Indian Spiritual Masters Of The Past

India has a long and rich tradition of spiritual masters who have influenced the world with their teachings on enlightenment and inner peace. From the 15th century to the present day, spiritual masters have inspired people from all walks of life to seek a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. In this blog, we'll explore the teachings of some of the most influential spiritual masters in India. 

15th Century: Kabir

Kabir was a poet and mystic who lived in the 15th century. He is revered by both Hindus and Muslims and his teachings emphasise the unity of all religions. Kabir believed that true spirituality could only be achieved by transcending the boundaries of religion and divisions. He urged his followers to look within themselves for the answers to life's most profound questions. He famously said, "The river that flows in you also flows in me."

16th Century: Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and lived in the 16th century. He believed in the concept of Ik Onkar, which means "One God". Guru Nanak emphasised the importance of living a truthful and honest life and he preached the importance of selfless service to others. He famously said, 

"As fragrance abides in the flower
As reflection is within the mirror,
So does your Lord abide within you,
Why search for him without?"

17th Century: Tulsidas

Tulsidas was a poet and philosopher who lived in the 17th century. He is best known for his epic poem, the Ramcharitmanas, which tells the story of the Hindu god Rama. Tulsidas believed that the true purpose of life was to attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. He emphasised the importance of devotion to God as a means of achieving this goal, and he famously said, "The one who chants the name of God is saved from the cycle of birth and death."

18th Century: Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk who lived in the 18th - 19th century. He is credited with introducing Hinduism to the western world and his teachings showed the importance of self-realisation and inner peace. Swami Vivekananda believed that all religions were paths to the same ultimate truth and that the purpose of life was to realise this truth through meditation and self-reflection. He famously said, "The goal of mankind is knowledge. The difference is only in the degree of realisation."

19th Century: Ramana Maharshi

Ramana Maharshi was a Hindu sage who lived in the 19th - 20th century. He is best known for his teachings on self-enquiry and self-realisation. Ramana Maharshi believed that the true nature of the self could only be realised through introspection and meditation. He famously said, 

“There is neither creation nor destruction,
neither destiny nor free will, neither
path nor achievement.
This is the final truth.”

20th Century: Osho

Osho, also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was a spiritual teacher who lived in the 20th century. His teachings emphasised the importance of individual freedom and self-expression. Osho believed that the true purpose of life was to experience joy and pleasure, and he encouraged his followers to explore their desires and passions without fear or guilt. He famously said,

"The moment you start seeing life as non-serious, a playfulness, all the burden on your heart disappears."

The spiritual masters of India have had a profound impact on the world with their teachings on enlightenment and inner peace. From Kabir's message of unity to Osho's celebration of pleasure and joy, each master brought a unique perspective to the pursuit of spiritual truth. The legacy of these masters lives on today, inspiring people to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and how they fit in to the world around them.