SIMPLICITY

True spirituality is Simplicity. For God or Truth is indicated to be very simple. Therefore, genuine peace and happiness (Anand) can only be found in Simplicity. That's why the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) makes the declaration that "If you are wise, be Simple." But to be wise and simple is not as straightforward as it sounds, because our stubborn Mayaic-mind is accustomed to novelty and constant wandering (activity, ਫੁਰਨੇ), not the simplicity of our unchanging and uncomplicated Pure Being within. Such conditioned mind results in false self-identifications with the time-bound consciousness, resulting in contamination of our natural state of Simplicity.

• ਮਤਿ ਹੋਦੀ ਹੋਇ ਇਆਣਾ ॥ ਤਾਣ ਹੋਦੇ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਤਾਣਾ ॥ ਅਣਹੋਦੇ ਆਪੁ ਵੰਡਾਏ ॥ ਕੋ ਐਸਾ ਭਗਤੁ ਸਦਾਏ ॥੧੨੮॥: Be simple (even when you are) wise. Be as (you are) without power (even when you are) powerful. Share (Vand Shakanaa), even when almost nothing to share. Only a rare one (with such virtues) is called Bhagat (Gurmukh, Daas, Jana...). (sggs 1384).
• ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣ ਅੰਦਰ ਸਿਆਣਾ ਬਾਹਰ ਭੋਲਾ ॥: Gur sikhee gur sikh sun andar siaanaa baahar bholaa: Listening to the teachings of the Guru, the Sikh becomes wise internally though apparently he looks a simpleton (Vaar Bhai Gurdaas Jee, 4).
• ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਲੋਗਾ ਮੈ ਤਉ ਮਤਿ ਕਾ ਭੋਰਾ ॥: Har ke logaa mai taou mati kaa bhoraa: (Bhagat Kabeer says) O people of Hari, I am just a simpleton (foolish...). (sggs 692).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਪੰਥ ਸੁਹੇਲੜਾ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਬਾਰਹ ਵਾਟ ਫਿਰੰਦੇ ॥: Gurmukh panth suhelarraa manmukh baareh vaat firande: The Gurmukhs (spiritual beings) move upon the simple and straight way and the mind-oriented (Manmukh or ego-minded) go astray on twelve ways — indicates the twelve sects of the Yogis (Vaar Bhai Gurdaas Jee, 5).
  

But, what kind of Simplicity? Inner Simplicity, the absence of psychological construct self-image (Haume or false ego-sense). With inner Simplicity comes a natural integration of emotional, intellectual and physical layers of one's personality. The Gurbani tells us that by consistently cultivating good thoughts, we can change the character-formation in us. By aligning our thinking with the Pure Being (Joti-Svaroopa) within, we can chose not to sow the seeds of ignorance. In other words, by constantly identifying with the real Self within, one can manifest his spiritual nature in which there is no phenomena. Such a shift in focus can be brought about only when the body-consciousness (false "I") is transcended. When one becomse spiritually wise, there is no accounting of one's Karma. Thus, the signs of a True Giaani (the wise man) also include simplicity.

• ਗਿਆਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਤਹ ਕਰਮਹ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੩॥: Giaan bhaiaa tah karmah naas ||3||: With the Divine Knowledge (ਉੱਚ-ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ) ends the deeds (Mayaic efforts) ||3|| (sggs 1167).

It's the false ego-sense or Haume that makes us forget Simplicity or humility. Our Haume- or ego-mind being complex like the onion peels, does not like simplicity. It looks for cause for everything; thus making simple things complicated because it will read complex and far-fetched meanings in simple Truth. The ego-mind wants complexity because it's not contented with simplicity. For it's pastime is to look for cause for everything. This is how man has made his life unnecessarily very complicated. Living an egoistic life we forget that in reality we all are unconditioned consciousness, which we have forgotten.

As emphasized in the Gurbani, the goal is to achieve the consciousness of fearlessness. Absence of fear is absence of pretending. Absence of pretending means nonattendance of false "I" or ego (Haume). In the nonattendance of false ego, there is no appearance of suffering. Therefore, the Gurbani tells us that the way to manage one's life free of difficulties and related anxieties and worries is through the psychological Simplicity. Not external simplicity, but the Simplicity of the mind (Sahaj) within. A truly Simple mind is free of false self: selfishness, aggressiveness, arrogance, baser desire, anger, possessiveness, all sense of "I-me-mine", etc. To achieve this Simplicity requires purification of the body-mind-speech-intellect personality.

• ਆਪੁ ਗਇਆ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਗਇਆ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖ ਜਾਹਿ ॥: Aap gaiaa bhram bhaou gaiaa janam maran dukh jaahi: When ego departs, doubt and fear also depart, and the pain of birth and death is removed (sggs 1093).
• ਕੂੜੈ ਕੀ ਪਾਲਿ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਸਚੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥: Koorre kee paali vichahu niklai sach vasai mani aai (sggs 591).
• ਮਿਠਾ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਸੇਜੈ ਰਵੈ ਭਤਾਰੁ ॥: Mithaa bolahi nivi chalahi sejai ravai bhataar: With genuine sweet speech and a humble way of life, the soul enjoys God-union: Self-realization (sggs 31).

Since man's True Nature (Joti-Svaroopa) or his True Being is Simplicity (Sahaj), he does not have to try hard to realize it. We already are That, here and now! But due to complicated life, confusion, doubts, selfishness, worthless worldly entanglements (Karamkaand) and superstitions we end up spending most of our lives in wandering in the externalities of the world. Godly Principle pervades in everything and everywhere; including the body. Realization of this Ultimate Truth is said to be very simple; as simple as winking of an eye or crushing of a flower in the palm! It's so because the Truth is very simple, and open to all. It's simply loving God which is hidden within! That's all. Therefore, the life is meant to be very simple. However, the confused mind (Haume) not contented with simplicity makes simple things complicated. It sees substance in everything visible. But the reality is to the contrary - anything visible has no substance, only a temporary existence. It's the ego-mind alone that comes, goes, wanders, scurries, searches, and so on.

Regardless of material wealth or sophisticated lifestyle, we can have a childlike simplicity about us, which is truly the key to much happiness in daily life. When our mind is simple (purified, conquered or annihilated of its false ego-sense), we easily recognize the Truth and we become truly good and serve all without any conflict as God's pure instrument. Thus we practice our true Dharma. However, our multifaceted mind and its thoughts often create complications in our way of living that we suffer unnecessary conflicts, inhibitions, complexes, artificiality, and unnatural ways of thinking and acting make us miserable. We then pretend and invite undue difficulties and and related anxieties. Inner Simplicity, which is absence of such self-created, psychological friction, is just what we need. A simple mind is able to live in the eternity of the Now. There is a natural integration of one's personality. A simple mind is childlike innocent, virtuous, content, righteous or truthful, service oriented (selfless Sevaa), sharp, intelligent, unselfish, compassionate, loving, and so on. In other words, the Inner Simplicity is a Higher state of no-death, no-sorrows, no-transmigration, no-duality, no-mind or no-ego, etc. — Sahaj-Avasthaa, Turiyaa-Avasthaa, Chauthaa Pada, Immortality, Spiritual Enlightenment, Gurmukhhood, God-consciousness, utmost humility, inner purity, piety, the state of complete inner surrender to God within, and so on.

• ਸੇਵ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਚੋ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਦੈ ਪੈਰੁ ਨ ਰਖਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥: Sev keetee santhokheeean jinhee sacho sach dhiaaeiaa. Ounhee mandai pair n rakhio kar sukirat dharam kamaaiaa: Those who are contented contemlate the Truth; only they serve. They do not take wicked steps (faulty conduct, bad or ill behavior, ਬੁਰਾ ...); by doing good (pious, virtuous, ਭਲਾ ...) they practice Dharma. (sggs 466-467).
• ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਜੇਹਾ ॥ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਮਾਣਸ ਦੇਹਾ ॥: Hari kaa saevaku so hari jaehaa: God's servant becomes like God. Do not think that, because of his human body, he is different (sggs 1076).
• ਧਨ ਬਾਲੀ ਭੋਲੀ ਪਿਰੁ ਸਹਜਿ ਰਾਵੈ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਕਰਮ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ॥: Dhan baalee bholee pir sahaji raavai miliaa karam bidhaataa: The soul-bride who enjoys (remembers) her Husband in Sahaj (natural state of Being, state of Wisdom...) with a childlike innocense, meets the Creator (sggs 568).
• ਬਾਲ ਸੁਭਾਇ ਅਤੀਤ ਉਦਾਸੀ ॥: Baal subhaae ateet oudhaasee: With a childlike, innocent nature, remain detached, turning away from the world (sggs 1076).
  

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org