The Yoga of Love, PT. 3

[Guest guest]

James Bean santmat

santmatfellowship

 

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THE YOGA OF LOVE -- BECOMING A LOVER OF THE BELOVED, PART THREE

 

THE HYMNS OF MYSTIC LOVERS

 

By James Bean

 

Copyright March 1998

 

Most of the great Saints and Mystics of history have also been poets

or composers of hymns, psalms, odes, banis, bhajans -- mystic songs of

love and devotion.

 

Closely related to the chanting of divine names (mantra, simran or zikhr)

is the practice of reciting or singing kirtanas, shabds and banis (hymns).

India's Saints of Love (prem and bhakti) for thousands of years have

composed their own devotional hymns and poems. India's Mystics have

left behind an immense treasure of devotional literature, the scriptures

of Sant Mat. If Westerners aren't able to sing these hymns in their original

languages, reading translations of them is in itself a spiritual exercise

of great benefit, for these beautiful words carry a loving spiritual

charge that helps to keep one mindful of the spiritual Path, as well

as it helps to prepare one for daily meditation practice. Babuji Maharaj

of Agra used to advise his followers to recite several hymns a day, prescribing

certain hymns of Swami Ji Maharaj and Rai Saligram (his Master) to be

chanted in the morning, before meals, and before going to bed at night!

("Niyamawali," published by Soami Bagh Books, Agra, India) To be sure,

it is indeed extremely helpful to read a couple of hymns or poems of

the Saints each day. For a big collection of hymns of the Saints online,

see: http://www.sikhs.org

 

Traditionally in India the Saints and Masters have also used hymns and

mystical poetry as a way to COMMUNICATE THEIR TEACHINGS to the people

-- communicating the truths of the Saints directly to the hearts of those

who listen. "Govinda [God] says, 'I go wherever devotees sing my praise.'"

(Garab Das) That quote very much reminds me of a passage from the Hebrew

Book of Psalms, "God inhabits the praises of His people."

 

This is a translation of a hymn (shabd) by the 19th century Mystic Tulsi

Sahib titled, "Shabd surat jin ki mili."

 

Whose soul is attached to the Word, revels

ever in cosmic flight;

Revels ever in cosmic flight, and realizing the

Lord, plays with Him.

The mystery of the Inaccessible and the secret

of the scriptures he unravels:

He reaches his Home within and its Essence

he comes to know;

In the lotus feet of the Beloved he sees

his true destination.

The happily married woman rejoices with her

Spouse every moment, O Tulsi,

For her soul is attached to the Word, and

revels ever in cosmic flight.

 

The compositions of Tulsi Sahib are bhakti (devotional) in tone, and

at the same time allude to the mystical experiences of achieving cosmic

flight by becoming attached to the Word, hearing the Celestial Music

during meditation. Through the divine Word the mystery of the Inaccessible

Plane (called by Mystics "Agam Lok") is made accessible. Shri Tulsi described

his experience of the Beloved Lord as a marriage consummated in mystical

union. This merger of lover and Beloved is the final destination of

lovers. Dadu, a Master in the Kabir lineage said of this oneness:

 

The lover is converted into the Beloved. That indeed

is called true love.

Forgetting his own ego, he remains

absorbed in the One.

 

In their hymns the Masters of the Word and Bhakti sing of the power that

the Spirit of Love has to transport souls back to the original Home of

all souls -- the Ocean of Love and Compassion (Anurag Sagar, Anami-Radhaswami

Desh). By approaching spiritual practice with love, we will be elevated

in spirit to places beyond our wildest dreams! And for those who are

skeptical of their own ability to experience the Way of the Saints, Swami

Ji Maharaj said in one of his poems:

 

It does not matter if your bhakti is imperfect.

Perform bhakti! Radhasoami [the Lord of the soul]

graciously declares that you should perform bhakti

in whichever way you can. Fear not. He will grant

you the Treasure of Love. You will be a recipient

of the Gift of Love. ("Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry," Vol. II)

 

I'll leave you with a poem by the 16th century Mystic Dadu who outlined

the Sant Mat vision of the spiritual life to be pursued during our time

on Earth:

 

Recognize the Path to your Beloved, O travelers and

take the route of the anguished lover in separation.

Keep the Master's grace in your thoughts, and reflect

on his pure teachings. Develop love and devotion with

endearment, and keep the thought of the Creator always

before you. Try to merge yourself into God like water

in water. Fix your mind within by following the Path

of the Sound Current. A yearning will arise; make then

an intense and anguished call. Repeat the Name of your

Beloved, day and night, again and again. With care in

thought, word and deed, you will cross to the other shore.

 

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