Kirpal Singh

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Sant Kirpal Singh (6 February 1894–21 August 1974) was a guru who was born in Sayyad Kasran, a part of the Punjab which now belongs to Pakistan.

He taught the unity of all religions and the birthright of man to attain self-knowledge and God-knowledge. Under the guidance of his Surat Shabd Yoga or Sant Mat guru, Baba Sawan Singh, of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, (see also "A brief life-sketch of Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji" [1] and "How I met my Master" [2]) he says he experienced what is described in the scriptures about God. According to his disciples, he dedicated his whole life to the ideal of unity: the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.

He attracted disciples with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds from all over the world to his ashram in Delhi, India.

[edit] Teachings

In 1955, Sant Kirpal Singh wrote an introduction to his teachings [3] especially intended for Westerners, called Man, Know Thyself. The principle teaching expounded the underlying thread of the esoteric Sound Current (Shabd, Naam, or Word) as the root experience of the Saints, which is discussed in the scriptures and continues to be available. He also stressed the importance of a living Master or Guru, as one can derive nothing from past Masters (i.e., Saints or Masters who have died.)

He expressed no interest in creating a new religion (see "No New Faith, Mind That" [4]) and would generally quote his Master who said "plenty of wells have already been dug. There is no need to dig another." His self-stated intention was to

revive the original knowledge, which is to be found in the core of all religions, and gave an experience of the true nature of man whose aim it is to return to his Source - God. By this experience every individual regains his inherent value and dignity and can reach the highest goal of human life.

During fourteen years he was repeatedly elected president of the World Fellowship of Religions which came into being in 1957. On three world tours in 1955, 1963, and 1972 He visited major cities in the Western world, where he met religious leaders, politicians, and personalities of society. He preached about the importance of self-knowledge and God-knowledge and emphasized the need of selfless service as a form of devotion.

[edit] World Conference on Unity of Man

He convened the first World Conference on Unity of Man, which took place in Delhi from 3 to 6 February 1974 (see also His talk "The Remodeling of our Destiny" delivered at the Inaugural Session here [5]). Religious, political, and social leaders from all over India, and delegates from approximately 18 countries participated in the conference. This World Conference was the beginning of the Unity of Man movement (see also last circular letter "On the Unity of Man" issued on May 15, 1974 here [6] or here [7]). As a result of the conference Sant Kirpal Singh was invited by the government to address to the Indian Parliament. When he spoke to the members of the Lok Sabha on 1 August 1974, it was the first time that a spiritual leader was given that honour.

[edit] Legacy and Successors

He died on 21 August 1974 without publicly naming a successor. Several individuals came forward in the following years to continue the work of Naam Initiation: Sant Darshan Singh (Kirpal Singh's son), Sant Ajaib Singh, and Sant Thakar Singh among others. Sant Kirpal Singh's legacy may lie chiefly in the wealth of books he wrote during his lifetime; the Master made all of these works available without copyright, saying "the gifts of God, like sunlight, are all free." Many of these works are mentioned below and are available in full on the internet. Arguably these are the most extensive introductions available to Sant Mat as a contemporary spiritual path.