There can be no Dhian and Dharma without Giyan

Dhian (ਧਿਆਨ) => unshakable focus, attention, concentration, meditation, contemplation, reflection, heed, thought, self-communication, ਉੱਚੀ ਸੁਰਤ, ਬਿਰਤੀ, ਇਕਾਗਰਤਾ …

Giyan (ਗਿਆਨ) => Wisdom, Aatam-Giyan, understanding or knowing (ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ) …

No Dhian without Giyan

Sikhi is the Way of the Giyan (Giyan-Maarag). Therefore, in Sikhi of Guru Nanak, according to the Gurmat (Giyan-Wisdom, Upadesh, Guide, counsel or Way of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS…), one’s Surat (ਸੁਰਤ-conscience, mind, awareness…) has to become a Sikh (i.e., a learner, Seeker, Student or a Disciple) for it’s the mind that needs to Awaken from sleep paralysis — slumber of Maya.

The Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS teaches us that if we have no Giyan of something (ਜਾਨਕਾਰੀ), we cannot practice Dhiyan (ਧਿਆਨ) on it. For example, if we want to meditate on the Creator, first we must realize Creator’s Giyan by understanding the Gurbani’ spiritual message, Wisdom. The Gurbani indicates that No Karamkaand (rituals, Bhekh-ਭੇਖ, etc.) in this world that can provide us the Creator’s Giyan (ਜਾਨਕਾਰੀ). However, the Giyan realized by understanding the Gurbani can do that.

Accordingly, where there is the mention of the terms “Giyan Dhian” (“ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ”) in the Gurbani, the word “Giyan” (ਗਿਆਨ) precedes the word “Dhiyan” (ਧਿਆਨ). For example:

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਮਨਿ ਮਾਨੁ ॥ : Become the Gurmikh (enlightened Guru-Shabad-Oriented mindset) by following the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom, focus on it in the mind and accept it (i.e. apply it to daily life – ਅਮਲ). (sggs 414).
• ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਲੇ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਰਹੈ ॥ : One who inculcate Giyan-Wisdom and focuses his/her mind on it, dwells in the state of equanimity (spiritual poise, stable etc). (sggs 930).
• ਚੀਨੈ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸਾਚੌ ਏਕ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਵੈ ॥ : A person who’s mind comprehends/realizes Giyan-Wisdom, gets established in unshakable focus (Dhian) on the Guru’s Shabad, and (the mind so focused) becomes his/her eternal treasure/wealth. (sggs 1332).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ : The Guru (Shabad of the SGGS) is the source of my Giyan–Wisdom and the object of my mind’s focus (sggs 864).

Simply put: The Gurbani teaches us that one must know (or must have the knowledge of) what he/she is contemplating on (Dhian-ਧਿਆਨ). Otherwise, if one contemplates without the Knowledge (without knowing: ਗਿਆਨ ਬਗੈਰ ਧਿਆਨ), then he/she is sure to waste time, and get frustrated or disappointed in the end!

• ਜੋ ਜਨ ਜਾਨਿ ਭਜਹਿ ਅਬਿਗਤ ਕਉ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਨਾਸਾ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਕਬਹੁ ਨ ਹਾਰਹਿ ਢਾਲਿ ਜੁ ਜਾਨਹਿ ਪਾਸਾ ॥੪॥੪॥: Those ‘Jan’ (Daas, Bhagat, Gurmukh…) who unite/realize the eternal God do not lose their life in vain. O Kabeer! Those “Jan” who know how to throw dice (i.e., how to follow or live by the Naam: Divine Hukam, Gur-Giyan, Virtues), never lose the game of life. ||4||4|| (sggs 793).

If one merely practices all sorts of Karamkaand (rituals, Bhekh-ਭੇਖ, etc. – “ਨਾਨਾ ਕਰਤ”), but remains devoid of the Divine Knowledge (ਸਚ ਦਾ ਗਿਆਨ), he/she can never have mental poise (equanimity, ਮੱਨ ਦਾ ਟਿਕਾ) needed for Dhian.

• ਨਾਨਾ ਕਰਤ ਨ ਛੂਟੀਐ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਜਮ ਪੁਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥ ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਏਹੁ ਨ ਓਹੁ ਹੈ ਅਵਗੁਣਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿ ॥ ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ : One does not get liberated from vices/Bikaar through myriads of rituals; without Divine Virtues one suffers the consequence of vices/Bikaar. One who depends on rituals have no comfort now of in the future (i.e. he/she wastes life),  and repents in the end for committing sinful deeds. (A person who performs all sorts of religious rituals and is devoid of Virtues) such a person acquires no Spiritual Wisdom, no meditation, no Dharma and no focus of the mind. (sggs 935).
• ਕੁਆਰ ਕੰਨਿਆ ਜੈਸੇ ਕਰਤ ਸੀਗਾਰਾ ॥ ਕਿਉ ਰਲੀਆ ਮਾਨੈ ਬਾਝੁ ਭਤਾਰਾ ॥੩॥ : Just as an unmarried maiden decorates herself, but cannot enjoy it without the groom; similarly I always took care of body but forgetting the Creator, I did not get any spiritual realization. ||3|| (sggs 792).

There are many paths (ਮੱਤ…) in the world. The Gurmat says that if falsehood is practiced a hundred times, it is still false in its effects – such practice of the falsehood only further strengthens the falsehood!

• ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰ ਮਤਿ ਹੋਰ ਹੋਰ ॥ ਜੇ ਸਉ ਵੇਰ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੂੜਾ ਜੋਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : But O Mind, you have adopted other strangeness of; repeatedly performing deeds that are devoid of divinity and have led to my non-realized state of the Creator within. (sggs 17).

Although there are many paths (ਮੱਤਾਂ…), but the Gurmat is only one. For the Guru-Parameshar is only One!

• ਇਕਾ ਬਾਣੀ ਇਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਇਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਸਉਦਾ ਹਟੁ ਸਚੁ ਰਤਨੀ ਭਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰ ॥: Bani is the One, and (this One Bani) alone is the true Guru (i.e. Guru Shabad); therefore, Reflect only on this One Guru Shabad. (Reflection on this Gur-Shabad) is the True Trade, Treasures of Jewels (of Naam, Virtues, Wisdom, Giaan…). (sggs 646).

And this Gurmat (ਗੁਰਮਤ: Universal Teaching of the Guru-Parameshar…) does not want us to waste time. That said, it teaches us as it is – There can be no real Dhian without the true Giyan (ਗਿਆਨ ਬਗੈਰ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਹੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ).

• ਜਿਨਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਓਇ ਮਾਣਸ ਜੂਨਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਪਸੂ ਢੋਰ ਗਾਵਾਰ ॥ ਓਨਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਸਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥: Those who have not Internalized the Message of the Guru‘s Shabad; do not call them human beings; they are as dead animals and stupid. They have neither spiritual Giaan–Wisdom of spiritual Life nor Contemplation (Giyan Dhian); they have no love and affection for the Creator Within. (sggs 1418).
• ਮੈ ਪਤਿ ਕੀ ਪੰਦਿ ਨ ਕਰਣੀ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਹਉ ਬਿਗੜੈ ਰੂਪਿ ਰਹਾ ਬਿਕਰਾਲ ॥: I have not followed the Divine Way (Divine Wisdom), nor have I done good deeds. (As a result, my Original Jot Saroop) got deformed and remains perplexed. (sggs 24).

No Dhian or Dharma without Giyan

The Gurbani also asserts that there can be no Dhian without Dharma.

• ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਰਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਸਚ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਖੀ ਮੂਲੋ ਨ ਬਾਕੀ ॥੨੩॥ : The spiritual wisdom is not attained without the Guru’s teachings, and one cannot focus (Dhian) without Dharma. ‘Sakhi’ (Guidance…) without Truth is of no avail. ||23|| (sggs 1412).

As time and again indicated in the Gurbani, Giyan and Dharma also go together – without Giyan there can be no Dharma either.

• ਕਬੀਰਾ ਜਹਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਤਹ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਹਾ ਝੂਠੁ ਤਹ ਪਾਪੁ ॥ : O Kabeer, where there is Giyan (Spiritual Wisdom) there is Dharma; where there is falsehood, there is sin. (sggs 1372).

Where can this Giyan be found?

Now, where can this essential Giyan be found? The entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is the Giyan (Giyan Guru – ਗਿਆਨ ਗੁਰੂ)! We all can extract this needed Giyan (Spiritual Wisdom, Bibek…) from the Gurbani as butter is extracted from the cream by the churning process. Now, how can one churn the Gurbani? The way to churn the Gurbani is via Shabad-Vichaar, and living it in daily life (ਅਮਲ, ਕਰਣੀ…). The SGGS is a true Guide of practical spirituality.

• ਜਲੁ ਬਿਲੋਵੈ ਜਲੁ ਮਥੈ ਤਤੁ ਲੋੜੈ ਅੰਧੁ ਅਗਿਆਨਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਦਧਿ ਮਥੀਐ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥: The mortal who stirs the water, and (always) churns the water in hope to obtain butter, is blind (ਅਕਲੋਂ-mentally blind), ignorant. If we churn yogurt then butter is found (in the same way) if we take Gurmat then the Treasure of Amrit of Naam (Wisdom) is obtained. (sggs 1009).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਥਿ ਤਤੁ ਕਢੀਏ ॥੪॥੫॥੫੭॥: O Nanak! By becoming the Gurmukh who churns (this body-ocean and the Divine Virtues that are present within), discovers Essence (ਨਿਚੋੜ…) ||4||5||57|| (sggs 367).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥: Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).

The SGGS asserts that the Gurbani can ONLY be understood FROM the Gurbani!

• ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੀ ਜਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਪਾਵਨ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੮॥ : The Guru’s Bani (Gurbani’s enlightening Message) can only be comprehended through the Bani itself by those who have internalized the enlightening Message contained within the Guru Shabad (SGGS). They are of clean conduct and pure consciousness (free of vices/Bikaar) for they live by Naam (divine Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). ||8|| (sggs 1346).
• ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਜਪਿ ਅਨਦੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਨਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ॥੧॥: O mortal! Understanding the Bani of the Perfect Guru (Satigur), be ever in Bliss (Aatmak Aanand). ||1|| (sggs 616).

In a nutshell, it is the Guru’s Giyan (Wisdom) that leads to unshakable Dhian (focus). Such unshakable focus born of Giyan gave strength to the Sikhs of Guru Nanak to live by Gurmat principles despite undergoing unspeakable atrocities during the Guru-period (1469-1708), as well as beyond the Guru-period.

• ਕੁੰਭੇ ਬਧਾ ਜਲੁ ਰਹੈ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾ ਬਧਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥ : As the water remains confined in a pitcher, (just so) the mind is restrained by the Spiritual Wisdom. But (as) the pitcher cannot be shaped without the water, (just so) there can be no Spiritual Wisdom without the Guru. ||5|| (sggs 469).

The Gurbani thus reminds us that there are no short cuts in this process. Mental circus of ours (empty religious rituals or Karamkaand, religious garbs or Bhekh, material cleverness, and so on) will not do the trick.

• ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ : (A person who performs all sorts of religious rituals and is devoid of Virtues) such a person acquires no Spiritual Wisdom, no Dhian, no Dharma and no focus of the mind. (sggs 935).
• ਜਿਨ ਸਬਦਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਣਿ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥ : Those who hear and believe/accept the Guru’s Shabad, focus their minds on the Creator. (sggs 27).
• ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਗਿਆਨ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥੩॥ : Spiritual Wisdom is the food or nourishment of the Brahm Giyani (the Creator-conscious person). Nanak, Brahm Giyani’s focus is on the Creator. ||3|| (sggs 273).
• ਬੀਉ ਬੀਜਿ ਪਤਿ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਅਬ ਕਿਉ ਉਗਵੈ ਦਾਲਿ ॥ ਜੇ ਇਕੁ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਉਗਵੈ ਰੁਤੀ ਹੂ ਰੁਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Those who planted the seed (of Divine Naam) within have departed with honor; (but) those whose mind is split in duality (fragmented-ਦਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਦੋ-ਫਾੜ), how can the seed (of Naam: Wisdom /Virtues / Hukam) sprout in their mind? As the seed sprouts only if the seed is whole (undivided, Saabat…) and if the season is right, similarly the seed of Naam will sprout only if the mind is not split in duality (i.e, mind must remain Unfragmented, Whole, Saabat…). (sggs 468).

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