The Sant Mat inner journey is described as an inward ascent through increasingly subtle spiritual regions, during meditation, from the Third Eye to the abode of the Supreme Being (called Sach Khand) and beyond. (see video below)

The teachings of Sant Mat describe an extraordinary inner journey of the soul, beginning with the withdrawal of attention from the physical senses and progressing through increasingly subtle regions of consciousness. The ‘process’ to accomplish this involves mantra meditation, which can be very challenging, as the mind/thoughts has to be ‘stilled’ from thinking about anything to do with the physical world and solely focus on the mantra. As the Sant Mat inner journey unfolds, each spiritual region is associated with distinctive experiences of light, sound and consciousness.

Mantra Meditation:
Mantra meditation is the ‘deepest’ meditation style. ‘Mantra’ is a Sanskrit word derived from two roots: man (mind or to think) and trai (tools or instrument). Literally, mantras are ‘tools of the mind’, or ‘instruments of thought’. In practical terms, a mantra is a word or series of words either given to you by a spiritual teacher or chosen by yourself.

The mantra chosen by you can be as simple as ‘OM’ or ‘I AM’ or longer, such as ‘I am at peace’; ‘I am calm’, ‘I am one with God’, or ‘I am relaxed’. One of the more common Hindu mantras is ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, meaning ‘I bow to the inner self’ or ‘I bow to Shiva’. Mantras help to still the mind and encourage peace.

Sant Mat Inner Journey

You may also get a specific mantra from a spiritual teacher, and in the Sant Mat tradition there is always a living spiritual teacher to guide you.

Examples of mantra meditations:

1. Sit upright in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and look straight ahead, into the ‘darkness’, focusing on the Third Eye chakra area (between the eyebrows) and mentally repeat your mantra at a relaxed, calm pace. The Third Eye chakra is the ‘gateway’ to ‘higher vibrational worlds’ which can be reached through this meditation.

2. When your mind wanders away from your attention to your mantra, and starts thinking of other things, gently return your focus to it. You may find your mind wandering constantly – that is normal. Just practice bringing it back time and time again, to you observing yourself repeating your mantra.

In The Dawn of Light, Master Sawan Singh presents a remarkable account from the writings of Soami Ji Maharaj, describing these regions through imagery of radiant light, celestial landscapes and distinctive inner sounds.

The following is a brief summary of these traditional descriptions.

The stages of the inner journey starts at the 3rd Eye:

• 1. Tisra Til — The Third Eye: The journey begins with inner light, a five-coloured flower garden and a brilliant blue circular region. Sounds resembling bells and conch shells are described.
• 2. Trikuti — The Second Region: Dark thunderclouds give way to a vast red sphere, a four-petalled red lotus and three great mountain peaks. The inner sound resembles powerful drums.
• 3. Daswan Dwar — The Third Region: A realm of brilliant light containing Mansarovar (The Lake on Immortality), where the soul is described as bathing and joining the hansas (swans). Delicate string-like sounds are heard.
• 4. Maha Sunn — The Great Void: An immense transitional region, initially experienced as profound darkness, containing vast worlds and mysterious inner sounds.
• 5. Bhanwar Gupha — The Fourth Region: A magnificent realm of radiant islands, jewelled palaces and a brilliant white sun. The spiritual sound is compared to a beautiful flute.
• 6. Sach Khand — The Fifth Region: One of the most significant stages of the Sant Mat inner journey is Sach Khand, described as the realm of the Supreme Being (Sat Purush) and pure spiritual consciousness. The realm of Sat Purush, described through golden palaces, silvery fields, streams of nectar and extraordinary spiritual radiance.
• 7. Alakh Lok and Agam Lok: Higher spiritual regions whose beauty and nature are said to transcend human understanding and description.
• 8. Radha Soami Dham: The supreme spiritual reality described in this tradition, where the soul’s journey culminates in complete union and divine love.

Ultimately, the Sant Mat inner journey is understood not as a physical journey through space, but as an inward awakening through meditation, devotion and the divine Sound Current.

These descriptions are drawn from Sant Mat mystical literature and are presented as spiritual teachings.

Source: Soami Ji Maharaj’s writings, as presented by Sawan Singh in The Dawn of Light, published by Radha Soami Satsang Beas.
Link to Sant Mat website:  https://rssb.org/index.html

Other related links to posts on my Chakra Wisdom website:

Ringing in the Ears – A Spiritual Perspective

Third Eye Chakra – 5th: dynamic meditation portal to spiritual realms

As well as being physical in nature, our body is understood (in many traditions) to include subtle energy fields that occupy the same space and extend beyond it—often referred to as the aura. These energy bodies are said to vibrate at different frequencies and interweave with one another.

This brief introduction will give you a simple grounding in the chakras and may open the door to exploring them more deeply. There are many resources available, including books—one of which is listed at the end of this post.

So, what are chakras in simple terms? They are energy centres that influence how energy flows through the body.

They are commonly described as seven energy bodies, moving outward from the physical: Physical, Etheric, Astral (Emotional), Mental, Causal (Spiritual), Monadic, and Divine.

Supporting every activity of the physical body—such as the muscular, skeletal, immune, organ, and nervous systems—this energy system is often described as a kind of blueprint that helps the body maintain and restore balance. Across cultures, this energy has been given many names, including Prana, Chi, Life Force, and Vital Force.

This energy is believed to flow through channels called nadis, which connect to seven main energy centres known as chakras. These are commonly referred to as the Base, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye, and Crown chakras.

What Are Chakras and How Do They Work?

These chakras are linked along the spine by three major energy pathways: ida, pingala, and sushumna. In addition, there are  thousands of smaller energy channels and minor chakras throughout the body.

Chakras are not limited to the physical body—they exist in all energy bodies. They act as focal points for receiving, processing, and distributing subtle energy within and around us.

The word chakra comes from Sanskrit and means “wheel.” These centres are often described as being in constant motion, helping to regulate the flow of energy to the areas of the body they are associated with.

When a chakra is not functioning optimally, the flow of energy may become disrupted. This may be reflected in physical, emotional, or mental symptoms in the areas connected to that chakra.

Our overall well-being is influenced by how harmoniously energy flows through this system. Factors such as nutrition, movement, sunlight, rest, and environment all play a role, and very importantly, our thoughts, attitudes, and emotional patterns.

Holding on to resentment, anger, guilt, or ongoing worry can place strain on the system, while more balanced and positive perspectives encourages a healthier flow of energy.

The chakra system can also serve as a useful framework for self-reflection. When experiencing symptoms, it may be helpful to ask:

“What might my body be drawing my attention to right now?”

This isn’t about blame or guilt, but about developing awareness and taking responsibility for our current state—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

There are times when medical treatment is necessary, and it’s important to recognise and respect that. At the same time, listening to your body and maintaining a balanced lifestyle may support recovery and overall well-being.

Some symptoms may arise from genetic, environmental, or traumatic factors. In these cases, self-awareness and supportive practices can still play a valuable role in helping you achieve the best possible health within your circumstances.

How to Support Healthy Chakra Energy Flow

A wide range of therapies and activities may help support balance in the body and mind, including:

Massage, osteopathy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, reflexology, yoga, counselling, meditation, mindfulness, exercise, music, time in nature, aromatherapy, and positive affirmations.

These approaches often aim not only to relieve symptoms but also to encourage deeper self-awareness and lasting positive change.

You may also like:
Decluttering – is it time to let go? (A Powerful Physical, Mental & Emotional Release)

For more information, check out my book on Amazon:
‘Chakras – What Your Body is Trying to Tell You’.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HH5N5GDY

Understanding what chakras are can offer a useful way to explore the connection between body, mind, and energy. By becoming more aware of how energy flows through your system, you can take simple steps toward greater balance and well-being.

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If you are interested in various aspects of ringing in the ears, click this link to one of my other articles: Ringing in the Ears – A Spiritual Perspective