Satsang
Satsang ( Sanskrit , m., सत्सङ्ग, satsaṅga , Hindi , m., सत्संग, satsaṅg , from sat = true, sanga = contact, or in the context: “common truth”) denotes in Indian philosophy and in the spiritual teachings derived from it a gathering of people who strive for the highest insight by listening, speaking, reflecting and immersing themselves in doctrine. In Advaita Vedanta in particular , it is necessary to hear and reflect upon the teaching that is called truth.
definition
In particular, “Satsang” describes an encounter with a spiritual teacher (“ Guru ”, “Master”) who is considered to be “ enlightened ” or “awakened”. In part, the many teachers to be found in the West today also combine traditional Eastern teachings with modern psychological methods. During satsang, students usually ask questions to which the teacher answers. Satsangs can also contain elements such as short lectures by the master or advanced student, joint meditation , recitation or the like. The purpose of Satsang is not primarily to convey a “teaching” (in this respect the term “teacher” is misleading), but rather that the pupils themselves to experience by directly experiencing the presence of the teacher in a kind of correspondence phenomenon should reach their original nature. The community with other seekers should also have a supportive effect.
Satsang in the west
The worldwide rapidly growing "Satsang movement" can be traced back primarily to HWL Poonja , who died in 1997 , a student of Ramana Maharshi . The best known of his students are Gangaji , Isaac Shapiro, Eli Jaxon-Bear, Samarpan , Madhukar and Cedric Parkin .