Spiritual Medicine
- by: Dr. Bobby Sura
Human beings rely heavily on their physical senses – the ability to touch, smell Taste, hear and above all, see. Those with a scientific bent of mind quite openly declare that they will not believe in anything which they cannot see with their own eyes.
But how do we witness the unseen reality? God has been described to permeate the entire universe as a silent observe – without colour, form or shape. We cannot reach out and grasp God with our hands, nor hear Him with our ears – the eyes have nowhere to focus, because God has no beginning or end. Yet, scriptures testify to vision of God – in the words of Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6-9);
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my father as-well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him… anyone who has seen me, has seen my father as-well.
It requires a different kind of sight, for one to witness the glory of God. In today’s age, this is being referred to as divine vision. Such vision may be achieved in the company of a Grand Visionary or Enlightened Sage (referred to as Satguru or Sadhu in the Eastern world). As an entirely spiritual and living being, the Satguru lives within a perpetual state of purity and innocence – this divine personality represents the very meaning of live. Any person who has looked deeply into such a guide, has seen a reflection of his true self.
This moment of self-awareness heralds the beginning of a transformation of heart and mind. It is the single most eventful experience that any human being may attain – a knowledge after knowing which, all other knowing takes on relevance. The reasoning is simple: until one has known himself, what else can he possibly come to know? The lenses with which we view the world, directly influence what we see. If these eyes are clouded with vain theories, misconceptions and confused outlooks, what clarity can we hope for? What is more, we may come to understand the workings of the cosmos, but this knowing is futile until and unless we have known ourselves.
Harmony
Divine vision transports us to a state of inner harmony. Because we feel at one with ourselves, we feel whole, and this holistic sense of being generates good thoughts, good feelings and good actions – in short, a positive cycle of interaction emerges between such a person and his or her environment. And, the world around us responds accordingly, to promote even further resonance and well-being.
Psychologists accept that self-esteem is necessary if we are to be trusting and open within relationships. From the springboard of self-knowing and inner confidence, there is no longer any need to hijack the esteem of others. Rather than seeking power, we readily empower others. Through a process of expansion, we create room not only for more of ourselves, but for others too. Because we begin to experience the unity of things, a larger purpose and coherence is realized. Harmony begins to spread.
Balanced co-existence
It tune with self, and also those around, we begin to take steps into a caring and responsible approach to life on earth. When we work to meet our own needs, but also those of others, we arrive at a state of balance co-existence. Where this balance exists, there is also flexibility of thought – it becomes natural to tolerate diverse opinions, and take differences in our stride.
Spiritual Health
Harmony, balance and respect for diversity: are these not the hallmarks of a spiritually healthy being? There is much talk of the need for humane and considerate approaches to living in today’s world. However, it takes a psychologically healthy person to forgive, love and show compassion. All these positive expressions flow show compassion. All these positive expressions flow spontaneously from all person who is spiritually robust.
Wrath, hatred, Greed and envy are just some of the symptoms of a fragmented and dis-eased mind. If we look sincerely, we will find that these vices (and their numerous cousins) underlie all the conflict that we may experience on earth – from petty arguments at home, disagreements at work to the ever present threat of war and terror on a more global scale.
Following this process through, it makes perfect sense for Shahaha Ji refer to the vision of the divine guide (Nam) as a panacea for all the ills of the world.
Naam is a medicine for all
aliments Nam hai daroo sab roga da,
And human suffering,
Sabhe dukh mitave Nam
So potent is Nam,
that it can resolve all Nam-ch shakti eni loko,
Conflict and disagreement, Bigadi
gal banave nam
Nam illumines the path,
Jis di akh vich noor na hove,
Even for he who lacks vision to see, Rah us
nu Dikhlave Nam
Heaven on earth is established, Svarg da
naksha ban janda hai,
Wherever Nam takes up residence
Jis ghar vi vas jaave Nam
Sampuran Avtar Bani , 311
Spiritual enquiry is not an empty act, or ritualized ceremony – what is revealed through a genuine thirst for knowing, validates all other experiences we may have during our time on earth. It requires a Visionary to reveal the eternal within the transitory and temporal; the changeless within the changing. Because Satguru has perfect spiritual health, and has mastered the art of living, he alone can dispense immunity to the fallibilities of human existence. The revelation Satguru shares is the medicine we need to grow strong and grow true – to fully realize the potential of all we can be.