I have written extensively about the start of my spiritual journey in July of 2016 after going to Ontario to attend the Sarab Rog Ka Aukhad Naam camp. At the same time, I also started a Sehaj Paath of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I have been slowly reading and absorbing the paath and its translation over almost four years. Today we had the bhog and the paath was completed.
"All Sikhs are commanded to take the Granth As Guru"
I could never have imagined how impactful this reading would be. I didn’t want to read the paath absentmindedly or in a rush. Most of us do not sit down and listen during an Akhand Paath and actually absorb what is being taken in. The purpose of Gurbani was for us to actually learn and change our lives in a practical way. The years have given me a lot of time for growth and application. I would save Angs of paath to re-read and apply to later in the day. As I would read, I was able to find direction for whatever was going on in my life at the same time. My Guru Ji has travelled a long and difficult journey with me, and I have received support and guidance through hardships. Guru Ji gave me Chardi Kala, strength, courage and direction: “Reaching up to the certified Guru, you endure the unendurable; you are immersed in the pool of contentment.” Most importantly, Guru Ji challenged my thinking. Some lines I would pause and re-read again, changing my perceptions of the world. Guru Ji gave healing for the mind that has travelled through many life-forms. Gurbani has given me a greater understanding of topics such as death, simran, Hukam, sanjog, and suffering. Finally, our Guru Ji teaches us lessons of how to live.
The more I have read, listened, and reflected I am realizing how vast Gurbani is, and how much it has to teach us. I have so much more to learn and a very long way to go. Each translation and understanding could expand and expand- there are layers upon layers of understanding. Someone asked me recently what I learned. The learnings cannot really be summarized in just a sentence or two. I have been sharing the learnings through years of blog posts. Largely the inspiration for many of my posts comes from reading Gurbani and realizing a link to life, or to society and culture. I have been writing about the learnings through years of journaling as well. They are summarized in the conversations we have, and the change in the foundation of how I function today. The dissipation of my anger, to an open heart that just infinitely loves. The learnings show in my increasing passion and love for Sikhi. From the way that I do kirtan now- not for others, but for this mind to connect to God. Gurbani has taught me what Sikhi is. What it means to be on this earth and have this life. Gurbani teaches what it really means to love and how to look past yourself. The helpful thing about raags, is that they evoke an emotion. Some day reading will bring joy, others yearning, and some contentment. It is an experience of transformation rather than a concrete list of lessons. Even in these last 50 Angs, Guru Ji has greatly transformed the way that I live. Gurbani says “The Word of the Shabad brings eternal spring; it rejuvenates the mind and body.” Gurbani teaches we have the power to change the things that we can, and those that we cannot, we accept.
It is interesting to read through the many writings of different Bhagats and Guru Jis. Bhagat Namdev talks about his job as a dyer, but in the context of dying oneself with the love of God. We get the understanding of how people were living their humanly lives as a householder and a spiritual one at the same time, totally integrated. It is beautiful how the poetry rhymes from one’s mouth. There are so many examples too from the environment, from those of plants and animals, to explain the concepts of Gurbani to us. It makes your faith grow 1000 fold.
I remember shortly after starting my Sehaj paath, I was upset that I would not be able to make it through and understand. Although my Punjabi is fairly good, I had doubt that it would carry me through and allow me to process and understand Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. My mother told me that if I had faith to start, God will give me the understanding as well. She told me it didn’t matter how long it took, but the journey of learning. She was right and the more I read, the more some lines made sense before I read the translation, or I would recognize shabads I read in kirtan.
I would encourage you, if you have not yet done so, to start a Sehaj Paath and start reading the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Guru Ji says “Everything is with you; the True Guru will show you this. So understand your own self and meet your Beloved; His Grace shall rain down in torrents.” Try to listen and read translations to understand as well. When I went through I would read the line in Gurmukhi, listen to ensure any mistakes were caught, and read the translation at the same time as listening. We are Sikhs of our Guru so we must actually learn and listen from our Guru! There are 1430 Angs. I sometimes wonder whether we don’t read, or it took me so long to consider starting. I think that there is a fear inside of having to read the hard things, and having to be challenged in the way we think and the way we live our lives. It is easy for us to pretend and perform the actions of attending the Gurdwara, but to actually learn and change, we do have to challenge our minds. Maybe we are afraid we will realize a truth that we do not want to hear. It doesn't stroke the ego, it destroys it. In order to not practice idol worship, we must actually understand the message and knowledge our Guru is imparting. When you bow down, matha tek in awe of that knowledge and guidance to reach one’s ultimate spiritual goal in this lifetime. This is the way for us to make this life worthwhile.
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