Recently I got an email message from someone who wanted to know why I felt so special when I was an active member of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, a Sant Mat organization headquartered in India.
In your posts, you often make mention of having felt special when you were in RS mode, and how you now feel relieved to have shed this sense of being special. It isn’t clear to me what was your basis for this feeling of being special.
The way I understand it, Sant Mat teachings and practice inculcate in the initiate an ever broadening and expanding perspective of all-that-there-is, while proportionately diminishing the relative significance of the self in this grand cosmos.
I do recall feeling special in the three months prior to initiation, but a few sessions in meditation after initiation quickly knocked any sense of special-ness out of me.
Maybe that has been my failing as a satsangi, that I was unable to sustain that attitude of being special. Or maybe the lack of special-ness is what keeps me in Sant Mat, because I can imagine that it would be an uncomfortable burden to carry year after year.
Perhaps you can remind me what there is to feel so special about as a satsangi? Sometimes it would be nice to feel a little bit special, just as a break from the sense of being nothing.
I was surprised that this person didn't understand why RSSB initiates are made to feel so special. The reasons are evident in the voluminous Radha Soami Satsang Beas literature, which I'm well acquainted with.
Here's some of the central specialness reasons that come to mind. I'm sure there are more.
(1) God's favored 1/10th. Supposedly God decided to populate his physical creation long ago, so souls had to leave the spiritual realm. Nine-tenths of them were eager to go -- yay! something new to do! -- while one-tenth were deeply reluctant to leave God. Those souls now get to go Home to heaven.
(2) RSSB initiates have been "marked" by God. The only way one of the lucky 10% can return to God is by being initiated by a perfect living guru, who is considered in Sant Mat to be God in human form.
The RSSB guru only initiates marked souls -- those who are destined to take the journey from materiality back to the highest spiritual region. How the guru recognizes his "sheep" is mysterious, but there are videos of him doing it. Nodding his head in one direction if an initiation applicant is marked, nodding in the other direction if the poor soul is unmarked and thus rejected.
(3) Sant Mat is the only way to know God. So if you're one of the unfortunate 90% of souls who aren't part of God's chosen people, what to do? Is there another way other than being initiated by a perfect living guru to return to God? Sorry, says Radha Soami Satsang Beas, there isn't. You're out of luck.
God has decreed that "no one comes to the Father but through me," and me means a guru who is God in human form. You can do all the meditation you want, and be a marvelously loving person, but unless you're initiated by a perfect guru, no god-realization for you.
So this is why RSSB books and speakers frequently emphasize how special members of the organization are. Numbering only a few million, at most, these are the only people on Earth who possess a ticket back to God. Everybody else is doomed to wander in delusion, apparently for eternity -- since the marking of souls only happened once.
Of course, I don't believe this any more. Which is refreshing.
As I've noted before, it's a burden to feel so special. For one thing, it divides you from other people, such as my wife -- who, because she wasn't a RSSB initiate, was looked upon with more than a little pity by many of the "chosen people."
(Other religions, such as Judaism, naturally would disagree with Sant Mat's conclusion about who is God's favorite, and who isn't.)
Dear Brian,
The above "central specialness reasons" are only to encourage one for sitting on meditation regularly. But the special feeling of being on the path is something different. It is with everyone before applying for initiation. Otherwise one does not apply for initiation at all.
But this fever of so called love for the master vanishes soon in some people and after several years in others.
Rare are the people who sustain it throughout their life and retain it in bossom till they breath last. People do not normally express it so openly as you do. Some people remain on the path as a mark of so called respect for the master and others only out of social parlance.
Every diamond can not be a Kohinoor.
with love,
Posted by: rakesh bhasin | November 10, 2009 at 08:14 PM
The above "central specialness reasons" are only to encourage one for sitting on meditation regularly.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
As having been a satsangi for nearly 25 years, I'd have to disagree. I know exactly what Brian is talking about - and for me, being a "marked soul" was a significant source of "spiritual ego" - big time!
Bob
Posted by: Bob | November 10, 2009 at 08:52 PM
rakesh bhasin,
why should there be "love for the master"? why?
why should people feel love for no reason, without a meaning?
why should people love some individual that they have never got to know personally?
why this need for love of a stranger, or an idea?
it is unatural.
also, why should anyone "sustain it throughout their life"? for what reason?
why "retain it in bossom" until death?
why should they?
to do that is senseless and irrational, so it is only right that those who do, are few and "rare".
the love you speak of is not really love. it is artificial and contrived. it is false. so your words about it are hollow and empty.
Posted by: Eru | November 10, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Love and devotion to the Sant Sat Guru is a gift from Him...it is impossible for the mind to have love and devotion for anything except material pleasures and worldly attachments. The spark of yearning is gifted by Guru, its fuel and continued enhancement is a gift from Guru and the eventual merging with Shabd is from Guru's kindness, alone. One who is a sincere and readied soul would receive this supreme gift. And, yes, this is only known to the Master...the devotee knows nothing except that he/she has been taken in the Guru's refuge.
Posted by: albert | November 11, 2009 at 05:02 AM
Dear Bob & Eru,
You have every right to dismiss me by saying that my words are false, empty and hollow etc. How can I transfer the sweetness of a candy? I can always transfer the candy.
In my discussion note, I have my full sincerity. My aim is not to make a goody goody statement to appease people. It is an observation and feeling that I have attempted to put forth, related to the subject.
I have nothing to elaborate on the matter.
Dear Albert,
I am delighted to read your words on this blog. To add a bit :
GURU SAM TUL NA PUJIYEE
KHOJ DITHHA BRAHMAND
NAM NIDAN SATGURU DIYA
SUKH NANAK MAN MAIN MAND
Guru Granth sahib.
Translation...........
"No body can be compared with Guru, I have searched the universe. Guru has initiated you and now you look for the bliss inside."
With regards to one & all,
Posted by: rakesh bhasin | November 11, 2009 at 05:51 AM
albert, are you really saying that love for anything other than a "satguru" (true guru) is somehow defective, illusory, or less than ideal?
That's crazy, if you're claiming that someone's love for a child, spouse, parent, pet, or anything else is less genuine, selfless, and true than a disciple's love for his or her guru.
A guru is a physical being. The love is for a physical form just as much as the love of other living beings is. What makes you think that a disciple's love for a guru isn't a physical attachment, or a material pleasure?
Posted by: Blogger Brian | November 11, 2009 at 08:56 AM
This latest RS revelation of a chosen few, seems very strange.
why should some souls be marked and others not? i suppose, one could also ask why are some ppl bad and others not, but this idea of heaven being only open to a chosen few, seems very unfair apart from anything else.
Disturbing.
Posted by: George | November 11, 2009 at 10:16 AM
It does seem strikingly like orthodox judaism and a sense of a chosen people.
surely ppl are ppl. why would some be chosen and others not? does it make any difference whether those chosen or marked are good or wicked?
there seems to be no basis for being chosen other than a religious one.
Posted by: George | November 11, 2009 at 10:36 AM
it's funny yet sad how these believers think that their narrow-minded beliefs are the one and the only way, as if their religious beliefs are somehow written in stone, as if anything other than what they say and believe is wrong.
yes, as George mentioned, it is quite disturbing to witness this sort of mentality. its fundamentally the same kind of sick mentality that terrorizes and kills other people for not believing, for not agreeing with such beliefs.
"Love and devotion to the Sant Sat Guru is a gift from Him"
...but that is only YOUR own belief albert.
"it is impossible for the mind to have love and devotion for anything except material pleasures and worldly attachments."
...again, that is only YOUR own narrow-minded belief, and it is clearly wrong because humans do in fact have love for more than just the "material and worldly".
"The spark of yearning is gifted by Guru, its fuel and continued enhancement is a gift from Guru"
...that is only YOUR own limited belief.
"the eventual merging with Shabd is from Guru's kindness, alone."
...that is only YOUR own idea and associated belief.
"One who is a sincere and readied soul would receive this supreme gift."
...that is only what YOU believe. it is not necessarily so.
"this is only known to the Master...the devotee knows nothing except that he/she has been taken in the Guru's refuge."
...this is, again, YOUR own limiting and narrow-minded belief. you have backed yourself into a very narrow corner and mentality. it's painful and disturbing to see people like yourself, doing this to yourself.
Posted by: Eru | November 11, 2009 at 11:01 AM
"How can I transfer the sweetness of a candy? I can always transfer the candy."
...what are you trying to say? you don't make much sense here. why do you feel that you must "transfer the sweetness of a candy"? why? sweetness is only in the tounge of the beholder. what is sweet to one, is sour to another. your own personal beliefs do not apply to other people. so why are you trying to make them apply to others? why do you have this desire to make others believe as you do?
"I have my full sincerity. My aim is not to make a goody goody statement to appease people."
...then why do you feel that others should or must share in your beliefs?
"It is an observation and feeling that I have attempted to put forth"
...that is only your belief(s) that you put forth.
"I have nothing to elaborate on the matter."
...then why do you even bother to bring it up?
"No body can be compared with Guru, I have searched the universe. Guru has initiated you and now you look for the bliss inside."
...this is just more of the same, more of your own beliefs. it is your belief in gurus. your belief that "Guru" is better than other people. your belief in this "initiated". your belief in "bliss". your belief in "inside". these are all nothing more than ideas and beliefs.
Posted by: Eru | November 11, 2009 at 11:21 AM
George is correct IMO in his observations above about "marked" souls.
There was an RS children's book with a picture of golden drops (representing souls) going down a staircase from heaven. Some of the drops had little X's on them and had smiles while the other drops without X's had frowns and tears. The implication was that the X'ed drops were happy because they knew they could go and fool around in the creation in many forms and lifetimes knowing that eventually the lord would call them back. But the poor drops without X's were doomed to an eternity of banishment from heaven. What the hell did they do wrong?
This is a very bizarre and sick thing to teach small children and a very childish and naive thing for adults to believe in.
I once was one of those adults and I am astonished that I ever bought into that crap.
Knowing I am capable of being so incredibly lame, I wonder what illusions I am under now that will seem stupendously foolish in 20 or so years, if I last that long?
There just isn't enough time to get rid of all the foolishness that 'I' come up with.
Maybe 'I' is the problem?
Posted by: Kanab | November 11, 2009 at 04:22 PM
You are right Kanab, That book is written to condition the minds of young souls. When my niece was born, so many satsangis gave us the same book and also recommended reading the book to the newborn so that she can imbibe the idea!! Though we have trashed most of those books (no I deliberately didn't give it to library), but I have saved one of them as a proof. You never know, to save themselves from being a cult, they might take that book out of publication and then will say they never said that :)
Posted by: sapient | November 11, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Knowing I am capable of being so incredibly lame,
THAT ! insite is the only thing I call progress
Amen Brother...LOL
Posted by: Dogribb | November 11, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Dear Eru,
Kindly read my words with an intent to put forth your own belief and understanding on the subject. That will make my understanding clear. In a healthy discussion, the other (negative) obvious side of one's statement contributes nothing.
I may clarify that following is translation of a verse in religious book called Guru Granth Sahib:
"No body can be compared with Guru, I have searched the universe. Guru has initiated you and now you look for the bliss inside."
with regards,
Posted by: rakesh bhasin | November 11, 2009 at 08:17 PM
rakesh, i have already read your words, and i have already put forth my questions in response.
yet you have not answered and you have contributed nothing. and as far as that goes, you must make your own understanding clear. its not for me to do that.
also, i don't care one iota about your religious book called Guru Granth Sahib. why should i? as i said, those are all your beliefs, they are not mine.
Posted by: Eru | November 11, 2009 at 08:47 PM
[Comment deleted, along with several others. Mia, here's some advice: (1) Using ALL CAPS almost guarantees a comment will be deleted. (2) Ditto with insulting me and this blog.
Discuss issues, not personalities. Keep the hatred and insults to a minimum. And don't preach. Lastly, if this blog bothers you, go elsewhere. Pretty simple]
Posted by: mla | November 11, 2009 at 08:51 PM
"i can't identify who are you?"
i am 1%, aka none of your business.
"you people are sick you proved it
thats the reason american is losing their power wealth health"
my superior esp tells me that another deletion of an ANTI-AMERICAN comment is coming.
"because of people like you
people who are selfish coward and cunning like you are destroying ameirca."
its funny how some foreign fools and idiots, who know less than nothing about the united states of america, like to criticise the american people. i can just feel that annoyed finger moving towards the delete button.
"show your faces you coward people
1% if possible identify urself."
i'm just your average 1%er. and any more than that, well trust me, you really don't want to know.
Posted by: 1% | November 11, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Except for those few people that spend lots and losts of time in physical proximity to a guru, "love" for that guru is as delusional as my love for Gwen Stefani.
They're loser stalkers with no life or thinking power of their own, no self confidence, and no true self-esteem.
Posted by: joeblow | November 14, 2009 at 03:30 PM
"The reasons are evident in the voluminous Radha Soami Satsang Beas literature, which I'm well acquainted with."
Your first point is incorrect, it not one-tenth, but actually one-ninth.
Come on Brian, to be so well acquainted with the facts ...
Posted by: Charles Atlas | November 16, 2009 at 04:13 PM
dude, are you out to lunch, or what? who gives a damn about one ninth versus one tenth? only fools quibble over such absurdly trivial nonsense. these are not "facts" that you speak of, they are ridiculously insignificant philosophical abstractions. they have no basis in proveable reality. you are absolutley friggin nuts if you think one ninth is any more accurate or meaningful than one tenth. neither are scientific facts, and both are mere made-up metaphysical beliefs.
wake-up out of your insane eastern religion dreamland dude.
Posted by: zippity doo dah | November 16, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Charles, perhaps you could supply a reference for where the 1/9 figure is cited in the RSSB literature. I remembered 1/10. This person says 1/9 or 1/10:
http://www.mail-archive.com/fairfieldlife@yahoogroups.com/msg128757.html
Anyway, as the previous commenter said, who cares whether it is 1/9 or 1/10?
The definitive RSSB book that deals with this subject is "The Journey of the Soul." The most recent edition says, "But there were a very few of the little souls that did not want to go at all. They wanted to stay home with their Lord."
"Very few" is less precise than either 1/9 or 1/10. I also note that the book says that while the "marked souls" would be sent for by God, "He told all the other souls that if they ever decided they wanted to come back Home again, He would mark them too. One day, through God's boundless Grace, He would help them come home too."
Of course, "marking" means you would end up being initiated by a perfect living guru. So if this hasn't happened to someone, they're not going back to God.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | November 16, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Charles, FYI,In a book The Master Answers, by Maharaj Charan Singh,published by RSSB in 1966, the answer to a Q. no. 310 in the chapter The Why of Creation is, THE ONE TENTH ARE THE MARKED SOULS FOR WHICH THE MASTERS COME,TO TAKE THEM BACK TO THE LORD. THEY ARE KNOWN AS MARKED SOULS.
Posted by: Juan | November 17, 2009 at 03:02 AM
"Of course, I don't believe this any more. Which is refreshing."
Why worry your head over these things, if you don't believe you can safely say it won't happen ...
Posted by: Charles Atlas | November 17, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Juan, thanks for the reference. It's nice to know that my memory was correct.
Charles, I missed your apology for wrongly calling me wrong. Or are you planning to send me a gift basket instead? If so, thanks in advance.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | November 17, 2009 at 08:35 AM
lol, what cheap thrills!
So all you have proved is that you can remember a sentence in a book. Congratulations.
BTW: my reference checked out too
Enjoy you thrills ...
Posted by: Charles Atlas | November 17, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Charles Atlas- classic example of bad narcissism: I am without faults, everything I say is flawless. Somebody shows me that I am wrong - I blame him for dwelling on pointless things ( that were actually started by me while others thought they really are pointless ).
Posted by: Amaranth | November 17, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Darn. Looks like I won't be getting a gift basket. I do get a thrill out of being right, Charles. Thank you for giving me that, at least.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | November 17, 2009 at 10:10 AM
The 1/9 may have been confused(typo) for 9/10. The 1/10 marked souls and the remaining 9/10 that have no markings.
Posted by: Roger | November 17, 2009 at 10:26 AM
"One day, through God's boundless Grace, He would help them come home too."-Too, as in Also; I wonder what that means?
Posted by: Shoeless Joe | November 17, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Shoeless, I took it to mean that even though the marked souls who were unwilling to leave God before they got kicked out of "heaven" get first priority in returning Home, the souls who were happy to head to the physical universe also get a return ticket back to God if they have a strong urge to do so.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | November 17, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Albert Einstein's view on 'God' and 'chosen' ppl:
"The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this. These subtilised interpretations are highly manifold according to their nature and have almost nothing to do with the original text. For me the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are also no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/13/peopleinscience.religion
clever man was albert.
Posted by: George | November 18, 2009 at 02:10 PM
George,
Good post.
Posted by: Roger | November 19, 2009 at 07:48 AM
(imo)1/10 are the marked souls who will finally go back does not mean that 1/10 of the number of human beings on the earth.
Who knows how many souls are there in this universe? But definetly, it is equal to the number of living beings in this universe.
Posted by: rakesh bhasin | November 20, 2009 at 08:40 AM
But Rakesh, why would some souls be marked and others not?
Surely a loving forgiving God loves ALL his creations?
Posted by: George | November 20, 2009 at 01:34 PM
The 1/10th that will be returning will stretch into infinity. Maybe the souls who continue to sincerely search for oneness are marked in future lives and souls will continue to be marked ad infinitum.
For this theory to work one has to believe, or accept the possibility of, reincarnation (transmigration of the soul) and the law of karma.
Posted by: Jen | November 20, 2009 at 03:31 PM
George,
Your question is quite valid. At first palce, I do not know the answer. But answer to Why & How, will not make any difference at least to me. Any answer to it will lead to another question and so on...........
In santmat, one has to be self centered and not selfish. Sometimes I surpass my limit of being self centered and involve in unnecessary discussion.
I do not know how relevant am I with all this at the moment.
regards
Posted by: rakesh bhasin | November 20, 2009 at 08:58 PM
"For this theory to work one has to believe, or accept the possibility of, reincarnation (transmigration of the soul) and the law of karma."
--Nothing wrong with reincarnation, or the law of karma, however it would be nice if a theory would work independent of belief, non-belief and acceptance of possibilities.
Posted by: Roger | November 21, 2009 at 07:23 AM
"Nothing wrong with reincarnation, or the law of karma, however it would be nice if a theory would work independent of belief, non-belief and acceptance of possibilities."
--Reincarnation and the law of karma may be the very driving force of our existence in this physical creation… how to prove it though… I don’t think the intellect can handle it, has to be some sort of inner experience. Just like how to prove the existence of the inner spiritual regions… will have to be through experience.
Posted by: Jen | November 21, 2009 at 02:21 PM