Spiritual Unlock
Imagine a person who has spent most of his life in a closed, darkroom. He has never opened the curtains of these windows and he has no idea what light looks like. If we go to such a person and tell him “Oh the sun is so bright!” What do you think his reaction would be? He is most likely to say, “What is the sun? Does it even exist? There is no sun!”
This is how we have been living life. We are so entangled in this world of illusion that we have forgotten about reality. We are so deep inside this pit of darkness that we have started questioning light itself. The important fact is that even if we have forgotten about the existence of light, light hasn’t stopped existing. Our journey towards a spiritual unlock is to see this light, experience this light, and become so immersed in this light that a day comes, when we become one with this light.
ਸੂਰਜ ਕਿਰਣਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਜਲ ਕਾ ਜਲੁ ਹੂਆ ਰਾਮ ।।
Sooraj Kiran Mile Jal Ka Jal Hoaa Raam
The rays of light merge with the sun, and water merges with water.
ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਲੀ ਸੰਪੂਰਨੁ ਥੀਆ ਰਾਮ ।।
Jotee Jot Ralee Sampooran Theeaa Raam
One’s light blends with the light of the Lord, and one becomes totally perfect.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 846
We simply say that if I haven’t seen God then I don’t believe in his existence. But the truth is that we have not even tried to feel those beautiful vibrations that come from attaching one’s consciousness with God. We don’t even ask questions about our own existence. We are jumping on to conclusions without complete knowledge. This ignorance is what has caused us to become spiritually locked.
If we want to acquire knowledge about the seed of a tree, we won’t start counting it’s leaves, right? We will have to dig deep and reach till it’s very root. Similarly, if we talk about the root of all life that is present in this world, we will have to look at the very basis of where Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji starts from. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj uses the number ੧ (1). Guru Sahib didn’t even write the word “Ik” or ਇਕ because even there, it is two letters. Maharaj wanted to make it absolutely clear that there is only one being, Vaheguru, who is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer. Everything inside and around us is in accordance to His will. He resides in each and everything, each and every person, nothing is outside of Him.
ਇਕੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੀ ਇਕੁ ਭੰਡਾਰੀ ਇਕੁ ਲਾਏ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੁ ।।
Eik Sansaaree Eik Bhandaaree Eik Laae Deebaan
One, the creator of the world; One, the sustainer and One, the destroyer.
ਜਿਵੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਵੈ ਚਲਾਵੈ ਜਿਵ ਹੋਵੈ ਫੁਰਮਾਣੁ ।।
Jiv Tis Bhaavai Tive Chalaavai Jiv Hovai Furmaan
He makes things happen according to the pleasure of His will, such is His celestial order.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 7
Our spiritual unlock is about finding and understanding who we truly are, in the truest essence. Guru Amar Daas Ji very beautifully explains this to us. Maharaj says,
ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ।।
Mann Too Jot Saroop Hai Aapna Mool Paschaan
O my mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light – recognize your own origin.
ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਾਣੁ ।।
Man Har Jee Terai Naal Hai Gurmatee Rang Maan
O my mind, the Dear Lord is with you. Through the Guru’s teaching, enjoy His love.
Many of us associate our existence with our physical bodies, mostly our five senses (eyes, nose, ears, tongue, skin). Our life revolves around trying to please these five senses. We watch movies, listen to music, and eat tasty food, only to please these senses. These senses are also known as “Giaan Indre” because they deliver Giaan (information) to our brain. Then come the Karam Indre. These are the senses through which we carry out actions. For example, our hands and feet. For a minute, try imagining life without these two sets of organs. You will feel a sense of panic and incapability but the feeling of “you” being there still doesn’t go away. This simply means that our existence is not limited to our physical or visible body, also known as the Asthool Sareer.
Next, comes the invisible part of our being. This is the Sooksham Sareer which consists of Man (mind), Chit (memory), Budh (intellect), and Ahankaar (pride). This is where our thoughts are created. Some of these thoughts take the form of actions, after passing through our intellect. Some other thoughts, which have passed through the intellect various times, become habits, and get ingrained in our unconscious mind. These things are so ingrained in us that we become their embodiment. This is why Maharaj explains to us that we should constantly keep our consciousness attached to Vaheguru Ji, so that we become an embodiment of His love and light.
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ।।
Mere Man Ekas Sio Chit Laae
O my mind, focus your consciousness on the One.
ਏਕਸ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭ ਧੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇ ।।੧।।
ਰਹਾਉ ।।
Without the One, all entanglements are worthless; emotional attachment to Maaya is totally false.
Now the question comes, are we our Asthool Sareer (physical body), or are we our Sooksham Sareer (invisible body). The answer is, none of them. This is where the Kaaran Sareer comes. Kaaran means purpose, the very reason for which we came into this world, the very cause for your existence. Maharaj has explained this cause to us in Gurbani.
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ।।
Bhaee Paraapat Maanukh Dehureea
This human body has been given to you.
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ।।
Gobind Milan Kee Eih Teree Bareea
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 12
The Kaaran Sareer is connected to our soul (Aatma) and this is why we hear many people say, “You are not the body, you are the soul!”
But the truth is that Guru Sahib has not even placed a division between Aatma (soul) and Paramatma (God). Guru Sahib Ji, for His Gursikhs, has created such a key that once the Gursikh experiences the spiritual unlock, there is no difference left between Him and Paramatma. As the door opens, all divisions die away and the Gursikh sees the One Lord pervading everywhere.
ਕਬੀਰ ਤੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਕਰਤਾ ਤੂ ਹੂਆ ਮੁਝ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੂੰ ।।
Kabeer Too(n) Too(n) Karta Too Hoaa Mujh Meh Rahaa Naa Hoon
Kabeer, repeating “You, You”, I have become like You. Nothing of me remains in myself.
ਜਬ ਆਪਾ ਪਰ ਕਾ ਮਿਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਜਤ ਦੇਖਉ ਤਤ ਤੂ ।। ੨੦੪ ।।
Jab Aapa Par Kaa Mit Geaa Jat Dekho Tat Too
When the difference between myself and others is removed, then wherever I look, I see only You.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1375
The sense of “I, me, myself” dies away. The Gursikh feels his Aatma (soul) unite with Paramatma (God). He receives the blessing of the understanding that Aatma is Paramatma. These two were only separated by that wall of falsehood, which by understanding the Hukam (true command) of Vaheguru, has now broken. But the question remains, how does one break this wall of falsehood? Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj explains
ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ।।
Kiv Sachiaara Hoeeai Kiv Koodde Tutte Paal
So how can you become truthful? How can the wall of falsehood be torn away?
ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ।। ੧ ।।
Hukam Rajaaee Chalnaa Nanak Likhiaa Naaal
O Nanak, it is written that you will obey the Hukam of His command and walk in the way of His will.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1
Maharaj says that in order to remove the division between us and God, we must walk in the way of a Hukam (command) of the Lord. What is this Hukam and how will we understand it? Guru Sahib says
ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ।। ੫ ।।
Eko Naam Hukam Hai Nanak Satgur Deeaa Bujhaae Jeeo
The One Name is the Lord’s command; O Nanak, the true Guru has given me this understanding.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 72
So, it is this One-Name of Paramatma (God), that is the true Hukam. Reciting this name, again and again, saying Vaheguru Vaheguru, we too can merge back into this true Hukam! This is when the spiritual unlock takes place!
But what we need to remember is that the key is with Guru Sahib. Only by His blessing, can we receive this understanding. Only when he offers the Key, will this door open. Only when he Shines the light, will the darkness depart.
What efforts can we make to facilitate this spiritual unlock? Do we have to leave our houses and go and sit in the jungles? Not really! Guru Sahib explains to us, how while being in this web of the world, we can still remain untangled from it. Just like a lotus flower whilst being in the mud, remains detached from it, Guru Sahib gives us simple strategies to keep ourselves spiritually unlocked in this world full of distractions.
ਹਾਥ ਪਾਉ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਮੁ ਸਭੁ ਚੀਤੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਨਾਲਿ ।।੨੧੩।।
Haath Paao Kar Kaam Sabh Cheet Niranjan Naal II213II
With your hands and feet, do all your work, but let your consciousness remain with the immaculate Lord.
-Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1375
We can add various things in our daily routine which will help us become spiritually unlocked. The combination of Kirtan and Katha works wonders! We can do physical Seva (ਤਨ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ) by going to Gurudwara, preparing Langar, etc. Along with physical Seva, internal Seva (ਮਨ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ) is also very important. This can be done by reading Gurbani, doing Simran, and singing the praises of Satguru Ji. Building a routine for Amritvela and actually implementing the message of Gurbani is our daily life, can be of great help. When we as Gursikhs, start becoming a living embodiment or reflection of our Guru’s Baani, that’s when the spiritual unlock actually takes place! Along with these small steps, we also need to keep doing Ardaas to Guru Sahib to bless with the supreme understanding.
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ
Charan Saran Gur Ek Paiddaa Jaae Chal Satgur Kott Paiddaa Aage Hoe Let Hai
A disciple who walks one step towards the Guru to take his refuge, Guru advances to receive him (devotee) by taking a million steps.
-Vaar 111, Bhai Gurdaas Ji
No matter where we are standing today, we must have a strong faith that keeps us walking towards the Guru. Because even if we take one little step towards Him with love and devotion, He advances towards us, taking a million steps!
