Frequently Asked Questions
Item Information
Is it possible to send an e-mail or write to your Master?
First of all, Maharajji does not have an e-mail address. Now, concerning letters through the post, one can indeed write him, but he does not encourage this because with the thousands of disciples he has in India and all over the world, he would spend all his time reading and answering letters. What time would he have then to devote to the problems of humanity in general which hold his attention? Maharajji rather advises whoever wishes to have his guidance to connect with him inwardly through meditation or prayer, and in that way he will help him.
Can one go to see him in Rishikesh?
Yes, of course. Maharajji lives at his ashram in Laxman Jhulla, a district in Rishikesh. That is where all his Indian and foreign disciples who want to have his darshan go to see him (darshan means seeing or meeting a saint so as to receive his blessings). ShantiMayi's website has all the necessary information for foreigners going to Rishikesh. There one can find addresses of hotels in Delhi (where your plane will probably land) and also in Rishikesh. There is also advice on transport from Delhi to Laxman Julla (Rishikesh) in the best conditions of comfort and security. This information is based on years and years of experience gained through trips and stays in India. Naturally, if you wish to go about it differently, please feel free to do so.
When you become a disciple of Maharajji, do you have to abandon your religion if you have one?
No, a thousand times no! Maharajji never asks of anyone to become converted to such or such a religion. Moreover he never speaks about his disciples' religion, because for him, each person has the right to follow the religion of his choice. What is important for Maharajji is a person's heart, and not what he believes. He never imposes his will on anyone in any domain at all. He scrupulously respects each person's free will at all times. His aim is not to promote any particular religion or create a new one, but rather to help each person blossom out spiritually, on the path that person has chosen. Maharajji has always said that a saint is beyond all religions, even if he has reached the goal through one of them. Religion is thus a means, not an end. God is the finality of all spiritual quests.
Moreover, it must be noted that he has disciples from all religions (Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim etc.) and others who are not connected to any particular religion. Wherever there is a pure, open, loving, aspiring heart, God manifests Himself ...
So, if the disciple is not required to adopt a specific religion, how can Maharajji help him/her to progress spiritually?
Budding lotus Through meditation, chanting mantras pertaining to yoga or any other healthy spiritual practice (by healthy we mean sincere practices turned towards the quest for unity with the Divinity — whatever the name one may give Him).
It must be remembered that Maharajji is a true saint (in the most sacred sense of this term) and that he has become one with God. Therefore provided that one's heart is in harmony with him, he will always be with you, especially during your spiritual practices to help you advance. The Master nourishes the souls which willingly open up to him, through subtle and indispensable energy which makes them grow spiritually. But to fully benefit from the Master's assistance — any realized Master, not just Maharajji, for it is a spiritual law — three things are required concomitantly:
First of all, a heart to heart relationship with the Master must be established through confidence in him. There was a good reason why Lord Jesus Christ asked those who sought His help if they had faith in Him. For if one does not have faith in a Master or any other spiritual Being one has asked to help, the divine energy of the Master or spiritual Being cannot be fully manifested in favour of such an individual. Indeed it is blocked by his lack of faith. In short, faith is like an antenna which canalizes a signal of high vibration coming from the Master, the spiritual Being or God.
Then seriously follow a spiritual practice.
Finally, try to live an ethical life of goodwill and love towards all beings. In short, one must not harm anyone, while being helpful at the same time.
Naturally, one is not asking disciples for the moon, but that they be sincere and constantly seek to be better than they are today. No one can be insincere with his soul, for it is the Witness which constantly watches over the individual and records everything. Now, the Master – having realized God, is one with the soul of each being and therefore knows what is happening in each disciple.
If these three criteria are not met at the same time, very little progress will be made, for then one will receive very little spiritual energy.
However, let us note that this is what is best, but Maharajji knows quite well that each disciple will only manage to satisfy these criteria progressively, with time. In any case he demands nothing and asks no questions about such things. But he who really desires to advance knows that sooner or later he will have to comply with them. That is the problem all disciples have to deal with.
At times you say Maharajji is a saint, while at other times you say he is a Master. What does each of these terms mean?
Three-coloured violet
First of all, the term Master designates a person who, through spiritual practice during many incarnations so as to progress, and a constant effort to purify himself completely, has finally succeeded in putting the human personality under the complete domination of his divine Self. He has attained what is called divine realization. In short, his human nature has disappeared, thus leaving his divine nature, a ray emanating directly from God, to rule forever. He has realized his essential nature and has forever abandoned the illusory, mortal nature of the human personality. Hindus call this divine aspect in man the Atma, and Christians call it Spirit (not to be confused with spirit — the thinking principle). He is then a person who has no earthly weaknesses. Having thus realized unity with God, unity with everything which exists, he possesses divine love and wisdom as well. He loves all beings with profound love which asks for nothing in return. He makes no differences between men for he only sees the divine souls in them. From then on, this realized being only lives to bring assistance to other men so that they too may one day reach these sublime heights.
One therefore calls him a Master because he has mastered his human nature and all earthly laws. This term Master is thus a technical appellation.
In addition, in popular vocabulary, saint is the term used for someone having outstanding qualities or who has simply decided to devote his life to the quest for God (e.g. sadhus in India or certain monks or nuns in the West). But if one looks closely, one will notice that this term is often used for a whole range of people of extremely different spiritual levels, ranging from men of goodwill with a loving heart who, in spite of this, have not yet mastered their human nature, up to the true Master. The term is therefore a vaguer definition of someone's spiritual level... In our articles, we will use this word saint in its highest sense, that of Master.
I thought that a Master is a person who is just a little bit wiser than most of us!
No, a Master is not a person who is just a little bit wiser than most men. To get a better idea of this, one must understand that although the Master has a human body which resembles that of other men, he belongs henceforth to the fifth kingdom of nature. Now, you know the differences between the second kingdom (vegetable kingdom) and the third (animal kingdom) as well as those which exist between the third kingdom (animal kingdom) and the fourth (human kingdom). One can therefore suppose that globally such differences exist between the fourth kingdom (that of men) and the fifth (the kingdom of Masters)... Truly, the consciousness of a Master encompasses worlds and planes of which an ordinary man has no idea, in the same way that the consciousness of a man encompasses knowledge which the most intelligent of animals would never be able to apprehend.
Is it necessary to have a Master to progress spiritually?
If you want to become a specialist in mathematics, economics or British literature for example, you can of course, learn by yourself but you can also be taught by a university professor in this field. Which method would help you the most make sure, rapid progress?
A Master is a specialist in the spiritual path because he has gone the whole way and knows each stage and obstacle. Moreover, although the Master has attained his state through a particular path, once he has acquired mastery over it, he knows each religion and each path perfectly. It is like an alpinist who has arrived at the peak of a mountain. From his position he sees all the tracks which lead to the summit and also sees any difficulty on each track. He can therefore help those who climb up towards this peak on which he is standing, whatever path they use.
And why is my traditional religious practice not enough?
If, on considering the situation impartially, you really feel that your religious practice is enough, then it is truly enough for you.
However, some people feel the urgent need to be helped by a more competent person to guide them on the path.
These two positions are quite normal, for people do not all have the same needs. This has always been so with the different religions. Those who feel no particular need continue their practice, while others seek spiritual instructors or Masters to take them beyond their present horizon. Without going up to the level of spiritual Master, one could say that in a way, the priests of different religions often play this role for certain devotees who go to their churches and temples. And everyone finds it normal for a devotee to see a Priest where he prays to ask for advice, further light on a particular topic and assistance, for one supposes that the latter has more knowledge, experience and wisdom in spiritual matters.
With a spiritual Master, the concept is just extended further, for his aim is to lead his disciple to direct knowledge of God and to acquire His numerous holy treasures, of which the foremost are divine wisdom and everlasting peace of heart.
If one wants to make significant progress, does one have to be celibate and leave one's job?
No situation prevents you from reaching God. Some people who are married and have a job have attained divine realization. Others have reached this goal as celibates or through living a life as renunciates (monks or nuns and their eastern equivalents). So searching for God depends especially on each person's heart and his aspiration and not on his social or matrimonial situation.
Anyhow, Maharajji never intervenes in the matrimonial and professional situations of his disciples. Each person organizes his life as he feels. However, he says that it is from the place where one is, from one's present situation that one must sincerely search for God. Indeed, He is quite close if one wants to invoke Him.
Does becoming a disciple of Maharajji oblige me to live at his ashram?
Maharajji has so many disciples — thousands of them scattered all over India and the five continents that his ashram would not be able to hold all of them together.
On the contrary, they are workers, farmers, businessmen etc. They live as married men and women or unmarried according to the life-style they have freely chosen. They live in their respective countries and localities and that is where they practise their sadhana (spiritual practice or discipline). Those who wish to see Maharajji go for a short stay from time to time in Rishikesh and then return home.
In fact, only a very few Indian disciples stay with him to take care of the ashram.
It's strange that up till now nobody has heard of the Sacha Lineage and the great saints who have embodied it up to the present time.
It is not all that strange. One must understand that although the world of Masters works for the same goal under God's direction, it is divided into three distinct groups.
First group
They are Masters who never appear publicly. Certain Masters of this group live in remote places where they never come into contact with men, whereas other Masters of this same group may, from time to time come among men or else live among them without ever revealing what they are. All the Masters of this first group accomplish marvellous and indispensable work for the good of humanity or the planet according to the mission God gives them.
Second group
They are Masters who live among men, carry out certain work, but who avoid being recognized by the public at large before a specific time. Thus they are known in the beginning only by their disciples until one day a publication makes them known on a wider scale, when they feel that the time has come for their existence to be known publicly. And in such a case, this is not done to advertise themselves, for they shun that sort of thing, but to advance their work because then men will be ready to understand it and cooperate. There are many of these Masters. Sometimes, some among this group are never known publicly for nothing is ever published about them and so they are known only to their disciples. The fact that there has been no book or publication about a Master does not mean that he is not great. Many sublime Masters and Avatars are not known to men … but their work is of capital importance for the evolution of humanity.
Concerning the first and second group of Masters, one can ask the question: is the diamond which is still hidden in the bosom of the earth of less value than the one which is already in the hands of men, just because it has not yet been discovered?
Third group
They are Masters who work among men and are known and recognized publicly. It must be understood that these Masters sacrifice themselves in this way, for when one has reached the heights and spiritual purity which they have attained, it is not easy to remain among men who are still coarse from the point of view of their spiritual evolution, materialistic, small-minded, egoistic and still prone to sensual pleasures. The trouble is, so to speak, that Masters perceive and feel all these imperfections in man, but they ignore them and only see the divine soul in them, like a gem of a great price still hidden in the mud. And like good doctors who treat patients however badly damaged their bodies are, through love for us they accept to come and live among us to care for our souls.
You can now understand that it is not surprising that the Masters of the Sacha lineage have remained quite unknown up till now. But it is now time, and their disciples have come and will continue to come from all over the world.
In any case, one should not oppose one Master to another, for they all work for the good of humanity and the glory of God. And each Master is an incarnation of the Infinite. It is a privilege to meet one.
Is it possible to send an e-mail or write to your Master?
First of all, Maharajji does not have an e-mail address. Now, concerning letters through the post, one can indeed write him, but he does not encourage this because with the thousands of disciples he has in India and all over the world, he would spend all his time reading and answering letters. What time would he have then to devote to the problems of humanity in general which hold his attention? Maharajji rather advises whoever wishes to have his guidance to connect with him inwardly through meditation or prayer, and in that way he will help him.
Can one go to see him in Rishikesh?
Yes, of course. Maharajji lives at his ashram in Laxman Jhulla, a district in Rishikesh. That is where all his Indian and foreign disciples who want to have his darshan go to see him (darshan means seeing or meeting a saint so as to receive his blessings). ShantiMayi's website has all the necessary information for foreigners going to Rishikesh. There one can find addresses of hotels in Delhi (where your plane will probably land) and also in Rishikesh. There is also advice on transport from Delhi to Laxman Julla (Rishikesh) in the best conditions of comfort and security. This information is based on years and years of experience gained through trips and stays in India. Naturally, if you wish to go about it differently, please feel free to do so. When you become a disciple of Maharajji, do you have to abandon your religion if you have one?
No, a thousand times no! Maharajji never asks of anyone to become converted to such or such a religion. Moreover he never speaks about his disciples' religion, because for him, each person has the right to follow the religion of his choice. What is important for Maharajji is a person's heart, and not what he believes. He never imposes his will on anyone in any domain at all. He scrupulously respects each person's free will at all times. His aim is not to promote any particular religion or create a new one, but rather to help each person blossom out spiritually, on the path that person has chosen. Maharajji has always said that a saint is beyond all religions, even if he has reached the goal through one of them. Religion is thus a means, not an end. God is the finality of all spiritual quests. Moreover, it must be noted that he has disciples from all religions (Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim etc.) and others who are not connected to any particular religion. Wherever there is a pure, open, loving, aspiring heart, God manifests Himself ...
So, if the disciple is not required to adopt a specific religion, how can Maharajji help him/her to progress spiritually?
Through meditation, chanting mantras pertaining to yoga or any other healthy spiritual practice (by healthy we mean sincere practices turned towards the quest for unity with the Divinity — whatever the name one may give Him). It must be remembered that Maharajji is a true saint (in the most sacred sense of this term) and that he has become one with God. Therefore provided that one's heart is in harmony with him, he will always be with you, especially during your spiritual practices to help you advance. The Master nourishes the souls which willingly open up to him, through subtle and indispensable energy which makes them grow spiritually. But to fully benefit from the Master's assistance — any realized Master, not just Maharajji, for it is a spiritual law — three things are required concomitantly:
First of all, a heart to heart relationship with the Master must be established through confidence in him. There was a good reason why Lord Jesus Christ asked those who sought His help if they had faith in Him. For if one does not have faith in a Master or any other spiritual Being one has asked to help, the divine energy of the Master or spiritual Being cannot be fully manifested in favour of such an individual. Indeed it is blocked by his lack of faith. In short, faith is like an antenna which canalizes a signal of high vibration coming from the Master, the spiritual Being or God.
Then seriously follow a spiritual practice.
Finally, try to live an ethical life of goodwill and love towards all beings. In short, one must not harm anyone, while being helpful at the same time.
Naturally, one is not asking disciples for the moon, but that they be sincere and constantly seek to be better than they are today. No one can be insincere with his soul, for it is the Witness which constantly watches over the individual and records everything. Now, the Master – having realized God, is one with the soul of each being and therefore knows what is happening in each disciple.
If these three criteria are not met at the same time, very little progress will be made, for then one will receive very little spiritual energy.
However, let us note that this is what is best, but Maharajji knows quite well that each disciple will only manage to satisfy these criteria progressively, with time. In any case he demands nothing and asks no questions about such things. But he who really desires to advance knows that sooner or later he will have to comply with them. That is the problem all disciples have to deal with.
At times you say Maharajji is a saint, while at other times you say he is a Master. What does each of these terms mean?
First of all, the term Master designates a person who, through spiritual practice during many incarnations so as to progress, and a constant effort to purify himself completely, has finally succeeded in putting the human personality under the complete domination of his divine Self. He has attained what is called divine realization. In short, his human nature has disappeared, thus leaving his divine nature, a ray emanating directly from God, to rule forever. He has realized his essential nature and has forever abandoned the illusory, mortal nature of the human personality. Hindus call this divine aspect in man the Atma, and Christians call it Spirit (not to be confused with spirit — the thinking principle). He is then a person who has no earthly weaknesses. Having thus realized unity with God, unity with everything which exists, he possesses divine love and wisdom as well. He loves all beings with profound love which asks for nothing in return. He makes no differences between men for he only sees the divine souls in them. From then on, this realized being only lives to bring assistance to other men so that they too may one day reach these sublime heights.
One therefore calls him a Master because he has mastered his human nature and all earthly laws. This term Master is thus a technical appellation.
In addition, in popular vocabulary, saint is the term used for someone having outstanding qualities or who has simply decided to devote his life to the quest for God (e.g. sadhus in India or certain monks or nuns in the West). But if one looks closely, one will notice that this term is often used for a whole range of people of extremely different spiritual levels, ranging from men of goodwill with a loving heart who, in spite of this, have not yet mastered their human nature, up to the true Master. The term is therefore a vaguer definition of someone's spiritual level... In our articles, we will use this word saint in its highest sense, that of Master.
I thought that a Master is a person who is just a little bit wiser than most of us!
No, a Master is not a person who is just a little bit wiser than most men. To get a better idea of this, one must understand that although the Master has a human body which resembles that of other men, he belongs henceforth to the fifth kingdom of nature. Now, you know the differences between the second kingdom (vegetable kingdom) and the third (animal kingdom) as well as those which exist between the third kingdom (animal kingdom) and the fourth (human kingdom). One can therefore suppose that globally such differences exist between the fourth kingdom (that of men) and the fifth (the kingdom of Masters)... Truly, the consciousness of a Master encompasses worlds and planes of which an ordinary man has no idea, in the same way that the consciousness of a man encompasses knowledge which the most intelligent of animals would never be able to apprehend. Is it necessary to have a Master to progress spiritually?
If you want to become a specialist in mathematics, economics or British literature for example, you can of course, learn by yourself but you can also be taught by a university professor in this field. Which method would help you the most make sure, rapid progress? A Master is a specialist in the spiritual path because he has gone the whole way and knows each stage and obstacle. Moreover, although the Master has attained his state through a particular path, once he has acquired mastery over it, he knows each religion and each path perfectly. It is like an alpinist who has arrived at the peak of a mountain. From his position he sees all the tracks which lead to the summit and also sees any difficulty on each track. He can therefore help those who climb up towards this peak on which he is standing, whatever path they use.
And why is my traditional religious practice not enough?
If, on considering the situation impartially, you really feel that your religious practice is enough, then it is truly enough for you. However, some people feel the urgent need to be helped by a more competent person to guide them on the path.
These two positions are quite normal, for people do not all have the same needs. This has always been so with the different religions. Those who feel no particular need continue their practice, while others seek spiritual instructors or Masters to take them beyond their present horizon. Without going up to the level of spiritual Master, one could say that in a way, the priests of different religions often play this role for certain devotees who go to their churches and temples. And everyone finds it normal for a devotee to see a Priest where he prays to ask for advice, further light on a particular topic and assistance, for one supposes that the latter has more knowledge, experience and wisdom in spiritual matters.
With a spiritual Master, the concept is just extended further, for his aim is to lead his disciple to direct knowledge of God and to acquire His numerous holy treasures, of which the foremost are divine wisdom and everlasting peace of heart.
If one wants to make significant progress, does one have to be celibate and leave one's job?
No situation prevents you from reaching God. Some people who are married and have a job have attained divine realization. Others have reached this goal as celibates or through living a life as renunciates (monks or nuns and their eastern equivalents). So searching for God depends especially on each person's heart and his aspiration and not on his social or matrimonial situation. Anyhow, Maharajji never intervenes in the matrimonial and professional situations of his disciples. Each person organizes his life as he feels. However, he says that it is from the place where one is, from one's present situation that one must sincerely search for God. Indeed, He is quite close if one wants to invoke Him.
Does becoming a disciple of Maharajji oblige me to live at his ashram?
Maharajji has so many disciples — thousands of them scattered all over India and the five continents that his ashram would not be able to hold all of them together. On the contrary, they are workers, farmers, businessmen etc. They live as married men and women or unmarried according to the life-style they have freely chosen. They live in their respective countries and localities and that is where they practise their sadhana (spiritual practice or discipline). Those who wish to see Maharajji go for a short stay from time to time in Rishikesh and then return home.
In fact, only a very few Indian disciples stay with him to take care of the ashram.
It's strange that up till now nobody has heard of the Sacha Lineage and the great saints who have embodied it up to the present time.
It is not all that strange. One must understand that although the world of Masters works for the same goal under God's direction, it is divided into three distinct groups. First group
They are Masters who never appear publicly. Certain Masters of this group live in remote places where they never come into contact with men, whereas other Masters of this same group may, from time to time come among men or else live among them without ever revealing what they are. All the Masters of this first group accomplish marvellous and indispensable work for the good of humanity or the planet according to the mission God gives them.
Second group
They are Masters who live among men, carry out certain work, but who avoid being recognized by the public at large before a specific time. Thus they are known in the beginning only by their disciples until one day a publication makes them known on a wider scale, when they feel that the time has come for their existence to be known publicly. And in such a case, this is not done to advertise themselves, for they shun that sort of thing, but to advance their work because then men will be ready to understand it and cooperate. There are many of these Masters. Sometimes, some among this group are never known publicly for nothing is ever published about them and so they are known only to their disciples. The fact that there has been no book or publication about a Master does not mean that he is not great. Many sublime Masters and Avatars are not known to men … but their work is of capital importance for the evolution of humanity.
Concerning the first and second group of Masters, one can ask the question: is the diamond which is still hidden in the bosom of the earth of less value than the one which is already in the hands of men, just because it has not yet been discovered?
Third group
They are Masters who work among men and are known and recognized publicly. It must be understood that these Masters sacrifice themselves in this way, for when one has reached the heights and spiritual purity which they have attained, it is not easy to remain among men who are still coarse from the point of view of their spiritual evolution, materialistic, small-minded, egoistic and still prone to sensual pleasures. The trouble is, so to speak, that Masters perceive and feel all these imperfections in man, but they ignore them and only see the divine soul in them, like a gem of a great price still hidden in the mud. And like good doctors who treat patients however badly damaged their bodies are, through love for us they accept to come and live among us to care for our souls.
You can now understand that it is not surprising that the Masters of the Sacha lineage have remained quite unknown up till now. But it is now time, and their disciples have come and will continue to come from all over the world.
In any case, one should not oppose one Master to another, for they all work for the good of humanity and the glory of God. And each Master is an incarnation of the Infinite. It is a privilege to meet one.
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