Gurbani Blog

Unburdening Process

Posted March 10, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The Gurbani tells us that the false ego-sense (Haumai) is the great crushing burden we Jeeva (embodied beings) carry around. This life is a chance given to us to unburden ourselves of this load. Choice is ours - either we can chose to carry it around longer and keep suffering, or we can chose to unburden ourselves here and now. To end it here and now will need courage, watchfulness, determination and constant spiritual discipline. For the ego-mind is a great trickster and a liar. By attaching us to the enchanting objects of the mirage-like world, it hides the Truth from us and makes us chase the illusion. Without getting rid of the burden of our egoism, there will be no Freedom from repeated suffering and no chance of linking with the Supreme Consciousness. Ego is bondage, ignorance and the living hell. Our identification with the gross body (body consciousness) that has turned our lives into a battlefield, where there is no pure love, compassion and humility. As a result, everybody seems to be an enemy. It’s the mind’s constant noise of “mine, mine”. The ego is self-centered. Therefore, it hungers for attention, name, fame, power, prestige, and self-glorification. Due to the pull of such cravings, it will misappropriate, steal, loot or take everything from the world. It’s manifestations are very subtle, therefore, not easy to guard against. The Gurbani stresses we must completely Transcend it.

ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਮਨੁ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਲਦਿਆ ਅਜਗਰ ਭਾਰੀ ॥: Houmai bikh man mohiaa ladiaa ajagar bhaaree: The mortal is enticed by the poison of corruption (i.e. all evil passions); he is burdened with such a heavy load (sggs 1260).
ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰੁ ਮਹਾ ਪੰਥੁ ਬਿਖੜਾ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਭਾਰਿ ਲਦਿ ਲੀਜੈ ॥: Agian andher mahaa panth bikhraa ahankaar bhaar lad leejai: The path of spiritual ignorance is utterly dark and treacherous; the mortal is loaded down with the crushing load of egotism (sggs 1326).
ਹਉ ਹਉ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਰਮ ਰਤ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਭਾਰੁ ਅਫਾਰ ॥: Hou hou karate karam ratt taa ko bhaar afaar: Acting in egotism, people carry the unbearable load (252).
ਮਨੁ ਭੂਲੋ ਸਿਰਿ ਆਵੈ ਭਾਰੁ ॥: Man bhoolo sir aavai bhaar: When the mind is deluded, the load of wickedness falls on the head (sggs 222).

The faults of this self-centered ego (Haumai) are numerous, of which the most talked about are the following “Panch” or five demons: lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride. Some of the numerous variations of these five demons are, jealousy, stubborn mindedness, doubts, falsehood, slandering, and all the rest of the mental negativity and impurities. Thus, the ego-consciousness makes us sin by committing misdeeds. Mad and crazy, ego and the mind are one and the same. It only destroys. But we do not realize the destruction because its working is very subtle. We carry the load of this destructive consciousness all our life. In the process, we start believing it to be real, and our True Nature (“Joti-Svaroopa”) to be false. It thus hides the Reality and deceives us believing in falsehood that this world is the play of ego instead of the Divine. When we grow up, our egos also grow stronger and subtle. We thus get accustomed to living in a limited cocoon of ego-mind, unaware of the disastrous consequences like a silkworm that spins silk cocoon around itself, unaware of the consequences.

ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੁਚੁ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਉਠਾਵਹਿ ਭਾਰੋ ॥: Labu lobh much koorr kamaavahi bahut outhaavahi bhaaro: You practice greed, avarice and great falsehood (i.e. all evil passions), and you carry such a heavy burden (sggs 154).
ਸਾਦਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਲਾਦੀ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੇ ॥ ਦੋਸੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰੇ ॥: Saadi mohi laadee ahankaare. Dos naahee prabh karanaihaare: You are burdened with desire, emotional attachment and pride; it is not the fault of God the Creator (sggs 389).
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਬਿਖੁ ਬਜਰੁ ਭਾਰੁ ॥: Kaam krodhh bikh bajar bhaar: The burden of lust, anger and corruption (i.e. all evil passions) is unbearable (sggs 1187).
ਅਣਹੋਦਾ ਭਾਰੁ ਨਿੰਦਕਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਧਰਾ ॥: Anahodaa bhaar nindak sir dharaa: The slanderer places an unbearable burden upon his head (sggs 145).
ਮੂੰਹ ਅਖੀਂ ਨਕ ਕੰਨ ਹਥ ਦੇਹ ਭਾਰ ਉਚਾਂਦੇ ॥: Moonh akheen nak kann hath deh bhaar ouchaande: The feet carry the burden of mouth, eyes, nose, ears, hands and the whole body (Bhai Gurdaas Ji, Vaar 9).

A Gurmukh is the truly unburdened (Awakened) person. So the Gurbani asks us to become the Gurmukhs. Divine virtues and false ego-sense cannot coexist. Hence the Gurbani time and again urges us to unburden ourselves of egoism. Thinning of false ego-sense makes room for noble qualities and mental purity.

ਹਉਮੈ ਬਾਧਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਛੂਟਾ ॥: Houmai baadhaa garmukhi shootaa: Egotism is bondage; by becoming a Gurmukh, one is emancipated (sggs 131).
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਈ ॥: Gurmukh houmai maareeai manu niramal hoee: By becoming the Gurmukh, the egotism (Haume) is killed, and (consequently) the mind becomes immaculately pure (sggs 424).

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Beast of Burden

Posted March 6, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

A donkey or an ass is known to be the beast of burden. It carries burden day and night, without knowing for who he is doing it, and why he is doing it. It is happy so long its belly is filled!

Similarly, we carry the crushing load of Haumai (egotism), and, in madness, we work day and night like a donkey to develop material wealth, without caring for the Eternal Spirit or advancement in Spiritual Understanding (Aatam-Giaan). As a result, we end up working like a donkey to cultivate nothing but ignorance. Such life style (Manmukh lifestyle) corrupts our sensory apparatus.

We are repeatedly reminded by the Gurbani that the human life is meant for churning the Truth. Instead, most of us just churn falsehood!

The life of those churning falsehood is like the donkey who grazes upon the green grass; arising each day, he laughs and brays, and then dies. Or, like the intoxicated bull who runs around wildly, romps, eats and then falls into hellish existence.

ਹਰੀ ਅੰਗੂਰੀ ਗਦਹਾ ਚਰੈ ॥ ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਹਾਸੈ ਹੀਗੈ ਮਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਤਾ ਭੈਸਾ ਅੰਮੁਹਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਕੁਦਿ ਕੁਦਿ ਚਰੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਪਾਇ ॥: Haree angooree gadahaa charai. Nit uthi haasai heegai marai ||1|| Maataa bhaisaa ammuhaa jaai. Kudi kdi charai rasaatal paai: The donkey grazes upon the green grass; arising each day, he laughs and brays, and then dies. ||1|| | The bull is intoxicated, and runs around wildly. He romps and eats and then falls into hellish existence (sggs 326).

The Gurbani also tirelessly urges us to move from the consciousness of the time-space-causation into the timeless-formless-causeless Self. Subjugation of the beat of Maya — freedom from all attachments and ignorance — is the end of the dance of the conditioned mind, and the beginning of the Spiritual Dance of the Unconditioned Consciousness. The experience of Spiritual Dance is the ultimate maturing of the Jeeva (individual being) from the time-bound consciousness into the Timeless Consciousness (Joti-svaroopa). The reason the majority of us (over 99.9 percent) are unable to experience this Spiritual Dance within is our animal-consciousness.

ਢੀਲੁ ਰਬਾਬੀ ਬਲਦੁ ਪਖਾਵਜ ਕਊਆ ਤਾਲ ਬਜਾਵੈ ॥ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਚੋਲਨਾ ਗਦਹਾ ਨਾਚੈ ਭੈਸਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਾਵੈ ॥੧॥: Dheel rabaabee balad pakhaavaj kaooaa taal bajaavai. Pahiri cholna gadahaa naachai bhaisaa bhagati karaavai ||1||: (At the present) Our mind’s animal nature plays the guitar of the elephant-nature (egoism…); it plays drums of the ox-nature (indolence, ignorance…); it plays cymbals of the crow-nature (material cleverness…); and perform dance of the donkey-nature (lust…), and perform devotional worship of the buffalo-nature (uncontrolled conduct or intoxication with Maya…) ||1||. (sggs 477).

Played out in the eternity of the “Now”, the Spiritual Dance is the Dance of Enlightenment, Pure Consciousness, Divine Vision (Darshan) or direct communion with the True Self within: recognition of Oneness of the world of plurality. To such a person (the Gurmukh), the ever changing phenomenal world is a Dance of Joy in the Infinite Bliss within.

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Pride Corrupts and Causes Downfall

Posted March 1, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

Pride is one of the powerful Bikaars (negative tendencies, passions…). As long as we have pride, it will impede the Divine Grace. While modesty and humility are traits to be cultivated, yielding to Bikaars is vehemently cautioned against in the Gurbani.

For example, Kabeer Sahib reminds us that the body is nothing more than a bundle of “bones wrapped in skin” (ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮੁੱਠ). Therefore, Kabeer Sahib tells us not to be proud of the body and its beauty. Because – any day or any moment – we will leave it behind, just as the snake sheds its skin. History is witness to all those – who were so proud of their bodies – at the end, they all mingled with dirt.

ਕਬੀਰ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਚਾਮ ਲਪੇਟੇ ਹਾਡ ॥ ਹੈਵਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਛਤ੍ਰ ਤਰ ਤੇ ਫੁਨਿ ਧਰਨੀ ਗਾਡ ॥੩੭॥: ||37||: Kabeer, do not be so proud of your (body, after all it just a bundle of) bones wrapped up in skin. (Proud of their bodies) Those who were on their horses and under their canopies (ਜੋ ਵਧੀਆ ਘੋੜਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਵਾਰ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਸਨ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਝੁਲਦੇ ਛਤਰਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਬੈਠਦੇ ਸਨ), were eventually buried under the ground. ||37|| (sggs 1366).
ਕਬੀਰ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਦੇਹੀ ਦੇਖਿ ਸੁਰੰਗ ॥ ਆਜੁ ਕਾਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਤਜਿ ਜਾਹੁਗੇ ਜਿਉ ਕਾਂਚੁਰੀ ਭੁਯੰਗ ॥੪੦॥: ||40||: Kabeer, do not be so proud, looking at your beautiful body. Today or tomorrow, you will have to leave it behind, like the snake shedding its skin. ||40|| (sggs 1366).

Furthermore, Kabeer Sahib urges us not to be proud of our material possessions either. Because, “Today or tomorrow, you will lie beneath the ground, and the grass will grow above you”, reminds us Kabeer Sahib.

When a man’s status improves even slightly in life, he becomes arrogant, and keeps those who are lower in status at arm’s length. If one is wealthy, Kabeer Sahib asks him not to be proud of himself, and laugh at those who are materially poor and destitute. As the material wealth comes and goes, who knows what will happen tomorrow – a rich person may become poor and a poor person may become rich! That is, it really does take too long for a wealthy person to become a pauper and vice versa (ਇਹ ਧਨ-ਪਦਾਰਥ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਜਾਂਦਿਆਂ ਚਿਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ).

ਕਬੀਰ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਊਚਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਅਵਾਸੁ ॥ ਆਜੁ ਕਾਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਭੁਇ ਲੇਟਣਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਜਾਮੈ ਘਾਸੁ ॥੩੮॥: ||38||: Kabeer, do not be so proud of your tall mansions (ਉੱਚਾ ਮਹਲ). Today or tomorrow, you willl lie beneath the ground (ਮਿੱਟੀ ਵਿਚ ਰਲ ਜਾਣਾ), and the grass will grow above you. ||38|| (sggs 1366).
ਕਬੀਰ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਰੰਕੁ ਨ ਹਸੀਐ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਅਜਹੁ ਸੁ ਨਾਉ ਸਮੁੰਦ੍ਰ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ ਕਿਆ ਹੋਇ ॥੩੯॥: ||39||: Kabeer, do not be so proud (material wealth – ਧਨ-ਪਦਾਰਥ – etc.), and do not laugh at the poor. Your (own life-) boat is still out at sea; who knows what will happen? (ਇਹ ਧਨ-ਪਦਾਰਥ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਜਾਂਦਿਆਂ ਚਿਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ) ||39|| (sggs 1366).

Here Kabeer Sahib is trying to make us aware of our pride. For the greatest pitfall for human beings is to become conceited and haughty – arrogance and Haumai (egotism) become the cause of evil in self-important and worldly minded people when it makes us blind to Divine Virtue, and righteousness or goodness.

In nutshell, pride corrupts. It makes us lose our sense of discrimination (Viveka-Budhi) and perception of Truth.

In other words, pride causes one’s downfall. As repeatedly pointed out in the Gurbani, Jeeva (individual beings) who become bloated with pride will eventually fritter away his life in pursuits that will only distance him from Reality.

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They are Real Donkeys

Posted February 17, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The level of intelligence of an utterly foolish or stupid person is generally compared with that of a donkey. Poor Donkey!

For example, if some one acts stupidly, he takes the risk of being called “Gadhaa” or “Khotaa” (donkey). Also, if a child behaves or acts foolishly, parents or teachers in the school may call him “Gadhaa” or “Khotaa” to make the point.

The Gurbani compares those who remain in pride (ਐਵੀਂ ਆਕੜ ਦਿਖਾਲਣ ਵਾਲੇ) with donkeys.

ਮਨਹੁ ਜਿ ਅੰਧੇ ਘੂਪ ਕਹਿਆ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ॥ ਮਨਿ ਅੰਧੈ ਊਂਧੈ ਕਵਲ ਦਿਸਨਿ ਖਰੇ ਕਰੂਪ ॥ ਇਕਿ ਕਹਿ ਜਾਣਨਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਬੁਝਨਿ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਸੁਘੜ ਸਰੂਪ ॥ ਇਕਨਾ ਨਾਦੁ ਨ ਬੇਦੁ ਨ ਗੀਅ ਰਸੁ ਰਸੁ ਕਸੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੰਤਿ ॥ ਇਕਨਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਨ ਅਕਲਿ ਸਰ ਅਖਰ ਕਾ ਭੇਉ ਨ ਲਹੰਤਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਅਸਲਿ ਖਰ ਜਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੰਤ ॥੧੫॥: Manahu ji andhe ghoop kahiaa biradu n jaananee…: Those who are totally blind in their minds (utterly foolish), do not have the integrity to keep their word. With their blind minds, and their upside-down heart-lotus (from Dharma), they look totally ugly (i.e., their living is ugly). Some know how to speak and understand what they are told. Those people are wise and look good. Some do not know Naad (inner melody), spiritual wisdom, or any other enjoyment or taste (ਰਸੁ ਕਸੁ). Some have no idea of Sidhi (attainment of liberation), wisdom or understanding; they know nothing about the mystery of the Word (and still remains bloated with pride!). O Nanak, those people are really donkeys; they have no virtue, but still, they are very proud ||15|| (sggs 1411).

People feel hubris for different things – education, intelligence, wisdom, beauty, money, status, titles, caste, virtues or qualities, possessions, land, property, and so on.

Pride (ਗਰਬ, ਅਭਿਮਾਨ, ਹੰਕਾਰ, ਅਹੰਕਾਰ, ਮਾਣ, ਆਕੜ…) is one of the evil passions (Bikaars, negative tendencies…). According to the Gurbani, this is indicative of a person being a Manmukh (self-willed, who lives at material consciousness, ignorant, who lacks spiritual Understanding, ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ ਬੇ-ਸਮਝ…)

The Gurbani asserts that in such Manmukh lifestyle (which is opposite of a Gurmukh Lifestyle), we just waste away, without realizing Truth.

ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਕਰੇ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥: Manmukh bahut kare abhiamaan: The Manmukh takes great pride in himself (sggs 1066).
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਗਰਬਿ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਇਆਣੇ ॥: Manmukh garabi na paaio agiaan iaane: The Manmukhs are ignorant and foolish (ਜੀਵਨ-ਜੁਗਤਿ ਤੋਂ) ; they remain in pride; they do not find God (sggs 163).
ਜੋ ਜੋ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੋ ਜਾਇ ॥: Whoever indulges in pride, wastes away (from standpoint of spiritual life – ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ) to ruin (sggs 868).

if we wish to eradicate pride or conceit, the Gurbani asks us to become the Gurmukh (the true spiritual Being, Living Enlightened, the follower of Truth and truthful living, God-conscious being, one who has Realized his Real Self as Joti-svaroopa, one who lives the Gur-Shabad, one who is established in Undivided or Intact Consciousness, one lives at Tenth Gate, and so on).

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਗਿ ਰਹੇ ਚੂਕੀ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੀ ਰਾਮ ॥: Who have become the Gurmukhs remain Awake and Aware (from the spell of Maya – ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਹੱਲਿਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ); (from within them, their) pride is annulled (sggs 1111).
ਤਜਿ ਮਾਨੁ ਸਖੀ ਤਜਿ ਮਾਨੁ ਸਖੀ ਮਤੁ ਆਪਣੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਭਾਵਹ ॥: O my companions! Renounce your pride, renounce your pride, (so that we may) become pleasing to (our) Beloved (sggs 847).

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One Dog and Two Bitches

Posted February 10, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The Gurbani says that the man is accompanied by one dog and two bitches — greed is the dog, material and celestial desires are two bitches.

In the morning, they (i.e., dogs of all sorts of desires, avarice, and corruption) wake up with the man and start barking (practicing falsehood and deception in transacting with the outside world).

Baabaa Nanak says:

ਏਕੁ ਸੁਆਨੁ ਦੁਇ ਸੁਆਨੀ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ ਭਲਕੇ ਭਉਕਹਿ ਸਦਾ ਬਇਆਲਿ॥ਕੂੜੁ ਛੁਰਾ ਮੁਠਾ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ॥ ਧਾਣਕ ਰੂਪਿ ਰਹਾ ਕਰਤਾਰ ॥1॥ ਮੈ ਪਤਿ ਕੀ ਪੰਦਿ ਨ ਕਰਣੀ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਹਉ ਬਿਗੜੈ ਰੂਪਿ ਰਹਾ ਬਿਕਰਾਲ ॥: Ek suaan due suaanee naal..: One dog (of greed) and two bitches (desires, avarice, ਆਸਾ, ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ, etc.) are with me. In the early morning, they (rise and) constantly bark (constantly engage in corruption, etc.). Falsehood is my dagger; through deception (ਠਗੀ), I eat the carcasses (of others wealth-ਪਰਾਇਆ ਹੱਕ, etc.). O Creator! I live as a wild hunter (ਭਾਵ ਭਯਾਨਕ ਅਤੇ ਨੀਚੁ-lowly and scary). ||1|| I have not followed good advice (of Yours – ਨਸੀਹਤ, ਸਿਖਿਆ), nor have I done good deeds (ਕਰਣੀ). I (ever so remain) deformed and horribly disfigured (ਡਰਾਉਣੇ ਵਿਗੜੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਾਲਾ) (sggs 24).

Apparently, our thoughts wake up even before we do! Thus, clearly, we are victims of our thoughts (instinctive or Haumai mind).

The moment we awake in the morning, we have different thoughts (dogs) taking control of our minds (this is barking of the dogs).

For example, If it is not lust, then it is anger. If it is not anger, it is greed. If it is not greed, it is emotional attachment. If it is not attachment, it is pride. If it is not pride, it is selfishness. If it is not selfishness, it is worry. If it is not worry, it is envy. If it is not envy… (thus goes the unending barrage of thoughts or Bikaars).

How can we know Peace (or Anand, Joy…) then? Not possible in this corrupt consciousness – conditioned mind or Haumai.

ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਲੋਭ ਮੋਹ ਅਭਿਮਾਨਾ ਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਈਐ ॥: Lust, anger, greed, emotional attachment and pride – (caught in them) Peace is not tobtained (sggs 614).

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Spiritual Blindness

Posted February 4, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The subject of blindness is a very important subject in the Gurbani.

Blindness may be lunped up in two categories:

Physical blindness: unable to see with the bodily eyes or the complete lack of form and visual light perception – the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.
Then there is the spiritual blindness. This is a spiritual metaphor generally used to represent the spiritual inability to see Truth – being in the dark, unable to discern Reality or Truth.

A person who is physically blind, cannot see God’s visible revelation or immanent aspect (Sarguna). That is, he can’t see object around him. However, as a man is spiritually blind, he cannot see God’s Transcendent aspect or invisible revelation (Nirguna). For example, a spiritually blind cannot see the Gurbani’s Oneness, Sameness, One Light, Love, Holiness, Forgiveness, Blessing, Eternal Life, Grace, Joy, Peace, Truth, truthful living, etc.

In nutshell, a spiritually blind cannot see the difference in physical body (matter) and the Soul (Spirit). As the physical blind does not see the vast expanse of the universe, so the blind spirit (blind mind, deluded mind, Haumai, etc.) does not see the vast Holiness and Purity of Cosmic Consciousness. Spiritual Sight (as opposed to the spiritual blindness) is opening of the Inner eyes of the Soul or the Spirit to understand Light and to comprehend Divine Truth. It enables one to understand “who am I?”.

Which of these two types of blindness is more terrible?

Here is the Gurbani’s edict.

ਅੰਧੇ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਜਿਨ ਮੁਖਿ ਲੋਇਣ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਖਸਮਹੁ ਘੁਥੇ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥: Andhe ehi n aakheeani jin mukh loin naahi. Andhe seee Nanaka khasmahu ghuthe jaahi: (But in spiritual life – ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿਚ) Do not call them blind, who have no eyes in their face. O Nanak! They alone are blind who wander away from their Master (Truth, Reality, Cosmic Consciousness, etc.). ||1|| (sggs 954).

The majority of us choose to remain spiritually blind, as the “ostrich-head-in-sand”. Thus blindness – according to the Gurbani – may be voluntary (e.g., spiritual blindness) as well as involuntary (e.g., physical blindness). As indicated in the foregoing verse, spiritual blindness – the refusal to see Reality As Is – is even more profoundly dreadful than the physical blindness.

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Rituals Bind Us in Egotism

Posted January 29, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The Gurbani thunders from the top of its voice that the performance of rituals bind people in more and more false ego-sense (Haumai). Why? Because the chronic disease of this false ego-sense makes us do useless acts, devoid of any spiritual vibrations.

ਕਰਮ ਕਰਤ ਬਧੇ ਅਹੰਮੇਵ ॥: Karam karat baadhe ahammev: Ritual practices bind people in egotism (sggs 324).

This is the Gurbani’s edict. One’s instinctive mind (Manmukhtaa, self-willed materialistic consciousness, ignorance…) may disagree or overrule what the Gurbani is saying here, but that does not change the Gurbani’s Truth. In this context, consider a few verses from the SGGS as follows.

ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਸਭਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਫੈਲੁ ॥: Karam dharam sabh hayumai phail: Religious rituals are all just egotistical displays. (sggs 890).
ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਅੰਧਾ ਬਹੁ ਕਰਮ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਏ ॥ ਮਨਹਠਿ ਕਰਮ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨੀ ਪਾਏ ॥ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਕਾ ਦੋਰਾਹਾ ਹੇ ॥੯॥: Agiaani andhaa bahu karam drirhaae. Mann hathi karam hiri jonee paae. Bikhiaa kaaran lab lobh kamaavahi durmat kaa doraahaa he ||9||: The ignorant (of spiritual life – ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਤੋਂ) and blind (in love of Maya – ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚ) cling to all sorts of rituals. They stubborn-mindedly perform these rituals, and are consigned to reincarnation For the sake of poison (Maya), they act in greed and possessiveness; evil-minded duality (arises in their life-journey. ||9|| (sggs 1055).
ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਹਜੁ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਣੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਲੈ ਜਲਾਇ ॥: Maya vich sahaj na oopajai Maya doojai bhaai. Manmukh karam kamaavane houmai jalai jalaai: (In love of) Maya, the Sahaj Avasthaa (natural state of being, in which everyone longs to be centered) is not produced. Maya leads to the love of duality. By engaging in Manmukh activities (materiallistic, self-centered, ਮਨਮੁਖਤਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਕਰਮ, etc.), (one) only burns in Haumai (egotism) (sggs 68).
ਬਹੁ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਪਾਏ ॥: bahu karam kamaavai mukti n paavai: By performing all sorts of rituals (religious or ਮਿਥੇ ਹੋਏ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ), (one) does not obtain liberation (ਮੁਕਤਿ) through them (sggs 123).
ਕਰਮ ਕਾਂਡ ਬਹੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਅਚਾਰ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ॥੩॥: Karam kaand bahu karahi achaar. Bin naavai dhrig dhrig ahankaar: (Those who) perform all sorts of religious rituals and rites (ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਕਰਮ ਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਰਸਮਾਂ) but remain without the Name, (such religious rituals and rites only) increases egotis in them (and their life) becomes cursed and dommed (ਫਿਟਕਾਰ-ਜੋਗ). ||3|| (sggs 163).
ਕਾਹੂ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਧਰਮਿ ॥: Kahoo jugati kitai n paaeeai Dharma: (Naam) cannot be obtained by any devices (cleverness, contrivance, ਹੋਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ, etc.), and any religious rituals (ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਰਸਮ ਰਿਵਾਜ, etc.) (sggs 274).
ਕਰਮ ਕਰਤ ਜੀਅ ਕਉ ਜੰਜਾਰ ॥੩॥: Karam karat jeea kaou janjaar ||3||: Performing religious rituals, the soul is entangled. ||3|| (sggs 385).

The Gurbani concludes that above all rituals is the Naam (“ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ”).

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਬਹੁ ਕਾਇ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥ ਸਰਬਸੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਜੈ ॥੪॥੫॥: Kahu Kabeer bahu kaai kreejai. sarbas cchodi mahaa ras peejai ||4||5||: O Kabir! Why should (we) perform so many ceremonies (religious rituals, ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਰਸਮਾਂ)? Forsake all others and quaff only the supreme Name Nectar. (sggs 324).

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Light Symbolizes Knowledge

Posted January 21, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The gurbani leads us to the Light – Infinite Knowledge (Wisdom, Giaan, etc).

Light (Jot, Joti, or Jyoti) Symbolizes spiritual Knowledge, the greatest and lasting Inner Wealth. For Knowledge removes spiritual ignorance (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ ਬੇ-ਸਮਝੀ ਦਾ ਹਨੇਰਾ) just as light removes darkness.

ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਮਿਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਗੁਰ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਚਰਾਗੁ ॥: Agiaan andheraa miti gaiaa gur chaanan giaan charaag: (Who is attuned to the Guru’s Instructions – Shabad-Guru’s Teaching) The Guru’s wisdom (ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੋਈ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ) is (akin to) the kindled lamp (within him) that dispels darkness of ignorance (from within) (sggs 849).

Aatamaan / Parmaatmaan is indicated to be the Knowledge Principle, the Inner Light. The Gurbani says we are That (Joti-svaroopa), the embodiment of the Infinite Knowledge or Wisdom.

ਮਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸ ਭਈ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਗਿਆਨਿ ਤਤਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟੀ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇ ॥੩॥: Mati pragaas bhaee har dhiaaiaa giaan tati liv laai. Anatar joti pragatee manu maaniaa har sahaj sammadhi lgaai ||3||: Remaining lovingly attuned to the Eessence of spiritual Wisdom (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ , etc., who) meditates on the Lord (Simran), the intellect (of that person) becomes Enlightened. The Divine Light radiates forth deep within (awkened within, etc.) his being. Merging intuitively into Celestial Samaadhi (Sahaj Samaadhi, ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ), his mind becomes pleased and appeased (ਮਨ ਦਾ “ਗਿਆਨਿ ਤਤਿ ਲਿਵ” ਵਿਚ ਗਿੱਝ ਜਾਣਾਂ). ||3|| (sggs 1199).

The Gurbani repeatedly urges us to awaken this Light of spiritual Knowledge within, which will dispel our darkness of spiritual ignorance.

It’s really amazing and shocking to see how stupid, worthless, and empty rituals and dogmas are taking their strong roots in Gurdawaaraas! For example, the author recently observed in a Gurdawaaraa – immediately after bowing down in front of the Shabad-Guru – that many people attending the congregation would walk to an another alter behind the SGGS and bow down in front of it. Just out of curiosity, after the conclusion of the Divaan, the author went to see as to what is it the people bow before, blatantly ignoring the SGGS. He found that it was an oil lamp people were bowing before!

This is the madness Baabaa Nanak freed us from. But looks like we are falling back into the same mud again, probably even more so! Bhais, Raagees, etc., do not want to correct this sort of non-sense because they don’t want to tick off their clients. After all they are in for money.

The oil lamp (ਦੀਪਕ, ਚਿਰਾਗ) the Gurbani talks about is again the Infinite spiritual “Knowledge”.

ਕਲਿ ਕਾਲਖ ਅੰਧਿਆਰੀਆ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਦੀਪਕ ਉਜਿਆਰੀਆ ॥੧॥: Kal kaalakh andhiaareeaa. Gur giaan deepak ujiaaraa ||1||: In this Kali Yuga, there is only pitch darkness. The Guru’s spiritual Wisdom is the Lamp that Illuminates and Enlightens (ਉੱਚੇ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਚਾਨਣ). ||1|| (sggs 210).

Hence, the lamp is to be taken metaphysically and symbolically. That is, instead of taking it literally and start worshiping the lamp blindly (in the presence of SGGS), the idea is to learn spiritual significance of these similes. In turn, if we understand their spiritual significance, we can learn from them.

For example, let’s consider the simile of the oil or Ghee lamp. It symbolizes our Vaasanas (negative tendencies or ਵਿਕਾਰ) and the wick, the false ego-sense (Haumai). When lit by spiritual Knowledge (spiritual Wisdom, Giaan, etc.), Vaasanas get slowly exhausted and Haumai (the false ego-sense) too finally thins out. If we so objectively observe, the flame of a lamp always burns upwards. It signifies that, similarly, we should acquire such spiritual Knowledge as to take us towards Higher ideals and Higher Self.

This lamp of the spiritual Knowledge that wells from wihin is always there. We may not be aware of its existance – we may not care to Realize it – but its there within each one of us, here and now. It is only because our awareness is busy in gratifying our senses in the external world that we don’t wish to look within for this Light that radiates at a higher vibration.

In the lotus of the heart once such lamp is rekindled, the external world (of sense-gratification, Vikaars, passions, Haume- or ego-mind, etc.) disappears, and the Gurmukh Lifestyle (Enlightened or Divine Life, Pure Consciousness, etc.) dawns.

Buddha says: “be a lamp unto yourself”.

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Cultivating Knowledge

Posted January 16, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

The Gurbani Guides us how to Cultivate Knowledge.

ਗਿਆਨੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਪੂਛਿ ਜਨਾਂ ॥: Giaan kamaaeeai poosh janaan: (O my mind!) Consulting the (saintly, the Gurmukhs, etc.) beings, practice (i.e., learn to cultivate, ਹਾਸਲ ਕਰਣਾਂ, etc.) spiritual Knowledge (Wisdom, ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ, etc.) (1180).

There is huge emphasis on Vichaar in the SGGS (ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ sggs 465).

Clearly, Spiritual quest significantly rests on Vichaar, which goes beyond dogma, empty rituals, traditions and religions. Vichaar is not just collecting information. Neither it is reading and memorizing scriptures nor philosophies, etc. It is Spiritual surgery. It is real learning that has to change us, transform us, and make us Grow within.

An important component of Vichaar is the freedom to question (spiritual inquiry), which helps remove doubts and confusions of the mind.

Unfortunately, in Gurdawaaraa, question and answer format is totally missing. As a result, we do not get to Realize the full Spiritual Benefit (Laahaa) of the Gurbani. As there is no mechanism or system in place whereby members of the congregation (Sangat) are afforded and encouraged to ask questions to those (professional preachers, Raagees, Bhais etc.), conducting sermons in Gurdawaaraas, all over the world

Unfortunately, many Gurdawaaraas appear to be pullulated with foolish and selfish preachers (Parchaaraks), Kirtan singers (Raagees), Bhais etc. Asking them questions or conducting spiritual inquiry with them would be like a blind leading an another blind. They are in for money, not for spirituality or Wisdom. In fact, many of them are criminals, disguised in this profession – hiding from law, immigration authority, etc.!

Not only that, the Gurdawaaraa commitee members, in general, are not any better either!

Hence, nobody is there in the Gurdawaaraas to conduct spiritual inquiry with as recommended by the Gurbani (ਗਿਆਨੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਪੂਛਿ ਜਨਾਂ ॥)!

ਏ ਮਨ ਮਿਰਤ ਸੁਭ ਚਿੰਤੰ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਮਣੰ ॥ ਮਤਿ ਤਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੰ ਕਲਿਆਣ ਨਿਧਾਨੰ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਮਨਿ ਰਮਣੰ ॥੨॥: Ea mann mirat subh chintam gur sabadi hari ramanam. mati tatu giaanam kaliaan nidhaanam hari naam mani ramanam ||2||: O mind, even death (freedom from Haumai, evil passions, etc. – ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ ਛੁੱਟਕਾਰਾ…) wishes you well (ਸੁਖਦਾਈ – becomes blissful, pleasant experience, etc.), when you remember the Lord through the Gur-Shabad. (Those who) meditate / repeat the Lord’s Name in the their mind, their intellect receives the (spiritual) Treasure – the knowledge of Reality and Supreme Bliss (ਸੁਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ) ||2|| (sggs 505).

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Without Knowledge and Naam

Posted January 12, 2010 by T. Singh in Uncategorized.

As the opposite of darkness is light, the opposite of ignorance is Knowledge.

As the Gurbani indicates, spiritual Knowledge (Wisdom, Giaan, Shabad-Vichaar, etc.) and Naam (Simran, meditation on the Name, contemplation on the Shabad, etc.) are interconnected. The Gurbani says that whosoever in the world is without these, consider that person as just dead.

Although that person may be medically alive, but spiritually he is as dead (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤੇ ਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ).

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥: Satigur jinee n sevio sabadi n keeto Veechaar. Antar giaan na aaio miratak hai sansaar: They who do not serve the Satguru and do not ponder over the Shabad (via Shabad-Vichaar, Naam-Simran, contemplation, etc.), obtain not Divine Knowledge (Wisdom, Giaan, etc.) in their hearts (ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਸੱਚਾ ਚਾਨਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਇਆ) and (they may appear as alive, but) are as dead in the world (sggs 88).
ਇਹੁ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਮੜਾ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਵਸਿਆ ॥: Ih miratak marhaa sareer hai sabh jagu jitu Raam Naam nahee vasiaa: If the Name of the Lord does not dwell in (the body), then this body in the world is as dead and it is mere a pile of dirt (ਮੜਾ) (sggs 1191).

Further, the Gurbani calls such people just “burden on the earth”!

ਵਿਸਰਿਆ ਜਿਨ੍‍ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇ ਭੁਇ ਭਾਰੁ ਥੀਏ ॥: Visariaa jinh naam te bhui bhaar theeeye: Those who forget the Name of the Lord are a burden on the earth (sggs 488).

Both the Knowledge and Naam complement each other and illumine the body (with Wisdom, etc.).

ਤਤੁ ਤੇਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕੀਆ ਬਾਤੀ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਦੇਹ ਉਜ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਰਾ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਲਾਇ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਜਗਾਇਆ ਬੂਝੈ ਬੂਝਨਹਾਰਾ ॥੨॥: Tat tel naam keeyaa baatee deepak deh ujaaraa. Jot laai jagadees jagaaiaa boojhai boojhanahaaraa ||2|| : (Whoever understands the secret of real Aaratee) makes the knowledge about the Essence of Reality the oil, the Divine Name (Naam) the wick and the body the illuminated lamp (of the Naam). He has illumined this Lamp by linking himself with the Lord. (Only a rare person) of Knowledge (Wisdom, Giaan, ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ, etc.) understands this (secret). ||2|| (sggs 1350).

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Gurbani Blog

Unburdening Process

Beast of Burden

Pride Corrupts and Causes Downfall

They are Real Donkeys

One Dog and Two Bitches

Spiritual Blindness

Rituals Bind Us in Egotism

Light Symbolizes Knowledge

Cultivating Knowledge

Without Knowledge and Naam

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