Ashok :
Can we commence with our question-answers?
Question :
This is a question from Mina. Baba Ji, yesterday, you mentioned that Masters have to take the karmas of disciples, who internally pray for help to alleviate their problems. Baba Ji, we have nowhere else to go to seek help. The Master is the only one to Whom we pray and ask for help, and also thank, when the problems are taken care of. We, however, do not want the Master to suffer because of us. How else can we go through the pain? How else can we ask for help? So, we have nowhere else to go.
Babaji :
So, it is the right question. And there is nothing wrong in asking. It is, in fact, good that, internally, we pray to the Masters for everything. And we ask for things from the Master or ask for help from the Master, and we thank Master if our things are done. This is all in the routine course, and in the normal course, of our life. We go through these things within us. And, with the Grace of the Masters and the Grace of Almighty, They also help us in a lot of these things. But these are fairly routine matters. And, when I mentioned that the suffering is taken over by the Masters, and that was indicating where people are strong devotees, they are doing a lot of BhajanSimran, and they have been facing very difficult karmas, for which they are suffering a great deal, then with the Grace of the Masters, that kind of suffering is alleviated. That kind of suffering is then taken over by the Masters. And that is what I was referring to. So, in this, like for any devotee who is devoted to the Master and loves and has his devotion at the Feet of the Master, he is definitely going to be asking within himself, or herself, and that is a good thing to do.
Question :
The other question is from a Delhi initiate. I am an initiate of Sant Ji. When He was in His body, we used to be close to Him. His presence was all around. He would direct us on several matters, and we would follow Him. He was like an elder in our family. My meditation was also very good, and it would stay like that for long because I would feel His presence all the time. I miss that now. My meditation is reduced now. What should I do to improve this?
Babaji :
So, it's a good question. And earlier, when you were in touch with Sant Ji and you were always in His presence and you would visit Him often, there was always this Grace that is there in the presence of a Master. And, when the Master is there, there is always a strong effect on the karmas of the loved ones. And they get a lot of benefit by this. Also, you were very close to Him, and you were there with Him for a long time, which made you meditate and do your Simran quite often and quite closely. And also, you felt His effect, because of His presence and because of His continuous Darshan. So, these were the reasons why your meditation was good at that time and it would also stay long at that time. Now, Baba Ji has left His sharir, it has been a few years. The meditation has reduced, and the Simran has also reduced. So, the mind is now getting more and more outwardly focused. So, if we do more and more Simran, focus on Simran, focus on meditation with love and affection, then the Grace of Sant Ji will again come. Undoubtedly, it will come, and you will be back in the same form in which you were doing your meditation earlier.
Question :
I think this question of Jane is quite similar. What can we do with our suffering, instead of praying to Baba Ji, to take it on?
Babaji :
So, this is a good question. If we are suffering and we ask and pray at the Feet of the Masters, it is a good thing, because the same devotion and love are there with the Masters. And it is the right thing to do. And likewise, we should also do our Simran and Bhajan with love and affection and devotion. When I refer to the pains that the Masters take, I was referring to very deep sufferings by loved ones, where they are in a lot of suffering, a lot of pain, and when they ask within, when they are praying, and they are asking for help, then the Grace of the Masters, They take that suffering. So, this is the normal course, when we are asking and we are having these kinds of sufferings, or sorrows, or happiness that way, and we are constantly in touch and we remember our Masters and talk to Them within. There is nothing wrong with this. So, it can be done and continued like this.
Question :
This is a question from Tom. Does it matter if Satsang is the Master talking on a CD or DVD, or someone is reading from the writings of the Masters?
Babaji :
So, if someone is reading the Satsang, which is like a transcript of a Satsang, and that is being read out with attention and focus on what is written there, then it is a good thing. That is, it has a good effect on our spirituality. And it is as good as a Satsang when we read that, because the Master’s Word, whether it is heard on the DVD, or whether it is all written in the form of a text, it is the same thing. And we get the same benefit. However, there are a lot of other books, and there are other transcripts of different practices, or other preachings, which are not Sant Mat. Then, what happens is, when we read them, though they may be spiritual, they will cause illusion. So, we will, again, get confused in that duality. So, we should focus on the writings of the Saints, the True Masters. So also, even if it is the writing of the Saints…for example, the Bible was written two thousand years back…now, thereafter, there have been interpretations. And there have been a lot of other takeaways from that. And those have been interpreted differently, and those writings have now come. Likewise, the Koran sixteen hundred years back, Mohammed Sahib had written. But there are different interpretations, and people have then gone into different directions, understanding or explaining that. So, we should refrain from these things because, then again, it is confusing.
Question :
When we make true spiritual progress, does it manifest in our outer life? For example, does it make us speak sweet words, or act more compassionately, or do more selfless acts? Conversely, if we make an outer practice of speaking words, acting compassionately, and doing more selfless acts, does it help our spiritual practice? Is it a good thing to do Simran while listening to Satsang, and while waiting for Darshan, while receiving Darshan? If so, why?
Babaji :
So, if we are outwardly also doing acts of compassion selflessly, helping others, and talking sweetly also, that definitely helps in the Spiritual Path also. Because, contrary to this, if we are having bad thoughts, or we have ill feelings about others, or we are selfish, then that does not help us on the Path of Spirituality. So, outwardly, if we are good, then we will definitely get the benefit on the spiritual side also. Secondly, if we are progressing on the Spiritual Path within, then the outward acts that are mentioned, like being compassionate, or talking sweetly, or doing selfless acts for others, automatically happens. That transformation automatically starts coming because, as we progress spiritually, those things will also happen.
So, when we are listening to Satsang, we should listen to the words said by the Masters and not do Simran at that time. However, while we are waiting for Darshan, or we are actually taking Darshan, it is good to do Simran. By doing Simran, our other thoughts are kept aside, and we are focusing on the Master. The Master is very much present with us when we do Simran, because we are closer in touch and, therefore, it is a good thing to do Simran while you're waiting for Darshan, or while you are taking Darshan. So, when a lot of other thoughts are there in our mind, which are disturbing us, then we should do the Simran at a faster speed. By doing the Simran at a faster pace, the other thoughts will be moved aside.
Question :
Michael had a question. Baba Ji, in a Satsang last year, it was said that everything is within…the Master, the Sound Current, the inner planes, Sach Khand, Sat Purush. We don’t have to go to any place outside of ourselves. Could Baba Ji please talk a little more about this?
Babaji :
So, there are a few people here who are not initiates. So, if we have to explain one or two things in the whole within, then that can be explained because that is not so much understood by the non-initiates. But, if you want to understand the whole thing, and I have to explain everything inside, then it is appropriate that everyone should be an initiate. So, I can explain this when you come for Darshan.
Question :
{Ashok addresses the next question in Hindi.}
This was a question relating to Bhajan… to listen to the Sound Current.
Babaji :
When we are listening to the Sound Current, we should not do Simran, and we should just focus on the Sound Current. And we should see the Light within. Close our eyes and ears as explained during the initiation. And, when we are doing our Simran, and when we are doing our meditation, our contemplation of the Master within, and you hear the Sound Current at that time, then don't focus on the Sound Current. You should do your Simran at that time. The rest is a matter of sitting, which was just the same as had been explained during initiation.
Question :
Then, we have a lot of questions from Maggie. I’ll take Thomas’s question first. Baba Ji takes care, provides, supplies people who are initiated by different Masters...Kirpal Ji, for example, Sant Ji, and others. So, does Baba Ji reduce the karmas with Darshan and Satsang, etc., of these people as well, or is it only of His own disciples?
Babaji :
So, the answer is, whoever comes in the program, or comes and meets Baba Ji. And with love and affection, there is no differentiation, whether he is an initiate of some other Saint, or whether he is a disciple or initiate of Baba Ji. It is all uniform, and the Grace is even on everybody.
Question :
This is the other question. Baba Ji spoke yesterday about Mansarovar, the lake. Please explain to us what is the Maha Sunn and Bhanwar Gupha. How they look. And is Maha Sunn dark like the night here?
Babaji :
So, Maha Sunn is a very beautiful plane. It is where Maha Kal is the lord. And this is the plane in which Kurma rules, Who was one of the Sons of the God Almighty. He created the lower planes. So, all this creation, which is the lower planes, that is below Brahm… And, Pind, Brahmand…all of the things that we see that have been created. All this material has been brought from the Maha Sunn. And that is where all these other worlds were created. So, when Niranjan wanted and, after his penance, he wanted to create these worlds, and he asked God Almighty to create it, then God Almighty said, “Okay.” He wanted the material to create these worlds. So, God Almighty told him to take it from his elder brother, Kurma. So, that is where this material has all been taken. It is a very beautiful plane. And, when the souls progress through that plane, the Masters first take them through the Bhanwar Gupha, which is dark. And so, They take the souls to a different path. And they do not go through the Maha Sunn because it is very beautiful. And then, They take them to Sach Khand that way. So, that world and that plane are so beautiful, and it has been made, as such, so that all the souls who have crossed the Par Brahm will get entangled and stay there only. They will not want to proceed beyond that. It is that beautiful. Bhanwar Gupha is also a very beautiful plane, and there are twenty-eight* islands there. And the Sound is of the flute. And it is a very beautiful plane and when once the soul passes through that, then they are not to worry about the Maha Kal. So, it is a place of great expanse, the Bhanwar Gupha, and there are these twenty-eight* dweeps…
* { Babaji interjects to correct the 28 to 88,000}
…eighty-eight thousand…there are these eighty-eight thousand islands with hills or mountains. So, it is like this world, which we are staying in. It will be many times the size of this world, and there will be eighty-eight thousand such worlds in that. So, it's huge and it's very beautiful, and it's all very hilly, so it's akin to hills, or something like that. So there, the soul starts longing very much for the God Almighty. And the soul is very pure there. And the longing is very, very strong. And the Sound of the flute is there, and it’s a very good Sound. So, it is like when we cut a bamboo and make a flute from that. When the Sound of the flute comes, the flute is weeping, because it has been taken away from the bamboo. So, that’s why it makes that very melodious sound. But that is actually a very sorrowful sound, because of having detached from the bamboo. So, likewise, when the soul there feels so detached and wants, longs, for the God Almighty so much, that is the kind of sound that comes from the soul.
Question :
Is there any difference between the benefit of seva and meditation? ‘Seva’ here is physical work.
Babaji :
So, if seva is done in a similar, detached manner, and with the love and affection of the Master, then it has the same effect of doing your Simran or doing your meditation. But, if we are doing seva while we are thinking of other things, our family, or other worldly things, then we may not derive the same benefit by doing this outwardly seva.
Question :
Is there any difference concerning the result if we do the meditation at home, six thousand kilometers far away, or just in front of Baba Ji?
Babaji :
So, if we, at our home also, are doing this six thousand kilometers away then, if we are doing it with the same love and affection and devotion, then it has the same effect as we are doing it here. Only, there, we should not be dry and we just sit for the sake of sitting. So, that is the difference. So, before we sit for the meditation, we should chant a bhajan of Master, because that also creates that salutary effect on us to improve our meditation. So, ever since you have been initiated, Baba Ji is sitting at the Eye Center. So, He is always with us. So, therefore, we should do our meditation with love and affection there, focusing there.
Question :
Should we do the Dhyan during meditation continuously, or just at the beginning?
Babaji :
So, when you're sitting for meditation, you should focus on your Simran. It doesn't matter if there is darkness, you just focus on the Simran. As your Simran improves and you get your attention focused, the Form of the Master will appear within as you do more and more Simran. So, don't focus so much on the image of the Master within because, sometimes that comes, sometimes it goes, so that is more difficult. You should focus on your Simran when you're doing it. So, when we are doing our Simran, our mind will become pure and our attention will also become focused, and then Master will be sitting within us only. So, automatically, we will be able to see or get His Image. So, if you are not able to contemplate the Form of the Master within when you're doing or sitting for meditation or during the meditation, don't worry about it. Don't focus too much on it also. Focus on your Simran only. And, as your Simran becomes more powerful and stronger then, automatically, that Form of the Master will start coming inside, and you will be able to see It.
Question :
Is it useful or necessary for praying, because our Master knows everything and takes care? If yes, in which situations?
Babaji :
So, true devotees always pray for their devotion to the Masters, because they know that the Masters know everything about them. So, the only thing that they pray for is that they improve their devotion and they improve their love and affection at the Feet of the Master, because the Master knows everything, and He helps also. Because, when you do your BhajanSimran, the Master automatically helps you.
Question :
Baba Ji, what happens to the people or souls who pray in the temples, in the mosques, or to the God Almighty? Baba Ji told that these places are under the domain of Kal.
Babaji :
So, just like we should focus and follow our Path of SantMat from time to time, Saints come into this world to take the souls and show them the Path. Likewise, even Kal sends his incarnations and other mahatmas who come and they also mislead the world in illusion. So, we should not focus too much on all of those things, and stay on the Path and stay focused on what we are doing.
Question :
I heard that the world couldn't exist without some perfect Masters, Who maybe are hidden among the people, or from the people. They usually don't give initiation. Is that true?
Babaji :
So, there are always Saints in this world. And it is true that the world is there because the Saints are there. So, there are two types of Saints. There are also Saints Who have reached the God Almighty, Who have reached Sach Khand, and Who have progressed within, but They have not been directed to initiate, or directed to do the preachings of SantMat. And They remain as such. And maybe, in Their lifetime, They may, at best, initiate one person, or two persons, like this. But, otherwise, They remain quite out of the vision of everybody. So, such Masters are there. They have reached God Almighty and They prefer to be completely lost in that devotion. And, when we preach, or we are outside doing the Teachings of Sant Mat, the intoxication of being within and doing the devotion of God Almighty is far more fascinating, or far more intoxicating. And They prefer to do and stay in that state only. And They will not come out and teach others, or They will not come out and do the preachings, until They are either asked by Their Masters, Their physical Masters, or They are asked by God, Sat Purush, or God Almighty Himself. So, until such time, They don't do the preachings outside. They are very happy doing Their own meditation, and They are very happy being in touch with the God Almighty within. And the other type of the Masters are those Who have been directed by Their Masters, or God Almighty, to do the preachings, and that is why They do this. But at all times, there are both of these types of Masters in the world.
Question :
So, what will happen to the soul of the jiva who follows a false master, but the jiva thinks that his master will liberate him, and the master has promised it to him?
Babaji :
So, where the souls do not have these impressions from the past lives, these positive impressions, which enable them to recognize a True Master, when they get the True Master to initiate them or help them on the Path, such souls don't have such impressions, and they are innocent and they go to such outwardly masters who just promise and are not able to help. They, unfortunately, get entangled there. But, if such souls have the salvation written for them, fated for them, then the Masters pull such souls, from whichever corner they are in the world.
Question :{ from Ben}
I understand that we don't eat animals, because we don’t want to take on any karmas from killing, or from that animal, in particular. Can an animal pass on karma through its milk, especially, if in obtaining that milk, there is a lot of great suffering?
Babaji :
So, extracting milk is not akin to killing an animal. So, that is a complete difference in terms of the pain and suffering that the animal is going through or the karma that we are taking. So, it is not as bad. So, what happens is, that if for the milk that, many times… this doesn't happen typically in India, but outside… some other fat is added to the milk. So, that fat is extracted from the fat of another animal. So, that definitely has some impact to some extent. But, otherwise, in India, typically grass, or normal fodder, is given to the animal, and it is extracted. Also, where there are machines used for extracting milk, those are fairly advanced machines. Earlier, animals used to bleed while taking milk, but nowadays, these machines are more sophisticated. So, that way, it's not so bad.
Question :
So the question was…Jesus was a Perfect Master. Who initiated Him?
Babaji :
Many times there are Perfect Masters Who come as such, like Guru Nanak, Kabir Sahib. So, that way, there are Perfect Souls Who also come like that. And, now, He was abroad and He had His own Path. So, I'm not too aware of what were the details in terms of how He was initiated, as such…so, John the Baptist was, but that is more symbolic.