Preface

This small book briefly explains the teachings of the lineage of the spiritual masters of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, India, who have conveyed the Sant Mat teachings throughout India and the world for more than a century. Using terms and language familiar to local people, they teach a universal path of devotion that may be found at the heart of humanity’s search for truth. ‘Radha’ stands for soul and ‘Soami’ for the divine. Sant Mat teaches that the essence of every human being is the soul, and the privilege and purpose of human life are for the soul to become aware of its identity with its divine source. This realisation can be achieved through meditation on the emanation of divinity, which resounds inside every human being and is referred to as the Shabd, the ‘sound current’ or ‘Word.’

The spiritual masters of Beas have not only taught this truth in words, they have demonstrated its luminous reality in their own lives. Through their extraordinary spiritual bearing, their wisdom, humility, nobility, and kindness, they have inspired and encouraged multitudes of disciples to follow the spiritual path known as ‘Sant Mat’ or ‘teachings of the true masters.’ These topics are further explored in the following pages.

We hope that this short introduction to the ‘essentials’ of Sant Mat will help answer many of the questions raised by those interested in the spiritual path. For those looking for more detail, there are many books which can be obtained at local gatherings (satsangs) throughout the world as well as films, articles, and e-books available on the www.rssb.org website.

J. C. Sethi
Secretary
Radha Soami Satsang Beas