Tuesday, 14 March 2017
SPIRITUAL PHENOMENOLOGY IN RADHASOAMI FAITH
TOWARDS INTEGRATING EASTERN ARTS AND PHILOSOPHY OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND WESTERN PERSPECTIVES OF SCIENCE
(Rhythms of Macrocosmic Universe and Human Microcosm :
Consciousness Systemology Perspective)
Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi
Leader of Radhasoami Faith, Dayalbagh
Chairman, Advisory Committee on Education
Dayalbagh Educational Institutions, Dayalbagh, Agra, INDIA
Excerpted from book entitled Consciousness : Integrating Eastern and Western Perspectives, Satsangi and Hameroff (Eds.) New Age Books, Delhi, ISBN: 978-81-7822-493-0, October 2016, Chapter 1, pp. 3-43.
First-Person Inner Experience Of Spiritual Phenomenology Through "Surat-Shabda-Yoga" (i.e. Meditational Practice of Uniting Spirit Current with Sound Current)
We have oath of secrecy in our faith (Radhasoami Faith) prohibiting members of the Faith from sharing inner experiences, but the Mentor or Adept is exempt from this oath and meditationists may confide in him as they do in other religions (e.g. confession). Accordingly, the identity of meditationists has been masked by the Mentor / Adept under an assigned Code Name before disclosing the first-person inner experience of spiritual phenomenology for scientific research investigations. As a Mentor or Adept, I have exercised the privilege of sharing inner experiences under the assigned code name without disclosing the individual personal identity.
Furthermore, as an Adept or Preceptor myself, I have the privilege to document my own experiences for the benefit of the scientific as well as spiritual community. Accordingly, first of all, I give my own experience of spiritual phenomenology. Though I bear code name O, but as a special privilege as an Adept, I declare that it is my phenomenology.
Code Name O : Spiritual Phenomenology
1. I have been frequently experiencing a Massive Flow of Spiritual Current from Apex of the head outward and downward resulting in perceptible shaking of body especially legs, particularly while standing, right since the day of my acclamation (on May 18, 2003) by Radhasoami Satsang, Dayalbagh as the VIII Sant Satguru of Radhasoami Satsang, Dayalbagh (the first ever instance taking place when I rose from my seat to acknowledge my acclamation publicly (in a gathering of approximately 25,000 in size). This has been continuing right to the present time.
2. Illuminated appearance of the refulgent form of Param Guru Huzur Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab (the preceding seventh Sant Satguru) in a brightly resplendent photo-frame, as it were.
3. Internally experiencing the reverberations of the Original Mystic Word Radha-soami rhythmically while meditating.
4. Internally experiencing progressively ascending succession of union of my spirit current with the sound current over a period of time during “induced” meditation practices ranging from “Bell and Conch” sound through percussion instrumental sounds through-stringed instrumental sounds to wind-instrumental sounds of flute and lute and further unidentified superbly spiritually melodious orchestra of regions beyond Sat Lok right through to the indescribable Region of Original Abode of Radhasoami accompanied by the Ultimate Realization of Param Sat Chit Premananand Prakash Shabda (Mystic Name) Anahad Nad in the Apex Region in a state of rapture together with experiencing its manifestation as reverberation of Radhasoami as the Original Mystic Name.
Now this is something which I have not found documented even by my predecessors in Radhasoami Faith. However, I have experienced it and experienced it progressively from day one (May 18, 2003) right since being publicly acclaimed as the Adept of Radhasoami Satsang, Dayalbagh, on succeeding the last Adept about a decade back. I vividly recall that it was when I rose to acknowledge the Acclamation as Adept by way of consensus, that I experienced the surge of massive flow of inner consciousness current which flooded me with spiritual intuition, as it were. Accordingly, I was not at all at a loss to say what I needed to. This is the kind of support that an Adept gets. This is what is meant by having the “hotline of communication” with an elevated level of consciousness. In other words, the Adept is always in communion with that elevated level of consciousness and whenever he needs support, he gets consciousness of that level immediately to answer any questions spontaneously. In fact, I might have no clue to what is being asked of me, but when the question is posed, I should be able to answer it from the repository of knowledge or consciousness available with the level from which my presiding deity comes. So that is the belief system in spiritual phenomenology. Similarly, it is common place that the first initiates do get the refulgent picture of their Mentor or Adept at the seat of the spirit or higher centres of consciousness to which they have gained access, when they perform meditation. This word Radhasoami, i.e. the original mystic word, resounds internally and that would take me through all the higher stages that I have mentioned in the sound clip (Table 1) brought to you as a simulation. I have undergone requisite inner experience and I can verify those stages. However, once I cross the intermediate stages and reach the highest stage, I may directly reach that stage and may not have to pass through the intermediate stages necessarily explicitly. Thus, it takes only a moment, as it were, to make the internal communication line hot with my source of consciousness. It does not take long. So all these successive sounds one goes through if one had not heard them earlier for a sustained period of time. Once one is endowed with this status of wearing the mantle of the successor adept, then one must have that elevated level of consciousness. In a way, that elevated consciousness is given to you, rather than being earned by you. This encapsulates some of my unique inner spiritual experiences as an Adept or Preceptor of Radhasoami Faith.
Code Name'V' : Excerpts of Spiritual Phenomenology
Excerpts in the form of English translation from first person spiritual phenomenology of Code Name V (originally expounded in Hindi) are given herewith :
“I hear “Shabda” (i.e. Spiritual Sound), viz., mystic word Radhasoami and unstruck celestial sound during my meditational practice. While Radhasoami name resounds internally, I am not able to identify the accompanying musical instrument which plays clearly”.
“I see briefly “photo-frame” of Adept during meditation practice occasionally.”
“Once I heard drum-beats while going to bed. I hear sound of thunder quite frequently internally.”
“Once in Satsang Hall at Dayalbagh during the regime of the last adept, I was dazzled by the refulgence radiating from his forehead.”
“On Nov. 6, 2012 at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, while I felt enhanced concentration, I did not hear any mystic word or celestial sound internally during my individual meditation session.”
Code Name 'B' : Excerpts of Spiritual Phenomenology
"A day before acclamation on 17th May 2003 around 3.30 am, I was in my bed and was half asleep when I saw the Astral Form of Gracious Huzur Satsangi Sahab looking at me. I closed my eyes twice or thrice but the Swarup (Form) did not disappear."
"I have experienced that on special occasions like Arti, Bhandara, Basant and Holi, the Spiritual Current flows with a force during morning Satsang. At those times, "I am dazzled by the refulgence and brilliance emanating from the eyes and foreheard of Gracious Huzur."
"At Kalpakkam, during individual meditation session of fifteen minutes, I could concentrate better and felt peace and calm. During Dhyan, I could also intermittently see Gracious Huzur’s Swarup (Form). In the group meditation session also, I felt peace and happiness."
With larger samples of subject Code names, tentative hypotheses may be drawn, tested thoroughly and then asserted.
Additional References :
Readers of the blog are welcome to post their own experiences.
From these readings, you would realize that the Radhasoami Faith is consistent with science. The only requirement for those who wish to experience Higher Consciousness or Super Intelligence through Ultra Transcendence of their soul is to follow the prescribed behavior and practices under the Guidance of a True Adept. Some of the scientists like Price and Barrell have acknowledged the importance of experiential knowledge in scientific pursuit of consciousness.
In order to get an idea about the manner in which spiritual ascendance to Higher Regions of Consciousness can be explained, the Graph Theoretic Modeling Approach to quantum information processing, discernible from the following papers, may be referred.
1. Graph-theoretic quantum system modelling for information/computation processing circuits, Volume 40, 2011 - Issue 8, International Journal of General Systems.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03081079.2011.602016
2. Graph-theoretic quantum system modelling for neuronal microtubules as hierarchical clustered quantum Hopfield networks, Volume 43, 2014 - Issue 6, International Journal of General Systems.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03081079.2014.893298
3. Modelling microtubules in the brain as n-qudit quantum Hopfield network and beyond, Volume 45, 2016 - Issue 1, International Journal of General Systems.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03081079.2015.1076405
Mr Emile Pellerin first came to India in 1967, after reading the book written by Paul Brunton entitled "A search in secret India". He was a true seeker and he felt that by visiting Dayalbagh and meeting Sir Anand Swarup Knight, the Fifth Revered Leader of Radhasoami Faith his desire to find the absolute truth will be fulfilled. In his visit to Dayalbagh, he met the Sixth Revered Leader of Radhasoami Faith, Param Guru Mehtaji Maharaj. He sought initiation got the same by following the conditions of becoming a vegetarian, abstaining from meat including eggs and alcohol and accepted Huzur Radhasoami Dayal as the Supreme Father of the entire Universe.
He started performing meditation and was named "Melaramji" in his subsequent visits to Dayalbagh by the spiritual mentor. During the course of his life, he suffered hereditary retinal degeneration and lost his eyesight. In his subsequent visit to Dayalbagh, which he made with the help of his son, he met Most Revered Gracious Huzur Mehtaji Saheb and submitted to him "How can I see you now when I have lost my vision?". The merciful spiritual teacher was moved by his request and granted him inner vision and told him that " Melaram, you will have my Darshan whenever you want".
After the departure of Gracious Huzur Mehtaji Maharaj, Melaramji visited Dayalbagh again and met the 7th Revered Leader of Radhasoami Faith, Param Guru Dr M.B. Lal Saheb. He was immediately consoled by the merciful teacher with the words: "Melaramji you can have my Darshan (Vision) whenever you want".
I happened to get in contact with PB. Melaramji in the year 2000 when I had visited France on an academic visit. After the departure of Param Guru Dr M.B. Lal Saheb, I telephoned PB. Melaramji and informed him of this sad news. He immediately consoled me by saying that "Hans Raj do not worry, Gracious Huzur is in Dayalbagh and he will reveal himself to you when the time comes".
In 2005 while I was invited by Prof. Anand Srivastav, the University of Kiel for Research interaction and also was going to Helsinki to attend a conference, I was advised by Param Guru Prof. P.S. Satsangi Saheb, the 8th Revered Leader of Radhasoami faith to visit PB. Melaramji at France and to invite him to Dayalbagh, which I did with the help of PB. Vijay Madan, of Frankfurt.
Melaramji again visited Dayalbagh in 2005 and during this trip, I accompanied him to Agricultural fields to meet Most Revered Gracious Huzur Prof. P.S. Satsangi Saheb, The 8th Revered Leader of Radhasoami Faith. The merciful Spiritual Teacher immediately recognised him with kind words " Melaramji how are you? What do you want?". To these loving words, Melaramji replied " Huzur I have no desire but to be with you. I want to be near you at Dayalbagh". To my amazement, Gracious Huzur replied, " Melaramji, You know how to concentrate and you can bring your consciousness whenever you want to Dayalbagh". PB. Melaramji replied to this saying "Yes Huzur I do morning and evening Satsang here". Gracious Huzur got pleased and gave him Prasad.
I am submitting the above with due consent of Mr. Emile Pellerin as he cannot do it himself.
With warm regards to all
K. Hans Raj
I am also enclosing herewith the recent telephonic message of PB. Melaramji gave on 18th March 2017 at 2:15 PM for the benefit of all.
"On 14th April 1967 (50 Years ago I came to Dayalbagh in search of Truth) I got the initiation into Radhasoami Faith. I was the first French person to receive initiation. I am 84yrs old now but this age is insignificant in comparison to the eternity. Practising meditation correctly and regularly enables one to have inspiration, intuition and to see the true spiritual light. All devotees must practice meditation regularly and correctly to get inner experience which is a must for understanding reality.
The World is not real. It is a delusion and it is important to have a strong detachment from the world. It is necessary during life to practice meditation all time. Necessary to experience the reality. At times I feel alone as a human. When I feel my wife is sick and may leave me alone in the world I feel sad. However, when I practice meditation I feel happy for Radhasoami is present always internally in me so I become happy. God calls me internally. There is no need to worry. I have full faith and confidence in Radhasoami, in my heart in my mind and in my soul. Bad is in everyone, so they are separate from God. Worldly people cannot understand reality. Satsangis know true spirituality and true light. Only at Dayalbagh, at Radhasoami Faith true path exists. After finding Satsang at Dayalbagh I had no need for the search in the world. Satsang is very interesting and very important".
I am submitting the above with due consent of Mr. Emile Pellerin.
With warm regards to all
K. Hans Raj
ONE IS BY MEDITATION SUPPORTING A THOUGHT INTERNALLY.NEXT ONE IS
BY MEDITATION SUPPORTING SATGURU SWAROOP ,BUT CONDITION IS THAT
MEDITATION SHOULD BE WITH PURIFICATION OF HEART.
RADHASOAMI Faith,Dayalbagh, in which some experiences are described
I fully believe in all the experiences .These all experiences are
quite new in my life.Meditation is advantageous for the life of
Human-Being for which consciousness must.In my opinion some classes
should organised on consciousness in Qntm & Nano Cntr. RS.
There are infinite spirits with nearly equal spirituality levels and you are welcome to continue with your spiritual pursuits through Satsang and sewa (community service). At the same time, there can be only one Living Master or Sant Satguru. The present Master is Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab since December 5, 2002.
The question on spiritual experiences can be best answered by pursuit of the scientifically well-accepted additional references below.
1. Price D. and Barrell J. (2012), Inner Experience and Neuroscience : Merging both Perspectives, MIT Press, USA, 2012.
We acknowledge considerable rapport and support derived from the seminal work of Price and Barrell (Price and Barrell, 2012). We fully endorse them in their use of four-fold paradigms for integrating inner experience with scientific methodology and concede their assertion that ordinarily questions, not hypotheses may guide the first three stages of observing, reporting and understanding from the first person perspective of co-investigators and it is not necessary to frame the hypotheses in advance but it is through first person account of phenomenology that these hypotheses may be formulated later and tested; and it is the last stage when the scientific methodology is invoked in using psychometric methods and quantitative psychophysics, for hypothesis-testing.
2. Satsangi P.S. (2010), “Cosmology from the twin vantage points of Radhasoami Faith and Systems Science”, Vision Talk, International Seminar on Religion of Saints (‘Sants’) – Radhasoami Faith, DEI, Dayalbagh, Agra, Nov. 2010 (also Chapter 23 of Expositions on Truth, Ultimate Reality and Supreme Being, Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, Dayalbagh, Agra, 2010, ISBN : 978-81-89288-60-0), Also in P. Sriramamurti, Prem Prashant and Anand Mohan (Eds.), Spiritual Consciousness, New Age Books, 2013, New Delhi, pp. 21-40.
3. Satsangi P.S., Hameroff S.R. (2016), Consciousness : Integrating Eastern and Western Perspectives, New Age Books, 2016, ISBN 978-81-7822-493-0, New Delhi.
This reference is especially useful as it includes both eastern and western viewpoints mentioned in your post.
4. Walling P. (2016), The Neurodynamics of Consciousness, Chapter 7, Consciousness : Integrating Eastern and Western Perspectives, New Age Books, 2016, ISBN 978-81-7822-493-0, New Delhi, pp. 147-166.
5. Walling P. (2017), The Science of Angels, Author House, USA, 2017, ISBN 978-1-5246-7034-4.
S.No. 4 and 5 are works of a Western theoretical physiologist and retired anaesthesiologist who has worked at Baylor University Medical Centre, USA for 35 years.
For understanding arts and philosophy of consciousness please go through the book - 'Consciousness - integrating Eastern and western perspectives' whose snapshot is given in beginning of the blog. Answers to your questions are elaborated their.If you go by the topic of the blog in other words it can be briefly explained as measuring of the environmental correlates (in terms of science - science which originated from west) of consciousness while meditation (based on meditation methods which originated from east). There is no confusion in terminology and it is clearly defined if you go through the chapters if the referred book which is the mother content of this blog.
Purpose of describing inner experience is described in the last line of the blog I.e. to have larger samples of subject code names so that their experiences can be measured in terms of environmental correlates of consciousness to form a bigger experimental database and hence prove the phenomenology and metaphysics of Radhasoami faith. When such experiences are expressed in terms of scientific measurements (of Western origin), they are repeatable, measurable and verifiable by anyone.
With Regards,
MS
We should be more concerned with the Fundamentals of Radhasoami Faith. One such Fundamental is Moksha (Redemption) in Four Births. But Christianity and Islam, also part of Eastern Philosophy, do not believe in Rebirth and Reincarnation. Christians and Muslims constitute more than half of the world population. Have Radhasoami Satsang Sabha ever thought over this problem and decided to initiate a suitable action for the Integration of Varied Eastern Philosophies?
Ravi Kiran Maddali
Also, Such Mystic internal experiences are in a kind of proof for the scholars of spiritual consciousness. And that they are verified by the Mentor(Adept) makes it highly interesting. Thanks.. really insightful
Sometime in late 1950’s, one such case is of Professor of English, Late G.V.L.N Sharma, Regional Engineering College, Warangal (Now a part of Telangana, India) as narrated by his nephew Mr. K. Gurcharan Das, gives us an example of how firm faith and belief in the name “Radhasoami” has led to miracles beyond one’s imagination.
Professor G.V.L.N Sharma was diagnosed with “Tumor” in his lungs and was at a very advanced stage while he was working as manager in Dayal Ink Factory, Kakinada (now a part of Andhra Pradesh, India) and it was stated by doctors at that time that he won’t survive for more than six months and they had given up all hope. He lived along with his widowed mother (Late Sitamahalakshmi) and four younger sisters (Late V.B.Sundari, Late V. Radha Pyari, Late K. Maharaj Kumari & Late N.Radha) who were totally dependent on him and he had a very meager salary at that point of time. As this news broke out, the family members of Professor Sharma were crestfallen and tried to get his treatment done with different doctors. However, Professor Sharma was of the firm belief that almighty Huzur Radhasoami Dayal would take care of his health as well as his family and that the hand of protection was always with them.
After sometime, the then sixth Revered Leader of Radhasoami faith, Param Guru Huzur Mehtaji Maharaj was on his satsang tour and happened to visit Kakinada. Many people from Kakinada had got an opportunity to attend the satsang and some people went up to him for discussing their personal matters and miseries. Professor Sharma also happened to attended satsang of Param Guru Huzur Mehta ji Maharaj during this visit. Param Guru Huzur Mehta ji Maharaj personally called Professor Sharma and enquired him about his health. Professor Sharma had never in the past described the condition of his health to Param Guru Huzur Mehta ji Maharaj. On the enquiry, Professor Sharma had kept silent with his hands folded. Huzur Mehta ji Maharaj then instructed him in satsang to shout three times “Main thik hoon” (English translation – I am alright). He followed his orders diligently and to everyone’s amazement and astonishment Professor Sharma started showing remarkable improvements in his overall health. After three to four months, when he went for his regular check-up, the same doctors who had diagnosed him of Tumor had given a report that it got completely cured and he is perfectly fine. The doctors were amazed to see that the Tumor had got completely dissolved and he lived hale and hearty after that for nearly 30 years.
Such is the experience that people receive from Huzur Radhasoami Dayal and greater is the hand of protection felt; the more you rely on Huzur Radhasoami Dayal for all your matters.
I am writing with consent of Mr. K. Gurcharan Das (nephew of Professor G.V.L.N. Sharma) to whom this experience was shared by all four sisters of Professor G.V.L.N Sharma who unfortunately are no longer with us today.
Great to learn about this incident in the life of Late Prof. Sharma... In fact, Professor Sharma wrote an article in the book 'Great Indian social reformers and philanthropists'. I am sure that he mentioned about Param Guru Huzur Mehtaji Maharaj in this article. I tried to contact it's publisher but came to learn that this company is no more into the business of publishing. Later on, I tried with several libraries both India and abroad for this article and also wrote to a few satsangis of Warangal branch but all these efforts remained unsuccessful. Now, I came to learn that Prof. Sharma was from Kakinada.
Thanks for this great incident and as you mentioned that you are in touch with Pb. K. Gurucharan Das, I request you to try for this article published in the mentioned book. I am sure that Pb. Gurucharan Das ji might help us.
I shall wait for further updates on this article...
Best wishes,
Ravi Kiran Maddali
I went around India and Sri Lanka. There in Kataragamma, I saw two people walking and I expierienced a very special feeling, so I got the desire to meet them.
One was a yogi, I stayed in his ashram for some weeks and when leaving he gave me the address of his friend who did live in Dayalbagh.
This friend, P.B. Krishnanand turned out to be the perfect guide to me.
I met Param Guru Huzur Mehtaji Maharaj in the fields and after some month's I got initiation, which I consider as being the most important in my life.
I like to relate one story of the help I got: one early morning I was swimming in the sea and nobody was there on the beach.
Due to very strong currants I could not reach the shore. At the end I got deadly tired by trying and trying, started floating on my back, closed my eyes and surrendered to Huzur Radhasoami Dayal. After some time I opened my eyes, turned around and I was so close to the beach that I could easely walk out of the water.
Very glad to learn that you got initiated during the time of Huzur Mehtaji Maharaj. Your experience once again established that Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal will always look after His children. We should just surrender to His Holy Feet leaving behind all the worries.
Thanks a ton for posting. By the way, please share information about your location and how often do you visit India and Dayalbagh?
Such experiences from the senior satsangis like you will always encourage and motivate the devotees who are travelling in the PATH OF LOVE.
Keep posting....
RADHASOAMI...
faith is an individual process of a deep yearning for spiritual development.
Grown up in a small village of Germany without any influence of my family or other
cultural or personal connections I was – I would call it – simply a seeker. From the
early youth on I was reading christian and eastern philosophy literature and seeking
for experience of spirituality. But not until the age of 50 years my first visit to
Dayalbagh took place. Meeting the Satguru of that time – Param Guru Dr. Lal Sahab-
I was so overwhelmed that my inner wish manifested strongly to become a Satsangin.
The process of being accepted for initiation was accompanied also by inner
hinderance, partly doubts, but the force of attraction was always stronger and after all
the question of Param Guru Dr. Prem Saran Satsangi whether I had made my decision
I could answer with a clear „Yes“.
Today I find a lot of similarities between my original Christian Faith and the
Radhasoami Faith, but the most outstanding and important point is the existence of
a living Guru in Radhasoami Faith. Through HIS guidance I had spiritual experiences
I never had before. While the presence of the Satguru or in meditation I feel being led
by a strong power coming from an elevated level. Allthough this condition sometimes
gets disturbed by wordly matters of daily life, the association and contact through the
meditational practise is established immediately again. Shukrana !
P. Bn. Eva Henningsen
Spiritual Guru