It is not uncommon to observe whenever there is a scene of rage or brawl (physical or verbal) inside the Gurdawaaraa building, the secretary or the Pardhaan grabs the microphone and makes an appeal. Which may go something like this: "Please do not fight here inside the Gurdawaaraa. If you want to continue fighting, please go outside in the parking lot and fight."
But in truth, whatever is bad inside the Gurdawaaraa building must also be bad outside (i.e., parking lot, home, family, society, country, and so on)! In other words, whatever is bad inside the Gurdawaaraa building must also be bad in one's life. Whatever is considered good, appropriate or auspicious inside the Gurdawaaraa building must be good, appropriate or auspicious at other places as well. Then why is it that we want to behave in certain ways only inside the Gurdawaaraa building but not everywhere else or all the time?
The Gurbani teaches us to remove negative feelings and defilements to cleanse and purify one’s heart and mind; and filling them with an intense love for God and fellow human beings. Pure heart and mind are essential to link with the Universal Consciousness. This ascent in spiritual progress is described in the Gurbani in five Khands (Realms or Stages) — Dharma Khand, Giaan Khand, Saram Khand, Karma Khand and Sach Khand. The Gurbani also tells us that ultimate linking with God is not a matter of accident. To reach up to the Ultimate Stage, one has to prepare himself through an arduous process of spiritual practices or discipline and proceed stage by stage. Baabaa Nanak also urges us to develop humility, compassion, Sahaj (natural state of one's being), and constant remembrance of God. Also, since we are instruments in the hands of God, we are urged to act in His Will (Hukam), not in our own whims or Haume (ego, false "I" etc.), because acting in ego is not to love the Guru or God. The Gurbani also reminds us that the purpose of approaching the Guru is to surrender our Haume, not for name, fame, and prestige. It's not possible to eradicate all Bikaars (corruption of the ego-mind, evil deeds, evil passions, bad qualities, negativity, defilements, Vaasnaas, etc.) and fill the mind and heart with good thoughts while being vain or drenched in the nonessential worldliness?
The spiritual ideals and principles of the Gurdawaaraa are supposed to teach us to limit everything to the essential — no nonsense talking, simple and Saatvic food (no meat, eggs, fish, intoxicants, etc.), no arguments or scuffles, no slandering, conducting nicely and selflessly, serving attitude, and so on. Similar restraints are also expected to curb other Bikaars of the mind such as lust, anger, etc. We try to adhere to these principles inside the Gurdawaaraa. But, as soon as the majority of us walk out of the Gurdawaaraa building (sometime even inside the Gurdawaaraa), normally it's the opposite that takes place — nonessentials become limitless. The Gurbani tells that, not a few, but all Bikaars of the mind must be replaced with good thoughts.
As a matter of fact, whatever is good inside the Gurdawaaraa is also good outside. It's a wrong signal to send to the people that the do's and don'ts of the ideals and Principles of the Gurdawaaraa don't apply to the outside life. Appropriate lifestyle inside the Gurdawaaraa and the same outside cannot be separated. They are meant to be intertwined. Spiritual and material life must be in harmony. To live such a life is like standing in the fire without getting burnt (Gurmukh lifestyle)! It's difficult without true discrimination (Viveka) and detachment.
Any unnecessary action, regardless of time and place, is falsehood or unrighteousness (Adharma). Also, any required action not performed properly, regardless of time and place, is falsehood or unrighteousness (Adharma) as well. The Gurbani tells us that God is everywhere and in everyone. Therefore, all our thoughts, actions and words (Mann, Karma and Bachan) must be in full awareness of this Divine Principle. Practice of good actions, good conduct and good qualities everywhere and in all circumstances is also a part of worship. The Gurbani repeatedly urges us to surrender. What dose this surrender consist of? It includes surrendering of the mind (Antahakaran, which also include intellect the decision making aspect of the mind). To this end, listening, contemplating, and practicing the Truth is important.
The Gurdawaaraas (or other places of worship for that matter) are meant to enhance spiritual thoughts. They are meant to remove our bad vibrations, selfishness, and our slavery to bad habits. They remind us of God and the Divine Principles. Which, in turn, help people to develop good qualities in them. Simply put, these places symbolizes an Ideal. They are symbols of God — the Guru's Gate or the Doorway to God. Therefore, when we enter these places, sacred or true ideals should well up in our Hearts, and when we leave these places the same thoughts should stay with us, regardless of where we are. Do we use these places for their intended use? So the problem is not with the places of worship, but with us because the majority of us are crooked like the "dog's tail". Why become an unnecessarily burden to the family or society with our negativity, defilements, selfishness, and our slavery to bad habits? The Gurbani says that by constantly imbibing in good thoughts and remembrance of God, we can progress spiritually.
— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org
Updated on Friday, August 1, 2008 11:46 AM (PST)
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