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The Unknowing Sage: The LIfe and Work of Baba Faqir Chand
First dictated in Urdu at the request of David Lane, this is the controversial autobiography of the late sage, Baba Faqir Chand, a well regarded Master in the Shabd Yoga tradition. Also presents selections from his radical teachings regarding the unknowingness of gurus and mystics.
120 pages, Nook
First published January 9, 2011
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About the author
David Christopher Lane
267 books11 followersDavid Christopher Lane is a professor of philosophy and sociology at Mt. San Antonio College who specializes in the study of new religious movements including cults. He is notable for his book The Making of a Spiritual Movement: The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar which exposed the origins of Eckankar and demonstrated the plagiarism of its founder, Paul Twitchell. He is also notable for introducing to a wider audience the teachings of Baba Faqir Chand, the Indian exponent of Surat Shabd Yoga from Hoshiapur. Among writings on Chand, he edited and published a book entitled The Unknowing Sage: Life and Work of Baba Faqir Chand.
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August 11, 2023
Here's the abstract from the book:
Describes a radical Indian guru in the Sant tradition who argued that masters and gurus were deceiving their disciples by making them believe that the Master knows all. Faqir argues, that he who is looked upon as a master doesn’t know everything as expected from god in human form. Faqir Chand had full faith in his own enlightement and in the sound and Light Meditation; in Naam.
My opinion is that Baba Faqir Chand was an honest man who helped many. He insisted that his apparitions to his devotees weren't performed by him nor that he had any control nor knowledge of it occurring.
He explains that it's a manifestation of that person's inner workings, affected by his state of being and Karma.
He said that many other Gurus say the same in private, but decieve their followers that they intentionally appear to them and help, mostly in order to make a living. He does say that a very, very small percentage of Gurus might be aware and control their appearances to their devotees.
He also insists that most of spiritual events are purely mental and shouldn't be focused on, and what should be investigated is who/what has these experiences: who/what is the witness of subtle light and sound?
An important fact that Baba Faqir Chand stresses is the 'unknowing', that even after great spiritual and mental realization, man can't make any definite claims about God or Ultimate Reality, it's beyond our understanding. That's why he insists on focusing on what's always available: being good to others and not causing harm, leading a moral, peaceful life, supported by our own work.
He was a great man and the book opened some new perspectives to me and reminded me of simple things that we tend to forget in our foolish quest to understand and 'explain' God.
Describes a radical Indian guru in the Sant tradition who argued that masters and gurus were deceiving their disciples by making them believe that the Master knows all. Faqir argues, that he who is looked upon as a master doesn’t know everything as expected from god in human form. Faqir Chand had full faith in his own enlightement and in the sound and Light Meditation; in Naam.
My opinion is that Baba Faqir Chand was an honest man who helped many. He insisted that his apparitions to his devotees weren't performed by him nor that he had any control nor knowledge of it occurring.
He explains that it's a manifestation of that person's inner workings, affected by his state of being and Karma.
He said that many other Gurus say the same in private, but decieve their followers that they intentionally appear to them and help, mostly in order to make a living. He does say that a very, very small percentage of Gurus might be aware and control their appearances to their devotees.
He also insists that most of spiritual events are purely mental and shouldn't be focused on, and what should be investigated is who/what has these experiences: who/what is the witness of subtle light and sound?
An important fact that Baba Faqir Chand stresses is the 'unknowing', that even after great spiritual and mental realization, man can't make any definite claims about God or Ultimate Reality, it's beyond our understanding. That's why he insists on focusing on what's always available: being good to others and not causing harm, leading a moral, peaceful life, supported by our own work.
He was a great man and the book opened some new perspectives to me and reminded me of simple things that we tend to forget in our foolish quest to understand and 'explain' God.
Displaying 1 of 1 review