Practice This: Less is More. {101.}

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Radhasoami!

The aware, spiritually inclined, soul
will be naturally focused on the transcendental.

I may add that every Satsangi
ought to be such a soul.

So, a Satsangi should involve oneself
only minimally in base, worldly matters.

The world is hardly real;
life is a brief exercise.

The only worthwhile engagement is
the soul’s awakening and ascent
into the lofty divine realms.

Material possessions, worldly successes, and
sensual happiness ought to matter
the least they possibly can.

Less is more;
the less that you value the world,
the more do you deserve of God.

There is an inverse relationship
between the world and God,
and Satsangis better realize it.

Desires ought to be reduced,
to enable yearning for God.

As per the Paath {or hymn} lines,
“Dil ka hujra saaf kar,
Jaana ke Aane ke liye /
Dhayn gairon ka hata,
Usko bithane ke liye.”

That is,
“Cleanse the receptacle of your heart,
For the Beloved to Arrive,
Withdraw attention from others,
To enable His occupancy.”

So, be gladly satisfied with less,
since less of materialism
spells more of spirituality,
provided you make the right efforts,
as prescribed, towards that fruitful end.

Radhasoami!
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Materialism: Its Purposes & Uses. {21.}

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Radhasoami!

Satsangis have been enjoined to aim for & remain satisfied with merely a moderate degree of worldly success. Why is this so? What does the above injunction really mean, in practical terms?

There is, of course, no end to human desires. As the Buddha had very rightly described as his first Great Truth, desires are at the root of all human suffering. Hence, being extremely selective in one’s desires makes eminent sense, both practical and spiritual.

Moreover, globalization & consumerism subject the lay person to a virtual barrage of material products that are desirable and apparently necessary for one’s living. Under such circumstances, it is rather tempting for one to succumb to the craze for more & more material possessions.

This would naturally entail a greater focus on & efforts expended in amassing wealth. Not for nothing had the holy Bible also asserted that “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

So, if Satsangis were to recklessly seek money by hook or by crook, & determinedly rival others in the possession of worldly success & material possessions, then they would forget their real goal in life: that of ensuring their salvation.

Life in human form is precious, not because of the consumerist goods that we can buy while alive, but because it offers one the chance to mystically secure one's eternal seat in the loftiest paradise of Radhasoami Dham.

However, Satsangis are also mandated to live by one’s honest efforts, & not to have any loans pending against others. Thus, financial independence & integrity are central to the Satsangi lifestyle.

Further, various studies conducted around the world suggest that if a person’s material needs have been well taken care of, the person becomes naturally drawn towards religion & spirituality.

It is also an obvious truism that even the performance of one’s devotions & services by an individual requires money.

Besides, the spread and establishment of a new religion in the whole world will naturally entail finances of a mind-boggling order.

Hence, Satsangis should responsibly draw the line rightly on how to earn enough money for a comfortable & dignified living that enables one an adequate performance of their religious duties & aspirations, while taking care not to get caught up in the senseless vortex of naked pursuit of wealth or the acquisition of material possessions.

Radhasoami!
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