Five Pledges
Firstly, to accept wholeheartedly that all that you are, and all that
you consider to be your own, is a gift from God. To guard therefore
against these things becoming a source of greed, arrogance or pride.
The pledge encourages one to utilise these gifts (body, mind and all
wealth) for the wider good, in the understanding that you are a mere
trustee of these things. Baba Ji often refers to this state as
‘samurpan’ – utter surrender to God.
Secondly, to avoid judgement, condemnation or hatred of any being, and
to live above worldly divisions such as those of nationality, race,
color or creed. The essence of this pledge is the acceptance of one
and all without prejudice, as members of one world family, created by
One Divine Maker. Baba Ji can be heard referring to this pledge as
‘samdrishti’ – literally, looking upon all with one eye, or one
vision.
Thirdly, to pledge to rise above petty discrimination on the basis of
lifestyle, diet or dress. These factors are often geographically,
historically and culturally determined, and all too often become an
unnecessary source of conflict and unrest. Any person who commits to
the third pledge, learns to live and let live, by way of a deep
respect and tolerance for diversity. Baba Ji may talk of this promise
as ‘vishaalta’ to be large of heart, and broad in mind.
Fourthly, to live a dutiful and honest life, fulfilling any
responsibility that has come your way. There is really no need to
renounce the world, or indulge in penances, to come closer to God.
Rather, pledge to live in the world as a good citizen, sharing in the
burden of others, but never becoming a burden upon others. Baba Ji
calls this the path of ‘karam yog’, where one’s daily living becomes
an act of worship.
The fifth pledge is to honour the sanctity of the Knowledge of God as
a divine blessing. In order to avoid misinterpretation and confusion,
the Knowledge should not be disclosed without the permission of the
Satguru because in it’s essence, the Knowledge is more than words can
contain. When a Satguru or enlightened authority speaks, it is a
conversation of spirit, which transcends all physical boundaries. Once
Satguru perceives that an individual has grasped the essence of the
Knowledge, he gladly asks that individual to share his bliss with
others.
Firstly, to accept wholeheartedly that all that you are, and all that
you consider to be your own, is a gift from God. To guard therefore
against these things becoming a source of greed, arrogance or pride.
The pledge encourages one to utilise these gifts (body, mind and all
wealth) for the wider good, in the understanding that you are a mere
trustee of these things. Baba Ji often refers to this state as
‘samurpan’ – utter surrender to God.
Secondly, to avoid judgement, condemnation or hatred of any being, and
to live above worldly divisions such as those of nationality, race,
color or creed. The essence of this pledge is the acceptance of one
and all without prejudice, as members of one world family, created by
One Divine Maker. Baba Ji can be heard referring to this pledge as
‘samdrishti’ – literally, looking upon all with one eye, or one
vision.
Thirdly, to pledge to rise above petty discrimination on the basis of
lifestyle, diet or dress. These factors are often geographically,
historically and culturally determined, and all too often become an
unnecessary source of conflict and unrest. Any person who commits to
the third pledge, learns to live and let live, by way of a deep
respect and tolerance for diversity. Baba Ji may talk of this promise
as ‘vishaalta’ to be large of heart, and broad in mind.
Fourthly, to live a dutiful and honest life, fulfilling any
responsibility that has come your way. There is really no need to
renounce the world, or indulge in penances, to come closer to God.
Rather, pledge to live in the world as a good citizen, sharing in the
burden of others, but never becoming a burden upon others. Baba Ji
calls this the path of ‘karam yog’, where one’s daily living becomes
an act of worship.
The fifth pledge is to honour the sanctity of the Knowledge of God as
a divine blessing. In order to avoid misinterpretation and confusion,
the Knowledge should not be disclosed without the permission of the
Satguru because in it’s essence, the Knowledge is more than words can
contain. When a Satguru or enlightened authority speaks, it is a
conversation of spirit, which transcends all physical boundaries. Once
Satguru perceives that an individual has grasped the essence of the
Knowledge, he gladly asks that individual to share his bliss with
others.
