Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - VIII

Necessity of Today
Whatever Guru Gobind Singh has said is of great necessity today. He has said that the Khalsa vanquishes the five evils, forsakes criticism, anger, others’ wives, and others’ wealth. We should live by this commandment, and then the Khalsa will be everywhere. It is just possible that the whole world will become Khalsa.

Guru is Always Alive
The Guru is always alive. Guru Ramdas says, “Sat Guru mera sada sada, na avay na ja-ay. Oh abnasi Purakh hai, sab me reha samaye—My Guru always remains. He neither comes nor goes. He is immortal and is pervading in everything.” [GGS 759]

"Guru Gobind Singh always exists. He exists today, he will exist in the future, and he existed in the past as well. His voice and his dharam will always remain lofty; they will never end". 

"Dharam is so very powerful that it may increase but it cannot decrease".

We should become good examples. To the extent that we become good examples, the demand will increase. Demand always follows display of good samples.

Be Yourself
Keep your language; keep your culture. We should not let these things be forgotten.

Adopt other good things also, but not not let go of your own dharam, your culture, your language. 

Keep them strong within your families so that they will not be lost. Do not become so advanced that you forget your language, your culture, your dharam. If these things slip away, it does not take external force to kill a person; he is automatically finished.

At present, what has happened? “Sharm dharam doe chhap khaloe, kurh phare pardhan be lalo.—Modesty and righteousness are both hidden. Oh Lalo, lies have become most powerful.” “Kazian bhaminan ki gal thaki agad parhe shaitan be lalo—Oh Lalo, the power of Muslim kazis and Hindu holy men has decreased and Satan is conducting the marriage ceremonies.” [GGS 722] Satan is now in control everywhere.

Therefore we must follow Guru Gobind Singh. We must not take anything home except our own honest earnings. If we take anything else, we are not even human beings, not to mention Khalsa.

All of us who are sitting here should stop and think: Are we following the commandments or are we just saying so? There is great power in the Hukam of Guru Gobind Singh, and great need for these commandments at present, so that cooling may flow into our societies and our homes. The Khalsa’s family is thus: If anyone has fallen, has become weak, or has lost his voice in society, the Khalsa enters that family to give them courage, to give them love.

There is no one who is not ready to agree to the commandments of Guru Nanak, of Guru Gobind Singh. Everyone has become ready to accept them. But we must become an example of the commandments. Then after seeing us, people will believe in our Father.

Guru Gobind Singh said, “Jab lag khalsa rahe niara, Tab lag tej diya main sara—So long as the Khalsa remains distinct, I give them full glory.” [Sarab Loh] Distinction means telling the truth, having compassion, loving, considering the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh as applicable even today. One should stand upon those commandments twenty-four hours a day.

This is what it means to be distinct. To remain steadfast in truth is very difficult.

--The End.

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - VII

Set an Example

We will have to provide good examples, for at present our bad example is spreading in the minds of the people like poison. When we speak of righteousness, people will look at our practical life. When we preach about what Guru Gobind Singh says, people will surely look at our own lives. Not only will they look at that time; they will keep on looking at us. In those places which are the sources of dharam, we especially need to set a good example. We are not to lecture about Khalsa and keep committing the same offences. 

The greater a person’s responsibilities, the more essential it is that he put his house in order, eat only from his own earnings, and bring home only his own earnings. It is illegal for us to bring others’ things to our house. Charity is poison itself. Guru Nanak says, “Hak paraea Nanaka us suar us gae—Oh Nanak, what does not belong to you is like the flesh of a pig for Muslims or of a cow for Hindus.” [GGS 141]

Being Khalsa is to Love Others

What should be increased is love for others, coming together in love. If you become angry in your Gurudwara's, control your anger. Control your anger everywhere, for “Khalsa krod tiagay—Khalsa renounces anger.” 

Guru Gobind Singh has told us to renounce anger, but instead we are overcome by it. Our criticizing of others has also overpowered us. Sometimes we tell lies, sometimes we lose our good character, sometimes we grab the rights of others. We should forsake all these faults.

Once we have done so, then we need not ask what will happen to Sikhism in the future, or what happened in the past. What we have will remain for time immemorial. Over the ages, it will not be destroyed. It will never decrease, in any period, and in some period it will increase.

It Is Time To Act Now

Now it is necessary for us to act. There are so many large gatherings, so many large scale recitations of scripture, long lines of Akhand Paths, but why don’t people change their lives? As Guru Nanak has said, “Likh likh parhaia, teta karhia, parhe sune kiya hoi, jo sahaj no milio soi—What will come of reading and listening if you have not met Him naturally? The more you read, the more you are engulfed.” [GGS 467, 655] 

Therefore, let us all start working to become Khalsa. The power of Khalsa is within us. This power does exist.

Mahan Singh acted upon the teachings and thus became who he was. Daya Singh acted upon the teachings and thus became who he was. Maharaj Guru Gobind Singh spoke of Five Beloved Ones. He did not say, “All have become beloved ones.” Only a person who obeys the commandments, who always keeps the orders in mind, is a beloved one.

Now people are grabbing property illegally, telling lies and losing their morals, and at the same time they are taking Amrit. They are taking amrit, and at the same time they are quarrelling. Where are they quarrelling? At our holy places, the house of our Guru. You must therefore control these things now.

The second issue is what will become of Sikhs in the future? Sikhs will always excel if they continue following the Guru. The commandment of the Guru is very powerful. In the Guru’s hukam there is Light, Light, Light.

I will say firmly that Sikh religion is not a confining circle, not a boundary. It is the enlightened wisdom of the cosmos. So long as the cosmos remains, this enlightened wisdom will remain. But some Sikhs have taken the position that they think no one is special except themselves. Thereafter, there have been conflicts.

Instead, win the minds of the people. Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh won the minds of the people with their enlightened wisdom.

They never said anything which they did not practice. Therefore we should all follow their commandments. The blessing of Guru Gobind Singh is within us. People will believe whatever we say about Guru Gobind Singh. At present we do not believe ourselves; how can others believe?

--To be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - VI

Present

At present, things have entered our minds which Guru Gobind Singh does not want. In this regard, Guru Nanak has said, “Papan bajho howai nahi, moea sath na jaee—You cannot obtain wealth without sinning, but this wealth will not accompany you after death.” [GGS 417] 

It is also said, “Maya papi ke ghar bhi hoe—There is wealth even with sinners.” By contrast, the Guru has told us that we are to earn by honest labor. We are to bring money home from honest labor, and also maintain enlightenment very powerfully within. How does one attain enlightenment? By reciting scripture, by meditating, by concentrating on Guru Nanak, on Guru Gobind Singh.

Weakness Inside

There is now weakness in us all. As we assemble to celebrate the Khalsa Panth, we should decide not to tell lies, and to forsake drugs and intoxicants. Anyone who is not reciting scripture should do so daily. Until we recite scripture, until we tell the truth, until we follow the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh, we may celebrate as many holidays as we like, we may hold as many assemblies as we choose, but dharam will not come just by our celebrations and conferences. Dharam is an inner thing. 

When you are alone, become united with dharam. When you are with your family, remain united with dharam. While you are amongst your relatives, follow the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh. One has one’s own feelings, one’s own ideas, but in the follower of the Guru, neither of these remain.

I have full faith that if one recites scripture with one’s whole heart, one’s karmas are burned up. The same is true for chanting Nam or meditating with one’s whole heart, for as Guru Arjun Dev said, “Nanak kai ghar keval Nam—The only thing in Nanak’s house is Nam.” [GGS 1136] , “What is my dealing with you? Whatever Nam, whatever voice of God, whatever grace of God has been given to me, I have come to share it with you.” 

Further, Guru Nanak said, “Ab kalu aeo re. Ik nam bowho bowho—Kali Yuga has come. Sow the seed of whatever Name by which you know God. In Kali Yuga, people will be saved by chanting Nam.” [GGS 1185] 

“Kal tati, thada Har nao—This Kali Yuga is hot; Nam is cooling. Mal lage sach bina—Without truth, you will be covered with filth.” [GGS 288] He has emphasized Nam so that we may remain happy during Kali Yuga. What does it mean to love Maharaj? To love his commandments.

--to be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - V

Needed Now and Ever.

At this point in time, we cannot say that what Guru Gobind Singh has said is necessary only today. It was needed lakhs of years before now, and it will be needed lakhs of years into the future.

What is Right?

Before we celebrate such days as the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa Panth, we should bring home only those things to which we have a right. If a person is a farmer, he should bring to his home only that which he has earned with his two hands. If a person is an officer, he should bring home only that money which is his salary. 

If a person is responsible for any management position, and people bow before him and offer him things, a person who has faith in the Guru will feel that he has no right to take that nor will he have any part of it. 

Our part is only one: We are to give our ten percent tithe. This is true whether we become a leader, a sevadar, a worker, or a minister. Why? The Guru is our Father and we are all members of his family.

We should therefore consider what will happen to Sikhs now and what will happen in the future. You all know that Sikhism is not something which will end now; it will remain forever. What is Sikhism? It is the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak. Their commandments will never end in this world.

Thus it is good to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa Panth. But in reality, as it is written in Gurbani, Hukam mania howai parwan, ta khashame ka mahal pae si—You can draw near to your Guru only when you obey the commandments.” [GGS 471]

Power Within

We have within us the power of Khalsa, the power of a Sikh. Guru Gobind Singh has said, “Har japia Har hoea—By chanting the Name of God, one becomes God.” The power of God is within us twenty-four hours a day. When we will set ourselves aside, then the power of God will remain and our power will not. Thus Maharaj has said, “Duwai te ek roop hoe gaeo—From duality, I became one.” [Dasam Granth 55] Which duality? That of feeling, “I am separate from God.” The Guru is always pervading in us—in our breath, in our life force, in our actions.

Khalsa

Do not consider “Khalsa” an ordinary word. It does not refer to outer dress. It means that with the outer dress, you take dharam within. Although at present we have good houses, good food, vehicles, all worldly possessions, we should not think that we have become Khalsa by obtaining these things. To become Khalsa, we will have to overcome the five evils. 

To become Khalsa:

• We will have to forsake lying. 
• We will have to forsake criticizing others. 
• We will have to forsake what is evil and grasp what is good.

If we are to be Gurmatt [following the Guru’s instructions] rather than Manmatt [following one’s own mind], then The Guru says to us night and day, “Control your thoughts; control your thoughts.” Thus Guru Gobind Singh says that one who is Khalsa controls his anger. There have been so many proofs of this way, so many generous actions. Those who were Gurmatt offered their heads; they left their homes and sacrificed their family life. Even in poverty, even in physical weakness, while staying in the mountains or the forests, they were following the hukam of Guru Gobind Singh. Even when they became homeless, they considered the orders of the Guru most important. They truly became Khalsa. Even when their heads were cut off, the power of the Khalsa was not diminished. Even when their limbs were cut off, the Khalsa did not waver.

--to be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - IV

Khalsa Meaning

Khalsa does not mean that you become Khalsa merely by keeping your hair, tying a turban, and calling yourself Khalsa. No! A Khalsa must maintain his inner character. As it is stated, “Khalsa forsakes other’s wives; Khalsa casts no evil eye on the belongings or wives of others; Khalsa forsakes criticizing others; Khalsa defeats the five inner evils; Khalsa burns his karma.” [Bhai Nand Lal, Tankha Nama}

Therefore, we will have to put all these principles into practice. Khalsa will not excel by adopting symbols but by practical action.

*In their homes, their fields, their offices, everyone should attempt to make their mind steady and to be just and wise in making decisions. 

Those whose minds come under their control become very powerful. Historically, when the names and actions of such people were spoken of, the corrupt people became frightened, and evil folded its beddings and fled. Thence fear spread that the Khalsa had come.

However, now we have all become so-called “Khalsa.” Anyone who is stealing money from the treasuries is calling himself Khalsa. Anyone who is looking at the daughters and sisters of others with evil intentions is calling himself Khalsa. Anyone who is telling lies is calling himself Khalsa. Anyone who has tied a turban and kept his hair is calling himself Khalsa. But these are only our outer symbols. 

The symbol of dharam is to tell the truth, do justice, share with everyone—to share one’s income, good thoughts, and good deeds—, to consider Guru Gobind Singh as one’s father and as God, and to consider Him nearer than one’s hands and feet.

Therefore, if even a single bad thought has entered our mind, we cannot call ourself Khalsa.

We read Gurbani for this purpose: to control our thoughts. We must also meditate in order to control our thoughts. To control our thoughts, as Guru Arjun Dev has said, “Sas giras na visrai—Do not forget Him for a single breath.” [GGS 53] 

When we think of Him, perhaps evil will not gain entry into us. If a person is driving a tractor, he should think of Him while driving the tractor. As a person is ploughing, he should turn his thoughts toward Him and say, “Oh God, please bless us.” In your office or within your family or social circle, you should remain united with Him. By “united,” I mean that you should not do what He has prohibited.

Maharaj Ji has stated very strictly, “Chhodo parani koor kabarha—Oh human, forsake telling lies. That is all waste.” [GGS 1025]. He has referred to lies as garbage. He says, “Ninda bholi kisai ki nahin; Manmukh mugadh karan.—It is not good to criticize anyone. Criticism comes from those who are only following their own minds, and they are fools.” [GGS 775]. When we criticize, we stray outside the commandments of the Guru. If we tell lies, we are straying outside the commandments of the Guru. When ego and self-interest appear within us, we are straying outside the commandments of the Guru.

The main thing is that “Man bas awe Nanaka je puran kirpa hoe—Our mind comes under control only when there is complete grace.” [GGS 928] We are to control our mind.

 Only one who has controlled his mind has become Khalsa.

Only one who has controlled his mind has become a Sikh. 

Only one who has controlled his mind has become a GuruSikh—a loving obeyer of the Guru.

--to be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - III

Therefore keep this in mind: Dharam is not a small bypass. Dharam is a very great road. To explain to us with his enlightened wisdom, Guru Gobind Singh said, “Jale Hari, thale Hari, gufe Hari, gire Hari, oore Hari, bane Hari—God is in water, God is on land, God is in caves, God is in mountains, God is here, God is in forests.” [Dasam Granth p. 16] God is in all places.

Hair

Then there is the issue of our training. In what form are we to take the Khalsa into the world? Consider hair: It is not a foreign thing. Hair has come to us in the same way as other limbs of our body. To keep the hair, to take care of it, to respect it, is not a matter of great courage. It has come with our body, and just as we keep our hands and body washed, we are to keep our hair clean. It is the gift of God, just as other parts of our body are the gifts of God.

Actually, when hair, body, language, speech, and actions were well-formed, when a person’s body and thoughts both remained clean, and when outer symbols were associated with dharam, such people became Mahan Singh, Mani Singh, Dayala Singh. Nothing remained hidden in them. 

It is written in Gurbani, “Kabira ek achanbha dekhea hire hat bikae; Banjan hare bahira kaudi badle jae—An amazing thing was seen in this man: That diamond was being sold in the market, but in the absence of a proper buyer, it was being sold for pennies.” [GGS 1372] 

When that diamond was cut, it began shining, and courage and love entered such people. Those powers entered them which Guru Gobind Singh describes thus: “Jimi jaman ke bikhe samasat ek jot hai. Na ghat hai na badh hai na ghat badh hot hai—In the skies and on the earth, there is one perfect light. It neither increases nor decreases.” [Dasam Granth p. 26]

What is the difference between us and those people?

They were our Granthis, our Ragis, our Jathedars. These positions still exist; these labels are still current. We have retained the name of Khalsa as well. But what is a Khalsa? What is a Sikh?

A Sikh moves by the Power of God. Khalsa also has become the recognizer of that Light. But now there is no necessity for saying that Khalsa is such and such. We must become Khalsa in our practical life. Then our actions will reach the people. People are tired of listening to those who only talk, and they are tired of reading books. People are very wise: They see who is writing and who is speaking. Now we will have to make our speech and our actions one.

The powers which are ever alive are within us. They are alive today; they were alive millions of years before. We speaking by means of that Power. When the Power departs, our body will die. The person who recognizes the inner Power becomes Khalsa, becomes Sikh.

Bhai Gurdas Singh has written, “Gur sangat kini khalsa—The Guru has made the congregation Khalsa” [War 41].

Historically, when teachings were being shared, the masands—the preachers appointed by the Gurus from the time of Guru Amar Das—used to sit on a bed and the other Sikhs used to sit on the floor around them. Then some defects crept into the masands. After these defects appeared, Guru Gobind Singh made the congregation Khalsa: “These masands are giving you wrong teachings which are opposite to mine. Abandon them and come straight to me. Take my training, become good human beings, and live in the world.” Thereafter they proved what Khalsa is. When Khalsa was created, tyranny became frightened; the cruel and corrupt people became troubled. Thus the second meaning of Khalsa is that the power of evil thought decreases, and the glory of Khalsa is greatly increased.

-- to be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - II

Is Khalsa a symbolic label?

“Khalsa” is the name of character—of one who has no anger, no greed, no egoism, no doubts, who has full faith in God, and who sees Guru Gobind Singh and God as one. We must accept that God and Guru Gobind Singh are not separate. Guru Gobind Singh has spoken that which has come from God. He has imparted those ethical codes which God has explained.

Is a Sikh rigid or tender-hearted?

If anyone believes in Sikh religion in a rigid sense, there will be clashes. Consider this: Is a Sikh rigid or tender-hearted? Sikhs have helped all weak people, helped people of every caste, helped all religions. A Sikh is ever-living. 

How does Guru Nanak describe a Sikh? “Sikhi sikhia Gur vichar—A Sikh is one who considers the orders of the master.” [GGS 465] Anyone who follows the orders will never think himself separate from Guru Gobind Singh. His hand will never be lifted for evil actions. His feet will never walk toward evil deeds. His thoughts will never turn toward evil thinking. 

Guru Gobind Singh has said, “Khalsa panjan ko mare—The person who is Khalsa vanquishes the five evils within himself” [Bhai Nand Lal, Tankha Nama]. When these five evils—desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride—are vanquished, the Khalsa will be ever-living.

The day when the Khalsa Panth was created, almost 300 years ago, is a very auspicious day because Guru Gobind Singh cast aside evil by his blessings, his merciful gaze, and his enlightened wisdom. That inner light of which Guru Nanak had spoken when he said “Jot rakhi ta tu jug meh aya” became evident in the Khalsa. Thence there was no fear, no effect of the times, no effect of death. When that Light was seen inside, when that enlightenment appeared within a person, then Guru Gobind Singh called that Khalsa.

The virtues of the Khalsa will be needed in the world forever. Even if this world ends and God remains alone, Khalsa will exist. What is Khalsa? Guru Gobind Singh said, “Bharam bhed terahe niara, so khalis Satguru hamara—The one who is above impulses and distinctions, that pure truthfulness (khalis) is my True Guru.” [Sarab Loh] The one whom Guru Gobind Singh is calling his Sat Guru, Truth, is God. Anyone who recognized the Power of God within himself—"Tuhi mohi, mohi Tuhi, antar kaisa—You are me, I am You. There is no difference.” [GGS 93]—was called Khalsa.

-- to be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - I

Nothing has been uttered by our masters which did not exist in the past and which will not remain in the future.

The Guru has said, “Speak the truth; do not tell lies.” Truth is always required. There is no time limit, whether a hundred years or millions of years; it is always necessary to be steadfast in truth and to do justice.

Guru Nanak has said, “Jot rakhi ta tu jug meh aya—God put His Light into you, and thus you came into this world.” [GGS 921] This Light will remain forever, and this world will also remain forever. 

If this Light exists in us, why do people tell lies? Why does a person injure the feelings of others? Why does anger arise? Why does a person deprive others of their rights? The issue is that the Light must be awakened within us.

There is no question of past and future in Sikh religion. Whatever has been uttered in Gurbani has been spoken about the Power which is eternal. Humans will continue taking birth, and the Truth will always triumph.

Guru Gobind Singh has very lovingly explained, “What is the meaning of chanting God’s Name? The One whose Name is chanted, Who is eternal, Who is unchanging, Who is never destroyed, is to be remembered by any Name, with love. He is to be seen within oneself and within society. By chanting Nam, one sees Him in the trees, in the whole cosmos.” 

If a person approaches Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings with understanding, God has no religion, that God has no place of pilgrimage, that God has no country.

The Light from the One who is pervading everywhere and bestowing Light everywhere will never end, nor will this cosmos ever end. Thus Sikh dharam is training which will remain alive forever; it is the teaching of God. However, we cannot say that Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and people of other religions are different. Why? We are all human beings. We are labelled according to our actions.

-- to be continued..

Heartly Wishes on Gurupurab

Kal Taran Guru Nanak Aaya....

UDASIS (TRAVELS) OF SRI GURU NANAK DEV JI

Guru Nanak Dev ji saw the world suffering out of hatred, fanaticism, falsehood and hypocrisy. The world had sunk in wickedness and sin. So he decided that he had to travel and educate and press home the message of Almighty Lord. He carried the torch of truth, heavenly love, peace and joy for mankind. He was determined to bring his message to the masses; so in 1499, for the regeneration of humanity on this earth, he set out his sacred mission to spread the holy message of peace and compassion to all of mankind. For 1 year he spread his message of peace, compassion, righteousness and truth to the people in and around his home.

BELOW IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CONFIRMED PLACES OF HIS VISIT.

First Udasi: (1500-1506 AD) Lasted about 7 years and covered the following towns and regions: Sultanpur, Tulamba (modern Makhdumpur, zila Multan), Panipat, Delhi, Banaras (Varanasi), Nanakmata (zila Nainital, U.P.), Tanda Vanjara (zila Rampur), Kamrup (Assam), Asa Desh (Assam), Saidpur (modern Eminabad, Pakistan), Pasrur (Pakistan), Sialkot (Pakistan). Guru Nanak was of the age of 31-37.

Second Udasi: (1506-1513 AD) Lasted about 7 years and covered the following towns and regions: Dhanasri Valley, Sangladip (Ceylon). Guru Nanak was of the age of 37-44

Third Udasi: (1514-1518 AD) Lasted about 5 years and covered the following towns and regions: Kashmir, Sumer Parbat, Nepal, Tashkand, Sikkim, Tibet. Guru Nanak was of the age of 45-49

Fourth Udasi: (1519-1521 AD) Lasted about 3 years and covered the following towns and regions: Mecca and the Arab countries.

Guru Nanak was of the age of 50-52

Fifth Udasi: (1523-1524 AD) Lasted about 2 years and covered the following towns and regions: Places within the Punjab.Guru Nanak was of the age of 54-56. 

After which he settled to Kartarpur before leaving his physical form (1525-1539 AD). Guru Nanak Dev ji was of the age of 56-70. Baba ji spent 24 years on the 5 udasis.

Source -- Sikhiwiki Encyclopedia of the Sikhs

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision

"Guru Gobind Singh's Mission is Universal. Once when Guru Gobind Singh was in a state of intense longing for God, a state of enlightenment, he said, 'Jale Hari, Thale Hari, Oore Hari, Pare Hari.'—God is in water, God is in the earth, God is in mountains, God is in caves, God is far and near. The mission of Guru Gobind Singh was not just for some few people of one religion. Guru Gobind Singh was the follower of the One All-Prevading God.

Science and the Mystical Experience

Image Credit: NASA/ESA/JPL/Arizona State Univ.

"The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, a snuffed-out candle. To sense that behind anything that can be experienced there is something that our minds cannot grasp, whose beauty and sublimity reaches us only indirectly: this is religiousness. In this sense only, I am a devoutly religious man."

Albert Einstein, quoted in: Isaacson, W. (2007). Einstein & Faith. Time Magazine, Canadian Edition, April 16, 2007, P.35

Related Topics: Science and Spirituality.

The Coming of God's Kingdom

From time immemorial, whenever the world is really burning, really suffering with sins and oppression, God has sent his Messengers to educate people in dharam. He has empowered a few good people with His Spirit, and through them has changed the whole world. God never becomes angry. When the world is suffering, He takes a few people and begins to build love in the world again.

The world has become so polluted; our minds have also become polluted. But when God's Love comes, it will be such a great wave that all the filth and corruption of the world will be swept away. God's Love is so powerful that nothing will remain in its way.

The time may finally be at hand again when That Power will come in the world and purify all of us. We should all join in prayer that God will bring the Light and Joy of His Kingdom on earth. 

We should all look to God and pray, "Dear Lord, please bring Your happiness, Your love to the earth that exist in heaven. Take away the sorrows and the suffering in the world. Take away thoughts of rich and poor, high and low. Let us all sit together, eat together, live and work together in Your grace and harmony."

Do not bewail the state of society. Change the state of your mind by sowing the seed of Naam. Do not waste a moment. As soon as you start meditating, reciting Naam, and seeking God's Light within yourself, your life will change. As more and more people do so, the world will change.

God's Power has never left the world. From today, we should all follow God's teachings and anticipate that day when God transforms the world, and the Truth, which is now hidden, comes out and starts working among the people again. That day is upon us.

Thought For the Life

Don't waste a moment. 

As soon you start meditating, reciting Nam, 

and seeking God's Light within yourself, your life will change. 

As more and more people do so, the world will change.

Make God Your Friend

Guru Granth Sahib says, “The one whose Friend is God can never be separated from God. He will never come nor go from the presence of the Indestructible One.” God is always present with us, nearer than our hands and feet.

Why should we abandon such a House where caste and lineage do not matter, where there is no high or low? God always receives everyone, saying, “Welcome! Come!” He is always forgiving, always merciful. As Guru Gobind Singh says, “He does not point out our drawbacks.” Guru Nanak says, “You are my Mother, You are my Father, You are my dearest Friend.” 

Make God your Friend and then see what He will do: He will throw open the gates of blessings.

Peace of mind is not dependent on one's surroundings. When you love someone their presence fills your thoughts at all times. When you love God - then God is with you at all times and the peace you receive is indescribable. There is no greater peace than that which results from this love. Once Guru Gobind Singh, in a very loving mood said, “Listen very carefully: Only those who truly love God can ever find Him.”  

This is the essential inner secret.

Overcoming Poverty

State Of Mind

Poverty is not a permanent state. There is no such class or nation we can call “the poor.” Work hard and thank God and He will lift you out of poverty. That is my personal experience. The policies of the world are wrong – there should be no poverty.”

The basic goal of all religions is to take those things that are not in productive use—be they land, trees, or the human mind—and help them develop. As part of God's commitment to the Prophets, God has always commanded them, "Go and prosper, and make these minds and lands productive." Adam planted wheat; Noah planted grapes; Guru Nanak cultivated the soil with his own hands. God commanded them to make the land productive. This commandment from God continues today. Food is needed for people's bodies, just as Naam is needed as food for the mind.

Jesus said he would find the lambs who were lagging behind and reunite them with the flock; he would lift the lambs that were lost and carry them to the herd. He was referring to his great love for those who have been rejected by society: "I have come for you. You are not going to be lost now."

God Is Working 

Religion does not lie in erecting big edifices as houses for God. God does not have time to sit there being worshipped. Rather, God is here in the world, constantly working with the poor and needy, for the uplift of humanity.

When we erect an elaborate religious building, it simply increases the burden on people and diverts resources from the alleviation of poverty. Instead, if we take barren land and develop it, sow crops there, we can use that income to decrease poverty and help the poor to rise. Our program is to take all of nature that is lying waste, not being used properly, and help reclaim it, for the benefit of all people, regardless of their nationality, creed, or race. Those who love God should always be thinking about what problems exist in their particular areas, and spend their time working to alleviate those problems.

As Guru Amar Das prayed, "Oh God the whole world is on fire." People are suffering in sorrow and oppression; the environment is suffering. The Guru prayed, "Please bless and relieve the suffering of the entire creation. From whatever path people approach you, please bless them."

I have full faith that if those who preach the word of God would all get involved and begin to work productively again—rather than just sitting idle and taking money for themselves and for big buildings in God's name—we would be able to overcome many of the current difficulties in the world.

Work Hard

We should all work hard and serve humanity, but keep ourselves out of the picture.

We should constantly thank God as the only Doer:

 "Dear Lord, this work that I have done is all your work. I have done nothing. This is all your grace." 

To love God is not to sit idle and say, "Oh God, you are responsible for everything." Rather, we should work incredibly hard to overcome the difficulties in the world. We should meet every adversity and then pray, "Dear Lord, this service and this success are all due to your grace. I have done nothing."

As one meditates, one becomes aware of everyone's needs and is always concerned for their well-being. One cares for the poor who work all day but still cannot meet their basic needs. Guru Amar Das has said, "Worry about others." One continually prays, "Please God, give them food, give them clothing, please make their life easier. And in addition to their physical sustenance, please give them spiritual sustenance too."

Mission

Mission From God

The main thing is to be involved in a positive program – a mission. A mission is a program made by God; it is guided by God’s hukam. Whether you are sleeping, standing, or thinking, the mission should be in your thoughts. If a person is committed to a mission, even if something happens in his family he will not be concerned. His mind is still firmly engaged in the mission. Even if he must lay down his life for his mission, he will not be afraid. He is so whole-heartedly committed to the program that it is his life; in fulfilling his mission he does not feel that he is sacrificing anything. He will praise God for being so kind to allow him to accomplish His mission. He feels, “May all my lifetimes be devoted to this mission. Even if I have forty more lives, I will continue to work for this mission. Nothing must enter this program that will damage our goal.”

Everyone has goals, but most people have the wrong goals, such as sleeping, drinking, and producing children. People with these goals are not much different from animals. Human goals should be beneficial, such as doing seva and helping society.

How can we develop the motivation to serve? By meditating. And how can we develop the desire to meditate? By starting to meditate and depending on God.

I have no personal mission. I simply work to put forth God's message that has already been given to others: We are to serve the poor and work to uplift humanity. I have full faith that if people of all religions come together and work in service to humanity, the whole world can come together in harmony. But we must set aside our self-interest and work in selfless service to others. We must be so strict in our program that God will always take care of us, just as a father runs to help his child at all times.

Seva

Guru Nanak introduced a new path to spiritual attainment. He said, “Let me show you the direct path to God: “Work hard to support yourself by honest means, always remember God, and share the fruits of your labors for the uplift of humanity.”

Nam (reciting God’s Holy Name) without seva (voluntary work in service to God’s Creation) is not acceptable to Guru Nanak: “If people retreat to the mountains to recite Nam, who will put out the fires of the burning world?”

Every person has to work and help others, for this is God’s hukam (divine command). One who simply sits idle and meditates will not find favor in God’s court, and because he is not helping people, he will not find favor in the world either.

God is the greatest Worker. He is always busy caring for everything – the trees, the people, the earth. If God is constantly working in the world, then how can those who say they believe in God sit idle?  The power that comes from their love of God not only brings out that work ethic but also the strength to follow it.

Guru Ram Das Ji emphasised the concept of selfless service to the humanity without any consideration of caste, colour, creed, gender and country. He put stress on high thinking and simple living. He gave the gift of "Four Lawan" to attain unity with God.

 Work with your hands and feet and keep your mind joined with God. Work is a form of meditation if your mind is in a state of love. If your mind is attuned with dedication, you are with the Creator as you are serving. 

If your mind is far away – if you are thinking of your family or friends for instance – then you are not able to do the dedicated work you are supposed to do. When you combine work and worship, you can work harder and serve more.

God works so hard and is always happy. If we love God, we will be happy while we are serving and we will always remain with Him.

Healing

Remembering God

Wherever God is remembered night and day, such a blessed atmosphere will be created that healing occurs automatically. However, the greatest healing comes from looking to see what lies within ourselves. We all have a wonderful power within us. Whether we are poor or rich, sinner or saint, we all have Light within us. The greatest truth that comes from going deep inside our self is that we recognize that Power which lies within us as Light. 

When we are in love with God, kindness and love and the desire to serve others will develop within us. When our mind is healed, our thoughts will become very pure and holy, and our body will also be very happy.

By contrast: fear, hatred, anger, and egotism have very negative effects on the body. This is our greatest ailment—that we have fear, hatred, ego, and anger within us. Whenever we are under the influence of anger, every part of our body trembles. When we are afraid, fear weakens our mind and also our body. The disease of nervousness, of worry, afflicts ninety percent of people. If this affliction is eradicated from the mind, all physical diseases will also end.

We may try to heal our body with the help of herbs, or allopathic medicine, or homoeopathy. But who will heal our thoughts? The body may of course be healed and the ailment eliminated. But it is our thoughts that irritate us.

Healing Mind

Throughout the world, people are trying to find comfort by every means possible, be it yoga or medicine or acquiring big cars and big houses. Despite all this, people are not happy. We should instead transform our mind, our thoughts. When we heal our mind, disease will have little chance to enter our body, and negative thoughts will not have the opportunity to pollute our mind.

Poison

Humans are the most poisonous of all creatures. When we become angry and commit a crime, a wave of poison spreads through the atmosphere. If we purify our thoughts, if we make them loving, serving, and compassionate, I think the environment of the whole world will be cleansed.

When our thoughts are poisoning us, how will worldly medicine help us? If we could achieve pleasure through medicine, then those rulers with very learned doctors would be supremely happy. But both the rulers and the doctors are unhappy.

The medicine for our thoughts is not worldly medicine. We can get it only from meditation. When we turn within and meet God, we will all be healed. God will heal our inner sickness and our outer sickness as well.

Worship

Why is there no spiritual attainment in religion today? 

We perform our own kind of rituals, but we do not worship with love. Instead, we look at our watches and see that we have spent five or ten minutes. We do not concentrate on worship. Perhaps we have placed flowers, bathed the statue with milk, lit some incense, bowed our head, and our mind is satisfied. But this satisfaction is false. These actions are all right, but they will not change our fate.

Father What are your orders?

When we stand before our worldly father, we bow and ask, "Father, what are your orders?" He gives us some work, and we are to do that. When we go to a religious place, our Heavenly Father also gives us orders. He says, "My child, always tell the truth. Do not steal. It is wrong to criticize others. Do not deprive others of their rights. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Do not covet what is your neighbour's." 

We may have gone to our Heavenly Father every day, offered flowers to Him, bathed a statue with milk, worshipped Him for ten minutes, but we have not obeyed a single commandment. It is amazing: We sit before Him every day but we still only do what comes to our own mind. We do not even come close to following what He says.

Place of Worship

We should be keenly aware that a place of worship is a school for the mind, a school for cleansing the impurities from our mind. But how do we behave in this school? We take the first primer in our hands but we do not read it. We bow our head and make some demands, but we do not obey the commandments. This means that we have been holding the same primer for many years, but we have never even once read it. How can we advance to the second book? The second book will only be given to us after we have obeyed the commandments in the first book.

In worldly terms, after a person studies, eventually he attains something. After twenty-five or thirty-five years, he passes his subjects and completes the course, and there after receives some employment. 

Why is there no such attainment in religion? 

Because we truly think that a religious school is only a place to bow our heads, and that by bowing we can achieve everything. But let me stress that there is no school anywhere in which we can attain anything by just bowing our heads. One can achieve something only through action.

Look at history: 

With whom was God pleased? To whom did God speak? 

To those who deeply loved God with open hearts. They saw God in the trees, in the land, in the skies. God spoke to them.

When we go to religious places, we offer cash to the religious authorities who say, "We will pray to God for you." But I don’t think He wants our money.

• God is not poor. 
• God is not a beggar. 
• God is so powerful that He is distributing wealth to the whole Creation. 
• He gives us breath, energy, clothing, employment, the very bed on which we sleep. 
• He is such a great Giver that His bounty has no limits. 

When a priest expects something from people and begs, it is a great insult to God, for he turns God into a beggar in the public’s eyes.

God is the Giver

God is not a beggar. God is the Giver. God is always distributing Light, distributing blessing. Simply offering money is not acceptable to God. Instead, 

The Gurus says, "God is hungry for love and devotion," 

God says, "Please come to Me with love, and fill yourself with My Love. If you can pay the fees of a poor student, use the cash in that way. If there is a widow in need, help her. If a person cannot purchase medicines, use this money to help him."

It is just possible that we have not achieved enlightenment because we have turned such a great Giver into a pauper. We just throw cash in front of Him, but He doesn't want it. We offer a little money and say, "I have done this, I have given this," but what can we do? This mind is His, this body is His, and this wealth is also His. What can we give to Him? The Gurus say, "Give your mind, body, and wealth to Him and obey His commandments, and only then will you attain something."

Worship from Heart.

When we are full of love, then we worship from our heart. 

When the saint Naam Dev was a boy, his father instructed him to offer milk daily to the statue in their home while he was away. Innocent Naam Dev did not know that his father always drank the milk himself after offering it to the statue.

So when Naam Dev offered the milk and the statue did not take it, he begged, "Please drink this offering, my Lord." 

The statue still did not drink the milk. Naam Dev persisted, "Do you want us to have a fight in our family? If you do not drink this milk, my father will be very angry with me." 

He kept pleading with the statue. Finally, the hand reached out from the statue and drank all the milk.

The father had been performing this ritual for years but had attained nothing. But when Nam Dev approached the statue innocently, in love, the Lord started drinking milk and speaking to him from the statue, because God is in every place.

We Simply Sit

We sit before God but we do not understand that we have to talk to Him. We just do our duty. We take some flowers, some little things, and after two minutes bow our head and go home. God must surely be laughing, 

"It is amazing! They must think I am just a formality. They do not obey even one of my teachings, and yet every day they ritually bow before me and then make a lot of demands. They serve little and demand much."

It is good to worship. But worship from the heart. If we stand before an image of a manifestation of God, we should use it to focus our scattered mind, to concentrate our attention on God. Eventually, the image will begin to move, to speak. Then that One will begin sitting inside us. When it lives within us, it becomes Light, and nothing else is left except Light. Then we will talk to the trees and the animals. 

God will speak to us from within our own mind, because it has become pure. The real temple of God is a pure mind.