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peace and found the path to attain this inner peace, and expounded this way in the ancient teachings of the Upanishads." Similar views have been expressed by saints in more recent times such as Guru Nanak and Kabir Sahib. They expressed their teaching in the Punjabi and Hindi vernaculars, respectively, for the inspiration and edification for the common masses. The teachings of these latter saints are referred to as Santmat.
However, the Upanishads are considered to be the foundation of Santmat, because they uniquely and abundantly describe the means for attaining Shanti, and contain a comprehensive explanation of the Divine Word-Sound which leads to the Highest Wisdom. The Upanishads explain the yogic techniques and present a systematic path for transcending thought in order to attain the Absolute through the use of sound (the Yoga of Surat-Shabda).? Santmat follows the yogic path prescribed in the Upanishads and specifically, employs Surat-Shabad Yoga in its practices. [Therefore, it is to be understood that the teaching of the saints is a later expression and development of the teaching within the Upanishads.]
When viewed on the surface, the teachings of various saints sometimes seem to contradict one another for even to contradict the principles of the Upanishads). But upon deeper analysis, it
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