The Path Of The Masters: The Science Of Surat Shabd Yoga: The Yoga Of The Audible Life Stream

by Julian P. Johnson

Comprehensive Statement of Santon ki Shiksha, or Sant Mat, the Teachings of the great Spiritual Master. This edition with new index.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Religion

470 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Johnson, a native Kentuckian and distinguished surgeon, left his medical practice in California and traveled to Beas, India, in order to serve his guru, Sawan Singh. From 1933 to 1939, Johnson devoted much of his time to writing about his master and his experiences in the Radha Soami path.

He first helped Sawan Singh in translating the Hindi book Sar Bachan (prose) into English. Later, he authored four of his own books on Radha Soami. Johnson's first work, With a Great Master in India , was a compilation of letters he had written to Americans about his first eighteen months in India studying under the master. His next two books, Call of the East and The Unquenchable Flame were semi-autobiographical accounts of himself and his future wife, Elizabeth Bruce. Yet, it was not until 1939 that Johnson's most famous work, The Path of the Masters , was published. The book, the first of its kind as it was aimed almost exclusively at the western world, was writen in English. It described in detail the history and practice of what came to be called Surat Shabd Yoga or Sant Mat (Santon-Ki-Shiska), which attempts to induce a consciously controlled Near Death Experience (NDE). Mastery of this practice, according to adepts of the tradition, enables one to experience regions of light and sound beyond the normal waking state, providing glimpses into higher realms of consciousness. The work was Johnson's magnus opus and today is considered a classic in oriental mysticism. He is known for his list for the selection of masters or gurus, of which the following is derived,

t should be noted that Johnson never saw the book in its final published form, as he died in 1939 shortly before it came out. A number of rumors have cropped up concerning Julian Johnson's death, and this may be a good place to clarify what actually happened. Apparently, Johnson got into a fairly heated debate with a younger friend of his named Paul [not Paul Twitchell] over health treatments. During the heat of the debate Johnson either tripped or was pushed and hit his head on a rock. He subsequently died from his injuries on the way to the hospital. Since there was some confusion over what actually transpired (Was it an accidental fall on Johnson's part? Or, was it an accidental fall caused by Paul who pushed Johnson to the ground?), there was naturally a lot of speculation (which led to gossip) about Johnson's death. Even today some uninformed observers claim Johnson was murdered. According to witnesses who were in India at the time, though, Johnson's death was a tragic accident and nothing more.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more about spiritual path than religion itself. Even though this book is from 1930`s it is more about our daily lives at present.I have read other eastern religious books, however I feel this book has addressed misconception of religion. The writer has not been critical of any religion but has explained difference between religion and spirituality. A quote from his writing "The end of all religions is the realization of God." The author has made references to many religions but he does not advise which religion to follow. The book is based on living Guru just like a teacher in school for personal spiritual fulfillment. One quote I like from Gita is "The wise grieve neither for the dead, nor for the living."

It is about how we can improve our lives with proper guidance on chastity, continence, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, discrimination, detachment and humility. Quote of the author "The root of all evil is in yourself" this is very true.

I would recommend this book to everyone as it really gives insight of our soul and mind. I will surely view my life differently for this day on.

Thank you to Mr Sagoo (Sr) who loaned and recommended this book to me. It was one of the best reads for me.

[Nick Catricala]

The Path of the Masters... I read this book in 3 months time interval... it was in Hawaii while enjoying heaven on eath (Hawaii) in year 2000.

I was introduced to the book by a friend who we meditate together... while reading the book, I was also digesting all what I could from the wonderful stories very well written by Julian Johnson.. he done such a great job to translate his feelings in a way that a simple person like me, could grasp it...

Enjoy the book in a way that cannot really be described in words since it went ddeper in my soul... but I love to say that everyone I encountered after reading the book.. become my friend and I expressed it physically and mentally as best as I knew how at the time.

I recommended the book to people who expressed interest and I actually buy many copies (once I got back home in Canada) and shared them with friends... I still buy a few here and there and share them as teh opportunity come along... It is to bad that people sale it on ebay or other palces for a huge amount of money... when it actuallity, we can purchase it for less then $5... In case you want to purchase one... cannect with me, and I will give you teh source where YOU can purchase it for less then $5 and enjoy teh experience as well... please connect through my secure platform... http:www.contact-nick.com - it is free and it is secure... look forward to your message... thanks for reading so far and I wish you much happiness, healtha nd prosperity with God as Your Guide.
nick catricala

[Dr Chandra Shekhar Bhatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rare book makes us aware on philosophy of sound.The master is everything in this path one has to go in the inner journey with the master. Initially meditated had to travel to a great extent till he reaches the radiant form of the master.Then from there master takes him it's a great way as was done by the Sikh masters, they were called sachhe badsah cause they fought for truth and humanity like Mirdadin, The Book of Mirdad.Other master like Mahavtar Babbaji or deathless masters are mainly on philosophy of light,in this bad era of antichrist all are under the rulers so people can hope only from deathless master or Oshos disciple or someone else who will come from evil itself fighting with the evil, as said by Oshos disciple .It's a great book for all seekers of truth.

[Umamaheshwar Ragi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spiritual treasure!

[Darius Murretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the age of the intellect, but we are approaching the dawn of the age of the spirit.
All men are born to an inheritance far above and
beyond their wildest flights of fancy. The Masters
sometimes compare the soul to a beautiful queen who
wanders away from her palace. Her mind becomes
clouded. She lays aside her royal robes, clothes herself
in rags, and becomes an associate of dirty sweepers,
the lowest of the low. This is a correct picture of the
situation in respect to all souls, except those who have
become really enlightened by contact with a Master.
They have all descended from their original home in the
Kingdom of Light. They are children of the King of
Kings. But they have lost all knowledge of their
origin and of their noble inheritance. Their minds
have grown clouded, their perceptions dulled, and now
they have not the least idea of their innate powers and
possibilities. Wandering about for ages in these lowlands of Maya, they drag out a miserable existence
surrounded by filth and darkness.
MAN'S FIRST DUTY—TO KNOW HIMSELF
But how fallen from his high estate
is the average man! How pitiable his plight! Bent
as a twig by every breeze that blows, a prey to every
hostile creature that crosses his path, a victim of poverty,
disease, pain, death, he doesn't know that he is a god
clothed in rags! He is Master of the universe, going
about begging a crust of bread. He is a king, prostrated before his own servants. He is a prisoner,
walled in by his own ignorance. Would he be free?—
He has only to walk out of his self-constructed prison:
"None holds ye, but yourself"—says the noble Buddha.
A GREAT SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
To the discerning student one thing more is apparent in this general forward movement of world-enlightenment. It is the fact that, along with scientific
education, there is a parallel current of spiritual awakening. The student has to look a little deeper to see
this. It is not on the surface, like the scientific wave,
and it has not affected so many people as the other.
But today it is a tremendous force in the world.
he is only a sojourner here. Once his eyes are
opened, he knows that this world is not his home, and
22 THE PATH OF THE MASTERS
that he is no more than a feeder of swine among strangers, while far away the light burns in his father's palace.
He knows that this world is only a dark out-house
in the magnificent palace grounds of his father's kingdom. The Master tells us that above and beyond the
confines of this terrestrial speck of dust, lie innumerable
worlds full of light and beauty. To explore those
worlds at will and to possess them during this life time,
is only a portion of our heavenly birthright. But to
most people that vast universe of finer worlds in locked
and impenetrable. To many it is but a fabric of poetical
fancy. But it is not so in reality. It is locked indeed,
but the Master holds the key, and he offers it to all
who will qualify. By that key the entire universe of
starry worlds may be unlocked and their shining heavens
explored. Just how this is to be done Constitutes the
sublimest secret
The world is full of darkness, pain and grief. That
fact could not be kept from the noble prince Siddhartha,
secluded as he was in his father's palace. And when
he saw it in all its ghastly features staring him in the
face, he went forth, filled with compassion to seek a
remedy. Every individual in the world must seek the Path
for himself, and walk upon it for himself.
Spiritual darkness broods over the world and all
men are sick from it. Spiritually, and often physically,
the whole of mankind are sick, blind, deaf and dumb
and covered with sores. Cancers of moral corruption
eat their way slowly into the vitals of the human race.
Not a man escapes, entirely. Truly the world is in
a "lost condition." This is a theological term, but we
may use it, because it is most applicable to the situation.
Every man is not only sick, but he is lost in a dense
wood, a tangled forest, without path or compass, no
sun and no stars; because he is blind. Moreover, he
is suffering from the worst case of amnesia ever known.
He has no recollection of his original home or inheritance.
Now, the purpose of all religion, is according to
34 THE PATH OF THE MASTERS
the Swami, to convert that mental concept into something that is real to experience. It is only then that
the worshipper can sing—"Congnosco unum Deum Patrem
Omnipotentem!"—"I know the one God, omnipotent
Father." But the poverty of all religions has been
their inability to make God real to their devotees. Can
you imagine that men would live as they do, think
and act as they do, if God were real to them, if they
had actually seen Him and loved Him? It is unthinkable. It must be confessed, sad as that confession is,
that no one soul in all history has been able to realize
God by and through religious doctrines and ceremonies,
not even by prayers and mental devotions to an ideal.
We know this is so, because such realization can never
be achieved by such means. In the very nature of the
case it is impossible. The best they can do is to enable
one to feel a little closer to Reality, or to quicken the
imagination a little. If by prayer,—Smarana, and
concentration, one gets into subtle regions, even to
some small degree, he will experience a little uplift.
And that is good, so far. But that feeling will never
carry him to complete God-realization. What then
is to lead him to that supreme desideratum? The Masters
can give you the answer, without equivocation. There
is but one method of making God real to the seeker—
that is, to make him see God and hear Him, If you say
that it cannot be done, that is because you are unacquainted with the Path and the method of the Masters.
When the disciple of the Master enters the higher
planes and there beholds with his own finer vision some
majestic embodiment of God clothed in divine power
and beauty; and when he hears the enchanting music
of the Nada-BindUy the Audible Vibrations of the Lord
himself, he then begins to realize God. But that
realization is not complete, even at that point. When
he rises by the aid of that Life Stream to the still higher
planes, and there in great joy blends his own spiritual
being with the Supreme Sat Punish, it is then that heexperiences perfect God-realization. Not before.
When the disciple of the Master ascends the inner
worlds, one after another, until he enters Daswan Dwar,
the third heavenly region on this Path, he there beholds
himself as pure spirit, stripped of all materiality. And
that is "Self-realization". After that, if he advances
to the fourth and the fifth regions, he there beholds
one or more of the most sublime manifestations of the
Supreme One, and then merging himself with these
manifestations of God, he comes to know God. And
that is genuine God-realization. There is no other.
No man can ever know God until he consciously becomes
ONE with God. Anything short of that is more or
less speculative, imaginary, visionary, and imperfect.

this book is free on line here : http://www.bahaistudies.net/asma/path...

[Jesse D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to the age of this book (1939) some of the information contained in here struck me very strangely. Yet, I still find this a very compelling read. This book will open your mind to the early 20th century viewpoint of the far Eastern cultures and religions. This book has opened my mind in many ways. For example: "A thing becomes an evil only from the narrow egoistic viewpoint.(pg 61)" It is mind expanding, but if you aren't ready to abandon most of your currently held core beliefs, you'd be venturing into the deep end without floaties. Great book, great message, and very deep.

[RbbieFrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the age of the intellect, but we are approaching the dawn of the age of the spirit.
All men are born to an inheritance far above and
beyond their wildest flights of fancy. The Masters
sometimes compare the soul to a beautiful queen who
wanders away from her palace. Her mind becomes
clouded. She lays aside her royal robes, clothes herself
in rags, and becomes an associate of dirty sweepers,
the lowest of the low. This is a correct picture of the
situation in respect to all souls, except those who have
become really enlightened by contact with a Master.
They have all descended from their original home in the
Kingdom of Light. They are children of the King of
Kings. But they have lost all knowledge of their
origin and of their noble inheritance. Their minds
have grown clouded, their perceptions dulled, and now
they have not the least idea of their innate powers and
possibilities. Wandering about for ages in these lowlands of Maya, they drag out a miserable existence
surrounded by filth and darkness.
MAN'S FIRST DUTY—TO KNOW HIMSELF
But how fallen from his high estate
is the average man! How pitiable his plight! Bent
as a twig by every breeze that blows, a prey to every
hostile creature that crosses his path, a victim of poverty,
disease, pain, death, he doesn't know that he is a god
clothed in rags! He is Master of the universe, going
about begging a crust of bread. He is a king, prostrated before his own servants. He is a prisoner,
walled in by his own ignorance. Would he be free?—
He has only to walk out of his self-constructed prison:
"None holds ye, but yourself"—says the noble Buddha.
A GREAT SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
To the discerning student one thing more is apparent in this general forward movement of world-enlightenment. It is the fact that, along with scientific
education, there is a parallel current of spiritual awakening. The student has to look a little deeper to see
this. It is not on the surface, like the scientific wave,
and it has not affected so many people as the other.
But today it is a tremendous force in the world.
he is only a sojourner here. Once his eyes are
opened, he knows that this world is not his home, and
22 THE PATH OF THE MASTERS
that he is no more than a feeder of swine among strangers, while far away the light burns in his father's palace.
He knows that this world is only a dark out-house
in the magnificent palace grounds of his father's kingdom. The Master tells us that above and beyond the
confines of this terrestrial speck of dust, lie innumerable
worlds full of light and beauty. To explore those
worlds at will and to possess them during this life time,
is only a portion of our heavenly birthright. But to
most people that vast universe of finer worlds in locked
and impenetrable. To many it is but a fabric of poetical
fancy. But it is not so in reality. It is locked indeed,
but the Master holds the key, and he offers it to all
who will qualify. By that key the entire universe of
starry worlds may be unlocked and their shining heavens
explored. Just how this is to be done Constitutes the
sublimest secret
The world is full of darkness, pain and grief. That
fact could not be kept from the noble prince Siddhartha,
secluded as he was in his father's palace. And when
he saw it in all its ghastly features staring him in the
face, he went forth, filled with compassion to seek a
remedy. Every individual in the world must seek the Path
for himself, and walk upon it for himself.
Spiritual darkness broods over the world and all
men are sick from it. Spiritually, and often physically,
the whole of mankind are sick, blind, deaf and dumb
and covered with sores. Cancers of moral corruption
eat their way slowly into the vitals of the human race.
Not a man escapes, entirely. Truly the world is in
a "lost condition." This is a theological term, but we
may use it, because it is most applicable to the situation.
Every man is not only sick, but he is lost in a dense
wood, a tangled forest, without path or compass, no
sun and no stars; because he is blind. Moreover, he
is suffering from the worst case of amnesia ever known.
He has no recollection of his original home or inheritance.
Now, the purpose of all religion, is according to
34 THE PATH OF THE MASTERS
the Swami, to convert that mental concept into something that is real to experience. It is only then that
the worshipper can sing—"Congnosco unum Deum Patrem
Omnipotentem!"—"I know the one God, omnipotent
Father." But the poverty of all religions has been
their inability to make God real to their devotees. Can
you imagine that men would live as they do, think
and act as they do, if God were real to them, if they
had actually seen Him and loved Him? It is unthinkable. It must be confessed, sad as that confession is,
that no one soul in all history has been able to realize
God by and through religious doctrines and ceremonies,
not even by prayers and mental devotions to an ideal.
We know this is so, because such realization can never
be achieved by such means. In the very nature of the
case it is impossible. The best they can do is to enable
one to feel a little closer to Reality, or to quicken the
imagination a little. If by prayer,—Smarana, and
concentration, one gets into subtle regions, even to
some small degree, he will experience a little uplift.
And that is good, so far. But that feeling will never
carry him to complete God-realization. What then
is to lead him to that supreme desideratum? The Masters
can give you the answer, without equivocation. There
is but one method of making God real to the seeker—
that is, to make him see God and hear Him, If you say
that it cannot be done, that is because you are unacquainted with the Path and the method of the Masters.
When the disciple of the Master enters the higher
planes and there beholds with his own finer vision some
majestic embodiment of God clothed in divine power
and beauty; and when he hears the enchanting music
of the Nada-BindUy the Audible Vibrations of the Lord
himself, he then begins to realize God. But that
realization is not complete, even at that point. When
he rises by the aid of that Life Stream to the still higher
planes, and there in great joy blends his own spiritual
being with the Supreme Sat Punish, it is then that heexperiences perfect God-realization. Not before.
When the disciple of the Master ascends the inner
worlds, one after another, until he enters Daswan Dwar,
the third heavenly region on this Path, he there beholds
himself as pure spirit, stripped of all materiality. And
that is "Self-realization". After that, if he advances
to the fourth and the fifth regions, he there beholds
one or more of the most sublime manifestations of the
Supreme One, and then merging himself with these
manifestations of God, he comes to know God. And
that is genuine God-realization. There is no other.
No man can ever know God until he consciously becomes
ONE with God. Anything short of that is more or
less speculative, imaginary, visionary, and imperfect.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a discussion of Sant Mant known as the Path of the Masters or the Yoga of the "sound current". This yoga is used by the "Masters" to attain the highest degree of spiritual development. "The Path of the Masters" was written by a converted Christian Minister which makes this book all the more compelling. However, although the author makes some interesting points, he also makes some remarks which may be offensive to some readers. Also, his discussion of reincarnation and transmigration is somewhat muddled and contradictory.
The first part of this book is an assessment and review of the world religions. Although the author commends these religions, he also contends that they could only be a preparation to one's spiritual journey and that one needs a living Master to progress to the heights of one's spirituality.
Although the author echoes several spiritual themes from other philosophies, there is a very unsettling quality to this book. For example, the author contends that you could never progress spiritually by praying to Jesus or any other Master because they are not living Masters. The author further states that we could not possibly have any relation with a Master whom we never saw anymore than we can now be a loyal subject to an emperor. The author makes other controversial or perhaps offensive remarks such as that the biblical story of the "Immaculate Conception" cannot be taken seriously and was invented to fit in with the theory which at the time was being formulated.
In summary, the author's contention that Sand Mat is the only true means to the highest spiritual development comes across as somewhat overbearing and dismissive of other philosophies. Also, the idea that one might need to have numerous lifetimes to meet a Master doesn't exactly inspire any hope. Although this is a provocative and compelling book, it is not an uplifting one. I, therefore, would give this book a mixed review.

[Stefan Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read the abridged version, which was a lot easier to get through. The full version contains a lot of analysis of other religions, which are all viewed through the prism of Surat Shabd Yoga. That said, this is really the original, fundamental, all-encompassing treatise on the yoga of the audible life stream, and would be of interest to anyone who is involved in a related spiritual path, including Western spiritual groups such as ECKANKAR, which are rooted in more or less the same philosophy, method, and tradition.

[Namita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a great read with a goldmine of information for anyone on the spiritual path. However I also found the author to be rather high handed with other views which weren't aligned with his. But if you can look past that, there is a lot of relevant information and he keeps the reader hooked.

[Lateesha Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful and much enjoyable read.... Are there any Sant Mat followers or Groups on here? I am new to this site also and would love to connect

[Alistair Conwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful book that gives deep insights into a spiritual path that transcends religion and into the relationship of the author with his meditation masters. One of the books that inspired me to write my first book.

Alistair Conwell
The Audible Life Stream: Ancient Secret of Dying While Living

[Jenalee Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! After reading several books about various beliefs, I appreciated the overview of knowledge from Julian Johnson. While reading this, there were many passages that resonated with me and made me contemplate the universe within. The organization of this book is easy to dive into a specific concept, but I found taking the time to read cover to cover to be enlightening. Highly recommend this for anyone searching for answers, considering our purpose, and curiosity in the beliefs of this world. I found this an amazing book, so full of knowledge! It’s one I’ll refer back to often.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Nick Catricala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has opened my mind in sooo many ways that are impossible to list them here and or actually be able to explain in human language, and the reason is is because the Spiritual doors that have opened for me are personal and each and every one will experience their own.. If I reveal any for anyone here,I do a disservice and I do not stop and suggest or led them believe one pathway is better then any other,. each one of us have our own. Thanks

[Mohsen Kamallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book two times. So I meditate for 20 years and this book is very special.

[Debby]

I didn't read this book