RITUALS!
'Those who refuse to eat food are just practicing hypocrisy - Chode ann Kare pakhand..'
Bhagat Kabeer Ji talks about how people forsake the proper food (Naam) and instead think that by fasting they will receive Gods happiness, but instead lose any honour.
WHOLE SHABAD:
Dhan is the Lord of the World. Dhan is the Divine Guru
Blessed is that food, by which the heart-lotus of the hungry blossoms forth.
Blessed are those Saints, who know this.
Meeting with them, one meets the Lord, the Sustainer of the World. ||1||
This food comes from the Primal Lord God.
One chants the Naam, the Name of the Lord, only when he tastes this food. ||1||
Meditate on the food of Naam
Mixed with water, its taste becomes sublime
One who doesn't consume this food
loses his honor in the three worlds. ||2||
One who refuses to eat food, is practicing hypocrisy.
She is neither a happy soul-bride, nor a widow.
Those who claim in this world that they live on milk alone,
secretly eat whole loads of food - get all other rass (tastes) ||3||
Without this food, time does not pass in peace.
Forsaking this food, one does not meet the Lord of the World.
Says Kabeer, this I know:
blessed is that food, which brings faith in the Lord and Master to the mind. ||4||8||11||
ANG (page) 873
Guru Sahib Ji makes it clear in this shabad, that there is only one real way in which God can be met and that is to meditate on Naam. All other ritualistic acts are condemned by Guru ji.
Guru ji says, it is very difficult to love and remember God when hungry. By committing these acts, we are in no way pleasing God.
God is pleased by loving, compassionate souls, those that help and guide others. God is looking for the one who stills his/her mind, controls their thoughts and sees God in all beings. This being will not judge anyone for their caste, colour, creed, gender etc.
The Name God is never separated from their lips, which in turn purifies their mind for them to become one with their souls and merge with the all loving Vaheguroo.
If our eyes only saw souls instead of bodies, our ideal and conception of beauty would be extremely different! This is only purchased through Naam meditation. There is no other way one receives the gift of these soul searching, beautiful eyes.
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π- TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEVA! (Selfless service)
TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEVA! (Selfless service)
One snowy morning, a Gursikh walked down to the doctors with his daughter. There was an elderly couple sat in the waiting room, who were just leaving, as the Gursikh was going in to see the doctor.
After seeing the doctor, the Gursikh and his daughter went next door to the chemist. As they went to the chemist, they noticed the elderly man from the doctors pouring sand under his wheels, whilst his vehicle seemed slightly stuck in the snow. They thought nothing of it and walked in to the chemist.
They were in the chemist for around 10/15 mins. When leaving the chemist, both of them saw the elderly couple in their vehicle, with their wheels spinning in the snow. They were in exactly the same position the Gursikh saw them, as they went to the chemist.
Without any thought, the natural reaction for the Sikh was to go and help. He did a very quick ardaas (prayer), whilst walking to the car by saying, "Guru ji accept and make the Seva successful." He walked to the back of the white elderly couples vehicle and pushed from the back right of the vehicle, as the man look through his mirror at him. The Sikh man was pushing slightly up hill. Amazingly, with one push, the large vehicle spun straight out and started driving slowly away.
The man was very thankful and quickly wound his window down and started saying thank you many times and acknowledged the Sikh man's daughter with a warming smile. The Gursikh said, "No prob! Just keep driving," as he didn't want him to lose momentum.
The Gursikh smiled to himself and was very proud, that Guru Ji blessed him to serve and help a fellow human being in need. He was proud that Guru Ji's roop will be praised, if the white man ever tells his story. He was happy that Guru ji blessed him to do a good deed, which will be added to his account when he departs. Most of all, he was proud that Guru ji was so close and heard and acted out his Ardaas themselves, as it seemed more or less impossible to push the large vehicle up a slight hill on his own.
MORAL
Always remember, when doing ardaas, believe it will come true, as Guru Sahib will never let their Gursikhs down. Every Karaj (event/action) we do should be carried out by an ardaas to begin with. Such is the life of a Sikh, Guru Sahib keeps the laaj (respect) of his Gursikhs ardaas.
Never think twice about doing Seva. just do it! This should be second nature for a Sikh. Many times we say no, when asked to do Seva. Seva is an opportunity given by Guru Ji himself. If we keep saying no or thinking leave it, there will be a time when Guru ji will stop blessing us with it and We'll never be asked again.
Serving others is serving God (vaheguroo). It gains respect, love, confidence in ones self, divine pride, humility and replaces negative thoughts with positive energy. such is it's power!
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "Make good deeds the soil, and let the Word of the Shabad (vaheguroo) be the seed; irrigate it continually with the water of Truth."
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π- THE TRUE STATE OF LOVE
THE TRUE STATE OF LOVE
What does the love of God do to our being?
Our body is filled with totally pure, loving, positive energy. This energy creates an aura, which other spirits naturally become attracted to. Our eyes begin to shine and are imbued with the deepness of love. This is also an attraction for other humans, who begin to see true love and genuinity in the eyes of others.
One way of relating to this is through a worldly situation. Man thinks he falls in love with a Woman. His eyes show deep affection towards the opposite gender. A Gursikh's eyes are always imbued in Vaheguroo's love (naam ras) Athai Pehar (24/7). One perfect example that springs to mind is late Bhai Rama Singh Jee, from Southall, UK. Gursikhs are also blessed with lalee (radiant faces) or a glow. This is also an attraction for other humans. When the mind reaches a state of total Naam Ras (pure love through Naam 24/7), then whatever one touches, sees or feels is also blessed through Naam. Anything this Gurmukh desires will come true.
Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "Man Chindiarra Phal Paaeaa Mere Govinda Gur pooraa vekh vigas jeeo. I have obtained the fruits of my mind's desires, O my Lord of the Universe; I am transfixed with ecstasy, gazing upon the Perfect Guru."
Naam Ras also creates a genuine smile on the Gurmukh who is imbued in the sublime essence of Naam. The way he/she walks, talks and conduct themselves is totally different from normal human beings. "Bhagtaa Kee Chaal Niraalee (The way of the Saints is most distinct)," Anand Sahib sermon). In this stage, ones way of thinking and physically doing becomes very slow, aware and focussed. One is in total control of their mind. Pure love pores out of their being, as God is love. This Gurmukh reaches a beautiful stage of Sehaj (intuitive peace, poise, Nirvana). Everything he/she does in this worldly life is blessed. Life becomes very easy, relaxed and stress free, the spirit is free and the mind is purified. Most spiritual people call this the golden age, as this is where all our karma is paid back effortlessly and it becomes the last human life one experiences before their soul is liberated.
Guru Amardas Ji Says, Meditating on the Naam the mind becomes pure, the Door of Liberation is found.
Vaheguroo!
Game of love β€οΈ- ARDAAS - prayer
ARDAAS - prayer
A prayer that is recited by Gursikhs at-least 3 times a day. There is a formal way of doing Ardaas, which is standing up with folded hands. This is usually done after Nitnem (prayers). However, we are not just set to one way of doing Ardaas. As long as the mind is set in the right place and the prayer is said from the heart, it will be heard in Sach Khand (the realm of truth). Our prayers are usually not heard, (in most cases) because our concentration wavers and it is not said whole-heartedly or we are still found desiring whilst making the prayer. When doing Ardaas, straight after Abhiyaas (meditation) or Nitnem, our surtee (conscious state) should be very high and focussed, thus we come to do a whole hearted prayer.
Ardaas is something we humbly do before our master so that he may grant us what we wish for. Therefore, it should be done everyday to keep us spiritually humble. If we don't do Ardaas, ego very easily creeps in, because ardaas is also a way of thanking God for the little or many spiritual and physical gains he blesses us with. Ardaas will help us progress spiritually. It keeps us neech (lowly) but also gives us confidence in everything that we do. Knowing we will do it successfully with the hand of Vaheguroo (God) protecting and forever blessing us.
Everytime you achieve something, whether it be at school, university, work or whilst doing Naam Abhiyaas, always do an Ardaas thanking God. You will realise that the blessings increase ten-fold and you obtain more Phal (fruit) from your Simran (meditation) and Sevaa (service).
"Whatever I ask for from my Lord and Master, he gives that to me."Guru ArjunDev Ji
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π - POWERFUL FAITH
POWERFUL FAITH
This story took place a few years ago. A sikh soldier was celebrating the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev ji. He was meditating on Vaheguroo's name whilst preparing and serving langar (food). Just then, a Hindu officer approached the soldier and very rudely asked, "what are you doing here?" The soldier explained the story of Guru ArjunDev Jis martyrdom with great love.
The Hindu officer very rudely spoke for the second time and said, "how is this possible, no human can sit on a burning hot plate." The officer continued being very rude and kept questioning the soldier. "He kept saying this is a joke, it can not be true."
The soldier got very upset in listening to this and went sat on a burning hot plate where the langar (food) was being prepared. When witnessing this the officer burst out in to tears and quickly rushed to get the soldier off the plate, he fell at his feet and repeated, "you Sikhs are amazing people, your faith is unmovable, you are very pure at heart and you can not accept the disrespect of your Guru."The soldier lifted the officer and embraced him with a hug.
If we have faith in Guru ji, nothing will come near us. Guru ji will always be our saviour and protect us.
"The hot winds do not even touch those who are protected by their Guru."
Guru Arjun Dev Ji 1563-1606
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π - Facing The Problem Head On
FACING THE PROBLEM HEAD ON
Start facing your problems head on. It isnβt your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what youβve done. Itβs all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
Problems, issues never go away when ignored. The spiritual beings rise and face up to every challenge that comes their way.
The spiritual being is the perfect individual. They will be relaxed, open minded, confident, transparent, articulate. They should develop all the skills required to get through life efficiently.
The spiritual being never shies away from problems, they face them head on. They are always righteous, tactful and diplomatic in their approach.
It's important we build the confidence to deal with problems head on, as it's very difficult to get through life when we need the shoulder of others to guide us through. We need to have the strength to plough through life on our own, as there will always be a time, when nobody is there to support or guide us.
If one was to solve a problem/issue and we knew by doing so it would make the situation worse, at this point it's best to leave it and face the problem when the time is right. A pure human being will always know when it's the best time for everyone, as when resolving issues, our motive should not be victory, to upset someone or to mock someone. It should be only to make the situation clear and better all around for everyone, even if the result is not seen until a while later. The spiritual being always visions ahead to see how others will be better off from our actions. One remains ever loving and compassionate for all beings.
When one meditates on the Naam, all the qualities of life are gifted to the individual by Guru Sahib Ji. One becomes a pure human being and remains in control, always over ones mind.
The answers to our problems don't come when the mind is busy, they only come when the mind is completely still.
Bhai Gurdaas Ji Says, "Then in gold in the form of Gurmukh, (Gurus pure ones) the colour (of name) and elixir (of Love) enter and he becomes carefree of the world around. Now all the qualities of rubies, pearls, diamonds emerge in that gold-Gurmukh."
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π - RECOGNISE YOURSELF!
RECOGNISE YOURSELF!
Start being honest with yourself about everything. Be honest about whatβs right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, youβll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and youβll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.
As humans we fail to recognise who we really are. We think what we see is who we are and we accept this world as being the truth. We fail to see that we are all temporary beings In this false world. Our life is a game, which we need to play adequately to conquer our coming and going in this temporary world. Because we think this world is here to stay and we are permanent, we stop being honest with ourselves. We lie to others and eventually we believe the lie is us. We lie once to lie many more times, as the dishonesty needs to be hidden by many more lies.
When we start becoming honest with ourselves, we will realise how blissful and beautiful life can be. One becomes a free soul, as they have nothing to hide from the world. They become so content with there inner, the outer blossoms forth beautifully.
If things in our life need to be changed for the better, it's best taking that step now, as we will never know what's around the corner. It's best to purify ourselves now, rather than live with a guilty conscience. Everyone makes mistakes but when the mistake is realised and rectified, it no longer remains a guilt, as long as the mistake is not committed again.
If you want to become something in life, do ardaas to Guru Sahib, have belief in that ardaas, have belief in yourself and Guru Sahib will never let you (his children) down.
To have a faith is the most powerful and loving feeling anyone can imagine. To know Guru Sahib is always close and guiding us in spirit is a world that can not be described.
We question ourselves, why don't we feel that love, radiance, energy and aura of Guru Sahib Ji? It is not anyone else's fault, the fault is within us. Our ego won't let us feel it. When we meditate on Vaheguroo's name, Vaheguroo will always feel very close. It will feel as Vaheguroo is inside us, making all our important decisions and guiding us appropriately.
One who has a faith and follows it correctly, by always remembering Guru Ji with every breath, will always remain happy, content and in high spirits. The shortfalls of life will never get them down.
Remember! Beautiful faces will age and beautiful bodies will change but Guru Jis beautiful souls will always remain beautiful souls.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "One whose body is imbued with the Fear of the True Guru and whose tongue savors Truthfulness, is brought to ecstasy by the True Lord's Glance of Grace. That person does not have to go through the fire of the womb again."
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π - KESH (hair)
KESH (hair)
People often ask why do Sikhs keep their hair. What's the point? Why did Guru sahib Ji place so much significance on the Kesh.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji even went as far as to say, "Those without Kesh will not get my Darshan (blessed sighting)."
Firstly, we are all born with Kesh. This is the way Vaheguroo has created us. We believe that Vaheguroo is perfect and everything they do is perfect. So why do we question the way we have been created? Some religions will use their own intellect to infer, God made people imperfect and we need to perfect by cutting a child's hair at birth, or circumcise them.
A Sikh, however, keeps faith in the natural form, which Vaheguroo has given them and they proudly live in the glory of God. They see hair as a blessing and not a burden.
The hair also represents a very important part of our biological balance. If you notice that different people will have varying amounts of hair. it will grow to a specific length and then stop growing. Is this a random length or does it have a more deeper significance?
If we look more in depth, science has proved that our hair is a major conductor of energy and allows our body to absorb essential vitamins from nature. These vitamins are vital for our biological make up and our bodies ability to function and fight illness and disease.
The hair will grow to a length (some long, some short), where the body is in a complete equilibrium and from there it will stop. This means that the hair can now be used as a tool for the conducting of sufficient vitamins to keep the body healthy. In addition to this, our hair is a major part of our natural defense system in the way it prevents particles entering our nose, eyes and ears.
One final thing on health is, how hair helps to regulate body temperature. An example of this would be, when someone is feeling very hot, suddenly they will feel a chill, why? Because the hairs have opened up from the pores and released the bodily heat. Similarly when it is cold, one will experience the hairs standing on end. Why? Because the pores have closed up to keep in heat. The same way our hair is also sensitive to our emotions
On a spiritual note, Gurbani says that a Sikh with Kesh is able to be a lot more fruitful in their meditation and spirituality, as the hairs act as antennas to conduct energy. Within this energy, Vaheguroo is prevalent and essentially, when one meditates the hairs act like tongues to magnify the force and impact of the meditation.
In this regard, all great saints of the past kept their hair, be they Christan or Muslim but as modern day society is putting pressure on us to look a certain way, many sikhs have renounced their religious/spiritual obligations and principles and adopted an appearance which is aesthetically pleasing to them and their surroundings but not Guru Ji.
These are just a few basic examples of how our hair plays a critical role in our make up as a human and spiritual being.
We have to remember, without a Guru and the following of their teachings, one can not be a labelled a Sikh of the Guru. When one begins to live by the teachings of the perfect/pure Guru, one will also own the beauteous name of Guru Sahibs Sikhi.
When we living according to our minds desires, we are named Manmukh (those who act according to the mind and not the True Guru).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "They act out their minds' desires, but they do not understand the Lord, and so they are ruined."
Vaheguroo!
Game of love β€οΈ - RECOGNISE YOUR INNER STRENGTH!
RECOGNISE YOUR INNER STRENGTH!
When The True Gurmukhs (pure ones) speak to you, you are left feeling so high, yet you realise you have so far to go.
You are able to expose hidden jewels, which are uncovered through their actions and reactions rather than their words.
The sign of a Gurmukh is someone who radiates humility, love, devotion and a yearning for Guru and Sangat, all of which are attributes of extensive Naam kamaaee (naam meditation).
We have a tendency of being inspired for a day or two by them and then fall in to the rut of laziness again. When we are inspired it's important we keep the teachings within and adapt them to our daily life's.
We spend many years being inspired and forget to practice and develop ourselves further. We always think others are better than us. Everyone has weaknesses on the inside but remain steadfast in their practice.
We need to believe in ourselves and Guru Sahib ji, we are as good as everyone else. We need to recognise that truth within ourselves. When we believe we are as loving and virtuous as the rest and remain humble, that's when we develop further in our spirituality.
It's important to be inspired and learn from others and that is where it should end. We should not put these people on a pedestal, as this increases their ego and we fail to develop ourselves further also.
Live by the Gurus hukum (command) and Guru Sahib will take us to the highest realms of spirituality. Our true inspiration will come and remain with us forever, when we realise and take all our teachings from Guru Sahib directly. This is when our faith becomes extremely stronger in Guru Sahib ji, as we realise, it's only the support of the True Guru, which will bring us total contentment. We all have the potential to become spiritual, pure beings.
As humans, we are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think!
Guru Amardas Ji Says, "O mind, why are you so lazy? Become Gurmukh, and meditate on the Naam."
Vaheguroo!
Game of Love π - ZEALOUSNESS!
The only rule for obtaining spirituality and self realisation is personal effort and zeal. This zeal will lead you to the answers, as long as your quest is real and sincere.
When one is passionate, enthusiastic and eager in reaching a certain place or destination, the quest will always be found and recognised. In spirituality, when one reaches the true realms of love through Naam meditation, then all their efforts and zealousness is rewarded and blessed by Guru Ji.
Guru Ji only looks for sincere hearts and souls. Guru ji looks for love within them. Guru Ji recognises their faith and beauty. At this point Guru ji rewards them with their minds desires, as Guru Ji sees their quest is a pure and loving one.
We are so blessed to have a Guru who, not only spiritually guides us but holds our hand and leads us through the hardships we are constantly facing. All Guru ji asks for, is a little love, faith and belief in them and ones self.
If we quiet the mind through Naam meditation, the soul will speak through radiating love and virtue in to this dark world.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji Says, "There were no signposts on the pilgrims way, through heaven or earth. It was the zeal of my quest which brought me to the threshold of worship."
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π - WHAT IS REAL?
"The real is where the sayable and unsayable meet. What true reality is, is also beyond comprehension." Bhagat Kabir Ji.
The world around us is describable through words. On the other hand, there are things for which no description gives justice. Between these two realms lies reality, which is beyond comprehension but experienced by the true seeker.
True love, spirituality, ecstasy and high spirits is beyond description. The name of Vaheguroo guides us to experience the inner world, yet fail to describe it's value in words.
Anything that can be described in words, has a worldly value. It's value ends here (in the world). When one fails to describe the gains of spiritual wealth, one realises it's a wealth beyond measure. Nothing comes close.
Many are moving closer to their spirits, as are realising everything is temporary in this world. Nothing lasts forever. People, friends, families, relatives move on. Materialistic pleasures are temporary. Nothing is here to stay.
Only the name of God and remembrance of their love and creation will cleanse your inner being. This is the only substance in which will bring us total peace and remain with our soul forever. Our minds will be contented, our souls will be lifted and our being will be purified.
Look inside yourself and find the true reality. It's time to stop searching for peace and happiness outside ourselves. This will only bring us hurt, as desire and attachment causes us to be emotionally and mentally distressed. The more we want, the more despondent and unhappy we become in life.
Life will always be lived at the fast pace. We will never be able to keep up. It's up to the spiritual, to look within, read and open the heart, slow life down, teach by example and show the world, that there is more to life than accumulating wealth through mentally torturing our physical and spiritual being.
Change will only take place through action and not only meditation and prayer alone. We meditate, pray become religious but forget to act in the way we should as spiritually loving and compassionate beings.
Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "They alone are spiritually wise, who remain firmly committed to the Lord's Command.
Heat and cold are all the same to them.
The true people of spiritual wisdom are the Gurmukhs, who contemplate the essence of reality;
O Nanak, the Lord showers His Mercy upon them."
Vaheguroo!
Game of love π- EMBRACE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
EMBRACE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Start spending time with the right people. β These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
It's important we spend time with the right people. We become our sangat (congregation/group). Whoever we spend the most time with, that's who and what we become. If we spend time with not so nice people, we become like them. If we spend time with spiritual, virtuous people, that's who and what we become.
Spiritual loving beings, will always look out for you. The Gurus sangat is one big family. They will go to the extent of dying for another human. One can imagine what they would do for another Sikh of the Guru.
We waste so much time judging people and other Sikhs. We will love people from another jathebandee (group) more than the other. Is this how weak our Gurus Sikhi is? I don't think so. If we have this train of thought, we need to be ashamed of ourselves and we will never progress further in our Sikhi. Guru sahib ji will never let one sibling judge the other. How would a father feel in witnessing this.
Guru Sahib Ji has blessed us to become pure spiritual beings and to see God in all, yet we struggle to see Guru Sahib in another Amritdhaaree (baptised) Sikh. We have got to the stage where we fail to acknowledge another Amritdhaaree Sikh with a Fateh (greeting), yet we all know this is the hukum (command) of Guru Sahib ji. How do we expect to be blessed by Guru Ji, if we are not willing to follow their simple loving teachings.
If we are anything like the above, we need to change, otherwise we will struggle and Guru Sahibs Bakshish (blessing) will never be upon us.
Find the right Sangat and become that loving, compassionate, tolerant, kind and content human being.
Guru Amardas Ji Says, "I touch the feet of my sister soul-brides who have known their Husband Lord.
If only I could be like them! Joining the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, I am united in His Union."
Vaheguroo!
