Radha Soami Satsang Beas

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Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) was founded by Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj in 1891 at a site on the East bank of the River Beas, in Beas, Punjab Northern India. Today this site is called Dera Baba Jaimal Singh.

Sant Seth Shiv Dayal Singh, was the first leader of Radhasoami Community, taught 'Surat Shabd Yoga,' often the teachings are referred to as Sant Mat, the 'Teachings of the Saints'.

Today Radha Soami Satsang Beas is succeeded by Babaji Gurinder Singh, who was officially appointed by Maharaj Charan Singh (guru). Radha Soami Beas satsang is a non-profit charitable society and is an autonomous body, which doesn't bear allegiance to any of the other Radhasoami/Sant Mat groups or satsangs.

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[edit] Teachings and Philosophy

'Radha' means Soul & 'Soami' means Lord. Hence Radhasoami can be translated into meaning Lord of the Soul.

The Radha Soami teachings lay down a method for Self Realization leading to God Realization, through the means of Surat Shabd Yoga. Satsang describes a group that seeks truth, and Beas refers to the town near which the main centre is located in northern India. There are a number of other contemporary movements that use the name ‘Radha Soami’ but Radha Soami Satsang Beas is not associated with any of them.

Radha Soami's follow the 'Surat Shabd Yoga' meditation system. As a Sanskrit term, surat means "soul," shabd means "word" and yoga means "union," which is designed to enable the soul to ascend beyond the physical body into the higher spiritual regions by means of shabd. Shabd or the 'Word' (the term "word" means the “Sound Current),” is the power which is believed to be the creative and sustaining force of the universe. It is also called the "Audible Life Stream" or the "Music of the Spheres" & all the religions mention it by different names. In the Holy Bible, Shabd is called the Word; "In the beginning there was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."

The technique of the yoga/meditation is imparted under the instructions of a teacher (present day teacher: Baba Gurinder Singh), or his personally selected representitives. It is through this union of the soul with the Audible Life Stream that gives this meditation practice its name - The Surat Shabd Yoga.

To assist in the practice of the Surat Shabd Yoga, one must be a vegetarian, (no eggs, fish or fowl) abstain from recreational drugs and alcohol as it helps aid concentration, calm and centre the mind. A vegetarian diet encourages respect and empathy for all life and acknowledges that there is a debt to be paid for taking any life.

Before one decides to adopt the Surat Shabd Yoga meditation, one is strongly advised by the present master Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon, to research not only Radha Soami Satsang Beas philosophy and teachings, but any other mysticism teachings or yoga systems that may interest the seeker. This allows the seeker to be 100% intellectually satisfied that this is the right choice for them as individuals. Also that they are able to adhere to the vegetarian diet and the lifestyle change of no alcohol or recreational drugs and are able to take time out to practice the meditation.

People are able to practice the Surat Shabd Yoga meditation, while still remaining a part of their community and religious customs. It is a solitary practice that is done in the quiet of one's own home. Members commit themselves to a way of life that supports spiritual growth while carrying out their responsibilities to family, friends and society.

The teachings are also referred to as Sant Mat, meaning 'Teachings of the Saints' (past and present). The Radha Soami Satsang Beas community and members are from diverse ethnic, social and religious backgrounds. The teachings are available to anyone interested and no fees are charged for imparting the philosophy or Surat Shabd Yoga system.

[edit] Charity Work

Today the Beas ashram, known as simply the 'Dera', maitains a Langar (free kitchen) and has lodgings for Sadhus, Sewadars, Satsangis and others.

Three Charitable hospitals were built and run by RSSB. Beas Hospital, Sikanderpur Hospital and the Bhota Hospital provide free medical care for the rural community surrounding it and aid the needy. They include free accommodation of relatives of their patients. Also has helped in relief efforts of victims of natural disasters. An annual eye clinic gives medical aid to people suffering eye-ailments, including the removal of cataracts. Volunteers are from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.

[edit] Promoting Awareness

A Library has been constructed to house nearly 500,000 books on all the world religions, philosophies and mysticism. The library is open to all seekers, researchers and scholars. Radha Soami Satsang Beas encourages voluntary service to the community.

This group are environmentally aware and plant thousands of trees yearly, apply organic farming methods and encourage social awareness within the community.

[edit] Geographical Location

The mission begun by Baba Jaimal Singh at the turn of the 19th century, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, has its headquarters known by the name of 'Dera Baba Jaimal Singh' near the river Beas in Beas, Punjab, Northern India since 1891. Today the colony has expanded enormously and houses nearly 6000 residents and the average number of visitors daily is about 200,000 or more. Visitors come from all over the world. Radha Soami Satsang Beas, today has Science of the Soul Spiritual Centres in many overseas countries, meetings and gatherings take place in nearly 90 countries worldwide. They also have a 'Science of the Soul Research Centre' based in New Delhi. It's objective is to promote betterment of humanity. The 'Science of the Soul Research Centre' is a non profit charitable Society and also acts as a mail order book seller for Radha Soami Satsang Beas.

Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, or simply the ‘Dera’ as it is generally known, is a mini-township with 6,000 residents. Since the Dera is the home of the spiritual leader of the organization, large crowds visit on specially designated weekends to hear his discourses. These crowds average more than 250,000 people daily.

[edit] The Venue

The Radha Soami Headquarters provide a sheltered venue for these gatherings. The RSSB Headquarters is also known as the 'Dera'. The Dera’s engineering department has constructed one of the largest covered structures in Asia, designed and fabricated on site using a lightweight space-frame technology. The roof covers more than 32 acres and can accommodate a crowd of 275,000. A computerized digital audio system was specially designed for the venue to provide the best possible sound for such a challenging environment.

Food

To feed the visitors three meals a day, several approaches are taken. The langar (a place where food is served free of charge) is the primary means. The free langar complex covers over 48 acres and operates around the clock. Capable of feeding up to 300,000 people per meal, 50,000 in a single sitting, it has a mostly volunteer staff who prepare and serve simple but nourishing food.

Shelter

The colony is visited by people from around the world and all walks of life. To provide temporary accommodations for everyone, a variety of facilities are offered, all free of charge. There are a number of guest hostels with individual rooms and attached baths, hostels with dormitory-style rooms, and other large buildings to house visitors.

The Community

The Dera seeks to be as self-sufficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Every year thousands of trees are planted. Many lawns and parks beautify the colony and provide space for visitors and residents to rest and relax. More than 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) of land are cultivated for growing vegetables and fruits that are used in the langar and by Dera residents. Organic farming methods are being adapted to local conditions. The Dera has its own water supply, water treatment plant and solid waste treatment facility. It has its own electrical sub-station and large electrical generator back-up facility to supply emergency power to the whole community.

[edit] Radha Soami Satsang Beas Lineage of Successors

Radha Soami movement begun by:-

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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