It's about time I got my hands on Radhasoami Reality (good job I keep amazon bookmarked - I use it constantly!) and I'll maybe try the Kabir book too.

The idea of the Name is fascinating.
Is it a number of cultures which have an independently reached idea of a single immortal sustaining power which they call the Name or Word, meaning perhaps the essence of God, or are the Judaic, Xtian, Sikh cultures so linked that cultural/philosophical principles are shared?

In any case, Pat's comment about the C18th energy concept (presumably meaning a universal life current) is not really so stupid, at least to me.

This particular idea was probably aroused by contemporary experimentation with electro-magnetism.

The earth itself is a large magnet, and we as humans seem to have our own internal electro-magnetic system. The closest analogy imaginable to the operation of the cerebral and nervous systems is an electric grid. What other type of energy can anyone sensibly suggest to perform the endless functions of the brain? I'd really enjoy hearing serious alternatives.

One experience I had with K in earliest days I have never been able to explain, except through the idea of electrical fields and human circuitry.

At Cuffley in 1973 I was cajoled by premies into joining the darshan line. Although I hadn't received K, I tacked onto the end, and was very rapidly transported to the Lotus Feet. I bent down feeling very incongruous, but before reaching them I felt, from maybe a one inch distance, an enormous energy zap into my face (like some boxer's glove..). I naturally recoiled, and looking up, saw not Maharaji but an enormous field of moving force lines such as you see in electrical experiments. I had a vague impression of the distant trees which surrounded the site. And then Maharaji was back, and I was being hussled along by the service guys.

I have never succeeded in explaining this, apart from to understand things thenceforth in terms of fundamental life energy, electro-magnetism and so forth.

Any serious commentary welcomed.