IT’S OK TO BE VERY JUDGMENTAL
One morning, I vowed to myself that I will not judge anyone or anything for the entire day. Unfortunately, having left the house I had passed judgment on ‪around 4-5‬ separate people/situations in the first 30 minutes.
I complained about the weather as soon as I stepped out, I complained about the man smoking on the railway platform etc etc.
I very quickly realised how challenging this is. Essentially the ego-mind runs the show here. The ego is constantly fighting to be in control of us and our thoughts and actions. As a result, we all struggle with the basic concept of acceptance or living in Hukam (the divine order).
Guru Nanak Dev Jee makes this clear very early in Sri Jap jee Sahib (the first composition of the Sikh scripture). Guru sahib explains that, that person who understands the Hukam will not speak in ego again.
So, how do we get to this state? My challenge that I set myself made it clear that I need to spend a lot of time being judgemental, but not of anyone else but only myself.
We need to dive deep into the depths of our minds and understand our own egos (the disease of the mind) and judge every thought & action of our own. Only then will we start the journey to acceptance and a state of non-judgment of others.
The 2nd Guru Sahib, Guru Agand Dev Jee conveys the above beautifully in the following 2 lines.
Naanak Parakhay Aap Ko Thaa Paarakh Jaan ||
O Nanak, if someone judges himself, only then is he known as a real judge.
Rog Dhaaroo Dhovai Bujhai Thaa Vaidh Sujaan ||
If someone understands both the disease and the medicine, only then is he a wise physician.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- KARMA
KARMA
"The body is the field of karma in this age; whatever you plant, you shall harvest."
Due to our commendable actions in previous lives, this human life has been gifted to us. According to the law of karma, every action (physical or mental) has its own consequence, which must be faced either in this life or in the lives to come. As the Gurbani quote above states, our destiny can be changed based on our choices and current actions. We need to be forever conscious of our thoughts and actions and we need to remain positive, respectful and loving at all times. Only by the meditation upon the Lord's Name, good deeds and noble actions can one eliminate the consequences of past bad karma.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- AWAKE BUT BLIND
AWAKE BUT BLIND
"He is awake, and even happy, but he is being plundered - He is blind!"
With Vaheguroo’s (God’s) grace, we wake up to another day and quickly get on with our daily tasks. We will concentrate lots on worldly tasks (work/education) and be happy with our success. In the above shabad, Guru ji tells us although we're awake and happy, we are actually blind because we don't realise the true meaning of life. We are not on this earth to just be physically awake and happy with worldly success, but Infact the true aim is to be spiritually awake and happy through the love of Naam meditation and seeing God in all their creation. This will bring true peace, bliss and contentment to the mind; thus, the mind becomes truly and spiritually awake.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- MISTAKES
MISTAKES
"I am a sinner, continuously making mistakes; You are the Forgiving Lord."
Because we live in the Dark age, it is human nature to make many mistakes, only God is free from mistakes. These can be committed through our actions, words and thoughts. It is important to learn from these and thrive not to make them again. Often we can feel bad for what we have done; an Ardaas should be to guru ji because he is ever forgiving and loving. Everyday is a new day. Forget about the previous day and start fresh with a positive mind. The difference between a sinner and a saint is that the saint keeps on trying and rectifying mistakes. The more sangat (spiritual company) we keep and the more Naam/Gurbani we concentrate on, naturally Guru Sahib Ji blesses his servants and washes away the impurity, making his Gursikhs blessed, pure and forever loving.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- SHEPHERD
SHEPHERD
"As the shepherd is in the field for only a short time, so is one in the world." Guru Nanak Dev Ji
In this shabad, Guru Ji tells us clearly that our time in the world is very short. We say "Years fly past and we don't know where they have gone," however we don't act upon it. We question Is this all life is? Is there a real purpose beyond family life and work life? Gurbani tells us our purpose is to meet with God and liberate the soul from the cycle of birth and death! So let's not think we have years left to live. Use these breaths to meditate on the Naam which will go with us, as who knows when the last breath will be...
In this pandemic, most of us have more than enough time to up our accounts of Naam and Baani meditation and better ourselves. So, in this difficult period or when it is over, we can consciously become compassionate, loving, kind and caring human beings.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- HAPPY SOULS
HAPPY SOULS
"The Gurmukhs are the happy soul-brides; their minds are filled with kindness." Guru Raam Daas Ji.
Gursikhs are always happy as they remember and chant the name of the great One who is the source of all happiness (God). A happy person’s behaviour is unique! They will always have a genuine smile upon their radiant face and their eyes will always be drenched with the love of God (love for his creation). This behaviour is warming to everyone and makes others smile automatically and have a liking towards the God loving beings.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- SUFFERING IS MEDICINE
SUFFERING IS MEDICINE
"Suffering is the medicine, and pleasure the disease, because where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God." Guru Raam Daas Ji
Guru Ji tells us to remember God at all times during times of happiness but also sadness and difficulty. It's easy when we are suffering to remember God because it's our natural behaviour to want help in difficult times. However, when we are happy and enjoying the pleasures of life, we forget what God has given us. It's important during times of happiness to be thankful to the almighty.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- FEED THE WORLD
FEED THE WORLD
The Sikh community have truly stepped up to the mark during the global pandemic. From New Delhi to Gravesend to New York City, they have been actively preparing and delivering food to the needy in their local communities using the kitchen facilities in their local Gurdwaras (Sikhs place of worship).
But, this “stepping up to the mark” is not some sort of extraordinary achievement or behaviour. This should be ingrained in the DNA of every single Sikh on the planet.
The three basic pillars of Sikhi make this absolutely clear…..Meditate on the Naam, Earn an honest living and Share your Food.
Sadly, there are many in the modern world, who instead live by the code of “Look after number 1” or “I’m alright Jack!”
Those drenched in the Naam, feel the intense love for the entire creation and will always think to feed another before they eat themselves.
Some of the earliest guidelines on the Sikh way of life are to be found in the verses of Bhai Gurdas Jee (the great Sikh scholar, nephew of Guru Amar Das Jee and the scribe of the 1st recension of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee). This whole principle of feeding others is clearly articulated in the following verse, that describes the path of the Gurmukh (Guru Oriented).
Gurasikh Bhalkay Outth Kai Anmrit Vaylay Sar Nhaavandaa.
The Gurmukh getting up in ambrosial hours of the early morning takes bath.
Guru Kai Bachan Ouchaar Kai Dharamasaal Dee Surat Karandaa.
Reciting the holy hymns of the Guru, he moves towards the Gurudvara, the central place for Sikhs.
Saadhsangat Vich Jaai Kai Gurbaanee Day Preet Sunandaa.
There, joining the holy congregation, he lovingly listens to Gurbani, the holy hymns of the Guru.
Sankaa Manahu Mitaai Kai Guru Sikhaan Dee Sayv Karandaa.
Effacing all doubt from his mind he serves the Sikhs of the Guru.
Kirat Virat Kar Dharam Dee Lai Parasaad Aan Vartandaa.
Then by righteous means he earns his livelihood and he distributes the hard-earned food among the needy ones.
Gursikhaan Noo Day Kar Pichhon Bachiaa Aap Khavandaa.
Offering food first, to the Sikhs of Guru, he himself eats the remainder.
Kalee Kaal Paragaas Kar Guru Chaylaa Guru Sandaa.
In this dark age, illumined by such feelings, the disciple becomes Guru and the Guru disciple.
Guramoukh Gaadee Raahu Chaladaa ||11||
The Gurmukhs tread on such a highway of religious life.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- MOUNTAINS OF SMOKE
MOUNTAINS OF SMOKE
The recent testing times, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, have taught humanity one huge lesson.
Whilst the capitalist societies that we have built in the West have been hugely successful. Although they clearly promote inequalities, they do provide massive amounts of wealth to the people at the top and essential lifelines to the basic labourer at the other end of the scale. However, as we have seen over the past month or so, this global system has been brought to its knees by a simple virus.
The lesson here is clear; this society we have created is actually extremely fragile.
There are also people who would say that they are not so materialistic and actually value things like family more. However, even human existence in itself is equally fragile. We all know how quickly our family lives can be turned upside down by illnesses or accidents.
The Guru Sahibs have constantly pointed out the foolishness of how mankind so easily becomes attached to that which is impermanent. These are often described as walls of sand, mountains of smoke or bubbles in water. In doing so, one thing we fail to realise is that the only actual universal truth and permanence exists within us all.
This universal truth manifests itself as the sound current of the Naam (God’s name mantra) .
Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib (the ninth Guru) uses these analogies extensively in their Bani.
Basanth Mehalaa 9 ||
Basant, Ninth Mehl:
Man Kehaa Bisaariou Raam Naam ||
O my mind, how can you forget the Lord's Name?
Than Binasai Jam Sio Parai Kaam ||1|| Rehaao ||
When the body perishes, you shall have to deal with the Messenger of Death. ||1||Pause||
Eihu Jag Dhhooeae Kaa Pehaar ||
This world is just a mountain of smoke.
Thai Saachaa Maaniaa Kih Bichaar ||1||
What makes you think that it is real? ||1||
Dhhan Dhaaraa Sanpath Graeh ||
Wealth, spouse, property and household
Kashh Sang N Chaalai Samajh Laeh ||2||
- none of them shall go along with you; you must know that this is true! ||2||
Eik Bhagath Naaraaein Hoe Sang ||
Only devotion to the Lord shall go with you.
Kahu Naanak Bhaj Thih Eaek Rang ||3||4||
Says Nanak, vibrate and meditate on the Lord with single-minded love. ||3||4||
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- THE MAGICAL LAKE
THE MAGICAL LAKE
When portraying religious messages, we are often presented with quite somber and serious scenes which are sometimes steeped with negativity stemming from fear and punishment.
Hindu theology suggests that there is a sacred lake called Maansarovar. There are many mythological stories about this lake. Such as the references to beautiful swans that pick pearls and gems out of the water and stunning lotus flowers that blossom above the water.
The Maansarovar lake has been used as a metaphor on a number of occasions in the Sikh scriptures.
The Guru Sahibs have used this magical scene of the swans, lotus flowers and gems as a metaphor for the relationship of Gursikhs and the sangat (company of the holy).
This is a beautiful way to picture this perfect scene and nothing but pure love wells up inside one, when you imagine the purity of the scene.
We all pray that we can develop into beautiful swans that are blessed with the magical lake of Sat Sangat (true spiritual company) where together we pick the gems of Naam meditation from the pure water.
Guru Nanak Dev Jee paints this scene in the following way….
Eaeko Saravar Kamal Anoop ||
The Satsangat is a lake and the saintly souls are the beautiful lotus flowers
Sadhaa Bigaasai Paramal Roop ||
The lake of Satsangat gives them the water of Naam and they blossom continually; their form is pure and fragrant.
Oojal Mothee Choogehi Hans ||
The saintly swans in the lake pick and eat the beautiful jewels of Naam.
Sarab Kalaa Jagadheesai Ans ||1||
In this way they take on the essence of (and become part of) the All-powerful Lord of the Universe.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- LIKE MINDED
LIKE MINDED
"Joining with the humble Saints of the Lord, my actions bring prosperity, and I have obtained the Lord of Bliss as my Husband." Guru Raam Daas Ji
Guru Ji here tells us the importance of mixing with good people. Our actions are affected by those around us! If we want positivity and happiness in life, then those around us should be of the same nature. Minimal time should be spent with those who take us away from happiness and spirituality, as it can have a detrimental affect on oneself.
Vaheguroo!
Sikhi Game of love- RUNNING AROUND
RUNNING AROUND
"They hurry and run, and wander all around, caught in the love of Maya; they cover hundreds of thousands of miles in their wanderings. " Guru Raam Daas Ji
Life became hectic at a time with so many things to do and such little time. Most became stressed, depressed or mentally/ physically ill. However, a lot of the time, our mind was thinking about unnecessary things which made life more stressful than it needed to be. We needed to relax; do one thing at a time and keep the mind focused on meditation, whilst carrying out tasks. We needed to take a break from worldliness and go in to Sangat (spiritual congregation) and listen to keertan (praises of God), which would have made our mind more focused, balanced and energised. Early morning meditation would have prepared our mind for the daily battles of life.
The pandemic has thrown us all back and totally helped us all slow down and reassess life. It has given us a second chance and forced us to just be! It has clearly shown us that we have no power, but yet we have the power to be calm and be in peace within ourselves! Let’s refresh and restart! Let’s do that what will gain us spiritual fulfilment and contentment. Now is the perfect time! Make it count! We have been blessed with this opportunity to do so! Please don’t waste it!
Vaheguroo!
