Kabir's Bhakti Path: A Communion of Love

By James Bean (USA)

http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com

http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

"Kabir has conceived of God, Raam, as one eminently attracting humanity to a Communion of Love, and of man's putting his earthly life to its best use in responding to this. The resulting Communion of Love finds the devotee as totally absorbed into God as is humanly conceivable." (Chapter Seven of "Kabir's Bhakti" in The Encyclopedia of Saints of India, Volume Two: KABIR, Criterion Publications, New Delhi)

Book Review: Kabir 1008 Vani

Kabir 1008 Vani -- Nectar of Truth and Knowledge,

Essence of the Collection of Saakhis (the Saakhi Granth of Guru Kabir) in Simple Language and Style,

Compiled by Lalchand Doohan Jigyasu,

Translated into English by Kunwar Anil Kumar,

ISBN: 81-8133-515-5

Publisher: Manoj Publications

Kabir 1008 Vani is a very beautiful and impressive book featuring 1008 sayings of Kabir, one of Indian's greatest Masters and poet- mystics, who lived in northern India around six hundred years ago. As with Rumi, the Persian Sufi poet, in recent years Kabir has also become increasingly popular in the West. A few decades ago, the only translations of Kabir were, "Songs of Kabir" by Rabindranath Tagore published in 1915, and Robert Bly's 1971 paraphrase or "versions" of Kabir, which were also based upon Tagore's translation. These days however, there are literally hundreds of books available in the English language exploring the poetry and teachings of Sri Guru Kabir Sahib. The Saakhis (a term for a certain kind of poetic composition, a couplet giving testimony of eternal truths) are often used in the satsangs (spiritual gatherings in the name of Eternal Truth) of many spiritual paths based in India. It makes a great deal of sense that spiritual teachers would give satsang talks based upon the Saakhis of Kabir, as they are brimming with wisdom about how to integrate spiritual principals into one's daily life. Kabir was critical of religious hypocrisy, going through the motions of outward rites and rituals without sincerity of heart. His path was that of Bhakti, meaning, love and devotion for the Beloved Supreme Spirit. For Kabir, the true church, mosque, or temple is within the body, within the human heart. The theme of the Saakhis is bringing all levels of our existence, more and more with each passing day, in body, speech, emotions, and thought, into harmony with the soul or spirit inside.

Selections from Kabir 1008 Vani

"Living in this world for a short period is good, but instead of wasting one's life doing meaningless things, it is advisable to dedicate it to remembering God. What is the use of living for millions of years if one did not dedicate his time to self-introspection and remembering God, i.e. such life is a total waste; who will keep an account of it?"

"My real happiness lies in the supreme 'Self.' And the rest in this world is nothing but distress. With one's mind, voice and deeds, one should remember Raam with a pious heart. Kabir Saheb says: 'The essence of life is in remembering God only.'"

"The mind is very unsteady. It is not the type that would remember God just like that. It will remember God only when it is poked with the goad of true Knowledge [Gnosis, direct experience]. Kabir Saheb says: '...and then know for sure that this mind will not deviate and will engage itself in remembering God.'"

"Concentrate your mind and remember the Supreme Being without saying anything. Close the outside doors, i.e. quieten your sensory organs and detach yourself from everything. Open the inside doors of your heart, i.e. open yourself internally and concentrate on meditating on God and remembering him."

"Remembering God is the simplest and easiest path which has already been shown by the Satguru. With the help of this device I remember God with each and every breath of mine, and I am sure this will enable me to see him one day, i.e. uttering the name of God continuously. Simply remembering God all the time is the easiest process (Sahaj) of leading a spiritual life which leads the devotee to his goal."

"You are remembering God in your heart. God resides in the same heart. You will get a huge store of true Knowledge in this very heart, i.e. you will find God and his transcendental Knowledge where you will find your supreme 'Self.'"

"Devotion through remembering God brings every happiness to life and removes every distress of mind. Kabir Saheb says: 'Remember God! It has a wonderfully powerful attraction. By continuously remembering God, a time comes when the devoted servant (devotee) and the master (God) become one, i.e. he attains self-realization."

"Utter the name of Raam (God) continuously. Kabir says, 'Only devotees can understand the Mystery of the fact that there is nothing as compared to remembering God.'"

"It is a bliss remembering God even for a moment. But only those, who practice it, know it. Remembering God is so easy that one does not have to spend a single penny on it. In fact one does not have to make any extra efforts to have the best results."

Prayers of Guru Kabir

"0 Supreme Being! I have become like You by remembering You all the time. There are no more self-conceit, attachments and desires of the world in me. I sacrifice myself on the true Knowledge of Your name, remembering which enables me to see You all around. There is nothing that exists other than You."

"0 the Eternal Raam of the temple of my heart! I lost 'my' existence in remembering You continuously. I have become one with You. I exist not without You now. My mind does not wander about any more. I and You are one now, Raam." ////////