The Path of Spirituality

An explanation by Maharaj Sawan Singh

Spirituality is the path of soul (surat) and Shabd – the inner experience of God by soul consciousness, God being manifest in the creation as the all-pervading Shabd. It is called Sant Mat, the teachings or path of the masters, the path that imparts the intrinsic principles of spirituality. It is beyond the capability of religions to offer this experience because religions are confined to rituals, theories, institutionalized beliefs, accounts of miracles, and so forth.

Spirituality is true science; it does not call for blind faith. In whatever age people have practised it, the results have been the same, like a mathematical calculation. The sole purpose of a spiritual science is to free ourselves from the coverings of matter. Only then can we recognize our identity as a conscious being or a soul, and see the soul as a drop of the ocean of superconsciousness. As the soul merges with God, it acquires the characteristics of God, just as a drop merging with the ocean acquires the characteristics of the ocean.

This task of detaching ourselves from the creation and attaching ourselves to the Creator is a task that we have not been able to accomplish for millions of years. But it can be easily completed with the help of a saint who teaches the simple method of Surat Shabd Yoga, the joining (yog) of soul (surat) and Word (shabd). This easy and natural path can be followed by all people – be they from the East, West, North or South, rich or poor, high or low, literate or illiterate – for the path is the same for all human beings. The practice of Surat Shabd Yoga bestows eternal life and bliss. Like all other blessings of God, it is simple and natural for the individual who follows it with care and understanding, but hard for the undiscriminating. Saints are the boatmen who take souls across this ocean of phenomena. They are fully responsible for uniting the souls of their disciples with God, in whom we have our origin and towards whom we always feel a natural affinity.

The soul, which is a bird of godly qualities,
is encaged in the body and seeks deliverance.
It has come down from its divine source
to discharge its earthly obligations,
but its attention is always drawn to its origin.
_{Rumi, Masnavi}

Saints, who are one with God and above sectarian ties, provide guidance and benefit for all, not just members of a particular religion or community. Their invaluable expositions on the practice of joining the soul with the Word, Surat Shabd Yoga, are preserved in various scriptures, which constitute a common heritage for all humanity.

The Lord accepts none but those who love him.
The smokescreen of attachment is cast over the world;
only a devotee is kept free of this affliction.
_{Satguru Ravidas Vani}

Surat Shabd Yoga is the means by which a soul can experience reality; its practice is an attempt to effect direct communion between human beings and God. The master explains the details of this practice and puts the disciple on this path at the time of initiation. This science has been devised by God himself and is as old as humanity.

_{An Extract from My Submission}