Book Review: Philosophy of Liberation
by James Bean
Copyright December 2004 — All Rights Reserved
Philosophy of Liberation (Moksha-Darshan)
By Maharshi Mehi Paramahansa Ji Maharaj
Translated by Veena Howard
Published by the Sant Mat Society of North America
Order a Hard Copy Directly from the Publisher: HERE.

E-Book: Read, Philosophy of Liberation: HERE.

This is the first book in English featuring the teachings of Maharshi Mehi, in the lineage of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib, the famous Saint of Hathras, India. The lineage began with Tulsi. After him were several Gurus, including Baba Devi Sahib. Mehi was the chief disciple and spiritual successor of Baba Devi Sahab. Veena Howard, who was initiated into meditation practice by Mehi, tells me that more writings from this lineage of Masters will soon be published and made available to spiritual seekers in the West. She sometimes gives public talks with an inter-faith perspective, mentioning the parallels between Sant Mat teachings and the mystic schools in the other world religions. Veena is also aware of other Sant Mat and Radhasoami lineages of Masters and seeks to cultivate friendly relations with one and all. I notice the book quotes Soami Ji Maharaj (Shiv Dayal Singh) several times, respectfully referring to him as “Sant Radhaswami Sahib.”

Note, both Soami Ji Maharaj and Huzur Maharaj (Rai Saligram) of the Radhasoami Faith, in their younger days, used to attend satsang in Hathras. There are two books in English featuring the mystic poetry and other writings of Sant Tulsi Sahib:

“Tulsi Sahib — Saint of Hathras,” a Volume in the Mystics of the East series: RS Books: Tulsi Sahib.

and

“Param Sant Tulsi Saheb,” published in Agra, India: Online Book @ Scribd: An Anthology of the Writings of Param Sant Tulsi Sahib.

Philosophy of Liberation is a intriguing book, providing some surprisingly technical details on the Yoga of Sound — Surat Shabd Yoga Meditation (“Nadanu Sandhana”), as well as the Yoga of Light, referred to in their terminology as “Drshti Yoga”, Yoga of Vision). The book is a bit more Upanishadic than I would have expected, rich with quotes from Hindu scriptures as well as the Sants of India, including from the Ghat Ramayana of Tulsi Sahib. Anyone interested in developing their own successful daily meditation practice will greatly benefit from the wisdom and depth of, “Philosophy of Liberation”, as it systematically covers all aspects of the philosophy of the path and the technical details of spiritual practice rarely ever seen in print from any source outside of India. It is not light reading, and that is precisely what I like about it! It is quite literally, THE MANUAL of Sant Mat — one of the best books ever written about Sant Mat Mysticism.

From the Book…..

72. The literature of various Saints describes the Sounds of the different realms. Some of the various Sounds are said to be similar to the Sounds of the veena (stringed instrument similar to the lyre), the murali (flute), the nafeeri (horn instrument), the mridang (drum), the mrdal (cymbals), the singi (a horn), the sitar (stringed instrument), or the sarangi (similar to a lute). Other descriptions compare these Sounds to a peal of thunder and a roar of a lion…..

Kabir Sahab says:

The Bhanwar Guphaa (Supra-Causal Realm, a higher Realm) is vibrating with the Soham (knowledge of ‘I’, one’s real Self). And the mystical flute is sounding continuously therein.
Sant Tulsi Sahab states in the Ghat Ramayana:

“The five various divine colors are seen in
the internal sky, viz. black, red, white, blue,
yellow, and the enchanting wave of the
spiritual Sound is bursting with the melodious
thrill of flutes.”

It is necessary to focus on the various Sounds in meditation. It is not possible to have experience of the Essential Divine Sound without first having experience of the Sounds of the lower realms. This is consistent with the teachings of the Saints. Section 66 deals with the necessity of experiencing and grasping the Sounds of the lower realms prior to experiencing the Essential Divine Sound.

73. Thus, the various Sounds experienced in meditation (such as a flute or a drum) cannot be correlated to any specific realm. With the exception of a few Saints such as Sant Radhaswami and Kabir Sahab, most other Saints as well as the writings of the Upanishads describe the various Sounds but do not mention the corresponding realms. However, all essentially agree on the existence of the Nameless State [Anami].

In reading the various Saints’ descriptions of Sounds, the inescapable conclusion is that all have complete knowledge of the Nadanu Sandhana (Yoga of Sound).

74. The Sound of the Gross Realm is sweet and harmonious. The Sound of the Subtle Realm is even sweeter and more harmonious than the Gross Realm. As one progresses from the Causal toward the Supra-Causal Realm the experience is of ever increasing sweetness and harmony of the Sound. In the state of Oneness of Upper Nature, the plurality of Sounds ceases to exist, and only then can the Essential Divine Sound be experienced. Other Sounds of the various Realms are not experienced at this level of the State of Oneness because diversity does not exist in the state of Oneness.

75. The State beyond Sound is acknowledged in the writings of Saints as the goal of their teachings. In addition, their writings accept Manas jap (repetition of a Divine name), Manas dhyan (concentration on a form of the Divine), Drshti Yoga (fixing the mind on a single Point) and Nadanu Sandhana (concentrating on the inner Sounds of the different spheres) as means to reach the Soundless State [Anadi]. These four techniques are therefore essential in Sant Mat.

76. Without achieving perfection in Nadanu Sandhana (the Yoga of Sound), the realization of the Supreme Sovereign God or the Knowledge of the Self cannot be achieved.

This Book Is Now Online — PDF File: E-Book: Read or Download, Philosophy of Liberation.