FAQIR CHAND ON THE NOTION OF MIRACLES
In doing a metasearch on the word "miracle" in all of Faqir Chand's published and available writings in English, we found the following. Each, of course, has a larger context, but this gives the reader some idea of how Faqir uses the word and how he views it. Best, of course, to read what Faqir says in the extended frame of the book in question.
1. These manifestations are not a Reality. Whosoever has his faith in any guru, god, goddess or any ideal, the form of his or her ideal manifests to him or her. It is the result of impressions and suggestions that our mind has accepted. And nothing from without comes to manifest. It is the miracle of your own concentrated mind.
2. I consider my disciples to be my Gurus, because their faith in me has worked miracles with them. They have opened my eyes to truth. I have made no secret of this truth.
3. Sometimes it happens that when some distressed man comes to me there is a spontaneous feeling that his misery must end. But this is not in my power and this is not in the case of everyone. Sometimes it comes and whatever I talk becomes true. But my idea is different. I think when I do this work, I am in an unconscious state of mind. I do not do this willingly. So I have come to realize that these things happen according to the faith of the other man and the credit goes to me whereas I do nothing. But it is possible that good wishes for others are service to humanity. If you do good to others they will be grateful to you. Their true feelings for you will do the good to you. That is what I want to say. So I do not use my power. Automatically it becomes. There are so many miracles which are attributed to me. If I allow them to be published it will be a big book. But I do not want to do so, because I know I do nothing. Nature must have its way.
4. I receive numerous reports of this effect from the satsangis concerned, orally and by letters. In my heart of hearts I know for certain, that I do not know where and when these visions arise and help them miraculously; not do I produce them. Then, how does it happen? What is the explanation for this? I believe that the intensified faith of these devout persons becomes creative and produces these results. Many so-called gurus mis-appropriate the credit for similar happenings, which take place in their disciples, whose own true faith should be held responsible for those results. By the lack of moral, courage and honesty on the part of pseudogurus, credulous disciples are kept in the dark and fleeced under fake pretenses. I alert the faithful but simple minded satsangis, to beware of such sneaks and their false claims. I had been commanded by my Gurudev to introduce plain-speaking into religion, so I am duty bound to proclaim the truth behind these miracles, and to save the simpletons from exploitation. If I do not reveal the truth, I can, by keeping satsangis in the dark, extract from them large sums of money by claiming fake credit, for the miracles that no doubt do happen. But the sinful collection and accumulation of material wealth for this institution will sink it and me under its own wicked and unlawful weight.
5. Baba Sawan Singh Ji used to say that a Saint's brain adopts the shape of a four sided mirror and it reflects all future events. He become capable of reflecting the deepest roots of objects and even the Inner feelings of a man. It is not a miracle, but a natural process. If something good happens with my blessings, I am not ready to take any credit for that because that is all pre-planned and pre-destined, it is not due to my blessings.
6. Keep your conscience clear and pure. Whatever you desire, yearn for it. If your desire is strong, it will positively be fulfilled, It is a fact and not a miracle, I have explained the truth. To adopt it in your practical day to day life is your duty.
7. If the sayings of the true saint or guide line propounded by him are adopted in practical life all the destructive results of outward influences can be neutralised or totally avoided. This is not a miracle, but the truth. Saints say, “Know Thy thought and Know Thyself”. But this is not a child's play.
8. This time when I visited Devas, another boy was brought to me who said, “Babaji, a huge stone rolled down on my leg which I could not move. My leg was broken. My two companions also failed to remove the stone from my leg. Then I prayed to you for help. You appeared and rolled and rolled away that huge stone.”O' human beings of the world! O' religious people of my country, I swear and say that I did not go to help any of these boys, nor do I know about these incidents. Then who went to help them? Modern history is replete with such miracles and manifestations, and thus, is deprived of the Reality. Now, who created This Faqir Chand who appeared to these boys or manifested within them, almost everybody knows about the inner visions and the dreams. Hundreds of people tell me that they see me in their dreams and get solutions to their numerous problems. But I do not go and manifest myself anywhere either in visions or before them in flesh and blood, This proves that, the mental faculties of even an ordinary human being are capable of creating anything with sheer Will Power.
9. I am true to the core of my heart, and I do not believe in miracles. What I can do for you, at the most, is that I can give you my good wishes.
10. It is possible that other Gurus or Mahatmas might have something more to give to their followers. But I don't have anything. You are simple house-holders and are ignorant about the reality. These Gurus and Mahatmas attract you with their so-called miracles and oratory and make you their dumb driven, humble and mute followers. Such Gurus do not work for your liberation, but for their own name and fame.
11. I know that a man can convey his thoughts to others, if he so tries. Power of thought works wonders. I know so many instances of miracles done by this Power that a big volume could have been written about them. But I did not get involved in it because it is a game of Maya. Once man is involved in this Super-natural game, he is lost forever. I tell you another instance of transmission of Thought Power.
12. He came to me and said that he wanted to spend RS. 2000/- for constructing a room for the Manavta Mandir. Thus the world wants miracles! I said, “Why do you want to give this money to my Mandir, when your own brother has become bankrupt? Help him, support his 6-7 children instead of giving donations to a mandir.” He took the money back and helped his brother. This is a lesson that I want to teach you.
13. My Guru has titled me “Param Dayal” (Most Magnanimous). I fail to understand as to what good can I do to mankind? I cannot perform any miracle. Whatever I understand and experience I speak out to the world, though many people dislike my plain speaking. Now I tell you, about Yagya and Dharma which is essential for the present.
14. If I spread a net of deception to attract you, declare myself a big Mahant, accept garlands and huge offerings from you, “title” myself as Puran Guru Shri 108 So-and-so, I am sure to land myself in the furnace of hell in the end. I will have to reap the harvest of my own intentions and actions. Therefore, I speak the Truth. You may or may not accept or do whatever I say. I do not have anything to give you, except Plain Truth, true sympathy, true affection and sincere good wishes. Other Gurus and Mahatmas may be capable of performing some mysterious miracles. They may be capable of leading you to Sat-Lok. If you do not believe my word, you are at liberty to go to them. I have not kept you in the dark. I have not deceived anybody. Now my conscience does not feel any burden, because I have not played any trick upon you.
15. I declare from the tree-tops and tower-tops that I do not go any where to manifest myself before anybody, I do not perform any miracles nor do I possess any such power. Whatever you have got, whatever you get, and whatever you will get, is the result and outcome of your own Karm, your own faith and your own belief. Who am I to give you anything?
16. My Guru has titled me “Param Dayal” (Most Magnanimous). I fail to understand as to what good can I do to mankind ? I cannot perform any miracle. Whatever I understand and experience I speak out to the world, though many people dislike my plain speaking.
17. Many times I used to think as to why the temple of Somnath was destroyed and the priests killed by Mohmood Gaznavi? Now I realize the Truth as to why this temple was destroyed. An Idol was hanging in mid-air in this temple due to the foursided attraction of some magnets which were fixed in the walls in some very wise way. The Idol was hanging in mid-air without any support due to the magnetic pulls and counter-pulls. But ignorant people thought it to be a miracle of God and offered their hard-earnings to this temple. The priests did not disclose the Truth to be devotees.
18. This is one thing. Nature has endowed me with certain powers. I have a line on my palm. It is called the Intuition line. Sometimes, whatever I say, out comes to be true. They get my blessings and their desires are fulfilled. They think me that I am man of miracles.
19. Because whatever I say, it becomes true. It does not mean that I can perform miracles. What I say, I do not say intentionally, I never speak any thing intentionally. Whatever I speak, it is pre-destined. Whatever I say, I say un-intentionally.
20. About me, there are so many miracles attributed to me that if I write about all, there would be a big book. But I say upon my honor, that I do none of these miracles. It is either fate or the faith of the person concerned.
21. Well, brother, you have come. I want to be true to you. I do no miracles.
22. So Kuber Nath! You came; I have given you the Satsang. Be happy. Whatever is within my control and whatever I can do, I do. I do not perform miracles. You believe me as your Guru. There in is your redemption. His Holiness Data Dayal Ji had said, "Faqir, you have ninetynine vices, but one virtue i.e. of Truth, You will have the glimpse of Radhaswami Dayal in the form of Satsangis. Really I have had the glimpse of Radhaswami in your form. The Truth is that "Your own self is your real Guru." I have spoken the Truth to you. Now it is your sweet will to serve me or not to serve me. I have done my duty. I have not deceived anybody. I have not kept anybody in the dark.
23. A very important factor of my success in this research is that I did not face any problem with my source of honest livelihood. You must be self-dependent and self-sufficient. You must have bare necessities of life honestly earned. Guru is only a guide, a source of inspiration. None can lead you to ultimate destination with a miracle. Bread for your belly is the first and foremost necessity without which you cannot think anything else.
24. Often, I think, what can I do for the mankind and my country? I cannot change the situation through a miracle.
25. You have come here from far off places. I do feel my responsibility towards you. The afflicted people come to me. I have all sympathies for them. I cannot remove your sorrows and grief with any miracle. None can do it. All these so-called miracle-makers are big cheaters. It is not a miracle of any Guru, but your faith that works.
26. No, his own mind and thought guided him. This is the game of time (KAL). But you cannot understand it. You simply worship him as Guru who manifests or demonstrates miracles to you. You are all mistaken. Miracles, manifestations and visions are all (KAL) time and maya (illusion). Purify your mind. Attend Sat Sang, understand the truth and try to go beyond the realm of your mind. Guru enjoys supreme place, in Sant Mat and Radhaswami Faith.
27. An intellectual can easily observe and experience this three-fold nature of every thought in day-to-day life.Angad son of Bali, when visited the court of Ravana, put his one foot on the ground and gave a challenge to all the powerful warriors present there to move it. None of the so-called braves of Ravana’s Court could remove his foot. It was not a miracle performed byAngad, but he applied his concentrated thought weight which could be moved only by a much more concentrated thought force than his. This shows that thought is heavy.
28. I did not pay any attention to supernatural powers, miracles or extraordinary events or incidents. But when I occupied the seat of preceptor, I then found that the Sat Sangies in general are more interested in supernatural powers and miracles. So, according to the needs of the time or on the basis of my own experiences, I too made certain number of men the focus of my sympathy and good wishes. And the result was that the sick regained health and the issueless were blessed with children. This experience of mine proved that the power of thought is a great force but it works upon only such people who have an extreme and true desire for getting particular things and not upon others. The power of thought proved ineffective upon many other people.