3 as one book - Kirpal Singh

3OTHE HOLY PATHApra Vidya is a term which categorizes the outer practices:repetition of names, austerities, prayers, devotionalrituals and customs, pilgrimage, alms and donations,scripture study, songs of praise, etc.-theyare all con-nected with the mind and senses. We will gain rewardfrom these good actions, but in doing them one's doershipremains, and as long as we regard ourselves as thedoen, we shall continue to revolve around this interminablecycle of birth and death. While the ego remains,both good and bad actions are binding; as Lord Krishnasaid . . . like gold and iron shackles.e0Para Vidya is to connect the soul with the Truth. Egoand attachment are consumed by the fire of Shabd;Gurumukh gets the everlasting light. This Shabd can onlybe received from the Guru. There is Ashabd, which is theWordless God, but when He expressed Himself, that expressionis called Shabd or Word. Through the Shabd,creation came into being, and through the Shabd, dissolutionoccurs. Creation, dissolution, and again creationitall happens by the power of the Shabd. And where isthe Shabd? Shabd is the earth, Shabd the sky; throughthe Shabd the Light came; Creation came after theShabd ; 0 Nanak, the Shabd is in every being. Shabd isalso known as Naam, so we have: Naam is the nectarof life, it is the name of God, and in this body does it reside.When can you see it? When the senses are controlled,the mind is at a standstill and intellect is calmthenthe soul perceives in crystal clearness. It is the firststage of realizing the Lord. Self-knowledge precedesGod-knowledge, so when one knows who one is, by rising