THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO DO
The devotees' lifestyle is unique and distinct; they follow the most difficult path.
They renounce greed, avarice, pride and desire; they do not talk too much. The
path they take is sharper than a two-edged sword, and finer than a hair (sggs 918).
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The faults of false ego-sense (Haume) include lust (desire etc.), anger, greed, attachment to worldly objects due to delusion, and pride; and their numerous variations such as enviousness, stubborn mindedness, selfishness, shooting nonsense or excessive talking, and so on. The SGGS says that the lifestyle of a true devotee includes eradication of these Bikaars (negativity) from one's mind. Eradication of these Bikaars means eradication of one's Haume (false ego-sense). The lifestyle of true devotees is mentioned here by the SGGS to be "the most difficult", because it's very difficult to eradicate Haume and its faults (Bikaars). Which simply implies that — for most of us — "the most difficult thing" to do in life is to get rid of the Haume (false-ego sense)!
Therefore, renunciation or annihilation of one's ego is the true meditation — the real Japa, Tapa and Sanjam. In other words, removal of one's ego is the true prayer (Ardaas), or Naam-Simran. Simply put, the ultimate victory is the disappearance of one's ego. The Gurbani indicates this to be "the most difficult thing" for us humans to accomplish.
Thus, according to the SGGS, it is essential but very difficult for us humans to transcend identification with the body-mind-intellect personality (Haume). However, the infinite benefit one gains by this ultimate victory over ego (Haume) is Self-realization — the realization of one's True Nature as the Universal Self ("Joti- Svaroopa),or to experience that one's True Self and God, or simply Truth, are one and the same.
Accordingly, although it's the most difficult thing to do, still the SGGS time and again urges to to do it and be successful at it while still alive. For, as indicated in the SGGS, this is the only purpose of human life. The SGGS gives us clear vision of the ultimate Goal of human life, and the means to achieve that Goal. Therefore, it becomes essential for us, especially for a spiritual seeker, to gain true basic knowledge and understanding of the Gurbani. Such basic knowledge and understanding, in turn, will also help one understand Gurmukhs (Mahatmaas, saintly beings etc.) to some extent.
Removal of this Haume — which is said to be the source of all human problems — is not an automatic process like digesting food. The SGGS never says it's an easy thing to do. Even with high education or material success in life, it is an extremely difficult feat. What is required as per the SGGS is a total inner transformation of our vision of life and its purpose.
Not an easy path to tread! According to the SGGS, the path " is sharper than a two-edged sword, and finer than a hair". However, nevertheless, as indicated in the SGGS, it's a treadable path. But it's up to us to do our part. For example, if we want light in our room, we have to make the effort to at least turn the switch on in that room. Similarly, to tread this path, the SGGS urges us to put forward our best effort (Uddam) to advance along the spiritual path {movining from Manmukhtaa or materiality (Haume-consciousness} to Gurmukhtaa (Divine Lifestyle), sincerely loving the Guru by following His words (Gur-Shabad), sincerely performing our spiritual practices (Naam-Simran, keeping Saadh-Sangat etc.); trying to cultivate divine qualities like truthfullness, contentment, Knowlwdge (Aatm-Giaan), compassion, humility, detachment, patience, acceptance, love, and so on. But, as indicated in the SGGS, very "rare" one embarks on this path! Rest of us just remain entangled in the enchanting worldly objects and waste away.
— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org
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