THE LIFE OF KIRPAL SINGH - Part 3 of 10 (Studying with Sawan Singh) For the next quarter century, Kirpal Singh was a devoted disciple of Great Master Sawan Singh. He visited the Dera whenever he could, often bringing his wife and children, Darshan Singh in particular, with him. Within a few years, Kirpal was one of a small handful of chelas authorized to give the initiation instructions, and an even smaller group allowed to give Satsang. There are some wonderful pictures taken in the 1930’s and 1940’s of Kirpal and Sawan together, including one of Kirpal Singh giving Satsang with Sawan sitting next to him, and another of Kirpal’s son, Darshan, reading a poem with Kirpal and Sawan observing. It should be noted here that Darshan Singh (who would later serve as one of Kirpal’s successors) practically grew up at the Dera, and was very close Sawan’s grandson, Charan Singh. Kirpal’s devotion to Sawan Singh was all-consuming and reflected itself in many ways, among them this poem, “Gods, men and angels - greater than these was he; My Emperor was unparalleled in this world and the next. For when the veil was lifted, I beheld God Himself in human form. And O Lord, he was so different from what I thought him to be. In all splendour did the Creator manifest to him, and in all finality was he merged in the Creator. God Himself was not found separate from him, nor was he discovered as separate from God. So enchanted were they with one another that God was lost in him, and he was lost in God. In this world of finitude, He was the secret of Eternity. God dwelt in his frame and he proved to be none other than God Himself. Come, let us behold him at the Satsang this day and drink in the oneness of his eyes, for who knows what the morrow brings, or when our end will come.” At the feet of His Master, Kirpal learned the sublimely simple essence of spiritual unfoldment, “When I came to my Master I only asked him two or three questions. I simply sat by him, listened to what he said and got everything by radiation. One third of a Master’s teachings are by word of mouth, two thirds by receptivity, by radiation. Soul speaks through the eyes; they are the windows of the soul. Through the eyes you can learn so many things. They speak a language which even words cannot express.” Regarding the value of Satsang, Kirpal wrote, “Once I asked Hazur, ‘What are your orders regarding Satsang? What if a man is sick and cannot attend the Satsang?’ He replied, ‘If you are sick in your bed, but you can move, then attend Satsang.’ Just note, he did not say that if you have strength to walk, then attend Satsang. One Sunday at Satsang time I was really sick, but I could move in the bed. I remembered Master’s words and thought, ‘Well, I can move.’ The Satsang place was hardly a furlong away. On the way I sat down four times to take rest. When I arrived, I was very tired and weak. I sat down and started the Satsang. That day the Satsang extended for three hours. And when I returned - I came running. Twice a week I used to see Hazur. I would reach Beas about nine or ten at night and had the privilege to be with him for any length of time. One Saturday evening, as I sat by him, I was thinking in my heart of hearts to remain with Hazur and arrange for someone else to give a talk at Satsang on Sunday. But at midnight, Master said, ‘Kirpal Singh, tomorrow aren’t you to give a Satsang at Lahore?’ I said, ‘Yes, Sir.’ Hazur said, ‘Then you should go.’ So of course, I caught the train for Lahore and gave the Satsang. Duty is duty.” Years later, when he was serving as a Living Teacher, Kirpal further elucidated on the value of Satsang, and the proper attitude to have toward it, “Love and all things shall be added unto you. First of all, Satsang is connecting of soul with God and getting absorbed in Him. Then comes the Satsang presided over by the Master, who is Word-made-flesh. In the absence of this all brothers and sisters should sit together in meditation and in sweet remembrance of the Master and God. The Satsang receives the grace of the Master if it is conducted selflessly and with loving devotion to the Master. If it is considered to be anyone’s ‘personal’ Satsang, it will lose all the grace of the Master.” This latter point is particularly important, as it reflects a cornerstone of Kirpal Singh’s spiritual philosophy: service. Not once in his writings do you find an element of grandstanding, of promoting himself over others. For nearly a quarter century he served his Master, Sawan Singh. Never did he question his Master’s requests. At one point political infighting at the ashram led to efforts to discredit Kirpal, saying that he was seeking glory and overshadowing the Master via out-of-town satsangs and apparent healings. To quiet the scuttlebutt, Sawan asked Kirpal to step back from his visits to other villages, even to the point of not visiting the sick and indigent, to avoid people claiming his mere presence healed their affliction. Both Sawan and Kirpal knew that self-promotion was the last thing on Kirpal Singh’s mind, but Kirpal complied with Sawan’s request without hesitation. (Tomorrow, Part 4) I hope you are having a beautiful Sunday. In the LightSong of Eternal Love, May the Blessings Be! Michael spiritualfreedomsatsang.org - Michaels Blog
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:30:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015