"Satsangi" is a seeker of truth, not a religious devotee
The literal meaning of the Indian word, "satsangi," is someone who associates with truth. However, various religious groups have hijacked the term to mean something else: a devotee of some particular dogma.
Unless all of those dogmas are equally true, some of those "satsangis" are more genuinely associated with truth than others are.
Going further, a real satsangi is open to truth in whatever form, shape, or manner it manifests. Thus a true satsangi can't allow himself or herself to be limited by any dogmatic religious barrier. Truth has to be followed wherever it leads.
These thoughts were stimulated by an email I received recently from a guy who, like me, is an initiate of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) -- one of the Indian organizations which uses "satsangi" as a synonym for "devotee."
He wrote me about how he stopped being a speaker at RSSB meetings ("satsangs"):
Having been unable to VERIFY sant mat, I told the Master that I could no longer feel honest or competent about asserting it to others by speaking in satsang, the same approach as Sawan Singh encourages in Gems. It felt a bit presumptive.
Anyway it should be made clear that the translation of the word satsangi is: one who associates with truth. As contrasted with one who identifies with a congregation of fellow believers.
As contrasted with: one who HOPES THAT WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN WILL TURN OUT TO BE TRUE.
Satsangi does not translate as one who willingly accepts philosophical assertions.
Satsangi does not translate as a believer in hypotheses. Satsangi means....... one who is increasingly open to truth. The truth will set us free. Simply.
