Living In The Memory Of our Creator

To tread on a path, we need very clear instructions. If someone says: this world is a projection of your mind and you see what your mind projects; otherwise, it doesn't exist; will we realize that? We may never comprehend it actually, because we don't only feel this world, but we also touch it and verify its existence. We have developed adherence to its existence.  We need to bring a change in ourselves in the same way we have been programmed in our environments. The Guru doesn't take us to such kind of ambiguous and intricate routes; instead, he advises us to overcome our self-conceit that hinders every spiritual phenomenon we seek to experience; the second, he asks us to become detached. Now this is very hard to understand if we are not guided to understand how to do it. The Guru addresses that issue by asking us to live here as a guest, who lives at another’s place without getting attached to anything. After getting over our self-conceit and attachment, the Guru asks us to concentrate on our Creator, who is defined as a permeating power all over in and out.Thus, the path is crystal clear, and to realize it, we must follow what the Guru says. Let us start understanding how our Guru guides us: Third Nanak first puts a few questions then answers them, which are very helpful for our spiritual journey; please read on 1048:

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥

Maaroo mehlaa 3.

ਕਿਸੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਤੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ॥

Kis sayvee tai kis saalaahee.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ॥

Satgur sayvee sabad saalaahee.

ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਦਾ ਮਤਿ ਊਤਮ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੀ ਹੇ ॥੩॥

Sachai sabad sadaa mat ootam antar kamal pargaasee hay. ||3||

Raag Maroo, the bani of Third Nanak

  

In essence: (Questions)To whom should I serve and to whom should I praise?(Answers) Serve (follow) the Satiguru and through his shabda, praise Akalpurakh. One’s intellect becomes sublime and one’s lotus-mind blossoms through praising Him (Akalpurakh).

And again stress is given on the same idea:

ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਚੇਤਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਪੂਜਾ ॥

Har naam chaytaa avar na poojaa.

ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥

Ayko sayvee avar na doojaa.

ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਸਚੁ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ਸਚੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਹੇ ॥੭॥

Poorai gur sabh sach dikhaa-i-aa sachai naam nivaasee hay. ||7||

In essence: I remember Prabh’s Naam and I do not worship anyone one other.I serve none but only Prabh, the perfect Guru has shown me Prabh and I abide in His Naam.

 Abiding in His Naam is not simple; to reach to that state, the Guru guides us. Following the Guru and worshipping the Creator is actually a journey to realize the Creator within. In this context, the Guru also says on 1028:

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਚੀਨਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਸਾਈ ॥

Satgur milhu cheenahu bidh saa-ee.

ਜਿਤੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਗਣਤ ਨ ਕਾਈ ॥

Jit parabh paavhu ganat na kaa-ee.

ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਭੀਨਾ ਹੇ ॥੧੭॥੨॥੮॥

Ha-umai maar karahu gur sayvaa jan naanak har rang bheenaa hay. ||17||2||8||

In essence: Brother! You meet the Satiguru and ask the way out to meet Har. When you obtain Har, there will be no account of your deeds. By eliminating your self-conceit, serve the Guru (follow the Guru’s advice strictly in utter humility). Oh Nanak! This way, one gets drenched in Har’s love.

The following Slok of Fifth Nanak states that merely talking doesn't help; please read on 1100

ਮਃ ੫ ॥

Mehlaa 5.

ਸਜਣ ਸਚੁ ਪਰਖਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਅਲਾਵਣੁ ਥੋਥਰਾ ॥

Sajan sach parakh mukh alaavan thothraa.

ਮੰਨ ਮਝਾਹੂ ਲਖਿ ਤੁਧਹੁ ਦੂਰਿ ਨ ਸੁ ਪਿਰੀ ॥੩॥

Man majhaahoo lakh tudhhu door na so piree. ||3||

 In essence: Oh friend! Realize Prabh’s Naam in your heart, because merely talking about it is useless.Look Him within; your beloved Spouse is not far away.

The Guru is not saying that “don’t utter His Naam”, but instead he is saying that His Naam should be uttered heartily; making “His Naam uttering” a ritual is criticized in the Gurbani. Without sincerity, all efforts done in context of realizing Him are literally useless.

Look at the following verses on 1030, SGGS; you will see more clarity about searching Him within:

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥

Maaroo mehlaa 1.

ਘਰਿ ਰਹੁ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਮੁਗਧ ਇਆਨੇ ॥

Ghar rahu ray man mugadh i-aanay.

ਰਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਧਿਆਨੇ ॥

Raam japahu antargat Dhi-aanay.

ਲਾਲਚ ਛੋਡਿ ਰਚਹੁ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਿ ਇਉ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥

Laalach chhod rachahu aprampar i-o paavhu mukat du-aaraa hay. ||1||

Raag Maroo, the bani of First Nanak

In essence: Oh silly and childish mind! Be stilled within and utter Prabh’s name internally. Give up all greed and get drenched in the love of Prabh, who is infinite; this way, the salvation is achieved.

To do that, we need some personal advice of the Guru; in other words, we need to know how to get ready to become an apt follower of the Guru? Answer is on 1041. SGGS:

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥

Maaroo mehlaa 1.

ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਪਰਹਰੁ ਪਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ॥

Kaam krodh parhar par nindaa.

ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਤਜਿ ਹੋਹੁ ਨਿਚਿੰਦਾ ॥

Lab lobh taj hohu nichindaa.

ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾ ਸੰਗਲੁ ਤੋੜਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥

Bharam kaa sangal torh niraalaa har antar har ras paa-i-aa. ||1||

Raag Maroo, the bani of First Nanak

In essence: Give up your lust, anger and slandering of others; abandon your greed and possessiveness to become worry free. One, who breaks the chains of doubt, becomes detached and finds Har’s Naam-essence within.

Once, we complete our self analysis and reform ourselves, we are right on a track; we are heading toward the ultimate freedom by shattering our each and every bond, but always bear in mind that we are supposed to live here as guests not owners, please see on 1188 to 1189:

ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸਮਝਿ ਰਹੈ ਮਿਹਮਾਣੁ ॥

Gur tay samajh rahai mihmaan.

ਹਰਿ ਰਸਿ ਰਾਤਾ ਜਨੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥੭॥

Har ras raataa jan parvaan. ||7||

In essence: A person, who understands Prabh and lives here like a guest as per the Guru’s advice, remains drenched in His love and becomes acceptable to Him.

Now let us go to Bhagat Namdev to know how to practice our concentration on our Creator; he gives many examples in this context; here is his shabda on 972, SGGS

ਆਨੀਲੇ ਕਾਗਦੁ ਕਾਟੀਲੇ ਗੂਡੀ ਆਕਾਸ ਮਧੇ ਭਰਮੀਅਲੇ ॥

Aaneelay kaagad kaateelay goodee aakaas madhay bharmee-alay.

ਪੰਚ ਜਨਾ ਸਿਉ ਬਾਤ ਬਤਊਆ ਚੀਤੁ ਸੁ ਡੋਰੀ ਰਾਖੀਅਲੇ ॥੧॥

Panch janaa si-o baat bata-oo-aa cheet so doree raakhee-alay. ||1||

In essence: Look! A boy brings paper, cuts it and makes a kite; then he flies it in the sky: he keeps talking with his companions, but his mind remains fixed on the string of the kite;

ਮਨੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਾ ਬੇਧੀਅਲੇ ॥

Man raam naamaa baydhee-alay.

ਜੈਸੇ ਕਨਿਕ ਕਲਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਮਾਂਡੀਅਲੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Jaisay kanik kalaa chit maaⁿdee-alay. ||1|| rahaa-o.

Namdev’s mind is pierced with Akalpurakh’s name as the goldsmith keeps his attention on gold-crafting while talking with others. Pause.

ਆਨੀਲੇ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਭਰਾਈਲੇ ਊਦਕ ਰਾਜ ਕੁਆਰਿ ਪੁਰੰਦਰੀਏ ॥

Aaneelay kumbh bharaa-eelay oodak raaj ku-aar purandree-ay.

ਹਸਤ ਬਿਨੋਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਕਰਤੀ ਹੈ ਚੀਤੁ ਸੁ ਗਾਗਰਿ ਰਾਖੀਅਲੇ ॥੨॥

Hasat binod beechaar kartee hai cheet so gaagar raakhee-alay. ||2||

The young girls go outside the city and fill their pitchers with water; they laugh and talk and make merry, but they keep their minds in their pitchers (Namdev remembers His Prabh in the same way).

ਮੰਦਰੁ ਏਕੁ ਦੁਆਰ ਦਸ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਗਊ ਚਰਾਵਨ ਛਾਡੀਅਲੇ ॥

Mandar ayk du-aar das jaa kay ga-oo charaavan chhaadee-alay.

ਪਾਂਚ ਕੋਸ ਪਰ ਗਊ ਚਰਾਵਤ ਚੀਤੁ ਸੁ ਬਛਰਾ ਰਾਖੀਅਲੇ ॥੩॥

Paaⁿch kos par ga-oo charaavat cheet so bachhraa raakhee-alay. ||3||

Here is a house with ten gates; a man let loose the cows to graze. The Cows graze five miles away, but they keep their hearts fixed on their calves (in the same way Namdev remembers Him).

ਕਹਤ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਤਿਲੋਚਨ ਬਾਲਕੁ ਪਾਲਨ ਪਉਢੀਅਲੇ ॥

Kahat naamday-o sunhu tilochan baalak paalan pa-udhee-alay.

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਬਿਰੂਧੀ ਚੀਤੁ ਸੁ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਰਾਖੀਅਲੇ ॥੪॥੧॥

Antar baahar kaaj biroodhee cheet so baarik raakhee-alay. ||4||1||

Namdev says : listen oh Tirlochan! The mother lays the child in the cradle and she remains busy working in and outside the house, but she keeps her thoughts in her child (in the same way, Namdev remembers Him).

Once our minds start concentrating on Akalpurakh’s memory, we will never be disturbed by any desire or worldly attractions, because we will learn how to live with Him while living in this world, which is highly dominated by the Maya influences. We will not feel separate from Him ever; therefore, no duality will exist in us. No need to put marks on the forehead or chanting special mantras, because living in His Naam will become our necessary mantra; then we don’t need to look for auspicious days or time either. As His world runs, we will align with His all pervading ordinance perfectly. It eventually leads us to that state of void in which no difference is seen between our Creator and us. We will be living desire free while performing our assigned jobs. We will eat, share, laugh but deep in our minds, a settled thought of resistance to incessant desiring will glow all the time. The world is perfect. When our duality sets in, it becomes calamitous. If we keep mixing our thoughts or keep applying our self-made tricks in this regard, we may please some people, but our spiritual experience will doom at its inception.Our attention fixed on our Creator unfolds our freedom, which we unknowingly wrapped in bonds. Our minds fixed on Him become stilled, though the wind of worldly affairs keeps blowing.

Wishes

Regards

G Singh

A Seeker’s Readiness And Eagerness

I have met my many Sikh brothers and sisters who are very eager to discuss about Akalpurakh or the Gurus, but I have never felt a glowing urge to envision Him in any of them. They are more into discussing how they are right and others are wrong. They tell me how we should preach our religion or why our Sikh youth lacks devotion toward our faith or why corrupt preachers or the members of SGPC have betrayed the Guru? Not a single of them ever shared with me how seriously he or she feels to envision the Creator. I haven’t met any, who can say that the Guru’s path is clear and he or she is working on it. Most of the time, our intellectual thinking is seen dominating all of us; therefore, still I am in search of such Gursikh of my community, who has seen the glowing light within and become detached. It doesn’t mean that I am better than they are; instead they are far better than I am. My point is to share with my Sikh brothers and sisters that our Guru has written so much to help us, but why we fail to follow our Guru? I have been searching in this regard for a while without any success. I want to know or meet that Gursikh who lives not as the society commands or his or her own way of thinking demands, but who has realized the envisioning the Creator and changed his or her entire game of life. Today I am going to share with all of you the Guru’s those shabdas through which he expresses how he feels eagerly to have the very experience First Nanak expresses through his bani. Fifth Nanak has written these shabdas for us, because he is not a seeker but an achiever. These shabdas of his may infuse within us that longing once he had. Here are those shabda:

ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੩ ਦੁਪਦੇ

Jaithasaree Mehala 5 Ghar 3 Dhupadhae

Raag Jaitasri, The Bani of FifthNanak, house third: Dupde

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

Ik Oankar Sathigur Prasadh ||

There is only One All-PervadingAkalpurakh, who is known with the blessings of the Satiguru.

ਦੇਹੁ ਸੰਦੇਸਰੋ ਕਹੀਅਉ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਕਹੀਅਉ ॥ 

ਬਿਸਮੁ ਭਈ ਮੈ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਸੁਨਤੇ ਕਹਹੁ ਸੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਸਹੀਅਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Dhaehu Sandhaesaro Keheeao Pria Keheeao ||

Bisam Bhee Mai Bahu Bidhh Sunathae Kehahu Suhagan Seheeao ||1|| Rehao ||

In essence: Oh Fortunate friends! Tell me something about my beloved Prabh; I am amazed to hear many sorts of His accounts; say something about Him. Pause.

         Kindly reread it; it is a persuasion toward the ultimate goal of life by inviting those seekers, who talk about our source, Ekankaar. Please bear in mind that it is a talk or a thought that leads to unbelievable realms.

ਕੋ ਕਹਤੋ ਸਭ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਕਹਤੋ ਸਭ ਮਹੀਅਉ ॥

ਬਰਨੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਚਿਹਨੁ ਨ ਲਖੀਐ ਸੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਸਾਤਿ ਬੁਝਹੀਅਉ ॥੧॥

Ko Kehatho Sabh Bahar Bahar Ko Kehatho Sabh Meheeao ||

Baran N Dheesai Chihan N Lakheeai Suhagan Sath Bujheheeao ||1||

Some people say that my beloved Har is beyond all, but some say that He is within all. His color is invisible and His features are inexpressible. Oh fortunate soul-brides! Tell me the truth.

            The believers have different kind of ideas about the Creator and they express their ideas. Well, if one shares with others, only then it is possible to seek Him in utter sincerity, or to correct one’s thoughts in case any correction is needed. Now, having experienced the Creator, the Guru shares his experience with us. He doesn't show us stating that Akalpurakh is right there with such and such form; nonetheless, he locates Him for us and tells us about His virtues.

Answer:

ਸਰਬ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਵਾਸੀ ਲੇਪੁ ਨਹੀ ਅਲਪਹੀਅਉ ॥

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹਤ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਲੋਗਾ ਸੰਤ ਰਸਨ ਕੋ ਬਸਹੀਅਉ ॥੨॥੧॥੨॥

Sarab Nivasee Ghatt Ghatt Vasee Laep Nehee Alapeheeao ||

Naanak Kehath Sunahu Rae Loga Santh Rasan Ko Baseheeao ||2||1||2||

Nanak says: listen oh people! Akalpurakh dwells on the tongues of the Sants; He is all pervading; He abides in everyone, but He is attached to none; He is immaculate.

        As we read this shabda, we can see the love of the Guru for the Creator over flowing; he desires Him and then feels Him. First, the Guru just puts some questions about the experience of the Creator, but then he gives answers: the Creator, being detached, is indeed present in all; however, it is only His true devotees, who remain attached to Him by remembering Him always; in other simple words, they live in his memory. If you want to see Him go to the one who has realized Him (as I am trying); only then, you will see Him right on their tongues. Indeed, He is felt through His praise. If you don’t see such a devotee, as I haven’t,you just utter His name in His love; once you do that, you will feel Him as I have if not see Him. Indeed, He is very much present within us, but we lack that state of mind in which He is seen manifested clearly. We are too busy in our other pursuits to realize Him; nonetheless, it is His sants (the true lovers) who are only inclined toward Him and they are not bound by any kind of relation, things and entanglements though they work, support their families and share what they have with others. It is a thin line to cross; you may fall many times as I have, but the Guru suggests us to continue struggling to obtain our goal.

            Then in the next shabda, the Guru elaborates the plight of the sants in other words how they feel about Him; please read on

ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਃ ੫ ॥ 
ਧੀਰਉ ਸੁਨਿ ਧੀਰਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Jaithasaree Ma 5 || 
Dhheero Sun Dhheero Prabh Ko ||1|| Rehaao ||

Raag Jaitari, the Bani of Fifth Nanak.

In essence: Hearing about Prabh, I am calmed and soothed. Pause.

              Just hearing about the Creator can still the mercurial mind; you see the miracle-aspect of His memory. As calm sets within, our own wisdom goes out of window and His presence within glows as a guiding force. In my case, as I try to go there, a storm of my created entanglements soars to hit my concentration on Him.The Guru advises us that without reluctance, we should sacrifice everything in His love:

ਜੀਅ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਅਰਪਉ ਨੀਰਉ ਪੇਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਨੀਰਉ ॥੧॥

Jeea Praan Man Than Sabh Arapo Neero Paekh Prabh Ko Neero ||1||

Beholding Prabh very close, I offer to Him my soul, body and everything.

Now question we need to ask ourselves is: do we?

ਬੇਸੁਮਾਰ ਬੇਅੰਤੁ ਬਡ ਦਾਤਾ ਮਨਹਿ ਗਹੀਰਉ ਪੇਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੨॥

Baesumaar Baeanth Badd Dhaathaa Manehi Geheero Paekh Prabh Ko ||2||

Prabh is great, infinite and greatly beneficent. By beholdingHim, I keep Him in my heart.

Everything we have is His; we are just trustees of all we have; remember a trustee doesn’t own the things under a trust. In ownership comes conceit, but ownership doesn’t exist when His memory exists in the heart. As long as I feel like a trustee, I remain in smiles. Just remembering Him alone satiates us fully:

ਜੋ ਚਾਹਉ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਪਾਵਉ ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਪੂਰਉ ਜਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੩॥

Jo Chaaho Soee Soee Paavo Aasaa Manasaa Pooro Jap Prabh Ko ||3||

By uttering Prabh’sNaam, I get what I want; my wishes are fulfilled.

ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਦੂਖਿ ਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਝੂਰਉ ਬੁਝਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੪॥੨॥੩॥

Gur Prasaadh Naanak Man Vasiaa Dhookh N Kabehoo Jhooro Bujh Prabh Ko ||4||2||3||

Oh Nanak! With the grace of the Guru, Prabh abides in my mind; now through His understanding, I do not regret in distress.

         As the Guru says that by remaining aware of His presence, He is felt all over, but there is one obstacle, and that is to enable the mind to envision Him with the Guru’s grace. The Guru has already explained and guided us toward Him. Hasn’t the Guru graced us? The Guru has graced us, but we haven’t made ourselves qualified to envision Him, because we don’t do what our Guru says, period.No change, no gain. Please read the next shabda and see how after eagerness of envisioning the Creator, one needs to change totally:

ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
ਉਮਕਿਓ ਹੀਉ ਮਿਲਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤਾਈ ॥
ਖੋਜਤ ਚਰਿਓ ਦੇਖਉ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਸੁਨਤ ਸਦੇਸਰੋ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਸੇਜ ਵਿਛਾਈ ॥
ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਆਇਓ ਤਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥

Soohee Mehalaa 5 ||

Oumakiou Heeo Milan Prabh Thaaee ||

Khojath Chariou Dhaekho Pria Jaaee ||

Sunath Sadhaesaro Pria Grihi Saej Vishhaaee ||

Bhram Bhram Aaeiou Tho Nadhar N Paaee ||1||

Raag Soohi, the bani of Fifth Nanak.

In essence: My mind is excited to meet Prabh. I have left for searching to see my dear Spouse. Hearing the message of my beloved, I have prepared the coach of my heart for my spouse. I have been wandering for a long time, but now I have come back. I haven’t obtained Prabh’s grace.

           First, one needs to get ready by forsaking any concern about what others will say or what other theories are being discussed about Him. The Guru says in the next shabda that Akalpurakh is always awake, but it is we who remain asleep in the Maya slumber. In other words, we don’t remain aware of His presence in us or around, because we are not truly in love with Him. We need to wake up by forsaking the Maya pursuits we are over occupied with.Remember, our minds are always in planning mode. It doesn’t mean we need to abandon our efforts to make our living. The Guru wants us to be ready for Him by eliminating our conceit, anger, greed, attachment and jealousy by keeping His memory always in our minds. If someone has achieved more than us with less efforts, so what? Why to be jealous? If someone has betrayed us, it is not our fall but the betrayer’s who falls for such deception.If we fail in our goal, so what? Other people also fail; besides, worrying about the failure doesn’t change anything. By remembering our Crestor, we need to negate the negativity that keeps sprouting within us as we forget Him. For this, we must look for the Guru’s congregation, where Akalpurakh is praised and talked about. The Guru‘s congregation is the environment we need, and we must break away from our programmed pursuits.  Let us first make it clear what isa true congregation of the Guru, because it is not what we often see in the Gurdawaras these days.  In there, if you see our brothers and sisters are sitting and enjoying the melody of the Guru- shabda, you are at right place. If they are busy in telling what have they established, or what they own, or they are simply talking, obviously their minds have not been over taken by the melody of the shabda and it is better to run away from there.  What environment we truly need, First Nanak defines it on 72, SGGS:

ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥
ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥
ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥

Sathasangath Kaisee Jaaneeai ||

Jithhai Eaeko Naam Vakhaaneeai ||

Eaeko Naam Hukam Hai Naanak Sathigur Dheeaa Bujhaae Jeeo ||5||

In essence: What is satsangat? (The answer) A congregation where only Akalpurakh’sNaamis uttered (A place where He is praised and remembered) Oh Nanak! The order of Akalpurakh is to praise His Naamonly, and the Satiguru has given this understanding.

              By getting imbued with Akalpurakh’s praise in His love, we should try to change. Make sure, the one of you, who came to the Guru’s house, is changed at the time of your returning home. Counsel yourself through the Guru’s words and deem the rest of wisdom futile for you. I assure you, in future, you will not like to be the one you used to be before coming to the Guru’s house. The Guru says in the following that it is because of His absence in our lives that our minds don’t procure peace:

ਕਿਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਹੀਅਰੋ ਧੀਰੈ ਨਿਮਾਨੋ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਜਨ ਹਉ ਤੁਝੁ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Kin Bidhh Heearo Dhheerai Nimaano ||

Mil Saajan Ho Thujh Kurabaano ||1|| Rehaao ||

Oh my beloved! Come and meet me. I sacrifice to you. Without you, how can my heart be consoled? Pause.

              In the following verses, the Guru encourages us to realize that our Creator is always ready to meet us, but we remain in the Maya slumber. Yes, if He wills, we can awake from the Maya slumber; in other words,Akalpurakh’s grace is mandatory. His grace comes for our sincerity.

ਏਕਾ ਸੇਜ ਵਿਛੀ ਧਨ ਕੰਤਾ ॥
ਧਨ ਸੂਤੀ ਪਿਰੁ ਸਦ ਜਾਗੰਤਾ ॥
ਪੀਓ ਮਦਰੋ ਧਨ ਮਤਵੰਤਾ ॥
ਧਨ ਜਾਗੈ ਜੇ ਪਿਰੁ ਬੋਲੰਤਾ ॥੨॥

Eaekaa Saej Vishhee Dhhan Kanthaa ||

Dhhan Soothee Pir Sadh Jaaganthaa ||

Peeou Madharo Dhhan Mathavanthaa ||

Dhhan Jaagai Jae Pir Bolanthaa ||2||

In the heart of the bride, there is only one coach for her and her groom,Prabh;however, the bride is in slumber andher Spouse is always awake. The bride can only be awakened if her Groom gives her a call.

            His grace comes with our sincerity and prayers. Now the Guru prays for us, who are fallen:

ਭਈ ਨਿਰਾਸੀ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦਿਨ ਲਾਗੇ ॥

ਦੇਸ ਦਿਸੰਤਰ ਮੈ ਸਗਲੇ ਝਾਗੇ ॥

ਖਿਨੁ ਰਹਨੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਉ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਗ ਪਾਗੇ ॥

ਹੋਇ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹ ਸਭਾਗੇ ॥੩॥

Bhee Niraasee Bahuth Dhin Laagae ||

Dhaes Dhisanthar Mai Sagalae Jhaagae ||

Khin Rehan N Paavo Bin Pag Paagae ||

Hoe Kirapaal Prabh Mileh Sabhaagae ||3||

In wait, many days have been passed and I, His bride, have become sad. I have wandered through all lands. I cannot live without falling on the feet of my Spouse Prabh. If He bestows kindness, He will meet me and I shall become fortunate.

            As our Creator graces us, He creates occasions for us to be a part of  “sqsMgiq/Satsangat” :

ਭਇਓ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥

ਬੂਝੀ ਤਪਤਿ ਘਰਹਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥

ਸਗਲ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਹੁਣਿ ਮੁਝਹਿ ਸੁਹਾਇਆ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ॥੪॥

Bhaeiou Kirapaal Sathasang Milaaeiaa ||

Boojhee Thapath Gharehi Pir Paaeiaa ||

Sagal Seegaar Hun Mujhehi Suhaaeiaa ||

Kahu Naanak Gur Bharam Chukaaeiaa ||4||

My Prabh Spouse has shown mercy and He has united me with His devotees. In the company of His devotees, my thirst to see Him is quenched and I have found my Spouse Akalpurakh within. Now all my decorations look beautiful on me. Nanakutter this: the Guru has dispelled my doubt.

             The Guru starts with a strong longing of beholding Akalpurakh; he expresses the devotees’ failed efforts without His grace. Eventually, the Guru expresses that when Akalpurakh graces, His devotee finds Him within through the Guru. Once He is realized within, He is seen all over:

ਜਹ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਪਿਰੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ॥

ਖੋਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਓ ਕਪਾਟੁ ਤਾ ਮਨੁ ਠਹਰਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੫॥

Jeh Dhaekhaa Theh Pir Hai Bhaaee ||

Kholihou Kapaatt Thaa Man Theharaaee ||1|| Rehaao Dhoojaa ||5||(737 to 738, SGGS)

Oh brother! Now, wherever I look, I see my Spouse. The Guru has opened the closed door of my mind and my mind is stilled within. Pause. Second.

           In the above verses, the Guru explains how one feels after experiencing the Creator. It should be our ultimate goal of life. We are in duality and His oneness we cannot behold. Slow and steady, we need to tread on our Guru’s path with a strong urge to materialize this goal. We all have flaws, but we are also blessed with power to overcome them. Everything is within us: our flaws, virtues and our Creator’s presence. We just need to decide what we want. If we want to hold something, we need to extend our hands; we need to work for that; otherwise, we are what we are and we will die as what we are without experiencing our ultimate goal. Kindly don’t stop your efforts after listening to a melodious shabdas ever; instead, let that shabda become your guiding force in changing you and imprinting the Creator’s soothing memory in your heart.

Regards

Gurdeep Singh