Who are the Radha Soami?

Over the past few years I have met more and more Sikhs attending and participating in Radha Soami Sat Sangs across Toronto and even in the UK. This got me curious and I wanted to try to understand what was going on here since at first this seemed very contradictory to what Sikhism preaches. I casually observed one of these Sat Sang's at a family friends house. There is this Sant referred to as Masterji that sits on the sofa with his legs crossed and the rest of the sangat sits on the floor. They come bow to him, touch his feet and give money. They were treating him like a holy guru! People would come and ask questions - about life, about their personal issues, about hope etc. This "Masterji" would answer them - speaking mostly in Hindi yet referencing the Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Nanak on occasion mixed with other philosophies and Hinduism. He would give advice and also provide predictions on the future, such as when someone will have a child and whether it will be a boy or girl!

He seemed to have a large following and most of them punjabi Sikhs from what I saw. To me this looks like a big hoax but I am starting to see some of my family members getting hooked on this thing.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sects-groups-cults/14627-who-are-the-radha-soami.html

So a few questions:
1- What is this faith and how does it relate to Sikhism?
2- Why do so many Sikhs follow this faith?
3- Is there legitamity in what they preach?
4- Is bowing and worshipping these Masterji's not contradictory to Sikhism?

I haven't seen any official statement from the Gurdwara's taking a stance on Radha Soami's so I am curious as to it's acceptance and tolerance in our society.

Does anyone have any incite to this sect?

- A curious Singh_man.

 
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I should add - that a lot of these people have large pictures of these Masterji's alongside pictures of our Guru's.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14627

What's the deal here?

I can only tell about myself that if I ever said that I had realized God, then yes I would be fake. So does it apply to everyone else. We can only speak for ourselves.

wahe guru ji ka khalsa wahe guru ji ki fateh,
veer ji u are very much right lots of sikhs are attending these places ... cuz they dont know themself and even dont know there own religion (sikhism which is complete in itself ... there is no need of any baba in sikhism) ... there faith is very week in the religion and over all they actually never tried to be a true sikh of guru ji

The common theme I hear from people following such babai, is that their questions are not being answered by Sikhi and by going to Gurdwaras and praying. Perhaps these people are weak in mind and need a physical "holy" being telling them what is right and what is wrong and what their karma has in store for them. Lost souls? - perhaps.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14627
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14627

Do we need another introspective look at how our current Gurdwara's and religious outlets are serving the sangat as a whole?

Why are so many people disillusioned or confused?

There is definitely a problem with our current institutions and culture that needs to be addressed if we are to succeed and progress as a whole.

These discussions and teaching's need to be done in a simple, plain and modern language to articulate the true value of the Guru's words.

I am a seeker. Someone once wrote: Seek the company of those who seek truth. Fear the company of those who have found it.

Tejwant

Nicely said.

May I ask:
- what specific truth(s) are you seeking?
- is your journey progressing?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14627
- are your questions being answered?

Singh_man

- Sat Naam
- Journey means progression
- all questions have answers. otherwise no need to question.

Enjoy your journey.

Tejwant

Gurfateh

Radhswami Faith as allegednly formed by Baba Shivdayal Singh Ji but realy by Rai Bahadur Saligram Ji and Baba Jaimal Singh Ji(of beas).Beas people are generaly das thinks are been disccused here.

Baba Shivdyal Singh Ji also termed as Hajur Ji.He was member of Nirmalas and got good state of sprituality.His yuonger brother Baba Brindban Ji became one of the greatest person from our order.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14627
In Nirmala there was ans till is in some part o Punjab that person who teaches the Nam Abhyas is adressed as Gurudev. but Esth Guru is Sabad Guru.

But they have made Satiguru of Gurudev and say that same is Isthguru.So it is sect and Agra one are neaer to Hindus and Beas one tend to be neaer to Sikhs but are not good for Hindus also.As they are veggy and pessimestic and can not be savage,which Hindus need to be at present.