The word Satsanga is the combination of the two words: Sat and Sanga. Sat means existence absolute, which is Brahman. Sanga literally means company or union. To be always in the company of the Lord, or to be established in Brahman, is the literal meaning of the word Satsanga.

Satsanga is association with the wise. To live in the company of sages, saints, Sadhus, Yogis and Sannyasins; to hear their valuable Upadesa or instructions, and follow them implicitly is Satsanga.

God and Saint

• God is the great purifier. A saint also is a great purifier.
• God incarnates as saints and sages when their need is felt most.
• The saints are the heart of the Lord and the Lord is the heart of the saint.
• It is extremely difficult to come in contact with a saint and to be benefited by his or her company. It is through divine grace only one will get his of her Darshan and Satsanga.
• Divine grace works through saints and sages.
• Learn wisdom from saints. They are your saviours. Know them to be saints who possess godly qualities.

The Benefits of Satsanga

• Satsanga with Mahatmas, Sadhus and the Guru plays a tremendous part in the attainment of quick spiritual progress.
• Satsanga elevates the mind and fills it with Sattva (purity). It helps eradicate vicious thoughts, and leads to the attainment of wisdom or Brahma-jnana.
• Without Satsanga, the mind that is filled with worldly impurities cannot be turned towards God.
• Satsanga removes the darkness of ignorance and fills your mind with Vairagya (non-attachment) or dispassion for worldly enjoyments. Satsanga is like the sun that dispels the cloud of ignorance.
• Satsanga is an unfailing means to conquer Maya (illusion) and this dire mind.
• Satsanga is like a sentinel at the door of Moksha (liberation). If you make friendship with Satsanga, he will introduce you to his other friends, viz., Vichara (enquiry), Santi/Shanti (peace) and Santosha (contentment), and you will attain Self-realization quickly and easily.
• Follow the teachings of saints and sages.
• Life, fame, happiness, power and knowledge will increase in that person who respects elders and saints and with faith and devotion prostrates before them.

  How Holy Company Transforms

  • The human mind is a very receptive instrument. If you place it in unfruitful company, it will acquire unfruitful tendencies. If you place it in holy company, it will acquire divine or fruitful traits.
  • Bright ideals infuse an urge to grow into their likeness. Converse ideals have the opposite effect, if one's mind is not guarded.
  • Just as cold, fear and darkness depart from one who approaches fire, so does weakness, worldliness and ignorance depart from those who keep themselves near to the saints.
  • Meditation on the lives of saints is equal to holy company. Study of their teachings is equal to holy company.
  • To think of the lives of saints, to live in their company, to have the good fortune of receiving their blessings, is to draw forth upon yourselves a shower of purity, inspiration and divine consciousness.
  • The very company of sages and saints has a tremendous transforming effect on the lives of true seekers. It lifts them up to the heights of sublimity, purity and spirituality.
  • The sage is very silent. He or she speaks few words. These words produce a tremendous impression.
  • The company of saints can help generate love for God.

How to Benefit from the Company of Saints

• Jivanmuktas (liberated sages) are ever ready to help those who are still climbing to reach the peak of wisdom. This is their work in this world. It is the duty of the aspirants to seek their aid and have a receptive attitude.
• To benefit from the company of saints you have to prepare yourself first. Do not go with any preconceived notion or prejudice. Go with an open, receptive mind. Go without expectations.
• Assimilate what appeals to you. If some of their teachings do not appeal to you, do not form a hasty opinion. If you do not like them, you need not take them to head. What may be suitable to another may not be suitable to you. Yet, with regard to broad fundamentals, there can be no difference of opinion.
• One should possess the right desire, in order to cross the ocean of Samsara.
• When you go before a sage, do not ask him or her questions out of mere inquisitiveness. Sit. Observe. Listen without prejudice. Ask him or her only those questions about which you really need clarification.
• Do not draw him or her into politics or public bickering.

reference:

Swami Sivananda's Satsanga or Holy Company (at about.com).