Visit www.sos.org for more information on Sant Mat, Surat Shabd Yoga and Science of Spirituality.

Sant Mat is an ancient Sanskrit/Hindi term that translates as: The Path (or school, or body of teachings) of realized spiritual Masters. In Sant Mat vernacular, Sant is a specific term for a fully Self and God realized human being; one who, in his or her lifetime, has transcended the trammels of mind and matter and attained union with the Supreme Being, or God (call It by any name you like). More specifically, a Sant is one who, under the guidance and grace of their own initiating Guru or Pir, has elevated soul consciously from the physical body and it's chakra system, crossed the vast inner Astral (Anda), Causal (Brahmand) and Supra Causal (Par Brahm) regions, and then, proceeded further up to the Eternal Abode, known as Sach Khand (i.e. Sach: Eternal Truth; Khand: Realm). Maulana Rumi (1207-1277) of Persia refers to this region of Truth as Muqqam-I-Haq, whereas others have called it Sat Lok, or Sach Khand. One who has attained this exalted station has achieved spiritual liberation in life, and is no longer subject to birth and death. He has overcome the five thieves of lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego; he becomes the humble servant of child-humanity and sees God immanent in everything.

A true Sant receives a commission to initiate and guide spiritual seekers into the divine Light and Celestial Sound Current (Surat Shabd Yoga), selflessly assisting them to also achieve liberation from the cycle of births and deaths (transmigration) through a scientific and effective method of meditation. Imperfect Sants or Masters do much harm in the name of the spiritual science, but on the positive side, such poseurs do provide some valuable preparation for aspirants keenly seeking the inner Way. Some of the basic requirements for initiation include a commitment to meditation, vegetarianism, ethical behavior, and the avoidance of drugs and alcohol.

Sant Mat has been around for a long, long time. During tumultuous periods of history, it had of necessity to go underground, but was revived in the 15^th century by two great luminaries: Guru Nanak (1469-1539) of the Punjab and Kabir Sahib (1398-1518) of Banaras. Kabir Sahib is widely considered to be 'the grandfather of Sant Mat' in the present era, but there were many Sants before Kabir, and many  followed, in an unbroken stream. Jesus, in his time was a great Master and referred to the Primal Current of Light and divine Music of Creation as the Word.

In the 20th century, Hazur Baba Sawan Singh (1848-1948), Param Sant Kirpal Singh (1894-1974), and Sant Darshan Singh (1921-1989) were amongst the greatest proponents of these ancient teachings, which, under their guidance, took hold in practically all countries of the world; in the 21st century, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, head of Science of Spirituality, is considered to be the foremost living Master in this tradition (see: www.sos.org).

Sant Rajinder Singh, born into a family of great Masters (Sant Kirpal Singh and Sant Darshan Singh), trained in the West as a scientist and electrical engineer, and had a successful career as an inventor in electronic communications before being commissioned in 1989 by Sant Darshan Singh Ji to carry on the spiritual work.

Sant Rajinder Singh travels extensively to promote a message of inner peace, love and unity. Sant Rajinder Singh has authored several important works on meditation and spirituality, the latest being Spiritual Thirst (SKPublications, 2004). As well as Empowering Your Soul Through Meditation (2003) and Inner & Outer Peace Through Meditation (2003) both published by HarperCollins Thorsons Element, with a forward by H.H. the Dalai Lama. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj travels extensively to promote a message of inner peace, love and unity.

One of the age-old criteria of a true Sant is the mystic ability to bestow inner spiritual experience of the Naam or Word (the Divine Inner Light and Sound current), as well as further competent guidance to the initiates. In this regard, Kabir has stated, “Unless I see with my own eyes, I cannot believe even the words of my Guru.”  The true Sants and Gurus teach the necessity of having spiritual awakening in this life, and not wait until after death.

True Masters must be the example of what they teach. Moreover, they live off their own earnings and never charge anything for their teachings or initiation. Students are enjoined to lead a balanced and ethical life, while contributing positively to the society they live in.

Arran Stephens, artist, entrepreneur and author of Moth & the Flame and Journey to the Luminous, received initiation into the inner science in 1965 when he was twenty-one. He traveled extensively throughout India in the company of his mentors while eloquently recording extraordinary experiences, events, conversations and teachings.