and world are just fleeting (discontinuous) phenomena passing on the screen of the Self which is stationary. The scriptures and ancient wisdom draw ou

Transcription

1 GO WITHIN Why do you go looking for God in the forest? Although he is unattached, he dwells everywhere. He is always with you as your companion. Like the fragrance which remains in the flower, and like the reflection in the mirror, the Lord dwells deep within; search for Him within your own heart, O brother. Outside and inside, know that there is only the One Lord; the Guru has imparted this wisdom to me. O servant Nanak, without knowing one s own Self, the moss of doubt is not removed (sggs 684). Man wanders through foreign lands, but does not look within himself. Attached to Maya, he is bound and gagged by the Messenger of Death. The noose of death around his neck will never be untied; in the love of duality, he wanders in reincarnation (sggs 1060). When I look within my being, I find that my Beloved is with me. All pains are relieved, O Nanak, when He bestows His Glance of Grace (sggs 1395). <><><><><> To realize one's own Self is the end of all searching; for the Self is the only Truth, all else is inference. To create the right conditions needed for re-discovery of the Supreme Truth, therefore, all scriptures tell us to go within, look within, search within, or simply be established in the Self within. Why? Because God lives within! The embodiment of Pure Existence-Knowledge-Bliss, this Self is complete, Absolute, most intimate, conscious being, timeless, eternal, spaceless, beginningless, endless, changeless, causeless, always full of love and trust, always with us, ever available to everybody! We are simply That! Sabh kish ghar mahi baahari naahee. Baahari tolai so bharam bhulaahee: Everything is within the home of the Self; there is nothing beyond. One who searches outside is deluded by doubts (sggs 102). Pritam basat rid mahi khor: My Beloved lives in the cave of my heart (sggs 1121). Satgur meraa sadaa sadaa na aavai na jaayi. Oh abinaasee purakh a sabh mahi rahiyaa samaayi: My True Guru is eternal; beyond birth and death. He is the Imperishable Creator Lord; He is permeating and pervading among all (sggs 759). Going within is the ultimate search, the simplest and the shortest. However, being infected with the virus of body-consciousness, we give attention to everything but ourselves. Being obscured by inattention, we allow ourselves to be what we are not, and than look for the causes and justification for it! Clinging to such sensate life, fanciful ideas and imagination, the mind turns outward and begins to desire the false and fear the Truth. To know what we really are, the scriptures tell us to go beyond the mind by turning the consciousness within. Without experiencing the inner void, linking with the Totality is impossible. Koorhi kapti banchi nimmuneeaadaa binas gayaa tatkaale. Sati sati sati Nanaki kahiaa apnai hirdai dekh samaali: Through falsehood, fraud and deceit, the mortal slide down in an instant he has no foundation at all. Truly, truly, truly, Nanak speaks; look within your own heart, and realize this (sggs 381). That which is infinitely continuous is permanent, all else is transitory. Since the body and the world are changeful, they are transient and hence subject to differentiation, diversity, or differences. But in ignorance, doubts or illusoryness we hold on to which is transitory. The only way to understand the transitory nature of the worldly objects is to hold on to something that is permanent in nature. What's that Thing? It is none other than the Self. All of us are that Fathomlessness, in which all experiences, perceptions, feelings, concepts and precepts appear. It is the level of this unchangeable Absolute Reality where diversity and related differences do not have meaning as they cease to exist. The material body (1 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

2 and world are just fleeting (discontinuous) phenomena passing on the screen of the Self which is stationary. The scriptures and ancient wisdom draw our attention to It, and ask us to rivet our mind on this timeless Truth, the Self. We need not search It outside, because we are what we are looking for! It is here, at this very moment, within! Soham aap pachhaneeai Shabad bhed pateeaai: Recognizes within that "He is Me"; who knows this secret through the Shabad is satisfied (sggs 60). Thir ghari vaisahu hari jan piaare. Satguri tumre kaaj savaare: Remain steady in the Home of your Self, O beloved servant of the Lord. The True Guru will resolve all your affairs (sggs 201). Duality (Doojaa Bhaav) denotes false ego or ignorance. The scriptures say "He is Me" or "That Thou art". However, in ignorance we leave out what is most intimate and immediate, and search the rest! For example, in the above statement of the scriptures, "Thou" or "Me" is the Inner Self immanent in all beings, therefore is directly experienced. But in doubts, leaving the Inner Self out, we go on seeking "That" or "He"! In other words, leaving himself out, one tries to find the Self in the world of objectivity! The scriptures remind us that all such deluded ideas arise only on forgetting one's own Self. Iyu kahe Nanak man tu jot saroop hai apnaa mool pashaan: Thus says Nanak: O my soul, you are the true Image of Divine Light, recognise your Reality (sggs 441). What can be found within cannot be found outside. Accordingly, we are repeatedly reminded by the scriptures to stop searching outside what can be found only within. Suffering from the acute misapprehension, however, we have confounded the Self with the physical body. As a result, in delusion we keep searching for the Eternal Joy in the externalities of the material world. The Shabad (SGGS) tells us to stop this futile external search; instead, it teaches us to look within because everything is located within the Home of the Self. It is this internal way of life that is emphasized by the Gurmat; where one's external or material life is unimportant. Antar vasat mooraa baahur bhaale. Manmukh andhe phire betaale...: Deep within the Self is the secret, but the fool looks for it outside. The blind Manmukhs wander around like demons; but where the secret is, there, they do not find it. The Manmukhs are deluded by doubt (sggs 117). Nanak Naam na chetnee agiyaanee andhule avare karam kaamaahi: O Nanak, the blind, ignorant fools do not remember the Naam; they involve themselves in other activities (sggs 648). Jaa moo passe hath mai piree mahijjai naal: When I look within my being, I find that my Beloved is with me (sggs 1095). False ego-sense, doubts, mental delusion or spiritual ignorance is but Self-forgetfulness. And this Self-forgetfulness is the Sansaar, the cycle of repeated birth and death. Like beads, all thoughts or states of our mind are strung on the basic error of this Self-forgetfulness. Each one of the states of mind is transitory, hence unreal. Since the mind is nothing but a collection of these transitory thought-stuff, it is also transitory. Non-reflection, non-investigation, non-inquiry, or the absence of Shabad-Vichaar is the thread on which the beads of all these unreal states of mind are strung. Due to the fact that all mental notions are rooted in the darkness of the Self-forgetfulness, the Truth that one is nothing but the "Jot Saroop" becomes forgotten and, consequently, one takes the transitory states of his mind as his real Self. Iyu kahe Nanak man tu jot saroop hai apnaa mool pashaan: Thus says Nanak: O my soul, you are the true image of Divine Light (Jot Savroop), recognise your Reality (sggs 441). Aap beechaare su giaanee hoyee: One who investigates his own Self is truely a Giyani (sggs 152). Man re saachaa gahi bichaaraa. Ram Naam bin mithiyaa maano sagro ih sansaaraa: O my mind, embrace the True Vichaar. Without the Lord s Name, know that this whole world is false (sggs (2 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

3 703). Hayumai rog jaa kaa man biyaapat oh janam mrai billaatee: One whose mind is afflicted by the disease of egotism, cries out in birth and death (sggs 610). Forgetfulness of our true nature gives rise to stubborn mindedness (Mann-Hath), the inflated ego, which makes us forget divine attributes such as Sahaj, Prema Bhagti, humility, spiritual wisdom (Shabad-Giyan), Naam Simran, etc. Consequently, we lack in spiritual wisdom, understanding, clarity, attention, alertness, and earnestness. This lack of awareness gives rise to the state of self-will, unbelief, affliction, hardness of heart, impenitence, reprobacy, heinousness, fanaticism, crookedness, evil-mindedness, mental-weekness, immaturity, and undiscipline. In such dense condition, although one may be aware of thinking, feeling, and acting, but he is unaware of his true Being. Khasam visaarahi te kamjaati. Nanak naavai baajh sanaati: Those who forget their Lord are vile and despicable. O Nanak, without the Name, they are wretched outcasts (sggs 10). Hatha ahankaar karai nahee paavai: Acting stubbornly in egotism, one does not find the Lord (sggs 905). Eh Maya jit Har visrai moh upjai bhaau dooja laya: This is Maya, by which the Lord is forgotten; emotional attachment and love of duality well up (sggs 921). The reason man has become so wretched is that, due to forgetfulness of his true nature, he has adopted improper habits. For example, in ancient days, the man led a very contented and happy life because he adhered to proper habits such as Truth and Righteousness. Forgetting his real nature, he has now become narrow-minded and is being gobbled by the demon of selfishness. Though endowed with a precious and rare human life, Viveka, pure heart, sweet speech, humility, forgiveness, etc., he is unable to enjoy these possessions because he has forsaken that God is dwelling in the hearts of all beings and does not recognize the Divine power which resides within himself. As a result, we are unable to recognize our own values, and unable to appreciate the significance of the legacy we have inherited. If we do not know our own value then how can we ever know that of the Divinity? Ese kaahe bhool pare...: Why do you wander in delusion like this? You act, and incite others to act, and then deny it. The Lord is always with you; He sees and hears everything. You purchase glass, and discard gold; you are in love with your enemy, while you renounce your true friend. That which exists, seems bitter; that which does not exist, seems sweet to you. Engrossed in corruption, you are burning away. The mortal has fallen into the deep, dark pit, and is entangled in the darkness of doubt, and the bondage of emotional attachment (sggs 823). Sabh mahi joti joti hao soi. Tisdai chaanan sabh mahi chaanan hoi: Amongst all is the Light You are that Light. By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all (sggs 13). Nij ghari mahal paavahu sukh sahje bahuri na hoigo pheraa: Within the home of your own inner being, you will obtain the Mansion of the Lord s Presence with intuitive ease (sggs 13). As repeatedly declared by the scriptures, the root of man's suffering is his ignorance of his True Nature. Identifying with the world of sensory experience, he attempts to find the ever-lasting Bliss in the evanescent sense gratification, deluding himself in the bargain. These efforts provide man temporary joy, followed by long spells of miseries and sorrows! The deer, for example, is known for searching musk (Kastooree) in the bushes. In reality, the musk is stored within the deer's body, but in his illusioned state of mind he searches for it outside. Similarly, even though the Spirit, the source of Truth-Knowledge-Bliss, dwells within our body, we keep searching Him in the gross objects of the outer world! Just as the deer, we also wander around in the wilderness of doubts caused by Maya's deception. (3 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

4 Consequently, we also search the sublime thing such as God, Bliss, Naam, Panch Shabad, etc., outside, in other places and objects. In reality, it is all hidden within! Jiyu kastooree mirg na janai bharamdaa bharm bhulaya: He is like the deer, who does not recognize its own musk-scent; it wanders around, deluded by doubt (sggs 644). Ghar hee mahi amrit bharbhoor hai manmukhaa saad na paya: As the soul is brimful with the Amrit or Bliss by nature, still, because of the deluded mind, the perverse does not know its relish (sggs 644). Mrig trisnaa gandharab nagram dram chhaayaaa rach durmatih: Misled by evil-mindedness, mortals are engrossed in the mirage of the illusory world, like the passing shade of a tree (sggs 1356). Ghar hee saudaa paaeeai antri sabh vath hoi: Within the home of your own inner being, the true merchandise is obtained. All commodities are within (sggs 29) Going within is to become inwardly integrated. But, how can we go within? How can the Self dwelling within be realized? For the Self is always within, we are never apart from it. Further, there are not two selves. The Self is only one, and we can't live without it. As such, it is not the matter of realizing the Self, but of realizing that we never were not the Self! In other words, it is the Self experiencing itself. All that is needed is detaching the mind from without and turning it within. However, as the scriptures point out to us that, under the spell of spiritual ignorance, we have committed the error of confounding the Self with the material body. The essentials of being established within is knowing that we are not this material body but we are different from it, beyond death and birth. Sukh dukh rahat sadaa nirlepee jaa kayu kahat gusaaee. So tum hee mahi basi nirantari Nanak darpani niaaee: He is beyond pain and pleasure, forever unattached; He is called the Lord of the world. He dwells deep within your inner self, O Nanak, like the image in a mirror (sggs 632). Aatam mahi Ram ram mahi aatam cheenas Gur beechaaraa: The Lord is in the soul, and the soul is in the Lord. This is realized through the Guru s Teachings (1153). In material consciousness, the mind is spread in time and space. At once we look within, we will know that all names and forms are but temporary and fleeting waves on the surface of the ocean of consciousness; and we will see that we are just a bundle of memories of past pains and pleasures held together by the glue of emotional attachment. The edict of the Shabad is that the Reality is within each one of us; we must look with and find it there. It is as simple as to see one's face in mirror, provided the mirror is true and clear of all filth. Hayu dhoonde dee sajjanaa sajjan maidai naali: I was seeking, searching for my Friend God, but my Friend is right here within me (sggs 1318). Because of the mental conditioning, the Self becomes superimposed or covered by the false phenomena called ego. As soon as the cover of false ego is removed, the unlimited, timeless, spaceless and formless Reality shines forth. Therefore, Self-realization is simply the loss of the false ego. As one can not see himself in a dust-covered mirror, similarly, one can not perceive the atomic Self due to the dust of false ego covering the mirror of the mind or heart. Man mailaa sach nirmalaa kiyu kar milya jaayi: Mind is impure, the Lord is pure; so how can it meet Him? (sggs 755) Puhap madh jiyu baas basat hai mukar mahi jaise shaayee. Taise hee Hari base nirantar ghat hee khojahu bhaayee: Like the fragrance which remains in the flower, and like the reflection in the mirror, the Lord dwells deep within; search for Him within your own heart, O brother (sggs 684). (4 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

5 Trai gun Maya mool hai vich hayumai Naam visaar: The tripple-qualitied Maya is the roots of worldly attachment, and in ego, the mortal fogets the Name (sggs 647). If we want to change the picture on the television screen, we simply change the television station, we do not change the picture tube! Similarly, we need to set our vision right. The only difference between the Giani (spiritually wise) and the Agiani (spiritually ignorant) is in their angles of vision the Giani has killed his ego, whereas the Agiani identifies himself with the ego and mistakes its activities for those of the Self. If we can change our vision, no other change is necessary. Since we suffer from mental delusion, we need to clarify our minds, purify our hearts, and sanctify our lives. In other words, we need to remove our whims, fancies or false ego-sense. Hatha ahankaar karai nahee paavai: Acting stubbornly in egotism, one does not find the Lord (sggs 905). Many play with different paths, systems, religions, practices, verbal structures, relative truths, tangible objectives, etc. For example, it so happens that most people trust their time-bound Gurus only as long as materially all is well with them, when some worldly problems come, they feel let down and go out in search of another one; and so on. Playing with different approaches is an indication of one's resistance to seeking within. Why do we resist going within? It is because we are afraid of detaching from the sense objects or externalities of the phenomenal world we love so much! To look at it from an another angle, it is the fear of having to abandon the illusion of considering ourselves as the physical body. Trai guna Maya moh viaape Turiya guna hai Gurmukhi laheeaa: In the grip of the three-qualitied Maya, people are engrossed in bondage; only by becoming Gurmukh do they find the absolute quality, Turiya (sggs 833). The scriptures declare that the Self is not this physical body. Therefore, it is error to take this body as the Self or to identify with it. As indicated by the scriptures, our chance of linking with the Infinite Consciousness, Waheguru, depends on our true identification. If we miss this point, that is, if we do not recognizing our true nature, then we take the risk of being lost in the pitch darkness of material existence. How can the body-consciousness be abandoned? As revealed in the scriptures, the seemingly unending body-consiousness or world-appearance is sustained by our impure, spiritually ignorant mind. Just as the snake abandons his skin effortlessly, similarly the body-consciousness can easily be abandoned by ascending to the more uplifting mode of goodness or purity. Those who are of a pure nature always inquire into the origin and the nature of this body-consciousness. When such investigation is conducted with the help of the intuitive study of the scriptures and the company of the true and the wise ones, there arises a clear understanding within oneself in which the Truth is seen, as the light is seen in a lamp. Gurmukhi kaar kamaavanee sach ghati pargat hoi. Antri jis kai sach vasai sache sachee soi. Sach mile se naa vishurhai tin nij ghar vaasaa hoi: The Gurmukh practices good deeds, and the truth is revealed in his heart. True is the reputation of the true, within whom truth abides. Those who meet the True Lord are not separated again; they come to dwell in the home of the Self deep within (sggs 27). In each path, system, practice or religion the value lies in bringing people to the need of going within, otherwise it has no meaning. To seek water, we dig or drill a deep well at one place. Instead, if we go on digging shallow pits all over the place, we will only find disappointment. Similarly, if one is sincere in finding himself, he must dig deep within himself. Love of the Self is the true devotion. Raam bhagti baithe ghari aayaa: Because of my devotion to the Lord, He has come to sit within the home of my inner being (sggs 327). (5 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

6 It's our refusal to go within that binds us in Kaarmic actions. It's a rare person, declare the scriptures, who rises above the world-illusion and tries to find out the real Source of the True Joy that will be ever-lasting in nature. And that rare person is called "Gurmukh" in the Gurbani. A Gurmukh is a person who is God-intoxicated, God-immersed, godwardly, spiritual being. Thus, being a Gurmukh is a state one has to reach. Therefore, to be a Gurmukh is not a question of social status or bodily appearance, it s a question of being established in the Self within. Accordingly, we are asked by the Gurbani to become a Gurmukh if we desire to enter the True Home within. Sach karnee de paaeeai dar ghar mahal piaar. Gurmukhi mann samjhaaeeai aatam raam beechaari: By true actions, this human body is obtained, and the door within ourselves which leads to the Mansion of the Beloved, is found. The Gurmukhs train their minds to contemplate God, the Supreme Soul (sggs 18). Jiyu jiyu sahab manni basi gurmukhi amrit peyu: The more the Lord dwells within the mind, the more the Gurmukh drinks in the Ambrosial Nectar (sggs 20). Gurmukh jaayi lahahu ghar apnaa ghas chandan har jas ghaseeyai: As Gurmukh, go and enter within your own home (Self); anoint yourself with the sandalwood oil of the Lord s Praises (sggs 170). Taa mann kheevaa jaaneeai jaa mahlee paae thaayu: Only one who obtains a room in the Mansion of the Lord s Presence is deemed to be truly intoxicated (sggs 16). Here the Shabad makes it clear that to become a Gurmukh is to train one's mind to contemplate the Naam. The more the Lord's Naam sinks into the heart, the more one becomes the Gurmukh. He then realizes that, as the Almighty is all-pervasive, He resides in every being as ``Antaryamee'', unaffected by the Karma of the human beings. He understands the essence of the Shabad and sees the Divine Light within each and every heart. In other words, the Gurmukhs always look within; their minds are filled with the faith, Naam, and loving devotion. Hari prabh sangi khelahi var kaamani Gurmukhi khojat mann manne: The Gurmukhs look within themselves; their minds are filled with faith (sggs 1170). Gurmukhi chaana jaaneeai manmukhi mughad gubaar. Ghati ghati joti nirantree boojgai gurmati saar: The Gurmukh knows the Divine Light, while the foolish self-willed manmukh gropes around in the darkness. One who sees that Light within each and every heart understands the Essence of the Guru s Teachings (sggs 20). How can we become Gurmukhs or enshrine God in our hearts? By applying the Shabad to our daily living, says the Gurbani. The Shabad is only meant to be applied. Mere mechanical or dry reading or hearing of the Shabad is unavailing. In all earnestness, once the Shabad is applied to one's life, it will take him within. Since the atomic Self is subtler than the space, it is beyond the reach and comprehension of our limited mind and physical senses. To realize this subtlest Being, we must take means which are equally fine and subtle. Being subtle in nature, the Shabad is perfectly capable of catching the Self! Gur kaa shabad antri vasai taa hari visre na jaai: If the Word of the Guru s Shabad abides deep within, then you will not forget the Lord (sggs 31). Mere mann gurmukhi dhiaai hari soi. Gur kaa shabad manni vasai taa mann tann nirmal hoi: O my mind, become Gurmukh, and meditate on the Lord. The Gur-Shabad abides within the mind, and the body and mind become pure (sggs 32). Jinee suni kai manniaa tinaa nij ghare vaas: Those who hear and believe, find the home of the (6 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

7 Self deep within (sggs 27). Gurmukhi sadaa suhaaganee pir raakhiaa ur dhaari: The Gurmukh is the happy and pure soul-bride forever. She keeps her Husband Lord enshrined within her heart (sggs 31). There is no real chanting, meditation, penance or self-control, as long as one does not live to the Shabad. Accepting the Shabad, one obtains Truth; through Truth, one merges in the True Lord within. Other actions only lead to all sorts of material entanglements, but these only add to all the pain. Also known as spiritual ignorance, the terrible poison of false ego cannot be completely eliminated until the Shabad-Surti or Spiritual Wisdom awakens within. Hence, the contemplation on the Naam must continue, until the Supreme Essence is unfolded and the goal is attained! Nanak mann samjhaaeeai gur kai shabadi saalaah...: O Nanak, instruct your mind through the Gur-Shabad, and praise the Lord. Those who are imbued with the love of the Name of the Lord are not loaded down by doubt. Those who chant the Name of the Lord earn great profits; the Fearless Lord abides within their minds (sggs 23). Mann re gurmukhi agni nivaari. Gur kaa kahiaa manni vasai hayumai trisnaa maar: O mind, become Gurmukh, and extinguish the fire within. Let the Words of the Guru abide within your mind; let egotism and desires die (sggs 22). Kabeer mullaan munaari kiaa chadhahi saanyee na bahraa hoi. Jaan kaaran tu baang de dil hee bheetar joi: Kabeer says: O Mullah, why do you climb to the top of the minaret? The Lord is not hard of hearing. Look within your own heart for the One, for whose sake you shout your prayers (sggs 1375). The scriptures repeatedly remind us that the precious jewel of Infinite Bliss is hidden within our body and that we can attain It at this very moment if we want to. But the problem is our outgoing mind which insanely and tumultuously craves the enjoyment of the evil passions instead! Consequently, like a deer who keeps searching for the musk in the bushes, we also keep searching for the Self in the externalities of the world, the gross sense objects. Mann mahi maanak laal naam ratan padaarath heer...: Within the mind are emeralds and rubies, the Jewel of the Naam, treasures and diamonds. The Naam is the True Merchandise and Wealth; in each and every heart, His Presence is deep and profound. O Nanak, the Gurmukh finds the Diamond of the Lord, by His Kindness and Compassion (sggs 22). Teerath tap dayaa dat daan. Je ko paavai til kaa maan. Suniyaa manniaa mann keetaa bhaayu. Antar gate teerath mal naau: Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity these, by themselves, do not bring any merit. Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind, cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within (sggs 4). Satsangati Satgur paaeeai ahinisi shabadi salaahi: The True Guru is found in the Sat Sangat, the company of the true and wise. Day and night, praise the Shabad (sggs 22). Everything is contained within. Like the fish is in water and cannot be without water, similarly, all the universe is in man and cannot be without him. In other words, the universe is in us, not other way around. However, in ignorance, we have projected onto ourselves a world of our own notions, based on our Vaasnaas (past memories, tendencies, deep-rooted desires and fear, etc.), and we have imprisoned ourselves in it in the process. Once we realize all comes from within, our desires and fears come to an end. Once we know that the world of names and forms in which we live has not been projected onto us by any external agency but by us, the world illusion ceases to be. Until we become established on the platform of this Transcendental Knowledge, we will keep identifying ourselves with the externals. (7 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

8 Without realizing that we are the painters who have painted this ephemeral world on the screen of our own mind or consciousness, we cannot break the spell or habit of taking the imaginary to be the real. Hari setee mann ravi rahiaa ghar hee maahi udaas: When the mind is immersed in God, one remains detached within the home of the heart (sggs 26). Mann re grih hee maahi udaas. Sach sanjam karnee so kare Gurmukhi hoi pargaas: O mind, remain detached in the midst of your household. Practicing truth, self-discipline and good deeds, the Gurmukh is enlightened (sggs 26). Se sevak hari aakheeai ke je hari raakhai uri dhaari. Mann tann saupe aagai dhari hayumai vichahu maari. Dhann gurmukhi so parvaan ahi je kade na aavai haari: Those who keep the Lord enshrined within their hearts are said to be the servants of the Lord. Placing mind and body in offering before the Lord, they conquer and eradicate egotism from within. Blessed and acclaimed is that Gurmukh, who will never be defeated (sggs 28). Ros naa kaahoo sang karo aapan aap beechaari. Hoi nimaanaa jag rahahu Nanak nadree paari. raaraa ren hot sabh jaa kee. Taji abhimaan shutai teree baakee: Do not be angry with anyone else; look within your own self instead. Be humble in this world, O Nanak, and by His Grace you will be carried across. Be the dust under the feet of all. Give up your egotistical pride, and the balance of your account will be written off (sggs 259). Our mind gives us the greatest problems in going within. A mind in control is in tune with the Self. However, a mind out of control is slave of desires and fears, running wild to gratify the senses. Thus, the mind in material bondage is the main impediment that blocks our spiritual progress. Therefore, an annihilated mind devoid of material desires as well as ego-sense or ignorance of the Self is essential to go within. Na man marai na Maya marai: Maya can not be conquered without annihilation of the mind (sggs 1342). The value of ancient wisdom and the scriptures lies in bringing us to the need of seeking within. It is the mirror of our mind that is filthy (Mailaa) and untrue and, consequently, gives us false reflections. We need to clean the mirror, that is, we need to train ourselves to separate ourselves from the filthy mirror and its false images; for we are neither the phantom called mind nor its false projections. The Shabad tell us to break the self-imposed spell of ignorance and be free. Is gufaa mahi akhut bhandaaraa. Tis vich vasai hari alakh apaaraa. Aape gupat pargat hai aape gur shabadee aap vanjhaavaniaa: Within the cave of heart, there is an inexhaustible treasure. Within this cave, the Invisible and Infinite Lord abides. He Himself is hidden, and He Himself is revealed; He is realized through the Gur-Shabad (sggs 124). Bajjar kapaat jarhe jarhi jaanai gur sabdee kholaaidaa. Bheetar kot guphaa ghar jaaee: The hard and heavy doors of the Tenth Gate are closed and locked. Through the Gur-Shabad, they are thrown open. Within the fortress is the cave, the home of the Self (sggs 1033). Aap pachhanai man nirmal hoye. Jivanmukta har paavai soye: Pure becomes the mind of him, who recognizes the Self. He is liberated in this life and attains the Lord (sggs 161). --T. Singh Top (8 of 9) [3/30/ :58:02 AM]

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