July 9, 1914

Published in Sant Bani Magazine, July 1978

July 9, 1914

My dear daughter:

I received your letter of the 20th April in due course. There has been some delay in answering it.

Regarding your friend whom you gave the name, you must not disclose the secrets of the path or the actual instructions, but there is no harm in giving her books or explaining the principles to her if she seems interested. By your sympathetic treatment and loving nature you can teach her better than by words of mouth.

Regarding your intention to move to some other place, you may make the change as you think best. This will be no hindrance in your spiritual work, as our spiritual progress does not depend upon places or residences.

One important point I would like you to understand and that is as regards your relation with other teachers. Please note it carefully. When Sant Satguru (the Master) seeing the poor helpless souls in trouble comes from Sach Khand (the Region of Truth) to save them from misery and, giving them the secret of the Holy Sound, takes them back Home, Kal Purush (the Satan, the Lord of this world) also comes in the human form upon this earth and begins the work of destruction. Thus he opens a similar school whose teachings resemble somewhat that of Sant Mat, adopts similar names and thus ensnares and misleads poor ignorant beings, preventing them from returning to their Home. There are two points of difference between the Sant Satguru and an incarnation of the Kal Purush. The first is, that this true path within ourselves along which the soul reaches its true Home is known only to the Sant Satguru. The Kal Purush is not acquainted with the secret of the Holy Sound. The path of Kal is to the left, while that of the Saints is, as you know, to the right side. The work of Kal is to arrange and maintain this world, and that of the Sant Satguru is to take souls out of it.

Secondly, Sant Satguru never takes a single farthing from His disciples for His own purpose, i.e., He never lives upon their money. He earns His living like an ordinary human being and what exceeds His requirements, He gives to the poor, while other teachers collect subscriptions for their own use. They open a sort of business in the guise of religion. I do not mean to speak ill of anybody, but as this was an important matter, I thought it fit to write to you. You should on no account enter into lengthy debates with such persons; but you may explain the principles of your faith politely and lovingly, if so desired by them.

You ask what clutches you fast in the darkness. This can be answered in one word — Desires. They are the results of our own past Karmas. If we can get rid of the worldly desires, there is nothing to keep us confined in this world. More about this at some other time.

In answer to your question about writing articles in papers, I have only a word to say. I had already written at great length about this matter in a previous letter. The idea of trying to instruct others by means of contributing to journals is a clever deception of the mind. Really in such cases, the mind is not actuated by any benevolent motive. It takes a delight in showing its superior knowledge to others. This sort of delicate pride should be carefully shunned. And the fact is that we cannot change the destiny of others by our actions. Master Himself will manage to help those people even without any articles in papers.

Regarding your duty as a voter, it is not beneficial to take active interest in politics. But there is no harm in the simple act of voting. (‘Voting’ is a right and not a duty, you may use it or not as you will.)

I am very glad to see that you work hard in this direction and do not want to get hasty results. Your progress so far is very encouraging.

With love,
Yours affectionately,
SAWAN SINGH