About Getting Back Home
How does one receive initiation (dīkṣā) into the Radhasoami Faith?
Stepping onto this path begins with discovering a living guide whose life reflects the inner sound current. Attendance at regular satsangs—whether at a local center, a regional gathering like those at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh in Beas, or in recent times, virtual meetings Zoomed in from New Delhi to California—sets the stage. These gatherings offer exposure to sacred teachings, a taste of the inner vibration practice, and a chance to observe the master’s presence firsthand.
Eager seekers typically approach a satsang steward or volunteer quietly, expressing genuine interest rather than casual curiosity. A few conversations follow—questions about daily meditation, moral discipline, and heart-felt commitment. It isn’t about ticking boxes on a form; it’s more like passing a farmer’s field test for readiness. Demonstrating integrity, vegetarian sewa (service), and the will to keep vows of nonviolence, truthfulness, chastity in thought as well as action, all show that the soil of the soul is ready.
Once the master senses sincerity—perhaps after several meetings—the initiation ceremony unfolds. In a simple, yet profoundly sacred ritual, the living master whispers the personal mantra into the disciple’s ear. That mantra is the key to the inner sound current, traditionally handed down from guru to disciple in unbroken succession. Alongside the mantra, instructions on posture, daily meditation schedule, and reading assignments—often passages from Radhasoami teachings—are gifted.
Across the globe, even as satsangs pivoted to livestreams during recent years, many branches still honor the age-old practice: face-to-face connection. A quiet room, hushed anticipation, and a gentle touch on the shoulder mark the moment when outer speech gives way to inner resonance. The disciple then embarks on daily simran, choir of thought repetition, and listening inwardly for the celestial melodies said to guide the soul home.
Support continues through group meditations, retreats in fragrant pine forests of Himachal or palm-lined courtyards in Poanta Sahib, and correspondence with satsang mentors. The process feels less like a ceremony and more like being handed a compass for an inner voyage. From that moment on, every silent breath and heartbeat becomes a step deeper into the sound current’s embrace.