Chapters 14 and 15

(Updated version): Here’s a summary of the next chapters in the book Pantha Prem Na Janiye by Bhai Sewa Singh Ji Tarmala. We are going through this book in order to share the knowledge imparted from Gurbani so that we can understand the purpose of our life. Not only do we learn to jap ourselves, but also to share whatever knowledge we have to inspire others to jap as well and to peak an interest in learning more about this path. 

They expand that just as in the last chapter, the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarswati rivers are used to represent the spiritual rivers of air, water and fire in our body. The larynx and the bridge of the nose represent triveni where all three are present. The spot just above the bridge of the nose is the prayag, where there are just the elements of air and water, similar to the fact that the Sarswati river actually does disappear and there are only two rivers present geographically. These locations are used in advanced meditation techniques. 

We are on a path of Gurmat, following our Guru’s teachings. This is a path of gyan (knowledge, wisdsom) and dhyaan (attention). Bhai Sahib reminds us that just like we have attention when we set a goal to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer, or animals have dhyaan on their children, similarly we have to have our attention on this path to be successful. We start with sas gras simran to stop our thoughts, and then our mind gets to Sunn (sleep). It must then learn to awaken its light within (jot) by dhyaan. Then Divine Words appear, Anhad Bani (Panj Shabad) appears, and the mind enters Sunn. The Naad/word of God helps one cross the Bhavsagar, and the mind unites where it continuously exuding love and following Hukam. On the way we will get many distractions- thoughts, images, etc. The mind has amazing powers given to it when it is united, it can travel to other places and meet others. Guru Ji is quite blunt about the outcomes of those who do not follow Gurmat. Many times, I have taken a Hukamnama which is quite bold in its language of what the consequences are of our actions. 

Reflection: Like many, I am feeling an itch to travel and have this pandemic be over, to meet new sangat, hear new stories, to see different Gurdwaras all around the world, to learn while sharing and spreading my own skills and knowledge at the same time. Hearing about these rivers also just reminded me of wanting to be near water, and travelling to our home. Yet news from our family friends in Punjab is that between the farmer situation, covid, and black fungus, things are not going well. The fantasy and reality are two different scenarios. There is lots in my book of dreams I have decided to just trust that they will happen in due time.

I think the remembrance for me today is that life is constantly evolving, Hukam is flowing, the universe is expanding and changing. I am making a choice daily to work on this mind. I don’t need to travel to places, or get or receive anything else, because the complete oneness is within and the entire universe is summarized within. While new adventures are enjoyable and expand the way we see ourselves and the world, there is also much work to be done concurrently inside. Right now there is even a more clear directive to work on the mind than ever before, to join others and to encourage each other. In such a deep state of suffering, what we can do to help the world is not just the physical but also deeper in the spiritual realm. There is sewa to be done there as well. This internal journey is a long one, but does give us peace and fulfillment that we came to this world looking for. It gives us strength, resilience, and the ability to fight for and stand up for what needs to be done in this world. Among us are lawmakers, humanitarians, activists, healers, etc. We can and will be able to make change if our minds are in a place to do so. We must be able to withstand the challenges that Kaal will place in the way. Where did those in our history get their strength? How did their minds become so strong they could overcome the physical tortures they faced? Where did they get their voices to speak the truth? Now, more than ever, it is needed for us to work on our own minds, and then our children and the next generations and all those around us change too. One person can change a lot for entire lineages, but that change starts on the inside otherwise we will crumble. Going home to Dasam Dwar, is promised by our Guru Ji to give us that strength and bliss. If we are Sikhs of our Guru Ji, we have to follow this Hukam to go to the mind's home.