). The vegetarian diet encourages respect and empathy for all life and acknowledges that there is a debt to be paid for taking any life. The required lifestyle aids concentration, calming and centering the mind.
Seekers are strongly advised by the master to first research other mystic teachings or yoga systems that may interest the seeker (not only Radha Soami Satsang Beas teachings). In this way, the seeker can be 100% intellectually satisfied first that Sant Mat is the right choice before one decides to adopt the Surat Shabd Yoga meditation.
People are able to practice the Surat Shabd Yoga meditation while still remaining a part of their own religious community. It is a solitary practice that is done in the quiet of one's own home for at least 2½ hours each day. Members commit themselves to a way of life that supports spiritual growth while carrying out their responsibilities to family, friends and society.
The Radha Soami Satsang Beas community and members are from diverse ethnic, social and religious backgrounds. The teachings are available to anyone interested and no fees are charged for imparting the philosophy or Surat Shabd Yoga system.
Read more about this topic: Radha Soami Satsang Beas
Famous quotes containing the word teachings:
“... there are no chains so galling as the chains of ignorance—no fetters so binding as those that bind the soul, and exclude it from the vast field of useful and scientific knowledge. O, had I received the advantages of early education, my ideas would, ere now, have expanded far and wide; but, alas! I possess nothing but moral capability—no teachings but the teachings of the Holy Spirit.”
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“We denote this primary wisdom as Intuition, whilst all later teachings are tuitions.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)