Attaining Realisation

An address by His Holiness Nirankari Baba Ji

Kapurthala, India Summer 2003

We have met here in Kapurthala after considerable time and all the speakers in this convention have expressed devotional thought in glorification and praise of God should forever be given priority in our lives. We should retain such thought and feelings, which will carry us on the rightful path. This is the path of salvation.

Unchanging Truth
         

Those devoted to the Lord are inspirational people.  They encourage us to identify with the one truth, in knowing God, one knows the truth of existence. In knowing God, the temporal nature of the material world is recognized.  Eternal truth stands foregrounded. 

Truth is that which remains constants, irrespective of time or place. It is unwavering and unchanging. Recently we have heard news of rocks sliding from mountains in a part of India. Whilst we considered mountains to be unshakeable, they too are subject to alteration. Truth however has permanency - it is neither created nor destroyed.  The truth is that which existed in the past, is present today and shall be here in the future.

The modern age is much different to previous times, which were not as technologically advanced. There are changes in culture, designs of houses, means of transport and communication.  The world certainly changes with the passing of time, but truth is that supreme power which is constant.

Realization

Realization truth leads to a radical change in one’s life.  God is the origin of the world and this whole creation has emanated from this one source.  Just as waves do not exist without the ocean, and solar rays do not exist without the Sun, the creation cannot exist without the creator. God is the actual creator and sustainer of the whole universe. Therefore, devotees inspire man to realize the significance and importance of God.

Forgetful Nature

Man forgets the creator and gives greater importance to the limited self - the physical body, accumulated wealth and so on. Lost in ego and feelings of doership, he does not attach due weight to the most significant thing in life.  We may have status and power as a result of our possessions or position in the world, but real greatness countless scriptural testimonies to account for this fact.

True Devotion

Holy beings give all importance to God as true devotion lies in realization of the supreme.  God is not great because holy beings regarded him as such, but rather as they have realized him they qualify him to be supreme, inspiring man to identify with him. This course is critical in order for human redemption to be achieved. Unless the soul recognizes it’s origin, it endures suffering within a continuous cycle of birth and death. Without consciousness, the human mind cannot shed base impulses, and the soul remains shackled in this life and hereafter.

Primary Purpose

The prime purpose of human life is to realize the truth, and attain redemption. They are unfortunate who come onto this earth, journey from childhood to old age, to eventually leave empty handed.  Holy guides comment:

Shame on man, who lived for many years

but failed to realize God

What is being reiterated is that man should give all priority to the prime purpose immediately and not postpone this task awaiting old age.  It is said,

 Old people want more time and the young waste time

We hear of people like the great Swami Vivekananda and Prahlada who achieved the highest state of devotion during their youthful years. They did not adjourn God realization until they became old but issued urgent reminders to themselves in this regard.

It is submitted,

Do not delay until tomorrow that which can be accomplished today

When a long road lies before us, an early start makes for a more comfortable journey.  As we are unaware as to the span of our lives, it is wise to begin treading the path of realization as soon as possible.

The unpredictability of life is as irrefutable fact.  Neither those things which please us, nor those which disturb us, will last forever.  Whether they be flowers or weeds, both gave a limited existence. Let us make good use of the time we have.

Slumber

Man should wake from the drowsiness of ignorance. To remain sleeping is costly for him.  If a farmer becomes negligent and fails to care for his crop, he cannot safeguard it’s quality and worth.  In the same way if man is negligent, he cannot flourish in life.

It is not easy to wake man from his deep slumber. An awakened soul may try to raise others from their sleep, in an act of compassion. However, one who is asleep may even respond with anger or violence.  The best advice is that man should proceed to shake off the slumber of ignorance as it is the cause of self-harm.

If members of a team were to purposely kick the football in their own goal, they would lose the game and be branched foolish.  This we see is the way of man today as he is causing problems for himself.  He has been cautioned throughout the ages by the great masters against this action but fails to comply.

Precious Life

Humans have high degree of consciousness of the material world, but remain closed to the spiritual world.  Human life is so precious and should not only be used by indulging in worldly pleasures alone.  Self-realization is a means for God realization.  Self-realisation does not consist in realizing one’s physical self, but getting to know the spiritual self.  Only by realizing the source can one realize one’s true self.  Those who have realized the one truth will always preserve faith in the one who permeates every particle.  It is said,

            You dwell in every particle and leaf and I perceive you in all. Every particle reflects your grandeur

One who perceives this God in all, witnesses his magnificence all around. God is one, although this power is known by different names. God is not confined to any particular place – God is all-pervading, existing here on earth just as much as in the skies above.  Those who realize the real nature, experience God ever with them, whenever they may be.

Beyond Discrimination

Such knowing takes one beyond all discrimination and distinction in life. When the oneness of the creator is known, nothing remains alien. Saint Kabir tells us, “When I have realized the one truth, why are the people troubled?’.  Today those who regard the one as many, feel unhappy when they hear that Ram and Rahim are one.  The ritualists and traditionalists, who are ignorant of this reality, have always behaved like this.  Saint Kabir proclaims that he has known the one and now nobody is a stranger for him.  Saint Bulle Shah makes similar statements; ‘I tell the truth but people do not believe me. I thought God to be afar but now I have realized God is the nearest to me’.
 

God can be known by the grace of holy beings. This message has always been given to man. In attaining the realization of God, peace and brotherhood can be established on earth.

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