Author – Yogi Mahajan
Realised Souls were ordinary people like you and me. They were humble seekers who accumulated much karma wading through the brunt and banes of mundane life. They were not particularly favoured by fate; mostly unlettered, they were weavers, potters, peasants, merchants, butchers. But something innate, deeply seated in an inner realm of their being steered their course beyond the parameters of karma to the immortal heights where angels dare.
Spiritual ascent is not a tale of material achievement or temporal conquests. Great Kings and valiant heroes have long faded in the pages of history but realized souls, no matter of what remote past, are venerated to this day. In fact their advents lend history its luster. Indeed, they are the most precious heritage of our civilization – the stepping stones in the grand evolutionary process.
It is said that god made man in his image, but human beings forgot Him and could not even reflect His shadow. Realized souls plunged in the darkness and found the path to the last horizon. Humanity will be eternally grateful to them. It is a debt that can only be fulfilled in turning their message to a living
process.
The life of each saint narrates its own drama, adventure, ethos and joys, but the human quest is eternal and Truth is universal. All religions recognize One Absolute force behind the cause of creation. There is a consensus that this One Absolute force called God was initially un-manifest. However, if we are to believe that God is Absolute, then it follows that He is beyond any limitations and can do anything He chooses. He is beyond human dictates. Then, it is only reasonable to assume that we mortals should not drew any parameters of His functions, what He can do or what He cannot do. Therefore, God the un-manifest could manifest if He so desired. Let us remember that we are only tiny specks of sand in His mighty kingdom and dare we offer suggestions that define His limits with our skewed intelligence. Where then is the quarrel between Islam and Hinduism? Both agree that there is One Absolute God.
Hinduism stretches it further that the un-manifest manifested, that one had different embodiments. He is god, He can do anything, assume any form He likes. Surely, he is not going to watch helplessly from Heaven and allow His creation to be annihilated by demonic forces just because His messengers had
announced that He does not manifest. Which father can bear to see the destruction of his children? Nay, He would come with his entire armory, his thunderbolt and discuss to free Mother Earth of Her woe. After all He is God; He did not create this stupendous planet to forget all about it. He established every force to sustain and protect it, to assure its harmonious functioning. He is God, nothing is impossible for Him.
Therefore, let us not speculate up on him and create false notions.
The issue of human ascent is not the description of God but basically how to live in balance and harmony to achieve our ascent. The message is loud and clear in all faiths, “Love thy neighbor.” The essence of all religions is the same – Love, compassion and truthfulness. Then how does it matter if he is called Ram or Rahim, if Hindus cremate the dead or the Muslims bury them. These are cultural differences, conditionings and have no bearings upon the essence of scent. The subject matter or our concern is the teaching which is for our benevolence and nothing else. But this focus is eclipsed by mischievous intent.
For centuries we have played into the hands of politicians and fundamentalists, now let us shake off the myths and see the reality. If we have so far lived in darkness, doesn’t matter, now the hour of sunshine is at hand let us bask in it. We have nothing to lose but our ignorance.
A realized soul transcends the bounds of religion. He does not belong to any faith, says Kabir,
“I have neither name nor caste
Thy name alone, O Hari, is suffice…”
When the seeker establishes his self-realization he is lost in the ocean of divine Love where there were no boundaries of religion. He spontaneously starts flowing his fellow beings. Perhaps, the only visible mark of a realized soul is compassion.
While it is easy to love and worship God, it is rather difficult to love and forgive ones fellow beings. Love cannot be superimposed, it is spontaneous. After self-realisation the flowering blossoms, because one realizes that the other is only the extension of one’s self, in the All Pervading Power of Divine Love one sees unity in diversity. The realized souls hears the chorus of all faiths in unison. He does not hear the din of fundamentalists, clergy or intellectuals.
The advent of Realised souls has always been crucial to the collective human ascent. Their message is timeless; Glory of God, Love, seeking the self and the practice of virtue. Their method of teaching was subtle as not to provoke the ego. How to penetrate the inner realm without causing ripples of reaction.
When a realized soul masters this art, he becomes a guru.
In our modern times, a great miracle is upon us – the advent of a new messiah – Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. In the light of Her unique message of Sahaja Yoga, it is possible to experience the primeval Spirit narrated by all the Realised Souls. May her blessings be upon all the seekers of Truth.
~Yogi Mahajan