Hari Jiwan Singh shares a monthly story about his personal experiences with the Siri Singh Sahib Ji.
“O Nanak, the whole world is suffering. He alone is victorious, who believes in the Lord.s Name. No other action is of any account. || 1 || “ Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Page 954 Siri Guru Granth Sahib
For years we’ve been taught that patience pays, that in the long run things even out. Then why do some students maintain the joy, the duty, the continuum, while other don’t seem to realize enough of their desires.
There are many reasons, but one word trumps them all. Karma. Everyone’s karma is their own, unique to them. It is written in the scriptures that you either have that mark on your forehead or you don’t; that you're destined toward God, or fatefully fall short.
Deathlessness. What’s that all about? What does it mean to you? What is it? Take a minute, sit still, close your eyes, and contemplate deathlessness. Create your own thought, ‘I am deathless.’ How do you see it? Where do you fit in? How do you envision experiencing it? Just close your eyes and project deathlessness.
Done? O.K. First, let me say that your version of deathlessness is yours. There’s no right or wrong, no good or bad answer.
The seven steps to happiness are: Commitment, Character, Dignity, Divinity, Grace, Power to Sacrifice, and Sacrifice. You can grade yourself along this scale. It may tell you where you are, and what to focus on next. Like any really good astrologer, gemologist, yogi, seer, or numerologist can provide, a preview into the future can help traverse any future objects. As they say, 'forewarned is forearmed'. When your focus proceeds correctly past present reality, thing happens more quickly and easier. Please let me explain.
As a spiritual journeyer, not only must you not self-aggrandize, but you must not fear self-aggrandizement. That sounds counterintuitive. The only way to know you don’t fear something is to go though the experience. In this case, that means the exercise of self-aggrandizement. How can that be? First you mustn’t, then you must do the same thing. Which is it? It can’t be both? Can’t it?
We talk of gratitude, but we just touch the edge. Until you’re constantly in the pursuit of being totally devoted, totally loyal, totally committed, totally obedient, totally trusting, totally subservient, totally loving of something or someone, true gratitude is lost.
The experience of gratitude is Infinite, as is, naturally, the pursuit of more and more gratitude. They go hand and hand as the Infinite example of God. They represent love and duty, the way of a Sikh.
How can you be spiritual if you’re not happy? Who are you fooling? Not me. Yes, spirituality is a process. You should not see it as the end game. The actual mission of spirituality is to deliver a happy, carefree, protected, life. Otherwise, what’s it all about?
One of the techniques to be used in becoming spiritual is the nurturing of you experiencing happiness and contentment.
I don’t think people, especially Sikhs, have appreciated the God-infused, warrior nature of Guru Gobind Singh. I’ve been blessed to see it. It still exists in the nature of some Punjabis. It’s beyond what you’d expect. It’s relentless, it’s continuous, it’s victorious. The thing is though, it can be victorious through bullying or honor. This fight has gone on since the beginning of existence. Nevertheless, the Punjabi way is born out of the spirit of Guru Gobind Singh.
You want to talk about courage? Do you know how much courage it takes to give up, surrender, your way of thinking? I mean give up to the point where your mind becomes mindless as your thinking floats by in a continuous stream of nothingness. Surrendering to nothingness takes courage - a lot of it. Or, stupidity. That’ll work too. The difference is what the ‘nothingness’ is attached too. Please, let me explain.
“Hari Jiwan, I’m sitting here with a young lady who’s perfect for your office. Can you take care of it? She’ll be a great help?” The Siri Singh Sahib’s voice and command were unmistakable. “Sure,” I responded, “I’ll send someone over to pick her up now if it’s your will.” This wasn’t the first time he sent someone over to work for me, it was a rather usual routine. I accommodated. If at times his request would create too much pressure, I let him know and he understood. He had other outlets, but that was rare.
If you would like to subscribe to our Ashram emails or view our archives,
click here >
Hacienda de Guru Ram Das Classified ads is a free service provided for friends and sangat members of Hacienda de Guru Ram Das Ashram.
Join the CSA with Khalsa Family Farms >
Food-for-Kids is a volunteer program coordinated by Guru Simran Kaur that serves hungry children in and around the Española, New Mexico area. Read more >
View live video from our Gurdwara every Sunday from 11:00am to about 12:30pm, MST, and a weekly reading of the Akhand Path from Wednesday through Saturday. Akhand Path dedications are available here >
Hearts and Hands is here for you. Whether you need help or want to help others, we are available. Visit our website >
