What is: Para-Bhakti and Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna

KABIR PANTH SATSANGH GROUP INCORPORATED AUSTRALIA

 SATYAMEV JAYATE

Bandagi Saheb,                                     

What is: Para-Bhakti and Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna

Shabd Surati Yog is a practical (Dhyan Maarag) meditation technique to enable the mystical experience of seeing the Inner Light and listening to the Shabd Soul Music.

This science of the spirit has been distilled from the ancient yogis of India. The method was re-defined for modern times by Satguru Sant Kabir Saheb.

The (Dhyan) meditation technique of "Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna" which the mystics have called the Para-bhakti "Science of the Soul" can be practiced daily in the comfort and convenience of one's own home.

The practice of Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna is a process of "dying while living", in which the externalized attention is inverted to allow one to come in contact with the divine power within. Contact with this Primal Source of (Shanti) Peace, (Prem) Love, and (Anand) Bliss, penetrates our entire being, removing our fears, worries and anxieties.

Reference to the Divine Light and Inner Sound that flow from the Creator, is found in the writings and recorded experiences of saints, yogis and mystics.

In the Guru Kabir Bijak Granth and Kabir Brahm Nirupam Granth we have a spiritual dialogue in accurately recorded mystical poetry of Satguru Kabir and Dharam Dass, which is set to traditional Indian music (raags) to guide, inspire and elevate us.

Its universal message is known as Guru Kripa. Everyone has the capacity to reconnect to the Primal Source of inner Peace, Love, Harmony and Bliss. The (Dhyan Maarag) concentration is the method "to go within", and experience it.

Soul Journey Return to Essence

Preparation: General (Dhyan) meditation instructions)

A) Choose a place and time for meditation Practice (Abhyaas)

Dhyan Maarag can be practiced at any time and place we wish. However, when we first begin to meditate, it is best to sit in a clean and quiet place free from the noise of mobile phones and television, and away from other noisy activities. The Gurus of Shabd Surti Yog Sadhna encourage meditation on the Five Holy Naam in the quiet early morning (before breakfast), and before retiring for sleep.

B) Choose a comfortable position (Asana-sitting still)

Meditation begins with first making our body still, by choosing a position that is comfortable, either sitting in a chair (both feet flat on ground) or in a cross-legged position with spine erect (keeping spine, head and neck aligned naturally) in the basic yoga pose called "sukhasan". It is important to gradually develop one's capacity of sitting with a relaxed attitude, without any bodily tension. To transcend the body is the goal, not torturing oneself.

C) Concentrate at the Eye Center (Trikuti, mind’s focal point)

Once in the sitting position, the eyes are closed, shutting out the external world, and returning the attention within one's self. This is done by focusing the gaze in the middle of the “dark inner screen.” By continuously looking into this "dark veil", the darkness will fade to lighter and lighter shades, eventually opening into the infinite space. The mystics call this "Entering the Til." In Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna the concentration is not inside the body, but horizontally straight out, 8 to 10 inches out of the forehead or vertically, elbow length above the crown of the head (Surati Naal). No tension is put on the eyes or the forehead, or crown of the head. Gentle, loving steady concentration is needed. This concentration merges into meditation.

SIMRAN: repetition (to quiet the mind and calm the vritties)

The Gurus of Surati Shabd Yog Sadhna understood the fleeting nature of the mind, which they say prevents us from experiencing the soul (atman). The restless mind has a tendency to wander from thought to thought, thinking and worrying and fantasizing, and reflecting on anything and everything. It is never still, always going towards the exterior. Massive amounts of continuous distractions prevent us from "going within." However, this same mind can be gradually tamed, not by force, but by focusing on repetition. The masters have devised methods of concentration to keep the mind focused away from daily thoughts, by repetition (Simran, zikr) of the five holy Names of God, the Panch Naam.

This simran of Naam is the key that helps us transcend thought (time and space) and opens the lock of our inner being.  Each tradition and lineage has used a different Name or Names to help still the mind (Satyanaam, Allah hu Akbar, Radha Soami, Haqq hu, Nirankar, Great Spirit, Immaculate One, Blessed Light, Infinite God, Om Mani Padme Hum, Vahi Guru, Sat Naam, Akal Purkh, Noor Allah, Sat Chit Ananda, Rama, Krishna, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jyoti Niranjan, Sohang, Satt, Ra Rankaar, Onkaar etc.) One can choose whatever Name with which one is comfortable.

ABSORPTION INTO THE LIGHT

The first part of Shabad Surati Yog Sadhna (Dhyan) begins with sitting still, being quiet, eyes closed, mentally repeating the five Names, and lovingly gazing into the middle of the darkness lying in front of us, which will develop into meditation on the inner light.

Repetition (Simran) is continuous during this. Breathing is natural and free flowing without paying any attention to it. Breath is not interfered with. It goes on by itself. As we do so, the attention will be focused between and behind the eyebrows. (Any strenuous effort will interfere with the process, for it creates resistance to the natural flow of meditation).

Repeating the Panch Naam and steadiness of the gaze is all that's needed.  While meditating on what lies in front of us, darkness will fade and Light will emerge. We may see lights of any colour, red, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, golden or white light- or flashes of light.

It is best to concentrate in the middle of whatever we see inside, and continue the repetition slowly at intervals so as not to disturb the gaze. Guru Kabir Saheb said: "Panch Naam Ka Sumiran Karo." "Repeat the Five Holy Names."

Eventually one experiences the withdrawal of the sensory currents and “numbness” at the eye focus (3 rd eye). The Inner Light will focus your attention there.

MERGING INTO THE SOUND CURRENT

The second part of Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna (Dhyan) meditation involves listening to the Sound Current. The preferred traditional position for this is done by squatting on one's feet in the "Bhajan position" known as "Crow Pose" in Kundalini Yog, and resting one's arms on the knees and putting the thumbs in the ears (a seal from the exterior) to listen to the inner Sound. The focus of our attention is at the seat of the soul (Ajna Chakra, Tisra Til, Third Eye, Aggya Chakra between and behind the eyebrows) and one listens to the inner Sound Current coming at first from the right side and ultimately from the top of the head ("the heavens"), the Sahasrara chakra (Astam chakra.) This Sound is the Voice of God, and is referred to in the various scriptures as the Holy Word, Naam, Shabd, Naad, Nij Naam, Saar Naam, Sajeevan Naam, Kalma ... It is the Creative Impulse that brought about all of creation with billions of galaxies and solar systems into being.

Our soul, being of the same essence as the Sound Current and God, is attracted to the Celestial Melodies by which the soul can travel through the inner spiritual regions. During the Bhajan practice the Panch Naam is not repeated. All of one's attention is on simply listening to the Audible Lifestream, the "music of the spheres", which will pull the spirit awareness above the body consciousness and into the intoxication of the higher realms, eventually all the way to Sach Khand, Satyalok, Amarlok and beyond - God willing (Guru Kripa)

The secret to successful (Dhyan Maarag) meditation lies in the time and effort devoted to sincere daily practice, and not in worshipping a person, idols, photos or relying on books/shastras nor in intellectual debate or poojas, vrats, archanas and upasnas.

                                     

Japo Man Sat Naam, Sada Sat Naam Japo,

Oh my mind Concentrate on Sat Naam. Forever recite Sat Naam.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was Satya-Naam !

In the Kabir Panth, Satsangh, Parvachan, Bhajan and Kirtan are to connect people to Prem Bhakti (loving devotion) and generate Shraddha, Satya Bhav and Vivek (Atma Gyan). Shraddha Bhav + Vivek (Atma Gyan) = Para-Bhakti.

Para-Bhakti is Sumiran and Dhyan (meditation) on Five Holy Names. (Surati + Five Names = Satpurush)

SURATI KA HAI KHEL SAARA, SURATI MEIN RACHYO SANSAARA; JAAKI SURAT LAAG RAHE JEHEVAA, KAHE KABIR PAHUCHAUN TEHEVAA

Para-Bhakti is above all other Bhaktis, such as Sagun Bhakti (Worship Devis and Devas, Nirgun Bhakti (Meditation on Chakras or Mudras). Para-Bhakti is meditation on the Five Holy Names given by Kabir Panth Gurus and Saints.

I wrote this article to encourage the practice and understanding of Shabd Surati Yog Sadhna to obtain Sahaj (easy) Samadhi and permanent liberation from the net of Kaal Purush.

Satyanaam

Mukesh Kumar  Ph - 0417656448

E-mail Kabirpsatsanghgroup@hotmail.com E-mail mkdsch@hotmail.com

Kabir Panth Satsangh Group Incorporated Australia

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