Sat-Sangha : In The Vicinity Of Truth

Neelam Nimare

**Sat-Sangha : In the vicinity of Truth**

Among spiritual seekers, Satsang is a well known activity. It commonly refers to being among a group of spiritual seekers and participating in spirituality related things. The activities in the Satsang that we usually see are listening, reading, discussing, meditating or singing together. A Satsang can be any of these things. It is worthwhile for every spiritual seeker especially on the path of knowledge to know the meaning and purpose of a Satsang.

**The meaning of Satsang**
The word Satsang is a combination of two Sanskrit words:
Sat means -Truth or Reality or Anything that is Eternal 
Sangh means- Company, Association, Community.
Satsang means association with Truth or connecting with the Truth, developing a relation with the Truth. Therefore, Satsang literary means being in company of Truth. How can one be in the company of Truth? By being associated with people interested in seeking Truth. There can be many ways. It can be in the presence of a realised person, which we call as the Guru or teacher. It can also be the company of fellow seekers who are also in their journey of Truth. It may not be a big community. Even two spiritual seekers are a satsang.

**What does a Satsang bring for a seeker**
Satsang is a very ancient practice. Satsangs happen in many spiritual traditions. A Satsang can contribute to the spiritual journey of a seeker in many ways. Some of them are as follows

**Removal of doubts**
Path of Knowledge is a spiritual path which is about removal of ignorance. This ignorance resides in the mind as blind beliefs and conditioning. Removal of ignorance is essentially an inner work. Satsang provides a favourable external environment to facilitate this inner work. How does this happen? Satsangs offer a great opportunity for contemplation. We know on the PoK, there are practices of Listening, Contemplation and Abiding. Path of knowledge is an intellectual path so while listening, a seeker may have doubts, or there can be misinterpretation of the teachings. He comes across paradoxical statements. Proper understanding of the knowledge is difficult if seeker tries by his efforts alone. Pointing of the misunderstandings can be done only by the Teacher. In Satsangs, the seeker can ask his questions and get the doubts cleared. The Guru also simplifies the knowledge by metaphors, stories, parables or real life examples . This makes the knowledge easy to understand. In addition to that, through questions asked by fellow seekers, and the answers of the Guru, many misunderstandings are removed. Also through the discussions in the Satsang, our own ignorance is often revealed which was unrecognised earlier. Even by being present in the Satsang and quietly listening one improves his understanding, sharpens the intellect and accelerates spiritual growth. This may not happen while listening or reading from the books on your own. So often it happens that some casual word from the Guru or another seeker triggers some realisation which is transformative, it answers a question that was lying in the mind unanswered since years. This has been the experience of many seekers. Since the ancient times, the Teachers and disciples have been organising Satsangs for purpose of contemplation and also for listening to the teachings.

**Support and inspiration**
While being on the path of knowledge, some seekers may experience periods of stagnation, dryness or frustration. The feeling of detachment may seem like isolation. Several challenges also come up in the journey. When a seeker undergoes such states, then the fellow seekers provide the warmth and support. Being in the Satsang feels like a sense of community. The seeker learns that challenges in spiritual life are faced by everyone and he is not alone. When surrounded by sincere seekers, the inspiration to continue on the path is maintained in spite of the challenges.

**Breaking the intellectual pride**
Spiritual pride is a hidden obstacle. When you are alone, the mind reinforces its own patterns. You cannot make out the blind beliefs. In a Satsang, when you are humbly listening and reflecting, you can see the beliefs or false identities clearly. It will keep the intellectual pride in check. You develop humility and surrender, which essential qualities of a seeker.

**Cultivating essential qualities**
When the seeker participates in the Satsangs, it also helps to cultivate the qualities of the seeker, like sharpening of intellectual and reasoning abilities, improved communication, discipline, sincerity etc

**Peace and joy**
Seekers often experience peace and great joy being in the Satsangs. These are subjective experiences. The joy of a Satsang cannot be explained or compared with other worldly pleasures. In Satsang, the restless mind settles down by simply sitting and listening. There is a feeling of silence and peace. A mind that was full of questions, when gets answers becomes happy and calm. My Teacher says that Satsang is the finest kind of gossip you can have. It is fun and educating.

**Purification** 
Sometimes old griefs, sadness, suppressed emotions are let out in a Satsang. They dissolve in the presence of the Truth. Seekers experience spontaneous tears, laughter or deep joy. The heart feels lighter, free and more open. It is because mind is influenced by company. Being in the company of seekers of truth purifies and uplifts the mind naturally.

**Grace**
Every True Satsang carries the power of grace. It may not deliberate by someone. Grace is something that happens spontaneously. The presence of the Guru and similar seekers can facilitate Grace. When the mind becomes quiet, grace happens naturally.

**Satsang : Ancient and modern times**
Practice of Satsang is deeply rooted in the ancient teacher disciple traditions. In the ancient times, knowledge was transmitted by staying near the Guru, in forests or hermitages. Satsang was in form of dynamic dialogue between the seeker and Teacher and not passive lecture. In Satsangs, healthy debates were also encouraged to give more food for contemplation. The Guru would also assess the progress of the seekers in the debates. In present times too, Satsang is an important method for contemplation. Seekers bring their real doubts and confusions and inquire together. It provides great opportunity to find the Truth of the teachings. So from ancient to modern times, the essence of Satsang has remain the same. Only the mode of Satsang has changed. Technology has made it easy for seekers to participate in Satsangs irrespective of time and location.

**How can Satsang be more fruitful**
When the seeker comes to a Satsang with certain attitudes and behaviours, he can be benefited more. These are not rules but some simple ideas based on common sense.
1.Come to the Satsang empty. It means empty your mind of preconditioned ideas and beliefs. Dont carry your old mind with you. Come with a beginners mind, just like a child who is knows nothing but is full of curiosity. If you are ready to come with an empty cup, only then you can it fill with knowledge. Seeking always begins with this statement I dont know. 
2.Be in respect and love for the Teacher. This is not about having a blind faith, but having a open heart. When you are in love with the Path and the knowledge, then reverence comes naturally. Reverence makes mind receptive just like how soft soil allows the seed of wisdom to be planted in it easily.
3.Listening deeply( Shravan). Listen not just with your ears but with whole of awareness. Avoid continuous background analysis of the teaching. Dont compare the conversations with what you have heard elsewhere. Every Satsang has its unique flavour.
4.Questioning is one of the most important activity in a Satsang. Your questions should arise from genuine seeking and not from a desire to test or debate. Real inquiry comes through sincerity and not cleverness. Also ask good quality questions. Good questions are the sign of good Contemplation practice. Putting questions focused on the knowledge of truth will be advantageous to every seeker in the Satsang. Question about how to improve worldly life etc are least preferred because the path of knowledge is not the path to solve worldly problems.
5.Be a humble learner. Avoid the restlessness of I already know that. Be courteous to fellow seekers. Discuss the matters to arrive at the Truth, not to debate for self righteousness.
6.Avoid long external rituals. Satsang should be focused on the knowledge. Unnecessary rituals can dilute the purpose. Satsang should not become like a spiritual entertainment or spiritual tourism.
7.After Satsang have a little quiet time. Let the wisdom sink in.

*So, Satsangs are all about immersing youself in the presence of Truth. Satsang refines, supports and accelerates the seekers spiritual journey. It is like placing wet firewood near burning logs. Alone, the wet wood will not catch fire but in the vicinity of fire, it will soon start burning on its own.*

Telegram Browser Warning

Wise Words

Sat-Sangha : In The Vicinity Of Truth

Neelam Nimare