Whether joy or sorrow be,

Give thanks to – the Divine

Be happy and joyful today

Tomorrow will also be fine

                            – Avtar Bani 99

Our gratitude to God, in both good times and in bad, should be expressed every minute of the day, with the firm conviction that just as the present moment is wonderful, the one yet to come will also prove to be equally wonderful.

Over the ages, spiritual masters, sages and thinkers, have laid great emphasis on the question of gratitude – gratitude that a seeker must have as an essential quality of spiritual wellbeing. Meister Eckhart, a fourteenth century German mystic tells us, if the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you’ that would suffice. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It renders what we have in small measure into enough and more. It turns a meal into a feast, a house into a home, and a stranger into a friend. The Holy Bible says, rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

A thankful heart becomes open to receiving greater divine grace, together with peace, contentment and abundance, but self-absorption and a sense of entitlement ever remain massive impediments to gratitude. A story about two angels, sent to earth, to listen to the prayers of humanity, demonstrates this clearly.

The first angel was asked to collect prayers asking God for something – i.e. material substances -, while the other was asked to collect prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude. The first angel became extremely busy, for people prayed for money, better health, latest cell phones, exquisite ornaments, new toys and bigger cars. The other angel, in the meantime, though travelling far and wide looking for prayers of thankfulness and gratitude, failed to find but a few.

It came to pass, while the first angel had a truck load of messages, the second angel had only a handful in his basket. When presented with their findings, God smiled and said: this is nothing new; people are always praying for something or the other. This is fine, for at least they are thinking of me. But very few remember to thank me and enjoy the bounties of gratitude.

To know the importance of gratitude, therefore, is essential, because the right knowledge is truly the first step towards progress. However, the real benefit lies in putting the knowledge in question into practice. The following four steps can solidify our habits into practical gratitude:

1. The first step is to thank God when something good happens, like getting a good job, promotion, being blessed with a child, a sibling or a friend coming to your help, narrow escape in a bad accident, and getting any form of recognition. This is easy to practice and a good beginning.
   
   
2. The second step is not to take for granted the good that already exists in our life – i.e. good health, a loving spouse, obedient children, a comfortable life, a job in hand, good team and office environment, a car, and doting parents. This list, which we can call what we already have, can be quite long, and so can really overwhelm us with gratitude to God.
   
   
3. The third step is to start making a list of troubles we don’t have. This is because these troubles or problems are such that we shudder at the very thought of them – i.e. untimely loss of a near and dear one, poor health, compulsion of selling one’s only flat for medical treatment of a family member, a nasty spouse, huge property loss in a legal battle, and the only child becoming a source of untold misery in the twilight years of life. The thought of being spared of such distresses can instantly fill our heart with gratitude to God for his saving grace.
   
   
4. The fourth, and perhaps the most difficult step, is about thanking God when going through tough times. Here comes the real test of our faith in God. In such times, a consoling thought can be that things could be worse. Such a thought alleviates the intensity of grief and induces one to thank God for the shelter provided. From a spiritual point of view, the faithful see God as infallible. Everything that happens, including adversities in life, is part of an overall scheme of God to serve our larger good, whether we understand it or not. In expressing gratitude, even for our pain, we dissolve the resistance to the situation, which in turn releases the divine healing power within, which renders even the worst situations bearable. This also hastens our spiritual growth.

We have heard the old saying practice makes perfect. By following the above steps, gratitude can gradually become a habit in life. Many people have even found maintaining a daily gratitude journal a very useful practice. We must remember that there is always, always and always, something to thank God for. And once we develop the habit of thanking God, we also start becoming more and more thankful to people around us, and more appreciative of their role and contributions in our life. Complaints and heartaches start fading away. Transformation happens.

With regard to gratitude, Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance, writes, Begin this day to explore and integrate this beautiful principle into your life, and the miracle you have been seeking will unfold to your wonder and amazement.

We are to keep on expressing gratitude to God, as gratitude alone is the true devotion. The Sampuran Hardev Bani (Verse 118) expresses it as follows:

Simply continue to thank the Creator
For gratitude is devotion of Nirankar
Bearing moans groans and disapproval
Sans complaint is devotion of Nirankar

SPS DALAL
Gurugram

In January 2007, amid the morning rush hour, a busker was seen at a subway station in Washington, D.C. Dressed in normal attire, Joshua Bell, one of the finest classical musicians in the world, stood playing one of the most expensive violins to date. He played some of the most elegant music ever written, from some of the most talented composers and artists around the world.

One thousand and ninety-seven people, who walked past that morning, barely noticed him, failing to connect, engage or be present. In just under an hour, he accrued over 30 dollars. But what is fascinating is that three days prior to this, the very same person had filled out an entire arena where some seats sold for $100 dollars each.

This was actually a social experiment, conducted by The Washington Post, to observe people’s perceptions, priorities, and behaviour. What we learn from the experiment is that beauty, which is an eternal quality that never wanes or diminishes, is easily missed when we go about our day in a routine led, semi-conscious state.  Wonderful things can also be overlooked when we happen upon them unexpectedly. In fact, we miss the most incredible things in life just because they are not presented, packaged, or manufactured in a particular format. Our attention drifts, as we lose ourselves in material pursuits.  We fail to tune in or use our own intuition.

There is another lesson to be taken from the experiment, which relates to the negative stereotypes and prejudices we hold.  In this instance, why give a mere busker any real attention?  Our class ridden society does not encourage us to give a subway artist even a glance. It is the assumptions we hold, based on appearance, socio-economic status (and sometimes religion, culture, diet, and other factors) which become the cause of our narrow thinking and division.

Throughout the ages, saints and sages have been coming to return us to a more open-minded, equitable way of seeing and perceiving.  They come to reconnect us to our true identity. Their spiritual teachings allow us not just to introspect, but to wipe away the pollution of ignorance and hatred, which enables us to rise above the trivial ‘me and mine’ attitude and connect to ‘thee and thine’ perspective. This allows us to respect fellow beings and appreciate the world around us.  Such vision becomes a precursor to spreading goodness to others, so much so that we feel inspired to care for and serve the entire human race as if it were our very own family.

Through the wisdom shared by saintly souls, we realise there is one common thread which binds us together.  We become aware of the filters we have become accustomed to applying, which allows us to reflect on our choices and decisions.  Are the filters we hold helpful to us, or have they become a habitual, unconsidered approach to living?  A reflective experience of this kind happened during one of my visits in India, which I’d like to share.

Whilst on route to a destination in Delhi, a conversation regarding a personal matter took place between Mata Savinder ji and a saint who was travelling in the vehicle. As the conversation approached its conclusion, Mata ji glanced towards the rear of the vehicle and asked one of the passengers, ‘are you pondering over this exchange?’

The passenger, also a devoted saint, had been in a state of trance.  When called upon however, she replied, ‘Mata ji, the only sound that reached my ears was the beautiful sound of your angelic voice. I did not hear anything, other than this.’

This saint had been presented with a choice – a choice of what to focus upon and what to ignore. She had been so engrossed with the beauty, nectar, and the tone of Mata ji’s voice that she had not permitted the content of the discussion to reach her ears! She had decided the matter was a private and confidential discussion, which she had no right to eavesdrop upon.

Whether it is the subway performance, or the car journey through India, much may be learned about the foundations for living well.  We perfect our lives through awakened existence, which allows us to actively select the filters and lenses we applyin any given situation. The way we look, see, and hear becomes the basis for how we interpret matters.  Through interpretation, we find meaning.  How we experience life repeatedly, becomes a kind of imprint or groove which stays with us.

In many spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism and Jainism, this process is referred to as karmic impressions.  Karma may be described as the law of cause and effect with which every individual creates his or her own destiny through thoughts, words, and deeds. It is so easy to get caught up in the distractions and gossip of others. If we do not take care to choose our filter, the vices of negativity, hatred, and darkness leak into our being, and spread to others too.

We need to examine our own spiritual code of ethics and morals. We need to ask ourselves the pertinent questions: Are we looking with divine vision, gifted by our spiritual guides? Are we limited by our own ego, narrow mindedness, and selfish needs? Are we adding value to the lives of others, or just judging them? Or, are we diverting ourselves and others further away from the enlightened path?

During Mata Sudiksha ji’s recent visit in the UK, Ramit Chandna ji shared an example of a humble saint, who was visited by Mata ji at his deprived, shack-like home in India. He prepared a simple meal, amongst which were some lentils, which he fed Mata ji with his own hands. On leaving his house, Mata ji said to Ramit ji, “these were the tastiest lentils I have ever had!”. 

I wonder what filter Mata ji had applied in this instance?  How did something so basic become so special to her?  Perhaps we would have hesitated to enter this tiny shack, let alone sit and eat there.  Whilst we learn a great deal about Mata ji’s equitable vision in this story, we can also take a lesson from the humble devotee. In truth, we may spend hours on end preparing food or some other act of service, and we may present it in the most lavish or sophisticated of ways. Yet what matters most, is where our intentions lie.

If there is a condition, outcome or expectation attached in serving another, we have lost the spirit of seva.  The very purpose of the act has been forgotten. Our serving, but also our grateful acceptance of service from others, should always be whole-hearted, with not an ounce of ego.

Throughout the pandemic, a lot of emphasis was placed on our well-being and mental health. A report conducted in November 2021 by the UK charity, MIND, stated that over a third of Britons don’t have the support or tools to deal with the ups and downs of life. Furthermore, ten million people will need support for their mental health as a direct result of the pandemic (Centre for Mental Health).

These statistics highlight the need to nurture a state of mind which is equipped to deal with the challenges of life. The path of spirituality allows us to acquire such life-skills to both survive and thrive under all circumstances.  The oft quoted example of the lotus flower is relevant here. As the bud pushes up through murky waters, the petals of the flower are never touched or affected by the muddy waters beneath.  In so doing the centre of the lotus remains uncontaminated throughout its life journey.  We too can elevate our perspective, to rise above the prejudices, ignorance and hatred that bedevils our world today.

The saintly journey is towards perfection. It is symbolic of the purity of the human soul and how nothing we experience should ever taint us. Saintly souls accept and embrace life as it unfolds – they look, see, and hear with divine intuition. This leads to living in equilibrium, as torchbearers and lighthouses who illuminate the path for others to follow.

                                                                                             – Baljit Kamal, Coventry, UK

This topic we’ve been asked to expand
Spirituality & humanity go hand in hand
But what if these were one, not two…
What if it’s all about how we view?

These two were one as God designed
But the illusion, the confusion, of mind
One could not, the other find
And so as two they were defined…

But spirituality is not some label of vanity
It is actually the very essence of humanity
Remove it and humanity will not exist
Nothing of substance, just a cloud of mist

It’s the spirit within; without nothing beats
We are broken without; it helps completes
So perhaps the idea is being hand in hand
It’s another way to help us all understand

That we’re all human, but so much more
The spiritual feel, the spirit at core
And they represent humanity at best
They surrender all and are truly blessed

When we see it as one, there’s no separation
The formless form, running through creation
And those who do, are aware of the view
They do not exist, because God it’s all You!

They shine and reflect and all work is done
Hand in hand together as one
A rainbow comes from the sun and rain
Spirituality shows when the act is humane

It happens when humans come to see
The spirit exists in both you and me
 In essence they’re one coin, two sides

If one is gone, the other too, hides They must stay together, hand in hand
Exactly the way that God had planned!

                                  – Sudhir Kundi, London

For many years, I proudly consider myself a cultured and learned human being, but when I studied myself, I realised I could be no further from this mistaken belief. I was merely a basic human being acting on impulses and living instinctively. I was empty of humanness, empty of humanitarian virtues. I came to the acceptance that I had not understood my own religion, Islam.  Whilst I called myself a Muslim, the actual reality was that I had only been copying the rituals and blindly following in the footsteps of my parents and community.   I had not read the scriptures and had no personal knowledge of Islam.  I knew a few words and prayers but was devoid of the deeper experience.  It was no wonder I had become lost in materialism, ignorant of all the pathways and spiritual principles that are so richly embedded withing Islam.

I had been born into the religion of Islam.  Much later in life, I began to practise Islam’s five main principles.  It helped me improve as a person, but I remained dissatisfied with the outcome.  My practice for some reason, had not made me a better or more pious human being, as Allah had commanded me to be. Yet it was my good fortune, or some heavenly blessing, that I felt inspired to search the inner realms of Islam – in other words, the path of ruhaniyt (spirituality) and insaniyat (humanity).

It is my conviction that all world religions, including Islam, were made manifest in the world to change the basic human (me) into a divine human being.  I was not willing to accept anything less for myself – I wanted to become a divine human being. This passion fuelled my search towards betterment.  The more I read and discussed the subject, the more I learned that I cannot meet my highest potential, until I find out who am I. It is with great grace that I’m happy to share what I found. I arrived at a Realisation of Self in the Sant Nirankari Mission, which taught me how to place spirituality and humanity, hand in hand.

Over the decades, I have become increasingly aware that the Sant Nirankari Mission is a genuine humanitarian movement on Earth, drawing on the divine potential of human beings to love and serve humanity.  The Mission today works under the guidance of Her Holiness Sadhguru Mata Sudiksha ji.  She is a wonderful reflection of spirituality and humanity and inspires others to be so. I invite you to come and see with your own eyes, because the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Wherever there is a selfless humanitarian service provided, there is a Godliness. And to firmly believe in Allah, one must believe in serving Allah’s children.

As we know Allah has no form, shape, or colour.  Allah has no gender therefore Allah is spiritual and mysterious.  We humans belong to this mysterious spiritual realm, which promises to make us all spiritual the more we inhabit and associate with it. Before finding my spiritual teacher, I was unaware of my spiritual self – whilst I read this Arabic proverb, I remained eager to know who I really was;

“By my heart whoever knows the Soul-self knows the Lord

and whoever knows the Lord within knows the Soul-self”

In simple words, knowing one’s own spiritual self is knowing one’s own spiritual Lord. Another proverb says;

“True self-knowledge is essential for one to establish a relationship with the Creator. The human soul contains mysteries that, when discovered, reveal the nature of Allah to us and allow us to grow closer to Him”.

The Sant Nirankari Mission provides a wonderful platform wherein the true, spiritual, and mysterious knowledge of God may be revealed to every seeker. Enlightening the dead heart with the absolute true knowledge of God, the Mission is making everyone and God-conscious and self-conscious.  Just as a droplet of water realises it’s inherent vastness and power when it falls into the Ocean from which it came, the soul realises it’s inherent divinity when it gains a direct Realisation of Allah. Putting us in touch with our divinity, the Mission then teaches us true human values by which we learn to value fellow human beings. This valuing is practiced through ample opportunities for every individual to serve selflessly, through the understanding that serving humanity is no less than serving God.

There is a pandemic of hackers, con-artists, selfish guides, and money makers robbing humanity left, right and centre.  Such selfish and misleading acts cause untold misery and harm. On the other hand, how wonderful to see truthful and selfless individuals in the Mission lending a helping hand.  These selfless servants herald from all walks of society – some are illiterate, whilst others are highly educated; they may be materially rich or poor.  However, at the Samagam you will see multitudes of people with ear-to-ear smiles, flowing tears of joy and happiness simply because they have been given an opportunity to serve.  They get their nourishment and strength from the love and care that Sadhguru provides.

My up bringing in Islam taught me much that I will be grateful for.  Humanitarianism, together with the passion for seeking Truth and knowing Allah, is written on every page of the Quran. It is heard in every saying of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Unfortunately, I paid insufficient attention, as I took my religion for granted in the misplaced declaration that I was a Muslim.  I felt I had inherited all that is promised to a Muslim, as if a palace had been pre-booked for me in Paradise!  All I had done was read the Quran, looking for afterlife rewards.  How wrong I had been to indulge in sheer ignorance and hypocrisy. Unless and until you experience Allah to be nearer to you than your very breath, closer to you than your jugular vein, you live in ignorance and live in sin. The Knowledge of Allah, which is a Revelation of Truth, made me aware of my Lord.  I am now conscious of Allah ki Hazoori (God’s presence) and feel both blessed and forgiven.

Reading this Hadith from Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) makes us understand Allah is with everyone, all the time – whether they know it or not.  It also teaches me the importance of service to mankind;

“Allah will say on the Day of Judgement: O son of Adam, I was sick, but you did not visit Me. Man will say: My Lord, how can I visit you when You are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that My servant was sick, and you did not visit him, and had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food, but you did not feed Me. Man will say: My Lord, how can I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that My servant asked you for food, but you did not feed him, and had you fed him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for a drink, but you did not provide for Me. Man will say: My Lord, how can I give You a drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: My servant asked you for a drink, but you did not provide for him, and had you given it to him you would have found Me with him.”

Hadith Qudsi no 18

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2569

My Present Master, HH Mata Sudiksha Ji, is constantly making me and all her followers aware of the divinity of every human’s soul, so that we may wholeheartedly respect, love and show kindness to all. In so doing, we will be one with our humanity and one with our divinity.  Our professed faith will become a lived experience – we will be able to call ourselves Muslim, without hesitation, doubt, or regret.

Rasheeda Begum, UK

The declaration made by a single human being, has the ability to have significant ramifications for the immediate environment and the environment around them. It is like the ripple effect, which, in turn, has its own impact. It is, therefore, most important that one is able to focus attention on one’s thoughts, and the channels within which these thoughts are directed. Such a focus makes you who you are. Bruce Lee – the legendary Martial Arts Master – describes it as follows: as you think, so shall you become.

Respected Harbans Singhji was a master of channelling energy into those very areas where the Satguru required focus and attention. In aligning his actions with the Satguru’s vision, he was able to transcend the mind and live his life with and within the Formless. In such a disposition, he was always able to lead from the front. 

The mind¹ is a piece of machinery, governed by its reservoir of memory – genetic, karmic, physical, conscious etc. It becomes clouded when the individual relinquishes control, allowing it (the mind) to be in charge. For example, the radio, an apparatus, can only function when it is able to receive its signal from the broadcasting station. For the mind² to function properly, it has to receive its signal from the Almighty, Nirankar. For, it is such a signal that lays down the path to liberation, subsequently giving rise to tranquillity, serenity and peace.

Once such a dawn of consciousness prevails, the individual begins to live life in line with the Satguru’s command³. He follows the path of humanity – i.e. to serve others, rather than be served. It also amounts to living in gratitude, supporting those in need, and revelling in the hue of the Hue-less.

Respected Harbans Singhji achieved exactly that. He was able to subdue his mind to take a back seat, allowing his chittha⁴, the horse, to lead the cart. Indeed, what the world sees is the cart, but the cart is never before the horse. It is to the contrary. Harbans ji was one accomplished individual whose cart was always pulled by his horse in a manner that was at once gentle but strong.  An obedient and disciplined horse always carries it’s passenger safely home.

Harbans Ji served as a wonderful mentor to countless souls.  He supported others not only in their spiritual lives, but also their family lives and careers.  His guidance will remain of great benefit to us all on the journey to Oneness.  His simple but direct testimony on the path of devotion will shape the thoughts and behaviours of so many, who were privileged to have experienced his company.  He truly modelled a way of dealing with the world through strength of spirit, so as t move beyond mere surviving, to thriving.

Harbans ji indeed achieved an immantled state of being which we all aspire to. As a trail-blazer, he has shown us that a life of liberation is not only possible, but practically achievable too. His whole life, with Mataji’s grace, has been a testament to exactly that.

– Sunny Nirala, London, UK

With the help of the Gyan, revealed to me by her Holiness Satguru Mataji, I have come to realise Nirankar’s virtues such as love, compassion, humility, and forgiveness. I have also learned as to what it means to surrender to God’s Will.

Indeed, very few people will disagree with you when you speak of love and compassion. Even the most hardened souls will admit that the virtues of love and compassion are important and good to have. After all, we want to be loved; we have to experience and display compassion ourselves. Surrender, however, is altogether different. The word surrender invokes a passionate response. Many see it as a weakness, giving up, giving in, or losing out. The dictionary definition being, stop fighting and admit defeat.

However, if we are to truly accept Nirankar and embrace the Gyan experience, then surrender is essential. We cannot recognise and accept this God Knowledge (Gyan) without surrendering to it, and that means not in defeat, but in joy! When we surrender to God’s will, life becomes so much easier, and much less complicated. It brings an end to the constant struggle to control everything in our life.

We spend so much time trying to control every aspect of our lives. While it is important to be diligent about our actions and the impact they have on our future, it is easy to become wrapped up in the minutiae of life, distracted by the attempt to control things that we are not able to.

We can eat healthily and exercise to keep ourselves fit, but we cannot always control the environment around us that may impact on our health. We have the most amazing doctors and nurses. We have medical advances that mean we can live longer, but we still cannot control the inevitability of our death.

We can be criticized or ridiculed for surrendering to God. We may well have heard people say, well you might need to believe in something to help you get through life, but it’s not for me. What they are suggesting is that having faith is merely some sort of crutch, something to prop up our weakness with. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. To surrender to Nirankar – to lay down our ego – requires strength.

On a recent TED talk the question of why the universe is here was discussed for 17 minutes.  The presenter shared various theories as to why the universe exists, with no mention of God. There was no satisfactory answer to the question at hand.

I then tuned into the latest BBC2 programme about the wonders of the universe, led by Professor Brian Cox. It was fascinating and awe-inspiring, hearing about the beginnings of time and space, and how the universe has expanded and grown. Indeed, as with all science programmes, it left viewers with more questions than answers.

The truth is, we simply do not know all the answers – at least, not with any certainty. Of course, it is important that we continue to explore the questions. We want scientists to use their brilliant minds to figure out the equations that prove the reason for the existence of the universe, and why we are here. It is man’s innate nature to question and to seek. I wonder, therefore, if one day they actually come up with the simple equation: God = Life.

The fact that we describe life through our sense organs – seeing, hearing, touch, taste and smell – it makes it terribly limiting. Scientists use physics and metaphysics to prove their theories, and yet the existence of God still eludes many of them. This is because philosophers and gurus through the centuries have always said that the essence of life cannot be described through the senses. It is beyond words, beyond imagination, and beyond sensory experience.

In Plato’s dialogues called The Apology, a friend of Socrates asks the Delphi Oracle if Socrates is the wisest person. The Oracle replies, yes, he is the wisest person. Socrates’ thought is contrary to this. He says: I know nothing.

He decides to ask others, lawyers and well educated people, are you wise, do you know things? They all answer in the affirmative, I am terribly wise because I know this and I know that.

Socrates comes to the conclusion that these people are all very ignorant and foolish. They do not know anything. They think they know something, which fools them into thinking that they have knowledge.

Thus he decides that he actually is the wisest person. He admits that he does not know anything, and accepts his own ignorance. He realises that knowledge and truth continually escape him, and that it requires effort and dedication to pursue these things. Hence Socrates is wise because of his ignorance.

In realising that we do not know, we know something. We know there is something more to understand, which becomes a catalyst for further enquiry. When we appreciate what we do not know about life, spirituality and the universe, it can be a stepping stone towards learning more about God. By laying down our ego, our sense of ‘I’, we can begin to explore the whole.

We all have a choice about how we live the life that we have been given. It is not for us to judge others on what they choose to do with it. Judging others serves no one.

You may have come across Ruth Coker Burns on social media in recent times.  She was visiting a friend in hospital when she saw a man lying in a room on his own. He was dying, calling out for his mother. This was in the 1980’s when AIDS was first becoming known; the patient was an AIDS sufferer. He had been rejected by his family and friends. Even the nurses, fearful of this little known disease, were drawing straws to see who should tend to him.

Ruth sneaked into his room and spent the last 13 hours of his life by his bedside. She called his mother and begged her to come, but she refused. When the patient died, she arranged his cremation and for his ashes to be laid in her own family plot.

Ruth went on to help over 1000 other AIDS patients. She took them to appointments, and stayed at their bedside when they were dying. She laid the ashes of another 40 people to rest in her now extended family plot. She said, they were all buried with love. This is Love in its purest form. This is true humanity, compassion in action and total lack of prejudice.

As I say, we all have a choice in how we spend our lives. For me, I choose love and surrender to God’s will, knowing that the control we think we have is an illusion. Knowing, like Socrates, that we know something when we realise we know nothing, ushers a spirit of surrender within which we may seek the truth, which is the Gyan. 

The Gyan makes us one with Formless Nirankar – the origin, cause and sustaining force of the universe. In such a state we rise above duality. There is the limitless expanse of Nirankar alone, and no ‘I’ ‘me’ or ‘mine’.

                                                                             Margaret Fletcher, Staffordshire, UK

While visible light helps us to see, detect and recognize different things, invisible spiritual light enables us to fully appreciate and understand our vision more clearly. For, it enlightens us to see that every physical perspective is nothing but the manifestation of the one – and only one – indivisible source. When this very source dwells in our heart, our mind attains a state of oneness in which love, compassion, bliss, and selflessness naturally well up.

1. Source of Light

The crop may be anyone’s,

The sun, discriminates not

The moon spreads its light

On the lowly, the bigshots

                          – Avtar Bani 208

The Sun is the biggest light in our solar system, through whose radiance the Moon, Earth and other planets shine brightly. Ceaseless in its service, the Sun has been performing its role in sustaining life on our planet for countless millennia.  Yet even the Sun is illumined by a higher power – the invisible light, the source of all existence. This source fills all suns, moons and stars with its indivisible and undiminishing energy.  Just so, we too can take power from the source in order to shine and serve.

2. Universal Constant – E=MC²

Albert Einstein’s famous equation tells us that ‘C’ stands for the speed of light, a universal constant. The whole equation breaks down to this: Energy is equal to matter, multiplied by the speed of light squared. Whether science will change its view about the speed of light being universally constant or not, the divine source of all light is indeed enduring across time and space.  We need to unite in this universal constant, which Baba Hardev Singhji alluded to as: know one, believe in one, and become one.  

To be able to see the whole universe as the manifestation of this Supreme Energy, we need to realise and understand the Invisible Light. In so doing, we grasp the fact that we are all – each one of us – a spark of the same divine Entity.

Just as a camera’s flashlight reflects our true image, the revelation shared by a Spiritual Adept is like a lightening flash of awareness. Such a revelation enables us to see the true image of our ‘being’ in everyone. It is only then that we begin to serve everybody selflessly, without expecting anything in return.

3. Supreme Guide

Why go into  –  hermitages

Finding Allah, the merciful

In pleasing the Guru – you,

See all around the graceful

                           – Avtar Bani 269

In darkness, nothing is seen clearly.  It is always the Satguru, the Spiritual Adept, who shines the light of wisdom, with which we can cross the ocean of materialism in oneness with the Universal Spirit. The light of Gyan allows us to see, bringing us into clear awareness of God.  This is why Mata Savinder Hardevji reminds us to make Gyan our lifestyle.  It must remain with us, wherever we go and whatever we do. Baba Hardev Singhji tells us, if you cannot be a candle, be the mirror that reflects its light.  Both of these individuals who became manifest as Satguru in their time, are asking that we become one with the Gyan.  It may be difficult to become the source, even though it is our essential nature and never apart from us.  But we can at least reflect the source – like the light of a candle is reflected in a mirror.

 4. The Only Support

In the Stormy night, O’ God, You are the only Light that I see.
I do not see any other shore; you are the only support I rely on.

We need to stay in the constant awareness of God, in the presence of enlightened saints, for their company not only enriches our mind, but also leads to a life filled with peace and happiness.  The company of saints maximises our state of enlightenment.  The more enlightened we are, the more joyful our life can be. 

Just as heavy downfall obscures our vision even when driving on a sunny day, difficult circumstances raining down upon us can blur our path.  Enlightened company is akin to wiper blades, providing clarity to find our way. Not only this, but drivers behind us can follow our tail-lights, so that they too may return home.  We illumine the path, for each other.

5. Conclusion

Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark.

After all, when truly blessed to see the invisible light shining through everything and everyone, we, as mere human beings, become divine. There remains no difference between the Lord and us.

You’re me; I am You; what difference can there be?

                                                                – Sree Raag, Ravidass

                                                                                            – Chandra Gottumukkala, Seattle, USA

Have you ever swum deep in the sea, holding your breath as much as you can? If so, you are familiar with the frantic feeling to breathe, forcing you to resurface like a submarine. Simply said, if there is no breath, there is no life! As we devote every second of our existence to breathing, we are all devotees of amazing proportions when it comes to the breath! Without oxygen, we can only sustain life for a few minutes, while trained divers can survive for up to 15 minutes.

Being aerobic in nature, we must breathe.  Oxygen is vital to release energy into our cells, without which, they cannot release energy from the food we eat. Our bio-system, therefore, is quite fragile, for it depends not only on our continuous breathing to replenish the oxygen, but our regular intake of water and food for our energy. Life ceases to exist literally after several days without water, and a month or so without food. The trio of breathing, drinking, and eating is essential for the sustenance of life.  It is the ‘Tier One’ activity, which all human beings pursue relentlessly to remain alive.  

Air is indeed free; it’s something that we simply breathe in. Water and food, on the other hand, are resources, which can only be acquired through the exchange of wealth. Such wealth grants us shelter, clothing and transportation – dimensions of life that constitute our ‘Tier 2’ level of sustenance.  We engage in work or business enterprise, to generate the wealth we need to survive.   

Human beings can survive on very little, but for a better social status that generates more wealth, fame, and power, we pursue an even higher tier of existence – we may call this, ‘Tier 3’. Some people become so engrossed in this endeavour, that they begin to view wealth, fame, and power as if they were air, water, and food!  Such a pursuit of wealth, power and fame is primarily for reasons of control.  The greater our Tier 3 resource, the more choice, privilege and influence we have.  This level of control tends to create even more wealth, power, and fame, and so the cycle perpetuates.  We then enact our lives at the even higher level of sustenance – ‘Tier X’.  

Advancing through these manifold tiers of sustenance is a huge ego builder. Ego, that superficially elevates us above the many, creates self-importance, allowing us to justify the exploitation of others. When we view others as less than our selves, the ease of writing off humanity becomes second nature.

Why is humanity so devoted to the creation, as opposed to the Creator? This is probably because our physical existence depends on it. We all attach ourselves, however wealthy or otherwise, to the creation or earth which keeps on giving. The wealth that God has packed into this planet is more than we will ever know. Some say it is limited and unable to sustain the billions, but I believe it can sustain billions more! Greed has imbalanced God’s blessings to humanity. What one person has been gifted by God, is simply not shared with others.

Why not devote our existence to God – God who has surely devoted Himself to us. Some say God has abandoned humanity, but in actual fact it is humanity who has abandoned God. Many live solely for themselves, taking advantage of others, even killing if it serves their purpose. When the social order polarises people into have and have-nots, those surviving on lower tiers of existence have shorter life spans and poorer health outcomes. Having gotten so far off course, we wonder how and where we took the wrong turn, off the highway of humanity.  

Devotion to God is actually devotion to a special, peaceful way of life – i.e. the ultimate blissful existence. God created a universe that operates on disciplined protocols on the basis of which the human race has developed scientifically and technologically.  God, who desires us to live blissfully, also allows us the benefit of free will, the choice between right and wrong, good and evil.  We can live in chaos or in harmony.  We can live in hate and heartache, or in love and serenity. If we choose wisely, we can be co-creators of the most exuberant existence – not just individually, but as a collective.

Devotion to the Creator (God), instead of creation, brings us into alignment with the Divine. But it is always an introduction to God, by an enlightened soul, that allows us to strike up a real relationship with Him. When this relationship blossoms, oneness with God takes place as a matter of routine.

When we come to know God at that level, the physical creation is assigned only the priority it deserves, not more.  We no longer confuse our survival needs with the pursuit of greater status, prestige, and power. We service our material needs, rather than living in servitude towards them. After all, it is the Creator God who gives rise to creation. As all things emanate from God, those who have a symbiotic relationship with Him, discover they already have what they need, and are secure in the understanding that their future needs will also be taken care of. Contrarily, if our relationship goal with God is based on the acquisition of wealth, power, and status, it is not a true or sincere relationship.  Those devoted to God live contentedly – if they have more resources, they live thankfully and share freely.  If they have less, they remain faithful to God in the knowledge He will provide for their needs.  With God, we enjoy a special kind of wealth which is not of this world.     

Surrender or devotion to God’s way of living must be genuine. As children, we sometimes put our parents’ shoes on. Although we walked around the house, imitating mom or dad, we were never stable; we would trip and fall down, wearing such oversized shoes. This is the learning process of the human child, through imitating the parents. As we trip and fall, walking in His footsteps, God also catches and protects us. Such a process amounts to emulating God Himself, who fills us with compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, and humility. We find our way back to the humanity we had lost.

Just as we are devoted to Him, God is also devoted to us, though such devotion is incomprehensible! When parents responsibly take care of their child, they do whatever it takes to protect and teach the child, so that they may succeed in life. Parents watch from afar as the child grows, in order not to encroach upon their life. God also watches from a sublime state, ensuring our eternal care.

God created the universe for us! Someday, we will leave this child’s sandbox called earth to reach for the stars – i.e. fulfilling our destiny. This blessing, however, can only take place through our total devotion and surrender.

                                                                                      – Daniel J. Slebodnik, Washington D.C., U S A

(The All-Embracing Perspective)

During the global shutdown at the start of the pandemic in 2020, our family tried our first 1,000-piece puzzle. It took a couple of weeks, some concentration and a lot of patience. When it was complete, I couldn’t shake off this thought:

What if every religious faith or spiritual belief was a piece of a larger puzzle? If some of the pieces believed they were different from the other pieces, perhaps thinking they were the only right piece and refused to connect with the other pieces, the puzzle would never be complete. What a sad thought!

And what if the pieces represent the ultimate puzzle, humanity?

Imagine if all the pieces, however different they might be, came together and allowed themselves to fit perfectly. Wow! To me, that would look like human unity and peace on earth.

But there’s a catch here. The puzzle pieces wouldn’t be able to come together until they first realized they were part of the same puzzle. And how can human beings come together unless and until we first realize that we are all one, part of the same Super Soul, and extensions of one another?

We often hear in the Sant Nirankari Mission that ‘religion unites; it never divides’. It may sound contradictory given that we see so many fights and wars in the name of religion. This is where God-realization or Gyan gifts us the vision to see the thread of divinity that connects us all.

In Sikhism, there is a sacred prayer that starts like this:

“Ik Onkar, Sat Nam, Karta Purakh…”

(There is but one God, Eternal Truth is his name, He is the Creative Spirit…)

This line emphasizes the importance in the belief that we are all children of the same one God, which means inherently there exists a oneness in all living beings. When we realize and accept this truth, who can we fight without seeing divinity in them first? Self-realization through God-realization or Gyan eradicates so many man-made conflicts. What is left is peace.

In the Bible, it is written:

Do you not know that you are God’s temple
and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
                                      ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16

What a beautiful reminder – the divine spirit of love and peace resides in each one of us. God is in each of us, making us equal beings. When we imbibe this knowledge, not only would we do our best not to hurt anyone, this all-embracing perspective would also call us to lift everyone up.

For example, a teacher, on noticing that a student in 6^th grade cannot read, write sentences or produce a simple paragraph, has a choice. He could opt to ignore the issue, letting the student pass on to the next grade, and thereby turning the problem over to someone else. However, the teacher could also choose to do his or her best to help the student, making sure he works to improve the omissions teachers made previously. When we live in awareness of God all around us, there are no strangers and we take responsibility for whatever is in front of us – be it taking care of our planet or our brothers and sisters.

Param pitha parmathma se natha jo joodh jata hai
Ek garane jaisa sara jahan nazar yeh aatha hai.

(Once we become one with the Almighty Formless
We see the whole world through the lens of Oneness).

Verse 67 of the Hardev Bani beautifully captures this sentiment of seeing everyone with love as a part of our own selves, not differentiating based on backgrounds, skin color, religion, or anything else.

When connection with the Father God
Is readily, firmly established – Nirankar
Then like one family – the whole world,
Appears to be here on earth, Nirankar,
The one spirit, dynamic in every being,
All start to see all around, O’ Nirankar,
To be able to live in brotherhood they,
Acquire the righteous way, O Nirankar

Often times, children’s puzzles come with little markings like a color, shape or symbol on the back so that kids readily observe which pieces go together. The markings indicate the pieces are part of the same puzzle. I like to think we all have a similar marking within us – I call it the formless divinity.  When you look into the eyes of another, you sense its presence.  When you look at the trees, oceans and mountains, the stoic presence of the formless can be felt.  Observing the vast cosmos at night, the silent being of the formless manifests itself.  One only needs to look for the marking – sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, because as Baba Avtar Singh Ji writes;

Each atom has your mark
Every leaf Your physique
In four corners all around
I see only Your Mystique

Avtar Bani, Verse 2

Hopefully one day we will all share this peace-invoking realization that we are part of the same perfect puzzle, God’s own masterpiece!

– Arti Nehru, Los Angeles USA

 Who you are – and where you are from,

Why don’t you come n’ learn, Nirankar,

As to what your real-essential nature is

O Man do grasp n’ recognise, Nirankar!

                                                    – Hardev Bani 295

Baba Hardev Singhji, in the above verse, poses two important questions: who are you, and where are you from? Prior to answering them, he explains as to what and who we are not. Our material facet, which we dwell upon 24-7, is one that can never make us whole. Our spiritual facet, of which we are usually unaware, has to be brought to the fore. For this Babaji advocates the Gnostic Knowledge. Let’s see what this means.

The eyes n’ ears are indeed yours, but,

You’re not these eyes n’ ears, Nirankar

Just like the house is indeed yours, but

You the self aren’t the house, Nirankar

                                                   – Hardev Bani 295

Every human being lives with the understanding of just a physical and mental level, considering themselves to be mere body and mind. Dwelling on such a mind-set gives rise to many a conflict in life. After seeking divine knowledge one comes to the understanding of the true self or true identity. The Master’s words portray to us that we are indeed beyond the mind and the body. We are part of the Formless. We are souls in the purest form, and descendants of the supreme father.

You’re apart from your body and mind

You’re part of God – Almighty Nirankar

Pure an’ sacred form, you are the soul

Mighty God’s very own child – Nirankar

                                                  – Hardev Bani 295

Babaji explains that life can only be fulfilled when we meet the very essence that we have separated from. We must become one through the grace of a Satguru, who bestows on us the Knowledge of God, with which we can recognise ourselves once again

Understand the essence, states Hardev

From the Satguru’s Gnosis, O’ Nirankar

Meeting the one you have parted from

Do indeed recognise yourself, Nirankar

                                                       – Hardev Bani 295

Babaji further explains that having recognised ourselves we duly grasp the fact that we are all, without exception, one and the same essence of Almighty God. As siblings of God, we realise that you are no different to me. If I were to hurt you, I would hurt myself in the process.

My true essence is your true essence as well. When we recognise our essential essence, we find that we are all part and parcel of the same Omnipresent Father.

If they knew of one father

There’d be no fight – at all,

There is no answer – Avtar,

Without true Master’s call

                           – Avtar Bani 236

              – Anmol Sharma, California USA