Some Basic Heartfulness Concepts

Heartfulness Meditation

Of the many methods of meditation available today across the world, Heartfulness Meditation is one of the simplest and most effective. It is a heart-based meditation. It is also called Sahaj Marg, or, Natural Path. Abhyasis are guided on how to bring our heart and our intuition into everything that we do. Our experience is proof that this method of meditation helps bring about inner transformation very silently. Over time, the changes in ourselves is clearly perceptible and palpable in terms of behavioral changes, attitude and approach towards situations and relationship with all fellow-beings. One starts to understanding what spiritual growth could really mean.

It has scientifically been proven that the heart communicates twice as much to the brain than the brain does to the heart. The heart is able to give more accurate decisions in life, and far supersedes the capability of our brain. The heart is capable of leading us much better than the head.

Pranahuti in HFN

Heartfulness Meditation is very unique since it is assisted by Yogic Transmission (“Pranahuti”). Pranahuti has existed in Indian spiritual practices 72 generations before the time of Raja Dasharatha. It was lost to us for a long time. It was re-discovered and revived into actual practice by Shri Rama Chandra of Shahjahanpur [affectionately called Lalaji] about 100 years back. We have attempted to give the meaning of the word Pranahuti in the Vocabulary section at the beginning of this booklet. Pranahuti by a Living Guide is the real transformational factor in Heartfulness.

Scientific Approach

The Masters of Sahaj Marg, encourage Abhyasis to experiment with the methods and practices prescribed and come to their own conclusions. Constructive experimentation and a scientific approach to understanding the method is considered important and highly recommended. Blind faith is actively discouraged. Any form of pooja or worship of Masters is also discouraged. No practices similar to religious practices are recommended or encouraged.

However, our Masters also advise us that once the Abhyasi is convinced of the method through direct experience in the course of his/her experimentations, then (s)he should drop all doubts and get down to sincere and disciplined practice.

Master

The SRCM is founded on the Guru-Shishya parampara and thrives on the existence of a Living Master. Lalaji Maharaj is considered the Adi-Guru if this system. However, he did not start an establishment. Babuji Maharaj founded the Shri Rama Chandra Mission on 21^st July 1945 and remained the Global Guide and President till 19^th April 1983. He attained access to the Brighter World on that day.  Shri Parthasarathy Rajagopalachari [affectionately known as Chariji], was one of the leading disciples of Babuji Maharaj who chosen by Babuji as his successor. Chariji Maharaj presided over the Mission for about 30 years till he attained Mahasamadhi on 20^th December 2014. The current Global Guide Shri Kamlesh Patel [affectionately known as Daaji] took over the mantle from Chariji Maharaj.

Each of the Masters have made very significant contributions to the Global growth of the Mission as well as have bringing this practice closer and closer to the common man.

Balance Material Life with Spirituality

All the Masters of Sahaj Marg have been Grihasthas (family-man or householder), leading normal lives. They were all married, had children, had jobs and careers and friends and relatives. They took care of all these things on one side and on the other side, evolved to the highest levels of Spirituality possible for man. For instance, the current Global Guide, Shri Kamlesh Patel, setup and ran a large pharmaceutical business in the US during this prime.

We are taught that there is no need to shun material life to attain Spiritual growth. On the contrary, home and society are the ideal grounds to practice spirituality. Masters teach us how to balance our family lives with our spiritual growth.

This fundamental tenet brings the entire world into the fold of Sahaj Marg. Every human is given hope that (s)he can achieve the Ultimate Goal even when living the life of a normal householder which may include family, career, and other material paraphernalia.

Babuji teaches us that we have to fly like a bird whose two wings are material life and spiritual life.

Attitude

One of the most critical components in the Heartfulness System, for that matter, in any system of spiritual practice, is the attitude we bring into it.

An attitude of Love for the Ultimate is an essential ingredient. An eagerness and willingness to transform for the greater good is needed.

Teachings

Lalaji Maharaj’s teachings were systematized by his prime disciple, also by name Shri Rama Chandra [affectionately called Babuji] of Fatehgarh. He was a spiritual scientist par excellence and developed a set of very simple but most effective spiritual practices.  For the last 75 years, the Shri Rama Chandra Mission [started in the name of Lalaji Maharaj] has helped thousands and thousands of people across the world find higher meaning in their lives.

 

Heartfulness Vocabulary

Heartfulness Vocabulary

When you start on any new subject, the first thing that hits you is the jargon and vocabulary specific to that subject. If you start using the same vocabulary, you already start feeling comfortable with the subject. The vocabulary listed below are given in the order most people come across them in Sahaj Marg.

Sahaj Marg - Natural Path – is a 100-year-old system, consisting of a set of simple practices, principles, and concepts. These also form the basis of Shri Rama Chandra Mission, also known across the world as Heartfulness. Heartfulness is practiced in over 160 countries today by over 4 million Abhyasis and is supported by over 13000 Preceptors in over 132 countries. This is the beginning of a silent revolution that is set to transform the world, one heart at a time, using love as its only credo.

Sitting - A meditation session is called a sitting. Abhyasis can sit by themselves and follow the prescribed method of meditation. Abhyasis are also quite often “given sittings” by Preceptors. Sittings can last anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Daaji Giving Sitting at Kanha

Abhyasi - A practitioner of the Sahaj Marg method of meditation, also called Heartfulness Meditation is known as an Abhyasi. By the way, we all know it is a Sanskrit word that just means “a practitioner”.

Preceptor - An adept Abhyasi, who has been trained specially by the Global Guide, to “give Pranahuti” is called a Preceptor. Preceptors are also Abhyasis. Any Abhyasi can volunteer to be a Preceptor. There is a proven and prescribed process to become a Preceptor.

Pranahuti - The act of concentrating the Universal and Ultimate Love or Power and directing it towards an Abhyasi or a group of Abhyasis for their spiritual evolution and transformation is called Pranahuti. This is merely a technical description. Language would fail miserably in trying to explain Pranahuti in the real sense and to explain it’s benefits and impact. It is like feeling the aroma of an exquisite flower or tasting a particularly delicious dish. The aroma or the taste can never be explained to one’s satisfaction. It has to be experienced. That is all.

Master - In Heartfulness, the word Master means God in some contexts. In certain other contexts, it also means the Guru or the Guide. The tenacious and persistent Abhyasi develops a deep connection with this word over time and finds the true meaning. Every Abhyasi is invited to develop a personal relationship with what this word may represent for themselves. Yes, it is a bit enigmatic.

Mission - The Shri Rama Chandra Mission is called the Mission. The Mission was established on the 21^st of July 1945 in Shahjahanpur by Babuji Maharaj.

Method - The set of practices developed by Babuji Maharaj under the tutelage Shri Lalaji Maharaj and other Greater Beings of the Brighter World, is together called Method. Babuji Maharaj was a Spiritual Scientist of the highest order, probably beyond the imagination and understanding of the ordinary mind. The method is very scientific, we assure you.

Cleaning - The Heartfulness Practice of removing samskaras from our system is called cleaning. In practice, it may seem a childishly simple process, but the impact and benefits of this process are immeasurable. It can be effectively carried out only by Abhyasis who have been initiated into the system by a trained Preceptor.

Satsang – A group Meditation is called a Satsang. It is conducted by one of the Preceptors of Heartfulness or by the Global Guide himself. The session may be remote or in person.

One-To-One Sitting – To make speedy progress, Abhyasis need regular individual sittings with Preceptors. In this, only one Preceptor or the Global Guide and one Abhyasi participate and the focus of the Preceptor or the Global Guide is completely on the Abhyasi present. Compare this with Satsang, in which one Preceptor or the Global Guide gives sitting to many people at a time.

A one to one Sitting

Lalaji – Shri Rama Chandra of Shahjahanpur (2 Feb 1873 - 14 Aug 1931), the Adi-Guru of Sahaj Marg and Guru of Babuji.

Babuji – Shri Rama Chandra of Fatehgarh, (30 Apr 1899 - 19th Apr 1983), the founder and first President of SRCM.

Chariji – Shri Parthasarathy Rajagopalachari (24 July 1927 – 20 Dec 2014) was the third Global Guide of the Mission.

Daaji – Shri Kamlesh Patel (b 28 Sept 1958) is the current and Fourth Global Guide of the mission.

Heartfulness is completely free of charge. The Masters in this system truly believe that Spirituality is not for sale.