Surat Shabd Yoga or
Surat Shabda Yoga is a form of
spiritual practiceSpirituality is relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material. Synonyms include immaterialism, dualism, incorporeality and eternity....
that is followed in the
Sant MatSant Mat was a loosely associated group of teachers that became prominent in the northern part of the Indian sub-continent from about the 13th century...
and many other related spiritual traditions. As a Sanskrit term,
surat means "
soulThe soul, in many religions, spiritual traditions, and philosophies, is the spiritual and eternal part of a living being, commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; distinct from the physical part. It is typically thought to consist of ones consciousness and personality, and can be...
,"
shabd' is the Sanskrit for "sound, speech"In Sanskrit grammar, the term refers to an utterance in the sense of linguistic performance.-In Indian linguistics:...
means "word" and
yogaYoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs...
means "union." The term "word" means the “Sound Current,” the “Audible Life Stream” or the “Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being,” that is, the dynamic force of creative energy that was sent out, as sound vibration, from the Supreme Being into the abyss of space at the dawn of the
universeThe Universe comprises everything that physically exists, the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter and energy, and the physical laws and constants that govern them...
's manifestation, and that is being sent forth, through the ages, framing all things that constitute and inhabit the universe..
The etymology of "Surat Shabda Yoga" presents its purpose: the "Union of the Soul with the Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being." Other expressions for Surat Shabda Yoga include Sehaj Yoga (an easy path leading to Sehaj or equipoise) The Path of Light and Sound, The Path of the Sants, The Journey of Soul, and The Yoga of the Sound Current.
Basic principles
Sehaj word states as Guru of love, Guru of Trust, Guru of War, Guru of Time, Guru of Power. The stated purpose of Surat Shabda Yoga is to realize the individual's
True Self (Self-Realization),
True Essence (Spirit-Realization) and
True Divinity (God-Realization) while living in the
humanHumans are bipedal primates belonging to the species Homo sapiens in Hominidae, the great ape family. They are the only surviving member of the genus Homo. Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection, and problem solving...
physical body. This
Journey of Soul involves reuniting in stages with what is called the
Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being, the
Shabd' is the Sanskrit for "sound, speech"In Sanskrit grammar, the term refers to an utterance in the sense of linguistic performance.-In Indian linguistics:...
. Attaining self-realization and above also results in
jivaIn Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva is a living being, or more specifically the immortal essence of a living being which survives physical death. It has a very similar usage to 'atma', but whereas atma refers to 'the cosmic self', 'jiva' is used to denote an individual 'living entity' or 'living...
n moksha/muktiIn Indian religions, Moksha or Mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth or reincarnation and all of the suffering and limitation of worldly existence after realization of God...
, liberation/release from
samsaraSamsara is the endless cycle of suffering caused by birth, death and rebirth within Buddhism, Bön, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and other related religions....
, the cycle of
karmaKarma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist philosophies..'Karma' is an Eastern religious concept in contradistinction to...
and
reincarnationReincarnation, literally "to be made flesh again", is a doctrine or metaphysical belief that some essential part of a living being survives death to be reborn in a new body. This essential part is often referred to as the spirit or soul, the "higher" or "true" self, "divine spark", or "I"...
while in the physical body. Initiation by an
Outer Living SatguruSatguru or Sadguru means true guru. The term distinguishes itself from other forms of gurus, such as musical instructors, scriptural teachers, parents, and so on...
(Sat - true,
GuruA guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . As a principle for the development of consciousness it leads the creation from unreality to reality, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge...
- teacher) is required, and involves reactivating the Shabd and stationing the Inner Shabda Master (the Radiant Form of the Master) at the
third eyeThe phrase "mind's eye" refers to the human ability for visualization, i.e., for the experiencing of visual mental imagery; in other words, one's ability to "see" things with the mind.- Physical basis :...
(tisra til)
chakraChakra is a Sanskrit word that translates as "wheel" or "turning"....
. The spiritual exercises (
sadhanaSādhanā , is a term for "a means of accomplishing something" or more specifically "spiritual practice". It includes a variety of disciplines from Hindu and Buddhist traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives. The word is also used in the same...
s) include
simranSimran is a Sanskrit word derived from smarana, meaning 'realization of that which is of the highest aspect and purpose in one's life,' thus introducing spirituality. Through the years, it has been adapted into many languages.- Buddhism :...
(repetition, particularly silent repetition of a
mantraFor secular and business interpretation, see Motto.A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation"...
given at initiation), dhyan (concentration, viewing, or contemplation, particularly on the Inner Master), and
bhajanA Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine...
(listening to the inner sounds of the Shabda or the Shabda Master).
Surat Shabd Yoga
cosmologyEsoteric cosmology is cosmology that is an intrinsic part of an esoteric or occult system of thought. It almost always deals with at least some of the following themes: emanation, involution, evolution, epigenesis, planes of existence or higher worlds , hierarchies of spiritual beings, cosmic...
depicts the whole of creation (the macrocosm) as being
emanatedEmanationism is Platonic monism, and an idea in the cosmology or cosmogony of certain religious or philosophical systems. Emanation from the Latin emanare meaning "to flow from", is the mode by which all things are derived from the First Reality, or Principle...
and arranged in a spiritually differentiated hierarchy, often referred to as
eggsA world egg or cosmic egg is a mythological motif found in the creation myths of many cultures and civilizations. Typically, the world egg is a beginning of some sort, and the universe or some primordial being comes into existence by "hatching" from the egg.- Sanskrit scriptures and Vedanta :The...
, regions, or planes. Typically, eight spiritual levels are described above the physical plane, although names and subdivisions within these levels will vary to some extent by movement and Master. In this arrangement, Self-Realization is attained in the third heaven level, Daswan Dwar, Spirit-Realization is attained in the fourth heaven level, Bhanwar Gupha, and God-Realization is attained in the fifth heaven level, Sach Kand (Sat Lok). (One version of the creation from a Surat Shabda Yoga perspective is depicted at the Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site ). All planes below the purely spiritual regions are subject to cycles of creation and dissolution (pralya) or great dissolution (maha pralya).
This cosmology presents the constitution of the initiate (the
microcosmMicrocosm can refer to:* Macrocosm and microcosm, a philosophical idea* Microcosm , a museum near Geneva, Switzerland* Microcosm , a shoot 'em up by Psygnosis* Microcosm Ltd, a UK software protection company...
) as an exact replica of the macrocosm. Consequently, the microcosm consists of a number of
bodiesAccording to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings, living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding to a subtle plane of existence, in a hierarchy or great chain of being that culminates in the physical form.It is known in different...
, each one suited to interact with its corresponding plane or region in the macrocosm. These bodies developed over the
yugaYuga in Hindu philosophy is the name of an 'epoch' or 'era' within a cycle of four ages. These are the Satya Yuga , the Treta Yuga, the Dvapara Yuga and finally the Kali Yuga. According to Hindu cosmology, life in the universe is created, destroyed once every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years , which is...
s through involution (
emanatingEmanationism is Platonic monism, and an idea in the cosmology or cosmogony of certain religious or philosophical systems. Emanation from the Latin emanare meaning "to flow from", is the mode by which all things are derived from the First Reality, or Principle...
from higher planes to lower planes) and
evolutionSpiritual evolution is the philosophical, theological, esoteric or spiritual idea that nature and human beings and/or human culture evolve along a predetermined cosmological pattern or ascent, or in accordance with certain pre-determined potentials....
(returning from lower planes to higher planes), including by karma and reincarnation in various
statesAn altered state of consciousness, , also named altered state of mind is any condition which is significantly different from a normal waking beta wave state. The expression was used as early as 1969 by Charles Tart and describes induced changes in one's mental state, almost always temporary...
of
consciousnessConsciousness is subjective experience or awareness or wakefulness or the executive control system of the mind. It is an umbrella term that may refer to a variety of mental phenomena...
. The Path of Light and Sound involves the initiate traveling the microcosm
dharmiclyThe term , is an Indian spiritual and religious term, that means one's righteous duty or any virtuous path in the common sense of the term. A Hindu's Dharma is affected by a person's age, class, occupation, and sex. In Indian languages it can be equivalent simply to "religion", depending on context...
in consciousness (
soulThe soul, in many religions, spiritual traditions, and philosophies, is the spiritual and eternal part of a living being, commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; distinct from the physical part. It is typically thought to consist of ones consciousness and personality, and can be...
) with the guidance and protection of the Outer Living Master in the physical world and the Inner Shabd Master in the higher worlds until the regions of pure spirituality are reached and God-Realization is attained.
Movements and masters
Adherents believe Surat Shabda Yoga has been expressed through the movements of many different masters. However, because a basic principle of Surat Shabd Yoga's tradition is the requirement for an outer Living Master to initiate followers onto the Path, those movements whose historical Satgurus have died and their successors do not purport themselves to be Surat Shabd Yoga Satgurus, usually are not considered currently to be Surat Shabd Yoga movements, either by their own leaders or by movements with current Living Masters.
The Radhasoami movement of Surat Shabda Yoga was established by
Shiv Dayal SinghShiv Dayal Singh was the first Satguru to start the teachings of Radha Soami faith. His actual name was Seth Shiv Dayal Singh ji. He was born on August 25 1818 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India on the Janmashtmi day. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and...
(1818-1878) in 1861 and named "Radhasoami Satsang" circa 1866. Soamiji Maharaj, as he was known, presided over the
satsangSatsang describes in Indian philosophy the company of the "highest truth," the company of a guru, or company with an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the truth...
meetings for seventeen years at Panni Gali and Soami Bagh in
AgraAgra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It finds mention in the epic Mahābhārata where it was called Agrevaṇa , or 'the border of the forest'. Legend ascribes the founding of the city to Rājā Badal Singh , whose fort, Badalgarh, stood on or...
, India, until he died on June 15, 1878. Accounts of his guru and successors vary, although he did give verbal instructions on his last day as to how his followers should be cared for. According to Radha Soami Satsang Beas, his guru was Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. According to Soami Bagh and Dayal Bagh successors, Tulsi Sahib was a contemporary guru of the same teachings, but being a natural born Satguru, Shiv Dayal Singh himself had no guru.
After his death, six immediate successors carried on Shiv Dayal Singh’s teachings, including Huzur Maharaj Rai Salig Ram of Peepal Mandi, Agra, and Babaji Maharaj
Jaimal SinghBaba Jaimal Singh Ji , also known as "Babaji Maharaj," was the first Satguru of Radha Soami Satsang Beas until his death in 1903. Baba Sawan Singh succeeded him as the second RSSB Satguru....
of
Dera Baba Jaimal SinghRadha Soami Satsang Beas is a philosophical organization based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development under the guidance of a spiritual teacher....
the present day headquarters of (RSSB),
Radha Soami Satsang BeasRadha Soami Satsang Beas is a philosophical organization based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development under the guidance of a spiritual teacher....
. A chart of the offshoot successor lineages helps show the connections among many of the contemporary Sant Mat guru lines and branches. More information on living masters related to Shiv Dayal Singh's lineage can be found in the Contemporary Sant Mat movement article.
Sant Kirpal Singh, a contemporary Sant Mat
guruA guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . As a principle for the development of consciousness it leads the creation from unreality to reality, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge...
, stated that "Naam" ("Word") has been described in many traditions through the use of several different terms. In his teachings , the following expressions are interpreted as being identical to "Naam":
- "Naad", "Akash Bani", and "Sruti" in the Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in Ancient India. The texts are composed in Vedic Sanskrit and form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature, and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism....
- "Nada" and "Udgit" in the Upanishad
The Upanishads are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of Vedanta. They do not belong to any particular period of Sanskrit literature: the oldest, such as the Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, date to the late Brahmana period , while the latest were composed in...
s
- "Logos
' is an important term in philosophy, analytical psychology, rhetoric and religion.Heraclitus established the term in Western philosophy as meaning both the source and fundamental order of the cosmos....
" and "Word" in the New TestamentThe New Testament is the name given to the second major division of the Christian Bible, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament, both terms being associated with Supersessionism...
- "Tao
Tao is a concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and more generally in ancient Chinese philosophy. While the character itself translates as 'way', 'path', or 'route', or sometimes more loosely as 'doctrine' or 'principle', it is used philosophically to signify the fundamental or true nature of the...
" by Lao Zi
- "Music of the Spheres
Musica universalis is an ancient philosophical concept that regards proportions in the movements of celestial bodies—the Sun, Moon, and planets—as a form of musica . This 'music' is not literally audible, but a harmonic and/or mathematical and/or religious concept...
" by PythagorasPythagoras of Samos was an Ionian Greek philosopher and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. He is often revered as a great mathematician, mystic and scientist; however some have questioned the scope of his contributions to mathematics and natural philosophy...
- "Sraosha" by Zoraster
Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster , after whom the religion is named. The term Zoroastrianism is, in general usage, essentially synonymous with Mazdaism, i.e...
- "Kalma" and "Kalam-i-Qadim" in the Qur'an
The Qur’an is the central religious text of Islam...
- "Naam
Nāma is the Sanskrit for "name". Spiritually, it is the principal method or tool of meditation, which is meant to unite the soul with the Supreme Soul....
", "Akhand Kirtan" and "Sacha ('True') Shabd" by Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is the holy scripture and the final Guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs , compiled and composed during the period of Sikh Gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
Science of Spirituality/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission continued that lineage under
Sant Darshan Singh. It is currently headed up by
Sant Rajinder Singh.
The more recently promulgated
Quan Yin Method of meditation espoused via the spiritual teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai has notable similarities to Surat Shabd Yoga.
EckankarEckankar is a new religious movement that focuses on spiritual exercises enabling practitioners to experience what its followers call "the Light and Sound of God." The personal experience of this spiritual Light and Sound is a primary goal of the teaching...
, an American movement, has many links to Surat Shabd Yoga, including terminology, although its American founder
Paul TwitchellPaul Twitchell was an American spiritual writer, author and founder of the group known as Eckankar. He is accepted by the members of that group as the Mahanta, or Living ECK Master of his time. He directed the development of the group through to the time of his death...
disassociated himself from his former teacher Kirpal Singh.
The
Movement of Spiritual Inner AwarenessThe Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness is a 501 non-profit religious corporation, incorporated in California on June 25, 1971. Prior to incorporation, the group was founded in California in 1968 by John-Roger...
, also founded in America in 1971 by John-Roger and now with students in 32 countries, also teaches a similar form of active meditation, called
spiritual exercises, using the Sound Current and ancient sanskrit tones in order to traverse and return back to the higher realms of Spirit and into God.
MasterPath is another contemporary American movement of Surat Shabda Yogat. The founder and self-proclaimed Living Master, Gary Olsen, contends that several historical figures are
Sat GurusSatguru or Sadguru means true guru. The term distinguishes itself from other forms of gurus, such as musical instructors, scriptural teachers, parents, and so on...
of Surat Shabda Yoga as representatives for the eternal Inner Shabda Master. A few of these Living Masters of their times include Lao Tsu,
JesusJesus of Nazareth —also known as Jesus Christ or occasionally Jesus the Christ—is the central figure of Christianity. Within most Christian denominations...
,
PythagorasPythagoras of Samos was an Ionian Greek philosopher and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. He is often revered as a great mathematician, mystic and scientist; however some have questioned the scope of his contributions to mathematics and natural philosophy...
,
Socrates Socrates was a Classical Greek philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known only through the classical accounts of his students...
,
KabirKabīr Kabīr (also Kabīra) Kabīr (also Kabīra) (Hindi: कबीर, Punjabi: ਕਬੀਰ, Urdu: کبير (1440—1518) was a mystic composer and saint of India, whose literature has greatly influenced the Bhakti movement of India.-Early life and background:...
, the Sufi Masters and mystic poets
HafezKhwāja Šamsu d-Dīn Muḥammad Hāfez-e Šīrāzī , known by his pen name Hāfez was the most celebrated Persian lyric poet and is often described as a poet's poet. His Divan is to be found at the home of most Iranians who recite his poems by heart and use as proverb and saying to this day...
and Rumi, the Ten Sikh Gurus beginning with
Guru NanakGuru Nanak Dev Ji is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Sikhs believe that all subsequent Gurus possessed Guru Nanak's divinity and religious authority.-Early life:...
, Tulsi Sahib, and the Radhasoami/Radha Soami and offshoot Masters, including
Shiv Dayal SinghShiv Dayal Singh was the first Satguru to start the teachings of Radha Soami faith. His actual name was Seth Shiv Dayal Singh ji. He was born on August 25 1818 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India on the Janmashtmi day. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and...
,
Baba Sawan SinghBaba Sawan Singh , also known as "The Great Master," was an Indian Saint. He was the second Satguru of Radha Soami Satsang Beas from the death of Baba Jaimal Singh in 1903 until his death on April 2, 1948...
and Sant Kirpal Singh.
The ten Sikh Satgurus discuss the inner sound and inner light a lot in their scriptures. The first Sikh Satguru was Guru Nanak, but his master (guru) was
WaheguruWaheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Wonderful Teacher" in the Punjabi language...
. The above masters teach these 2 techniques. There is a master that teaches 4 techniques that include these 2 of inner light and inner music. He teaches inner light (sight), inner music (hearing), primordial vibration (sense of touch) and nectar (taste and smell).
These correspond to the 5 senses and this is how you turn them inward to experience what is inside of you. See
VishnuVishnu , , is the Supreme God in Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God...
with his 4 arms and they correspond to these. One hand is holding a circle (chakra) of light. Another is holding a conch shell for the inner sound (hold it to your ear and you hear someting). Another hand is holding a lotus flower to refer to nectar and the 4th hand is holding a metal club (mace) for the inner vibration. If you hit something with it, it vibrates like a tuning fork. Some people refer to this inner energy as the soul. This master (teacher) is known in India as Balyogeshar, which means "born lord of the yogis." He is also called Guru Maharaji or by his name
Prem RawatPrem Pal Singh Rawat , also known as Maharaji and formerly known as Guru Maharaj Ji and Balyogeshwar, teaches a meditation practice he calls Knowledge...
.
Variations in movements
Although all movements of Surat Shabda Yoga will have common elements related to the basic principles, notable variations also exist. For example, before he left his physical body, the tenth
SikhSikh is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The term has its origin in the Sanskrit term , meaning "disciple, learner" or , meaning "instruction"....
Guru,
Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh was the tenth Guru of Sikhism. He was born in Patna, Bihar in India and became a Guru on 11 November 1675, at the age of nine years, succeeding his father Guru Tegh Bahadur...
, nominated the
Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is the holy scripture and the final Guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs , compiled and composed during the period of Sikh Gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
(a sacred text) as the next and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. Other movements continue to require a Living Master to initiate students into the Shabda. Movements also will vary in the names used to describe the Absolute Supreme Being (
GodGod is a deity in theistic and deistic religions and other belief systems, representing either the sole deity in monotheism, or a principal deity in polytheism....
), including Anami Purush (nameless power) and Radha Soami (lord of the soul); the
presiding deities and divisions of the macrocosm; the number of outer initiations; the words given as
mantraFor secular and business interpretation, see Motto.A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation"...
s; and the initiation
vowA vow is a promise or oath.-Vow with God:Within the world of monks and nuns, a vow is a transaction between a person and his/her deity whereby the former undertakes in the future to render some service or gift or devotes something valuable now and here to the deity's use...
s or the prerequisites that must be agreed to before being accepted as an initiate.