What is actually happening to a person who regularly attends Satsanga?

Painting of Adi Shankara, exponent of Advaita Vedanta with his disciples by Raja Ravi Varma

Adi Shankaracharya, a great renowned 8th Century saint who introduced to the world the Knowledge of Advaita tattwa has written a beautiful couplet in his spiritual text

Shankaracharyar gives a simple ladder of progress by which the seeker can comfortably reach the highest pinnacle of Spiritual Perfection.

First step: – Satsanga

In the company of the good or sat (truth) alone, a seeker can build a strong fortress of self-protection. The mind has no power to efface its own preconceived notions without the intervention of higher thoughts, ideas or firm affirmation from a higher authority. This company can be a circle of a spiritual Guru, fellow seekers, a true friend or someone who inspires you to see yourself in the light of Divinity or Self-worth.

Second step: – Nissangatvam

Detachment. With the influence of a Guru or spiritual-minded people, the mind develops the power of detachment. This is the power that makes the mind to act, free from the sense of ownership, possessiveness or selfishness. If attachment reigns, it is the cause of all sorrow, sadness, rejection and feeling of unworthiness.

Third step: – Nirmohatvam

Non-delusional. Once the seeker has discovered the secret of detachment he/she will naturally question the various forms of delusion that the mind projects due to the wrong impressions of past experiences stored over numerous births. The seeker will slowly start to question his/her own convictions or preconceived notions that hinders connection with the Absolute Truth. It is at this level of Awareness that the seeker will come to experience an altered state of mind.

Fourth step: Nischalatatvam

Self-Resoluteness. When delusion has no more a major role to play in the depths of one’s mind, the mind will naturally start to efface itself. The seeker will undergo a paradigm shift within the core of his or her heart in his/her yearning to know the Absolute Truth.

Fifth step: Jivan mukthi

Self-Liberation. This is the ultimate state of a seeker who has shifted his or her mind in the direction of the Absolute Light of Liberation. When the mind is ready to be obliterated by a Higher Vision of Truth, the seeker will beam in the Light of Complete Awareness.

Summary

In a nutshell, Acharya Shankara says any company that leads to non- attachment is Satsang. This is immensely helpful for a seeker in finding the right spiritual company and seeking the Guru and guide on the path to Self- discovery.

More importantly, there is the inner Satsang where you are in total commune with yourself. The awareness that every action occurs at the periphery of one’s mind alone and nothing actually happens at the centre of one’s Soul, is the ultimate revelation of ‘Anthar Satsang’.

In simple terms Satsang is spending time with the centre of one’s own Self and watching one’s own actions from the periphery of Total Awareness. Ultimately you pulsate in That Awareness!