A gentle revolution in inner exploration took shape in northern India when Shiv Dayal Singh—revered as Soami Ji Maharaj—laid the groundwork for what’s now called Sant Mat in 1861. Born in 1818 in the town of Katara Ghat near Agra, he wove together two timeless threads: the guru’s guidance (the “Sant” or saint) and the experience of inner light and sound (the “Mat,” or teaching).

By opening up direct “satsang” gatherings—spaces where seekers could tune in to subtler realms via meditation—Soami Ji Maharaj broke new ground. Rather than merely reciting prayers or following rituals, disciples were invited to listen inwardly for that radiant spark and celestial melody said to reside at the heart of every individual.

Over the decades, his message spilled beyond Agra’s walls. Branches like Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Punjab and Radha Soami Satsang Sawan Bhawan in Delhi carried the torch far and wide, drawing a diverse crowd—from farmers in Punjab to urban professionals seeking refuge from 21st-century stress. Today’s surge in mindfulness and mental-health awareness makes the Sant Mat approach feel especially timely: it doesn’t just offer relaxation but a pathway to inner transformation.

Like tuning a radio to a station that’s usually drowned out by life’s static, Sant Mat’s focus on sound and light meditation still captures hearts around the globe. Whether in tiny satsang circles on a village verandah or livestreamed gatherings on smartphone screens, that early spark kindled by Soami Ji Maharaj in 1861 continues to beam brightly.