Sahaj Marg

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Sahaj Marg, which essentially translates to "natural path" is the system of practical training in spirituality offered by Shri Ram Chandra Mission.

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[edit] Teachings from the Sahaj Marg material

Its adherents see it as a natural, simple heart-based approach to realizing the presence of the divine within their lives. The Shri Ram Chandra Mission is the main proponent of the Sahaj Marg system.

Sahaj Marg is a remodeled version of Raja Yoga (yoga of the mind) simplified to suit and help the man of present-day world to achieve the same inner perfection as the Master, which according to Sahah Marg is a synonym for God Realization. It is a non-renunciate form of Raja Yoga, the 'renunciation' (renouncing the material world) of Raja Yoga having been replaced by 'detachment' (detachment from the material world) and attachment to the Divine.

The Mind is the key instrument in a human being and by proper regulation of mind through meditation under practical guidance and support of a spiritual Master, who erases one's samskaras (imprints on the soul by our past thoughts or actions), one can evolve to the highest that the Master has attained. The Master transmits to the disciple directly or through a preceptor that the disciple sees once a week in a private sitting. There is also one or two group sittings and reading of Master's material every week. There is a suggested daily practice which involves a daily meditation, a daily cleansing, a weekly private sitting with a preceptor, and one or two group sittings per week. There are gatherings on the birthdays of the Masters. Some abhyasis organize discussions of the guru's writings. Reading of the Master's writings is suggested. Vegetarianism is encouraged.

Sahaj Marg claims to be a non-monastic movement. Those who adhere to the practices are referred to as 'abhyasis'; a preceptor is an abhyasi who has been prepared and permitted by the Master to introduce people to the Sahaj Marg system and conduct group meditation. Sahaj Marg says that adherents of all religions are welcome, and do not have to reject their religion to practice Sahaj Marg.

The practice of Sahaj Marg is free of charge and there are three meditations together with a trained preceptor for the starting of the practice.

There are no physical impedments to leaving the practice.

[edit] On other religions

On other religions, Sahaj Marg claims to "erase Samskaras" (imprint on the soul). The current Master stated that abhyasis were lucky. If they were in religion, he said, they would have to go to church and "you know", tell lies in that "wonderful place called the confessional". “Lord, forgive me for what I have done this week.” And there would be an equally sinful priest on the other side of the curtain saying, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I absolve you of your sins.” Something that according to Chariji, he has no power to do. No man on earth has power, he states, to absolve you of your sins except two people: one, oneself, and the other, God. In between there is nobody who can do it, he stated. Then he added, that is why religion is useless, that is why religion has failed. That’s why, the Master stated, the abhyasis are all there, not in church. (Speech, (Reverence, Respect & Restraint), Denmark, Nov. 2005, see references)

...and later:

Chariji stated that he was no Christ, ("you know"), to crucify himself on the cross for all of them. Did they think Christ was a wise man, he asked, that he (Christ) became crucified so that forever and ever after humanity would be absolved of its sins? "I don’t think so", he said. It gave people more license for indulgence. But after all, he said, they have been forgiven two thousand years ago for what they are going to do today, what their children were going to do ten years hence. He said that he did not think he (Christ) was wise. According to Chariji,he (Christ)left no room, no incentive for human beings to change, become moral, become spiritual. He said that they were all happy that they had a Christ who got crucified. He added that none of us weep for Christ and that we were happy. “God bless him,” we say, which is another blasphemy. He then said that the abhyasis need blessings, not Christ. (Speech, (Reverence, Respect & Restraint), Denmark, Nov. 2005, see references)

At a preceptors' seminar in January, 2001, Chariji stated:

"In the Indian scene, the Hindus and Hinduism is corrupt. God is personified as somebody who can be bribed with gifts, with so called prasads - offering temptation of Heaven which fact Babuji emphasized in His teachings, saying that religions depends on two instruments - temptation and fear."

"I am afraid that Sahaj Marg is suffering in this way because even when Christian people become abhyasis and preceptors, they somehow, somewhere along the way seem to lose this idea of love, charity, compassion, faith and become preceptors. So what Spirituality offers and can deliver, our priesthood, I would categorize you as, say temporarily as priesthood - they destroy." (Speech, Preceptor's Seminar, Jan. 2001-See references)

Written in the Sahaj Marg material: Abhyasi's question:"..... "Why do I have to give up my existing religious practices....."

Master's answer: "All religious practice involve the worship of God as being outside us. It is called Bahya Upachara in Sanskrit. Spirituality puts God where HE really is - inside the human heart, and indeed at the heart of every created thing, as Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita. One cannot mix the two. In the Vedas Murthy Pooja is called the lowest form of worship. Mantra is only a way of pleasing the mind, and bhajans please the senses, while giving the illusion of being a form of worship. I trust that this will be satisfactory. If people have more questions, they should be encouraged to read the Gita slowly, and try to understand it. Love to all." (Sahaj Sandesh No.: 2005.31- See references)

According to the teaching of this system, God is simple, and therefore, the way to reach Him must be simple. On the Nature of the Divine, when asked why in all the written material, God was referred to as "Him", Chariji replied: "God is Male, Nature is female." (SMRTI-Youth Services-Story Telling-See references)

[edit] On chosing a master

On choosing a guru, Chariji in his book: Heart of the Lion, states:

"....So I repeat, the Guru is the only friend. In fact, I have said this so often, that in the Sufi philosophy, the Guru is called Friend. "The Friend is coming". Because he is the only fellow who can give his life for you. He is the only fellow, therefore, to whom you must hand over totally, a Power of Attorney....."Do with me as you think I deserve to be done with. Kick me when I have to be kicked. Beat me when I have to be beaten. Curse me when I have to be cursed. But make of me what you think I should be eventually, because only you can do it."

"So once more I say this in all humility....if you must have a Master, find a fellow who is capable of, you know, throwing you around, beating you up, cutting you to pieces. Remember Parushurama's father and the stern test that young boy had to make for obedience...."Kill your Mother". "Yes"..."

"He pulled out the sword and cut off her head. He said, "I am pleased with you my son. Ask for anything you want." He said, "I want my mother alive." And He said, "So be it." and she got up and walked off. The Guru is the Master, when you say of destiny, it means life and death. He must be the Master of your life as he must be the Master of your death." (From Heart of the Lion, Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari-see references)

[edit] On freedom

On freedom, in Salient Points of Sahaj Marg, it states that with Sahaj Marg, abhyasis have voluntarily, whole-heartedly and devotedly surrendered it to the Master of their Soul. To those who are fortunate enough to arrive at this stage, the Master is apparently no longer a guide for spirituality alone. He has now become the Master of the abhyasis' life in all it's aspects of existence. He apparently has become the father, the mother, the son, the teacher, the doctor, in fact, there is no role that He does not play in the abhyasi's life. He has taken total charge of the abhyasi. It further states that only the surrendering to Him can bring about a state where He can take total charge of the abhyasis! (From Salient Features of Sahaj Marg - Series 2- See references)

[edit] On homosexuality

On homosexuality, the Master of this system in a recent speech said that unlike the churches of the world, Sahaj Marg does not perform same-sex marriages. "That is unnatural", he said. God did not intend it to be thus, he added. He then said it was a personal comment. But there are things credited to Babuji Maharaj “If God did not want two sexes, he could have as well created one and seen that the world propagated by itself."...Why two sexes? he questionned. Apparently not so that one sex should marry among themselves, according to Sahaj Marg Masters. "So, what the church may allow, I don’t have to condone or accept", he said, not mentionning what churches condones or performs same-sex marriages. "To me", Chariji said, "it is a very blatant misuse of so-called privileges of the human being, fundamental rights, et cetera. Of course, if you claim it is your fundamental right to go the dogs, so be it! Even God cannot stop it."

There are claims that at the present moment, there are followers, both abhyasis and preceptors who are homosexual and that some are involved in the working committees of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. There are other claims that gay families have been broken up or have left.[citation needed]

[edit] On philosophy

On the philosophy of Sahaj Marg,in a speech on New Year's Day, 2005 at Babuji Memorial Ashram, Manapakkam, India, according to Chariji, there is no room for philosophy in speeches of Sahaj Marg. In fact, he stated, "Sahaj Marg has no philosophy. It does not rest on any philosophy. It is neither advaita nor dvaita nor vishishta advaita." (From Speech by Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari -Jan 1, 2005 at Babuji Memorial Ashram, Manapakkam, India- see references)

[edit] Be like lions

Be like lions: Sahaj Marg wants the abhyasis to be like lions:

The abhyasi is asked to look within. Look to the Heart. Build your heart, they are told. Make it brave, make it strong, make it courageous. They are asked to be lions, as Babuji wanted, he exhorts. He said: "One lion is worth more that five hundred sheep." It is not that we do not accept sheep but we accept sheep who are willing to become lions, not sheep who want to stay on as sheep.......And what was but a shepherd's pen has now become the jungle in which the lions roam freely. This is what Sahaj Marg is setting out to achieve, according to Babuji. ".....He wanted our hearts to be like lions - brave, courageous, capable of discrimination, able to give up everything for the sake of the Master." (From Salient Points of Sahaj Marg, Series 2-see references)

[edit] On idolatry

On idolatry, the Sahaj Marg material states:

"Sahaj Marg has nowhere said temple worship is wrong, nor does Master expressly forbid idol worship" ....To abhyasis, the preceptor, apparently, becomes such an idol. The author states: "I believe that any abhyasi who says, "my preceptor" when talking about the preceptor who is serving him has fallen into this form of idol worship." I seems there is concern that the preceptor can be transformed into an idol, or idolised. The author follows: "Here again the Master may be in the background, but is that Master's rightful place?"

"So Master's message is quite clear. All credit goes to our Master. When we give credit where it is not due, that too is a form of idol worship. We should beware of falling into such errors......." (From Salient Points of Sahaj Marg, Series 3- see references)

[edit] On donations

On donations, the abhyasis is to think that it is their Mission, it is their Master, it is His plant, therefore, it is theirs, then, apparently, there is no sacrifice, there is no giving. The abhyasis are only watering their own plant. Who should they credit for it, is the question asked by the Master.

To think that the Master depends on the abhyasis' donation could very possibly be a sin, according to the Master. Masters exist in a dimension where money does not play a part. Whenever the Master makes the abhyasis donate something, he apparently does so as to lighten their burdens. Their contribution to the Master's work is apparently of the same proportion as the squirrel's contribution to Lord Rama's work. (from Salient Points of Sahaj Marg Series 3- See references)

[edit] On democracy

On democracy, the current Master, Chariji stated that until there are no walls, one cannot say, "We're a free people," because, according to Chariji, we are only selecting the people we will accept. According to him, democracy is like a club, a select club, a rich man's club, a club of power. According to Chariji, because any organisation, including a democracy, has the power of accepting or rejecting, we can't say it is a free organisation? "Yes or no?" he asked. "No", he replied.

Chariji claimed that Sahaj Marg has no such restriction. Everybody, from anywhere in the world is welcome. According to Chariji, everybody can come, everybody can go. Apparently, there are no restrictions. There are no fees. There are no restriction of education. "Is it a free organisation?", he asked. "Is it human? Is it the real democracy of a free people, for a free people, by a free people? Yes or no?" (Audience: "Yes.")"

Then Chari stated: "So Sahaj Marg is today, in my opinion, the only organisation in this world fulfilling the requirements of this definition of "Liberté, egalité, fraternité" [Freedom, equality, fraternity]. Vive le Sahaj Marg! [Long live Sahaj Marg!] (applause)." (from Shri P. Rajagopalachari at Cossonay, Switzerland on July 13, 2003-see references)

[edit] Masters and leadership

According to Sahaj Marg material, there have been three gurus, or Masters, each of whom is believed to have passed on his spiritual condition and teachings to his most capable disciple.

The first guru of the Sahaj Marg lineage was Shri Ram Chandraji of Fategargh, affectionately known as Lalaji who was a Master of the Naqashbandi order of Sufism but who according to non-Sufi followers, became God realized after only 7 months of meditadion and created the "heart to heart" transmission. According to Naqsh MuMRa i.e. Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia Ramchandria, Lalaji's Master was Maulana Fazl Ahmad Khan (Hujur Maharaj), sixth from Mirza Zanzana, and thirty-sixth in the line of succession of the Naqshbandi Order. Naqsh Mumra refers to a stream of the great Naqshbandi Sufi Silsila (Order). It is an Indian-Sufi branch. Before dying, Lalaji's spiritual competence was tested by his Master in a meditation with a multi-denominational panel. The panel agreed that Lalaji was a "perfect copy" of his Master. Lalaji, the first "giaour" or "non Muslim" of the Naqshbandia Order, lived from 1873 to 1931.

His successor (debated..see Yogabhyas site) was Shri Ram Chandra Ji of Shahjahanpur, who lived from 1899 to 1983 and was affectionately known as Babuji. Babuji claims to have received his successorship from Lalaji in a dream. On the Sufi lineage or Naqsh MuMRa i.e. Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia Ramchandria which refers to a stream of the great Naqshbandi Sufi Silsila (Order), Mahatma Ram Chandraji apparently blessed Thakur Ram Singhji to be a ‘Fanafil-Murid’ i.e. ‘a disciple with whom his Master has merged’ and that his fame would spread like the smell of roses.

The succession of the current guru, Chariji, has been debated by the sons of the late Dr.Varadachari, professor of Philosophy even though the former Guru Babuji, wrote an authenticated letter in which he stated the desire that Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari be his successor. Babuji gave three copies of the same letter stating his desire for Chariji to be his successor to Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, to Kasturi and to a western associated. Shri KC Narayana of the break-away ISRC (Institute for Ram Chandra Institute), who was a member of the Working committee of SRCM in 1974 does not dispute the Presidency of SRCM but claims that the words "spiritual representative" are not in the document. ISRC claims Ram Chandra as their Master.

The current living guru, born in 1927, Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, a chemical engineer who in 1955, joined the T. T. Krishnamachari group of companies, thereafter rising to the position of Executive Director of the Indian Textile Paper Tube Company and is affectionately known as Chariji.

[edit] Aims and ideals

The Ten Maxims of Sahaj Marg

  • Rise before dawn. Offer your prayer and puja at a fixed hour, preferably before sunrise, sitting in one and the same pose. Have a separate place and seat for worship. Purity of mind and body should be specially adhered to.
  • Begin your puja with a prayer for spiritual elevation, with a heart full of love and devotion.
  • Fix up your goal which should be 'complete oneness' with God. Rest not till the ideal is achieved.
  • Be plain and simple to be identical with nature.
  • Be truthful. Take miseries as Divine Blessings for your own good and be thankful.
  • Know all people as thy brethren and treat them as such.
  • Be not revengeful for the wrongs done by others. Take them with gratitude as heavenly gifts.
  • Be happy to eat in constant divine thoughts whatever you get, with due regard to honest and pious earnings.
  • Mould your life so as to arouse a feeling of love and piety in others.
  • At bedtime, feeling the presence of God, repent for the wrongs committed. Beg forgiveness in a supplicant mood, resolving not to allow repetition of the same.

[edit] Philosophy

The stated goal of the Sahaj Marg practice is complete oneness with God, or the Ultimate. Two unique features are said to set the method apart from all other meditative practices: evening cleaning, by which impressions (samskaras) and complexities are removed from the heart; and pranahuti. Pranahuti, although also practiced by Lalaji, his Master, and the other Masters of the Sufi lineages and others, was incorporated and claimed by Sahaj Marg as "unique" to Sahaj Marg. Pranahuti is the technique by which the master transmits divine energy from his heart in India to the heart of the aspirant. With the assistance of the master, trained prefects (instructors), and the aspirant's own dedicated practice, the promise of spiritual evolution in Sahaj Marg can quickly become a reality although some have performed the practice for up to 25 years and more without any verifiable signs or indications of being 'God realized' being witnessed. Traditionally, however, "God Realization" is something which is supposed to take many thousands of years and lifetimes, as per the example of the ancient rishis who supposedly meditated for 20,000 years before attaining whatever they attained.

[edit] Method (daily practice)

There are three steps to the practice: morning meditation, evening cleaning and night prayer meditation. The rest of the day should be spent in 'constant remembrance' of the Master thinking that all our actions are being done by the Master. The disciple is encouraged to see the Master in India or when he comes to a place near them.

[edit] Morning meditation

The adherent is to sit in meditation for an hour thinking that divine light is present in his/her heart. Some literature mentions that the disciple can meditate on the form of the Master as long as it is the whole form and not just the bust, though not unless the form naturally appears before a person, because it must not be imaginary if it is to be of benefit. The adherent must do it in quite a simple and natural way without forcing the mind, never minding if one does not see the light there. Starting with a mere supposition one should sit meditating in one posture with one's attention turned towards the heart in a natural way without any effort to concentrate. The adherent is to try to be unmindful of the thoughts arising at that time.

[edit] Evening cleaning

The adherent is to sit for half an hour with a suggestion to him/her self that all complexities and impurities including grossness, darkness, etc. are going out of the whole system through the back in the form of smoke or vapour and that in their place the sacred current of the Divine is entering his/her heart from the Master's heart. One should not meditate on those things which one wants to get rid of like all the attachments to family, friends, pets, country, culture etc....The adept should simply brush them off.

[edit] The night prayer-meditation

The third thing: the prayer-meditation at night is a simple thing. The adherents are instructed to sit on their beds for about 10 minutes, repeat the prayer a few times and meditate on the meaning of the prayer. This prayer-meditation is to be done for 10, 15 or 20 minutes and then the abhyasi is to go straight to sleep. It should be the last thing one does before the day is brought to an end.

[edit] Prayer-meditation

"0, Master!
Thou art the real goal of human life,
We are yet but slaves of wishes
Putting bar to our advancement,
Thou art the only God and power
To bring us up to that stage."

To Whom is the Mission Prayer Addressed and Why

"Babuji himself has written that ultimately He (pointing upwards) is the real Master . . . and all the human Masters who come on this world, on this earth, are His representatives. If that is so, then why do we address the prayer, "Oh, Master" and not "Oh, God". Now today I am giving you the answer for that. Because God, it is a living God who is before you in the form of the Master ...this is an embodied flesh-and-blood divinity . . . who can understand our needs; who can understand our temperaments; who can sympathize with us, being human himself; who can accept our failings, perhaps having failed himself in some way . . ."

via Shri Ram Chandra Mission website

[edit] Activities

There are a range of activities:

  • Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation is a nonprofit association organized pursuant to the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. Among other things, it funds scholarships for people wishing to visit India, providing those without means with air ticket, shelter and food in one of the ashrams of the associations.
  • Lalaji Memorial Omega School, managed by the Baal Vatika Educational Society, with Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari as executive trustee. The Baal Vatika Educational Society accepts and manages funds for the School, which is located in Chennai, India and operates as a private school.
  • Shri Ram Chandra Mission is part of the NGO network and is listed as a non-governmental non-profit organization that works in support of the public good and fulfills the principles outlined in the United Nations.
  • Value-Based Spiritual Education course materials have been developed.
  • Study groups, seminars for practitioners and the youth, school curriculum K-12 etc.
  • The Mission participates in the relief activities during selected times of natural calamities by either collecting money and routing it through Prime Minister's Relief fund or through other organisations involved in the operations.
  • Every year, on or around July 24, the SRCM organizes a publicity event in the form of the Master's birthday celebration. A large amount of money is spend on these functions and abhyasis are expected to reach the destination in large numbers in order to create a festive atmosphere and provide publicity for the organisation. Every year, a new town is selected and everyone is invited to attend. With the concept of complete dedication and loyalty to the organisation, abhyasis are pressured by their peers and preceptors and expected to attend.

[edit] Publications

[edit] Whispers from the Brighter World

This book of messages (over 600 messages) from the Brighter World, from the now-deceased Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, (Babuji-1899-1983) and other departed spirits of "highly evolved" souls, according to SMRTI is channelled by an un-named lady medium according to Chariji in his "invitation". The book was published in limited quantities in 2005 by the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation and sold at $250.00 US. The text is being released free-of-charge in PDF format, one message per day, at www.sahajmarg.com. A French version of the book is being pre-sold and will be released in 2007.

[edit] Other publications

  • Quarterly Periodicals
  • Constant Remembrance - in English

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Websites of associations with similar or same lineage as Shri Ram Chandra Mission:

Blogs of dissociated, questioning and/or ex-abhyasis:

Topics in Yoga
Yogas: Agni Yoga - Anahata Yoga - Anusara Yoga - Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - Bikram Yoga - Hatha yoga - Integral yoga - Iyengar Yoga - Kriya yoga - Kundalini yoga - Natya Yoga - Sahaj Marg - Sahaja Yoga - Satyananda Yoga - Sivananda Yoga - Six yogas of Naropa (Tummo) - Surat Shabd Yoga - Viniyoga - Yoga in Daily Life - Yoga Nidra
Texts: Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Yoga Sutra - Gherand Samhita
Hinduism paths: Bhakti yoga - Karma Yoga - Jnana Yoga - Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga limbs: Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dharana - Dhyana - Samadhi
Lists: Yoga schools and their gurus - Hatha yoga postures
Related topics: Ayurveda - Chakra - Mantra - Tantra - Vedanta - Yoga (alternative medicine) - Yoga as exercise
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