Radhasoami stands out among Sant Mat branches and Sikh traditions through its distinctive emphasis on an unbroken living master line and the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga—the inner sound and light current that guides the soul back to its divine source. While many Sant Mat paths share a focus on inner meditation, Radhasoami uniquely insists that only a fully realized living master can introduce the disciple to this subtle current and calibrate their spiritual journey.

Unlike mainstream Sikh practice, which reveres the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal guru and emphasizes community worship (Sangat) and service (Seva), Radhasoami makes personal discipleship the heart of its approach. The central role of daily one-to-one or group meditation sessions—often held in ornate satsangh halls such as those in Dayalbagh and Soami Bagh—creates an intimate, mentor-disciple bond. This hands-on guidance resembles a spiritual apprenticeship more than the congregational model seen in Sikh Gurdwaras.

Dietary and lifestyle discipline also sets Radhasoami apart. Vegetarianism is not merely encouraged but required, alongside abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and non-medicinal drugs. This contrasts with broader Sant Mat offshoots that may adopt more relaxed rules and Sikh communities where alcohol is discouraged but not universally forbidden.

Organizationally, Radhasoami societies take on a quasi-industrial character—Dayalbagh in India operates schools, farms, and co-operative enterprises, blending spiritual ethos with social service. Recent moves into online satsangs and digital archives reflect how the faith adapts to contemporary rhythms, much like livestreamed kirtans in Gurdwaras during the pandemic era.

Ceremonial differences are clear, too. Sikhs observe a host of festivals—Vaisakhi, Gurpurabs, Lohri—complete with drum-beating processions and langars. Radhasoami, by contrast, keeps celebrations simple: anniversaries of master initiations and birth centenaries, marked by extended meditation and spiritual discourses rather than public feasts.

At its core, Radhasoami weaves together rigorous inner practice with a personalized mentoring system, all wrapped in a lifestyle code that’s part monastic, part community building. That blend of individual guidance and collective uplift gives Radhasoami its own flavor on the broader Sant Mat and Sikh spiritual landscape.