Question: What is the essential properties or characteristics of a Satsang (association with Truth)?

Swamiji: Selfless love for the essential Truth (God) is Satsang and selfless love for a Self-Realized Soul is also Satsang. Sitting in front of a realized soul is also satsang. Becoming detached from the world is also satsang. The point is that in any which way that one can become closer to God, it is Satsang.

From "Prashnouttermanimala" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on page 114.

Question: "Tulsi sangat sadhu ki, kataiyye koti aparaadh" - what is true association of a sadhu (saintly person)?

Swamiji: True association with a saint is no different than becoming one with that one (saint, sadhu). Becoming one, means that attentively and with total alertness listening and absorbing what the holy one is saying and at that very moment becoming established in that Truth. Their advice / messages should not be left for imbibing sometime in the future or leaving it for further contemplation or study. If there is any doubts or ambiguity or lack of clarity in their message, then at that very moment gain clarification; or else contemplate on the message in solitude and become steadfast and firm in the new learnings.

From "Prashnouttermanimala" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on page 114.

Question: Worldly people attend Satsangs and often devotees / spiritual aspirants do not attend satsangs, instead they stay at home worshipping God. What is the reason for this?

Swamiji: If worldly people are also able to attend Satsang, it is God's grace and if a spiritual aspirant or a devotee is not attending satsang, it is due to his lack of intense longing for satsang. But on receiving satsang, worldly people are not able to significantly gain from them, whereas a spiritual aspirant, a devotee of God, even if he attends a single satsang he can gain immensely from them. This is because following one's own spiritual practices is like working hard and struggling to earn one's wages and acquire wealth, whereas doing satsang is like being adopted by a rich man and sitting on his lap. The one sitting on the lap, automatically becomes eligible beneficiary of the rich man's wealth.

From "Prashnouttermanimala" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on page 114.

Question: Some people engage in satsang (good company, association with truth), but over time they leave it. What is fate's role in this?

Swamiji: Fate is not the cause of this. There are two causes - 1) flaws are seen in the one they engage in satsang with and 2) they begin engaging in bad company. When within one's self there are some limitations and some negative influences, then one is affected by the bad company. Just like those that are infatuated and attached to women, only they are influenced and affected when associating with women. Just like those that are attached to wealth, only they are impacted on encountering money.

One must not continue a relationship or engage in satsang with one in whom negative qualities are seen, when done simply out of fear or embarrassment of people and society. In such situations, without criticizing them, one must quietly part ways. Thereafter, one must not engage in relationship with anyone.

From "Prashnouttermanimala" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on page 114.

Question: In human beings, the influence of bad company happens more, whereas the influence of satsang is much lesser, what is the reason for this?

Swamiji: In whom there is previous influence of bad company, they are more impacted and affected by bad company. And those that have innate tendency for good-ness, have great influence of satsang and good company. Those that are alike, gravitate towards each other. Therefore through good associations, truth and scriptures, it is desirable for human beings to fill themselves with good impressions and sanctifying thoughts.

From "Prashnouttermanimala" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on page 114.

Question: How do we listen to satsang (discourses on truth), such that we never forget it?

Swamiji: 

1) Contemplate deeply on what the speaker is saying and what he is intending to communicate 

2) Along with listening, one must introspect on the meaning, whereby we are able to convey the same message to others at a later time 

3) That which has been heard, we must attempt to put these into practice or application 

4) Engaging in discussion with others that are listening to satsang.

From "Prashnouttermanimala" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on page 114.