Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh Questions answered by Sant Baba Darshan Singh Dhakki Sahib 1) Right now we're supposedly in the Kaal Yug (age of darkness, one of the 4 ages), if and when the Saatch Yug (age of light/truth) comes, does that mean everything is good or there's still a mixture? If everything is good, how would you know what was good? If everything was bad, how would you know what was bad? The four yugs (ages) don't occur in a linear fashion one after the other. All four are always in motion at exactly the same time, however one is always a bit more dominant than the others. Hence in the Kal Yug the darkness is dominant but you also have some saatch (light/truth/wisdom), and in the Saatch Yug you will also have some kal (darkness/ignorance), but the saatch will be dominant. Right now the kal is dominant, but it doesn't last. 2) What's the purpose of all this creation? It's all God's play. God throws you out within Himself (here Babaji flicks his finger as though flicking a small marble ball away) and then says "Find me" (here Babaji illustrates the point by at the same time urging the ball to return to him with a motion of his fingers). And all this is leela (God's eternal play) that's going on infinitely and spontaneously without intention, It's God playing and expressing Himself in infinite different roops (forms). (Because God doesn't need a reason to do anything and has nothing to achieve or purpose to fulfill, or else he wouldn't be God. Everything is the spontaneous eternal play of the Infinite for Self-expression and Self-experience). 3) How would you define your role? To lead people's hearts to God, to join them with God, that's my only role. Sometimes that will be achieved through external social service, sometimes through devotion or an emphasis on meditation or through gyan (dispersing knowledge of the truth). The doctor has to adapt his medicine according to the differing needs and nature of the patient. 4) What's the most important thing on the spiritual path? Pursuing the truth, nothing is more important that that. If a man can prove to me that God doesn't exist, I'm willing to follow that man, because truth is all that counts. 5) Gurbani (main Sikh scripture) says that the world reality is actually just a projected appearance by God within His consciousness just like our dreams at night which seem to be intensely real, but which turn out to be completely non-existent when we wake up in the morning. Gurbani says again and again that we should wake up from this jagrat state (waking dream) to the 4th state (Turiya which is the source substance of the first three and the sole reality). You've meditated and experienced that everything is inside yourself, not on the outside, that it's all truly just a dream within your own consciousness. So why then do you do all these charitable projects such as the blood camps, de-addiction centers, why do you run around for so many hours each day giving so many discourses at so many different Gurdwaras, when you know none of this really exists, no one is really suffering and no one is really helped, that it's all a dream as Gurbani states. Why do you do something instead of nothing? It's completely true that all this is just a dream in reality, it doesn't really exist, but I do what I do for 3 reasons. First of all it's my hukam to do whatever I'm doing. Secondly, I like the role I've been given, I'm able to help others within this dream, it's a good role. And thirdly due to the love of the people in the dream. But the most important of the three is the hukam. None of this exists outside, the whole world is a dream within just like the seemingly intense physical solidity of the world in your own dreams at night, but still the most important thing to do in this dream is to honor and follow God's hukam. In truth everyone is following God's hukam, everyone without exception is doing exactly what God wants them to, but 99% of the people are unaware of this, you can't even have the thought that makes you take a certain action or take a breath without God's hukam. The whole universe exists and is in motion by Wahe Guru's (God's) hukam alone. 6) It's my understanding that God projects the field of Maya (the world illusion) within Himself, then projects all the individual souls also within Himself, and that these supposedly individual souls are in reality never separate from Wahe Guru (God), but when placed in a body with limited senses and a mind, they forget their true nature and think they are separate beings so that all the dramas can be enjoyed with greater intensity. Is it true that God and the Atma are always one, never separate at any time and that in reality all bondage or suffering is only due to a lack of perception or realization on this front? It's true that the Atma (individualized soul in a body) and Paramatama (God) are always one, there is never any separation, but the Atma is made to forget this truth via ignorance and has to go through various disciplines to realize it's true nature. God is in each person, but God isn't Maya (the world illusion which appears to be real via ignorance). 7) Yes, but isn't it true that the very shakti (life force) in the field of Maya is none other than Paramatama (God/the Infinite)? That in truth God is the very source substance of the field of Maya, but in that instance God is simply appearing in a different form? Yes, that's true, it is God, but the roop (form) is different. Everything and everyone is God, but appearing in a different roop.Top 8) Is it true that the only veiling curtain between man and God is the thoughts of the mind alone since God is one, but the thoughts of the mind always perceive things in terms of diverse contrasts (such as good or bad, cold or hot, rich and poor) instead of recognizing the unity of everything at the source substance level? Yes, Wahe Guru (God) is everywhere, but because of the mann (mind) thinking 'meh' ('me' or 'I'), the ego is formed which perceives reality as separation and diversity (instead of recognizing everything as one, the mind makes the soul perceive everything inside the body as 'I', and everything outside as 'you' or 'them'). This hides the true reality. When the mind is purified and made transparent through simran (making the mind one pointed on God), then the underlying reality of Wahe Guru (God) is recognized as the sole reality. Dualistic thoughts (seeing things as separate and distinct) are the veiling curtain that hide God from our awareness even though He's everywhere. 9) When the eyes are closed and the mind is emptied of thoughts for even only 5 seconds, even though you're not thinking and the mind is empty for a short while, there's still a very subtle but clear awareness that you exist which seems to have it's center in the heart rather than the mind, That subtle awareness or consciousness of existing is colorless, formless, and very calm and seems to be never changing or moving, until thoughts are projected upon It, like a movie projected on a screen. It's the easiest thing in the world to lose one's balance by getting mixed up in the movies created by one's thoughts, but going back to the root awareness in those moments seems to have an instantly centering and balancing effect, because even in the middle of even intensely happy or unhappy experiences, looking within with the mind empty even for only a few seconds, that very subtle awareness that one exists still seems to be perfectly calm and completely still and in peace. So what I wanted to ask was, is this neverchanging subtle awareness that you still exist when you have no thoughts even for a few seconds Wahe Guru, is it your real Self? Yes, that awareness or consciousness within your heart is Wahe Guru (the Infinite), but what you're experiencing is a small glimpse of your real Self. As you gradually get more and more anchored in that, it expands into infinity. What you're experiencing is a drop which is your Atma (the individual soul), and as you go deeper you'll experience that the drop - your Atma - has always in reality been an ocean which is Paramatama, the sole ocean within which everything exists. Then when you return from the experience of realizing that you are the ocean, that awareness will be with you at all times even when your eyes are wide open. A person in this state is called a Jiwanmukta (awakened while still in body). (Note: When the eyes are closed and the mind is emptied of thoughts for even only 5 seconds - because anyone can achieve that for at least 5 seconds - what remains in the absence of thoughts is an awareness that you exist. The sensation of the eyes is a bit of a distraction at first even though they're closed, but getting past that gradually, if one pays attentions, the subtle awareness that you exist reveals itself as originating in the chest area, in the heart rather than the mind). 10) Does the mind in such a person completely dissolve, leaving only the spiritual heart as the sole guide or discriminating faculty? No, the mind doesn't completely disappear, it remains, but in a purified state. The mind before, being the cause of your ego had become your master, now it becomes the dutiful servant of the heart (your real Self). Your real Self is not the body, or mind but spirit (consciousness) which has it's origin in your spiritual heart. That spirit is everywhere though, but in your body you'll find it's root in your heart. 11) How do you function after the mind has been purified to reveal the underlying source substance of all reality? Your spiritual heart determines the direction to go, while the mind analyzes, dissects and figures out the best way to get from point A to point B. Again the mind doesn't determine direction or desired end, only how to get there within the dream world. Through simran and meditation, the mind becomes one pointed making it transparent and acutely sharp, but because it's conditioning has been thinned out almost completely dissolving the ego, it becomes a complete servant of the heart, which is your real Self and one with the Infinite. God resides in every heart, persevere and surrender to that and you're free. 12) You're referring to the spiritual heart slightly to the right, not the physical organ to the left? Yes, the spiritual heart is consciousness, from that comes the shakti which animates the mind and your body. 13) Is the ego completely dissolved or some portion is left in order for you to be able to keep your feet on the physical plane? A very small trace of ego is left after you recognize the unity of all creation. However that small amount of ego is so transparent that a Self realized saint is unmoved by whatever happens on this plane, having recognized the truth. And that small trace of ego is there by the choice of the saints so that they can function on this physical plane and fulfill their hukam, otherwise they would be on another plane, and not in their body. 14) Some people prefer to think of God in human form as a saint or avtar, my perception without intention happens to be of the Infinite in the formless state, as spirit or indivisible consciousness that is manifest within everything. My frame of reference keeps returning to the central point that everything is God, so what I wanted to ask you is, is there anything wrong with this angle of vision, or is there a better way to approach all this? Am I doing anything wrong, should anything be changed? No, there's nothing wrong with thinking God is everything, it's very good. And no, there's no need to change anything, continue doing whatever you want. 15) Some mystics have given others an experience by a simple touch, can you give me the experience of samadhi? (Babaji smiles and says): Via simran(Meditation), it will come by itself. 16) It's a psychological truth that you actually become whatever your dominant thought is, whatever you think about all the time, that becomes your reality, but how would you personally define the purpose or benefit of doing simran? Without simran you are like a little child lost in a mela (fairground/festival) and can easily lose your way or be easily overwhelmed by all the diverse rides, games, sights and sounds. The only obstacle to realizing your true nature is your ego, and the ego is only a child of your mind which is only made up of thoughts. Simran gradually makes your mind one pointed on one thought, until it purifies the mind so that it dissolves and becomes transparent enough to reveal your true underlying nature. After that you are like the child who returns to the playground holding a finger of your Father's (God's) hand. Then you can go on any ride you want without ever again losing your way in the fairground or getting overwhelmed with all the attractions, sights and sounds, and for the first time are fully able to enjoy the mela (fairground/festival) as a free person realizing it for what it is. 17) I have a firm belief in the concept that - praise or blame, both are the same, since the source substance of both is the same one Infinite - and that as a result we should be even and balanced inside in both situations. The praise part is easy to get a handle on, but blame is of course always a little more difficult, so I prayed for some practice on this front. Is it OK to be even and balanced inside in the event of blame or abuse, or should one be in bliss even in that? It's very good to be even within in the event of blame or abuse, remaining even and balanced is a very high state. Beyond that later on comes a state where you are in bliss even during blame, but that's going deeper still. 18) Why is there still so much suffering and poverty in India for so many? Because where you have extreme good as in the case of all the Mahatamas and enlightened saints, you must also have extreme bad to balance it all. Everything in the universe is a perfect balance. Here in America, you don't have extreme good, and hence you also don't have extreme bad, although you do have bad. It takes more of the apparently bad to outweigh the good since the apparently good is always more powerful than bad. So India is very extreme on both ends for a completely perfect balance between the two. On the surface of India, you see only the apparently bad, but below the surface India has the highest good too in the form of all it's awakened sages, who have always been beneficial to the whole planet. That's the country that has produced all the enlightened sages and given the world all it's religions. 19) What do you see as the biggest problem in India today? Lack of education and negative thinking. 20) Do men in India treat their women better these days, or is divorce becoming more prevalent there? The ideal is one thing, but unfortunately the reality is generally something else. The reality is that if the women of India had economic independence as generally do the women here, then India would lead the whole world for divorces. It's only because of majboori (economic difficulty, mutual need for security) that couples stick together, there's often not true love or mutual respect as the base of the marriage. But here in America, the majboori isn't there, but there's a big lack of commitment. A marriage formed in the mutual love of God is the highest. 21) Is it true that the purpose of all religion is to simply realize your real self, and nothing else? Absolutely true, that's why in Gurbani it says many times "Aapna mul pashaano" (recognize your true nature/know thyself, the source substance/substratum of your very existence). All the rest of religion is just preparation for that, to mature and make us ripe for the real work which is to stop being distracted by externals, dive within our own heart and realize our true nature which is purely spiritual, not physical. The true nature of everything and everyone is spiritual, the whole universe appears in the spirit of Wahe Guru (the Infinite) who is the sole reality in all things. 22) Guru means anyone or anything that dispels the darkness of ignorance. It's said that there can and will be many gurus in many forms, including books and communication via dreams, but that for each person there is precisely one Sat Guru (highest guide), so how do you recognize the Sat Guru? Sat Guru is the one that takes you all the way to anand (bliss). 23) Is the real nature of the guru with form (human body) or without form? Without form (infinite spirit, consciousness). As a result all the true Gurus are one. 24) Is it better to do just simran, meditation or both? Meditation is like winding up a clock in the morning, giving you the momentum to do your simran the whole day. One is fine, both together is better. 25) Is contemplating God as being within everyone and everything at all times the same as doing simran? Contemplating God at all times is good, but without simran it's difficult to progressively ascend the ladder of consciousness. (The effects of simran are based upon the psychological truth that you become whatever your dominant thought is, since our reality is always colored & formed by whatever we saturate our consciousness with for the majority of the time). 26) Are there other planes of existence or dimensions where there is more peace or bliss? Yes, there are planes where there is nothing but bliss, then there are some below. Compared to the spiritual planes, this plane of existence is nothing, the happiness here is nothing compared to the happiness on the spiritual plane. But before getting there the soul has to evolve through many life forms. Towards the end that soul will once again be put in a human body for one or two more lifetimes, and will be given a role whereby it does nothing but physical seva for all from youth to old age and death, in order for that soul to get past theory and completely experience that God is truly equally within everyone and everything, that everything is God. 27) I have really bad dreams that the world is going to end soon, we're doing so many crazy things these days. What should I do about that? Those who fear that the world will end should pray to God that it doesn't. That will make a difference. In reality this world will never end, existence never comes to an end. All this creation is happening on such an endlessly infinite scale that the mind can't even begin to comprehend the scope of God's eternal creation. Forms and circumstances change, but life, existence never had a beginning or birth and will never come to an end or death.
Amrit vela - 12.30 am till Sunrise. Srimaan Sant Baba Nand Singh jee Maharaaj Kaleranwale's Bachan below: Quote Once Babajee said that if one does paath after taking bath after 12.30 A.M.(Midnight) then it is as beneficial as giving away 11/4 Maund* (*Maund is a measurement, it is of 40 sears, one sear is about a kilogram) of gold in charity and if paath is done in the early hours then it is as beneficial as giving away 11/4 Maund of silver in charity and if it is done before sunrise then it is beneficial as much as giving away 11/4 Maund of copper in charity. If it is done after that still it is good and useful. Taking bath after the sunrise is just cleaning the body for one's own self. Unquote [1] [1] - Sri Nanaksar Stairs to God 11/4 Maund = 1.25 Maund Bhul chuk maaf Waheguru jee kaa Khalsa Waheguru jee kee Fateh
Brother what difference does it make, whether He went or not?
For we all know, He is the very embodiment of Truth and divinity of the highest order. So wheresover He went, that place automatically became sanctified.
Man made constructions, can only become true temples, if only He, Satguru Jee is present, not otherwise, no matter how large the numbers of the congregation could be.
Anyhow, our own human body is the real temple, the real Gurdwara, for He is always present there.
"Har mandir ehu sareer hae....
Sat Sree Akal.
Gurbani explains to us perfectly what is Shabad//Panch Shabad/Sehaj Dhune/Sacha Shabad/Toor/Naad - all refer to Naam (different forms).
Āsā mėhlā 5. Aasaa, Fifth Mehl:
Uḏam karaṯ hovai man nirmal nācẖai āp nivāre. Making the effort, the mind becomes pure; in this dance, the self is silenced. (effort to jap: chant and meditate on gurmantra)
Pancẖ janā le vasgaṯ rākẖai man mėh ekankāre. ||1|| The five passions are kept under control, and the One Lord dwells in the mind. ||1||
Ŧerā jan niraṯ kare gun gāvai. Your humble servant dances and sings Your Glorious Praises.
Rabāb pakẖāvaj ṯāl gẖungẖrū anhaḏ sabaḏ vajāvai. ||1|| rahā▫o. He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ||1||Pause||
Parathme man parboḏẖai apnā pācẖẖai avar rījẖāvai. First, he instructs his own mind, and then, he leads others.
Rām nām jap hirḏai jāpai mukẖ ṯe sagal sunāvai. ||2|| He chants the Lord's Name and meditates on it in his heart; with his mouth, he announces it to all. ||2||
Kar sang sāḏẖū cẖaran pakẖārai sanṯ ḏẖūr ṯan lāvai. He joins the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and washes their feet; he applies the dust of the Saints to his body
Man ṯan arap ḏẖare gur āgai saṯ paḏārath pāvai. ||3|| He surrenders his mind and body, and places them before the Guru; thus, he obtains the true wealth. ||3||
Jo jo sunai pekẖai lā▫e sarḏẖā ṯā kā janam maran ḏukẖ bẖāgai. Whoever listens to, and beholds the Guru with faith, shall see his pains of birth and death taken away.
Aisī niraṯ narak nivārai Nānak gurmukẖ jāgai. ||4||4||43|| Such a dance eliminates hell; O Nanak, the Gurmukh remains wakeful. ||4||4||43||
ANG 381
Some more quotes from Guru Granth Sahib:
Gẖantā jā kā sunī▫ai cẖahu kunt. His bell resounds to the four corners of the world.
Binvanṯ Nānak sukẖ nām bẖagṯī ḏar vajėh anhaḏ vāje. ||4||3|| Prays Nanak, happiness comes from devotional worship of the Naam; at His Door, the unstruck melody resounds
Pancẖ sabaḏ ḏẖun anhaḏ vāje ham gẖar sājan ā▫e. ||1|| The unstruck sound current of the Panch Shabad, the Five Primal Sounds, vibrates and resounds; my friends have come into my home.
Anhaḏ sabaḏ ḏasam ḏu▫ār vaji▫o ṯah amriṯ nām cẖu▫ā▫i▫ā thā. ||2|| The unstruck sound current of the Shabad vibrates and resounds in the Tenth Gate; the Ambrosial Naam trickles down there
Man mukẖ nām japahu jagjīvan riḏ anṯar alakẖ lakẖā▫i▫ā. ||12|| Chant the Naam with your mind and mouth; know the unknowable Lord, the Life of the World, deep within the nucleus of your heart.
ghunghroo vaajai jay man laagai. You shall hear the vibrations of the tinkling bells, when your mind is held steady.
The ONE contemplated itself. It had nothing else to contemplate, and in that contemplation, the 'spark' of creation.
The ONE we know is formless, yet possesses all forms. How can this be?
If we look at quantum physics, we know that the base of all the Universe is vibration... pure frequency.
Light, heat, radio, radiation, colour, sound, even matter itself all exists through vibration. Thought too, is pure frequency and brainwaves can be measured by EEG.
Why is this important? The clues MUST be within the Universe itself... consciousness, is formless, yet can possess all forms (dreams, imagery, thought, creativity) Thoughts do not take up 'space' they create space (imagine yourself dreaming, how can you quantify the space your dream takes?)
This is important, because the base of all existence is pure frequency. At the lowest end is said to be sound... Every major religion in the world, speaks of a primal sound or 'word' that created the Universe. Most go beyond that and say that the word or sound itself IS God.
My thoughts on anahad naad, is that it's the direct experience of this primal 'sound' - which goes way beyond simply hearing a sound... as you yourself are created into existence by this same force, then the experience going within and interacting directly with the source, is overwhelming. It's not just hearing something, but actually experiencing the base truth of existence. And that truth is ONEness. That everything we know as matter, separateness, even our own identity is an illusion. It's no longer belief... it's knowing.
By going within, you are actually dissolving the illusion and discovering the truth of your existence. You do hear an audible sound... which itself is indescribable, and I have only gotten to this stage and also OBEs, but beyond this is only actually merging with it. Laying down your whole built up identity and becoming one with it. I have not reached that stage.
These thoughts are only my own, I in no way purport to be any sort of expert...
Having watched Mahabharat for a 2nd time, I woould like to start a topic on its characters and what characteristics they represented.
To me having watched this again, it stands out that there is more than a storyline to be followed. There is a very good reason why this story is an epic, which is also mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib JI, and also Sri Dasme Patshah's Granth as well.
Is there any Katha on Sarbloh Granth? Is any teeka available on it? Has anyone here read sarbloh granth? Can anyone here provide detail about sarbloh granth?
thanx for ur time:)
The Sword of the Khalsa is a magnificently built weapon. The blade of this unique Siri Sahib is made of Damascus steel. The hilt or handgrip is decorated with white gold and diamonds. It has a portrait of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh forged in yellow gold and the embellished handle of solid jade and white gold is in the shape of Guru Gobind Singh’s hawk. The stainless steel scabbard, the sheath that covers the blade, has the entire text of the 10th Master's Jaap Sahib laser-etched in microtype. The Jaap Sahib contains over 3,550 words. Also on the scabbard, spaced evenly apart, are miniature vignettes from the Master's life carved in yellow gold. There are six vignettes, three on the back and three on the front. Each vignette is set off with white gold, and precious stones (diamonds and amethysts).
Vignette 1 - Birth, Cosmic Virtue
Vignette 2 - Sacrifice - Guru Teg Bahadhur head brought to Guru Gobind Singh.
Vignette 3 - The Amrit Ceremony, birth of the Khalsa
Vignette 4 - Younger Sons of Guru Gobind Singh being bricked alive.
Vignette 5 - The Forty Liberated Ones
Vignette 6 - Older Sons of Guru Gobind Singh fighting their last battle
Good point paaji. It is good for home use, when sitting in a car, in Gurudwara, when on a stroll, etc. Not a great idea to use it, when other people are around you. Thanks a lot for your input. Bhul chuk maaf
They are great but the clicking sound is not discreet. When I used to use it on the train whilst keeping in my pocket, people use to give me strange looks wondering what I was carrying. They are good for shabad or mool mantar jaap but I wouldn't use it for waheguru jaap.
To add: - One has to do 180 malas, in total (in case of Mool mantar jaap), from one pooranmashi to the next one. It does not have to be strictly 6 malas, per day. One can do more, especially if one has time (on the weekends) and less on the busy days. - Another Important point: As a Sikh, we should dedicate approximately 2.5 hrs (Daswandh - 10% of the day) for God, on a daily basis. Nitnaym can be completed in approximately 1.5 hrs. Therefore, this is great way to cover the remaining approximate 1 hr left and also attain the reward of a Sehaj paath of SSGGSJ. Dhan Dhan Srimaan Sant Baba Nand Singh jee Maharaaj Kaleranwale Dhan Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Rai Dev Bedi jee Maharaaj Bhul chuk maaf
Yes by chanting Ram naam, Kabir ji merged into Ram. By changing Ram naam, Hanuman ji merged into Ram.
God's devotees have merged into God. By singing their praises you can obtain God.
Kavi Kalya ji says -
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਕਵਲ ਰਿਦਿ ਧਾਰੰ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਗੁਣ ਸਹਜਿ ਬਿਚਾਰੰ ॥
Enshrine the feet of the True guru in your heart and patiently meditate on the virtues of Guru Arjun Dev ji.
That's what I was wondering lol. Maybe he's got me confused with someone else.
Ram means 'pleasing'.
Vishnu means 'present everywhere, in everything' ie Akal Purakh, Waheguru.
(Ref - Vishnu Sahasarnama, Sanskrit Dictionary)
Ram Chandra ji is considered an avtar of Vishnu ji, that is to say, there is no distinction between Vishnu and Ram. Vishnu is one who is present everywhere, in everything, thus you can say Ram is present everywhere, in everything.
The body has an end and beginning. However consciousness does not. It's important to make a distinction between the body of Ram and his consciousness, his being.
When Saints are referring to Ram, they are referring to consciousness, Purakh (Akal Purakh). When Bhagat Valmiki ji was writing Ramayan, ie story of Ram Chandra ji, he was referring to Akal Purakh descending down to Earth and... well you know the rest.
So come to Hanuman ji, who did bhagti of Ram ji and merged into him. If he merged into that which is present everywhere and in everything, then where do you think you will find Hanuman ji?
wjkkwjkf got a reaction from DJSingh in I want to become a Sikh but I am afraid..