UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRUE SUKH

The discernment of the Sukha is this: one
becomes Immaculate (or Pure) within (sggs 947).
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Sukha is generally translated into English as Happiness, Peace, Harmony, Bliss, Joy, and so on. But, what does it really mean as understood by those who were able to truly Realize it? According to the SGGS (Sri Guru Granth Sahib), the real sign, the final verdict (ਆਖਰੀ ਨਿਰਣਾ Aakharee Nirnaa) or discernment ("ਬਿਬੇਕੁ") regarding the real Sukha is this: it signifies the state of one's Inner Purity comprising one's becoming Immaculate ("ਨਿਰਮਲੁ" - Nirmal) within. In view of that, the decree, conclusion, ruling or edict of the SGGS is:

This Inner Purity is essentially the same as indicated by many other terms such as attaining Purity of the mind, Purity of the Heart, mental strength, mindfulness, Peace of the mind, Sahaj (Natural State of Being), infant-like innocence, the Vision of Oneness ("Nanak eko Nadaree Aaiaa Jah Dekhaa Tah Soi"), true devotion (Bhagti), Enlightenment, Inner Growth, Self-realization, Gurmukhtaa, Truthful Life, unbroken Shabad- or Naam-Surti, spiritual Beauty, Infinite Wisdom, Supreme State, Freedom from bondage, Freedom from ignorance/doubts/Dukha etc., Freedom from Maya (duality or relativist consciousness), Param Pada or Chauthaa Pada (Turiyaa), the state of no-ego (no-Haume); understanding of God's Hukam or Will (Bhaanaa Mannanaa etc.); eradication of "Panch" (Bikaars or negative tendencies); and so on.

Sukh is basic to human life. We all want to be Happy; for we humans are the part-and-parcel (Ansh) of the Supreme or Eternal Happiness, Peace, Bliss etc. called God. In other words, being in everlasting Sukh is the very basic Nature of the Soul. No surprising that all human efforts and activities are aimed at seeking and yearning Sukh, and avoiding Dukha. Consequently, all human resources are aimed at and all endeavors are motivated by the impulse to seek Sukh and eradicate Dukha — it can be an object, a person, a place or a situation.

But do the vast majority of us (over 99.9 percent category) look for Sukha in the right place? The SGGS says no. From the moment of birth, till death, most of us (Manmukhs) generally become preoccupied with our security in worldly life, thereby becoming entangled with the worldly obsessions forgetting the Inner Self ("Joti-Svaroopa") or the real purpose of the human birth. As a result, while attending to security concerns, we end up with other problems in life. Education, successful career, good job, overabundance of material possessions, money, power, health, high social status, titles, devoted family etc. are considered the common currencies of Sukha in the world. For that reason, the vast majority of us pursue them thinking they will give them Eternal Sukha. But they cannot and don't, for our definition of the true Sukha is flawed (i.e., contrary to what the SGGS says). There are people who have these and more but yet they are unhappy (Dukhee). The SGGS repeatedly indicates that with flawed, illogical or irrational thinking that Sukha is contained in external conditions, it's not possible to experience the true Sukha in life. In other words, without the parallel Inner Growth (Inner Purity), all human engagements undertaken for the pursuit of the everlasting Sukha become counterproductive.

Then how, as indicated by the SGGS, can we be Happy (or Sukhee)? The SGGS explains that the true, Eternal Sukha is beyond the gratification or satisfaction of the senses. It's contained within ourselves. The indisputable aim of human birth — whether one is aware of this or not — is to obtain Absolute Happiness or Peace, Infinite Wisdom (Aatam-Giaan), spiritual Beauty, freedom from bondage etc.: Self-realization.

To experience that, as repeatedly indicated in the SGGS, we need to give life a total overhaul — unlearn what we have wrongly learnt and understand how to annihilate the mind (False ego-sense or Haume). The SGGS says that Enlightenment is indescribable. Therefore, every human being must realize himself. With the exception of the human beings, this spiritual evolution in nature is unconscious. Humans are vested with Viveka (discerning intellect) and freedom so they can consciously open up to the Higher Self (Pure Consciousness, "Joti-Svaroopa" etc.) within. This freedom becomes a torture when life is lived in Manmukhtaa — perverse or compulsive lifestyle. However, the SGGS promises us that it is possible to direct the course of one's further spiritual evolution by exercising one's choice consciously and using Viveka properly.

By maintaining an unbroken Self Awareness, we will be able to experience the true Sukha. To this end, the SGGS highlights the importance of the followings. Meeting the Satguru; attuning to Naam-Simran (meditation); cultivating Divine Virtues within (contentment, humility, compassion, selfless love, and so on); Joining and keeping the Holy Company or Saadh-Sangat (Gurmukhs, Saints, Mahaatamaas etc.); giving up Manmukhtaa (worldly or material consciousness); becoming the Gurmukh (spiritual Being); practicing Bhagti (devotion) with the Guru; listening to the Lord's sermons; and so on. As indicated in the SGGS, all these spiritual practices coupled with actually living them correctly (Karanee) help one in removing the subtle impurities (inner "Mall" or filth), in turn, leading him to the experience of the true Sukha within.

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

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Updated on Monday, July 27, 2009 11:18 AM (PST)

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